Jubilife Breeding Center, front desk.
Champion Cynthia, dressed in her signature knee-length black trench coat with her golden blonde hair cascading down to her waist, stepped inside gracefully.
Although Kinsley, who was currently on reception duty, didn't immediately recognize Champion Cynthia, she could tell from the woman's demeanor and elegant attire that she was clearly a wealthy individual.
As Champion Cynthia walked forward, several Poké Balls could be seen attached at her waist.
Even though Kinsley had eaten too much spicy food yesterday and was still recovering, she still flashed her sweetest professional smile, making everyone feel as if they were basking in a warm spring breeze.
"Hello! Welcome to Jubilife Breeding Center. What services do you require for your Pokémon?" Kinsley greeted warmly.
"I can make an appointment for you, or you can choose services independently using that self-service machine over there."
Accompanying Kinsley was Fumie's Gardevoir.
"Gardevoir~" the Psychic-type vocalized.
(Welcome to our center.)
"Independent choice... is that so?" Champion Cynthia mused aloud.
Champion Cynthia approached the self-service ticketing machine, her index finger lightly tapping her lips thoughtfully.
"Energy Cubes, fur care, hairstyle design, essential oil treatments, Pokémon boarding, move tutoring..."
"You can even specify which Breeder you want. How interesting," Cynthia observed with amusement.
???
Kinsley and Gardevoir both looked confused.
Why does it seem like these are services she wants to experience herself?
You can't learn moves, can you?
Inside their Poké Balls, Garchomp and Lucario both sighed simultaneously. Their Trainer's old habit was acting up again.
Two red lights automatically emerged from their Poké Balls without Cynthia releasing them.
"Gar!" Garchomp called out.
"Lucario!" Lucario added.
Garchomp and Lucario quickly shook their heads. They didn't need any services.
Kinsley and Gardevoir exchanged meaningful glances, both showing a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Garchomp and Lucario were not common sights at all.
A sudden realization flashed through Kinsley's mind.
"Gardevoir, do you think this could be...?!" Kinsley whispered.
Champion Cynthia slightly pursed her lips with disappointment. "But don't you both find these services interesting?"
"Gar!" Garchomp responded firmly.
(Absolutely not.)
"Alright then," Cynthia conceded.
Champion Cynthia looked at Kinsley and Gardevoir, who were whispering privately to each other. "May I look around the facility first?"
Kinsley replied softly and politely, "Please feel free to explore, but most of the Wild Area contains wild Pokémon, so please be very careful for your safety."
Champion Cynthia couldn't help but smile at the concern. "I will be careful. Thank you."
As Champion Cynthia left the front desk, Kinsley whispered urgently to Gardevoir, "That must be Champion Cynthia, right?"
Gardevoir shook her head uncertainly, unable to confirm.
"Gardevoir~"
As Kinsley had mentioned, wild Pokémon populations did reside here. Tauros could be seen running freely across the grounds.
Machamp, Scizor, and Alejandro were carefully pruning the leaves of Berry trees together.
Luxray and Shinx were peacefully napping in the warm afternoon sun.
"It's very pleasant here," Champion Cynthia observed with approval.
No sooner had Champion Cynthia finished speaking than an aggressive roar echoed from nearby.
"Incineroar, use Flame Charge!" Alan's voice commanded.
"Duru!" Drakloak cried out.
Under its mother's watchful instruction, Drakloak used Phantom Force to dodge.
Drakloak was actively battling against Incineroar for training.
"Incineroar, Drakloak, and Dragapult—they are all very rare Pokémon to see here in Sinnoh," Cynthia noted with interest.
Alan merely glanced at Champion Cynthia briefly and then paid no additional attention.
Alan only took an extra look out of respect for the powerful Garchomp and Lucario accompanying her.
He was never particularly good at receiving customers and socializing.
On the contrary, some customers would even feel intimidated and run away upon seeing Alan's large, imposing physique.
"Lucario!" Cynthia's Lucario called out alertly.
Alerted by her Lucario, Champion Cynthia looked in the direction of the fish pond.
There was another Lucario there.
As Champion Cynthia approached, she could hear singing that wasn't quite in sync or harmony.
"Puff~ Puff puff~ Puff puff~" Jigglypuff sang.
"Eev, Eev..." Eevee attempted to join in.
"Pichu~ Pichu~" Pichu added its voice.
"Woof woof woof!" a Furfrou barked along.
"Awoo~~~" Arcanine howled melodiously.
She could also hear the metallic sound of Shiny Metagross rhythmically hitting with its arm hammers.
To say the performance wasn't quite in sync was being extremely polite.
To Champion Cynthia's trained ears, it sounded like a tangled mess—pure chaotic noise.
Finally, Champion Cynthia shifted her gaze to Wayne, who was holding Jigglypuff up high in a pose reminiscent of the famous Lion King scene.
"I declare you the Lion King!" Wayne proclaimed dramatically.
"Puff!" (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎) Jigglypuff responded happily.
???
"Woof woof woof!" Arcanine barked with displeasure.
(Then what am I supposed to be, if Jigglypuff is the Lion King?)
Thump thump thump—
The distinct sound of high heels clicking on the stone ground rang out clearly, immediately attracting Wayne's attention.
At this moment, Wayne was still holding Jigglypuff aloft above his head, his face showing complete surprise.
"Champion Cynthia?!" Wayne exclaimed with shock.
Champion Cynthia removed her sunglasses and couldn't help but smile warmly. "Long time no see, Wayne. Are these all your Pokémon?"
Champion Cynthia's Garchomp and Lucario both knew Wayne from years ago and nodded as a polite greeting.
Wayne's Lucario, Metagross, and Arcanine simultaneously turned their attention toward Champion Cynthia.
Metagross's dark red pupils constantly flashed with data code.
(Champion Cynthia... searching database,) Metagross processed.
Wayne's Pokémon had never seen Champion Cynthia before in person, including his Lucario.
"Lucario!" Wayne's Lucario called out.
"Lucario!" Cynthia's Lucario responded.
When one Lucario sees another, there's always much to communicate through Aura.
(You're quite strong for one so young,) Cynthia's Lucario observed.
(Not as strong as you, senior!) Wayne's Lucario replied respectfully.
Lucario could feel the immense strength of Champion Cynthia's Lucario through its Aura sensing.
"Awoo!!!" Arcanine howled enthusiastically.
(Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome to our home!)
Arcanine wagged its large, fan-like tail vigorously.
"Hello there, Arcanine," Champion Cynthia greeted warmly.
Champion Cynthia extended her soft hand and gently stroked Arcanine's incredibly fluffy fur.
Wayne, having recovered from his initial surprise, quickly replied, "Jigglypuff and the others are Pokémon boarded here by their Trainers."
"Then what exactly were you doing?" Champion Cynthia asked with amusement.
Champion Cynthia pointed at Jigglypuff, who was still held aloft by Wayne.
Wayne's face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly hugged Jigglypuff close to his chest. "Just playing with Jigglypuff and the others."
"Puff!" ٩(๑＞◡＜๑)۶ Jigglypuff confirmed happily.
Lucario was too polite to expose Wayne's obvious enjoyment.
(You were clearly having the time of your life, weren't you?) Lucario thought.
Recalling Wayne's earlier dramatic appearance, Champion Cynthia's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Why did you come here?" Wayne asked before immediately regretting it.
As soon as the question left his mouth, Wayne wanted to slap himself for the awkward phrasing.
Champion Cynthia showed a faint, teasing smile. "What, am I not welcome here?"
"No, no! It's just that I thought you, as the Champion, must be incredibly busy with duties," Wayne quickly clarified.
Champion Cynthia couldn't help but smile at the familiar assumption. "Why do you also think a Champion must always be very busy?"
"Also?" Wayne caught the word but didn't dwell on it.
"Hmm... probably from hearing about Professor Oak, who gave up being Champion to become a professor, Red, who went to Mount Silver to train in isolation, and Steven Stone, who went mining for rare stones," Wayne explained his reasoning.
Champion Cynthia thought about those examples and indeed couldn't refute his logic.
Listening to Wayne's casual references, it seemed he was quite familiar with them?
Champion Cynthia could only answer based on her own personal situation.
"After the three Team Galactic Commanders were captured, the Sinnoh Champion position hasn't been quite so busy with emergencies."
"Carolina promised you she'd bring her Milotic to help, but she can't leave Iron Island right now, so she asked me to come in her place."
Wayne nodded with understanding. "I knew it. She's not one to break a promise."
"Where's Feebas?" Cynthia asked, getting to the purpose of her visit.
Wayne, still holding Jigglypuff securely in one arm, pointed to the fish pond with his other hand. "Right here in this pond."
Champion Cynthia was slightly startled, never imagining the Feebas was so close by.
She glanced at the calm water surface. There seemed to be nothing visible there.
"Feebas has been staying hidden under the rockery formation, unwilling to see anyone. My grandfather and Blue both suggested finding another Feebas or a Milotic to communicate with it," Wayne explained the situation.
"I understand the situation now," Champion Cynthia acknowledged.
Champion Cynthia nodded slightly and reached for a Poké Ball at her waist, preparing to release her Pokémon.