Not Being a Trainer This Time

A thousand years ago, Eindoak.

Early morning, on the terrace of the kingdom’s high tower, the King slowly stepped out from his chamber, gazing upon his kingdom with Victini beside him.

Golden morning light bathed the land, shadows gradually receded, dew droplets fell from flower petals, people emerged from their homes, faces beaming with hope and happiness, greeting their neighbors.

Vendors delivering fresh vegetables and berries, women wearing headscarves and aprons going out to buy groceries, children frolicking with Pokemon…

People flowed from the ends of streets and alleys like a tide, eventually converging at the market, creating a bustling scene.

In an instant, the entire town had “awoken.”

“Victini, did you see? My subjects are so joyful and happy, my kingdom is so prosperous, nature, humans, and Pokemon can coexist harmoniously here.” The Old King displayed a gentle smile, his gaze lovingly watching over his kingdom.

Victini nodded in agreement, joyfully flying around the Old King, emitting cheerful cries:

“Nini!”

The Old King turned around, slowly reaching out his aged hand full of wrinkles towards Victini, his face showing a warm and tender smile, seemingly wanting to touch Victini’s head.

Suddenly, everything around vanished like a dream, everything fell silent, and Victini looked around in panic, trying to find the King in the darkness.

But no matter how hard it searched, it could never see the Old King’s figure again.

The once prosperous kingdom began to fall into ruin, the majestic and dignified castle also bore the marks of time.

Spring arrived, everything started to revive, and in a flash, the scorching summer suddenly descended, the trees shivered in shadows, with dark green leaves swaying under the scorching sun.

In the next moment, the leaves began to yellow and wither, the desolate autumn wind swept by, causing the dry yellow leaves to whirl down from the treetops.

When the leaves fell to the ground, a heavy snowfall followed, and in the blink of an eye, the world was covered in a blanket of white snow, leaving only a vast expanse of white between heaven and earth.

Victini waited alone in the castle, hoping for the Old King’s return, but after over a thousand springs, summers, autumns, and winters had passed, it never saw its beloved Old King again.

Spring arrived again, and Victini nestled alone on the castle’s terrace, and suddenly, the King returned.

Victini’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

But the Old King did not approach; he only looked at Victini with reluctance, softly apologizing:

“I’m sorry, Victini, I’ve made you wait too long; I must leave, and you must embrace a new life! Go, you will surely meet better companions; goodbye, Victini.”

With that, the Old King turned around and walked into the darkness, and Victini immediately chased after him.

But the Old King’s silhouette quickly vanished, leaving only one lone Pokemon floating in the vast castle.

“Nini!”

Realizing it would never see the Old King again, Victini cried heartbrokenly in its dreams.

Unsure how much time had passed, it slowly opened its eyes, only to find itself still on the castle’s terrace.

“Nini…”

Victini murmured softly, feeling some dampness on its face, and when it touched with its small hand, it realized its tears had unknowingly wet its fur.

After crying, Victini quietly flew out of the castle.

The sun rose, and the world welcomed a new day.

*

In the town, on a tree growing beside the square.

Mew, transformed into Purrloin, and Teddiursa stood on the treetop, curiously observing this unfamiliar town.

In the town, people came and went, young Trainers carrying backpacks excitedly weaving through the crowds, sometimes two would catch each other’s eye, then venture into the grass, heading to open areas throughout the town for an intense Pokemon battle.

Others strolled casually on the streets, listening to the local legends narrated by vendors along the roadside.

At this moment, Mew and Teddiursa suddenly noticed a small stall displaying many oddly-shaped dolls.

“Hmm?”

Curious, the two Pokemon approached to watch; was that a Pokemon?

Just then, an out-of-town tourist arrived, asking the stall owner about the dolls.

The stall owner, a kind-looking old woman, enthusiastically introduced:

“These are victory Pokemon, Victini dolls.”

“Victini?”

“It’s said to have lived in this town long ago, but hardly anyone can see it. It’s rumored that Victini grants power to people; long ago, its power protected the Sword of the Earth. Any Trainer who gets these dolls will receive Victini’s blessing and win every battle!”

Upon hearing this, the Trainer’s eyes lit up and immediately pointed at a small doll, saying:

“Please give me this one!”

“Hmm…” Teddiursa listened with some skepticism; is it really that magical?

“Miu.” Mew shook its head, indicating it didn’t know either.

Since venturing to the mysterious dungeon, Mew realized there are things in this world they still don’t understand.