On the eve of winter.
Baimu completed his rather short journey to Desert City—
Well.
Far from finished.
He merely provided a plan; the actual implementation depended on Lugia, Dr. Mu Yin, and Hoopa, the three key figures. To prevent misunderstandings, he even had to become a key figure himself.
The burden on his shoulders unknowingly grew heavier.
But this was unavoidable. Effort leads to reward, much like how he had to buy Hoopa many donuts in return for its help.
Several dozen minutes ago, N and Dr. Mu Yin had been sent back to the Ore Region. Lugia stayed temporarily on the lonely island to test whether the Purification Spray was effective.
If they wanted to take it to find the Lugia Mother and Child, they'd have to extend its dark transformation from once a day to once a month or even once a quarter. Otherwise, if it fought with the Lugia Mother and Child, the commotion could impact the Hoenn Sea Region's currents.
Hmm...
It might even provoke an attack from Kyogre.
After all, the Hoenn Region is its territory, and the Lugia Mother and Child were purely victims of Rocket Team's oppression, forced to migrate to the sea near the Hoenn Region.
In the future, with the emergence of the Legendary Giant Stone, the Hoenn Sea Region will witness a great battle between sea, land, and sky, which is already a large enough spectacle. There's no need for a fight between Shadow Lugia and ordinary Lugia.
By the coast.
Baimu leaned against the stone railing, with Hoopa on his left and Blissey on his right.
The trio, human and two Pokémon, enjoyed donuts while taking in the view.
Above them flew a few wild Wingull, occasionally attempting to swoop down and snatch the donuts, only to be thwarted by Hoopa's vigilant defense, ending up in its rings and released somewhere unknown.
There's no helping it.
Baimu was willing to share, but Hoopa wasn't. It seemed to hold some kind of "hostility" toward these sneaky invaders that had stolen from it before.
As for the fries bought earlier...
"Not a single one left? Did Dreepy and the others eat them all?"
"Happy!"
"Hee hee hee, fries aren't tasty, Hoopa doesn't like fries."
The three of them lightly chatted, when suddenly Mei Yali's voice rang out behind them, "Ah! I knew you'd sneak out for donuts! I just knew it!"
The Arabian-styled girl stood hands on hips in anger, while Hoopa smiled on the surface, secretly stuffing the unfinished donut into the paper bag in Baimu's hands.
From the expert way it moved, it was clear this wasn't its first time.
Unfortunately, the excess chocolate on the donut gave away its crime, marking the corner of its mouth.
"I didn't eat the donut! Hoopa was just accompanying Xiaobai to eat donuts, absolutely didn't eat any." Oblivious to its exposed lie, Hoopa fibbed without a blink.
Unexpectedly, Baimu directly apologized, "I'm really sorry, I wanted to thank Hoopa but didn't know any other way, sorry for the trouble."
Feeding them secretly despite prohibitions was indeed unethical.
Blissey also bent down obediently.
Their swift apology left Mei Yali flustered, "N-no, it's fine, you don't have to worry about it, I was just... Hoopa! Stop lying! You want more donuts or not in the future!?"
She quickly channeled her frantic emotions into anger toward Hoopa, which surprisingly worked; she calmed down immediately.
Though Hoopa felt a bit innocent... not entirely blameless.
"Boohoo, Mei Yali is so mean~"
It dejectedly lowered its hands, its eyes gathering crystalline tears, likely mourning its unfinished donut.
Come to think of it, Hoopa often snuck donuts; otherwise, it wouldn't have had the chance to get involved with Ash Ketchum and gang in the movie, merely kept it low-profile usually.
Back at Balza and Mei Yali's lodging.
Contrary to Baimu's initial imagination of a hotel or inn, they possessed an adobe house with a small yard in the old town area, used as a temporary residence while purchasing daily necessities from the Valley of Creation.
The place wasn't large, but more than adequate for two people and a few Pokémon.
"Lord Baimu, dinner is ready."
The rugged-faced Balza invited them inside, paired with an apron, unexpectedly exuding a gentle and nurturing demeanor.
Baimu accepted his warm hospitality, enjoying the unique exotic cuisine—
Hummus, peculiar yogurt, a salad topped with bread crumbs, and falafel made from beans and flour mixed with countless spices.
The taste was good.
Though a French-inspired region with a city modeled after Dubai, leaning towards a Mediterranean culinary style was a bit odd.
Never mind.
In the Pokémon World, it's understandable.
Baimu dipped some stale yogurt and finished the last bite of bread, the dishes before him remarkably clean, making the chef Mei Yali beam with satisfaction.
What chef doesn't love seeing their food completely devoured?
"Thank you for the meal," he said, wiping his mouth and looking at Balza and Mei Yali sitting across, "Thank you for today."
"Eh~"
Balza waved it off, "We didn't do anything to warrant such thanks."
"True," Mei Yali nodded and glanced at Hoopa beside her, "The one who worked hardest today should be it."
Hoopa's eyes lit up at the words, "Then can hardworking Hoopa have one more donut?"
"No way!"
"Eh—"
Hoopa couldn't help but grumble but quickly covered its mouth with a low chuckle, using its ring to fetch a donut stored in the paper bag.