Chapter 12 – A Bug's Jealousy and a Starry Retreat
The soft crunch of leaves filled the silence as Kai and Misty made their way through the last stretch of trail after exiting Mt. Moon. The warm afternoon sun broke through the trees, painting golden patches across the dirt path.
"Ughhh, finally," Misty groaned. "No more Zubat poop. I swear I almost lost my soul in that cave."
Kai laughed. "You survived. Barely."
Ralts, walking right next to Kai, blinked up at Misty, then back at Kai. She reached for Kai's sleeve quietly, still shy but visibly more comfortable after the Mt. Moon events. Blaze walked on ahead proudly, his new Charmeleon tail blazing a little brighter than usual.
As they entered a shaded clearing, Kai stopped. "This looks like a nice place to camp. We'll set up here for the night."
Misty dropped her bag like it had insulted her. "I'm sleeping until morning. No bugs. No rocks. Just sky."
As if on cue, a rustle came from the nearby bushes.
Kai glanced toward the sound. Blaze narrowed his eyes.
Then, out popped… a familiar green Pokémon.
"Caterpie…" Kai said slowly.
The bug Pokémon crawled forward, holding… a flower crown made of tiny yellow blooms.
"Oh no," Misty whispered, backing up quickly. "No no no—NOT AGAIN."
The Caterpie gave an eager chirp and held up the crown like it was proposing again.
Kai stifled a laugh. "This guy really doesn't give up."
Ralts tilted her head and blinked. Then she took a slow step back behind Kai's leg.
"Is it… challenging me?" Misty gasped. "For my attention?! I didn't even want it!"
Caterpie crawled closer, setting the flower crown neatly on the grass and scooting it toward Misty with hopeful eyes.
Misty picked up a nearby pillow and gently bonked the bug with it. "I am not your queen!"
Blaze stepped forward, grabbing Caterpie by the back and dragging it gently—again—into the woods.
"Charrr…"
Even Ralts seemed a little irritated. She stepped out from behind Kai and stared at the bushes where Caterpie had disappeared.
Suddenly, a faint glow sparked from her eyes.
The flower crown rose slightly from the ground… floated into the air… then flew into a nearby tree and got stuck in the branches.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "She used Confusion. That's… kind of mean."
Misty crossed her arms. "No, that's romantic defense. Even Ralts knows boundaries."
Ralts folded her arms across her tiny chest and turned away, pouting.
Kai crouched next to her. "Jealous, huh?"
She didn't answer, but her little cheeks were red.
---
After setting up camp, Misty and Kai laid out their mats near the firepit. Blaze stacked some firewood with exaggerated movements, clearly proud of himself. Kai handed out berries to Ralts and Blaze.
Ralts was still glancing at the tree where the flower crown was stuck.
"She's mad," Kai said, grinning. "I've never seen her act like this."
"She likes you," Misty said, poking her rice ball. "Like… really likes you."
Kai blinked. "She's a Pokémon."
Misty raised an eyebrow. "Pokémon have feelings too. Especially Psychic-types. You can feel it, can't you?"
Kai paused.
Truthfully, ever since Ralts joined his team, he had felt something. A calm link, like someone whispering at the edge of his thoughts. Not strong enough for telepathy, but there.
"She's protective," Kai said.
"Uh-huh. Protective of her 'trainer boyfriend'," Misty teased.
Kai turned to Ralts. "You're not jealous, right?"
Ralts looked away and floated a pebble up with Confusion… then dropped it right on Kai's foot.
"Ow—okay, okay! Message received!"
Misty laughed so hard she nearly fell off the log.
---
As night fell, the stars began to peek through the leaves above. Blaze lit the fire easily, and the flames crackled gently in the quiet night.
Kai sat beside the fire, Ralts leaning on his side, drowsy but content.
Misty lay back on her mat, staring at the sky. "You ever think about how far we've come already?"
Kai nodded. "Sometimes it feels like we're moving too fast. But then… I see Blaze evolve, Ralts growing more confident…"
Misty glanced sideways at him. "You think she'll evolve soon?"
"She's close. I can feel it," Kai said, looking down at the sleeping Ralts. "But I don't want to rush her. She'll decide when she's ready."
Blaze gently tossed a pinecone into the fire and watched it crackle. He leaned back against a log like he was proud of being the adult in the room.
Misty threw a rolled-up sock at him. "Stop acting so smug!"
"Char," Blaze replied with a wide smirk.
Suddenly, the system pinged softly in Kai's mind.
> [System Notification]
Light Confusion Training Complete
Ralts' Focus Level Increased
Bond Level Progressing…
Kai rubbed Ralts' small head. "You did well today."
She murmured softly in her sleep.
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the treetops, and Misty sat with her Psyduck trying to teach it how to splash without falling over.
It failed.
Kai set up a tiny target made of stacked berries for Ralts.
"Alright," he said. "Let's try gentle control. Move that berry without dropping it."
Ralts focused hard.
One berry lifted slightly… then wobbled… and hovered for ten seconds.
Misty clapped. "That's a record!"
Kai smiled. "That's progress."
Just then, Blaze noticed movement in the trees.
Out crawled Caterpie again—this time with no flower crown. Just eyes full of silent determination.
Ralts saw it first and stepped in front of Kai.
Her eyes glowed faintly.
Blaze stepped beside her. He didn't attack—but he stared down the bug.
Caterpie looked between Ralts, Blaze, and Kai… then gave a tiny sigh.
Instead of approaching, it just nodded… and slowly turned around, disappearing into the bushes without drama.
Ralts relaxed her shoulders.
Misty raised her eyebrows. "Well. That was oddly mature."
Kai watched the bushes. "He's not a bad Pokémon. Just… confused."
"Can't blame him. You're hard not to follow around," Misty said, nudging his side.
Kai blushed. "Hey, I didn't ask to be bug-bait."
Ralts nudged his arm lightly. She didn't say anything, but he felt it again—a soft warmth in the back of his mind. Approval.
---
They packed up camp and started walking toward Cerulean again before heading to Vermilion. The trail was peaceful, sunlight dappling through the trees.
Froakie's egg in Kai's pack gave a tiny wiggle.
Kai glanced back. "It's getting closer."
Ralts peered over his shoulder, curious. She reached out and gently touched the egg.
It glowed faintly for a moment.
> [System Notification]
Greninja Egg Resonance Detected
Bond with Ralts confirmed
Estimated Hatch Window: Soon
Kai's eyes widened. "Huh… they're connected?"
Misty leaned over. "Wait—Greninja's egg is bonding with Ralts? What does that even mean?"
"I don't know yet… but maybe it'll make training easier," Kai said.
Ralts smiled softly.
---
That night, their second camp was quieter. No Caterpie. No wild ambushes.
Just the fire, the stars, and a gentle breeze.
Kai watched as Ralts carefully floated a stick into the fire, testing her control.
Blaze dozed beside them, arms crossed.
Misty sat quietly, sipping from her thermos.
Then she looked at Kai.
"…You think we'll really make it? Like… all the way?"
Kai looked at her.
"With you guys? Yeah," he said simply. "I really do."
Ralts tugged gently at his sleeve, then placed her small hand in his palm.
She didn't say anything—but he felt her thoughts clearly this time.
"I trust you."