Gardevoir spoke softly, "Groon. (Swampert, you're assigned to patrol the border between Dragon territory and the forest after we return.)"
Swampert's face fell. "Grr… (Huh? Why, Boss…?)" Patrolling the border was tedious and thankless work—no Pokémon volunteered for it.
Pangoro chuckled, "Rrroar! (Hah! Serves you right for insulting the Boss with that analogy!)"
Gardevoir added calmly, "Groon. (Pangoro, you'll join him.)"
Pangoro: "…"
[Livestream Chat]
[Wind Bro, what are these Pokémon? They're intimidating!]
[The leader looks like an elegant noblewoman. Never thought I'd call a Pokémon "graceful."]
[White gown, green accents—she's serving haute couture!]
[I hereby declare this Pokémon my waifu.]
[Bro, you down bad.]
[Humans shouldn't… but with that design? Maybe?]
Pangoro's eyes widened. "Rrroar! (Wait, Boss—Excadrill's butt has some kind of medicine on it!)"
Gardevoir nodded. "Groon. (I know.)" She'd sensed a human's presence the moment they arrived. Her clan could read emotions—no hiding from her.
"Groon. (Human in the bushes, care to join us?)"
Gardevoir glanced toward Su Feng's hiding spot. A pulse of Psychic energy ripped the shrubbery away, exposing him harmlessly.
Su Feng: "…"
"Guess I couldn't hide after all."
He stood, unsurprised. Spotting Gardevoir had clued him in. "Hello. I'm Su Feng, and this is Growlithe. We mean no harm."
"Woof! (Hi!)" Growlithe wagged his tail.
Gardevoir dipped her head politely. "Groon. (Greetings.)"
"Groon? (Where are you from, and what brings you here?)"
Su Feng paused. "We're outsiders searching for two girls."
Gardevoir's eyes lit up. "Groon. (You must be the 'Su Feng' Xiao Da mentioned—the human who understands Pokémon.)"
"Correct." Su Feng nodded. "Did Xiao Da mention another girl?"
Gardevoir shook her head. "Groon. (Only Xiao Da. She's safe in our care.)"
Relieved, Su Feng pressed, "Can you take me to her?"
"Groon. (Pangoro, carry Excadrill.)" Gardevoir ordered. Pangoro hoisted the unconscious thief effortlessly.
"Groon. (Come, Mr. Su.)" Gardevoir turned, her gown swirling.
"Gladly." Su Feng fell in step, glancing at his buzzing phone. The chat was flooded with:
[ASK HER FOR HER NUMBER!!!]
He sighed and launched into a science explainer:
"Gardevoir, the Embrace Pokémon. A Psychic/Fairy-type with a graceful, humanoid form. Its white dress and green accents evoke nobility. It levitates using psychic energy, making it nearly weightless. Gardevoir can sense emotions through the red 'heart' on its chest and will warp space itself to protect its trainer."
[Livestream Explodes]
[I NEED ONE.]
[Strong, elegant, and loyal? Take my money!]
[Mom, I'm in love!]
[Wind Bro, DID YOU GET HER DIGITS?!]
Gardevoir giggled behind her hand. "Groon~ (You're as knowledgeable as Xiao Da said.)"
"Just basics," Su Feng shrugged. "Are you the leader here?"
"Groon~ (Indeed~)" Gardevoir struck a pose.
Pangoro muttered, "Rrroar… (Here she goes again… Acting all youthful when she's literally a mom.)"
Swampert grumbled, "Grr… (Yeah, cringe…)"
Su Feng: "…"
Gardevoir: "…"