Thanksgiving Day concluded amidst a grand display of fireworks.
Early the next morning, Lucas received a message.
"Lucas? Do you have some time lately?"
The message was sent by Alan.
Lucas replied that if nothing unexpected happened, he should have time.
Very quickly, Alan initiated a video call.
When the call connected, what appeared in Lucas's view was Ajak's restless appearance.
"Good morning, Lucas."
Lucas returned the greeting.
"Gen Gengar?!"
Who is it? Why does the voice sound so familiar?
Gengar's big face squeezed into the frame.
"Gen Gengar—"
It's you, the troublemaker!
Pfft—Lucas instinctively sensed the meaning of Gengar's words; he couldn't help but spit out the soy milk he was drinking.
Gengar's large purple face instantly turned white.
Gengar stared at Lucas.
"Gen Gengar!"
A! Po! Lo! Gize!
"Sorry, sorry."
Lucas grabbed some tissues and began to wipe Gengar down properly.
There was also an argument going on at the other end of the screen; soon, Alan's face appeared.
"Good morning, Lucas, Gengar."
Alan tidied the bangs on her forehead and took a deep breath; she had just knocked Ajak down with a punch to get the phone back.
Lucas nodded to her along with Gengar, greeted her, and then asked: "Is there something you need my help with?"
Alan nodded and then said apologetically: "It's like this. I have a good friend who is studying at Celadon Academy. She's run into some trouble recently. Due to some special reasons, her Pokémon has become withdrawn. With the Academy Tournament coming up soon, I wanted to ask if you have time to help me check on her Pokémon."
Speaking to this point, Alan quickly looked up, "Of course, we will cover the expenses."
Lucas rubbed his chin with his hand.
Speaking of which, your good friend from the Sinnoh Region isn't studying at Jubilife Academy in Sinnoh but instead went to Celadon Academy in the Kanto Region; that's quite bold.
Celadon City, where Celadon Academy is located, is in the Kanto Region. Similar Pokémon academies include Striaton Academy in the Unova Region, Rustboro Academy in the Hoenn Region, and Jubilife Academy in the Sinnoh Region.
The Kanto Region, huh? Does this mean he's going on a business trip?
"Please, Lucas~"
Alan pleaded with Lucas.
An "Eww~" came from the other side.
Alan extended her right hand with a smile.
Lucas heard a 'Bang!', followed by an "Ah!", and then Ajak went silent.
Lucas thought for a moment. Winter seemed to be approaching, and business at the Breeding House had stabilized. Mr. and Mrs. Fujino were already skilled at looking after the Breeding House, and little boss Shauna was there too.
Thinking that going over wouldn't take too long, Lucas nodded.
"No problem."
Lucas felt that if he could help a Pokémon, he was very willing to do so.
Besides, Dragonite was in the Kanto Region. Going there to eat and drink on his dime wouldn't cost anything; he'd just consider it the fee for the time Dragonite spent resting at the Breeding House.
Alan happily thanked him repeatedly and kept saying that once he returned, he could report his expenses to her; she and Ajak would reimburse him.
Ajak, who had somehow regained his energy, appeared on screen with a pair of black eyes, grinning as he said thanks.
Lucas shook his head with a smile. After hanging up, he looked at the message Alan had sent over.
A very cute girl who could easily be mistaken for a child, but her Pokémon——seemed a bit domineering.
Charizard, Beedrill, Arbok, Vileplume, Raichu, and Onix.
The one with the problem was that Charizard.
According to the information Alan sent, it seemed that after losing a battle, it completely stopped following commands. Every time it battled now, it would seriously injure the opponent's Pokémon, so she didn't dare use Charizard for battles much anymore.
However, since the academies of various regional leagues would hold a joint competition, and she was a participant, if her ace couldn't fight, her chances of winning would be much lower, and she might even lose her eligibility.
Lucas rubbed the big cheek beside him.
"Yuan——Gengar, what do you think?"
Gengar's cheek was pressed into a dent by Lucas. Looking at the text on the phone, it spoke indistinctly: "Gen Gengar"
I think we need to go to the scene and have a look, maybe have a fight.
Lucas was amused; Gengar's thoughts aligned with his own.
Lucas already had a rough idea of what the situation was, but he still had to go and verify it in person.
Lucas spoke to Gothitelle and the others as they were heading out, asking them to tell the shop's customers today that he would be away on a business trip tomorrow and the day after.
Gothitelle nodded, then left with Shauna and the others.
Watching them leave, Lucas pulled out his phone and opened the chat with Lance.
"Are you in the Kanto Region?"
Lance:?
Lance: I'm in Blackthorn City.
You guy, what are you doing running off to Blackthorn City?
Oh right, you're the Champion of the Johto Region. Sorry, I almost forgot.
Lucas apologized in his heart, then explained the situation to him.
Lance: I see. Then I'll head over to the Kanto Region to pick you up tomorrow.
Lance: Then I'll accompany you to Celadon Academy.
Lucas: Speaking of which, is it really okay for you to Slack Off like this? You should know that you're carrying the security concerns of three regions on your shoulders.
Lance: ————
Lance: I came to Blackthorn City specifically to handle business! Traces of Team Rockets have appeared in Blackthorn City!
Lucas: Ah, right, right, right.
Lance: ————
Lance: I'm telling the truth. It's definitely not that I just wanted to come here.
Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
Then he sent a message to Cynthia.
Cynthia: I see. You're going to the Kanto Region tomorrow? Should I go pick you up?
Lucas: ————
You mean, we're both in the Sinnoh Region, then I go to the Kanto Region to handle things, and you go to the Kanto Region to pick me up?
Lucas: If we have that kind of time, we might as well just meet in the Sinnoh Region.
Cynthia: That's true.
Cynthia: Well then, I wish you success, Master Breeder Lucus.
Lucas: If you're going to talk like that, say more.
Cynthia: covering-mouth-laughing.jpg
Putting away his phone, Lucas stood up.
He went to the backyard to explain the situation to Dash and the others, then returned to the counter and looked at Lilligant.
Lilligant smiled slightly, indicating she understood.
She then jumped down from the chair and followed Gengar back to the room to pack Lucas's luggage.
Lucas went to explain the situation to Mr. and Mrs. Fujino; they said they would take good care of the Breeding House.
Without realizing it, they had also come to love this kind of life.
When they were free every day, they would sit in the garden, holding cute Pokémon in their arms, watching their precious daughter play happily and grow up with the Pokémon in the backyard.
Carefree.
This was the extravagant hope of so many parents and workers.
Isn't working just for the sake of retirement?
Now, at the Breeding House, it could be said that they were satisfied in every aspect.
At dinner time, Lucas also told Shauna.
Shauna chewed her food and nodded, "Uncle, do your best and earn more money. Shauna, Daddy, Mommy, and the other Pokémon will take good care of the Breeding House."
Lucas smiled and nodded.
The Kanto Region, huh? Speaking of which, he seemed to have never been to other regions. This was a good chance to go and see another region.
To see different Pokémon and environments.
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