Luther stumbled back into the Pokémon Center, soaked with sweat, right around 7:00.
After a quick chat with Houndoom, he entrusted the Pokémon to Grayson's care.
Grayson's team was a collection of older, abandoned Pokémon, each with a story of its own.
Machamp had been ditched by its trainer and later crossed paths with Grayson in the wild.
Zangoose, handed over to the Day Care by its second owner when its battling prowess faded with age, was never picked up again.
Fearow, Grayson's very first partner, was now showing the wear of its years.
And now, Houndoom, another senior, joined the ranks.
Inside the International Police, some teased that Grayson's crew was more like a retirement home, a jab he didn't bother to refute.
It 'was' a bit like that, in a way, he planned to stick with these Pokémon, seeing them through to the end of their journey together.
But he bristled at the idea that age meant weakness. He'd told colleagues and friends alike that growing old didn't dim their strength, and he meant it.
Luther had met all sorts of folks since arriving in this world, but Grayson stood out as the first truly unshakeable soul he'd encountered.
A man who despised injustice, refused to back down, and had carved out his own legacy, quietly awaiting the day he'd leave this world on his own terms.
After rinsing off and towel drying down his Pokémon, Luther felt like a new person.
Misdreavus, though, had zero interest in bath time. Luther tried to give her a quick rinse with the showerhead, but she zipped around the bathroom, dodging every attempt.
Jumpluff and Ralts, on the other hand, reveled in the morning run and the warm shower that followed, lingering under the spray as if they never wanted it to end.
Cradling Marill, who was still puffing little bubbles, Luther headed to the front desk to grab breakfast for his four Pokémon.
The Pokémon Center offered free meals tailored to each Pokémon's tastes.
Trainers got free breakfast too, though lunch and dinner came with a fee.
Today's spread featured cake and porridge. Cake first thing in the morning felt a tad indulgent, but Luther grabbed two slices anyway, ladled some porridge into a bowl, tossed in a handful of stir-fried sweet berries, and dug in.
The cake was already set out in the Food Box on the floor, and Marill's appetite never disappointed. Luther couldn't finish his share, but Marill was always ready to step in.
Misdreavus kept sneaking glances at Marill's Feeding Bowl, and Luther couldn't shake the sense that she was different from the rest of his team. She never showed her wants or feelings outright.
He wandered back to the counter, and under Nurse Joy's watchful eye, he sheepishly snagged two more slices of cake for Misdreavus's bowl.
Misdreavus swooped in gleefully, lapping up the whipped cream in seconds, only to lose interest in the cake beneath it.
It's a good thing Marill was there.
Spotting Misdreavus's leftovers, Marill got the okay and merrily polished off the creamless slices.
Luther was starting to suspect his Marill might secretly be a Snorlax in disguise.
The Pokémon Center served meals for just an hour, from 8:00 to 9:00, during the free breakfast window. As the clock ticked on, the dining area buzzed with more and more Trainers piling in.
Today, though, the Pokémon Center was unusually packed. Luther rarely saw many folks during his morning runs, but now the dining area, big enough for dozens, was overflowing, with Pokémon and Trainers squeezed in tight.
Then he spotted a familiar face, and the puzzle clicked into place.
A girl with a high ponytail, cradling an Eevee, plopped down across from Luther. With no other seats free, she'd picked his table after recognizing him.
"Small world, huh?" She said.
It really was. Luther had crossed paths with her every day on their morning jogs, and they'd gotten to know each other a bit.
"Luther, from Twinleaf Town," he said, offering a quick intro.
"I'm Mai, from Sunyshore City."
Luther had been brushing up on Sinnoh's geography during a break from his journey.
Sunyshore City, home to Champion Cynthia, was the region's biggest, busiest hub, a thriving coastal spot that had churned out tons of top-tier Pokémon Trainers thanks to its prime location.
Luther slurped some porridge and glanced around. "Bit crowded today, huh? I don't usually see this many people piling in for breakfast."
"Oh, they're setting up a big screen in the rehab and battle zones to show the Champion League match. The Elite Four, including Lucian, are taking on Cynthia. Everyone's here to watch."
Mai scooped a bit of cake into Eevee's mouth.
Luther froze and then silently apologized to Lucian in his head. He'd promised to root for him and tune into the broadcast, but it had nearly slipped his mind.
"Who're you betting on?" Luther asked.
Mai grinned. "Cynthia. I'm from Sunyshore, so I've gotta back our hometown hero. But I'm rooting for Lucian too."
"Oh yeah? How come?" Lucian had done a lot for Luther, but he didn't see him beating Cynthia.
Why? Because Luther had watched that match where Lucian went down hard. How could he believe Lucian stood a chance? Garchomp had tanked Bronzong's full-on blast and smashed back with a one-hit KO, the memory was crystal clear in his mind.
"Hmm, how do I put it?" Mai wrinkled her nose, frowning as she fished for words. "Cynthia's won so much it's almost boring, and it feels unfair to count Lucian out. I'd love to see an upset."
Marill, stuffed from breakfast, flopped down next to Jumpluff, who shot her a snooty look and nudged her away, refusing to be her pillow. Ralts, meanwhile, cozied up to Jumpluff, sprawling out in total comfort.
Mai and Luther kept up their easy chatter while Misdreavus eyed Eevee with a glint of curiosity and maybe a dash of mischief. Luther's sharp glance stopped her in her tracks.
Mai followed his stare and noticed Misdreavus fixated on Eevee. She reached for a cloth to wipe the whipped cream smeared on Misdreavus's face.
Luther jumped in quickly, scooping Misdreavus into his arms and gently dabbing the cream off with a napkin instead.
"My Misdreavus has some rough memories of people, she's still not used to them… sorry about that."
Mai's cheeks flushed, and she waved her hands dismissively. "No, no, it's fine! I shouldn't have been so careless. You're an incredible Trainer to have bonded with her, especially with her past."
"You're pretty impressive yourself, coming all the way from Sunyshore City to Oreburgh."
Mai's face turned an even deeper red, and she dropped her gaze, mumbling, "Well, I actually flew straight to Oreburgh on a plane…"
Luther blinked, caught off guard. He'd just started to find his groove chatting with Mai, and now his attempt at a compliment had flopped, leaving him scrambling for a recovery.
Before he could figure out how to break the awkward pause, the dining area began to empty out as Trainers shuffled toward the exit. Luther glanced at his Pokégear, the Champion League match was about to kick off.
In the rehab and battle zones, a massive screen dominated the wall. Nurse Joy fiddled with the connection until the broadcast flickered to life.
Trainers around them started calling out their Pokémon, and the air sparkled with bursts of light as Poké Balls opened, revealing a lively crowd of companions.
Those with bigger Pokémon, like a towering Steelix or a bulky Rhydon, would give a quick apology to nearby Trainers, a heads-up for the space they'd take up. The area buzzed with energy as Pokémon of all kinds mingled, painting a colorful scene.
Nurse Joy, ready for the excitement, grabbed a megaphone and called out, reminding everyone to keep their Pokémon in check and avoid any scuffles that could spiral into trouble.
"Why're they letting their Pokémon out?" Luther asked.
Mai, already pulling a Poké Ball from her belt, answered without looking up. "The Champion match is top-tier stuff. It's not just a chance for Trainers to study high-level battles, Pokémon can pick up a lot from watching too."
"Come on out, Slowbro, Corsola, Pachirisu!" Mai released her trio in one smooth motion.
Luther's eyes zeroed in on her Corsola. Unlike the usual soft pinks or reds, this one shimmered in a rare, frosty blue.
Mai had a 'shiny' Corsola!
Noticing his stare, Mai nudged Corsola toward him and his team. Jumpluff, clearly smitten by the sleek, faintly glowing Corsola, bounced over before Luther could rein it in, circling the unique Pokémon with wide-eyed curiosity.
Mai didn't seem to mind, and Corsola chirped happily, enjoying Jumpluff's attention.
Marill, meanwhile, tilted its head, comparing its own blue hue to Corsola's. Both were blue, sure, but Corsola's striking sheen had it wondering why 'it' didn't turn heads the same way.
Next to the sturdy, well-trained Slowbro and the Pachirisu decked out in a cute little scarf, Corsola still stole the show. Rare finds like that were like a flare in the night, other Trainers couldn't help but gawk, even with the match looming. Eyes drifted toward Mai from all corners.
But then some Trainers clocked Luther and the hovering Misdreavus beside him. A few quickly tugged their Pokémon back, putting a little space between them. The reaction rippled outward, and soon an open circle formed around Luther and Mai in the packed room.
Luther got it. Just a few days back, he'd taken down a cocky Trainer named Milo in a battle here, leaving a mark on everyone who'd seen it. Misdreavus's fierce strength in that fight had stuck with them, making folks cautious now.
Especially since Luther, as a Pokédex owner, had not hesitated to engage in battle, his reputation had grown as a notorious figure.
Rumors circulated that Luther despised Pokémon trading and had a brutal battle style, often leaving opponents with more than just a loss.
This narrative had become exaggerated; those present understood why he had fought Minlong.
However, Luther couldn't explain himself. Public opinion and rumors tend to spiral out of control, and the more one tries to clarify, the more convoluted it becomes. It was better to let things unfold naturally.
Continuing to seek recommendations, Luther had consistently updated for thirty days, proving himself as a Rookie writer who wouldn't abruptly stop. He hoped for some support in the form of votes.
(End of Chapter)
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