He knows Pokémon better than me.

However, when it comes to Pokémon fossils...
Mary pointed to a three-story building next to the Pokémon Center:
"That's the fossil research institute you're looking for."

Xiao Zhi looked in the direction the finger was pointing and his brows immediately furrowed.

It was clearly a house that had been uninhabited for a long time; there wasn't even a signboard at the entrance.

It was completely different from the fossil restoration centers he had seen before, which looked very professional and modern.

"There's nothing we can do; this fossil research institute went out of business a few years ago."

Mary spread her hands, seemingly because of the fossil forgery incident, which was causing quite a stir in the Galar region at the time.

After being exposed, the director of the research institute simply ran away.

The other staff members also left amidst shouts and curses, and the entire research institute building was completely abandoned and forgotten.

This was something Ash had never imagined. He had met many Pokémon professors and researchers, but he had never encountered anything that was fake.

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhi quickly asked:
"Wait a minute, I heard that someone in Strangetown recently managed to restore a Pokémon and successfully resurrect a fossil Pokémon!"

Mary nodded, but her expression was somewhat awkward:

"That rumor does exist, but I've heard that the reconstructed fossil Pokémon also look rather strange."

She hadn't seen them yet, but she'd heard they all looked quite bizarre, unlike normal Pokémon.

It doesn't even seem like a normal living being.

This description piqued Xiao Zhi's interest even more!
However, Mary was not familiar with this place and had only heard rumors about it, not knowing exactly where it was restored.

"However, there is one person who should know the way!"

Ash's eyes lit up as the image of Yu appeared in his mind.

As a Watt merchant active throughout Galar, the latter should know quite a bit of this kind of shady information, right?

He immediately sent a text message to Xiaoyou to inquire if someone with the restoration technology was nearby, and to get the job done directly.

Otherwise, I'll have to send it back to my hometown and ask Xiao Mao to take a look.

The latter also possesses restoration techniques; for example, his large bird was created by Xiao Mao himself.

While waiting for Xiaoyou's reply, the night seemed even darker.

"Eh~"

Beside the round table, Mary suddenly sighed and then leaned down on the table.

She wouldn't normally act so lazily when there are strangers around. But in front of Xiaozhi, she seems inexplicably relaxed.

Ash roughly guessed what was wrong with Mary:
"Are you worried that the gym leader in Dance Town is too strong and difficult to deal with?"

Mary nodded at the table. The other person was not only a veteran trainer, but also skilled in Fairy-type Pokémon.

If only there were a second gym leader in Dance Town!
Although the minimum requirement for participating in the Galar League is eight badges, there are actually 10 Gym Leaders participating in the end, so a total of ten badges are required.

For example, the owner of the Suzen Town Fighting Dojo, who is the counterpart to Onio, also has a fighting badge.

Although they are different colors, they are the same shape, so you can put either of the two badges in the "badge puzzle".

However, only one piece can be placed.

It belongs to the category of dojos that can be "selected by the user".

The same applies to the Rock Badge and Ice Badge in Battleground Town, a rare pair of mother and son gym leaders.

At that time, Mary chose to challenge the simpler Mr. Maga and obtained the Rock Badge.

Popira's Fairy Badge means she has to challenge the gym; there's no other choice. "So, there's a different way to say gym challenges here."

Xiao Zhi nodded in amazement.

In regions like the Kanto region, or other areas, there are naturally more than 8 dojos.

In any case, you only need to collect all 8 badges in the region to qualify; there is no "must-challenge" or "optional challenge" category.

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhi couldn't help but suggest:
"Why don't you go level up first?"

"Or perhaps catch a few Poison, Fire, or Steel-type Pokémon?"

After all, what trainers who specialize in one type need to do most is to prepare a way to counter their type advantage.

Mary nodded. Leveling up in a short time wasn't very meaningful, but catching a new Pokémon would require a long training period.
Furthermore, she already has a Poison Frog, which can use poison-type moves and is able to barely defeat the Fairy Gym.

The biggest problem is that Fairy-type Pokémon generally have one or two Psychic-type moves, which are four times super effective against Toxicroak!
If you get the feeling, it's like giving it away for free.

Xiao Zhi raised his finger and said with a smile:

"Then I have a suggestion that will allow you to capture new Pokémon, so that you'll have enough fighting power right after capturing them!"

Mary realized it instantly.

"You mean attacking Dynamax Dens?"

This is indeed a good method, but to gain immediate combat power, you need a three-star or four-star den, and then the level of the captured Pokémon will match her current team.

"That's right!"

Xiao Zhi nodded and immediately extended an invitation:
"How about it? Want to go raid some Dynamax Dens with me? Not only can you level up quickly, but if you encounter a suitable Pokémon, you can catch it directly and gain instant battle power!"

When he met Hep before, he saw quite a few purplish-red beams of light nearby.

There aren't as many people farming Dynamax Dens in the more challenging northern Wild Area.

Marie stroked her chin and seriously considered the suggestion. With her and Ash's combined strength, they could indeed take on a four-star nest.

First, go to the wilderness area to level up, then head to Dance Town in the northwest.

"And, we're going to be working with this guy."

During the process, Mary glanced at Ash without leaving a trace before making her decision.

"I don't see any reason to refuse."

Ash clapped his hands and decided to first go south to farm some Dynamax Dens, then head north to Glimmer Forest to collect some mushrooms.

In the Greenland region, someone farmed the boss Pokémon for a long time.

Now he suddenly misses the days when he traveled with his companions.

"Sure enough, it's much more fun to have someone to chat with and keep you company!"

So the two shook hands with smiles, forming a temporary small team.

During the process, Xiaoyou also sent a text message, which indeed contained exclusive information:

"The director of the research institute is missing, but other researchers in the institute seem to have developed a restoration technique. However, because of the previous fraud incident, they are now afraid to return to the institute."

"Eyewitness reports indicate that the researchers at the time appear to be currently active near Route 6, south of Sutton Town."

"Route Six?!"

Ash suddenly remembered that when he rode Corviknight past that spot, he did indeed see a raggedly dressed researcher. (End of Chapter)