Silas woke before dawn, the orphanage quiet at this hour, its halls empty except for the soft creak of settling wood and the uneven breathing drifting from the rooms down the corridor. Chimchar sat at the edge of his bed, tail flame low and steady, while Elekid leaned against the wall with its arms crossed, faint sparks flickering along its forearms.
Today would be the start of his journey.
He dressed and slipped outside, the cool morning air biting at his skin as the sky lingered in darkness, only the faintest hints of sunrise touching the horizon. Silas headed straight for the berry fields.
At the far edge, beneath the shade of a young sapling, lay Tangrowth's grave. The soil was still dark and fresh, a single Oran Berry resting at the base of the tree, its leaves catching the first slivers of light. The sapling had begun to take root, thin branches stretching upward as if searching for something just out of reach.
Silas stopped a few steps away and let the silence settle. Chimchar and Elekid stood beside him, unusually quiet. He could feel their emotions brushing against his own—grief dulled by time, anger worn smooth by exhaustion, and beneath it all, a steady resolve that refused to fade.
"You kept us alive," Silas said quietly. "Even at the end."
He crouched and pressed his palm into the soil, fingers sinking slightly into the cool earth. "I will become a man worthy of this sacrifice." There was no vow shouted to the sky, no dramatic promise—just intent, spoken plainly.
When he returned, Madam was already awake, Arcanine at her side, arms folded as always. A travel pack rested against the wall behind her. She studied him briefly before speaking.
"You're leaving early."
"I don't want attention."
She nodded once. "The nearest city is Viridian City to the north. There is also a gym there to test your mettle."
"Yes I intend to head there first."
Madam tossed him the pack. Inside were rations, basic medicine, spare clothes, and a modest sum of money. "Check in when you can. Don't disappear."
She paused, then added, "Profit favors those who survive long enough to earn it. Don't die on me."
Silas allowed a faint smile. "I'll try."
Madam turned away first. That was her way.
The grass field path north was damp with dew as the sun finally crested the horizon. Silas walked steadily, neither rushing nor lingering, boots brushing against tall grass that swayed gently in the morning breeze. This road had been walked by countless trainers before him—some chasing dreams, others running from something behind them.
About an hour out, the grass ahead shifted. A man in his mid-20s stepped onto the path, rolling a Poké Ball idly across his knuckles, eyes flicking over Silas..
"A newbie trainer fresh out of town," the man said with a grin. "Perfect timing."
"Please get out of my way." Silas replied. He could tell the man was looking down on him.
The man chuckled. "Relax kid. I am Ben. I just want to battle. Call it a toll."
Silas exhaled slowly and set his pack down. "Sure." This would be his first battle since leaving town.
They moved into a shallow clearing where the grass had been crushed flat by past fights.
"Go—Golbat."
Silas was about to scan the Golbat but then he decided against it. He wanted to hone himself and pokemon through tough battles. Always on the system's hacks would be counterproductive.
The bat Pokémon burst into the air with a piercing screech, wings snapping open as it climbed rapidly.
Silas didn't raise his voice.
"Elekid. Stay sharp."
Elekid stepped forward, sparks crawling faintly along its arms as it tracked Golbat's erratic flight.
"Air Cutter!"
Twin blades of compressed wind screamed downward. Elekid reacted instantly, forming a Light Screen just long enough to deflect the worst of the attack. Even so, the impact shoved it backward. Golbat didn't retreat, t dove immediately with fangs bared menacingly.
"Poison Fang!" Ben tried to seize the opening.
"Brick Break—deflect it!"
Golbat's purple fangs bit into Elekid but then it swung upward, striking Golbat but it couldn't knock it away. Golbat flung Elekid into the ground hard. Elekid landed with a thud, skidding backward.
"Elekid, use Thunder Shock to restrict Golbat's movements."
Short, uneven bursts of electricity snapped through the air, not meant to deal damage but to restrict movement. Golbat twisted and dodged, but its space shrank with each pass until it was forced lower. It screeched in irritation and dove again.
"Now—Cross Chop while you have the chance."
Elekid surged forward, both arms glowing white as it brought them down in a brutal crossing arc. The blow landed squarely across Golbat's chest, driving it into the ground with a concussive thud.
"Follow up with Thunder Shock."
Electricity shot towards the grounded Golbat and coursed throughout its body. Golbat screeched in pain and then stopped moving. It had been knocked out. Ben recalled it with a faint nod. "I guess even newbies can get lucky. Time to brute force it."
"Go—Tauros."
The bull Pokémon erupted onto the field, hooves tearing deep grooves into the earth as it snorted violently. Its presence alone felt oppressive. Tauros charged instantly usinig Take Down..
"Dodge it!"
Elekid barely cleared the path, Tauros's horn ripping through the space it had occupied
"Elekid—Thunder Shock!" Electricity cracked across Tauros's body. It staggered for half a second, then powered through, rage only building.
"Don't commit," Silas said. "We will wear it down."
Elekid darted in and out, repeatedly landing Brick Breaks on Tauros. Elekid would immediately jump to the side after each hit, frustrating the bull pokemon. Tauros were notorious for their frontal charges but their change of direction was lacking.
Tauros started to figure out Elekid's timing and managed to hit Elekid hard with a Horn Attack, sending it tumbling across the dirt. Elekid struggled back to its feet, breathing ragged.
"Tauros, let's use Double Edge," The man said confidently. "Finish it."
Tauros lowered its head as its body glowed and muscles bunching. It rushed towards Elekid.
"Use Brick Break."
Elekid jumped to the side at the last possible instant, one arm slamming down at the top of Tauros's head. The impact slammed Tauros' head into the ground, creating a cloud of dust. Silence followed. Tauros didn't rise.
Elekid stood for a moment longer, chest heaving, arms trembling but steady.
"Great timing Elekid, keep it up." Silas said. "Take a break." Elekid then returned to its Poké Ball.
Ben had an angry expression. "No way are you sweeping me, kid."
Silas smirked. "Don't feel too bad, I get lucky all the time." Ben was a decent trainer but he was cocky. Silas decided to knock him down a peg.
"Go—Scyther."
The mantis Pokémon materialized already in motion, scythes gleaming as it vanished in a green blur.
"Monferno, you're up."
Monferno landed low and ready, eyes locked on its opponent. Scyther struck first using Cut, blades flashing.
"Vacuum Wave!"
Compressed air detonated mid-charge, forcing Scyther off-line. Its blade clipped Monferno's shoulder instead of carving deep.
"Shadow Claw."
Monferno surged forward, dark energy shaping its hands as it slashed at Scyther.
"Scyther–Slash and don't stop until Monferno is knocked out."
Both of Scyther's blade arms glowed white as it met the Shadow Claw attack head on.
They clashed in a climactic exchange of slashing moves. Both pokemon were taking damage but Scyther was taking more hits. Silas knew how this would play out so he said nothing. It was good close quarters battling training for Monferno.
Eventually Scyther was worn down and one clean strike sent Scyther skidding across the clearing before it collapsed, knocked out..
Ben recalled Scyther and stepped aside. "You got some spunk, kid. The next time we battle, I won't underestimate you."
Silas picked up his pack and walked past without looking back. He wouldn't waste time on people like Ben who assume weakness in others. That kind of thinking can get you and your pokemon hurt.
Monferno fell into step beside him, Elekid's Poké Ball warm against his hip as the path stretched ahead toward Viridian City.
They encountered other trainers who challenged them but they were all defeated. None of these trainers had anything special though. It was a combination of Mankeys, Rattata, & Pidgeys with none exceeding level 14.
Silas accepted the free BP though. Counting the battle with Ben, today's haul wasn't too bad. His total BP was now 57.
They kept walking for a while before finally approaching the city. Silas decided to go to a Pokemon Center as he had never visited one.