Luther stared in a daze at the shimmering Rainbow Feather.
Ever since the Rainbow Feather came into his hands, he would take it out and toy with it whenever he adjusted his clothes. After all, this was the very first item he had ever encountered that was related to a legendary Pokémon.
Although he didn't know exactly what effect the Rainbow Feather held in this world, he couldn't help but hope that, by some stroke of luck, it might actually summon Ho-Oh. He desperately wished it would glow again.
But it never did. No matter when Luther pulled it out, the Rainbow Feather remained dim, as if the moment it fell into his possession, it had lost all its divine aura. Quietly, it would just lie in his clothes.
Yet at this very moment, the feather resting in Cynthia's hand flickered once more, emitting a faint glow like fireflies.
Cynthia's eyes widened at the wondrous sight unfolding before her. If what Luther said was true, if this feather had fallen countless years ago, yet still retained such power, then there was no need to question its authenticity.
If this feather appeared in Ecruteak City, the people there would undoubtedly go mad. Without a doubt, countless individuals would try to use it to once again commune with Ho-Oh.
As Cynthia admired the Rainbow Feather, she led Luther into the elevator and back to the door of their room.
Standing at the door, Cynthia reluctantly handed the Rainbow Feather back to Luther.
"Since you were the one who discovered it, you should keep it safe. According to legend, the one who possesses the Rainbow Feather can summon the Phoenix and communicate with it. If you ever succeed, make sure to call me. I want to witness it too."
Luther gave a wry smile. As if it could be that easy. But he still nodded and reached out to take the Rainbow Feather.
The instant his fingers touched it, the feather's faint glow began to fade. By the time Luther had fully taken it into his hand, it was already as dull and lifeless as it had been before he gave it to Cynthia.
Both Luther and Cynthia froze.
Before Luther could react, his vision blurred, and Cynthia had snatched the feather back, stuffing it into her shoulder bag.
"I've changed my mind. Lend it to me for a couple of days. I still want to compare it against some legends. That's okay, right?" Her gaze was complicated, as though she was deeply afraid Luther would refuse.
His scattered thoughts were interrupted by her words. Hearing her request, he didn't hesitate to agree.
"I woke up too early this morning. I'm a little tired, I'll go take a nap." Luther forced a smile, gave Cynthia a nod, and turned to leave.
Entering the elevator, he pressed the button for his floor, leaning against the wall with one hand covering his face.
His chaotic thoughts made him feel as though he might faint. Just now, in that instant, he had sensed something; an overwhelming unease had suddenly surged up, leaving him with a terrifying feeling of instability.
His steps wavered as he walked, and Luther couldn't even remember how he made it back to his room. Once inside, he turned off every light, crouched in the darkness, and buried his head in his arms, desperately trying to grasp that fleeting thought, the source of his anxiety.
His heartbeat quickened. In the silence, it sounded like a massive drum booming in his chest. The closer he drew to the answer, the stronger his unease became, and the faster his heart pounded.
It was clearly winter, yet Luther was drenched in sweat.
Wedged in the narrow space between his bed and the cabinet, Luther lifted his head with a bitter smile.
"So that's it… I was never able to fool them after all."
Meanwhile, Cynthia, carrying her bag, planned to head out. Her destination was the local Research Lab in Snowpoint City.
Just as she entered the lobby, she bumped into Mai, who had just finished shopping and was heading for the elevator with her arms full of bags. Corsola balanced a sack nearly its own size on its head, bouncing forward until it landed in front of Cynthia.
Eevee, burdened with its own bag of goods, trotted over as well.
Food ingredients, berries needed for Pokémon rations, and a few potions made up the entirety of Mai's haul.
"It's already lunchtime, Cynthia. Are you still going out? Will you be back tonight? It's Luther's birthday, and I've prepared quite a lot."
As Cynthia rubbed Corsola's horns, checking its condition out of habit, she paused to consider her answer.
After learning that Corsola was doing well, Cynthia stood up.
"I've got something to take care of, but don't worry, I'll definitely be back tonight." As she said this, something crossed her mind. "Put that down for a second and help me check something."
Mai set her shopping bag aside, curious as Cynthia pulled out a faintly glowing Rainbow Feather from her shoulder bag.
Mai looked at it with puzzlement. "This feather… I think I've seen almost the exact same one with Luther. This is a Rainbow Feather, right? Cynthia, you have one too?"
"This one is actually the same feather Luther lent me temporarily for research."
Taking the Rainbow Feather in her hands, Mai gazed at its dazzling glow, a little entranced. She exclaimed, "It's glowing again at last? Ever since we retrieved it from that burial site, it hadn't shown any signs of life. Cynthia, do Rainbow Feathers go into dormancy? Have you told Luther? He's been waiting so long, hoping it would shine again."
Cynthia stared at the Rainbow Feather, her expression complicated. After hesitating for a moment, she reached out, took it back from Mai, then picked up Mai's shopping bags and walked with her into the elevator.
"You're not going out anymore?"
Cynthia smiled. "No, I've changed my plans. If I missed Luther's birthday celebration tonight, that would be a problem. The other matter wasn't really that important anyway."
After seeing Mai back to her room, Cynthia opened her own door, turned off all the lights, collapsed face-down onto the bed, and buried her head in the pillow.
A long while later, she ruffled her now-messy hair, rolled over, and pulled out the Rainbow Feather.
In the dim room, its radiant colors illuminated the space like something out of a fairytale.
Her phone was right by her side. At one point, Cynthia picked it up, scrolled through her contacts, and stopped on Diantha's name, ready to call.
But her finger, hovering over the screen, refused to press down.
She felt lost, restless, and… uncertain.
In the end, she still made a call, but to Lance instead.
Lance's voice sounded a little tired, still yawning.
"Morning, Cynthia. What made you think of calling me? Here to wish me an early Happy New Year?"
"It's almost one in the afternoon. Morning?" Cynthia replied, irritated.
Lance was helpless too, last night's banquet had dragged on until two or three in the morning, and he'd slept straight through until now. If not for Cynthia's call, he probably would've slept into the afternoon.
"Alright, spill it. You didn't call just to wake me up. What do you need me to do?"
Cynthia looked at the Rainbow Feather in her hand, fell silent for a while, then sighed. "Do you know Matsuba, the Gym Leader from Ecruteak City? I remember he has some knowledge about the Burned Tower and Ho-Oh."
"I've got a question, and I want to confirm the answer."
(End of Chapter)
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