Lambency (Ingo x Reader)

64. The Melody of the Obsidian Fieldlands

You are in a daze.

You still cannot believe Mai has just asked you to catch an Alpha Pokémon.

She must be joking... or crazy, you tell yourself. What did Adaman tell her exactly?

"Frrr?", Munchlax taps you on the calf.

"Y-yes?!"

"Don't worry, he saw you distracted for a sec' and was enquiring if you had leftovers! Why the long face? Don't you like it out here in the wild?"

Right. Mai was showing you around the vast, luxuriant plains. The sun is warm, and a gentle wind is beckoning you.

The two of you are walking quietly on a man-made path, oblivious to the little Pokémon casting curious glances at your group or hiding with haste.

"Yes, it's nice out there.", you say apathetically.

"My, my... There I assumed you were prepared to be of help. Don't tell me you've got the willies because I asked you to bring me an Alpha? I think you'll do great. Adaman did praise your merits and your courage! He told me all about how you stood up to an Alpha Pokémon twice... A Gardevoir and a Honchkrow, right?"

Sneasel puffs out its chest with pride.

"Well... It's partially true... I ran away from the Gardevoir and got lost in a cave. And we weren't alone looking for Aibika and fighting Honchkrow! If it wasn't for Volo and his Garchomp who resisted the longest, and for Warden Calaba with Typhlosion coming to our rescue..."

Mai whistles, impressed by your tale.

"Hey, not bad at all! The average person and their Pokémon'd have been killed in your position!", she smiles reassuringly. Nonetheless, you do not feel reassured at all.

"Life in Hisui and Pokémon battling are far more dangerous than where I come from..."

"Yeah, I figured. Akari said the same. She got pretty roughed up at the beginning, but she's gotten stronger over time. I'm sure you're built the same. Must be in your genes. After all, your ancestors survived the past and led the way to the future, one generation at a time! You know, I sometimes wonder what the people and Pokémon of Hisui are doing in the future."

She looks up to the sky with a melancholic smile.

"Do you feel confident that you can lead your Pokémon in battle? If you're confident enough, then you won't be afraid while facing an Alpha."

You must admit that the very first time you faced the Alpha Gardevoir, you were resolute to run away as far as possible from the threat. However, that time you faced Honchkrow with Sneasel... a surge of confidence and adrenalin powered you up.

"I'm not scared with friends by my side. Isn't that the same for everyone?"

"Sure. I know I can't lose with my partner Munchlax. We were raised together like siblings. He battles at my side by choice, without needing any silly little balls like you use."

"They aren't silly. Not only they're practical, but they also reinforce your bond of friendship!"

"Do they? You sound like Akari and Rei... Honestly, I can't really accept the Galaxy Expedition Team's way of using Poké Balls... Yet, I can't deny time has passed, and the relationship between people and Pokémon has changed. It must be Lord Dialga's doing, for He is the God of Time. Ah, here we are."

Mai and her Pokémon stop. She points at a rock formation on top of the hill you have been climbing on winding paths. A herd of Stantler is peacefully grazing in the distance.