On the outskirts of Petalburg Woods, a black-haired boy in Trainers gear was sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him. Behind him, the grass rustled violently as a pack of gray-furred wolves burst out.
Poochyena!
The wolf-like Pokémon hunted in packs, feared as the nightmare of countless explorers. Anything that moved, they would bite without hesitation. Once they locked onto prey, they never let up until their quarry collapsed from exhaustion.
Silas' usually steady face flickered with both surprise and regret as he ran. Glancing back, he shouted:
"Corphish, Bubble Beam!"
"Cor-phishhh!"
Sky-blue bubbles glittered under the sunlight, bursting forward in a shimmering spray that blocked the Poochyena's pursuit.
"Huff… huff… huff…"
Silas' figure darted through the trees until he finally reached the roadside and only then dared to stop to catch his breath.
From his arms, he gently pulled out a radiant blossom. Its seven petals were speckled with tiny starlike spots.
"A Star-Spotted Flower… worth the risk of running through Poochyena territory."
His flushed face gleamed with excitement.
This rare herb was one he had only seen before while studying under Madam Mira's. A single Star-Spotted Flower was worth at least 200,000 Pokédollars and even then, it was priceless, rarely appearing on the market.
"But I won't sell it," he murmured. "It's a precious ingredient for high-grade Pokéblocks. On the black market, I can barter it for something even better."
Silas tucked the flower carefully into his space backpack. The roots had been slightly damaged when he picked it in haste, but with a few days of proper care, it would recover.
He slung the backpack onto his back and walked the Alliance-cleared path along the forest's edge. Few people came this way occasional wild Pokémon still strayed from territorial battles inside the forest, and even weakened, they remained dangerous to ordinary people.
That was why most trainers chose the safe paths. Risk wasn't worth it.
The Alliance, of course, had its own way of pushing back against fear. Notice boards lined the road, each inscribed with a slogan:
"A true trainer is one who forges new paths in dangerous places."
'Brainwashing for the next generation', Silas thought dryly. If a hot-blooded rookie heard it, they might actually run headlong into danger.
"Still," Silas muttered, patting his backpack. "This trip has been worth it. Time to head back to the city and rest."
He was just beginning to relax when a voice pierced the air.
"Help! Help! Daddy, save me!!"
The cry was high-pitched, frightened. A little girl's voice.
Silas frowned. Less trouble is better than more… But before he could turn away, the girl came running directly toward him.
Above her, several green shapes swooped through the air wings flapping, wind kicking up dust.
"Dustox," Silas recognized, eyes narrowing.
"Fearow, let's go!"
"Feroooow!!"
He was about to order an attack when something glinting on the girl's wrist caught his eye.
A sleek blue watch.
"That's… the latest Devon Corporation release. Retail? At least a million Pokédollars," Silas muttered in disbelief.
His thoughts spun quickly. 'If I save this girl, she must be from a wealthy family… her parents might reward me handsomely.'
Putting on his most reassuring smile, he called out:
"Don't be afraid, Big brother is here to save you!"
"Corphish, Bubble Beam!"
"Cor-phishhh!"
Bubbles burst forward in a sparkling barrage, forcing the Dustox back. Already hesitant after leaving the forest, the Bug-types scattered in retreat.
Silas' heart leapt with triumph, though he kept his face calm and gentle as he hurried to the girl. He knelt down, stroked her head lightly, and spoke softly:
"It's alright now. The bad Pokémon are gone. You're safe."
Tears still clung to her lashes. She tried to hold them back, but at his gentle words her dam broke.
"Waaahhh—!"
She burst into sobs, crying into Silas' chest, soaking his shirt as her small hands clutched his clothes.
Silas patted her back patiently. "Don't cry. Everything's fine now. They won't hurt you again."
Gradually, her sobs quieted. She looked up with tear-bright eyes and forced a stubborn smile.
"Big brother… May is a brave girl. I wasn't scared at all."
"May…?" Silas' eyes flickered. No way—
Before he could finish the thought, a group of people rushed over from the distance.
Leading them was Officer Jenny her teal hair and uniform unmistakable and beside her strode a stern-faced middle-aged man.
"Daddy!"
The girl wriggled in Silas' arms, waving her arms as she cried out.
The man's eyes locked onto them, his expression hardening. "Who are you? Put my daughter Down!"
His stride was heavy, his fists clenched. For a father, nothing mattered more than his child's safety and seeing May in the arms of a stranger set every instinct on edge.
But before Silas could even open his mouth,May shouted back anxiously, "No, Daddy! This big brother saved me! He chased the bad Pokémon away!"
Norman's eyes widened. His expression faltered, the anger draining into realization. He had rushed in blind with fear… and nearly accused the wrong person.
His shoulders eased, and he exhaled deeply, relief softening the stern lines on his face.
"I see… My name is Norman. Thank you, young man, for saving my daughter."
Silas straightened, masking his satisfaction behind a modest nod. "It was nothing. I saw her being chased and stepped in. No big deal."
He turned as if to leave.
But from the crowd, Officer Jenny's voice rang out.
"Silas!"
Silas' lips curved faintly, though he kept his back turned. As expected…
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