Chapter 30: Bonds and Blueprints
The morning air carried the scent of fresh moss and cooked berries as Drake walked through the clearing, Gardevoir gliding beside him. Her presence was calm, her steps silent, yet every now and then she glanced his way — studying him.
"You've been watching me like a test subject," Drake muttered, lips twitching into a half-smile.
She tilted her head. A flash of emotion pulsed through their new bond — curiosity… amusement… a quiet pride.
Drake smirked. "Alright then. Guess we're stuck with each other."
He held out his hand. She gently took it.
Near the riverbank, Pidgeot and Staraptor performed aerial drills, diving and climbing in synchronized loops. Drake watched them like a general inspecting elite soldiers.
"Pidgeot's perfect for scouting wide territory. Staraptor's got the killer instinct. If we can train some goblins to ride—" He paused, then chuckled. "Nope, that's still suicide."
Just then, a shout rang out.
"LORD DRAKE! WATCH THIS!"
Drake turned just in time to see Gobta riding one of the younger wolves — backwards, upside down, and screaming with delight.
Somehow… he stayed on.
Other goblins followed suit, and to Drake's surprise, the wolves allowed it — some even seemed to enjoy the game. Maugrim watched silently, then gave a deep, approving nod.
"Perhaps they were meant to ride," Rimuru said with a sly grin.
Drake raised an eyebrow. "We may have just invented goblin cavalry."
Rimuru was trying to organize Jigglypuff and Darumaka.
"Darumaka! Stop chasing your own butt!" Rimuru shouted.
Darumaka ignored him and kept spinning in delighted chaos until he slammed into a rock and giggled from the ground.
Nearby, Jigglypuff began humming proudly on a stump — her "training anthem."
"NOOO—" Rimuru yelled, but it was too late.
Half the goblin trainees nearby slumped over, snoring.
Rimuru sighed. "We really need training manuals."
The sparring area, a circle of scorched earth and smashed logs, had become Infernape and Garchomp's favorite battleground.
They clashed again, tail against fist, scale against flame. Trees shook. Goblins hid.
Drake let it play out until Gardevoir calmly lifted a hand — freezing them both mid-motion in a glowing psychic field.
"Fair enough," Drake muttered. "Ten-minute cooldowns from now on."
By the river, Greninja meditated as always, but this time, one of the wolves — a lean runner named Zik — tried to mimic his pose.
The result? A splash and a drowned squirrel.
Drake sat across from Greninja again. "I admire your patience," he said.
Greninja didn't move.
Then, slowly, a rock flew from his fingers… bounced five times across the water… and landed in Gobta's boot on the opposite bank.
"…Okay. That was just showing off."
Greninja smirked.
That afternoon, Drake, Rimuru, Rigurd, and a few wolves observed the goblins' construction efforts.
House 1: no roof.House 2: only a roof.House 3: leaned so far it fell if you sneezed.House 4: spontaneously combusted. Again.
Gobta rode by proudly with a stick taped to another stick. "Look! It's a spear with backup!"
Drake sighed. "We're gonna die of creativity."
Rimuru floated in. "We need help. Real help."
Rigurd nodded. "Perhaps… we could send a party to Dwargon?"
Drake's eyes lit up. "The Dwarf Kingdom?"
Rimuru grinned. "Yes! Dwarves there are master builders. Craftsmen, blacksmiths, architects. If we can make contact, we can trade… and learn."
Maugrim stepped forward. "My wolves are ready. We'll escort you."
That night, they gathered at the fire again. Wolves howled softly as goblins danced. Pokémon rested nearby, and the stars shone bright above.
Drake stood and raised his voice.
"Tomorrow, a scouting party rides for Dwargon. We need builders. Mentors. A future. This village is only the seed. It's time we find the rain."
Rimuru added, "And snacks. Don't forget snacks."
Cheers erupted.
The goblins mounted their wolves, practicing their new formations with chaotic joy. A few fell off. One got stuck in a tree.
Progress.
Drake stood alone at the top of the hill. Gardevoir beside him. Wings furled. Heart steady.
He looked at the horizon.
"This world… feels huge now."
Gardevoir touched his arm. He didn't need to hear words.
He could feel it —The bond.The tribe.The beginning of something that could change the forest… the world… maybe even him.
He smiled.
"Let's go build it."