Chapter 85: Farewell
After taking the Night Slash to her shell twice and still being unable to shake Froakie off her back, the little Lapras finally conceded defeat, though very unwillingly.
Even after the battle concluded, she still seemed somewhat unconvinced.
She hadn't perceived that Arthur, in order to accommodate her and prevent injury, had held back so much throughout the fight that the metaphorical 'sea level' had nearly risen...
Nevertheless, Arthur didn't get angry.
He approached the little Lapras, crouched down, gently stroked her neck, and patiently explained.
"Your use of skills is too formulaic. There's almost no connection or flow between one skill and the next. During the gaps between skills, you only know how to skate around for movement and lack any other means of engaging the enemy."
"If you continue to fight this way, you will always be at a disadvantage in confrontations against opponents of the same level."
"I can teach you more efficient ways to battle. Would you like to learn together with me?"
Celebi also floated over, unusually subdued, landing on Arthur's shoulder to help translate.
However, the little Lapras still tilted her head slightly, indicating confusion.
Celebi provided simultaneous interpretation: "But, my grandmother fought like that too back then? When facing the Gyarados who came to steal food, she knocked all those big guys down with a single 'Thunder'."
"..."
For a moment, Arthur could only offer a wry smile.
His Lapras back then was, after all, an Elite Four-level main combat Pokémon, and "Thunder" is a powerful Electric-type ultimate move.
More importantly: Gyarados, being Water/Flying type, possesses a double weakness to Electric-type attacks.
Getting hit by one such move was truly beyond salvation.
But how could the little Lapras possibly possess these conditions? And encountering opponents with such convenient double weaknesses isn't exactly common, nor is exploiting them easy.
Arthur patiently explained all of this to the little Lapras, hoping she would understand.
The result he received, however, was just her flapping her flippers and cheering happily.
"Ao ao～"
Celebi threw up her hands, "She says her grandmother truly is the most powerful, the hegemon of the entire ocean～"
Alright then...
Arthur figured that letting the little Lapras feel happy even after losing was also a good thing.
Fortunately, a short while later, Celebi relayed good news.
"The little one has agreed to go with you. She asks that you accompany her to say goodbye to her clan first."
Only then did Arthur finally smile with relief.
Meanwhile, Froakie, standing to the side, folded his arms and nodded repeatedly, adopting an air of approval.
From now on, he too is a frog with a follower.
Starting today, I must adopt more of a big Boss demeanor.
However, his "big Boss" pose broke in less than a second.
The lively little Lapras quickly slid over to his side, unconcerned about the minor friction during their previous battle. She opened her mouth and started 'ao ao'-ing at him.
"Nene, do you know how amazing my grandmother was? Let me tell you all about it, okay～"
In that moment, Froakie felt his entire body couldn't help but stiffen for an instant.
He suddenly realized that this little brother—or more accurately, little sister—was not going to be easy to manage...
But then, Arthur, having heard the little Lapras's request, finally remembered to ask, "Right, where are your parents?"
Since arriving here, they had only seen the little Lapras running wild everywhere, causing chaos throughout Coral Palace, with a group of Milotic chasing her frantically all over the mountain. They had never seen her parents appear.
The little Lapras then explained.
Celebi translated: "She says her mother left shortly after giving birth to her, heading north to search for her own kind. Her father is still within the clan, but he already has a new partner."
Arthur understood immediately.
When Pokémon of different species reproduce together, the offspring's species always follows the mother's line.
Therefore, the little Lapras's mother must have also been a Lapras. Her departure north was likely to return to the colder regions in search of a true Lapras pod.
After all, the tropical waters here were indeed not very suitable for Lapras survival.
And since the little Lapras's father, according to her, remained in the clan, he must likely be a Milotic.
Finding a new partner only after the little Lapras's mother had left the clan was actually quite normal, and from what Arthur and the others had witnessed earlier, the Milotic clan hadn't mistreated the little Lapras.
But emotionally, at this moment, Arthur still unhesitatingly gave this Milotic father he had never met a mental cross mark (signifying disapproval).
Don't ask why; the reason is simply that he's fiercely protective of his own!
Afterward, their group left the rear mountain ice palace and, led by the little Lapras, headed towards the true residence of the clan on this island.
Halfway there, she opened her throat and let out a loud cry. Before long, it attracted a group of Milotic who came soaring over from all directions.
These were the same unfortunate Milotic who had chased her out earlier and, just a short while ago, had been searching for her all over the mountains...
Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Arthur felt that as these Milotic saw the little Lapras finally following obediently by his feet, the corners of their eyes all seemed to glisten with moisture.
It truly hasn't been easy!
Finally, we can sleep peacefully in the future!
Sea God above, Amen...
Bringing them along to the mountaintop at the center of the island, Arthur finally met the little Lapras's father here, as well as the Milotic clan leader and several high-ranking elders.
Only then did Arthur discover with surprise: the little Lapras's father was also one of the clan elders.
He was a particularly massive Milotic, his coiled body as large as a millstone.
Arthur estimated that, conservatively, this creature's serpentine body had to be over thirty meters long!
The edges of the three fan-like fins on his tail were as sharp as blades, glinting with a cold, sharp light and a watery sheen.
In that moment, Arthur had to silently force himself to raise his internal 'favorability rating' for this individual by one notch.
While still not amounting to liking or closeness, it had at least reached the level of respect.
Later, after some communication, he learned that although the little Lapras was young, her seniority within the clan was ridiculously high.
The reason was simple: breeding offspring between different species of Pokémon is very difficult; cross-species love rarely bears fruit.
Arthur's Lapras back then had stayed within the Milotic clan for over a hundred years and ultimately only left behind a single descendant late in her life.
Then, much later, the little Lapras's mother also took many years before luckily having this one child.
During this entire period, the Milotic clan itself had already reproduced for many generations.
This was why the little Lapras called Arthur's original Lapras 'Grandmother,' while the other Milotic, upon first meeting, had respectfully referred to her as 'Great-Grandmother.'
No wonder the little Lapras could cause so much trouble within the clan without anyone being able to manage her.
If one were to strictly consider seniority, many of the adult Milotic here might actually have to address the little Lapras as 'Grandma.'
In a certain sense, she truly was the little ancestor of this place.
"Human, Lady Celebi has already informed us of your identity. Since you are the one Great-Grandmother was waiting for, it is not unacceptable for Little Lapras to go with you. We hope you will treat her well in the future."
This voice belonged to the Milotic clan leader, projected directly into his mind via telepathy.
For the moment, Arthur could only nod solemnly.
He currently had no Poké Balls on him, so he could only express his attitude first. He would have to complete the formal capture ritual after returning to the Alliance.
He thought everything would conclude just like that.
Unexpectedly, the little Lapras truly lived up to her reputation as the little ancestor of the Milotic clan.
Having just finished saying their farewells here, she immediately started 'ao ao'-ing again over there, calling for everyone to stop.
This time, the Milotic who had just breathed a sigh of relief immediately tensed up again, nervous as if facing a great enemy.
After Celebi translated, Arthur, standing beside them, couldn't help but feel amused.
"Haha, this little one is really interesting. She's asking the pretty snakes(Milotic) for treasures for you, calling them farewell gifts."
"Tsk tsk, she's already starting to think on your behalf so quickly. The pretty snakes look like they're about to cry."
(End of Chapter)
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