"Good morning, everyone."
Lucas yawned as he walked out of the Distortion World portal.
Giratina behind him: ————
No, are you really too lazy to even walk a few steps now?
"Giratina, may I ask what the most regrettable choice you've ever made in your life is?" Jessie asked, holding a microphone toward Giratina.
"Roar."
I didn't know before, but now it's definitely regretting sharing the ability of the Distortion World with Lucas. Although it requires my consent, who knows if it's actually an urgent matter or not ————
Jessie gave an "Oh" as if she deeply understood.
Even though she couldn't understand it.
Giratina: ?
Wait, how did you guys get in here?
"See you later, then, Giratina."
After saying that, Jessie led James and the others out of the Distortion World portal.
Giratina: ————
Lucas!!!
"By the way, won't Giratina get angry if you use the Distortion World portal like an Anywhere Door?" Lucian looked at Lucas, who had just walked out of the Distortion World, and asked with a puzzled expression.
"Oh, that? It's fine, Alcremie is there."
Lucas waved his hand with a smile and sat down in his seat.
Lucian: Alcremie? What does that mean?
Shauna and Tomoyo were wearing Pikachu outfits today to cheer for Ash and his friends.
Seeing the Dratini resting on top of Tomoyo's head, Lucas thought for a moment, then reached out and snatched it away.
Lucas placed his palm on the Dratini's body, stroking it from its head all the way to its tail; it was cool to the touch and very slippery.
"Wu ———— "
The Dratini, not daring to resist, huddled in Lucas's arms, shivering.
"It feels quite nice."
Lucas said. Looking at the slightly frightened Dratini, he reached out to massage its snowy white belly.
"Wu~"
The Dratini squinted its eyes comfortably, while simultaneously wrapping its tail around Lucas's wrist.
"We'll be heading off then."
The reporter trio greeted Lucas and the others before leaving.
Watching the Team Rocket Trio walk away, Flint asked curiously, "By the way, Lucas and Big Sister, how did you come over with them? Could it be that you're living together?"
Cynthia took the milk tea handed to her by Gothitelle and took a sip. "When Lucas and I left this morning, we happened to run into them just as they were leaving, so we came over together."
"You're living together?"
Lucian pushed up his glasses.
"Yeah." Cynthia hummed faintly.
Flint, Aaron, and Grandma Bertha exchanged glances, wearing expressions that said, "As expected."
Why does that sound so strange? Lucas thought to himself.
"There was a bit of a problem at the hotel yesterday, and it just so happened that Cynthia had a villa nearby, so we stayed at Cynthia's villa for the night. It also happened that those three reporters had a villa nearby, so we came over together. Don't overthink it." Lucas explained.
"When I came over today, I heard many people saying the hotel was haunted. Is that because of this?" Steven recalled hearing Trainers talk about ghosts wandering around the hotel when he arrived, and wondered if Lucas had encountered them too.
"Hmm ———— this matter was actually just an accident." Lucas explained.
"So that means the hotel isn't haunted? That's a pity. I was actually hoping to check it out. I heard some people even fainted from seeing ghosts and are still lying in the hospital now." Lucian said regretfully.
As the Psychic-type Elite, he had a great interest in things that couldn't be explained by science. He had planned to go to the hotel to take a look after the semifinals concluded today.
"Hmm ———— actually, if you want to say it was haunted, you can't exactly say it wasn't, right?" Lucas hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"You saw it?" Lucian's eyes lit up as he asked Lucas.
Lucas pointed his finger toward Gengar, who was playing with Shauna, Tomoyo, and the Chimecho.
"Does Gengar count as a ghost? If it does, then I suppose it was haunted, since it was mostly responsible for yesterday's incident." Lucas added, "It was the one who scared people into fainting last night."
Gengar, who was playing "Eagle Catches the Chicks," stopped its movements and looked at Lucas.
??? It's my fault again?!
Remembering that it did indeed seem to be the one who scared people into fainting yesterday, Gengar guiltily turned its head back and continued playing with Shauna and the others.
Forget it, let it be my fault. Anyway, I've already been blamed for so much, one or two more won't make a difference.
Lucian: ————
"So ———— you all are the ones behind everything?" Steven looked at Lucas.
Lucas flashed his standard Breeding House smile. "Hehe, I suppose so."
Everyone: ————
"How about it? Isn't this ghost very cute?" Lucas asked, pointing at Gengar.
"Tch~" "I thought it was a real ghost." "Why is it Gengar ———— "
Gengar: ( ° — ) I feel like I've been offended again ————
Is Gengar not a ghost? Is Charizard not a dragon? (Strikeout)
Amidst everyone's chatter, the host's voice suddenly rang out.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we will select the two contestants who will advance to the finals, which means today's matches will be even more intense. Can you give some cheers for the four contestants?"
"Wooo!!!" Under the host's direction, the atmosphere at the venue began to liven up. While the crowd was being warmed up, the venue began playing advertisements for the sponsors of the Lily of the Valley Conference.
"So it's finally the semifinals?" Lucas stood up, walked to the railing, looked at the arena, and said, "I'm really looking forward to it ———— "
"Looking forward to seeing what kind of battle results they will deliver."
"I have to say, this Lily of the Valley Conference is indeed much better than the Hoenn League Conference." Steven's voice came from behind. Lucas turned around and saw Steven walking toward him.
"I also watched this year's Hoenn League Conference. A Trainer from Kalos won the championship with overwhelming strength, but eventually lost to Rhys."
Rhys? Such a familiar name ———— The first thing that came to Lucas's mind was the man who was originally a quiet guy wearing glasses, then turned into a bronzed-skinned fisherman ————
So they have the same name? Sharing the same name as the Hoenn region's Dragon-type Elite.
"Trainers who have traveled through multiple regions, when using their old partners, possess strength and experience that few new Trainers can contend with."
Lucas remembered that Ash's ranking in the Hoenn League Conference didn't seem to be very high. By the way, wasn't the Hoenn region's League Conference called the Ever Grande Conference? If he remembered correctly, it seemed to be the Top 8.
Actually, according to the original story, Ash's ranking in the Lily of the Valley Conference wouldn't be very high either. He encountered Paul in the Top 8, and after winning against Paul, he met Tobias in the semifinals, ultimately only achieving a Top 4 result.
How will the result turn out this time ———— The opponent he originally met in the Top 8, he ended up meeting in the Top 4 instead.
Ash ———— Let me see the results of your training this year.
On the other side, at the Breeding House. With Mrs. Fujino's help, Alcremie made a large amount of desserts.
It looked at the desserts filling the kitchen and remembered what Lucas had told it. "Once you're done, just call out Giratina."
Alcremie was very confused. Who is Giratina? But it still honestly called out.
"imai?" Are you there? Giratina ———— The voice was soft and cute.
There was no response for a long time, and Alcremie pouted. What is this ———— Lucas is tricking Pokémon again ————
At this moment, the space in front of it rippled, and then the Distortion World portal began to appear.
Alcremie jumped off the workbench in confusion and walked into the Distortion World portal. The sky inside was dark and gloomy red, and above, a huge Pokémon wearing metal armor was looking down at it.
"imai?" Are you Giratina? Alcremie looked at this Pokémon curiously and asked.
Giratina: ??? Under Alcremie's puzzled gaze, Giratina nodded.
Alcremie mimicked Lucas and snapped its fingers, but there was no sound, only cream flew out.
"imai." That's right, wait for me a moment.
After saying that, Alcremie trotted out of the Distortion World portal on its short little legs.
Giratina: ??? What is going on? As the master of the Distortion World, I'm very busy, you know. It decided that once Alcremie came back in, it would properly lecture it; it couldn't let it learn bad habits from Lucas.
Alcremie ran back in, carrying a large tray.
"Roar ———— " You better stop ———— It looked at Alcremie's innocent eyes and stopped what it was about to say.
"imai?" What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly. Oh right, these are the desserts Lucas asked me to prepare for you. He said you might like the desserts I make. Would you like to try them? They are very delicious. I spent the whole day making them.
Alcremie's soft and cute voice made Giratina hesitate for a moment. Then ———— I'll give it a try?
Giratina flew to Alcremie's side and opened its mouth. Alcremie hesitated for a moment and moved its body a little closer to the portal.
"imai ———— " You can't eat Alcremie, okay? Alcremie is not a dessert.
Giratina: ————
Alcremie cautiously tossed the dessert into Giratina's mouth.
How is this possible ———— Wow ~ As expected of Alcremie ~ Giratina's eyes lit up. So there are such delicious things in the world?
Seeing that Giratina liked it, Alcremie ran out of the Distortion World again, going back and forth to bring all the desserts into the Distortion World, feeding them to Giratina.
"imai." Lucas said this is a thank-you gift for opening the Distortion World portal for me, although I don't know what the Distortion World portal is. But I will make you lots of desserts every day, as long as you can help Lucas.
Giratina squinted its eyes, enjoying Alcremie's feeding.
"Roar ———— "
Rest assured, he can use the Distortion World channel however he wants.
"imai?"
"Really?"
Giratina came to its senses. Wait, did I just say something I shouldn't have?
Giratina: ——
"imai~"
"Thank you, Giratina. You really are the best Pokémon in the world~ So kind, so handsome, and so powerful~"
Giratina: !!!
"That's right!"
"I am the master of the Distortion World, the Renegade Pokémon Giratina. A mere Distortion World channel, what of it!"
Alcremie clapped her little hands incessantly.
"As expected of Lilligant, what she taught me is really useful."
Thinking of this, Alcremie smiled sweetly again.
"imai~"
"Do you want more~?"
Lucas, who was lost in thought, suddenly heard a "ding-dong" sound in his ear.
"Strange, why does that sound like my wallet shrinking?"
"Something's not right. This is definitely the sound of my wallet shrinking, and my right eyelid won't stop twitching."
Lucas immediately locked his gaze onto Gengar.
"Gengar, be honest with me. Did you secretly buy something again?"
(*□°)!!
"Gengar?!"
"How did you know?!"
Lucas: !
"You little Gengar! Tell me the truth!"
Lucas pulled at Gengar's mouth, interrogating it relentlessly.
The regulars at the Breeding House were already used to Lucas and Gengar fighting; only Grandma Bertha watched them with curiosity.
"Gengar——"
"What I bought was——nine ninety-nine——free shipping——"
Lucas let go. "Nine ninety-nine with free shipping? Is that how it is?"
"Is that so? Alright then, it seems I wronged you."
Lucas said, feeling a bit guilty.
Unexpectedly, Gengar had no intention of taking revenge and sat back in its seat, feeling a bit guilty.
"How many did you buy?"
Steven leaned into Gengar's ear and asked softly.
Gengar looked at Lucas, who was currently pinching Tomoyo and Shauna's little cheeks, and signaled a number with its fingers.
"Gengar——"
"2, 0, 3."
Steven: ——
No wonder Gengar didn't seek revenge on Lucas today when it was wronged.
So it wasn't wronged after all.
"Gengar."
"Hee hee."
Cheers erupted from the arena again, and everyone looked up.
The first match of the day had already begun.
The match between Tobias and Aran.
Aran took a deep breath and walked out of the Trainer's tunnel.
"If I can manage to lose less miserably, that will be a victory."
Aran silently cheered herself on in her heart.
Before participating in the Lily of the Valley Conference, she had battled Tobias, and the result of that match was disastrous.
Watching Aran and Tobias standing on the field, Lucas thought for a moment, patted Ninetales on the head, and walked down the stairs to the side.
Gengar and the others followed behind Lucas.
After Aran drew the rock field, her battle with Tobias officially began.
"Ding-dong~"
Lucas listened to the sounds coming from the big screen; every "ding-dong" meant one person's Pokémon had lost the ability to battle.
Darkrai was covered in wounds, standing in front of Tobias, panting heavily.
"So strong——"
"Almost flipped over——"
Before losing its last bit of strength, Darkrai hid in Tobias's shadow.
"You've improved very quickly."
Tobias looked at the young girl in front of him and said.
Aran recalled her Blaziken, took a deep breath, and then put a smile on her face. "Still couldn't beat you."
"Mr. Tobias, your strength is truly as formidable as ever."
Tobias revealed a gentle smile. "When you become stronger, shall we have another match?"
"Yosh, it's a deal!"
Aran clenched her fists and said.
After shaking hands with Tobias, Aran skipped back into the Trainer's tunnel.
After being enveloped by the shadows, Aran stopped her movements and walked slowly forward.
"Clap clap clap."
Applause rang out.
The sudden applause startled Aran. She jumped, and after landing, she looked ahead and found Lucas standing in the shadows with Gengar and the others, smiling at her and clapping incessantly.
"Lucas? Why are you here?"
Aran ran up and asked, puzzled, looking at Lucas who had appeared in the Trainer's tunnel.
"I was afraid that our powerful Miss Aran might be discouraged, so I came to comfort you."
Lucas said with a smile.
"Oh, I'm not that fragile."
Aran waved her hand.
"Really? Then who was it that wiped their eyes just now?"
"Could it be Lilligant? Lilligant, was it you?"
"Lilli~"
"Who could it be~ It's so hard to guess~"
"Oh, Lucas, you're so long-winded!"
Lucas laughed out loud.
"Alright, I am a little bit sad."
Aran raised her right hand, gestured with her thumb and index finger, and said.
"You are already very strong."
Lucas patted Aran's shoulder and said: "If Blaziken had held on for a few more seconds, Darkrai would have lost the ability to battle."
Aran looked up, "Really?"
Lucas nodded.
Just now, Darkrai had been swaying. Aran's strength was still very impressive. As a Trainer, without Mega Evolution or other systems, relying solely on her own commands, she had almost defeated Darkrai.
"If you don't believe me, ask Gengar."
Gengar nodded from the side and then mimicked how it had run into Tobias's shadow and seen Darkrai's vacant expression.
"Gengar——"
"Just like this, sticking out a big tongue——"
Aran laughed.
"I knew it, I'm still very strong."
Aran regained her confidence.
"Next time, I will definitely become stronger and defeat it."
Lucas imitated Flint and gave a thumbs up.
"Go for it!"
At this moment, Latias's voice rang out.
"Don't be afraid. In a few days, Lucas and I will get revenge for you."
Aran was startled again.
"Ma——Lucas, there's—there's a ghost——"
Aran's voice began to tremble.
"There is indeed a ghost."
Lucas nodded.
Aran hurriedly ran to Lucas's side and grabbed his hand.
"Wh——where?"
"Look, isn't there a big fat ghost floating right there?"
Lucas pointed in a direction.
Aran turned her head tremblingly and took a look.
"Gengar?"
"Why are you looking at me?"
After saying that, it even scratched its big butt.
Aran: ——
"Gengar, go away!"
"That was Latias's voice."
Lucas's voice entered Aran's ears.
"Latias?"
Aran suddenly realized, "So that's it."
"I heard it say you'll be battling Tobias in a few days. Is that true? Then I'll wait a few days before leaving. Remember to help me get good revenge!"
Aran said happily.
What? I'm battling Tobias? How come I didn't know about this?
"Lucas, shall we go beat up my brother?"
Latias's voice rang out.
A younger sister beating her older brother?
That doesn't seem impossible.
"I won't tell him that you not only gave me a Soul Dew but also a mega stone."
Latias's voice rang out again.
"And I certainly won't tell him that you gave both of them to me."
Lucas: ——
Why do I feel like you're showing off?
In the stands.
Flint looked around but didn't see Lucas, feeling a bit puzzled. "Strange, where is Lucas? Gengar and the others aren't here either."
"He went to comfort contestant Aran."
Cynthia stroked the Dratini in her arms and said: "After all, just like Ash and the others, she is also a Trainer and a junior he thinks highly of. He had to go encourage her."
"I see."
Flint said, "Oh."
On the other side, after parting ways with Aran, Lucas walked down the road, lost in deep thought.
"Gothitelle?"
"What's wrong? Why are you so conflicted?"
Gothitelle's voice rang out.
"If I'm battling Tobias, I'm wondering, should I call Darkrai over? Would it be better if Darkrai fought Darkrai? Plus, he might have other Legendary Pokémon, so should I call Regigigas, Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina over? That wouldn't be excessive, right? Add Latias, and that's exactly six Pokémon. I could even call Lugia over——"
Gothitelle: ——
"Gothitelle?"
"Did he offend you?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"Gothitelle?"
"Then why do you want to kill him?"
Lucas: ——
"I'm just being safe, that's all——"
"Lilli."
"Then why don't you drag Arceus over?"
Lucas: "That makes sense——unfortunately, I can't call it over."
Gengar: ——
Lilligant: ——
Gothitelle: ——
Ninetales: ——
Flint: ——
Latias: ——
Mime Jr.: ? What? Great, great.
Gothitelle picked up Mime Jr.
"Don't learn from him, it's easy to pick up bad habits."
Lucas stretched.
"As expected, you guys are the most suitable."
Lucas said with a smile: "When the time comes, we will all get revenge for our students, and for Latias."
"Gengar""
"Gengar, Gengar, Gengar——"
"Don't laugh like that. People who don't know us will think we're the villains."
"Gengar?"
"What? We're actually not the villains?"
"We are the protagonists! Protagonists, get it!"
"Nini, Nini, Mime Jr.!"
"Villain, villain, big villain!"
Lucas: ——
"Lilli——"
"It seems like being a villain wouldn't be too bad?"
"Forget it, as long as you're happy."
Watching Ash enter the Trainer's tunnel, Lucas walked over.
"Ash——"
***************************
Thoughts on where the plot is heading? Let me know in the comments! If you're enjoying the ride, please leave a quick review and toss a few Power Stones my way. Every bit of support means the world! 🙌