Blithely ignoring Arven and the others' protests about his suspense, Lucas led the four to a cozy, well-kept detached house.
Mr. Tron was in the yard with his old partner, a Delibird, tending the plants. Seeing the Delibird reminded Lucas of the one that had left his farm to travel.
With no instant way to keep in touch, who knew which corner of the world Delibird was in now? In a way, that was good—it meant Delibird hadn't run into anything it couldn't handle.
If anything really happened, Delibird would find the red-roofed building he'd mentioned and ask Nurse Joy at a Pokémon Center to contact him.
As a seasoned Ranger, Tron was very sensitive to changes in his surroundings; he noticed them as soon as the five reached the door.
Setting down the watering can, he looked up before Lucas could speak. "You're here?"
Swallowing his greeting, Lucas changed his words. "We're here, Mr. Tron."
After sending Delibird inside to announce the guests, Tron smiled. "Welcome to our humble home."
The four students bowed politely. "Hello, Mr. Tron."
He stepped aside to invite them in. "Come in quickly. It's still chilly outside. The fireplace is going strong, and my wife and Greavard are already inside waiting."
They followed Tron in without fuss.
At the entryway, Lucas asked curiously, "It looks like you're pretty familiar with Arven and the others?"
Tron paused mid-shoe-change, exchanged a glance with the group, and gave a knowing smile. "Nothing much. I just took them out for some training. They also helped me a lot—they're very good kids."
He led them to the living room. An energetic older lady had already set out hot tea and snacks. The crackling fireplace filled the warm room with homely life.
It was Mrs. Mela, who had been bedridden months ago; now her spirits seemed fully restored, which made Lucas quite happy.
Seeing Tron bring everyone in, Mela smiled warmly. "Please, sit, sit!"
Once they were seated and tasting the carefully prepared refreshments, Nemona asked, brimming with curiosity, "Teacher Lucas, how did you meet Mr. Tron?"
Arven, Penny, and Eri perked up too, clearly curious.
Tron and Mela exchanged a look. Petting Greavard's fur, Mela chuckled. "We actually have Lucas to thank. If not for him, I might still be confined to bed."
Lucas shook his head. "It was a small effort. As long as you've recovered, I'm happy."
Unable to resist the students' overflowing curiosity, Tron and Mela slowly recounted how, during Lucas's participation in the operation to capture Hunter J a few months back, he'd also helped uncover the cause of Mela's strange illness.
Time slipped by with refills of tea and snacks. After the tale, the four exchanged looks, seeing shock in each other's eyes.
So the globally discussed "Hunter J captured" incident months ago—turns out the one who actually brought her down was Lucas?
"Dragonite actually rammed a huge airborne warship clean through…"
Eri clapped a hand over her mouth, amazed.
They'd known from the beach that Dragonite was strong, but that such a cute Dragonite could shatter a flying warship single-handedly was beyond her imagination.
Penny, however, was calm. Her own dopey dad, as a former Champion, could probably pull off something like that too.
In fact, bearing the title of Champion, that level was only normal.
Nemona was moved. "To be reunited with Greavard again—your bond wasn't over!"
Arven fell silent. Putting himself in Tron's place, if Mabosstiff had something happen, he'd be devastated.
Good thing he was getting stronger and stronger. If he kept it up, Mabosstiff would be with him always, for life.
The pleasant conversation continued until near sunset, and they stayed for a hearty dinner.
Just as Lucas stood to take his leave, Mela suddenly asked at the table, "Dear, about that letter—do we have any way to send it now?"
Tron paused while clearing dishes, helpless. "Unova is still too far from Paldea. The Montenevera post office doesn't serve that distance. I'll have to head down to Medali in a few days and try my luck."
On hearing a keyword, Nemona's ears perked. "Unova?"
Mela blinked and nodded. "Yes—something the matter?"
Penny, blissfully rubbing her slightly rounded tummy, drawled, "We're heading for Unova the day after tomorrow. Burp~"
Tron asked, "If I may—what city are you going to?"
Eri thought a moment. "A sea-based academy, I think. It's called Blueberry Academy."
At that, Tron frowned thoughtfully, hurried back inside, and spread a brand-new Unova map on the table. After a quick search, his eyes lit up at the sight of Blueberry Academy near Eindoak.
"Blueberry Academy is right next to Eindoak!"
Hearing another keyword, Lucas, who was picking his teeth with a toothpick on the sofa, sat bolt upright.
Eindoak… Eindoak—he remembered that name!
Arven was surprised. "Whoa, that's quite a coincidence."
Tron nodded gently; even he hadn't expected such a coincidence. "In a few days, Eindoak will be hosting a Harvest Festival. I want to send this letter to a woman in that city."
Mela, dissatisfied, added, "A woman younger and prettier than me, right?"
Anyone could hear the vinegar in her tone. Penny's gossip sense tingled, but politeness kept her quiet, to her own torment.
Tron waved his hands in a fluster, explaining hard, "She's a mother now—she has a daughter. And she was just someone I rescued back when I was a Ranger…"
Mela was only teasing him. She covered her mouth and laughed. "All right, all right—I believe you, okay?"
Nemona stroked her chin, thinking. "What's a Harvest Festival?"
Seeing the heiress had no clue about festivals of the common folk, Arven explained, "A celebration of the harvest—usually a lively festival. If Eindoak is a big city, the festival will probably be huge."
Nemona's eyes practically sparkled. "What is it like? I really want to go!"
Penny and Eri traded a look and suggested, "Since Nemona wants to see the Harvest Festival, and Mr. Tron needs a letter delivered, why not combine the two? After Blueberry Academy, we can go to Eindoak to deliver the letter and enjoy the festival."
Nemona nodded vigorously. "Great idea!"
Penny gave a meaningful smile. "But the final say belongs to a certain teacher over there who's picking his teeth."
Suddenly the focus of everyone's gaze, Lucas loosened his fingers; the toothpick fell into the trash.
His memory finally clicked on Eindoak.
In ancient Unova, there was a legendary "divine dragon." Over time and turmoil, the "divine dragon" split, becoming the empty husk Kyurem, the dragon of truth Reshiram, and the dragon of ideals Zekrom.
The two great dragons chose two princes of the "People of the Vale," making them their heroes. But because the heroes' ideals clashed, war broke out. In the end, both dragons exhausted their power and became two stones, slumbering within the castle now known as the "Sword of the Vale" in the town called Eindoak.
The Mythical Pokémon Victini should also be trapped in Eindoak. It's said to bring victory—trainers with Victini would be unbeatable.
Victini can also generate infinite energy within its body. The chairman over in Galar would be drooling at the thought.
Lucas didn't know whether the two dragon stones were currently in Eindoak; if they were, what was Team Plasma and N's situation?
Ash should still be in the Orange Islands or Johto now. A trip to Eindoak shouldn't drag them into anything weird… right?
His thoughts ended. Seeing his students' pleading faces, Lucas smiled helplessly. "I'll try applying to the chairwoman. But even if it's approved, you'll have to behave yourselves at Blueberry Academy."
".ヽ(^Д^*)/. Yay~~!"
The students cheered, while Tron and Mela stood dumbfounded, full of confusion.
Wait—before they'd even said a word, these kids had already decided it all among themselves?
…
A little later, under a starry, moonless sky—
"Please deliver this letter to a woman named Juanita. She has a daughter named Carlita—about your age, Lucas. They run a souvenir shop and have a Golurk as a helper."
Tron solemnly handed Lucas the letter.
"We'll deliver it to Ms. Juanita intact."
Having already gotten Geeta's approval by phone to take the four students to enjoy Eindoak's Harvest Festival afterward, Lucas accepted the letter with equal solemnity.
Nemona and the others also looked determined. For a chance to play in Eindoak… they would do their utmost to get that letter delivered!
After stowing the letter, Lucas waved to Tron, Mela, Delibird, and Greavard. "We'll be taking our leave."
"Travel safely!"
He saw the students back to their inn, told them to wait till morning to descend the mountain and not to rush, and said he'd wait for them in Medali. Then he rode Dragonite straight to Medali.
There, he handed the Ultra Ball containing Iron Bundle to the bleary-eyed Larry. Seeing those heavy dark circles, Lucas suddenly realized—
Could it be… that nap at Research Station 4 was the best, deepest, longest sleep Larry would get all year?
Respect and guilt flashed over Lucas's face. After watching overworked Larry depart, he found a random inn in Medali for the night and slept like a log.
The next day, Lucas met the four students in Medali, treated them to a feast at the Treasure Eatery, then escorted them safely back to Naranja Academy and returned to the farm.
It was May 30. Tomorrow they would depart for Blueberry Academy. He had to get farm affairs in order first.
After all, he'd likely be in Unova for about a week.
The past month's farm infrastructure had cost nearly 600,000 Poké dollar in liquid funds; the money was nearly dry, and the priciest power generation and storage array still wasn't installed.
Five hundred thousand more Poké dollar—only by, ahem, challenging Blueberry Academy, defeating their side in friendly bouts, and collecting a commission—er, prize—from Geeta could he fill that hole.
He delegated oversight of the Machamp construction team's installation of the facilities to Oranguru.
Unova had an active evil team called "Team Plasma." If Lucas were going alone, fine—but he'd be taking four students.
To be safe, he'd bring as much of his combat power and logistics as possible, leaving only the necessary force to guard the farm and avoid irreparable accidents due to insufficient strength.
Since it was Unova, he figured he should bring Serperior.
Fortunately, Applin and Tropius were past infancy. After explaining the pros and cons and asking the farm-staying Pokémon to look after them, a mere week should pass quickly.
Before leaving, Lucas visited Thunderclap Lake to call up Politoed, who had trained long at the great wet boulder, and checked on Dragonite Leader—Dragonite's mother.
Thanks to the three Dragonair caring for her, the leader's condition was stable. Next, he'd consider when to visit Alola. Compared to the elusive Celebi and Dialga, Tapu Fini, who had a fixed abode, was easier to find.
…
May 31—the last day of May and spring's final echo.
In Naranja Academy's main hall, the four neatly dressed, bright-eyed students gathered before Lucas, clearly well prepared for the trip.
Because Geeta was busy with League duties, Director Clavell soon arrived with a dark-skinned, white-haired gentleman in a white dress hat and suit.
Clavell adjusted his glasses with a small smile. "Allow me to introduce: this is the director of Blueberry Academy and designer of the Terarium, an old acquaintance of mine—Cyrano."