Chapter 14 – Froakie Hatches and a Shocking City Ahead
The sun filtered through the tall grass as Kai, Misty, and their team stepped out of the forest path and onto the smooth, paved road leading toward Vermilion City. Ralts was sitting on Kai's shoulder, holding onto his collar like a baby Chikorita clinging to a branch. Charmeleon—Blaze—marched ahead with confident steps, tail flame flicking steadily.
Misty sighed. "Finally, a real road again. No Zubat poop, no bug proposals, and no more slipping on mossy rocks."
Kai grinned. "Don't say that too loud. Caterpie might hear you."
Misty's eye twitched. "If that Caterpie shows up again with another flower crown, I'm putting Blaze on full bug-scorch duty."
Ralts giggled softly, and Blaze huffed in amusement.
As they approached the city limits, the outline of Vermilion's tall buildings sparkled in the sun. But before they could celebrate too early, a sudden rumble came from Kai's backpack.
He froze. "Uh… was that you, Blaze?"
Charmeleon looked back with a confused shrug.
Kai quickly pulled off his backpack and opened it. Inside, nestled in layers of soft cloth and a custom-insulated egg case, the blue, speckled egg was glowing faintly—and shaking.
"Wait—" Misty leaned over. "Is that…?"
Kai's heart skipped. "The Froakie egg."
Ralts leaned in, eyes wide with wonder.
The egg glowed brighter, humming softly with energy. Without warning, a tiny crack appeared near the top.
> [System Notification]
🐸 Froakie Egg is hatching…
Standby…
Kai didn't need the system to tell him. He held the egg gently as it cracked wider and split open. A small, round head popped out—large yellow eyes blinking up curiously.
"Froa?" the little frog croaked softly.
It blinked again, then hopped out of the shell and straight into Kai's lap.
Ralts gasped.
Blaze tilted his head.
Misty's jaw dropped. "That thing hatched in your lap like it was perfectly timed!"
Froakie blinked up at Kai with an unreadable expression—then stood straight and gave a tiny bow.
Kai blinked. "Did it just bow?"
Froakie croaked again, straightening up like a noble warrior.
> [System Alert]
Froakie (♂) has hatched
Nature: Serious
Potential: God-Tier
Innate Trait: Sharp Focus – Learns quickly and adapts rapidly
Bond: High affinity with Kai
Egg source: Granted by system
Misty stared in disbelief. "Is… is he always like this?"
Froakie turned toward her, gave a small respectful nod, then turned back to Kai and waited silently.
Blaze grunted.
Ralts blinked.
Then both of them nodded in approval.
Kai chuckled and scratched Froakie's head gently. "Welcome to the team."
---
They arrived in Vermilion City around midday. The streets were busy, filled with trainers, sailors, and delivery trucks. The air smelled like sea salt and hot food.
Misty's nose perked up. "That bakery is calling to me."
"I vote lunch before Gym strategy," Kai agreed.
They grabbed sandwiches from a nearby stand and found a shady bench near the harbor. Froakie sat cross-legged on the table, quietly scanning the area with wide eyes. He didn't say much—if anything—but he watched everything.
Even Misty.
Especially Misty.
"What?" she frowned at him.
Froakie tilted his head.
Then slowly, without breaking eye contact, he pulled a small rice ball from Kai's bento and placed it in front of her.
Misty stared.
Ralts gasped and looked offended.
"Did your new frog just… offer me food?"
Kai tried to hold in a laugh. "I think he's trying to make peace."
Froakie bowed again.
Misty blinked, then cautiously took the rice ball. "...Thanks, I guess."
Ralts turned around and crossed her arms with a tiny huff.
Blaze snorted.
---
After lunch, they headed to the Pokémon Center to register for the Gym Challenge. Nurse Joy greeted them and ran a quick checkup on everyone. Froakie stood perfectly still during the scan, only blinking once.
"He's very healthy," Nurse Joy said. "A bit serious for such a young hatchling though."
"That's just his whole vibe," Kai smiled.
Back outside, Kai opened his system for the Gym details.
> [Gym Detected: Vermilion City – Lt. Surge]
Specialty: Electric-type
Terrain: High Voltage Field
Badge: Thunder Badge
Recommended Team: Pokémon with resistance or high speed
Warning: Field shockwaves can affect slower Pokémon
Kai turned to Blaze and Ralts. "This one's going to be tricky."
Misty chimed in. "You'll need to be fast and smart. Lt. Surge is known for brute force and overwhelming attacks."
"Good thing Froakie's fast," Kai said, glancing at his new partner.
Froakie gave a quick nod and leapt up to perch on a signpost.
Blaze huffed. "Char," as if to say, He better be.
---
That afternoon, they headed toward a quiet park on the city's edge. Training time.
Kai set up targets using empty cans and water bottles.
"Froakie, let's try Water Pulse."
Froakie nodded and stepped forward. A ball of water formed in his hands—tight, spinning, glowing. He launched it with pinpoint precision.
BAM!
The can exploded.
Misty jumped. "Okay! That's not normal Water Pulse strength!"
Kai raised his brow. "System wasn't kidding."
They spent the next hour practicing dodging, combos, and movement drills. Froakie adapted fast, mimicking Blaze's battle steps. When Blaze leapt, Froakie copied. When Blaze feinted left and twisted, Froakie picked it up within two tries.
Even Misty couldn't help but admit, "That little frog is scary good."
Ralts quietly watched, then floated a pebble using her Confusion, nudging it toward Froakie like a game.
Froakie caught it in his palm, blinked, then gently bounced it back.
Kai paused. He saw it.
Ralts giggled.
Froakie didn't react. Just kept playing.
But Blaze narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
---
That night, they camped just outside the city, under a tall tree near the sea. The ocean breeze cooled the air as they sat around a small campfire. Blaze roasted berries on a stick, acting as the designated berry chef. Ralts cuddled up next to Kai, half-asleep.
Froakie sat across from her, blinking.
He stood.
Walked over.
And offered her a tiny seashell.
Misty stared. "Oh no."
Ralts turned pink.
Kai looked from one to the other.
"Do I smell a crush?"
Ralts covered her face and teleported into his lap.
Blaze groaned and tossed a berry into the fire.
Misty laughed. "Ohhh this is going to be fun."
---
As the stars came out and the waves crashed gently below, Kai looked up and smiled.
He had a serious frog ninja-in-training.
A psychic fairy with a shy heart.
A fiery lizard with big brother instincts.
And a travel partner who, somehow, was still putting up with it all.
"Tomorrow," he said quietly, "we take on Lt. Surge."
Misty smirked. "And hopefully avoid electrocuting ourselves in the process."
Froakie saluted.
Kai grinned. "Let's make it count."