Paul walked down the long staircase with his hands in his pockets.
The setting sun cast a long shadow behind him.
"Paul."
Ash ran out of the League Conference gates and stood at the top of the stairs. He looked down at Paul, who was descending, and shouted while leaning on his knees, panting for breath.
Paul stopped and turned around to look at Ash on the stairs.
Ash, with Pikachu by his side, locked eyes with Paul.
The two stared at each other in silence.
After a moment, Paul finally spoke, "Infernape, it has become stronger."
Seeing the smile at the corner of Paul's mouth, Ash smiled as well.
"Yeah, it has."
Then he realized something and looked at Paul, "Are you... leaving?"
Paul turned around to face Ash, who was above him.
"I lost the match. This is no longer a place for me to stay. There is no point in remaining here any longer."
"..."
Inside the League Conference, Cynthia stood in front of Brock and Dawn. She watched Lucas's back for a quiet moment before speaking, "Lucas and I have always believed that when any life encounters another, something new is always created."
Recalling the events between Ash and Paul along the way, she smiled, "I believe that something has been created between those two as well."
"That is... a bond."
Cynthia continued, "I believe that in time, both Paul and Ash will triumph in the League Conference, and I will be looking forward to that day and preparing for it."
Walking through the shadowed corridor, Lucas trailed his fingers along the wall as he moved.
Gengar and the others followed suit.
It's not just you, Cynthia; I am looking forward to it as well.
That moment when he lifts that trophy.
For now, let me, as their teacher, handle the aftermath.
"I will issue a new challenge to Mr. Brandon."
Paul looked up at Ash and said.
He didn't feel particularly distressed about losing to Ash; on the contrary, he felt it gave him more motivation.
Although he didn't approve of Ash's methods, he respected his approach. Disapproval and respect were not mutually exclusive.
Perhaps that is exactly why Infernape had become so powerful.
But next time, he wouldn't lose.
"I see. Then you'll have to do your best, Paul."
Ash flashed a Breeding House-style smile, cheering Paul on.
Paul was stunned for a moment, then gave a hum of acknowledgment.
"Yeah. You too. Be careful not to lose to me next time."
"Don't worry, I definitely won't."
Ash clenched his fists.
Paul turned and continued walking downward.
"Paul."
Ash called out from behind him.
"Let's have another battle next time!"
(I looked for many pictures, but the original screenshots are still the best. Although they are blurry, they are full of nostalgia.)
Paul lifted his lowered head and revealed a genuine smile.
He didn't stop walking.
Watching Paul's retreating back, Ash and Pikachu exchanged a glance, "We finally won, Pikachu."
"Pika!"
"Oh no! Infernape!"
Remembering Infernape, Ash hurriedly rushed back into the League Conference with Pikachu.
Paul looked at the spiky-haired boy leaning against a large tree, with an Umbreon by his feet.
"He is always able to unleash incredible power."
Gary said, looking at Paul in front of him.
Paul nodded.
"I didn't expect you to lose too."
Gary walked alongside Paul, and the two headed forward, facing the sunset.
"But I'm actually not surprised by this result."
Paul didn't answer; Gary was the one doing all the talking.
Paul was strong; Gary agreed with that completely.
Although he found Ash's boisterous personality annoying and hated losing to him, after spending time with him, he realized that losing to him wasn't so hard to accept.
"At first, I really hated him."
Paul suddenly said.
Gary stopped talking and listened quietly to Paul.
"Just like my brother, he is clearly a very strong Trainer, yet he insists on taking care of some weak Pokémon..."
Thinking about Ash's actions, Gary couldn't help but laugh.
"Perhaps that is exactly why he is able to bring out the potential in Pokémon."
Paul said.
Gary walked forward with his hands behind his head.
"Where are you planning to go next?"
"I'm going to challenge Mr. Brandon to see if I can succeed this time."
"Mr. Brandon, huh..."
Gary sighed, "Come to think of it, I wanted to challenge him too."
Paul turned his head to look at the boy beside him, who had been taken in as a student by Lucas. He was also the grandson of the legendary Professor Oak and was quite strong himself—Paul had only won thanks to a bit of luck. He heard that they were childhood friends with Ash, too.
"Want to go together?"
Hearing Paul's invitation, Gary hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "You know, I'm a Pokémon researcher now. I love this profession. It was Lucas who told me that being a researcher and a Trainer don't conflict, which is why I came to participate in the League Conference."
He thought for a moment, stopped, and said, "After watching Ash's final match tomorrow, I'm going to other regions to study more Pokémon, catch more Pokémon, challenge more Pokémon and Trainers, and make myself stronger."
Paul stopped and looked at Gary, noticing he had extended his fist, "Paul, let's have another battle when that happens? A real, hard-hitting one!"
Thinking back to their battle—Arcanine against Drapion, Aggron against Blastoise, Electivire against Nidoqueen...
A hard-hitting battle, huh...
Paul extended his hand and bumped his fist against Gary's.
"Don't worry, next time, I'll definitely win again."
After saying this, Paul turned and walked away without looking back.
"You really are confident, you know."
Gary laughed and turned around, "The result remains to be seen, right, Umbreon?"
"Umbreon~"
An ice cream bar appeared in front of Paul, and a familiar voice sounded.
"Want one?"
Paul looked at Lucas sitting on a stone bench in the park, took the ice cream from Gengar, and said thanks.
Lucas looked at him and patted the empty spot beside him, "If you're not in a hurry, want to sit for a while?"
Paul nodded and came to sit next to Lucas.
Mime Jr., sitting on Lucas's shoulder, gave Paul a thumbs up.
"Mime~"
Great job~
Lucas pinched Mime Jr.'s little cheek and asked, "Not battling anymore?"
Paul took a bite of the ice cream, and it made his teeth ache.
He didn't know why Lucas and the others liked eating ice cream in this kind of weather.
"To me... third place is no different from the rest."
Paul paused for a moment and said.
"Because you lost to Ash?"
Paul hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
"You really are something."
Lucas smiled, "What are your plans now?"
Watching Lucas eat his ice cream in big bites, Paul looked at the ice cream in his hand, thought for a moment, and took another bite.
Huh? It didn't seem as cold anymore.
"I'm going to challenge Mr. Brandon to see if I can defeat him."
"And if you lose?"
Paul: ...
You think I'm going to lose before I've even fought?
"Then I'll stay there, learn to train from him, and then issue another challenge."
"Not a bad choice."
Lucas snapped his fingers, "You're not staying to watch tomorrow's final match?"
"...I will."
Lucas nodded and focused on eating his ice cream.
"Manager."
Paul looked at Lucas and called out.
"What is it?"
Lucas turned his head and asked.
"Can... Ash win?"
Hearing this, Lucas smiled, "Who knows..."
Lucas tossed the wooden stick into the trash can, leaned back against the stone bench with his hands, and looked up, "Based on his personality, even if he can't win, he surely won't give up. He'll just go on to challenge new regions and new leagues..."
"Perhaps one day, he will truly lift the Champion's trophy and become a League Champion, right?"
As expected...
Does Lucas also think Ash can't win against Tobias?
"What about you? If you defeat Brandon, what are your plans?"
Hearing Lucas's question, Paul thought for a moment and said, "I will continue my journey and keep growing stronger."
Lucas nodded deeply, "In that case, why not go to other regions? Go and see more Pokémon."
Paul looked at Lucas, who continued, "For example, go to the Unova Region or the Kalos Region. By the way, although Mega Evolution appeared in the Hoenn Region, it was the Kalos Region that popularized it. If you want to become more proficient with your Mega Evolution, you can go to the Kalos Region to learn. Also, in the Alola Region, Z-Moves can significantly boost your strength. In the Galar Region, you can ask the strongest Champion for advice and experience Dynamax. As for the Paldea Region, Terastal is also an option, though I haven't been to Paldea myself yet. Of course, you could also visit the Kanto Region, Johto Region, and Hoenn Region."
Paul nodded, "I understand. I will go and learn to master them."
"However, remember this: regardless of the battle system—whether it's Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, or even Dynamax and Terastal—the most important thing is the bond between the Trainer and their Pokémon."
"For instance, our Sinnoh Region Champion, Cynthia, could easily defeat you all even without using Mega Evolution."
After speaking, Lucas stood up and clapped his hands, "It looks like you're still full of fighting spirit, which puts my mind at ease."
"Don't worry, Manager. I won't lose confidence just because of one lost battle."
"Call me Teacher."
Paul froze for a moment, opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately swallowed his words.
Oh? Paul can be shy? Tsk, tsk, tsk.
"Go get some rest. Tomorrow is the final, and then the Lily of the Valley Conference will come to an end."
Watching Reiggie running toward them, Lucas said to Paul, "Someone is here to see you, so I'll head back now."
With that, Lucas turned and left.
"Paul." Reiggie arrived in front of Paul, looked at him sitting on the stone bench, and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
Paul looked at Reiggie, who was standing in front of him, hands on his knees, panting for breath. He came to the venue? And he was still wearing his Breeding House apron.
"Shouldn't you be at your Breeding House?" Paul asked.
Reiggie rubbed his nose and said sheepishly, "I was just thinking that this is your final, so I wanted to come and watch it in person."
Paul stood up, "What's there to see? It's not the final."
"You don't understand. For a brother, regardless of whether it's the final or not, every match is a memorable one."
Paul was speechless. Finally, he walked past Reiggie with an expressionless face.
"You can go back now, so your Pokémon at the Breeding House aren't left unattended."
Just as Reiggie was about to speak, he was interrupted by a sudden voice. "Oh right, if you have any problems you can't solve, or if you don't know what to do, you can come to the Breeding House. I'm always there."
He looked up and saw a young man standing under a streetlamp across the road, waving and shouting at them. He had a few Pokémon with him.
Paul nodded.
"Who is he?" Reiggie asked Paul, curious as he watched the young man turn and leave.
"He's also the owner of a Breeding House," Paul thought for a moment before adding, "Like you, he is a powerful Trainer."
Reiggie opened his mouth to speak, only to hear Paul continue, "And also an excellent—Breeder?"
Reiggie's eyes widened. Since he became a Breeder, Paul had never been willing to acknowledge him as one. Today—
"I will take you as an example and keep moving forward, unlike you, who only stays in one place." After saying this, Paul left without looking back. His flustered footsteps made him hurry his pace.
Reiggie watched Paul's retreating figure, wiping his slightly moist eyes. This guy—really—
He looked back at Lucas's retreating figure, "I'll have to ask which Breeding House he owns later. I must pay him a visit to thank him."
He believed his brother's change might have been influenced by him.
"I will challenge Mr. Brandon again." Paul's voice drifted over with the wind.
"Yes," Reiggie replied loudly, "I will be there. I'll be there to watch you defeat Mr. Brandon."
"Ta-da!" A popsicle suddenly appeared in front of Cynthia, who was standing at the entrance of the League, and Lucas's smiling face came into her view.
"Mmm~" Cynthia smiled beautifully, took the popsicle, took a bite, and squinted her eyes in comfort.
"I brought this especially for you. Gengar was even thinking of stealing it."
Gengar, who was busy sharing popsicles with Garchomp: ??? Looking at the bag of various flavored popsicles it had bought with its own money, it looked up at Lucas, its chubby cheeks filled with confusion.
You mean—I have a big bag of popsicles and I wouldn't eat those, but instead go steal hers? You're making me the scapegoat because you have nothing to talk about? I'm shaking with rage!
Gengar was burning with rage, then tore open four popsicle wrappers and stuffed them all into its mouth at once. It had only intended to eat one, but it was all Lucas's fault for making it angry. It would eat all four, finish them all, leave none for him, and make him cry in secret at night, hmph!
"You're not afraid of getting a brain freeze, you little rascal." Lucas tugged at the corner of Gengar's mouth.
"He clearly has a whole bag, yet you say he wanted to steal mine? You're trying to sow discord. Gengar, let's go, ignore this bad guy."
"Gen Gengar." That's right!
"Exactly, Uncle is a big bad guy." As soon as Shauna finished speaking, the popsicle in her hand was snatched away by Lucas.
"Children shouldn't eat popsicles." Shauna: ???
Tomoyo was hesitating whether to give her popsicle to Lucas when she saw Shauna suddenly hug his leg tightly. "Hehe, Gengar is the big bad guy, and Uncle is the best, best, best person in the whole world, the whole universe."
Tomoyo: —— Gengar: ???
Cynthia was laughing so hard on the side that tears were almost coming out. Lucas: ——
"You really know how to bend and stretch! Little Shauna!" Lucas gritted his teeth and poked Shauna's forehead, then returned the popsicle to her.
"I call this being smart." Shauna hugged the popsicle and started munching on it, saying proudly.
"Let's go, let's go home to eat too." Lucas stood up straight and walked ahead. "What do you want to eat tonight? Give me the menu, and I will personally—"
Gothitelle and Mime Jr. widened their eyes. "—assist Mime Jr. and Gothitelle."
Whoosh~ Lucas was hung on a nearby tree.
"Gen Gengar—" Hahahahahaha.
Whoosh~ Gengar was hung next to Lucas. ??? Why do I have to be hung up too?
"Gothitelle." You're an eyesore. Gothitelle clapped her hands and said indifferently.
Gengar: ??? Lucas and Gengar made eye contact. They both saw the schadenfreude in each other's eyes.
"Is it really okay to ignore them?" Cynthia's voice came from afar.
"Gothitelle." It's fine, Dash is there.
"Dash?" Cynthia was a bit surprised, "Won't he pull the tree up?"
Gothitelle suddenly remembered something and turned around abruptly. Dash was carrying a large tree, following behind them, with Lucas and Gengar hanging from the tree.
Gothitelle: —— A momentary lapse in judgment, a momentary lapse in judgment —— She patted her forehead. It was all Lucas and Gengar's fault, making her so busy lately that her head wasn't clear anymore.
Feeling the increasingly terrifying psychic power from Gothitelle, Lucas and Gengar both covered their mouths, bowing their heads, not daring to look at Gothitelle. So fierce——
Bang! "Gothitelle." Latias can hear you.
"Latias, you traitor!" Lucas took off directly.
***************************
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! 🙌