Regarding meals.
The legendary Pokémon soon discovered a problem: they used large wooden trays.
But Ralts? She had a delicate little bowl.
According to Riku, Ralts's little bowl was an artwork he had spent a lot of money on, bought from the market on Tangelo Island.
Although the legendary Pokémon definitely didn't want to use such small bowls themselves, it didn't stop them from complaining about Riku's bias.
---
Their current status on the island hierarchy:
Riku was undoubtedly ranked first.
Cute Ralts closely followed in second place.
Farfetch'd was third — who told it to build the grass shed and grow green onions every day?
Lapras, Gengar, and Metagross, as the main fighting force, came fourth.
The rest? The pitiful legendary Pokémon.
Seeing that they were even ranked below the subordinates, Groudon was jealous.
But it could also clearly see the situation—who told it that it couldn't help Riku in battle?
In truth, Riku treated all Pokémon equally in his heart.
But after repeatedly asking them to go out to fight and train—only to be met with excuses—he had come to believe that they were hopelessly lazy.
Naturally, they didn't get any special treatment from him after that.
---
Just as Riku was about to start a new day of training, the Orange League actually called.
Ever since May left, Riku had seemed to lose contact with the Orange League.
He hadn't made a single call, and the League also seemed to have forgotten about this meritorious contributor.
But in Riku's eyes, the Orange League wasn't all that bad.
He figured they probably just hadn't cleared his blacklisted status yet and were too embarrassed to contact him.
As long as he didn't leave the Orange Archipelago, Riku really didn't care whether he was blacklisted or not.
---
"Riku, hello."
"Grandma?" Riku was taken aback hearing the voice on the other end.
"How could I trouble you to call me personally? Did something happen to the League?"
"No, no," Grandma replied gently.
"The Elite Four of the Indigo League have already left, and our Orange Archipelago has finally returned to peace."
"Then... is there any news about my Pokédex?" Riku asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"There is indeed some news," she said, though her tone seemed off.
"Come over to the League building, and we'll talk properly about this."
"Oh, right... Miss Cynthia from the Sinnoh region is visiting our Orange Archipelago and specifically asked to see you."
"Prepare yourself and be careful not to offend her. She is the Champion of the Sinnoh region."
"That's all for now."
Beep beep beep...
And just like that, she hung up before Riku could react.
---
Cynthia from the Sinnoh region?
Champion?
Why did she specifically ask to see me?
Could it be...?
Riku quickly pieced it together.
It had been a week since his duel with Elite Four member Bruno from the Indigo League.
The Indigo League must have received the battle report and forwarded it to the Orange League.
If Cynthia truly was a Champion, then she likely received that same report.
And judging by Grandma's odd tone, Riku could tell this Sinnoh Champion named Cynthia had come with ill intentions—most likely to battle him.
---
Sigh...
How long has it been since I rested?
Riku looked helplessly up at the sky.
First the Elite Four, now the Champion. Can't I have a single peaceful day?
Though exhausted, Riku quickly made preparations.
He summoned Lapras and sent it to Ghost Island to fetch Gengar.
Then he returned to the wooden house and gathered all the Pokémon.
---
"Listen up."
"The Orange League just called. I need to meet someone."
"It's a Champion-level trainer from the Sinnoh region. I don't know if she's stronger than the Elite Four, but judging from Grandma's tone, she's not someone to take lightly."
"So, today, you all go to the berry fields. Milotic's level has increased. I won't take it with me—let Milotic protect you during this time."
"Chirp..."
The legendary Pokémon remained silent, but Milotic called out helplessly.
When it had been a Feebas, it was carefree—ugly and weak, it had no expectations.
So it lived like a lazy fish, free and unfettered, without overthinking.
But now, having evolved into the most beautiful Milotic in the world, things had changed.
More than winning the lottery—it was a total rebirth.
And with that rebirth came new responsibilities.
So Milotic turned and chirped a question to the legendary Pokémon.
---
"Roar..." Groudon pounded its chest.
"Master, just go. Leave Ralts to us. If anyone tries to hurt her, they'll have to step over our bodies first. Don't worry..."
"If it were just you few idiots, I'd definitely worry," Riku retorted.
"But with Milotic here, no wild Pokémon should pose a threat."
"Oh, right—if you really encounter something you can't handle, just shout loudly. We still have that powerful Aerodactyl on the island."
Speaking of which...
Riku sighed.
That Aerodactyl still refused to get close to him.
And ever since Red Shrimp moved into the house, he'd rarely seen it.
If he didn't occasionally spot it flying overhead, Riku would've thought it had moved away.
---
Two hours later, Riku finally arrived at Tangelo Island, carried by Lapras—fashionably late.
Under Grandma's introduction, he finally met the Sinnoh Champion—Cynthia.
And in that first glance... Riku was stunned.
She was a mature woman.
But unlike Lorelei, who wore an OL skirt suit and exuded intellectual charm, Cynthia had a mysterious beauty—an aura that felt otherworldly.
---
"Hello, I'm Cynthia." She smiled slightly.
"I've heard about your deeds—even in the Sinnoh region."
Riku, dazed for a moment, extended his hand.
"Miss Cynthia, hello. I'm Riku. I'm not sure why you specifically requested to meet me, but if there's something—"
"Wait!" Cynthia suddenly interrupted, her gaze fixed on Riku's wrist.
"That bracelet... How do you have a Mega Bracelet?"
"This should be a new special item from the Pokémon League Center. There's no way you could have one."
Her voice remained polite, but the tone was icy cold.
"Could you please tell me the origin of this Mega Bracelet?"
Riku instantly understood—The Cynthia standing before him wasn't someone who could be easily fooled.
-----------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter