The man sitting cross-legged at the very top of Mt. Moon burst into hearty laughter. Yet, beneath that booming laugh, there was always a faint trace of loneliness.
"Planning to leave already, Bruno?"
Logan walked up to him and sat cross-legged as well, smiling casually.
"It's not me who's leaving," Bruno said, shaking his head. "It's you. There's nothing more I can teach you here. And you're not the kind of man who'd be content to stay hidden away in the mountains forever. Hahahaha!"
Bruno's laughter rang loud. He had known Logan for a year and a half now. He couldn't claim to understand every detail about him, but Logan had never deliberately hidden everything either.
For example, every so often, Logan would leave Mt. Moon—heading to Celadon, Viridian, or Saffron City. Bruno never asked questions. He wasn't the type to pry. But with his years of experience, he could make a pretty good guess at what a young man like Logan might be up to.
Young men and women often drown themselves in the sea called love. Bruno only hoped Logan wouldn't lose himself in it completely. Those who think they can swim best are often the first to drown.
"Before you go, let's have a drink. I've prepared some fine meat. Tonight, we eat like kings!"
Bruno produced several bottles of liquor, motioning to his Hitmonlee, who lugged over a portable grill. From his personal storage gear, he pulled out fresh cuts of meat that even made Logan's eyes widen.
Over this past year and a half, aside from improving his strength and training his Pokémon, Logan felt his greatest progress had been in cooking. Ever since Bruno had tasted one of his meals, he always insisted Logan cook. Even Professor Oak often tried to keep Logan in Pallet Town longer under various excuses—just to enjoy his cooking. Sometimes, Logan seriously wondered if he'd be better off as a chef than a Pokémon Trainer.
During this time, he had also learned to make Pokéblocks. He wasn't a master yet, but his creations were far superior to anything sold on the market. As a result, he personally prepared all the food for his Pokémon.
"Careful, Bruno. Eat this much and you'll get fat one day," Logan teased, taking the ingredients Bruno handed him and starting the fire.
"Life's about eating and drinking!" Bruno declared proudly. "That's why I train my body so hard—so I can feast without restraint. If I can't eat and drink as I please, then what's the point of living?"
Logan chuckled.
This Elite Four member was a man of firm will, yet his aspirations were down-to-earth. He didn't dream of conquest. What he wanted most was simple: to fight, to eat, to drink, and to live freely with his Pokémon.
The two men released all of their Pokémon, and together they held a bonfire feast atop Mt. Moon. It was a night full of roasted meat, shared bottles, wild laughter, and stories of the world below. For a time, they forgot all burdens and ambitions, simply enjoying life.
When the feast ended, the mountaintop was littered with scraps and bottles. Garchomp and Dragonair unleashed blasts of flame, burning everything to ash. Bruno recalled most of his Pokémon and stood upon his towering Onix's head, gazing out into the distance.
After a long silence, he finally turned back to Logan, his expression shifting, his voice heavy.
"…Logan, I shouldn't say this. Lance is my friend. But I don't want to see him destroyed by his own ideals, consumed by his obsession until he becomes something inhuman."
Bruno's eyes burned with fighting spirit. "In saying this, I am betraying my friend. I've taught you everything I know in this past year and a half. It was to prepare you… to stop Lance. And yet, part of me doesn't want you to stop him."
His tone hardened. "Logan, beware of the Kanto Elite Four. They are already moving!"
"Beware the Kanto Elite Four?" Logan tilted his head slightly, his voice calm. "But you're one of them too, Bruno. Should I beware of you as well?"
"Of course," Bruno said without hesitation. "The next time we meet, we may not share drinks like this. The next time… we may be enemies."
Bruno's fighting spirit flared, unyielding and fierce.
Logan's eyes narrowed. A dangerous gleam crossed them. "If you stand as my enemy, don't expect mercy from me. Teacher or not, I'll show no hesitation."
He had killed before—many times. For his enemies, Logan had no softness, no compassion.
"That's the true meaning of friendship between men," Bruno said with a grin. "On the battlefield, let's prove ourselves. Off the battlefield, we drink and laugh. I hope one day we clash for real. The thought of fighting you, of defeating you—it makes my blood boil!"
Bruno's laughter shook the mountaintop. His Onix roared, then plunged into the ground, carving a massive tunnel through the mountain, carrying him away.
Logan watched his departure without a word. He felt no sadness. Instead, he turned his back to the campfire ashes and walked toward the cliff's edge, gazing at the vast beauty of Kanto spread out before him.
From the very first moment he met Lance, Logan had sensed the man's obsession—a delusional ideal bordering on madness. Giovanni had once warned him to be wary of Lance. And now Bruno's words confirmed it: Lance had already set his plans into motion.
Logan had two choices. He could join Lance, help him realize his vision. Or he could oppose him—smash his ideals to pieces with his fists.
"Too bad, Lance," Logan muttered arrogantly. "I've got my own ambitions. I can understand your dream—but I won't bow to it. If anyone's going to realize a grand vision, it'll be me. I won't play second to anyone."
Lance was right about one thing: they were alike. Both proud to the point of arrogance, both self-absorbed. But while Lance flaunted his pride openly, Logan concealed his beneath the shadows, building strength in silence.
One day, his power would crush the entire world beneath it. He would bring despair to all who opposed him.
When had he changed so much? Even an Elite Four member like Bruno now measured himself against Logan, dreaming of defeating him. Without realizing it, Logan had already become so strong.
He sighed at the thought—
And then, suddenly, a white silhouette appeared out of nowhere, streaking directly toward him and Garchomp!
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T/N:
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