Chapter 7: Bonds Forged in Courage
The last traces of Goldenrod City's evening drizzle clung to the air, carrying the faint scent of damp grass and urban steel. Inside Souichi Kiruma's modest apartment, the glow of his laptop had faded, leaving only the soft hum of his Pokégear and the distant pulse of the city's neon heart. The livestream was over, its chaotic energy lingering in the flood of notifications still pinging his device—fans raving about his Hypnosis Powder tactics, memeing his "Emperor" title, and speculating wildly about Red's Master Ball gift. Souichi sat at his cluttered desk, a cold takeout burger forgotten beside him, his mind a whirlwind of adrenaline and possibility. Red's private message glowed on his Pokégear: *"Love your streams, kid. Your tactics are something else. Let's connect."* The Kanto Champion's words felt like a badge earned in a battle he hadn't expected to fight.
Souichi stepped outside to the apartment's shared courtyard, the cool night air a balm against his racing thoughts. Silk, his Caterpie, lay curled on a patch of soft grass, its green hide glistening under the sodium glow of a nearby lamp. Exhausted from practicing Finishing Touch, it slept soundly, its pink antennae twitching with each steady breath. Souichi crouched beside it, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "You're working harder than me, buddy," he murmured, gently lifting the Caterpie and cradling it in his arms. The system's panel flickered in his vision, its clinical tone a stark contrast to the warmth he felt:
[Task Update: Finishing Touch Proficiency: 45%. Caterpie's draconic aura nearing transformation threshold. Objective: Achieve 50% proficiency to enable partial transformation control. Note: System safeguards ensure no physical harm from training intensity. Alert: High-profile trainer engagement deepening—strategic alliances critical for Hoenn expedition.]
*Safeguards, huh?* Souichi's smile softened. The system was a cryptic taskmaster, but its protection of Silk was a small mercy. Without it, he'd never have pushed his partner to wield a move as absurdly powerful as Finishing Touch—a draconic strike that could shake the heavens, channeled through a one-meter-long bug. He carried Silk inside, nestling it into a cushioned basket lined with Oran Berry leaves, its faint glow a reminder of the impossible destiny they shared. *Groudon and Kyogre won't wait forever. Neither can we.*
Sitting at his living room table, Souichi munched on the cold burger, his thoughts drifting to Red's message. The Champion's interest wasn't just a boost—it was a lifeline. Facing Hoenn's primordials alone was suicide, even with Silk's growing power. But Red? The guy who'd toppled Team Rocket and stared down legends? *That's a thigh worth hugging.* Souichi smirked, already plotting. *If I can get Red on board, maybe even drag in Steven or Wallace, we might just survive the Sky Pillar.* He tapped his Pokégear, rereading his reply to Red: *"Heading to Hoenn soon for… reasons. Keep an eye on the news."* It was vague, but enough to pique the Champion's curiosity. *Let's see if he bites.*
In Pallet Town, Kanto, the night was quieter, the air thick with the scent of cedar and sea salt. Red's childhood bedroom was a time capsule—faded posters of Charizard and Blastoise, a cluttered desk piled with Poké Balls and training logs. He sat cross-legged on the floor, his laptop open to Souichi's PokéNet channel, replaying clips from the stream. Yellow sat nearby, her Butterfree perched on her shoulder, its wings casting soft shadows in the firelight. Red's crimson cap rested on a chair, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he studied Souichi's latest video—a training vlog featuring Silk, the Caterpie's oversized frame and vibrant scales stealing the show.
"This kid's got a gift," Red said, his voice low but alive with admiration. "Look at that Caterpie. It's not just healthy—it's thriving. Those scales, the muscle tone, the way it moves… Souichi's poured his heart into it." He paused, zooming in on a clip of Silk weaving through a makeshift obstacle course, its String Shot precision rivaling a Spinarak's. "Most trainers his age chase Salamence or Garchomp. He's raising a Caterpie like it's a dragon."
Yellow leaned closer, her straw hat tilting as she studied the screen. "It's not just care—it's strategy. That Caterpie's got potential most pros would overlook." Her Butterfree chirped, as if agreeing, and Yellow's eyes softened. As a trainer with the rare "Viridian Power," she could sense a Pokémon's vitality, and Silk's was electric, almost otherworldly. "You think it's the one from the Hoenn rumors? The 'Rayquaza' that stopped Groudon and Kyogre?"
Red's gaze sharpened, his mind replaying the blurry photos from Sootopolis—a green dragon, not quite Rayquaza, but too close for coincidence. "If it is, Souichi's not just a streamer. He's playing a bigger game." He tapped his Pokégear, where Souichi's latest message glowed: *"Heading to Hoenn soon."* Red's lips curved into a rare grin. "He's going back to ground zero. That's not a tourist trip—it's a mission."
Yellow's eyes widened, a mix of awe and concern. "You think he's chasing the real Rayquaza? At the Sky Pillar?" She hesitated, her Butterfree fluttering nervously. "That's… insane. Even for you, Red."
Red chuckled, leaning back. "Insane's how legends are made. I like him already." His mind flashed to his own journey—facing Mewtwo's psychic storms, outwitting Giovanni's schemes. Souichi's passion for "weak" Pokémon, his defiance of convention, echoed Red's own path. *"No useless Pokémon, only trainers who fail their potential."* The words had struck a chord, reminding him of his own team—Pokémon dismissed as "inferior" by rivals, yet forged into champions through grit and trust. "This kid's a kindred spirit. I want him in my corner."
Yellow tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You're already planning to drag him into a battle, aren't you? Or introduce him to Green." She laughed, imagining Red's rival—a tactical genius with a knack for provocation—clashing with Souichi's unorthodox flair. "They'd either be best friends or start a war."
Red's grin widened. "Green'd love him. They're both theory nerds—Green with his Pokédex obsession, Souichi with his Butterfree strats. Throw 'em in a room, and they'd talk movesets until the sun comes up." He tapped his Pokégear, drafting a message to Green: *"Found a kid in Johto worth meeting. Streams like a pro, trains like a master. Heading to Hoenn. You in?"* Red's rivalry with Green was legendary, a clash of fire and ice that had pushed both to greatness. Souichi, with his bold tactics and mysterious Caterpie, felt like a spark that could ignite something new.
Back in Goldenrod, Souichi stood by his window, staring out at the city's twinkling skyline. Silk stirred in its nest, its faint glow pulsing like a heartbeat. The system's latest alert echoed in his mind: *Strategic alliances critical.* Red was a start, but Hoenn was a crucible—Team Magma and Aqua were still out there, and Groudon and Kyogre's wrath was a ticking bomb. Souichi's plan was reckless but clear: train Silk to master Finishing Touch, reach the Sky Pillar, and summon the true Rayquaza. With Red's support, maybe even Green's, he could turn the impossible into a fighting chance.
He sat at his desk, pulling up a digital map of Hoenn's Route 131. The Sky Pillar loomed in his imagination—a jagged spire piercing the clouds, steeped in the Meteor People's lore. *Rayquaza's domain.* His fingers traced the route, his mind racing with logistics—travel costs, supplies, potential allies. *Steven Stone's in Hoenn. Wallace too. If Red's watching, maybe they are too.* Souichi's heart pounded, a mix of fear and fire. He wasn't just a freshman anymore, not just a streamer. He was a trainer with a Caterpie that could shake the heavens—and a Champion who believed in him.
Silk chirped softly, crawling onto his lap. Souichi smiled, ruffling its antennae. "We're not alone anymore, buddy. Red's got our back, and Hoenn's waiting." The system hummed, its panel glowing: *Proficiency: 46%. Transformation imminent.* Outside, Goldenrod's lights shimmered like stars, and Souichi felt the weight of destiny shift—not a burden, but a call to rise. The Emperor was ready, and the world would know his name.