I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer-Chapter 668: Serena and Pokémon Short Film
July 18th, Sunday.
Kalos region, Asaka Town.
Azure skies with drifting clouds, a Fletchling flew from the windowsill toward the flower-filled front yard where a Rhydon slept peacefully beside dew-kissed blossoms.
Morning light scattered down as the Fletchling landed on the Rhydon's forehead horn.
This Rhydon had riding equipment on its back, clearly being a 'Rhydon Rider's' mount.
The window opened, and a young short-haired woman leaned her arms on the windowsill, looking down at the garden with a smile:
"Such beautiful weather today... Fletchling, go wake Serena up."
"Chirp chirp~" The Fletchling fluttered its small wings, its arrow-shaped tail bobbing up and down as it flew through the window and expertly headed toward the bedroom.
Slipping through the bedroom door crack, the Fletchling entered the room, landed on the head of a flaxen-haired young girl sleeping in bed, and pecked her forehead: "Chirp chirp~"
"Ouch..."
The girl rubbed her forehead as she sat up, her messy hair tousled as she sat cross-legged on the bed.
"How many times have I told you, don't wake me up like that!"
"Chirp chirp!" The Fletchling happily hopped around on the bedsheets.
"Serena, hurry up and come down for morning training!" her mother's voice called from downstairs.
"Seriously..."
Serena sighed, put on her hairband with a bow, and shouted toward the window: "I'm coming right down!"
She had stayed up very late last night because Serena had been scrolling through 'Pokémon Shorts' updates and before she knew it, it had become early morning.
On the 'Pokémon Shorts' official website, trainers could upload their MVs, Vlogs, and other content with their partners.
The top ten Pokémon Shorts each week would even be publicly broadcast at Pokémon Centers. Performers could even use these shorts to build popularity for the "Triple Princess competitions."
Although she hadn't obtained her first partner yet, Serena naturally felt drawn to the fashionable 'performers'.
"This week's number one short is Nessa and Milotic's water photoshoot... so beautiful..."
Recalling last night's short, Serena turned over and opened the tablet computer on her bedside table.
"Let me watch it one more time before going downstairs!"
Any trainer could upload videos to the 'Pokémon Shorts' official website, where viewers could follow, like, and vote for their supported trainers.
Kabu, who loved taking selfies and recording Vlogs, was a regular on the popularity charts.
Clicking open this week's 'Top Three Most Popular' ranking, Serena paused slightly.
"Miss Nessa isn't in first place anymore? The number one is... Teacher Lu?"
The top short was titled 'Meloetta's Sparkling Concert,' published by someone named 'Did Teacher Lu Serve Today?'
The co-publisher was a user with a Rotom Pokédex profile picture, ID named 'Tumbling Rotom.'
Lu Ye thought 'Little Rotom' sounded better, but since Rotom was handling the editing... he had to cut Little Rotom some slack!
"Serena, get up already, it's already noon!"
"It's clearly only 9 AM!"
Serena shouted back toward the window, clicked on the short, and murmured softly:
"Reaching the most popular spot overnight... isn't that a bit too exaggerated..."
But when Meloetta's gentle singing began, Serena's doubts instantly vanished.
In the short, accompanied by Meloetta's song, golden light intertwined to form images of streams, fruit trees, and grasslands.
On this refreshingly beautiful stage, a handsome black-haired young man harmonized with a grass whistle...
Continuous bullet comments flew across the screen.
"Teacher Lu!!? Instead of updating teaching videos, you're slacking off here?!"
"Kinda handsome, as expected from the content creator I follow."
"Oh no, this cook is showing off again!"
Pokémon Shorts aimed to showcase 'bonds' - music, dance, food... all could be material.
And Teacher Lu's short had explosive topics: Mythical Pokémon, Meloetta, Ancient Song!
The essence of Pokémon Shorts happened to be what Teacher Lu excelled at most!
"Brothers, type 'sounds good' in the chat!"
"Why am I suddenly wearing a tuxedo?"
"Just saved Unova and already creating new content? That's so you, Teacher Lu!"
"Vote, must vote! If I don't see Meloetta and Sylveon at the Triple Princess competitions, I'll kneel and beg everyone here!"
Serena stared dazedly at the short.
Meloetta's singing and Teacher Lu's accompaniment elevated aesthetics and splendor to a higher level.
If 'performers' weren't limited to female trainers in Kalos... with just this short's popularity boost, Teacher Lu might directly win the Triple Princess competitions.
After watching the duo's performance, only one impression remained in Serena's mind.
"So amazing..." Serena murmured to herself.
Probably only Hoenn's Contest Champion Wallace could compare to Teacher Lu.
And from what Serena understood... Teacher Lu's main profession was clearly being a champion trainer!
Yet such a champion had gained Meloetta's favor and was sharing moving melodies with more people.
Along with admiration, Serena felt a small trace of envy.
After all... Meloetta was the mythical Pokémon that every trainer aiming for 'art' dreamed of.
The short was only 6 minutes long, and her mother was still urging from downstairs. Serena replied:
"Got it, I'm coming down!"
The progress bar had reached the curtain call - Teacher Lu pressed a hand to his chest while Meloetta lifted her skirt edge and bowed gracefully.
Bullet comments flooded with 'awsl' (ah, I'm dead).
Then, the camera cut to Cynthia applauding in the audience, who smiled gently at the lens.
The comments instantly turned lemon-yellow with envy.
"How am I different from that villain Cao Cao!"
"Suggested rename: 《Psychic-type Elite Four Member Working Overtime》."
"Make more of this, this is exactly what I like!"
As the video approached its end, Serena was about to close it when she suddenly noticed a particular frame.
"That is..."
Serena dragged the progress bar back and looked at Ash grinning broadly on screen, a faint light shimmering in her eyes.
……
After the concert ended, Lu Ye noticed Meloetta had become closer to him.
For example, during current lunchtime, Meloetta wasn't sitting at the table but perched on his shoulder swinging her legs, nibbling on a berry.
"Melo~(◕ᴗ◕✿)"
"Bui-bii...(▼ヘ▼#)"
Sylveon raised its long pink ears, lifting azure eyes to quietly stare at Lu Ye.
Stare—
Lu Ye: "..."
Normally, Sylveon wouldn't harm its trainer—
But the possibility wasn't zero!
"Nimi~"
Victini floated over to Togepi's side, curiously watching it play games.
"Chaggi dii~(ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ" Togepi moved the screen aside, sharing a controller with Victini.
"Nimi!!"
Victini's eyes widened, its small hands trembling slightly as it held the controller, deeply moved.
It, it took the controller apart and shared it with me!
Victini unconsciously showed a silly grin.
Teacher Lu realized that Victini, having lived in Ein Doach for a century, was more like a child with strong curiosity.
Imagining Mew, Victini, Togepi... the little ones playing together in the café would surely be lively.
"Saji..." Pupitar leaned lonely against the corner, glancing sideways at a pot containing Spiritomb.
"Spa~~" Spiritomb extended its fan-like face and patted Pupitar's head.
Pupitar looked at Spiritomb, feeling a shared sense of melancholy.
Thus, the two stayed in the corner, respectively cosplaying as a rock and a potted plant—
Teacher Lu, always attentive to the little ones' situations, twitched his mouth.
Strange interactions increasing!
Spiritomb's personality was quite shy but easily sensed others' emotions.
His Pupitar was in its rebellious phase, so having a reliable senior around could guide its healthy growth.
"Evolution isn't urgent..."
Lu Ye thought to himself: "After all, Tyranitar brings Sandstorm automatically... need to figure out how to let Tyranitar out indoors too."
In the mansion prepared by butler Jerome.
Ash and Alice were staying temporarily, preparing to travel with Teacher Lu's group to Lacunosa Town.
Champion Alder was already making preparations in Lacunosa Town for the World Juniors.
There was also an invited guest, blonde... Caitlin.
As the final stop of their Unova journey.
Teacher Lu packed his luggage and boarded Cynthia's private plane heading to Lacunosa Town.
Gazing out the window at the familiar 'Sword of the Land' tower, Lu Ye said emotionally:
"Back here again."
"Nimi~" Victini pressed against the window, small paws tapping the glass, eyes sparkling.
"Pikachu and I are ready!"
"Hmph, Dragonite and I won't lose either."
Looking at the two competitive trainers, Cynthia smiled slightly, closing the book on her lap:
"After the Juniors cup... the Unova League conference is in two more weeks. Ash, you need to prepare properly."
"Alice isn't participating?" Ash said.
"I'm a Gym Leader, of course I don't need to participate in the League conference," Alice said, hands on hips.
"Okay... I'll definitely win this conference!" Ash clenched his fist, flames dancing in his eyes.
Lu Ye sighed leisurely.
Where did you learn such potent reverse-jinxing... it couldn't be from Green, could it?
At the opening ceremony, Teacher Lu had an exhibition match to fight—
Not excluding the possibility of facing Caitlin again and making her cry once more... (scratched out)
Mainly depends on the organizers' arrangements... after all, we came by Alder's invitation.
I remember in the original storyline, Ash would have a battle with Trip...
Recalling the BW original plot vaguely, Lu Ye said slowly:
"Ash."
"Huh?"
"If you can't beat Trip, just leave the chat group."
……
Chapter 668: Serena and Pokémon Short Film
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