Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 73: Dark Warehouse

Veilstone City looked colder again when we returned. The last time we had stood here, the Gym lights, the department store, and the busy streets had made the city feel alive. Now every tall building seemed to cast its shadow toward Team Galactic's headquarters, as if the whole city knew something was wrong.

The city itself had not changed its shape, but our reason for being there had changed everything. We were not looking for badges, Contest practice, or supplies anymore. Cyrus had taken Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf, and every quiet window around us felt like a place Team Galactic could be watching from. Even the wind between the buildings seemed to hold its breath.

Rock Climb let us reach the platform east of the Veilstone Gym, where a strange incense container rested near the ledge. It had been waiting above a route we could not reach before. Lillie picked it up carefully, and the heavy, sweet scent made Pikachu sneeze.

Daniel studied the label. "Full Incense. That is connected to Snorlax's breeding line, if the old notes are correct."

"Then it can help us register Munchlax properly," Lillie said. "We should arrange it before Team Galactic pulls us any deeper into the crisis."

At the Pokémon Center, Professor Oak helped us transfer Snorlax's care instructions to the Solaceon Day Care. The Day-Care Couple already knew our journey was never normal, and they agreed to watch Snorlax with the Full Incense while we handled Veilstone. They had worked with enough Eggs to understand why Sinnoh's incense methods mattered for a proper record.

The call was brief, but it still grounded me before the raid. Professor Oak reminded us that even a crisis did not erase the smaller promises of a journey. If we forgot that, Team Galactic's way of thinking would already be winning.

By the time Looker's message reached us, the egg had already been prepared for transport through the Center system.

The egg hatched in the recovery room while we were checking our supplies. A tiny Munchlax blinked at the light, sniffed the air, and immediately reached for the nearest food pack in my bag.

Pikachu's meaning came with amused alarm. "Small hunger has no brakes."

I caught the food pack before Munchlax swallowed the wrapper too. "That sounds like Snorlax's family, all right."

Munchlax hugged the food pack like treasure, then looked at me with round eyes that asked whether the next snack was also part of its welcome. Even with Team Galactic waiting, I smiled because the tiny Pokémon had arrived through a peaceful connection to an older partner, not through another battle.

Lillie packed extra food for Munchlax without making a fuss. That small action helped more than another speech would have. Team Galactic kept treating Pokémon as fuel for machines and myths, but right in front of us was a Pokémon whose first need was simple, honest care.

Pokédex Entry Updated — Ash and Lillie's Shared Sinnoh Record

Munchlax, the Big Eater Pokémon. Normal type. It hides food under its long body fur and eats almost constantly, even forgetting what it has stored.

The peaceful moment did not last. We sent Munchlax safely through the Center system for care before the raid, because carrying a newborn into Galactic territory would have been wrong. Outside, a Team Galactic grunt spotted us near the warehouse road and stiffened like he had seen a ghost.

"Hey! It is you!" he shouted. "I bet you do not remember me, but I remember you! Because of you, they took my Clefairy away, and my partner quit and went back to his hometown! I know nothing about any Storage Key!"

He turned to run and immediately dropped a key on the ground.

Lillie stared at it. "That was easy."

"I agree," I said, picking it up.