Chapter 290

Tuesday, December 15

Cynthia's departure was set for early the next morning. Though a bit disappointed, Luke quickly shook it off, watching her go with an affectionate, understanding smile. It was a bittersweet feeling, but he knew that time apart made the moments they spent together even more special—like a rare Menus gliding through a moonlit lake, or a majestic swan skimming across calm waters. These rare, beautiful moments were all the more precious for their fleeting nature.

For now, though, there were other matters at hand. Luke checked his watch. "Time for class," he murmured with a grin, swinging himself onto his Arcanine. He gave the fiery Pokémon a pat. "Alright, buddy, to Celadon Academy!"

"Awoo~~ (｀0)" Arcanine barked back enthusiastically, launching forward.

Luke felt the wind whip through his hair as Arcanine hit its "Super Speed" stride. "Whoa—hey, I didn't say that fast!"

At Celadon Academy, Luke's lecture began in his usual charismatic style. The students hung onto his every word, though they knew the semester was officially over. Some pleaded with him to hold more classes or add an "Indiscriminate Battle Drill" course to next year's curriculum. Luke merely smiled, hoping they wouldn't drain the last of his paycheck with their requests.

When he was summoned to the training room by the academy's elderly caretaker, Luke braced himself, fearing what Gengar and Erha might have done this time. But instead of a mess, he was greeted with the warm smile of the old man.

"My granddaughter's home is getting some renovations," the man said, "and I heard you're well-versed in dealing with contractors… Any advice?"

Luke sighed, smiling awkwardly. "I…do have some experience, yeah," he said, his mind replaying images of drywall dust and tile samples. "I suppose I could offer a few tips."

During lunch, Luke watched as his Pokémon gathered in a group, seemingly plotting something. Their goal was clear: another trip to the Saffron City Fighting Gym. In recent weeks, they'd taken to challenging its leader, with Sirfetch'd now serving as their scrappy new front-liner. Luke knew this plan well by now and felt a pang of sympathy for the Karate King himself.

"I still don't know his name," Luke muttered, picturing the gym leader—stern and slightly deflated after Sabrina's dominating Psychic Gym had overshadowed his once-proud dojo. "What if it is just 'Great King'?"

The Pokémon team, with Sirfetch'd proudly wielding its leek, looked to Luke for approval. He chuckled, nodding.

"Alright, 'Sirfetch'd the Top Laner' is ready," he said, watching as Sirfetch'd tapped its leek on the ground with newfound confidence. Luke gave his feathery companion a grin. "Be sure to come back early, though. You're on mascot duty for the live stream tonight."

Sirfetch'd's eyes widened. "Gah (O_O)?"

Luke laughed, giving the bird a reassuring pat. "That's right, it's you!"

With a deep sigh, Sirfetch'd touched the end of its leek, already feeling the weight of its day—training, battle, and now entertainment. Yaya is tired, it thought, Yaya is really, really tired.

...

Saffron City, Fighting Gym

The once-glorious Fighting Gym now stood in quiet decline, overshadowed by the unmatched Sabrina and her Psychic Gym. Beneath a spotlight in the center of the dojo, the dojo master, Taketoku—known as "Wude" to his students—stood with a resolute expression and the weight of tradition heavy on his shoulders. His greatest ambition: to become the Fighting King of the Kanto Alliance and restore his dojo's lost honor.

With a determined tug on his belt, Wude's eyes blazed with ambition.

An apprentice nearby whispered to another, "The master's in his daydreaming mode again."

The second nodded knowingly, muttering, "I get the same look whenever I'm in a trance myself."

Wude cleared his throat, holding his stoic stance. After a long pause, he asked with gravitas, "Do we have any challengers today?"

One apprentice hesitated before speaking. "Uh…after Miss Bea beat us last time, it seems even she isn't interested in coming back. And…well…students are mostly attending the class next door now…"

Wude's jaw clenched as he suppressed a surge of frustration. He knew about the wildly popular course next door, led by Teacher Luke's Gengar. That novelty and charm had won over students of all ages, who flocked to the lessons purely to see the mischievous ghost in action.

In contrast, the Fighting Gym was nearly empty these days. All that seemed left for them was providing a mere "challenge record" for hopeful trainers. He sighed, feeling as though he'd aged a decade in an instant. "Maybe…we should close for the day."

"Master, wait!" Another apprentice rushed in, breathless with excitement. "A challenger just arrived!"

Wude's eyes sparked with renewed energy. "Who is it?"

"It's that Sylveon from before…and she brought a whole crew of…characters with her!"

Wude blinked in surprise, stepping outside the gym's main doors. There, framed by the midday light, Sylveon led a small, intimidating crew like a boss entering her turf. Her ribbons swayed with a mix of elegance and authority.

Floating beside her was Luke's Gengar, grinning menacingly from behind a pair of aviator sunglasses. Behind them, Squirtle and Sirfetch'd followed suit, each sporting their own pair of shades with expressions of pure seriousness.

Riding on the back of a towering Arcanine, a little Togepi clapped its hands and giggled, looking as joyful as it was oblivious to the tension. "kek ke~~(▽｀)"

Wude swallowed hard, feeling an uneasy mix of excitement and trepidation.

And that day, in the heart of his dojo, he—like Tang Hui of the Fighting Dojo—was about to experience the full, imposing force of Sylveon's entourage.

The dojo was silent, all eyes on Sylveon as she gracefully strode forward, her team following like a unified, unstoppable force. Wude's ambition to become Fighting King now had to face an entirely different sort of challenge: the fear of being dominated by the unshakable might of Sylveon, the boss of the most adorable yet fearsome gang in Kanto.

Sunset Dusk

The battle was over. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Sylveon and her team walked away from the Fighting Gym, leaving behind an utterly defeated Wude. He stood motionless, a pale shell of the man who had once dreamed of becoming the Fighting King.

"Not one…" he whispered to himself, his voice hollow. "I couldn't even beat one…"

A nearby student hesitated before chiming in, "Actually…that Sirfetch'd who looked the strongest didn't even get involved."

Wude shivered, recalling the effortless power of the adorable yet unstoppable challengers. If Sirfetch'd had stepped in, he didn't even want to imagine the outcome. The dojo master cast a weary glance at the fading sky, a single tear glistening in his eye.

Teacher Luke, you're too powerful…

Meanwhile, Outside Celadon Academy

Teacher Luke clocked out early, watching the horizon as his little team of "villains" approached, silhouetted against the setting sun. Sylveon led the charge, still looking like the fearless leader, while Gengar, Squirtle, and Sirfetch'd all wore matching sunglasses and strolled with an air of unmatched coolness. Togepi sat on Arcanine's back, bouncing with excitement.

Luke chuckled at the sight, though he couldn't help but wonder how Togepi, the innocent little one, managed to fit so harmoniously with the tough crew.

"Alright, alright," Luke mused with a smirk, watching Togepi hopping cheerfully on his coffee table back home. Not only had Togepi's charm grown, but it seemed to have learned a new move as well.

Checking his system, Luke noted the new addition in Togepi's repertoire: Look at Me—an invaluable move in double battles that lured opponents to focus their firepower on Togepi alone. While adorable, it was also quite strategic. But as Luke watched Togepi tumbling around in glee, he couldn't help but feel the warmth in his heart.

Back at the Studio

That evening, Luke introduced Sirfetch'd, now the official mascot, to his stream audience. He pointed the camera toward Sirfetch'd with a smile. "Here's our studio's new mascot. Look at that fur—it's just beautiful."

Sirfetch'd glanced nervously at the camera, a cold sweat trickling down its feathered face. Beautiful? What kind of ominous praise was that? Still, a hint of pride flickered in its eyes, even as it wandered off to practice swings with its leek.

"Gah!" Sirfetch'd quacked, striding over to the living room with its short duck feet. It was determined to avoid the fate of becoming dinner or simply a "mascot." With a quick swing of its leek, Sirfetch'd's resolve strengthened. No matter what, it wouldn't lose to Togepi.

Tonight, it would train like never before, waving its leek with renewed fervor.

Sirfetch'd, rush to the top!