...
The most absolutely, unequivocally, soul-crushingly annoying thing about this "Harvest Festival" in Eindoak this time around? They couldn't refuse a single goddamn battle invitation. Not one!
So many fucking people swarmed in, like a plague of overly enthusiastic Pidgey. Even if they weren't all top-tier Trainers, every single goddamn challenge was enough to make Natsu feel like he'd been hit by a Hyper Beam straight to his damn soul – utterly, completely, ridiculously exhausted.
Not everyone was aiming for the bloody top three, for Arceus's sake.
Most of these eager beavers knew their strength wasn't enough to make a Croagunk cry, they just wanted to soak up the damn glory, the sheer thrill of a battle. What do you call a lazy Slowpoke? A Slow-poke-oh-no! Ha! Still funny, you magnificent morons!
So.
As the damn crowd finally, mercifully, started to thin out like a retreating Hariyama, Natsu leaned back against Juanita's stand, sucking in air like a drowning Magikarp. He had dozens of these wooden pendants clutched in his hand, a testament to his unending torture.
Of course, Togekiss and Eevee were the ones truly feeling the burn, those poor bastards, more knackered than a Snorlax after a marathon.
Even though Natsu knew this whole damn thing was just a glorified "fish pond" game, seeing the pitiful Pokémon some of those greenhorn trainers trotted out was absolutely unbearable to witness, a true affront to his Trainer's pride. So, bless his damn heart, Natsu just had to send out Eevee.
But even with Eevee battling, that little she-devil made it look like child's play, effortlessly winning against most of these average trainers. She was practically yawn-battling.
Even if she somehow stumbled upon an (elite) Pokémon with similar power, with Natsu's tactical genius and his commanding ability, it was no sweat off Eevee's hide to snatch a win. She'd probably just wink and blast 'em.
On the contrary, using Eevee in battle only cemented his goddamn status as the "Eevee Master." What a fucking genius, right? Why did the Eevee cross the road? To get to the other side of her evolution, you dumbasses! Get it? Evolution!
"Sir Natsu, thank you so much for this time around. You're a damn lifesaver."
After the crowd finally buggered off, Carlita brought her Hydreigon over to Natsu, bowing with a sincerity that was almost painful. She'd just witnessed Natsu's dozens upon dozens of consecutive wins, and it had clearly left her slack-jawed.
"Nah, don't you dare, you little shit. I should be thanking you. After all, you and your goddamn Hydreigon were quick as hell to protect my sorry ass when I was caught in the line of fire. You saved my bacon, plain and simple," Natsu said with a grin, a genuine one this time. He himself had been standing right in the middle of the stand when that wild Tyranitar decided to go full-on Godzilla.
Carlita scratched the back of her head, a little sheepishly, a blush creeping up her neck. "I didn't know you were Sir Natsu back then, honest! I was just worried sick about my mom and her stand getting totally fucked up."
But what Natsu said? Pure gold for Carlita. At least what she did wasn't a total goddamn waste.
"Mr. Natsu, thank you!"
It wasn't just Carlita who wanted to thank Natsu; the little shit kid in green from earlier also chimed in, looking like he'd just dodged a bullet. That rampaging Tyranitar was his summoned Pokémon, but he couldn't control the damn thing for squat. If Natsu hadn't put a stop to that monstrous Tyranitar, who the hell knew how much carnage would've ensued? Total goddamn chaos!
"That wasn't your Pokémon, was it, kid?" Natsu asked, shaking his head with a slight sigh.
"Nah, that's my dad's damn Tyranitar. I originally wanted to show off its prestige, you know, look cool? But I didn't expect it to turn into this giant pile of flaming dog shit." The kid looked genuinely remorseful, his face a picture of pure regret.
Seriously.
Pokémon like Tyranitar are not for your average, everyday dimwitted Trainer. Natsu was starting to get a nagging feeling that the kid's dad wasn't some ordinary character either. That Tyranitar was damn near semi-Elite strength; if he'd let it go for even a moment longer, Eindoak would've been a fucking wreck. A pile of rubble!
Of course.
Besides this little punk, the girl beside him, Carlita, Natsu recognized her too. She is the younger sister of Damon in the original movie version; Damon is the "People of the Vale" recognized by the Black Dragon or White Dragon, who intended to restore the valley land with the help of Victini's power. Yeah, the whole damn legend thing.
"Pay attention next time, kid. Being a Trainer isn't just about looking all flashy and magnificent; it also carries a truckload of responsibility and obligations, you little shit. Take your own Pokémon and train it like your life depends on it. When you grow up, that Tyranitar might just deign to recognize you." Natsu said, patting the boy's head, probably leaving a mark.
"Uh huh."
Responsibility and obligation. Those words hit the little kid like a goddamn Thunderbolt, making him truly feel the crushing weight, the utter difficulty, of being a Trainer. After bowing again to Natsu, looking utterly humbled, the kid gave Natsu his pendant too, then scurried off with a few of his friends, probably to rethink their entire damn lives.
Carlita, standing beside them, watched Natsu teaching the boy, and she couldn't help but think of her own damn brother.
"Mr. Natsu is truly a good person," she mused, a little sigh escaping her lips.
"Sir, this one's mine." Carlita took off her own pendant from her neck, offering it.
"Nah, keep it, you little shit. Don't be a damn fool. Battle more with other Trainers. Your Hydreigon has been trained damn well, but he lacks battle experience. Fighting more is good for both you and him, trust me on this."
Natsu stopped Carlita from offering her pendant, a firm hand holding her back. Then, with a casual wave to Juanita and Carlita, he sauntered off with Eevee and Togekiss, who were both knackered beyond belief.
"Alright, let's go buy some macarons and reward you two little shits. You earned it, you glorious bastards."
"Eev!!"
"I wanna eat twenty, you cheapskate! NO! Thirty, goddammit, thirty!"
"Chaa!"
"I wanna eat forty, you stingy ass!"
"Eev!"
"Chaa!"
"..."
As the sounds of the two Pokémon squabbling like a pair of drunk Meowth faded into the distance, Natsu also slowly disappeared from their sight. What do you call a Pokémon that's always late? A tardy-gator! Ha! Still hilarious, right?
"Viicct?"
Victini reappeared on the roof of the stand, looking in the direction Natsu had gone, and then staring at his own damn palm. He felt goddamn weird, like a Caterpie trying to understand quantum physics. He clearly hadn't used his power.
So why the hell did this bastard keep winning? Shaking his head, he subconsciously started drifting, moving in Natsu's direction, floating off like a fluffy cloud.
"He's an amazing trainer, Carlita, you really must learn from him." Juanita said, looking at the money Natsu had thoughtfully placed on the stand, unable to stop herself from smiling like a damn Chesnaught with a full belly.
"En." Carlita nodded in agreement, then slapped her forehead with a loud thwack.
"Aiya! I forgot to ask for his signature, for fuck's sake! What a goddamn blunder!"
"It's alright, sweetie. Don't be a drama queen. With Mr. Natsu's abilities, he'll definitely win the top three in the end. When that time comes, you can ask him for it."
"Right!"
Carlita relaxed a little, the tension draining from her like a Drowzee's dreams.
At this moment, a young man with hair that was half-black, half-white, like a confused Zorua, walked over quickly.
"Big brother!"
Seeing someone approach, Carlita's eyes immediately lit up like a damn Voltorb.
"Damon, you're back?"
"Mom." Damon greeted Juanita first, then ruffled Carlita's hair with a smile, acting all brotherly and shit. "Today is the 'Harvest Festival', so of course I'd come back, you silly goose."
As he spoke, he also proudly showed off the pendant in his hand.
"You participated too?"
Damon nodded, his gaze distant. Staring at the "Sword of the Vale" not far away, he muttered something to himself, almost like a damn incantation.
"'The People of the Vale' must achieve self-salvation. It all begins with the 'Sword of the Vale' and it will end here," he murmured, cryptic as a goddamn Unown.
...
...
...
"Here, you two little shits, eat first."
Because the macaron business was booming like a damn wildfire, Natsu had to give each of his two Pokémon a portion to scarf down first, then wait for the boss to whip up more. They both understood, those little geniuses, and sat in the corner of the booth with their bags in hand, munching on their macarons, probably planning world domination with every bite.
"Vicctii~~"
Victini, who was still skulking in the shadows like a tiny, adorable ninja, watched Togekiss and Eevee chewing their hearts out, and quietly swallowed his own damn saliva, a drooling mess.
"Eev?"
Eevee seemed to catch a whiff of something, or maybe just a psychic vibe, and lifted her head, her gaze drifting toward Victini.
"Victiiin!"
Victini shivered like a Bidoof in a blizzard and promptly vanished, a blur of pure panic.
"Eeveevv~~"
Eevee rubbed her eyes, "Did I just see a ghost, you absolute fuck?" And hurriedly tugged at Togekiss beside her, gesturing wildly that there was a Pokémon there she'd never seen before. A Pokémon!
"Cha?"
Togekiss looked up and scanned around.
"Where the fuck is it, you dizzy bitch?"
"Eev!"
Eevee glared, practically snarling, she totally saw it, and more than once! That little shit was definitely there!
Immediately, Eevee's little eyes spun, a cunning gleam entering them.
"Eev~"
"Let me show you, you stupid ass~"
As she spoke, she took a macaron and, with a flick of her paw, tossed it into the air under Togekiss's curious, slightly bewildered gaze. The pink macaron drew a beautiful arc in the air, a sugary projectile of deception.
Both of them watched this macaron, their eyes wide, almost hitting the ground. As Natsu said, you can't eat anything that falls on the ground, wouldn't that be a total waste of a good macaron, you morons? The horror!
However.
Before they could even fully show their expressions of utter, crushing regret, the macaron suddenly froze, hovering in mid-air like it was caught by an invisible string.
kaz kaz -
With a series of distinct chewing sounds, the macaron disappeared piece by piece, as if devoured by a ghost.
"Cha!"
"Holy shit, really! You weren't lying, you cheeky little bastard!"
Eevee tilted her head and glanced at Togekiss, a smug "I told you so" written all over her face. I wasn't lying, was I, you big dumbass?
However, Togekiss's experience was clearly far richer than Eevee's. She took a few deliberate steps on the ground with her short little legs, not getting too close, but then she deliberately nudged a piece of chocolate-flavored macaron onto her wing. A subtle trap, that sly bitch.
The next second.
Togekiss felt her wing get lighter. The macaron was snatched away. And chewed in the air again. That greedy little invisible shit!
"Chaa~~"
Togekiss and Eevee exchanged a look, a shared understanding passing between them.
Then.
They both sat on the ground, holding their respective macarons in silent, mischievous understanding, and from time to time, they'd theatrically toss macarons into the air. The invisible Victini, bless his naive little heart, naturally opened up to everything that came his way. What's a Pokémon's favorite type of magic? Trick Room! Haha!
After going back and forth, playing this little game, Victini's timid nature gradually became bolder. He looked at Togekiss and Eevee without a shred of hostility, probably thinking they were the coolest, most generous Pokémon he'd ever met. Even Togekiss exuded a faint aura of friendliness and blessing, like a damn guardian angel, and finally, he no longer hid. He also slowly floated down from the air and actually sat with them, eating their free macarons. What a score!
Seeing Victini's appearance, Togekiss and Eevee looked at each other again, a subtle, smug smile on both their faces, a smirk of pure, unadulterated "success."
This routine, this masterful scam, Togekiss had learned seven or eight parts of it from Natsu himself. The little devil!
Now.
Togekiss was passing on "their routine" to Eevee. The clever Eevee had seen it before, and now she could learn it with embarrassing ease.
"Viictiin~~"
Although Victini has lived for thousands of years, he rarely came into contact with humans. Of course, he didn't know that the two Pokémon beside him had been utterly corrupted by Natsu's cunning little brain. He just sat on the ground, happily munching on his favorite macaron, his eyes cast down in blissful ignorance, unspeakably happy.
"Viictiin~~"
Even as he ate joyfully, he went so far as to swing his little feet, looking comfortable and absolutely blissful, a true picture of innocent happiness.
Suddenly.
"Chaa?" Togekiss said, but she wasn't talking to Victini; she was talking to Eevee, loud enough for their new friend to hear.
"Macarons are good, but I really, really wanna eat some goddamn ice cream now~"
Eevee rolled her eyes, playing along like the little actress she was, and hurriedly nodded.
"Eev~~"
"Yeah, yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing, you smartass~"
"Cha~~"
"I feel like ice cream is way better. So much better. It's the best."
"Eevv~" Eevee shook her head dramatically.
"I think macarons are better, you dumbass. They're clearly superior!'"
"No, it's ice cream, you absolute philistine!"
"It's a macaron, you fucking idiot! You wouldn't know good taste if it bit you on the ass!"
"..."
Victini listened to their conversation, utterly captivated, and a genuine question popped into his little head.
"Viiic?"
"What the hell is ice cream?"
"Evv~" Eevee answered him quickly, her voice dripping with mock-reverence.
"It's something cold, cool, and unbelievably sweet, you moron. A taste of pure heaven!"
"Chaa!" Togekiss nodded, and added a sentence at the same time, her voice equally dramatic.
"Soft, slippery, and creamy. Oh, so creamy! I like vanilla flavor the most, you prick! It's divine!"
"Eev~"
"I like strawberry flavor, bitch~ It's the only real flavor that matters~"
Victini stared at the macarons in his hand, and pursed his lips, a new craving blossoming in his little heart.
Though the taste of macarons, in his honest opinion, was the absolute best thing he'd ever experienced.
But, after hearing what they said, he suddenly, desperately, wanted to try this "ice cream." What the hell was he supposed to do?! What do you call a Pokémon who loves ice cream? A Mew-ter! Hah!
"Viictii?"
"Really, is it really that good? Like, really, truly good?"
Togekiss and Eevee nodded in perfect synchronicity, their faces shining with feigned innocence.
Victini didn't doubt the truth of what they said for a second. But he only listened, and he couldn't eat it, damn it! The agony!
Togekiss seemed to detect Victini's burgeoning desire, stepped forward, patted his shoulder with a comforting wing, and put on a "big sister" posture, radiating pure, angelic charm.
"Chaa."
"Don't worry, you poor soul. We will absolutely, unequivocally, take you to try it. No doubt about it."
Eevee also puffed out her chest, looking like a tiny, brave hero.
"Eevv."
"Yeah, we'll show you the taste. We'll show you what real happiness feels like, you little shit."
After speaking, Togekiss shot a quick, conspiratorial glance at Eevee.
Eevee understood. Oh, she understood perfectly.
She bolted toward Natsu, who was still waiting patiently in front of the stand with several bags of macarons in his hands, probably wondering what new mischief his Pokémon were brewing.
"Eev eevv!!"
Hearing this frantic chatter, Natsu froze for a moment, then showed a helpless smile, knowing he was probably about to be strong-armed into something.
"Why are you two so goddamn greedy? Do you want to eat more ice cream again, you little pigs?"
Although he said so, his doting smile, that soft look in his eyes, showed that he wasn't refusing for a damn second. Eevee shook her head emphatically and shifted her gaze to the corner of the booth next to her, a sly glint in her eyes.
Then Natsu followed her gaze.
There, Togekiss was literally wrapping her wing around Victini's shoulder as if he were an old comrade, whispering something utterly charming and devious.
At the same time, because of her wide wings, her damn thick fur, and the tricky corner they were in, she was able to perfectly block the view of passersby on the street. A master of deception, that one.
Victini, bless his little cotton socks, was also occasionally nodding, sometimes confused, sometimes stunned, sometimes curious, sometimes utterly surprised, looking like a damn confused puppy at a magic show.
"This..."
Natsu's thoughts were utterly cut off for a fleeting second.
Then Eevee, in her own unique way, recounted the entire glorious process to Natsu, probably with dramatic flair and exaggerated gestures. It might not have been precisely explained, but Natsu understood. Oh, he understood perfectly.
His expression gradually became... strange. Like he'd just seen a Jigglypuff lift a truck. Togekiss and Eevee working together to pull a goddamn fast one on a Pokémon?
And that Pokémon was Victini?!
Has Togekiss's "communication" ability reached its full, terrifying, manipulative potential, you crazy bitch?
At this moment.
Natsu's eyes met Victini's. Victini originally showed an expression of pure, unadulterated fear, a tiny, terrified ghost. But then, as if a switch flipped, he suddenly changed from fear to pure, innocent curiosity, tilting his head and blinking his eyes, innocent as a goddamnMareep.
God knows what Togekiss whispered to him, but the always-timid Victini wasn't scared of Natsu anymore. Not one damn bit.
What Natsu didn't know was that Togekiss's honeyed words were only part of the reason.
But more importantly, Victini had been observing Natsu for a long, long time, and he was intensely curious about him. Why Natsu could keep winning without his help. As if he were blessed with victory, an unending streak of pure luck.
Of course.
Although not many people can win all the time, it's not impossible, you know. It's just damn rare.
What truly made Victini pay attention to Natsu was the distinct Psychic turmoil within him. The only human recognized by Victini, truly recognized, was the king of the "People of the Vale" more than a thousand years ago, the old king who moved the "Sword of the Vale" here with the help of Victini.
That king was also a goddamn Psychic. Loved by Pokémon. Besides age, there were many damn similarities to Natsu.
It was precisely because of these unknown reasons that Victini didn't show much disgust toward Natsu. He was intrigued, to say the least.
After confirming that Victini wasn't going to vanish in a puff of smoke, Natsu walked over to him with a genuine smile and squatted down, getting eye-level with the little legend.
"Do you want some ice cream, you little rascal?"
"Viic, Viic!"
After hesitating for only a second, Victini nodded heavily, practically bouncing with excitement. The smile on Natsu's face grew even bigger, a knowing grin.
"Then, should I take you there?"
"Viic!"
Victini nodded quickly too, his whole body wiggling with anticipation.
"My name is Natsu, Little V. It's a damn pleasure to meet you."
Little V?
Victini tilted his head and blinked his eyes twice, processing the new name. Slowly, a little light bulb, an actual goddamn light bulb, lit up above his head.
Little V!
He loved his new name! His little feet swung back and forth, again and again, his tail trembled slightly with pure joy, and his tiny body slowly began to float off the ground. His round eyes closed one, a triumphant little grin on his face, his fingers making a perfect "V" gesture, and his mouth stretched wide in a joyous, unbridled smile.
"Viicc!"
...
(End of this goddamn chapter. Hope those gray days are long gone, you magnificent bastard!)