Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 18: Poison Manor

Virbank Complex breathed smoke into the afternoon sky before we reached it.

The streets changed as we walked away from Virbank's music and toward the industrial side of the city. Pipes ran along fences, warning signs marked restricted areas, and the air smelled like metal, sea salt, and something sharp enough to remind me of antidotes before poison itself. It was not a pretty place, but it was familiar in a way that made my shoulders loosen.

Pikachu sat on my shoulder with his ears moving at every hiss from the machinery. His meaning came quietly, touched by caution instead of fear. "This place smells strange, but your heart knows the road."

"It does," I whispered, watching the vents ahead.

Alice looked at me from the side. "You sound calmer here."

"I know what kind of danger this place carries," I said. "That helps."

Iris stared at a row of pipes with Axew clinging to her hair. "That is not usually how danger works."

Cilan inhaled carefully and adjusted his posture. "Virbank Complex has a harsh flavor, but not an empty one. Industry, poison, recovery, and performance all seem to sit beside each other here."

Golly checked the path ahead. "Stay on the marked route. Poison-type areas are safe when respected and stupid when treated like scenery."

Eve gave her a sideways look. "That may be the most Golly sentence ever spoken."

Golly did not deny it.

The manor stood beyond the safer edge of the complex, where the pipes gave way to old stone walls and guarded greenhouse glass. Purple flowers grew near the entrance, carefully trimmed and labeled. Several vents released filtered air instead of smoke, and warning charms hung beside medical signs written for both humans and Pokémon.

"This is the Poison Manor," I said. "It is not only a family house. It is also a recovery hospital for Poison-type Pokémon and Pokémon hurt by poison."

Iris blinked. "A Poison-type hospital?"

Cilan's eyes warmed with interest. "A place that understands poison as both danger and medicine. That is a fascinating balance."

A pair of manor attendants waited near the gate with gloves, masks, and calm smiles. They recognized me before they recognized the others, and one of them opened the outer lock while the other checked the wind direction. Even the welcome here had procedure built into it. Nobody mocked the caution. Nobody treated poison safety like a joke.

That was one reason I liked this place. Poison Manor never pretended Poison-types were harmless. It respected danger without turning danger into hatred, and after everything Team Rocket had done with control and fear, that distinction felt important.

Before I could answer, the front doors burst open.

A huge purple shape surged across the entrance hall with a joyful roar. Muk hit me like a wave of living sludge, wrapped me in a hug, and dragged me halfway off my feet before anyone could react.

"Muk," I gasped, trying not to fall backward. "It is nice to see you again, but I still need air."

Muk rumbled happily and squeezed a little less.

Muk's meaning spread over me, sticky and affectionate. "Ash home. Ash safe. Hold safe."

"I missed you too," I said, laughing despite the pressure.

Alice covered her mouth with one hand, trying not to laugh too obviously. Iris stared like she could not decide whether Muk was adorable or terrifying. Cilan looked fascinated, which was probably safer than stepping closer.