Once Gengar slipped out, Auron Vale happily pulled out two Luxury Balls, releasing Crobat and Munchlax.
Dax Jonas's eyes locked onto the gleaming Luxury Balls, his whole face radiating envy.
"Auron, let's make a deal. Next time you go up to Skyspire, swing by your grandpa's and grab me a few Luxury Balls, huh? I'll make it worth your while—I'll trade you something good for them."
Auron settled in with a glass of water and placed a handful of Pokéblocks down for his two Pokémon.
"Uncle Dax, why don't you just bring a girlfriend home? Then ask Grandpa Flint for Luxury Balls—he'd probably hand you a whole stack right away."
Dax pulled a face.
"You think girlfriends just appear out of thin air?"
"You could just grab some girl to pretend she's your girlfriend. Your goal is the Luxury Balls anyway, right?"
Dax's eyes lit up.
"True… but I don't know any girls to ask."
And just like that, his face sagged again.
Auron grinned mysteriously.
"Didn't Dad tell me you're on good terms with Elite Tianyi Ji? You could ask her for help."
Ashen Vale shot his son a puzzled glance—he didn't remember ever telling him that.
Dax slapped his thigh and gave Auron a big thumbs-up.
"Right! I could ask her. Not bad, kid. You're sharp. Once I get my hands on those Luxury Balls, I'll cut you in—one of them."
He had started to say half, but thought better of it. One was enough.
"Alright then, no more chatting. I'm off to call Tianyi right now."
And just like that, Dax stormed out to make the call.
Ashen sipped his tea and gave Auron a knowing, amused look.
"I don't recall ever telling you that."
Auron chuckled.
"Grandpa Flint told me. He said Uncle Dax and Auntie Tianyi grew up together, and that she clearly likes him—but Uncle Dax is too dense to notice. Grandpa asked me to see if I could help bring them together."
"So if you succeed," Ashen asked with a smile, "he promised you a reward?"
"Of course. He said I could pick anything from his collection. How could I say no to that? Imagine the treasures I might get."
"Go on," Ashen urged, chuckling.
"Well, I was reading a novel the other day where the romance started with the hero and heroine pretending to be a couple. That gave me the idea. Fake it long enough, and it might just turn real."
Ashen burst out laughing, raising his thumb at his son.
"Good thinking, kid. Not bad at all."
"What are you two plotting in here? Laughing so hard?"
Dax pushed the door open again, curiosity written across his face at the sight of father and son sharing a laugh.
"Nothing much—we were talking about Apricorn Balls. So, what'd she say?" Ashen asked.
Dax downed a full cup of tea before answering.
"Please. With how many years we've known each other? Of course she wouldn't refuse."
Outwardly, he played it cool. Inwardly, he was already calculating: I need at least ten Luxury Balls. One for Auron, two for Tianyi, the rest for myself… better ask for fifteen to be safe.
"Honestly, if Apricorns weren't so rare, I'd make my Aggron a Heavy Ball. But alas, Auron only found one Black Apricorn. What a shame." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
"Luxury Balls aren't so bad either, right?" Auron teased.
Dax clasped his hands together, eyes skyward.
"Let's just hope this works out…"
After his little prayer, he fell into casual chatter with Ashen.
Auron, meanwhile, wasn't paying attention. He pulled out his phone and messaged the owner of the berry shop, sending over a full list of berries he needed. Right now, he only had a single Starf Berry—not nearly enough to craft the Pokéblock recipes he wanted.
With that handled, he relaxed back and half-listened to Ashen and Dax's gossip.
At his feet, Munchlax lay sprawled across his shoes. Crobat rested on top of Munchlax like a blanket, completely covering him. While they dozed, Auron absentmindedly practiced massage techniques he'd read about online, pressing along Crobat's wings.
At first Crobat tolerated it, but before long he wriggled away, whining.
"Chaaa~!"
Auron froze, arms raised.
"What? Didn't like that? I thought I was doing pretty well."
Crobat gave him a pitiful nod.
"Alright, alright. I'll study more in college and give you a proper massage then."
He sighed inwardly.
"Other people get proper systems. Me? I'm stuck with this."
The three talked a while longer, until Dax's phone buzzed. He glanced at the message and grinned.
"Perfect. The Church just sent word—tomorrow, Sublevel Two of Pigeon Plaza. All the low-rank members in Vantora will gather. They're probably after you, our little 'White-Robe acolyte.' Tomorrow we'll play along and wipe them out in one strike."
Auron's excitement flared.
"Sounds good!"
"Bring out that Pokémon Egg you got in the Secret Realm. I'll have someone craft a replica tonight. Tomorrow you carry the fake in. The real one stays safe at home."
"Alright."
Auron fetched the Egg. Dax circled it with his phone camera, taking full scans before sending them off.
"Almost forgot—prepare an extra incubator. Tomorrow I'll bring the replica Egg over."
"Got it."
Dax clapped him on the shoulder.
"Alright then, it's settled. Tomorrow I'll rally some men. We'll make sure not a single Church member escapes."
With that, he left.
As the door clicked shut, Auron sidled up to his father.
"Dad, can I borrow Gengar and Lucario for tomorrow?"
Ashen's expression grew serious.
"Why? Did you sense danger?"
Auron frantically waved his hands.
"No, no—just as a precaution."
Ashen didn't argue further. He simply waved.
"Talk to them yourself."
Auron tapped his shadow. Gengar, who'd already slipped back inside after delivering the Apricorns, emerged with a mischievous grin.
"Geh?"
Auron extended his hand.
"Gengar, would you like to come along with me tomorrow?"
"Geh!"
The little ghost slapped his stubby hand into Auron's palm, eyes gleaming with delight. Finally—an excuse to go out and play. No more tiptoeing around the mistress of the house, always scaring him half to death.
A moment later, Lucario entered the room. Ashen had summoned him with Aura.
"Lucario, I'm heading to tear down a Church base tomorrow. Will you come with me?"
Lucario chuckled softly, his voice resonating in Auron's mind.
"Of course. I'll keep you safe."
"Thanks, Lucario. Tomorrow, how much loot we walk away with depends on you two."
Lucario's smile faltered. He pointed toward Gengar.
"Shouldn't you leave that sort of thing to him?"
Really? You'd ask me—a paragon of justice and righteousness—to go looting?
That's not right. Let Gengar handle that.
Auron glanced at Gengar, who immediately struck a ridiculous bodybuilder pose, flexing his stubby arms with a toothy grin.
"Alright then, Gengar—it's up to you. Grab anything and everything you can."
"Geh!"
He thumped his chest proudly.
"Leave it to me!"
Beside him, Lucario secretly sighed in relief.
"Good. At least it's not me."
(End of Chapter)