Just as the dumplings were about to be served, John realized he wouldn't be leaving with Daisy that day. After all, she had only just returned to school.
"I'll head back tomorrow," John thought, wanting to give Daisy time to settle in.
The next morning, John stood at their designated meeting spot. The crisp morning air carried a faint scent of sea salt, a reminder of their destination. When Daisy arrived, she was dressed in a white tracksuit, her ponytail bouncing with each step. Her radiant smile and rosy cheeks were enough to brighten even the dullest morning.
"There you are!" Daisy called out, waving him over.
John quickened his pace, smiling as he joined her.
"I heard you d an Enigma Berry tree to the school during the break," Daisy said, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "And apparently, Principal Badman is now one of your biggest fans."
John chuckled. "It's not as impressive as it sounds. I just got lucky during a trip to the Forest of Evergrowth" He shrugged casually, though he couldn't hide the slight pride in his tone.
Daisy grinned. "Well, lucky or not, it's not every day someone brings back something that rare."
As they prepared to head to the Dragon's Nest, Daisy released her Blastoise and Gyarados into the nearby water. She vaulted effortlessly onto Blastoise's shell, then gestured for John to hop on Gyarados.
John waved her off. "Not today. I brought my own ride."
With a flick of his wrist, John released his Flygon. The dragon Pokemon landed gracefully beside him, its sleek wings catching the morning sunlight.
ohn had caught this Flygon while exploring Mirage Tower. At level 43, it was far better suited as a flying mount than his Skarmory. To make it travel-ready, he had equipped it with a custom saddle, perfect for long flights.
John was also planning to take his flying license test at school soon—a necessary requirement for flying in the wild. Beyond practicality, he was eager to learn advanced aerial maneuvers. Word around campus was that the flying instructor taught challenging techniques like "spiral dives" and "barrel rolls," skills that could give him an edge in aerial battles.
Daisy's eyes widened. "A Flygon? When did you manage to snag one of these?"
"I just ran into one, you know how it is," John replied nonchalantly. "Perfect mount for a trip ."
With Daisy now riding Gyarados and John on Flygon, the two soared toward their destination.
During the flight, their conversation turned to Daisy's recent achievements. John learned that she had competed in the prestigious Lugia Cup, a tournament held annually in the south.
"The Lugia Cup?" John echoed, raising an eyebrow. "That's no small event."
"It's not," Daisy agreed, a hint of pride slipping into her voice. "Only trainers under thirty can compete, and the competition is fierce. But it's worth it—placing in the top ranks opens doors to all sorts of opportunities."
Daisy had secured third place, a feat that not only showcased her skills but also made her eligible to challenge for the position of a Gym Trainer.
John couldn't help but be impressed. "Third place in the Lugia Cup? That's huge! You must have some serious firepower in your lineup."
She nodded. "I guess you can say that. But honestly, I'm not aiming to be a Gym Trainer."
John tilted his head curiously. "No? Then what's the plan?"
"I want to become a Pokemon Investigator," Daisy said, her eyes lighting up with determination. "Gym Trainers are cool and all, but Investigators? They're on the front lines, solving mysteries and protecting people."
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and John found himself nodding along. "That does sound pretty incredible."
As they neared the Dragon's Nest, John's thoughts drifted. He couldn't help but compare his team to the Pokemon of Gym Trainers he'd seen in action on TV. Most Gym Trainers boasted Pokemon with levels in the 60–70 range, a benchmark John wasn't far from reaching.
Still, there was something inspiring about Daisy's drive. If she could aim for something as ambitious as becoming an Investigator, perhaps he could push his own boundaries.
"Ever thought about joining the Investigators yourself?" Daisy asked, snapping John out of his thoughts.
"Maybe," he admitted. "But I've always leaned more toward becoming a Breeder. Who knows? A stint as an Investigator might be a good experience."
Daisy smirked. "Stick with me, and I'll have you riding with the best of them in no time."
John laughed, but the idea lingered in his mind. What if he could balance both worlds? A Breeder with the skills of an Investigator—now that sounded like a challenge worth pursuing.