That evening, after finishing dinner with my parents and talking with them for another hour, I reentered Utopia once I was back in my room. Gwen/Gardevoir was still surrounded by the others and they were amiably talking to each other, so I simply watched them for a moment.
I could not stop the happy smile that appeared on my face at seeing them like this and I had no reason to hide my happiness. In fact, I began to laugh happily at seeing the harmonious picture.
My laughter caught their attention and they rushed in my direction, only at that moment did I feel a pang of regret. That had been such a picturesque moment and it got ruined because I disturbed them. I should have taken a picture to capture that unpretentiously lovely moment.
Well, it was too late for regrets. At least I had the moment in my head, so I would simply have to draw it myself. My drawing skills were okay, mostly thanks to all the ball crafting and massage skills I learned, but to illustrate this moment in the way it deserves, I would probably have to invest some time to truly improve my drawing skills.
*Sigh* 'Everything costs time,' I lamented while deciding to shelve the idea of directly drawing the scene for a bit. I could devote an hour or two to drawing practice a week. Thankfully I had a great memory, so I could draw the scene in a few years once I became good enough to paint it.
Anyway, I greeted them all, and we talked for a bit before I officially declared the start of Gwen's welcoming party. I pulled out tables and placed the snacks as well as drinks there so that everyone could take whatever they wanted.
I made sure that some of the tables had lower legs for those that were in the smaller group. Obviously, everyone staying inside Utopia was invited, but I especially asked Stan/Gyarados, Mothra/Butterfree, and Parvati/Beedrill to ensure that their subordinates behaved.
I made sure they knew that they had to take care of any mess their subordinates caused, and they gave me a solemn salute promising that they would make no mess, besides the one that usually happened with leftovers.
I saw the Eevee and Spinda dancing, or they could have also been playing tag. Hypno was talking with Horus/Xatu and Ali/Kirlia. All in all, everyone had fun. An hour in, Gwen/Gardevoir approached me with a cup in her hands while levitating a small cloud of snacks beside her.
'This is a truly incredible place, and you have an impressive family that loves you very much,' she said and I laughed happily.
"Yes, I love them all as well," I told her with a nod, silently accepting the Utopia bit. She gave an appreciative hum and we simply stayed like that for a bit before she spoke up again.
'Do you ever plan to open this place to others as well? Because I'm sure a part of my kin would definitely be willing to settle here,' Gwen asked and I briefly considered how to go about answering that question.
"Maybe in the future when I feel like I can defend this place, but even then only those willing to live under my rule will be able to settle here since the place belongs to me after all," I ultimately replied since I had no plans to let anyone in that was not willing to work for me or be under my rule/command.
"Until then this place is an absolute secret that only those that are already a part of Utopia are allowed to know," I added in an absolutely serious tone.
'I understand,' she replied with a smile and I left it at that. I got pulled into playing a song after that and I saw Gwen clapping along with the others. I allowed the merriment to go on until 11 p.m, and once it became that late I asked them to gather together for the traditional photo session.
By the time all single photos, group photos, and mega group photos were taken it was close to 00:00 p.m. I left after making sure everything was clean and everyone was back at their place.
The next morning I introduced Gwen to my parents and they were impressed with her. Other than that I began trying to learn how to play some more songs that I knew with my ocarina.
It was something a lot of my Pokemon had requested of me yesterday, so I decided to once more invest some time into this little hobby of mine. I unknowingly ended up going at it until lunch and Gwen silently listened in the whole time, along with Horus and Mothra, whom I had called out as well before I began.
"Honey, those songs you played are beautiful and I haven't heard them before just like the other ones you've learned before this. Your musical talent is truly impressive as well.
I'm sure Rose, Weiss, Jessie, and the other girls would love to listen to you play some of these songs for them. Make sure to play for them at some point too okay," mom said while we were eating lunch.
I knew that saying something different was futile, so I just said yes, and she gave me a satisfied nod.
"Son, I listened in for a bit and your mom is right you are really talented at this. I'm sure you could work as a performer if you wanted to, especially with a few of your Pokemon like Mothra and Gwen dancing to your music," dad complimented me as well.
"Thank you, dad, but you know I'm too busy to fit any performance into my life," I said with a helpless face, not that I had put any thought into becoming a performer before this.
I was truly too busy for that and there was a lot of other stuff I would rather focus on rather than spend time performing for others.
"Make sure to come straight home after you're done with your business with Mr. Cameron. Your dad brought back a Pidgeotto that attacked him while they were out training, so I'm making stuffed Pidgeotto tonight for dinner. I don't want the food to get cold so make sure you're back by 7," mom exhorted and I nodded.
I used to, and still do, love stuffed chicken, and the Pidgeotto version was much better, so I did not plan to be late for dinner. I would head to Mr. Cameron's office at 6, get my Gible, and come straight back home for dinner. That was the game plan.
It was Grouday, so there were some interesting TV shows to watch even though it was only 2 p.m, so I decided to do a TV streaming event for the others. I went through the channels until I found something funny and then displayed the screen on the sky of Utopia for everyone to see.
Passing on the sound was obviously easy as well, and I naturally did not forget to give everyone their lunch too. I spent the whole time until 6 like that, taking the occasion as one of our rare cheat days.
Once it was 6 p.m, I had to stop the stream since I had to leave the house, but I promised them I would stream the movie I was going to watch with my parents later that evening. That made them all cheer, and I made my way to the academy after telling mom that I was going out.
It was only 6:20 when I arrived in front of Mr. Cameron's office door but I simply shrugged and knocked either way. He said he would return around 5 p.m, so he should be back either way.
"Come on in," I heard him say, so I went inside and wished him a "good evening".
"Ah, young Mikail. Just the person I have been waiting for," he greeted me with a smile.
"How was the trip, sir?" I asked him to make polite small talk.
"Everything went well," Mr. Cameron said with a nod. "I made sure they brought out truly good ones, and I am pretty satisfied with Gible they chose," he said cheerfully and I nodded along.
"Alright, I've got the Pokeballs here," he declared while pulling out a briefcase from below the table.
He placed the briefcase on the table and pushed it in my direction after he opened it. I could see three Pokeballs nestled inside, and Mr. Cameron began introducing them while I was looking at the Pokeballs.
"All three Gible are at the (mid) iron stage. 2 of them are male and one is female," he read from a file. "Also all three have 5-star potential, and once more all three come from a truly noble heritage, so even among 5-star potential Gible, they belong to the cream of the crop," he declared.
"The alliance staff asked me to pass along that you may call them out one after the other to talk and check each one, but only individually not in a group.
Also, I was told to inform you that they were all between 3 and 4 years old, which means that they can be considered semi-fresh out of their youngling phase. Still, all three were informed why they will appear before you," he added before motioning that I could start.
When I made to take the left Pokeball he said that the ball contained the only girl and he also acted all mysterious while adding that she would surprise me a bit. I found out what he meant as soon as I released her. Her blue skin and yellow belly were impossible to overlook.
She began observing me as soon as she materialized, and I slowly crouched down to her height before I carefully moved closer, observing her for any negative reaction. She showed none, and simply greeted me with a wave, which I returned with a smile.
"Can I touch you?" I asked her for permission, and when she nodded I moved my hands to the outer edges of her jaw and massaged them since I had read that they liked that. I naturally used a bit of aura to keep my skin safe since Gible had Rough Skin.
Seeing how she made something resembling a purring sound while slightly opening her mouth, I was right to do so. Anyway, I obviously did not forget to check her status screen as well.
'Species: Gible
Gender: Female
Type: Dragon, Ground
Potential: Deep Blue
Stage: Iron-Stage (mid)
(Genetic) Modifier: Shiny Gene
Abilities: Sand Veil, Rough Skin
Talents: None
Affinities: Dragon, Ground'
The status was pretty much how Mr. Cameron had described her, the only detail I learned was that her potential was Deep Blue. Well, that was an important detail, so not much to say on that front. She had not unlocked her talent but that was something that could happen after she joined me, if she joined me.
I spent a minute with her before I recalled her and placed her Pokeball back in its previous position. I then moved on to the middle ball and pulled it out.
"That little one has a special talent. Apparently, he gains a similar boost to Sand Rush inside a Sandstorm," Mr. Cameron chimed in once more but kept quiet otherwise.
I called him out as well and repeated the same process with him as well.
'Species: Gible
Gender: Male
Type: Dragon, Ground
Potential: Deep Blue
Stage: Iron-Stage (mid)
(Genetic) Modifier: None
Abilities: Sand Veil, Rough Skin
Talents: Sand Surfer
Affinities: Dragon, Ground'
This one had Deep Blue potential as well, but no modifier. However, just as Mr. Cameron had said, he did possess a talent. I read through Sand Surfer's description, and it was truly the same as Sand Rush since both doubled the owner's speed during a Sandstorm.
I spent roughly a minute with him as well before I recalled him. Once I deposited his Pokeball in its spot, I took the last Pokeball.
"You've got to be a bit more cautious with this one. Apparently, he's also talented like the other boy, but this one's talent amplifies his Rough Skin," Mr. Cameron warned me and I gave a nod.
I called him out and repeated the process, but I made sure to make the aura protection a bit thicker due to the warning, and I truly noticed the difference.
I also saw Gible looking worried for me when I tried to touch him, and he even tried to warn me against hurting myself. I heard and felt his sadness when he gave the warning, but I also noticed his resolve.
My heart went out a bit for the guy, imagining how he must have had it a bit harder due to others hurting themselves more by touching him without extra preparation.
I was not talking about the big guys here since I doubted it made a difference for them, but by his caretakers and fellows who were weak enough to be affected.
Anyway, I assured him that I would be fine and he relaxed after he saw that I did not get hurt by touching him. He then released a happy laugh and enjoyed my ministrations.
'Species: Gible
Gender: Male
Type: Dragon, Ground
Potential: Deep Blue
Stage: Iron-Stage (mid)
Genetic variation: None
Abilities: Sand Veil, Rough Skin
Talents: Lacerate
Affinities: Dragon, Ground'
Well, he had deep blue potential as well, and no modifier. His talent was apparently called Lacerate, and it enhanced the damage caused by Rough Skin.
He practically caused extra damage during every physical contact move, and there was even a chance to cause a bleeding wound, which was practically its own status condition.
It was a good talent, especially for close combat, even if it was not as practical as something that doubled a parameter under certain conditions.
Anyway, I spent a bit more than a minute with him, but in the end, I recalled him as well and placed his ball back in its place. Afterward, I stood there thinking about which one I should choose. My heart went out a bit for the last one, but ultimately I could not do my decision due to pity, could I?
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