Destiny [Pokémon]

❥ chapter XXX

Now that you thought about it, you remembered reading an article in the newspaper yesterday about a pod of Lapras being sighted off Virno's coast. But never in your wildest dreams had you expected to encounter one of these rare Pokémon yourself. Was fortune smiling upon you after all? Lapras were well-known to enjoy ferrying people, so maybe this one would agree to carry you to Caelum City!

You opened your mouth to answer, but Raleia beat you to it. "Yeah!" she exclaimed. "We've been looking everywhere for someone who's in the mood to bring our Trainer and us to the mainland!" She had got over her surprise much faster than you and already jumped to her feet again.

You beamed at the dual-type Pokémon. "Indeed, what a perfect time for you to show up! Would you be so kind as to give us a lift? Please?"

Just then, you felt something damp and cold push against your hand with just a bit too much force. You looked down. Upon seeing Faniola frowning, you noticed that you had stopped towelling her because you had been distracted by the Lapras suddenly appearing. With a light laugh, you resumed your work.

In response to your question, the Lapras nodded, smiling, his long neck bobbing slightly. He didn't seem surprised by you talking to him—after all, his kind was innately able to understand human speech. "Of course." It seemed to take him a moment to realize that you had responded to what Raleia had said. Then, his black eyes widened into an incredulous stare. "Wait a minute—you can understand us, human?!"

You answered silently with a nod. You were currently pressing your lips together to prevent them from twisting into an amused grin and to choke back a snicker at the same time. But in spite of your efforts, the corners of your mouth still curled up. His expression was just priceless.

"Wow! I didn't know there were humans who can talk with Pokémon. During all my travels, I've never met someone like you before. How peculiar." Tilting his head, he eyed you with unconcealed curiosity in his eyes.

Suddenly, Faniola shot to her feet, her fluffy tail bristled, pointed teeth bared, and orange eyes glaring at the Transport Pokémon. Her sudden and unexpectedly fierce reaction startled all of you. She had gone from deeply relaxed to blazing mad within a split second. Professor Hyperion hadn't exaggerated when he had told you that the Fennekin had "quite the temper."

"Hey, who're you calling peculiar?!" she bellowed. "And don't look at her like she's some kind of mutated Berry!"

You tut-tutted. "Don't get so worked up, Faniola. There's no reason for you to shout at him like that. He didn't insult me. And you pretty much looked at me the same when you realized you could understand me."

A look of realization crossed the Fox Pokémon's face, but she didn't seem to like it—much like Raleia when you had pointed out that her aggressive behaviour towards the Poochyena back in Lucus Grove had been unjustified. Faniola lowered her head, her ears laid back flat, and remained silent, scowling indignantly.

"And now apologize, will you?"

She seemed unwilling to comply with your request at first, gnashing and grinding her teeth. But after another stern look from you, she finally muttered an apology, albeit a half-hearted one, and she only glanced at the Lapras. "Yes ... Sorry."

"It's fine," the dual-type Pokémon said. There was a glimmer of amusement in his gentle eyes as he smiled down at Faniola, who avoided both of your gazes.

Your face softened into a smile of your own, and you gave the Fennekin a good scratch behind her ears as a reward. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" you asked, earning a reluctant headshake from her. "Please do try not to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation from now on, alright, cutie?"

With a huff, she settled down in your lap again, refusing to look at you in protest and even turning her head away from you. But that only made you snicker. She wasn't really miffed at you—at least not enough to leave the comfort of your lap and to not let you pet her anymore. After some seconds of grumbling, she finally responded, "I promise I'll try my best."

Although you would have wished for her to at least look you in the eyes to make sure that she was serious about this promise, you were satisfied with her answer because she sounded sincere. "Thank you." Then, you continued rubbing her dry with the towel.

Having followed the conversation between the Fire-type Pokémon and you, the Lapras now turned to you. "I have to apologize as well, though. I'm sorry if I should have offended you, human." He bowed his head in an apologetic manner. "I didn't mean it."

You dismissed his apology with a wave of the hand, grinning. "Don't worry."

"I bet you meant 'peculiar' as in 'unique,' didn't you?" Raleia asked the Transport Pokémon. "Because that's what [Name] is! She's one of a kind!" Her passionate declaration was accompanied by Phiala nodding her head energetically, as if she couldn't agree more.

This unreserved display of their affection towards you put a smile on everyone's face, even the Lapras's. Only then did the Poochyena seem to realize what she was doing, her eyes growing wide as she froze. As though a switch had been flipped inside her, she reverted to her shy behaviour, lowering her eyes instantly. She flinched when you started petting her to calm her, and began to squirm with embarrassment, but soon eased into your touch.

"So, you're [Name]? You certainly are one of a kind." The large dual-type Pokémon smiled. "It's nice to meet you. It would be my pleasure to carry you to your destination. I was just taking a rest here anyways."

"Thank you very much! And it's nice to meet you too," you said as a radiant smile spread across your face. Luck really was with you! You didn't even have to wait for a few hours like you had expected. "Would you please bring us to Caelum City? That's the seaport right across the stretch of water from this island. You can't miss it!"

"You mean the city at the tip of the peninsula?" he asked, and you nodded in confirmation. "Alright. Are you ready to depart?"

"As ready as we'll ever be! Let's go!"

Following Raleia's exclamation, Faniola abruptly jumped to her feet and then out of the space between your crossed legs, even though you weren't finished towelling her dry yet. To remove the lingering wetness from her pale fur, she shook herself vigorously, sending a shower of fine, cold spray over everyone in the vicinity.

Equally eager to get going, both Pokémon neared the edge of the boulder's ledge and made a move to jump off it right onto the Lapras's back. But they stopped in their tracks the moment you called their names. Simultaneously turning their head in your direction, both of them gave you a confused look—though there was a spark of impatience in the Fox Pokémon's eyes as well.

"Hang on just a minute, cuties. I think it would be better if you all went into your Poké Balls for the duration of this crossing." You saw a frown appear on the female Ralts sibling's face, and she opened her mouth—most likely to object—but before she could do so, you quickly continued, "I wouldn't want any of you to fall into the water by accident. And I'm already heavy enough as I am with my backpack. I promise I'll let you out of your Poké Balls again as soon as we're in Caelum City."