Lu Ye placed the retracted Squirtle into the fish tank, then gently tucked Eevee into its cat bed, ensuring the blanket was snug.
"Eevee…"
Eevee, half-asleep, stretched its paw in mild irritation and kicked the blanket away.
Lu Ye chuckled softly.
"Goodnight."
As he turned off the lights, Haunter emerged silently from the darkness.
"Haunter" (Let's go. Keep it quiet so we don't wake them.)
With a soft click, the door locked behind them.
In the stillness of the room, bubbles rose steadily in the fish tank. From within the shell, a pair of glowing eyes flickered ominously.
"Squirtle…"
Squirtle climbed out of the tank and opened Lu Ye's laptop. Typing in the password, "Mai Sakurajima," it grinned and inserted a yellowed USB drive.
"Squirtle…?"
As it studied the move tutorials on the screen, Squirtle nodded thoughtfully. Since this was training for its trump card, it couldn't let its trainer discover it. The best moves are the ones even your allies don't expect!
Suddenly, its aura warned of impending danger, sending a chill down Squirtle's shell. It stiffened and turned around.
In the dark, a small Eevee was watching silently, its sparkling eyes locked onto Squirtle.
"Squirtle!!" Squirtle panicked.
Caught red-handed by the big boss!
"Eevee?" Eevee stepped closer, its eyes unwavering.
Squirtle gritted its teeth and pointed at the screen.
"Squirtle? ◑▽◐" ("Boss, want to train together?")
Eevee blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, with a resolute nod, its gaze turned determined.
For my trainer… I must grow stronger too!
---
The Modu City night glittered with gold.
Magnemites at the city's power plant worked tirelessly, generating clean energy, only to have their pay go toward the same electricity they produced… something about this arrangement felt oddly unfair.
Still, it was part of harmonious coexistence between Pokémon and humans.
Lu Ye handed Haunter a grilled squid skewer as they arrived at the Bull Training Club.
The night shift was bustling with trainers.
The moment Haunter entered, its reputation as a coach shone brightly.
"Coach Haunter! You're here!" The receptionist greeted sweetly.
"Haunter!"
Haunter adjusted its sunglasses and casually gestured toward the keys on the wall.
"Ah, here's the key for court 7. Take care!"
Lu Ye frowned.
Why does it feel like you're more familiar with this place than I am?
Who's training whom here?
Xia Quan, wearing a cap and tight workout pants, was about to greet Haunter when the receptionist called her over.
"Coach Quan," the receptionist said sternly, "someone's already here to challenge us. If we lose again, the club might lose its license!"
Clubs had limited and tightly regulated licenses. Despite rules against malicious challenges, interclub battles were common. Losing too many battles could lead to the license being revoked.
The Bull Club had been on a losing streak for months.
Xia Quan muttered, "The boss doesn't seem to care anymore. Might as well close up shop."
"Don't say that!" The receptionist's eyes brimmed with tears. "If we close, I'll be out of a job!"
Frustrated, Xia Quan snapped, "The manager already quit! Once this match is over, I'm done too!"
The receptionist sighed deeply.
"If only Coach Haunter would step in…"
"This is the training area?" Lu Ye glanced around. "Doesn't seem any different from last time."
"Haunter!"
Haunter floated to a vending machine, reached through the glass, and retrieved two sodas.
"Haunter?" It handed an icy cola to Lu Ye with a grin.
Lu Ye accepted the soda, his expression complex.
When we leave later… should I have Haunter grab a couple more?
Shaking off the thought, he cleared his throat.
"Let's start training."
Lu Ye wasn't particularly skilled in training, but he'd promised Haunter, so here he was.
Luckily, Haunter was the real expert.
Casting Lu Ye a disdainful glance, Haunter began channeling venom for Venoshock training.
Watching Haunter's precise technique, Lu Ye felt a twinge of helplessness.
I just want to slack off, but my Pokémon are too competent!
Sitting in the stands, Lu Ye rested his chin in his hands, observing Haunter's training. With insights from Koga's Toxic Insights and synergy from the Toxic Orb, Haunter's progress was astonishing.
It condensed purplish venom at its fingertips, firing it at the target with pinpoint accuracy.
Hiss!
The target erupted into a cloud of white vapor.
Lu Ye tensed.
Geez, why does it feel like being a trainer is becoming more dangerous?
"Haunter! o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
Nailing the technique on its first try, Haunter laughed gleefully.
Lu Ye blinked.
Where did you get that shameless personality?
Still, the progress was impressive. Lu Ye patted Haunter's shoulder and said, "Brilliant work, training genius!"
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed as the receptionist burst into the room, teary-eyed.
"Coach Haunter! You're our only hope!"
"Please, you have to help!"
Lu Ye & Haunter: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
This plot feels awfully familiar…
But why is the savior Haunter instead of me?!
"I'm actually—" Lu Ye began, but the receptionist grabbed Haunter's hand.
"No time to explain! Come with me!"
Haunter was whisked away, leaving Lu Ye standing in stunned silence.
Well… at least Haunter's venom control seems safe. No need to worry about injuries for now.
Still… shouldn't I be the one giving commands?
Concerned about the strong challengers and potential risks to Haunter, Lu Ye hurried after them.
"Wait for me, Haunter! I'll back you up!"
---
The challengers were from the Bucks Club.
The opposing team, muscular men with flexed poses, oozed arrogance.
Wearing a floral shirt and sunglasses, their leader, McKen, laughed dramatically.
"Is this all you've got? How disappointing!"
Xia Quan, already planning to quit, snapped, "Just one more loss, and this club's done for!".
McKen paused.
Why does it sound like she wants her own club to lose more than I do?
The receptionist arrived with Haunter in tow.
"Here! Just in time!"
McKen glanced at Haunter, then extended a hand to Lu Ye.
"You must be the coach. Pleasure to meet you."
Lu Ye scratched his head with a sheepish smile.
"Actually, I'm just here as moral support."
"So the challenger is…"
"Haunter! (￣▽￣)/"
Me! Haunter!
McKen's face twisted in disbelief.
The coach isn't the handsome guy, but this Haunter?
Are they messing with me?!
"Enough talk," McKen sneered, feeling humiliated. "See you in the ring!"
The receptionist nervously took the microphone and announced, "Next up is a single battle between Haunter and McKen! Let the match begin!"