"Ah, by the way, Allen, I forgot to give you this," Cynthia said, handing him what looked like a folded note.
Curious, Allen unfolded the paper. His eyes immediately caught the Pokémon Center watermark printed faintly on it, and he quickly realized what it was.
After everything that had happened during the incident in Jubilife, Allen had completely forgotten to bring his Marshtomp to the Pokémon Center for a check-up. Since he had passed out, Cynthia had taken it upon herself to take care of his Pokémon as well.
Every Pokémon Center assessment comes with three pages.
Page 1: Pokédex Data [National №, Type, Species, Height, Weight]
[...#0259 Marshtomp
Type: Water Ground
Species: Mud Fish Pokémon
Height 0.7 m
Weight 28.0 kg...]
Page 2: Detailed care plan, diet plan, relative age
[...Marshtomp's skin is highly sensitive to pollutants and toxins, which can severely damage its respiratory and circulatory systems. Additionally, your current Marshtomp are sensitive to saltwater, which can cause serious skin inflammation and severe epidermal discomfort. Special care must be taken to acclimate Marshtomp to saltwater gradually...]
(Trainer's note: It is wise to make sure that any excessively poisonous Pokémon, such as Grimer or Muk, do not come in close contact with your Mudkip/Marshtomp/Swampert for a prolonged period of time.)
Diet 1: Marshtomp are carnivorous, thriving on a diet of meat and fish. However, if a trainer lives far from a water source, extra care is needed. In such cases, it's important to bathe Marshtomp once a day to keep the mucus on its skin moist and healthy.
Diet 2: Specially formulated Water-type Pokéblocks or Pokéfood are ideal for replenishing Marshtomp's energy, as they provide the essential nutrients and hydration required to keep it active and healthy. When fed these foods, daily bathing is no longer necessary.
Page 3: Move Pool, (By request) Abilities, Physical and screening assessment.
His Muddy currently knew Rock Smash, Mud Shot, Growl, Tackle, Water Gun, Rock Throw, Protect, Supersonic, Water Pulse, and Rock Slide.
"What about Yokai?" Allen asked.
"Oh, Yokai is still with Professor Rowan," she replied.
Allen nodded at this, as he had already expected it. Currently, only a handful of people knew about the existence of Hisuian Zoroark: Cynthia, Caitlin, his family, and Professors Oak, Rowan, Magnolia, and Birch.
For the past four years, rumors had circulated in Sinnoh, particularly around Celestic Town, about a new Pokémon species, sparking excitement. However, with no concrete signs or evidence, people had begun to forget about the rumors.
Allen suspected that these rumors had stemmed from the illegal grave digger he had encountered in Celestic Town four years ago—or perhaps even from the Team Aqua grunt. But in the end, there was no real evidence. People came and went, and they still hadn't found the kind Pokémon they were searching for.
"By the way, Allen, listen to me. Your grandpa's new greenhouse is already built, and it's huge! Let's go check it out together after this. And if Caitlin is allowed to go home, we'll bring her too."
Celestic Town had changed.
Where once there had been only stretches of farmland and plantations, new buildings were now emerging—structures made from earth and local materials, inspired by the simple greenhouse Allen had built long ago. But now, they were crafted with greater skill, care, and permanence.
While some of the townspeople still relied on traditional farming, others had begun to see the benefits of harvesting Cascoon silk. Recognizing the ease, these individuals started transitioning from their usual farming routines.
Instead of cultivating crops year-round, they now focused on harvesting the silk during specific periods. They supplied the silk to Allen's family in exchange for money, providing them with a new source of income and reducing their dependence on traditional crops.
Allen looked at Cynthia with a raised eyebrow. "You already played in the greenhouse when you were a kid. Why do you want to go back again?"
"But I think the atmosphere there is just so much livelier now! I want to experience it again!" Cynthia said, pulling Allen's arm excitedly. "You always let me play in the greenhouse, but back then it was so small! Now, it's huge!" She made a big, exaggerated circle with her hands, as if trying to show just how massive it had become.
Seeing Cynthia constantly talk about the big greenhouse, Allen sighed and said, "You want me to take you to play after we visit Caitlin, right?"
"Yes, yes!" Cynthia responded eagerly, not bothering to hide her excitement. "Can we?"
"Alright, alright," Allen said, a bit helplessly.
Soon, they arrived at the clinic, making sure to bring the fruits with them.
As Allen and Cynthia were about to enter the clinic, they happened to see a group of doctors and staff pushing a stretcher. A female patient lay on the bed, covered in bandages, with horrifying, visible wounds. The bandages, stained with blood, made people glance away in discomfort.
At first, Allen didn't think much of it, but as he was about to take another step forward, he suddenly felt like someone had been left behind.
When he turned around, he saw Cynthia, her gaze fixed on the patient who had just passed by them.
"You okay?"
Cynthia snapped out of her thoughts and nodded before moving forward.
Allen, still at the back, kept a serious look on his face, his gaze never leaving her.
By the time they arrived, Caitlin had already woken up and was thrilled to see her friends. She and Cynthia chatted happily, while Allen busied himself peeling a Leppa berry (or apple basically) for them.
"By the way, Allen, what are you planning to do after you graduate?"
'Ah, graduation...' Allen murmured to himself.
There was still nearly a year before they could finally graduate and apply for travel permits. Allen felt a surge of excitement, knowing that soon he'd be able to travel across all the Pokémon regions.
"I think I'll head to Johto first," he murmured, recalling his encounter with Raikou.
Both Cynthia and Caitlin were taken aback by his words.
"Johto?"
Allen simply nodded, not offering any further explanation, before turning to Cynthia. "How about you?"
At the question, Cynthia's breath quickened, and she couldn't help but turn bright red. Allen blinked, taken aback, and was a bit concerned—did she have a sudden fever or something?
But no, she was just really excited. She took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Of course, I'll go to Lily of the Valley Island and become the Champion!"
The Sinnoh League, known as the Lily of the Valley Conference, takes place annually on Lily of the Valley Island. Allen simply nodded, clearly not surprised. He had seen this coming from a mile away."
"Wooohh!!!" Caitlin clapped happily, making Cynthia puff up with pride.
Allen turning to Caitlin next, he was about to speak, but before he could, the door to her room slid open, and her father walked in.
"Uncle!"
Both Allen and Cynthia greeted him as he smiled warmly and carefully placed the plastic bag of food for today's lunch on the table.
"Allen, Cynthia, have you eaten lunch yet?" he greeted them amicably.
Both of them shook their heads, and soon the four of them were eating together since, by chance, Caitlin's father had brought extra food.
Time passed, and soon Allen rose from his seat and glanced at his Pokétch. Only then did he realize how quickly time had passed—it was already 3 PM.
Caitlin looked disappointed, but her father nodded, glancing at his watch. "Alright, Allen and Cynthia. Please do me a favor and visit Caitlin often. As you know..." He smiled faintly, his expression turning bittersweet. "I guess I have to get back to work..." He sighed.
"I understand, Uncle. Don't worry. We'll visit her often," Allen replied, and Cynthia nodded, making him feel relieved.
After bidding farewell to Caitlin and her father, both Allen and Cynthia walked toward the clinic's exit. However, as they passed a room not far from where Caitlin was staying, they heard something.
A father and son could be heard from inside the room. Judging by the sound of the child's voice, he was probably around four or five years old. The father was trying to comfort his son, but the child kept crying and fussing.
"Mom… I want Mom… I don't want bad Dad! I want Mom to hug me!"
"Mom is sick. Can we wait until Mom gets better before she comes to hug you, okay?"
"No… No! I want Mom to hug me!"
Allen was about to take a step forward, but he paused and quietly retracted his foot, stopping just before stepping down the staircase.
He realized once again that someone was missing. He turned around and silently watched Cynthia, who had fallen behind... or rather, had stopped in her tracks.
She stood alone in the lobby of the clinic ward, her head lowered.
"Cyn—"
"I want to go to the bathroom first," she cut him off, her voice small, and Allen swallowed the words he was about to say.
He could only nod in response, though a knot began to form in his chest.
One minute passed.
Five minutes...
And then ten minutes...
Allen grew anxious, his concern deepening with every passing second.
Unable to sit still any longer, he quickly rose from his seat, his heart pounding as he planned to follow Cynthia to the bathroom.
And then he saw it.
For the first time since arriving in the Pokémon world... Allen's heart trembled.
Cynthia... she was squatting on the ground, staring blankly at the floor. She had been facing the end of the clinic ward the entire time, the same ward where a group of doctors and staff had been pushing a stretcher earlier
The curtains swayed gently in the wind, bringing a cool breeze that felt colder than it should.
The brightness was right in front of her, yet she seemed to retreat into the shadows, away from the warmth, away from the light.
There was no one by her side.
After a long hesitation, Allen walked up to her, his heart heavy. He gently patted her head before squatting down beside her in silence.
They sat there, neither speaking. How long had it been? Allen couldn't tell.
Finally, he reached over and softly patted her hand, then gently took it in his. His voice was quiet, barely a whisper, as he said, "Let's go."
But the silence between them felt like a barrier too strong to break.
Cynthia struggled a few times, but in the end, she allowed him to hold her hand tightly.
"You want to see Grandpa's greenhouse, right? Let's go there now."
Allen smiled, gently shaking her arm to comfort her, but Cynthia continued to pull away.
"You're so annoying. Don't play with me anymore. Don't bother with me!"
"Why are you saying that? We're good friends, aren't we?"
"Just leave me here and don't bother with me!"
"How could I just leave you alone!"
Her shout was drowned out by Allen's voice, louder than it had ever been before. Cynthia stood frozen, her eyes wide. It was the first time she had ever heard Allen raise his voice toward her.
Allen held her hand tightly, not wanting to leave her side, his grip firm and unwavering, as if to say he would never let her go.
Despite the struggle, they both stepped outside the clinic, the weight of the silence between them heavier than before.
"Let's go to Grandpa's greenhou—"
"I don't want to go to the greenhouse now."
Cynthia rubbed her eyes. Though she seemed to have calmed down, there was a lingering sadness in her voice.
"Then where do you want to go? I can accompany you anywhere."
"Can we go to that place?"
"We can."
"You didn't even ask which place it is."
Allen smiled gently, his expression soft, and he repeated the words with sincerity, "We can."
Cynthia was in a daze. It seemed that the smile he gave her gave her the courage to speak what had been weighing on her heart... to clear out the sadness she had kept inside for so long.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally said it.
"I... I want to go visit my Mom and Dad. Can you take me there too?"
"We can, let's go!"
Allen gently patted her head. "Let's go now, immediately, right away."