In the middle of a lush jungle, it was pitch black all around. The moon had set from the sky, signifying the end of its shift. The nocturnal Pokemon had also gone to sleep.
In this serene atmosphere, a white fox holding a coffin-like Pokemon suddenly emerged from the void. He inhaled a breath of the fresh air, before taking out a set of Pokeballs from somewhere.
With a flash of red light, a Pikachu, Azumarill, Ursaring, Mawile, Riolu, Eevee, Ninetales, and a Victini emerged from these Pokeballs.
"Sorry, Victini. Are you alright?"
"I-it's fine! I was just…unaccustomed, is all."
Dante stared at the forced smile on Victini's face and decided not to say anything about it. Because of being imprisoned for such a long time, the Legendary Pokemon was very averse to being confined.
However, they had no choice. If they wanted to return to the real world, the only way Dante could transport them is through the Pokeballs. Cofagrigus was just an exception due to him also being a Ghost-type.
Fortunately, Victini still hasn't recovered much of his energy. Otherwise, an ordinary Pokeball would have a hard time containing him just from his subconscious resistance.
"Now that we returned to the real world, do you have any plans going forward?"
"..."
Victini didn't reply. He looked around the dark jungle. Feeling the wind brushing against his skin, as well as the feeling of soft soil at his feet, tears began to well from the corner of his eyes.
"Eh! What's wrong?"
"It's just…I never thought I'd be able to see this again."
Victini wiped his face. Then, he beamed at the Team Omnipotent Travelers. Although his eyes were still red from crying, it didn't detract him from conveying just how glad he was.
"Thank you, everyone. For saving me. I-I thought, I was about to spend the rest of my life imprisoned there until I die."
Dante scratched his head with his tail. Behind him, he could hear sounds of sniffling from his other team members.
"You're welcome. As an Exploration Team, it's our responsibility to help Pokemon in need. Except for the bad guys, of course."
He chuckled while glancing at Cofagrigus, who was once again held by Mawile.
"Exploration Team…"
Victini muttered. He stared at Dante for a while, before moving to the faces of Azumarill, Pikachu, and the other team members. Then he lowered his head, as if to think about something.
"Dante, everyone…can I stay in your team for a while more? Just after I fully recover!"
Victini hurriedly added the last sentence as if afraid he'd get rejected.
Before Dante could speak up, Pikachu beat him to it.
"Of course! You can stay with us for as long as you want!"
"I have no problems with that."
"Big Brother Victini!"
The others followed suit. On the way back, Dante had shared his conversation with Cofagrigus. This included how he imprisoned Victini and drained him of energy for more than 3,000 years.
Everyone had been outraged at hearing this. Whenever Cofagrigus woke up, they would rush for the opportunity to knock him out themselves.
"I also agree. You can stay with us even after you've fully recovered. In fact, if you want to join our team, we welcome you with open arms."
"Really? But…I'm not good at fighting. I'll only drag you guys down."
"Hahaha, don't worry. There's already more than enough fighters in our teams. You can be like Ninetales. Her role in the team is primarily a support."
Hearing her name, Ninetales turned to Victini with a reassuring smile. However, her sleepiness struck at this moment and she uncontrollably let out a yawn. Dante chuckled at this then turned to the still unsure Victini.
"You don't have to rush making a decision. We have plenty of time. You can join in some of our exploration and see whether you like it or not."
"Hmm!"
Victini nodded gratefully to Dante. Then, as if infected by Ninetales' earlier action, he also yawned.
"Hehe, it seems everyone is already tired. Come on. Let's head back to the base."
"Yawn~ Dad. Can we ride back on a soft bed?"
At this moment, Eevee suddenly suggested. Dante chuckled and with a thought, a 10 square meter soft and fluffy bed appeared under everyone's feet. It slowly floated above the treetops, carrying everyone along.
Eevee cheered, before she buried her head under the blankets that came along with the bed.
"Ohh~ I love you so much, Dad!"
Ninetales similarly followed suit. However, unlike Eevee, she nuzzled Dante's cheeks before lying down right beside her sister.
"You can rest too, Victini. I doubt that earlier sleep was enough."
"...thank you, Dante. Everyone."
Victini slightly bowed his head to the group, his eyes once again starting to fog up. However, he didn't cry this time. He just lay down with his back to the bed, staring at the dark sky.
At this moment, he seemed to notice something. Over the horizon, the first rays of the sun shone upon their group.
—
"Now, picking up from our last topic. I tasked you to research how to make use of Weezing and its Galarian variant's Ability, Neutralizing Gas. Does anyone want to share their answer to the class? Yes, Miss Shinobu."
"Sir! Neutralizing Gas is best used when paired with a Pokemon like Slaking to deactivate its Truant Ability, or Archeops and its Defeatist Ability."
"Very good! Does anyone else have more answers?"
In the first year Trainer's classroom, a class was being held. All the students were focused on listening to the Professor's lecture…or so it seemed.
"Hngh!"
"Is there a problem, Miss Focalors?"
"Ah, sorry for the disturbance, Professor. An ant just bit me."
"Is that so? Well, moving on then. Neutralizing Gas is not just…"
Seeing that the professor had turned his back, Focalors glanced sideways at her boyfriend who was staring intently in front. However, feeling the familiar touch on her thighs, she knew this was just an illusion.
Focalors didn't say anything. She kept a stoic expression as the hand groped her thighs in a sensual manner. However, as it moved upwards, her breathing started to get more and more erratic.
The only reason she hadn't stopped him is because she knew Dante also projected an illusion over her; to make it seem as if everything was normal.
Now, the only problem was her voice.
"Hn~"
Focalors bit her lip. She bit it so hard she wouldn't be surprised if it bled. From beside her ear, she heard a quiet chuckle.
The hand crawled up her stomach, underneath her white blouse in direct contact with her skin. Then…it stopped.
Just as Focalors was wondering what happened, she heard the professor mention her name.
"Miss Focalors? Could you explain to us why Neutralizing Gas is advised to be used against Flying-type Pokemon?"
"Ahem! Gladly so, Professor. Neutralizing Gas is oNLY-!"
Focalors almost shouted as she felt a hand grope her butt. She didn't even have to think to know who was behind this. She gritted her teeth. Shame and arousal filled her as she continued to answer the question.
"...only effective if it has direct contact with a Pokemon. Flying types can fly outside the Ability's range, and their moves can stir up the wind to drive the gas away."
"Excellent! Thank you, Miss Focalors."
As she sat down, the familiar sensation returned. And for the rest of the class, Focalors continued to endure the machinations of the invisible hand.
…
"Geez, you two need to hold back. Especially you, Dan."
The class ended and it was finally time for lunch. On their seats, Shinobu turned to Dante and Focalors. Hearing her words, the white haired girl blushed, while Dante just smirked back.
"It's fine~ No one will find out."
"Hmm? Find out about what?"
Candice, who was sitting beside Shinobu, asked while tilting her head in confusion. She had just finished organizing her items into her bag, so she didn't hear what Shinobu said.
"Hehe, now that's a secret."
"Hmph. Keep your secrets, I don't care. Anyway, come on, release Ninetales. Fuehehe~ I didn't have enough time to play with her yesterday ."
Candice began to drool as she remembered the cool soft fur of the elegant icy fox. This time, she made sure to bring an exclusive Pokemon brush kit, as well as her home-made Ice-type Pokemon snacks.
"Hahaha, sorry to disappoint you, but Ninetales is still sleeping in the mansion with Eevee. Those two sisters played too late last night."
"N-no. No way."
Candice's eyes widened, before her head slumped in despair. Her beautiful Ninetales!
"Don't be so dramatic. You can just visit her later. Now let's go, we're wasting our lunch time."
Shinobu said while dragging her roommate to her feet. Kachina also joined them, and soon they met up with Furina and Dawn at their usual location.
"Hmm? Sister Mualani isn't eating with us today?"
"No. She told me she's having lunch with her classmates- to talk about a group project."
Kachina replied to Dawn while taking out her and Twirly's lunch. The others were also doing the same for their Pokemon.
Amidst some light banter, they quickly finished eating. And while waiting for lunch break to end, they walked around the campus while having some light conversation.
"Time sure flies. It's almost the end of September."
Shinobu stared at the sky in nostalgia. It's only been 3 months since they all met each other. However, it feels as if they've known each other for a lifetime.
"Yeah! And after our trip next week with Professor Berto, it's finally time for the University Tournament!"
Candice clenched her fist in excitement. This was the first official battle she would participate in. And although she knew she can't make the same impact as Dante, she would let the country know the face of their future Ice-type Gym Leader!
"Don't count your Ponyta just yet. There's still the Ranking Battle. If you lose that…heh."
"Meanie!"
Candice pouted at Dante for pouring cold water on her parade.
"Although a bit mean, Dan's right. It's the last Ranking Battle before the Tournament. Everyone will exert more effort than before to qualify for the starting position in the team. And those who have been hiding their strength to avoid revealing their trump card will start to come out."
"Gulp D-do you really think so?"
Kachina visibly trembled. When she maintained her 5th place in the last Ranking Battle, she had been inwardly relieved. She thought that even if stronger opponents appeared, she would only be pushed to the 6th or 7th position at most.
"Don't overthink, Kachina. You'll be fine~ Trust the effort you and Twirly made."
"Y-yes!"
The group continued to talk and laugh and soon, the lunch break was about to end. At this time, while looking at everyone in the group, Dante spoke up.
"Everyone, do you have any plans for the weekend?"
"Hmm? I don't have anything in particular. Why? What's the matter?"
"Well, I plan to return home and visit my parents. I figured it would be better if I could introduce to them my friends in uni."
"Aww, that's so sweet! I'm in!"
"Count me in as well!"
"Dan's parents…all right. I'll go too."
Dante had a warm smile as everyone in the group agreed to go. In truth, in addition to meeting them, he had another purpose for going home. He glanced at the distant electric post, where a brief static of lightning surged and disappeared.