The little girl is named Mayuko, and her brother is Ah Gong. The two rely on each other to maintain this shop, which was originally managed by their parents, but their parents have passed away.
As the eldest son, Ah Gong inherited the shop. However, he did not possess the exquisite carving skills of his father. Although he could carve Pokemon, Ah Gong felt his carvings of Pokemon lacked a soul.
Therefore, many of the glass products he made were not displayed, even though they were already quite good for ordinary people. But for Ah Gong, this level was far from sufficient.
Hence, the glass products that could be displayed in this shop were merely two or three pieces. To Ah Gong, the glass products currently on display were already the best he could make.
These were still lifeless items, like glass bottles and glass bowls. He hadn't reached the level to create Pokemon glass products like crystal.
Upon understanding the situation, Ash and his companions entered the shop and met the young man named Ah Gong. He was several years older than Ash, looking about the same age as Brock.
Inside, his crafted glass products were displayed. As was accurately mentioned by Mayuko, they were quite excellent glass products judging by the appearance. Nonetheless, Ah Gong still felt they lacked soul.
What he wanted to create was something that, once people saw the crafted Pokemon, it would appear as vividly as real, living Pokemon.
"...Since it's like this, why not learn your dad's techniques? Didn't your father possess those skills? Even if he's passed away, he should have left behind some kind of techniques or secrets." Ash said matter-of-factly, reasoning that if glass products were a heritage, it would be normal to leave behind some skills or secrets!
Otherwise, if one day he suddenly left, wouldn't the legacy be broken?
Ah Gong shook his head and said, "There's no way. No matter how I study the techniques left behind by my father, I can't reach the realm he achieved. But if... if I could see that Pokemon, I'd definitely reach the level my father did!"
"That Pokemon? What Pokemon?" When it comes to Pokemon, Ash became intrigued.
Regarding glass crafts, he was clueless, but when it came to Pokemon, he had seen and knew far more than Ah Gong!
"Crystal Onix!"
"Crystal Onix?" Ash frowned, searching his mind for this species of Onix but ultimately found nothing.
If it were a Shiny Onix, then its color would be golden, which wouldn't relate to crystal at all. If it were a regional Pokemon, there shouldn't be such a kind.
"What kind of Pokemon is this? What's different about it compared to a regular Onix?" Serena asked curiously, with her hands behind her back while looking at the glass crafts.
"The biggest difference is that its entire body is like it's carved from crystal. If other's crafted glass products look like vividly lifelike Pokemon, then the Crystal Onix is like a real Pokemon made from glass, the kind that moves! So as long as I see it, I would definitely know how to create lifelike glass crafts!"
A whole body carved like crystal, meaning transparent blue. Neither Serena nor Ash had seen such a species of Onix.
"Do you know where this kind of Onix is?"
"It's said to be in the crystal cave on the island, but... we've looked for a long time and haven't found it." Ah Gong said, looking frustrated.
The rumors about the Crystal Onix on the island were not secrets, but in reality, it had always just been a legend, with no evidence to prove the Crystal Onix's existence. Over time, people on Penggan Island treated the rumor as fictional.
But Ah Gong knew his father had seen the Crystal Onix, and precisely because of it, his father could carve sculptures at that level!
Ah Gong believed he had acquired all of his father's legacy; as long as he could see the Crystal Onix and get inspiration from it, he could achieve what his father did.
"Is that so? Don't worry, we'll handle this. Misty, Serena, let's go find the Crystal Onix!" Ash affirmed, patting his chest.
Misty nudged Ash's side quietly and leaned closer to his ear, whispering, "Did you forget what you came to the Orange Archipelago for? Do we have the time?"
Ash came to the Orange Archipelago with a significant purpose this time, which was why he hadn't challenged the Southern Cross Star. If he wasted time here, what about the Sea God, Cynthia's matters?
"Don't worry, a day is enough. Weren't we initially going to rest for a day on this island?" Ash said nonchalantly, dismissing Misty's concern.
Although finding Lugia was indeed urgent, it took quite a bit of time to get from here to Asia Island. Unless they flew, they still needed to rest on the island for a considerable period.