Xiu followed Director Bao Ba up the staircase to the second floor of the spacious house. He barely had time to register the layout – a wide landing, several closed doors leading off it – before Bao Ba ushered him into a specific room.
He'd been curious why the Director insisted on coming upstairs. Stepping inside, he understood immediately.
Books. Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves dominated the room, crammed tight with volumes of all shapes and sizes. Freestanding bookcases formed narrow aisles, creating a veritable labyrinth of stored knowledge. The air smelled faintly of old paper and binding glue. Xiu stared, momentarily overwhelmed. 'How many books are in here? Thousands? Tens of thousands?' This wasn't just a study; it was a private library. 'How could one person possibly read all this?'
Bao Ba navigated the familiar aisles expertly, stopping before one section. He reached up, pulled down a specific, slightly dusty volume, and handed it to Xiu. "Take a look at this," He instructed. "Recognize it? One of the Illustrated Guides you mentioned earlier, isn't it?"
Despite the layer of dust suggesting it hadn't been opened in years, Xiu recognized the cover instantly. It was indeed one of the standard Kanto guides he possessed a pirated copy of. He took it, flipped quickly to the section on Vulpix, confirming the familiar, brief description – no mention of the single white tail at birth or the gradual splitting process. "Yes, Director. This is the one."
"Alright," Bao Ba said with a knowing smile. He reached for another book on a nearby shelf, this one thicker, with a more academic-looking binding. He opened it directly to the Vulpix entry and handed it over. "Now, look at this one."
Xiu scanned the page. The illustration was similar, perhaps slightly more detailed, but the text… it was significantly more comprehensive. It described the initial single white tail, the gradual color change of the fur, the process of the tail splitting into six distinct appendages as the Pokémon reached maturity. Exactly as Bao Ba had explained downstairs.
"This…" Xiu looked back and forth between the two books, comparing the entries. "The information… it's the same core facts, just… more detailed in this second book. Why?" He frowned, puzzled. "It's just adding a few extra sentences of biological detail. Why publish two separate versions? Why not just include the full information in the standard guide?"
Bao Ba chuckled, that familiar glint in his eyes. "Ah, that explains it," He said cryptically. "I was wondering how you aced the objective identification questions on the exam but seemed to lack depth in your longer answers. You were working from incomplete source material." He tapped the first, simpler guide. "That book? It's considered basic reading. Introductory level. Used for general public knowledge, maybe entry-level school courses. Frankly, that particular edition hasn't been significantly updated in years."
Xiu still looked confused. "But the difference is so minor," He insisted. "Just a few lines about developmental stages. It doesn't seem like information complex enough to warrant separating into a completely different, presumably more expensive, advanced text."
"Who knows the publishers' minds?" Bao Ba replied with a theatrical shrug and a mischievous smile. "Perhaps they felt simplifying the information in the basic guide would 'reduce the burden' on young learners? Make it less intimidating?"
"Or," Xiu countered dryly, a sudden, cynical realization dawning, "perhaps they realized they could sell essentially the same core information twice by splitting it into 'basic' and 'advanced' versions? Charge a premium for the slightly more detailed edition?" The tactic felt depressingly familiar, reminiscent of textbook publisher practices from his old world.
Bao Ba didn't deny it. Instead, he grinned, agreeing with the cynical take. "Could be! Or perhaps," He added, reaching for another, even thicker, more obscure-looking volume from the shelf, "they decided to split it into three parts…" He handed the third book over.
Xiu flipped it open. Sure enough, it contained even more detailed information on Vulpix – regional variations, rare genetic traits, historical breeding notes… He closed the book slowly, speechless for a moment, then managed a weak, resigned smile. "It seems," He admitted, "I have severely underestimated their dedication to maximizing profit."
"Tell me about it," Bao Ba chuckled, shaking his head. "Suffered through their schemes myself when I was younger, trying to piece together complete knowledge. Most of the truly comprehensive, unbiased texts… they end up here eventually." He gestured around the packed library.
He clapped Xiu on the shoulder. "But enough about greedy publishers. Forget that for now. Come, let me show you my real passion." He led Xiu out of the library and into an adjacent room.
This room was smaller, set up like a private museum. Glass display cases lined the walls, showcasing various objects under soft spotlights. Framed photographs adorned the walls – pictures of Bao Ba in various rugged, exotic locations around the world, often posing proudly beside paleontological dig sites.
"Are these… fossils?" Xiu asked, his eyes immediately drawn to the objects within the cases. Smooth, grey Ammonite shells, sharp Claw Fossils, intricate Root Fossils, patterned Dome Fossils… He recognized many instantly from his past life's knowledge.
Fossils. The remnants of ancient Pokémon, holding the genetic keys to creatures long extinct. 'The technology exists in this world too, right? Fossil resurrection… Cinnabar Island…' The thought sparked a flicker of excitement.
"Ah, you have a good eye!" Bao Ba beamed, his enthusiasm palpable now. He launched into an eager tour, sharing his collection like a proud parent showing off baby pictures.
"This one, a beautifully preserved Omanyte shell! Found it myself near the Seafoam Islands. Remarkably complete! And this," He pointed to a large, ridged fossil, "a Skull Fossil from the Sinnoh region's Underground. Took me years to acquire one in this condition! Oh, and this Feather Fossil – still haven't definitively identified the species, possibly Archen? Picked it up during an expedition in Unova…" He moved from case to case, detailing the origin and significance of each piece – Armor Fossils, Plume Fossils, Jaw Fossils… a lifetime of dedicated collecting.
Xiu listened politely, recognizing most of the fossils and their corresponding ancient Pokémon – Kabuto, Aerodactyl, Cranidos, Tirtouga, Tyrunt… He felt a twinge of guilt, possessing knowledge about these creatures that Bao Ba, despite his passion and decades of searching, likely didn't have. He kept his recognitions to himself, not wanting to spoil the Director's enthusiastic presentation.
"You truly love fossils, Director," Xiu commented, genuinely impressed by the scope and passion evident in the collection.
"Spent the first half of my life caring for living Pokémon," Bao Ba replied, his voice softening, filled with nostalgia. "The second half… has been dedicated to honoring the ones who came before." He gazed fondly at a particularly fine Helix Fossil. "Perhaps only death itself will finally dim this fascination."
"If… if it were possible," Xiu asked carefully, probing Bao Ba's stance, "if the technology existed to bring these Pokémon back… would you do it? Resurrect them?"
Bao Ba considered the question seriously for a moment. "My experience suggests," He said thoughtfully, "that the world today… the environment, the atmosphere, the ecosystem… it's vastly different from the eras these creatures inhabited. Reviving them might only cause them suffering, forcing them into a world they aren't adapted for." He smiled sadly. "Besides," He added gently, "they've slept for millennia. Why should we disturb their rest?"
Xiu nodded, understanding the sentiment, though a part of him still felt the allure of seeing these ancient creatures walk the earth again. He decided to change the subject, gesturing towards the photographs on the wall. "These pictures… you've traveled extensively, Director. Where have all these expeditions taken you?"
"Where haven't I been?" Bao Ba declared proudly, puffing out his chest slightly. "Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, even Galar and Paldea… I've seen wonders most people only read about!" He launched into anecdotes about his travels, his voice filled with the excitement of remembered adventures.
They chatted in the collection room for some time, Xiu listening intently, absorbing the Director's stories, until sounds from downstairs – voices, footsteps – interrupted them.
"Ah, sounds like Yuto's back from his training," Bao Ba remarked, glancing at his watch. "Come on, let's head down."
Xiu followed Bao Ba back down to the main floor hall. The sky outside the large windows had darkened considerably; evening had arrived. Lights throughout the house cast a warm, inviting glow.
Standing near the entrance hall, talking animatedly with Shirley, was a young man roughly Xiu's own age, perhaps fifteen or sixteen. He looked like he'd just finished an intense workout – his clothes were damp with sweat, his breathing slightly heavy, beads of perspiration on his forehead. Yet, despite the obvious exertion, his face beamed with energy and a vibrant, infectious smile.
Beside him sat a medium-sized, canine Pokémon. Its fur was a bright orange, marked with distinct black stripes across its back and legs. A fluffy, cream-colored mane encircled its neck, matching the fur on its muzzle, belly, and bushy tail. It had large, expressive brown eyes, floppy ears, and sturdy paws with dark pads. It panted happily, tongue lolling out.
Xiu recognized it instantly. A Growlithe. Relatively rare, known for its loyalty and bravery, often associated with police forces (like Officer Jenny's partners). And capable of evolving into the powerful, majestic Arcanine.
"Haha! Growlithe, stop! That tickles!" The boy laughed, trying playfully to push the Pokémon away.
The Growlithe, far from being deterred, seemed to take this as encouragement, wagging its tail furiously and renewing its efforts to lick the boy's face with exuberant affection. Boy and Pokémon tumbled onto the floor in a heap of playful wrestling, their close bond, their sheer joy in each other's company, plainly evident.
The scene reminded Xiu, oddly, of Team Rocket's James and his overly affectionate Victreebel.