To be the Very Best (Pokémon X Male Reader)

Masters EX Arc Chapter 2 - Everyone is Here!

Nemona had dragged me deep into the winding caves of Pasio, the echo of our footsteps bouncing off the walls as we descended further into the darkness. The air grew calmer, and the light from the cave's entrance slowly dimmed until it was barely a glimmer behind us. I glanced at Mimi, who was perched on my shoulder, her small body glowing faintly to illuminate our path. She seemed to be enjoying the adventure, giggling as she watched Nemona practically skip ahead.

I sighed, feeling the weariness settle into my bones. "Nemona, remind me again what we're doing here?"

Nemona stopped for a moment, turning around with that signature grin of hers. "A strong trainer was spotted here, Y/N! I'm hoping it's Red!"

I rubbed the back of my neck, casting a glance at Mimi, who just shook her head with a knowing look. "Of course you are," I muttered under my breath, half-amused, half-exasperated.

We continued to wind our way through the cave, the sound of dripping water occasionally breaking the silence. As time wore on and we encountered nothing but rock and shadows, I couldn't help but feel a bit deflated. "Guess there are no strong trainers here. Let's get out of here," I suggested, hoping to get back to the sunlit surface.

But Nemona quickly blocked my path, her eyes shining with excitement. "Hold on, my trainer senses are tingling."

"Your what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

Before I could get a straight answer, Nemona bolted ahead, her footsteps echoing off the cavern walls. Mimi and I exchanged a glance before giving chase; my curiosity piqued despite myself. We rounded a corner and emerged into a larger chamber, where the soft glow of psychic energy illuminated a figure at work.

There, in the centre of the chamber, an Alolan Raichu floated above the ground, effortlessly breaking boulders with its thunderbolts before lifting the debris with its psychic powers. The sight was impressive, and even though I'd seen plenty of regional variants, this was the first time I'd encountered an Alolan Raichu in the wild. It radiated strength, and I could see why Nemona was so excited.

Nemona's eyes sparkled as she watched the Raichu work. "I've never seen an Alolan Raichu before. It's so cool!"

I couldn't help but wonder who it belonged to. "It's a regional form like Mimi," I muttered to myself. "I wonder who it belongs to."

As if on cue, a familiar voice rang out, getting closer and closer until I felt arms wrap around me from behind in a tight hug. "Y/N!" the voice exclaimed, and I turned around, still dazed, to see a beaming Hope.

"Well, I'll be damned, Hope?!" I said, my shock giving way to a grin.

Hope nodded enthusiastically, bouncing on the balls of her feet as Raichu bobbed up and down beside her. "In the flesh! It's so good to see you! I thought you might have forgotten about me!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Please, forget you? Impossible."

Nemona, who had been starstruck by the Raichu, finally snapped out of it. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Wait, I remember now! You visited the academy a few times with your Pikachu. I can't believe it evolved into a Raichu!"

Hope blushed slightly, scratching the back of her head. "Yeah, Dude, here's grown a lot since then. Thanks, Y/N. I'm so glad you think he's strong. We've been working really hard together." She puffed out her chest proudly. "And yeah, I went to Alola. Had an amazing time there."

I could sense there was more she wanted to say, the way her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke. "So you've been to Alola, huh?" I prompted, my curiosity piqued.

Hope's grin widened as she struggled to contain herself. Eventually, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing. "I can't keep it a secret anymore! I didn't just visit Alola... I became the Champion, too!"