"Heading to Victory Road after you wrap things up… Do you have invitations from other regions too?"
On the morning of the next day, after breakfast, Caitlin saw Hikaru off at the shore.
Very unlike her usual slightly haughty ojō-sama air—
Today her brows were relaxed, her smile clear; an almost unfamiliar, vibrant energy flowed around her, as if she'd unshackled some heavy weight.
She looked out over the sea.
Because of the discovery of the Seafloor Ruins, these waters had become lively—tourists and explorers raring to go, faces lit with the yearning and thrill for unknown treasure.
"I was originally going to battle you here. Truly. If you beat me now, you wouldn't need to fight me again during the Elite Four matches."
"But—I've changed my mind."
Hikaru laughed. "So you do want to battle me at the Pokémon League, Ojō-sama—that's the proper venue."
"To be honest, I didn't plan to challenge the League in the first place—and still don't. It's just that Mr. Len Wu told me something important, and both Drayden-san and Champion Alder invited me, so I'll take a little time to give it a try."
"No, I don't plan to fight you at the League," Caitlin said, gently shaking her head. "You've already won."
Hikaru blinked. Caitlin snorted a laugh. "Your power was already on full display back in the Seafloor Ruins. Thank you. These last two days have made me very happy."
"So—this is your reward."
"Don't sulk. You said yourself you didn't intend to challenge the League. Really, it's Alder and Drayden acting on their own, isn't it?"
"But—I think it's good if you go once."
"You'll better understand what the League actually is. With that challenge on your record, your name will spread. Even if you lose in the end, it's fine. You're not actually trying to be Champion, are you, Tenchō?"
Hikaru considered. "No, I'm not."
"Right?"
Caitlin smiled, then her gaze firmed.
"So I will become Champion."
Hikaru: "?"
Caitlin: "I will become more elegant and stronger. I won't remain at Elite Four."
"To become better—like you."
"So I won't be returning to the Unova League for a while. I'm going to visit other regions."
"I want to challenge other Champions—only then will I know what I'm missing. I've already contacted some acquaintances—"
Hikaru: "Don't tell me—Mr. Ichiki?"
Caitlin let out a bell-like laugh.
"Among Psychics, the only one on my level is Mr. Ichiki, so I'll pay a visit to Johto's Elite Four and Champion. Did you forget? I used to be the Castle Valet at the Battle Castle; there's a Castle in Johto as well, not just in Sinnoh."
"Perhaps I should pick the 'Head Brain' job back up."
"Ah—that's imprecise," she corrected herself, eyes sparkling at the new challenge. "It would be my first time truly holding the post. Before, Dara fought in my stead."
"So—see you, Tenchō. We'll meet again. Though time flows on… the light you gave me, and the direction I want to chase now, won't change."
"And don't forget—you still owe me an artwork."
[Overall popularity of your works in Unova has risen to… 97.9%!]
[Caitlin's collection and recognition further boosted your popularity.]
『Your bond with Caitlin grew so intensely it caused a strange change.』
She turned toward the other side of the shore, her steps light and resolute.
That golden silhouette melted into the bustling morning crowd and the glittering sea-light—toward a new road she'd chosen for herself, full of challenge and hope.
She vanished.
"Teleport… Don't overuse psychic power."
Hikaru laughed helplessly. "Ojō-sama—safe travels."
Time to head to the next stop.
Hikaru flipped open his Poké-gear. After a few beeps, the face of a red-clad Ranger in a cowboy hat appeared.
"Hello, Hikaru. Any new reports?"
"Yes, Sven-san. I've a friend who's very interested in the Rangers. He wants to join, and I'd like to recommend him. He can speak with Pokémon—a very rare gift."
Sven looked surprised.
"Truly? That's wonderful! Where is he now?"
"Why don't you meet me first—if it's not too much trouble."
Hikaru: "Location?"
"Oh! First time in Unova, and the wilds here are fascinating. I'm in a village doing an ecology-and-legends survey—inside Reversal Mountain, roughly Route 14. There's a waterfall, forest, river farmlands, and…"
Sven glanced at the shrine before him:
"Abundant Shrine—a sanctuary that venerates Landorus."
A Poké Ball opened. The newly repaired Genesect, not much for personality, waited silently for orders—already transformed into a "UFO" silhouette.
Hikaru mounted Genesect.
Too many eyes around—Reshiram couldn't be the ride, and it was still recovering.
Besides, Reshiram wasn't one of his active party—merely at his side.
So Genesect would do nicely.
A bit clumsy—but for a Pokémon, that's part of the charm.
Hikaru mused that he'd swing by Neut City after—see if he could secure an Ortas Flower.
Miss Skirt's crown had been an artifact invested with meaning—of the old age.
But cultivated Ortas Flowers of the new age were plentiful.
Only that city—and Alsace Nature Park—grew them.
"Let's go, partner! First to the rendezvous—and then…"
"To Virbank City!"
Mm, and bring some offerings for Landorus along the way.
Sensing Hikaru's intent, Genesect's red eyes brightened like headlights.
It used Shift Gear!
The image of the Ortas Flower—pure and lotus-like—shimmered ever clearer from the depths of memory.
——
Virbank City. "Virbank"—as in rising vapor.
It's a port in Unova, as crucial as Castelia City—another harbor—but unlike Castelia's commercial-tourist glitz, Virbank is a textbook industrial town.
There are hangars, docks, and canals; to the northeast, graffiti of a gas-bomb skull with crossed thigh bones.
The canal water inside the city looked grimy—striking against the clear sea around it.
After linking up with Sven, Hikaru headed straight here.
The Ripples of Time were almost within reach. Virbank houses the famed Pokéstar Studios and its music scene; undoubtedly the last piece of his art-world puzzle. Sure, he could keep carving and publishing to pump his "art popularity"—but—
There might be "composite metal" here, which was the real reason he'd come.
He had barely arrived when, as he glanced at the strange flyer shoved into his hand, a surprised call hit his ears.
A white-haired punk girl—hauling a bass almost as tall as she was—stared wide-eyed at him, pointing in delight:
"Ah—guitar!"
"No—that's a ukulele," Hikaru corrected solemnly.
Right. The white-haired girl cosplaying a rainbow-sunset rocker… of course.
It was Roxie—Virbank's Gym Leader three years from now!
Trainer class: Camper Girl (Rock Singer)!
"Ukulele… no! Anyway—it's like a guitar, right? So—you can play guitar?!"
"Sorry to bother you out of the blue—how's your guitar level?"
"I'd say… decent?" Hikaru rubbed his chin—then felt something off about this scene.
Wait—don't tell me I've become…
This is Virbank, not Shimokitazawa—what are we doing here?
"I see! That's great! I've hit a snag. Please—be our band's temp guitarist for a day!"
Roxie bowed a full ninety degrees!
Hikaru was about to quip.
What, Roxie—did your band's guitarist run off too?
Hmm… wait.
His eyes lit up.
Roxie's dad is a ship captain, isn't he? Which means he's tied to the shipyard and Virbank's industrial base.
Maybe he could find leads on composite metals through her father!
"Alright, I'll take the gig—but I have a condition."
Hikaru stated his ask to the white-haired girl:
"I want to meet your father, Roxie-san. He's the captain in Virbank, right?"
"I'd like to use his connections to track down a special metal component."
"Eh?! How do you know my name—and that my dad's a captain?!" Roxie yelped, then pinched her pale chin, thinking hard.
After several seconds, her eyes flashed:
"Don't tell me—you're a fan?!"
"Ahem… something like that," Hikaru lied without missing a beat.
He had heard Roxie's performances in the games—so… a fan, sort of.
A passerby fan still counts.
"Yay! That makes me so happy!"
Her eyes gleamed, then she frowned, thinking.
"But—what kind of metal is it? Maybe I can help."
Hikaru: "Composite metal. Heard of it?"
Roxie scratched her head.
"If it's shipbuilding or bridge alloys, there are so many grades. 'Composite metal' is too vague."
"But if you help me through this crisis, meeting Dad won't be a problem! He'll definitely know."
She shoved a flyer at Hikaru:
"See? Virbank's hosting a music showcase tomorrow. The winners get into Pokéstar Studios! But right when it matters most, our Koffing Band's guitarist fell ill!"
"I'm confident in our performance, but we can't find a stand-in in time—and tomorrow's show includes a strong rival from the Fiore region. It's dire!"
"As for vocals, I can cover. I'm the bassist anyway—my voice tends to get drowned out—but guitar? No way!"
Hikaru compared her handout to the odd leaflet someone else had given him earlier.
Sure enough—two different bands' flyers.
"Everything's piled up lately. Not just the showcase—I'm also applying to become the new Gym Leader here." Roxie grumbled.
Hikaru: "Gym Leader? Already?"
Roxie looked excited.
"Yeah! Virbank's planning a new Gym and recruiting candidates!"
"I'm thinking—if I lead my band and serve as Gym Leader, touring between sets—it would be sick!"
"To me, music is as important as Pokémon. Pick one? Impossible. So I'll do both!"
Hikaru facepalmed. "That's literally splitting your focus."
To be fair, she does make it work later—and because of that success, her dad tries moonlighting as an actor… with box-office disaster.
"Hmm… 'A genius music team from the Fiore region is a top contender in the showcase. Please support… Team name: GOGO—'"
"'GOGO Four Siblings.'"
Suddenly, Hikaru felt a gaze on him. He turned toward an empty patch of shade.
"Huh? What is it?" Roxie looked too, but Hikaru's eyes warmed; he smiled. "Nothing. Must've been seeing things."
"No time to waste!" Roxie grabbed his hand, urgent. "Since you agreed, come to my venue to rehearse! Let's test your guitar chops!"
Eager, competitive—she tugged him along. After they left, a little figure appeared beneath the tree's shadow—like a tiny songstress.
The Mythical Pokémon—Meloetta.
She peered curiously after the pair—then, intrigued, trailed along.
(End of Chapter)[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"][Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop][Thanks for Reading!]