Everyone had tickets for the S.S. Anne's earliest morning departure. After enjoying a meticulously prepared breakfast courtesy of the Kihara family, they packed their belongings and left the restaurant where they had stayed for more than a month.
Mai and Mao repeatedly insisted that they didn't need such a large salary, especially since Spoink and Bellossom had adapted to their roles, allowing them to step back from active participation and assist the Pokémon only occasionally during peak hours.
Kihara remained stubbornly insistent and insisted on paying them the full amount.
Recognizing this as Kihara's way of repaying his debt of gratitude, Luther allowed Mai to accept the money.
Wakaba, holding her Roselia and Spoink, accompanied the group to the harbor, determined to see Luther and the others off.
Over the past few weeks, Wakaba had received invaluable advice from Luther and his companions on how to start her own journey and prepare for her travels.
As she watched them wave goodbye from the ship's railing after passing through ticket inspection and boarding, a sudden wave of loneliness washed over her.
After watching Lance's ship grow smaller in the distance, Wakaba returned to the restaurant.
Thanks to the reputation that Luther and his companions had established, her restaurant was now bustling with customers every day. Emboldened by this success, Wakaba had hired two Bellossom to help, and Kihara Restaurant's reviews had soared.
Pushing through the crowd and across the dining room, Wakaba entered her room and saw the photos on the wall.
These were truly family portraits:
Luther, Etorre, Dakota, Ash, Mai, Mao, Dawn, Brock, and Wakaba, each holding their Pokémon, posed for the camera. Behind them, their Pokémon jostled for attention before being arranged in height order.
Another photo captured an even more amusing scene: Luther hugging Mai and wrapping an arm around Mismagius.
Ash grinned foolishly at the camera while holding Pikachu. A Bayleef nuzzled him constantly from behind.
Meanwhile, Dawn helped Piplup pull Gible off its head.
Dakota and Darkrai stood side by side with impassive expressions, creating a striking backdrop.
Ettore mediated a dispute between Kingdra and Chandelure while Ferrothorn, charred and disheveled from its peacemaking efforts, stood nearby.
Mao held up Igglybuff, who was clutching Surskit by the face.
Brock lay sprawled on the floor after being preemptively taken down by Croagunk before he could attempt to flirt with the beautiful woman who entered the restaurant.
Luther and the others suggested displaying the photos after the tournament, but Wakaba was reluctant.
She felt that these memories belonged solely to her. Such precious moments should be cherished in private.
Looking at Roselia beside her, Wakaba suddenly felt a surge of determination. "We'll get as strong as Ash and the others someday, right?"
Roselia shook the flower in its hand in agreement.
Encouraged by the response, Wakaba clenched her fist, her spirits renewed.
"Starting tonight, we're going to work even harder!"
As the afternoon approached, Luther and his group finally arrived at Lily of the Valley Island.
Stepping off the ship, Luther once again felt the pre-tournament excitement and tension in the air.
Reporters swarmed the port, interviewing passing Pokémon Trainers. When the reporters learned that Luther's group were preliminary round contestants rather than spectators, they pressed for in-depth interviews.
However, perhaps because Luther's group stuck together, the reporters nearby avoided them altogether.
This spared them considerable trouble, as their most urgent task was to register for the tournament at the Pokémon Center.
Luther quickly reached the nearest Pokémon Center by taking the regular sightseeing tram from Lily of the Valley Island. The Pokémon Center was conveniently located near the Contestant Village.
The line stretched from inside the building all the way out the door.
"I checked the Pokémon League Forum," Mao said, holding up her phone as she briefed the four of them. "They're saying the Lily of the Valley Conference has significantly more participants than in previous years."
"What's the preliminary round format?" Dakota asked.
"Usually, there are two options: a points-based or a battle-based elimination system. We won't know which one they'll use until the day before the competition starts."
Luther was about to pull out his phone to browse the forum when he saw at least ten people ahead of them. Suddenly, Ash let out a soft gasp.
He immediately looked over and saw the egg Ash was holding tremble violently several times in a row.
Over two weeks had passed since Luther and Ash took possession of the eggs. Just as Joy had warned them, the Pokémon eggs gave absolutely no feedback to their caretakers.
For half a month, no matter how carefully they cared for it or how persistently they tried to coax a response, their efforts proved futile.
Dakota desperately wanted to tell them that the egg was likely dead, but ultimately chose to remain silent.
Seeing their expressions, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
The Pokémon egg trembled several times before falling silent again. Ash pressed his face against the egg's surface and rubbed his cheek against the shell.
Pikachu mimicked Ash's actions, nuzzling the egg as well.
Suddenly, a series of vibrations pulsed against Ash's cheek. He and Pikachu looked up immediately, startled.
It was Dakota's turn to register his data. He handed Joy his Badge Case and ID card, then turned to look curiously at the Pokémon Egg.
When the egg fell silent again, Ash couldn't resist pressing his face against it once more.
A soft glow enveloped the Pokémon egg. Before he could react, the egg gradually transformed into the silhouette of a Pokémon inside the light.
"This shape..."
Luther suddenly felt a strong sense of familiarity. He had trained with Maylene in Veilstone City, and her room was filled with photos of this Pokémon.
As the light faded, Riolu blinked its eyes and looked up at Ash, who was holding it close. Riolu had absorbed all the egg's nutrients and energy.
Dawn and Mai quickly scanned the Pokédex:
"Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon. The aura it emits intensifies when it's frightened or sad, sending danger signals to its allies."
"Impressive." Ash was truly a seasoned egg-hatching pro. Moreover, the bond between Riolu's evolved form, Lucario, and Ash seemed destined.
The newly hatched Riolu, about the size of a puppy, had already bonded with Ash, nuzzling his face relentlessly and showing no fear of the surrounding noise and activity.
Just before the tournament, a stubborn Pokémon egg finally cracked open, a promising omen for Ash.
Luther handed the Pokédex and badge case to Joy, then glanced at Mai, who was sitting nearby.
She was gazing at the Pokémon egg cradled in her arms. Pokémon evolution often triggers a resonance between trainers and their partners, but hatching seems to lack this connection.
"Registration complete. Here are your Pokédex and Badge Case," Joy said with a smile as Luther retrieved his items. She then produced a keycard. "This is the key to your room in the Contestant Village."
She also pulled out a booklet from under the counter. "This is the tournament guide containing most of the information participants will need."
Luther thanked her and stepped aside to watch Ash register Riolu.
"Should I have chosen the blue one back then?" He murmured to himself.
(End of Chapter)
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