For the next few hours, Axel's plans completely fell apart.
First, Candice came over. Then Gardenia and Crasher Wake showed up, bringing supreme tickets to the Great Marsh and agreeing to go together the day after tomorrow.
Later, even Aaron and the other Four Elites came by… everyone was there to thank Axel for saving Sinnoh.
By the time he'd finished exchanging polite words with them all, dusk was already settling in.
Once everyone had finally left, Cynthia poked Axel's arm with an embarrassed look.
"Sorry… the League has just been so busy lately."
"What's there to be sorry about?", Axel said, feeling a little sorry for her. No wonder she was so happy every time she visited Aurient, being the Champion was honestly way too exhausting.
"Come on, I'll take you out for some barbecue."
Right now, Axel had plenty of Destruction Feathers. Other than being useful for Pheromosa's enhancement, they were also compatible with Garchomp and Lucario.
Especially Lucario, since he already had aura abilities, he'd probably grasp the power of destruction even faster.
Cynthia's team composition was frankly a bit unscientific. Almost all her training resources had gone into Garchomp.
That wasn't bad, but if Lucario could get stronger too, she wouldn't have to face awkward situations like she did the other day.
"Sure! Where to?", At the mention of barbecue, Cynthia's eyes lit up instantly, and she unconsciously licked her lips.
Ever since coming from Aurient back to Sinnoh, she'd had many, many regrets.
One of the top ten, easily, was not bringing a Aurient barbecue chef back with her.
Now, finally, she was going to eat it again.
Axel smiled mysteriously, "I happen to know just the place."
———
A few minutes later, the two of them brought a tent and, riding on Garchomp, arrived beside a mountain stream.
This was at the entrance to the Sinnoh League. Due to Giratina's situation, the area had been sealed off. Apart from Cynthia's Champion-level clearance, no one else could come here for now.
"There are mountains, there's water, and most importantly, there's fish. Not bad, right?"
"Mm!", Cynthia nodded hard, whatever Axel said was fine by her.
"Then we'll stay here," Axel took ingredients and cooking tools out of his bag, then summoned the little Ho-Oh.
"Ho-Oh, start the fire!"
"Huh?", Cynthia looked at Axel in disbelief, blinking rapidly.
Letting Ho-Oh start the fire? That was way too extravagant.
Other people placed Ho-Oh on an altar, and he was putting it by the stove?
But judging by Ho-Oh's practiced movements, it actually seemed to enjoy this job.
Cynthia could only think, 'As expected of Axel.'
"Ho-Oh's flames are amazing, it can control the temperature perfectly. Ideal for multitasking when grilling."
As Axel praised the little Ho-Oh, he piled all the skewers onto the long grill.
Eternatus also slithered out from Axel's belt, staring eagerly at the meat and letting out an approving roar.
"All right, you two watch the skewers. Don't let any wild Pokémon steal them. I'll come back and add seasoning later."
Cynthia blinked, "So what are we doing?"
"Catching fish!"
———
By the riverbank, Axel rummaged through his backpack.
"Looking for a fishing rod?", Cynthia asked curiously, "Wouldn't it be easier to let a Pokémon do it? I could have Gastrodon grab some."
"No way. Fish caught by Pokémon don't taste the same," Axel grinned and kept searching.
Before long, he pulled out a pure white swimsuit.
The fabric shimmered like silk, so thin it seemed like it could slip through your fingers.
Cynthia's cheeks flushed, "You… why did you bring that?"
Back in the clothing store earlier, she'd seen that swimsuit on display, just looking at it had made her feel hot all over.
"Because we're going in the water, right? Can't have your clothes getting wet," Axel said matter-of-factly as he hugged her.
"Come on, I'll help you change."
"No... no!", Cynthia snatched the swimsuit from his hand and hid behind a rock.
"I-I'll change by myself! Don't come over!"
Axel grinned, "All right, just remember, don't take off your socks."
Cynthia was too embarrassed to even speak, biting her lip softly as she neatly folded her clothes and set them on the rock.
Splash!
The sound of water echoed as Cynthia dove in, leaving only her slender, snow-white neck and waterfall-like golden hair visible above the surface.
"Why'd you go in by yourself?", Axel said seriously to the blushing Cynthia, "There are so many Pokémon in the water, it's dangerous to go alone."
"This place is sealed off! There aren't that many Pokémon here. Don't try to trick me!"
Cynthia retorted with a teasing smile and splashed him with a wave of water, giggling.
"Trick you? Then I'll just show you how scary the Gyarados down there are."
"Eep~ what are you doing?"
Axel grinned, wrapped his arms around Cynthia's soft body, and whispered by her ear.
"What do you think I'm doing?"
———
A few hours later, Axel was holding Cynthia in one arm and a few fish in the other as he walked back to where Ho-Oh and the others were.
The rich aroma of grilled meat filled the air. Cynthia's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.
When she saw Axel, she instinctively turned her head away, not daring to look at him.
Just now, she'd truly experienced the Pokémon world's most ancient tradition, when eyes meet, a battle must happen.
"If you're awake, stop pretending to sleep. Let your Pokémon out, it's almost time to eat."
Axel gently set Cynthia down. She staggered a little, nearly falling.
Axel: "..."
This girl, earlier she looked like such a confident trainer, but apparently she couldn't handle a little "training."
"Pheromosa, keep Cynthia company for now."
After giving the order, Axel walked to the grill and took over from Ho-Oh.
He sprinkled on the seasonings he'd prepared in advance, then took out three shining feathers.
The feathers glimmered faintly, and under the moonlight, they gave off a soft, silvery radiance, along with a subtle aura of destruction.
The moment those Destruction Feathers appeared, every attack-type Pokémon there, except for Ho-Oh and Eternatus, couldn't help but lick their lips.
They could all feel the terrifying power hidden within those feathers.
Seeing their eager faces, Axel grinned.
"Just wait a bit longer. I'll show you something special."
"Tonight… you'll be eating food made from the Destruction Feathers themselves."
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