| Rio POV |
I can talk now.
That's supposed to be a good thing. A great thing. I've spent weeks trapped behind grunts, gestures, ooga booga communication and mind-link charades, and now I finally get to use my voice—
And yet, I can't enjoy it.
Not when Star's gone quiet.
Not when I can't find her anywhere in the lab.
Not when I realize she didn't even zap me goodbye.
I wander around the lab, searching for a way up to the roof that wouldn't involve me short-circuiting half the lab and getting my spoils of war confiscated by May again.
I earned those Poképuffs in honourable combat. With violence. And property damage.
Divine Dog – White padding beside me. Eventually I get tired of circling the same hallway 10 times and decide to take my chances and just teleport up there, a loud series of pops and May's screams echo in the background as I walk over to the lone blue haired figure, floating with her back turned, staring out at city.
"…Hey," I say softly.
She doesn't answer.
"I brought backup." I point at the Dog, who flops down quietly.
Still no response.
I sit down a few feet away, letting the silence hang. "I know you're upset."
Kirlia finally turns, eyes shimmering just enough to make me hate myself.
"I'm not mad," she whispers.
"I know."
"I'm just…" She frowns. "You don't need me anymore."
"That's not true," I say immediately, too fast, too sharp. "I still—"
"You can talk now. On your own. You understand others without me. That was… that was the one thing only I could do."
I take a breath. The cursed energy inside me hums — but quietly, respectfully.
"I didn't unlock the Google translate feature to replace you, Star. I didn't ask for it. Hell, I didn't even know it existed."
She turns away again.
"…I still want you around," I add. "Not because you're a translator. Because you're you. My friend. The first person I could talk to in this world. Even if it was with borrowed words."
A long silence.
Then, softly:
"You promise?"
I nod. "On all four paws. And if that's not enough—" I glance at Divine Dog – White, who perks up. "—I'll make her swear it too."
Kirlia giggles. Wipes her face.
And finally, finally, floats over and pulls me into a quiet hug.
"You're still an idiot."
"Yeah," I say, voice warm. "That's a fact around these parts."
"Now! Help me name them!" I summon my other Divine Dog - Black, as he falls face first as if woken up from his nap on Null.
| Still Rio POV |
"Now! Help me name them!"
I summon Divine Dog – Black, who faceplants onto the rooftop like someone yanked him out of a very important dream involving snacks and violence.
Kirlia leans forward, thoughtful. "They look like twins, right?"
"Yup. Full canine chaos, but make it sibling tantrums."
She hums. "What about Fen and Mori?"
I blink. "That's… actually really good."
Divine Dog – Black, or Fen barks in approval. White, now Mori snorts and shakes herself, tail swishing.
[Achievement Unlocked: Hounds of War]
+5 Relationship Points (Kirlia)
+100 EXP
+1 Scooby snacks
You have successfully bonded with both Divine Dogs. May Arceus have mercy on your enemies.
My eyes light up as a cereal box appears in front of me, the man himself... Shaggy and his loyal friend Scooby printed on the container, each holding their own boxes...
This is every child's dream!
Then—
[New Sub-Quest Unlocked: Master of Shadows (Stage 2)]
Objective: Summon and subdue your next Shikigami.
Optional Objective: Don't get electrocuted to death
Reward:
+1 IV Points
+1 New Summon Slot
I grin. "Well. Guess we're going hunting."
Kirlia tilts her head. "Wait. What kind of hunting?"
"The summoning kind. This technique that lets me summon cursed spirits has 10 total, well, 11 if we count Fen and Mori as independent Shikigami.'' I pause, giving her time to absorb what I said. ''Most of the ten should be hiding in my shadow somewhere. I just have to challenge one of them and win to be able to control it."
"Alone?"
"Yeah. That's the catch."
She frowns. "That's dangerous."
"You sound like May."
"Someone has to."
''Relax, the only one that can actually pose a threat to me is the divine general.''
''Do you mean the one you tried to summon immediately after eating that... Finger?''
''Yep, that's the one! So if you see me throw my hands forwards and start praying, just run, I will probably be trying to fight off Arceus at that moment... Or trying to make Lance shit himself.''
Still, she floats beside me as I sit cross-legged on the rooftop, focusing on the shadow slithering beneath my feet. My cursed energy churns, reaching downward.
I haven't really thought it out before, but these cursed techniques are very weird, I know they weren't supposed to appear in this world, but that's not what I meant.
Each time I try to consciously use them, and not simply through the systems help, it's almost as if another part of me clicks into place.
Should I go on some monk-style self-discovery journey? Sit under a waterfall? Scream at a tree?
...Nah. Maybe later.
A presence bursts from my shadow like a rocket, howling into the sky.
And then it screeches.
Nue, the aerial menace, takes form.
The once-clear sky darkens. Clouds gather. Thunder crackles.
Above us, a massive silhouette spreads its wings, wreathed in lightning. Easily the size of a Charizard.... More like a Wailord...
I stare up at it. Its wingspan illuminated by a painful looking amount of lightning arcing off of it like a Tesla ball.
It was not supposed to be that big... Why the fuck is it that big?! Why the hell does it feel like I'm suddenly facing Zapdos?!
''RIOOOOOOOO!''
Not now May... I got a natural disaster to stop.
(To be continued)
I'm starting another story! Check it out if you too, my wonderful readers, have dreamt of bullying Thanos until he snapped himself out of reality. I won't spoil anything. Just pay it a visit.
MC:.ARE WE GOING TO BE ABANDONED?!
No, you moron... I wish... But I'm stuck with you... And your pink tax fraud aura.