"Hey, Derick, becoming a Trainer isn't that easy," an older man said slowly. "I've heard raising Pokémon costs a fortune."
He took a sip of his barley beer. When he noticed everyone turning to look at him, he set the mug down and lowered his voice mysteriously.
"Back when I used to deliver goods to the wealthy families in the city, I once heard a butler talking. His master keeps a Pokémon called Snorlax. In a single day, it can eat an entire room's worth of food!"
"That much?!" someone exclaimed, eyes widening. Just how enormous did Snorlax's stomach have to be to hold all that?
"My goodness… Pokémon really aren't something ordinary folks can afford to raise."
Many people in the tavern knew Derick's situation well. His family was barely scraping by; supporting himself was already difficult, raising a Pokémon would only add to the burden.
And the wilderness was dangerous.
Derick lived alone with his widowed mother. If anything were to happen to him out there, how devastating would it be for her?
Though poor, the people here were kind at heart. Realizing this, they all began urging Derick to abandon the idea.
Wouldn't it be better to stay in the city, work honest part-time jobs, and after graduating from the Pokémon School, become a teacher?
Hearing everyone's concern, Derick felt genuinely moved.
But, Derick had always possessed a keen intuition. During his time at the Pokémon School, he had seen many things the others hadn't.
Pokémon. Trainers. Types. Moves. Special training. Breeding. Battles. Growth.
These were concepts completely foreign to ordinary people.
And Derick knew from his teachers that it wasn't just Castelia City, this transformation was happening all across the kingdom.
One realization crystallized in his mind.
Their king was actively promoting Pokémon and Trainers. This profession would soon become mainstream.
And when that happened, the entire kingdom would change.
The greater the tide, the larger the fish.
Growing up poor, Derick understood this truth better than most.
He thought of his mother.
His father had died when he was young. His mother had raised him alone, weaving cloth day after day, stitch by stitch.
Her hands, once soft, were now aged, cracked, and covered in chilblains from years of labor.
As her son, he had to take care of her.
And he was already sixteen.
Derick didn't want to remain poor forever.
He wanted to seize this opportunity, to give his mother a better life.
"Hey, Derick! What are you spacing out about?" someone called.
Derick snapped back to reality and smiled faintly. "It's nothing. Thank you, everyone. I understand."
Not all Pokémon could possibly eat like Snorlax, right?
Derick recalled the newspaper articles introducing various Pokémon.
For example, the Grass-type Oddish and the Bug-type Leavanny were both said to be easy to raise.
Oddish could replenish its energy simply by basking in sunlight, while Leavanny survived on leaves, grass, and common berries.
"Yeah… when the time comes, I can choose one of those," Derick thought quietly.
Not just in Castelia City, but across all of Unova, newspapers heralding the dawn of a new era were delivered with the help of Pokémon flying taxis.
Opelucid City, Accumula Town, Nacrene City…
Under Lucien's deliberate promotion, the news reached every corner of the kingdom within a single week.
Countless young boys and girls began eagerly awaiting the arrival of next spring.
*
Inside the castle in Lucien City.
"Your Majesty, the Trainer Associations across the regions have prepared Pokémon suitable for novice Trainers."
Elif handed a stack of documents to Lucien, reports sent in by the regional Trainer Associations.
"These are Pokémon rescued from the wild during this period, as per your instructions. Some chose to return to the wilderness, while others remained at the associations."
Lucien scanned the list and nodded thoughtfully.
He had expected implementing these reforms to be extremely difficult, but everything was proceeding far more smoothly than anticipated.
The regional Trainer Associations had already assembled starter Pokémon for new Trainers, just as he had ordered.
Most were wild Pokémon rescued near towns or from forests over the past year, including many displaced by the previous war.
Everything was only beginning. They couldn't yet distribute the classic "Starter Three" to everyone like in the old stories.
For now, only Pokémon with gentle temperaments and high compatibility were suitable as starters.
Still, Lucien believed that with time, the day would come when everyone could freely choose from the traditional Starter Pokémon.
He let out a slow breath.
After everything he had done over the past year, even he felt exhausted.
Rubbing his temples, Lucien said quietly, "You may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I won't disturb your rest any longer," Elif replied, bowing before withdrawing.
Once alone, Lucien stepped onto the castle balcony and looked out over the city below.
Compared to a year ago, Lucien City had undergone earth-shaking changes.
New houses and shops lined the streets. The roads were filled with travelers, merchants, scholars, commoners, and Pokémon everywhere.
Beyond the city sprawled fertile farmlands and ranches, prosperity stretching as far as the eye could see.
On the other side, towering factories rose into the sky.
Countless ordinary figures merged into a great torrent, flowing into them day after day.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed from massive chimneys, as if proclaiming the arrival of a new era.
Amid the thunderous roar of machinery, the 150th year of the Kingdom Calendar came to an end.
Winter arrived.
After a year of toil, humans and Pokémon alike retreated indoors, relying on their stored provisions.
As the year drew to a close, many institutions in Lucien City temporarily shut down.
The Pokémon School entered winter break.
The Pokémon Center remained open with only the Joy Sisters on duty.
The Trainer Association closed its doors.
Within the castle, Lucien granted leave to the soldiers and maids who normally stood guard, allowing them to return home and reunite with their families.
With the staff gone, the castle felt strangely empty.
Fortunately, many Pokémon still lived there.
Vulpix, Oshawott, Audino…
They chased one another through the halls, played hide-and-seek, and filled the empty castle with laughter.
When they grew tired, they would dash into Lucien's bedroom and huddle together in front of the fireplace for warmth.
With no maids on duty, Lucien handled everything himself, fetching berries, snacks, and other food from the storehouse and setting them out for the Pokémon.
"Vu~!"
Vulpix let out a delighted cry.
Oshawott picked up a berry and took a happy bite.
There was no longer any trace of their former ragged, bedraggled appearances. It was clear that these Pokémon, once displaced by war, had now fully integrated into life in Lucien City.
Lucien stood nearby with a gentle smile, quietly watching the Pokémon enjoy their snacks.
At that moment, Dragonite noticed him. It trotted over, holding a biscuit in its claws, and offered it to him.
"Woo~!"
Good food should be shared!
Amused, Lucien smiled and patted Dragonite's head before accepting the biscuit.
"Don't worry about me. Go on and eat," he said.
"Woo~."
Suddenly, a series of loud explosions echoed from outside the castle.
Lucien stiffened slightly and stepped onto the balcony. Looking up, he saw brilliant fireworks bursting across the dark night sky, blooming one after another.
It was the people of Lucien City, celebrating the arrival of the New Year together.
The Pokémon inside the room were startled by the noise and hurried outside as well. At first, they thought danger had arrived, but when they saw the dazzling fireworks lighting up the heavens, they froze in place.
The flickering colors reflected in their eyes, briefly illuminating their faces.
"Woo…" So beautiful…
Inside the room, Kyurem, who had been lying quietly on the carpet with its eyes closed, was also drawn by the commotion.
It opened its massive draconic eyes and gazed into the sky, watching the fireworks bloom and fade. A trace of wonder flashed through eyes that were usually solemn and majestic.
"Human creations are truly beautiful."
Kyurem had never seen such a sight before.
Lucien nodded with a smile. "This is humanity. Though their strength is weak, they use wisdom to create countless things and build homes upon this land. Even when faced with crisis, they never give up."
"Yes," Kyurem said after a pause, nodding slightly. "Humans are stronger than I once believed."
Lucien turned to Kyurem. There was a question he had long wanted to ask.
Kyurem seemed to sense it. Turning its head, it spoke first.
"You have something on your mind."
Lucien was slightly surprised. He glanced at Kyurem's data, then asked, "I've always wanted to know, after merging with you, did Reshiram and Zekrom disappear completely?"
Kyurem stared at him with its golden draconic eyes.
It did not answer immediately.
Then, with a flash of light, two beams, one white, one black, separated from Kyurem's body.
The white light formed to Kyurem's left, transforming into an elegant, agile divine dragon clad in snow-white fur.
The black light formed to its right, becoming a steady, powerful divine dragon standing upright, its body pitch-black and imposing.
They were, Reshiram and Zekrom.
At that moment, Kyurem, Reshiram, and Zekrom all looked toward Lucien.
"There is no need to be surprised," Kyurem said calmly. "I am the Dragon of Tao. Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. This is merely a manifestation of my power."
Reshiram nodded gently, its voice warm and serene.
"Lucien, I have already acknowledged your Truth. Therefore, I will aid you in building the world you wish to create."
On the other side, Zekrom also nodded in silence before speaking.
"I have felt your Ideals. I, too, will help you, together, we will construct that ideal kingdom."
"Then… Kyurem?" Lucien asked instinctively. "If Reshiram and Zekrom are separated, what happens to you?"
Lucien looked at Kyurem.
Kyurem still maintained its form as the fused three-dragon entity.
"Tao gives birth to One. One to Two. Two to Three. Three to all things, and all things return to nothingness," Kyurem replied slowly. "Reshiram is me. Zekrom is also me. There is no contradiction."
"You carry both Truth and Ideals. Because of that, we will not divide again."
The voice of the Dragon of Tao was deep and profound, resonating with an almost unfathomable mystery.
Yet as Lucien looked at Reshiram and Zekrom standing before him, a realization struck him.
From now on… could he wield the power of Reshiram, Zekrom, and the unified Kyurem at the same time?
"If you wish, we can naturally remain by your side in these forms," Reshiram said softly.
Lucien fell silent, thinking.
"Will doing so affect Kyurem's strength?" he asked.
"The impact is minimal," Kyurem replied. "We have not truly separated. It is merely..."
Kyurem paused, as if struggling to find the right words.
Suddenly, inspiration struck Lucien.
"One Breath transforms into the Three Pure Ones."
"That description is acceptable," Kyurem said, nodding slightly.
"I see… I understand now." Lucien exhaled, his heart easing.
He felt a quiet joy rise within him.
This meant he could freely wield the power of all three Dragons of Tao.
Lucien turned back toward the balcony, standing beside the Pokémon as they watched the fireworks blossom across the night sky.
From this day forward, no one in the Unova region would be able to block their path.
Whether the coming era was industrial or electrical, such progress was inevitable; it was simply a matter of time.
And their task was to hasten that future.
To completely integrate humans and Pokémon, until the world became the utopia once depicted in legends.
No oppression. No enslavement.
Only love for Pokémon, and the resolve to live and grow stronger together.
*
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, it was March of the 151st year of the Kingdom Calendar.
Inside the castle of Lucien City.
"Your Majesty, the Trainer Association in Castelia City is ready!"
"Opelucid City is also prepared. More than five hundred Pokémon under the Association's care are ready as well!"
"Nacrene City is ready!"
"…."
Lucien listened to the continuous reports from across the kingdom, then nodded slightly.
His gaze swept over the representatives of the regional Trainer Associations gathered below.
Then he gave the order.
"Then let it begin."
"As you command, Your Majesty!" they replied in unison.
The representatives departed the royal city, returning to their respective towns aboard Pokémon flying taxis.
Kingdom Calendar, Year 151, March 12th, early Spring.
The day new Trainers would receive their starter Pokémon had finally arrived.
...
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