Chapter 166: Fighting a Fiancé for Celestia
Smack, smack.
Just as Will was lost in the soft, warm embrace of the Flareon, he felt his tail being stomped on. He casually swished it away. He didn't even have to look to know who it was. Will ignored the jealous Meowscarada and gave the adorable Flareon another kiss.
"Flare," the Flareon, a little shy, struggled free and ran back to hide in its cave.
"It seems the Sceptile really likes Flareon. Hehe, you've got good taste~" Eevee, the owner, said, raising her hand for a high-five. Will instinctively met her hand with his own.
"Meow," Meowscarada scoffed. She thought she was much cuter than some Flareon.
"Alright, next let's go see our baby Glaceon. She just evolved a couple of days ago," Eevee said, leading them to the final area.
It was a cold, man-made ice cave. Eterna City was right next to a snowfield, so getting ice wasn't difficult, as long as you were willing to pay. In reality, a Glaceon doesn't have to live in an arctic environment; it can survive just fine on a grassland. But Eevee loved her Pokémon so much, she wanted to provide the most suitable environment for each of them.
"Oh, she's sleeping," Celestia said, following Eevee onto a large, circular disc of ice. A beautiful Glaceon was napping on it, completely still. If not for the faint rise and fall of its breath, you'd think it was frozen solid.
"This one is very aloof. She ignores most people," Eevee said, stroking the Glaceon's ear. The ear twitched, but it didn't wake up.
After that, Eevee took them on a tour of the rest of the park. Before they knew it, the day had passed.
...
As they were leaving, Celestia still looked like she wanted more. "Eevee are so cute. If I have the chance in the future, I'll try to raise one too."
"Oh? And which Eeveelution will you choose? You have to let me see it!" Eevee said, her spirits lifting at the mention of her favorite topic.
"Yes! I'll definitely ask for your advice. As for the type, I'll bring it here and let it choose for itself," Celestia said, then waved goodbye. "Well, we'll be leaving now."
"Okay! It's getting late. You all get back safely."
After saying their goodbyes, Celestia left, pulling Roserade and Meowscarada with her. Will followed behind, speechless. Because he had been playing with the Flareon and ignoring Meowscarada, she was now giving him the silent treatment. But this was a small problem. Didn't he know his own daughter? She'd get over it in ten minutes.
A quarter of an hour later, Meowscarada was sitting on Will's shoulder, swinging her little legs and singing.
"Since you've just arrived in Eterna, you probably don't have a place to stay yet. In that case, you can just come with me to the hotel," Celestia said. A wild Pokémon trying to spend the night in a human city... it was basically impossible to find a good spot.
"Okay, then we'll have to trouble you for a few days," Will nodded, not being too polite. When Celestia needed help, he would return the favor.
...
Walking down the street.
"Ah... I see an annoying guy," Celestia suddenly said, trying to hide behind Will. But it was too late. A portly, balding man of about thirty ran over.
"Celestia! I knew it was you! Your every smile is like the sun in my heart, dazzling and warm! I knew it was you at a glance!"
Before Celestia could say anything, Will was already dumbfounded. Could a normal, middle-aged man really say such things to a woman with a straight face?
"Sceptile, help me. He's my fiancé, Louis. My grandfather arranged it when I was a child. He's like a sticky plaster, very annoying, and he loves to say embarrassing things in public," Celestia whispered from behind his back, having no intention of showing her face.
An arranged marriage? Will thought, a little stunned. The last time he had heard of such a thing was in the Era of Primal Beasts.
But how was he supposed to help? He wasn't a human; he couldn't act as a shield. Was he supposed to beat the guy up?
"Oh, Celestia, are you planning to become a Grass-type trainer? Hmm, that's not bad. You are as radiant as the summer sun, most suitable to be the trainer of Grass-type Pokémon," Louis said, looking at the three Pokémon with her. "And this Sceptile and Meowscarada are raised so well. As expected of someone as skillful as you."
"Go away, get lost," Will said, not knowing how else to help. He just waved a hand to shoo him away.
"Celestia, your Sceptile doesn't seem to welcome me. But, for you, I am willing to brave any obstacle! I will make him recognize me as your husband!" Louis declared. "Come, Sceptile! Let me prove that I can be a loyal guardian by Celestia's side!"
Louis leaped back and took out a Poké Ball.
Oh? He wants to solve this with a battle? That's great, Will thought, relieved. He really didn't know how to help her, and this would solve the problem. If he beat this guy, he would be too embarrassed to bother her again for a long time.
"Meow?" Meowscarada yawned, asking if he needed her to step in. She figured a simp like this couldn't have a very well-raised Pokémon.
A white light flashed. A giant creature nearly two meters tall appeared on the street, letting out a heaven-shaking roar.
"GARCHOMP!!!"
"Meow?!" Meowscarada was stunned. How could that simp pull out such a powerful Pokémon?! Just from its aura, it felt like it was on the same level as Will!
"A Garchomp?! This..." Will looked at the Pokémon, then turned to look at Celestia.
"Sceptile, if you don't want to fight, just pick me up and run. He definitely can't catch us," she whispered, not wanting to force him.
"The problem isn't that... I'm afraid if I beat him, your descendant won't have a Garchomp to use."
Will sighed. Cynthia's ace Garchomp was hatched from an egg given to her by her family. That egg was most likely the offspring of one of her family member's Garchomp. So... he couldn't be sure. In the original timeline, did Celestia and Louis get together? And was Cynthia's Garchomp a descendant of this Garchomp? If he interfered now, would he erase Cynthia's ace from existence?
"Sceptile..." Celestia's voice came from behind him.
Will no longer hesitated. Cynthia had nothing to do with him. Celestia was his friend, now. And the Celestia of now did not want to be with this man. He only needed to know that, and it was reason enough for him to fight.
"Let's fight," he said, looking up to face the Garchomp.
"Sceptile, thank you! Mwah!" Celestia, seeing his decision, gratefully hugged his arm and gave it a kiss. She then stepped forward. "This is not a suitable place for a battle. Let's change locations."
"Oh! Celestia! You finally came out! You are so beautiful tonight. Those who say the stars are bright must have never seen your eyes."
"Ugh, stop with the nonsense. Have a battle with Sceptile. If you lose, you go back and convince the elders to call off the engagement," Celestia said, shaking her head.
"And if I win?"
Celestia didn't answer, but turned to look at Will. He gave her a confident nod.
"If you win," she said, taking a deep breath, "we'll try dating."
"Alright! I will definitely win!"
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