After parting ways with Dory, Yuga returned to the Blue Sky Day Care to bid farewell to Reggie and the old man. Although Reggie and the old man sincerely wanted to persuade Yuga to stay a few more days, Yuga felt that he had been out for quite a while, so he declined their invitation.
After returning to the Hoenn region, Yuga did not immediately go back to Verdanturf City, but instead made a stop in Mauville City to visit his master and told the old man about the entire process of rescuing Celebi, so that he wouldn't worry.
After spending another night in Mauville City, Yuga then rode Dragonite directly back to Verdanturf Town.
However, as soon as he entered his house, Suzuki Koen said, "Boss, you're back. Someone came looking for you, said she wanted to see you, and has been waiting at the inn for several days."
"Someone came to see me?" Yuga looked confused. "Who?"
Suzuki Koen shook her head and answered, "I don't know her, she's a girl named Aniya. I asked her why she wanted to see you, but she wouldn't say."
In fact, Suzuki Koen had seen Aniya before, since Aniya had visited YoYo Day Care once, but because she had served too many customers, of course she couldn't remember Aniya after so long.
Aniya? Yuga looked surprised. Why is Aniya looking for him? Could it be to ask about Amina?
"She's still at the inn?" Yuga asked.
Suzuki Koen nodded and said, "Do you want me to invite her over?"
"Let her come over," Yuga said after a few seconds of thought. "Bring her to the reception room." After speaking, he walked toward the reception room.
"Got it!"
Suzuki Koen responded, then called over his son and asked him to go to the inn to invite Aniya. About ten minutes later, Aniya was brought into the reception room.
"Long time no see, Miss Aniya."
Yuga casually gestured with his hand, signaling Aniya to sit down.
"Long time no see, Mr. Shimizu," Aniya said with a sullen voice.
"I wonder, Miss Aniya, what brings you here to see me?" Yuga asked straightforwardly.
Their relationship couldn't be considered friendly.
Aniya replied, "Actually, it's not me who has something to ask of you. Amina asked me to come."
Yuga was shocked. "Amina? Isn't she with Team Rocket?"
Aniya nodded and said, "That's right. Here's what happened…"
Not long after Amina was captured, Aniya was released by the League, and her position as a Gym Leader was also revoked. It could be said she was knocked all the way back to square one.
The position of Gym Leader in the League is something that countless trainers dream of!
Not long ago, just as Aniya was worrying about her future, she suddenly received a message from Amina, and it was sent through a channel known only to the two of them.
The message was very simple: it asked her to deliver a string of numbers to Yuga. After that, she could no longer get in contact with Amina.
While speaking, Aniya took out a piece of paper with a string of numbers written on it and pushed it toward Yuga.
"Are you sure it was Amina who told you to give this to me?" Yuga asked in disbelief. After all, he and Amina didn't have a friendly relationship—he was the one who personally captured her. "What do these numbers mean? A code?"
Aniya shook her head and said, "I don't know. Her message was very simple, only told me to give this to you."
Yuga took the slip of paper and stared at it for a long time but still couldn't figure out what secret it might contain.
"Alright, I've already done what she asked and handed it over to you. I'll be leaving now."
After speaking, Aniya didn't care whether Yuga was still lost in thought and walked straight out the door. Yuga didn't stop her either.
Yuga pondered for a long time in the reception room, but still couldn't understand what Amina meant, so he could only bring his full confusion with him to the Ecopark.
Entering the laboratory in the Haunted House Sub-Ecopark, Mewtwo was, as always, busy. Today, Magearna was also helping out nearby.
When Mewtwo saw Yuga enter the room, it was surprised and asked, "When did you come back?"
"Just got back. I haven't even had time to take a sip of water and I'm already rushing over to see you. Aren't I thoughtful?" Yuga joked.
Mewtwo lowered its head and continued its work while saying, "Alright, just say it. What's the matter?"
Yuga immediately grinned and said, "Come, help me see if there's any trick to this string of numbers." As he spoke, he handed the slip of paper that Aniya had given him to Mewtwo.
Only then did Mewtwo lift its head again, took the paper, and began to ponder.
Seeing this, Magearna also came over to take a look, but Mewtwo directly pushed it aside and said, "Go back to what you were doing, you don't understand this anyway."
Magearna immediately puffed up in anger and ran to the side, swearing that she absolutely wouldn't talk to her old man for the next five minutes.
In the eyes of scientific researchers, certain arrangements and lengths of numbers can have special meanings. Mewtwo stared at the numbers on the slip for a while, then took out paper and pen to write and calculate, and finally walked to a computer and started typing.
Seeing how focused Mewtwo was, Yuga didn't even dare to breathe too loudly and quietly waited for the results.
About an hour later, Mewtwo waved at Yuga, signaling him to come to the computer, and explained: "This string of numbers is a communication code that can generate a one-way contact mini-program."
Yuga looked at the little icon on the computer screen and felt both confused and impressed. Just a string of numbers and you two can make something like this? Mewtwo was one thing, but that Amina sure wasn't simple either!
"You mean this mini-program is used for communication?"
"That's right." Mewtwo nodded.
"Then can we get in touch with the other side?" Yuga asked again.
Mewtwo gave him a speechless look. "Didn't I say it's a one-way contact mini-program? You can only wait for the other side to contact this side. This side has no way to reach the other!"
Yuga fell silent at once. What does Amina mean by this?
"Who gave this to you? Stirring up trouble for no reason!" Mewtwo said.
Yuga shook his head and didn't answer. After thinking for a moment, he added, "When the other side makes contact, make sure to tell me right away!"
Since they couldn't contact the other party, they could only wait quietly for a reply.
Mewtwo didn't ask further and said impatiently, "Alright, if there's nothing else, get out. Don't disturb my work. If someone does contact you through this, I'll inform you!"
"Hey hey… I just wanted to talk with you more!"
Yuga was pushed out of the lab by Mewtwo and could only leave helplessly.
After leaving the Haunted House Sub-Ecopark, Yuga released all the Pokémon he had with him and let them return to their respective Sub-Ecopark to rest. Then he planned to head out.
But just as he walked into the main garden, he happened to bump into Doudou, who had just returned from the Island Ecopark. More importantly, there was a Clefable following Doudou.
Doudou had been busy in the Ecopark and didn't know Yuga was back, so when he saw Yuga, he immediately shouted in excitement.
"Audino~"
When did you come back?
Yuga hugged Doudou and said, "Just got back."
Then he looked at Clefable and asked, "Clefable evolved from Clefairy? Where did the Moon Stone come from?" As he spoke, he activated his Insight skill and looked at Clefable.
...
[ Clefable ]
Type: Fairy
Gender: Female
Potential: Blue
Level: 54
Moves: Pound, Baby-Doll Eyes, Sing, Sweet Kiss, Heal Pulse, Misty Terrain, Copycat, Magical Leaf, Disarming Voice, Moonblast, Gravity, Meteor Mash, Healing Wish, Dazzling Gleam, Heal Bell, Helping Hand.
...
After reading, he even praised it: "Hmm… not bad, looks like you didn't slack off while I was gone."
Through explanations from both Pokémon, Yuga learned that the Moon Stone used for Clefairy's evolution had been gifted by Jellicent.
A couple of days ago, Clefairy had accompanied Doudou to the Haunted House Sub-Ecopark to deliver food to Jellicent and his family of three. When Jellicent found out that Clefairy needed a Moon Stone to evolve into Clefable, he gifted it one.
This Moon Stone had been casually given to Jellicent by Giratina in the past. Since he had no use for it, he decided to give it to Clefairy.
Clefairy felt that it was about time to evolve. After all, all its little companions had already evolved into their final forms. It needed to catch up too, right? So it chose to evolve.
After hearing this, Yuga looked at Clefable and said, "I see... Since you've now evolved into your final form, you'll have to train even harder from now on. No slacking off!"
He had previously held off on letting Clefairy evolve—not because he lacked a Moon Stone—but because he felt it could benefit from some more tempering before reaching its final form.
But now that it had chosen to evolve on its own, Yuga felt that respecting its decision wasn't a bad thing either.
"Clefairy~ Clefable~"
Clefable nodded in agreement. Compared to its days as a Cleffa or Clefairy, it now had a far more composed demeanor.
"Oh right, do you two still have anything unfinished? I can help," Yuga said.
"Audino~ Audino~"
No, no, you just got back—you must be tired. Go get some rest.
Doudou quickly shook its head in refusal, then turned to look at Clefable.
"Audino~ Audino~"
I'll leave the rest to you, I'm heading out with Yuga now.
Doudou usually handled things with Clefable by its side, and now seemed like a good chance to let Clefable handle some tasks independently.
After entrusting the remaining tasks to Clefable, Doudou pushed Yuga out of the Ecopark. First, it ran some water for him to take a bath, then helped gather the dirty clothes he had changed out of while away and began washing them... In any case, it was quite the flurry of activity.
When Yuga finished his bath and came out, Doudou had already laid out a table full of delicious food. He sat down and began eating. Seeing Doudou bring out another dish, he smiled and said jokingly.
"It's really best at home. But with you serving me like this, I'll end up a spoiled wreck one of these days."
"Audino~ Audino~ Audino~"
That's just perfect. If you become a wreck, then you'll never be able to leave me again.
Doudou teased playfully.
Yuga stuffed a pancake into his mouth, then acted dramatically horrified. "That kind of thinking is a little dangerous!"
Laughter immediately rang out in the dining room, clear and crisp from Doudou.
After eating and drinking his fill, Yuga rested in his room for a while. He ended up lying there until nightfall. YoYo Day Care had already closed, and the staff had all gone home for the day.
When Yuga came out of his room, he happened to see Ninetales coming out of its room as well.
"Yuga, let's go visit the Pokémon Club!" Ninetales said.
"You just got back and already want to go to the club?"
Ninetales walked up and gently tapped Yuga with its tail, trying to persuade him.
"We've been out for days. My skin is all wrinkled, and my fur's lost its shine. I have a movie shoot in a few days—you know I can't afford to neglect my beauty routine."
Yuga thought for a moment, then agreed: "Alright, let's splurge a little at the club today. Doudou should come too."
"Audino~"
Yay!
And so, Yuga locked the door and took Ninetales and Doudou to the Pokémon Club.
Even though night had already fallen, Verdanturf City was still bustling with activity. Bright lights and vibrant colors lit up the streets, and young people were everywhere enjoying the nightlife.
The attendant at the entrance of the Pokémon Club was already very familiar with Yuga and Ninetales. As soon as he saw them coming, he warmly welcomed them.
"Mr. Shimizu, it's been a while since you brought Ninetales over," said the attendant, then turned to Ninetales and added, "Ninetales, you're just as dazzling as ever today."
Good that you've got eyes!
Ninetales raised its head proudly and walked in, swishing its tail back and forth. The attendant quickly chased after it because he knew full well that this one was the big spender every time—Mr. Shimizu was just along for the ride.
Another attendant came over to greet them and, while leading Yuga and Audino inside, said, "Oh, Audino's come along today too? What a rare guest. I wonder what services Audino would like to try?"
As he spoke, the attendant handed Yuga a menu.
Ninetales was a regular and didn't need to look at the list. As soon as it entered, it ordered its usual package and went off to enjoy it.
Yuga glanced at the list and said, "Get Audino a skin treatment and a massage. As for me… I'll take a massage too!"
At the Pokémon Club, the technicians who serve people and Pokémon are different. For example, humans massage Pokémon, and Pokémon massage humans.
"Alright, I'll make the arrangements right away. But for Audino, Mr. Shimizu, would you like to request a specific technician?" the attendant asked.
Yuga shook his head. "You guys arrange it as you see fit."
The attendant nodded and immediately called over another staff member to escort Audino away.
While leading Yuga to the massage room, the attendant said, "Mr. Shimizu, we recently got a new massage technician here at the club. Their skills are top-notch. Would you like to give it a try?"
Yuga said in surprise, "A new technician? Really that good? Then I have to try it."
The staff happily replied, "Great, I'll set it up for you right now. This one is our top-tier technician, specially transferred from our headquarters!"
Technicians at the club came in different ranks, and their prices varied accordingly. Naturally, top-tier technicians were the most expensive.
After a short while, a beautiful Pokémon entered Yuga's massage room—it was a Gardevoir.
Yuga had seen many Gardevoirs before, so he didn't think it was anything special. But this was his first time encountering a Gardevoir as a massage technician.
"Your club's pretty capable, huh?"
Generally speaking, Pokémon Clubs don't use rare Pokémon as technicians because it's not cost-effective. But when it comes to top-tier technicians, it's another story. They could bring great value to the club—especially ones like Gardevoir, considered a top-tier existence in this field.
However, training a top-tier technician was no easy feat.
"Hehe… As long as you're satisfied," the attendant said with a wide smile.
Yuga lay down and enjoyed Gardevoir's massage. He had to admit, this Gardevoir truly lived up to the title of top-tier technician—its massage made even his bones feel soft.
It felt so good that Yuga began to doze off. He didn't know how much time had passed when suddenly a commotion arose outside. He opened his eyes slightly and asked:
"What's going on out there?"