Takashi quietly watched as the light gradually faded from Barbara's eyes.
After a moment, Barbara lifted her head and put on a confident smile, "Sorry about that, you shouldn't have seen that. I'm okay. Barbara, let's go!"
Takashi scratched his head, wondering if Barbara might have psychological issues if she kept going like this. He had heard that psychologists, after years of treating patients, could also develop their own mental problems.
Behind the glamorous appearance of an idol, there were always truths too painful to see.
Every goddess has her struggles...
Thinking about these issues gave Takashi a headache. "Barbara, you've already worked very hard. Everyone has different talents. In protecting Mondstadt, there is only a difference in roles, not in value."
Barbara smiled gently. "I think you're just as good as I am at healing hearts. Have you ever considered joining the Knights?"
Takashi waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just an ordinary person who wants to spread Pokémon to everyone. Leave saving the world to superheroes—I wouldn't want them to lose their jobs."
Barbara straightened up, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand, and looked around left and right.
Her petite figure looked even smaller standing on the grass.
"I've been out for quite some time, I should head back before Sister Anjina starts worrying." Barbara picked up the basket full of Hook Fruits. "Would you like to walk back with me?"
"Sure," Takashi replied, and they started walking down the mountain path together.
"Mr. Shopkeeper?"
"Call me Takashi."
"Alright, Mr. Shopkeeper. When we get to Mondstadt, I need to head back to the cathedral first. Later tonight, when it's quiet, I'll come to see you. Otherwise, with so many people around, it could be inconvenient," Barbara said, folding her hands in front of her politely.
"Barbara, the door to the Pokémon shop is always open for you," Takashi responded sincerely.
Humming a cheerful tune, Barbara walked with light steps, hopping playfully along the forest path like an elf in the woods.
Xerneas, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. "I can't shake the feeling that you're luring a young girl."
"What? No way," Takashi shook his head. "Of course, what I love most are Pokémon."
Xerneas narrowed its eyes, naturally believing him.
After walking for a while, they suddenly noticed Albert sitting under a birch tree up ahead. He was breathing heavily and clutching his stomach, covered in dirt and scratches.
Seeing this, Barbara immediately put down her basket and ran over, "Are you alright, Mr. Albert?"
"Ah, it's Miss Barbara." As soon as Albert saw Barbara, his eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed again. He tried to sit up, but the pain in his limbs prevented him from even standing.
He must have overexerted himself—Albert, you need to take it easy.
"What happened?" Barbara asked anxiously, her face flushed with concern.
Albert explained, "I was walking down the path when suddenly a monster, about seven or eight meters long, rushed out from behind me. It looked like a rock, maybe a snake, with a horn on its head and big black eyes. It knocked me over, and I was scared out of my wits."
A rock, a snake, and a horn?
Takashi pieced the description together in his mind—it had to be an Onix.
He walked over and asked Albert, "Weren't you heading back to Mondstadt? How did you end up here and run into a monster?"
Albert caught his breath and replied, "Well, I saw some Hook Fruits nearby. I heard that they grow in the vicinity of Wolvendom, where people rarely go, so I figured since I was here, I might as well pick some to sell."
"Where did you find the Hook Fruits?"
"Over there."
Takashi followed the direction of Albert's pointing.
It led to a large area of landslide debris, with scattered rocks and a narrow path about half a meter wide that led toward a nearby cave.
"The monster came out of that cave?" Takashi asked.
"Yes, I was about to pick the Hook Fruits when the monster rushed out. Luckily, I have a tough life; otherwise, I might have been buried underneath the rocks," Albert recalled with lingering fear.
Barbara saw Albert's injuries and spoke gently, "Mr. Albert, please rest here. I'll use my healing skills to treat your wounds."
The sight gave Takashi the impression of a medical intern or an idol-in-training.
"Thank you, Miss Barbara." Albert tried to smile, wanting to raise his right arm and shout, "Barbara, let's go!"
But as soon as he tried, the pain in his arm made him cry out.
Takashi moved closer to Xerneas. "Did you sense anything?"
Xerneas' antlers began to glow with a soft purple light as it scanned the area for any Pokémon presence.
After a brief moment, Xerneas spoke. "Inside the cave, there's an Onix. There's something like a pickaxe stuck in its back."
"What?" Takashi was surprised. A pickaxe here in the wilderness?
He thought about it carefully. With the Treasure Hoarders becoming more rampant recently, they could have been active in the area. Perhaps, while digging for treasure, the Onix was inadvertently hurt, making it aggressive.
Normally, an Onix—despite its intimidating size—was a gentle Pokémon. The tunnels it dug were often used as homes by Diglett.
"Let's go, Xerneas," Takashi decided.
"Alright."
In an instant, Xerneas used Teleport, bringing Takashi to the entrance of the dark cave. Xerneas' radiant colors illuminated their path forward.
They didn't have to go far before they came face-to-face with the Onix.
The massive creature, its rocky body stretching seven or eight meters, lay on the ground, staring weakly at Xerneas and Takashi while letting out a low, rumbling moan.
It tried to stand but struggled painfully.
The pickaxe stuck between its rocky segments had exhausted it, leaving it with no strength left to fight.
"Xerneas, use Psychic to hold it still. We can't let it move."
"Got it."
A soft white light enveloped Onix, immobilizing it. Takashi seized the moment, climbing onto its back and pulling out the embedded pickaxe.
"Roooar..."
Onix let out a weak but grateful roar.
Takashi returned to Xerneas' side and nodded at it.
Xerneas emitted a soothing green glow that covered Onix's body.
In just a few moments, Onix seemed to regain its vitality. It rose up, letting out a powerful roar.
"Be more careful next time," Takashi waved at it.
"Roooar..." Onix squinted in acknowledgment before retreating deeper into the cave.
"Let's head back."
"Alright."
In an instant, Xerneas used Teleport again, and they returned to Barbara's side.