Chapter 144: Enemies on a Narrow Road
"I've already contacted my friend for you," Forrest explained. "But he's traveling in the Sinnoh region. He said he'll have his cousin come pick you up."
That was reassuring. "Thank you," Ryu said.
"Before his cousin arrives, you and the little cat can stay here," Forrest said, then motioned for Ryu to follow him into the small forest within the ecological park. Floragato followed, her gaze lingering on the Treecko perched in a tree.
"Sceptile, look at this Treecko," Forrest said. "Do you think evolution can solve his eye problem?"
Ryu scratched his head. "Why would I know?" He had never seen a case like this before, where only one eye was a different color.
"My family's Pokémon doctor guesses it might be because his father was a Goodra from the Kalos region," Forrest said, then called up to the tree, "Treecko~ Look, it's your evolved form!"
"Treecko?" The little Pokémon came back to his senses, and his eyes lit up when he saw Ryu. He climbed down from the tree but hid cautiously behind the trunk, peeking out at the magnificent Sceptile.
Ryu quietly met his gaze. He really didn't know how a Sceptile was supposed to interact with a Treecko.
"Meow," Floragato said, reaching out and taking Ryu's hand.
"Treecko?" The little one's eyes filled with confusion.
"Come on, Treecko, don't be so shy," Forrest said, gently bringing the little Pokémon out from behind the tree. "Because of his eye problem, he's always received strange looks, so his personality has become a bit timid."
"I see," Ryu nodded, understanding completely.
"Treecko," the little one chirped, his eyes full of longing and admiration. In the Sceptile family, the final evolution is the undisputed king. This emotion transcended the simple genetic awe of other species; it was a form of worship that gave birth to true loyalty.
"Do you plan to return to the wild, or follow a human?" Ryu asked, stroking his head. He knew that Pokémon with 'mutations' often had a difficult life in their own colonies.
"Treecko..?" The little one was confused. He had never thought about leaving the kindergarten. It was a good place. But he also knew he couldn't stay forever. "Treecko? (Can I go with you?)" he asked.
"Meow!" Floragato spoke before Ryu could, refusing on his behalf.
"Well, I already have this little tag-along with me, so I can't let you follow me," Ryu said, not scolding Floragato for her outburst. He really didn't plan on taking on any more partners. "As for me," he told the Treecko, "I'd recommend you go to the Alliance and find a trustworthy partner. Maybe you can meet a trainer as good as Forrest, or even better."
"Treecko..." The little one looked at Forrest, was moved by Ryu's words, and nodded. He had made his decision.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
A strong wind sound came from the sky. A familiar young man on a Charizard descended. It was Jet.
"Hey! Forrest! The Pokémon you asked me to bring... it's not this Sceptile, is it?"
"Roar ha!" The Charizard was very excited to see Ryu. It swung its tail, throwing its trainer to the ground, and then came over to pat its chest, demanding a rematch.
"It's good to not give up, but you also need to recognize your own strength," Ryu said, not even looking at the Charizard. He had no interest in beating up children.
[Inorin Note:
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