Sandwich Making (Self insert x Arven)

[15] Into the Crater

 Lucky for us, Nemona and Penny were all for going to Area Zero. Mamá looked concerned, but she didn't stop us. She'd pulled me aside for a quick conversation.

"Z, mija, I know you're capable of holding your own, but.. I don't know, I'm worried for you."

I bumped my forehead with hers and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry mamá! I've got my friends and my Pokemon to keep me in check."

She sighed. "I know, I know. But I just.. I don't want my baby getting hurt down there!"

"Don't worry, estaré segura con mis amigos. Ok?"

Mamá nodded. "...Por favor, mantente a salvo."

"Si mamá. Te amo."

She gave me a kiss on the cheek and smiled sadly at me. "You've gotten so big. You've gone on so many adventures.. I can't wait to see where you go next."

Well damn. Not even out the door and I'm tearing up. "Adios, mamá!"

I dashed out of the door and smacked face-first into Nemona's back. "Uufff-"

Nemona spun around and snatched me by my wrists. "Vamos, vamos! We need to get to Area Zero NOW!"

Penny shrugged. "You guys needed some help, and my Veevees can provide it."

Arven shrugged. "Z and I could've gone down by ourselves, but I've seen what's down there."

Nemona turned her energy Arven's way. "I'm sure you would've loved that alone time~" she sang as she brushed past him.

Before Arven could get a flustered response out to Nemona, she started running in the direction of the Great Crater. Penny sighed and shrugged at Arven. "I've learned to just ignore her."

Arven shook his head. "Hff. Let's get goin', then." he muttered, starting after Nemona. "Wait up, asshole!"

Penny walked next to me. "Nemona's in a real annoying mood today," she noted.

I shrugged. "She's uh.. Something, I guess."

A silence fell over us as we watched Arven and Nemona bicker in the near distance. "Z... is Arven alright?" Penny asked.

Her question seemed slightly out of the blue, as she didn't usually seem to like Arven very much. "Oh.. he's alright. I don't think I should tell you what's up, but.. He's got some stuff relating to Area Zero."

Penny scrunched her nose. "Hm. No wonder he hasn't told us much. Maybe, cuz you're his partner, he'll open up to you." She said jokingly, elbowing my side cheekily.

I sighed, my face heating slightly. "Maybe. I won't tell you if he does, though."

"I know. I just want him to be alright. That's what friends are for, right?"

Maybe Penny really does care for Arven, and by extension Nemona and I. She's kind of sweet.

We kept walking until Arven yelled for us. "Over here!" He called, waving us over.

Running up, I saw the big gate that led into the Great Crater. "Woah. I always wondered why that was here." I murmured, gazing through the latticed bars. All I saw at the other end was white.

Arven examined it for a moment, then sent out his Gargnacl. "I need you to break this, please!" He asked, pointing at the gate. "Or, at the very least, break it open."

Gargnacl blinked, then stomped to the gate. In a strong movement, it smashed its rocky fists into where the gate hinges were.

Nemona's eyes were wide. "Woahhh! Your Gargnacl is super strong, Arven!"

Arven shrugged, returning Gargnacl to its Pokeball. "Love and food raises good Pokémon."

Nemona cast a sly look at me but didn't say anything. Why is she always doing that? I thought irritably, but didn't give her the satisfaction of my response. "Well, come on then! Let's head down the pit of death."

"It's not a pit of death." Penny scoffed. "Les go." She brushed past me quickly.

Nemona followed her, humming a song I didn't recognize. I turned to Arven. "You ready?"

Arven snorted. "It's just the tunnel. I've got time to mentally prep."

I cast a glance into the tunnel that led inside the Great Crater of Paldea. "Well, let's get going then!" I held out my hand to him.

After a minute of hesitation, he took my hand. "Let's go." He murmured, squeezing my hand.

A/N: Spanish isn't a language I'm very proficient in, so I asked my friend to help with most of the Spanish bits. Huge thanks to him for being my translator!!!!! (He's groovy!)