The Doomed Sprout
Chapter 3
« Considering everything else, I'm surprised you've been so cautious with your approach », the deep voice was a familiar one.
The one to answer sounded strikingly similar, yet unique. « Yet you've seen just how impressive of a change it is. If I am not cautious, it will be noticed, Palkia, especially since it interferes with his own choice »
Palkia seemed curious, pushing for answers. « His choice ? So you know what this choice is ?»
The second voice sighed, their voice tinged with sadness. « It is not hard to see, even if it has no relation to time. Destruction is left all around, and there is little Pokemon can do about it. That is why I chose my approach. Perhaps you will follow suit, given you have not acted already »
The gargantuan Pokemon smiled, before turning back to leave. As they left, their voice resonated through the empty space. « I already have, indeed »
« So, are you confident there's a water source in this cave ? »
Fen was eyeing the gigantic hole on the mossy mountain, a very well-hidden cave from far away, which explains how she'd never seen it from her tree. Exploration seemed a lot less dangerous when I was just planning it from up there..., the Nidoran thought, before sighing, and stepping forwards, rejoining Lumin who had been waiting, frozen in place. Arceus knows how he even noticed her walking, he just started again without even turning back.
The morning had come with a few important realizations from Fen's side.
First, the transition from being asleep to awake was just as quick as yesterday, with barely any drowsy feeling, meaning that falling asleep wasn't as dangerous in this world and she won't be stuck always sleeping on trees for protection. Hopefully.
Second, whichever reason that Shinx had to help him, it's still going on. He was waiting for her when she woke up, meaning he might actually be a long-term ally and guide, which… Isn't how hunter and prey usually act but hey, she ain't complaining.
Third, water is still the basis of life, and today they need to go get some. According to Lumin, there is a cave they need to go through to find a source. Probably gonna have a lot of Pokemon around that source, too.
Fourth, and the most curious one, there seemed to be a second leaf bed on the ground, not too far from the tree. It seems Lumin's learning from the Nidoran's actions, even though he keeps saying it's unnatural.
...To be fair to him, it is, humans aren't supposed to exist here, and neither do leaf beds.
« After the cave, yes. We'll also be able to hunt there »
The Shinx's calm voice brought Fen some confidence. Even if she wasn't that good at protecting herself, she wasn't alone and was hoping the Shinx was skilled enough to deter most Pokemon.
« I'd still rather we find fruits. If there's water, there's trees and vegetation. »
« I need food for the pack », retorted Lumin.
« Then we'll get enough for both us and your pack ! ». Fen shot back, still uncomfortable with the mere idea of hunting Pokemon. If they can eat natural products just fine, what made them try out meat in the first place ? Fen wondered. Is this some super hostile Pokemon world ?
As the duo progressed into the cave, Lumin proved its namesake, lighting up a small area around him, his fur shining admittedly pretty lightly, though his tail proved to be a lot brighter, much to the Nidoran's relief. She didn't like being in caves, if there's anything to know about Pokemon, it's that where there are caves, there are Zubats. Or Woobats. Or any sort of scary Pokemon that has absolutely no issue with the dark while she's defenseless. Though… taking a closer look, that cave seemed different from what Fen expected. There was.. ice ? All around them, ice was reflecting the light, making the cave surprisingly bright, showing the vast space they were in. Fen realized that her breathing was making puffs of cold air, despite her feeling comfortable. Maybe Nidorans have a coat thick enough to protect themselves from the cold ? Boy, that'd open up my settlement options a lot, she realized. Though I doubt I'd be able to get Lumin to stay with me, he's shivering already. Would that get easier as he evolves ? Gah, I'm not a scientist, why am I supposed to figure out all these things !
« You seem frustrated ». Lumin had stopped moving and was now staring at Fen's sour expression.
« That's because I am, smartass », she snapped back. The Shinx just tilted his head in confusion, earning a groan from her. « Just… Let's keep going, okay ? Are there many Pokemon in this cave ? »
« Yes. They live deeper in because this path is used often »
Fen looked around, alerted by this. « Doesn't that mean we're going to meet other Pokemon ? »
« Not here, we will at the pond. Most Pokemon come here in flocks, to deter predators like us- I mean, like me ». Lumin seemed tense, for some reason, though Fen paid it no mind, focusing on any sound or smell that may alert them of incoming Pokemon. Ever since looking for the Pecha berries, the Nidoran had noticed that her sense of smell was gradually improving, and she was able to rely on it as much as her eyes, which was quite confusing to her poor human brain. One more reason why Pokemon instinct is just... better, at least sometimes.
As it turned out, Lumin was completely right in his assumption that they wouldn't meet anyone in there, as the exit was in sight, and still not a single Pokemon was found. There were only pockets of darkness, ice, and a big swooshy lightbulb attached to a blue cat's tail. Man, Pokemon are weirdly hypnotic when you look at their tail for too long… Not that anyone was, of course.
Tails sucked anyway.
« I recommend we plan ahead before reaching the pond »
Fen was startled by the sudden question, flinching slightly before the ice beneath her paws dragged her to the side, and she slips and falls down.
« ...Ow. Couldn't have waited till we were outside the cave ? », she replied, grumpy, while pushing herself up.
« The cave lets us be more hidden for now ». To Lumin's merit, he no longer showed hostility over any questions she ever asked, a fact that helped her greatly, as she had dreaded the idea of not being able to ask sarcastic questions. And regular questions, that too.
« Well, if there's Pokemon there, you scare them off, and we take whatever's edible that's growing in this pond. If you can't scare them off, I poison them and you run. Good plan, right there »
« Understood »
The Nidoran grew slightly frustrated at this. She herself knew the flaws of that plan, like what they'd do if the opponent couldn't be poisoned, but apparently he didn't notice anything wrong ? He's supposed to be the fighter, not her ! It looks like I'll have the be the brains in this, no surprise there… Water's too important for us not to go there, but maybe we could look for a water-type Pokemon, could these create safe, usable water ? That's for the long term, for this trip though, hmm...
Fen looked around, poking at the stone edge of the cavern's exit. As she got ready to follow the Shinx, a fairly large ice sculpture took her attention. It was weirdly shaped, with a long shape yet two very thing slabs of ice were going away from the main body, in front and on the top. Almost like some sort of... ice bench. As she inspected the sculpture closer, she froze, before yelling.
« Lumin ! Come here, now ! Forget the water for now ! »
Two hours have passed since the discovery of the bench, and Fen's head was still going at extreme speeds to consider the possibilities. That wasn't an ice bench. That was a real, honest-to-goodness, terribly old wooden bench. The wood was likely rotten and would never serve its original purpose again, but that wasn't what was important. Two things came before that, in fact.
The first thing is that humans are real. There is no denying it, that bench is a human structure. Humans existed, and there were bound to be at least a few relics of the past that she could use to her advantage. Lumin had absolutely no idea of what humans were, and considering Fen knows barely anyone else on this planet, she'll have to assume that it's the norm for every Pokemon, meaning no one would know how to use their mechanism if any are left to use. So humans were there, but disappeared… She'd blame nature for that too, alongside dragging a poor med student into this world without consent, but let's be honest, humans don't need help to disappear from the face of the world.
The second thing, though…
Fen looked to her side, a small ice cube being slowly melted down by the proximity of a small fire around which she and Lumin were seated. Through the ice, a small orange metallic box could be seen, with two sets of cables. One Fen assumed was the earplugs, while the other was probably for recharging the thing. Said thing was still unknown, but the fact that there were earplugs made it obvious it's something for music. And being able to have music was a luxury she'd absolutely abuse the heck out of, considering she's walking around with a living battery... If the thing still worked.
« I am unsure what we are doing ». Lumin was staring at the ice block as if it'd answer, shifting around uncomfortably.
« We're just waiting on this to melt. Fire helps with that, but it's slow », came the answer, from a cheerful Fen rather than the ice cube. « You have no idea how useful your Fire Fangs are, buddy. I'll get you to understand someday »
« I don't need to learn Outcast methods ». Fen flinched over his reaction, her smile disappearing.
« ...Fine. Enjoy being cold », she spat back through gritted teeth.
The Shinx looked surprised, but said nothing. They both waited near the fire in silence.
Eventually, the ice melted enough for them to free the machine. On closer inspection, Fen could notice a scrolling wheel and recognized it as an iPod. Seems like music was the only thing they could expect from it, which, frankly, was already a lot more than she ever expected. Anything that could remind her of home was worth savoring, and savor it, she shall. Fen poked at the circle, fiddling around with it until it unexpectedly lit up, showing a list of letters neatly arranged into words, none of which she could recognize. It seemed human, but a language that had completely different roots aside from the alphabet. Still, the Nidoran felt amazed at the fact that she was essentially holding a relic that was likely a few millenias old, and which.. still worked? How sturdy were these things... Ah, no, it looks like the earplugs aren't really holding out as well, with the cable breaking over the cold. At this, Fen slows down heavily when extracting the charging plug. She couldn't afford to lose that one. In any case, the battery seemed to be almost fully drained, which, aside from the extra load of questions this brought, reminded Fen that she'd need to recharge this thing probably sooner than later. After thinking it over for a while, she looked onto her side, nudging the Shinx who immediately stood ready for combat, bearing fangs.
« Ease off, sparky boy. The machine's in good condition. I think it's an iPod, which.. well, you'll see soon enough. Do you know if you could generate a small amount of electricity, to feed it with ? »
Lumin seemed confused, trying to find a mouth etched onto the iPod, before Fen asked again.
« I said : do you know how to generate a small amount of electricity ? »
« My legs do when I walk. Helps me store up a charge for combat »
The Nidoran seemed satisfied. « Good enough for me, hold still ! », she said, while bringing a small cable ending on a white patch onto Lumin's front right leg. The adhesive was obviously no longer working, but it seemed like the scratch part would do enough to keep it in place, holding onto the fur. He seemed completely okay with an alien machine being stuck to his leg, so Fen didn't try to ask how he felt, instead pushing the both of them to walk, as she placed the Ipod on his tail, making use of his dexterity. Please let there be bags somewhere, she prayed, before turning back to the exit.
« Let's go, Lumin, we've wasted enough time. Let's work these legs of yours »
« We should be still on time », came the answer, as he started moving at a rapid pace, needing Fen to run and stumble to catch up.
« Hey, I'm still new to that, I need my own legs to work too ! »
As the pair left the cave, a small Pokemon leaped inside. They giggle, happy to finally be free to go on. The Pokemon goes to a stalagmite near the entrance, humming gently as they ready themselves, before cutting it with their tail. Their work done, they leave, stalagmite held in that same tail.
« Don't need no stinking pond to get any water, what a silly group, eheh... »
The Pokemon giggles, before leaving the cave, going on their merry way and leaving a light shimmer as they dash away.