Chapter 18: A Place to Settle Down

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Leaving the Pewter Gym with Misty, Ethan pointed to the Pewter Science Museum across the street: "This museum is quite famous; you could say it's a major attraction in Pewter City. What do you think, want to go check it out together?"

"Sure," Misty agreed without hesitation, having nothing else to do.

Walking across the street, the magnificent museum came into view. Upon entering, Ethan bought two tickets and, with Misty, stepped into the first-floor lobby. The Science Museum was divided into two main areas: exhibition and research. Unfortunately, the research area was not open to the public, so visitors could only walk around and explore the exhibition area.

The exhibition area spanned two floors. The first floor showcased fossils, with rare ancient Pokémon in various display cases. The main exhibits were the skeletal fossils of Aerodactyl and Kabutops. However, Misty seemed uninterested in these fossils, merely glancing at each display case before quickly moving on.

"I really don't understand why they'd display these creepy things…"

The two then ascended to the second floor. Unlike the first floor, the theme here was space. The exhibited items included historical relics, meteorites found on the moon's surface, and even a model of a space shuttle!

As Ethan and Misty approached the model, an old man, seeing them pause, began to speak unprompted: "It's been several decades since humanity first stepped on the moon. I hear there are even plans to go to the much more distant red planet. News related to the universe, whether true or false, always excites me!"

Ethan and Misty exchanged a smile. They leisurely strolled around the museum a few more times, then left the Science Museum and found a nearby restaurant. Although the restaurant wasn't high-end, both the appetizers and the post-meal desserts were very satisfying. During their meal, Ethan again listened to Misty recount how she and Ash met, and the story of the unfortunate bicycle.

"You should really see its pathetic state," Misty complained, still sounding quite aggrieved. "I had just bought that bicycle, and then, after riding it for only one day, he turned it into charcoal!"

"So, you're just going to keep following him until he pays you back?"

"That's one reason," Misty chuckled. "My goal is to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, and traveling around is the best shortcut!"

Ethan smiled and agreed with a few words. Although he had seen it in the anime, hearing it again from Misty, the person involved, felt strangely different.

In the evening, when they returned to the Pokémon Center, they still didn't see Ash. Misty couldn't help but ask, "Ash… he hasn't left already, has he?"

"That's impossible," Ethan shook his head. "He won't leave Pewter City until he defeats Brock. At the earliest tonight, or latest tomorrow morning, I think he'll appear and challenge the Pewter Gym again!"

And just as Ethan predicted, after a night's rest, when Ethan and Misty were having breakfast in the restaurant, they saw Ash again, looking utterly exhausted but full of spirit.

"Ash!" Misty waved to him. "Where did you run off to yesterday?"

"Sorry to worry you," Ash plopped down at the table, stuffing a few bites of food into his mouth haphazardly. "Yesterday, I met Mr. Flint outside the Gym, and he and Pikachu underwent special charging training."

"Mr. Flint? Charging training?" Misty paused. "But even so, an Electric-type Pikachu can't possibly defeat Brock."

"You won't know unless you try," Ash said, full of fighting spirit, unconcerned. "And today's Pikachu is completely different from yesterday's!"

"Oh?" Misty was noncommittal. "Is that so? Well, I'll be looking forward to it then."

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Ethan suddenly spoke: "Good luck, Ash. Unfortunately, I won't be able to witness that moment."

"Why?" Ash asked, surprised.

Ethan didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Your goal is to participate in the Indigo League Conference, right?"

Seeing Ash nod, Ethan looked at his own Pokémon and said seriously, "In that case, we'll be rivals, won't we? And I have my own path to follow. It's time for me to head to the next Gym city."

"Huh? Are you leaving already?" Misty felt a pang of reluctance. Although she hadn't known Ethan for long, she had found their time together very easy and enjoyable. And through their day of interaction, she could sense the man's gentleness, thoughtfulness, and humorous charm.

Ethan chuckled, "Don't be so sad. Kanto is big, but our goals are the same. We'll meet again sooner or later. Perhaps in the next city, or the next Gym, we'll see each other again."

Upon returning to Vermilion City, Ethan went directly to the Sakuragi Institute.

"You've truly worked hard on this journey," Professor Sakuragi thanked Ethan upon seeing him. "After you delivered the prototype, Professor Oak called me. He praised you for so long on the phone that I even felt a bit embarrassed."

Just then, Koharu walked in from outside, carrying her schoolbag. Looking at Eevee, Squirtle, and Charmander, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "You've already caught so many Pokémon?"

"That's right, I've collected all three Kanto starters. Next up is to catch one more to complete my team," Ethan said, waving to the Pokémon that hadn't met Koharu before. "This is Koharu. Come say hello to her."

She gently stroked each of their foreheads in turn. Upon seeing Kirlia, Koharu's eyes lit up. She walked over to Kirlia and knelt down.

"Is this Kirlia's new look? It's absolutely adorable!"

Hearing Koharu's praise, Kirlia bowed gracefully to her. Its gentle and quiet demeanor made Koharu cover her mouth in surprised delight.

Watching Koharu and the Pokémon enjoying each other's company, Professor Sakuragi spoke, "Oh, by the way, Ethan, I've arranged a dormitory for you here at the institute. That way, you won't have to stay at the Pokémon Center anymore. And Sakuragi Park has been completed, so from now on, all your Pokémon can be kept there!"

"Sakuragi Park?" Ethan paused in surprise.

Professor Sakuragi pointed out the window: "Look, it's that."

Following the direction of Professor Sakuragi's finger, Ethan saw a massive hemispherical dome structure, built from reinforced glass, situated behind the Sakuragi Institute. Its design was like a transparent cover, and beneath the cover, one could see streams and ponds, hills and valleys, and a dense forest.

It seems Ethan now has a more permanent base of operations at the Sakuragi Institute, complete with a place to live and a beautiful park for his Pokémon! This will undoubtedly be a great advantage for his training and future endeavors. He's collected all the Kanto starters and seems to be settling into his role as a Special Research Fellow.

What do you think Ethan will do next now that he has a stable home base and a growing team?

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