Chapter 22: Pokémon's Choice
The moonlight shimmered across the tranquil lake on Ancient Sword Mountain, its surface a silver mirror broken only by faint ripples. Souichi Kiruma stood by his tent, the campfire's dying embers casting a soft glow over his camp. Silk, his oversized Caterpie, coiled protectively nearby, its draconic aura pulsing as its antennae twitched, alert to the sudden commotion in the water. Teddiursa's Poké Ball, clipped to Souichi's belt, hummed faintly with the Lucky Egg's energy. The system's panel glowed in his vision, its update a nudge toward action:
[Task Update: Finishing Touch Proficiency: 58%. Draconic transformation stable. Objective: Capture a wild Pokémon on Ancient Sword Mountain to complete system task. Integrate Charmander (Green's gift) into team. Lucky Egg active (Teddiursa experience gain +50%). Alert: High-profile attention escalating—Da Yan's Ghost King (Xia Yi), Kanto elites (Green, Red), and Hoenn factions tracking host. Unidentified disturbance detected in lake—investigate with caution.]
Souichi tossed an empty can aside, his eyes narrowing as another Magikarp flopped onto the shore, scales bruised, thrashing weakly. *Something's in that lake, and it's not playing nice.* He glanced at Silk, whose glow flared with anticipation. "Alright, buddy, let's flush it out. Electroweb on the water—full power!" Silk chirped, its massive body tensing as golden sparks crackled from its mouth, forming a shimmering net that surged across the lake's surface. The water erupted in a burst of light, waves churning as something thrashed below.
PokéNet buzzed on Souichi's Pokégear, the ended stream still trending with comments: *"Emperor's camp is goals!"* *"Caterpie's a dragon, but what's next?"* Green's Line message lingered in his mind: *"Charmander's yours. Pallet in two days."* Souichi's heart raced—Green's gift was a game-changer, but the system's task demanded a wild capture. *Charmander's a bonus, but I need to pick my own fighter here.* The lake's disturbance was an opportunity. *Let's see what's got these Magikarp spooked.*
In Evergreen City, Kanto, Green paced the gym's training arena, his Arcanine watching as the young Charmander practiced Ember, its tail flame blazing brighter with each burst. Red leaned against a wall, Pikachu's ears twitching as he scrolled through Souichi's stream replay. "Kid's got a knack for trouble," Red said, smirking. "That lake's stirring—bet he's about to catch something big."
Green nodded, his grin fierce. "He's a Cultivator. Silk's proof, and that Teddiursa's no slouch. My Charmander's gonna shine with him." Their Line chat had confirmed it—Souichi's breeding knowledge, from energy cube blends to move optimization, rivaled Green's own. *He's not just a trainer; he's a visionary.* Green typed in the elite trainer group chat: *"Champion Green: Ai's at a lake. Something's up. Bet he catches a beast."*
*Cerulean Mermaid: Lake trouble? He'll punch it like that Arbok!*
*I'm just pushing Miss Walnut: Da Yan Kung Fu vs. water Pokémon? I'm in.*
*Gorgeous Water Artist: Sky Pillar needs that grit. Hoenn's watching.*
*To purchase precious gemstones, contact Devon: Mikoli, focus. Pacifidlog's spiking.*
In Da Yan's Pokémon League headquarters, Xia Yi, the Ghost King, leaned back in her office, her Gengar hovering nearby, its grin mirroring her own. Souichi's file lay open on her desk, sealed by her authority to block prying eyes. Her computer screen replayed his stream, the *Ghost Otaku* ID hidden among the gift flood. *He's stirring the wilds,* she thought, her purple eyes glinting. *That lake's no coincidence. Hoenn's ancients, Sky Pillar—he's tied to it all.* She typed a secure message to an unknown ID: *"He's at a lake. Disturbance detected. Move to Pallet, then Hoenn. I'll clear the path."*
At the lake, the Electroweb's sparks lit up the water, and a deep bellow echoed from below. A shadow surged, breaking the surface—a Poliwrath, its muscular frame glistening, eyes blazing with defiance. *Bingo.* Souichi's grin widened. "Silk, String Shot—pin it!" The Caterpie spat sticky threads, aiming for Poliwrath's arms, but the water-type flexed, snapping the silk with a Hydro Pump that sent water spraying. *Tough one.* "Electroweb, max coverage!" Silk's golden net flared, electrifying the lake's edge, slowing Poliwrath's charge.
Souichi released Teddiursa, its Lucky Egg gleaming. "Bear, Slash—go for the legs!" Teddiursa lunged, claws flashing, but Poliwrath countered with a Dynamic Punch, forcing Teddiursa to dodge. Silk's Bug Bite landed, chomping Poliwrath's arm, and Teddiursa's Slash connected, staggering it. *Teamwork's coming along.* Souichi tossed a Poké Ball, the red beam enveloping Poliwrath. It shook once, twice, then clicked. The system pinged: *Task completed: Wild Pokémon (Poliwrath) captured. Combat proficiency: 60%. Team synergy: 18%.*
Souichi knelt by Silk and Teddiursa, ruffling their heads. "You two crushed it." Silk chirped, its glow fierce—*Another ally for the Emperor. I'll lead them to glory.* Teddiursa growled, its thoughts raw: *Water frog's tough. I'm tougher. Wait till the fire lizard joins.* Souichi grinned, holding the Poké Ball. *Poliwrath's a fighter. Perfect for the Sky Pillar.*
His Pokégear buzzed—*Champion Green*: *"Heard you caught something. Pallet's waiting. Charmander's ready."* Another from *Ghost Otaku*: *"Nice catch. Poliwrath's a beast. Kanto's your stage—then Hoenn."* Souichi typed back: *"Pallet in two. Poliwrath's in, Charmander's next. Ready for the big time."*
In Caiyou City, Hoenn, Wallace and Steven watched the replay, Milotic and Metagross alert. "Poliwrath? Smart choice," Wallace said. "He's building a versatile team." Steven nodded, his Pokégear flashing with Devon's alerts—Pacifidlog's seismic spikes were critical. "Magma and Aqua will move soon. We need him in Hoenn before they strike."
The system hummed: *Combat proficiency: 61%. Hoenn convergence critical.* Souichi looked at the lake, its surface calm again, but the Sky Pillar loomed in his mind—a blade against the stars. "Silk, Teddiursa, Poliwrath, and soon Charmander," he said, his grin fierce. "We're the Great Flame King's army now." Silk's glow flared, Teddiursa and Poliwrath's Poké Balls pulsed, and the Emperor's legend burned brighter, ready for Kanto's stage and Hoenn's destiny.