----
It had been over an hour since they left Greenfield.
The city had faded behind the hills, its crystalline nightmare nothing more than a memory.
Now, under a gentle sun, Kai and Erika continued westward through riverbanks and over hills until they reached a wide and verdant plain just before noon.
There, in the heart of the open meadow, sparkled a serene lake, surrounded by thousands of wild Pokémon in peaceful harmony.
---
From atop a grassy rise, they paused to take it all in.
Ladyba flitted above-blooming flowers in buzzing clouds. Groups of Mareep grazed lazily, their wool shining beneath the sun. Politoed poked their heads above the lake's surface, croaking merrily.
There was no territorial bickering, no predator-prey tension. Just peace. A rare, beautiful peace.
Kai lifted his phone and snapped a photo.
Click.
This... this was worth remembering.
---
After lowering his camera, he pulled up the map. If they kept pace, they'd reach Violet City by this time tomorrow. Since Kai had already earned the Zephyr Badge, they wouldn't need to stay long, regroup,, and push forward.
Good. We're back on schedule.
---
Beside him, Erika suddenly made a quiet noise of interest.
Kai followed her gaze. Across the lake, a large flock of Hoppip floated lazily in the breeze, drifting like pink balloons among the grass.
Kai smirked.
"Thinking of catching one?"
Erika nodded, eyes alight. "Definitely. We don't have Hoppip in Kanto too warm for them."
"Go for it."
The two made their way downhill, and as they stepped onto the meadow, many wild Pokémon turned to watch. But none panicked. This place clearly had regular visitors trainers, researchers, and maybe even locals.
Kai kept his distance while Erika moved forward. She wasn't rushing in. She was studying them watching for temperament, rhythm, and behavior.
She didn't go for the strongest or biggest. No, she waited. Watched.
Then she saw it one with a graceful bounce and elegant movement.
That was the one.
It drifted slightly away from the group.
Perfect.
She made her move.
Kai watched silently as Erika sent out her Leafeon, challenged the Hoppip, and captured it smoothly. The battle barely lasted three minutes. Type matchup aside, a Gym Leader's Pokémon made short work of most wild encounters.
When she returned, Poké Ball in hand, Kai clapped.
"Well done, Erika. Clean. Efficient. Not even a scratch on Leafeon."
She rolled her eyes at him but smiled all the same.
"It's already noon," she said, checking the sun. "Let's eat here."
Kai nodded.
They moved off the beaten path and found a quiet place shaded by trees. He released his Pokémon. They knew what to do.
Without a word, they divided tasks gathering firewood, fetching water, and clearing space.
Erika, meanwhile, slipped into the role of chef, prepping ingredients with practiced elegance.
Kai helped her out, and in less than twenty minutes, a rustic yet lavish spread was ready simple in ingredients, exquisite in execution.
Kai whistled.
"Damn. Not only does it taste amazing, it looks amazing. You sure you're not secretly a five-star chef?"
Erika smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was raised to be useful, not helpless."
He could only nod in admiration.
She even had meals ready for the Pokémon individually portioned, nutritionally balanced, and clearly well-received.
The Pokémon gathered together, forming a circle around the food, all digging in happily.
Even Kai had to admit that Erika's cooking was right up there with Brock's.
For the sake of bonding, Erika released her newly caught Hoppip, and Kai, feeling the moment, released Suicune.
...Though, to prevent escape, he also released the Legendary Birds.
Hoppip settled in quickly, drifting gently to Erika's side and snuggling up with Leafeon and Tangela.
Suicune, on the other hand...
High and proud.
It sat apart from the group, regal but aloof.
It clearly hadn't accepted Kai yet.
It wanted to bolt. That much was obvious.
But the Legendary Birds?
They weren't having it.
Each stood around Suicune, calmly preening their feathers yet their eyes never left it.
You even try, their looks said, and you're getting roasted, frozen, and fried.
Suicune flinched.
Memories of the Tri-Bird Annihilation flickered in its mind.
It sighed.
And settled down.
----
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