The night deepened, and the room was filled with warmth.
Teacher Luke engaged in a card game with Cynthia. Togepi observed with curiosity, while Gengar hid behind Luke, pointing excitedly.
"Jie jie~!" (This one!)
Luke's expression grew complex as he glanced at Cynthia's deck. Not even half a month had passed since the release, and all the URs had been collected. Was this the power of money? He mentally vowed to print a set later.
"Have you decided which card to play?" Yawning, Luke fought off sleepiness.
"Let me reconsider..." Cynthia examined her hand, hand against her chin.
Luke joked, "You've been thinking for ten minutes..."
At this rate, it seemed like he might fall asleep here.
"I've made up my mind!" Cynthia's eyes sparkled as she drew a card. "Activate Moon Stone from my hand and bring Nidorino onto the field. Evolve into Nidoking."
Luke was momentarily stunned. "But my Pidgeot is a Flying Type and isn't affected by Ground Type moves..."
Cynthia smiled, waving her fingers. "Even though it's a Ground Type, the tremors created by Earth Power can reach the sky."
"So Pidgeot's HP is reduced to zero. Victory is mine." Cynthia claimed a 'reward card' from Luke.
What?! Luke was taken aback and tentatively asked, "Couldn't my Pidgeot fly higher, avoiding 'Earth Power'?"
Cynthia considered for a moment before returning the 'reward card'. "Sure."
Luke gazed skyward. Was she starting to make things up now?!
In the end, after an hour of card-playing, Teacher Luke, with his better ventriloquism, emerged victorious.
"Why are there Johto Pokémon in your deck?" Cynthia inquired.
"Because this is from an unreleased expansion pack," Luke grinned. "It's still in the testing phase."
Cynthia tapped her chin. "Sinnoh's expansion pack... and Garchomp..."
"Don't worry, there will be a special version just for you," Luke assured her. "As long as it promotes the Pokémon Trading Card, it's not a privilege!"
"No problem," Cynthia said with a smile.
...
While all seemed relatively peaceful, as a Champion, Cynthia couldn't laze every day. Despite her mild internet addiction, she was still more active than a certain stone enthusiast. Of course, the notion of Champions fishing was a joke in times of peace. In times of crisis, this group of Champions would undoubtedly lead the way.
As the night shadowed the landscape, riding on Garchomp's departure, Teacher Luke touched his chin. There was still more to strive for.
Setting a small goal, like being able to afford a Sinnoh Champion, seemed reasonable.
"Alright, time to get some rest!"
With a report to Celadon University awaiting tomorrow, Luke walked back into the room and was immediately drawn to a letter on the sofa. Behind it lay a small USB flash drive.
Cynthia had left a brief note: [Sylveon-TM "Hyper Voice"]
Luke raised an eyebrow. A late-night power boost, quite fitting!
Glancing at Sylveon, lying on the sofa with blinking blue eyes, and Growlithe, who had learned "Snarl" with a puzzled expression, Luke held his forehead and sighed.
"I have a feeling... I'll never sleep peacefully again!"
......
November 11, Sunday.
The Singles' Day shopping fervor permeates the chat group.
"I've been saying, these are just tactics used by merchants," Gold remarks with rare seriousness. "Johto Region doesn't have such customs!"
Jasmine, usually reserved, chimes in with a lighthearted voice, "Well, now I use the online shopping platform from the East, and I got potato chips at half price..."
Taking advantage of the shopping festival, Jasmine indulged in buying many snack packs. Stacked up at home, they likely reach the same height as her petite frame. Sorry, but Jasmine still holds the title of the Kindergarten Great Appetite King, awarded by Last Resort.
"Um... potato chips are half price!" Gold exclaims.
"I'll place an order now and wait until the holiday is over before selling. Will I be able to make a profit?" Green suggests with gleaming eyes.
Blue's mouth twitches, saying, "Do you take others for fools..."
Silver interjects, "...you can sell it to me."
Gold retorts with an [Angrily rubs the dog's head upstairs]. "You're not right!"
Red proposes, "@Gold, I'm free today and can come to Mt. Silver for a match."
"No problem!" Gold hums. "But be forewarned, don't blame my pokemon for being merciless if you lose."
Red replies with a smile, "Of course."
Luke is slightly startled. On Singles Day, these two plan to compete on Mt. Silver. This doesn't sound like a typical friendly match. By the way, most people in the group have CPs (couple pairs). Then who else hasn't taken the order... Luke touches his chin and suddenly realizes—oh, it's himself!
Lorelei dismissively comments, "This kind of festival is unnecessary."
Gold inquires cautiously, "Because no one is chasing you?"
A stubborn smile slowly appears on Lorelei's face. Using honorifics won't deter me from coming to Johto to find you solo!
Erika, in the midst of the tense atmosphere, remains one of the few clear-headed individuals. "@Teacher Luke, this little girl is in the Pokémon Center in Celadon City, not far from the high-speed rail station. You should be able to find her."
Teacher Luke responds, "I'll be there soon!"
"Teacher Luke is really going to work at Celadon University. It's amazing!" Yellow of Viridian Forest exclaims.
Gold interjects, "Oh, it's not on par with old man Oak!"
Professor Oak, now at Celadon University, is also an honorary Principal. Gold, contemplating, slowly nods. Well, if Teacher Luke gets hired, Oak has good foresight!
This irreverent tone makes Blue sigh, and he says to Red, "@Red, teach him a lesson this afternoon."
"No problem," Red agrees with a smile.
In his heart, Luke silently raises a flag for Gold. "Gold, be careful!"
Turning off the chat of Heaven Realm, Luke heads towards the Pokémon Center. While walking, he rubs his dark circles. Last night, a little fellow watched a video of the 'Hyper Voice' move, and even in his sleep, he could hear Sylveon's soft Growl of 'vui~~~vui~~~'. Although cute, the sound effect is also quite potent. If you add Growlithe's Snarl, Luke's house might never experience peaceful sleep again!
This morning, he dreamt of lying in a nest of Eevee, with his ears filled with the sound of 'vui~' Growl.
In a contemplative mood, Luke yawns and says, "Gengar, give me a refresh!"
"Gengar, jie jie~!" Gengar grins, sticking out its tongue, and delivers a refreshing Lick.
Teacher Luke is in a state of "paralysis"!
"I feel invigorated."
Having Cheri Berry for breakfast, Luke asks, "What's next?"
Gengar licks the corners of its mouth, inserts its hands into the four-dimensional space of its abdomen, and fumbles for a while.
"Clang clang clang!"
Gengar pulls out a bottle of espresso coffee.
"Oh, it's you, Gengar!"
This feature can be compared to a certain blue companion!
Outside the Pokémon Center, Erika, in green with fluttering sleeves, has been waiting for a while.
"I'm late."
"This little girl just arrived."
Erika smiles and says, "Let the little girl lead the way. Right."