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Ever since Team Galactic's conspiracy was thwarted and Palkia and Dialga's fury subsided, Cynthia's public reputation in the Sinnoh League exploded.
Many Pokémon League members had witnessed Cynthia confronting the two deities directly. As the only person to approach the gods during that divine battle, her presence had been utterly dazzling.
Consequently, all criticism within the Pokémon League about Cynthia being lazy and neglecting her duties vanished completely.
'If she wanted to stay home, so be it. Let her do as she pleases.'
Having witnessed the power of the twin gods, Cynthia's interest in archaeology and legendary lore had grown even stronger. If the upcoming tournament weren't so close, she would have immediately traveled to Johto to investigate the legends of Featherfall Town.
Cynthia flipped through the documents that the Sunyshore City Library had gathered for her, she realized her focus was waning after reading for too long. She casually picked up the remote from the coffee table and turned on the television.
She skipped the commercials and romance dramas, trying to find something lighthearted to relax her.
While flipping channels, Cynthia suddenly frowned, stopped, and switched back.
The screen showed a lavish wedding. Guests in formal attire, clutching invitations, mingled outside a grand villa, exchanging pleasantries as they entered. Cynthia recognized many of them.
Cynthia's mouth fell open. After a long while, she finally cursed out loud.
"Damn it!"
"Kukui Tetsu, head of the Kukui Family, marries; dignitaries from all sectors attend the celebration."
That was the caption beneath the news.
As she watched Kukui Tetsu hold hands with a young, beautiful woman in a white wedding dress and walk up the red carpet to the stage, Cynthia covered her forehead.
"You really are something."
Luther had such a bright future that he couldn't bear to let him go. More importantly, he coveted Luther's connections. He had built good relationships with many Gym Leaders, earned the Champion's approval, and was a formidable opponent.
Mai was his daughter, whom he had raised himself, and he was unwilling to end their relationship either.
Like a true businessman, he refused to choose between the two options and created a third.
'If Mai loves Luther, let her go. I can always have another child.'
Dizziness washed over her. Cynthia had just stood up when she collapsed back onto the sofa.
Kukui Tetsu had anticipated Cynthia's discomfort with such a scene and deliberately omitted her from the guest list.
Cynthia took out her phone, planning to send Mai a message.
This message required more thought than any she had ever sent. She couldn't just blurt out, "Congratulations, you have another mother now."
After agonizing over the wording for ages, Cynthia finally sent the message, hoping Mai wouldn't explode with anger upon reading it.
With the message sent, Cynthia glanced down at the Gastrodon at her feet.
The Gastrodon was munching on a small cookie, its head lowered. Sensing Cynthia's gaze, it slowly lifted its head.
"Let me pinch your cheeks, and I'll give you your favorite cream cake."
Seeing Cynthia rubbing her hands with a frustrated expression, Gastrodon pondered for a moment, then shot a Water Gun at her face. It lowered its head to suck up all the cookies, scurried to the courtyard, leaped into the pond, and sank to the bottom.
...
Mai immediately saw Cynthia's message.
Contrary to Cynthia's expectations, Mai wasn't angry. She merely pursed her lips and slipped her phone back into her pocket.
This behavior perfectly aligned with her impression of her father. He always tried to have his cake and eat it too, grasping for every possible benefit.
As for him bringing home a stepmother for her, Mai didn't feel particularly uncomfortable about it.
After she and Luther finished attending the Lily of the Valley Conference, and after Luther had planned out his own ranch and estate, she would return to take away all the Pokémon that belonged to her.
If keeping their distance was the only way for them to preserve their father-daughter bond, Mai felt there was nothing wrong with that.
But if he thought he could take advantage of her through Luther, he had another thing coming.
Mai lifted the Jumpluff in front of her. The Jumpluff swayed its body, its fluff bobbing as it smiled happily at Mai, clearly enjoying her petting.
Meanwhile, Luther stared in distress at the vast expanse of white cotton balls on the ground.
'Which one of these was his Jumpluff, exactly?'
On their journey from Veilstone City to the shores of Lily of the Valley Island, Luther and Mai had passed through this forest.
He had seen countless forests like this during his travels. The scenery was nothing unusual, but...
The sheer number of Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff carpeting the ground was truly spectacular.
No wonder his own Jumpluff suddenly jumped off his shoulder and dashed straight here. It had probably sensed the presence of its kin.
At first, the Jumpluff clan was extremely startled by this outsider intruder. They scattered in all directions, and those who couldn't escape huddled together and watched Luther and Mai warily.
After Luther's Jumpluff communicated with them for a while, however, they lowered their guard and came closer on their own.
Chikorita was surrounded by a group of Hoppip. Though she was always treated like the youngest on the team, she was experiencing what it was like to be a big sibling for the first time. She spoke proudly to the Hoppip, who listened intently and nodded in agreement from time to time.
Marill fired "cannonballs." After finishing 'Bulk Up', she hurled one Skiploom in each hand into the sky. The Skiploom drifting in midair experienced windless flight for the first time.
After enjoying it, the Skiploom crowded around Marill. Marill was about to eat the berries they offered as tribute when Luther immediately pressed her down.
"I'll give you extra food tonight. Don't take their berries."
Seeing that Marill refused to eat, the Skiploom panicked, desperately trying to stuff berries into her mouth.
Marill turned to look at Luther, indicating that the berry had attacked first and that it was not her fault. Then she opened her mouth and swallowed the berry that was being forced in.
Luther decided that when they left, he would take out an equivalent amount of food to give to the Jumpluff.
Mismagius and Kirlia also joined the lineup of Skiplooms being launched. Compared to Marill, they were much more elegant, using psychic power to control the Skiploom and flick them into the air.
They could control them in groups, which was efficient and convenient.
Houndoom was feeling aggrieved. Ever since he teased a Hoppip with his tail, several Hoppip have surrounded him, wanting him to do it again.
Houndoom just wanted to sleep, but he had to spare some energy to entertain these little ones.
Espurr sat in a tree with several Hoppip, watching the grand scene below.
The ground was simply too chaotic, and the cotton fluff falling from the Jumpluff caused Milcery to sneeze repeatedly. She moved away from the Jumpluff and played alone with the Hoppip in the tree.
Chansey was handing out Pokémon Eggs to the Jumpluff. After hearing what Luther said to Marill and seeing Skiploom's enthusiasm, she started helping Luther clean up in advance.
Finally, Luther finally found his own Jumpluff amidst the swarm. The feeling was strangely reminiscent of Tang Bohu choosing Qiuxiang, though his method was quite simple.
"Well, these Jumpluff are so adorable, I'll just catch another one," Luther said, pulling out a Poké Ball and tossing it into the air.
The Poké Ball was kicked back at him mid-air. Luther deftly caught it, then pinned the still-floating Jumpluff with one hand.
"Perfect! Now I've found you."
Realizing it had been tricked, Jumpluff flew into a rage and tried to ram into Luther. Luther, however, had rich combat experience and immediately protected his face, causing Jumpluff's attack to fail once again.
Held in Luther's arms, Jumpluff puffed out its cheeks, seemingly angry that Luther had used a trick instead of following the game's rules to find it.
What else could Luther do? He could only hurry to coax it.
All the Pokémon were having a great time...well, almost all of them.
Around Darkrai, not a single Pokémon dared to come near.
Jumpluff, Hoppip, and Skiploom kept their distance from his fierce, ominous presence.
Darkrai looked at Luther and the others, surrounded by Pokémon, with a complicated expression. Suddenly, he felt very sour.
(End of chapter)