Pallet Town, Professor Oak's Laboratory.
By the time the travel-worn Xia You and May arrived, it was already early the next morning.
After receiving Max's call, the two had hurried along day and night, but they had still had to spend a night outdoors. Even so, Xia You had not ridden Dragonite. From the looks of it, he really did not intend to rely on outside help unless he had no other choice.
Fortunately, after traveling with Ash and sleeping out in the elements along the way, May was already used to it and did not find it difficult.
She even thought traveling like this was very good for both body and mind.
The only thing that embarrassed her was that, unlike when she had slept in sleeping bags with Ash and the others, she and Xia You slept in a tent!
Although sharing a tent alone with a man made her a little shy, she had to admit that sleeping in a tent really did feel quite different from sleeping outside. At least she did not have to worry about sudden wind and rain, and there was a sense of warmth.
In short, although she had been too nervous to sleep during the first half of the night, once she fell asleep in the second half, waking up felt no different from waking in a hotel, and most of the day's fatigue had faded away.
After climbing the small slope and the steps, Xia You knocked on the door of Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Before long, quick footsteps sounded inside. The next second, the laboratory door opened, and Max poked his head out with a beaming smile.
"May! Mr. Xia You! You're finally here!"
Seeing her brother, May put her hands on her hips and asked, "What's going on? How