Luther arrived in Hearthome City in the afternoon. Originally, he'd planned to drop by Hearthome Gym to check in on Gardenia's situation, but he discovered the Gym was closed for the day.
According to the notice posted outside, Gardenia had taken a group of apprentice Pokémon Trainers out to interact with wild Pokémon.
Well, since luck wasn't on his side, Luther had no choice but to head straight for his next destination.
By the time night fell, Luther finally returned to Sandgem Town.
As he stepped off the bus, the familiar silhouette of the Research Lab across the street reminded him vividly of the day he had first arrived from Twinleaf Town, the day his journey had truly begun.
When he rang the bell at the Research Lab gate, the video screen flickered on, revealing Sachiko, one of the researchers, holding a bowl of rice.
"Sachiko, tell me I'm not too late for a hot dinner?"
Sachiko froze mid-bite. Before she could even reply, a round, pink blur pushed her aside and shoved its face against the camera, licking the screen eagerly.
"Move it, Musharna!" Sachiko huffed, trying to shove the pink Pokémon aside. "We heard your itinerary and thought you'd be staying overnight in Hearthome City!"
"Don't crowd, don't crowd, you'll see him in a second!"
After finally regaining control of the screen, Sachiko said with a laugh, "Alright, the lock's open. I'll go tell the Professor you're back."
Stepping into the grassy courtyard of the Research Lab, Luther stretched luxuriously, loosening his limbs.
Beside him, Mai was looking around curiously; the layout here was completely different from the Sunyshore Research Lab and fascinated her.
"You've all been cooped up too long. Come on out, everyone!"
Luther tossed out his Poké Balls one by one.
Houndoom and Jumpluff were already familiar with the Research Lab; they bounded forward the moment they landed, their excitement obvious.
Mai released her own Pokémon as well. From her quick glance around, this place was perfect for letting Pokémon roam freely.
Chikorita and Milcery's eyes sparkled. It was their first time seeing so many Pokémon of different types living together in a semi-wild setting.
A pair of Illumise flew across the field, leaving a trail of soft light in their wake, and behind them, a group of Oddish swayed their leaves, drawn by the glow.
Houndoom had already sprinted out of sight, but Jumpluff had stopped, standing motionless.
Following Jumpluff's gaze, Luther saw the reason why: Vileplume stood at the back of the Oddish group, gently comforting a small Oddish that was crying for some unknown reason.
The atmosphere felt oddly tense.
The moment Luther and Mai noticed, they exchanged a glance, their concern immediately rising. Jumpluff, ignoring everything else, began walking straight toward Vileplume.
Mai's Pokémon, too, were watching anxiously. They had all heard Jumpluff's story during their journey, how, back at the Research Lab, it was Vileplume who had once pushed Jumpluff down from her pedestal, both literally and figuratively.
A reunion between those two could go either way...
Vileplume soon noticed Jumpluff's approach. The two Pokémon locked eyes, silently staring at one another.
After a long pause, Jumpluff lowered her body slightly and gently rubbed the crying Oddish's face with one of her fluffy cotton puffs.
The little Oddish blinked, startled, and then stopped crying. Its leaves quivered for a few moments, and before long, the tears turned into laughter. The Oddish pressed itself against Jumpluff, chirping happily and asking for more.
Watching the quiet exchange of words between Vileplume and Jumpluff, their lips moving faintly, Luther couldn't understand what was being said, but from the looks of it, things were peaceful again.
Leaving the moment to them, Luther led the rest of his Pokémon into the Research Lab.
Inside the Lab's main hall, Professor Rowan and Sachiko were already waiting.
The moment Professor Rowan opened his mouth to speak, a swarm of Misdreavus and Mismagius shot past him, surrounding Luther from all sides.
Poor Mai was immediately shoved backward by the crowd of Ghost-types.
"Alright, alright, give me some breathing room! I think something fluffy is bumping against my leg, let me see who it is."
Pushing a few Misdreavus aside, Luther looked down, and there was Arcanine, nuzzling against his thigh affectionately.
Luther crouched down at once, throwing his arms around the Pokémon's neck, running his fingers through its thick fur.
When his hand brushed over Arcanine's side, he noticed a subtle rise and fall beneath the fur, a slight swelling.
Without changing his expression, Luther's hand gently traced over it again, confirming what he suspected...
Arcanine placed both of his forepaws on Luther's shoulders and licked his face several times with all his strength. Luther could only grab the dog's chubby cheeks and give them a good squeeze, rubbing that furry head roughly in return.
In the corner, Nidorina squatted down, staring at Luther longingly. There were too many Pokémon crowding around him, and she simply couldn't squeeze through, so she just stayed where she was.
But Kirlia noticed her, gently tugging her forward until Luther finally spotted the little one who had almost gone unnoticed. Compared to Arcanine, Nidorina had recovered quite well, her wounds were no longer visible.
Poliwhirl was also pulled into Luther's arms for a hug and quick check. According to Professor Rowan, this guy was the most energetic of the bunch, constantly darting around every water source in the Research Lab. The researchers said that not finding him was the normal state of affairs.
"Where's Lairon?" Luther asked curiously, holding one of the mischievous Misdreavus in his hand and glancing around the room.
"Burrowed into the mountain eating rocks. One of the researchers is trying to find him now," Professor Rowan replied.
Sachiko then clapped her hands and used a firm tone to signal the Pokémon to disperse. "Alright, alright, Luther just got back, and he hasn't even had dinner yet. Everyone, give him some space. Let him eat first, and then you can play with him later."
The Pokémon glanced between her and Luther, then obediently left the hall one after another.
One sneaky Misdreavus tried to hide behind Mai to get away with staying, but Sachiko spotted her and dragged her out, much to the ghost's disappointment.
For Luther's newer Pokémon, this was their first time meeting the others living in the Research Lab. They'd thought these were just older teammates Luther had caught without their knowledge, but judging by what Luther said at dinner, that wasn't the case.
That revelation only made them more curious. After eating, they all rushed outside to play with the resident Pokémon.
Chikorita, in particular, was overjoyed. It was her first time seeing such a lively scene, she dashed about with Milcery held high, spinning and laughing among the crowd.
Mai had no choice but to chase after her, especially since Milcery hadn't even finished her dinner yet.
After dinner, Luther finally got the chance to ask the question weighing on his mind.
"Professor… about Arcanine's condition…"
Professor Rowan exchanged a glance with Sachiko, who seemed to have expected the question. She handed Luther a folder.
He didn't bother reading through the entire examination report, he flipped straight to the final page, where five words were written:
"Irreversible Damage."
Luther gripped the file tightly, falling silent for a long time.
"We did everything we could," Professor Rowan said softly. "But Arcanine came too late. He'll never fully recover. Any intense battle will cause him pain. As for his lifespan… we're not sure if it will be affected."
Both Professor Rowan and Sachiko looked out the window, where Arcanine was cheerfully playing with Milcery and Chikorita, their expressions tinged with melancholy.
"There's something I want to apologize for," Professor Rowan said, turning toward Luther, his face solemn. "It's about Shiran, we failed to realize…"
"It's not your fault." Luther smiled faintly, interrupting him. "The Pokémon League searched everywhere and found nothing. Their hideout was too well concealed. Who could have guessed that a 'charity' Pokémon Center, officially registered with the League, would actually be a den for those criminals?"
"No one could have known, Professor. You don't need to feel guilty. I've seen his acting… it was brilliant. If he hadn't been our enemy, I might've applauded."
Professor Rowan sighed. "After I learned the truth, I couldn't help but think… if only I had known sooner, maybe we could've freed you from that place earlier."
Luther walked up beside him, following his gaze toward the window.
Out in the field of playing Pokémon, Mai had joined in, instantly becoming the center of attention among the Pokémon group. When the Misdreavus realized how close she was to Luther, they swarmed toward her playfully, teasing and surrounding her.
Mai laughed heartily, scooping up one of the Misdreavus in her arms and collapsing onto the grass, still giggling.
"Maybe, but perhaps it's precisely because of that that I met them. Fate is a strange thing, isn't it?"
Professor Rowan nodded with a smile and patted Luther on the shoulder.
"I'll handle some matters myself. No matter how strong that gang is, I'll see them turned to dust."
"I once asked myself how much strength a person needs to seize their own happiness."
"Now I have the answer."
For the first time, Professor Rowan saw Luther brimming with spirit and confidence.
The Luther who had once been timid in battle, the immature Luther who seemed to lose something every time they spoke, that person was gone. The Luther standing beside him now radiated a sharpness and self-assurance that couldn't be hidden.
"Back then I always thought you hadn't truly overcome your fears, letting you keep Pokémon felt like a mistake. Even when you won battles, I worried." Professor Rowan shook his head with a wry smile. "I'm old; I misread you."
Luther shook his head. "I met an old man who, in the snow, stubbornly told me he was the sort who would stake everything just so people could still believe 'good things happen to good people.'"
"A nearly seventy-year-old man, when I looked him in the eye, I felt like a great beast was staring back." Luther looked at Professor Rowan. "Old? You're not there yet. What you said was right."
"At that time I couldn't find a goal. I put my faith in other people to move me forward, very immature."
Professor Rowan pressed a hand to Luther's shoulder and studied him seriously.
"You've really changed. Only someone who can recognize their past mistakes can keep moving forward. I'm curious, what was the turning point for you?"
A turning point? Luther couldn't pin it to a single moment.
Each encounter with a Pokémon.
Mai joining his journey.
Meeting and knowing Cynthia, Diantha, Lance, Lucian, Bertha.
Every person he met on the road left an impression.
The encouragements and sparrings with Gardenia, Hakuya, Candice.
Oleander's help that one night.
Looking back, there wasn't a single event that caused his change. These moments were like trickles of water, little by little filling Luther's once-cold, parched shell and bringing it slowly back to life.
No, he would not forget.
That languid afternoon in the Moonring Mall's rest area, that warm smiling face, the man who made him realize how fragile everything about him was, and that he had to change. The one who made him taste fear for many nights.
"Evergreen, when will we settle the final accounts?"
"I'd love to set the rubble of that gang's collapse aflame, bury their filth, and personally fire the salutes for this world."
(End of chapter)
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