A Battle to See a Trainer Off

"He punched through several centimeters of glass and took out two people in the process?!"

Xingye didn't know what to say. This trainer's combat ability was terrifying. Wasn't that old man practically on his deathbed? Even a final burst of life shouldn't have been this outrageous.

Jenny wasn't surprised by his shocked expression. She waved a hand and continued, "That's why I'm saying it's absurd. He runs pretty fast, too. If you run into him, remember to let us know."

"Okay..."

After Jenny left, Lillie stood nearby with an equally stunned expression. Then she quietly asked, "The person she was talking about couldn't have been..."

"It was the old man. Those unfilial descendants must have pissed him off so badly he came back to life. Karma got them. Whatever, he'll handle it himself!"

Xingye fell silent for a moment before making a decision. "Let's go. The commission just got DLC."

"Huh?"

"The commission isn't over yet. Let's find Decidueye first, so your test is still ongoing."

He really wanted to know what the old man intended to do after suddenly fleeing the ICU. Was it merely a final burst of life, or did he still have some unfulfilled obsession?

Decidueye had probably gone to find him by now. The relationship between that Pokémon and its trainer was genuinely interesting.

Hearing that it wasn't over yet, Lillie, whose spirits had been somewhat low, instantly perked up. "So we need to find that old grandfather, right? Leave it to me. Elderly people like him love wandering around places from the old days."

"Hm? Isn't Hau'oli City pretty new? Does it have a place like that?"

"Hau'oli City was built less than thirty years ago. The town that used to be here was long since swallowed up by the city and no longer exists. But there is one place..."

Lillie turned around and raised a finger toward Mahalo Mountain. "Lili'i Town is the only human settlement on Melemele Island that still exists and has been preserved intact!"

"It is the sacred site where the island guardian is worshipped. Every resident of Melemele Island must remember it. Whether it's the New Year's ceremonies or the selection of the Noble Pokémon, they are all held there!"

Xingye pondered her words for a moment. It did make sense. Old people like that were usually traditional and nostalgic. They would choose to return to their hometown to spend their final years, which fit perfectly.

"Let's go. We're heading to Lili'i Town!"

Although he wasn't sure how the old man's legs could be strong enough to climb halfway up a mountain, he had already turned into a super Alolan. At this point, nothing was impossible.

Xingye headed toward the small grove, intending to call Cyclizar, when he suddenly saw it playing rock-paper-scissors with a Dugtrio whose muscular arm was sticking out of the ground. The arm abruptly withdrew the next second.

"Hm? Must've been an illusion... Time to go."

"Cyclizar~"

After confirming their route, Xingye put on his gear and turned sideways toward Lillie, who was seated behind him. "You're in charge of holding Gengar."

"???"

"You were able to touch it when you thought it was a doll before, right? Then keep treating it like a doll and use that to get used to it. If you're afraid, expose yourself to it more. Otherwise, you'll always be afraid."

"Gengar~"

"Even if you say that..."

Looking at the doll-like Gengar floating in front of her, fear once again appeared on Lillie's face. Her body had felt frightened before her mind could even react.

But in the next instant, Gengar revealed a wicked grin, drifted close, and wrapped itself around her shoulders.

"!!!"

Xingye ignored her and said, "Hold on tight. Cyclizar will speed up once we leave the city. Don't get thrown off because we're going too fast."

"???"

"Gengar~"

Although the shortcut required climbing straight up the mountain, Cyclizar could run across any terrain. Even on a vertical cliff, it could carry people straight up.

It could be said that aside from not being able to fly or dive, it was nearly omnipotent. It had never been stuck in traffic while delivering food, either. There was a saying that fit quite well.

We ride Cyclizar, Koraidon, and Miraidon. Why are you riding Tauros, Stoutland, or Wyrdeer? No wonder you get stuck in traffic. If you ride other Pokémon, you don't even qualify to deliver food in Hau'oli City!

They soon arrived at Lili'i Town. As always, the place was fairly peaceful, but a battle was taking place on the stage at the center of town.

An Alolan Raichu was engaged in a fierce battle with an Incineroar. Hala, the Noble Pokémon, was serving as referee nearby. Cyclizar's sudden arrival drew their attention.

"A rather uncommon guest has arrived."

Hala spotted Xingye. Though he had heard about him often, this was only the second time he had seen him since Xingye left the police station.

Xingye climbed off Cyclizar and glanced at Lillie, speechless. After having Gengar move away from her, he said, "You seriously stayed like that the whole ride?"

"I know you were trying to help me, but I... I just couldn't do it!"

Lillie looked as though someone had bullied her and was on the verge of tears. Getting along with Pokémon was truly difficult...

"Huh? It's Lillie, and that... what the heck! Why are you two together?!"

"Hey! You're bullying her, aren't you?!"

Two familiar voices suddenly rang out from nearby. Lillie turned around in surprise. "Xiaoyang, Hau, you're here too?"

The two battling on the stage were precisely her classmates. They had taken time during the holidays to improve their strength through battling together.

They halted their battle and ran over to shield Lillie behind them. Xingye, however, paid them no attention whatsoever, and the atmosphere instantly became tense and awkward.

"Though it's a little troublesome to explain, he really wasn't bullying me..."

Lillie explained from behind them, but Xiaoyang and Hau clearly didn't quite believe her. Hala, meanwhile, burst into laughter and walked over.

"There's no need for this among classmates. As trainers, if you have any disagreements, settle them through a Pokémon battle. It can even improve your relationship."

Upon hearing that, Xiaoyang immediately shouted, "Then let's battle! You used underhanded tricks to beat Selene before. This time, I'll get justice for her!"

"Raaah! Roar, roar!"

His Incineroar let out a roar as well.

But Xingye continued to ignore them. As he surveyed the surroundings, he replied, "No battle. I'm busy."

The moment he said that, Lillie quickly reacted to prevent any conflict and hurriedly explained for him, "We really do have something else to do. An old grandfather ran away from the hospital, and we're looking for him."

"Is... is that so?"

Xiaoyang calmed down and awkwardly pushed up the brim of his hat. Hala, however, suddenly asked, "So who are you looking for? An old man?"

"Yes, an old grandfather named Mai Ren. He left the ICU, and we have no idea where he went."

"Mai Ren?!"

"Uncle, you know him?"

At Lillie's curious question, Hala laughed. "I'm the Noble Pokémon. There isn't anyone on this island I don't know. But Mai Ren was the Noble Pokémon from two generations before me in his youth. It's normal that children like you wouldn't be familiar with him."

"That fellow participated in the Pokemon League in the Kanto region when it was established decades ago. However, he narrowly lost to Samuel Oak in the semifinals—the man now known as Professor Oak."

"Hm?"

Xingye looked over curiously. He hadn't expected the old man to have such a past. That meant he must have once been an exceptionally powerful trainer.

Noticing that all the children around him were looking at him, Hala smiled and continued, "Pokémon battling wasn't nearly as popular back then as it is now, and Pokémon Centers hadn't been established yet. But he insisted on walking that path. He traveled through region after region with his Pokémon, and eventually seemed to settle down in Sinnoh."

"More than ten years ago, when Alola was recognized as a proper region, he returned to help develop his hometown. His donations even helped with the construction of Pokémon School. After that, he lived in Alola long-term with a Decidueye, though he didn't want anyone disturbing him."

After Hala finished, the others finally understood how remarkable the old man was. Xingye had never expected such an extraordinary person to be so low-key, nor for his ending to be so bleak...

After the shock passed, Lillie curiously asked, "Was Decidueye the old grandfather's starter Pokémon?"

"Yes. I heard that Decidueye used to be one of Mahalo Mountain's tyrants. It was so vicious that even the Totem Pokémon conceded defeat to it, giving many people terrible headaches. But after it ambushed Mai Ren and shot him, it got marked for retaliation. Mai Ren came back every few days to fight it. Eventually, they somehow became friends, then set out to travel overseas together."

"Ridiculous... No Poké Balls, no Pokémon of his own, and he fought with his bare body..."

Xingye suddenly seemed to understand why the old man could escape from the hospital. Trainers of the past actually fought that way.

"I have to admit, that's impressive."

"I'm not that impressive. I'm just an old man... with one foot already in the grave..."

"Hm?"

The sudden voice interrupted their conversation. Everyone turned toward the same direction, where an elderly man in a hospital gown slowly emerged barefoot from the woods.

"!!!"

Xingye was startled. The old man had actually appeared, and he looked quite sturdy, completely unlike how he had looked in the hospital bed.

Even Hala opened his eyes in surprise at Mai Ren's sudden appearance. He was about to step forward, but Mai Ren stopped him with a wave. "Noble Pokémon, let me look upon the island's scenery one last time. Let me see how Alola has changed over all these years..."

"..."

Since he had put it that way, everyone wore grave expressions and instinctively made way, watching him leave. It was respect for an elder who was about to depart.

But Xingye seemed to have noticed something. Not only did he fail to remain solemn, he even stepped into Mai Ren's path and blocked him with a smile. "If you simply leave like this, wouldn't that be far too bleak for a trainer who once loved battling?"

"???"

"What are you doing?!"

Lillie was completely stunned. She hadn't expected Xingye to suddenly lose his mind at a time like this. Wasn't he usually so quiet? Had he taken the wrong medicine?

Mai Ren, however, showed no particular expression. "You're the fellow who was talking outside my hospital room. Decidueye actually sent you to investigate me. You really are a strange fellow. So how do you think I should die?"

Xingye smiled. He hadn't expected Mai Ren to have heard him after all. Then he waved a hand and replied, "Isn't it obvious? At least in the final moment of your life, as a trainer, together with your Pokémon, have one last Pokémon battle with me, the trainer standing in your way!"

The instant his words fell, a bird cry suddenly came from the sky, followed by the sound of something cutting through the air.

Amid falling feathers, a Decidueye landed in the center of the battle stage. It stared sharply in their direction, drawing everyone's attention.

"As long as the commission hasn't been fully delivered to the client and I haven't received payment, it isn't over. And naturally, I'm the one who decides how much DLC content gets added!"

Xingye really was acting on his own here. But after hearing the story of the old man and Decidueye, he didn't want either Pokémon or trainer to leave behind any regrets.

Looking at Decidueye in the distance, Mai Ren suddenly cursed loudly, "How many times did I tell you to get lost? Yet you not only sent someone to investigate me, you even kept following me from the sky? This old man isn't as fragile as you! Cough, cough..."

"Coo..."

After coughing twice, Mai Ren's body swayed slightly, but he paid it no mind. After pausing for several seconds, he seemed to make some sort of decision. His tone suddenly changed, and he revealed a cold smile as he looked at Xingye ahead.

"But since some blind little brat has blocked our path forward... it seems he has no idea how formidable we are. Then let's take you out for one final bit of exercise..."

"Coo!"

Hearing that, Xingye squeezed Gengar in his arms and replied with the same smile, "Don't underestimate me, old man. Kids these days can fight pretty well. Let them see it, Cyclizar!"

"Cyclizar!"