In the Pokémon town, the trio led by Litleo had just returned from the wild after completing another commission. After handing over the task to the Meowstic in charge, the three of them did not rest and instead hurried toward the entrance of the Exploration Team headquarters, because some new friends were waiting for them outside.
These were Pokémon they had met by chance during this mission. After learning about the existence of the Pokémon town, they decided to come along and take a look. The town had been developing rapidly and was already on the right track. Every day, new Pokémon from outside would arrive. Most were brought in by exploration teams, friends they had met in the wild. Some chose to stay, while others eventually left again.
Litleo led the two Pokémon around, introducing them to the town. Along the way, quite a few Pokémon cast curious glances at them, since their species were very rare in the Kalos region.
When they reached the town center, the attention of the two Pokémon was drawn to a notice board nearby. Seeing this, Litleo took the initiative to explain.
"Roar roar." (This is where the town posts important information and advertisements.)
"Wah wah?" (What about this one?)
"Roar!" (That one was put up by Dragonite. It is a recruitment notice for Jigglypuff's band. Jigglypuff is an amazing rock singer.)
The two Pokémon, whose only difference lay in their stripe patterns, exchanged a glance. A hint of fighting spirit appeared in their eyes.
They had traveled all the way from a distant continent to Kalos for one purpose: to challenge different singers. Hearing about a powerful rock singer naturally made them eager to pay a visit and compete in musical strength.
"Wah wah."
Hearing their question, Litleo felt a bit troubled. Fortunately, a Scrafty nearby reminded it of something, and Litleo quickly suggested:
"Roar roar." (We do not know where Jigglypuff lives, but Dragonite definitely does. You can stay in the town and wait for Dragonite.)
The two Pokémon nodded in agreement and decided to remain in the Pokémon town for the time being.
And so, they waited for several days.
It was not that Dragonite had stopped coming to the town, but rather that it had accompanied Silas on a trip to the Sinnoh region. Ever since he had Dragonite, Silas had not taken a plane again. Dragonite's flying speed was astonishing, and it could land anywhere at any time. In every aspect, it surpassed the experience of flying.
After more than two hours of continuous flight, Dragonite landed in the outskirts of Sunyshore City on the eastern coast of Sinnoh.
"Phew!"
The moment Silas jumped down from Dragonite's back, he could not help but shiver. The breath he exhaled formed visible white clouds in front of him.
It was only early autumn in Kalos, but Sinnoh was already approaching winter. It only lacked a snowfall. The temperature here was noticeably lower. Silas quickly tightened his coat and pulled up his hood, then smiled as he patted Dragonite's round belly.
"Are you cold, Dragonite?"
Dragonite shook its head. This level of cold meant nothing to it.
Silas placed his hand on Dragonite's scales and felt the chill.
"Here, I prepared this scarf for you. You should still wear it."
In the past, it might not have mattered, but now that they had the means to keep warm, there was no need to endure the cold unnecessarily.
He carefully wrapped a large blue and white scarf around Dragonite's neck and adjusted it neatly, nodding in satisfaction.
"Feels warmer now, right?"
"Draa~"
Dragonite lowered its head and rubbed against Silas's hand, smiling as it nodded.
"Let's go. We will find a place to eat something hot, wait for Diantha, and then head to the Sinnoh League together."
The man and his Pokémon entered Sunyshore City. Elevated walkways crisscrossed everywhere, one of the defining features of this port city. Another iconic landmark was the lighthouse, whose navigation light could be seen clearly from almost any angle, guiding ships coming and going.
Sunyshore City was also a necessary stop on the way to the Sinnoh League, and it housed its own Gym.
Silas casually picked a hot pot restaurant and ordered a spicy broth. He and Dragonite began eating while waiting.
He did not have to wait long. Soon, a figure appeared at the entrance of the restaurant. With her long hair flowing down her back and a scarf printed with a cute winking Eevee design around her neck, Diantha arrived.
"Meow."
Litten, appeared beside her, guiding her toward Silas.
Diantha smiled and greeted Litten. She crouched down, intending to pick it up, but the little cat stepped back, dodging her attempt. Its tail flicked lightly against her outstretched hand, and it gave her a cautious sideways glance.
If it were not for the fact that this woman had a close relationship with Silas, it would not have been just a tail swipe but a claw.
Unable to pet the shiny cat, Diantha did not give up. She followed behind at a safe distance until they reached the table.
The moment it saw Silas, Litten leapt into his arms, rubbing its head affectionately against him, completely different from its earlier wary behavior.
Silas scratched under its chin and gestured for Diantha to sit down.
A Galarian Meowth handed her a spoon, a fork and a bowl, then shifted aside to make space for Dragonite.
"So well behaved."
Diantha could not resist reaching out to pinch Galarian Meowth. If she could not pet the soft little cat, she could at least pet the steel one.
Meanwhile, her other hand quietly moved closer to Silas's and took his left hand.
Feeling the soft touch in his palm, Silas turned his head in confusion and met Diantha's smiling eyes. Her fingers gently brushed against his palm.
They held eye contact for three seconds. Just as Diantha thought this block of wood had finally become enlightened, her hand was suddenly pulled away and tucked into Silas's coat pocket.
"Your hand is cold. My pocket is pretty warm. You can use it to warm up."
Hearing this, Diantha's cheeks puffed up like a bun.
Was it really that hard to hold hands?
She sighed inwardly, but soon made peace with herself. After all, everyone knew her boyfriend was as dense as wood. There was no need to get angry.
"Did you bring enough money?"
"I brought some. Why?"
Silas only looked up after making sure Litten had finished its last bite of meat.
"Today I am going to eat you broke," Diantha said through gritted teeth.
"Here, the Slowpoke tail meat just arrived."
Diantha's eyes lit up. It was her favorite.
The fact that Silas still remembered her preferences made her immediately pick up a piece and dip it into the hot pot.
"Ah, so good."
"I will forgive you for now." With delicious food in front of her, Diantha decided not to dwell on it. "Waiter, bring five more plates of Slowpoke tail."
The two of them were in no rush. They ate and chatted, sharing amusing stories from their recent lives.
During the meal, Diantha tried several times to sneakily pet the shiny Litten, but each attempt was skillfully avoided.
One of the stories she told caught Silas's attention.
In the southern forests of Kalos, a wild Grovyle had recently gained quite a reputation. It punished mischievous Pokémon and had strength surpassing many second stage evolutions.
Because it often fought using the blades on its arms, some trainers had given it the nickname "Twin Blade Swordsman."
Its impressive strength and chivalrous personality made it quite popular among trainers. So many trainers gathered to challenge it that they even organized a small tournament to compete for the chance to catch it.
The more Silas listened, the stranger his expression became.
Why did this sound so familiar? Could it really be that Grovyle he knew?
What puzzled him even more was that Grovyle was already quite strong, so why had it not evolved yet?
He asked Diantha, but she could not give an answer. Many trainers had the same question. Some even speculated that whoever could uncover the reason behind Grovyle's refusal to evolve might earn its recognition.
At the same time, deep within the southern forest of Kalos, the Grovyle stood silently, gazing at a stone statue before it.
The statue depicted a dragon Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)
TN: This is probably the Grovyle that Silas met along with Tropius and Meganium.