>>6205608The pie hits the spot and once you have your pokemon back, you head outside with Gareth and release Nika to join you, while Gareth releases his own Riolu.
You settle down under the verandah and lean back against the wall and slowly drift into that trancelike state.
Gareth and his Riolu are right there next to you, but Nika’s sat in your lap and as the moments pass and your awareness expands, Gareth and his partner and all the other auras in the area recede until it’s just you and Nika.
Slowly, a scene resolves itself around you, like a negative of the world at large and Nika stands up and runs out into the arena.
You follow and after a moment, you find yourself facing Gareth across the arena.
“...Is that you?” You ask at length.
“It’s me.” Gareth confirms with a nod, then shakes his head. “I never would have figured you’d get to the point you could project like this so quickly.” He admits. “You’re just full of surprises.”
“Thanks.” You reply, sheepishly. “So… what do we do now?” You ask.
“Well…” Gareth says after a moment’s thought. “Nika should be just about ready to start battling by now, right? She’s about a week old and that’s normally about when Lucario tend to allow their pups to follow them on hunts.”
"Yeah?" You ask.
"Yeah, so how about a battle?" Gareth offers. "Just to give Nika a feel for it. She can't get hurt here, since this is technically in all our heads."
>That sounds like a good idea. Nika and your Riolu then, since they'll basically be rough housing?>...Maybe this isn't a good idea...>Other 