I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Chapter 800: Limited-Time Return Event, Jirachi

Atop Mount Hokulani, a meteor shower streaked across the night sky. The night at four thousand meters was bitterly cold, as if submerged in an icebound wilderness, yet two bodies warmed the inside of a tent.

The next morning the sky was a dull gray. The white observatory, the large outdoor optical telescope, and the tent’s reflective coating mirrored the silver-gray snow.

The flap of the "Gigantamax Haunter" tent was pulled aside, and a handsome young man with black hair leaned out. His snow boots crunched on the ground.

He wore no scarf or trench coat, only a thin white knit sweater. He exhaled a puff of white breath and stopped to stare up at a deep-blue, almost purple sky with not a single cloud.

The air was crisp, the wind sang softly, and the cold of the snow seeped into the skin, stirring tiny brisk shivers. It felt like Reshiram beating its immaculate wings, bursting from the sea of clouds and plunging into clouds as soft as cotton. Everything was as real as the "Dragon of Truth."

Bamboo Lan said yes to my proposal.

"Come on out, everyone!"

Lu Ye tossed the Poké Balls from the waist pouch in one go. Yesterday he’d recalled the little ones to their balls because the tent was too cramped;

the morning was perfect for letting them romp in the snow.

Red lights flickered one after another, and soon the summit hearing a chorus of "Bu-bii," "Du-yi," and ghostly howls.

Lu Ye sat cross-legged in the snow, hands on his knees, a smile tugging at his mouth. Someone handed him a can of hot drink;

he tilted his head to look."Gengarrr!" The purple little chubby one grinned cheekily. Rarely did it hand over something other than an iced cola;

this time it offered a steaming can of coffee milk.

"How did you heat this?" Lu Ye asked, curious as he accepted the hot drink.

"Gengarrr!" Haunter pointed to a Rotom that had materialized in heating form on the snow.

Heating Rotom blinked its red eyes and called out loudly, "No trouble at all, Roto!"

Rotom carried its own charge and could shift forms;

paired with Haunter’s "fourth-dimensional pocket," it was an entire set of household appliances on the move. Even if it ran out of power, it could recharge at the observatory—or, failing that, go down the mountain to the shrine to catch a Charjabug.

Charjabug, just like a portable charger, really could supply power. A very thoughtful Pokémon…

Lu Ye patted Haunter’s head, drank his coffee milk while sitting in the snow, his black eyes flickering, a smile on his face. On a lonely, freezing peak at four thousand meters, he felt happy.

Sunrise was approaching. Bamboo Lan still slept in the tent. Teacher Lu thought about waking her, then decided against it and started a snowball fight with the little ones on his own.

Whack!

"Bu-bii!" Sylveon closed its eyes and turned away. A snowball smashed against its ribbons.

The big sister opened her eyes with great vigor. Seeing a cheerful trainer nearby, she angrily rolled a ribbon into a snowball and hurled it to the ground: "Bu-bii!"

"Bangii…" Pupitar was building a snowman with focused attention and meticulous technique.

The snowman took the shape of Shiftry.

Lu Ye’s eyelid twitched. If he wasn’t mistaken, the snow shovel in Pupitar’s hand should be the very kind of leaf that sits on a Shiftry’s head…

"Ka!" Sirfetch’d brandished its leek, sweeping grand strokes across the snow like bold calligraphy, though Ducklett was just scribbling wildly.

Arcanine rolled in the snow. Having been praised yesterday for its "Lion King" bearing, it had once again become a snow dog.

A large swath of accumulated snow melted into slush. Arcanine rose, dripping, shaking its mane and big head, splashing snowwater everywhere.

"Bu-bii! (#｀皿´)" Sylveon shot a dangerous sideways glare.

"Awooo…(⊙x⊙;

)" Arcanine chewed on a shard of ice.

Lu Ye noticed Haunter hadn’t joined the snow fight. It hugged a meteorite and stared at it intently.

"What’s with that meteorite?" Lu Ye’s expression turned subtle. "You didn’t take that from the observatory, did you?"

"Gengarrr!" Haunter tried to explain the meteorite’s origin.

"You mean… it fell from that comet in the sky?" Teacher Lu said in surprise.

"Gengarrr!" Haunter nodded.

Lu Ye looked up. Only a few stars remained in the sky, and the tail of that comet seemed dim.

The memory felt familiar. He scanned it once with the Power of Transcendence and understood inwardly, smiling:

"Let it awaken… it’ll be an old friend of ours."

"Gengarrr?" Haunter scratched its head in puzzlement.

Speaking of which.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

This time, I still didn’t receive Jirachi’s telepathy—Haunter noticed it first instead.

But at the thought of reuniting with Jirachi, Teacher Lu felt a bright, expansive mood and stretched his arms and shoulders.

"Good morning." A soft voice came from behind.

Lu Ye turned;

she had changed into a black coat, arms folded, golden hair loose, cheeks wearing an indescribable flush.

He didn’t reply. Cynthia lifted her gaze;

her cool, clear eyes held his for a long, silent moment, then curved into a crescent, spreading a faint, sweet smile.

Lu Ye’s eyes narrowed.

In short, Mengmengda is extremely cute!

"Sunrise is imminent," Lu Ye said. "Miss Bamboo Lan, may I have the honor of going to the observation platform with you to watch?"

Cynthia inclined her noble head, smiling brightly: "I allow it."

Wedding date, informing elders, arranging the ceremony… many things still undecided.

They enjoyed the summit’s fresh air and the freedom of being undisturbed at high altitude.

On the way to the observation platform, Lu Ye summarized the meteorite’s origin and the soon-to-awaken Jirachi.

A flash of surprise crossed Cynthia’s eyes. "As usual, can it only remain awake for seven days?"

"That should be the case," Lu Ye said. "I’ll do my best to make precious memories for it and everyone."

"We’ll have to discuss the details after it wakes." Cynthia smiled lightly.

"I feel like if I keep holding this meteorite, Jirachi will refuse to wake up…" Lu Ye complained.

Cynthia smiled slightly, her gray eyes luminous. "After these seven days, I must return to the Sinnoh League."

"Eh?" Lu Ye was taken aback.

Cynthia placed a hand at her waist, lowered her gaze, and sighed softly:

"First, I must handle the backlog of work."

"Then, prepare for the World Championships in the second half of the year." Her gaze grew stern as she looked at him, a smile lifting her mouth. "I won’t lose to you, Lu Ye."

"I win, you marry me. I lose, I marry you," Lu Ye said seriously.

"Dream on." Cynthia glanced at him, then chuckled softly: "Not that I couldn’t consider it."

"There’s also…" Her cheeks flushed. She swept her golden hair aside, revealing a delicate, snow-white neck. "I need to go back to Celestic Town to tell my grandmother… and stop by Undella Town to tell Caitlin and the others…"

"Easy." Lu Ye laughed. "Post it in the chat group and it should be fine."

He just didn’t know how everyone—especially Lorelei—would react…

They went to the watchtower to enjoy the sunrise.

The east brightened;

clouds steamed and rose in resplendent colors. The comet still hovered in the sky, appearing dim.

Golden light spilled over Bamboo Lan’s hair, the meteorite on Lu Ye’s knee, and the purple chubby one looking up.

Cloud seas roiled on all sides, as if the watchtower were flying along with them. Lu Ye felt a stir in his chest and reached for a shoulder.

Meloetta revealed herself from stealth, sat on Lu Ye’s shoulder jiggling her legs, and cheerfully handed him the "Pokémon Flute."

It was a gift Bamboo Lan had given him in Bygone City. Its tone was exquisite and could awaken sleeping Pokémon, even Snorlax.

Lu Ye set the meteorite on his knee, held the "Pokémon Flute," and after a moment’s preparation said:

"Meloetta, give me a buff!"

"Mele~" Meloetta tapped Lu Ye’s neck with her little note-shaped hand.

A benediction washed over him. With flawless technique, Lu Ye breathed the flute’s melody, flowing the tune of "Castle in the Sky."

The isolated high-altitude watchtower was surrounded by roiling cloud seas.

Cynthia propped her hands on the bench and glanced at the black-haired young man’s profile, briefly lost in thought.

This was the song Lu Ye had played two years ago;

she still remembered. Back then Jirachi had also appeared.

But the same melody carried a completely different mood. One had been a starry, dewy night;

this was a radiant, magnificent sunrise.

Melodies in the Pokémon world often had magical effects.

Songs like "Oración," the "Ancient Song," and "Jigglypuff’s Song," for instance.

This piece, infused with Meloetta’s vibrations, made the melody even more beautiful.

Cynthia noticed the meteorite on Lu Ye’s knee bloom with brilliant light and take on a tiny form.

Jirachi lay on Lu Ye’s knee, blinking awake. Its eyes reflected unfamiliar yet familiar faces.

'Hello…?' Jirachi said softly.

"Gengarrr!" Haunter leapt out, wagging its tongue, eyes rolling playfully.

Jirachi jumped in surprise and shrank into Lu Ye’s arms. There was a familiar closeness emanating from this human.

"You might have forgotten me, Jirachi."

Lu Ye cradled the small, star-like yellow Jirachi and smiled. "We met once two years ago."

Jirachi stared at Lu Ye in a daze. Sensing his unique aura, its small eyes slowly brightened and glittered as it nodded vigorously.

'Lu Ye, everyone, let’s play together!' Jirachi laughed.

Lu Ye showed a slight smile and stroked Jirachi’s head. It turned to Cynthia;

the wish-tag pendant on its chest swung gently as it reached out two tiny hands.

Cynthia lifted Jirachi and smiled tenderly: "Long time no see, Jirachi."

Jirachi smiled faintly and said:

'I only slept a little nap.'

When Jirachi says "sleep a thousand years," two years truly counts as a little nap.

Lu Ye watched Jirachi hover up, curiously observing Haunter.

"Gengarrr!" Haunter giggled, placing its little claws on its chest to pose like a Gastly.

Jirachi understood and chuckled.

Then it inspected the other Pokémon one by one.

"Ka-may…" Blastoise pushed up his sunglasses with a slight salute.

When you look at Turtwig, Turtwig has already been watching you!

Victini tilted its head curiously at Jirachi. Jirachi tilted its head in return.

Two small Mythical Pokémon grinned at one another.

"Bangii…（¯﹃¯）" Pupitar stretched its mouth into a grin.

Jirachi: Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)

It hurriedly slipped behind Lu Ye. Lu Ye laughed and said:

"This is a Pupitar I caught last year… it was just a Larvitar when I found it, about your size then."

Jirachi eyed Pupitar carefully, then tucked behind Lu Ye, whispering:

'You howl~~'

Pupitar scratched its head and, in a big-dinosaur way, bowed: "Bangii~"

An unexpectedly charming contrast.

Jirachi giggled: 'Everyone, let’s play together!'

Jirachi floated freely through the air and, with Togekiss and Latias, chased and played around the observatory.

Lu Ye and Cynthia walked slowly, smiling, following Jirachi.

On the second floor of the observatory, Molayne ruffled his messy hair, walked to the balcony and yawned. Seeing the living, breathing Jirachi, his glasses nearly fell off.

Tired from playing, Jirachi paused and turned its head. Its black eyes were innocent and bright as it slightly tilted:

'Lu Ye… what is your wish?'

"My wish."

Lu Ye held Bamboo Lan’s hand and they exchanged smiles. He declared loudly: "It has already come true!"

'Then make another wish!' Jirachi said.

"A wish must be achieved through one’s own efforts."

Surrounded by Pokémon, holding Bamboo Lan’s hand, Lu Ye smiled and said, "But I hope you and everyone can be happy, Jirachi… that is my wish."

'Um… I don’t understand.'

Jirachi tilted its head and then said: 'Just seeing you again makes me very happy!'

"Come travel with us, Jirachi." Cynthia smiled softly. "I’ll take you to see Alola's scenery, and Lu Ye’s café in Kalos…"

Finally Cynthia’s eyes flickered, and she safely returned Jirachi to the comet.

'I want to go!' Jirachi cheered.

Jirachi has the special power to grant wishes, but its ability resembles Little Hoopa’s: it requires equivalent exchange rather than instant handouts.

Therefore Teacher Lu didn’t ask Jirachi for a wish… Being able to marry Bamboo Lan and live happily with the little ones was already his greatest wish.

He would spare no effort to make it happen.

Lu Ye smiled, black eyes gleaming.

With Jirachi accompanying him, before leaving the observatory there was still one more place to go… the last stop of the island trials.

For seven days, Jirachi would travel with Teacher Lu.

Although Teacher Lu didn’t make a wish, the little ones still secretly harbored desires to become stronger… except Ducklett.

The comet energy Jirachi emitted would help the little ones’ training, allowing their strength to advance in a short time.

This energy differed from Victini’s Infinite Energy. It resembled Eternatus’s "Dynamax Power," and could be described as "cosmic force" when applied to moves.

"A little lucky star, Jirachi indeed," Lu Ye thought.

That morning, the two bid farewell to Molayne, left the observatory, and walked to the island shrine they had passed the previous day.

Lu Ye closed his eyes and sensed, sending a faint golden thread of the Power of Transcendence to Tapu Bulu far on the horizon.

As the "Transcendence Envoy," his credentials were persuasive. Before long, Tapu Bulu hurried into view, eyes wide.

Well, the "Transcendence Envoy" was the one who barged into the shrine yesterday!

Lu Ye presented the same spiel he had used with Tapu Lele: basically, "Ox god, I want your aid in my training!" and "to combat Ultra Beasts," and so on.

Tapu Bulu, with a nose ring and copper-bell eyes, looked toward Sylveon.

"Bu-bii~!" Sylveon’s gaze sharpened and she looked proud.

Sylveon had already absorbed the island auras from three islands. Combined with her Fairy Aura trait, she faintly exuded a domineering presence.

The Melemele Island aura enhanced light-type moves like Hyper Beam and Moonblast;

Poni Island increased Sylveon’s resistance to abnormal statuses;

Akala Island had strengthened Sylveon’s mental power.

Ula'Ula Island’s aura, symbolizing the life force of vegetation, supplied Sylveon the most vital life energy.

This completed the final link in transforming "Fairy Skin" into "Fairy Aura."

Tapu Bulu fell silent and then agreed to the proposal.

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

In a few days, the main force from Pallet Town would arrive in Alola.

That would be the perfect moment to test Sylveon’s growth…

Meanwhile, the news that Champion Bamboo Lan had accepted Teacher Lu’s proposal was posted in the chat group.

"Getting married?" Ash was bewildered.

"Teacher Lu and Champion Bamboo Lan?" Ruby and Sapphire were delighted.

"Congratulations." Lance chuckled. Folks in Barren City had already seen the signs, except for Ash.

Dan Emperor, Steven, Wallace, Karine and other trainers all sent their congratulations.

"Uh… congrats…" Caitlin’s voice contained a squeal of grief.

"Marriage!?"

Auntie Lorelei cried: (;

´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)

So many people are alone, and few are truly happy!