Wearing her haptic gloves, Guinaifen spent the evening interacting with her projected Wigglytuff and Charizard, her camera stabilizer keeping the livestream steady as she navigated the crowded Star-Skiff Haven.
The chat was a waterfall of text:
"I thought it was just a regular party. I left the Luofu right after the finals. I'm a complete idiot.""Look at that Charizard! The tech in those gloves must be insane. Arceus Studio is really treating the fans.""Lil' Gui, give us the pro analysis! Why did Fu Xuan use Ally Switch there?"
"Family, don't ask me for logic," Guinaifen laughed, waving a hand at the camera. "My brain isn't built for that level of calculation. I'm just here for the vibes!"
"Guinaifen! We've played enough, let's recharge," Sushang shouted, waving her phone. "I just found a post about a Pokémon-themed pop-up restaurant nearby. They have a specialty menu!"
"Really? Let me see—Charizard Flame Cake? Pikachu Soda? Lead the way, Sushang!"
The two dove into a nearby eatery that was already buzzing with energy. They managed to snag one of the last tables and placed their order immediately.
First to arrive was the Charizard Flame Cake. It was a light orange sponge with a draconic silhouette, served alongside a small Charizard model. Before Guinaifen could pick up her fork, the "decoration" opened its mouth and breathed a controlled jet of fire over the dessert.
The exterior of the cake darkened instantly, the sugar caramelizing into a rich, deep amber.
"Oh! It smells amazing now!" Guinaifen took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "The outside is crunchy and sweet, but the inside is soft dragon-fruit filling. It's sweet with just a hint of tartness. I could eat ten of these!"
Next was the Fat Pudding, shaped like a round, bouncy Wigglytuff. It smelled faintly of fresh peaches.
"It's so cute, I feel bad eating it," Guinaifen murmured, even as she scooped a large spoonful out. The holographic Wigglytuff standing on the table gave a mock-scared expression, making her giggle. "Don't worry, little one, I'm not eating you."
The texture was perfect—bouncy and silky, with a lingering peach sweetness that wasn't overpowering. Finally, she tried the Pikachu Soda. The cup was bright yellow, and the straw was zigzagged like a lightning bolt.
As she took a sip, her eyes widened. "Whoa! My mouth just got Thunder-Shocked!"
The soda had a unique carbonation that created a safe, tingling electrical sensation on the tongue. It made the lemon-lime flavor pop with a sharp, refreshing edge. "If you're still in the Luofu and you haven't tried this, you're missing out on life!"
Across town in a quiet teahouse, the atmosphere was a bit more competitive. Qingque sat at a table with a Meowth perched on her shoulder and a Persian lounging at her feet.
"Self-draw! Pure suit, concealed seven pairs! Pay up, everyone!" Qingque cheered, slamming her tiles down. "I told you, my Meowth is a literal gold mine for luck!"
Her three opponents groaned, handing over their credits with sour expressions. Immediately, two of them dismissed their current Pokémon and summoned their own Meowths, hoping to steal the luck back.
"Hehe, it's too late," Qingque laughed, patting the Persian's head. "The blessing is already gathered here. I'm going to clean you all out before the fireworks start! Same rule: nobody leaves until the deck is empty!"
High above the festivities in a private attic, a different group gathered. Yukong, Fu Xuan, and Jing Yuan sat by a window, enjoying a sophisticated meal away from the noise.
"Congratulations, Master Diviner," Jing Yuan said, raising his wine glass toward Fu Xuan. "A champion's title suits you. You must have a few more drinks tonight to celebrate."
"It's rare for the General to actually give me a 'mission' I enjoy," Fu Xuan replied, her voice tinged with rare satisfaction. "My mood is excellent."
"Haha, you worked so hard to dodge the tournament initially," Jing Yuan teased. "But seeing this result, I think we can agree my persistence was justified."
Fu Xuan flushed slightly and turned away, focusing on her Mew Milk Tea. She had added several extra pumps of syrup, creating a thick, sugary sweetness that would have been too much for most, but was exactly what she needed to counter the General's teasing. She took a long, blissful sip.
"Lady Yukong," Jing Yuan turned to the Master of the Sky-Faring Commission. "You have an incredible eye for talent. Julian Reed has done more for our cultural promotion in a month than most do in a century."
"The General flattery is appreciated," Yukong replied with a modest toast. "But it was mostly luck. Julian's vision is his own."
"Modesty becomes you, but the credit remains. Next time his schedule allows, I would like to meet this contributor personally."
Yukong gave a strained smile. Julian isn't the busy one, General. It's finding a gap in your 'busy' schedule that's the challenge.
A soft whistle broke the conversation. A trail of sparks rose into the night sky, followed by a thunderous bang. The firework blossomed into the perfect shape of a red-and-white Poké Ball.
Then came the barrage. One after another, fireworks erupted in the shapes of Pikachus, Charizards, and Bulbasaurs, painting the Xianzhou sky in vibrant, neon colors.
"Himeko, look! The fireworks!" March 7th shouted from the plaza below, her camera shutter clicking rhythmically as she captured every burst.
In another attic, Julian Reed sat alone, a Pikachu resting on his shoulder. He watched the light show reflected in the windows, the cheering of the crowd muffled by the glass. He felt a profound sense of relief, seeing his world brought to life so vividly.
He reached out to pet the Pikachu, feeling the warmth and the fur through his glove. But as the firework shaped like a Mew faded into smoke, his expression softened into something more contemplative.
"Beautiful," he whispered. "But in the end... you're all still just made of light and code."
30+ chapters are available now and daily updates! @patreon.com/AgentTwilight