novelraw Chapter 779: Kalos League Concludes! A New Journey
Chapter 779: Kalos League Concludes! A New Journey
The Lumiose Conference drew to a close, and the long, arduous Kalos League journey was finally coming to an end.
Having become the conference champion, Ash was preparing to challenge the Kalos Elite Four, with the Steel-type Elite Four member Wikstrom standing as his first major obstacle.
Because the Elite Four seat’s ownership had been decided, Wikstrom would show no mercy, and Ash’s chances of victory were slim.
Still, even without becoming an Elite Four member, this was the start of a new journey.
For Ash, reaching the top of the Lumiose Conference alongside Bond Greninja meant his goal had been achieved.
Chat group members flooded the group with congratulations about Ash’s championship.
“That was not easy, Ash,” Brock said with feeling.
“He lost six conferences before, it’s amazing he didn’t give up,” Ash said.
Ash scratched his head and said, “Heh heh, because my dream is to become a Pokémon Master.”
Bamboo Lan smiled encouragingly, “I believe you and Pikachu can do it.”Ash sent a sticker of Pikachu rubbing its cheek.
“@Ash, you still have a long way to go, keep working,” Green said coldly.
“Yes!” Ash replied loudly.
“Not bad, little bro!” A-Jin wiped his nose and grinned, “You’ve already got half my level!”
Kris reminded, “It seems you’ve never participated in any League tournaments.”
“Oh, I was just giving the younger generation some opportunities,” A-Jin waved.
Silver popped the bubble: “Clearly he didn’t collect enough badges, so he had no qualification to challenge.”
A-Jin: “Shut up!”
The seventh Pewter Gym is guarded by Liu Bo, after all!
If he had given me the badge in the Gym matches, that would be the strange thing!
Teacher Lu’s thoughts wandered.
Some Pokédex Holders had participated in six conferences and, as veterans, finally won a conference championship;
others didn’t even qualify to enter a League tournament. I won’t say who…
Steven looked a bit regretful;
both Alain and Shota were his favored juniors.
But both of them showed talent and strength, and the final clash of Mega Charizard X versus Bond Greninja earned Steven’s admiration.
“Keep it up for the next Champion League, Ash,” Steven smiled, “If you defeat Wikstrom, you’ll become the new Kalos Elite Four member.”
“Most likely the Flying-type Elite Four member,” Teacher Lu said.
A-Jin couldn’t help himself, hands twitching: “@Yu Long Du.”
Yu Long Du: ?
[Group member ‘A-Jin’ has been muted by administrator ‘Yu Long Du’ for 24 hours.]
Putting lineup strength aside, Ash’s own trainer level still has a long way to go before reaching Elite Four status.
But if a League champion loses an Elite Four challenge and then goes to Alola to train, that too is a fine story.
Shortly after the Lumiose Conference, the “Triple Crown Satellite Cup” Master division finals would take place, with Serena and Musashi both attending.
For Serena to debut as a newcomer and immediately make the Master division final is quite rare.
Teacher Lu hoped she could claim the title of Kalos Queen, but had to admit the other contestants each had experience and strengths. Even Musashi came from a Coordinator background, and her performance foundation was more solid than Serena’s.
Moreover, shifting from being a Performer to a Coordinator might not be a bad change for Serena.
Winter stretched on;
snowflakes fell over Lumiose City, barren treetops hosting Fletchlings whose gazes reflected passing trainers and Pokémon.
Haunter wore a scarf and carried a large paper bag of ingredients, walking cheerfully.
Lu Ye wore a scarf and dark trench coat, no cane, but Sylveon’s ribbon was tied around his wrist. The little creature walked with a lofty air, not even glancing at Lu Ye.
Passing the alley entrance, the sneaky delinquent group “Lumiose Gang” cast looks at Sylveon, faces changing wildly;
they suddenly turned their heads, bodies trembling.
Oh no… don’t shake your legs, don’t make a sound, don’t let that pink demon see!
Only after Teacher Lu and Sylveon left did the delinquents breathe a long sigh, backs soaked with sweat as they looked up at the sky.
The alley’s gray sky looked like ink on rice paper, and dark crows flew past.
“Give it up,” muttered the ringleader, “I miss my mama and the fireplace’s Magnemite…”
Back at the café, Teacher Lu set about preparing lunch.
Tomorrow Musashi and Serena would compete.
Then, after Bamboo Lan finished her busy period and took her leave, the two would set off for Alola.
Water rushed and gurgled as Lu Ye washed apple-like fruits, a crisp bite and snap.
“Melo~♪”
Meloetta floated above, cradling a small guitar and strumming while other Pokémon gathered around, eyes shining as they listened.
A phone on the cleaning counter buzzed;
Lu Ye glanced at it and waved to activate the projector, surprised:
“Champion Green? What’s the matter?”
Green was not talkative, and Teacher Lu had little contact with him—this was Green’s first proactive reach-out.
“Just call me Green,” he opened bluntly. “Teacher Lu, are you still in the Kalos region?”
“What’s going on?” Lu Ye bit into a fruit and nodded.
Green frowned slightly. “I recently defeated Team Flare in Kalos, but Interpol contacted me, saying an escaped Team Flare scientist has caused trouble again.”
“He’s named Kusteroski, an extremely paranoid inventor who specializes in using Cloyster’s Hypnosis Beam,” Green said in a grave voice. “I’m not currently in Kalos;
I’ve had Ash investigate, but I worry he’s too reckless… so please keep an eye on Ash and Kusteroski for me. It’s a personal request.”
Lu Ye paused, a mental image of Kusteroski forming: a chubby man wearing red tactical goggles.
In the game storyline he invented the “E Combat Suit,” and those who donned the suit looked like masked riders;
in the anime he tried to use the Ultimate Weapon’s negative energy to cause plant overgrowth, indirectly leading to Ash’s Greninja temporarily leaving.
“I’ll keep watch.” Lu Ye nodded.
A dangerous figure running around was troubling to Teacher Lu as a public servant.
“Sorry for the trouble,” Green thanked.
“No problem.” Lu Ye smiled.
The lead on Kusteroski’s investigation came from Interpol’s “Handsome Guy.”
He was an old acquaintance, having partnered with Teacher Lu in Sinnoh, Unova, and other regions.
He ran a detective agency in Lumiose City that gave off a “Mouri Detective Agency” vibe—wherever he went, trouble followed.
In the afternoon, Lu Ye hopped on a Rotom bicycle similar to the Sword and Shield era model and sped toward Red Square.
Motorcyclists along the way gaped at the retreating silhouette.
Stopped by the roadside, a motorcyclist expressionlessly took out his phone and said, “Officer Jenny? I want to report someone speeding…”
“He doesn’t have plates, yes it’s a bicycle, hello? Hello!”
…
Red Square, Handsome Guy Detective Agency.
Gray-white wallpaper, deep green potted plants, antiquated decor, a printer chattering.
The computer desktop wallpaper showed a professional team in suits—on closer look, they were all the same person.
A blue-eyed, frail-looking girl with black curly hair hugged a tray and hid behind a wall, peeking at the agency’s rare visitor.
In the sunny spot sat two sofas occupied by Lu Ye and the Handsome Guy detective, drinking coffee and chatting about the past.
“Already half a year has passed,” the Handsome Guy couldn’t help but say.
“You’ve become a legend, Officer Lu,” he added.
Teacher Lu felt the weight of “Inspector Megure” above his head and sighed, “The last time we met was the last time.”
Handsome Guy blinked, sipped his coffee, then spoke seriously:
“I heard about what you did in Barren City. In any case, you saved the entire city and possibly the world.”
Lu Ye fell silent.
He had already died once.
At the time, he hadn’t thought of righteousness or duty;
it wasn’t that he had to do it, it’s that he had no other choice.
If asked to do it again, Teacher Lu would never let Haunter be dragged into danger and risk its life.
But there are no ‘ifs’. He only wanted to live peacefully with his Pokémon and Mengmengda. Even as a legend, he still carried contradiction and resolve in his heart.
“I’m retiring,” Lu Ye said. “Unova, Hoenn, Donghua, Kalos… I’ve witnessed many legends and moments, but now, I am tired.”
Handsome Guy’s weathered face flickered with reminiscence;
he moved his lips and asked, “So you won’t continue as a Trainer?”
“On the contrary.”
Lu Ye brightened into an upbeat smile;
his rugged jaw softened, his teeth neat and white.
“I’ve decided to become a Trainer.”
Handsome Guy was taken aback and stammered, “You’re the most unique Trainer I’ve ever seen. If there’s a chance, I hope we can work together again.”
“There’s a chance now.”
Lu Ye’s smile faded to seriousness. “I’ve been commissioned to investigate Kusteroski’s case.”
Clack! A crisp shattering sound.
Both looked toward the noise as the frail black-haired girl stood flustered amid broken ceramics.
“I… Handsome Guy—” the black-haired girl stammered.
“I’ll handle it, Makkiel,” Handsome Guy said. “Croagunk, help clean up.”
Croagunk shuffled in;
it was clear he could no longer fight, but his life skills were maxed—he cleaned the pottery shards and smiled reassuringly at Makkiel.
Makkiel nodded helplessly, looked up at Handsome Guy, and timidly said, “I’ll go be with Meowth in the kitchen.”
She turned and hurried out of sight.
Lu Ye remained silent, waiting for Handsome Guy to speak. He lifted his coffee cup, eyes deep, and said:
“Her name is Makkiel;
she’s a victim of the Kusteroski case.”
Lu Ye steepled his fingers and listened intently.
The girl’s past unfolded: Makkiel lost her parents at a young age and had no home;
she lived in an alley with a Meowth she called Meowth. Because she couldn’t afford a Poké Ball, she never officially caught Meowth, but Meowth was like family to her.
She was kind and resilient. The Lumiose Gang admired Makkiel and regarded her as a spiritual pillar.
During an investigation, Handsome Guy had met Makkiel and taken her in to work part-time at the agency. Since she had no formal education, Handsome Guy taught her reading and writing.
While living at the agency, Makkiel felt like a burden and secretly sought part-time work. Unaware of the situation, she became involved in testing Kusteroski’s E Combat Suit, was controlled by the suit, assumed the alias “Esprie,” and committed misdeeds until Handsome Guy freed her.
“That child… was born in darkness and longed for light. Meowth saved her,” Handsome Guy said, rubbing his chin in memory. “Kusteroski was a strange guy. He cried as he presented the E Combat Suit to Makkiel, saying he had achieved his life’s dream and would have no regrets even if arrested. The suit remained with Makkiel and had no adverse effects;
she used it to maintain Lumiose City’s peace.”
“That sounds like a story of a righteous hero,” Lu Ye said.
“Maybe,” Handsome Guy smiled, then grew serious. “Regardless of motives, we must arrest Kusteroski.”
Lu Ye nodded lightly;
the pale-golden Power of Transcendence sensed subtle emotions and he smiled: “She seems to see you as a father, Handsome Guy.”
“A father… I’m only forty, in my prime!” Handsome Guy protested.
“That’s a bit much,” Lu Ye chuckled. “Anyway, leave this case to me.”
Handsome Guy’s wrinkles smoothed;
he nodded solemnly: “Thank you, sir.”
Lu Ye rose and glanced down at the Poké Ball in his palm.
Undeniably, this world had idealists like N, ambitious types like Ghetsis, and people like Makkiel who symbolized life’s harsh reality.
Yet they were all extremely pure.
Acerola pursuing the edge of science, Handsome Guy doing his duty, kind and resilient Makkiel…
Lu Ye closed his eyes.
The Power of Transcendence extended golden threads in his vision, tightly binding Makkiel, Meowth, and Handsome Guy together.
That was a bond.
Before leaving the office, Handsome Guy suddenly received a phone call, and Lu Ye told him he didn’t need to see him off.
On the stairs, Makkiel called after Lu Ye: “Sir—”
Lu Ye turned;
the black-haired girl bit her lip and said, “All those illegal records are my doing. Please… do not pursue Meowth and Handsome Guy… you can arrest me…”
“That was Kusteroski’s fault.”
Lu Ye put on his sunglasses and said calmly, “Do you know about Trainer School, Makkiel?”
“A school is a place to learn, right?” she answered. “Uncle Handsome Guy taught me.”
“You can attend Trainer School and continue your education. It’s not too late,” Lu Ye suggested.
Makkiel hesitated, then shook her head: “With Meowth by my side and the E Combat Suit… I want to stay with Handsome Guy and inherit his justice, become an official assistant at the agency.”
“I see.”
Lu Ye smiled slightly. “Good luck, and your Meowth is very cute.”
Meowth hid behind Makkiel’s calf, timidly eyeing Teacher Lu. Feeling a peculiar affinity from his aura, it froze briefly and then ducked back.
“Goodbye, sir!” Makkiel waved from the stairwell.
Lu Ye turned his back, returned the salute with a hand, and mused, “Kusteroski, huh… if we arrest him early, Greninja won’t have to leave the team.”
…
The next day, the Triple Crown Satellite Cup Master division final began.
Serena and Musashi delivered flawless performances. Serena’s Sylveon especially dazzled the audience.
Yet the steady performance and greater experience of Kalos Queen Ael secured her victory and successful defense of the title.
Musashi stomped angrily but took second place. With her forward-thinking performance concepts, the result was still very satisfying.
“All right, calm down!” James soothed her.
“It’s those judges who are blind~” Meowth said.
“I’m so mad, but second place isn’t bad, oh hoho~” Musashi laughed loudly.
James and Meowth were covered in sweat.
This person shows no hint of disappointment at all.
Serena came in third but had done her best. Encouraged by Elyse, she decided to contemplate her future path.
Should she remain by Ash’s side or continue traveling…
Ash, as conference champion, challenged Wikstrom in a match that ended 3:6.
Ash’s trainer level still needed improvement;
he did not become a Kalos Elite Four member and chose to continue on the path toward “Pokémon Master.”
Two kids who both experienced defeat staged a Pokémon encounter: Pikachu versus Vulpix.
Pikachu fully embraced his dramatic spirit and fought back and forth with Vulpix, the kids’ eyes shining faintly.
One major reason Teacher Lu loved Pokémon XY was that it portrayed the growth of Ash and his companions.
Serena chose to travel alone, to be an independent individual rather than Ash’s spectator, hoping to reunite with Ash someday as a Coordinator.
Lu Ye, having heard this from Clemont, was puzzled.
They promised reunion, yet the Sun &
Moon and Sword &
Shield anime barely returned her—did the writers forget Serena exists?
Meanwhile, Handsome Guy sent a message reporting new information on Kusteroski…
…
Outside Geosenge City, deep in the forest, a strange aura stirred.
Sunlight hit the distant city’s sundial, cut through the mist in the woods and shone on a floor of piled dead leaves.
A green serpentine creature, its body black-and-green with diamond-shaped scales and five black protrusions like a crown, stood watch.
The ecological guardian Xerneas? No—Xerneas’ Kalos guardian counterpart: Xerneas? Wait—this is Xerneas’ counterpart—actually, it’s Xerneas’ opposite—no, it’s Zygarde—50% form.
It hadn’t yet fully recovered its energy, and it sensed the underground negative energy core beneath Geosenge City being tugged by some machine. Massive vines were about to break through the surface.
Zygarde’s gaze grew serious, then suddenly it froze in astonishment.
The rapidly surging negative energy had stopped!
Someone had controlled that strange pull!
On the cliff above, the chubby man wearing red tactical goggles was sweating profusely and backed up the cliff.
“D-don’t come closer!!” Kusteroski cried in terror.
He didn’t want to recall the earlier scene—too terrifying.
The man in the black trench coat had thrown off his coat and wrestled the Cloyster bare-handed.
Cloyster tried to strike back but was bound fast by a shadow rising from the ground and took a one-sided beating!
“Use Bare-Hand Chop!”
Teacher Lu roared. His chopping palm unleashed Aura and struck Cloyster’s body, cutting a white line.
Cloyster stared in disbelief, body trembling, then collapsed with spiraling eyes.
Kusteroski swallowed with difficulty.
A human knocking down a Pokémon with bare hands… is that even human!?
This was a Cloyster capable of defeating Gym Leaders! It had even greatly troubled Officer Jenny!
And yet it was taken down by a few bare chops?
“W-who are you?” Kusteroski stammered.
“Just a passing Trainer. Remember me,” Lu Ye said, pointing. “Arcanine, Crunch!”
Kusteroski shut his eyes in terror. When he opened them, his carefully built machine was being chewed and crushed by Arcanine over and over!
“Argh!”
The massive Arcanine lay atop the negative energy machine, gnawing it, the machine’s lights shattering and on the verge of explosion!
“Latias, Light Screen, enclose them.” Lu Ye snapped his fingers.
Boom!!
The light faded into a spherical barrier.
Kusteroski fell to his knees, hands pressing to the ground: “I confess! I’ll tell everything… please don’t come near anymore!”
At the mountain’s foot, Ash and his friends wore serious expressions.
“Greninja, can you sense the negative energy core?” Ash asked.
“Koga,” Bond Greninja gazed toward the peak.
Elyse held Zygarde Core;
the Core looked pale. She said worriedly, “The mountain top feels like something truly frightening! Even the Core is trembling!”
“Greninja, let’s go check!”
Ash and Bond Greninja raced resolutely to the peak and froze for a moment.
Kusteroski, treated like the dungeon boss, crouched with his hands over his head, terrified of being met with bare-hand chops.
And that familiar figure.
Bond Greninja’s eyes widened;
Ash was stunned, “Teacher Lu!?”
“You’re late, Ash.” Lu Ye said. “Go call Officer Jenny… also—”
Lu Ye sensed a strange fluctuation and said gravely, “Come with me and meet Zygarde.”
Deep in the forest.
Zygarde 50% form: “……”
This oppressive feeling… maybe hiding would be better for now…
…
In the forest’s depths.
Teacher Lu and Ash’s group met Zygarde in its power-gathering 50% form.
It was called Z2, while Z1 was the Core;
together they maintained Kalos’ ecological balance.
The Core hopped down from Elyse’s arms and bid her farewell, deciding to travel with Elyse once Kalos’ aura stabilized.
Elyse teared up and said goodbye.
Zygarde flitted between suspicion and concern, occasionally glancing at the black-haired youth folding his arms and the grinning Haunter at his side.
Zygarde: “……”
Even at full form… facing those two, victory seems unlikely…
Because of the aberration caused by the negative energy machine, Zygarde extended an invitation to Greninja.
‘In Kalos, negative energy triggered by the Ultimate Weapon requires human intervention.’
Zygarde said: ‘And Greninja, you possess the ability to resolve this negative energy.’
“Koga…” Bond Greninja’s eyes flickered.
Lu Ye: “……”
In the end, Greninja still had to leave the team, huh.
But if it didn’t leave, it’d just stay in the courtyard like Big Brother. Thinking that made it easier to accept.
“Let me handle the negative energy.”
A hoarse voice rang out.
Everyone turned: a tall, burly vagrant carrying the Eternal Flower stepped forward.
“AZ?” Ash exclaimed.
AZ nodded slightly, looked at Zygarde, hand over his chest, and said:
“The Ultimate Weapon… the mistake I forged, I will atone and bear it.”
Zygarde looked at the Eternal Flower on AZ’s shoulder, then gazed at AZ and gently nodded:
‘Indeed, to handle the negative energy, you and the Eternal Flower are most suitable.’
AZ was not a wise king, but he had kingly responsibility.
Lu Ye smiled faintly.
Kalos’ story began with King AZ three thousand years ago, and now ended with an AZ three thousand years later.
What remained unchanged was the bond between Trainers and Pokémon. The Eternal Flower, Bond Greninja…
Lu Ye looked down at Haunter’s toothy grin and smiled.
And Haunter and I.
Nothing more to it.
The group emerged from the forest.
Ash looked up: “You’re leaving for Alola tomorrow, Teacher Lu?”
“Yes.”
“My ticket back to Kanto is tomorrow, I might come to Alola to visit you!” Ash said.
“No need.” Lu Ye replied calmly.
I don’t want to be dragged into some “alien beast invasion Earth defense force” incident!
Exiting the forest, Officer Jenny Ash had contacted thundered in and took Kusteroski, tightly bound, into custody.
Teacher Lu handed Kusteroski over to Officer Jenny. Though he felt admiration, she followed procedure thoroughly and recorded everything.
Her eyes flicked to the Rotom Pokédex;
Officer Jenny casually said:
“By the way, Teacher Lu… did you ride a Rotom bicycle to Red Square this morning?”
Lu Ye asked curiously, “How did you know?”
Officer Jenny closed her notebook and explained:
“Your bicycle was speeding. This is a rare occurrence—don’t let it happen again.”
Teacher Lu: ???