Just like Baimu once saw in the simulator.
Lavaridge Hot Spring was everywhere.
Whether in the town or outside, as long as you follow the thick sulfur smell, you can find hot spring pools, big or small.
The people of Lavaridge Town did not monopolize this natural resource completely, leaving plenty of undeveloped hot springs for Wild Pokémon, each varying in size and depth.
Baimu had a mind to take it to a larger outdoor hot spring where it could fully soak.
But after circling outside the town, he found that the large hot springs were occupied by groups of Wild Pokémon, either herds of Numel and Camerupt or Spoink and Mankey spread all over the mountains.
Pokémon that live alone soak in small hot springs, while group Pokémon soak in large hot springs.
Lei Gong could certainly soak if it wanted to, but how could the righteous big cat allow itself to arbitrarily seize other Pokémon's territory? Besides, it thought its injuries were almost healed—
Even though neither Nurse Blissey nor Baimu thought so.
"Well, there's no choice, try to get into town with me, let's first check your recovery at the Pokémon Center, then I'll find a nearby wild hot spring hotel... coincidentally, there's one that claims you can soak with Wild Pokémon."
He placed one hand on Lei Gong's back, scrolling through his phone with the other.
On the other side was Nurse Blissey, curiously gazing at the town in the distance.
Just days ago, except when camping and resting, it was almost impossible for him to be this close to Lei Gong.
The big cat was very wary.
However, with increased contact, despite keeping some distance on the road, now if he approached actively, Lei Gong wouldn't likely move far away.
Apart from the head, belly, and lower body, he had touched almost everywhere else.
Yesterday, he even took the opportunity to rub the pads on its front paw; the creature's claws were thick and large, so the pads were positioned a bit further back and covered by yellow fur, bouncy and soft, though unfortunately black in color.
A dignified Lei Gong should have pink pads.
But the random touching did lead to a fierce Electric Shock from Lei Gong; since its internal electric power gradually returned to peak condition, it no longer used its teeth or claws as simple means.
Electricity was the best, not causing excessive harm, yet could deter others.
When Lei Gong encountered those unclear Trainers, it often preferred to use Electric Shock to teach them a lesson, even if not aiming directly at them; an electric blast on a rock could still scare them.
Unstoppable.
"Roar..."
Accustomed to arrangements these days, Lei Gong heard Baimu's words, glanced at Nurse Blissey, and did not refuse.
It managed to understand that more than its combat strength, this Little Ghost was interested in its body, um... though perhaps sounding odd, it was indeed the case.
Who knows why this Little Ghost kept touching here and there with such enthusiasm, always wanting to touch its belly and head.
Weird.
Still weird.
Lei Gong's evaluation of Baimu hadn't changed,
As for Nurse Blissey... it felt this Pokémon was like its nemesis; what Pokémon could remain unfazed when electrocuted?
It only intended to scare off this impudent creature but ended up getting startled instead.
Quite the headache.
Circumventing the town to a park connected outside, Nurse Blissey and Lei Gong were asked to wait a moment in the bushes.
Soon, without knowing where from, someone quickly brought over a large flat cart, "Get on!"
"..."
Lei Gong sluggishly climbed onto the flat cart, next covered by a white cloth from Nurse Blissey, the blindingly white scene made it simply squat down.
"Don't worry, I won't let you be exposed."
Baimu and Nurse Blissey pushed it toward the Pokémon Center.
Passersby glanced at the cart and assumed it was a sculpture, not paying much attention.
This allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.
Legendary Pokémon, regardless of location, were always the center of attention, especially Lei Gong, a Pokémon with ancient records in many regions, taking it to a Pokémon Center indiscreetly could easily draw the wrong kind of scrutiny.
Even a little concealment was necessary.
Before long, he and Nurse Blissey arrived at the Pokémon Center's back door, where another Nurse Blissey awaited. All the while, it kept vigil on the surroundings to ensure no one was watching.
"Happy~"
Nurse Blissey waved to Baimu and the other Blissey, urging them to hurry up.
"Coming, coming!"
They pushed Lei Gong into the Pokémon Center fast, while Nurse Blissey swiftly shut the door.
Luckily, there weren't many people around at this time, or such sneaky acts would have attracted attention.
Lei Gong reached the medical room in the Pokémon Center, maintaining its sphinx-like stance while its gaze roved over the interior layout.
When it was first attacked by the Crystal System, it had come to the Pokémon Center but blasted the walls to solve the Crystal System's problem, and only after several subsequent visits did it become familiar.
It also discovered a singular mystery.
Even though it visited different Pokémon Centers, the one taking care of it was always the same person.
"Please take care of it, Miss Joy."
Baimu handed Lei Gong over to Joy, the pink-haired woman in a white outfit received the cart with a beaming smile.
It's her!
Lei Gong stared at Joy's face, and hearing the familiar address, confirmed that she was indeed the same one it had encountered several times before, how did it always end up meeting her?
Truly amazing.
Baimu noticed Lei Gong's stare, initially curious about what it was looking at so intently. Then, he roughly guessed its thoughts and couldn't help but show a cryptic smile.
The Joy and Jenny clans are one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Pokémon World, not something even Lei Gong can uncover the secrets of.
It's normal not to distinguish; recognizing Officer Jenny and Miss Joy is Xiaogang's unique skill.
Soon.
Lei Gong's condition was thoroughly examined.
"The wounds are indeed almost healed, some bone fractures have also recovered, fortunately with no breaks or large tears, and the internal power storage organ is quite normal—"
Miss Joy, holding the report, suddenly looked serious, "Such severe injuries are rare, was it the work of Pokémon Hunters?"
Under normal circumstances, those likely to pursue Legendary Pokémon and inflict such harm, in Miss Joy's view, could only be the infamous Pokémon Hunters who always used destructive weapons when capturing Pokémon.
Trainers only use Pokémon, and regular Pokémon typically aren't a match for Legendary Pokémon.
"Not sure."
Baimu shook his head, "I've always asked, but it doesn't want to say."
Just like he had never managed to touch Lei Gong's head, he still didn't know why this guy came to Hoenn, or why its injuries were so severe.
"Doesn't want to say..." Miss Joy was taken aback for a moment, she thought Lei Gong had already become Baimu's Pokémon, after all, Legendary Pokémon don't usually like to get close to humans, maintaining a distance at all times.
Only when they truly recognize someone and become their Pokémon do they become quiet and docile.
She didn't say much more, just added, "After resting for a while longer and soaking in Lavaridge Town's hot springs, it should completely heal soon enough."
"Alright!"
Baimu nodded and wheeled Lei Gong out from the medical prep room, "Let's go, time to figure out how to enjoy the hot springs."
"..."
Lei Gong lay on the cart, allowing itself to be pushed around without minding, only feeling bored and yawning, wondering just how comfortable the hot springs could be.
――
Not being able to put Lei Gong into a Pokeball was indeed trickier than expected.
But troublesome or not,
Baimu thought, anything was better than getting shocked.
If he showed an intention to capture this guy, getting shocked was a given; the big cat was particularly sensitive to this, even having a rebellious mindset.
Fortunately, the hot spring hotels near the wild were easier to find than he had anticipated.
After a lot of trouble.
Booking a room, helping Pokémon wash off basic grime before soaking.
Lei Gong finally got to soak in the coveted Lavaridge Hot Spring, with most of its body immersed in the steaming, misty hot water, revealing only half its big head, its eyes comfortably narrowed into slits.
After running around with a little ghost for so many days, living in an environment full of delicious food and extreme comfort was practically torture for its steadfast will.
Thankfully, this moment was worth it.
Not a wasted trip.
"Prrr..."
Lei Gong quietly blew bubbles, not minding even when surrounded by other Pokémon.
"Good thing I specifically got the largest bath, otherwise, it really wouldn't be big enough."
Baimu looked at the Pokémon filling the pool almost to the brim, squeezing in next to the Aggron, holding down the unruly heads of the Zweilous, "Soak properly, or I'll throw you out if you keep making noise!"
"Hey woo...""Hey woo..."
The Zweilous immediately quieted down, sinking most of its body into the hot spring, covering each head with a white towel.
Falling into an endless void.
After a while of soaking.
"Are you alright?"
Suddenly, he turned and looked at the Shiny Feebas not far away, noticing its face a bit flushed, and eyes looking dazed, decisively scooping it out and tossing it into a nearby bucket.
Splash!
Water splashed everywhere.
The Feebas, its body temperature rapidly dropping, slowly regained clarity in its eyes.
It looked at the steaming hot spring, eyes filled with both regret and apprehension.
Though essentially a fish, its tolerance for the sulfur-smelling hot spring was even less than the Water Attribute-resistant Aggron, the first to get dizzy.
No help for its low endurance.
"Looks like you'll have to evolve before you can enjoy it further." Baimu patted Feebas's head.
He hadn't expected that Feebas, a Water-type Pokémon, would be the first to retreat.
"Bop~"
It blew a bubble, calming down.
"Ah..."
Baimu lay back, looking up at the blue sky and white clouds, slowly sinking, his foot inadvertently hitting something round, "..."
He crouched down and pulled out a Galarian Corsola, "Why are you at the bottom?"
"...Pfft."
The Galarian Corsola didn't respond, just used Water Gun on him, splashing hot spring water all over his face.
The hot springs were too comfortable; it was too lazy to float.
"You're ruthless."
Baimu admiredly gave a thumbs up to the Galarian Corsola, tossing it back into the water, and then lay on the Porygon transformed into a ducky floatie, "How did you think of turning into a floaty in the hot spring? Could you share your thought process with me?"
"Plink~"
The Porygon reverted to its original form.
He felt his Porygon was a bit silly, unsure if it was a misconception.
Just as he was about to say more, he heard Nurse Blissey's voice.
"Happy~"
Baimu turned his head and saw a giant egg being pushed in front of him, the top already open with a small spoon inside, "…A hot spring egg?"
"Happy~"
Nurse Blissey was delighted the Trainer understood its meaning.
"This one's too big for me to finish; let's share it!"
Baimu waved at the other Pokémon, picked up the spoon, and started scooping up the oozing egg inside, occasionally feeding other Pokémon a bite.
When it was Lei Gong's turn.
They locked eyes.
"Want some?"
"Roar—Woo!" Just as Lei Gong opened its mouth, the spoon came over, and as it reacted, the egg was already in its mouth.
Helplessly, it had to eat the egg.
Got used to it.
Better get used to it.
Lei Gong told itself, after all, this wasn't a one-time occurrence.