A MINUTE LATER,
I knelt and ran a hand gently over its nearly dry hood. "Thanks, Arbok…"
It gave a soft, contented hiss, low and warm. "Arrr…"
I released both of them from their Pokéballs. Meowscarada and Lopunny appeared in twin flashes of red light, instantly pressing close to my sides, worried and protective, but calmer now that they saw I was safe.
I stood slowly and put my clothes back on, glancing at Arbok with a small smile.
"Since you helped us cross the river… do you want something?"
Lopunny's ears perked up. She stepped forward, translating with gentle gestures and soft "Lopuu~" sounds, making sure Arbok understood perfectly
Arbok lowered its hood a little more, tongue flicking once… twice.
Then it slowly curled the tip of its long tail forward and tapped once, very deliberately, against the obvious bulge in my pants.
Its yellow eyes locked on mine. The message was crystal clear.
My face went scarlet. I put both hands over myself, stammering, "N-no, that's not… I can't give you that!"
Arbok tilted its head, expression sad, almost disappointed, and let out a low, drawn-out "… bokkkk"
Meowscarada and Lopunny, looking between me and the big snake.
They understood perfectly what Arbok had asked for as a reward.
Meowscarada's tail flicked once, sharp and jealous. Lopunny's brown eyes narrowed just a little, her paw tightening on my arm.
They didn't hiss or growl:
Arbok had helped them, yes… but this was Ryan's choice, and whatever he decided, they would stand by him.
Arbok waited, hood lowered, looking almost hurt.
I swallowed hard, cheeks still burning.
"I'm really grateful… but I can't give you that."
"That's only for the kind of thing you share with someone you love… someone you've spent a long time with… someone you want to spend your whole life with..."
Arbok tilted its hood, eyes narrowing a little, like it was trying to understand.
Lopunny stepped forward again and spoke softly.
"Lopuu… unny luu puun lopu~"
Her voice was gentle but clear, carrying pictures of her feelings from the moment she first opened her eyes, as if she were reliving every second.
The night she hatched from her egg in Ryan's cozy bed, the shell cracking softly under moonlight; she tumbled out weak and shivering, a tiny Buneary with wide brown eyes, curling her fluffy body against his warm arm for safety, her little ear flopping over his wrist as she purred in relief, feeling his heartbeat for the first time.
Sprigatito hatched beside her the same way, both of them instinctively nuzzling into his heat, too tired to move far, falling asleep there like he was their world from that very first breath.
From those quiet beginnings, they grew together in Viridian City, tiny paws clutching his fingers as he carried them to school each day, laugh with friends while playing with them;
After class, exploring the bustling streets side by side, chasing other Pokémon in parks, her bouncy steps matching his steps while Sprigatito scampered ahead, always pulling them into little adventures like sneaking into alleyways or splashing in puddles after rain.
There were ups and downs, of course:
the day she scraped her knee during their first wild chase through the park, tiny Buneary tears falling until Ryan knelt, wrapped her paw in a soft bandage, and held her close until the crying stopped;
the thunderstorm that sent her rolling into a terrified ball under his bed, only calming when he sang quiet gentle song and coaxed her out into his lap;
the proud highs, like when she finally beat that mean Ariados and Spinarak, and leapt straight into Ryan's arms "Lopuu~♡";
or the lazy afternoons helping him with homework, her head resting on his thigh while he read stories aloud, Sprigatito draped over his shoulder, all three dozing together in the warm golden light filtering through the window.
Countless days blurred into a tapestry of trust: schoolyard races where she'd cheer him on, explorations of the forest edge where they'd huddle against the warmth of his hand guiding them home;
Every memory flowed with her words, warm and steady like a heartbeat, painting a life woven from small joys and unbreakable closeness.
Arbok listened without moving.
Its tongue flicked once, slow, tasting the weight of years in her voice.
Yellow eyes softened, hood lowering a fraction in quiet understanding.
Meowscarada stepped forward last, tail held high but her movements calm.
She looked straight into Arbok's sharp eyes and gave a short, proud "Nyaa~ nya… yaa… naa…".
It was soft, but clear, like she was saying:
"Don't you have someone you love…?
Someone you'd fight for… someone you want to do all these things with?"
Arbok stayed still, silence stretching heavy in the air.
Its yellow eyes softened further, hood nearly brushing the ground.
In that quiet, memories seemed to ripple back, rising like mist from the past.
A tiny Ekans, abandoned by its mother, left to survive alone in the tall grass.
A hungry Pidgeotto diving down with spread fangs toward it.
Then, suddenly, another Ekans, slightly bigger, scarred, fearless, throwing itself between them.
It had fought like a hero, took wounds without complaint, drove the bird away, and then, the Ekans lowered its head and gently patted the trembling little one on the head with the tip of its tail (just once, soft and quiet), before turning and vanishing into the tall grass without a word..
The little Ekans had fallen in love right there, hearts in its eyes, promising itself:
"One day I'll grow strong like that Ekans… and I'll find it again."
That dream pushed her forward.
She trained, battled, grew, and finally evolved into this proud Arbok.
But somewhere along the journey she had wandered too far from her old territory, and the memory of that brave Ekans slowly faded… until today.
Now, looking at me and my two girls, something clicked.
She understood the white liquid wasn't just a treat; it was something shared only with the ones you love most.
And she didn't have that yet.
Arbok let out one last soft, almost wistful "aaar… bok…"
It dipped its hood in a slow, respectful goodbye, tongue flicking once more.
Then it turned, not toward the far bank, but back into the deep forest on this side of the river.
It slid away between the trees, moving with new purpose, hood held high, eyes bright, as if it had finally remembered where it was going: to find that brave Ekans who once saved it, the one it had promised itself to meet again when it grew strong enough.
I stood there stunned, blinking.
"Wait… what were you three just talking about? Why did Arbok suddenly left?"
I glanced between Meowscarada and Lopunny.
"What's going on…?"
They both purred quietly and leaned against me as we walked on.
Meowscarada and Lopunny exchanged a quick, knowing glance.
Meowscarada gave a tiny shake of her head.
Lopunny pressed close to my side and gently tugged my hand.
"Lopuu…~♡"
Neither of them said a word.
Some stories, it seemed, weren't theirs to translate for me.
I sighed, scratched my head, and let them pull me down the path.
"…Fine. Keep your secrets."
They both purred quietly and leaned against me as we walked on.
***
Let's gooo! Only 129 power stones left until the next extra chapter! 🔥
Keep them coming, we're almost there! 💪