The Research Lab covered a wide area, so Sachiko always left early to remind the field researchers that it was almost time for dinner. She hadn't seen Luther all afternoon. After checking all the places he usually spent time and finding no sign of him, Sachiko headed toward the meadow to look.
Before long, the sight of a Vileplume and several Oddish under a tree in the distance caught her eye.
As she drew closer and followed Vileplume's line of sight, Sachiko froze. Jumpluff was lying sprawled on top of Luther's head, eyes closed in blissful relaxation.
Milcery was curled up on Luther's shoulder, her tiny hands clutching at his shirt.
Kirlia was nestled in the crook of his arm, and, apparently uncomfortable with her position, she turned slightly, burying her head deeper into his chest. Houndoom was curled on Luther's lap, softly snoring, while beside him, a Marill slept with a little bubble puffing from its nose.
Arcanine seemed to have dozed off, hugging something, though not far away, Lairon was on his back, belly up, clearly not a very suitable pillow for Arcanine.
Nidorina had the right idea; she was leaning comfortably against Chansey, snoring contentedly.
Chansey herself was lying on the grass next to Luther, head tilted, drooling in her sleep. Her nutritious egg had rolled off to the side, and her pouch was stuffed with a snoozing Pachirisu and Eevee.
Corsola had positioned herself carefully to support Mai's arm so that it would rest more comfortably, but now, Corsola too had drifted off.
Slowpoke was sitting upright on the ground, a clump of grass sticking out of its mouth for no apparent reason, creating a comically absurd sight.
Vileplume gently took a bedsheet that had been drying on a line and spread it over Luther and Mai. Though it was early spring and the sun had come out, the air still carried a trace of chill.
Up in the thick branches above, a few Misdreavus were shaking their heads rapidly at Sachiko, as if warning her not to disturb them.
Sachiko glanced at Mai, whose head was resting peacefully on Luther's shoulder. Then she noticed their intertwined hands and suddenly felt that dinner might not be so easy to swallow tonight.
The Misdreavus' urgent gestures made it clear she was intruding. So Sachiko simply gave them a small signal, a hand sign meaning "Dinner's ready" and tiptoed quietly away.
Only when she was completely gone did Darkrai emerge silently from the shadows. He looked toward Vileplume, then at the blanket covering the two humans, and gave a small nod before melting back into the darkness.
Vileplume led the Oddish away softly, leaving the meadow quiet and still as the evening sun sank lower.
At dinner, Professor Rowan looked around the table and asked curiously, "Where's Luther?"
Sachiko waved her hand dismissively while eating. "Young people's business, Professor. Best not to think too hard about it."
The other researchers all lifted their heads, exchanged knowing smiles, and nodded in silent understanding. Only Professor Rowan sat there, puzzled. When Luther and Mai finally returned, the researchers were just getting up to leave the dining hall.
As they passed, each researcher gave Luther a pat on the shoulder and nodded approvingly, their expressions full of congratulations.
Luther blinked in confusion.
What on earth…?
He and Mai, both bewildered, sat down with their trays. Sachiko was pretending to sip her soup but was clearly sneaking glances at them from under her lashes. Meanwhile, Professor Rowan sat to the side, stroking his beard with a thoughtful look.
Everything felt strangely off.
Luther decided not to think about it. He bowed his head and focused on eating. After a while, Professor Rowan spoke, his tone casual but deliberate.
"So… have you decided where you'll head next?"
Luther paused with his chopsticks mid-air, then nodded. "I'd like to go home to Sunheart City before the Lily of the Valley Conference begins."
Professor Rowan regarded him quietly for a few moments, then sighed deeply.
"Going back isn't a bad idea. You should. Maybe your parents left something for you."
Luther gave a faint, bitter smile. "I was just a kid back then. What could they have possibly left behind?"
What could remain at all?
After all, not long after his parents' deaths, their home in Sunheart City had been broken into once.
Luther didn't even need to think to know who had broken into the house.
The neighborhood administrator who had been entrusted with the house key reported the break-in to the police. When the officers arrived, they handled it as an ordinary burglary.
It was said that the rooms had been turned completely upside down, most of the furniture and items were damaged. The police, wanting to preserve the scene, had not cleaned up afterward.
So when Luther returned, what awaited him would be nothing but wreckage.
"Mai."
Hearing her name, Mai looked up from her plate.
"You're the Pokédex holder selected by the Sunheart City Research Lab," Professor Rowan said. "Good. I'd like you to deliver something to them for me."
"No problem," Mai replied. "May I ask what it is?"
Professor Rowan stood up and went into the adjoining room. He returned with a small stack of papers.
"These are our research notes, the latest findings from our study on Pokémon evolution. I suppose transmitting them online would be easier, but… well, we still made a handwritten copy."
He gave a small, sheepish smile. "Old folks like me, we tend to feel more at ease with something tangible."
Mai accepted the documents carefully and promised to deliver them safely to the Sunheart City Research Lab.
Professor Rowan nodded. "Good. Now, there's something I'd like to discuss with Luther alone."
At his words, Sachiko quietly gathered the dishes, then left the dining room with Mai, closing the door behind them.
The moment the door clicked shut, Luther knew this talk wasn't going to be an easy one.
And indeed, the very first thing Professor Rowan asked was: "How confident are you?"
Luther hesitated, then answered honestly. "If it comes to a direct fight, judging from what Cynthia and Diantha told you… Most disorganized opponents wouldn't be able to handle me."
Professor Rowan tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I know your strength has been improving rapidly. When you left Hakuya, you were still behind him, yet by the time you reached Candice, you could already defeat her. That's your talent. I'll admit that much. But…"
Luther frowned slightly.
"The battle techniques you've learned so far may not help you against the kind of rabble you'll face."
"Against a mob, there are no rules, there is no Four-Move Limit, not even the concept of a fair match. You still remember that ambush you suffered, don't you?"
Luther immediately recalled the incident where he'd been tailed by International Police officer Ruiyan.
"When you fight people like that," Professor Rowan said quietly, his gaze steady, "you're not just battling their Pokémon. You're battling the people themselves."
"You've worked alongside Oleander, and you've fought Shiran, you've seen that kind of battlefield, haven't you?"
"This is the kind of fight that goes beyond what we normally call a 'wild battle.' It has no boundaries, no bottom line." Professor Rowan's voice grew more serious. "Here's my advice, even if it means giving up an opportunity to attack, never drop your guard. Don't let the heat of the fight cloud your judgment."
There was a weight in his words, the kind that could only come from someone who had truly seen such battles before.
Luther nodded earnestly.
He knew he lacked experience in these unrestricted, no-holds-barred battles. Against people who were used to that kind of fight, he could easily fall into their traps.
That meant his partnership with Darkrai would be absolutely crucial.
With Darkrai hiding in the shadows, he could provide protection, allowing Luther to avoid being taken down by opponents who aimed to win by striking at the Trainer directly.
(End of Chapter)
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