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How had Caine learned about Pokemon? Jax had no idea. But though he didn't want to admit it, this was certainly not the worst adventure he'd ever sent the crew on.
Everyone had scattered upon the portal's opening, with everybody eager to befriend their favorite little guys in this digital simulation.
Jax wasn't particularly in a rush to find a Pokepal of his own... it definitely wasn't because every creature he'd haphazardly tossed a ball at had dodged and fled. Jax totally wasn't offended by that at all.
Jax instead elected to stroll across the grassy meadows, hands in pockets, taking in the sights. Occasionally, he'd spot one of the others.
Gangle sat by the river, petting her new Sobble friend. Kinger proudly marched around, a parade of Pawniard following like baby ducks. Ragatha rode horseback on a Galarian Rapidash, giggling with joy. And Zooble somehow found a $@&%ing Blacephalon.
But where was Pomni? He hadn't seen her since everyone had scattered, and truthfully, she was the only one he really wanted to see. What Pokemon would she befriend?
Eventually, Jax came across a dense forest and entered, pretending not to look for anything or anyone in particular.
Finally, he came across the jester, splayed out on the dirt floor, snoring heartily. In her arms was a small pink orb, a Jigglypuff.
The Jigglypuff immediately spotted Jax and stared at him with large, glassy eyes. He froze up. Uh oh.
Curiously, the Jiggly did not begin to sing a lullaby of melatonin at the rabbitoid. They only stared, with a small tight-lipped smile.
Against his better judgment, Jax slowly began to approach, until he was only feet away from Pomni and the Puff.
He sat, eyes trained on the jester. Yikes, that woman could snore. He sighed in comfort, looking at her cute face, strands of dark hair strewn messily about. Those big eyes of hers, though currently closed, were reminiscent of those of the Jigglypuff.
Jax's ear twitched, and he found himself lost in thought about how badly he wished he had a camera so he could save this unusually peaceful moment forever.
It was then that finally, the Jigglypuff began their lullaby. Before Jax could process, the soothing voice had its effect, and drowsiness overtook his suddenly heavy eyelids.
_____
'Oh, s#@!,' was his first thought when he awoke. He had yet to open his eyes, but he thought his rapidly increasing heart rate and heavier breathing was sure to blow his cover soon if it hadn't already.
Because Jax was not waking up from a nap under the blankets of his bed, but instead, his pillow was a warm lap. And his head was held gently by one gloved hand while another softly rubbed one of his arms.
"Jax?"
He let himself peek up at the sweet voice, finding himself met with two sets of eyes: the multicolored pinwheels he thought of so often, and the glassy teal spheres of the orb.
Jax was speechless. "Uh-"
Pomni's face softened. "Hey, uh- sorry, you looked kind of uncomfortable on the grass. Sorry that Wingo here knocked you out..."
"...Wingo? You named the Jigglypuff?" Jax rubbed his eyes sleepily.
Pomni's face flushed pink. "Yeah, uh. It's short for 'Wingorb'. I may have come up with the idea while you were napping."
Jax slowly connected the dots in his head while he looked at Wingo. He could have sworn the creature's smile widened slightly, knowingly.
Jax had a choice in this instant. He could pull a classic Jax and push his friend away, or he could fully process this beautiful and terrifying reality; the undeniable truth that somehow, an AI-generated Jigglypuff helped to grant him confirmation of his romantic feelings actually being reciprocated.
Jax instead chose neither of these options. He would simply elect to live in the moment.
"Oh. Oh, alright," His voice was light as he nuzzled back into Pomni's lap. She giggled and took his hand, and Jax softly smiled.
Wingo began to sing once again, and the duo knew a pleasant slumber awaited on the digital forest floor.