Early morning sunlight filtered through the windows of the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
Although the Breeding House had recently suffered considerable damage, the incident had not been entirely negative.
The attack had brought everyone closer together.
The staff had become more united, the customers had shown overwhelming support, and even the wild Pokémon living around the Breeding House had begun to view it as their home.
As for Shaymin's future, Lance ultimately chose to respect Shaymin's own wishes.
As someone who possessed Viridian Power, he could clearly sense the little Pokémon's emotions.
Shaymin wanted to stay.
Considering Austin, the breeding house, and the protection available there, Lance finally nodded.
"Then you may stay here."
"Shaymin!"
The little Pokémon happily narrowed its eyes.
Austin suddenly spoke.
"Don't forget about Floaroma Town. Its defenses need to be strengthened as well."
The Shaymin rescued near Jubilife was clearly still young. If a juvenile Shaymin had appeared, then there was likely an entire colony living around the Gracidea Flower Fields.
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"I've already made the arrangements."
Lance sighed once more.
"I told you, you'd make an excellent investigator."
Austin immediately raised his hands.
"Please spare me."
Before he could refuse again, Lance waved him off.
"No explanation necessary. I already know you won't stand by and do nothing."
Being an investigator was simply a profession.
Lance believed Austin had the instincts, judgment, and courage necessary for the role, but he had no intention of forcing him.
From the way Austin interacted with Ryu, Zenith, and Agni, from how he cared for the retired police Arcanine, and from the memories Lance had witnessed through Shaymin, one thing had become very clear.
Austin Black genuinely loved Pokémon.
He protected them because he wanted to, not because someone gave him a badge.
Cynthia suddenly spoke.
"I don't agree."
Both men looked at her.
Lance appeared confused.
Austin looked equally puzzled.
Cynthia calmly folded her arms.
"If he becomes an investigator, we gain one investigator and lose an exceptional Breeder."
Compared to Austin's investigative instincts, she valued his talents as a breeder far more.
His understanding of Pokémon food, Energy cubes, nutrition, and care was extraordinary.
One day, he might even surpass Blue himself.
Cynthia genuinely believed that.
Lance nodded slowly.
"That's true. If Kanto and Sinnoh weren't so far apart, I'd definitely become your customer."
He had already tasted the Oran Berry energy cubes Cynthia carried with her.
The truly frightening part was not their quality.
It was the ingredients.
Austin had created perfect-quality cubes using ordinary Oran Berries.
Lance could only describe it in two words.
Absolutely terrifying.
Cynthia offered a solution.
"You can have them shipped."
Lance blinked.
"That actually makes sense, though it won't be as fresh as I wanted it."
Trade between Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh had long become common. The League Alliance maintained specialized transportation Pokémon and delivery routes.
The conversation quickly shifted.
The Champion who had intended to leave immediately sat back down.
"Let's discuss purchasing energy cubes."
Austin considered it carefully.
"As you mentioned, freshness is important. Ideally, they shouldn't be stored longer than a week."
After a lengthy discussion, the two finalized a weekly delivery arrangement.
Unlike Cynthia, who had special deliveries carried personally by Dragapult, Lance would use the League's official transportation network.
Just like that, Austin had gained another regular customer.
One Champion of Sinnoh.
One Champion of Kanto and Johto.
As for expanding further, Austin had no immediate plans.
Perfect-quality Energy Cubes could only be produced by him.
Even his dad could not replicate them.
Large-scale production would have to wait for the future. Perhaps when he eventually acquired enough Rotom assistants.
Before departing, Lance and Cynthia stayed for a simple breakfast.
Lance stood and adjusted his cape.
"I'll keep you informed regarding both Shaymin and the Pokémon Hunters."
With that, Dragonite descended outside.
The orange dragon spread its wings, and Lance climbed onto its back.
Before leaving, Cynthia turned toward Austin.
"You don't need to worry about the Breeding House."
Her normally calm expression had become noticeably colder.
"I'll handle the rest."
Whether the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House belonged to Austin or not didn't matter.
Once Cynthia learned of something like this, she would never turn a blind eye.
"Garchomp!"
Sensing its trainer's anger, Garchomp let out a furious roar that shook the surrounding fields.
Only Austin remained standing there, blinking.
Lance.
Cynthia.
Being protected by Champions actually felt pretty good.
For a brief moment, Austin almost became addicted to the feeling.
Unfortunately, reality quickly pulled him back.
Garchomp's roar frightened several of the nearby Pokémon. A few timid Shinx immediately hid inside the bushes, while others scattered in panic. Growls and cries erupted throughout the grounds.
"Shaymin~"
(It won't hurt anyone.)
A gentle green light spread from Shaymin's body.
The frightened Pokémon gradually calmed down as the warm energy washed over them.
Austin crouched beside the little Pokémon.
"Shaymin, is there anything you'd like to do?"
"Shaymin~~"
Despite possessing Intermediate Affinity, Austin still couldn't understand the answer.
Fortunately, he had his translator.
Ryu stood nearby with his arms folded.
(It wants to play hide-and-seek. Everyone together.)
"...What?"
Austin's expression immediately froze.
According to what Lance had learned through Viridian Power, Shaymin had originally become separated from its companions while playing hide-and-seek.
This little fellow had apparently been determined to win.
It ran farther and farther away from the others until it was discovered by Hunter D, eventually fleeing all the way to the outskirts north of Jubilife City.
Considering that this had nearly resulted in disaster, Austin was briefly speechless.
This little one truly never learned.
After several seconds of silence, he finally smiled.
"Alright then. Let's play."
Austin proudly placed his hands on his hips.
"I've never lost a game of hide-and-seek since I was little."
Technically, he wasn't lying.
After all, he had never played before.
"Shaymin~~"
Ryu rubbed his forehead.
(You search. It hides.)
"Oh."
That made more sense.
Austin turned around and covered his eyes.
"Everyone, hurry and hide! I'll start counting."
Shaymin immediately ran off with several Shinx, a Pichu, and a handful of young Pokémon.
"One... two... three..."
"Min!"
(You're counting too fast!)
Austin sighed.
"Fine, fine. I'll count properly."
This time, he counted all the way to one hundred.
When he finally opened his eyes, the grounds had become completely silent.
The young Pokémon had disappeared.
Almost.
Not far away, a wild Pichu had buried its head directly into the sand while leaving its entire body exposed.
Austin stared.
The Pichu remained perfectly still.
Apparently, it believed itself completely hidden.
Austin looked toward Ryu.
"Give me a hint."
The Aura Pokémon folded his arms.
(I refuse.)
His expression remained perfectly serious.
Elegant and honorable as always, Ryu would never tolerate cheating.
Even in hide-and-seek.
If he were serving as referee, then the game had to be absolutely fair.
Austin had expected that answer.
He stretched his shoulders and smiled.
"Fine."
"I'm coming to find you all."
Somewhere among the trees, Shaymin immediately became nervous.
"Shaymin!"
And thus began the most important hide-and-seek match in the history of the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
. . .
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