The familiar sensation—
Space twisting.
Vision blurring.
In the next instant—
Su Yi descended once more into the Pokémon world.
Isle of Armor
Focus Forest.
But—
Just like how the New World had "welcomed" him with Kushala Daora—
This world clearly didn't want to lose either.
Before Su Yi could even steady himself—
A sharp shout exploded behind him.
"WHO'S THERE?!"
A violent gust—
Tore through the air.
"—?!"
Su Yi barely had time to react—
Crossing his arms instinctively in front of his chest.
BOOM!!
A heavy impact detonated against him.
For a split second—
Su Yi saw…
God.
Creation.
The universe.
"PUAAA—!"
Like Dio getting ORA'd into orbit—
He was sent flying.
CRASH!!
He hit the ground—
Hard.
Second damage.
Critical hit.
"SU YI!!"
Lulu burst out of the Poké Ball—
Pouncing over him in panic.
"ARE YOU OKAY?! DON'T DIE ON ME NYAA!!"
"…A… human?!"
The attacker froze.
Lulu turned—
Eyes blazing.
Gripping her bone blade.
"WHO ARE YOU?!"
"ARE YOU ALSO A POKÉMON NYAA?!"
"…It talks?!"
"Cough—cough—"
Su Yi raised a trembling hand.
"Lu… Lulu…"
"I'm alive…"
"…give me… potion…"
"COMING NYAA!"
He grabbed the bottle—
Hands shaking—
Gulp.
Gulp.
Finally—
Breath returned.
"…I'm good…"
He looked up.
And saw—
A girl.
Headband.
Fitted combat uniform.
Barefoot.
Arm guards.
Knee guards.
Behind her—
Machop
Machoke
Machamp
No doubt.
Bea.
The Galar Fighting-type prodigy.
"…So THIS is human Machamp power…"
Su Yi muttered weakly.
"…You?!"
Bea recognized him too.
"…I'm so sorry!"
"I thought you were a wild Pokémon attacking me!"
"I reacted on instinct!"
She stepped forward—
Pulled him up.
"…This… what kind of POWER is this…"
Su Yi's arms trembled.
Still hurting.
"…Why did you suddenly appear behind me?"
Bea frowned.
Su Yi coughed.
"…Teleport."
"My Pokémon brought me here."
"…I see."
She nodded.
Then—
Bowed again.
"I was reckless."
"I sincerely apologize."
"…We're both at fault."
Su Yi waved it off.
"…But you're the one injured."
Bea looked serious.
"I'll carry you back to camp."
Su Yi: "…NO THANK YOU."
(If this gets out, my hunter career is OVER.)
"I have a partner."
"Come out—Kulu!"
"Gah?"
Kulu looked confused.
Why is this guy half-dead already??
"…Another unknown Pokémon…"
Bea muttered.
"At least let me escort you—"
"NO NEED."
Su Yi climbed onto Kulu—
Sweating.
"Kulu—retreat!"
"GAH!"
And just like that—
They left.
Bea stood there.
"…Strange guy."
— Awkward Reunion
Back at the dojo—
Su Yi sat—
Hands bandaged.
Bea walked in.
…Silence.
Eye contact.
…
"…Oh! Bea's back!"
Mustard laughed.
"And this is Su Yi—the one who provided all your food ingredients!"
"Oh—and the medicine you've been using?"
"Also made by him."
Bea: "…Oh."
Guilt ↑
Then—
"Oh, what a shame…"
Honey sighed.
"If Su Yi hadn't been kicked by a Machamp and injured both arms…"
"…you could've tasted his cooking tonight."
Su Yi: "WAIT—"
Too late.
Bea: "…Machamp?"
Her face turned red.
Guilt ↓
Anger ↑
"…That was just a metaphor!"
Su Yi weakly defended.
Bea looked at his bandaged arms.
"…I won't argue with a patient."
Mercy granted.
— Night Thoughts
Dinner—
Galar curry.
Su Yi ate quietly—
But his mind raced.
Cooking ideas.
Recipes.
Then—
At night—
He held up an egg.
Pukei-Pukei egg.
Light passed through.
Embryo visible.
"…About to hatch."
He glanced aside.
Another nest.
Rathalos egg.
With Larvesta sleeping on top.
"…When will you hatch…"
He lay down.
"Tomorrow…"
"More supplies…"
"Capture Pukei-Pukei…"
"Then head to the Wildspire Waste…"
"…Heh."
"…I'm coming."
Sleep.
— Morning
Recovery.
Mostly healed.
Helping with breakfast—
Bea entered.
Her gaze—
Different.
Su Yi: "…why do I feel danger…"
"…Su Yi."
"I heard…"
"You fought Leon's main team."
"…Barely."
"He didn't even use Dynamax."
"…How do you know he held back?"
Su Yi shrugged.
"…He didn't take off his hat."
…
Bea: "…?"
Su Yi smiled.
"When he removes the cape…"
"When he removes the hat…"
"He's no longer fighting as Champion—"
"But as a Trainer."
"A battle without restraints."
"…I see…"
Bea lowered her head.
Thinking.
Pressure.
Doubt.
Direction.
Then—
She looked up.
Determined.
"Su Yi."
"Battle me."
"…Oh?"
Su Yi grinned.
"…It's been a while."
"Let's do it."
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