Poppin' Arms Guild ~ Infirmary

[Adamhuarts]

"Well, at least you look pretty cute as a mew," Cynthian said with a light chuckle.

"I'm truly glad to see you safe and sound now." Cynthian raised a bouquet to her chest and smiled. "After losing so much, it warms my heart that at least you two have each other again."

"Say, if you're looking for a place to stay, why don't you move in with us for the time being?" Cynthian asked. "We still don't know if we're out of the woods yet, but Shield, Skara and I could help keep you safe while you recover, Sword. Will you be fine with that?"

 

[Namohysip]

Sword and Shield looked at one another, then nodded. "Yeah," Shield said for them both. "I think that would be nice."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"That's perfect! Oh, I can tell it's going to be fun," Cynthian said excitedly. There were still a few things that worried her, likewwhether that spy was really going not going to try taking Sword again. No matter, things were going to be fine for the time being. With Sword back, Cynthian had one less weight over her heart.

<><>>><><><>

 

[Cresselia92]

As usual, the infirmary was bustling and in a ferment, with the various nurses and doctors checking on the fighters who were still recovering after the grueling battle at the Worldcore. By then, every member of Team Spectrum was used to having a few wounds or, golly, even a broken bone or a dozen.

Heh. Just the typical business of a defender. Icetales wondered at times how the royal guards felt about being injured so badly and so often.

Was it because the appreciation that the inhabitants showed toward them was a good enough reward? Or perhaps it was sheer willpower and the desire to keep their dear ones safe? Did he feel these kinds of emotions, too?

…

The Ninetales didn’t have the answers to that. Sure, protecting others was a noble and pure act, but fighting and injuring others was something he never truly desired to pursue — unless it was some lighthearted dueling or self-defense — and seeing the blood pouring on some of his comrades made his skin crawl. If only there was a more peaceful way to settle matters…

He sighed and shook his head. Those thoughts weren’t going to help anyone, so he preferred to focus on assisting the nurses. If all, the medical knowledge he learned from Fifth was going to be useful.

Then, he reached the next bed, and his eyes widened. Oh! That was Koamaru’s bed!

“Ah. Greetings, Sir Koamaru!” he said, showing a small smile. The lad was new to the whole hero business, wasn’t he? How was he handling things? “How art thou feeling today? Dost thou feel pain anywhere? Fancy some Orans or Sitrus?”

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa hated hospitals. They only served to remind him in some way of his failures. Of how he'd found a way to screw up again. It had been some days since his disastrous fight in the Worldcore, which had left him... well, he couldn't even walk out of there. His body still ached. although more than that his thoughts still felt tainted. Dark voices lingered, and they felt harder than ever to ignore.

The only good part, perhaps, was that it gave him an excuse not to be at that house, with Owen and Brisa and that guy he barely knew. Between Owen's weird powers and Brisa's Luxray vision he didn't know if he was strong enough to go back yet. And he wasn't sure he could bear to be around Brisa after how he'd behaved. He needed time. Time to compose himself, to think.

Besides, some alone time was nice. Mostly.

A familiar voice broke into his thoughts, and he looked up to see Icetales approach. His gaze lit up and he sat up a little more. "Hey Icetales!" he replied. His heart lifted slightly at the sight of his teammate and friend. "I'm doing fine, I think. I should be able to leave soon. But I wouldn't mind an Oran berry anyway." He paused, his voice quieting slightly. "I uh... I wanted to thank you for your help in that battle. I never would have made it without you."

Because you're weak.

"But what about you? How've you been?"

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales’s smile brightened somewhat, feeling reassured by Koamaru’s words. It was good that the lad was recovering properly and that he soon would be back on his feet. Because heavens, that probably was one of the toughest battles the team had faced so far, and who knew what else the future had in store for them!

The Ninetales wanted to make sure that the former human was ready for future challenges, because… well…

‘We cannot handle the thought of losing another comrade again. Our heart would not be able to handle the ache.’

‘Dost not steal my thoughts, darkness mine.’

‘…Our thoughts.’

He gave a slow nod and fetched an Oran from a nearby basket, before placing it in front of the Manectric.

“Well, it is good that thou art recovering properly. The treatment in this infirmary is top notch, but I reckon that a friendly presence can be a good panacea for the mind, yes?” he said, wagging his tails.

"I uh... I wanted to thank you for your help in that battle. I never would have made it without you."

Icetales blinked, in part surprised and in part thrilled at hearing those words. His tails wagged faster.

“Oh, thou art welcome. I… huh, merely did what I had to do. After all,” he grinned, “we are comrades, yes? And comrades cover each other’s back, no matter what.” He puffed his chest and showed a proud smile. “As long as I shall be around, thou can always count on me. And, well, I sure hope I can count on thee, too. I still do not know what powers thou pulled off back then, but I am… impressed, and genuinely intrigued.”

"But what about you? How've you been?"

“As swell as anyone can get after receiving a meteor shower on the muzzle,” responded Icetales, frowning slightly as he remembered the attack used by the fake Joule while he was alone with that phantasm. That wasn’t… a pleasant experience.

‘Look at the silver lining. At least that was a colorful attack.’

‘Very helpful, darkness mine…’

“Though, I have gone through much worse, back in my home world, and this body is particularly resilient. Not saying that I am immune to pain nor the aftermath of a rough tussle, but… I shall live.”

He glanced at the window for a moment, before focusing again on Koamaru.

“…This was thy second battle with the team, hm? How art thou handling this entire hero business so far?” He tilted his head. “Art thou feeling comfortable with thy current fighting skills? Or is there something thou wish thou did differently?”

 

[Flyg0n]

What on earth does panacea mean? He wondered to himself. Icetales was so strange, yet he kind of like it too. it was fun, talking to him.

“As long as I shall be around, thou can always count on me. And, well, I sure hope I can count on thee, too. I still do not know what powers thou pulled off back then, but I am… impressed, and genuinely intrigued.”

At the compliment, Koa's eyes sparkled with delight. His attacks had been far from perfect, yet Icetales had been impressed.

You could have done better. That was a pathetic display.

Koa's smile faltered, but only slightly. He did his best to ignore the voice. He was fine, Icetales was fine, that's what mattered. That was good. If something had happened in that battle well... As long as he was ok. Although he once again found himself wondering what trials the Ninetales had endured back home.

Hearing that Icetales considered him a comrade like that made him feel even better.

“…This was thy second battle with the team, hm? How art thou handling this entire hero business so far?” He tilted his head. “Art thou feeling comfortable with thy current fighting skills? Or is there something thou wish thou did differently?”

"It's going good I guess," he said, a forced note of cheer in his voice. "I've been trying to train a lot, and try to get better at these powers. I wish I could have done more to help though."

He tilted his head and regarded Icetales curiously. "How long have you been on Team Spectrum?"

 

[Cresselia92]

"It's going good I guess," he said, a forced note of cheer in his voice. "I've been trying to train a lot, and try to get better at these powers. I wish I could have done more to help though."

Icetales felt a slight jolt in his heart, his own smile waning somewhat. Was that self-reprimand he was detecting in those words?

He leaned forward and placed a forepaw on the Manectric’s shoulder, firm but gentle.

“Hey, Sir Koamaru. It is all right. Thou did what thou could with the limited time thou had at thy disposal. I wager that nobody faults thee for anything thou hast or hast not done — thou did thy best, and that is what matters most.” His smile returned as bright as a firmament, accompanied by a gentle voice. “And thou should give thyself some credit! Like, golly! Thou had to get used to a new body, thou had to master powers that are still largely unknown to thee, and then thou had to fend off chaotic forces? My, dost thou not see the progress thou have gotten so far?”

Icetales laughed with merry, his tails waving with soothing motions. “There is an entire road ahead of thee, and I am confident thou will go far. Dost not let the first difficulties hamper thee, Sir Koamaru, because I can see great things in thy future.” He winked. “Trust this humble Ninetales.”

He tilted his head and regarded Icetales curiously. "How long have you been on Team Spectrum?"

Icetales hummed, his ears flicking in deep thought. “Hmm… A few months, I’d say. I was one of the members who got summoned some time before things became truly… messy. Though, if I am not mistaken, most members of Team Spectrum are about to reach the year in this world.”

He shrugged. “Not that many folks have been paying much attention to time spent in this world or whatnot, what with us constantly fighting for our lives and to save the day, so to speak.”

 

[Flyg0n]

“Hey, Sir Koamaru. It is all right. Thou did what thou could with the limited time thou had at thy disposal. I wager that nobody faults thee for anything thou hast or hast not done — thou did thy best, and that is what matters most.” His smile returned as bright as a firmament, accompanied by a gentle voice. “And thou should give thyself some credit! Like, golly! Thou had to get used to a new body, thou had to master powers that are still largely unknown to thee, and then thou had to fend off chaotic forces? My, dost thou not see the progress thou have gotten so far?”

Icetales laughed with merry, his tails waving with soothing motions. “There is an entire road ahead of thee, and I am confident thou will go far. Dost not let the first difficulties hamper thee, Sir Koamaru, because I can see great things in thy future.” He winked. “Trust this humble Ninetales.”

Koa was briefly caught off guard by the gesture and froze, at a loss for words. Warmth spread through him at the compliments. His eyes shone with delight, even if he remained mostly aloof. "I - you-" he stopped and caught himself. "Thank you," he said quietly. Perhaps Icetales did have a point. He'd not been here very long, but he'd done well, hadn't he? He smiled a little, this time much more genuine.

You're supposed to be strong enough on your own. Stand on your own four feet. Don't trust anyone else.

"Still, I couldn't have done it without your help." He paused, considering.

He was there. Every time I thought I'd fall, he was there.

"I'm glad you're on the team." He let his gaze drift around the room. Icetales seemed well-read, and well-adjusted. Maybe it came with experience, or perhaps just time. Yet Icetales hadn't even been here terribly long. Perhaps circumstances created that. Hardened someone.

"What's it like, having a shadow? How do you deal with all..." he tilted his head. "-this. This Blacklight stuff or whatever?"

 

[Cresselia92]

"Still, I couldn't have done it without your help." He paused, considering.

“Well, I mean, there is no shame in needing some help, once in a while. We are a team for a reason, so that we can support each other — physically and morally — and fight for a common cause,” pointed out Icetales, before flashing a reassuring smile. “No ‘mon is an island, and nobody can handle everything by themselves, especially not something as big a world salvation. And… I would not be here if it wasn’t for our comrades’ help, either.”

The Ninetales sat on his haunches, his tails swaying in hypnotic patterns. There was a spark of recognition in his eyes, almost as if there was something that clicked in his mind. Then, the words poured from his mouth.

“Though… I suppose thou not like receiving help, or something like that?” He tilted his head. “That is a feeling that isn’t unknown to me, if that is the case. I used to believe that I could handle an entire mansion, once I got promoted to head butler.” Then, he laughed. “Suffice to say, I did not go too far, and I realized on my skin that there are some things thou cannot handle alone, no matter how much willpower and effort thou pour. And that, my good sir, is when teamwork comes into play.”

"What's it like, having a shadow? How do you deal with all..." he tilted his head. "-this. This Blacklight stuff or whatever?"

Icetales narrowed his eyes and twitched his nose. “Erm… It is tough to explain. Let us say… that it is like having thy inner voice of conscience — the one that warns thee about dangers, both physical and emotional — but much louder.” He flicked his tails, while the shadow underneath his body quivered. “I admit I was spooked at first, due to it drawing its power from some… rather painful memories,” his ears dropped, “which I wish I did not relive, but alas. Being crafted from darkness does this to thee.”

He stared at his forepaw, before flexing his digits. Golden sparks flickered around the dark fur, while shadow wisps seemed to flow from the silver pelt.

“Thou must know by now how powerful and dangerous this blend of energies is, yes? Though, the same could be said about other things, like the powder thou use to craft fireworks — pretty to look at, but that might leave an intense burn or worse, if thou art not cautious.”

He shook his paw to dispel the energy and looked again at Koamaru. “So, how do I handle it? I keep my mind fresh and focused, so that I can keep my emotions and that Blacklight in check. And if thou see someone else who is about to fall victim to their own emotions… give them a quick pep talk or some comforting words. That will help clear their minds.”

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa nodded emphatically in agreement as Icetales described teamwork. It wasn't far from the things he'd tried to teach his own pokemon. Everyone supported and looked out for each other.

Though… I suppose thou not like receiving help, or something like that?”

Koa shrugged, keeping his expression neutral. It felt harder and harder lately to brush things off like he used to. He wondered if it was just because he was tired, or if it was from the blacklight. "I mean. I just want to do good is all," he mumbled. He needed to do better. He needed to be perfect. "I wanna really help the team, you know?"

Focusing himself, he listened carefully to Icetales explanations of handling his power. Perhaps later he could practice his own again, somewhere in private and try to get a handle on his powers even better.

Some part of him desperately wanted to confide in the kind Ninetales and ask him about his shadow, his memories and just how he dealt with that. About his legacy, which Koa recalled from their previous conversations. How did he even manage to speak about it-... He pushed the thoughts away for the moment in favor of something else that had caught his attention.

"You used to be a butler?" he couldn't help but grin at that, it seemed oddly fitting, given his behavior and mannerisms. "I bet you'd be a pretty sick butler."

 

[Cresselia92]

"I wanna really help the team, you know?"

Icetales chuckled, finding his description in those words. “Well, do not we all? I reckon most of our comrades are motivated by that same drive. To be good so that we can do good.”

He sighed and shook his entire body, before his fur settled back down and glistened like snow under the sunlight.

“Though, dost not push thyself too hard, all right? Thy performance might be compromised if thou were to overexert thyself and let exhaustion claim thy body. Howbeit,” he tilted his head, “if thou so desire, I could lend thee a paw with training? I have learned plenty about the dark arts, so I could teach thee how to better channel thy Shadow powers, at least. Dost thou fancy the idea?”

"You used to be a butler?" he couldn't help but grin at that, it seemed oddly fitting, given his behavior and mannerisms. "I bet you'd be a pretty sick butler."

“Oh, I am one of the best! And I am not saying that to flaunt myself or anything like that — the various accolades I have received speak by themselves. Her Ladyship, a noble Serperior, has only compliments directed toward yours truly.”

Even if he was talking about his successes as a butler, anyone with a sharp eye could see that there was some sadness in the Ninetales’s gaze, despite his voice sounding cheery and his composure being dignified and confident.

“I always give all of myself with my job, and growing up among nobility… Well, some things are just assimilated naturally. That is… something I am very good at.”

‘One of the few things I am good at, at least…’

 

[Flyg0n]

“Though, dost not push thyself too hard, all right? Thy performance might be compromised if thou were to overexert thyself and let exhaustion claim thy body. Howbeit,” he tilted his head, “if thou so desire, I could lend thee a paw with training? I have learned plenty about the dark arts, so I could teach thee how to better channel thy Shadow powers, at least. Dost thou fancy the idea?”

Koa perked up. If anyone might understand how to control one's shadows, Icetales would understand. He was about to nod and agree, then he hesitated slightly. What if his training session ended up like his one with Brisa? "I... I'd like that," he said slowly, offering a smile to the regal pokemon.

His insides churned at the thought however. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting Icetales like he'd done to Brisa. The things he'd said to her... what if he spoke to Icetales like that? Just imaging it made him sick. Still, he kept his composure outwardly. A training partner would be good for him, sensibly speaking. He could learn a lot from the Ninetales.

“I always give all of myself with my job, and growing up among nobility… Well, some things are just assimilated naturally. That is… something I am very good at.”

Koa tipped his head to the side. That little tick in Icetales eyes... it was all too familiar. He'd seen it in himself too often when looking in the mirror. "So why did you become a butler, if you were a prince?" he blurted the question out before he could stop himself from asking. He wanted to know, to understand Icetales. "I mean... you don't have to answer if you don't want to," he said, looking away.

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales could tell that there was something gnawing at Koamaru’s spirit, but he couldn’t quite point out what that was. Did something happen with his Blacklight, perhaps? Something he was ashamed of?

Hm… He considered pressing about that matter, but the Manectric was still recovering from the last ordeal. So, the Ninetales deemed better to tackle that topic when his comrade was feeling better.

“Well, just reach out for me whenever thou feel like it. I shall spare some time for thee.” He started wagging his tails. “I am always available to help a kindred soul.”

"So why did you become a butler, if you were a prince?" he blurted the question out before he could stop himself from asking. He wanted to know, to understand Icetales. "I mean... you don't have to answer if you don't want to," he said, looking away.

And in that moment, the tails stopped moving. That was an expectable question, but that still didn’t stop the sharp tug at his heart.

Icetales took a deep breath and exhaled a cloud of mist. How many times did he have to reopen past wounds?

Well… he was fairly used to that by now, and he wanted to show that he trusted Koamaru.

“How I became a butler… That is not quite a happy tale, Sir Koamaru,” he started narrating, his expression neutral and his tails twitching. “It is just the conclusion of a drama that has been haunting me for years, a result of a turbulent and twisted puppyhood.”

The Ninetales closed his eyes to focus his thoughts and dig through his memories.

‘…Should I help here?’

‘No… I can do it.’

‘Hmph. All right. Just reach out for me if the memories start becoming too heavy for thy fragile heart.’

And then, Icetales opened his eyes again, a resolute light in his gaze.

“To put it simply… I fled from my country. I was not welcome anymore in the castle, and,” he sighed, “I had to leave everything behind. To leave my entire life and to find a new path… far from home.”

Icetales looked away, a frown formed on his muzzle. “Not that I am missed much or anything. My older siblings never really accepted me in the family…” He paused, then shook his head. “No. That is… inaccurate. There was one sister who accepted me: Fifth. Ah, praise her blessed soul!” He turned back to Koamaru, showing a nostalgic smile. “I owe everything to her. If she didn’t make sure I could stand on my feet… well, only the heavens know where I would be by now.

“I became a butler mainly because I already knew how to treat nobility. I mean, I used to be said treated nobility, so I had some advanced knowledge of customs and whatnot. I just… did things from the other side.” He shrugged. “Not that I mind the job much. It can be gratifying at times, and at least I can get some bread on my plate.”

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa listened intently to Icetales story. He wasn't used to someone opening up to him, although then again he rarely asked people anything personal. Mostly to avoid anyone asking him anything.

“To put it simply… I fled from my country. I was not welcome anymore in the castle, and,” he sighed, “I had to leave everything behind. To leave my entire life and to find a new path… far from home.”

Icetales looked away, a frown formed on his muzzle. “Not that I am missed much or anything. My older siblings never really accepted me in the family…” He paused, then shook his head. “No. That is… inaccurate. There was one sister who accepted me: Fifth. Ah, praise her blessed soul!” He turned back to Koamaru, showing a nostalgic smile. “I owe everything to her. If she didn’t make sure I could stand on my feet… well, only the heavens know where I would be by now.

“I became a butler mainly because I already knew how to treat nobility. I mean, I used to be said treated nobility, so I had some advanced knowledge of customs and whatnot. I just… did things from the other side.” He shrugged. “Not that I mind the job much. It can be gratifying at times, and at least I can get some bread on my plate.”

His heart twisted as Icetales continued to speak. To have to leave everything behind, to be forced to flee from the one the place he should have been safe... And for his own family not to care.

Icetales had gone through all that and endured. He was so much more than what his family seemed to have made him to be. The way he spoke during battle, inspiring his team, the way he'd always used his skills to heal everyone, and even the way he was so well read on so many topics.

I want to be like him.

How could the pokemon of Icetales world not accept him? Anger and sympathy flickered through Koa. "That's not right," he growled. "How could your siblings not care? No one derserves to be treated like that! Especially you. I mean, you'd be a cool butler but you're way more than that too." There was anger in his tone, but a passion too.

He huffed. "I'd give those siblings of yours a piece of my mind if I could."

 

[Cresselia92]

Anger and sympathy flickered through Koa. "That's not right," he growled. "How could your siblings not care? No one derserves to be treated like that! Especially you. I mean, you'd be a cool butler but you're way more than that too." There was anger in his tone, but a passion too.

He huffed. "I'd give those siblings of yours a piece of my mind if I could."

Icetales flashed a sad smile, touched by that show of defensiveness toward him. “Ah. Many comrades share thy same sentiments, and that gives some comfort to this humble heart.” He glanced away. “Alas, my siblings are in a different cosmos, so it is not possible to have them get pieces of folks’ minds. But if there was a way to carry voices… I would do that in a heartbeat.”

The Ninetales scratched an ear with a forepaw, before shaking his head. He always felt somewhat itchy whenever thinking about his family situation.

“But, well, things are complicated among nobility. A constant struggle to get power and claim the most territory. And as the last in line… heh, I got it worst.”

‘And that is just the tip of the iceberg, Sir Koamaru. If only thou knew in what ways I got things ‘worst’…’

‘Like having a father that concocted thy assassination, a power-hungry and lustful daemon…”

‘Or to be considered a curse because thou art the tenth Ninetales…’

‘Should we talk about that?’

‘Heavens, no. That is too much, darkness mine. A tale at a time.’

“At least I had a sister by my side. I… do not know what I would have done if I did not have at least one right kinship relationship.

“But I wager that thy relationship with thy family is not as complicated as mine, yes? Would thou be willing to tell me about thy family? Dost thou have siblings or close relatives?”

By the way Icetales showed a curious and eager gaze, he was trying to change the topic. He didn’t want to think anymore about his chaotic childhood.

 

[Flyg0n]

“But I wager that thy relationship with thy family is not as complicated as mine, yes? Would thou be willing to tell me about thy family? Dost thou have siblings or close relatives?”

Koa's chest tightened at Icetales' question, and he felt slightly nauseous, though he kept his face neutral with practiced ease. It was the one thing he could do since he was used to keeping up a calm mask at that sort of question. He offered a shrug, keeping his gaze carefully even.

Part of him sincerely regretted asking about Icetales. Not that he didn't care, but in his experience, asking about others always led to questions about him, ones he didn't want to even think about. Although it felt like Icetales was all too eager to change the subject. A sentiment he shared.

Gotta change the subject, gotta change the subject...

"Nah, nothing crazy," he said with slight chuckle. "It's just me, no siblings," he said, making sure he spoke with just the right amount of friendliness. "I have a cousin though, Blake. We're really close, he's cool."

He glanced casually around the room, then yawned. "Man, I can't wait until I can get out of here."

 

[Cresselia92]

"Nah, nothing crazy," he said with slight chuckle. "It's just me, no siblings," he said, making sure he spoke with just the right amount of friendliness. "I have a cousin though, Blake. We're really close, he's cool."

Icetales nodded, keeping his gaze on Koamaru.

‘Well, it seems that at least he has a regular family…’

‘I do not know. I can detect some strain in his voice.’

‘Hm?’

‘…Better to focus on something else. I have the feeling that treading further in that topic is a bad idea.’

This surprised Icetales. Was there something about Koamaru’s family that he didn’t want to bring up? He inwardly wondered if there was something that the Manectric was hiding from him… just as he was hiding about his father.

‘There are some memories that are better left untouched.’

The shadow quivered, agreeing with what his host thought. If that was a topic that made both of them feel pain, then it was better to redirect to something that they both enjoyed. Hm…

Koamaru seemed tired to stay in the infirmary, and the Ninetales couldn’t blame him. It was terrible to remind yourself the reasons for ending up in that place, after all.

“So, I recall thou being interested in legends in general. Is there some reason why?” He flashed a smile. “I am personally intrigued in finding out about Sir Jirachi in this world because the Jirachi of my world is a hero. With the powers of the Lights, he fended off a cosmic threat by summoning a glorious meteor shower of heavenly energy.”

There was a bright grin in the Ninetales’s face, as he recalled with joy the few happy moments of his life.

“Mother… she used to tell this story a lot, when I was just a mere pup. She was always so graceful, so encouraging, so… magnanimous.” He wagged his tails, wanting to latch onto those bright memories and not think about her grim fate. “I treasure her stories immensely, and I desire to spread her light and her words to others. This is… my main drive to march forward.”

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa smiled at hearing Icetales speak. Not only was the subject change a relief, but he was happy that at least Icetales seemed to have perked up, speaking about his mother.

"Your mother sounds like a wonderful person," he murmured.

“So, I recall thou being interested in legends in general. Is there some reason why?”

"I'm not sure," he said, chuckling awkwardly. Not many people asked him that question, period, and not many asked with sincerity. Still, he was more than happy to discuss.

"A lot of reasons I guess. I grew up reading about legendaries, how they saved the world and did all kinds of awesome stuff. I was always so fascinated by them when I was young, and I never stopped, even when I grew up. There's so much no one knows about them." He stared at the ceiling as he took a moment to think. "Maybe its the mystery of it, the chance to discover something new. See something almost no one else has. It'd be cool."

He paused, considering his next words carefully. Could he trust Icetales? Did it matter? He came from a world so different, so there was a chance he might not understand. Still, the Ninetales had given him nothing but kindness and respect. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Honestly, my dream back home is to... catch one someday. Everyone says it can't be done but history talks about legendaries working with humans. I mean, sure there's times people tried to use the legends or control them and that's bad but... I want to show everyone from my world that you can do it the right way."

He stared earnestly at Icetales, half-eager and half-curious to see his response.

 

[Cresselia92]

"Your mother sounds like a wonderful person," he murmured.

Icetales smiled fondly, his mind still focused on those pleasant memories.

Whenever she nuzzled him and readjusted his head fur. Whenever they walked around the empire, with the inhabitants greeting their ruler with admiration and respect. Whenever she took care of him when his siblings went too rough on him.

Ah. How much he missed those moments.

“Yes…A truly kind soul.”

"Honestly, my dream back home is to... catch one someday. Everyone says it can't be done but history talks about legendaries working with humans. I mean, sure there's times people tried to use the legends or control them and that's bad but... I want to show everyone from my world that you can do it the right way."

He stared earnestly at Icetales, half-eager and half-curious to see his response.

Icetales tilted his head, pondering about that idea.

Catch a legend? A deity? Would that even be possible? By the way Koamaru was talking about that, it seemed something that was possible in the human world. However, the experience he lived inside one of those ‘Pokéballs’ was far from flattering, but it seemed like it didn’t work like that in Koamaru’s world? Though, there were humans who tried to control deities — which even Icetales believed was terrible — but Shield the former human controlled Lord Rayquaza just fine? Without disrupting the balance of the world and causing catastrophes? …Did that work in the same way in Koamaru’s world, or…?

At that point, the Ninetales’s brain started ringing and aching. Why was the human world so complicated?

‘Different customs, it looks like. Perhaps legends can reach an agreement with humans without ending up destroying the world?’

…Perhaps?

“Hm… I must confess I do not quite know how things work in thy world, but if thou can earn the respect and loyalty of a legend and have them help thee in some quest, then… I do not see any issue,” commented Icetales, still trying to make a sense out of that concept. “I mean, at the end of the day, legends are empowered ‘mons, so… if in thy world ‘mons can accompany humans, then I do not see why legends cannot do the same.”

He paused to gather his thoughts, before blinking upon thinking about something. “Though, huh… Thou would not attempt to reach an agreement with a legend just for the sake of proving that such agreement would be possible, right? I do not believe a legend would be willing to accompany someone just to prove a point.” He quickly raised his paw. “Not saying that this is thy intent, but I know I would not be very amused if I were to join for that reason only.”