Chapter 68: Forbidden Ties, Only Sorrow Remains

Staring at the photograph before him, with the recent discussion of Pokémon lifespans lingering in his mind, Hu Yang suddenly felt compelled to take action. Human life is, after all, finite, and for an ordinary trainer, it is nearly impossible to accompany a Pokémon through its entire existence. When a trainer passes on, those loyal Pokémon who have shared decades of companionship often struggle to emerge from the depths of loneliness. Most Pokémon choose to remain at the place where their trainer departed, lingering there until their own lives, too, come to an end.

Death extinguishes all, as a lamp is snuffed out. For every encounter, there must be a farewell. The thought left Hu Yang feeling sorrowful. But soon, he realized he might be thinking too far ahead. He was only ten years old; that day was still a long way off.

After much deliberation, Hu Yang decided to purchase a camera, so he could record each day spent with his Pokémon companions.

The department store in Kanaz City was far grander than the one in Petalburg. Owing to its proximity to the Devon Corporation, the merchandise sold here also included some new products developed by Devon that had yet to be officially released. For example, the spatial backpack coveted by every trainer on the road; the camping tent that could fold into the size of a fist, equipped with lighting and temperature control—Hu Yang couldn’t help but marvel at the cutting-edge technology.

Now he finally understood how, during their travels, Brock always managed to produce pots, pans, and full dining sets from his backpack with such ease. “These are new products co-developed by Devon and the Kanto-based Silph Company, not yet officially on the market,” explained the saleswoman who greeted him. “What you see here are just display pieces. If you wish to purchase, you’ll need to wait a little while longer.”

Hu Yang replied, “Alright.” In truth, he was in no hurry. If Gengar were revived, he could stow the tent and other items inside its body.

After wandering the department store and purchasing the camera he had wanted, Hu Yang released his Pokémon, letting them each choose a gift. With Axew pointing directions from his arms, and Roserade, Gengar, and Oricorio following behind, Hu Yang suddenly felt as if he were taking children to the supermarket to pick out toys.

Axew was his mischievous little son, Roserade his eldest daughter, Oricorio the silly son, and Gengar the eldest son. As for Magikarp…

Ever since he had fainted at the Petalburg Gym and left Magikarp hungry for two days, Hu Yang now took it everywhere he went. But, recalling the image of Magikarp flopping about on the ground without water, he immediately dismissed the idea of letting it out.

Once his Pokémon had chosen their favorite items, noon had arrived. Hu Yang, in no rush to return to Petalburg, took them to a restaurant that catered specifically to Pokémon for lunch.

He ate quickly, and since his Pokémon didn’t need him to feed them, he soon busied himself with his new camera.

“What’s that?” Gengar floated over, curiosity gleaming in its eyes.

“This is what humans use to capture memories of the past and present,” Hu Yang replied, pressing the shutter as he aimed at the group before him.

With a soft click, time stood still. The cameras in this world were marvels of technology: waterproof, heat-resistant, and able to print photos instantly or store them digitally, as desired. Hu Yang chose to print, and a clear “Pokémon Lunchtime Photo” slid out from the slot on top.

In the picture, Axew’s mouth was stuffed with food, cheeks bulging like a little hamster. Oricorio sat with its head tilted, gazing blankly at the food on its plate, occasionally poking it with its beak as if to figure out just what it was. Roserade dined elegantly at the side, while Magikarp swam leisurely in a transparent tank set up for water-type Pokémon.

“Amazing!” Gengar’s eyes sparkled.

Hu Yang smiled, switched the camera to selfie mode, shifted his position to stand beside Gengar, and snapped another shot.

The photo emerged from the top of the camera, but only Hu Yang appeared in the frame.

Gengar’s face fell with disappointment.

Hu Yang was silent. Why couldn’t human cameras, like the human eye, capture the presence of spirits?

…

That afternoon, Hu Yang began his journey back to Petalburg City. Upon returning to the school, he immediately pulled out his class schedule, preparing to request a swap with other teachers.

Principal Tongshan, upon hearing of this, came to find him, concerned that something might have happened recently.

Hu Yang thought for a moment, then shared the story of Gengar with the principal.

After listening, Principal Tongshan furrowed his brow and, after a long pause, sighed and smiled. “You needn’t worry. From your very first day at this school, I knew you wouldn’t stay here forever. If there’s something you want to do, go for it! There will be other teachers to cover your classes.”

Hu Yang was taken aback, but, seeing the encouragement in the principal’s eyes, he returned the smile, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.

On May 12th, Year 209 of the League Calendar, Hu Yang taught his final class at Petalburg City’s Pokémon School.

When the students learned he was leaving, their faces were filled with reluctance. “Teacher Yang, will we see you again?”

“Teacher, are you going on a journey?”

Hu Yang nodded and replied, smiling, “Yes, and next year, you’ll set out on your own journeys, just like me.”

“Will you challenge the gyms, collect badges, and take part in the League Championship too?”

“Perhaps,” Hu Yang replied, “maybe you’ll even meet me at the Grand Festival.”

“Alright! If that’s the case, I’m going to travel with my Pokémon too! Teacher Yang, be sure to wait for me at the finish line!”

Hu Yang laughed, “I will. I’ll be there waiting for you.”

His departure from the school was a carefully considered decision. The school currently had no shortage of teachers, and as May and her classmates advanced to the third year, ecology classes would gradually decrease, with more focus shifting to training to become a proper trainer.

After class, Hu Yang walked out the door and, upon returning to the office, found everyone looking at him.

Nishida just couldn’t hide his dissatisfaction: “You rascal, how could you leave without discussing it with us?”

Hu Yang joked, “I just wanted to surprise you. When I come back with a championship title, you can all brag that our school produced a champion trainer.”

Looking at the boy before her, Lijia recalled what he had been like when he first arrived a year ago—a completely different person from the one standing here now.

Gazing at these dear friends, Hu Yang said softly, “Thank you all for taking care of me this past year.”

Perhaps the road ahead would be long and winding, and he would meet many more people and Pokémon, but he would never forget those who had believed in him and cared for him when he first arrived in this world. Even if, in the games and anime, their names had never once been mentioned.

On hearing this, Nishida finally broke into a smile, stepped forward, and clapped Hu Yang’s shoulder, saying with relief, “Then go! And when you make it to the semifinals, help me fulfill my dream of reaching the top four!”

“Only top four?” Hu Yang chuckled. “Don’t you want to aim a little higher?”

Nishida hesitated for a long while before venturing, “Well… second place, then?”

Hu Yang was exasperated. “Come on, have a little ambition!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

After bidding farewell to his fellow teachers, Hu Yang went to pack in his dorm and ran into Principal Tongshan.

He remembered the Gardevoir Mega Stone the principal had given him and suddenly realized that this journey would carry the hopes and dreams of many others.

Principal Tongshan asked, “You’ll come back someday, right?”

Hu Yang nodded, “Yes.”

“Then leave these things here for now. It won’t be easy carrying them out to sea. Pick them up when you return from your voyage.”

That was exactly what Hu Yang had planned. Besides, he still needed to take that Ralts with him.

On May 15th, Year 209 of the League Calendar, Hu Yang formally departed the school and began his journey through this world.