I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

July 6, Tuesday, early morning.

A plane cruised through the night sky, its red lights flashing intermittently.

The cabin was luxuriously outfitted, with only four passengers. The space was wide enough to accommodate released Pokémon.

Ash had already reclined his seat and was fast asleep on the soft “bed,” Pikachu curled up beside him.

Alice had also fallen asleep, holding Axew and mumbling in her sleep:

“Master Drayden… Dragon Envoy…”

“Awooo~” Arcanine lay prostrate on the floor, gently wagging its tail, sleeping very soundly.

Lu Ye dimmed the overhead lights. In the soft warm glow he read a collection of Unova myths, the sheet music spread across the pages.

“Can’t sleep?” Cynthia asked, turning to the side.

Lu Ye glanced over. Her golden hair spilled down, hiding her delicate fair cheek;

her clear gray eyes radiated a pure, unblemished beauty.

“Alright, I’ll sleep.” Lu Ye closed the book, and with a click turned off the main light.

Pitch-black as an endless night filled the cabin. The airflow outside the window hummed;

the fuselage shuddered faintly.

Lu Ye heard a rustle at his side. She leaned over to briefly kiss his lips, a wet, sweet touch. Her hair brushed his cheek. Lu Ye lifted his eyes and met Cynthia’s gaze.

Silence—about three seconds.

“Good night.” Cynthia smiled faintly, her breath warm and she sat back into the reclined seat.

Her voice faded into the dark.

Lu Ye touched his lips as drowsiness surged. Stretching, he sent a whisper of the Power of Transcendence toward the shadow:

“Good night, Darkrai.”

“…Thanks, I’m full.” A faint reply came back.

Lu Ye’s mouth twitched;

he closed his eyes lightly. His shoulder suddenly felt heavy, as if an Eevee had once again been perched there.

He tilted his head toward the shoulder. A small Pokémon lay there, eyes closed, tiny, note-like hands resting against his shoulder, head on its arm, breathing softly.

Lu Ye was slightly surprised.

[Ping! Meloetta: Melody Pokémon. Can control human and Pokémon emotions through song. This ability is thought to have developed as a self-protection mechanism to repel enemies.]

Because the Rotom Pokédex was asleep, the berry stand feature came back online.

Lu Ye: “...That’s an odd presence increase.”

Aura passed along a benevolent emotion. Lu Ye recalled last night’s performance — it must have been thanks to Meloetta’s help.

But why did Meloetta sneak onto the plane and curl up on my shoulder like that, sleeping so comfortably...

Lu Ye felt awkward. He didn’t wake Meloetta, instead looking toward the deep sleeper, Ash.

The Legendary Attraction trait of a Novice sure doesn’t lie.

Good thing it was Meloetta this time—if Hoopa snuck in next time, the danger level would skyrocket!

“By the way, wanted to remind you this afternoon—this little guy’s been following you lot around.”

Darkrai suddenly realized, smacking his forehead. “I got so caught up in Oración I forgot!”

“You’re a pretty lousy bodyguard,” Lu Ye said. “I’ll deduct a can of energy cubes from you.”

Darkrai: ?

Wait, you didn’t give me that can;

now you want to deduct one from me?

Considering it really was negligence, Darkrai secretly looked forward to crossing paths with a legendary Pokémon.

When that time comes, it won’t be measured in cans but in cars...

Sleeping all night with Meloetta on his shoulder, he might wake with a stiff neck.

Come to think of it, the café could use a resident singer...

Lu Ye stared at Meloetta, thinking about how to coax it into the café.

At that moment, Meloetta rubbed her eyes, opened her sea-blue eyes, and looked at Lu Ye.

Silence—silence was the theme of the night.

“Melo!” Meloetta trembled slightly, hurriedly floated up and re-concealed herself.

Lu Ye stroked his chin.

I’m not a demon… Am I that scary?

“If you want to rest, you can sleep on that sofa over there. It’s fine.”

Lu Ye covered a yawn, speaking softly:

“Good night, Meloetta.”

No reply.

Only after the cabin fell completely silent did Meloetta quietly watch the sleeping dark-haired youth, place a hand on her chest, and whisper:

“Melo~”

At sunrise.

“I can already see the beach!”

Ash pressed his face to the window and shouted.

“Where? Let me see too.” Alice squeezed over.

Cynthia sat cross-legged by the window, closing the book in her hands and smiling:

“Undella Town is a famous seaside attraction. Before the World Championship junior opening ceremony, everyone can take a vacation together.”

“Awesome!” Ash and Alice cheered in unison.

There was no sign of Meloetta, but aura readings indicated she was still nearby.

Lu Ye put that aside for now and, infected by the childish excitement of two future champions, smiled:

“Let’s go. I’ll treat you to some seaside barbecue today.”

“Yay! (✪ω✪)” “Pikachu~（¯﹃¯）”

“Uwaa…(இωஇ)”

Lu Ye added, “And grilled scallion segments.”

“Ga! (´థ౪థ)σ”

It was summer;

Undella’s sea rippled and glinted brightly.

They rode in the black car driven by butler Jerome and arrived at Cynthia’s villa in Undella Town.

They stood before the sea-view villa with a luxurious garden.

Lu Ye and Haunter both took off their sunglasses and hung them in the front pocket of his Alola shirt, looking up in admiration.

If this were a renovation, the cost would be no small sum...

As expected of Teacher Lu—

Every time he sees a new mansion, his first reaction is to estimate construction costs!

“Thank you for your hard work, Jerome.” Cynthia smiled faintly.

“You flatter me. If there is anything you need, please contact me, Miss Cynthia, Mr. Lu Ye.”

Butler Jerome pressed a hand to his chest. “Then I shall take my leave.”

When the dignified Jerome departed, Ash and Alice immediately relaxed and laughter echoed through the villa.

Cynthia entertained everyone with tea and only pre-packaged desserts. They were high-end items like Forest Yokan, but still not as good as freshly made treats.

“This is the moment. The chef’s power opens the future!”

Lu Ye borrowed a famous line from Clemont and rolled up his sleeves.

“Rotom, activate Super Cooking mode!”

“Beep beep... cannot understand, Ro-to~ o(TヘTo)”

Still, Haunter had brought along an oven and was ready to show off the “legendary cookware.”

In less than half an hour, Lu Ye carried freshly baked, colorful macarons to the coffee table and brewed a pot of Miss Skirt’s Herbal Tea for afternoon tea.

“Gengarrr~[]~(￣▽￣)~*” Haunter doubled as a server, skillfully pouring tea.

“Thank you, Haunter~ You’re so cute!” Alice said with a sunny smile.

“Gengarrr!” Haunter grinned, teeth bared.

Cynthia rested her face on one hand and smiled at Alice.

Sunlight streamed through the window and haloed her golden hair, making her profile bright and gentle.

She glanced at Lu Ye, who’d taken off his apron and was wiping his hands with a handkerchief.

Gradually, as if remembering something, a faint blush spread across Cynthia’s fair neck. She lifted the teacup with elegant composure, the corners of her mouth curving.

“Awoo… Pikachu, this flavor’s delicious. Try it.”

Ash puffed out his cheeks and offered a macaron to Pikachu.

“Pika~” Pikachu tasted the macaron and let out a small, happy squeak, ears twitching.

“You ate them all, Ash.” Alice exclaimed.

“Huh?” Ash looked at the empty plate and scratched his head. “I thought there was still one left.”

“Melo~”

Meloetta, hidden, tasted a macaron and closed her eyes in delight, happily lifting the corners of her mouth.

…

In the afternoon.

Lu Ye received the routine report from “Handsome Guy.”

“Team Plasma hasn’t taken action for now.”

Handsome Guy’s voice was grave:

“But there’s an important piece of intel... The ‘DNA Splicers’ kept by Mayor Drayden of Undella are said to also have a function to unlock genetic chains.”

“That’s a legend passed down in the Dragon’s Village clan. The DNA Splicers supposedly have both the ability to fuse two into one and to separate one into two. But it’s only a legend—no one has verified it...”

Lu Ye nodded. It was easy to understand—like fusion and fusion cancellation.

Lu Ye pondered: “I see. Mayor Drayden still refuses to transfer the DNA Splicers?”

Handsome Guy sighed softly: “After all, just asking a museum curator to give up a precious heirloom based on speculation is too much to expect.”

Lu Ye nodded slightly.

He had expected this in advance.

Giovanni and the Trio were heading to Twinleaf City precisely to handle such risks.

“I’m currently on vacation,” Lu Ye replied. “I’ll be passing Twinleaf City on the way... cough, I’ll take a look then.”

“Understood!” Handsome Guy saluted and cut the connection.

Glancing at the itinerary, they would head to Lacunosa Town three days later, passing through Twinleaf City’s airport.

Lu Ye felt uneasy.

Traveling with Ash for this period did carry certain risks...

In the villa’s garden.

Cynthia wore a blue blouse and black wide-leg pants, smiling as she played with Pokémon.

Sylveon swung on a swing, softly humming: “Bu-bii~♪”

Pupitar stared at its favorite sandbox, in which lay a lazy Gastrodon hogging the space.

Pupitar, unable to use hands, held back tears:

“Uwaa…(இωஇ)”

When I evolve, I’ll definitely drive this guy away!

Ash was training Krookodile barehanded, calling out moves: “Come on, use Fly! I can handle it!”

Krookodile sweat-dropped on his forehead, glanced at Ash, then at the equally sunglasses-wearing, impassive Blastoise.

“Creak...” Krookodile trembled.

This yard... didn’t seem to have many normal Pokémon!

Lu Ye walked into the courtyard and happened upon Ash training Krookodile to use Fly.

“A true master of Flying types—every Pokémon needs Fly!” Lu Ye thought approvingly. Follow current novels on novel•fire.net

This Krookodile will evolve into Ash’s signature swaggering Krookodile in Unova.

It also wore sunglasses... like Turtwig—very tasteful!

“Ka-may…ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise pushed up his sunglasses, stared at Krookodile, then looked away.

Hm... already checked, it’s not Zorua or Ditto. Next target.

Lu Ye’s mouth twitched.

Now that they’re in Unova, Zorua gets added to the list of suspects... reasonable!

Sizzle—

The indoor lights began to flicker and then cut out entirely.

“Is the power out?” Cynthia turned and looked inside.

The Rotom Pokédex waved its hands: “Beep beep... not Rotom’s doing, Ro-to.”

“Didn’t say it was you.” Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. “Why so nervous?”

“Beep beep... there’s only one truth, Ro-to.”

The Rotom Pokédex spun and pointed at Pikachu. “According to Detective Rotom’s reasoning, Pikachu’s current interfered with the appliances, Ro-to~”

“Pika?” Pikachu startled and took a half-step back.

“Okay, washing machine. Stop watching those detective dramas.”

Lu Ye looked at his phone, helpless. “The Pokémon Center notice says equipment at the power plant was damaged, causing the outage.”

“Rotom?!” The Rotom Pokédex froze, crestfallen and head bowed.

Lu Ye: “...”

Your role was never a washer anyway—you’re basically a young detective genius!

“Wanna check out the power plant?” Ash asked excitedly. “Maybe we’ll run into a Zapdos!”

“Like that would happen—finding a legendary Pokémon so easily!” Alice crossed her arms.

“You never know...” Lu Ye murmured.

This plot felt vaguely familiar—like the pivotal event where Alice bonds with her partner Dragonite.

Alice’s Dragonite has an entirely different temperament: violent and ferocious but with moments of tenderness.

Just then a motorcycle roared up. Officer Jenny arrived at the villa and asked Champion Cynthia for help with a disturbance at the power plant.

“It’s a very powerful Dragonite, and the town’s defenses aren’t sufficient...”

Officer Jenny bowed apologetically: “We will reward you later. Please help, Champion Cynthia.”

“No thanks for the reward...” Cynthia smiled faintly. “We’ll go check it out.”

Officer Jenny exhaled, glanced at Teacher Lu Ye beside her. As a popular idol among Officer Jennys, she blushed and gathered courage:

“I have a small personal request.”

“What is it?” Cynthia blinked.

“May I...” Officer Jenny lowered her voice toward Cynthia, “get Mr. Lu Ye’s autograph?”

Cynthia: ?

In the end Officer Jenny obtained the autograph. She thanked them and roared off on her motorcycle.

Lu Ye watched. A chill ran through him and Cynthia smiled:

“You seem very popular with Officer Jenny.”

“Nonsense.” Lu Ye blurted, then added instinctively, “and Nurse Joy too.”

Cynthia: ?

The slip came out and Lu Ye immediately regretted it, his expression complex.

Crap, I almost ruined it!

“Ha ha, let’s go check out the power plant and maybe take down a Zapdos as a group.” Lu Ye tried to change the subject.

Cynthia lifted her beautiful eyes and glanced at Lu Ye with a faint look.

“Please punish me.”

Lu Ye straightened:

“For example, stepping on me with black stockings—I won’t run.”

“That would be a reward for you.” Cynthia stared ahead, her fair neck flushed, and said lightly.

“Actually, a Wobbuffet apron would be pretty good too...”

Lu Ye realized Alice and Ash were here, along with innocent Meloetta, and cleared his throat:

“I mean, I’ll wear an apron and cook a couple dishes tonight.”

Cynthia seemed to enjoy Lu Ye’s flustered expression, a smile at the corner of her mouth. She turned to Alice:

“Let’s go to the power plant together.”

The power plant housed Alice’s future Dragonite.

It had been hit by a triple attack from three-headed Hydreigon while protecting startled Tranquill, mistakenly wandering into the power plant and causing the town’s blackout.

Lu Ye mulled over the fuzzy plot and casually tore off a leaf.

If the battle risks hurting Dragonite... maybe Hypnosis would be better.

They arrived at the power plant. The awakened Dragonite bore a savage look, flapping its wings violently and roaring:

“Roar!!!”

Gale-force winds cut through the air. Cynthia stood with one hand on her hip, gaze sharp, and said quietly:

“Is this the Dragonite Officer Jenny mentioned?”

Alice’s eyes flickered. “But—but that child...”

Before she could finish, Dragonite dove at Pikachu. Ash pulled his hat down and grinned:

“Perfect timing, Pikachu—”

A clear Grass Whistle song sounded: ancient and ethereal.

Everyone froze and looked at Lu Ye, who was blowing a leaf like a flute. Dragonite also paused in astonishment.

A familiar aura returned, signaling artistry and romance.

The Ancient Song flowed smoothly and rhythmically.

Meloetta floated into view, hand on her chest bowing to Dragonite.

Suddenly brilliant white light bloomed around Meloetta. Meloetta shifted from singer to passionate tap dancer;

her pomegranate-orange eyes lit with battle intent, and she leapt before Lu Ye, stretching out an arm toward Dragonite: “Melo~!”

Meloetta—Dance Form!

The change stunned everyone present. Lu Ye showed a slight smile.

This child finally agreed to show herself to everyone.

It made sense: the song form is shy and reserved, while the dance form is passionate and outgoing.

“I see.” Cynthia put a hand to her chin and pondered. “That odd energy on the plane... it was Meloetta.”

Ash fumbled for his Pokédex and scanned.

Alice rushed in front of Dragonite, spread her arms to block Meloetta, and shouted:

“Please stop. I believe Dragonite isn’t a bad child!”

“Melo?” Meloetta blinked.

Dragonite looked at Alice with complicated eyes and lowered its aggression.

“Come with me to the Pokémon Center for treatment.” Alice stroked Dragonite’s head. “Good kid, everything’s okay now.”

Dragonite looked disdainful, then glanced at the icy-eyed Garchomp and grinning Haunter, and reluctantly nodded.

By dusk, Lu Ye and Cynthia returned to the villa first.

Meloetta reverted to Song Form and floated in the air.

“Melo~” Meloetta delicately perched on Lu Ye’s shoulder, her deep-blue eyes cautiously studying Cynthia.

“This child seems very fond of you.” Cynthia smiled slightly.

“The problem is, mythical Pokémon can live for a thousand years...” Lu Ye looked at Meloetta.

“It’s rude to comment on a girl’s age,” Cynthia reminded him.

Lu Ye blinked.

Although Meloetta has no gender, people usually treat her as a girl...

“Bu-bii!”

Sylveon glared at Meloetta perched on Lu Ye’s shoulder. When Lu Ye looked over, Sylveon turned away in disdain.

“Bu-bii! o(´^｀)o”

I didn’t complain about anything!

“Melo…” Meloetta sat on Lu Ye’s shoulder looking timid.

Lu Ye thought of world-famous paintings and stifled a laugh—

Teacher Lu, if Sylveon knew I was sitting on your shoulder, she wouldn’t be mad, right?

Not like me—I’d only feel sorry for Teacher Lu~ ξ(✿＞◡❛)

He shook his head to dispel the ridiculous image and cleared his throat.

Meloetta can’t have bad intentions.

Of course, tonight he should groom Sylveon to soothe the tsundere little thing’s feelings.

He never imagined that between Yellow and Misty’s love triangle with Red, he’d learn about it from Pokémon too!

Lu Ye felt a pang of admiration and sympathy for Red even more than before.

When Alice returned from the Pokémon Center, she had successfully caught Dragonite.

Alice has a natural bond with Dragon-type Pokémon;

in just a year she rose from curator to champion—talent and opportunity both indispensable.

Teacher Lu wasn’t jealous;

he felt pleasantly proud.

Watching future Unova champions and... uh... an Alola champion grow gave him that “ten years to grow a tree” sense of achievement.

“Will you come with us?” Lu Ye asked, looking at Meloetta on his shoulder.

Meloetta has her own tribe and guardians. Like Mew of the World Tree, she is a true mythical Pokémon with authority.

Lu Ye didn’t know Meloetta’s past... but if she was willing to travel with them, Teacher Lu would gladly accept.

Meloetta looked thoughtful and showed a small smile.

“Melo~”

“There might be unexpected events ahead.” Lu Ye said casually.

“Melo!” Meloetta showed confidence, placed a hand on her chest, and nodded elegantly.