The quiet after all the excitement felt strangely empty.
Thinking back on the month they'd spent together, everything already seemed a little unreal.
While teasing Silver, Ash casually mentioned that he'd already decided when he was leaving Lily of the Valley Island.
Tomorrow.
Like Etorre and Dakota, he told Luther not to bother seeing him off. Besides, if things went according to Luther's plans, they'd definitely meet again someday.
Silver had actually recognized Ash on his very first day in the Contestant Village, which had shocked everyone. After all, the two had met once before on the Isle of Rage, and Ash had even saved him back then.
Everyone had been stunned when they learned that Ho-Oh had taken Luther away, but that shock quickly turned into envy. Not just anyone could earn Ho-Oh's approval; the Rainbow Wing's brilliant light was undeniable proof. And after accomplishing something that incredible... he'd somehow ended up bringing home a baby Lugia, too.
That was more than enough to make anyone jealous.
As a result, poor Silver became everyone's favorite target. One after another, people took turns petting and cuddling him, eager to find out what a Legendary Pokémon felt like.
It wasn't just the humans, either. Luther and Mai's Pokémon treated Silver like a baby. Dusknoir had even volunteered to be both his bodyguard and babysitter.
Milcery, with Gengar faithfully tagging along behind, was the first to make friends with Silver. Soon after, Chikorita and the tiny Joltik joined in as well. Right now, the four little Pokémon were happily playing with a rubber ball Luther had bought.
Only after coming into the human world did Silver realize there were so many different ways to have fun. Every day, Milcery and the others came up with new games that fascinated him. It was far more enjoyable than simply staying by his mother's side all the time.
With the little ones happily entertaining each other under the older Pokémon's watch, Mai finally relaxed and returned to her room to sort through everything Luther had earned during the trip. Watching payment after payment arrive in their account was her favorite part of the day.
She had already filled an entire notebook with house designs she liked. All that remained was for Luther to make the final decision, and then she could turn that money into a new home, for herself, Luther, and all of their Pokémon.
---
Sitting beside the artificial lake in the Contestant Village, Luther stared up at the sky. He was wondering when he should pay Team Rocket one last visit and finally settle that last loose end.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Before Luther even turned around, Misaki sat down on a nearby bench. She stretched her arms across the backrest and leaned against it with her usual carefree attitude, though an unmistakable sadness lingered between her brows.
Was this really the same commanding Misaki who had dominated the tournament?
Luther was curious, but he didn't ask.
Misaki glanced at him and let out a sigh. "Sorry. I just got back, and my mind's been somewhere else." She paused before asking, "So... what are you planning to do next?"
Now that Luther had become the champion of the Lily of the Valley Conference and earned a respectable reputation throughout the Sinnoh region, his original plan should have been simple.
Find a piece of land. Build an estate. Then spend the rest of his life taking it easy.
But people change.
Looking back, when he had first arrived in this world, he hadn't had any real goal. So he'd simply chosen Ash as someone to chase after. He'd trained hard, even imagining himself helping Ash defeat every rival before losing to him by the narrowest margin, a silent hero who would disappear without asking for any credit.
Thinking about it now, joining the Lily of the Valley Conference just because of Ash sounded embarrassingly ridiculous. Still, for the aimless version of himself back then, that goal had been enough to pull him out of his confusion.
As he gradually became part of this world, his focus shifted. He wanted to build confidence, earn recognition, and reach a point where he could finally relax and enjoy life.
Then Evergreen appeared.
After that, what he needed was greater strength and even better abilities so he could race against time to deal with the Hodgepodge organization.
Now the Lily of the Valley Conference was over. His estate... his own land... they were finally within reach.
Yet somehow, he wasn't satisfied anymore.
At every stage of life, when people reach a new height, their perspective changes. And so does what they want.
Once upon a time, all he wanted was a piece of land and a house. Now, his ambitions had grown.
He wanted to ask the Sinnoh League for a small island.
What was the fun in designing a home on an ordinary plot of land? Why not build an entire island exactly the way he wanted, shaping everything around its natural environment?
The idea had first come to him the day he met Wailord. A Pokémon like Wailord simply couldn't be raised on land. If he lived inland, how many ocean Pokémon would he never have the chance to meet? And if he someday bonded with a Water-type Pokémon from the sea and caught it, where could he possibly provide an environment that would let it keep growing stronger?
Since he could already afford to buy land... why not be a little greedier?
Misaki listened to the entire plan without interrupting. In the end, she summed it up in just two words: "You're dreaming."
"Taking it easy," Luther added softly.
After a long silence, Misaki spoke again. "Metagross's owner passed away."
Luther froze for a moment. His first instinct was to ask, 'Isn't Metagross your Pokémon?' Then he remembered.
Misaki's Metagross belonged to the family that had sponsored her competitive career. The family's patriarch had ignored everyone's objections and fulfilled Metagross's dream of competing in the League, a wish that generations of family heads had never been able to grant.
"My condolences," Luther said.
Misaki looked at him. "When we battled... did you think my battling style, and even the way I carry myself, is a lot like Cynthia's?"
Luther nodded without hesitation. Aside from not being on Cynthia's level in terms of strength, Misaki really was remarkably similar. It wasn't surprising. Ever since becoming a Pokémon Trainer, she'd admired Cynthia deeply. Cynthia had also personally guided her on many occasions, so naturally she'd been influenced by her.
"Isn't everyone in the League, and outside of it, calling you 'the next Cynthia'?" Luther replied, borrowing other people's words.
For Sinnoh, a Champion with as much personality and influence as Cynthia was a once-in-a-generation figure. Being called the next Cynthia should have been an honor.
But Misaki shook her head firmly. "I hate that. I hate people calling me the next Cynthia. I hate them saying my battling style comes from Cynthia, and I hate being told I'm just copying her. I don't want to become the next Cynthia. I want to surpass her."
"I just want to be myself," she continued. "I have my own way of battling and my own way of doing things. Yes, I admire Cynthia, but everyone keeps exaggerating that admiration until everything I do becomes 'Cynthia's style.' If this keeps going... I'll never be anything more than another Cynthia in their eyes."
Luther looked at her calmly. "But your style really is moving closer to hers. Haven't you realized that?"
Misaki fell silent.
"You fight too aggressively. You're almost entirely focused on offense, you barely think about defense," Luther said. "You also chose Gastrodon and Gabite, two of Cynthia's signature Pokémon. So the truth is... you really are becoming the next Cynthia."
Misaki stared at him.
Then came a long, heavy silence.
Luther had already noticed it during their battle, and he was sure Misaki had reached the same conclusion when reviewing the match afterward. She hadn't come just to say goodbye or vent her feelings; she had already found the problem. She just couldn't bring herself to make the decision alone.
She needed someone to give her that final push.
So Luther did.
At last, Misaki made up her mind. "Luther. I'm leaving Sinnoh."
There was no hesitation in her voice. Luther couldn't help standing up, seeing the determination burning in her eyes.
"The only reason I stayed this long was because I didn't want to miss my last chance to see the old man," she said. "Besides Cynthia, he was the person who helped me the most as I grew. Now that he's gone... it's time for me to leave too."
Looking at her, Luther sighed. "Cynthia once told me how hard you work. You juggle multiple part-time jobs, live as frugally as possible, and spend everything on giving your Pokémon the best. Honestly, with your reputation, you don't have to work yourself that hard. I don't object to you traveling to other regions, but don't push yourself too far. Cynthia really values your talent and ability."
Misaki smiled and shook her head. "That's where we're different. I can'imagine living the kind of carefree life you want, taking it easy every day. And you probably can't imagine spending every day working just to raise your Pokémon. People find happiness in different ways."
"I've already experienced what it's like to have someone else take care of everything," she added. "I've lived that comfortable life once, and that was enough. For me, working is part of my training. It's something both my Pokémon and I have to go through if we want to become stronger."
Luther watched her walk away, but then something occurred to him. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to Cynthia?"
Misaki stopped. She turned back and gave him a bright, radiant smile.
"No. Please tell Cynthia... that Misaki doesn't want to stay by her side anymore. She's too charismatic, and too overwhelming. As long as I'm with her, my admiration will always turn into the urge to become more like her."
"But I want to become a different kind of Pokémon Trainer. I want to surpass her. One day, I want to stand in front of her... and defeat her fair and square. I want the people of Sinnoh to look at future Trainers and say, 'They're as incredible as Misaki,' instead of comparing everyone to Cynthia."
Her declaration rang out with absolute conviction.
After Dakota... after Etorre... another friend was setting off on her own journey. She refused to live beneath Cynthia's shadow. She wanted to build her own future, her own reputation.
Listening to Misaki's passionate declaration, Luther suddenly found himself thinking...
'Maybe spending every day lazing around isn't something I should feel so proud of after all.'
(End of Chapter)
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