"Here."
Lucas scooped a bit of each flavor, forming a multi-colored ball, and handed it to Cynthia, along with a spoon.
"Thank you."
Cynthia politely thanked him, took the ice cream, gently scooped a bit with the spoon, and put it into her mouth.
"Mmm…"
Her eyes instantly narrowed. She swallowed it and said, "It's delicious."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Lucas grinned, then prepared a serving for Garchomp as well.
"Gao!"
Garchomp swallowed it in one gulp, its crimson eyes fixed on Lucas.
Feeling the powerful aura emanating from Garchomp, Lucas focused his attention.
[Garchomp]
[Type: Dragon, Ground]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Sand Veil]
[Known Moves: Dragon Claw, Dragon Breath, Slash, Sandstorm, Dragon Rush, Dragon Cheer, Draco Meteor, Swords Dance, Outrage, Scale Shot, Thunder Fang, Fire Fang, Flamethrower, Breaking Swipe, Sandstorm, Earthquake.]
[Mood: Happy (So happy not to work)]
[Status: Alert]
[Affection: 10 (Thank you for the ice cream)]
[Description: Champion Cynthia's ace, looking down on the entire field.]
"Hiss…"
Looking at the moves Garchomp had mastered, Lucas couldn't help but gasp.
As expected of a Champion's ace, it's a pity it doesn't know Dragon Dance.
"What's wrong?"
Cynthia asked.
"Oh, nothing. Let me introduce you to the friends at the Breeding House," Lucas said, regaining his composure and smiling at Cynthia's bright eyes.
After he finished introducing the Pokémon at the Breeding House, Gengar returned with Vespiquen and Combee.
"Gengar!"
I'm back.
"Gengar?"
Who is this?
Gengar floated next to Lucas, curiously looking at Cynthia and the Garchomp beside her.
Feeling the powerful aura from Garchomp.
"Gengar?!"
So… so scary… Even so, Gengar still floated in front of Lucas.
Lucas patted Gengar's little butt, signaling that it was okay.
"Gengar, this is Champion Cynthia of our Sinnoh region, and that's her ace, Garchomp."
"Champion Cynthia, this is my… ace, Gengar. I am Lucas, the owner of this Breeding House."
Lucas introduced Gengar, then formally introduced himself.
"Hello, Gengar, and Lucas."
Cynthia recalled how Gengar had stood in front of Lucas without hesitation just now, making her even happier.
"Just call me Cynthia," she said softly, then looked at Gengar and added, "This Gengar trusts you a lot. Your bond is very strong."
"I trust it a lot too," Lucas said, looking at Gengar beside him with a smile.
He then motioned for Cynthia to wait a moment, turned to Vespiquen, and served a large portion of ice cream to her and the Combee, drizzling it with sweet honey.
"You've all worked hard during this time. Try it and see if you like it."
Vespiquen stared intently at Lucas. After a moment, she extended her claw and took it.
"How have you been doing here? Is everything alright?"
Vespiquen took a bite of ice cream and nodded.
They liked it here very much; it was beautiful, clean, and filled with laughter.
The sweet honey brewed in such an environment would taste even better and sweeter.
It would be even better if a certain Pokémon didn't keep coming over to ask for sweet honey.
"That's good. I have something I'd like to ask for your help with. You gave me some sweet honey a while ago, right? Well, I ran out today, and I'd like to ask for some more."
Lucas scratched the back of his head, revealing a harmless smile.
"…"
Vespiquen stared at him intently, not speaking.
"Don't worry, from now on, I'll be more frugal with it. I won't ask you for any more until you give me the next batch of sweet honey," Lucas immediately promised.
Vespiquen looked at the ice cream in her hand, then at Gengar nearby, and Garchomp in the distance, finally turning her gaze to Lucas.
Finally, with the help of Gengar and Garchomp, Vespiquen reluctantly nodded.
After all, this was what they had agreed upon initially, Vespiquen consoled herself.
She then flew back to bring him a jar of sweet honey, and took a jar of ice cream back with her.
Meanwhile, Cynthia finished her ice cream, handed the items back to Mime Jr., and turned to look at Lucas. Finding him still chatting with Vespiquen, she walked over to Petilil.
Petilil looked at the beautiful Cynthia in front of her, and in her refreshing smile, she pounced into her open arms.
"You're so cute, Petilil."
Cynthia gently stroked the small leaves on her head, which were neatly groomed.
"Lajii~"
"You seem to really like him."
Petilil nodded, looked at Lucas, and then let out a sweet, soft cry.
"She's Petilil, a Pokémon from the Unova region."
Lucas brought Gengar to Cynthia's side and introduced Petilil to her.
"I know," Cynthia's voice rang out.
Lucas gave an awkward smile; she was a Champion, how could she not recognize Petilil?
"But why is she in the Sinnoh region? Did you used to travel in the Unova region?"
Cynthia's clear voice rang out, and Lucas explained Petilil's situation to her.
Cynthia nodded, then looked at the Petilil in her arms.
"You are so brave."
Petilil happily shook her little head.
Now she could bravely face what had happened before. When Lucas spoke of it in front of her, she was no longer sad, because she had found her favorite trainer, her best friends, and her best home.
"Would you like to have a lovely afternoon tea?"
"Mmm…"
Seeing Cynthia lost in thought, Lucas continued, "Being a Champion must be very busy, right?"
Cynthia nodded quickly, then sighed.
"In that case, on such a beautiful day, how about a lovely afternoon tea to relax yourself?"
Cynthia blinked her beautiful eyes, then nodded.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Lucas waved his hand, then returned to the kitchen and brought out the desserts he had prepared earlier.
He glanced over and saw Cynthia already lying on a chair under the parasol, holding Petilil in her arms.
After distributing desserts to the Pokémon, Lucas brought a plate of cake to the parasol, placed it on the table, and poured Cynthia a cup of Lucas's special milk tea.
"Try it."
Cynthia sat up, first took a sip of milk tea, then dug a spoonful of dessert with a small spoon.
"Delicious."
Cynthia squinted her eyes and said.
Lucas smiled happily upon hearing this, then he and Cynthia focused on enjoying their afternoon tea.
"They all rely on you a lot," Cynthia said, lying on the lounge chair and looking at the Pokémon in the distance.
"Actually, I don't know why they trust me so much. If it weren't for them, this Breeding House might have closed down a long time ago."
"Hmm?"
Cynthia turned her head curiously to look at Lucas, who was lying on a lounge chair on the other side of the table, and asked curiously.
Although this Breeding House was not large in scale and did not house many Pokémon, it was the most comfortable Breeding House she had ever experienced.
Lucas told her about the Breeding House.
When she heard that he came from the Kanto, she nodded. Mustard on the Isle of Armor was also from the Kanto, and had been the Champion of the Galar region for many consecutive terms.
Then she heard Lucas talk about his encounters with Gengar, Machamp, and later Petilil, Vespiquen, Mime Jr., and also the story of a little girl.
Cynthia listened quietly until he finished, then spoke: "The encounter between humans and Pokémon is wonderful, isn't it? Although it's always full of uncertainties, the final outcome is often acceptable, just like fate."
"It's not just between humans and Pokémon, but also between Pokémon and Pokémon, and between humans. That's why encounters are so precious."
She understood why Gengar and the others trusted him so much. Pokémon raised with love often return that love, even if it means sacrificing their lives.
That's what Pokémon are.
"Precious, huh?"
Lucas looked into the distance, muttering to himself.
"Indeed, it's precious."
Lucas chuckled.
"Thank you, Champion Cynthia."
"Cynthia!"
Hearing Cynthia's tone become heavier, Lucas was startled. He looked to the side and saw Cynthia playing with Petilil, then smiled.
"Okay, Cynthia."
"So, are you staying for dinner, Cynthia?"