On the first day of vacation, taking advantage of the pleasant weather, Albus packed his backpack, brought along Lorcan, Magical Leaf, and Ancient Moon Bird, and set off on a casual journey.
His destination was Melbourne City, and the shortest route was through the Orange Blossom Forest. However, since the forest was temporarily closed, he had no choice but to take a longer detour.
A bus adorned with a Fire Chicken pattern moved steadily along the smooth asphalt road. The soft melody of a piano tune played in the background, filling the vehicle with a relaxed atmosphere. Passengers chatted quietly, exchanging stories about Pokémon, the recently concluded league competition, and their dreams of adventure.
But Albus wasn't affected by the lively ambiance. Slouching in his seat, he gazed out the window, looking somewhat miserable.
He let out a deep sigh. This young body of his was prone to motion sickness.
"Maybe it's because I haven't been in a vehicle for a long time?" he thought helplessly.
Lorcan, the only Pokémon not confined to a Poké Ball, floated out of his sealed orb and curiously asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Albus shifted his tired eyes toward him and responded flatly, "I feel like throwing up."
Lorcan's reaction was immediate: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ!
"You were perfectly fine before getting on the bus! How did this happen so quickly? Are all humans this fragile?" Lorcan asked in disbelief.
Before Albus could answer, a pleasant voice came from beside him.
"You should feel better after eating an orange."
He looked down and saw an orange being offered to him by a girl.
"No, I'll just close my eyes for a bit," he refused instinctively.
The girl wasn't offended by the rejection. Instead, she tilted her head and curiously asked, "Who were you talking to just now?"
Albus froze.
Oh, shift. He had forgotten that normal people couldn't see Lorcan.
"I'm talking to a creep," he blurted out.
Lorcan, offended, huffed. "Yesterday, I was called adorable. Now, I'm a nuisance? You're the real nuisance!"
Albus sighed. To prove he wasn't talking to himself, he gestured for Lorcan to reveal himself.
The girl's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wow! A Lorcan! Are you a Pokémon trainer?"
"Yeah. You can chat with him for a while," Albus muttered. He was too nauseous to continue the conversation.
Sensing his discomfort, the girl gave him an apologetic smile. "Alright. Get some rest. I'll wake you up when we reach Melbourne City."
"Mhm," Albus murmured, shutting his eyes.
Half-asleep, he could still hear the girl and Lorcan talking enthusiastically.
Arrival in Melbourne City
Thirty minutes later, they finally arrived. As Albus stepped off the bus, the fresh air instantly revived him.
Compared to Adelaide City, Melbourne City was significantly larger. The streets bustled with traffic, cars heading in every direction.
Melbourne City had an interesting geographical placement—Kalu Tunnel to the east, Orange Forest to the south, and the Meteor Falls, known for its rich ore deposits, to the north.
With major landmarks like the Devon Corporation and the Rock-type Gym, the city was one of the most popular destinations in the Hoenn region.
If it weren't for his upcoming passenger ship departure, Albus would have loved to explore the city.
Aboard the Ship
After boarding, Albus and Lorcan leaned against the rail, watching the coastline gradually disappear until only the vast, endless sea remained.
Beneath the shimmering waves, Water-type Pokémon could be seen swimming gracefully.
Magical Leaf, having spent most of its life in the forest, had never seen the ocean. Albus released it from its Poké Ball so it could witness the breathtaking sight.
As they enjoyed the view, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Your Magical Leaf is quite well-trained!"
Albus turned to see a man in a tuxedo, exuding an air of nobility.
The man reached into his pocket and retrieved an elegant golden Poké Ball—different from the usual red and white ones. With a click, a sleek, well-groomed cat Pokémon emerged in a flash of white light.
"How about a trade? My Elegant Cat for your Magical Leaf," the nobleman proposed with a polite smile.
Albus didn't even hesitate. "No."
The scene reminded him of something from an anime—when Sammy once exchanged his Butterfree for a Raticate on the St. Anne, only to regret it later and trade back.
The nobleman sighed regretfully. "I've always wanted a Magical Leaf, but I've never been lucky enough to find one."
Albus raised an eyebrow. "Aren't Shy Buds fairly common? You could catch one and raise it yourself."
"I've tried," the man admitted, "but they take too long to evolve."
Albus glanced at the Elegant Cat. It was rubbing affectionately against its trainer, but the nobleman's indifferent attitude made it clear—he didn't care much for it.
It was more of an accessory than a companion.
Not everyone saw Pokémon as partners. Some treated them as trophies, and Albus found that mindset disturbing.
The nobleman, sensing Albus's disapproval, chuckled. "Relax, trading is a normal practice among trainers. It's entirely voluntary. If you're not interested, I won't force you."
Albus smirked. If you tried forcing me, Ancient Moon Bird would turn you into dust.
Instead, he asked coolly, "Did you ask your Pokémon if it wants to be traded?"
The nobleman looked genuinely perplexed. "Why would I? As trainers, isn't it our decision?"
Albus frowned. "We clearly have different values. Goodbye."
Grabbing Ancient Moon Bird and Magical Leaf, he turned and left.
Lorcan, an ancient Pokémon unfamiliar with modern customs, was curious. "Why didn't you trade with him?"
Albus glanced at him. "If you like him so much, I can trade you instead."
Lorcan's eyes widened. "No way!" He quickly shook his head.
Albus chuckled. "Then why ask when you already knew the answer?"
Lorcan let out a sheepish laugh.
After all, what Pokémon wouldn't want a trainer who treated them like true companions?
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