Lucas didn't say much more to N. Instead, after accompanying Shauntal to finish handling the surrounding aftermath, he took everyone back to Striaton Academy.
Looking at Shauntal's exhausted face, Lucas asked her in confusion, "That's not right. I put in so much effort today; how come you seem even more tired than me?"
Shauntal calmly replied, "I put in a lot of effort too, alright."
"For example?"
Shauntal thought for a moment, "Keeping the Forces of Nature contained at the Abundant Shrine."
"That's because Landorus's territory is right next to the Abundant Shrine."
Shauntal was somewhat surprised, "How did you know? I remember I never told you that."
"Guess."
Back at the academy, Ash's stomach growled once again.
Lucas looked at Ash, who scratched the back of his head, "Um—Pikachu is hungry again."
"What's that supposed to mean? Do you think I can't tell that the sound came from your stomach, Ash?"
Iris mercilessly exposed Ash's lie.
Ash wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, he looked at Lucas with yearning.
"Sigh, I really owe you. Go ask Gothitelle; if she's willing, let her cook for you."
Lucas passed the buck directly to Gothitelle.
Gothitelle, who was standing nearby: ???
Ash and Pikachu zoomed over to Gothitelle, tearfully recounting how difficult things had been for him.
Watching Ash and Pikachu complaining to Gothitelle, Lucas stroked his chin and said to Shauntal and Iris beside him, "Say, has Ash changed a lot since coming to the Unova Region?"
Shauntal and Iris didn't answer; instead, it was Gengar, who was beside Lucas, that replied to his question.
"Gengar—"
No, you remembered wrong. Ash and Pikachu have always been like this.
"Is that so?"
Yeah!
"I remembered wrong?"
You remembered wrong.
"Alright then. Gothitelle has set up the pot; aren't you going to take the opportunity to get something to eat?"
Gengar's eyes lit up.
"Gengar!"
That makes sense! Gothitelle, I want to eat beef noodle rice bowl~
Gengar floated over limply, looking like it was starving to death.
Looking at Gengar, who looked like a starving ghost, Lucas gave a disdainful "Tch."
"Starving ghost."
After getting Gothitelle's response, Gengar turned back and made a face at Lucas.
Mind your own business, bleh!
Gothitelle also politely asked everyone present what they wanted to eat. Cilan offered to help cook, and Gothitelle didn't refuse.
Gothitelle came to N's side. For some reason, she felt the aura of her own kind from him. Confused, Gothitelle still smiled and asked N what he wanted to eat.
"Um—could you make me a serving of your specialty?"
N asked softly.
Gothitelle indicated that she couldn't make her best dish right now, but she could make him something she was quite good at.
N nodded and said thank you.
Gothitelle was shocked.
"Gothitelle?"
Can you understand me?
N nodded, "Actually, not only can I understand you, but I can also read your heart."
Gothitelle: !!!
Lucas! It's haunted!
Gengar, who was eating snacks nearby, suddenly looked up. What the heck? Is it haunting me again?
Realizing Gothitelle wasn't talking about it, Gengar scratched its butt and then tossed the cat ear snack into its mouth.
So it wasn't talking about me—
Looking at the sloppy Gengar, Lucas looked helpless. He smiled and shook his head at Gothitelle, signaling that it was fine.
Seeing Lucas indicate that it was okay, Gothitelle finally felt relieved. She smiled at N and nodded slightly.
Please wait a moment.
N did not see a look of viewing him as an alien in Gothitelle's eyes, nor was there any emotion in her heart that disliked him. He felt that Gothitelle's heart was very strong.
Surely, this kind of heart that remains calm in the face of anything must have been formed after a very long time of training.
N thought to himself.
If Gothitelle knew what N was thinking, she would certainly agree with N's thoughts.
No Pokémon could fail to build a strong heart in the chaotic environment of the Breeding House.
Dealing with fights, taking care of little kids, working—
Who understands the sorrow of me, Gothitelle—
After Ash's lunch was settled, he ran to Lucas with Pikachu.
"Lucas, let's have a battle."
"Refused."
Lucas didn't hesitate at all and decisively refused.
"Huh? Why?"
"Didn't you say you were hungry? How do you still have the energy to battle?"
"I am hungry, but waiting for food is boring. Why don't we have a battle to pass the time?"
"You're bored, but I'm not. And Ash, can you tell me why you appeared at the Abundant Shrine?"
"About that, because after Iris, Cilan, and I met N, we heard someone on the road say there were very powerful Pokémon at the Abundant Shrine, so we thought we'd come over to see, and then—"
Lucas sighed. Sure enough, wherever there is battle, there you are.
"So Lucas, let's battle."
"Refused."
"Just one match, Lucas. I've made huge progress in the Unova Region, and I've met a lot of new Pokémon. They are all very strong."
Hearing this, Lucas glanced at Ash.
You? Made huge progress in the Unova Region? And met new, very strong Pokémon?
You have the nerve to say that when only one Pokémon on your entire team, Krookodile, is fully evolved?
Do you think I believe that?
Just as Lucas was thinking about how to get rid of Ash, he heard the voices of Shauna and Tomoyo.
"Uncle, look, Little Tomoyo and I made a new friend."
Lucas turned around curiously, wanting to see who this new friend Shauna and Tomoyo had made, but instead, he saw Shauna and Tomoyo each pulling on the horn of a Pokémon, dragging it over.
Recognizing what Pokémon it was, Lucas was instantly horrified.
"You idiots, what are you doing!"
Hearing Lucas's panicked voice, Shauna and Tomoyo let go, seemingly not realizing what had happened.
Looking at the slightly angry Lucas, Shauna and Tomoyo looked at each other, lowered their heads guiltily, and played with their fingers.
"You guys, really, you're too bold, aren't you? You dare to drag a Whirlipede by its horns."
Looking at the pitiful-looking Shauna and Tomoyo, Lucas couldn't stay angry.
"Is it called a Whirlipede?"
Hearing that Lucas's tone wasn't angry, Shauna instantly looked up and grinned at Lucas, "No wonder it looks so round and plump, just like a wheel."
"Don't try to act cute to get away with it."
Lucas wasn't buying it.
"Oh, Uncle, when Little Tomoyo and I met it, it was injured, so I had Little Bell heal it. Then we played together. It's very nice and very obedient."
Shauna held onto Lucas's hand and kept shaking it.
Lucas's heart melted instantly.
"And Rapidash, Sister Nina, and Sister Diani have been with us the whole time."
Shauna grinned again.
"I really want to give you a punch."
Lucas clenched his fist, threatening Shauna.
"Ah, Little Shauna's head hurts so much."
Shauna held her head in cooperation and let out a pained cry.
Seeing things return to normal, Nina walked over with Diani, looking sheepish.
"You're still so cautious. I was like that when I was a kid too. Just playing with wild Pokémon—it's an everyday occurrence."
Rapidash, who was nearby, also indicated that it was fine.
Actually, you can't blame them. They have lived in this world from the beginning, and these things are commonplace. But Lucas is different; one can only say his understanding of this world is different.
Lucas looked at the Dratini in Tomoyo's arms, thought for a moment, and had a perfect idea in his mind.
"Ash, didn't you say you wanted to battle? How about I find you an opponent?"
"No problem!"
As long as he could battle, it was no problem for Ash.
"Little Tomoyo, want to try?"
Tomoyo looked at Lucas's smiling face and clenched her fist, "Mm."
Lucas patted her little head, "Don't feel pressured. Just treat it as practice."
Then, Lucas told Ash that Tomoyo would be his opponent.
Ash instantly exclaimed, "But Tomoyo has never had a formal battle, right?"
"Are you scared?"
Lucas solved the problem with just one sentence.
"How is that possible! My partners and I definitely won't lose!"
Ash declared confidently.
Looking at the confident Ash, Lucas narrowed his eyes.
There was actually another reason for letting Tomoyo be Ash's opponent, but that's for later.
Seeing that Ash wanted to battle, the Gym Leaders present also curiously gathered around.
Since Tomoyo only had one Dratini, this battle would be 1vs1.
Tomoyo cheered herself on and stood on the battlefield, "I'm counting on you, Little Dratini."
Dratini nodded, looking at Ash with a firm gaze.
Even though Ash was the runner-up of the Lily of the Valley Conference, it and its Trainer were not afraid at all.
On the other hand, Ash sent out an Oshawott.
"Ash isn't sending out Pikachu?"
Iris stood to the side, somewhat confused.
Lucas took a deep breath.
"But this Dratini, this Shinny Dratini is so cute. Axew, don't you think so?"
"Axew~"
The referee was our versatile Gengar.
The battle began, and Ash made the first move.
"Oshawott, Razor Shell!"
Oshawott took the shell from its chest, which extended into a water blade, and charged toward Dratini.
"Little Dratini, dodge and use Thunder Wave."
Dratini leaped with all its might, dodging Oshawott's Razor Shell, and then landed a Thunder Wave on Oshawott.
"Damn it, Oshawott, Aqua Jet!"
"Little Dratini, Rain Dance!"
Dratini took the Aqua Jet head-on, causing it to start raining in the sky.
"Rain Dance?"
Ash looked at the rain falling from the sky, feeling a bit confused, but he still gave the order.
"Razor Shell!"
"Thunder!"
Boom!
Oshawott lay on the ground, its body charred black.
Ash lost, without any suspense.
Seeing Tomoyo use her moves so flexibly, Elesa, sitting on Zebstrika, was somewhat surprised.
"What an impressive little girl."
The other Gym Leaders felt the same.
Shauntal was not as surprised; after all, as a regular at the Breeding House, she knew how diligently Tomoyo studied and also knew what kind of potential she possessed.
She was only surprised that Ash had lost so quickly.
Upon hearing Gengar's voice, Tomoyo glanced at Lucas. Seeing Lucas smiling and nodding at her, she happily hugged Dratini.
"Great job, Little Dratini, we won!"
"Dratini~"
In contrast, Ash looked unable to accept the outcome.
Lucas walked up to Ash with a smile.
"You lost, Ash."
Ash looked up. "Damn it, I underestimated my opponent this time. I won't lose next time!"
"Underestimated? So you underestimated her because you saw that Little Tomoyo is still young?"
Lucas's voice grew cold.
Nina shivered and pulled Shauna and Tomoyo away from Lucas.
"Let's go first to avoid getting caught in the crossfire."
"I—"
Lucas interrupted him. "Is this what you swore to me earlier? That you had become stronger?"
"Pikachu and I have become stronger! We even challenged a Gym with our new partners!"
Ash argued back.
"A Gym? Tell me, in which region—Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, or Sinnoh—have you not challenged a Gym?! Or do you think successfully clearing a Gym challenge is such an amazing feat?"
"Strange—why does it feel like he's implying we're weak—"
Cheren said weakly.
Shauntal and Elesa glanced at him without saying anything.
Gym Leaders are strong, but compared to a Champion, they are quite weak.
"We—"
"What about you? Are you trying to say that it's something to be proud of, clearing a Gym only after two or three attempts?"
"If it were any other Trainer, perhaps it would be something to be proud of, but you, Ash, didn't you say you wanted to become a Pokémon Master?"
"Is your attitude toward becoming a Pokémon Master just bringing a single Pokémon to challenge the Nimbasa City Gym?"
"Is this your attitude toward becoming a Pokémon Master?"
"I—"
Looking at Ash with his head bowed, Lucas became angrier the more he thought about it.
"Look up! Look at me!"
Ash was startled by Lucas's voice and looked up at him.
"You told me yourself! You've become stronger in various regions! You've met new Pokémon partners!"
"Does your 'becoming stronger' mean getting defeated by a little girl who hasn't even reached the age to travel and is battling for the first time?"
"Tell me!"
Lucas roared.
"Are you saying that you intend to participate in the Unova Region's Vertress Conference with this level of skill—your so-called level that is stronger than in the Sinnoh Region?!"
Iris, standing behind them, shrank her neck and stood beside Elesa, whispering, "Lucas is so scary—"
"Didn't you promise Paul that you'd battle him again next time? Are you going to battle him with this level of strength?"
Lucas laughed in anger. "Are you planning to make him laugh until he has no energy left, and then seize victory?"
"I didn't! I will use my strength to defeat him!"
"Strength! Where is your strength!"
Lucas retorted, "Didn't you keep saying that you would defeat me with your own hands? Do you think you can do that with your current attitude and strength?"
Lucas thought for a moment and finally added the most devastating sentence.
"I was looking forward to that day so much, but it turns out it was all for nothing!"
Facing these words from the teacher he admired most, Ash's eyes turned red, and he turned and ran away with Pikachu.
Watching Ash's back, Lucas gritted his teeth, wondering if he had been too harsh.
After all, he is still just a child—
Lucas looked back at Gengar. Before he could speak, Gengar made an OK gesture.
Don't worry, I'm on it.
Gengar passed by Lucas and chased after Ash and Pikachu.
You're the best, my Gengar.
Returning to the group, Lucas let out a sigh.
Nina came to Lucas's side and asked with some concern, "Was that too harsh?"
Lucas shook his head. "I know him. He has worked so hard for so long for his dream of being a Pokémon Master, but after losing to Tobias in the Sinnoh Region and taking runner-up, he's gotten a bit carried away."
"Plus, with people on the internet often saying he would have been the Champion if not for Tobias, he's gotten even more carried away. You haven't seen his battle record in the Unova Region; I just wanted to use this opportunity to scold him back to his senses."
"I hope he can change."
Lucas sighed.
"That's why I say—being a teacher isn't easy."
Shauntal bit into the berries in her mouth and said, "Ash, Paul,Gary, Bea—you've got your hands full."
Hearing these names, Lucas felt even more exhausted.
"What else can I do? I chose this path, so I have to keep going."
"Hard work, Lucas."
Shauntal patted Lucas on the shoulder and walked over to sit with Elesa and the others to chat.
Meanwhile, Lucas gave Iris some pointers on battle strategies.
While holding Shauna and Tomoyo in his arms and instructing Iris, he saw Gengar floating back.
He asked Gengar how Ash and Pikachu were doing.
Gengar shrugged.
"Gen gengar"
Gengar said that Ash is currently working hard on training with Pikachu and his other Pokémon by the river.
"Training, huh—I hope he can make some progress."
Lucas smiled and shook his head.
After finishing instructing Iris, Lucas, at Shauna's request, began telling them a story.
At this moment, N walked over. "Lucas, may I ask you a question?"
Lucas looked up at him, saying nothing.
The precocious Shauna pulled Tomoyo and jumped out of Lucas's arms. "Uncle, Tomoyo and I are going to play with Whirlipede."
"Okay, be safe."
"Mhm, don't worry, Uncle."
"Goodbye, Uncle."
After Shauna and Tomoyo left, N spoke up. "I am the Hero of Ideals chosen by Zekrom."
"I know, it told me already."
"Actually, I was born from a human and a Pokémon."
"I know that too."
N: ???
"Lucas, I would like to ask how you view the relationship between humans and Pokémon."
N finally asked.
"How do I view it—"
Lucas tapped his knee gently with his finger and then said, "How about this? I'll take you to a place to see for yourself, how about it?"
"Okay."
Although he didn't understand where Lucas wanted to take him, he didn't refuse Lucas.
Lucas nodded, brought N to a corner, and opened a portal to the Distortion World.
N: ???
Wait, are you the human or am I the human?
I can only understand what Pokémon say and see into their hearts, but you can directly open a portal to the Distortion World?
Could it be that you are Giratina in disguise?
"Don't worry about the details. Giratina and I are good friends."
Lucas walked into the Distortion World first. N was silent for a moment, then followed him in.
"Huh? Where's Lucas?"
Latias noticed Lucas was missing and asked in confusion.
Gothitelle looked up and sensed the surroundings.
"Gothitelle."
Don't worry, he went back to the Breeding House; he must have something to attend to.
"Oh."
Latias said "oh" and continued to lower her head to eat.
Inside the Distortion World, Lucas greeted Giratina and then walked back out.
Giratina hesitated, wanting to say something to Lucas and N's retreating figures. It wasn't until they left the Distortion World that Giratina looked up at the sky above.
In the sky, the scarred Forces of Nature were passing through a certain place when they encountered a huge airship. They were caught by machines deployed from the airship. Because they were already injured, the machines captured them without much effort.
After capturing the Forces of Nature, the huge airship left the area.
Giratina watched the departing airship and blinked.
Forget it, Lucas should find out for himself when the time comes.
Besides, what happens in the Unova Region has nothing to do with me in the Sinnoh Region!?
Thinking of this, Giratina continued to repair the Distortion World.
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