My Name is Loto [Pokémon Fanfiction]

18| I Prefer Snow to Rain

Not once on my trek to Primrose City did the rain let up. I was thoroughly soaked by the end of the first night, and I could never get fully dry the following days. The wild, overgrown trees were my shelter, though the wind whistling through them chilled me.

The wild Pokémon weren't as active. Only a couple times did a Morelull cross my path, or I spotted a Grooky or Pansage swinging through the trees. The remainder of my hardtack was mine and Dew's only food, as I didn't dare let either of us touch any of the berries we saw.

Halfway through the trip, the trees thinned out, and in the distance I could see a large cluster of lights. Hope ignited in me, bringing a warmth that had been absent for days. That had to be it.

It was like new energy had filled me, because I was more than eager to run now. I sped up my pace for the rest of the trip. Another bridge over a river, and I was finally in Primrose City.

The architecture of Verelum's capital was identical to that of Marigold's, with the exception of the three or four extra stories nearly every building had. Everywhere I looked was water, as countless rivers and canals snaked their way through the streets.

I sought out the first person I could find, which happened to be two old women sharing gossip or whatever over tea on a building's porch. After a quick conversation I found out that I'd find the Green Lotus after crossing the Francesca River, which ran through the southeastern section of the city.

I had to cross even more bridges on my walk, with them being tall enough to let ornately carved boats filled with people pass beneath them. Even if their surfaces were faded and dark with rain, I could still tell they were carved to look like Pokémon. The one that stuck out to me the most was a Gyrados boat, its mouth open in a defiant roar as its body cut through the churning waters.

My insides were in knots the entire time I walked. Guards were everywhere, almost every one of them giving me a long look when they saw me. Even if they couldn't see the darkened skin beneath my eyes from a lack of sleep, I knew I looked like a soaked Rattata, which definitely didn't help things. I prayed that they didn't see Justice's hilt or sheath. Twice more I had to ask for directions, each bringing me just a bit closer to my destination.

Then after what seemed like years, I found it.

Five stories high, windows illuminated by candlelight, and nearly two-dozen green lanterns hanging from the ground floor awning. It had to be the Green Lotus Inn. My heart was absolutely racing as I reached for the door. As I did, two tall men ducked outside. I jumped aside, almost colliding with them. One met my gaze and seemed to hold it almost curiously before the other man elbowed him. They walked away, and I couldn't help but watch them go. But then I saw they'd left the door open.

The door connected to an open lobby. I stepped in, and a puddle of dripping rainwater instantly began forming beneath my feet. Dew crawled out onto my shoulder as I lowered my hood. She let out a small sneeze before trying to shake herself dry, spraying my face with mist.