Chapter 69 - Plan For Future.

Julian's journey back to Pallet Town was a triumphant one, but it also came with newfound recognition and celebrity. Everywhere he went, people recognized him as the Indigo League Champion. They asked for autographs and photos, and Julian graciously obliged, not overdoing it but still appreciating the support of his fans.

As he reached Viridian City, he checked into the luxurious J Paradise hotel, a 5-star establishment that offered him a discount due to his newfound status. The hotel manager recognized him, and even the owner personally greeted him. Julian was astounded by the level of hospitality and treatment he received as the league winner. It exceeded his wildest expectations, and he couldn't help but feel humbled by the experience.

Little did he know that this was just the beginning of the extraordinary adventures and surprises that awaited him on his continuing journey as a Pokémon Trainer and the Indigo League Champion.

Julian contemplated his newfound fame as he relaxed in the luxurious J Paradise hotel. It was a level of recognition he hadn't anticipated, but he recognized the potential it held for his future plans.

"I never would have thought I would be this famous in a lifetime," he mused to himself. "Well, I don't particularly hate this. I want people to know my name, and my future plans depend on it."

As he reflected on his achievements, Julian couldn't ignore the significant amount of prize money he had accumulated. "And now I have a lot of money with me," he thought. "The system awarded me two hundred thousand Poké Dollars for the quarterfinals, five hundred thousand for the semifinals, and one million Poké Dollars for winning the league. On top of that, there are also five hundred thousand Poké Dollars given by the league for me winning it all. With so much money at my disposal, I think I should start considering how to invest it wisely."

Julian's journey was marked not only by battles and victories but also by the opportunities that lay ahead, including financial decisions that would shape his future in the world of Pokémon training and beyond.

As Julian lay in the comfortable bathtub, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax, the soothing water and calm ambiance of the J Paradise hotel providing a moment of tranquility amidst his newfound fame and fortune.

The following day, Julian decided it was time to leave Viridian City and head back to his hometown of Pallet Town. Before his departure, the owner of the hotel, Jimi Brown, personally came to bid him farewell. Jimi was a middle-aged man with striking ginger-red hair and a portly figure. His name was well-known not only in Viridian City but across Kanto and other regions, as he owned numerous businesses that had made him a billionaire.

Jimi approached Julian with a warm smile, extending his hand in farewell. "It was an absolute pleasure having you stay at our hotel, Mr. Julian. Your presence has added a touch of grandeur to our establishment. Please do visit us again whenever you're in Viridian City."

Julian expressed his gratitude to Mr. Jimi for the hospitality during his stay at the J Paradise hotel. He promised to contact him if he ever returned to Viridian City, to which Jimi responded warmly, "I'll be looking forward to your return."

With that, Julian mounted his bike and set off on the journey back to Pallet Town. On his way home, he didn't take a break; instead, he dedicated his time to training with his Pokémon. Even though they were already strong, Julian and his Pokémon shared the same desire—to continue growing and reach the pinnacle of their strength. They trained diligently together every day, driven by their determination to become even stronger.

Pallet Town welcomed Julian back with its usual charm and bustling activity. People were engrossed in their daily routines, tending to their fields, running errands, and shopkeepers enthusiastically promoting their goods. Despite its small size, Pallet Town was a vibrant community that Julian had always held a special affection for.

Julian contemplated his return. "I should buy a house near the laboratory," he thought, "I don't want to always stay there."

With this idea in mind, he made his way to Professor Oak's laboratory, hoping to find the professor inside. However, when he entered, he noticed that the lights were turned off, which was unusual for the normally busy and well-lit laboratory.

As Julian stood in the dark laboratory, his thoughts began to wander, and he was about to consider a rather unsettling possibility when suddenly he heard a chorus of voices yelling, "CONGRATULATIONS."

His suspicions were confirmed when the lights suddenly came on, revealing a surprise celebration awaiting him. In the well-decorated laboratory, he found not only Professor Oak but also Gary, Ash, Brock, Misty, and Delia. A table in the center of the room was laden with delicious food and drinks.

Julian couldn't help but smile at the warm welcome. "You know you guys didn't have to do this," he said, genuinely touched by their gesture.

Professor Oak chuckled at Julian's modesty. "Haha, how couldn't we? You just won the league, and winning a league is no small matter. So, we need a celebration," he replied warmly.

Ash, ever the enthusiastic one, couldn't contain his hunger. "Ok, Ok, now can we eat? I'm starving!" he interjected.

Misty playfully scolded him, "Shut up, you idiot."

Ash retorted, "I'm not an idiot; you're the idiot!"

Their good-natured banter drew laughter from everyone present, and with that, the celebrations began. They all enjoyed the delicious food and drinks, savoring the moment of Julian's remarkable achievement.

Julian stepped out of the laboratory and noticed Delia standing alone, gazing up at the night sky. Concerned, he approached her and asked, "Delia, why are you alone here?"

Delia turned to face him with a warm smile. "Ah, Julian, it's you. Nothing, I was just looking at the stars. Aren't they beautiful?"

Julian followed her gaze and looked up at the vast, starry expanse above. "Indeed, they are quite beautiful," he agreed.

As they stood together under the starlit sky, Julian couldn't help but think about Delia's husband and why he had left. He was cautious about delving into her personal life, but his curiosity nagged at him.

Julian approached the delicate topic cautiously, knowing it could potentially be sensitive. "Delia," he began, "I wanted to ask you a question, and I hope you don't get offended."

Turning to face him, Delia regarded Julian, acknowledging his handsome appearance but feeling no emotional connection as she once did when they first met. However, she remained calm and open.

With a deep breath, Julian posed his question, "I've always wondered, who is Ash's father?"

Delia's surprise was evident in her expression as she responded, "Why do you ask?"

Julian nodded as he listened to Delia's story, understanding her perspective. "I was just curious," he reiterated, "I never heard Ash mention him or seen him."

Delia opened up about her past, sharing her deep emotions. "I see," she began. "Ash's father is my first love. When I was nineteen, he came to Pallet Town during his travels. We met, fell in love, and got married. Soon, Ash was born. As time went by, when Ash turned five, he expressed his desire to continue his journey. I couldn't stop him from pursuing his dreams, so I stayed behind to look after Ash. Whenever I see Ash, I'm reminded of his father. They're very much alike. When Ash told me he wanted to travel and become a Pokémon Master, I felt both sadness and happiness. Sad because I wouldn't see him every day, and happy because he's following his dreams, just like his father."

Julian listened intently, realizing that Delia's love for this man ran deep. While he had briefly sensed a fleeting desire from her during their initial encounter, it was clear to him now that her true emotions centered around her son and the love she still held for Ash's father.

Julian admired Delia's character, recognizing her as a genuinely good woman who had been taking care of Ash and faithfully waiting for her husband's return.

Delia expressed a bit of self-consciousness, saying, "Oh, sorry, looks like I talked too much, and it looks like I embarrassed you."

Julian quickly reassured her, "Not at all. I really respect you for being such a great role model for Ash and supportive toward your husband. From the looks of it, you love both of them very dearly."

Delia smiled warmly, nodding in agreement. "That's true. I love them both dearly."

Julian bid Delia goodnight and made his way back to his room. As he lay in his bed, he reflected on his interactions with Delia and his thoughts about her. He also wondered about Daisy and Chloe, hoping that they were doing well.

With those thoughts in mind, Julian drifted off to sleep, ready for whatever new adventures awaited him in the world of Pokémon.

The next morning, Julian awoke with the first rays of the sun, his daily ritual beginning with the release of his Pokémon, ensuring they were well-fed and ready for another day of training. As he sat down to enjoy his breakfast, he contemplated a conversation he'd been wanting to have with Professor Oak.

Amidst the tranquil morning ambiance, Professor Oak couldn't help but lament, "Ahhh, such a peaceful morning. Too bad I still have to work."

Julian seized the moment, taking a deep breath before addressing the professor. "Professor Oak, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Curious, Oak turned his attention to Julian. "What is it?"

Julian leaned forward with a determined look in his eyes. "I'd like to propose a business venture, Professor."

The professor's interest was piqued. "A business? What kind of business are you thinking of?"

Julian's voice carried a note of excitement as he unveiled his idea. "I've been thinking about launching a Pokémon Food brand, Professor. We'd use my own recipe to create nutritious meals for Pokémon."

Professor Oak raised an eyebrow, concerned about the potential implications. "Your recipe? Are you sure about this, Julian? After all, you're the one who discovered it."

Julian, however, displayed a level of confidence that showed he had thoroughly considered the matter. "While it's true that I discovered the recipe, Professor, I'm not worried about it being leaked. I'm willing to share it because I believe it can help Pokémon grow healthier. But let's not forget that strength also comes from dedicated training. My Pokémon aren't strong solely because of the food I provide. Each one of them undergoes specific training routines tailored to their individual needs."

Professor Oak leaned back, pondering Julian's proposal. "You make a valid point, Julian. If your recipe can genuinely benefit others, it's a noble cause. But I'm curious, why did you choose to involve me in this venture?"

Julian smiled, appreciating the gravity of the decision. "Professor, your name carries immense influence not only in Kanto but throughout all the regions. Having you as one of the company's representatives would undoubtedly make it highly profitable. And given my recent success, I believe the company could gain fame rapidly."

Oak nodded, impressed by Julian's strategic thinking. "You've clearly thought this through thoroughly. By the way, I couldn't help but notice your final battle; it was quite flashy. You could have won without using Infernape, couldn't you? It seemed deliberate."

Julian chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "You're observant, Professor. I wanted to put on a show for the fans and make it memorable. After all, a little spectacle never hurts in gaining attention, right? By showcasing some of my powers, I aimed to grab the attention of both allies and potential adversaries. But at the heart of it all, fame is the key. With my reputation rising, I'll have the opportunity to enter the commercial world."

Professor Oak chuckled, clearly not surprised by Julian's calculated approach. "Haha, Julian, you've always got something brewing in that mind of yours. I'm on board with your plan, but we must address the issue of funding. Starting a new business requires a substantial investment."

Julian's expression remained confident. "Money won't be an issue, Professor. I want you to be not only a Board of Directors member but also the company's supervisor."

Professor Oak pondered this offer for a moment before responding.

Professor Oak raised a crucial point. "Julian, where will you source the necessary funds?"

Julian leaned forward, revealing his financial plan. "I have two million dollars that I'm willing to invest in this company from my own savings. Additionally, I've identified a potential investor named Jimi Brown. He's a billionaire with a strong business acumen, and I believe he won't pass up an opportunity like this. With both of our names associated with the venture, I'm confident he'll want to get involved."

Oak's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, Jimi Brown, I've heard of him. If you can convince him to invest in this business, we'll be well on our way to launching it successfully."

Julian nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a plan. I'll head to Viridian City in a few days, and while I'm there, I'll seriously consider challenging the Elite Four."

Professor Oak smiled and nodded. "Great, I'll reach out to some of my contacts and see if any of them are interested in investing in our venture."

Julian added with enthusiasm, "The more investment we secure, the smoother our business launch will be."

After a few days, Julian returned to Viridian City and checked into the J Paradise hotel. He wasted no time and approached the manager, requesting that he inform Jimi Brown of his arrival and his desire to discuss something important.

Julian settled into his room and patiently waited for Jimi Brown's arrival. As time passed, the phone in his hotel room rang, and it was the manager on the line.

The hotel manager's voice came through the phone. "Sir Julian, Mr. Brown has arrived, and he's waiting for you in the business area. He mentioned that he'll send someone to escort you there."

Julian replied, "Thank you."

Shortly after, there was a knock on the door. Julian opened it to find a middle-aged man in a sleek black suit and clear glasses standing outside. The man bowed respectfully and greeted Julian before inviting him to follow.

As Julian entered the business area, he noticed several people dressed in exquisite attire engaged in a discussion. Some of them spotted Julian's presence and seemed surprised to see him there. A few women appeared eager to approach him, but they hesitated when they saw the man in the black suit standing by Julian's side. Julian was keenly aware of these reactions but paid them no mind, focused on his upcoming meeting with Jimi Brown.

They arrived at their destination, standing before a grand door adorned with exquisite carvings and a beautiful inscription. The man in the suit knocked twice and then opened the door, signaling for Julian to enter.

Julian stepped inside and found Jimi Brown comfortably seated on a plush red sofa. A lady was attending to him, pouring a glass of wine. Jimi looked up as Julian entered.

Jimi greeted him warmly, "Sir Julian, please, take a seat. You should have just given me a call, and I would have come to visit you myself."

Julian settled into a seat, and the serving lady graciously poured him a glass of wine.

Julian leaned forward, his demeanor focused and determined. "Don't worry about it, Mr. Jimi. I came here with a business proposal in mind."

Jimi's interest piqued, and a smile crossed his face. "Business, you say?"

Julian nodded firmly. "Yes, I'd like to invite you to invest in a new company that I'm in the process of starting."

Jimi leaned in, intrigued. "I'm all ears. Please, go on."