Two days later, after getting everything in order at home, Cole packed his Pokémon, shouldered his storage backpack, and set off with his mom.
Two years of growth had transformed Daisy into someone more composed. When still, she radiated an elegant aura — she was truly beautiful.
On the aircraft to Lumiose, Cole noticed many passengers stealing glances at his mom, which infuriated him. These old perverts wouldn't stop even when he glared at them, he thought as he shifted to block their view.
Some were so brazen that only his fiercest glares made them back off.
Daisy had noticed it all, covering her mouth to giggle each time her son glared at someone.
Upon reaching Lumiose, Cole headed to Centrico Plaza to wait for Lysandre. The city had grown more modern in the past two years, with sleek skyscrapers adorned with electronic billboards of various sizes.
These billboards cycled through different advertisements, dominated by Lysandre Company's communication wristbands. His face seemed to follow pedestrians everywhere — a testament to the company's vast advertising budget.
Diantha's new movies and product endorsements also featured prominently in the rotation.
The city bustled with more activity than before, as trainers and tourists from other regions strolled the streets with their Pokémon.
As Kalos's largest city, Lumiose was evolving into a modern metropolis of the Pokémon world.
Cole sat quietly on a street bench waiting for Lysandre. Hearing a pleasant voice from a nearby street performer, he released Brionne.
To his surprise, Brionne darted over to the performer, eager to sing together. The easygoing performer happily agreed, and after their song, he was thrilled to discover he was actually a fan of Brionne's band.
Though Brionne looked even more beautiful in person than in livestreams and videos, the fan hadn't recognized it immediately. But once it started singing, recognition dawned instantly.
It really is a small world.
Cole let Brionne continue performing with its newfound fan.
Later, someone recorded their duet and posted it online, giving Brionne a burst of fame and many new streaming followers. But that's another story — for now, the sea lioness remained blissfully absorbed in performing for passersby.
Not far from Cole, children were having Pokémon battles on a makeshift battlefield they'd created in a patch of grass.
One child with a Braixen seemed to be the strongest. After defeating the others in succession, his confidence and sense of achievement soared.
Cole had been idly watching their battles to pass the time, but the Braixen's trainer misinterpreted his attention.
When his companions grew tired of practicing, the trainer frowned, then noticed Cole.
"Hey!" He called out.
Cole didn't realize he was being addressed and continued watching, expecting another match.
"Hey, you over there in the blue clothes, sitting on the bench!"
Only then did Cole realize he must be the one being called — after all, he was the only person in blue sitting nearby.
He pointed to himself questioningly.
"Yes, you! Want to have a Pokémon battle? I've seen you watching us!" The Braixen's trainer called out.
"Yeah, come join us!" His companions encouraged.
Cole's first instinct was to decline, but he reconsidered — Lysandre hadn't arrived yet, so why not have some fun?
He stood up and walked over with Daisy as the children eagerly made space in their battle area.
Though Cole thought of them as children, they were actually his age — all around thirteen or fourteen. He felt like an impostor among them, like an old cucumber painted green.
Once they took their positions, the boy introduced himself, "I'm Hoshino, and this is my Pokémon, Braixen."
After thinking for a moment, Hoshino pulled out a Poké Ball.
"This Poké Ball will be the stakes. If you win, it's yours."
Cole remained silent.
A Poké Ball was a fitting stake for a street battle, being worth several hundred after all.
Cole rummaged through his storage backpack and pulled out some berries, "These are B-grade berries. If you win, they're yours."
The B-grade berries were worth about the same as a Poké Ball.
Hoshino nodded with satisfaction.
"By the way, I'm Cole, and my Pokémon is Chikorita." Cole said as he took out Chikorita's Poké Ball.
With a flash of red light, the little green bean appeared on the grass.
"Chiko~ Chiko~"
Chikorita enthusiastically declared war on the opposing Braixen.
Hoshino's eyes widened in disbelief. He pointed at Daisy, "You mean you're going to battle with this Chikorita, not that Gardevoir?"
Cole: ...
"Is there something wrong with Chikorita?"
"Are you looking down on me?" Hoshino's face reddened.
"How could that be? I'm very serious!" Cole replied innocently.
"But still..."
A Chikorita couldn't possibly win against Braixen from any angle! Basic form versus evolved form. Grass-type versus Fire-type. How could this work?
Cole thought: Your Braixen couldn't possibly win against my Daisy either!
"Oh my, oh my~ you're overthinking it. I just want to give my Chikorita some training. When it loses, I'll send out Gardevoir!" Not wanting to get into a battle of pride with a kid, Cole simply went along with his wishes.
"I'm not disrespecting you, I just want to train my Pokémon."
Hoshino's expression softened. If this was about training a newly caught Pokémon, he could understand that — every trainer knew the excitement of working with a new partner.
Chikorita: ╰(‵□′)╯
Having overheard Hoshino's earlier doubts, Chikorita puffed its cheeks and glared at its opponent, determined to prove its worth.
"Well... let's begin then!"
The two Pokémon took their positions at the center of the field.
"Braixen, greet Chikorita with Ember!" Hoshino commanded confidently.
"Brai~"
Braixen raised its stick with a gentle wave, summoning a fireball at its tip.
"Brai~"
With a casual flick, it launched the fireball toward Chikorita.
"Chiko~ Chiko~ Chiko~" — Watch my performance!
Chikorita called out excitedly as its opponent attacked.
Its tiny feet planted firmly on the ground as a massive green leaf transformed into a blade, slicing through the air. With a swift swoosh, the blade split Braixen's fireball in two, dispersing it into sparks.
Hoshino's eyes widened before he smiled, "Looks like your Chikorita does have some skill."
The dismissive tone made Chikorita bristle with indignation. It stomped its foot and darted forward.
As it ran, circles of green ripples spread beneath its feet, causing the grass to grow rapidly in their wake.
Hoshino stared in disbelief — this seemingly ordinary Chikorita knew Grassy Terrain.
"Braixen, use Fire Spin!" He called out.
"Brai~ Brai~"
Braixen twirled its stick like a wand, conjuring rings of fire that transformed into serpentine flames, all lunging toward their target.
Yet Chikorita showed no fear. Even as flames threatened to singe its tail, it maintained its steady pace through the grassy field. Each time the flames seemed about to strike, they fell just short of their mark.
While Hoshino's friends cheered from the sidelines, Braixen grew increasingly frustrated, unable to land a single hit on the nimble Chikorita.
Thanks to Grassy Terrain constantly restoring its energy, Chikorita ran tirelessly — a testament to grass-type Pokémon's impressive stamina.
"Hm? What's that smell?" Hoshino wrinkled his nose curiously.
His friends on the sidelines noticed it too.
"Hoshino, it's Sweet Scent! That Chikorita used Sweet Scent!" One of the girls called out.
Understanding dawned on Hoshino's face.
But it was too late — Braixen in the center of the field had already succumbed to Sweet Scent's effects. Its mind grew hazy and its steps unsteady.
So sweet! The scent was overwhelming!
Braixen's vision began to blur — why did Chikorita suddenly appear to multiply?
Sweet Scent was a move Chikorita had learned naturally. Due to its exceptional talent, its Sweet Scent differed from other grass-type Pokémon's.
While other Pokémon's Sweet Scent merely slowed their opponents' reactions and weakened their dodging ability, Chikorita's version was uniquely potent. A single whiff could disorient Pokémon and make them lose control of their movements. The weaker the Pokémon, the more susceptible they were to its effects.
Soon enough, Braixen collapsed to its knees, unable to continue.
Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~~~
Chikorita launched a barrage of Razor Leaf attacks, defeating Braixen completely.
"I... I can't believe my Braixen... lost to a Chikorita..." Hoshino stammered in disbelief.
Clap Clap Clap...
Sudden applause drew Cole's attention. He turned to see Lysandre had arrived.
"Wow~ It's Mr. Lysandre~"
Some children whispered in excitement.
Their reaction was understandable — with Lysandre's image prominently displayed on the electronic billboard across the street, he was impossible to miss.
"When did you get here? You should have said something!" Cole asked after returning Chikorita to its Poké Ball.
"You were in a battle, I didn't want to disturb you." Lysandre replied with a smile.
Hoshino stood stunned — he couldn't believe his random street challenge had led him to someone who knew Mr. Lysandre personally.
"Since you're here, let's get going." Cole said.
"Alright, my car is parked nearby." Lysandre agreed, gesturing in one direction.
Cole looked where Lysandre pointed and saw an elegant black luxury car.
"Hoshino, this is where our battle ends!" He called out as he prepared to leave.
"Ah? Oh... okay..." Hoshino responded, dazed. After a moment, he ran up to Cole and held out his Poké Ball, "Your prize!"
Even if a Poké Ball might not mean much to someone who knew Mr. Lysandre personally, a promise was a promise!
Cole smacked his forehead, "Oh right, I almost forgot."
Taking the Poké Ball from Hoshino, he also handed him the Berry he was holding.
"This is for you."
Hoshino hesitated, "But... but I lost..."
Cole pressed it into his hand, "It's not the battle prize — consider it a gift from me."
"Th-thank you." Hoshino said, finally accepting the berry.
Just then, Brionne returned from its playtime, and Cole gathered it and Daisy as they left Centrico Plaza with Lysandre in his car.
What Cole didn't notice was that across from the plaza, in an electronics repair shop, a burly bearded man had been watching his battle from the doorway.
Only after Chikorita's victory did he return to work inside the shop at an Electivire's call.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Cole traveled in Lysandre's car to his Lumiose residence, where a private aircraft sat waiting on the lawn. This would be their transport to Galar.
After briefly resting at Lysandre's home, they boarded the aircraft and took off.
They were headed to Wyndon, the site of the upcoming auction.
✲✲✲
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