Even after the final trophy was hoisted, the excitement in the Xianzhou Luofu didn't fade; it simply migrated. Spectators interested in the local culture continued to wander the floating plazas, while the die-hard gamers retreated to their hotels to ignite the galaxy's digital networks with debate.
The tournament had been broadcast live across the cosmos. While some regions under IPC strictures struggled with official feeds, the "Special Access" tools provided by the Luofu—a nod from the Sky-Faring Commission—ensured that no trainer was left behind.
Julian Reed sat in his office, stunned by the preliminary data. Bringing Robin in as the opening act had been a masterstroke. Millions of her fans who had never touched a video game had tuned in for the performance and stayed for the Pokémon.
"Worth every credit," Julian muttered, scrolling through the data team's projections. Sales of the first-generation game were expected to jump by another five hundred million to a billion copies. This didn't even account for the anime or the plushies. Pokémon was no longer a game; it was a galactic phenomenon.
On the forums, the conversation was relentless:
"Are the finalists even playing the same game as us? Fu Xuan's logic is terrifying.""I finally understand. Pokémon isn't just about stats; it's about the bond. Did you see Silver Wolf and that Flareon?""When can I get a projection that smart? I want to talk to my Pikachu!""Forget that—where is the Johto Region? I need my Ho-Oh!"The Central Plaza
As night fell, the Central Starskiff Haven transformed. This was the site of the Pokémon Festival Julian had promised.
The Astral Express crew—led by an unstoppable March 7th—arrived just as the festivities began.
"Uncle Yang! Himeko! Hurry up or we'll miss the opening!" March shouted, her pink hair bobbing as she wove through the crowd. She skidded to a halt at a long queue, pouting. "A checkpoint? They weren't here this morning."
As they reached the front, staff members weren't checking IDs; they were handing out specialized equipment.
"Electromagnetic Induction Gloves," March read the label on the sleek, fingerless gear. "What do these do?"
"It's for haptic feedback," Himeko noted, watching the tourists ahead of them.
Nearby, people were walking with holographic Pokémon on their shoulders. But unlike standard projections, these people were actually petting them. When a trainer stroked a Pikachu's head, their hand didn't pass through the light—it stopped, meeting resistance as if the Pokémon were solid.
"I see," Welt adjusted his glasses. "The gloves use electromagnetic pulses to simulate the sensation of touch against the holographic lattice. It creates a physical bridge to the digital world."
Himeko slipped her glove on and tapped the small display on the wrist.
[Please enter Player ID or select a Guest Pokémon.]
Himeko entered her handle: Coffee Perfumer. The system synced instantly. "Retrieved. Please select up to two partners for projection."
She chose her Mr. Mime and a small, unevolved Vulpix.
With a shimmer of light, Vulpix appeared in her arms, letting out a soft, melodic trill as it snuggled against her coat. Its big, watery eyes looked up at her with pure affection.
"Oh my... you're even more charming in the real world," Himeko whispered, stroking the fox's soft, holographic fur. The glove buzzed with a gentle, warm sensation, mimicking the texture of a living creature.
Beside her, Mr. Mime appeared, immediately conjuring a tiny holographic chair and a cup of coffee, looking perfectly at home in the bustling plaza.
"Wow! It really works! My turn!" March 7th scrambled to activate her glove, summoning her Eevee and Pikachu. "My babies! Mommy can finally hug you!"
She nearly burst into tears as she scooped up the Eevee. Because she hadn't saved enough for a high-end virtual console on the Express, she usually played via standard holographic displays. This was the first time she had ever "felt" her partners.
Welt summoned his Dragonite and Charizard. The massive dragon loomed over him, nudging his shoulder with a friendly grunt.
"The tactile feedback is remarkably similar to a full-dive virtual environment," Welt smiled, patting the Dragonite's snout. "But there's something unique about seeing them here, under the stars of the Luofu."
"Uncle Yang! Himeko!" March 7th pointed toward a bright, neon-lit section of the plaza. "Look! They've set up arcade stations! We can battle right here in the street!"
The festival was just beginning, and for the people of the Luofu, the boundary between reality and the Pokémon world had never been thinner.
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