Silas had his Pokémon stand guard around him before releasing the unconscious Castform onto the soft grass.
He sighed lightly. "You know, if you'd just let me catch you without a fuss, you wouldn't have to wake up sore."
From his bag, he pulled out a small bottle of healing medicine spray, uncapped it carefully, and sprayed on the Castform's body. The cool sensation spread instantly through its gas-like form.
The sudden chill jolted the tiny Pokémon awake.
"Yo–yo!"
Startled, Castform's eyes flew open as she instinctively sprang backward, hovering shakily in midair. Her round eyes darted around in panic.
Surrounding it were intimidating figures-Sharpedo's jagged fin gleamed under the light, Crawdaunt's massive claws clicked menacingly, and Murkrow's red eyes gleamed from a low branch.
If it could sweat, it would've been drenched.
The little Weather Pokémon trembled, wisps of vapor escaping from her body. Fear was written across her small face.
'Maybe… I shouldn't have left my home', she thought. 'Maybe the outside world isn't as wonderful as it looked from the clouds…'
Seeing her shake, Silas softened his tone.
"Heh, relax, little cloud. You've got a trainer now. No one's gonna hurt you."
He smiled and pulled out an Pokéblock cube, holding it out. "Here. Peace offering."
Most wild Pokémon would've jumped at the chance. But to Silas's surprise, Castform only floated closer, sniffed it, and nibbled gently,then spat it out with a disgusted "Yoo~."
"…Excuse me?" Silas blinked.
He frowned, then swapped it out for another. "Alright, maybe this one's more your flavor. I added some sweet spice-Eevee's favorite."
The pink Pokéblock sparkled faintly. Surely nothing could resist that.
Castform took another tiny bite, paused, then pulled the same face-displeased, unimpressed.
Eevee, who had been lounging nearby, froze.
Then her ears twitched. Her tail stiffened.
Her treat… spat out.
Her glare could've frozen a Gyarados mid-roar.
"Vee…"
Even Silas felt the temperature drop. "Okay, so… not a fan of sweets. Duly noted."
He broke off a piece himself, tasting it.
"…That's fine. Perfectly fine."
Now he was just confused. "So it's not the food."
After a few minutes of failed bribery, Silas sighed. "Fine. Back to basics."
He'd already battled and caught it once, but to make sure it didn't get rebellious, he decided to reinforce the capture with a light spar.
His team took turns-nothing harsh, just enough to keep the new recruit humble. Castform's gaseous body shimmered under each blow until her shape thinned, air wisps escaping.
Silas winced slightly but quickly checked the Pokédex.
"Good. Those vapors can be reabsorbed through moisture. You'll be fine."
Still, the way its body worked fascinated him. A life form made of condensed atmosphere… nature really doesn't run out of surprises.
"Alright," he clapped his hands. "We've rested long enough. Once we cross this forest, we'll reach Lavaridge Town."
He adjusted his backpack, ready to move-
When a sharp cry cut through the quiet.
"Yo yo yo!"
Castform suddenly floated upward, her body glowing faintly as she drifted toward the east.
Silas blinked. "What now?"
The little Pokémon turned midair, chirping insistently, as if telling him to follow.
Silas frowned. "You want me to go that way?"
He hesitated. His instincts prickled.
'Could it be… trying to lead me to something? Maybe its parent? Or…' He narrowed his eyes. 'A trap?'
The thought hit him like a spark. 'Please, come right in,' huh? Classic bait setup.
He didn't move right away. Years of cautious habit made him pause and think things through.
His mind had saved him before-several times, in fact.
"Sorry, cloud girl," he muttered softly, raising the Ultra Ball. "Until I'm sure, you're staying put."
A flash of red light recalled Castform. Silas snapped the capsule shut and clipped it back to his belt.
Then, turning to his team, he smiled faintly. "Alright. We'll check that direction ourselves."
Crawdaunt raised a claw. "Craw!"
"Sharpedo, Murkrow, Eevee-you know the drill," he added. "If there's any danger, use Protect immediately."
"Shark!"
"krow!"
"Vee!"
Each nodded solemnly. They'd heard this order many times before. By now, protecting Silas wasn't a command-it was instinct.
Satisfied, he pressed onward into the deep woods.
The forest stretched longer than expected, twilight slowly painting the trees gold and red. Hours passed, and he found nothing unusual until he stumbled upon a gaping cave mouth hidden beneath tangled roots.
It was wide, dark, and… endless.
Silas crouched, peering in. He walked for half an hour, but the tunnel only deepened into pitch black. No wind. No light. Just quiet.
"Could this be what Castform was pointing at?" he murmured, stepping back out into the dim glow of sunset.
He leaned against a boulder, thinking hard.
Murkrow perched above him, ever alert. Crawdaunt stood by like a crimson sentinel.
Even without words, his Pokémon mirrored his cautious rhythm-ready for anything.
Finally, Silas exhaled, decision made.
He tapped Castform's Poké Ball, releasing her again but this time, he did it carefully, surrounded by his team in a protective circle.
"Yoyo~~!"
The little Weather Pokémon appeared and instantly cried out in protest, her voice high and indignant, as though accusing him of betrayal.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Silas said dryly. "Heartless trainer, terrible hospitality. We'll unpack that later."
He pointed toward the shadowy cave entrance ahead.
"Tell me, was this what you were trying to show me before?"
Castform blinked, then bobbed up and down rapidly.
Her little ahoge straightened upright like an antenna.
Silas's eyes narrowed as he stared into the darkness.
"…So, something's inside there."
The forest was silent.
Even the wind seemed to hesitate.
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(End of chapter)