Chimney Mountain.
Towering into the clouds.
The volcanic ash that has floated for millennia nourishes the northern region of the Hoenn Continent, turning the originally barren Fallarbor Town area into a vibrant, even becoming a major grain hub.
Simultaneously, it is also one of Hoenn's major tourist attractions, often visited by tourists who take the cable car, overlooking the scenery of Chimney Mountain.
But the cable car staff never expected to welcome such a "distinguished guest" today.
"Is that Lei Gong?"
"Definitely, it doesn't look like a doll!"
"Legendary Pokémon... This is the first time I've seen it in person, I've only seen some pictures online before."
The staff responsible for managing the cable car whispered among themselves, frequently glancing at Baimu, who was pushing a huge cart, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a large mask that nearly covered all of his face.
For safety assurance, they just lifted the cloth off the cart, getting a fleeting glimpse of Lei Gong, which was also directing its gaze towards them.
They almost shouted.
Fortunately, they were professional enough and understood that Baimu likely didn't want Lei Gong's presence exposed, so they kept it discreet without making a noise, only wondering why Lei Gong wasn't stored inside a Pokeball.
Other tourists in line occasionally cast curious glances at the cart, but since they were unaware of the Legendary Pokémon inside, they didn't pay much attention.
A short time later.
Baimu finally got an empty cable car, quickly pushed Lei Gong onto it while carrying Galarian Corsola on his shoulder.
Even though the cable car's interior space was decent, it was still filled with many obstacles at the corners, almost getting stuck, until the mechanical door behind made a creaky noise, and the cable car started moving and he unveiled the cloth covering Lei Gong.
Lei Gong flicked its tail lightly, showing some impatience.
Obviously not a creature of concealment, yet forced to hide, damaging its identity as part of the Ho-oh Guard.
"No choice, directly crossing the mountain would expose us even more, just look at this view, nothing is obstructed." Baimu seemed to sense its displeasure and tapped the glass.
The gap between the front and back cable cars was significant, so there was no need to worry about the cable car in front or behind seeing Lei Gong; however, the cable car returning from the other side might catch a glimpse.
Lei Gong lazily rose, glanced out the window.
Indeed, as Baimu said, the scenery below Chimney Mountain was unobstructed, though it still felt somewhat uneasy.
But when it saw Baimu suddenly grin and take out a brush—
It felt even more annoyed.
"Roar..."
Lei Gong's headpiece, reminiscent of black iron, softly glowed blue, electric light flickering incessantly, its eyes locking onto Baimu with a hint of threat.
"Your fur is tangled, either lick it out or let me brush it, your choice."
He stood still without approaching, merely holding the brush, smiling on the sidelines.
This big cat, despite not having a cleanliness obsession, couldn't resist grooming its tangled fur, especially after he pointed it out once, it became like a thorn in its heart.
As expected.
Upon hearing its fur was tangled, Lei Gong quickly scanned its body, finding two tangled spots, and immediately lowered its head, but then froze.
No way!
Licking would damage its dignity!
As if feeling the searing gaze from Baimu, it turned its head away, pretending nothing happened.
However, the more it tried not to think about it, the more it couldn't ignore the annoyingly tangled fur spots, unable to resist pacing back and forth in the cable car, trying to brush them open by rubbing.
Someone showed a teasing expression, "There's no way to rub it open like that, you'll only get covered in ash. You better just give in to me!"
"..."
Lei Gong silently gazed at the unhurried Baimu, ultimately unable to overcome the minor obsessive-compulsive behavior, laying down on the cart turning its head to the other side.
Ugh~
If you agree, just agree, no need for all this fuss.
Baimu almost visualized the former Mawile, and the latter nowadays had pretty much only softness left—initially there wasn't much arrogance, certainly not as stubborn as Lei Gong, it softened in a matter of days.
He picked up the brush and slowly started brushing Lei Gong's back.
"Roar..."
Not here!
Lei Gong's protesting low growl echoed, yet he continued to brush as if he hadn't heard, only speaking once electricity began to sparking, "If you're going to brush, do it thoroughly, that way it's neat, isn't that so?"
The yellowish electric current gradually calmed.
And for soft fur enthusiasts, brushing is an immensely satisfying activity, and it's even better when done without interruptions.
Sensing a cable car approaching from the opposite direction, he spoke without lifting his head, "Please, Galarian Corsola."
"..."
Galarian Corsola opened its eyes, and under Lei Gong's puzzled gaze, used its smoke-like tentacles to pull up the black cloth used to cover Lei Gong, then diligently extended its tentacles to hold the cloth's two ends, securing them against the glass on both sides.
The two cable cars passed each other.
The tourists in the other car: "???"
Why does the cable car on the opposite side have curtains? That's not fair!
The cable car gradually moved away.
Galarian Corsola quickly dropped the cloth, returned to the Trainer's shoulder to continue sleeping, unwilling to waste any extra time or effort.
"Thanks."
Baimu said with a smile.
"..."
Lei Gong, observing quietly, was somewhat speechless, not knowing whether to commend Galarian Corsola's diligence or laziness.
Say it's lazy, it has plenty of regular training, and will do tasks when prompted. Say it's diligent... can sleep from morning to afternoon without moving, have you seen a Pokémon that doesn't retaliate when hit?