Pokémon from Galar

"This...that...I...but..."

Mary packed her backpack, looked at Yuri who was still somewhat at a loss, and said helplessly:

"If you really feel bad about it, just consider it an intelligence fee."

"What intelligence fee?"

"That one in the Misty Forest. You might not care, but it's good information for me."

"That strange Pokémon?"

"Yeah, I'll definitely go to the Slumbering Forest if I have the chance in the future. How can I be satisfied if I don't see these Pokémon even once?"

"Oh, I see..."

Mary's half-truthful statement finally convinced Yuri to accept the explanation. Yuri knew that Mary was giving her a way out, so she stopped refusing and gratefully accepted the money.

"Mary-chan!"

"Ok?"

"Thank you!"

"Hey hey~ come help me take down the tent, we still have a long way to go today."

Chapter Twelve: Ralts's Love at First Sight

Ralts is a Pokémon born in a beautiful grassland. At the time of its birth, it was surrounded by a group of strange Pokémon watching it.

Although he didn't know who his parents were or why he was born alone in the grasslands, Ralts didn't care much, as life in the wild wasn't particularly harsh.

Many Pokémon are very gentle, willing to share berries with you, and also willing to play with you.

But Ralts longed for a different kind of life, one he'd heard from a large, bear-like creature that had once followed a trainer.

There is a profession among humans called a trainer, who travels around with their Pokémon companions in search of what they desire.

Although Ralts doesn't care about his birth, he does wonder about the world outside. What lies behind those high walls in the distance? Where is that train that roars past going?

If I can follow a trainer, where will I eventually end up?

Ralts longed for this kind of life, but she was hesitant to easily interact with any humans she passed by. She was somewhat afraid and worried.

According to Bear, even Pokémon trainers come in all sorts of ways. Some are gentle people who cherish their Pokémon deeply, while others are cold-blooded people who would abandon their Pokémon.

She could sense other people's emotions, and although she had secretly observed many passing humans, she had never encountered anyone who made her heart flutter.

Until that day.

While strolling through the bushes, Ralts sensed the presence of two humans once again.

From what I could sense, everyone seemed very happy, and there was a very sweet smell in the air, which made Ralts want to go over and take a look.

However, it failed.

In the past, I could secretly observe from the bushes, and even if I encountered a weaker human, I could probe with my spiritual power without being discovered.

But just as Ralts parted the bushes in front of him and looked over, he was instantly discovered.

Just when she was about to run away, she received an invitation from the other party.

"Want to come and eat with us?"

It was an invitation from an unfamiliar Pokémon. Ralts had expected to be driven away or attacked, but instead, it received an invitation.

Ah, so this is what love at first sight feels like...

Ralts carefully hid itself in the grass, its large eyes, hidden beneath its green hair, fixed intently on the large black cat with strange markings.

The moment their eyes met, Ralts understood that the other party had discovered him, and that it was a psychic power far more powerful than his own.

How strange. We're not even from the same species, so why is that big cat's spiritual energy so compatible with mine?

Ralts followed the big cat's figure in a daze, forgetting to answer.

I'm sorry to my past self, I may not be able to find the best trainer anymore, because I may have found the best Pokémon for me.

Ralts only came to its senses when it was discovered by the human who appeared to be the trainer of the large cat.

"Ralu... (Is it okay...?)"

What was originally just an answer to the big cat's reply unexpectedly received a response from the human.

How strange... This is the second time today. How strange? Why can this human understand my language? I can't communicate using telekinesis.

As expected of that big cat's trainer, Ralts can actually understand the language of Pokémon. Even if it's not the best one I imagined, it's still passable considering the language bonus.

After a while, just as Ralts was thinking about how to become that trainer's Pokémon, a fragrant dish of food that it had only seen but never tasted was placed in front of it.

"Do you know how to use a spoon? Ichi-chan, please demonstrate."

I know how to use it… That's what Ralts was going to say, but after hearing the big cat's response, he suddenly didn't want to say it anymore…

So that big cat's name is I-chan...? I-chan-neechan...

I sensed the spiritual power emanating from the big cat—no, Sister Yi—once again. It wasn't my senses that were playing tricks on me; this spiritual power made me feel comfortable and eager to get closer just by being near it…

So, is Irelia really my destined Pokémon?

Although Ralts didn't quite understand the meaning of the word "destiny" that he had heard about, he instinctively wanted to use it in this context.

"Ralu~ (I understand! Thank you...)"

Reminding himself to be polite, Ralts awkwardly thanked them before beginning to examine the food in front of him.

Following her sister's movements, Ralts used her telekinesis to control the spoon to scoop up food. Unfortunately, Ralts' control wasn't very good, and the spoon trembled a bit. Startled, she quickly reached out and held the handle of the spoon, and only then was she able to successfully put the food into her mouth.

Just like the aroma, it tastes delicious... another bonus!

Ralts enjoyed the sweet taste and found Irelia's trainer more and more pleasing to the eye.

After finishing his portion, Ralts felt it was a little small and thought he could eat some more.

However, since it was their first meeting, and he wanted to leave a good impression on Irelia, Ralts was too embarrassed to say it.

When the human came over to clear the dishes, Ralts peeked out, looking him over as he said:

"Raru (Thank you... the food was delicious.)"

"I'm glad you like it."

The human smiled, a very warm smile, and Ralts felt he was starting to like this human a little.

"Have one, consider it dessert."

The human suddenly handed over a strange cube. Ralts smelled a faint scent of tree fruit on it... but it didn't seem to be the tree fruit he had ever eaten before.

Could it be a strange tree fruit native to humans?

Ralts liked the smell of the strange blocky tree fruit, so he put it in his mouth.

Click, click—

Some of them were crunchy and had a great texture, but the flavor was a bit bland. The tree fruits here are definitely tastier.

Ralts ate the Cube Berry and, seeing that the trainer had already focused his attention elsewhere, followed the feeling and found Irelia walking towards the lake.

Perhaps I could just ask Sister Yi for advice, after all, she's such a gentle person.

Wanting to show off his skills to the person he liked, Ralts mustered all his strength and used Instant Transmission, a technique he had only recently learned and was still not very proficient at.

With a soft thud, it landed precisely where it wanted to be. But Ralts had no time to be happy; instead, it racked its brains to strike up a conversation with its sister, Illumi.

"Ralu! (Big sister is amazing!)"

And so, Ralts was very fortunate to begin his journey, which was slightly different from his dreams, but still filled with joy.

P.S.: My cousin is getting married before the New Year... and as relatives, I have to help out, so updates will definitely be a bit irregular lately. Please forgive me... I'm quite helpless about this.

I just got home at this hour. I have to get up at five o'clock tomorrow morning to go out and do something. If I didn't have some drafts saved up, I might not have been able to update today.

In short... I'm very sorry!

Chapter Thirteen: Motostoke City, where Gym Challenges Begin

Mary led Yuri on a journey that took three days, with frequent stops and starts, training as they traveled. Finally, on the afternoon of the third day, they arrived at the gates of Machine City.

"Phew... Yuri, are you alright?"

Mary turned to look at Yuri, who was holding onto Doronbaruto's tail and panting heavily. She patted Yuri on the back and then took out a bottle of water and handed it to her.

"Gurgle gurgle... Pfft—Thank you, Mary-chan!"

After gulping down two large mouthfuls of water, Yuri wiped her mouth somewhat roughly and thanked Mary with a smile.

"Oh—(Yuri, are you alright?)"

"It's nothing, it's nothing~ Thank you for your concern!"

Yuri reached out and caught the tearful lizard that jumped off Doronbaluto's head, then rubbed her head against her little cutie with a smile.

"Let's go in then."

He pointed to the tall staircase in front of him and the wall that looked like an ancient city wall.

Mech City is known for its steampunk style, with even its overall architecture featuring vintage red brick walls. At the city's entrance stands a staircase with dozens of steps. Beside the staircase, streetlights designed like kerosene lamps are lit.

It is said that the high walls were built specifically to defend against wild Pokémon. Although they have been rebuilt over time, this historically significant design has been preserved.

Now, this city, built in collaboration with Pokémon and possessing an otherworldly atmosphere, has made Motostoke famous throughout Galar. It is one of the largest cities in the Galar region.

The fact that even the opening ceremony for the gym challenge is specially arranged to be held here speaks volumes.

Marie helped Yuri up the stairs, followed by a group of Pokémon.

Stepping into the city of Jiqing, the sudden burst of lively voices made the two girls, who had been living in harmony with nature for the past few days, feel somewhat uneasy.

Huge and heavy gears, giant machines at work, and steam rising from them from time to time—the city of machines is like a complete mechanical organization, operating smoothly and orderly.

Although the machine city is usually quite lively, the number of people here has increased recently, probably because the opening ceremony is approaching.

Marie pulled up Yuri, who was still in a daze, and they headed towards the Pokémon Center.

"Snap out of it. Anyway, let's go to the Pokémon Center first. After that, I'll take you to the venue to register."

"oh oh."

Yuri nodded. Although it wasn't the first time, her parents had always accompanied her before, and she was wondering what to do this time... Luckily, Mary was with her.