Beta read by DuplicataData.
JOLTIK INVASION ART
You people spoil me with your fantastic fan art for this story, it makes me so happy you guys don't even know.
Today is art by JollyCrimson on Tumblr portraying everyone's reaction to the Joltik invasion of Jubilife.
EVERYONE TAKE A MOMENT AND FOLLOW THE LINK FOR CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!
https/jolly-crimson./post/693114388489601024/attack-of-joltiks
If anyone feels inspired enough to make artwork/writing based on this story, link it to me so I can gush over how awesome you all are and share it
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Come on, Buggy. I'll be right with you. Just follow Caboose's lead and paddle."
"Breee!" Snowflake and Caboose encouraged the soaking wet Zorua, currently shivering on a small rock surrounded by river water. It was bath time for all their Pokémon, Though Snowflake was taking extra time in the water for "swimming lessons."
Most of their Pokémon were cleaned up by now, requiring many hours of hard work. Buggy was causing the most trouble, besides that thieving Sneasel.
It seemed obvious the gremlin would fear water, having almost drowned in it before, but Snowflake said he needed to learn independence. In case he ever fell in a body of water with no help around. Given Buggy was incapable of focusing both eyes on a single point at the same time, the prospect seemed likely.
Meanwhile, Melli stayed near the shallows of the riverbank, rinsing off Skuntank after a second scrub through with soap.
Buggy went between angry snarls and sad whimpers. He couldn't figure out if being either aggressive or pathetic would get him out of this.
Unfortunately for him, neither approach was working.
"Let's go, Buggy. I promise this will be the last time. Then you can play on the shore with Cooper."
Said Rapidash stomped in disapproval, going back to munching on grass while her flames dried out the remaining fluid in her fur.
Caboose carefully moved her ribbon under the water and behind Buggy, giving him a gentle tap on the behind. The Zorua screeched and fell in with a splash. Snowflake gently cupped his hand under the little fox for safety, but let him keep paddling despite the protest.
"That's it! Paddle to me!" Buggy flailed his paws clumsily, tail and tongue waving back and forth until he finally managed a semblance of rhythm to his motions. Slowly the rat "swam" to Snowflake's bare chest and dug his claws in for dear life, trying to climb up his shoulder but failing miserably.
"Good boy, Buggy! That was verrrry well done!" Snowflake rubbed his cheek against the Zorua's, earning an indignant growl in response. "You can rest up now, as promised. If you ever fall in a body of water, that's exactly what I want you to do." He carried his gremlin to the shoreline and wrapped him in a towel, wringing out as much water as possible and leaving his little burrito baby with their belongings.
He took the chance to sit in a shallower section of water and clean himself off.
Melli kept busy finally getting Skuntank thoroughly rinsed, letting him shake off before towelling any extra liquid. A lot of long, thick fur required brushing, and it would definitely take a while.
He didn't even want to think about going through Coal's fur. That was next on his to-do list. Snowflake didn't know how easy he had it. All of his Pokémon except for Buggy had short hair, with the exception being a half ghost type and tiny.
Melli still had to brush out his own damp hair, which was an exhausting chore in itself.
"What is this shampoo called again? It smells verrrry nice." Snowflake commented, sniffing Melli's jar of product.
"It's… Camellia oil? The soap bar is made with soapnut and ash… I've never heard that word before." The warden was very confused. Snowflake tried his soaps in the past, but that was the first time he used that weird term.
It didn't even sound like a real word.
"Shampoo? It's what people wash their scalps with. Don't you need to wash your hair?"
"Uh… literally everyone mainly uses camellia oil. We don't need to rinse it often." He scrubbed it out today with soap thanks to a certain clumsy Alpha Growlith getting covered in tree sap then running head first into Melli for protection.
Sticky sap and muddy paws were not good for his locks.
"Huh. Well, your routine is clearly working. Right, Coal?"
"Bork!" The Growlithe rumbled in agreement.
Coal was soaking in the water with Snowflake and Caboose, his body heating it to a very warm temperature.
"You should come in. The water feels nice."
"I already cleaned myself, thank you very much."
"I mean swimming. Have you ever swam before?" Snowflake questioned.
"W-why would I want to swim in some gross river?!" It definitely didn't have anything to do with his inability to swim.
NOT AT ALL!
"Why would YOU want to swim? Your arm barely works."
"I have more motion in the water, see?" He demonstrated, lifting it nearly to chest level before flinching hard from pain.
"Well don't demonstrate if it hurts!"
"The water is helping it get better though."
"That doesn't look better to me! And why would you swim AND bathe at the same time? That's dumb."
"It's… how it's supposed to be done… I think…." He pondered momentarily, Melli just getting more frustrated.
"In your shorts?"
"Boxers."
"Why?"
"Modesty."
Melli just gave him a blank stare.
"What modesty? We're in the middle of nowhere!"
Snowflake blinked, trying to put his words together, but coming up blank.
"It just… feels right?" He rubbed his temple like the thought gave him a headache.
The Warden grumbled with fresh annoyance.
Of all the stupid things to get hung up on, why this?!
"Whatever! I have work to do!"
It was a pointless thing to discuss. Melli didn't have the time nor mental energy to question Snowflake's odd bathing habits further. Washing away grime with soap then submerging to the shoulders in water, instead of scrubbing first then rinsing off with a bucket on land? That method seemed counterproductive, soaking in dirty suds afterwards.
"Grrrr."
"I'm getting there!" Melli huffed at Skuntank's impatience, grabbing one of the new brushes Snowflake recently got.
Supposedly he did some trading with Volo, and they were definitely foreign made. He'd never seen anything quite like them, but they worked nicely.
"And would you keep your Rapidash out of my oil!"
"Cooper, no!" Snowflake snagged the vial right as Cooper came in for a big whiff. She tried reaching with her lips, but he retreated further into the river. "I know it smells nice, but you shouldn't eat it."
The Rapidash shook her head and huffed, retreating for the time being. She wouldn't get wet if she wasn't forced. That horse was stubborn about a bath too, though Snowflake somehow convinced her.
Somehow.
Why were these Pokémon always so chaotic-
"Wait! THAT'S why you've been eating my hair?!"
Cooper snorted and trotted away.
"Hey! I am TALKING to you! Get back here!"
No use. She was far too fast to catch, and clearly had no interest in entertaining Melli's rage.
"Stupid horse and stupid, stinky roommates…" Melli grumbled under his breath, attempting to focus on Skuntank's fur again.
"Breee!" Caboose trilled happily, paddling around her human, head and ears barely poking out of the water and her tail acting as a rudder. She used her ribbons to splash him lightly, Snowflake returning the favor.
They were having a lot of fun, while the yellow insect dubbed Kernel took a nap on some dry towels by Melli. Snowflake claimed he was too small and delicate for a bath, which he wouldn't disagree with.
Though Kernel just seemed off today. He was spending a lot of time sleeping, though it wasn't weird to see him get tired after extended periods away from Moonview.
Snowflake's attention eventually shifted towards a pile of boulders and rocks, staring at his Sneasel trying to creep around and find hiding spots for recently acquired nuts without being noticed.
Selfish, mischievous and skittish. The only one of their Pokémon besides Kernel that didn't get a bath.
With a tired sighed, Snowflake climbed out of the water and dried off, changing into his green pants. For whatever reason he didn't bother with a shirt or shoes yet. Melli was a little surprised by the lack of clothing. Sure, Snowflake was okay being shirtless around him and their Pokémon when changing, but anytime there was a slight chance others might see him or he'd be outside a tent, he'd wear long sleeves and a crew neck at the very least.
Melli wasn't used to seeing him so exposed.
The scarring from that Luxray attack continued from his face and neck down his chest and shoulders. They weren't massive tear scars like his facial ones, instead smaller and more numerous. According to Passell, his coat had been heavy enough to help mitigate some damage. Man Eater had a harder time getting a grip with its claws, instead leaving the skin marred permanently with many shallow pits and raised bumps. They were fading better than his facial scars, and may almost vanish one day. For now, however, they remained prominent.
His right arm hung at his side, not bothering with a sling either. Clearly less muscular than his left arm, made far more obvious with his already scraggly frame. Snowflake kept busy continuously trying to strengthen it though, and his efforts seemed to show some improvement. He couldn't lift it high or very far from his torso, but he managed to grip and carry light objects.
Digging through his pouch, Snowflake pulled out several grain cakes.
"I am going to speak with Stoker."
"If he'll let you close, go for it," Melli went back to brushing, annoyed when Snowflake called Skuntank to join him. "Hey! I wasn't done brushing him yet."
"I'll return him in just a second. Smelli is the only one Stoker doesn't fear other than Coal and Buggy, and those two won't get close."
Melli mumbled a few profanities and huffed, crossing his arms and watching Snowflake attempt to approach. Stoker was up in arms immediately, hackles standing on end and crouched low in submission.
Snowflake simply knelt on the ground and offered his lure cake. He spoke too softly for Melli to understand, but with Skuntank's encouragement Stoker eventually took very small, cautious steps closer to his trainer. Snagging the grain cake he rushed back to his rock pile and devoured it quickly, Snowflake offering more soft words.
It was honestly weird. Snowflake had been acting kinder towards Stoker the last few days. Now that he's thought more on it, he hadn't seen the guy do any more scary discipline since Kernel hatched.
Not that he needed too. His mere presence was enough to set that Sneasel off now.
Melli did his best to ignore whatever they were doing, trying to focus on brushing his own hair out. Still, his eyes drifted to the three of them, minutes ticking by without anything changing.
Until Stoker made a move closer. Snowflake held his bad arm as far forward as he could, letting the Sneasel approach cautiously. With the back of his knuckles, Stoker gently brushed against his hand and flinched, slowly gaining more confidence when nothing happened. The weasel's attention shifted to his chest scars, tracking a few of them with his knuckle before moving up to his face.
Snowflake barely reacted, just continuing to praise the gentle contact and offer more kind sounding words.
Melli was completely invested now, not even trying to hide his curiosity. What in the world was he doing? And why did that weird Sneasel seem to respond positively?
After another exchange of grain cakes, Snowflake slowly stood and beckoned Stoker to follow. With Skuntank at his side, the thief slowly trailed behind. He was still clearly nervous, but actually trying to cooperate.
"Come on, Stoker, just take a seat right here." Snowflake patted a flat rock next to the water.
The Sneasel growled, but Snowflake wouldn't take no for an answer.
"I promise to be gentle, and if this goes well, I'll give you a verrrry special gift, all to yourself."
Stoker took a minute to think, then two, and five more.
Cautiously the Sneasel inched his way closer to the river bank. He examined the rock closely, and the wooden bucket sitting next to it.
Snowflake sat cross legged and waited patiently, all while Skuntank never left Stoker's side.
Melli knew he was missing something. Why was Skuntank so involved? Sure he's great with Coal, but he thought that had to do with them being mates.
A gentle tap on the leg made his jump, swivelling around to see Caboose holding a towel with her ribbons wanting dried off. Coal sat panting behind her, looking slightly smaller with all that wet fur stuck to his body.
"Whatever, just give me the towel then." The Sylveon happily let him work, purring at his gentle rubbing, getting as much water from her fur as possible. She didn't let him stop there, presenting one of the new brushes and waiting for him to get started. Rolling his eyes, Melli knelt on the ground and brushed her fur out quickly.
At one point in time he would have blatantly refused to even touch her, much less brush her. Melli still didn't care for Fairy types, but after all these months of knowing Caboose, he felt fine being this close to her.
He just didn't want her on his lap. Flashbacks to their mountain climbing adventure still plagued him every now and again, knowing exactly how painful those ribbons could be when she wanted him moving.
The little slave driver.
Melli continued brushing, but snuck glances at Snowflake every so often. He'd managed to wet Stoker's fur with the bucket, now lathering his hands with a bar of soap.
"I'm going to massage soap into your wrist now. Make a noise if it becomes too much." Snowflake made clear every motion he would take before doing it, gently lathering soap into the Sneasel's fur. He flinched initially, but gradually started to relent when Snowflake didn't hurt him. Slowly he worked his full way up the arm and started the same process over again with his other hand, eventually moving onto the legs. Stoker remained tense, but his breathing gradually turned more and more relaxed.
"I'm gonna wash the front of your torso. Again, let me know if you need a stop." Snowflake started once again, this time Stoker's shoulders laxing completely. Even with one hand doing almost all the work, Snowflake knew exactly what spots to massage. His cheeks and shoulders especially got the creature purring hard, trying to knead his long claws into the sitting rock. A cleanse around the neck, shoulders and behind the ear had Stoker sprawled out on his belly in no time. Snowflake remained gentle, never touching Stoker's docked feather and stopping when his hands approached clearly forbidden areas.
"There, see? Nothing bad at all. Good boy."
"Groar!" Snowflake and Skuntank offered kind words and praise throughout the whole event, Stoker looking both relieved and a little disappointed.
"I'm going to rinse you off now, okay? Then I will brush out your fur. It's the same brush I used on Cooper earlier."
Stoker didn't care, too blissfully happy to protest. Melli watched in amazement as his roommate managed to rinse off, dry, and brush out that bundle of nerves without it getting defensive or trying to bolt. It was usually so flighty, but now it almost wanted attention. He just sprawled out on the rock, stretching his arms up for better brush access.
"You didn't get groomed by the other Sneasels very often, did you?"
"Sneeee…."
"I am sorry for asking." Snowflake dropped it at the sad sounding response.
"I thought Sneasels were loners?" Melli questioned. He forgot he was brushing Caboose, now too fascinated by whatever magic his friend just used.
"The light grey Sneasels are, but the darker colored ones form packs. Cuddling, grooming, sharing food, and sleeping in piles are all ways to reassure bonds with each other for a more solid group structure. I think Stoker was an outsider to his own kind." Snowflake pointed out some scarring that was hidden under matted fur and dirt. The scrawny thing had a lot more than Melli initially thought, especially around his backside. "Perhaps not always, but it likely escalated after his feather was docked. He was probably the lowest rank in their pack, or driven out often at the very least."
"… ah." Melli didn't have much to say. For the first time he actually felt bad for the thieving Sneasel. Sure he brought a lot of the pain on himself by angering his old pack mates, but still… The experience was all too familiar.
Why did they end up with all the socially inept Pokémon?
Well, they were both socially inept humans. They probably just attracted like minded Pokémon.
Unfortunately.
Snowflake collected the dead hair in a rolled up wet ball at his side, continuing to accumulate more and more. Melli could really see how scrawny Stoker was too, now that he wasn't puffed up and running. Far thinner than a Sneasel should be anyway. Did that have anything to do with his thieving tendencies? Or was that something he always did?
A mystery he'd never solve most likely.
"Wow, you had a lot of dead fur, but you're a brand new Sneasel now." Snowflake finished with the brush and let Stoker examine himself. "And for being so good, I have a brand new gift just for you." He fished through his shoulder bag of brushes, pulling out a satchel with a tiny child's belt, similar in style to Akari's bag but a little smaller. "This is yours, Stoker. You can keep your treasures here and carry them with you. However," his voice took on a warning tone at the last word, enough to make Stoker flinch. Snowflake backed it down a little at his reaction. "My apologies, but if you steal anything, you will lose the bag. If you want something from either of us, you need to work with us for it."
Stoker looked at the leather bag, wanting to take it but still very hesitant.
"It's okay. Just stop stealing and it is yours forever, okay?"
The Pokémon thought it over for a minute longer, finally nodding and slowly accepting his prize.
"Very good," Snowflake smiled wide. "I'll help you put it on. See how it's made with leather? Verrry hard to cut through unless you apply pressure." He helped fit the thing around his waists, like a belt and hip pouch.
"… how?"
"Huh?"
"You heard me." Melli huffed. "Just last week that Sneasel wouldn't go near you, and now he's letting you brush him? What in Sinnoh's name did you do?"
Snowflake hummed. Caboose, tired of being ignored, now pawed at her human for attention. He gave her a few scratches behind the ear.
"You said my Pokémon are scared of me."
"… what?" Melli blinked. He vaguely remembered that conversation, but there was a lot going on back then.
"Ever since you pointed it out, I noticed more and more how correct you are. A relationship between humans and Pokémon should not be built on fear, so I've been trying to change," He smiled, a small genuine grin that didn't reach his ears. "Stoker is more skittish when we're together, so I've been working with him during your Melli Time."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You know, when you say you need to lay down or pray and you're off on your own for a few hours? Melli Time."
"… oh."
Was it really several hours at a time? And so frequent? He didn't think he left Snowflake alone for that long.
"It took some observation, but I think I found the best way to approach Stoker," Snowflake continued, grinning at the Sneasel now carefully placing wild berries in his new bag. "He needs a stable pack with positive reinforcement and built up trust. I wasn't providing that when I first captured him, but I'm determined to fix my blunder and get us all on the right track to victory." He pointed ahead, at what in particular Melli wasn't sure.
"… the lack of a shirt?"
"I promised I'd let him see."
"Establishing trust. I get it." Melli looked off to the side, still mulling over Snowflake's words. He never needed to go through such efforts to befriend a Pokémon, or at least be amicable with one. Maybe he had some clout among local Pokémon as a Warden, or he was just better with Pokémon then people.
Then again, he generally didn't greet one by scaring it half to death.
Skuntank growled, now finished with Stoker and wanting the rest of his coat brushed out. The Warden quickly went back to work, removing as much dead, coarse hair as possible while watching Snowflake and Stoker. It was weird, seeing him trying for a gentler approach.
Melli had to admit, it seemed to be working.
Speaking of change, there was something he's been needing to ask for a while.
Calaba was sure to nag him about it every chance she could. He didn't want to do it, distressing Snowflake given his history, but he'd come into contact with more large, dangerous Pokémon eventually.
"Hey, Snowflake?"
"Yes?"
"Since you mentioned wanting to change," Melli looked off to the river, not really sure how to approach this. "Do you think you'd be willing to meet some of the more… monstrous Nobles? I know you don't like the really big, predator ones, but it's… uh… good to get used to them?"
Snowflake looked down at Caboose, the little Pokémon trilling with encouragement.
"Hmmm… one thing at a time." The man sounded sure of his answer, and Melli wasn't going to push him.
He could safely tell Calaba that he tried.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
It was nearing sunset when they returned to Moonview. Both men were exhausted, but all of their Pokémon came out clean and happy.
Except for Buggy. He remained in self imposed isolation inside his Pokeball to show lingering displeasure.
Melli wouldn't let that thing in his tent for at least a few days. Last time Buggy was upset with them it peed in Melli's bedroll, and no matter how hard he scrubbed the smell wouldn't come out. He ended up cutting out the soiled section and burning it, yet it somehow made the flames smell like piss, leaving them both stunned how that even worked.
He blamed it on that thing's vengeful ghost powers.
Putting their belongings away, Melli decided to polish Lord Electrode one final time while Snowflake prepared dinner. It was another soup recipe Calaba showed him, and the guy was very eager to try it.
The large Noble came out upon Melli's arrival, happily greeting him with a low growl.
"My Lord Electrode." Melli bowed, offering him a piece of rock salt before getting to work. It was always relaxing cleaning the dirt and grime from his Noble, despite the high increase in noise thanks to all the new Pokémon that now lived there. Skuntank and Coal met up with Melli's Zubat and Skorupi, having a small chat amongst themselves far outside of Melli's understanding. Those two bolted as soon as "bath day" was announced following Coal's sticky sap situation.
The only smart Pokémon of the lot.
Snowflake's Rapidash decided to run laps around Moonview arena, leaping over the odd Voltorb that crossed her path while Caboose watched. Meanwhile, Stoker went to all of his hiding spots to collect his treasures for safekeeping in his new bag.
Melli needed to figure out what Snowflake could possibly be giving Volo to get so many supplies, especially oddball ones like brushes and bags.
"M-Melli!"
The Warden bolted to his feet at Snowflake's tone. A stutter with a slight waiver to his normal monotone cadence.
Something bad happened.
"Snowflake? What's wrong? Is it Lady Sneasler again?!" He swore if that giant weasel was trying to snatch him, he'd let Skuntank spray until her claws shrivelled.
Snowflake came around Lord Electrode before Melli could, cradling a little fuzz ball in his hand. It was Kernel, lying motionless on his back with all four legs tucked into his body.
Melli's heart sank.
He'd seen insect Pokémon in that position before, and none of them were breathing.
"How long has he been like that?"
"A few minutes. He'd been sluggish since we traveled back, so I tried giving him a honey cake. He just rolled over and hasn't moved since." His smile was twitching, held in a thin distressed line.
Several Voltorb approached hearing his voice, all worried and curious about their electric tolerant friend.
"… I'm sorry, Snowflake. It appears to me that he's, uh… been embraced by Lord Sinnoh's loving arms."
His friend blinked, waiting for more explanation.
"Passed away."
…
"… I was afraid you'd say that." Snowflake's voice didn't give anything else away, but his smile was too small, almost nonexistent. "I hoped you'd have a magical cure I didn't know about."
"I… can't fix death, sadly." Melli felt genuinely bad. He should have realized something serious was wrong by how sluggish Kernel was at the river. Perhaps if he'd acted back then, the little insect would still be here.
A foolish mistake for any Warden to make especially. If something like that happened with Lord Electrode, he wasn't sure how he'd respond.
Nobody ever taught him.
Snowflake held the body close to his stomach, rubbing the fingers on his bad hand gently across its soft brown belly trying one last time for a reaction. "Come on, Kernel. If this is a joke, it is verrrrrry cruel."
Still no movement.
Caboose rushed in feeling her human's distress. She quickly latched onto his arm, though her efforts didn't help. He finally accepted reality, shoulders falling tiredly.
"I am sorry, Kernel. I didn't do a good job taking care of you… I'll… find a nice spot for you to rest…" head low, the Skyfaller turned around and sluggishly made his way towards Lord Electrode's tree. Said Noble was looking at him sympathetically, until a poorly balanced Voltorb fell from the branches above with a screech. It landed mere inches away, letting out a startled shock.
Snowflake and Caboose both jolted, hairs standing on end and yelping.
"Snowflake!" Melli dropped his waxing cloth and ran over. "Are you alright?!"
He tensely held the body to his chest protectively, staggering now that the electricity had stopped. Slowly he released his fingers to show what was presumably a corpse. Sparking, the little insect opened its eyes with a snap, bouncing happily to its feet and scampering up Snowflake's arm and shoulders.
"Kernel! You're okay!"
The little insect continued hopping, Melli still too stunned to really say or do much.
What could he say to a Pokémon being resurrected by a stray discharge of electricity?
"How is it not dead?!"
"I don't know…" Snowflake hummed, letting Kernel down to the ground with a still frazzled Caboose. "Perhaps it feeds on electricity? That would explain why he gets so tired when we leave the arena for long periods."
"…. I've never heard of an electricity eating Pokémon."
"Do you have any other suggestions?"
Melli huffed, looking down at the little creature currently playing a jumping game with Caboose.
"Well, given we know what he eats now, I don't want this happening again." Snowflake smiled.
Before Melli could respond, his roommate already threw a Pokeball at the dazed Voltorb that shocked him, the thing too stunned to fight back. With three shakes it was officially captured, Snowflake grinning happily.
"It has verrrry nice stats too. You can tell by the shine one its surface and perfect roundness. A Timid Nature most likely? I wonder if I'm right."
Melli just pinched the bridge of his nose. Only Snowflake would capture Pokémon on a whim like that.
Scratch that. Knowing how Akari worked, it was definitely a Skyfaller thing.
He released the Voltorb from its ball, the thing swivelling around confused before looking at the two humans.
"Hello friend. I hope you don't mind being a part of the team." Snowflake gave a proper greeting, hair and sideburns still sticking out at odd angles thanks to that earlier zap. He looked absolutely insane, though that wasn't anything new.
Caboose trilled in her own greeting, Kernel leaping around the Voltorb in fresh excitement. The Voltorb growled, picking up the positive energy and bouncing in place.
Until it landed directly on Kernel.
Everyone froze.
The world became unnaturally quiet, time slowing down. Melli glanced in Snowflake's direction unsure what he'd do.
"… K-Kernel?" He was already radiating that dark energy. Melli tensed knowing this wouldn't end well.
Voltorb blinked and rolled back a few inches, the slightly squashed yellow insect quickly bouncing back into shape and crawling on his new food source.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"That was almost verrrry bad." Snowflake's smile twitched, though he held back from full out leering. It was weird seeing him trying to act so restrained, but Melli wasn't complaining.
He was honestly a bit scared of angry Snowflake, though he'd never say so out loud.
Kernel crawled around the Voltorbs body multiple times, finding the hole at the top of its head and jumping inside. Melli started to protest, but the insect simply poked its fuzzy face out of the hole and wiggled.
Well, Voltorb didn't seem to mind at the very least.
"Do you have any nickname suggestions?"
Melli paused, glancing at Snowflake's expectant face.
"Why are you asking me?"
"You came up with a great nickname for Smelli and myself. I know you'll have a wonderful suggestion."
Well, perhaps he had a point.
Melli hummed, rolling some options around in his head.
What would be a good nickname?
Ball?
Rock?
Mellon?
He wasn't really sure at the moment. He'd need to give it more thought.
For the time being, they would take solace in the fact none of their Pokémon were dead.
"XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Ingo sat in a small clearing near several fallen columns, watching the sky change from a pale morning blue to sunset orange.
Alone
He couldn't help but curse. After all this time, he thought he solved it. All of Man Eater's attacks were on lone individuals. Snowflake was by himself when his mauling occurred, backup not arriving until later. The same with Rai, and the other recent victims. Even if Irida would be angry, he needed to test the theory for himself. He spent the entire day in this one spot on the mountain, Gliscor not far off watching in case something happened. Given how silent Snickers was, he thought the scorpion bat may have ditched. Thankfully the bond with his Pokémon was strong, and he trusted Snickers to stay in place.
That didn't mean Man Eater would show his face sadly.
He'd spent all day waiting. Watching the occasional Chimecho that floated his direction before bolting the other way, or a lone Sudowoodo eager to show off various poses wanting an audience.
He'd even spent a while getting lost reading older entries in his journal, hoping he just needed to act distracted for an attack to happen.
Nothing.
Just an entire day wasted.
Standing up he brushed away a few leaves stuck on his tattered coat, placing two fingers in his mouth and calling his Gliscor back. Snickers returned just as he expected, a large smirk ever present and eager for Ingo's next instruction.
"I apologise. I fear my theory led us down the wrong tracks."
Gliscor growled low, perching on his shoulders wanting chin scratches. The Warden obliged, stepping closer to the cliff side deciding to watch the sunset. If he wasn't going to get anything accomplished today, he might as well end it with a beautiful show.
The two watched the sky shift from orange to purple, the residual rays from the sun barely peeking over the horizon. The stars were showing themselves now, an uncountable number of bright dots speckling the endless sea of darkness.
The mountain range itself was bustling with activity, despite the darkness hiding most of it from view.
Nocturnal Pokémon made themselves busy. Zubat frantically fluttering from place to place, Haunters and Ghastlies scaring sleeping Pokémon and trying to pull pranks on each other.
He could even spot several wisps in the distance, purple light faint yet ever presence, acting as a decent guide in the darkness.
Though that wisp he didn't remember.
Ingo's eyes narrowed trying to get a better look.
That wasn't really a wisp.
It was a purple flame, but the wrong shade of purple, and it moved.
Even if it was slow, he could see it gradually getting closer.
It was coming towards him, and for whatever reason he felt drawn to it.
A luring light.
He knew that flame.
He'd seen it before.
A lifetime ago, one that he hardly remembered, but still a faint fixture that never truly left his mind.
Follow it.
With Snickers by his side, Ingo made his way down the mountainside.