Early the next morning, sunlight pierced through the hotel curtains, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across the floor.
Theo woke up early. After washing up, he slung the backpack he had already packed onto his shoulders.
He woke Larvesta and Metang, who were still fast asleep, then brought them along with Milotic and Tyrantrum to the Pokémon dining area behind the hotel to have breakfast.
Once his Pokémon had finished eating, Theo headed to the shopping street in Fallarbor Town to purchase supplies for the upcoming journey.
After a busy round of shopping, he carried a heavy backpack and, together with his Pokémon, officially set off on the road away from Fallarbor Town.
When he first left the town, the branches of the trees lining the road still bore traces of volcanic ash, as if covered by a gray veil.
But as he continued forward, that "veil" gradually faded, revealing the trees' original lush green leaves, full of vitality and life.
The region around the Meteor Falls mountain range was surrounded by many peaks, with waterfalls of various sizes scattered throughout, nourishing the land.
The abundant water made the soil exceptionally fertile, the trees grew denser, and the air was filled with moist vapor carrying the fresh scent of grass and earth.
Theo followed a winding path, occasionally passing small lakes along the way. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the green trees along the shore and the white clouds in the sky.
From time to time, a few Goldeen leapt out of the water, scattering sparkling droplets before falling back in with a splash, sending ripples spreading across the surface.
Looking into the distance, among the mist-covered mountains far away, a massive waterfall poured down like a silver river.
The water cascaded from a steep cliff, yet halfway down it seemed to vanish into thin air, as if disappearing completely, giving it a mysterious and magnificent appearance.
That was the source of Meteor Falls.
In the grass by the roadside, many Pokémon could be seen.
Rattata darted back and forth through the grass, while a few Seedot stood on rocks, their wide eyes watching their surroundings with caution.
Theo's Pokémon also found their own forms of entertainment.
Tyrantrum and Larvesta stayed close together, their heads pressed side by side as they chattered away. It was not hard to guess that the two were still reliving their glory from the Contest the previous day.
Perhaps immersed in the joy of victory, they were much more well behaved than usual, no longer roughhousing or causing mischief. They simply followed along quietly, occasionally stopping to gesture at each other as if debating whose performance had been more impressive.
Metang stayed close to Theo at all times. Using its psychic power, it gently supported the backpack on Theo's back, helping to reduce his burden. Its red eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, like a loyal bodyguard.
Milotic, on the other hand, rarely stayed inside its Poké Ball. Perhaps due to the many lakes nearby, the abundant moisture in the air made it feel especially comfortable.
It manipulated the surrounding water vapor to float gracefully, stretching its beautiful body.
From time to time, it would leap into a nearby lake, elegantly swaying its tail fin. The golden scales on its tail shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
Whenever Milotic entered the water, Goldeen, Magikarp, and Tentacool would gather around, curiously swimming alongside it.
Milotic did not drive them away. Instead, it gently moved its body, playing with them in harmony.
When Theo reached the base of a small waterfall, Milotic suddenly swam toward it, enjoying the cascading water at the bottom.
Then it slowly moved to the center of the lake, stopped, slightly raised its head, and began to sing softly.
When Milotic's gentle song began, the sound was like a heavenly melody, pure and ethereal.
It resembled a clear mountain stream flowing over stones, or a breeze passing through a bamboo forest. Instantly, it attracted the attention of all the surrounding Pokémon.
Many Pokémon emerged from the grass and trees, quietly listening to the song.
Even the Pidgey and Pidgeotto flying in the sky slowed down, circling low as if unwilling to leave.
Expressions of deep enjoyment appeared on their faces, their eyes filled with fascination.
Theo also stopped walking, leaning against a tree as he quietly listened, closing his eyes to savor this moment of peace.
It felt as though Milotic's song contained a kind of magic, calming the mind and gradually dissolving all fatigue and worries.
Sunlight shimmered on the surface of the lake, blending with the melody into a dreamlike scene.
After a while, Milotic's song slowly came to an end, and the lake returned to its calm state, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
The area around the lake remained quiet for a few seconds before cheerful cries suddenly erupted.
The Pokémon that had been drawn by the song seemed to come back to their senses and began approaching Theo.
A Nuzleaf carefully held out a red berry and offered it to him.
Several Lotad hopped over, looking up at him with curious eyes.
They all knew that the human before them was Milotic's trainer.
Smiling, Theo accepted the berry and took out some Pokémon food from his backpack, sharing it with the little creatures.
After receiving the food, the Pokémon happily scattered. The Lotad even turned back to wave at him, as if expressing their thanks.
Although the outline of the Meteor Falls mountain range could already be seen, the actual distance was still considerable, and it was clear that he would not reach it today.
As the afternoon approached evening, Theo stopped beside a scenic lake and decided to set up camp there.
He skillfully pitched a tent, took out a portable stove, and began preparing ingredients from his backpack in an orderly manner.
Soon, the aroma of food filled the air.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon began playing by the lake.
Milotic swam to the center, sometimes diving beneath the surface and sometimes rising again, enjoying itself freely.
Larvesta and Metang cooperated mischievously, splashing water toward Tyrantrum on purpose, causing it to dodge left and right in a rather comical manner.
After playing for a while, Milotic suddenly swam up to Larvesta and opened its mouth, releasing a transparent bubble that enveloped Larvesta perfectly.
The bubble kept the water out while allowing a clear view of the surroundings. With a gentle flick of its tail, Milotic carried Larvesta down into the depths of the lake.
Inside the bubble, Larvesta excitedly waved its horns, its eyes wide as it looked at the colorful corals below, the swaying aquatic plants, and the various small fish swimming past. It let out cheerful chirping sounds, expressing its delight.
Metang used its psychic power to control its body, sinking directly to the bottom of the lake to join Milotic and Larvesta in admiring the underwater scenery.
On the shore, Tyrantrum grew anxious. Its three companions had all gone off to play, leaving it alone on land.
(End of Chapter)
TN: They should have made Milotic Water / Fairy.