The Yi Bin area in Area Zero, unlike the Astronomical Observatory guarded by Iron Leaves, had some residential buildings, but they were already very dilapidated.
The lime on the walls peeled off in large flakes like snowflakes, exposing the dull and rough bricks underneath, much like an old, patched, and torn garment on an elderly person.
The window glass was shattered into pieces, and the remaining fragments shimmered with a chilling light in the faint illumination, like pairs of indifferent and empty eyes, silently watching this lifeless scene.
At the same time, the surrounding trees and plants were quietly “invading” this dilapidated City. Between the cracks of the originally neatly paved stone paths, clumps of weeds stubbornly sprouted, their slender but tenacious stems growing upwards, pushing the stone slabs askew.
On the walls of the houses along the street, climbing ivy spread rampantly, its emerald green leaves layered thickly, like a giant green carpet, covering most of the houses' original dilapidated appearance.
Thick tree roots brazenly drilled into the foundations of the houses, propping up cracks in the walls, as if trying to pull these old buildings back into the embrace of the earth.
Many Grass-type Pokemon and Bug-type Pokemon lived in this City, and every now and then, a Rattata would run out from the roadside.
In the City's square, the once gushing fountain had long dried up, its basin filled with fallen leaves and trash. The surrounding sculptures were also incomplete and disfigured by the erosion of time.
Under the relentless flow of time, this still very dilapidated City was like a forgotten island, mercilessly abandoned by time.
Strangely, there were also many Rock-type Pokemon in the square. Geodude, Dwebble, and Roggenrola played and frolicked here.
Not far from the square, several Klawf were climbing on the walls of the houses.
Several Sudowoodo hid near the plants, pretending to be trees.
“Aren't Rock-type Pokemon usually found more in the mountains?” Chen Kai was a bit puzzled.
Miraidon explained, “The Rock-type energy here is quite abundant, it's likely because He is here.”
“He?”
“Look! He came out to see you too.” Miraidon pointed its head towards a rooftop.
Chen Kai's gaze followed, and he saw a large, mostly gray Pokemon standing on the rooftop.
He was the Paradox Pokemon—Iron Boulder.
Iron Boulder greatly resembled Terrakion, but its overall design had a strong sense of machinery and power. Its body was sturdy, primarily silver-gray, as if forged from solid metal.
The upright parts on either side of its head curved outwards, their edges glowing with bright orange-yellow, like flowing energy, adding a touch of intimidation. Orange-colored small patches adorned its shoulders, complementing the head parts.
Its limbs were thick, with complex designs at the joints, showcasing the precision of its mechanical structure. The large orange-yellow parts on its feet resembled heavy armor, stably supporting its body, as if it could easily crush the ground, giving an overall impression of indestructibility.
Its head was quite broad, with rigid lines on its surface, and its sharp eyes scrutinized Chen Kai, exuding a stern aura.
Chen Kai briefly thought He was going to attack.
It seemed not all Paradox Pokemon were friendly towards Chen Kai!
However, Miraidon casually stepped forward to greet, “Yo! Iron Boulder, how are you?”
Iron Boulder showed no reaction and simply turned and left.
Leaving Chen Kai and Miraidon looking at each other.
“Uh… what does He mean by that?” Chen Kai asked Iron Bundle in its Poké Ball.
Iron Bundle didn't even think, directly saying, “Probably nothing, just hasn't seen a human in a long time, came to take a look, and now that it's seen, it's fine.”
Miraidon suddenly realized, “You know, the rumors say Iron Boulder might actually be like that.”
Chen Kai looked at the sky. Their destination for this trip had been reached, and it would take time to fly back, so he suggested, “That's enough, let's head back.”
“Okay.” Miraidon nodded in affirmation.
Chen Kai smiled fawningly, “Hehe, Iron Bundle, then I'll trouble you.”
Iron Bundle unhappily emerged from its Poké Ball and used the recoil from ‘Hydro Pump’ to carry Chen Kai and Miraidon into the sky.
Then came the joyful gliding; if the altitude got too low, Iron Bundle would use Hydro Pump Encore.
Upon returning home, it was dark as usual, but out of caution, Chen Kai still put on his stealth suit before entering the house.
Yelena, who had been squatting nearby all day, was still diligently hiding in a patch of grass.
“Strange, that Hydrapple hasn't left the house all day. This person just stays home all Saturday?”
She decided to retreat for now and come back tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Hydrapples, after a day of deciding, still couldn't settle on their positions even after dinner.
The only stable one was Big Boss; it would definitely be in the very middle.
And Second Boss declared that it wanted the front-left position to highlight its status.
The other five little ones also expressed that they all wanted the position where their heads would show and didn't want to be the tail.
They even went out to PK to fight over who would be the Third Boss.
The final result, naturally, was five injuries, with no single winner.
After washing the dishes, Chen Kai couldn't stand it anymore. He waved his hand, “How about this! You five little ones were all born at the same time, so we'll decide by drawing lots. It's settled, no objections allowed!”
Even learning new skills wasn't this painful, so Big Boss, already having a headache, naturally agreed.
Second Boss didn't care either; it didn't affect its status anyway.
Seeing that the three family heads had all agreed, the five little ones had no choice but to comply.
Chen Kai tore five pieces of paper, wrote 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 on them respectively, folded them, mixed them up, and placed them on the living room table for them to pick.
The other four snake-worms hesitated for a moment, but only one snake-worm with the most honest eyes, without hesitation, was the first to act. It rolled up a piece of paper, opened it, and saw the number ‘6’.
Seeing the number, a more cunning-eyed snake-worm realized that the probability of drawing a top position was high now, and immediately ‘acted’, opening it to reveal the number ‘5’.
The remaining three snake-worms no longer hesitated and acted simultaneously.
The most ferocious-eyed snake-worm drew the number ‘4’, the most ordinary-eyed snake-worm drew the number ‘3’, and the most timid-eyed snake-worm drew the number ‘7’.
When it saw the 7, it cried out, “Waaah!”
Making Chen Kai and the others flustered.
“Seven is very good, very good. You'll be called Xiao Qi from now on, how nice does that sound!” Bai Lijuan also comforted it from the side.
Xiao Qi said tearfully:
“Hy… Hy… Hy.” (But… but… I don’t want to only show my butt.)
“Then you won't be the butt, won't be the butt.” Bai Lijuan turned to look at Chen Kai.
“Xiao Kai, think of something.”
Chen Kai spread his hands, “This… I just made the rule! If I change it so quickly, I won't be able to lead the team in the future.”
“So your team is easy to lead now?” Bai Lijuan asked, pointing at the still crying Xiao Qi.
“Big Boss, what do you think we should do?” Chen Kai began to pass the buck.
Big Boss looked shocked:
“Hy? Hy?” (Huh? You're asking me?)
Chen Kai said pretentiously, “Otherwise? You've been home all day, and you haven't handled your brothers' affairs; I have to do it. So now this matter is up to you.”
Xiao Qi sniffled and said weakly:
“Um… I… am not a brother.”