The portal shimmers closed behind them, leaving Harley and Ivy alone in the Pokémon sanctuary. The air is alive with the sounds of nature, a symphony of chirps, whistles, and rustling leaves. Harley, ever the enthusiast, bounces on the balls of her feet, eager to explore.
"Alright, Red!" she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's see what kind of critters we can find in this wonderland!"
Ivy, still moved by the sanctuary's beauty, nods in agreement. "Indeed," she says, her voice soft. "Let us observe these creatures in their natural habitat."
And so, they venture forth, Harley skipping ahead while Ivy strolls behind, her gaze sweeping over the landscape with a keen eye. The sanctuary is a kaleidoscope of life, with Pokémon of all shapes and sizes roaming freely. Pidgeys soar through the sky, their wings catching the sunlight, while Caterpies crawl along the forest floor, munching on leaves. Oddish gather in small groups, their bulbous bodies swaying gently in the breeze, while Poliwags swim in the crystal-clear ponds, their tails propelling them through the water.
Harley is immediately drawn to the more playful Pokémon, engaging with them in her own unique way. She chases after a group of Mankey, laughing as they mimic her movements, and attempts to juggle a cluster of Jigglypuff, much to their amusement. She even tries to teach a group of Bellsprout how to dance, resulting in a comical display of swaying vines and tangled limbs.
Ivy, on the other hand, finds herself drawn to the Grass-type Pokémon, feeling a deep connection to their verdant energy. She approaches a group of Bulbasaur, speaking to them in soft, soothing tones, and gently strokes their bulbous backs. She marvels at the intricate patterns of a Venusaur's petals and admires the graceful movements of a Tangela's vine-like body.
From a distance, Orion and Pikachu observe Harley and Ivy, ensuring that the Pokémon are safe and unharmed. Pikachu perches on Orion's shoulder, his ears twitching as he monitors their movements. Orion smiles, pleased to see them enjoying the sanctuary's wonders.
"They seem to be getting along well," he remarks, his voice soft.
Pikachu nods in agreement, letting out a cheerful "Pika!"
Hidden deep within the forest, Zygarde remains vigilant, its presence a silent guardian. It senses the energy of every Pokémon and human in the sanctuary, ready to intervene should any harm come to its charges. Its senses stretched out like roots, ensuring everything remains in balance.
Hours pass, and Harley and Ivy continue to explore the sanctuary, their initial excitement slowly giving way to frustration. While they enjoy observing and interacting with the Pokémon, they have yet to find one willing to become their partner.
They approach a Squirtle, hoping to win it over with their charm, but the Tiny Turtle Pokémon withdraws into its shell, refusing to come out. They offer a Charmander a variety of treats, but the Lizard Pokémon simply sniffs at them and turns away. They even try serenading a Bulbasaur with a song, but the Seed Pokémon merely stares at them blankly.
"Ugh, this is harder than I thought," Harley complains, plopping down on a patch of grass. "I thought these little guys would be lining up to join Team Harley and Ivy!"
Ivy sighs, her expression downcast. "It appears we overestimated our appeal," she says, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Harley stands up and places her hands on her hips, a determined look on her face. "Well, I'm not giving up yet!" she exclaims. "I want a Pokémon, and I'm gonna get one, even if I have to wrestle it into a Poké Ball!"
"Violence is not the answer, Harley. We were already warned by the Owner." Ivy scolds, her voice firm. "We must respect the Pokémon's autonomy and allow them to choose their own path."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Harley says, rolling her eyes. "But still, it's kinda bumming me out that none of these guys want to hang with us. We're fun, right?"
Ivy nods, placing a comforting hand on Harley's shoulder. "Of course, we are," she says. "But perhaps this method is not suited to us. Maybe we should try the lottery system after all."
Harley's eyes light up at the suggestion. "You mean we can just pay for a Pokémon?" she asks, her voice filled with excitement.
Ivy nods. "According to the Owner, that is an option," she says. "And let's be honest, we do have a certain… surplus of funds at the moment."
Harley grins, her mind flashing back to their recent bank robbery. "You thinking what I'm thinking, Red?"
"I believe I am," Ivy replies, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let us return to Pokémon Home and try our luck with the lottery."
And so, they make their way back to the portal, their steps filled with renewed determination. When they arrive back in the lobby, Orion greets them with a warm smile.
"Well, well," he says, his eyes twinkling. "It seems your venture into the sanctuary was not as fruitful as you had hoped."
Harley groans. "Tell me about it," she says. "Those little creeps wouldn't give us the time of day! I swear, they were all giving us the stink eye!"
Ivy nods in agreement. "It appears that befriending a Pokémon is more difficult than we anticipated," she says. "Therefore, we have decided to try our luck with the lottery system."
Orion's smile widens. "An excellent choice," he says. "The lottery offers a chance to obtain a Pokémon with exceptional potential. Are you prepared to proceed?"
Harley grins, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a wad of cash. "You bet we are!" she exclaims. "We've got plenty of moolah to spend!"
She winks at Ivy, who rolls her eyes but can't help but smile.
Orion raises an eyebrow, but refrains from commenting on the origin of their funds. After all, he's focused on the sale, and a customer is a customer, regardless of where their money comes from. Morality takes a backseat to commerce in this instance.
"Very well," he says, his voice professional. "Let us proceed."
He leads Harley and Ivy to the lottery tablet, placing it in front of them with a flourish. "The rules are simple," he explains. "You only have five chances to pull, and the tablet will randomly select a Pokémon for you. Are you ready to begin?"
Harley bounces on the balls of her feet, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's do this!" she exclaims. "I call dibs on going first!"
Ivy nods, stepping back and allowing Harley to take the lead. With a grin, Harley reaches out and presses the button on the tablet, initiating the lottery sequence.
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.