During the meal, Eddie, Lysandre, and the Pokémon all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
After eating, Eddie squeezed juice for both Lysandre and himself, and they sat outside the courtyard gate, simply being. A gentle breeze carried the scent of the fairy flower fields, and in the distance, the fruit trees swayed. Everything seemed incredibly serene.
"Look," Eddie began, inspired, "this world is so beautiful. Human nature has its evil side, but the world doesn't change because of it. It's still so beautiful."
Lysandre was silent. Eddie didn't look at him, but continued, "Do you know what I admire most about you?"
Lysandre looked at Eddie, puzzled.
Eddie continued, "It's your kindness and integrity. There are many kind and upright people in this world, but few are as pure as you. It's precisely because of this that your heart is so precious. Maybe I'm not a kind person, so I admire you very much. Maybe some people can't see this precious quality, but there are always people who can see it. Maybe you haven't found it, but please believe it firmly."
After that, Eddie said nothing more, feeling incredibly embarrassed. "What nonsense am I talking about!" he thought to himself.
Lysandre stayed with Eddie for two days. Eddie never brought up the internet incident again. Instead, they spent their days exploring Coumarine City's famous attractions and enjoying all the delicious food recommended by tourist guides. Eddie even took Lysandre to Uncle Rob and Aunt Paris's ranch, where they had a thrilling Gogoat-riding competition.
Lysandre's riding skills were quite poor. He not only lost to the experienced Uncle Rob and Aunt Paris but also to Eddie, which earned him good-natured teasing from everyone. Lysandre himself laughed, a rare display of open emotion in public for him.
Two days later, Eddie saw Lysandre off at the Coumarine City Airport, where his private aircraft awaited. Before leaving, a visibly relaxed Lysandre told Eddie, "Eddie, thank you. I'm very glad to have come to your place. I've been very happy these two days. May our friendship last forever."
Eddie nodded, waving, "May our friendship last forever!"
Life Returns to Normal
After Lysandre left, Eddie returned to his usual routine: school, homework, cultivating fruit trees, and training Pokémon daily.
A few days later, the online rumors about Lysandre began to reverse. The young man who had posted the initial video released another, explaining everything he had done and why Lysandre had withdrawn his funding. He even disclosed all his dealings with Lysandre's rivals, including evidence. It was clear that Lysandre had adjusted his mindset and, with a single move, solved the problem, proving his mettle as a seasoned business leader.
This new video completely turned public opinion around. The young man and Lysandre's opponents were heavily criticized and faced threats of product boycotts. Eddie later heard that the young man went to jail, and while he didn't know the exact fate of Lysandre's rivals, it was clear they gained no advantage.
Since Eddie had taken two days off from school to be with Lysandre, he immediately began frantically catching up on his homework. "It's so inhumane," he muttered.
That day, Salandit unexpectedly returned from Mr. Brian's, his small bag on his back. When Eddie arrived home from school, he found Salandit cooking dinner with Hattrem in the kitchen.
"Hey? Salandit, you're back!" Eddie asked, surprised.
"Salandit ~Salandit ~" Yes, Mr. Brian said I don't need to go anymore. I've already learned all the skills I need, and now I just need to hone them at home in the future," Salandit replied.
"You've become an apprentice so soon?" Eddie looked surprised.
"Salandit ~Salandit ~" No, I just learned the technique, but my skills aren't good enough yet. I need to practice more..." Salandit said shyly.
Eddie smiled, "It's okay, you can do it. I believe in you. You can use any fruit from the trees at home. Just practice hard and strive to become a master soon!"
Salandit was hesitant and shy again, promising to do his best. From that day on, Salandit began practicing making energy cubes at home, and Eddie even set up a special room for him. Baskets of fruit were sent to Salandit, and can after can of energy cubes emerged from his room. Salandit made a large number of energy cubes, but their quality wasn't yet up to standard for Eddie's Pokémon.
Eddie saw that the quality of Salandit's energy cubes was steadily improving, though they still had a way to go before being suitable for his Pokémon. He didn't waste them, though; he had Hattrem send them all to the Pokémon Shelter for the resident Pokémon. While Eddie's Pokémon didn't eat them, they were perfectly fine for ordinary Pokémon, who didn't require specialized training, combat, or high-intensity exercise.
Because of this, Hattrem was even more grateful to Eddie and took excellent care of him every day. To reward her hard work and abilities, Eddie even arranged a transportation for her: a Talonflame. Whenever Hattrem wanted to visit her friends at the Pokémon Shelter, she could ride on Talonflame. As the Fletchinder in the patrol team continued to evolve, a few more Talonflame appeared on Mystic Mountain.
Salandit didn't just stay in his room making energy blocks. She was in constant contact with Siebold, often discussing cooking with Siebold over the phone. Eddie didn't understand how they communicated since Siebold couldn't understand Pokémon language, but he often saw Salandit holding a cell phone, chattering away to Siebold, sometimes even dancing with excitement. After each conversation, Salandit would head to the kitchen to showcase her cooking skills, much to the delight of Eddie and the others.
Later, Eddie learned that Siebold had been away from home for a long time. Not long after Salandit returned home, Siebold packed his luggage and embarked on a journey with his Pokémon, honing his strength as a trainer and practicing his cooking skills. Even while traveling, Siebold continued to communicate with Salandit.
As time passed, Salandit's cooking skills rapidly improved, surpassing her progress in making energy cubes. Nowadays, Salandit largely assisted Hattrem in preparing the family's three daily meals.
One day, Hattrem rode Talonflame to the Pokémon Shelter to deliver energy cubes. When she returned, Eddie was surprised to find two Pokémon eggs cradled in her arms. She cautiously approached Eddie, asking if she could keep them. The two eggs looked similar, both with white shells adorned with blue patterns, differing only slightly in pattern density. Eddie couldn't immediately identify the Pokémon inside.
"Where did you get these two eggs?" Eddie asked, puzzled.
"Hattrem~Hattrem~"
Hattrem then explained the eggs' origin. After delivering the energy cubes, she flew back on Talonflame. Just as they neared Mystic Mountain, she spotted the two eggs by the side of the road. So, she brought them back.
"You have really good eyesight. You can even notice two eggs on the ground while flying in the air," Eddie said admiringly.
"Hattrem~Hattrem~Hattrem~" The eggs were white and very conspicuous lying in the green grass. Hattrem then pointed at Talonflame, indicating that Talonflame had been the first to notice them. Hearing this, Eddie wasn't surprised; Talonflame's eyesight was indeed exceptional, allowing it to easily spot things on the ground even from high in the sky.
"Do you really want to keep these two eggs?" Eddie asked.
"Hattrem~Hattrem~" Hattrem nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of pleading.
"But you picked up these two eggs on the road. Who knows if someone lost them. What if their owner is looking for them?" Eddie questioned.
Hattrem was speechless. She hadn't thought of that.
"Okay, since you want to keep them, then keep them for now. But I'll ask the Talonflame to keep an eye on the road. If someone comes looking for them, you must return the eggs. If no one comes looking for them, then you can keep it." Eddie said, defeated.
"Hattrem~Hattrem~" Boss, don't worry, I won't delay the work.
Hattrem nearly spun in circles with joy. Eddie was speechless: "Am I worried that you're not working well?" He didn't understand why she was so set on keeping two Pokémon eggs, but then he considered Hattrem's fondness for all the young Pokémon: Hattrem, little Larvitar, and even Chikorita. Now, two eggs. "Is it possible that Hattrem is born with a maternal aura?"
Afterward, Eddie ordered the Talonflame to monitor the road. Several days passed, and no one came looking for Pokémon eggs. Hattrem, however, diligently cared for the two eggs. She even took them to the Pokémon Center for inspection when she visited the Pokémon Shelter. Her attentiveness to the eggs was almost as great as her care for Eddie.
Time slowly crept into December, and Eddie's school finally began its winter vacation. Although Coumarine City never experienced a true winter, the weather remained mild. Still, a holiday meant happiness for everyone. With more free time, Eddie decided to visit Master Ramos, bringing some fruit. It had been a while since his last visit, and he didn't want to be accused of neglecting him.
However, just as Eddie arrived at the Coumarine City Gym, he saw Master Ramos rushing out. Master Ramos's eyes lit up when he saw Eddie, and he immediately pulled him into the dojo. "You came at the right time. I was just worried that no one would help me."
Eddie was confused. "Huh? What's the matter that makes you so anxious?"
Master Ramos explained, "Clarke and I have to go to ... for something. There's no one guarding the gym now. Please help me be the acting Gym Leader for two days."
Eddie pointed at himself in surprise. "I'm supposed to be the acting owner? But I have no experience!"
Master Ramos replied, annoyed, "Isn't this just giving you a chance to experience it? Besides, this period is the off-season for gym challenges, so there may not be anyone coming to challenge you. You'll definitely be able to handle it."
"I..." Eddie tried to protest, but Master Ramos interrupted him.
"Why are you being so fussy? It's just two days of guarding the gym. Is that a deal? Clarke and I are in a hurry to get to the airport!" With that, Master Ramos shoved the gym key into Eddie's hand.
"Master Ramos..." In a flash, Master Ramos and Clarke, luggage in hand, flew away on a Tropius, leaving Eddie alone and bewildered in the empty gym.
But just as Master Ramos said, it was the off-season for gym challenges. Eddie stayed in the gym for a whole day and didn't see any challengers. He even had lunch at the gym, which Selene brought to him on Talonflame.
The next day, Eddie lingered at home for a long time before riding Captain Talonflame to the Coumarine Gym. As soon as he landed, however, he saw a girl looking around at the gym entrance. Seeing Eddie dismount Talonflame, the girl hurried over. "Excuse me... do you know where the Gym Leader of the Coumarine Gym is? I want to challenge the gym."
"Um...um...the Gym Leader is away for something, and now I'm the acting Gym Leader. Do you really want to challenge me?" Eddie asked hesitantly.
"Of course, as long as we can challenge the gym, it doesn't matter who the Gym Leader is," the girl said matter-of-factly.
"Okay, if you insist." Eddie had no choice but to agree, leading her into the gym.
"By the way, I don't know your name yet?" Eddie asked as he led the girl to the battlefield.
"My name is Valerie, and I'm from Johto," the girl replied.
Upon hearing this, Eddie looked at the girl in surprise. This girl was going to be the future Gym Leader of Laverre City in the Kalos region. However, the Gym Leader was only in her teens, looking even younger than Eddie.
"Your home is in Johto, why did you come to Kalos to challenge the gym?" Eddie asked, puzzled. Valerie looked like a novice trainer. Normally, she would only travel in her hometown region. It was rare for a trainer to cross regions and go to unfamiliar places right after debuting.
"Alas~ there's nothing I can do. My family has moved to the Kalos region. From now on I'm a Kalos region person!" Valerie said playfully.