Victor returned to the lounge area and sat in his chair, lost in a thousand thoughts.
Vulpix and Mime Jr. were a little sad about the baby Kangaskhan's departure.
Victor looked at them, about to say something, when Misdreavus popped out and pulled them away toward the backyard.
Hearing the sounds of laughter return soon after, Victor smiled.
So young, such small sorrows.
They're gone with a single gust of wind.
As for the departed Kangaskhan, and the Ninetales that had left long ago, Victor knew that this Breeding House was now his and Gengar's and the others'. It was no longer theirs.
That's why they would come back to see it, but they wouldn't choose to stay.
It was just like with Gengar and his own Pokémon.
Wherever he was, they would be.
Perhaps to some Pokémon, a human's life is exceptionally short.
But Victor felt it was enough.
To meet Pokémon, to form bonds with them.
To set off different, yet dazzling, fireworks within that short span of time.
It was already a beautiful thing.
Thinking of this, the rocking chair beneath him swayed gently.
Back and forth.
Victor's eyes gradually closed.
In his dream, Victor seemed to see a young girl.
She watched a Ninetales walk out of the forest.
She looked into the Ninetales's cold eyes.
The girl slowly reached out her hand.
Then there was a lost baby Kangaskhan.
And a lost Ralts.
And... "Excuse me, is the owner sleeping?"
"Lili~"
"Oh, then I'll be quiet. May I wait here for the owner to wake up?"
The dream suddenly dissipated. Victor opened his eyes.
Lilligant was talking to a trainer.
Hearing the hushed voices, Victor stood up.
"Hello, welcome to Gengar's Paradise, which is this Breeding House. Is there anything you need?"
The trainer was startled by Victor's sudden voice.
He clutched his chest.
"You scared me, Owner! Did I wake you up?"
Victor shook his head.
He looked at the Lilligant in front of the trainer and smiled, nodding his approval. She had done a good job.
Just then, Gengar floated over and handed the trainer a service list.
"Gengar?"
Victor, you're awake?
Victor pulled at the corners of Gengar's mouth.
The trainer took the list and looked at it.
Victor stood by, and when the trainer looked confused about something, Victor would explain.
Finally, the trainer made a decision and looked up.
"Owner, I'd like to board my Pokémon."
"Of course," Victor nodded.
"But I have one request."
"Please, go ahead."
"I'd like you to help me train my Pokémon."
?
Victor, his head full of question marks, replied, "I'm not a trainer, and I'm not very good at training Pokémon. Besides, that's not part of the Breeding House's services."
"No, that's not what I mean. I was hoping your Pokémon could help train them."
"I'm... sick. I have to have surgery in a little while."
The trainer put on a bright smile, but continued:
"They said the chances of success are very low. But when I first caught my Pokémon, I promised them I would train them, make them stronger, and take them to the League Conference. But for the next little while, I can't be with them. I don't want to let them down, so I wanted to ask you... if your Pokémon could take my place and train them."
"They don't have to get a lot stronger. I just want them to know that they have to keep working hard, and that we'll go to the League Conference together."
With that, the trainer bowed deeply.
Victor listened, but said nothing.
"If... and I'm just saying... if..."
The trainer's voice began to choke.
"If I don't make it... please, Owner, tell them for me... tell them they were too weak, and that I abandoned them."
Lilligant, at the side, frowned and looked at Victor.
Victor looked at the trainer, who was still bowing.
"I accept."
The trainer stood up, wiped his tears, and smiled. "Thank you, Owner."
Victor held up his hand.
"What I mean is, I will have Gengar and the others train your Pokémon. But that last part... I won't say that for you."
"If you're going to say it, you'll have to come back and say it yourself."
"When is the surgery?"
The trainer was a bit slow to react, but he answered. "Seven days from now."
"One month. If you're not back in one month to pick them up, I'll sell them to other trainers."
Hearing Victor's cold words, the trainer laughed.
He wiped the tears from his eyes and took a deep breath.
He then released his Pokémon.
An Infernape, a Quagsire, a Beautifly, a Hippowdon, a Honchkrow, and a Golem.
"Everyone, I'm leaving you in the owner's care for a while. You all train hard with his Pokémon, okay? When I finish my 'trainer's course,' I'll come back, and we'll all go to the League Conference together!"
"Don't you dare disappoint me!" the trainer shouted, his voice loud.
The Infernape and the others all roared in reply.
The trainer's eyes were full of reluctance to part.
Victor saw the sadness in the Pokémon's eyes.
He sighed internally.
You foolish kids.
Pokémon can see everything outside from within their Poké Balls.
But Victor didn't say anything to break the silent understanding between them.
The trainer didn't want his Pokémon to be sad, and the Pokémon wanted their trainer to focus on getting better.
He shook his head.
Victor refused the trainer's offer of payment.
"Settle the bill when you come back to pick them up."
With that, Victor began to lead the Infernape and the others to the backyard.
The trainer watched their backs, his mouth open as if to call out.
In the end, he held it in.
As he turned, the Infernape and the other Pokémon stopped.
They turned and looked at their trainer walking towards the door.
Their mouths opened, but no sound came out.
Victor stopped and waited for them to catch up.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" he asked gently.
The Infernape finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
It roared.
"We'll get stronger! You have to come back and take us to the League Conference!"
Hearing its cry, the trainer turned around, his face streaked with tears.
He understood what his Infernape meant.
Their hearts were connected.
"Yeah! I'll be back! And we'll go to the League Conference together and challenge the Champion!"
Hearing this, Victor smiled.
He then led them into the backyard.
The trainer wiped his tears and turned to leave.
"Lili~"
This is for you.
The trainer looked at the Lilligant in front of him, holding out a flower.
He was surprised.
He looked up at the other Pokémon.
Gengar was grinning, its white teeth flashing.
Dali was giving him a thumbs-up with a healthy smile.
Vulpix sat on the ground, smiling sweetly.
Mime Jr. ran up, took his hand, and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
Gothita's eyes were also full of encouragement.
The Vespiquen even brought him a small jar of Sweet Honey.
He took the honey, and a real smile broke through his tears.
"I'll be back. I'll come back to get them, and we'll chase our dream together."
A gust of wind carried his voice to Victor's ears.
Victor's mood brightened.
You won't be able to stay away from them. You'll create a miracle.
As long as your heart is connected to your Pokémon, there's nothing you can't do.
"Thank you all."
The trainer took the flower and turned to leave, his back straight, full of resolve and new confidence.
...
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