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Luther clearly captured every change in Shinro's expression... from shock and disbelief to unwillingness and helplessness, shifting again and again.
Darkrai confirmed the outcome of the battle and immediately disappeared into the shadows.
This was Luther's first time seeing Darkrai in peak condition. As expected of a legendary Pokémon, it was overwhelmingly powerful.
Luther had seen a similar aura from Hakuya's Tauros and Kangaskhan. Once they entered Battle Mode, they emitted a pressure that made it hard for others to breathe.
That kind of aura could intimidate an opponent's Pokémon without the Pokémon releasing a single move.
Luther had learned a lot from Hakuya, but he still hadn't mastered this particular aspect. None of his Pokémon could emit that kind of presence yet.
Maybe he should learn a thing or two from Darkrai. Darkrai probably wouldn't mind.
When the battle ended, Shinro's first reaction was to check Shiftry's condition. This aligned perfectly with Luther's standard for a qualified Pokémon trainer.
Of course, excluding actual strength.
Shiftry slowly regained consciousness. He was still dazed and unable to comprehend what had just happened or accept that he had been defeated so quickly.
"What does it feel like?" Luther asked.
Shinro froze for a moment, clenched his teeth, and answered.
"Very strong. I didn't even have a chance to fight back. This is a level I'll never reach, isn't it? I've already felt the gap."
But this wasn't the answer Luther wanted. He sighed and asked another question.
"At the moment you lost, what was the first thing that came to your mind?"
Shinro opened his mouth slightly, but no words came out.
"Forget it. Don't tell me. You said before that you didn't need my help with battling, and I agree. Some things can't be learned just by being explained. What I want to talk about is something else."
Luther tossed a Sitrus Berry to Shiftry, allowing him to recover.
"In Snowpoint City, Cynthia evaluated a Gym Leader. I was there at the time. Don't look so shocked, it was indeed Champion Cynthia."
"With her strength, evaluating a Gym Leader who barely made the cut was nothing short of brutal."
Luther stared directly at Shinro. Shinro suddenly understood what he meant.
"When we left the gym, Cynthia asked the gym leader's son, Matsuto, why he disagreed with his father's decisions during the battle."
"Matsuto said his father already knew he would lose. But he still wanted to try to win."
Shinro felt as if something had slammed into his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
"Your opponent is Cynthia. If you know Pokémon League information that well, you should know her level. She once told me that she appreciates Matsuto because he's the type of person who won't give up as long as there's even the slightest chance. No matter who the opponent is, he'll fight to win."
Mai also understood the purpose behind Luther's words and looked at Shinro with worried eyes.
Honestly, not everyone can calmly accept words this direct.
"Those Gym Leaders who didn't want to fight you with full force... Was it really just because they wanted to go easy on you?"
Luther asked in a deep voice.
"They sensed your hesitation. They didn't want to crush your hopes completely, so they chose another way to protect your pride and dreams. You should be grateful for their kindness."
"I could have chosen not to use Darkrai. But I granted your request. This is the greatest strength I can display when I give it my all."
"You wanted to use me as an excuse, to give yourself a reason to retreat. Others didn't want to play the villain. So I'll be the villain for you."
"If, at the moment Shiftry fell, you thought: 'I also want that kind of strength,' Then have some confidence! Train harder for a while longer, and then talk about giving up."
"But if the only thought you had was: 'I can never win against something like that,'
Then..."
Luther didn't finish the sentence. He didn't have to. The meaning was clear.
Mai checked the time on her phone. After receiving a signal from Luther, she began packing her bag, preparing to continue their journey.
Shinro, surrounded by Shiftry and Delcatty, bowed slightly toward Luther.
"Thank you for your guidance."
Luther slung his backpack over his shoulder and gently placed the sleeping Milcery into Espurr's arms. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to say one more thing.
"I didn't really teach you anything. I just couldn't be as softhearted or as gentle as those Gym Leaders."
The only thing I can teach you is to have confidence. Even if you have to lie to yourself, build that confidence back up. Remember how full of spirit you were when you first got your Pokédex? Everyone has an arrogant streak when they first get their Pokédex. Try to remember yours."
With their things packed, Luther and Mai said their goodbyes to Shinro.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. Luther had only refrained from being too blunt. After all, Shinro had traveled for five years; he certainly had the experience to understand Luther.
When he first set out on his adventure, he was full of hot-blooded enthusiasm, believing his name would someday shake the entire Sinnoh region. But, as time passed and he experienced more, his passion cooled faster and faster. Reality is always cold and unforgiving.
In short, Shinro had lost the confidence he once had long ago. In fact, he was even more timid than Luther had been when he first arrived in this world because Shinro had failed so many times.
Luther's first instinct had been to give Shinro a clean break by bluntly telling him, "You don't have the ability for this."
But dreams should never be mocked.
Some people use dreams as an excuse to escape reality.
Others are genuinely and wholeheartedly committed to achieving them.
If Shinro still had even a flicker of desire to salvage his dream, then Luther's harsh words would have been too cruel.
People say it's hard to be a good person but in situations like this, it's even harder to be the villain.
All Luther could do was give Shinro an all-out battle, as he wished, to show him: Even someone like Luther is just an ordinary, unknown Pokémon Trainer. If you insist on walking this path, one day you'll face people far stronger.
This was a choice only Shinro could make. Luther couldn't decide it for him.
Crossing the Purpleleaf Forest went smoothly this time. Perhaps Darkrai's presence acted as an invisible intimidation; many territorial Pokémon stared at Luther's group with hesitation and wariness, but they didn't dare attack.
It was an extremely effective bug repellent. Quite practical, actually.
Thanks to Darkrai, Luther finally reached Marsh City early the next morning.
However, when he tried to challenge the Gym, he was immediately turned away.
Due to the Great Marsh Wildlife Reserve, the Marsh Gym Leader was responsible for protecting the area. As a result, he was often absent from the gym. This information was clearly written on the official website, but Luther hadn't expected to encounter this situation the moment he arrived.
He had planned to apply for a Gym battle, earn the Badge, and then head straight to Sun Heart City. Now, he would have to change his plans.
"There are several Gyms near Sun Heart City. If you're not particularly attached to the Marsh Badge, you could just go straight there first," Mai suggested.
Luther sighed. It seemed he really would have to rest and plan again once they reached Sun Heart City.
As for the Safari Zone within the Great Marsh? Luther wasn't particularly interested.
He couldn't take care of too many Pokémon at the moment. If he went in and caught a bunch for fun, they would only end up stored with the Professor.
(End of Chapter)