November 1st, League Calendar, clear skies.
Early in the morning, Silas changed into the battle outfit that Diantha had prepared for him. It was not flashy or extravagant.
It was simply a white shirt paired with a loose fitting suit, which was considered standard attire for important occasions in Kalos.
The moment he stepped out the door, he was immediately surrounded by a group of little Pokémon.
Cinccino jumped onto his shoulder, ran a circle around him, and chirped,
"Cin Cin~!" (Silas, you look so handsome today.)
"Oh? Was I not handsome yesterday?" Silas raised an eyebrow and reached out to tickle Cinccino under its arms.
The little one giggled and twisted its body,
"Cin~ Cin~" (Yesterday was handsome too, but today you are even more handsome. You look like a big star on television.)
"Jiggly~"
"Brion~"
Jigglypuff and Brionne chimed in with praise, their eyes filled with anticipation.
They wanted Silas to take them along to the venue.
He gently tapped each of their noses. "If you come, you have to behave. You cannot cause trouble."
The three Pokémon nodded rapidly like pecking chicks, then burst into cheerful laughter and threw themselves into Silas's arms.
If he was bringing them, he would bring all of them. Silas would not show favoritism.
When the time came, he would arrange a private room for them so they would not disturb others and could play as they pleased.
As for the ranch, Silas had asked Dragonite to help watch over it.
Speak of the devil, just as he thought of it, Silas heard the cries of Dragonite outside the house.
He quickly stepped out, and a pink arrow shot into his arms. It was the shiny Dratini he had not seen for a long time.
"Tini!"
The little one was extremely happy. In its understanding, the human before it was equal to endless delicious food.
"You little glutton."
Silas rubbed its head vigorously and poked it with a smile.
He first let Cinccino and the others take little Dratini to get snacks. After sending them away, Silas walked over to the Dragonite pair.
"I will leave things here to you today."
"Draa~!"
The father Dragonite thumped its chest confidently. By now, everyone knew that working here could be exchanged for more nutritious and delicious food.
Their child was still growing and needed proper nourishment.
After handing over the responsibilities, Silas recalled all his Pokémon, keeping his main battle Pokémon at his waist while placing the rest of the Poké Balls in his travel bag.
It was an old style travel bag, a gift from his mother when he first set out on his journey.
It had witnessed his entire growth, and now that he was about to reach the pinnacle of trainers, it had its share of credit as well.
Had Silas forgotten something?
The two girls who had gone to Kanto for the summer camp.
Of course not. His mother had already brought them back, and they should have arrived in Lumiose City, staying with Diantha.
For her brother's Champion Challenge, Serena insisted on being there to cheer him on.
The Kalos Pokémon League was not located in Lumiose City, but on the eastern side of the Kalos region, above Routes 21 and 22 between Snowbelle City and Santalune City.
Riding on Dragonite, Silas crossed the Lumiose Badlands and flew over Lumiose City. From above, he could see a section of the southern avenue encircled by a green holographic projection.
That should be the wild zone introduced earlier by Jett, built by Quasartico Inc.
He could indeed see many Pokémon living inside, and even spotted a rookie trainer dressed in beginner gear.
The trainer crouched in the grass, holding a Poké Ball, looking for an opportunity to throw it and capture a baby electric rodent.
Unfortunately, that Pichu was extremely sensitive. At the slightest disturbance, it dashed away and disappeared without a trace.
Still too inexperienced. The correct method would be to throw some berries first, circle behind Pichu, and strike from behind.
Even if it did not work, you could press it down and knock it out with a Poké Ball.
That was the proper way to capture Pokémon in the wild. As for battling?
Who would bother battling seriously? Just knock it out with a Poké Ball.
If he had time, Silas would like to experience it himself. But for now…
"Dragonite, pick up the speed a bit. We are going to be late."
"Draa!"
Hearing this, Dragonite instantly entered battle mode.
A powerful gust of wind surged around it as its speed increased step by step, leaving behind a white trail like a tail flame.
The city below shrank like building blocks, until a castle appeared ahead and Dragonite gradually slowed down.
Both the Kalos League and the Sinnoh League headquarters were built within castles.
The Kalos headquarters castle had quite the history. It was said to have been constructed three thousand years ago by the king who once ruled Kalos, using immense manpower and resources.
"Over there, land at the Flabébé Square."
Leaning forward to take a look, Silas tapped Dragonite's left shoulder.
Understanding immediately, Dragonite dove down and landed steadily in the square.
It was called Floette Square because there was a statue of Floette at its center.
However, it differed slightly from ordinary Floette. The flower it held was much larger, like an umbrella.
Others might not recognize it, but Silas knew its identity.
It was the special Eternal Flower Floette. With that, the identity of the Kalos king from three thousand years ago was obvious.
Knowing was one thing, finding them was another. No one knew where that man and his Pokémon truly were.
"Dragonite, come back and get some rest."
After recalling Dragonite, shiny Charcadet and Chikorita inside his coat poked their heads out, looking around curiously.
He pressed a hand against the restless Poké Balls at his waist. "You cannot come out yet. Once we reach the private room, you can make as much noise as you like."
The Poké Balls shook slightly before calming down.
He did not dare waste any time and quickly walked toward the Kalos League building.
A staff member was already waiting at the entrance. As they walked, the staff member explained the procedures and battle rules, which followed the standard six versus six format.
There was still some time before the Champion Challenge began, so Silas was first taken to a waiting room.
"You are here."
"Yes."
He stepped forward and held Diantha's hand. It had been a long time since they last met, and he missed her greatly.
"I just saw Kukui, Leon, Steven, and Cynthia…"
"So they all came. That is quite a lot of pressure."
Silas said with a smile, without the slightest sign of nervousness. "What about Lance?"
If someone had come, he might not remember, but if someone was absent, he noticed immediately.
"Kanto sent Professor Oak instead. The four Elite Four members could not leave."
"Does it have something to do with Team Rocket?"
If even the Indigo Elite Four found it troublesome, then it could only be Team Rocket.
Diantha explained the reason. It turned out that Team Rocket had suddenly produced a Champion level trainer who called himself the Masked Man.
Along with the four generals and three beasts of Team Rocket causing disturbances everywhere, intense conflict had broken out again, leaving the Elite Four unable to disengage.
"I see."
Silas understood and tapped his fingers on the table.
The Masked Man had appeared again. In Pokémon Adventures manga, this person's performance was even more exaggerated than Giovanni or the Elite Four. He was an extremely dangerous individual.
"Diantha, later you… actually, never mind. After my battle, I will personally contact Lance and tell him to be careful of the Masked Man."
"Silas, you know about Team Rocket's Masked Man?"
"Yes." Silas did not hide it.
"During a short trip I made to Johto before, I had a brief encounter with him. Kangaskhan and I almost fell into his trap.
In the end, I had Kangaskhan tear apart half of a forest before we managed to escape. He seemed to care a lot about that forest."
(End of Chapter)