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Cynthia stood atop Regigigas's head, holding Lucas in her arms. As a gust of wind blew past, Cynthia looked up.
The deep blue sky and cozy, warm sun shone down upon the Sinnoh region after the great disaster.
Everyone felt the comforting relief of the disaster having passed.
Shaymin jumped from Ash's arms and ran toward the Gracidea flower garden.
"Shaymin—!"
Ash called out. Shaymin turned around, wearing a cool, playful grin.
"Shaymin is going to find Shaymin's friends. Ash, you and Pikachu take care, and achieve your dreams."
Ash exchanged a look with Pikachu on his shoulder and nodded firmly.
Then, Ash reluctantly said goodbye to Shaymin.
"Shaymin has a pack too. The reason it wanted to go to the flower garden was to reunite with its kind."
Brock walked up to Ash, patted his shoulder, and comforted him.
The Gracidea flowers in the sea of flowers swayed gently in the breeze. The Shaymins' "Migration Dance" within the floral expanse was a beautiful sight, making everyone temporarily forget their worries and troubles.
Riding the gentle breeze, the Shaymins slowly took flight, heading toward the distance.
Cynthia tilted her head as she watched the Shaymins surrounding her and Lucas.
The Shaymin that had gone through thick and thin with Lucas flew up to them. It stared curiously at Lucas, whose face was buried in Cynthia's chest, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with him?"
Cynthia gave a gentle smile. "He's just too tired, so he's resting."
Shaymin blinked. "Do you want me to help heal him? Shaymin's Aromatherapy is very effective."
Lucas had just regained consciousness. Hearing Shaymin's words, he was about to raise his hand to decline, but then he heard Cynthia's voice: "No need, let him rest for a while."
As Cynthia's chest vibrated with her voice, Lucas's heart melted.
Shaymin pouted. "You don't believe Shaymin."
Cynthia didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Thank you, Shaymin. When you have time, come to the Breeding House, and I'll treat you to afternoon tea."
Lucas's muffled voice sounded.
Shaymin nodded happily. "Okay, then Shaymin will head off first. Bye-bye, Lucas."
Lucas raised his hand and waved. "Safe travels."
With that, Shaymin left with its pack.
Lucas pulled his head out and took a few deep breaths.
He had almost suffocated.
After taking a few deep breaths, Lucas looked at the beauty before him. "Um, I didn't get enough rest. Can I get an Encore?"
"Hmm? I don't mind, but you might want to ask her."
Cynthia shrugged, looking helpless.
Looking at Garchomp, whose eyes were burning with barely suppressed rage, Lucas let out a sheepish grin and quickly shook his head. "Never mind, I feel like I'm fully recovered now, all thanks to that hug."
Cynthia looked at Lucas with a straight face. "Did you dream about food?"
Lucas didn't react at first, until he noticed the wet patch on the sweater over Cynthia's chest.
Oh no! This is so embarrassing!
Lucas covered his blushing face.
In the shadow behind him, the late-arriving Darkrai was furiously biting Gengar's chubby little hand.
Gengar: You're biting my hand!!!
Lugia suddenly felt that the sun overhead was a bit of an eyesore.
Giratina had just poked its head out of the Distortion World to call out to Lucas, only to be slapped right back in by one of Lugia's wings.
Giratina: ???
Latias: Drooling while sleeping, shame on you!
Lucas rolled his eyes.
Just then, two Celebi flew over. One perched on Lucas's head, while the other sat on his shoulder.
Feeling the heavy weight of love on his head and shoulder, Lucas said gently, "Are you leaving?"
"Sere~"
The Celebi on his head nodded.
"Thank you, Celebi. Remember to come back and visit often when you're free, and contact me if you ever need anything."
The two Celebi flew up and hovered between Lucas and Cynthia, reaching out to take their hands.
The two humans and two Pokémon held hands, deeply connecting with one another.
After closing their eyes to feel Celebi's feelings, the Celebi let go, flew into the air, waved their tiny hands in farewell to Lucas and Cynthia, and then flew into a vortex that had suddenly appeared in the sky.
"Goodbye, Celebi."
Lucas said softly.
Before parting, Lucas had tied a small wooden plaque from the Breeding House onto the other Celebi's little hand.
The Celebi with the small wooden plaque hanging from its neck flew past Lugia, greeting it with a smile.
"Sere~"
Goodbye, friend.
Lugia nodded gently. Goodbye, friend.
Watching Lucas, who was still staring at the sky, Cynthia walked over to his side. Looking up at the sky with him, she said, "No matter which space-time or timeline we and they are in, our feelings will always reach them, won't they?"
Lucas smiled as he looked at the small wooden plaque on Cynthia's fair wrist. He pulled out the small wooden plaque from his chest and said, "Let's go, let's head down."
Lucas and Cynthia walked over to the others. After Cynthia arranged the remaining work, her phone suddenly rang. She answered it, listened to the voice on the other end, and then gestured with her eyes for Lucas to look at Regigigas.
Lucas gave an OK gesture, walked up to Regigigas, patted its foot, looked up, and shouted, "It's all thanks to you this time. Go back and rest first, and I'll take you out to stretch your limbs next time."
Regigigas didn't linger and began walking toward the Snowpoint Temple.
"Holy crap—!"
Darkrai reached out and yanked Lucas back; otherwise, Lucas would have nearly been trampled into a pancake.
"Manager—!"
Lucas faintly heard someone calling him. Looking back, he saw the Team Rocket Trio hiding behind a tree, waving at him.
Slipping away while no one was paying attention, Lucas walked over. Jessie pointed at Zero, who was tied to a tree, and said to Lucas, "We caught him, Manager."
Lucas was stunned. They actually caught him?
"You have no idea. When we first found him, he actually tried to resist! Then Jessie knocked Magnezone unconscious with a single punch, had Seviper inflict Toxic on him, and Meowth and I tied him up with a rope. So you don't have to worry about him running away."
Listening to James's words, Lucas pursed his lips.
Knocking a Magnezone unconscious with a single punch?
As expected, they're all monsters.
"Lucas, they said we should have a meal together to celebrate. My treat."
Cynthia walked over. When she saw the Team Rocket Trio, she paused for a moment and pointed at them.
The Team Rocket Trio was so terrified that their backs were instantly drenched in sweat.
"I remember you. You used to work at the Breeding House, right?"
Hearing Cynthia's words, the Team Rocket Trio breathed a sigh of relief.
Lucas: ...
"What are you doing here?"
Lucas pointed at Zero tied to the tree and said, "They helped catch him."
Cynthia looked at the culprit who had triggered the glacier collapse with cold eyes, then called the police to take him away.
"Perfect. Why don't you join us for dinner too?"
Cynthia warmly invited them.
The Team Rocket Trio shook their heads repeatedly.
"We... probably shouldn't go, right?"
Jessie said weakly.
"Why? You helped us catch a bad guy. The League will even reward you."
"A reward?!"
Jessie's eyes suddenly lit up.
"We're Team Rockets, meow."
Meowth whispered next to Jessie.
Jessie snapped back to her senses and continued to shake her head. "No, no, we... well, we're not hungry. Yes, we're not hungry."
With that, Jessie grabbed James and Meowth and vanished from the spot in an instant.
"They..."
Lucas interrupted Cynthia. "They're just like that. They're passionate about protecting others and have incredible practical skills. Except for one specific thing they'll probably never accomplish in this lifetime, they can do almost anything."
Cynthia looked at Lucas in surprise. "There are actually people like that?"
Lucas hesitated, then recalled that the Team Rocket Trio really seemed to be experts at everything except catching Pikachu.
Thinking of this, Lucas nodded.
"It's fine, I've already had Gengar give them their reward."
Only then did Cynthia leave with Lucas.
"We... should be safe now, right?"
Jessie let go of James and Meowth, sat on the ground, and gasped heavily as she spoke.
James looked back and, seeing that no one was following them, said, "We should be safe."
Gengar suddenly popped out of the shadow.
Ta-da!
The Team Rocket Trio jumped in fright, but breathed a sigh of relief when they realized it was Gengar.
"Gengar, what are you doing here? Does the Manager have something else he needs our help with?"
James asked.
Gengar shook its head, then pulled out a pile of snacks and a card.
James took the card, which had words written personally by Lucas.
"Go have a good meal, treat yourselves, and don't go hungry."
There was another one: "If you don't have money for food, come back to the Breeding House."
The Team Rocket Trio hugged each other, moved to tears.
After Gengar took them to a restaurant and ordered their meal, it thought for a moment, then took out its own pocket money and handed it to Jessie, only then leaving to return to Lucas's side.
On the other side, having finished their meal, Lucas and Cynthia were walking on the snow.
"The snow is starting to melt."
Lucas looked at the melting snow under their feet, held Cynthia's hand, and said.
"Yeah, spring is almost here, and new Trainers are getting ready to start their journeys. If nothing unexpected happens, the Lily of the Valley Conference will be held shortly after the start of spring."
Cynthia, who had swapped her high heels for boots, stepped on the melting snow and said: "This way, it won't affect new Trainers challenging Gyms, nor will it affect veteran Trainers continuing to challenge the League."
Lucas wasn't a member of the League staff, so he usually just listened to these things.
"Lucas."
Cynthia called out to Lucas and stopped walking.
Lucas turned back to look at Cynthia and found her smiling at him.
"What is it?"
Lucas asked.
"Grandma said—she wants to meet you."
Lucas: ???
Gengar: !!!
Darkrai: Oh~
Latias: Wow~
Lugia: ——
Lugia wasn't there; it had gone to find the Legendary Birds of Sinnoh who had run off early.
"Grand—Grandma wants to meet me?"
Lucas was so scared he couldn't speak clearly.
Cynthia nodded, then stared at Lucas, "You don't want to?"
"No, not at all! I mean, this, isn't this too—what should I do?"
Lucas rubbed his hands nervously.
Cynthia smiled at the sight, "What are you thinking about? It's just a meeting. Besides, you haven't defeated me yet."
Lucas instantly hung his head, "That's true."
"After the Lily of the Valley Conference ends, and after you're done with the Breeding House, let's go see Grandma, Lucas."
Meeting Cynthia's smiling face, a smile also appeared on Lucas's face, "Okay."
"Listen to you—"
"Lucas!"
Lucas and Cynthia looked over together and saw Ash and the others running over.
Ash ran up to Lucas, panting.
"What's wrong?"
Lucas asked.
"Lucas, I will definitely become a Pokémon Master like you, definitely!" Ash looked at Lucas and said firmly.
Lucas was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Okay, I believe in you."
Ash followed Flint and Volkner to train, and after Lucas bid farewell to Cynthia, he got on Latias and flew towards the Breeding House.
"Latias, did you hear that? Cynthia said she'll come to the Breeding House after she's done with her work."
"I know, I know! You've said it at least ten times on the way!" Latias protested.
Standing at the entrance of the Breeding House, Lucas took a deep breath. The familiar scent, the familiar feeling.
Lucas spread his arms, "Breeding House, I'm back!"
Hearing the voice, Mrs. Fujino walked out of the Breeding House, looked at Lucas standing at the door, and said happily, "Lucas, you're back from your business trip?"
Lucas nodded and walked into the Breeding House. Everything in the Breeding House remained unchanged. Lucas immediately walked to the rest area and lazily lay down on the rocking chair. Lilligant and the others also popped out of their Poké Balls.
Alcremie ran over holding a tray.
"imai~" Drink some tea~
"Thank you, Alcremie~" Lucas poked Alcremie's little nose and thanked her.
Then he picked up the milk tea, took a sip, and asked Mrs. Fujino, "How has the Breeding House been lately?"
"Everything is fine. During this time, the Breeding House—" Mrs. Fujino took out the things she had recorded and told Lucas one by one. Lucas listened carefully.
With Shauna's help, a few pokémon eggs were sold, and at the same time, Trainers came to foster their Pokémon.
In addition, the Trainer who had fostered Beautifly and Ariados for breeding came to take them back because they had laid an egg.
Now Pinsir and Heracross don't have to run out and hide anymore.
"Nini~" Mime Jr. pounced and dove into Lucas's arms.
"Have you been eating properly, Mime Jr.?" Lucas lifted Mime Jr. above his head and asked with a smile.
Mime Jr. nodded with a smile.
"Nini~" Yes, have you been eating on time, Lucas?
Lucas imitated Mime Jr.'s tone, "Lucas has been too~"
Lucas played with Mime Jr. for a while, then heard the sound of hooves. Lucas quickly placed Mime Jr. on the seat next to him, then got into position, preparing to meet the impact.
The next second. A red cannonball slammed directly into Lucas's arms.
"Uncle!"
Lucas took a deep breath and opened his arms.
Boom!
Gengar: ???
Gothitelle ran out from the kitchen, looking at the rest area, dumbfounded.
Lilligant covered her mouth, laughing helplessly.
Ninetales: Good thing I ran fast.
Mime Jr.: Where's Lucas?
Latias: Hahaha.
Darkrai: Hahaha.
Shauna reached out to push away the rocking chair pressing on her, looked at Lucas, who was pale and pinned under her, and scratched her head embarrassedly, "Looks like I overshot it."
Lucas didn't expect that even though he had prepared himself, Shauna had actually slammed into him, knocking both him and the chair flying.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Lucas started coughing. With Gothitelle's help, he stood up, calmed down, and looked at Shauna.
Still too rash—
Shauna stood to the side, head bowed, "I'm sorry, Uncle. I didn't mean to."
Lucas saw this and patted her little head, "It's okay, Uncle just didn't sit steady. I'll definitely catch you next time."
Shauna looked up, grinning to show her teeth, "Really?"
Lucas hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Ninetales, who was to the side, rolled its eyes when it heard this.
I wouldn't dare catch her, and you dare to?
Seeing Shauna preparing to slam into him again, Lucas quickly stopped her.
"How have you been lately? Little Shauna? Are you still happy?"
Shauna stopped, ran in front of Lucas, and Lucas bent down to pick her up.
Held in Lucas's arms, Shauna said: "It's great. I play with little Tomoyo, Chimecho, and the others, as well as the Pokémon in the backyard. Oh right, Uncle, a lot of the Pokémon from the forest have returned to the Breeding House."
"Oh?" Lucas said.
Just then, Mrs. Fujino walked out of the incubation room. She had just placed the Kubfu pokémon egg that Lucas had given her. Hearing Lucas's words, she nodded and said: "The snow has started to melt recently, so Pokémon from the forest have been coming and going from the Breeding House."
Then she saw the overturned rocking chair and asked confusedly: "What happened here?"
Lucas shook his head, "It's nothing. I wasn't paying attention while playing with little Shauna."
Lucas picked up Mime Jr., placed it on his shoulder, and then, carrying Shauna, walked toward the backyard.
"Let's go, let's go check the backyard."
Gengar put down the remote control and followed.
Darkrai took the remote control and happily started watching anime.
"By the way, Darkrai, why haven't you gone back? Why are you staying here?" Lucas asked.
Darkrai: "What's the rush? Since I'm already here, I might as well have a meal first."
Lucas: "So you haven't done any work, but you want to eat?"
Darkrai: "Oh, don't be so petty~"
Lucas shook his head helplessly and went to the backyard.
As soon as they arrived at the backyard, the snow had completely melted, and it was covered in green grass.
"It's amazing. A few days ago, I woke up, and it was covered in green grass." Mrs. Fujino said from beside him.
Lucas said with a smile: "Because Celebi and Lugia are blessing us."
Lucas looked at the backyard, which had started to become lively. He smiled.
Just then, a familiar yellow figure flew over.
"Bee." You're back—
Vespiquen stopped, stared at Lucas, and sniffed him with her nose.
"Bee!" You have another bee outside?!
Vespiquen pointed at Lucas and let out a questioning sound.
Lucas: —— No way? You can smell that too?!
Meeting Vespiquen's scarlet eyes, Lucas felt inexplicably guilty.