"Kulu! Are you alright?!"
Su Yi's voice rang out urgently as Kulu-Ya-Ku staggered, its body trembling from the impact. For a moment, it looked like it might collapse—but it held on. Its crest was messy, its breathing uneven, yet it was still standing.
"…Good," Su Yi exhaled, relief flashing across his face. "Flying-type resistance saved you. Meteor Assault has recoil—this is our chance! Kulu—Peck!"
Kulu lunged forward immediately, its beak striking in rapid succession like a barrage.
TAT-TAT-TAT—!!
Sirfetch'd, still frozen in post-attack recovery, took the hits head-on.
"YAHM—!!"
It endured—but barely.
"Almost recovered—!" Su Yi's eyes sharpened. "Kulu, Rock Smash—"
"…Huh?!"
Kulu suddenly tilted its head.
Then—
It snatched.
The leek spear.
The shield.
"…?!!!"
Bea froze. "…Did it just… rob him?!"
Yes.
Yes, it did.
Sirfetch'd panicked instantly. That wasn't just equipment—it was its honor, its identity. With a sharp cry, it charged forward, desperate to reclaim them.
But without its gear—
Its strength dropped sharply.
Kulu dodged easily, holding the stolen spear and shield while inspecting them like newly acquired treasures.
Su Yi couldn't help but laugh. "…Right. I almost forgot—you're not just an egg thief… you're a collector."
Mustard chuckled quietly. "…This just got interesting."
"Kulu—Fury Attack!"
"GAWAA!"
Armed with its new "weapons," Kulu charged wildly. Its movements were unrefined and chaotic, but surprisingly effective.
"YAH—YAH—YAHM!!"
Sirfetch'd struggled, forced to dodge its own weapon.
Then—
BAM!!
A direct hit sent it flying.
"Sirfetch'd—use Brick Break!"
Forced to adapt, it struck forward with everything it had.
"YAH—!"
But—
Blocked.
Kulu raised the shield and absorbed the attack perfectly.
Sirfetch'd's aura began to fade. Its confidence wavered, its stance breaking under the pressure.
"Let it loose!" Su Yi called out. "Go wild!"
"GAWAA!!"
Kulu completely unleashed itself, swinging, charging, spinning without restraint. It was pure chaos—but within that chaos, momentum shifted entirely.
And then—
Sirfetch'd fell.
"YAH…M…"
It reached weakly toward its weapon—
Before collapsing completely.
"All three Pokémon are unable to battle," Mustard announced, raising his hand. "Winner—Su Yi!"
"You did well," Bea said softly, kneeling beside her partner.
Su Yi scratched Kulu's head with a grin. "You little gremlin…"
Kulu chirped proudly.
"Impressive battle," Bea said as she stood, extending her hand. "Powerful… and unpredictable."
Su Yi shook it lightly. "…Meaningful."
Mustard watched quietly before asking, "Well?"
Bea glanced at Su Yi. He was laughing, playing with his Pokémon, completely relaxed—no pressure, no restraint.
"…Creative," she said slowly. "…Adaptive."
Mustard nodded. "…Alive."
Then, after a pause, he asked, "Is your battle… the same as his?"
Bea froze.
Mustard continued calmly, "He understands his partners. He fights the way they fight. He trusts them—and they trust him. There's no rigidity. No chains."
He turned slightly, his voice softer.
"…And most importantly… he enjoys battle."
"…Not just victory."
Then he walked away.
Leaving silence behind.
Bea looked down at her hands.
Scarred. Tense.
"…Not just victory…"
"…Then what have I been chasing?"
Expectation. Reputation. Perfection.
"…Have I… forgotten why I fight?"
"Bea."
Su Yi approached casually. "You can call me that—drop the 'sir' too."
He smiled, then handed her something.
A small jar.
Golden.
"…Honey?"
"Yeah," he said lightly. "Sweet things make people happy."
Bea's eyes lit up slightly.
"…Thank you."
She held it carefully.
"You didn't use your full team," Su Yi added.
"…Correct."
"Then next time—let's go all out."
A brief pause.
"…Agreed."
"You heading out again?"
"Of course. Adventure's my life."
He turned to leave, then suddenly pointed at her face.
"And hey—girls look better when they smile. …Smile, yeah?"
"…?!"
Bea froze.
Su Yi walked off laughing.
Later, alone, Bea opened the jar and took a small taste.
Sweetness spread instantly—warm, gentle.
"…!"
Her eyes closed.
And for the first time in a long while—
She smiled.
Meanwhile, Su Yi returned to the New World.
The Ancient Forest had calmed after the storm, life slowly returning to normal. Following his earlier markings, he reached the suspected nest.
But—
It was empty.
Old feathers remained, but there were no fresh signs.
Su Yi frowned.
"…Didn't come back?"
"…Or something happened…"
In this world, either was possible.
He looked deeper into the forest.
"…Guess I'll have to find out."
And stepped forward.