Watching the League Conference

On television, the host sat in an aircraft and called out in an exhilarating voice.

"Now, let us welcome the Champion of the Sinnoh Region, Cynthia!!!"

The cheers from the venue reached Fang Yan and the others through the television, and Shauna, Gengar, and the others could not help cheering along.

Fang Yan saw a beautiful figure slowly emerge from the special entrance, with long golden hair, her usual black coat and fitted wide-leg trousers. The clicks of her high heels proclaimed her presence as she walked to the center of the field. Cynthia spread her arms, and the atmosphere reached its peak.

"Today's special guest is an Elite Four member from the Unova Region, Caitlin!!!"

Amid the cheers, Caitlin descended from the sky in spectacular fashion. She, too, had golden hair, though hers was exceptionally thick.

"No wonder people say she doesn't need a blanket when she sleeps."

Looking at her head of golden hair, Fang Yan could not resist silently making that quip.

"Cynthia, I've trained for a long time for this. I won't lose to you again."

Caitlin said this as she looked at the noble, beautiful, and elegant Cynthia before her.

"Really? I'm looking forward to it. Show me how much stronger you've become!"

With that, Cynthia flicked her wrist, tossing a Poké Ball in an elegant motion. Garchomp flew out of it and soared through the sky.

"Make an elegant, refined entrance."

Caitlin threw her Poké Ball, and a Gothitelle made a dazzling entrance.

"Auntie versus the land dragon? This feels so familiar."

Fang Yan spoke softly as he gently stroked Vulpix, who lay on his lap.

"Garchomp, Swords Dance."

At Cynthia's command, Fang Yan struggled to keep a straight face. How could a dragon not know Dragon Dance? Even Sceptile knew Dragon Dance, and the materials needed for Dragon Dance had come from his own body.

Still, Fang Yan did not say anything, only grumbling inwardly.

Then Garchomp on the television stopped using Swords Dance and was forced to use Slash.

Looking closer, Caitlin had not spoken any commands, but Gothitelle had extended a finger and curled it tauntingly, putting an end to Garchomp's Swords Dance.

"I almost forgot. This world has some pretty strange abilities."

Fang Yan could not help speaking aloud, and Shauna and Gengar beside him gave him curious looks.

Sabrina's and Caitlin's psychic powers were among them. They needed only Telepathy, rather than spoken commands.

"Nothing. Keep watching."

Fang Yan shook his head and said it was nothing. Shauna turned back to keep watching Cynthia on the screen, while Gengar shuffled over to Fang Yan and pressed close against him.

"You clingy little thing."

"Gengar-"

Hehe.

Watching Caitlin trade blows with Cynthia on television without needing to speak her commands, Fang Yan could not help making another comment.

"Trainers really are far too dangerous."

Their battle was thrilling and spectacular to watch, until, at the very end, a gleam flashed through Cynthia's eyes.

"I told you, I'd crush you."

Cynthia swept her arm out. "Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"

In the end, against Gothitelle's Extrasensory, Cynthia and Caitlin produced a reasonable outcome in which Cynthia won by a narrow margin.

The victorious Garchomp stood in the center of the field and roared toward the sky.

"Graaah!!"

This stirred up the atmosphere once again, while also rousing the contestants' desire to battle.

The two left the field, and the first match of the League Conference officially began.

In the passageway, Cynthia stood by the entrance, waiting for Caitlin to catch up.

"Next time, I won't lose again!"

Caitlin said this with a pout as she walked beside Cynthia.

"I'll wait for you to get stronger, and then I'll beat you again."

Cynthia spoke with commanding confidence, then continued toward the lounge.

Caitlin followed beside her, her little mouth chattering nonstop, while Cynthia responded with a smile.

After watching the League Conference matches for a while, Fang Yan turned to look at Shauna and the Pokémon beside him. Every one of them was staring intently at the television.

Staravia was the most focused of all, followed, surprisingly, by Shauna, and then Gengar and the others.

Seeing this, Fang Yan smiled, handed Vulpix to Gengar, and stood up to head into the kitchen.

"Gengar-"

Where are you going?

"Keep watching. I'll make you something tasty. Just sitting here watching without anything to eat doesn't feel right."

Gengar nodded and paid Fang Yan no further attention. He placed Vulpix on Fang Yan's chair, then concentrated on the matches.

Back in the kitchen, Fang Yan first cut up a platter of Berries and brought it out to them, then returned to the kitchen and took out some flour.

He planned to make some snacks that would last a while. As he remembered it, his favorite childhood snacks had been the cat-ear crackers his grandmother and mother made for him.

So he decided to recreate them. After all, how could they watch television without snacks?

While busy in the kitchen, he noticed Starly, Staravia, Beautifly, and Mothim constantly flapping their wings and flying out of the distant forest.

They seemed a little frightened. Puzzled, Fang Yan watched for a while, but noticed nothing, so he stopped paying attention to it and went back to his work.

Before long, a large plate of cat-ear crackers had come out of the fryer.

"Gengar."

Gengar poked his upper body through the wall and looked at him in puzzlement.

"Gengar?"

What is it?

Seeing Gengar appear before him immediately whenever he called, no matter when it was, Fang Yan smiled and picked up a cat-ear cracker with his chopsticks.

"Here, try it and see if it's good."

Gengar stared wide-eyed at the golden-fried thing that resembled a Glameow's ear.

"It's made of flour. What are you thinking? Do you want it or not? If not, I'll have Dali try it."

Fang Yan rolled his eyes in exasperation. He was just about to call Dali over when Gengar covered his mouth.

"Gengar-"

No! Only I get to have the first one!

He rolled his eyes at Gengar, then used his chopsticks to place the cat-ear cracker in the mouth Gengar opened wide toward him.

"Aren't you demanding? You even need me to feed you myself."

"Gengar-"

Hehe.

Gengar chewed with narrowed eyes, then stars appeared in his eyes.

"Gengar!! (∗❛ั∀❛ั∗)✧*."

Sho yummy!!

"As long as you like it. Take these out and share them."

Tugging at the corner of Gengar's mouth, Fang Yan handed him the large plate of cat-ear crackers.

Gengar grinned and gave him a lick, then floated cheerfully out with the crackers.

"Gengar~"

Here come the treats~

Watching him go, Fang Yan sighed helplessly, then fried another batch and picked up a piece for himself.

It crunched at the first bite, with a savory, salty flavor. Truly a must-have for watching television!

Fang Yan nodded, then took out some bags, packed the crackers, and put them away so they could keep eating them over the next few days.

Once everything was done, Fang Yan returned to the front desk carrying sparkling water. He found everyone in the rest area watching television and eating, each Pokémon holding a cat-ear cracker. They did not even react when he returned to his seat.

Looking at the already half-eaten plate of crackers, Fang Yan nodded to himself. They seemed quite popular.

He set the sparkling water on the table beside the crackers, scooped up Vulpix, and took a cracker in his hand to feed her. Then Mime Jr. scampered over and climbed up the chair onto his lap, sitting alongside Vulpix on Fang Yan's legs.

Feeling the heavy weight on his thighs, Fang Yan let out a breath, then looked at the television.

My little darlings aren't heavy. Not heavy at all.

Fortunately, whenever Shauna was at the Pokémon Day Care, Petilil spent most of her time in Shauna's arms. Otherwise, this heavy love would have weighed quite a bit more.