| Penny POV |
I blinked slowly, wondering if I'd somehow sunstroked my way into hallucinating this.
Lucario—Rio, technically—was currently on his back in the sand, arms pinned, legs kicking, and making exaggerated choking noises as a Kirlia sat on his chest, expression completely blank while tightening her psychic grip like it was just another Tuesday.
It probably was.
"…You deserved this," I said out loud, sipping from a bottle of Nanab juice like I wasn't witnessing a mild war crime.
"Worth it," Rio wheezed, eyes rolling dramatically.
He gave me a thumbs-up. It was weak. Shaky. Filled with regret.
Kirlia didn't even glance my way. Just adjusted her knees, twisted slightly, and the Lucario made a noise somewhere between a dog toy and a war horn.
I didn't know whether to intervene or film it.
"Should I be concerned?" I finally asked, addressing no one in particular. The ocean answered with a calm wave crashing against the rocks nearby.
Rio, still being crushed by a small fairy, gasped out, "This is what trust looks like."
"No," I said. "This is what a restraining order looks like. Or some... very kinky stuff..."
Kirlia didn't respond. She just tilted her head, ever so slightly, and Rio let out a wheeze that sounded like a dying harmonica.
"Okayokayokay—mercy, mercy! I yield!" he yelped, paw tapping frantically on the sand like he was trying to forfeit an underground wrestling match.
She got off him slowly, brushed the sand off her skirt, and walked away without a word. Like this was perfectly normal behavior.
I stared at her. Then at him.
"What is wrong with you people?"
Rio coughed, rolled onto his side, and gave me a thumbs-up again. "Bonding."
"Right."
I sat back under the umbrella, pulling my hoodie further over my head despite the heat. This was supposed to be a vacation.
Somewhere in the distance, Trishout yelled something about catching a Magikarp with her teeth, and I heard a splash.
Correction: this was a disaster.
| Rio POV |
Well that was a successful little beach trip! Got to meet a kindred spirit, and had the chance to pet a Flareon.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any missions asking me to kill god or stop an apocalypse. I'm not sure how much of a good thing that is.
But all in all, pretty wonderful day!
Star is calm again, Penny hasn't tried to strangle me yet, and Trishout only set fire to the ocean once—which I still think should be chemically impossible, but here we are.
It's peaceful.
Too peaceful.
…
"Yeah, something is definitely wrong... Star, is an asteroid heading towards us?"
She looked up at me with a deadpan stare, blinked once, then shrugged. "Probably not. Do you want me to try pulling one down?"
"Bench that idea. Not for now. But are you seriously not feeling anything off?"
She paused, tilted her head slightly, then pointed at Trishout, who was now trying to suplex a Tentacool. "Besides that?"
"...Fair."
But still.
Something was wrong. I couldn't tell what yet, but that pit-in-your-stomach feeling? The one you get right before a boss fight starts and the music changes?
Yeah.
It's playing.
Or maybe that's just me being hungry.
"Hey Penny, do you have something to eat in your backpack?" I ask, already half buried inside of it.
"Would you get out of there?!" she snapped, swatting at me. "That's not a loot chest, that's personal property!"
I emerged with a granola bar between my teeth and two tangled charger cables wrapped around my ears. "You should organize your inventory better."
"That's rich coming from someone who keeps berries and explosives in the same pouch."
"Strategic packing," I said, unwrapping the bar. "Exploding berries are more efficient, and Combusken likes them."
She gave me the kind of look you reserve for people who put pineapple on pizza and press the elevator button multiple times.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Trishout declared war on a group of Wingull.
So yeah. Peaceful day.
For now.
( To be continued )
Why are you asking for trouble?
MC: Quest rewards.
What if Deoxys suddenly lands Infront of you? You really think you can beat something that can punt small moons around?
MC: As long as the quest rewards are good enough, nothing will stop me.