The sun had just set completely, leaving the early night behind. The only light was a fading light blue band across the horizon in the western sky. Lan could barely see the outlines of objects, but it wasn't like he actually needed to see anyway. He and his Xatu sat again on the island on Lake Acuity. The water around them was mostly still, a calm splashing noise coming from every direction out of the darkness.
Lan and Xatu had been looking at each other for some time, but now, they finally locked in eye contact, neither of their gazes wavering a bit.
Hello, Chrono.
Hello, Lan.
I've done as you've suggested and obtained the two pokémon eggs.
Very good. Then you are travelling in the correct, Xatu stopped his thought for a few seconds, looking for a word to explain the concept to Lan. It continued, direction.
Yes, I suppose so. Last time we were here, you told me I could not know the purpose of needing the eggs at the time.
And you are wondering if you are ready to continue in this direction?
Yes, I am.
Very well. Give me a moment. The Xatu thought as it closed both eyes.
Lan waited for Xatu in the darkness, patient this time.
After several minutes, Xatu's eyes snapped open, and looked back into Lan's.
Lan, how many regions have you heard of?
Lan was silent for a moment, considering the implications of the question. He responded, Well, there's Sinnoh, and TJ said he'd been to Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Orre. So five regions.
And of those five regions, you've never once left Sinnoh, correct?
Yes, that's true.
Despite your achievements as a trainer, you are still limited in possible knowledge of Pokémon. How much can you truly know about them if you've only seen them in one setting?
Yes, that's an interesting idea. I'd never even considered that.
I have seen what is to come, so I can tell you what your decisions will be, allowing you to make them correctly, and yielding the best possible outcome. Do you understand?
Lan thought about the question, and eventually decided, Yes, I do. What is my course of action?
Xatu didn't say anything for a couple seconds, and then said, In three days, you will be in Violet City, in the Johto region. There you will find a Pokémon school with a piece of knowledge that simply cannot be found anywhere in Sinnoh. You can always choose not to go, of course, but that will result in a very different, less desirable path.
Lan was silent this time, and then spoke using his mouth, "Thank you."
You are welcome. I was meant to tell you this.
Three days? I'm not even sure how far away Johto is. To get there in three days, I'd need to leave Sinnoh-
Xatu thought suddenly, The day after tomorrow.
So tomorrow will be the last day I spend in Sinnoh for awhile... Lan's thoughts became scattered, but he focused and thought, Thank you, Chrono. Travelling to a new region. This will be interesting.
Lan?
Yes, Chrono?
Don't forget to bring the eggs with you.
Lan wondered what Xatu had seen to make it remind him, but instead he thought, I won't.
