"I'm exhausted. I'm going back to sleep." Lin Hao headed toward Vermilion City's station without looking back.
May stamped her feet in frustration behind him. "You just beat an Elite Four member's Lapras, and now you're telling me you're tired?" She caught up with him. "You're running away from reality!"
"Say whatever you like." Lin Hao yawned. "All I want right now is a soft bed where I can lie around for three days and nights."
He patted the Pikachu on his shoulder. "Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu raised both paws in agreement. It wanted to go back and eat the premium Pokémon food at Professor Oak's Laboratory, too.
The two boarded a train bound for Pallet Town. Lin Hao snored thunderously the whole way, and no amount of shaking could wake him.
Sitting beside him, May scribbled furiously in her little notebook: [Target: Lin Hao. Designated top-priority threat. Charizard's flames possess enough power to overwhelm Elite Four level Pokémon. Naturally undisciplined, with no fighting spirit whatsoever.]
After writing those lines, May looked at the soundly sleeping Lin Hao and shook her head. "He's clearly so strong. Why does he insist on acting like a slacker?" she muttered.
A few hours later, the train arrived in Pallet Town. Lush greenery filled the town, and the fresh scent of earth greeted them. With his eyes closed, Lin Hao mechanically followed the familiar streets.
"Slow down!" May dragged her suitcase behind him.
They made their way to Professor Oak's Laboratory in the hills behind town. Bang! Lin Hao kicked the laboratory door open.
"Old man, I'm back." Lin Hao strode inside.
Inside the spacious laboratory, Professor Oak sat at a desk in his white coat, holding a bowl of instant noodles and slurping away.
When he saw Lin Hao come in, Professor Oak nearly spat out his noodles.
"What are you doing back here, kid?" Professor Oak set down his noodles and adjusted his glasses. "Weren't you traveling around collecting badges?"
"It's too dangerous out there. I came back to lie low." Lin Hao plopped onto the sofa.
"Dangerous?" Professor Oak laughed. "You dared to take on Lorelei of the Elite Four head-on, and you're telling me you're afraid of danger?"
Lin Hao froze. So did May.
"Professor, where did you hear that?" May asked.
"News travels faster than a Pidgeot within the League." Professor Oak walked over and handed Lin Hao a cup of tea. "That boy Lance has practically been calling my phone off the hook, asking me to find out just what you're trying to do."
Lin Hao rolled his eyes. "I'm not trying to do anything." He took the cup. "I just want to deliver food and go fishing in peace. They're the ones who insist on bothering me."
Professor Oak watched him with a smile.
Inside the system space, Mewtwo's voice rang out. "Master, this old man is probing you with psychic power."
Leave him alone. He means no harm, Lin Hao replied inwardly.
Professor Oak pulled up a chair and sat down. "Lin Hao." His voice lowered a little. "You still have that mutated Eevee that hatched in Viridian Forest with you, don't you?"
Lin Hao's expression didn't change. "What Eevee? I've never seen one."
"All right, drop the act." Professor Oak waved a hand. "That researcher Ake has nearly gone mad. He stands outside the League building holding a sign every day, saying you made off with Mythical genes."
"That old fool is a lunatic." Lin Hao set down his tea. "That Eevee chose to come with me."
As he spoke, Lin Hao unzipped his backpack. "Vee~"
Runic Eevee poked its head out of the backpack and leaped happily into Lin Hao's arms. The golden markings on its forehead shimmered faintly, exuding a mystic air.
Professor Oak's eyes lit up at the sight of the Eevee. "Just as I thought-a Mythical life-form harboring unknown laws. Just how many secrets are you hiding, kid?"
"I don't have any secrets." Lin Hao looked at Professor Oak. "I'm just an ordinary person. An ordinary person who's a tiny bit luckier than most."
"Everyone has their own path." Professor Oak smiled and picked up his tea. "Since you don't want to talk, this old man won't force you. Just don't use that power to endanger the world."
"Endangering the world sounds exhausting." Lin Hao pursed his lips. "Even getting up early is too much trouble for me."
Professor Oak burst out laughing. Beside them, May stamped her feet anxiously as she watched the two speak in riddles.
"Professor! You're just going to let him do whatever he wants?" May pointed at Lin Hao. "He's an extremely volatile threat!"
"Investigator May." Professor Oak's smile faded. "Sometimes, you shouldn't use conventional standards to judge someone who falls outside them."
Professor Oak patted Lin Hao's shoulder. "Go rest out back. Since you're home, get some proper sleep and be the slacker you want to be."
"You really do get me, old man." Lin Hao stretched, then ambled toward the backyard with Eevee in his arms and Pikachu perched on his head.
May followed him in a fury. As Professor Oak watched Lin Hao's retreating figure, his smile faded and his gaze sharpened.
"The fluctuations of the Full Pokédex's laws..." Professor Oak murmured to himself. "This world is probably in for an upheaval."
Just then, the red League hotline phone on the desk rang shrilly.
Professor Oak hurried over and picked it up. "Hello? Oak speaking."
Lance's frantic shout came from the other end. "Professor! Something's happened on Cinnabar Island!"
"Slow down. What happened?" Professor Oak frowned.
"The magma at the bottom of Cinnabar Volcano has begun erupting abnormally. Our detectors show signs that an ancient Mythical Pokémon may be awakening inside the volcano!" Lance spoke rapidly. "Blaine's Gym is already surrounded by lava!"
Holding the phone, Professor Oak hurried to the doorway leading to the backyard. "Lin Hao!" he shouted.
Lin Hao was just about to crawl under his covers. Hearing the shout, he poked his head out impatiently. "What? Old man, can't you let me sleep?"
"Something's happened on Cinnabar Island." Professor Oak looked grave. "The volcano is erupting abnormally. A Legendary Pokémon may be awakening."
"What's that got to do with me?" Lin Hao dropped back down to sleep. "Send Lance to put out the fire."
"Cinnabar Island is a famous hot spring destination," Professor Oak said slowly. Lin Hao didn't react.
"I hear the five-star hot spring hotels there have been running a promotion lately." Professor Oak emphasized the words, but Lin Hao still didn't react.
"All meals and accommodation included." Professor Oak played his trump card.
Lin Hao sat bolt upright under the covers. He threw off his blanket, his eyes shining. "Free hot springs, plus meals and accommodation?"
Before you continue