Under Sceptile's guidance, Su Feng traveled unimpeded through the forest. Notably, Sceptile deliberately chose smoother paths to accommodate the human's slower pace. Su Feng sensed subtle changes in Sceptile's demeanor - an undercurrent of newfound respect. Was this due to the energy cubes he'd gifted earlier, or had Gardevoir instructed something?
As they approached the forest dwellers' territory, Su Feng noticed Sceptile wasn't stopping but leading him deeper into the woods. Though puzzled, Su Feng followed without hesitation. Meeting Gardevoir was his true objective, and clearly this was her arrangement.
After several minutes, they reached a dense grove. Sceptile halted, gesturing with his eyes for Su Feng to proceed. Pushing through lush foliage, Su Feng found Gardevoir's elegant silhouette facing away from him. She sat on a wooden stool, delicately sipping floral tea from a carved stump table.
True to form, Gardevoir maintained her signature grace. When Su Feng glanced back, Sceptile had vanished without a trace.
"Sa na~ (Mr. Su Feng, please join me.)" Gardevoir spoke without turning, as if possessing eyes on her back.
Su Feng approached, taking the seat evidently prepared for him. From this angle, he noticed the small Ralts nestled in Gardevoir's lap - her child whom Su Feng had met previously. He smiled warmly at the psychic-type infant before settling in.
Sampling the warm tea, Su Feng nodded approvingly. "Excellent brew." Though clueless about tea ceremonies (his usual drinks being Cola and Stantler-leaf infusions), the compliment came naturally.
"Sa na~ (I'm glad you enjoy it.)" Gardevoir covered her mouth delicately. "Sa na~ (This is petal tea from Flabébé's abandoned flowers. Rich in fairy energy, it's considered premium among our kind.)"
Su Feng absorbed this new knowledge - Flabébé's discarded blossoms serving as tea leaves. The tiny flower-dwelling Pokémon cycled through countless blooms before choosing a lifelong partner, leaving behind these botanical remnants.
"You anticipated my return," Su Feng cut to the chase.
Gardevoir blinked, surprised by his directness. "Sa na~ (Correct. I foresaw your return shortly after your departure.)"
"Then you must know why I'm here." Su Feng smiled, assuming her prescience covered motivations.
Contrary to expectations, Gardevoir shook her head. "Sa na~ (Regrettably, no.)"
"Sa na~ (Future Sight reveals only fragmented visions. I knew your arrival point, not your purpose.)"
"Sa na~ (Moreover, the technique drains tremendous energy. Merely predicting your return exhausted me, preventing further use.)"
Su Feng nodded understandingly. Future Sight's limitations made sense - unrestricted foresight would unravel reality itself.
"Gardevoir, what if I proposed peace between forest dwellers and the Dragon Clan?"
The abrupt proposition widened Gardevoir's eyes. Such monumental changes affected the entire secret realm's ecosystem. Even as leader, this demanded careful consideration.
While Gardevoir pondered, Ralts grew restless. The infant psychic clambered down, toddling cutely toward Su Feng. After failed attempts to scale his leg, warm hands lifted her onto his lap. Su Feng smiled - apparently popular with children.
Gardevoir noted this interaction but remained unfazed. Her daughter would soon entrust to this human anyway.
Finally reaching a decision, Gardevoir met Su Feng's gaze.
"Sa na~ (Should the Dragon Clan agree, the forest dwellers accept your proposal through my authority.)"
"That's it?" Su Feng blinked, expecting lengthy deliberations or council meetings. Historically, forest dwellers bore deeper grudges as conflict's primary victims.
Gardevoir's nod held gravity. Her mother's warnings of an impending catastrophe threatening all realm inhabitants made cooperation imperative. Additionally, she wouldn't refuse her daughter's future trainer's first request.