Chapter 84: New Characters Have Been Unlocked
South of the border, over the calm, azure sea, a Salamence spread its blood-red wings, carrying two people as it flew slowly.
"Where do you think you're putting your hand?" Clair's face flushed red.
"Just making sure you don't fall," Lance said with complete seriousness.
"I'm a Dragon-type Gym Leader, you know!"
The red-haired man in a cape simply went, "Oh," and withdrew his hands from her slender waist, slipping into memories. "When you were 6, the first time you rode Salamence, you clung to me and wailed…"
"Enough." Clair's face grew redder, and she gritted her teeth. "I was just a kid back then, don't bring that up again!"
"Hmm…" The red-haired man fell silent, gazing at the Tentacool that flickered in and out of view on the sea surface, lost in thought.
Clair hesitated before asking, "What did you think about today's match?"
Lance sighed. "So close… As expected of Cynthia's Garchomp!"
"What about the other match?" Renting Dragon-type Pokémon, yet being forced into a draw—this was almost like losing to someone as proud as Lance.
Losing 2 matches in one day… It was no surprise Lance was feeling down.
"Lu Ye… He's about the same age as Red, isn't he?" Lance muttered. "His commands are incredibly sharp, even a little…"
"Dirty?" Clair interjected.
"No… That's just a tactic," Lance shook his head. Recalling the emotions he sensed through the Power of Viridian, a faint smile curled on his lips. "Besides… you can tell from his Pokémon that he's a Trainer worth trusting."
Not every Pokémon could have such intense emotional fluctuations. Even some Gym Leaders' Pokémon couldn't match the conviction of his Haunter and Eevee. The conviction to keep getting stronger.
Lance scratched his red hair and sighed. "I have no idea how he trains them. No wonder Red holds him in such high regard."
Clair asked, "Then why… didn't Lu Ye win the Donghuang Conference?"
"Maybe the first region he traveled through wasn't Donghuang." Lance shrugged. "His Pokémon are freshly caught. It's clear he just started his adventure in the Donghuang region."
Clair nodded and murmured, "I hope when he comes to Johto, I can battle him…"
Bzzz—
Lance flicked his cape, pulled out his phone, and answered, "It's me, Lance."
Red, who was training at Mt. Silver, wiped sweat from his forehead and leaned against Venusaur's back, smiling as he rested. "Lance, how did your match go?"
"I lost," Lance sighed. "Two matches in a row."
Though the match with Lu Ye ended in a draw, for the 2nd-ranked Master League competitor, this was practically a loss.
Red blinked, then realized and asked in surprise, "You faced Teacher Lu?"
Lance nodded and said solemnly, "An outstanding Trainer with remarkable tactical insight."
"Just as I thought…" Red smiled slightly, pulling his cap brim lower, as a wave of battle passion surged in him once again. Though surprising, with Lance underestimating his opponent, it was no shock that Teacher Lu had won.
"Good job, Lance!" Red said.
"It's nothing." Lance paused. "Do you have his contact info? I'm quite interested in him. Maybe in the future… I'll get to have a full battle with him."
Red chuckled. "Of course. I'll add you to the group chat."
"What group?" Lance froze.
"Teacher Lu's fan group."
…
The lively Masters group chat was buzzing about this morning's Master League match.
Crys: "Ah… Cynthia won!"
Gold: "D*mn, that Garchomp is so cool!"
Brock: "Judging by their condition, Cynthia was in better form. The quality of her Pokémon's food is excellent!"
Blue chuckled, covering her mouth: "Oh my, Green lost! Hand over the money!"
Green: "... I didn't even place a bet."
Blue: "Don't care, the bet's on, and you lost!"
Green rubbed his temples. Even he had to admit that he was surprised by the match. Green's training was always precise to the second, but in terms of bonds, he clearly lagged behind Red. The closer the match, the more important those bonds became. Perhaps that's why Garchomp landed that critical hit at the last moment.
Gold's curiosity flared: "What about the other match? Did Lance beat Teacher Lu?"
Red: "Unfortunately, it seems Teacher Lu won."
"What?!" Gold's eyes widened in shock. "So if I beat Teacher Lu, that means I beat Lance!"
[Member 'Dragon Master Lance' has joined the chat]
The moment Lance entered the group chat, he saw Gold's message and was stunned.
"This kid…" Lance scratched his red hair and gritted his teeth. "Silver needs to teach him a lesson!"
Clair also joined the chat and chuckled awkwardly: "To be honest… Gold is pretty strong too."
Lance smirked coldly: "Strong, maybe, but his unorthodox style will get him in trouble in serious matches!"
Erika exclaimed with joy: "Lance!"
"Hey, Yellow, long time no see." Lance smiled. "Are you living with Red now?"
"Ah, n-no! Not at all!"
Lorelei, the Ice Queen, smirked coldly: "An old man trying to act like a kid in the group chat."
Lance raised his eyebrow: "Oh? You're here too, you old hag?"
"Excuse me?! Who are you calling old? Come fight me on the Sevii Islands right now!"
"Hmm? My phone's dying. Bye!"
The weary admin, Red, muted both Elite Four members for 5 minutes and sighed. Lance on the internet seemed like a different person… As if his old rebellious spirit had returned. Still… this admin job is so hard.
"I want to retire," Red muttered to himself.
…
[Member 'Dragon Master Lance' and 'Blackthorn's Dragon Tamer' have joined the chat]
Lu Ye looked up at the sky. Well, it seemed he'd unlocked new characters! Other people caught Pokémon to fill their Pokédex. Why did he seem to be collecting people?
Lu Ye rubbed his forehead. "Don't tell me Giovanni is going to join next… No way, that'd be ridiculous. If I got dragged into something shady, it wouldn't be funny!"
Joking aside, Gold's comment made Lu Ye chuckle coldly. If he could go toe-to-toe with Lance, his battle strength was at least 5 times Gold's! Worst case, he'd just borrow some of Cynthia's Pokémon…
Lu Ye shook his head and looked at Cynthia, who was still at his place. "Why are you still here?" he asked.
Cynthia held up one slender finger and said seriously, "I'm staying another night."
"What?!"
"It's a rare vacation. Going back early would be a waste…" Cynthia scratched her golden hair and looked at Lu Ye with big eyes. "You're not kicking me out, are you?"
"No." Lu Ye's expression was strange. "As long as you pay for the stay."
"No problem." Cynthia nodded cheerfully.
In the living room, red light flashed. Garchomp glared menacingly at Lu Ye. What are you looking at? You want me to slash you?
Cynthia patted Garchomp's back and handed it a beautifully patterned Dragon Fang, smiling. "Here."
Garchomp's eyes widened. The Dragon Fang held rich Dragon-type energy. The best way to use it was to eat it directly—
Garchomp opened its jaws, drool stringing from its teeth, ready to crunch the fang, but suddenly froze.
Cynthia said, "Lu gave this to you."
Garchomp paused, jaws open, glancing at Lu Ye.
Lu Ye quickly straightened up, nodding with solemn dignity. "Yes, I gave it to you!"
Teacher Lu, always borrowing gifts to give away! Cynthia smiled and said nothing.
Garchomp hesitated a moment longer, then silently took the Dragon Fang and crunched it. Its scarlet eyes glowed with light, the hostility fading away.
Garchomp even nodded at Lu Ye. Kid, you're alright!