Pokemon Paldea [211-213] (Patreon)

Chapter 211: Brackish Town, the Blonde Roller Girl, and the Chocolate Cream Cake

Clemont—of course, Lucas was familiar with that name.

After all, this wasn't just the Electric-type Gym Leader of Lumiose City; in the anime, Clemont was also Ash's travel companion in Kalos. 

No wonder Lucas found the story about Luxio oddly familiar—now it all made sense.

It turned out Luxio was Clemont's very first Pokémon, whom he met as a student!

Oranguru, helping Lucas push the swing with psychic power, paused and asked, "Did you remember something?"

"I did!"

Lucas nodded firmly, stood up gripping the swing's chain, and prepared to search for Luxio.

Whether because Luxio had, by chance, gifted Swampert the legendary Swampertite, or simply to help fix a small regret, Lucas felt compelled to give Luxio a hand.

"Young Master Lucas, please wait," Oranguru suddenly blocked his path, meeting his gaze wisely. "This is just my opinion, but Luxio and that person should talk things through themselves. We shouldn't force an unprepared Luxio to meet an unprepared trainer."

Oranguru's words were spot-on. Lucas, who knew Clemont had always felt guilty over Luxio, realized he'd been a bit rash.

"You're right," Lucas admitted after a moment, turning to Otto and Marusill as they ran over with a stack of paperwork. "My job is to tell Clemont that Luxio is still waiting for him—and let them resolve things on their own."

Oranguru nodded approvingly; no wonder it had been so impressed by Lucas—he had his own ideas but listened to advice, wise and calm.

Serving such a master was its good fortune.

Oranguru's gaze made Lucas feel slightly uneasy for some reason.

Otto was right: all the paperwork had been handled, and Lucas and Oranguru only had to sign and stamp the prepared documents.

Once Marusill confirmed everything was in order, Otto congratulated Oranguru, "Be happy in your new home and chase your dreams!"

Then Otto turned to Lucas, grasping his hands and choking up, "Please treat Oranguru well. He's your personal butler now."

"I will, don't worry," Lucas promised.

Fearing he might start sobbing, Otto quickly gave some last advice and left with Marusill.

When Lucas and Oranguru left the Pokémon Butler Academy, many students and graduates came to the gate to see Oranguru off. To them, Oranguru was a wise senior always willing to teach.

Now that it was leaving, they felt both sad and happy for it—a mix of emotions.

After leaving the academy and walking through the streets, Oranguru, feeling a pang of anxiety at leaving behind everything familiar, looked up and asked, "Are we heading to Lumiose City now, to find Clemont?"

Lucas nodded, then shook his head. "We are, but not just yet."

Spotting an open area, Lucas stopped, followed by Oranguru.

After making sure no one was around, Lucas said, "Let's go to Brackish Town first. Alcremie wants to try the chocolate cream cake there. Then we'll head to Lumiose. Plus, as a new team member, you should meet everyone."

With that, Lucas tossed four Poké Balls, releasing Swampert, Dragonite, Arcanine, and Alcremie before Oranguru.

Brackish Town was just a typical small town in Kalos—no famous people or legendary tales. Its only claim to fame was an unnamed dessert shop's chocolate cream cake, said to be world-class in flavor, texture, and ingredients.

Thanks to this, Brackish Town enjoyed extra visitors and a growing economy, making it less ordinary.

Landing outside Brackish Town on Dragonite, Lucas promised the persistent Dragonite it would get its share of cake, then recalled it and released Alcremie and Oranguru.

Oranguru had handed Lucas its own Poké Ball; at the academy, butler Pokémon were officially caught by the principal and entrusted with their own Poké Balls to prevent theft. Now, with Lucas as its employer, the Ball was naturally his.

Alcremie, excited to be out, bounced up and down, sensing the cake was near.

Oranguru calmly surveyed the unfamiliar area, soon spotting a stone-paved road leading into town. As a butler, it used telepathy to point Lucas the way: "Young master, we can enter there."

Lucas nodded. "Let's go."

"Alcremie~"

As Lucas started walking, Alcremie looked to Oranguru, pleading for attention. Oranguru, charmed, used its psychic power to lift the little one into the air. Alcremie beamed—it hadn't floated like this since evolving. Thanks to Grandpa Oranguru, it could enjoy that feeling again.

Lucas smiled wryly, thinking Oranguru was already acting like a doting grandparent.

Shortly after Lucas's group left, two heads popped out of the bushes nearby. One belonged to a blonde girl in a helmet, her long ponytail poking out from the back. The other was a Pokémon with red eyes full of determination: Lucario.

"Heave-ho!"

With strong legs, the girl leapt out, wearing a red-and-white sports skirt and rare roller skates. She carried a well-wrapped box—clearly some dessert. Her face radiated youthful energy as she said, "Did you see that, Lucario? That Pokémon looks pretty strong!"

"For my first battle in my '100 Victories Challenge,' I'll choose them!"

Lucario, though resigned, couldn't stop his eager trainer. His senses told him that fan-waving Pokémon was trouble—not someone they could beat just yet.

"Hehehe, lucky! Not only did we get the chocolate cream cake, but we also ran into a super strong Pokémon!"

With practiced skill, the girl rolled toward Brackish Town, Lucario following.

At the dessert shop, an apologetic staff member held a "Sold Out" sign and told the crowd, "Sorry, we're all out of sweets for today due to the huge turnout."

"Alcremie~!" Alcremie's face fell, stunned and devastated. Not only was the chocolate cream cake sold out, but so were all other sweets! Heartbroken, Alcremie looked as if it had lost its dearest treasure.

Lucas and Oranguru: "..."

What a little drama queen.

Lucas signaled Oranguru to cheer up Alcremie, then pondered their situation. He'd checked guides in advance—this time of day, they should've easily gotten cake. But life throws you curveballs.

They'd just have to queue up again tomorrow. Luckily, he'd planned for a buffer day.

Just as Lucas was about to suggest finding a hotel and lining up early the next day, a strange scraping sound came from behind.

A panicked girl shouted, "Ahhh! I can't stop!"

Chapter 212: Oranguru and Korrina

People in line, including Lucas, turned to see a steep slope where a blonde girl on roller skates was speeding down, clutching a cake box.

"Lucario! Lucario! At least save the chocolate cream cake!" she cried.

Lucario hesitated, torn between rescuing his trainer or the cake. Loyalty versus cake—his canine heart faced a crossroads.

Chocolate cream cake? Lucas's sharp eyes locked onto the box in the girl's hands. It had the dessert shop's logo.

As the girl lost balance, Lucas shouted, "Oranguru!"

But Oranguru was faster, waving its fan and using psychic power to catch both the girl and the flying cake box.

The crowd applauded Oranguru's skill. The girl, floating in the air, stared blankly at Lucario below.

Outside the shop, a few tables were open. Alcremie, held back by Lucas, drooled at the cake.

Lucas asked the girl, "Are you alright? Why rush down a hill in roller skates?"

The girl scratched her helmet sheepishly. "Oops, forgot there was a slope."

Lucario facepalmed, embarrassed that his trainer could be so absent-minded.

Quickly, the roller girl set the cake down and bowed. "Thank you for saving both me and the biggest chocolate cream cake!"

"I'm Korrina from Shalour City, and this is my partner Lucario. We're on a tough training journey."

"Tough training?" Lucas and Oranguru eyed the massive cake, skeptical.

Korrina blushed. "W-well, you can't train hard without taking breaks!"

Lucas hid his amusement. Wasn't Korrina the future Shalour Gym Leader? Fate was messing with him today.

Alcremie struggled more fiercely for the cake, but Lucas held it back, warning it to wait until tomorrow.

Alcremie pouted—it could smell the rich chocolate and sweet cream, so close yet so far.

Oranguru got Lucas's signal; time to leave.

But Korrina spoke up, "Your Pokémon seems interested in my cake?"

Lucas quickly explained, "Don't worry, we're not expecting anything as thanks. We'll just get in line tomorrow."

"You can have some cake even if you refuse my request," Korrina said, standing up with determination. "Please have a Pokémon battle with my Lucario! I'm on a quest to defeat a hundred trainers, and you're the first I want to challenge!"

As a battle-loving girl, Korrina didn't know how else to ask, so she bowed awkwardly.

Lucas was puzzled by her insistence, but accepted—the perfect chance for a friendly match.

With Oranguru's agreement via telepathy, Lucas nodded. "Alright. If we win, we'll take a share of your cake. Deal?"

Korrina and Lucario exchanged a happy glance. "Deal!"

They chose a wide street for the match, far enough from traffic and the dessert shop.

Lucas was a little guilty to be Korrina's first 100-win target, but he wouldn't throw the match.

"I'll use Lucario. Please send out Oranguru!" Korrina called, exhilarated.

Lucas glanced at Alcremie, hoping it wouldn't be tempted to steal the cake.

He and Oranguru agreed to go easy—not to wipe Lucario out instantly, but to stretch out the fight.

Korrina, still green as a trainer, was no match for Oranguru, who could even beat real Gym Leaders.

"You go first," Lucas said.

Korrina, focused, called out, "Swords Dance!"

Lucario tried to boost its attack. But Oranguru, smirking, used "Taunt," blocking Lucario's stat boosts.

Fired up, Lucario abandoned Swords Dance and charged straight at Oranguru.

Korrina called out, "Bone Rush!"

Lucario summoned two bone clubs and swung at Oranguru.

Oranguru calmly waved its fan—"Quash!"—slowing Lucario just enough to dodge the attack.

Lucas was impressed; no wonder Oranguru could beat Gym Leaders. It wasn't just strong—it used dirty tactics like Taunt and Quash to control the opponent, making Lucario dance to its tune.

Oranguru kept dodging and controlling Lucario, making it look almost silly. Even Korrina was thrown off by such unconventional moves.

Lucas finally had enough. "Use Psychic."

Oranguru sent out a wave of psychic energy, pinning Lucario in place—no matter how hard Lucario struggled, it couldn't break free.

Korrina, realizing they were outmatched, bowed her head. "We lost…"

Chapter 213: Oranguru Butler's Debut

"Alcremie~~"

Alcremie's eyes sparkled at the sliced chocolate cream cake before it. It expertly cut a piece and tasted it.

The crisp chocolate shell broke, melting into the cake and sweet, slightly bitter cream, accented by the fruit's tartness—a symphony of flavors.

It was rich, soft, smooth—truly a Kalos masterpiece. Alcremie felt like it had ascended to heaven.

"Drago~"

Dragonite, meanwhile, was blissed out, smothering Lucas with love. If not for Oranguru's psychic support, Lucas would've been crushed under Dragonite's weight.

Korrina silently ate cake. Lucario, though worried for her, couldn't resist the dessert and soon had chocolate and cream all over his face.

Lucas, eyeing Lucario, wondered: aren't dogs not supposed to eat chocolate? Or maybe Pokémon aren't affected like normal animals.

Lucario, feeling Lucas's stare, grew restless.

After a while, Korrina, having sorted out her feelings, perked up and asked, "Mr. Lucas, you have so many rare Pokémon for Kalos. Are you from another region?"

She listed them off: Alcremie from Galar, Swampert from Hoenn, Dragonite from Kanto, and Oranguru from Alola.

Lucas nodded. "I'm from Paldea, just over the mountains from Kalos."

Korrina recalled, "I think Grandpa mentioned Paldea has a famous school—Grape, Apple… some fruit name?"

Lucas corrected her. "It's Naranja Academy."

Korrina laughed, embarrassed. "Right, Naranja Academy! Are you a student there?"

Lucas shook his head. "No, but I'm kind of a teacher there—I teach battling."

"A battle teacher?!" Korrina was shocked, but it made sense why Oranguru was so strong.

Oranguru, always striving for perfection as a butler, quietly resolved to prepare Lucas great breakfasts and packed lunches in the future.

After the delightful dessert, Lucas and the now-reinvigorated Korrina and Lucario parted ways. Korrina vowed to train hard and someday challenge Oranguru again in Paldea.

Lucas flew back to Lumiose City on Dragonite, found a well-reviewed hotel, and slept soundly.

He'd tell Clemont about Luxio tomorrow morning.

…

Lucas slept deeply, waking up groggy. He reached for his pants—strangely missing from where he'd left them.

As his mind cleared, he heard the door beep—the sound of the card key.

Before he could react, Oranguru entered, levitating steaming breakfast trays… and his missing clothes.

Lucas: ?

Hadn't Oranguru gone into its Poké Ball last night? And why did it have his neatly pressed clothes and hot breakfast, as if it knew exactly when he'd wake up?

Lucas shivered. "Is Oranguru such a good butler that I'll end up spoiled and useless?"