Pokemon Paldea [277-278] (Patreon)

Chapter 277: My Mimikyu Caught Me a Victini!?

A town built among the mountains: Eindoak.

It's said that long ago this was the kingdom where the People of the Vale once lived. After countless cycles of time and change, and the turning of seasons, the People of the Vale dispersed across the world. Only a handful still live in this town now—almost like a small minority group.

Walking along tree-lined roads decked with lanterns and ornaments, a bustling festive town unfolds.

Tourists and locals fill streets lined with stalls. Many families have come specifically to attend Eindoak's Harvest Festival.

At this moment, Comfey's floral ring floats above Lucas's head; Alcremie stands on his right shoulder, Mimikyu on his left, Vulpix cradled in his arms, and Luxray calmly pads at his side. Since they're here for a festival, of course the Pokémon he carries should enjoy the lively atmosphere too.

Their lineup draws looks from passersby. More than once, giggling kids running by have asked, "Big bro, isn't it tiring carrying so many Pokémon?"

They snack their way along and even play the goldfish-scooping game. Lucas has no idea why Alcremie, Vulpix, and Comfey love it so much.

Because bringing too many Pokémon at once blocks the road, the partner walking at his side rotates—Luxray to Swampert, Swampert to Dragonite, then to Ceruledge and Serperior, and finally back to Luxray. By then, the four who had scattered through the festival to ask around—Nemona and the others—return to regroup.

Penny finds it hard to talk to strangers, and it's not convenient nearby to open her portable micro-computer to hack into the town's surveillance. Arven and Eri asked many people too, but none knew which direction within the town Juanita was in.

In the end it's Nemona who helps a vendor shoo away some Tranquill trying to steal berries, and from the grateful vendor they learn where Juanita might set up her stall.

Because the town mayor is also one of the People of the Vale, their stalls are arranged on the scenic high terraces with less foot traffic. They mostly sell Eindoak-themed trinkets—popular with couples who have cash to spare.

After a quick huddle, they look toward the stairs leading to the giant castle called the Sword of the Vale and decide to search there.

Climbing the stairs, Lucas warns the Alcremie on his right shoulder, who's blissfully eating a candied hawthorn skewer: "Hold it steady, okay? There's nowhere to change clothes around here."

"Alcremie~~"

Alcremie nods vigorously without really hearing him, mind completely focused on the sugar fruit.

This festival-only treat could inspire a brand-new cake recipe!

After Alcremie responds, Lucas offers his half-eaten skewer to Vulpix, who nibbles with the elegant poise of the Ninetales line—nothing like the way it gobbles greedily inside a burrow.

So tiny, yet two faces indeed.

Eindoak's stairway is no less formidable than the long steps from Mesagoza to the Naranja Academy gates. At the top, Nemona is burnt out and can only move step by step with Eri's help.

Oddly, Penny—the tech-and-gaming homebody—has surprisingly good stamina. What does she do at home that burns so much energy?

Idol dances, maybe?

On the terrace, the view opens up, and they finally see stall owners in distinct ethnic garb.

After asking a passing People of the Vale and following their warm guidance, Lucas quickly locks onto a stall hung with many pendants and ornaments, beside which stands a towering Golurk.

They say the stall with the Golurk is Juanita's.

At the stall, Lucas's eyes fall on merchandise shaped like Pokémon—and he's surprised.

Isn't that… Victini?

"What Pokémon is this?"

Arven leans in, curious about the carved wooden decorations.

"This is the Victory Pokémon, Victini. They say long ago it lived in this town."

From behind Golurk comes a gentle, kindly explanation.

Arven looks up to see an intellectual middle-aged woman in a red striped knit cap step out.

Nemona's eyes light up. "What a cute Pokémon—I'd love to see one in person!"

The woman smiles at the stall. "Few ever see it with their own eyes, but with the Harvest Festival in full swing these days, you might just spot it somewhere."

To these obviously visitors, the woman stays friendly and doesn't flatly kill their hope—even though, in the town's near-millennial history, those who've seen Victini are vanishingly few.

Children should have dreams.

Lucas takes a deep look at her. If his memory is right, she's that significant People of the Vale supporting character from the movie.

He props Vulpix with one hand—good thing the skewer is finished—and takes a letter from his bag. Under the woman's surprised gaze, he hands it over.

"You're Mrs. Juanita, right? Ranger Mr. Tron from Montenevera asked us to bring this letter to you."

At Lucas's words, Nemona and the others—who had been absorbed by the Victini trinkets—finally remember.

Right, we're here on a mission—we almost forgot!

"I see, you're from Paldea? You must be tired from the long trip." Juanita carefully puts the letter away, evidently not planning to read it now. Seeing the gossip in their looks, she smiles. "It's no secret—back when I was younger, I was saved once by Mr. Tron while he was on a cross-region assignment."

"Come to think of it, you seem familiar… Is it just my imagination?"

Juanita studies them, her gaze lingering on Lucas. She even feels like she's seen him in the past few days—odd.

Only after Arven blurts out that they just left Blueberry Academy does Juanita point at Lucas in surprise. "My goodness, are you the one who defeated Champion Alder!?"

"My daughter said that if she ever had the chance, she absolutely wants to battle you!"

Lucas finds the praise a bit much and laughs it off. Before he can say more, the very thing he'd been dreading happens.

While eating, Alcremie's half-bit hawthorn wobbles, and the half-melted sugar shell draws a long streak across Lucas's shirt and pants.

"Mah… mah…"

Alcremie looks guilty and wants to help, but its tiny hands can't do anything. It even misses its pre-evolution—back when it could fly.

"Oh dear, that's troublesome."

Juanita covers her mouth, quickly hands Lucas some wet wipes from the stall. He tries wiping his shirt and pants, but it's useless.

It's summer, and thin clothes turn sticky when covered in syrup. He wants to change, but the area has open sightlines—no trees big enough to hide behind.

He asks Arven and the others to mind the stall with Juanita for a bit, and follows Juanita up toward the Sword of the Vale castle.

After lightly scolding Alcremie, Lucas, wearing an apologetic smile and a contrite Alcremie on his shoulder, says to his guide, "Sorry to trouble you."

Juanita shakes her head. "It's fine. The place is the mayor's orchard—no one's there at this hour, just Pokémon. You can change there and I'll let him know."

"An orchard, huh… Then I appreciate it."

With Juanita leading, Lucas and his team arrive at a grove full of fruit trees. A few berries still hang on the branches; on the ground, large watermelons ripen. Shy Petilil peek at them from behind the melons.

Seeing the watermelons, Lucas starts thinking of planting some back at his farm. What pairs best with summer, besides shaved ice and ice cream? Watermelon, for sure.

Add a few fireflies—on a summer night, watching them, listening to cicadas, and sharing watermelon with his farm Pokémon—that atmosphere would be perfect.

Once Juanita leaves, Lucas changes under a fruit tree. Luxray, guarding nearby, twitches its ears—picking up the sound of running water not far away, likely a fountain owned by the castle's master.

Meanwhile, the two crafty little ones—Alcremie and Vulpix—conspire. They'd just had snacks, but now they're hungry again. While Lucas's away, they'll quickly try the hidden menu Vulpix has been craving: Alcremie's fresh cream perfectly paired with Poké Puffs!

Mimikyu and Comfey can't resist their pleading, and figure a few Puffs won't hurt. Vines and shadowy claws reach into Lucas's satchel to retrieve the box of Puffs.

As soon as it's opened, that special puff aroma spreads. With Vulpix looking expectant, Alcremie pours freshly made sweet cream over the Puff on Comfey' vine.

As for Mimikyu, holding up its Shadow Claw—it gets accidentally ignored.

In an instant, Alcremie's rising happiness makes its sweet creamy aroma grow even richer, hooking all the nearby hiding Pokémon's appetites.

By the pond not far from the orchard, a cream-colored, small Pokémon sits on a windmill, bored, shaking its leg. Its nose twitches; its big blue eyes light up at the sweet scent in the air!

Its name is Victini, a Pokémon that lives in this area.

Without hesitation, Victini masks its presence and flies toward the scent.

Soon, it finds the source: three Pokémon gathered around a box of unknown round treats drizzled with cream.

"Vee-nii! Vee-nii!"

Invisible, Victini stares at the food, drooling at the mouth.

It glances around, finds a gap among the three, and excitedly moves in to use its best-learned move—Steal-a-Bite!

But with a crisp "bonk," Victini ends up on the ground, dazed, unsure what it ran into.

Momentarily distracted, it even drops its invisibility, revealing itself before a stunned Vulpix, Comfey, Alcremie, and a very unfortunate Mimikyu—ignored earlier and just headbutted by Victini.

Dead silence—

Alcremie freezes mid-pour; Comfey' vine stops midair; Vulpix's cream-smeared Puff falls from its mouth as it gapes, landing in dust and dirt—making Victini wince with heartbreak.

Only when Victini notices all three staring straight at it does it realize something's wrong—its invisibility… seems gone?

Vee-nii~ (<ゝω)★

It tries to get by on sheer cuteness, blinking, but the three remain unmoved. Awkward, Victini lifts off, thinking to run.

A rushing whoosh cuts the air; before Victini can react, a ghostly purple Shadow Claw snatches it!

Only now does Victini realize that the "gap" it aimed for was occupied by a doll-like Pokémon! It hadn't sensed it at all before the grab—an even better hider than Victini!

Victini struggles with all its might, but the claws are immovable, like a mountain.

From the others' perspective, though, Victini is flailing midair, pretending to be restrained by nothing—a whole mime act.

"What are you doing?"

Spurred by Luxray who heard the commotion, Lucas finally returns, newly changed.

Seeing Vulpix and Alcremie caught snacking, Comfey as accomplice, and a cream-colored Pokémon inexplicably caught by Mimikyu, Lucas admits his CPU is overheating.

What is even happening?

My Mimikyu… caught me a Victini!?

Chapter 278: Victini Surrenders to Sweets; N Appears in Eindoak

The mouse-like Pokémon's cream-colored body and big pointed ears form a V; the ear outline is orange. Its little wings on its back can't move under the restraint.

Its big blue eyes dart anxiously—like a culprit caught red-handed.

Lucas triple-checks he isn't seeing things. It really is Victini.

Wait—he hadn't even gone to look for Victini yet, and it delivered itself? How abstract is this?

As Lucas, wearing an odd expression, approaches, Comfey and the others finally realize they'd accidentally overlooked Mimikyu again.

Caught, Victini panics. Wild Pokémon hiding nearby are anxious too, but don't dare show because of the fearsome aura from Luxray and Mimikyu.

As the standoff drags and Victini's energy starts to roil with tension, Lucas meets Mimikyu's gaze and smiles. "Mimikyu, let it go."

Mimikyu nods; Shadow Claw's grip eases. But Victini, still struggling at full force, launches like a cannonball into the air.

Realizing it's free, Victini brightens and moves to vanish and bolt.

Then Lucas's voice sounds again.

"Aren't you going to try the taste?"

Half-faded, Victini freezes. Its little nose twitches, a rush of sweetness hits its brain, and its eyes glue to the cream-drenched Puff in Lucas's hand—drool leaking shamelessly.

Two thoughts wage war in its head.

I want it… but that doll Pokémon is scary.

I want it… but that big cat Pokémon is scary.

Want it… scary… want it… scary—

Forget it. First dessert, then fear.

Appetite wins. Victini zips to Lucas, reaches out, and takes the Puff—no shame at all.

Seeing Mimikyu and Luxray aren't attacking, it grows bolder. Maybe flying while eating is tiring; it plops onto Lucas's shoulder, cheeks flushing, happily munching.

"Vee—nii~~"

In no time, Victini covers its cheeks, moaning in bliss.

Sweet with a subtle, just-right tang—so good!

Victini turns shiny eyes to Lucas. The simple little thing drops all guard the moment it eats—one breath away from begging for seconds.

Lucas accepts another Puff from Comfey' vine and signals Alcremie to drizzle its signature cream, then offers it to Victini.

"Try this one—the cream's flavor is a bit different."

"Vee-nii~"

Victini kicks its little feet, wings fluttering with joy, savoring the new flavor.

Lucas takes the chance to observe Victini up close.

It's about Vulpix's size at this growth stage, very light. Hard to imagine such a tiny Pokémon holds infinite energy inside.

Remarkable.

A few more Puffs later, Victini rubs its belly, satisfied—then finally focuses on Lucas, the nice human who gives it great desserts.

And then it can't look away.

It senses a strong wave of victory coming off Lucas. In all these years of watching trainers pass by, it's never seen such a dense victory aura.

As if… victory has become routine for him.

When Lucas invites it—"We're going to dinner later; want to come?"—Victini nods immediately, forgetting entirely that it's supposed to be confined to the Sword of the Vale's area.

If dinner were far from the castle, it couldn't go.

Perhaps it's exactly this sunny nature that lets Victini endure the loneliness of a thousand-year confinement.

When Lucas returns to the stall, he finds everyone chatting happily. Besides Nemona's group and Juanita, there's a young woman about Lucas's age, wearing the same red knit cap—like a younger Juanita.

Seeing him, Nemona runs over first, eyes sparkling. "Teacher Lucas! Tomorrow the town is holding a battle festival to celebrate the Harvest Festival. Let's enter together, okay!"

"Huh? Sure—wait, me too?"

He nods reflexively. Generally, he won't stop students from joining safe events.

Then realizes—Nemona and the others entering is fine, but why would he join? To go fish for easy wins?

The young woman steps over as she speaks. Meeting Lucas's eyes, she bows slightly. "Mr. Lucas,I'd love to have a Pokémon battle with you. Please, do enter the festival—I'm asking you."

Juanita comes over to introduce her. "This is my daughter, Carlita. If it's a bother, don't worry—just say no."

"It's fine. I can participate."

Lucas figures it's harmless and doesn't want to spoil the mood. Treating it as casual fun is nice too.

Carlita's eyes sparkle; she thanks him repeatedly. Nemona eggs her on—maybe she'll even get to face Lucas!

Arven and Penny squat off to the side, determined to be chill tomorrow—not entering at all.

Juanita starts packing up the stall and smiles. "You probably haven't booked lodging or dinner. I'm borrowing the mayor's castle kitchen tonight to make a Harvest Festival feast. If you don't mind, join us?"

"You came all this way with the letter—I really want to thank you."

Lucas doesn't refuse. "Then we'd be honored… But Mrs. Juanita, we might have one more mouth. That okay?"

At her puzzled look, he calls to his seemingly empty left shoulder, "Victini, come on out."

…

In the Sword of the Vale castle dining hall, Nemona, Arven, Penny, Eri, and Carlita sit together, peeking curiously at Victini playing with the Pokémon. Even after a while, they're still stunned.

Victini—just appearing like this, and having dinner with them?

To Nemona's group, Victini is a rare cute Pokémon. To Carlita, Juanita, and Mayor Mannes, it's a childhood legend becoming real before their eyes—like a dream.

Carlita and Mayor Mannes are busy in the kitchen. Hearing that the castle kitchen only uses firewood and Pokémon flames surprises Nemona and the others.

Lucas sits aside, paging through the histories of Victini, Eindoak, and the People of the Vale that Mannes found for him.

He quickly notices problems.

The broad strokes follow the movie's plot, but key points diverge.

For instance, Victini wasn't the People of the Vale king's Pokémon—it merely played in the royal gardens, fed by the king and on good terms.

When the two princes with Reshiram and Zekrom clashed over their ideals and damaged the ancestral ley lines, the king asked Victini to help lift the Sword of the Vale.

After flying to today's Eindoak, the king died of exhaustion before he could release Victini's borrowed power, leaving Victini trapped—that matches.

But then comes the big twist.

When the regret-stricken princes brought the Dragon Stones—their dragons' transformed forms—underground to the castle, the dragons, apparently disappointed in them, blasted through the rock and vanished into the distant sky.

So the Light Stone and Dark Stone are no longer beneath the Sword of the Vale.

Which means Damon (Juanita's son traveling abroad), the movie's antagonist, can't stir trouble without the dragons' power.

Reading this history so different from his memory, Lucas thinks deeply.

His head suddenly feels heavier—Victini sits atop it, eyes distant as it gazes at the pop-up history book.

Clearly, it stirs its memories.

Lucas looks up at Victini, thoughtful.

Before long, Juanita's Eindoak specialties conquer everyone's tastebuds. After feasting, Mayor Mannes proposes they lodge in the castle.

If there's one thing the castle has, it's rooms. His wife and child are traveling in other cities; rather than searching for inns, they can stay here.

They accept his hospitality and each choose a room.

…

Night falls.

In Lucas's room, Victini—who's stuck to him half the day and mooched plenty of food—has no intention of leaving. It looks ready to cling to him for the next few days.

As Lucas changes into pajamas and leisurely brushes Luxray's and Vulpix's fur, Victini scoots over with sparkling eyes, begging for dessert.

Lucas pauses, grabs the small Victini. Despite appearances, it has a soft layer of cream-colored fur.

Catching it, he brushes its fur while calling to Serperior. "Serperior, pass me a few Pecha berries—the kind the Grubbin ripened."

Serperior sighs, snakes a vine into the pack, and flicks three Pecha berries accurately into Lucas's hands.

Holding one, Lucas says sternly, "You ate at least ten cream Puffs today. Any more and you'll get chubby. Berries are tasty too—try it."

Victini looks dubious. It steals berries from the mayor's orchard all the time—of course it knows what berries taste like.

Yet the moment this slightly different berry bursts in its mouth, its eyes widen.

Why is even the berry this good—

Victini clutches its cheeks, purring with happiness.

The cream-drenched Puff, this unusual berry—Victini's never had food this delicious.

It makes up its mind again: for the next few days it will stick to Lucas for the food.

As for after he leaves—Victini hasn't thought that far.

…

Late at night, outside the Sword of the Vale, four figures silently step onto the grounds.

"…So this is the castle said to be left by the royal line once served by two great dragons?"

A flat, calm voice comes from a tall young man under a cloak.

Green strands peek from his hood, swaying in the night wind. His dim, tranquil eyes regard three ninja-like figures kneeling at his side.

"Father sent you to aid me in seeking the Real Dragon and the Ideal Dragon—but I have one more order. In your scouting, do not harm innocent Pokémon."

"As you command, Lord N."

The trio known within Team Plasma as the Shadow Triad bow their heads.

In the next instant, they vanish—like an unseen wind.

N doesn't enter yet. He'll wait for the Triad's intel, judge whether the dragons slumber somewhere in this castle, and then go inside to awaken them.

Once he gains the power to peacefully change Unova, he'll create the world of his dreams.

…

Inside the castle, in the library.

Mayor Mannes, a bit portly, carries an oil lamp as he pores over histories he's read who knows how many times.

That Victini might be the key to fulfilling Damon's lifelong dream.

Borrow Victini's infinite energy to drive the Sword of the Vale, free the sealed ley lines, make the Vale fertile again—then the scattered People of the Vale could return home.

But the king's death by exhaustion to move the castle worries Mannes. Does using a Mythical Pokémon require a life in exchange?

If so, until a solution is found, Damon mustn't learn of Victini…

Just as he means to keep searching, a chill wind sweeps the stacks. Something icy presses against his neck.