“Would you like to taste the food I cooked, Pon-Pon?” Seeing that it was getting dark, Eric took the opportunity to extend an invitation, hoping Ogerpon would stay.
“Oger-pon-mm.” Ogerpon did not refuse.
Having finally met a human willing to play with her, Pon-Pon was eager to stay with Eric forever.
Thus, Eric took various tools out of his backpack.
He had Lilligant clean the cave while he began setting up the camping tent and the cooking utensils they would need.
Victini used its Psychic powers to clean the ingredients, followed by starting the fire and controlling the temperature.
When they were in Eindoak Town, Eric often went camping with Victini, so the latter was already well-versed in the routine.
This series of dazzling, incredibly well-coordinated actions left Ogerpon momentarily unsure of what she should do.
A bewildered Pon-Pon wanted to help but hesitated.
‘I feel like I can’t help at all…’ Seeing Ogerpon start to get anxious, Eric smiled and waved at her: “Come, give me a hand.
I’ll teach you how to set up the tent.” “Oger-pon!” As if she had found a sense of purpose, Ogerpon ran happily to Eric’s side.
Set up a tent?
Ogerpon didn’t know what that was.
But listening to Eric’s words and, under his guidance, slowly raising the tent’s frame made Ogerpon feel a sense of comfort she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Especially after the tent was finished, lying inside with Eric—that sense of satisfaction and warmth made Ogerpon cherish this moment deeply.
“Alright, let’s start making dinner.” Eric stood up.
He held Ogerpon’s hand and, together with Lilligant and Victini, prepared dinner.
During this time, Eric introduced Lilligant to Ogerpon.
Both little ones were Grass-type Pokémon.
Lilligant was gentle and quiet, like a sophisticated big sister, while Ogerpon was timid, making Lilligant feel a surge of affection.
“Lilli~” “Oger-pon!” “Lilli, Lilli.” “Oger-pon, Oger-pon!” Eric couldn’t understand what they were chatting about, but seeing Ogerpon jumping up and down happily, he couldn’t help but smile.
Judging by the current situation, the probability of inviting Ogerpon to join the team was very high.
This child was naturally the type to fear loneliness.
As the old saying goes: I could have endured the darkness, if I had never seen the light.
Although it was a bit despicable, as if Eric were calculating against Ogerpon.
But what of it?
Like a white lie, Eric wanted to give Ogerpon a home; what was wrong with that?
Eric wasn’t sure if taking Ogerpon away was the right thing to do, but he was certain that he could not let Ogerpon stay in this godforsaken place of Kitakami anymore.
Dinner was quite sumptuous.
Besides the food Eric had made himself, there were also Berries and Pokéblocks that Pokémon loved.
Well, the latter were not in large quantities and could only serve as a side dish.
‘After leaving Kitakami, I need to find a way to earn some money.’ Thinking this, Eric looked at the ravenous Pon-Pon and smiled as he wiped the Berry Juice from the corner of her mouth.
“Victini, come here.” Eric didn’t forget Victini; he wiped its face too, making the little one squirm and giggle incessantly.
Lilligant, on the other hand, was as mature and reliable as ever, helping Eric tidy up and wash the kitchen utensils.
“Pon-Pon.” “Oger-pon?” After the meal, Eric was squeezed into the tent with the three little ones.
He looked at Ogerpon and asked, “Could you let me see your mask?” “Oger-pon.” Ogerpon was startled and instinctively wanted to shake her head.
But the thought had only just been born before Ogerpon forcefully suppressed it.
The teal mask was her last connection to the man.
Hearing that someone wanted the mask made Ogerpon think of those three detestable Pokémon.
But, this was Eric!
The gentle, kind Eric who would give Pon-Pon delicious food.
The idea that he would covet the teal mask, that everything just now was a lie—Ogerpon completely refused to think about such things.
That wouldn’t happen.
Eric is a good person, Pon-Pon trusts him!
“Oger-pon!” The innocent Pokémon nodded solemnly, and then she pulled the teal mask out from her sleeve and handed it to Eric.
‘How on earth did such a big mask fit under her sleeve?’ Eric found it hard to understand and could only attribute it to the wonder of Pokémon; perhaps there was an independent dimension under Ogerpon’s cloak.
“Is this the teal mask?” Eric took the teal mask and examined it carefully.
Naturally, he wouldn’t take the mask that belonged to Pon-Pon.
The reason he asked was also part of the process of capturing Ogerpon.
“The mask is broken.” “Oger-pon?” Ogerpon was stunned at first, then a look of sadness appeared on her face.
She knew.
This mask had already lost its former power and could no longer shine with dazzling brilliance.
“Let me help you fix it.” Ogerpon was very surprised; she hadn’t expected to hear such words from Eric: “This, can it be fixed?” “Yes, it can.” Eric smiled and patted Ogerpon’s head, saying: “Of course, provided that you are willing to trust me, Pon-Pon.” “I know someone who knows how to repair this mask, but it will take time.” “So, Pon-Pon.” Eric looked into Ogerpon’s eyes: “Are you willing to trust me?” “…” Hand the mask over to Eric, let him find someone to repair it, and return it to her afterward.
Ogerpon did not hesitate for long.
“Pon-Pon!” She wanted to trust Eric, even though they had only met once and spent only a few hours together in total.
But, Pon-Pon chose to trust her friend.
Even after being bullied countless times and hated for hundreds of years, when the dawn of trust arrived once again, Ogerpon would still reach out without hesitation, wanting to grasp it.
If Eric really just walked away.
The one left behind would still be an Ogerpon who believed Eric would return, foolishly continuing to wait.
‘If I really did that, this child would be too pitiful.’ Fortunately, the one who came here was Eric, and he genuinely wanted to lead Ogerpon out of her misery.
“Victini, the job of collecting Terastallization shards is up to you.” “Victini!” Victini was very strong and could turn invisible, so it could fly directly from the air to the top of Kitakami and bring back the Terastallization shards without taking much time at all.
As for the Milotic that jumped out in the game, a game is a game, and reality is reality.
Since the Crystal Pool was a tourist area in Kitakami, if there were really dangerous wild Pokémon lurking there, tourists and local residents would never have been able to build facilities there.
The Milotic in the game was an extremely rare exception.
The facts turned out just as Eric had thought.
Not long after, Victini successfully returned from the Crystal Pool.