Pokémon Heart Journey

Chapter 257 Farewell

“It feels so fast, so different from before.”

"what?"

Serena looked at Sundae in confusion.

"Isn't she saying that Xiaozhi's battles are not as tortuous as before?" Xiaoyang took over.

"That's right. If it were in the past, something would always happen, such as a sudden evolutionary burst, or some shocking method."

"Doesn't this just prove that Xiaozhi is growing? Because of the improvement in strength, he has gradually been able to confront those trainers at the top head-on," Yulongyuan praised.

"Yeah," Sundae nodded in approval, a serious expression on his face, "I have to work hard too. This alliance conference must be a success."

Hearing this, Serena's expression darkened slightly.

That's great, Sundae, for moving forward on your own path, but I won't lose either.

Serena clenched her hands slowly, making up her mind. But then she asked in a distressed tone, "Speaking of which, where did Miss Nancy take Xiaozhi? Why hasn't he come back yet?"

Not long ago, Nancy left a message saying that she had something to say to Satoshi, and before anyone could react, she suddenly used teleportation to take Satoshi away.

Yu Longyuan suddenly put on a smug expression and said, "Do you think they don't have something to say, but something to do?"

"what?"

The two women asked the question at the same time, but then their hearts skipped a beat. They both realized what the other meant and suddenly became a little at a loss, with a look of confusion on their faces.

"No, no, Miss Nancy is not that kind of person, and Xiaozhi will never agree to it!"

"No, that's right. With Xiaozhi and Miss Nancy's personalities, they simply...should...?"

If it was just Ash in his early days, Sundae would have been quite confident. However, after all the setbacks along the way, Ash had grown a lot not only as a trainer but also as a person. He was no longer the naive young man he once was. Furthermore, Nancy was just aloof, not passive, and she had such feelings for Ash, so maybe...

The more he thought about it, the more flustered he became. Yu Longyuan looked at the two women's bewildered expressions with a look of relief on his face. "Ah~, is this what youth is?"

Xiaoyang looked at the other party speechlessly. You are happy with this prank, but let’s see what you will do when they react.

But not long after, a familiar figure hurried back, "Sorry, I kept you waiting!"

"Pi~ka!"

"Ash!" x2

The two of them immediately went to meet him.

"Sorry, I've been talking to Miss Nancy for a long time... uh... what are you doing?" Looking at the two people who were touching him and Pikachu on his shoulder, he tilted his head in confusion.

“The clothes are not messy”

“There’s no strange smell either.”

"Hoo~" x2

???

"Xiaozhi, what did Miss Nancy say to you?" Xiaoyang asked, then looked behind him, "Also, where is she?"

"Oh, I was just about to tell you that because of such a big incident in Golden City, Miss Nancy, the gym leader, needs to stay and deal with it, so she won't be traveling with us from now on."

"Is that so? But that's to be expected," Serena smoothed her hair. "So, Xiaozhi, where are you going next? I think you've collected all the gym badges, right?"

"I plan to go back to Pallet Town for training next."

The three people at the back couldn't help but look at each other after hearing this, and then Xiaoyang spoke: "Well, Xiaozhi, actually we also have something to tell you."

"Huh?" Xiaozhi and Serena looked up at them.

"We have to say goodbye to you first."

"……bid farewell?"

Ash froze in place, and Pikachu tilted its head in sync, its ears twitching slightly.

"Yeah." Xiao Yang scratched the back of his head, smiling a bit sheepishly. "The battle in Golden City made me realize that I still have many shortcomings. The tournament is about to begin, so Yuan and I plan to go to Linglan Island for more in-depth training."

Yu Longyuan put his hands behind his head and whistled as he added, "That's right. I'm going to take this guy over and keep him under surveillance, so he doesn't keep thinking of unorthodox methods to deal with us."

"Who said anything unorthodox? That was just a normal tactic, and you have no right to say that to me!"

"Lanling Island? Come to think of it, it seems that Charizard has gone back." Then Xiaozhi turned his gaze to Sundae.

Sundae gently adjusted his cuffs, his tone softer than usual: "I have to go home too. My mother wrote to say that because the company I founded is very successful, my father wants me to start taking over some of the family affairs. And..."

She looked up at Ash, the setting sun reflected in her pupils like burning flames. "—Also, I want to compile all the information from this trip. I'll work with my Pokémon to develop a strategy to deal with you. Just wait and see, I will definitely defeat you at the Quartz Conference."

Xiaozhi was silent for two seconds, then suddenly stretched out his fist, palm facing up. "Then it's a deal—"

Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder in tacit understanding, and sparks of electricity flashed on his cheeks, like a small street lamp.

"See you at the Alliance Conference. No one will show mercy then."

"Oh!"

"Pickup!"

Three fists and a small yellow hand were stacked up one after another.

Yu Longyuan finally put his claws on top and shouted, "The loser buys ice cream for everyone! One ball is not enough, you have to get three!"

"Hahaha!"

Serena also smiled with her hands covering her mouth, but her eyes revealed envy and determination.

After this Quartz Conference, it’s time for me to take the first step.

.........

The next day, outside the station.

Xiaozhi and Serena stood side by side, with their packed luggage at their feet.

Yu Longyuan and Xiaoyang were carrying outdoor bags, while Shengdai changed back into her school uniform skirt and carried a small suitcase.

"We'll have to say goodbye now," Xiaoyang pointed to the asphalt road on the left that led to the port, "We'll take the evening boat."

Sundae nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Serena's face for a moment before turning to Xiaozhi: "If I have the chance, I'll go to Pallet Town too. You'll have to treat me well then!"

"Yeah, of course," Xiaozhi nodded.

Yu Longyuan suddenly reached out and stuffed a folded piece of paper into Serena's palm: "Here, a list of Lanling Island's specialty products for you to purchase, please!"

Serena didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "I'm not going to Lanling Island! And I heard there aren't many people there."

"Then wait for Xiaozhi to take you there—"

"Whoosh!"

Pikachu flashed with lightning, causing Yulongyuan's hair to explode like a sea urchin, and then quietly took the ketchup offered by Sundae.

Everyone laughed.

The train whistle sounded.

Xiaozhi waved and watched the three figures gradually disappear into the distance. Suddenly, he felt a familiar energy fluctuation. Following the trajectory, he saw a figure standing on a conspicuous building, waving at him.

Although he couldn't see it with the naked eye, he had been together for so long, how could he not recognize the other person.

"Serena, look, Nancy..."

Before he could finish his words, he suddenly felt his shoulders sink, and then he heard the sound of even breathing in his ears.

He turned his head slightly and looked at the beauty on his shoulder. He carefully reached out and brushed the hair off her cheek, and his expression became extremely gentle.

On his thigh, Pikachu was also lying on it and snoring.

Turning his head to look out the window, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.

“Thank you so much for this journey.”