On the television, the announcer, seated in a flying vehicle, shouted with an electrifying voice.
"And now, let's welcome the Champion of the Sinnoh region, Cynthia!!!"
The cheers from the stadium crowd poured through the TV and into the room. Shana, Gengar, and the others couldn't help but cheer along.
Victor watched as a stunning figure emerged from a special passageway. Long, golden hair, the familiar black trench coat and slim, wide-legged trousers, and the clack of her high heels announcing her powerful presence. As she reached the center of the field, Cynthia spread her arms, and the atmosphere in the stadium reached a fever pitch.
"And today's special guest is the Unova region's Elite Four member, Caitlin!!!"
Amidst the cheers, Caitlin descended from the sky in an incredibly grand fashion. She also had blonde hair, but it was exceptionally thick and voluminous.
"No wonder they say she doesn't need a blanket when she sleeps," Victor thought to himself, looking at her massive head of hair.
"Shirona, I've trained a lot this time. I won't lose to you again," Caitlin said, looking at the noble, beautiful, and elegant Cynthia before her.
"Is that so? I look forward to it. Let's see just how much stronger you've become!"
With that, Cynthia flicked her wrist and, with a graceful motion, threw her Poké Ball. Her Garchomp flew out, soaring through the sky.
"Make your elegant and detailed entrance," Caitlin said, throwing her own Poké Ball. A Gothitelle appeared in a flash of light.
"The classic Gothitelle vs. Garchomp matchup, huh? Feels familiar," Victor murmured, gently stroking the Vulpix on his lap.
"Garchomp, Swords Dance."
Hearing Cynthia's command, Victor felt a little exasperated. How can a dragon not know Dragon Dance? Even Sceptile knows Dragon Dance, and it gets the materials for it from its own body.
He didn't say it out loud, just complained internally.
On the screen, the Garchomp stopped its Swords Dance and was forced to use Slash.
Looking closely, Victor saw that Caitlin hadn't given a verbal command, but her Gothitelle had extended a finger and given a provocative beckoning gesture, interrupting the Swords Dance.
"I almost forgot. This world has some strange abilities," Victor couldn't help but say aloud. Shana and Gengar glanced at him curiously.
The psychic powers of trainers like Sabrina and Caitlin were among them. They didn't need to give verbal commands, only telepathy.
"It's nothing. Let's keep watching," Victor said, shaking his head. Shana turned her attention back to the Cynthia on the screen, while Gengar scooted closer to Victor, pressing up against him.
"You little clinger."
"Gengar—"
Hehe.
Watching Caitlin battle Cynthia on even footing without giving any verbal commands, Victor couldn't help but sigh again.
"Being a trainer is just too dangerous."
The battle between the two was both spectacular and thrilling. Towards the end, a glint appeared in Cynthia's eyes.
"I said it before. I'm going on a rampage."
Cynthia waved her hand. "Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
In the end, against Gothitelle's Extrasensory, Cynthia and Caitlin's battle concluded with a narrow but decisive victory for Cynthia.
The victorious Garchomp stood in the center of the field and roared to the sky.
"GRAWR!!"
The atmosphere in the stadium was reignited, and the fighting spirit of the competing trainers was stirred.
The two Champions left the field, and the first official match of the League Conference began.
In the passageway, Cynthia stood at the entrance, waiting for Caitlin to catch up.
"Next time, I won't lose again!" Caitlin said, pouting as she walked beside Cynthia.
"I'll be waiting for you to get stronger, and then I'll defeat you again," Cynthia said霸气, then continued towards the lounge.
Caitlin followed beside her, chattering nonstop, and Cynthia responded with a smile.
After watching the conference matches for a while, Victor looked over at Shana and his Pokémon. Every single one of them was glued to the television.
The most focused of all was the Staravia, followed surprisingly by Shana, and then Gengar and the others.
Victor smiled, handed the Vulpix to Gengar, and stood up to go to the kitchen.
"Gengar—"
Where are you going?
"You all keep watching. I'm going to make some snacks. It's no fun just watching with nothing to eat."
Gengar nodded, then ignored Victor, placed the Vulpix on the chair Victor had been sitting in, and went back to watching the match.
Victor first went to the kitchen and cut up a fruit platter for them. Then, he returned and took out some flour.
He planned to make some snacks that would last a while. He remembered that his favorite snack as a child was the "Cat's Ear" crisps his grandmother and mother used to make for him.
So, he decided to recreate them. After all, what's watching TV without snacks?
As he was busy in the kitchen, he noticed a large number of Starly, Staravia, Beautifly, and Mothim flying away from the distant forest, flapping their wings in a panic.
They seemed scared. Victor stared in that direction for a moment, but seeing nothing, he dismissed it and went back to his work.
Before long, a large plate of Cat's Ear crisps was fried and ready.
"Gengar."
Gengar's upper body phased through the wall, looking at him with confusion.
"Gengar?"
What is it?
Looking at the Gengar that appeared instantly whenever he called, Victor smiled and picked up a crisp with his chopsticks.
"Here, try one and see if it's good."
Gengar's eyes widened as it looked at the golden-fried snack, which resembled a Glameow's ear.
"It's made of flour, what are you thinking? Do you want it or not? If not, I'll have Dali try it."
Victor rolled his eyes. Just as he was about to call for Dali, Gengar covered his mouth.
"Gengar—"
No way! Only I can have the first bite!
He shot it another eye-roll, then used the chopsticks to place the crisp into its wide-open mouth.
"You've got quite the attitude, huh? I even have to feed you personally."
"Gengar—"
Hehe.
Gengar closed its eyes and chewed. A moment later, its eyes lit up with stars.
"Gengar!! (∗❛ั∀❛ั∗)✧*."
So yummy!!
"As long as it's good. Take it out and share it with everyone."
Pulling at the corners of its mouth, Victor handed it the large plate of crisps.
Gengar gave him a lick, then happily floated out with the plate.
"Gengar~"
Snacks are here~
Watching its retreating back, Victor sighed helplessly, then fried another batch. He picked up a piece and put it in his own mouth.
It was perfectly crunchy and had a nice, salty flavor. The perfect snack for watching TV!
Victor nodded, then put the rest into some bags to be eaten over the next few days.
After finishing up, Victor brought some sparkling water back to the front and found that everyone in the lounge area had a crisp in their hand, eating while watching TV. They were so engrossed that they didn't even notice he had returned.
Seeing that half the plate was already gone, Victor nodded to himself. It seemed they were a hit.
He placed the sparkling water on the table next to the crisps, scooped up the Vulpix, and held a crisp in his hand to feed it. Mime Jr. then pattered over, climbed up the chair and onto his lap, and sat beside the Vulpix.
Feeling the heavy weight on his legs, Victor sighed. My little darlings. They're not heavy at all.
It was a good thing the Petilil stayed in Shana's arms most of the time. Otherwise, this heavy love would be even heavier.
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