Chapter 20: The Green Gift
The campfire crackled by the serene lake on Ancient Sword Mountain, its flickering light casting shadows across Souichi Kiruma's tent. Silk, his oversized Caterpie, lounged nearby, its draconic aura dim but steady after a day of crushing wild Pokémon—Beedrill swarms, Spearow flocks, and that sneaky Arbok. Teddiursa, freshly caught and equipped with the Lucky Egg, slept in its Poké Ball, its faint growls echoing its budding resolve. Souichi sat cross-legged, his Pokégear glowing with a new Line message from *Champion Green*, the verified account of Evergreen Gym's leader. The system's panel hummed in his vision, its update a mix of opportunity and caution:
[Task Update: Finishing Touch Proficiency: 58%. Draconic transformation stable. Objective: Strengthen team synergy with Silk and Teddiursa; evaluate new Pokémon offer from 'Champion Green.' Lucky Egg active (Teddiursa experience gain +50%). Alert: High-profile connections (Kanto elites, Hoenn factions) increasing—Green's involvement signals major League interest. Exercise caution with new alliances.]
Souichi's fingers hovered over his Pokégear, his mind racing. *Green's offering me a Pokémon?* The former Kanto Champion's messages had been a whirlwind—praise for his breeding, admiration for his live stream, and now this. *Red's pulling strings, no doubt.* He typed back: *"Green, I'm honored. A Pokémon from you? That's huge. What's the catch?"* His grin hid a flicker of unease. *This is moving fast. Too fast?*
Green's reply came instantly: *"No catch, Ai-kun. You're a Cultivator like me—Silk's proof. I've got a Charmander with fire in its heart. Perfect for your team. Swing by Pallet when you're done on the mountain."* Souichi's eyes widened. *A Charmander? From Green?* His mind flashed to Silk's draconic ambition, Teddiursa's growing grit. *A fire-type could balance us out. And from a Champion? That's no ordinary lizard.*
In Evergreen City, Kanto, the gym's training arena was alive with the roar of flames. Green stood by the field, his Arcanine lounging nearby, its mane glowing as a small Charmander unleashed a Flamethrower. The fire was fierce, the lizard's tail flame blazing bright despite its youth. Red leaned against a wall, Pikachu on his shoulder, watching with a rare smirk. "You're really giving him that Charmander?" Red asked, eyeing the Pokémon's precise aim.
Green nodded, his grin wide. "Kid's a master. That Caterpie—Silk—it's a dragon in bug skin. And he's teaching rookies while punching Arbok? He's one of us." Green's title as the "Cultivator" came from raising champions like Arcanine and Exeggutor, but Souichi's work with Silk hit deeper. Their Line chat had sealed it—Aisha's insights into breeding, from energy cube ratios to move synergy, matched Green's own, even hinting at theories Dr. Oak hadn't published. *He's a genius. Gotta lock him in.*
Red's eyes gleamed. "He's Kanto-bound. Pallet's the spot." He typed in the elite trainer group chat: *"Red: Green's gifting the kid a Charmander. He's in deep now."*
*Cerulean Mermaid: A CHARMANDER? From Green?! Kid's gonna burn Kanto down.*
*I'm just pushing Miss Walnut: Da Yan Kung Fu and a fire lizard? RIP Rookie Cup.*
*Gorgeous Water Artist: That team's Sky Pillar-ready. Hoenn's waiting.*
*To purchase precious gemstones, contact Devon: Mikoli, focus. Pacifidlog's critical.*
In Caiyou City, Hoenn, Wallace and Steven watched a stream replay in their harbor café, Milotic and Metagross tense. "He's drawing Champions now," Wallace said, his eyes on Souichi's takedown of the Beedrill swarm. "Green's Charmander? That's a game-changer." Steven nodded, his Pokégear flashing with Devon's seismic alerts—Pacifidlog's spikes were nearing crisis levels. "Magma and Aqua will see this. We need him in Hoenn, fast."
Steven typed to Red: *"Green's move ties him to Kanto. Charmander's a smart play, but Hoenn's unstable. Get him to Pallet, then we'll guide him to the Sky Pillar."* Wallace added, "He's building a legend. We can't let the wrong side claim him."
Back at the campsite, Souichi fed Silk another energy cube, its glow flaring as it munched. *Charmander, huh?* He released Teddiursa, its Lucky Egg glinting as it sniffed the air, sensing Silk's strength. *This bear's got heart, but a fire-type could light up our game.* Teddiursa's thoughts churned—*That bug's a beast. I gotta step up. And a new friend? I'm ready.* It growled softly, claws flexing, eager to prove itself.
Silk, meanwhile, eyed the lake, its ambition burning. *Beedrill, Spearow, Arbok—all weak. Groudon, Kyogre, I'm coming for you.* Its failure to spot the Arbok still stung, but Green's gift sparked new fire. *A Charmander? Good. More allies for the Emperor's throne.* Souichi caught Silk's fierce gaze and grinned. "You're dreaming big, buddy. We'll make it happen."
His Pokégear buzzed again—*Champion Green*: *"Charmander's waiting in Pallet. Bring Silk and that Teddiursa. We're sparring, Cultivator to Cultivator."* Another from the unknown ID: *"Green's gift is a test. Pass it, and Kanto's yours. Sky Pillar's next."* Souichi's heart raced. *Pallet, then Hoenn. They're all in.* He typed back: *"Pallet's on. Charmander's a deal. See you soon, Green."*
The system pinged: *Combat proficiency: 59%. Team synergy: 12%. New asset (Charmander) pending.* Souichi looked at Silk and Teddiursa, the campfire's glow dancing in their eyes. "Kanto's calling, team. Then Hoenn. We're building an empire." The Sky Pillar loomed in his mind, a blade piercing the stars, and the Emperor's legend grew hotter with Green's fiery gift.