Not long ago, when Blue heard that Gardevoir had brought Elias back, she was stunned.
She hadn't expected the man who once saved both her and Silver to actually be alive.
But all in all, it was wonderful news.
Driven by curiosity, she had asked Gardevoir if she could visit Elias today.
Perhaps due to her previously loyal and dependable image, Gardevoir didn't guard against her like she did against Mew. On the contrary, she readily agreed.
However, upon seeing Elias in person, Blue realized he wasn't quite the "older man" she had imagined.
"Mr. Elias doesn't seem any different from before. In fact... he might even look younger?"
She said it with uncertainty.
After all, her memory of him was that of a gentle, well-mannered young man.
But so many years had passed—she'd gone from a child to a young woman. So why did he still look like a teenager?
The thought made her genuinely tempted to ask him for skincare tips.
"Well... let's just say there are some special circumstances,"
Elias replied vaguely, brushing it off. It wasn't like he could just start talking about the system.
And unlike someone like Lance, who had the subtlety of a boulder, Blue was sharp—if he tried to make up something about Celebi, she'd probably see through it in seconds.
Fortunately, Blue had emotional intelligence to match her intuition.
Seeing that Elias wasn't planning to explain further, she didn't press the matter. Instead, she changed the subject with a smile:
"Since you're up, Mr. Elias, why don't we head downstairs for breakfast?"
"Gardevoir's been waiting on you for a while."
"All right."
Following Blue down the stairs, Elias spotted Gardevoir sitting at the table, her chin resting on her hand, clearly lost in thought. The sight gave him a sense of raising-a-character-to-perfection pride.
Back then, Gardevoir never got up before ten. He had to prepare breakfast in advance.
Sometimes he'd even have to spoon-feed her like a full-on couch potato.
But now? Not only was she up earlier than him—she'd even learned to cook breakfast for him.
She's really grown.
With that thought, Elias walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Gardevoir's attention snapped back to reality at the sound.
She smiled gently and pointed at the sandwich and milk on the table. "I made it myself. Try it?"
Meeting her hopeful gaze, Elias took a small bite.
His eyes lit up.
"Tastes great."
It had been a long time since he'd had such a delicious breakfast.
After all, during the decade he'd spent in that simulated world, his meals had been made by the notorious kitchen menace—Tias.
Sure, after countless attempts, her cooking had improved to the point of being edible. But compared to Gardevoir's?
Not even close.
Gardevoir had this one in the bag.
Maybe this is the difference talent makes, Elias thought, suddenly grinning with mischief.
Under Gardevoir's puzzled gaze, he pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the sandwich.
Then he opened his messages and sent it to Lance, adding a caption:
"Gardevoir made this breakfast. Go get your fatty to cook for you too."
Satisfied, Elias put his phone away and resumed enjoying his breakfast.
---
Kanto Region — League Headquarters
While Elias was enjoying a delightful breakfast, Lance was buried in paperwork at his office desk.
Judging from the aggressive scribbling of his pen, his mood was anything but pleasant.
And for good reason—ever since he'd decided to go for the Champion title, he hadn't had a single day off.
The League's old fogeys were working him like a pack mule—wherever help was needed, he got hauled in.
Today was more of the same, and Lance was one desk-flip away from quitting.
As he slammed his pen down again, his phone buzzed.
His hand paused.
He always kept his phone on silent during work. The only time it would ring was if someone on his "priority" list messaged him.
Curious, he picked it up—and saw it was from Elias.
What does he want this early in the morning? Lance wondered.
Then the photo and message popped up.
And nearly broke him.
"Elias!"
Lance ground out the name through clenched teeth.
He knew it—nothing good ever came from Elias this early.
Not only did he have the nerve to show off his breakfast, he even told him to get Dragonite to cook for him.
With those stubby, chubby hands? The best-case scenario would be not demolishing the kitchen!
After silently cursing Elias with a few choice words, Lance noticed a detail in the message.
"Gardevoir?"
"He already found Gardevoir?"
If he remembered right, just a few days ago Elias had asked him to keep an eye out for her whereabouts.
He hadn't expected them to reunite so soon—but that was a good thing.
Lance tapped out a quick reply: "Buzz off." Then just as he was about to set his phone down and resume work, a sudden chill crept up his spine.
"Who's there?!"
He spun around, instinctively tossing out a Poké Ball containing Dragonite.
BOOM—
Dragonite's bulky figure appeared, cramming the room.
Lance's eye twitched as he remembered Elias's joke about getting Dragonite to cook.
He quickly shook off the image and scanned the room.
That cold, breath-on-the-neck sensation from earlier definitely wasn't his imagination.
Someone had snuck into his office.
Just as Lance was about to have Dragonite fire off an attack, a purple blur phased up from the floor in the corner.
"Gah-hah~"
A startled Lance blinked at the sudden appearance of the pudgy ghost.
"Gengar?"
Once he was sure he wasn't seeing things, he frowned in surprise.
This wasn't just any Gengar—this one belonged to Elias.
But something was clearly off. Gengar's eyes drooped, and he looked completely drained.
Worse—his face was covered in bruises, like he'd been beaten senseless.
Who the hell could beat up this Gengar? Rayquaza?
While Lance was still puzzling it out, Gengar floated closer with a pitiful expression.
"Gah-hah gah-hah! (Give me a second—let me eat first, then I'll explain everything.)"
Snatching a can of Pokémon food off Lance's desk, Gengar waved lazily and dug in.
Lance narrowed his eyes.
He couldn't understand Gengar's language like Elias could, but he more or less got the message.
Like trainer, like Pokémon.
Still, since Gengar said he'd explain later, Lance decided not to press it.
He sat off to the side and watched the purple blob eat with gusto.
---
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it… or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Heads up—Patreon's 50% off for all tiers during May. So if you were on the fence? Now's the time.
And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.
👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]
Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf