The sound of an explosion woke every Pidgey in the western forest.
Hundreds of birds abandoned the treetops as a column of smoke rose above the Starfall mansion’s training field.
“That was too much,” Lucian said.
Growlithe emerged from the cloud with his fur covered in dust.
The Pokémon coughed, shook his body, and observed the crater he had created.
A training dummy lay several yards away.
The center of its body had been burned, and one of its arms was missing.
Elena looked at the dummy.
Then she looked at Growlithe.
“I’d say it worked.”
“The objective was to control the explosion, not destroy everything around it.”
Growlithe raised his chest.
He appeared proud of the result.
Absol stood beside Elena.
The Dark-type Pokémon examined the crater and then looked at Growlithe.
Her expression was difficult to interpret, but Lucian sensed amusement.
“Don’t encourage him,” he said.
Absol looked away.
Lucian was nine years old.
His silver-white hair nearly reached his eyes, and he had to tie it back during training to prevent it from interfering with his vision.
His psychic abilities had grown stronger, although their development hadn’t been as rapid as he had expected.
His grandfather constantly reminded him that the mind, like a muscle, could be damaged if forced beyond its limits.
Lucian had learned to listen.
Most of the time.
Metang floated behind the field.
After nearly a year, it had completely mastered its new body.
Its movements were no longer awkward, and it could use both arms independently during battle.
Its magnetic control had also improved.
It could change direction in midair, attract metallic objects, and create brief areas of altered gravity.
However, it was still far from evolving into Metagross.
The system had been clear.
Metang needed to complete its physical development and synchronize the two mental cores that formed its consciousness.
Forcing its evolution could cause psychic instability or permanent damage.
Lucian wasn’t willing to take that risk.
Growlithe, meanwhile, had grown to the size of a young adult.
His orange fur was thicker, the black stripes were more defined, and the mane around his neck was beginning to gain greater volume.
He hadn’t evolved.
Lucian had a high-quality Fire Stone stored inside one of the family’s secure chambers.
He could use it whenever he wanted.
However, Growlithe still had moves to learn and a body to develop.
They had both decided to wait.
The Fire-type returned to Lucian.
“The power was good,” the boy admitted.
“But Fire Blast won’t be useful if you can’t stop it from hitting your allies.”
Growlithe lowered his ears slightly.
“I didn’t say it was bad. We only need to work on directing the flames.”
The Pokémon raised his head again.
Elena approached the crater.
“Absol could dodge it.”
“That doesn’t make the attack safe.”
“Then we should test it.”
Lucian looked at her.
“You want to use Absol as a target?”
“Not as a target. In a battle.”
Absol stepped forward.
Growlithe immediately moved in front of her.
The rivalry had begun the day Lucian returned from Pallet Town and hadn’t weakened during the following three years.
They competed during races, tracking exercises, and even when receiving food.
Growlithe was physically stronger.
Absol possessed greater agility and an extraordinary ability to anticipate danger.
Their practice battles almost always ended without a clear winner.
“Not today,” Lucian said.
“Professor Oak will arrive in two hours.”
Elena stopped smiling.
“I forgot.”
“Daisy reminded you yesterday.”
“She reminded me that she was coming.”
“Oak is coming with her.”
“He isn’t the important part.”
Absol nodded.
Lucian began to suspect that Elena had influenced her partner too much.
“My grandfather will also battle Oak.”
Elena remembered immediately.
“They actually agreed?”
“They signed the rules last night so neither of them could try to change them.”
“Who wrote the rules?”
“Adrian.”
Elena looked toward the mansion, where her father was coordinating the preparations to receive their visitors.
“Then they’re probably reasonable.”
“Your father included a clause forbidding them from arguing with the referee for more than five minutes.”
“That won’t stop them.”
“No.”
The two old men had spent three years promising a rematch.
They always found a reason to postpone it.
Oak claimed Lucian’s grandfather only accepted battles when he had the advantage.
Alaric Starfall insisted Oak used his research as an excuse to avoid defeat.
Eventually, Daisy and Elena grew tired of listening to them.
During a video call, they challenged both men to prove which of them was telling the truth.
Neither could refuse without looking like a coward in front of their grandchildren.
Adrian was appointed referee.
The battle would take place in a prepared area far from the mansion and breeding centers.
Each Trainer would use only one Pokémon.
Moves directed outside the battlefield wouldn’t be allowed.
The match would end when one Pokémon could no longer continue or its Trainer surrendered.
Lucian had been waiting for a week.
He didn’t only want to know the outcome.
It was an opportunity to observe how two Trainers who had once come close to joining the Elite Four fought.
“We’ll finish for today,” he decided.
“Growlithe needs to recover his energy before they arrive.”
The Fire-type protested.
“You won’t participate in their battle.”
Growlithe looked at Absol.
“You aren’t battling her either.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“They could have a short match before dinner.”
“Depending on their condition afterward.”
“That’s almost a yes.”
“It isn’t.”
Metang descended and released a sound.
Lucian looked at it.
“Don’t encourage them either.”
Professor Oak’s ship arrived at noon.
Lucian and his grandfather waited at the harbor alongside Elena, Adrian, and several workers.
Daisy was the first to disembark.
At nine years old, her blonde hair reached her waist.
She wore it partially tied with a blue ribbon, while the rest fell freely down her back.
Swablu flew above her.
The small Pokémon had also grown.
Her wings were broader, and her white plumage had become more abundant.
The silver star-shaped clasp remained attached to the ribbon around her neck.
Daisy saw Lucian.
Her expression brightened.
She ran toward him.
Lucian barely had time to prepare before she hugged him.
“Finally!”
“We saw each other four months ago.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Not that long.”
Daisy moved away to examine him.
“You grew.”
“Three centimeters.”
“I didn’t need an exact measurement.”
“I thought you might be interested.”
Daisy smiled.
“You’re still the same.”
Swablu descended.
Instead of perching on top of Metang as she used to do when it was a Beldum, she attempted to settle on one of its arms.
Metang allowed her to do so.
The blue Pokémon sang.
Metang answered with a low sound.
Growlithe approached to greet Daisy.
She crouched and hugged him.
“You grew a lot.”
Growlithe wagged his tail with enough force to strike Gary as he stepped off the ship.
“Hey!”
Gary was six years old.
He wore a red jacket and carried a backpack with a Poké Ball symbol.
His brown hair had maintained the pointed style that seemed to become more pronounced with each passing year.
He looked at Growlithe.
“You’re bigger now.”
The Pokémon licked his face.
“You still do the same thing!”
Growlithe barked.
Gary wiped his face with his sleeve but then smiled and stroked his head.
“When I have my own Pokémon, you won’t be able to knock me down anymore.”
“You still have four years left,” Daisy said.
“I know.”
Gary looked up at Metang.
His eyes widened.
“Is that Beldum?”
“It evolved last year,” Lucian replied.
“It’s enormous.”
Metang descended.
Gary extended one hand, remembering what Lucian had taught him during his first visit.
The Pokémon approached by its own choice and touched his fingers with one claw.
“It remembers me too.”
“Probably.”
“Not probably. It remembers.”
Professor Oak disembarked behind his grandchildren.
He wore his white lab coat, although underneath he had dressed in clothing more suitable for battle.
An old Poké Ball rested on his belt.
Lucian’s grandfather stepped forward.
The two men stood face-to-face.
“Samuel.”
“Alaric.”
It was the first time Daisy and Gary had heard Lucian’s grandfather’s name used so formally.
Alaric Starfall looked at the Poké Ball on Oak’s belt.
“I thought you would find another excuse.”
“I traveled all the way to your island. It would be difficult to claim I’m trying to avoid the battle.”
“You could still pretend to be injured.”
Oak raised an eyebrow.
“My back is in better condition than yours.”
“That isn’t what you said after our last match.”
“Our last match was twelve years ago.”
“And you still refuse to accept that you lost.”
“Your Metagross left the battlefield first.”
“To prevent your attack from reaching the audience.”
“A convenient excuse.”
Adrian moved between them.
“The five-minute clause is already active.”
Oak looked at his watch.
“Not even two minutes have passed.”
“I’m preventing you from reaching five.”
Elena approached Daisy.
“They started before getting off the ship.”
Daisy sighed.
“During the journey, Grandpa practiced three different versions of what he would say when he arrived.”
Lucian looked at his own grandfather.
“Mine did too.”
The girls looked at each other.
“They’re impossible,” they said at the same time.
The battlefield prepared for the match was located in a rocky area near the coast.
Years ago, it had been used for high-level training.
The Starfall family had reinforced the natural walls with barriers capable of withstanding powerful attacks.
Even so, Adrian ordered all spectators to remain behind a safety zone.
Lucian stood in the front row.
Metang floated behind him.
Growlithe rested on one side, while Elena, Daisy, Absol, and Swablu occupied the other.
Gary stood between Daisy and Oak, although he constantly tried to move forward.
“You can’t go any closer,” Daisy said for the fourth time.
“I can’t see properly.”
“You’re in front of everyone.”
“Lucian is closer.”
“Because he can create a psychic barrier if an attack is deflected.”
Gary looked at Lucian.
“I’ll learn to do that too.”
“You don’t have psychic abilities,” Daisy replied.
“My Pokémon can learn Protect.”
“You don’t have one yet.”
Gary crossed his arms.
“You always say that.”
On the battlefield, Alaric released his partner.
Metagross appeared with a thunderous crash.
The ground cracked beneath its four legs.
The scars across its body shone beneath the sun, and its red eyes focused on the opposite side.
Lucian felt it pushing against his mental barriers.
Metang responded behind him.
It wasn’t fear.
It was respect.
“That Metagross is incredible,” Daisy whispered.
Lucian nodded.
“It has been with my grandfather since before he attempted to join the Elite Four.”
Oak took his Poké Ball.
“I assume you expected me to use Charizard.”
Alaric smiled.
“That’s why you won’t.”
“At least you learned something after all these years.”
Oak threw the sphere.
The light formed an enormous figure.
A Kangaskhan appeared on the battlefield.
She struck the ground with her tail and raised her head.
Several scars covered her stomach and arms.
She carried no young Pokémon inside her pouch.
Her presence wasn’t as overwhelming as Metagross’s.
But Lucian sensed absolute confidence.
Kangaskhan had participated in hundreds of battles.
“I thought he would use a Fire-type Pokémon,” Elena said.
“That would have been too obvious,” Lucian replied.
Daisy watched her grandfather.
“Kangaskhan was one of his first partners.”
Adrian raised both flags.
“The Trainers know the rules. There will be no substitutions and no attacks directed outside the battlefield. The match will end when one participant is unable to continue or their Trainer surrenders.”
The two old men never looked away from each other.
“Begin!”
Alaric acted first.
“Gravity.”
Metagross extended its legs.
Invisible pressure covered the battlefield.
Several stones sank into the ground.
Kangaskhan bent her knees but didn’t fall.
“Swords Dance,” Oak ordered.
Shining energy surrounded the Pokémon.
The strength of her arms increased.
Alaric narrowed his eyes.
“Meteor Mash.”
Metagross disappeared.
It wasn’t an instantaneous movement.
Its speed simply surpassed what most spectators could follow.
One of its front legs shone.
Kangaskhan raised both arms.
“Protect.”
A green barrier appeared.
Meteor Mash struck.
The sound of the collision echoed across the entire coast.
The barrier cracked but held.
“Fire Punch,” Oak ordered.
Kangaskhan allowed Protect to disappear.
Her fist became covered in flames and struck Metagross’s side.
The explosion separated both Pokémon.
Metagross slid several yards.
Kangaskhan shook her arm.
She had absorbed part of the impact even through the barrier.
Growlithe observed the flames with wide eyes.
So did Lucian.
Kangaskhan’s Fire Punch wasn’t large or uncontrolled.
All its energy had been concentrated at the exact point of impact.
It was what Lucian was trying to teach Growlithe.
“Watch how she kept the flames around her hand,” he said.
Growlithe never looked away.
“We aren’t training right now,” Elena protested.
“Observing is also training.”
“I knew you would say that.”
On the battlefield, Metagross lifted several rocks with its psychic powers.
“Rock Slide.”
The stones descended.
Kangaskhan ran.
Despite Gravity, she moved with surprising speed.
She struck the smaller rocks with her arms and dodged the larger ones.
One blocked her path.
“Brick Break.”
Kangaskhan shattered the rock.
Metagross appeared behind her.
“Zen Headbutt.”
Its body became covered in psychic energy.
Kangaskhan barely had time to turn.
The impact threw her into a stone wall.
Daisy stood.
“Kangaskhan!”
The wall cracked.
For several seconds, there was no movement.
Oak remained calm.
“Rest.”
The professor’s voice was low.
Kangaskhan opened her eyes.
A strange energy passed through her body.
Several injuries she had received during the battle began to recover.
“Metagross, don’t give her time,” Alaric ordered.
“Flash Cannon.”
A sphere of metallic light formed.
Oak raised one hand.
“Endure.”
The attack struck directly.
An explosion covered the wall.
Lucian instinctively activated his barriers.
The battlefield’s defensive systems absorbed the energy traveling toward the audience.
When the smoke dispersed, Kangaskhan remained standing.
Her legs trembled.
She had endured the attack while Rest restored some of her energy.
“Now, Earthquake.”
Kangaskhan struck the ground.
The entire battlefield shook.
Metagross attempted to rise, but Gravity was still active.
A crack opened beneath its legs and caused it to lose its balance.
Kangaskhan ran.
“Sucker Punch.”
Dark energy covered her fist.
She struck the cross on Metagross’s face.
The enormous Pokémon fell onto its side.
Gary began celebrating.
“It’s winning!”
“Not yet,” Lucian said.
Metagross drove one leg into the ground.
Its eyes glowed.
Kangaskhan tried to retreat.
Too late.
“Psychic,” Alaric ordered.
An invisible force trapped the Pokémon.
Her body rose despite the influence of Gravity.
Oak smiled.
“That’s what you were waiting for.”
Alaric didn’t answer.
“Kangaskhan, Body Slam.”
The Pokémon stopped resisting.
Instead of escaping the psychic field, she used the force lifting her to rotate her body.
Metagross threw her.
Kangaskhan adjusted her fall and descended directly on top of it.
The impact made the barrier tremble.
Both Pokémon remained inside a crater.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Adrian remained alert.
Metagross was the first to stand.
One of its front legs trembled.
Kangaskhan attempted to rise.
She placed one arm against the ground.
She lifted herself halfway.
Then she fell onto one knee.
Oak observed her.
“That’s enough.”
Kangaskhan growled.
She tried to stand again.
The professor shook his head.
“We don’t need to prove anything else.”
The Pokémon remained still.
Then she relaxed her shoulders.
Adrian raised Alaric’s flag.
“Kangaskhan is unable to continue. Victory goes to Alaric Starfall and Metagross.”
The spectators applauded.
Gary looked disappointed.
Daisy, however, ran toward the edge of the battlefield.
Oak approached Kangaskhan and placed a hand on her arm.
“You did well.”
The Pokémon lowered her head and touched her forehead against his.
Alaric walked over with Metagross.
His partner hadn’t escaped unharmed either.
“That was a good battle,” he said.
Oak looked at him.
“Is that all?”
“We won.”
“Metagross could barely remain standing.”
“But it did.”
“Because Kangaskhan received Psychic first.”
“A tactical decision.”
“You were lucky.”
“Twelve years, and you’re still looking for excuses.”
Adrian stepped between them.
“The battle ended thirty seconds ago, and you’re already arguing.”
“I’m not arguing,” Alaric said.
“I’m explaining why he lost.”
Oak raised an eyebrow.
“We can have another battle.”
“Whenever you want.”
“Not today,” Adrian interrupted.
Both old men looked at him.
“Both Pokémon require medical attention.”
Oak and Alaric fell silent.
Adrian pointed toward the exit.
“Infirmary.”
They obeyed, although they continued challenging each other with their eyes.
Elena began laughing.
“Now I understand why my father had to write the rules.”
Later, Lucian found his grandfather sitting outside the infirmary.
Metagross was receiving treatment inside.
It had no serious injuries, but it needed to rest after using so much energy.
Lucian sat beside the old man.
“The strategy with Gravity was risky.”
Alaric looked at him.
“Why?”
“It limited Kangaskhan’s speed, but it also prevented Metagross from flying to avoid Earthquake.”
“The field affected both of them.”
“Kangaskhan was prepared.”
“Metagross was too.”
Lucian waited.
His grandfather smiled.
“Oak knew I preferred controlling the terrain. I knew he would try to use it against me.”
“Then why did you use Gravity?”
“Because predicting something doesn’t mean you can prevent it.”
Lucian remembered Professor Oak’s words.
“You wanted to force him to use Earthquake.”
“And to approach. Kangaskhan could withstand our ranged attacks with Protect and Rest. We needed to catch her with Psychic.”
“But she used your throw to perform Body Slam.”
“Samuel always finds a way to turn his opponent’s strategy into his own advantage.”
The old man sounded satisfied when he said it.
“Then why do you argue so much?”
“Because he’s still wrong most of the time.”
Lucian didn’t entirely believe that answer.
“Kangaskhan was one of his first Pokémon.”
“Yes. Samuel found her protecting a baby that wasn’t her own. The mother had disappeared during a storm.”
“What happened to the baby?”
“It grew and formed its own group. Kangaskhan chose to remain with Samuel.”
Lucian looked toward the infirmary door.
“They trust each other a great deal.”
“As much as Metagross and I do.”
“Were they always that strong?”
Alaric laughed.
“When I met Metagross, it was still a Beldum that couldn’t travel in a straight line.”
Lucian tried to imagine the enormous Pokémon crashing into trees.
“Was it shiny?”
“No. It was only stubborn.”
“Like you.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
The old man looked at him.
Lucian maintained a serious expression.
Then they both began laughing.
Alaric observed the training field in the distance.
“You have one year.”
Lucian stopped smiling.
“I know.”
“One year before you can officially register as a Trainer.”
“I’m ready.”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
Lucian frowned.
“Metang has reached the Advanced category. Growlithe is close. I’ve completed the basic studies in breeding, first aid, navigation, and survival.”
“That proves you’re better prepared than most children your age. It doesn’t mean you’re ready for everything you’ll encounter.”
“I’ll never be prepared for everything.”
Alaric nodded.
“That’s a better answer.”
Lucian looked at his hands.
“What am I missing?”
“Failure when no one else can solve the problem for you.”
Lucian looked up.
“I’ve made mistakes before.”
“There was always an adult nearby. Me, Adrian, Oak, or one of the guardians. During your journey, there will be moments when you are the most prepared person in the group.”
The old man rested his arms on his knees.
“You’ll have to decide whether to enter a forest, trust a stranger, or face a Pokémon stronger than your entire team. If you make the wrong decision, your partners will suffer the consequences.”
“That’s why I train.”
“And that’s why you still have one year.”
Lucian remained silent.
He didn’t like hearing that he wasn’t ready.
But his grandfather wasn’t trying to prevent him from leaving.
He wanted to make sure Lucian returned.
“What will we do during that year?”
Alaric smiled.
“You’ll stop training only on the island.”
Lucian looked at him.
“We’re going to travel?”
“You’ll take short expeditions. Some with me. Others with Adrian and the guardians. You’ll visit different places in Kanto and learn how to solve problems outside our territory.”
“Pallet Town?”
“You’ll probably visit Oak.”
Lucian tried to keep his expression from changing.
His grandfather noticed.
“And Daisy.”
“She lives there.”
“Of course.”
“When do we begin?”
“After Metagross recovers and our guests return home.”
Lucian nodded.
One year.
It no longer seemed like such a long time.
The battle between Growlithe and Absol took place before dinner.
Lucian had expected both Pokémon to be too tired after watching their elders’ battle.
He was wrong.
Growlithe stood on the secondary field.
Absol waited on the opposite side.
Daisy took the referee’s position.
“This will be a practice battle,” she warned.
“It will end when one Pokémon leaves the battlefield, is unable to continue, or I decide there’s a risk of injury.”
Elena raised her hand.
“Why are you the referee?”
“Because you and Lucian are the Trainers.”
“Swablu could do it.”
The blue Pokémon tilted her head.
“Swablu can’t explain her decisions,” Daisy said.
“Absol would understand.”
“Growlithe wouldn’t.”
The Fire-type barked in protest.
Lucian moved into position.
“Daisy can referee.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“Of course you would say that.”
“There isn’t anyone else available. The adults are in the infirmary.”
“Fine.”
Daisy smiled.
“Trainers, prepare yourselves.”
Absol lowered her body.
Growlithe spread his legs.
They had waited three years for that match.
“Begin!”
“Quick Attack!” Elena ordered.
Absol disappeared.
“To the right,” Lucian said.
Growlithe jumped.
Absol passed beside him, turned on her paws, and used Slash.
“Block with Bite.”
Growlithe’s fangs caught the claw before it struck his side.
Both Pokémon became motionless.
Absol tried to pull her leg away.
Growlithe maintained his grip.
“Double Team,” Elena ordered.
Absol’s figure divided.
Growlithe bit an image that disappeared.
The real Absol appeared behind him.
“Razor Wind.”
A sharp current struck Growlithe’s back.
The Pokémon rolled, stood, and growled.
“Don’t chase her,” Lucian warned.
Growlithe observed the copies.
Absol moved between them.
“Use your sense of smell.”
The Fire-type closed his eyes.
The images had no scent.
He turned and released Ember to the left.
The real Absol jumped to evade it.
“Now, Flame Wheel!”
Fire surrounded Growlithe.
He launched himself toward her.
“Detect,” Elena ordered.
Absol’s eyes glowed.
Her body tilted at the exact moment required.
Growlithe passed only inches away.
Absol used his momentum to strike him with her side.
Flame Wheel was forced off course.
Growlithe stopped before leaving the battlefield.
Elena smiled.
“Aim better next time.”
“It isn’t over yet,” Lucian said.
Growlithe extinguished the flames.
Absol used Quick Attack again.
“Leer.”
The Fire-type didn’t move.
He waited.
When Absol appeared in front of him, Growlithe released an intimidating glare.
The Dark-type hesitated for a fraction of a second.
It was enough.
“Bite.”
Growlithe caught part of the fur around her neck.
He didn’t completely close his jaws.
Absol turned her body and dragged him along.
Both Pokémon rolled across the ground.
They separated almost simultaneously.
Growlithe breathed heavily.
Absol held one paw off the ground.
She wasn’t injured, but the impact had numbed it.
“Can you continue?” Elena asked.
Absol placed the paw down.
She nodded.
“Growlithe,” Lucian said.
The Fire-type raised his head.
He could continue too.
Daisy observed them both.
“You can perform one final exchange.”
Elena looked at Lucian.
“We’ll win with this one.”
“That hasn’t been decided yet.”
“Absol, Slash.”
“Growlithe, controlled Fire Blast.”
Absol’s claws shone.
Growlithe gathered fire inside his mouth.
The Dark-type ran.
The flames erupted.
It wasn’t the uncontrolled explosion from the morning.
Growlithe concentrated the fire into a narrow line.
Absol used Detect.
She saw the path and jumped aside.
But the attack changed.
Growlithe moved his head and created a curve of fire in front of her, not to strike her, but to block her advance.
Absol stopped.
“Over it!” Elena shouted.
The Pokémon jumped above the flames.
Growlithe was waiting.
He lunged toward her.
Absol turned in midair and used Slash.
Both attacks collided.
A cloud of dust covered the battlefield.
Daisy raised one hand.
“Stop!”
The silhouettes became visible.
Growlithe was on the ground.
Absol remained standing with one claw near his neck.
However, Growlithe’s fangs were only inches from one of her front legs.
If he had bitten, Absol would have lost her balance.
If she had completed Slash, Growlithe would have taken a direct hit.
Neither attacked.
“Draw,” Daisy declared.
Elena opened her mouth.
“Absol was standing.”
“Growlithe could have bitten her leg.”
“But he didn’t.”
“Absol didn’t complete her attack either.”
Lucian approached.
“It was a draw.”
Elena looked at him.
Then she looked at Absol.
The Dark-type moved away from Growlithe.
The Fire-type stood.
They looked at each other.
Absol extended one paw.
Growlithe touched it with his own.
Their rivalry wasn’t over.
But now there was respect between them.
Elena sighed.
“We’ll win next time.”
“Next time, Growlithe will have better control over Fire Blast.”
Daisy moved between them.
“Swablu and I will participate too.”
“That would turn the match into a three-way battle,” Lucian said.
“Exactly.”
“The rules would be complicated.”
“We can write them.”
“I’ll do it.”
Daisy and Elena answered at the same time.
“No.”
Lucian looked at them.
“Why?”
“Because you would write ten pages,” Elena said.
“Fifteen,” Daisy corrected.
“Only four would be necessary.”
They both began laughing.
Lucian didn’t understand what was so amusing.
Metang appeared above the field, carrying Gary in one of its arms.
“I’ll participate too once I have my Pokémon!” the boy shouted.
“Get one first,” Daisy replied.
“I will.”
Gary raised both arms.
Metang climbed a little higher.
“Higher!”
Lucian looked up.
“Not too high.”
Metang released a sound that resembled laughter.
The sun descended over Celestia Island.
The two old rivals had settled an unfinished score.
Growlithe and Absol had finally fought their first battle.
And Lucian had just discovered that his final year before the journey would be very different from all those that had come before.
He would no longer train only to be prepared.
He would begin discovering the world he would soon have to travel on his own.
End of Chapter 23