"Haha! I see now. So you're a new Trainer friend Brendan just met! This kid's always been shy, so it's not easy for him to make a new friend."
After everything was explained, Norman finally let out a sigh of relief.
His son had always been a very refined boy, and deep down, Norman had long worried Brendan might start leaning in that direction...
That was why he had always pushed Brendan through intense battle training, hoping to build up his masculine spirit through strong, powerful combat.
Standing in front of his father, Brendan looked a little uneasy.
"Dad, Chimpy, he..."
Norman seemed to have already heard what happened, and he comforted him, "It's fine. Don't be too upset. If it fulfilled its duty of protecting you, then it died without regrets. But that means you've got an empty slot on your team now... Hmm. Dad will find a stronger Pokémon for you."
Hearing that, Brendan quickly said, "N, no need, Father. I already have a new partner!"
Norman looked a little surprised to hear his son had already found a new Pokémon.
He smiled and said, "Good! Then let your dad see what kind of powerful Pokémon you caught!"
Plop.
A cute pink cat with a hand-shaped tail appeared in front of Norman.
"Mii, miiii."
Seeing the adorable little thing, Asher quickly checked it with the app.
[Target: Skitty (Female)]
[Level: 16]
[Type: Normal]
[Element Affinity: -]
[Summary: The Kitten Pokémon. It chases its own tail wherever it goes. Wild Skitty live in tree hollows in the forest. With its cute face, it is very popular as a pet.]
[Relationship: A red-capped coat rack]
[Suggested interaction: Cuddle her]
The moment Norman saw the Pokémon, his expression darkened.
"What is this? Why would you catch a Pokémon with lousy Element Affinity and such poor species potential?! Listen to your dad and let it go. That thing can't help you become stronger!"
Asher checked the data and found that, as a Normal-type Pokémon, Skitty had very low elemental aptitude, and its species potential wasn't high either. Once it evolved and reached the forties, it would be hard for its level to keep rising. It really wasn't suited for serious battle training.
But this was Brendan's chosen partner. How could he just give up on her like that?
Just as Brendan lowered his head in silence, Asher shot him a firm look.
When Brendan saw the blazing determination in Asher's eyes, it felt as though endless courage had been blasted straight into his heart through that gaze.
He gave Asher a subtle nod, clenched his fists, and confessed to his father.
"Dad... you might be surprised, but I... I actually..."
Bzzzt.
Seeing the strange look passing between Asher and Brendan, along with the way Brendan was speaking, Norman's thoughts started screaming.
Wait! What is this supposed to mean?!
D, don't tell me...!
No!!!
[Rotom! Mr. Norman has been startled!]
"I want to be a Pokémon Coordinator!"
"Huh?!"
In an instant, calm returned. The tension in Norman's heart vanished, and he let out a long breath.
"Whew, you scared me to death. I thought you were going to... Huh?!! What did you just say? You want to be a Pokémon Coordinator?!"
It was not the roof being blown off like he had feared, but just opening a window instead, yet Norman was still furious.
"What are you thinking?! Pokémon Coordinators are just hobbyists for women, sissies, and idiots! A real man like you should become a strong, professional Trainer like your father! Drop that childish fantasy and finish your Great Pilgrimage like you're supposed to so you can inherit the family legacy!"
This reaction was exactly what Brendan had expected.
His father, Norman, was known as the Strong Man. Everyone said he was a man born for Pokémon battles.
Any Pokémon that seemed ordinary in someone else's hands could unleash terrifying power under his command.
Especially his ace, the one that completely overturned convention and struck fear into countless challengers.
With his gift for battle, Norman had become one of the rare few powerful Trainers to rise from nothing.
And now his son, who had been born with such an excellent foundation, wanted to throw away the legacy Norman had fought so hard to build. As a battle fanatic, there was no way he could accept that.
And on top of that... his son wanted to become a Pokémon Coordinator.
Of all things, why did it have to be a Coordinator?
But Brendan, as though finally awakened, shouted at the top of his lungs, "No! Becoming a Pokémon Coordinator is my dream! I already made a promise to her! I'm going to stand with her on the most dazzling stage and show the whole world the elegance and beauty that a true Trainer can possess!"
Seeing his son actually dare talk back to him, Norman finally realized how serious this was, and his anger flared even higher.
"Her?! I knew it. I knew you'd been led astray by someone! I've told you before, women only slow down your Poké Ball throw!"
The moment he mentioned her, Brendan became unexpectedly stubborn.
"Shut up! What do you know?! You don't understand real love at all!"
Love?!
Asher jolted.
Wasn't this supposed to be about career goals? Why did it suddenly smell like romance?
Seeing his son so thoroughly bewitched by some girl and dragged off course, Norman was beside himself with rage.
"Fine! Great! Don't you dare regret this later! From now on, I'll act like I never had a son. I won't interfere in your life ever again!"
Just as father and son were about to split completely over their clashing ideals, Asher stepped forward.
"Wait, Mr. Norman! Do you really think so little of Pokémon Coordinators?! They may perform on beautiful stages, but this profession is actually a powerful path that combines technique and beauty!"
Hearing Asher passionately repeat the very explanation Brendan had just given him and declare it to his father, Brendan felt deeply stirred that someone could finally voice what was in his heart.
But Norman roared back with hard, explosive fury.
"What a load of nonsense!!! Those flashy little acrobatic pretty boys, I can clean up as many of them as you want! Listen carefully, red-capped kid. The word strong belongs only to professional Trainers! Pokémon Coordinators are all style with no substance, garbage, trash, and cowards!"
At that moment, Asher frowned.
Something about this felt off.
With his sharp intuition, he could tell that Norman's resentment toward the profession of Pokémon Coordinator ran extremely deep.
This was way beyond simple prejudice.
Could it be that Mr. Norman had some kind of serious history with a Coordinator?
Asher thought for a moment, then tried to reason with him.
"Mr. Norman, I know you may have some very personal feelings about Pokémon Coordinators. Maybe certain people left you with a terrible impression. But no matter what, Brendan is still your son. That's not something that can change."
"You should respect his choice and believe in his strength. I'm sure he'll become an excellent Trainer, one whose ability won't lose to yours, and prove himself to you!"
Hearing that, Norman's expression changed. The corner of his mouth twitched as though something unspeakable was buried inside him.
After his face shifted through several shades, he finally said, "Fine. Say whatever you want, red-capped kid. Brendan, since this is the path you've chosen, I won't stop you. But until you defeat me with your own strength, don't call me your father again."
With that, Norman let out a sigh and left.
Seeing how things had turned out, Asher said apologetically, "Sorry, Brendan. I didn't think it would still end like this. Maybe I..."
But Brendan had already cast off his usual gloom and timidity. For once, he looked brave and resolute.
"No, Asher! I'm incredibly grateful to you! You helped me finally make a choice I won't regret! This is enough..."
"Even if my father can't understand me right now, that's okay. Because one day, I'm going to surpass him. I'll prove to him in my own way just how right this choice was!"
Seeing the bright determination on Brendan's face filled Asher with relief.
"Good! That's all that matters! Go chase your dream. I'll be cheering for you from below the stage!"
"Asher, you..."
Brendan was overwhelmed with emotion.
He never would have imagined that after suffering an attack and the grief of losing a Pokémon, he would instead come away with a blessing in disguise, meeting a kindred spirit like this and finding his life renewed in a completely new way.
[Rotom! Brendan has been moved by you!]
[Your relationship has advanced to: Kindred Spirits!]
[Your Glamour +1!]
Asher was instantly thrilled. This app could actually make him more stylish?!
Invisible as it was, though his appearance hadn't changed at all, a glamorous aura now seemed to cling to him.
He was still wearing the same dirt-cheap training outfit, but somehow it now looked bizarrely polished on him.
Tears glimmered in Brendan's eyes as he said to Asher, "Asher, let's exchange contact info! There's still a lot I want to ask you about in the future!"
"No problem! Let's look out for each other from now on!"
After they exchanged contact information, Brendan handed Asher a red gemstone.
"I found this by chance before in a cave near Dewford Town. It seems to have some kind of ability to attract the Fire element. I was originally going to give it to her... but I think it suits your Charmander better. I'm setting off on a new journey now. See you, Asher!"
Dewford Town? Granite Cave?
And just like that, Asher made a new friend in Hoenn, Brendan. But how their stories would unfold from here, no one could say.
After leaving, Norman let out a sigh and headed toward Verdanturf Town.
"I never imagined the son I raised all these years would turn into that person. A useless loser who can't amount to anything."
"So the one thing I never wanted to see still happened after all? Good thing... I still have another son. My real son. Sorry, Caroline, no, this is all your fault! I have no choice now. I have to go see that child..."