I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Pharaoh of the Pyramid. Head of the Battle Frontier. The wielder of the Three Regis.

Jindai slowly regained consciousness, only to be greeted by a grinning, ghostly face right in front of him: “Gengaa~!”

“Aaaaahhh!!” Jindai almost fainted again on the spot.

“Alright, cut it out.” Lu Ye bent down and picked up the eyeball that had rolled onto the floor, handing it back to the Gengar pulling faces.

His mood turned a little complicated.

After spending so much time with Gengar, this level of scare barely made a ripple anymore…

“Gengaa! (￣▽￣)／” Gengar popped the eyeball back in and gave Jindai a fresh greeting.

“So it was Gengar…”

Jindai let out a breath of relief, scratching his head as his memory gradually returned. Then he suddenly tensed up.

“What about the King of Portlandis?!” “Right here.” Lu Ye held out a roughly carved stone orb toward him. “Successfully sealed.”

Jindai’s eyes widened. “But the inscription on that slab was written in an ancient language…”

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure—the renowned mythologist, Cynthia.

A realization dawned on him.

“It wasn’t me,” Cynthia shook her head. “I haven’t gotten that far in ancient linguistics yet.”

“Then it was…”

Jindai let out a small “Oh!” and said, “Gym Leader Brock? The one with experience working in museums?”

“It was Mr. Lu!” Ash corrected loudly. “You almost died, Mr. Jindai!”

Jindai froze for a moment, then turned to look at the composed and refined young man before him.

So young, and already this deep into the obscure field of ancient language…

He nodded solemnly, stood up, and gave Lu Ye a respectful bow. “Mr. Lu, I will never forget that you saved my life.”

“No big deal.” Lu Ye scratched his cheek.

If it weren’t for ancient language, I might’ve taken you out just now...

Cynthia furrowed her brow and asked seriously, “What exactly happened, Mr. Jindai?”

Jindai returned the Three Regis to their Poké Balls and sighed.

“It was my negligence. I thought that king wanted to possess Ash. I didn’t expect… my own mind would be the weak point.”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself, Mr. Jindai,” Brock said firmly. “You’re already one of the most outstanding archaeologists alive.”

Jindai shook his head and gave a bitter smile. “That’s exactly why I still need more training.”

“Still,” Jindai added, “this trip to the ruins wasn’t entirely fruitless.”

“At the very least, I uncovered the truth behind the fall of the Portlandis Empire, and…”

He paused, glancing around at the chaotic interior of the Battle Pyramid, then coughed lightly. “Let me get you all out of here first!”

Brock looked toward the dark mist and asked, “What about all that lingering resentment?”

“I’ll have Dusknoir devour it…”

“Gengaa~（¯﹃¯）”

Jindai looked at Gengar and mused, “If your Gengar would like to devour it, Mr. Lu…”

“Gengaa! ψ(｀∇´)ψ” (Bon appétit!)

Lu Ye watched his Gengar happily floating in the air, gorging on the black mist, looking slightly concerned.

“Seriously, is that even safe to eat?”

“For Ghost-types, these spirits are the best supplements.”

Jindai folded his arms, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “Especially for curse-type moves—their effects can improve drastically.”

Lu Ye blinked. “Including Perish Song?”

“Perish Song, Curse, Destiny Bond… all of them.”

Lu Ye held his breath, a familiar sense of dread tightening in his chest.

Unbelievable.

You really managed to screw me over even now!

Lu Ye muttered, “Do you happen to have distant relatives named Reiji and Shinji?”

Jindai: “Huh? What makes you say that?”

“No reason.” Lu Ye coughed. You guys just look too alike…

I’ll remember this grudge, you hear me!

“Gengaa~! (*⊙~⊙)” Gengar grabbed the mist like cotton candy, stuffing it whole into its mouth.

Apparently not satisfied, Gengar summoned its “Dusknoir” form behind it.

A three-meter-tall mini version of “Susanoo” stretched out its thick arms, scooped up the surrounding black mist, rolled it into a big ball of "cotton candy", and shoved it into Gengar’s mouth with glee.

“Gengaa! ヾ(≧∇≦*)ヾ” (Delicious!)

Lu Ye twitched.

This must be an illusion. I must’ve fallen into one of Gengar’s illusions!

After the pyramid’s black mist was completely consumed—

“Gengaa! (✪ω✪)” Gengar, still not satisfied, turned its gaze toward the sealed stone orb in Jindai’s hand.

Sensing danger, the orb began to shake violently.

“That’s not edible… you’ll get the runs,” Lu Ye said sincerely.

“Gengaa~(｡•́︿•̀｡)”

Jindai also wiped cold sweat from his brow and attached something to the orb. He said solemnly,

“This was Ho-Oh’s punishment… let him stay imprisoned in darkness.”

Lu Ye nodded in contemplation.

Tantalus, who offended the Greek gods, was also punished with a fate worse than death.

But now that I think about it… if the King of Portlandis can be sealed in a Poké Ball…

Does that mean I could toss a Master Ball at Ash too?

Lu Ye started seriously considering the idea…

…

Escorted by Jindai, the group exited the inside of the pyramid.

Under the clear blue sky, the blonde beauty stared absentmindedly at the handsome profile beside her.

“What are you looking at?”

Cynthia smiled softly. “Looking at you.”

Lu Ye’s face turned red. He glared, “Then I’ll look back at you!”

The two began a game of “don’t blink first.”

Single and third-wheeling Brock squinted up at the sky.

I really should’ve stayed home today…

“Mr. Jindai.”

Ash was challenging him.

“I want to battle you—for the final Battle Frontier symbol!”

“No problem.”

Jindai folded his arms and nodded seriously. “After a little rest. Next time we meet, let’s settle it with a full-on battle!”

“Thank you, Mr. Jindai!”

Ash beamed with excitement and looked up instinctively.

Through the layers of clouds, a beautiful rainbow streaked across the sky. A large bird’s tail feathers sparkled in brilliant hues.

“That’s… the legendary Ho-Oh,” Cynthia said first, lifting her gaze.

“You blinked.”

“So childish!”

Lu Ye looked up just in time to see the rainbow vanish. The voice of Rotom sounded in his ear.

“Beep beep! Ho-Oh, a Legendary Pokémon. Said to only appear before pure-hearted Trainers. Very few sightings on record, Roto~”

Pure-hearted Trainers.

Lu Ye raised his brows.

No wonder Ho-Oh took one look at me and noped out…

Still… looks like the ‘photographer’ came to check on the King of Portlandis himself.

Even if I didn’t show up, Ho-Oh would’ve acted.

Or maybe… Lu Ye turned to look at Ash.

The final Battle Frontier facility… maybe Ho-Oh came to cheer on that “idiot.”

“Alright!”

Ash clenched his fists, fired up. “Let’s head back to the Pokémon Center, then challenge Mr. Jindai!”

“Pika pi!”

Jindai, usually so serious, actually smiled a little as he turned to Lu Ye.

“Mr. Lu, to thank you for saving me, I’ve prepared a gift.”

Lu Ye’s expression subtly changed.

Jindai reached into his coat and pulled out a beautiful, but dim, feather.

In that instant, everyone around instinctively widened their eyes.

[Rainbow Wing (Dimmed): A Rainbow Wing that has lost Ho-Oh’s blessing, yet still radiates breathtaking beauty. (Revival Token +1!)]

“The Portlandis Kingdom fell,” Jindai said slowly, “because its king held a Rainbow Wing he should never have possessed.”

“Thousands of years later, this Rainbow Wing lost its power and became symbolic.”

Jindai extended the feather to Lu Ye. “Inside the ruins, I uncovered this secret… and this Rainbow Wing.”

“Now, I entrust it to you, Mr. Lu.”

It’s said that when a pure-hearted Trainer encounters a Rainbow Wing, it will glow again.

Of course, that’s just a legend.

But Jindai believed that the wise and kind Mr. Lu was a Trainer he could trust.

Today’s events made him realize how much more he had to learn.

And that’s why he decided to hand over the Rainbow Wing.

“Rainbow Wing?!” Ash exclaimed, eyes wide.

“You’ve heard of it too?” Brock asked, curious.

“Hehe, I was lucky enough to find one when I left Pallet Town.”

Ash scratched his head and added seriously, “A senior once told me: never give the Rainbow Wing to someone with a wicked heart!”

Jindai nodded in agreement and extended the feather to Lu Ye. “Please take it, Mr. Lu. I’m sure you’ll use its power well.”

So the kingdom was destroyed… because the king yanked a feather and ticked off Ho-Oh?

A cold sweat ran down Lu Ye’s forehead.

It’s not that I don’t want to accept it…

But if I take the Rainbow Wing and Marshadow pops up to challenge me, then what?

Those with impure hearts who hold the Rainbow Wing… invite Ho-Oh’s wrath and destruction!

“Mr. Jindai.” Lu Ye declared righteously, “I didn’t save you for any kind of reward.”

“Evil must be vanquished. The Rainbow Wing should go to someone destined to have it—wouldn’t that be better?”

Jindai froze for a moment.

After being humbled by the King of Portlandis, he didn’t feel worthy of holding the Rainbow Wing anymore.

Cynthia and Brock also didn’t seem inclined to accept it.

Jindai then looked at Ash.

“I already have one,” Ash said, scratching his head. Suddenly, a light bulb lit up over him as he accepted the feather from Jindai.

In a flash, the dim Rainbow Wing glowed faintly—then went dark again.

Even Ash couldn’t reawaken it?

Lu Ye blinked, then realized—

This “dim” Rainbow Wing really was more symbolic than anything.

“Mr. Lu!” Ash cheerfully waved the feather. “See? No big deal, you don’t have to worry!”

Ash figured Mr. Lu was just being cautious, like always, which explained his nervousness around the Rainbow Wing.

“Here, Mr. Lu! Rainbow Wings bring good luck!”

Ash stuffed the feather into Lu Ye’s hands. “Pikachu and I escaped danger thanks to it!”

“Pika pi!”

Lu Ye’s face stiffened. He tried to let go—but Ash’s grip was unexpectedly strong.

As soon as it touched his hand, the feather gave off a cool, soft feeling.

Its already-dim glow dimmed even further, like it switched from ‘smart mode’ to ‘eco mode.’

Lu Ye: ????

It glows in Ash’s hands but dims in mine!?

Thankfully… Lu Ye looked around. Nothing weird seemed to be happening.

The Rainbow Wing gave off a faint glow in his hands.

“Looks like,” Cynthia said with a smile, “the Rainbow Wing has acknowledged you too.”

“See, I told you!” Ash wiped his nose and grinned. “It’s a sign of good luck!”

Sure, if you say so…

Lu Ye looked down at the feather.

Like staring at a time bomb.

Suddenly, the feather flickered like it was irritated.

Lu Ye quickly poured in Aura power. Wrapped in a bluish light, the Rainbow Wing regained its glow.

Good grief, this feather has a tsundere personality!

Lu Ye felt very conflicted.

Then he had a sudden realization—Aura power really was useful.

Maybe next time… try using it on someone else?

Seeing the feather finally settle down, Lu Ye carefully tucked it into his coat.

Last time, at the Quartz Conference, he got a Moltres tail feather, which Arcanine now wore.

That one boosted its firepower and vitality.

As for this new Rainbow Wing… Lu Ye still hadn’t decided how to use it.

“In any case,”

Lu Ye thought nervously:

“I’ll just give it a dose of Aura every day—hopefully it won’t turn evil…”

…

After Lu Ye and Cynthia bid farewell to Jindai, the ruins incident came to an end.

Besides rescuing the trio, Mr. Lu had once again saved the day.

Gengar, having devoured the King of Portlandis’ thousands-year-old resentment, was now clutching its belly at the back of the group.

Lu Ye glanced back. “Told you not to overeat.”

“Gengaa!” Gengar pouted.

But I got even stronger again!

And then there was the Rainbow Wing from the ruins.

Though it was currently ‘dim,’ if needed, Ash could probably charge it up and use it like a revival token.

In a way…

Tortoise’s cautious personality had once again rubbed off on Mr. Lu…

Cynthia walked beside Lu Ye, arms folded, resting her chin on one hand. Her golden hair draped down to her waist as she sank into thought.

Her current research also touched on ancient languages.

Maybe she wouldn’t need to bother Professor Rowan after all…

Cynthia turned to Lu Ye, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled softly.

“I need a favor from you!”

“No way I’m doing translations again!”

“I’ll pay you a really high hourly rate~”

“…Where do I start tomorrow?”