After thinking for a moment, Kai decided to start guiding Froakie.
"Froakie, do you want to become stronger?"
"Froakie!"
Froakie first tilted his head in confusion, then gave Kai a firm and determined cry.
Kai smiled at the little Pokémon in front of him.
"Good! Then let's grow stronger together!"
He crouched down and patted Froakie's head.
"Ral."
The Ralts sitting on his head tugged at Kai's hair and called out.
Feeling the movement above him, Kai chuckled.
"Of course, you too, Ralts."
"Ral!"
Hearing Kai's words, Ralts happily swung her short legs back and forth.
After comforting Ralts, Kai, with Ralts on his head and Froakie at his feet, headed toward the forest.
---
Once inside the forest, Kai felt as though he had stepped into a green paradise.
The air was fresh and filled with the fragrance of trees. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting patches of light and shadow across the ground.
Even the Viridian Power within him began to stir.
As he walked, Kai instructed his two Pokémon.
"There are a lot of Bug-type Pokémon here, like Caterpie. You two will challenge them in a bit."
"Froakie, you'll be the main attacker."
"Ralts, you'll support from the back. If you run into something you can't beat, use Teleport to get Froakie out."
After hearing Kai's plan, both Pokémon nodded before rushing toward a nearby patch of grass.
---
"Froakie, use Water Pulse!"
As soon as Kai gave the command, a sphere of Water-type energy shot toward a Caterpie.
The Water Pulse struck the Caterpie, instantly knocking it out.
"Excellent work, Froakie."
Kai praised him as he walked over to the defeated Pokémon.
He placed his palm on Caterpie's body, and a gentle green glow appeared from his hand.
The Caterpie, which had just lost its ability to fight, quickly recovered.
Kai then took out some Pokémon food and offered it to the Caterpie.
"Thanks for the battle, Caterpie."
Seeing the food, Caterpie happily grabbed it and crawled back into the grass.
---
After watching it leave, Kai turned to his two resting Pokémon.
"You both did great. Let's take a short break before continuing."
"Froakie."
"Ral."
While they rested, Kai used the system's detection function on his Pokémon.
---
Name: Froakie
Gender: Male
Level: 13
Ability: Protean
Moves: Pound, Growl, Lick, Water Gun, Quick Attack, Water Pulse, Ice Beam
Held Item: None
Potential: Champion
---
Name: Ralts (Shiny)
Gender: Female
Level: 21 (Originally Level 20)
Ability: Synchronize
Moves: Energy Ball, Disarming Voice, Double Team, Confusion, Hypnosis, Draining Kiss, Teleport, Psybeam
Held Item: None
Potential: Champion
---
Looking at Ralts's level, Kai fell into thought.
"It seems evolving purely through leveling up isn't very practical here."
He remembered how he first found Ralts.
A year ago, while conducting research with Professor Oak, they had discovered a Pokémon Egg that was on the verge of dying.
After bringing it back to the Laboratory, it hatched not long afterward.
Because Kai possessed Psychic powers and Viridian Power, and because he had personally taken care of the egg day and night, Ralts became extremely attached to him from birth.
Seeing their bond, Professor Oak simply allowed Kai to capture her.
---
After resting for a while, Kai stood up and brushed the dust from his clothes.
Ralts immediately copied his actions perfectly.
"Froakie, Ralts, it's getting late. Let's go."
"Ral!"
"Froakie!"
Both Pokémon responded at the same time.
Ralts skillfully used Teleport, instantly appearing on Kai's head.
Froakie jumped up and landed on Kai's shoulder.
---
Viridian City
Upon entering Viridian City, Kai recalled Ralts and Froakie.
Looking back at Viridian Forest, he muttered to himself,
"It's hard to believe people get lost in a forest that's this easy to navigate."
"Hey! Sir, please stop right there."
Suddenly, Officer Jenny rode up in front of him on a motorcycle, accompanied by a Growlithe.
Recognizing her, Kai immediately handed over his Pokédex.
"Hello, Officer Jenny. Here's my Pokédex."
Officer Jenny paused for a moment, then checked the device.
Soon, Professor Oak's recorded message played from the Pokédex.
> "This Pokédex has been issued to Kai. Good luck on your journey, Pokémon Trainer.
Also, this Pokédex cannot be replaced if it's lost or stolen, so please take good care of it.
— Professor Oak, Pallet Town."
After listening, Officer Jenny returned the Pokédex.
"It's getting late. Do you want a ride to the Pokémon Center?"
Kai didn't hesitate and climbed onto the motorcycle.
"Thank you, Officer Jenny."
Once he got on, she said,
"Hold on tight! Accelerating!"
She twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle sped off.
---
Pokémon Center
After getting off the motorcycle and thanking Officer Jenny, Kai patted his chest with lingering fear.
"Officer Jenny's driving is terrifying…"
After calming down, he walked into the Pokémon Center.
First, Kai contacted Professor Oak to report that he had arrived safely.
Just as he was about to go rest, the loud roar of a motorcycle engine echoed from the entrance.
Kai turned around.
Another motorcycle drifted dramatically into the Pokémon Center.
It was the same Officer Jenny who had just given him a ride.
"I've brought in a seriously injured Pokémon."
She revealed the person behind her—
Ash and Pikachu.
After Nurse Joy finished scolding Ash and took Pikachu away for treatment, Kai walked over.
"Ash, what happened to you? Why do you look like that?"
"Kai!"
Ash turned around in surprise before lowering his head in guilt.
"Pikachu and I…"
Kai patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry. Nurse Joy will take good care of Pikachu."
Then he stroked his chin and teased,
"If Gary saw you like this, he'd definitely make fun of you again."
Hearing that, Ash's mood improved slightly.
"Maybe you should call Aunt Hanako first and tell her you're safe," Kai suggested.
"Okay."
Ash nodded. He realized he should report to his mother.
---
Kai then released Ralts.
For some reason, Ralts never liked staying inside her Poké Ball.
Earlier, Kai hadn't released her outside because Shiny Ralts were extremely rare.
The moment she appeared, Ralts used Teleport and instantly jumped into Kai's arms, rubbing against him energetically.
Feeling the restless little Pokémon, Kai scolded her playfully.
"You're already a big girl now, but you still act like you did when you first hatched."
Ralts stuck out her tongue at him.
Kai laughed and shook his head before walking toward Ash.
When the person on the other end of the phone saw them, she exclaimed happily.
"Kai! And Ralts too!"
"It's me, Aunt Hanako."
"Ral!"
Kai and the Ralts in his arms waved together.