When the Sun Sets

"I'm heading back to Sinnoh tonight," Cynthia said after finishing her ice cream.

"How about a quick stroll first?" Johan asked with a smile.

Cynthia's eyes sparkled, and she gave a lighthearted nod.

Then her gaze drifted toward the massive Wailord Plush Shop next door, and she looked at him with open anticipation.

Already familiar with her quirks, Johan rolled his eyes but didn't hesitate, rising to his feet. "Alright, let's pick out some souvenirs before you go."

They entered the shop.

The store wasn't very crowded—likely due to the exhibition match—and felt quiet and cozy. Though it was called the "Wailord Plush Shop," it wasn't limited to Wailord alone. It also carried Magikarp, Gyarados, Jigglypuff, and a whole host of other plushies.

Cynthia, usually so composed and poised, had transformed into a carefree girl in this store, delighting in the cute finds. She hugged a Gible plush close to her cheek, pouted just like the Jigglypuff doll on a shelf, and picked up a Pikachu plush with a childlike grin.

"I think this one suits you best," Johan said mysteriously, hiding a plush behind his back.

"Oh?"

Cynthia tilted her head, intrigued, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

With a flourish, Johan revealed his pick.

"Ta-da!"

It was a Mimikyu plush!

Startled, Cynthia playfully scowled at him and dashed off to another shelf.

What? Johan looked down at the Mimikyu plush.

Wasn't it cute?

But as she ran off, one of her Pokéballs on her belt suddenly popped open.

A flash of red light appeared, and her fierce-looking Garchomp materialized, towering over Johan with a glint in its eye.

"Oh… you want it?"

Sweat trickled down Johan's brow as he noticed the deadly sharp blades mere inches from his head.

Garchomp's nostrils flared, sending out two wisps of steam before it grabbed the Mimikyu plush from his hands and disappeared back into its Pokéball.

Johan wiped his brow and glanced at Haunter beside him, seeking confirmation.

Does Garchomp really like it?

Haunter gave a mischievous Ka-kah! laugh, then tilted its head at an impossible angle and morphed its face to look like Mimikyu's, its eyes shining with anticipation.

"Hideous."

"Ka-kah~(TдT)"

Just then, the shop clerk cleared their throat, addressing Johan.

"Um, sir… if a plush gets put in a Pokéball, you still have to pay for it. We have surveillance cameras, you know…"

Johan sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Got it."

In the end, he bought a Pumpkaboo plush for Haunter, who hugged it gleefully. For Vulpix, he chose a Vanillite plush, which she curled her tail around in delight. Tinkatink got an overlooked Corviknight plush, which he hoped would introduce her to other types of Steel Pokémon.

Though Tinkatink wasted no time raising her hammer to it, ready to strike.

Thankfully, it wasn't a real Corviknight, so nothing valuable could break.

As for Cynthia, aside from the Mimikyu plush her Garchomp "confiscated," she chose two more: a Togepi and a Slowpoke plush with an adorable expression.

After they paid, Cynthia handed the Slowpoke plush to Johan with a sly smile.

"Here. This one's for you."

Johan looked at her in confusion, watching her grin playfully as she explained, "It's just… a lot like you, don't you think?"

And with that, she grabbed Vulpix and Tinkatink and dashed away, laughing.

Johan glanced at the Slowpoke plush, and it stared back at him with a blissfully blank expression.

What?

How?

He turned to Haunter for a second opinion, but the Pokémon merely scratched its chin thoughtfully, nodding in apparent agreement.

"Ka-kah! Ka-kah~~"

Can't say it just resembles you… more like a perfect match!

With that, Haunter chased after Cynthia, its laughter echoing in the distance.

Johan sighed and turned his back to the Slowpoke plush, trying not to look at it too long. He'd lose brain cells for sure.

They spent a peaceful afternoon in Sootopolis, taking a leisurely boat ride through the city's canals, admiring the distinct architecture and tranquil atmosphere.

"Excuse me, sir, are there any unique sights in Sootopolis?" Johan asked the boatman.

"Oh, many!" the boatman chuckled. "But if I had to pick, I'd recommend our 'Tree of Eternity.'"

He continued, "It symbolizes eternity—whether it's between Trainers and their Pokémon, or between people."

"Plenty of wild Pokémon roam around it too, so with a bit of luck, you might even spot a Luvdisc."

Tree of Eternity?

The words sparked a memory for Johan.

In the heart of Sootopolis, he'd heard, lay the "Eternal Flower," the rare Floette brought back to life 3,000 years ago by the Kalos King AZ with the "Ultimate Weapon."

On the boatman's suggestion, they headed to the central island of Sootopolis.

A massive, lush tree stood on the island, its dense, evergreen foliage creating a canopy that remained green even in the heart of autumn.

The island was quiet, allowing Cynthia to release all her Pokémon.

Garchomp, Lucario, Eevee, Milotic, Roserade, and Spiritomb.

Luckily, Haunter and Vulpix were already well-acquainted with her team, and even Tinkatink's courage kept her unfazed by Garchomp's imposing presence.

Her attention was fixed on her hammer, which she used to scan for hidden metals with newfound purpose, her eyes glinting with a treasure-hunter's gleam.

She didn't have to search for long.

Her eyes sparkled as the hammer's magnetic pull led her to a strange black paw sticking out of the ground.

"Huh?"

Looking up, she realized it was Lucario's paw!

Without hesitation, she asked boldly,

"Chu?" (Can I take this off?)

"Luca?"

Lucario blinked, momentarily stunned by her audacity, before chuckling.

"Luca…" (Why don't you give it a try?)

Taking this seriously, Tinkatink hefted her hammer and swung down with all her might.

Feeling the force of her hammer, Lucario's expression grew serious, and he clenched his fist as her strike landed.

BAM!

"Chu…"

The impact sent a jolt through Tinkatink's body, making her entire frame tingle, yet Lucario's paw remained unmoved.

But Lucario was genuinely impressed by her strength.

Grinning, Lucario leapt into the air, his palms pressed together as he summoned a blue bone staff, which appeared in his grip with a soft glow.

With a flourish, he twirled the staff around, creating a brilliant arc of blue light.

Tinkatink's eyes widened, and she imitated him, swinging her hammer enthusiastically.

They practiced side by side. Tinkatink's hammer didn't glow with aura like Lucario's bone staff, but she adapted, channeling Ice Hammer instead.

Lucario's surprise deepened, watching her carefully.

Must have been a trick of the light…

Johan and Cynthia sat together on the island's edge.

The soft, golden light of the setting sun cast a serene glow over the lake, as though every care or worry had been washed away.

Milotic swam past them, trailed by a school of water Pokémon that followed her elegant movements.

"Let's take a photo, just to remember this," Cynthia suggested quietly.

"Definitely!"

The island's famous spots had public-use cameras, where you only had to drop in a coin to use them.

After calling over their Pokémon, the two of them gathered under the Tree of Eternity, everyone setting up for the perfect shot.

"Ready?"

Johan set the camera's timer, then jogged back to join Cynthia and the Pokémon.

A gentle breeze drifted by, rustling the leaves, and a sweet melody echoed faintly from the lake.

"4…"

In the center, Vulpix and Eevee stood side by side, cheeks pressed together.

On one side, Haunter flashed a comically exaggerated grin, draping an arm around Garchomp's shoulder, while Garchomp held a Pumpkaboo plush.

Lucario, with Tinkatink balanced atop his head, crossed his arms, sighing with resignation.

"3…"

Beside Johan's feet, Spiritomb glared menacingly, while Roserade stood by Cynthia's side holding a bouquet.

"2…"

As Johan joined the group, Cynthia snuck up and, to his bewilderment, plopped the Slowpoke plush on his head.

"1…"

Behind them, Milotic rose from the lake, gracefully arcing through the air, with a school of Poliwag, Staryu, Alomomola, and Luvdisc following close behind, all illuminated by the sunset's glow.

Everyone beamed.

Click!

The camera captured the moment, preserving it forever.

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Powerstones?

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