Chapter 19: The Second Pokémon's Thoughts
The twilight over Ancient Sword Mountain cast a soft glow across the small lake, its surface mirroring the fading oranges and purples of the sky. Souichi Kiruma sat by a crackling bonfire, his tent pitched on a grassy knoll, the Silph Co. live broadcast drone powered down and tucked into his bag. Silk, his oversized Caterpie, lounged nearby, its meter-long body coiled around a bowl of energy cubes and nutritional supplements, munching contentedly. The pure white silk it had spun around nearby trees formed a shimmering barrier, a natural defense against nocturnal Pokémon. The system's panel glowed in Souichi's vision, summarizing the day's triumphs:
[Task Update: Finishing Touch Proficiency: 58%. Draconic transformation stable. Objective: High-intensity combat training completed; Teddiursa synergy improving (Lucky Egg active, +50% experience gain). Alert: Live broadcast has drawn critical attention—Hoenn factions, Kanto elites, and unknown entities now prioritizing host. New contact detected: 'Champion Green' (verified). Exercise caution with new alliances.]
Souichi leaned back, the cool grass beneath him, and glanced at Silk. "You were a beast today, buddy." The Caterpie chirped, its draconic aura pulsing faintly, its eyes gleaming with a fire that hadn't dimmed despite the day's battles—Beedrill swarms, Spearow flocks, even that sneaky Arbok. *This bug's dreaming bigger than I am,* Souichi thought, chuckling. His own reflexes, sharpened by the system, had saved him from the Arbok's strike, and Silk's Electroweb had turned a Beedrill horde into a smoking pile. The live stream had been a hit, PokéNet exploding with gifts and comments: *"Emperor's a Kung Fu god!"* *"Caterpie's basically Rayquaza!"*
But the day's intensity had revealed a gap. *One Pokémon's not enough.* Souichi glanced at the Poké Ball on his belt, where Teddiursa rested, its Lucky Egg boosting its growth. *Good start, but we need more.* The system's task to capture a Pokémon had been a wake-up call—Hoenn's Sky Pillar would demand a full team, not just Silk's draconic might. *Gotta find the right fit. Something with heart, like Silk.*
Silk, meanwhile, was lost in its own thoughts, its jaws crunching an energy cube. *I crushed those Beedrill. Spearow too. Groudon and Kyogre won't stand a chance.* Its battles in Sootopolis, scattering primal gods with a flicker of Finishing Touch, had ignited an ambition it never knew it had. *I'm no bug. I'm a dragon. I'll make him the Emperor, the greatest.* But the Arbok's ambush had stung its pride. *I missed it. Can't let that happen again.* Silk's antennae twitched, vowing to grow stronger, faster—worthy of Souichi's trust.
Souichi's Pokégear buzzed, snapping him from his thoughts. A Line notification: *"'Champion Green' requests to add you as a friend."* His eyes widened, flicking to the profile—verified, Evergreen Gym leader, former Kanto Champion. *Green?!* He scrolled through Green's PokéNet, seeing posts of Arcanine and Exeggutor, each a testament to his "Cultivator" title. *Why's he reaching out?* Souichi's mind flashed to Red. *Gotta be Red's doing. That guy's my ticket to the big leagues.*
He hesitated, then accepted the request, typing: *"Hey, Green. Big fan. Thanks for the Master Ball—Silk's hyped."* A reply came fast: *"Kid, that Caterpie's a freak. You're a Cultivator like me. Pallet's waiting—let's talk."* Souichi's pulse quickened. *Pallet. Red and Green. This is it.*
In Evergreen City, Kanto, Red and Green sat in the gym's lounge, Pikachu dozing on Red's shoulder, Arcanine sprawled at Green's feet. Green grinned at his Pokégear. "He accepted. Kid's got manners." Red nodded, his cap shadowing his eyes. "Told you he's solid. That stream—Silk's a dragon, and he's fighting like one too."
Green leaned back, still buzzing from the stream. "Punching an Arbok? Luring a Beedrill swarm? He's nuts, but it's brilliant. Teaching rookies while crushing wild Pokémon." He paused, his respect deepening. "He's not just raising a Caterpie—he's rewriting what's possible. I need to meet him."
Red typed in the elite trainer group chat: *"Red: Kid's got Green's attention. Stream's a masterclass. He's Kanto-bound."*
*Cerulean Mermaid: Punching Arbok?! He's not human!*
*I'm just pushing Miss Walnut: Da Yan Kung Fu is terrifying.*
*Gorgeous Water Artist: That Caterpie's Sky Pillar-ready. Hoenn's watching.*
*To purchase precious gemstones, contact Devon: Mikoli, focus. Seismic spikes are critical.*
In Caiyou City, Hoenn, Wallace and Steven watched the stream's replay in their harbor café, Milotic and Metagross alert. "He's a teacher and a fighter," Wallace said, his eyes gleaming. "That Caterpie's a dragon, and he's got the guts to match." Steven nodded, his Pokégear flashing with Devon's alerts—Pacifidlog's seismic spikes were surging. "Magma and Aqua will see that stream. We need to secure him before they do."
Steven typed to Red: *"Kid's a target now. Stream's too big. Keep him safe in Kanto—Hoenn's volatile."* Wallace added, "Sky Pillar's his destiny. We'll meet him there."
Back at the campsite, Souichi released Teddiursa, its Lucky Egg glinting as it yawned and stretched. "Alright, little bear, you're part of the crew now." Teddiursa growled softly, eyeing Silk with curiosity. *This bug's strong. I wanna be like that.* Its thoughts were simple but fierce—*I'll fight for him. Gotta get tougher.* Souichi grinned, sensing its resolve. "Tomorrow, we train as a team. Silk, you show Teddiursa the ropes."
Silk chirped, its glow flaring—*I'll lead, but you better keep up, bear.* Teddiursa nodded, its claws flexing. The system pinged: *Team synergy: 10%. Combat proficiency: 59%.* Souichi's Pokégear buzzed again—*Champion Green*: *"Bring that Caterpie to Pallet. We're sparring."* Another from the unknown ID: *"Camp's secure, but eyes are everywhere. Kanto's your next step—Sky Pillar after."*
Souichi looked at the lake, its surface calm but hiding depths. *Hoenn's calling. Kanto first.* He patted Silk and Teddiursa, his grin fierce. "We're building a legend, team." The Sky Pillar loomed in his mind, a blade against the stars, and the Emperor's ambition burned brighter, fueled by Silk's fire and Teddiursa's budding resolve.