After returning to the open sea by special means, Silas stood at the railing, the salty wind whipping against his face.
Anchored beside a barren island was the Great Shark, the massive pirate vessel he now called home. His mood was lighter than usual.
"Not only did this trip solve my identity problem," he murmured, "but I also got a flying Pokémon egg and a Pokédex. Quite the reward."
Two uneventful days passed, and the Great Shark set sail again. The resupply and trades from their land venture had gone smoothly: Pokémon sold, rare goods exchanged, and crew reshuffled.
...
When Silas returned aboard, some pirates greeted him more politely than before.
"Haha! Silas, we heard Madam Mira took you in as her apprentice. Congratulations!" said Furuta, one of the older hands, grinning.
Silas lowered his head humbly. "Please, don't exaggerate. Madam Mira only extended her kindness. I'm still just a newcomer and can't compare to veterans like you."
The old pirates laughed, pleased by his courtesy. Yet he noticed the faint resentment in their eyes. They may have accepted his rise in status, but among pirates, only strength truly earned respect.
Knowing this, Silas trained harder than ever. Every night, one man and one Pokémon could be found on the deck, drilling beneath the moonlight.
"Corphish, use Bubble Beam!"
"Cor-phish!!"
Bubbles surged across the dark sea, bursting against the rolling waves before fading into the abyss. Silas frowned.
"Corphish, Bubble Beam is stronger than Bubble, but you're focusing too much on quantity over power. Increase force first, then build up numbers."
He corrected patiently, applying lessons he'd learned from Gutian. To his credit, Corphish's enthusiasm never wavered. Every morning it woke earlier than him, eager to train.
In contrast, Carvanha was lazier. It had grown up in a school and never endured the same trials as Corphish. Still, Silas valued it highly because of its hidden Ability: Speed Boost was a key to its future potential.
He made it swim against the Great Shark's stern currents daily, forcing it to sharpen its instincts against the tide.
...
One evening, Silas carried a bottle of fruit wine to Gutian's quarters. "Brother Gutian, I must trouble your Crawdaunt again. Please, let it guide my Corphish."
"Hah! That's no trouble at all," Gutian laughed, taking the wine with a grin. He released his ace Pokémon in a burst of red light.
"Craw-daunt!"
The massive Crawdaunt landed heavily on the deck, its shell gleaming like iron. Corphish's eyes widened, its small body trembling with excitement.
"Phish… phish!"
It scuttled eagerly around its evolved kin, staring up at the massive claws and the bold five-pointed star upon its forehead.
'So this… is what I'll become someday…' Corphish thought, its tiny legs quivering with determination.
Silas smiled faintly. "That's right. You'll evolve. But only if you keep working."
Gutian chuckled, uncorking the wine. "Your Corphish is lively. It'll grow well."
Silas poured him a cup. "To Crawdaunt's future guidance."
The two men clinked cups under the night sky, foxes each in their own right, both taking what they needed from the other.
...
Later that night, Silas returned to his new cabin ,he was no longer crammed with the other rookies, but was given a small private room. It was still cramped: a bed, a desk, and a bathtub he'd converted into a pool for Carvanha.
"Corphish, remember train hard, but never at the cost of your body," he said gently, massaging its shell with a technique Madam Mira had taught him. Corphish hummed contentedly, claws twitching with pleasure.
Suddenly, the incubator at his bedside glowed brilliantly.
"Phish?!" Corphish jumped back in alarm.
Cracks spread across the egg's surface. Silas's heart pounded as he leaned in. His first time witnessing a Pokémon hatch.
The light faded, and a tiny bird with bright red wings and messy brown feathers tumbled into the world.
"Keeeh!" the newborn cried weakly.
Silas's eyes softened. "Spearow… welcome to this world."
"Spee-row!" The little bird flapped feebly, sharp eyes narrowing before it collapsed in his hands. Despite the species' infamous temper, this one seemed docile for now. Most newborns saw their first caretaker as a parent.
He stroked its damp feathers carefully until it drifted back into sleep. "Rest. You'll need your strength."
When it woke, he fed it the nutrient-rich eggshell fragments. "The first meal always matters," he whispered, recalling Mira's lessons.
Pulling out the Pokédex Mira had gifted him, Silas scanned the tiny bird.
Beep-beep-beep!
_______________________________________
Spearow — the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Normal/Flying-type.
Ability: Keen Eye
Level: 6
Height: 0.3 m
Weight: 2.0 kg
Condition: Normal development. No adverse symptoms.
Known Moves: Growl, Peck, Leer
______________________________________
Silas frowned faintly. "No inherited moves. Ordinary stats. Well… that's fine. You're not for battles. You'll scout the skies for me. That's enough."
The newborn chirped drowsily, nuzzling his hand as if to say it understood.
....
Days passed in dull rhythm. Silas split his time between Mira's breeder lessons, pirate chores, and training his three Pokémon.
Corphish drilled tirelessly with Crawdaunt, Carvanha swam against the ship's wake, and Spearow flapped clumsily against the harsh sea winds.
Peace lasted until the lookout's voice crackled over the radio.
"Enemy pirate ship spotted! Ten kilometers ahead!"
Instantly, the Great Shark erupted in shouts. Pirates surged onto the deck, binoculars raised. Silas joined them, monocular in hand. Across the waves, another black-hulled vessel mirrored their every move.
All eyes turned toward Madam Mira. With the captain still missing, she was the acting commander.
But before she could issue orders, First Mates Nagata Nobuyuki and his partner stepped forward, eyes gleaming with ambition.
"All crew to your posts!" Nagata barked. "Those called by name, prepare to board with us!"
Mira's face darkened, anger flashing in her eyes. But after a tense moment, she snorted coldly and stormed off. The first mates exchanged smug smiles.
Silas slipped away and followed Mira. Inside her cabin, shattered porcelain littered the floor.
"Damn them! They've uncovered something, that's why they dare defy me!" Mira's voice shook with fury.
Silas bowed his head. "Madam Mira… this might be our chance. If we strike now, we can cut them down."
Her eyes glinted dangerously, but she shook her head. "Even if I fought them both, I couldn't guarantee victory. And if they die, the ship loses its strongest fighters while enemies circle us. Cutting our own arm off when the blade is already at our throats… foolish."
Silas clenched his fists but nodded. Her reasoning was sound. Still, her lips curved faintly , pleased at his loyalty.
"Then, Madam," Silas said firmly, "at least fight beside them. Show the crew you still stand as leader."
Mira stilled. Then, with a sharp motion, she donned her coat. "You're right. Follow me."
...
The two pirate ships collided with a thunderous crash, wood splintering, waves exploding.
"Charge!!"
"Pokémon, attack!"
The decks became chaos.
"Corphish!"
"Car-vanha!"
"Spea-row!"
Crabby claws clashed with jagged teeth, streams of water and bursts of bubbles filling the air. Defensive Pokémon like Kingler, Corsola, and Corphish held the front lines while stronger water-types rained attacks from behind.
At the vanguard, three titans roared:
"Swam-pert!!" Mira's ace loomed, muscles bulging, fists smashing waves aside.
"Blastoise!!" One first mate commanded, cannons blazing torrents of water.
"Octillery!!" The other unleashed its suctioned fury, tentacles lashing across the battlefield.
Nagata sneered. "Madam Mira, your Swampert's strength has grown."
Mira smirked coldly, eyes narrowing. "Perhaps. But shouldn't you be more worried about your own Pokémon? Even two Seadra are pushing them back again and again. Seems their strength isn't what it used to be."
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(End of chapter)