After dinner, Erika, Ash, and Misty said goodnight to Xia You and, yawning, returned to their respective rooms to rest.
Xia You, meanwhile, left the dining room with Gengar and headed toward the Pokémon Center's front desk.
Just moments earlier, Nurse Joy had informed him over the intercom that, after more than two hours of treatment, the Pokémon he had left with her had mostly recovered.
It was already past one in the morning. The Pokémon Center was silent; aside from his footsteps, not a single sound could be heard.
At this hour, even the Pokémon Trainers staying here had all fallen asleep, conserving their strength for the next day's journey. Very few would still come out and move around.
Passing through the brightly lit corridor, Xia You arrived at the counter. Nurse Joy, who was already waiting there, picked up a small tray from beside her and held it out to him.
"Mr. Xia You, here are your Pokémon. They've recovered now."
Four Great Balls and one ordinary Poké Ball lay quietly on the tray.
The four Great Balls naturally contained the Legendary Birds and Suicune, while the ordinary Poké Ball held his Charizard.
Apart from Charizard, the four Legendary Pokémon had all been in very poor condition, so Xia You had handed them over to Nurse Joy as soon as he returned.
"Nurse Joy, I'm really sorry to trouble you so late at night."
"It's all right." With large dark circles beneath her eyes, Nurse Joy shook her head. "We often have Pokémon Trainers checking in at this hour. I've long since gotten used to it, and it's my duty, too!"
Though he knew Nurse Joy might only be saying that out of politeness, Xia You still admired their dedication!
Picking up the Poké Balls, Xia You put