Pokémon: Above the Top-Chapter 245: The Matter Between Umbreon and Pichu

The lake was located to the northeast of Sand Arc Forest, and it would take about two to three hours to reach it from the Pokémon Center.

With Mark around, the three of them weren't worried about not finding the golden Milotic, so they weren't in a hurry at all.

Yes, having a "special ability" made you that confident.

After so many days in Sand Arc Forest, the three of them had already lost interest in the area. If it weren't for the rumor about a golden Milotic, Sato and the others would probably have left today.

"Hey, there are people over there. Why are there so many people around today?" Mark pointed at three Trainers hurriedly passing by in the distance, speaking with curiosity.

"They're probably all searching for the golden Milotic. The news already spread throughout the Pokémon Center yesterday," Sato said, glancing at the three in the distance. Seeing they had no intention of stopping, he lost interest.

"Then we'd better hurry. If someone catches it before us, we might not get to see it!" Mark panicked and pulled Joseph forward as he ran.

As for Sato... just try pulling him.

As for having Mark use his "Overlord of Words" power right now, that was actually unreliable.

If someone did catch the golden Milotic early and showed it off right in front of them, it would be awfully awkward.

Mark could only make a Pokémon appear in front of them, but the form in which it appeared was difficult to control.

So Sato and Joseph went along with Mark's suggestion and picked up the pace.

"There are way too many people here."

When the three of them arrived at the lake and saw just how crowded it was with Trainers, even Joseph couldn't help but complain.

This didn't look like a forest area at all... it looked like a tourist park!

The lake wasn't big to begin with. Looking around, there were people stationed all around its banks at regular intervals.

Some had even sent out multiple Water-type Pokémon, starting a full search operation in the lake.

"Mark, take us somewhere quieter. Whether or not we find the golden Milotic is up to you."

"Leave it to me!" Mark said confidently, patting his chest. Then he turned and began walking away from the lake.

"That's the wrong way!"

"Ahem, let's try again!"

The three of them circled the lake. This time, Mark kept his eyes locked on the lake itself, and whenever he veered off course even a little, he'd pull himself back on track.

Compared to famous lakes, this one was indeed small, but the farther they went, the fewer people they saw around.

It made sense. The area they first arrived at was the point closest to the Pokémon Center in a straight line, so naturally more people gathered there.

After another half hour, the three of them reached a sunken bay along the lakeshore. Mark nodded.

"Let's settle here."

Since it was already close to noon, just standing around waiting wasn't practical. Joseph simply started cooking lunch by the lake.

Sato let all his Pokémon out to play, except for Weavile, who didn't like goofing around and stayed to train in Fighting moves.

"Pi!"

Pichu was suddenly pushed over by Umbreon. The clueless little Pichu got back up and shook its head, looking around for the culprit.

Before it could react, it was pushed down again. Though uninjured, it was now covered in dirt.

"Cac!"

Suddenly, Cacturne stepped in front of Pichu, and a black shadow flashed before it.

"Umbreon!"

Umbreon looked at Cacturne with dissatisfaction. It had only wanted to play with Pichu... so what if Pichu had taken Sato's attention?

Back when Pichu wasn't even born yet, Umbreon had been the closest one to Sato.

Cacturne, as always, said nothing. It simply stood silently between Pichu and Umbreon 'If you don't move, I won't either.'

"Pi?"

Pichu shook off the grass clinging to its fur, then bounced past Cacturne cheerfully. When it saw Umbreon, its little eyes lit up and it dashed over happily, rubbing itself enthusiastically against Umbreon.

"Umb!" Umbreon jolted as if electrocuted, leaping three meters high, staring at Pichu in sheer panic.

"Pi~chu!"

Pichu threw its tiny arms wide, eyes full of stars as it looked at Umbreon, then ran straight toward it without hesitation.

"Um...Umb!" Umbreon, like a frightened cat, sprang away in a panic, vaulting to the opposite side.

Pichu pounced on nothing but air, then turned its head looking everywhere for Umbreon. When it spotted it again, its eyes sparkled even brighter as it once more ran straight at it.

Cacturne looked on, confused by the complete reversal of roles between Pichu and Umbreon. It had no idea what was going on anymore.

On the other side, Mark released his only two Pokémon: Arbok and Lapras.

"La~"

Lapras glided joyfully across the water. As a Pokémon that had traveled the world following cold ocean currents, its love for water far surpassed that of ordinary Water-types.

"Yeah! Faster, Lapras!"

Mark sat on Lapras's back, gripping the hardened ridge of its shell, fully enjoying the thrill of riding the waves.

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Even Arbok was coiled tightly on Lapras's back, swaying its head and flicking its tongue with excitement.

It was a total embarrassment to Arbok's usual image of cold-blooded ferocity.

As for "summoning" the golden Milotic... Mark seemed to have completely forgotten.

...

"Lunch time~"

An hour later, Joseph called the overly hyped Mark back, and they sat down by the lake to enjoy a hearty lunch.

"Joseph, looks like there's an extra portion!" Mark pointed at a dish near Lapras, filled with shimmering blue Pokéblocks.

"That one's for Milotic. According to Madam Kaori's notes, I added some special ingredients that only Milotic would find appealing."

"Oh right! We're here to find the golden Milotic [...]" Mark clapped his hands like he'd just remembered, then lowered his head and began muttering.

"Golden Milotic, come out now! Golden Milotic, come out now! Come out now..."

"..."

"Mii~lu?"

A charming and seductive voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned toward the sound.

Milotic!

It had finally appeared!

The three of them forgot all about lunch and rushed to the lakeside to admire the golden beauty before them.

"La~"

"Miilu"

Milotic didn't seem the least bit afraid of their approach. It chatted briefly with Lapras, then elegantly lifted the Pokéblock with its long blue fins, its movements incredibly graceful.

"Miilu"

Milotic raised its golden, beautiful tail and gently waved it at the group, as if offering thanks. Then, with elegance still intact, Milotic slowly sank back into the water.

The golden Milotic truly was stunning, but none of the three had any intention of capturing it, so they simply let it go.

Just seeing it was enough!

Crack~

Suddenly, a powerful bolt of lightning shot down from above. Caught off guard, Milotic was struck hard, and the Pokéblocks it held scattered everywhere.

"Who did that?!"