"Huh? Is today's match over already?"
Shauna, holding a sausage in one hand and honey water from the Breeding House in the other, her cheeks puffed out, looked at Lucas and asked.
Looking at the list of qualifiers for the Sweet Sixteen on the screen, Lucas nodded. "It certainly seems so."
"Ah? It's over so fast? I haven't even started cheering yet—"
Shauna swallowed her food, pouted, and looked a bit dejected.
"—If I recall correctly, you tossed the flag to me as soon as the first match started and spent the entire time eating, didn't you?"
Looking at the mountain of snack wrappers piled at Shauna's feet, Lucas poked her smooth little forehead with his finger and said.
"Heehee, watching a match while eating is the best; that's what you said. I'm just following your example."
Shauna grinned.
"But I didn't tell you to eat so many snacks at once, did I? What are you going to do if you can't eat dinner later?"
"Don't worry, Little Shauna's tummy is big, very, very big."
After saying that, Shauna puffed out her little belly and patted it. "I can still eat more."
Lucas: ——
I have no idea where all the food you eat goes; you don't grow at all, just like a little potato.
Lucas thought to himself.
"How about it, Little Tomoyo? How does it feel to watch a battle in the largest arena in the Sinnoh region?"
Hearing Lucas's question, Tomoyo, just like Shauna, flashed a big smile. "I love it."
"I want to come here in the future too."
Tomoyo said.
"Together with Little Shauna."
Hearing Tomoyo's words, Shauna just stood to the side, giggling foolishly.
Lucas glanced at the rest of the Pokémon; they all looked very satisfied. Oh, wait, one Pokémon didn't look quite satisfied.
Watching Infernape, who was bumping its fists together and raring to go, Lucas said, "Dash, don't go destroying someone else's arena."
Dash regretfully unclenched its fists.
"Manager."
Lucas turned around and discovered that the spiky-haired Gary had run over, followed by an Umbreon.
After Gary stopped in front of him, Lucas spoke. "Good battle."
Gary had originally wanted to say something, but upon hearing Lucas's words, he couldn't help but scratch the back of his head and giggle.
"Lucas!"
The voice of the Dunderhead rang out.
Ash, Dawn, and Brock all ran over.
"Why did you come over?"
Ash asked Lucas. Lucas smiled and patted his head. "I came to watch your match. It was okay; you've improved since before, but you still need to improve even more."
Ash clenched his fists. "Don't worry, Manager, I will definitely win this championship with Pikachu."
"I say, Ash, being too confident isn't good. This championship might just be taken by me."
Gary, standing to the side, interrupted Ash and said provocatively.
"Then let's see! Pikachu and I will definitely win! Then we'll win the Lily of the Valley Conference championship, and then challenge Champion Cynthia!"
"I'll be waiting for you."
Cynthia's voice rang out. Everyone turned to look and discovered that Cynthia had brought the Sinnoh Elite Four over, accompanied by a dead-eyed youth.
"Anyone can talk big. Do you think you can win the championship with that bunch of Pokémon of yours?"
Paul spoke with his usual sharp tongue.
"Damn it, Paul, you just wait! I will definitely defeat you in battle with Infernape and the others!"
Ash looked at his rival before him and said through gritted teeth.
"Hmph, you'd better be able to back that up."
Paul gave a proud hmph.
Lucas suddenly had an inexplicable feeling.
Could it be that Paul is a tsundere? Or a very serious type of tsundere?
Otherwise, why does he always talk tough and mock Ash every time he sees him, yet show up right on time whenever Ash needs help?
Like before the Masters Eight, his training battle with Ash.
Six Pokémon, all six of them are Champion-level aces.
It really is possible he's a tsundere.
Lucas pinched his chin and nodded continuously.
Ash was still saying something, but Paul didn't continue listening to him; instead, he turned to look at Lucas and nodded politely.
"Manager."
Lucas came back to his senses and patted his shoulder. "I'm very happy to see your changes. I believe you can feel it too—the progress your changes have brought."
"Yes, all of this is thanks to your help."
When facing someone he respects, Paul is very polite.
"No, the one you should thank the most is yourself, and Ash."
Lucas said with a smile.
"Him? Just him?"
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Let me tell you—" "Mmph—"
Finding Ash noisy, Lucas directly pulled out a sausage and stuffed it into Ash's mouth.
"Good luck. I'm looking forward to your performance next."
It would be even better if he could battle Gary.
Former rival tearing into current rival?
I, who only want to become stronger, met the former rival most recognized by the opponent I recognize?
Hiss——
Can we fast-forward to that part?
The more Lucas thought about it, the more impatient he became.
Should I get Cynthia and the others to rig it? Have them run into each other early?
Forget it, let nature take its course.
Lucas resisted the temptation and rejected the idea.
"Lucas!!!"
Aran's voice rang out, and she ran over with Ajak.
"Did you see my battle today? How was it? Wasn't it cool?"
As she spoke, Aran struck a battle pose.
Lucas gave a thumbs up. "That's you, alright."
"Hehehe."
Aran wiped her nose and chuckled.
Watching more and more people start to gather in the stands, Lucas clapped his hands. "Congratulations to you all for successfully advancing to tomorrow's matches. I look forward to you advancing tomorrow as well."
After finishing, he looked around. "Now, is anyone hungry? How about we go have a meal together? Let's celebrate everyone advancing today!"
"Yay!" "Food!" "I want food made by the Manager!" "? Lucas can cook?" ——
Lucas watched the happy crowd and couldn't help but look off into the distance.
Strange. Logically speaking, during the Lily of the Valley Conference, Jessie and the others should have come to watch the match, right?
They would also be selling food and drinks, and cheering for Ash on the side. Why haven't I seen them today?
Did they leave early?
Lucas searched around but couldn't find the three of them, so he had to give up helplessly.
He looked at Cynthia. "Is there any relatively open space nearby?"
"An open space?"
Cynthia was puzzled.
"Yeah, because Mime Jr. and the others aren't used to eating outside food, so I was thinking of finding an open space to cook myself."
Lucas glanced at Mime Jr., who was playing happily with Piplup and Pikachu, and said.
Cynthia frowned and thought for a moment.
"I know one."
Flint raised his hand.
Lucas and Cynthia turned to look at him.
"Want to go?"
Lucas nodded. "Lead the way."
"Alrighty."
Flint led the way, and the others followed behind.
"Lucas."
Latias's voice rang out.
Lucas stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"I sensed my brother's aura."
Latias's voice sounded, carrying a hint of hesitation.
"I know who the Trainer it is following is."
"Who?"
Lucas looked in a direction.
Tobias.
That Trainer who used Darkrai to fight his way to the Sweet Sixteen. He was previously unknown, but recently entered the public eye due to his sweeping victories in the Lily of the Valley Conference using Darkrai.
"Is it him?"
Latias's voice sounded, and then an invisible figure beside Lucas flickered.
"I sensed it, it is him."
Lucas smiled, reached out, and patted its little head. "It's okay. After we finish eating later, I'll take you to see him, so you can find your brother."
"Mm."
Hearing Latias say "Mm," Lucas turned and hurried toward the main group.
"Gen gengar?"
What's wrong?
Gengar asked Lucas.
"It's nothing. Later, we'll accompany Latias to see its brother. It's clear it misses its brother quite a bit."
"Gen gengar."
Okay.
On the other side, at the Lily of the Valley Conference auxiliary arena.
"Jessie, didn't you say it was still being held here today?"
James, wearing sunglasses and holding a bunch of drinks in his arms, looked at the empty arena and voiced his doubt.
"I—could it be that it's already over?"
Jessie, holding a pile of popcorn, also fell into silence.
"How could that be, Meowth."
Meowth looked at the empty arena. "It's most likely that you got the wrong place, Jessie. There's still time; we saw so many people when we came, it probably ended, Meowth."
"It's all Jessie's fault for insisting on eating that ramen, Meowth! It caused us to miss today's match."
Meowth protested.
"You're being long-winded."
Jessie punched Meowth on the head. Ignoring Meowth, who was covering the big bump on its head, Jessie said, "We didn't really go to the wrong place, did we?"
James, who had long since taken out his phone to check the news, tapped Jessie's arm. "Um, I see online that starting today, the matches are being held at the main arena. This one we're at is the auxiliary arena; it's not being used anymore."
"And it also says the time has changed as well."
Jessie: ——
"I told you so, Meowth."
Bang!
A big bump appeared on Meowth's head again.
"Then what should we do now?"
James asked Jessie.
"What else can we do? Go back to sleep and go to the main arena tomorrow."
Jessie turned and left.
"We'll come back to sell things tomorrow."
"Wobbuffet~"
Watching Jessie walk in front, James and Meowth exchanged glances and then followed.
"? Lucas, didn't you say you were cooking?"
Aran looked at Gothitelle and Mime Jr., who were cooking, and asked in confusion.
"Usually Gothitelle and the others do the cooking; I'm only responsible for eating."
Lucas sat on a chair, stroking Ninetales's head, and said.
"Ah? I thought I'd be able to eat food made by Lucas."
Aran said regretfully.
"Gothitelle and the others' skills are also very good."
"Yeah, yeah, Gothitelle and Mime Jr. have great skills, the food they make is delicious, and Brock too."
Ash said while eating the sausage Shauna had given him.
"Where did the sausage come from? I want some too!"
Aran raised her hand.
The sausage smells so good——
Seeing this, Shauna gave everyone a sausage.
She came to Lucas's side and gave Cynthia a sausage.
She glanced at her bag; the sausages inside were gone.
She blinked her eyes and looked at Lucas.
"I'll make more for you when we go back, lots of them."
"Okay~ Heehee."
Lucas let go of Ninetales's head and sat Shauna on his lap. Cynthia, beside them, was also holding Tomoyo.
"What was that about earlier?"
Cynthia suddenly asked Lucas.
"?"
Lucas looked at Cynthia in confusion.
"Were you talking to someone just now? Over at the stands."
Lucas understood what she was asking. "Latias just told me it sensed its brother's aura. I told it I'd take it over to find its brother later."
"Do you want me to accompany you?"
"No need."
Lucas shook his head.
"Gothitelle."
Dinner is served.
Gothitelle placed the soup on the table and called out.
Lucas clapped his hands. "Everyone, it's time to eat."
As expected, Ash, Gary, and Flint were "coming to blows" at the dinner table.
"Has the schedule for tomorrow been arranged yet?"
Lucas turned to ask Cynthia beside him. Cynthia picked up a meatball and popped it into her mouth, blowing air because it was hot.
Cynthia signaled Lucas to look at Lucian, who was eating.
"Ask him."
Lucas: ——
Looking at Lucian, who was burying himself in his food, Lucas couldn't bear to interrupt.
"Forget it, let him eat for a while first. I'll make him go back to work later."
"Cough, cough, cough."
Lucian felt a chill on his back and started coughing after choking on a meatball.
He raised his head, pushed up his glasses, and looked around.
Who? Why does it feel like someone is bad-mouthing me?
He looked at Lucas and Cynthia.
Lucas was chatting with Gary and the others as if nothing had happened.
Not Lucas? That shouldn't be right——
His suspicion should be the greatest, logically speaking?
Seeing that the meatballs in the pot were almost gone, he coughed twice. In the distance, Bronzong's eyes lit up, and then all the meatballs in the pot flew up.
Aaron reached out with his chopsticks and missed.
???
Grandma Bertha looked at the meatballs flying into the sky. "Hey, hey, hey, Lucian, kid, isn't this going too far?"
Lucian exhaled. "Food is all about snatching it back. Flint taught me this."
Flint, who was "coming to blows,": ???
Me? Seems like it's me?
Ash finally lost the battle. He locked his eyes on the meatball in Lucas's bowl.
"Manager, look, there's an alien."
Lucas looked up. Just as Ash reached out his chopsticks, he suddenly felt his scalp tingle.
He glanced over; Gothitelle and Lilligant were looking at him with smiles.
Ash gave a sheepish laugh and then retracted his chopsticks.
"I think I just sensed my sister's aura."
Tobias heard Latios's voice and looked to the side. "Where?"
"I sensed it on the match field just now. Could it be participating in the Lily of the Valley Conference this time too?"
Latios said in confusion.
"—Could it be the owner of that Heatran?"
Tobias recalled that Heatran Trainer; he was the opponent Tobias valued most.
"Probably not. It doesn't like participating in this kind of match."
"Then—"
Tobias looked at Lucas, who had suddenly appeared, and was stunned.
"Tobias?"
Lucas smiled and greeted Tobias. "Hello."
Tobias looked at Lucas vigilantly. The shadow beneath him began to spread, but after touching Lucas's shadow, it was bounced back.
Tobias: ???
Darkrai emerged from the shadow, holding a Dark Void in its hand, staring at Lucas.
"Gen gengar~"
Gengar jumped out from Lucas's shadow, also holding a Dark Void in its hand.
Dark Void, I can do that too~
Gengar grinned.
Darkrai: ???
No, buddy? You're also a Darkrai?
Isn't this a move that only our Darkrai Family can learn? How can you do it too?!
And why does your Dark Void look more official than mine?
Am I the fake Darkrai?
"Hello, may I ask if you have any business with me?"
Tobias looked at Lucas and asked softly.
Should be able to win, right?
Tobias thought to himself.
"My name is Lucas, but I'm not here for you. I'm here for Latios."
How does he know I have a Latios?
"Latios, your sister—"
Lucas hadn't finished his sentence when Latias's voice rang out.
"Latios, get over here and die!"
"Mist Ball!"
"Sister?! Why are you here?!"
Latios revealed its form and hurriedly ran away.
"Sister, sister, listen to my explanation."
"Come here, let me hit you a couple of times, hurry up!"
"Listen to my explanation first!"
"Explain what! Die! Standing me up!"
"Draco Meteor!"
"Sister, you can't use Draco Meteor here!!!"
Watching the sister chasing and beating her brother, Lucas sighed.
"Gengar, Gothitelle, please."
Gengar opened up a Dark Void, and Gothitelle opened up a psychic power protective barrier.
Tobias: ——
Why does this Gothitelle also feel a bit—abnormal?
"Gothitelle!"
Gothitelle blocked all the Draco Meteors.
"Sister, on your body—is that a Soul Dew?"
"Oh, this? You don't have one? I thought every Trainer would give one to their Pokémon~"
Latias stopped its movements and said.
Latios: ——
Tobias: ——
I can tell, you're implying that I'm poor.
Lucas: ——
This tone—how is it a bit—
Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
***************************
Thoughts on where the plot is heading? Let me know in the comments! If you're enjoying the ride, please leave a quick review and toss a few Power Stones my way. Every bit of support means the world! 🙌