Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Chapter 144

The next morning, Mike lay comfortably on the hotel bed scrolling through the fan group, only to discover that everyone had decided the most important part of yesterday’s Poffin-making video was not the Poffins at all.

[Gholdengo Is Number One: You seriously haven’t learned your lesson yet? Gengar hands you something and you STILL put it in your mouth?]

[Propht: Mike activated Poison Immunity for this one.]

[IDontWantOvertime: Sometimes I genuinely worry that Gengar or Beedrill is eventually going to poison Mike to death, and then none of us will get any more videos.]

[Juice Bro: I’m starting to think Mike deliberately uses Gengar as an excuse for not uploading. "Sorry, guys, no video today. Got poisoned again."]

[Mike: ...]

Mike stared at the messages with a deeply aggrieved expression.

He had uploaded the entire Poffin-making session from the previous day, including his first successful batches, Snivy and Gengar learning to make their own, his accidental poisoning, and Gengar’s subsequent punishment of being wrapped in String Shot and left swinging from a tree.

Naturally, Mike had expected people to care about the food.

Instead, everyone had latched onto the fact that he had poisoned himself again.

The modern internet was becoming increasingly incomprehensible.

The same thing had happened with the video from the flower field.

The actual footage had been about Gengar and the others playing together beneath the night sky, yet most of the comments had somehow ended up discussing the ridiculous Gracidea Codex story Mike told them.

He shook his head and rapidly typed another message.

[Mike: The Poffins from yesterday have all been shipped. Keep an eye out for your packages.]

Once that was sent, he opened the comments beneath the Poffin video and created a small giveaway.

Ten viewers would be chosen at random, and before leaving Floaroma Town, Mike would make each winner a batch of Poffins and mail them out.

There were only ten slots because he had no intention of turning himself into a commercial bakery.

He had already spoken with Forsythia about using her kitchen again before he left town.

He wanted to prepare a larger supply for Gengar and the others so they would have Poffins available as desserts during the next stretch of their journey, and making the giveaway batches at the same time wouldn’t add too much extra work.

As for Forsythia’s payment, Mike had discovered yesterday that she was a devoted fan of Wallace.

Instead of offering money, he had asked Lucian to help him obtain a signed photograph from the famous Coordinator and Champion, which he planned to give her as thanks for the kitchen and ingredients.

After posting the giveaway announcement, Mike opened his private chat with Lucian and sent him a reminder.

[Mike: Remember the signed photo. Ideally, get it mailed to me within the next few days.]

...

At that same moment, in Unova—Castelia City Battle Arena.

A purple-haired man wearing glasses sat in the guest section and quietly yawned.

Lucian felt exhausted down to his bones.

’Retirement sounds incredible.’

Once this exhibition match was finished and he returned to Sinnoh, he was absolutely taking several days off and sleeping until his body remembered what being rested felt like.

If he kept going like this, he was genuinely beginning to wonder whether the League would work him into an early grave.

His phone chimed.

Lucian checked the screen and saw Mike’s reminder about Wallace’s autograph.

He drew in a slow breath before replying.

[Lucian: I remember. Once I return to Sinnoh, I’ll contact Champion Wallace and arrange it.]

Mike answered almost immediately.

[Mike: You’re not in Sinnoh? Where did you go?]

[Mike: Don’t tell me all that overtime finally broke you and you decided to skip work. If the League catches you, even I won’t be able to save you.]

[Mike: Overtime is one thing, but at least you’re getting paid for it.]

Lucian stared at the screen.

[Lucian: What are you talking about? I’m not skipping anything. I’m here for an officially scheduled exhibition match.]

[Lucian: Every Elite Four member has public appearances and exhibition battles.]

[Mike: Exhibition match? What exhibition match?]

Lucian’s eye twitched.

[Lucian: ...]

[Lucian: Don’t tell me you forgot the conversation we had a few days ago. PsyshieldBash.jpg]

No reply came.

Several seconds passed.

Then a full minute.

Eventually—

[Mike: Obviously I remember. I was joking. Of course I remember that you’re fighting Caitlin in an exhibition match.]

[Lucian: You just scrolled back through our chat history, didn’t you?]

[Mike: How did you—]

{Mike deleted a message.}

[Mike: Kidding! Do I look like that kind of person?]

[Lucian: Sure.]

[Mike: Details, details. Is everything ready?]

[Lucian: Yes. I’ve already coordinated with Professor Rowan and the others.]

[Lucian: After Wyrdeer finishes this exhibition match and I give the media a basic explanation, Professor Oak, Professor Rowan, and Professor Kukui will publish the Wyrdeer paper, Pokédex information, and supporting reports together.]

[Lucian: The boss will also release some of our historical material on Hisui. Once I get back, I’ll publish my own work on strengthening Wyrdeer’s psychic abilities.]

[Mike: Then I should probably livestream an explanation afterward too.]

[Lucian: A normal video would work, but livestreaming would be better. You’re listed as a collaborator on all of our papers, and on some of them you’re effectively the lead researcher.]

Mike’s next response arrived almost immediately.

[Mike: ???]

[Mike: I DIDN’T WRITE ANY PAPERS THOUGH?!]

[Lucian: You discovered the phenomenon, proposed the project, organized the research, and successfully reproduced the evolution.]

[Mike: ...]

[Mike: Fair enough.]

[Mike: Is the exhibition being streamed? Send me the link. I’ll watch it and figure out what I want to cover in my own livestream.]

Lucian sent him the official broadcast link.

Afterward, he put his phone away and rubbed his temples.

He had once thought Mike was one of the more dependable people around him.

At this point, Lucian was beginning to suspect Mike might actually be less reliable than Flint and Aaron.

That was an impressive accomplishment.

A blonde young woman was seated nearby on an enormous cushioned chair, her long hair spread loosely across it.

Caitlin had been quietly watching Lucian for a while before finally asking, "Did you not sleep well last night?"

Lucian turned toward her and shook his head. "I slept. I’m just tired."

Caitlin didn’t press the issue.

Instead, after a brief pause, she asked, "How has Cynthia been lately?"

"The boss? She’s fine. She’s been spending most of her time researching Sinnoh’s ancient legends."

"Dialga and Palkia again?"

"Partly, but not entirely."

Lucian sat a little straighter.

"Sinnoh has made some significant progress lately, both in Pokémon research and in historical mythology."

Caitlin had gradually lowered her chin onto her knees again and seemed to be staring into space, so Lucian hesitated before deciding to give her a warning.

She was one of Cynthia’s closest friends, after all.

"Caitlin, during the exhibition match, I may use a Pokémon you’ve never seen before. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t go too hard on us immediately."

Caitlin lifted her head.

’A Pokémon I’ve never seen?’

That was a surprisingly bold claim.

There were still rare species she had never personally encountered, of course, but the way Lucian phrased it sounded as though he meant something far more unusual.

Still, she simply nodded.

Before she could ask for details, an event assistant entered the guest room and bowed.

"Elite Four Lucian, Elite Four Caitlin, the exhibition match is about to begin. Please prepare yourselves."

The two rose at the same time and headed toward separate entrances leading into the arena.

...

Back in Floaroma Town, Mike sat upright on his hotel bed and was about to post the broadcast link in the fan group when he realized Lucian had already shared it himself.

"Works for me. Saves me the trouble."

He connected his device to the room’s display and projected the livestream across the wall.

"Everyone, come over! Sigma Stantler is about to make his first public appearance!"

Every member of Mike’s team immediately gathered around.

Mike caught Glameow as she came close and casually pulled her onto his lap.

Glameow stared up at him.

’...?’

After a moment, she decided to let him get away with it today and settled down.

Gengar even brought out the Poffins from the previous day and distributed them among the Pokémon.

Mike extended a hand.

"Where’s mine?"

Gengar looked offended.

"Gar—"

[They’re Pokémon treats. You’re trying to steal our snacks now?]

Mike: "..."

Fine.

Apparently being poisoned by yesterday’s batch did not earn him Poffin privileges!

...

Castelia City Battle Arena was packed.

As the lights throughout the stadium dimmed, the announcer stood atop a hovering platform above the battlefield and raised his microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen! For Unova’s first major event dedicated entirely to Psychic-type Trainers, we have invited two world-famous Elite Four members to open the tournament with an exhibition battle!"

The crowd erupted.

"First, representing our own Unova League, please welcome the elegant and immensely powerful Psychic-type Elite Four member—CAITLIN!"

The arena went completely dark before a brilliant spotlight illuminated one end of the battlefield.

Petals began raining from above.

A throne-like seat made entirely of flowers slowly rose from beneath the stage, and beneath the spotlight, Caitlin descended gracefully from the air before settling onto it.

A wave of psychic power swept outward from her body, lifting every fallen petal around her and sending them swirling dramatically through the air once more.

The audience exploded.

"CAITLIN!"

"WE LOVE YOU, CAITLIN!"

"ELITE FOUR CAITLIN!"

The cheering rolled through the arena like thunder.

Only once the noise had fallen slightly did the announcer continue.

"And facing her today is another world-renowned Psychic specialist, one of the pillars of the Sinnoh League! Please welcome Sinnoh’s Psychic-type Elite Four member—LUCIAN!"

Compared with Caitlin’s entrance, Lucian’s was almost aggressively ordinary.

He simply walked out of the competitor tunnel on his own two feet.

A spotlight followed him as he approached the battlefield, and once he reached his position, he raised one hand and calmly waved toward the crowd.

The arena erupted just as loudly.

...

Back in the hotel room, Mike actually flinched at the sudden volume.

"Damn. Lucian has that many fans?"

Apparently being the League’s overworked paperwork machine had done nothing to hurt his public image.

...

After the two Elite Four members exchanged a few polite remarks, the announcer officially began the exhibition match.

Caitlin lifted a Poké Ball with her psychic power and sent it floating into the arena before releasing it.

Red light burst across the field.

A humanoid Pokémon dressed in what resembled an elaborate dark court gown appeared in midair, her hands folded elegantly before her.

"Gothi!"

Purple light shimmered within Gothitelle’s eyes.

The announcer immediately raised his voice.

"And Caitlin opens with her ace, Gothitelle!"

Lucian kept one hand in his pocket as he took out his own Poké Ball.

He pressed the center button, allowing it to expand in his palm, then adjusted his glasses with his free hand.

"Go."

His voice carried easily across the battlefield.

"This is your first battle since your species returned to the modern world. Show everyone who you are, and let the world remember your kind again."

He threw the ball.

A flash of red light revealed a large gray-white deer Pokémon standing proudly on the battlefield.

"WYYYYR!"

Wyrdeer raised his head and released a long, resonant cry while powerful psychic energy rolled from his body.

Across the field, Caitlin’s eyes narrowed immediately.

She had never seen this Pokémon before.

Not once.

Only then did she fully understand Lucian’s earlier warning.

The announcer was equally stunned.

"Lucian has chosen not to use his ace Bronzong! Instead, he’s sent out..."

The hovering platform carried him closer.

He stared down at the unfamiliar Pokémon while the stadium cameras immediately zoomed in.

"Is that a Stantler? No, it can’t be! It resembles one, but this is definitely not any Stantler I’ve ever seen!"

The audience erupted into confused discussion.

Lucian calmly supplied the answer.

"Wyrdeer. Its name is Wyrdeer."

The announcer immediately seized upon it.

"Wyrdeer! Elite Four Lucian has introduced a Pokémon called Wyrdeer!"

Within minutes, clips and screenshots began spreading across social media.

The audience inside the arena was already overwhelmed by the unexpected reveal, but the reaction online was even more extreme.

News that a completely unknown Pokémon had appeared in the possession of a Sinnoh Elite Four member spread internationally almost immediately, sending an enormous wave of viewers toward the official livestream.

The broadcast servers collapsed under the sudden load.

...

Back in Floaroma, the image on Mike’s wall froze.

Then disappeared.

Glameow lifted her head from his lap and looked at him questioningly.

"Probably too many people joining at once. The stream crashed."

"Meow?"

Mike shook his head.

"Nope. I can’t fix somebody else’s servers."

Gengar, Snivy, and Beedrill all visibly deflated.

Mike laughed.

"Don’t look so miserable. If we can’t watch the stream, we might as well head out. We were planning to visit the Gracidea flower field today anyway, and after that we can finally go down to the coast."

Gengar immediately perked up.

"Gar!"

"Sni~"