The vast commotion gradually subsided.
Along with it subsided the anger of the Temporal and Spatial duo.
The two Legendaries turned to look at Lott.
Although they had been controlled earlier, their memories remained.
'This human's power... might it surpass the Father God's?'
"Just for helping heal a burn, such a reward feels overly generous."
Lott didn't linger his gaze on the duo for more than a second, turning to look at Cynthia instead.
He had no interest in the Temporal and Spatial duo.
As a player in his previous life, his impression of these two Legendaries was also relatively average.
He preferred Legendaries like Latias or Ogerpon.
"S-Sorry..."
Cynthia became noticeably more nervous.
"Just joking. Consider it repaying the favor for helping me catch Rover before, even though I didn't end up using your method in the end."
Lott glanced sideways at Erina, "Well, let's head back."
"P-Please wait. C-Could we stay in this world a bit longer?"
Erina mustered her courage to request.
"Huh? Interested in this world's cuisine?"
Lott guessed.
Erina was slightly taken aback, then nodded vigorously.
That was only one reason.
More importantly, Erina felt opportunities to spend time alone with Lott like this were rare.
Lott didn't refuse, treating it as a vacation just like his previous trip to the Planet Pirate.
"Lott-san, I'm Ash from Pallet Town! I've watched every one of your battles! Super Saiyan is so cool!"
A cap-wearing boy, roughly middle school age, approached Lott with a mix of awe and admiration. After introducing himself, he lifted his shoulder to show off the yellow rodent perched there.
"This is my partner, Pikachu!"
"Pika Pika!"
The yellow rodent was clearly a little nervous too, but it tried its best to put on a lively expression and waved at Lott.
"I'm Brock!"
"I-I'm Dawn..."
A slightly older, squinty-eyed boy, roughly high school age, and a girl about Ash's age introduced themselves in turn.
This combination being here, along with Cynthia beside them...
Lott suddenly thought of something unpleasant.
His expression became somewhat... nauseated.
Brock, the team's 'mom', noticed the hint of disgust in Lott's expression and panicked. He quickly placed both hands on the back of Ash and Dawn's heads and forcefully pressed down.
He bowed deeply as well.
"We are truly very sorry!!!"
The sudden apology left the two blondes beside Lott utterly bewildered.
The disgust on Lott's face also turned into question marks.
'Why such a grand gesture?'
"What's this all about?"
Lott had a questioning look.
He wondered why were people approaching him lately always doing confusing things?
The Yukinoshita Sisters before, and now Brock.
"N-No, it's just... I thought maybe we had offended you somehow without realizing..."
Brock said sheepishly.
When he noticed the disgust on Lott's face earlier, Brock instinctively thought maybe the three of them had inadvertently offended this important person.
So he apologized first without thinking.
"No, you misunderstood. I just thought of something disgusting."
Lott waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.
Mainly, he had deduced from the current situation that Ash during this period was most likely preparing to challenge the Lily of the Valley Conference.
He then get completely crushed by the [Legendary Spammer] in what should have been his most promising attempt.
That plotline had disgusted him immensely in his previous life, so much so that he still felt a bit nauseous thinking about it now.
"I-Is that so? S-Sorry, I was too sensitive..."
Brock scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Geez, Brock, you overreacted. Lott-san isn't that petty."
Ash picked up his hat from the ground and put it back on.
The brim was almost crushed.
Hearing Ash's words, even Erina felt a bit sweaty.
'He isn't petty?'
When she went after Alice earlier, she heard Lott tell her cousin, "If anyone bullies you, I'll lend you Rover to blast them."
Lott was indeed very good to his own people-
But towards outsiders and enemies, he could definitely be described as 'vengeful'.
"Hey, Ash."
Lott suddenly spoke.
"Yes!"
Ash jolted and quickly looked at Lott.
Looking at this face that went 20 years without a championship, finally won one only to have his account banned, Lott felt quite speechless inwardly:
"Stop using the baby Pokémon you caught in Sinnoh. Quickly recall old veterans like Charizard, Sceptile, and Snorlax for hellish training. That way, you might still have a chance."
Lott had no interest in being Ash's babysitter.
But thinking of this young man's tragic journey, Lott decided to give him some advice.
At the Lily of the Valley Conference, Ash had actually come to his senses and called back his old veterans.
But it still wasn't enough against the forcibly cheating Legendary Spammer.
Although he didn't know how much time was left until the Lily of the Valley Conference-
Last-minute cramming was better than no cramming at all.
"Let's go, Erina."
That was all the advice Lott could give Ash.
Then, he left Mount Coronet with Erina.
Cynthia's gaze quickly shifted between Lott and the trio.
After a moment's thought, she said to the trio:
"Ash, Brock, Dawn, thank you for your assistance this time. Do your best at the Lily of the Valley Conference in two months!"
After leaving words of encouragement, Cynthia hurried to catch up with Lott.
To be honest, after interacting face-to-face, Cynthia found Lott more approachable than she had imagined.
But she still couldn't rest easy about him.
Although the Planet Pokémon had simple, honest folkways, unlike the people on the Planet Ling Cage or the Planet Ninja who all seemed to need a good beating-
There was no guarantee that a lunatic like Cyrus might provoke Lott.
If this important person got upset and blasted the planet-
There would truly be no one to cry to.
"See! Lott-san thinks highly of me! It seems he often watches my battle livestreams in the group! He even knows I have Sceptile and Charizard!"
Ash, recognized by a powerful figure, excitedly punched the air.
Dawn looked puzzled.
Although Ash often used the group livestream function to broadcast his Gym battles or wild Pokémon battles-
Ash's commanding skills were... lacking, and his viewer count was pitifully low.
Iono and Raihan from the same Planet Pokémon outstripped him by a mile.
'But if Lott didn't follow Ash, how did he know about Ash's main Pokémon?'
Dawn grew even more curious.
'The strongest member in the entire group, ranked number one, why would he pay attention to such a weakling?'
'Did he really see potential in him?'
"Regardless, what Lott-sama said makes sense. Although trainers raise multiple Pokémon, Ash, you should quickly recall Charizard and the others for a final sprint before the Lily of the Valley Conference in two months."
The team 'mom' Brock advised earnestly.
He had always felt that Ash's habit of leaving all his veterans except Pikachu with Professor Oak when going to a new region was very... that.
Ash's reason was 'I want a fresh start in a new region'.
It sounded reasonable... not!
What kind of reason was that?
Even if you don't want to win championships, shouldn't you at least consider the partner Pokémon left in Professor Oak's backyard?
How many years has Bayleef been waiting alone?
Comparing them, Brock suddenly felt Ash was even worse than Lott.
At least Lott didn't make his women live like widows.
"Okay, okay, I get it."
Ash nodded repeatedly, though it was unclear if he truly took it to heart.
Anyway, Lott only mentioned it once, so whether he listened was his own business.
If Ash wanted to continue his 20-year championship drought, then let him.
…
Lott's group of three left Mount Coronet and entered the Eterna Forest connecting Mount Coronet and Eterna City.
On the other end, a dark-skinned boy about Ash's age also entered the forest.
Accompanied by a Cinderace, the evolved form of the Galar starter Scorbunny.
"Yosh, let's aim to catch Mew today too!"
The dark-skinned boy excitedly punched the air.