Chapter 111: Out of Infancy
For five straight days, Ryu spent his time leisurely at Sora's home, enjoying a sense of tranquility he had never felt before. Every morning, he would exercise and help clean the house. In the afternoon, he would accompany Sora for a walk, and in the evening, he would play with the other Pokémon in the yard.
Today, he and Sora were relaxing on rocking chairs, basking in the sun. Because of Ryu's presence, the normally mischievous Skitty had been on her best behavior.
"If I stay here any longer, I'm afraid I won't want to leave anymore," Ryu muttered, looking at Sora, who had fallen asleep while holding him.
He had already passed his infancy. His height and weight were now greater than that of ordinary newborn Pokémon. He knew Sora must be uncomfortable with him sleeping on her stomach, but she never asked him to move. He carefully slipped out of her embrace and leaped onto the grass.
"Personal Panel."
[Treecko]
[Level]: Lv. 7
[Height]: 0.5 m
[Weight]: 5 kg
[New Moves]: Take Down, Slam (Recalled)
Ordinary Pokémon need a week to reach Lv. 5. He had reached Lv. 7 in just five days. Without a doubt, Celebi's blessing had enhanced his growth rate. It was time to properly educate Skitty.
"Hey, wake up," Ryu said, patting the head of the Skitty napping under the rocking chair.
"Meow?" she awoke groggily. Seeing Ryu, she shrank back and looked up at the sleeping Sora for protection.
"Come with me."
"Meow..." Skitty shook her head in refusal.
"If you don't follow me, I'll beat you," he threatened. He was now slightly taller than her, and his tone was serious. Skitty's eyes filled with tears, and she aggrievedly followed behind him.
Ryu led her to a nearby street where three dirty Meowth were rummaging through an overturned trash can for food. "Look over there," he said.
Skitty's face immediately filled with disgust.
"You look down on them?"
"Meow," she nodded without hesitation.
"Is that so? Come with me." Ryu grabbed one of her ears and walked over.
The three Meowth, seeing them approach, showed no hostility. Instead, they friendly made space, as if wanting to share their "delicious food."
"...Thank you," Ryu said, stunned for a moment by their kindness. The Alliance Era was truly a different world.
One of the Meowth, liking Skitty's appearance, actively brought over a half-eaten fish to offer her. Skitty completely ignored him.
"Eat," Ryu poked her.
"Meow!" she shook her head resolutely. She would never eat such dirty things!
"You don't want to? When Sora no longer wants you in the future, you'll have to. Might as well get used to it."
"Meowth!" Skitty slapped him with her tail, truly angry now. Sora would never abandon her!
Slam.
Ryu sidestepped the attack, grabbed Skitty by the neck, and executed a perfect over-the-shoulder throw. Against a pampered Pokémon with little combat experience, it was an easy victory. The three Meowth, startled, quickly rushed over to mediate, not to fight.
"Meow~" Skitty looked at the three kind strays, and a look of guilt appeared in her eyes.
"Come here. Let's go home," Ryu said, turning to leave.
On the way back, he spoke. "You don't want to eat trash, right? Well, if one day Sora is gone, at your level, that's all you'll be able to eat."
"Meowth?" Skitty didn't understand. How could Sora leave her?
"You run around all day and cause trouble. Do you know how worried Sora is?"
"Meow..." Skitty lowered her head, a bit unconvinced.
"Humans don't live forever," Ryu explained patiently. "Sora is at least eighty years old. It would be good if she can live another twenty years. After that, she will die."
"Meow?" Skitty didn't understand the concept of death.
"It means disappearing from your life forever! Just like the mom and dad you've never seen, completely gone!"
"Meow!!" Skitty's fur stood on end in fear.
"The less you upset Sora, the longer she can live," Ryu continued. "Just try to act like I have these past few days. Even if you don't do it perfectly, your effort will make her happy."
He said no more. Beings always have to lose something before they can understand its value. He, who had just experienced death, felt this deeply. With her personality, Skitty would probably only wake up on the day Sora died, and by then, all that would be left is regret.
"Meow (I'll try my best)," Skitty whispered, following closely behind him.
[Inorin Note:
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