Pokémon: Breeding Simulator [156]
[After negotiating a series of extremely one-sided terms with Zoroark, you finally managed to get his reluctant approval to capture Lucario.]
[Lucario, who had already broken free from his Poké Ball, looked equally enthusiastic.]
"You won't regret catching me, I promise."
"When we get back, I'll help you test whether you've got the gift for using [Aura]."
"If you can combine psychic powers, [Aura], and the [Power of Viridian] all at once, I doubt there'll be a single human stronger than you."
Lucario patted his chest with conviction as he spoke.
Even his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Not just humans—among Pokémon too, almost none could claim to wield all three powers simultaneously.
Intrigued by Lucario's proposal, Elias gave a thoughtful nod.
I'm basically a Hisuian among Hisuians now, huh?
At this rate, for ordinary encounters, he might not even need Zoroark or the others to step in—he could probably handle things himself.
---
[After a bit of familiarization with Lucario, you and your two Pokémon companions bid farewell to Regigigas.]
"By the way."
Just as they were about to step into the corridor, Regigigas suddenly spoke.
Elias turned back, curious to hear what he had to say.
Regigigas chose his words with care before continuing:
"There's likely still a blizzard raging outside."
"And the reason for that blizzard is a Pokémon known as Tornadus."
"To ensure our meeting wouldn't be disturbed, I asked him to seal the mountains in snow. If you're interested in him, you might as well go ahead and catch him."
Regigigas spoke with casual generosity.
Hearing this, Elias rubbed his chin in thought.
Tornadus—he remembered that one. Cogita had told him about this legendary Pokémon before.
He'd even heard rumors of its appearance—supposedly quite the eyesore.
And frankly, Elias didn't have much interest in ugly Pokémon.
Even at its best, could it really compare to my Zoroark?
Still…
Even if he wasn't interested, Cogita was. She had to collect these legendary Pokémon—it was part of the burden she carried.
But ever since they were young, Cogita had always insisted that he stay away from such Pokémon, claiming they were far too dangerous.
Thinking of this, Elias glanced at the Lucario and Zoroark beside him.
The two Pokémon radiated completely different energies, but both were unmistakably powerful. And with Regigigas' backing, capturing Tornadus shouldn't be too difficult.
Guess this can be a gift for Cogita, then.
With that, Elias turned to Regigigas and asked:
"Where is Tornadus?"
Regigigas nodded approvingly.
As expected of someone chosen by both me and Arceus.
Most would run at the mention of a Pokémon that brings blizzards. But not this one—he's heading straight in.
"You really are something else."
---
[After that cryptic bit of praise from Regigigas, you received Tornadus's location.]
[Then, together with Lucario and Zoroark, you retraced your steps and exited the corridor.]
[Just as Regigigas had said, a full-blown blizzard awaited outside.]
[Under the night sky, freezing gales and thick, heavy snowflakes swirled through the air, nearly forcing your eyes shut.]
[Even with Zoroark's warm body wrapped around you, the chill still found the bare patches of your skin, seeping deep into your core.]
[Thankfully, your psychic abilities—and Lucario's Aura—let you sense the direction despite the storm.]
[Because of that, your pace wasn't all that much slower than usual.]
"This should be the mountain."
Elias squinted at a small snow-capped peak in the distance.
According to Regigigas, Tornadus was somewhere up there.
"The blizzard on that peak does feel more intense."
Lucario replied after sensing it roughly through [Aura].
"Then let's go. The sooner we deal with this, the sooner we can head home."
With those words, Elias began trudging toward the snowy mountain.
After a long day's journey, he was reaching his limit.
"Right behind you."
---
Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the Pure White Tundra—
After traveling non-stop, Cogita finally arrived at the outer edge of the frozen lands aboard her Braviary.
But before she could go any further, the sight of a large group of people caught her attention.
They were from the Pearl Clan.
Seeing them here sent a jolt of dread through Cogita.
The Pearl Clan rarely left the Pure White Tundra en masse.
If they were all out here, then something serious must have happened inside.
After scanning the crowd and not spotting Elias, Cogita's anxiety only deepened.
She urged Braviary to descend quickly.
As she landed, the clan leader came to greet her.
"Miss Cogita? What brings you here?"
The leader gave her a puzzled look. Beside him stood Irida, also visibly curious.
Cogita didn't answer right away. Her gaze locked onto Irida, brow furrowed as she asked:
"Where's Elias?"
She remembered clearly—he'd left with Irida that morning.
If Irida was here, then Elias should be too.
Irida blinked in confusion at the question and frowned slightly.
"Elias didn't come find me today. Shouldn't he be at home?"
Seeing Cogita's expression darken, Irida felt a strange tightness in her chest.
But—
As soon as she finished speaking, Cogita's face turned even grimmer.
"He didn't come find you?"
"You're sure? Weren't you two supposed to leave together this morning?"
As she asked, Cogita closely watched Irida's expression.
Irida, startled by the strange questions, began to feel uneasy herself.
When it came to Elias, she could never stay calm.
After gathering herself, she answered seriously:
"I've been in the village all day."
"Did Elias go out this morning? Where did he go?"
Irida didn't seem to be lying, and that made Cogita feel her senses dull with panic.
She had no energy left to answer the question.
If it wasn't Irida he left with this morning, then who was it?
And where is Elias now? Is he safe?
For the first time, Cogita felt what it truly meant to be consumed by anxiety.
Nearby, the clan leader had been listening closely. Hearing their conversation, his expression also shifted.
He remembered a Pokémon he had once warned Elias about.
A creature that was, without a doubt… a savage beast.
In that instant, a chill ran down his spine.
If Elias was really lured away by that Pokémon… the consequences could be disastrous.
---
PS: By "disastrous consequences," we mean—Zoroark pinning Elias to the ground and gnawing on him.
Terrifying, isn't it?