Y's seat was positioned so that his back was facing the door. He tried his hardest not to reveal himself to the Trainer Thug Nale as he sauntered to the cashier and began introducing himself to the female worker, Aegislash following close behind. Leaning in he exchanged pleasantries.

"Heyyy Lil!"

The cashier, Lily, became uneasy. In a shaky voice she greeted back, "Oh, uhhh...hey Nale."

"Oh, Just 'hey'? You know i'm here for more than just that, Lilyyy."

Lily spoke up sheepishly. "Nale, I have to tell you something..."

Nale was confused but let her speak.

"My manager told me-no…" She lowered her voice again, almost too nervous to go on, until she finally spoke out;

"I can't give you anymore free donuts, muffins, or cakes okay?! You always say you'll pay your debts but you never have even once so please don't ask me anymooore!"

Stunned, Nale stuttered and spat. "What the? No, that's not what I was here for, what am I just a freeloader to you?" He ducked down to huddle with Aegislash.

"Dammit, looks like she's on to us bud. How are we gonna get our mitts on those munchies now?"

Aegislash loosened the cloth wrapped around the hilt of its sword body and gestured with it like an arm, pointing at Lily the cashier who flinched at the motion.

"Lil aint a trainer, so that's a no go bro."

Aegislash swung its arm around to point at someone else but found nobody in the vacant cafe. Y held his breath, hoping not to be noticed. Gardevoir continued to eat, oblivious.

"Well damn. Guess I'll have to go about this the old fashioned way…" Nale rose up, straightened his leather jacket, and slowly stepped up to Y. Y was sure Nale hadn't seen him yet, so why was he being approached? And why was Nale acting like he's so cautious? The steps came to a stop, and Y jumped from his seat already expecting Nale to be imposing himself onto him. He was surprised to instead find the thug on his knees, hands clasped together.

"Oh please sir, might you find it in your heart to spare a couple of bucks for the needy children out there? I know three that would apprecia-wait a minute." Nale, now recognizing Y as the Champion at the bar, stood up. "Oh man, it's the champ? Hey man I didn't know you knew this place. How long have you been visiting? When did ya first see it? Do you know Lily? Hey Lily! Get over here! Did you get to meet the Champ?"

The bombardment of questions put Y in a state of shock, like an actor caught off script. Gardevoir looked up from her meal reacting to her master's distress signals. She recognized Aegislash as the same Pokemon from the bar fight but was not sure if she recognized Nale as the same human. She shrugged and returned to her meal, because there was no threat.

Y stiffened and choked out his first response.

"Yes. I went to this cafe as a kid. I always thought it was real coool…and fun"

That would have to be good enough. The spare moments in waiting for a response to his babbling felt like minutes.

"Haha, yeah man I get it. Back when everything was simpler, it was so easy to have fun in those good days. I feel ya man." This unjudging response from Nale waved a new type of relief over Y.

"Lily! Get over here and say hi! He might want some free donuts!"

Lily meekly came up from the counter. "Um, hello mister champion…" she shrank down into her collar. Nale snickered and spoke up.

"Lily here seems all innocent, but she actually watches Pokemon battles all night on TV, despite not being a trainer. She's a total nerd!"

Lily blushed. "I didn't want to make a big deal about it when you came in. I know how celebrities don't like to be bothered by fans all the time, so I thought it would be better not to say anything just in case."

Y shook his head. "You wouldn't have bothered me."

Lily's eyes brightened. "Well if so then, is it ok if I ask your opinion on something?"

Y nodded. Lily asked; "What Pokemon type do you think is best? Your most powerful pokemon is Gardevoir, but you don't only use Psychic and Fairy Pokemon."

Nale scratched his chin inquisitively. "Hmm. Every trainer has their own philosophy on which type is best, so they dedicate themselves to training only that type."

"The best type? That's complicated." Y invited Nale and Lily to sit with him and Gardevoir. After everyone was seated, Y began his explanation.

"First of all, let's consider all the pokemon types in a vacuum. If we ignored their specific strengths or weaknesses like type advantages, Fire over Grass for instance, then what would be left?"

"Huh?" said Nale. "So if all Pokemon were Normal types?"

"If type advantages didn't exist," started Lily "then...there's no defensive variety?"

"That's right. No type advantages means no defensive variety, you get stuck with evasive percentages." said Y.

Nale scratched his chin, pretending to follow along.

Y continued, "In a scenario where type advantages are eliminated, then the best moves would be ones that further disable what little defensive options are left."

Lily shook her head. "But Mr. Champion, type advantages never go away, so I'm confused?"

"That was my next point. See, trainers get it all wrong when they dedicate themselves to only one type. If anything they're only limiting themselves because what happens if a Water trainer meets a Grass trainer?"

"The Water trainer gets his butt kicked," said Nale, "that's just part of the gig, it happens to everyone."

"But it doesn't have to." said Y. "To increase your effectiveness in battle, you have to increase your defensive and offensive variety by using multiple types of Pokemon."

"Wait," said Lily, "you're not saying...ALL the pokemon you use are of different types?"

"That's crazy, even for a Champ!" said Nale. "Doing that would be like holding a mug with six handles, you'd end up ignoring five of them!"

"Yeah! Not to mention the attention division. It's like taking care of six kids who have nothing in common. Is it really possible to maintain such strong relationships between all your Pokemon?"

Y nodded. "That's right. You mentioned that Gardevoir was my strongest Pokemon, but actually I have a Greninja that's probably better than her. I've stopped using him though, since he's max level and all."

Gardevoir, taking a break from her sweet bread, began to sip her latte.

"Wow! A max level Pokemon?" said Nale.

"I see them on TV all the time, but I've never met one in person!" exclaimed Lily. "May I see him? Not if it's too much trouble...it might've been rude to ask so suddenly…"

Y shook his head and reached into his pocket. He revealed the pokeball containing Greninja and released him.

Greninja blinked for a moment as his eyes adjusted to the light. Even though he had no sense of time within the pokeball, he could tell that not much time had passed since the last battle and now. It was a relieving change to know he wasn't forgotten again. His surroundings came into focus as he identified the cafe, an old relief spot for Y and his friend, though Greninja gave no further thought to her whereabouts. Greninja was more fixated on Y and company. There was an Aegislash present, but there were no orders to attack or defend. His master, for the first time he could remember, seemed happy talking with other people. For the first time, Greninja felt like he could unwind. Here he would not have to worry or prepare for battle. For the first time, Greninja felt like he could let his guard down and relax with his masters company.

Nale and Lily circled Greninja, marveling at the specimen before them. Although owning Pokemon was not an uncommon thing, it was very rare to see Pokemon maximized by battle experience.

"It don't look no different from other Greninja, but the way it carries itself, its aura is undeniable." said Nale.

"Just imagine all the things this Greninja has seen, what it can do!" said Lily. "The average Greninja can split metal in two with the precision of its water pressure, this one could cut the whole cafe!"

The humans continued to heap praise unto Greninja. It was unfamiliar to him, being given so much praise. Was this the long awaited prize for his patience? Was he finally being acknowledged for his diligence and loyalty? He could finally join in with the luxuries of reality outside his ball, just like Gardevoir. And just like Gardevoir, he would be able to travel at his master's side in person once again.

"That about covers it then. Did it make sense?"

"Oh yes, thank you Mr. Champion." said Lily.

The world began to slow as Greninja's heart once again sank to his stomach. He watched his master lift the pokeball and was about to prepare himself for his return.

But he didn't want to.

In a moment of fear and slight desperation, Greninja called out to the humans before him. The vocalization brought all their attention back to him.

"Huh? Why'd your Greninja react like that just now?"

"What's wrong Greninja?" asked Y.

Greninja made more sounds and movements, trying to communicate what he wanted, but was only met with bewildered stares. He looked to Gardevoir expecting help, but it would be useless. Being a part Dark type, Greninja was immune to Psychic attacks and reads, Gardevoir would not be able to read his intent.

"He had a pretty intense battle not too long ago, maybe he's still tired?" Y said, raising his pokeball.

This time, Greninjas desperation had peaked. He did not want to return to the void and be forgotten, and so before he realized it, launched a pressurized Water attack at his pokeball. The Water Shuriken zipped like a bullet, destroying the pokeball and slicing open Y's hand. Y screamed in agony, clutching his hand at the wrist. Greninja looked to the others and was met with fear. Even Gardevoir had an expression of confusion and disappointment. Ashamed, devastated, and defeated, Greninja took to the shadows and ran away.