After obtaining the ancient crown, Cole left Mabel's place that afternoon.
The girl needed to stay behind for a day or two to discuss matters with Diantha.
Upon returning to Shalour, Cole decided to visit Ember. She had studied Diancie — a mythical Fairy-type Pokémon — for many years, so she might know of items that could help accelerate Hatterene's Fairy Energy enhancement.
Cole had intended to notify Ember of his visit but realized he'd only given her his contact information without getting hers in return.
Left with no alternative, he had to make an unannounced visit, despite the impropriety.
Following his memory, Cole quickly found his way back to Ember's residence, which remained unchanged since his last visit.
Several Carbink were playing hide-and-seek in the villa's courtyard. As they ran past the gate, they spotted him standing outside.
"Carbi~ Carbi~"
The Carbink called toward the house, and moments later, the beautiful Ember appeared.
She wore a fire-red dress that, paired with her crimson hair, created an impression of passionate flames.
Yet this passionate appearance was merely a facade — her attitude toward him was decidedly cold.
She looked surprised to see him. Opening the gate, she asked, "Why are you here? Is there a problem with raising Carbink?"
Cole shook his head, "No, I came today to ask for your help with something."
Before he could continue, Ember cut him off with a wave of her hand, "Stop right there. If this isn't about raising Carbink, don't bother asking. I won't help you. Our connection is limited to raising Diancie."
Cole was taken aback by her coldness. Then again, they weren't close — raising Diancie was simply a transaction.
Seeing him speechless, Ember pressed, "Anything else? If not, you can leave now."
Noting her irritated demeanor, Cole wondered if something was troubling her.
"I'm sure you understand that raising Diancie effectively requires my full attention."
"Are you trying to threaten me?" Ember suddenly glared at him.
Cole quickly waved his hands, "No, I'm sincerely asking for help."
Ember rubbed her temples, then suddenly brightened as if struck by an idea. She looked at him with interest. "If you help me with something, I might consider listening to your request."
"What help?" Cole asked, puzzled at what someone of her status could need from him.
Ember clapped her hands, and Goodra emerged from the house to join them.
She beckoned to it, and the obedient Pokémon bent down as she whispered something in its ear. Following her instructions, Goodra went inside and returned with paper and pen.
Taking them, Ember began to draw. Shortly after, she handed the paper to Cole.
"Follow this map, find Milotic at sea, and bring it to me. If you succeed, I'll help you."
Cole examined the paper, finding an expertly drawn map. The details were so precise it looked professionally printed.
He couldn't help but give her an impressed thumbs up.
Ember: When you live long enough, you pick up all sorts of skills — no need to make a big deal of it.
"Find Milotic?" Cole asked, "Will any Milotic do?"
"Think about it — if any Milotic would do, why would I need you to search the sea?" Ember rolled her eyes and pointed to a star on the map, "The Milotic you need to find lives here. Whether you can convince it to come depends on your ability."
Cole nodded, "Alright, I'll try."
Ember nodded with satisfaction, but then her brow furrowed as she rubbed her head in frustration. "Tell me, what help do you need? Let me see if I can help — if I can't, forget about finding Milotic!"
So he told her about Hatterene's situation.
Ember walked to a nearby chair and collapsed into it, looking exhausted, "So that's what this is about. I do have what you need. As long as you can bring Milotic here, I'll give it to you."
"That's great! Don't worry, Sister, I'll do my best." Cole said happily.
Ember waved her hand, covering her eyes with the other, "Alright, alright... if there's nothing else, you should go. I'm not in the mood to dawdle."
Seeing that she really did seem unwell, Cole could only say, "Then I'll take my leave. Take care of yourself."
Leaving her place, he saw it wasn't too late, so he took the express flyer directly back to Coumarine.
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That evening, Cole told everyone about his plans to search for Milotic at sea and asked them to look after the house and orchard.
Initially, he wanted Daisy to stay and guard the house, but she insisted on going along, worried he might be gone for many days.
What could a son do? He had to agree!
Still concerned about leaving the house unattended, Cole called Alfred, hoping he could stay there for a while to handle any orchard-related issues.
When Alfred learned about Cole's sea journey, he rushed to Mt. Ascendant that night, deeply worried.
Realizing Cole had to go regardless, Alfred could only repeatedly urge him to be careful while helping prepare supplies for the journey, all packed into the space backpack.
Since he didn't plan to take Hatterene along this time, he instructed Alfred on how to administer the medicine, asking him to maintain the injection schedule.
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The next day, as Cole was getting ready to leave, Alfred suddenly knocked and entered, handing him something.
"What's this?" Cole asked curiously.
"A friend of mine has a cruise ship heading out to sea today. I checked your route map last night and noticed your paths overlap for quite a distance. I asked him to give you a ride — this way you won't have to deal with the wind and sun at sea. Here's the ship's information. When you get to Coumarine port, just follow these directions to find the cruise ship. You can board directly; I've arranged everything."
Cole looked at the note in his hand and turned to him in surprise, "Alfred, you contacted them late last night? Won't that trouble them too much?"
He felt touched.
Alfred waved his hand, "This cruise ship belongs to a new friend of mine. We get along well, and won't fall out over something small like this."
Through helping Cole sell berries, Alfred's social circle had grown increasingly wide, and he was meeting people of higher social status, including wealthy heirs and business owners. Though most were casual acquaintances, he had formed genuine friendships with one or two.
Cole said sheepishly, "Alfred, you're always looking out for me, I really..."
Alfred dismissed it casually, "This is nothing — just come back safe and sound."
With Alfred's final instructions, Cole and Daisy set off together.
This time, besides bringing his main Pokémon team, he also brought the Gyarados leader — you can't travel at sea without a Water-type mount. Though Popplio was a Water-type Pokémon, it wasn't suitable as a mount.
At Coumarine port, Cole quickly found the cruise ship using Alfred's directions. He approached the boarding area and said to a crew member:
"Um... hello..."
Though Alfred had said he could board directly, Cole worried he might get in trouble for boarding without permission.
The cruise ship was incredibly luxurious and clearly not for regular passengers — it seemed to be for a sea voyage, and everyone boarding was dressed elegantly.
The crew member looked him up and down, then his eyes suddenly lit up as he asked tentatively, "Are you Mr. Cole?"
Though the crew member had seen his photo beforehand, he still wasn't completely certain.
"I am Cole, but about this 'Mr.'..."
Before he could finish, the crew member quickly pulled him onto the ship.
"That's right! Our Sir instructed us to bring you to see him immediately." The crew member said as they walked.
"Ah... I see..."
Through many twists and turns, they arrived at a room on the cruise ship's top deck.
Knock Knock Knock~
"Sir, Mr. Cole has arrived." The crew member announced.
"Who is it! What's going on? Don't you know I'm sleeping?"
A young man emerged from the room wearing loose pajamas, his hair disheveled and dark circles prominent under his eyes. He looked thoroughly annoyed, with sleep still crusted in the corners of his eyes.
"Sir, this is Mr. Cole." The crew member repeated, unfazed by his master's irritation.
Hearing this, the young man instantly perked up and chuckled, "Oh, so you're Alfred's little brother! Wait just a moment."
He slammed the door shut, and when he reappeared, he had transformed.
Now dressed in a silver suit with his brown hair neatly combed back, he looked quite presentable — save for those persistent dark circles under his eyes.
Though his smile had a hint of... naïveté.
"Little Brother Cole, right? I'm Sebastian, but call me Bash. Alfred and I are good friends, and since you're his brother, make yourself at home on my ship."
"Hello, Bash." Cole politely greeted him.
He suddenly understood how Alfred had befriended this young man who was quite a bit older than him.
Sebastian seemed rather simple-minded — the typical wealthy heir, more money than sense. With Alfred's social skills, befriending such a guileless rich young man must have been effortless.
"Come, come, let me show you around my cruise ship. Any expenses you have on board are on me."
The young heir's generosity knew no bounds.
Under Sebastian's guidance, Cole toured the cruise ship and marveled at its luxury.
It had everything imaginable: high-end restaurants, swimming pools, movie theaters, water parks, casinos, Pokémon training rooms, battle arenas, bars, theaters — the works.
Being on such a cruise ship for the first time, Cole was utterly dazzled.
Sebastian, disregarding Cole's age, showed him every venue — bars, casinos, adult entertainment areas. He merely observed, of course, being just a child.
After the tour, Sebastian took him to a specially prepared room on the same floor as his own.
To ensure Cole's privacy, Sebastian arranged the room at the end of the hallway and instructed the staff that no one was to disturb him without permission.
Following what were likely Alfred's instructions, Sebastian's task was to ensure Cole could stay undisturbed until disembarking.
Before leaving, he gave Cole a black gold card that would grant him free access to all services on the ship.
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After settling into his room, Cole heard a long ship's horn signaling their departure. Seeing it was already 6 PM, he decided to head out for dinner.
"Mom, let's go eat!" he called to Daisy.
"Garde~ Garde~" — Yes, yes, I can't wait!
Like her son, she had broadened her horizons today. During their earlier tour of the restaurant, she had been secretly looking forward to dinner.
Though they could have dined at any time, they had been too busy exploring the ship earlier.
At the restaurant, Cole followed the server's recommendations and ordered a table full of delicacies — dishes that neither he nor Daisy had tried before.
Halfway through their meal, they were approached by a middle-aged man wearing a black tailcoat and gentleman's hat, carrying a walking stick.
"Hello there, young man."
Mother and son looked up simultaneously, puzzled by the stranger's presence.
✲✲✲
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