Chapter 696: The Spring That Will Never Be
Chapter 696: The Spring That Will Never Be
Shizuru was determined to challenge the man to a Pokemon battle, but he was stopped halfway by Little Tree.
"That's enough, Dad! He's no match for you, he's not even a professional Trainer!" Little Tree exclaimed.
Shizuru learned from Little Tree that the man was a top-notch Pokemon breeder, a partner she had met during her travels years ago.
After hearing this, Shizuru's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Despite this, he insisted on having a Pokemon battle with the man.
The man, aware that the person before him was the hidden boss of the Paldea Region, knew he was no match for him.
But love gives humans courage, and he agreed to the battle.
The two engaged in an intense Pokemon battle on the farm, with the man and his Pokemon giving it their all.
However, they were still no match for Shizuru.
In front of Gogoat, his Pokemon couldn't last more than three rounds.
Shizuru observed the man's reaction with a serious expression.
Although he was initially dissatisfied, seeing the man's care for his Pokemon made him relent.
Those who love Pokemon are kind-hearted people.
Shizuru waved his hand and turned to leave.
In the year 232 of the Union Calendar, Little Tree started her own family, and in the same year, Yuki's child was born, a boy.
The following year, in 233, Little Tree's child, a lovely girl, was born.
During the summer of 238, Little Tree brought her daughter to visit her grandparents' farm in the countryside of Paldea.
Like her mother, the girl loved Pokemon, and upon arriving at the farm, she began exploring Shizuru's house.
Shizuru looked at Pupitar and its good friend Larvitar, signaling with his eyes: The thing you've been waiting for all this time is finally happening!
This was a real-life "Warm Larvitar Home"! Pupitar and Larvitar were delighted and spent a happy summer vacation with the girl.
...
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the year 270 of the Union Calendar had arrived.
That year, Shizuru was 92 years old, and Ki Shu was 87.
On a warm afternoon, Ki Shu passed away.
As if she had expected it, she called Shizuru and the Pokemon to her bedside and entrusted them with her final wishes.
Shizuru couldn't hold back his tears, "Don't talk nonsense, you'll be fine!"
He summoned a Leafeon and a Ho-Oh, attempting to save Ki Shu.
But Ki Shu was already too old; her body had reached the limits of human aging.
Watching Shizuru's actions, Ki Shu gently touched his face, wiping away his tears, and a youthful, mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"You're so ugly when you cry!"
Shizuru's tears streamed down his face.
"Alright, don't be sad!" Ki Shu held his hand, "Do you remember our promise?"
Shizuru nodded.
Ki Shu's heart was at ease, "Then I'll be waiting for you in the spirit realm!"
With that, Ki Shu closed her eyes, a smile of happiness lingering on her face.
Shizuru cried for a long time at her bedside, even though he knew they would meet again. But when faced with such a situation, despite his composure, he couldn't control his emotions.
Little Tree and Yuki received the news and rushed to the farm that night.
They prepared a funeral for their mother together.
Seeing their father's sorrow, Little Tree and Yuki were deeply concerned.
The siblings took time off and stayed with their father for a long time.
It wasn't until Shizuru finally drove them away that they relented.
After sending off the two children, Shizuru was left alone on the farm with the Pokemon.
Gazing at the sunset, he turned and walked back to the home he had guarded for decades.
His children had grown up, and he had encountered so many Pokemon; he felt he had lived a fulfilled life.
The only regret Shizuru had was the Motosiri from that ancient time and space.
Unbeknownst to him, time had reached the autumn of the year 275 of the Union Calendar.
In this season, the leaves withered and turned yellow.
Perhaps when one's life nears its end, they sense it; Shizuru felt his spirit rejuvenated, as if he had realized something.
This physical aging was unstoppable, no matter how much Life Milk he drank.
Shizuru knew that as a human, his life was coming to an end.
On this day, he woke up early and began preparing food for the Pokemon, just like he did in his youth.
This lucky pudding is for Teddiursa, this steak for Gogoat, this sea bass for Swift Dragon, these carrot candies for Mismagius and Glaceon, these grass dumplings for Ride Goat...
He made a lot of food, working from morning until the evening sunset.
In addition to the Pokemon, there were also Little Tree and Yuki.
Straight filled the fridge with Wonder Recipes and wrote down the effects of each dish with a pen.
Then, Straight left two letters for Little Tree and Yuki.
The two children had always been Straight's pride.
In the letters, Straight told them how much he loved them and asked them to send everyone to the World Tree if they didn't plan to manage the ranch.
Straight didn't stop until the sky was filled with smoke and haze.
He leaned back in the recliner and began to bid farewell to the Pokemon.
Straight looked at the Pokemon he had encountered in his life, patting one and kissing another, spending as much time with them as he could.
In a daze, Straight seemed to recall the day he first arrived at the ranch.
The past flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
Ki Shu, Little Tree...
The people he loved and those who loved him.
Not a single word, not a single sound, not a single image, not a single thing in the 69th book, not a single look!
Finally, Straight looked at the Gogoat before him.
Gogoat pressed its big head against his body, its eyes brimming with tears.
"It's up to you now, old friend," Straight whispered.
"Ah gah!"
Straight looked at the Gogoat before him, and his heart was filled with guilt.
If given the chance, this time he would be the one to find it!
Straight closed his eyes, and his hand fell limp.
At that moment, his emotions resonated strongly with the power of Totten Turtles.
Dozens of Totten Turtles cried out in unison, and a beam of light surged from their bodies, enveloping Straight's body within it.
After a moment, the light faded.
Straight lay quietly asleep.
No matter how the Pokemon called out, he didn't open his eyes again.
Gogoat looked around in a daze.
"Ah gah?"
Was Straight's soul still here?
They waited for a long, long time, but they couldn't find any trace of Straight.
At that moment, they suddenly realized that Straight might truly be gone...
Upon receiving the news, Little Tree and Yuki rushed back to the ranch.
The siblings sadly held a funeral for their father.
The Pokemon, including Gogoat, Pupitar, and Swift Dragon, stood guard in front of the grave, looking on blankly.
After settling everything for their father, Little Tree returned to the ranch once more.
Seeing this scene, Little Tree felt a pang of compassion.
She walked forward and called out softly, "Gogoat, Swift Dragon, Pupitar... We're going home. Dad is no longer with us."
"Ah gah..."
Gogoat shook its big head vigorously, firmly believing that Straight would return and come back to its side!
Because that was their promise!
With this belief, Gogoat stayed at the ranch, watching the sun rise and set, day after day.
In the end, Little Tree had no choice but to send her father's other Pokemon to the World Tree and ask Regidrago to close the entrance.
Regidrago stared at her and asked, "Why?"
Little Tree replied, "If Dad were here, he wouldn't want anyone to disturb the lives of those Pokemon, would he?"
Upon hearing this, Regidrago complied.
The passage connecting the ranch to the World Tree was closed, leaving only Gogoat behind.
Little Tree and Yuki occasionally returned to visit Gogoat and bring it some food.
Time passed slowly, and after an unknown duration, the once-abandoned ranch became desolate once more, with no one ever visiting again.
The seasons cycled, snow melted, and life flourished.
Your spring would never come again, and yet, it was about to arrive.
(End of Chapter)
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