[Kalos, Forest near Lumiose City]
Elias moved through the forest, his boots crunching softly on a carpet of leaves and twigs. Golden sunlight slanted through towering oaks, painting dappled patterns across the mossy ground. The air buzzed with life—wildflowers laced the breeze with a sweet scent, and faint Pokémon cries echoed in the distance. His black jacket swayed as he walked, the hood resting lightly on his shoulders, his green eyes sharp and alert. At his belt, the dragon-patterned Poké Ball gleamed, a reminder of the choices he'd made to start anew. His heart thumped with excitement, tempered by caution. Kalos. A fresh start. I'll make this world my own, one step at a time.
He glanced at Deino, the small, blind dragon trotting beside him, sniffing the air with a low growl. Its furry head tilted, catching every sound and scent. Elias felt an instant connection, his bond with Deino as natural as breathing. "You're a troublemaker, aren't you?" he said, grinning. Deino snorted, lunging at a nearby berry bush, jaws snapping at ripe Oran Berries. "Hey, easy, buddy!" Elias laughed, grabbing the dragon's scruff before it uprooted the entire shrub. Deino growled in protest, berry juice splattering his boots, then nudged his leg, demanding more. Elias tossed it another berry, and it chomped happily, juice dribbling down its chin. "You're gonna eat me out of house and home," he teased, ruffling its fur.
Elias' mind sharpened as he focused on Deino's current moves—Tackle, Dragon Breath, Bite, Focus Energy. Each one was clear in his head, like a blueprint for battle. He knew how to refine them, make them stronger, and saw the path ahead: Deino evolving into Hydreigon, unlocking moves like Dragon Rage, Dark Pulse, Hyper Beam. For now, Deino's beginner moves were enough, but Elias was already planning how to train them up. Slow and steady, he thought, his strategist's brain mapping out the future. We'll build you into a legend.
He scanned the forest with sharp eyes, catching details: winding paths through the trees, faint claw marks in the dirt, the distant rustle of wings. A Pidgey flitted overhead, and Deino's head snapped up, growling eagerly. "Chill, champ," Elias said, resting a hand on its head. "We're not jumping into fights yet." But the idea sparked excitement. A small battle would test Deino's strength—and his own instincts.
He decided to train, starting simple. "Deino, hit that boulder with Dragon Breath," he said, pointing to a sturdy rock. He adjusted Deino's blind aim with a gentle nudge, knowing exactly how to guide it. The dragon let out a guttural roar, unleashing a shimmering wave of draconic energy that scorched the boulder, leaving a smoky trail. Elias whistled, impressed. "Solid work. Now Bite—go for the crack." Deino lunged, teeth sinking into the rock, splintering it with a satisfying crunch. "That's the spirit!" Elias tossed another berry, and Deino snapped it up, tail wagging like a puppy's.
The training stretched on, Elias pushing Deino to hone its moves. Tackle sent smaller rocks flying, Focus Energy sharpened its focus, and Dragon Breath grew steadier with each try. He kept it fun, mixing drills with play. Deino chased a rustling Caterpie, only for Elias to call it back with a laugh when it nearly crashed into a tree. "You're a menace," he said, ruffling its fur. Deino nipped at his sleeve, and Elias wrestled it gently, their bond growing stronger with every moment.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Elias' thoughts turned to the bigger picture. Kalos was full of possibilities—gyms, rivals, a championship waiting to be claimed. He'd take it all, his way, staying low-key but sharp. His eyes caught a trail of crushed grass, erratic claw marks—likely a small Pokémon, maybe a Scatterbug or Fletchling. Could be worth keeping an eye on, he noted, his mind cataloging the data.
He paused at a small stream, letting Deino drink while he surveyed the area. The forest was alive, full of potential. The faint glow of Lumiose City shimmered in the distance, but Elias wasn't ready to leave the quiet of the trees. This was his training ground, a place to build Deino's strength. He splashed water on his face, his hood slipping back slightly, and Deino nudged him, demanding attention. "Relentless, huh?" he chuckled, shoving it playfully.
A low, skittering rustle broke the quiet—not the wind, but something alive. Elias froze, hand on the Poké Ball. Deino growled softly, its blind eyes darting toward the noise. The rustling grew louder, joined by a sharp chirp, high and aggressive. Elias' mind raced, calculating. Small Pokémon, probably feisty. Scatterbug? Fletchling? The bushes parted, and a tiny shape darted out—a Scatterbug, its eyes glinting with defiance.
"Deino, Focus Energy," Elias said, his voice calm but firm. Deino tensed, sharpening its senses. The Scatterbug lunged with Tackle, but Elias was ready. "Bite!" Deino's jaws snapped, grazing the bug, sending it skittering back. Scatterbug retaliated with String Shot, but Elias saw it coming. "Dragon Breath!" The shimmering wave hit, scattering the bug's webbing. The Scatterbug chirped angrily, then fled into the bushes.
Elias exhaled, patting Deino. "Good work, buddy." Deino growled triumphantly, nudging him for a berry. Elias tossed one, his mind analyzing the fight. Fast, but weak. I'll need to watch for stronger opponents. He continued through the forest, his steps confident. The trees thinned, Lumiose's glow brighter now. He wasn't ready for the city yet, but the path was calling.
As the sun dipped lower, Elias spotted something odd—a faint red mark on a tree trunk, like a flame. Not natural, he thought, his mind racing. Poacher? Or something else? Deino growled, sensing his tension. Elias kept moving, his caution heightened. Kalos was full of mysteries, and he was ready to unravel them.
He set up camp in a clearing, letting Deino rest. Sitting on a fallen log, he stared at the stars, his mind buzzing with plans—gyms, battles, a future crown. Deino curled up beside him, its breathing steady. Elias smiled, his resolve firm. This was his world now, and he'd claim it.