Chapter 16 — A Reunion with the Bug, and a Friendly Fire
The cheers were still echoing as Kai reached out to high-five Blaze and Froakie—now slightly scuffed from battle but glowing with pride.
But Kai's attention drifted.
There, standing just a step behind the group, Ralts stood perfectly still. Her wide red eyes weren't on Kai.
They were locked onto Froakie.
Kai tilted his head slightly. "Ralts?"
She blinked, startled, and turned away quickly, pretending to admire the battle-scorched floor. Her small hands fidgeted with the edge of her skirt. Froakie, who was in the middle of receiving a head-pat from Kai, glanced over at her—clueless.
Misty walked up, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Well, I've seen plenty of Gym battles, but that one was actually exciting."
Kai grinned. "Froakie did great."
"Froakie?" Misty raised an eyebrow. "That serious frog barely smiled the whole time."
"Exactly. Like a ninja in training." Kai gave Froakie a thumbs-up. "He's got instincts."
Ralts peeked at Froakie again from behind Kai's leg. When Froakie glanced back, she squeaked softly and looked away.
Misty caught it. "Oho?" she smirked.
"Don't," Kai warned without looking at her.
Misty raised both hands, feigning innocence. "I didn't say anything. But someone's got a crush~"
Kai turned. "Seriously?"
"Ralts keeps blushing at him like she's never seen a Water-type before." Misty leaned down to Ralts. "Do you like Froakie, hmm?"
Ralts let out a tiny psychic spark that fluffed Misty's hair straight up.
"Okay, okay!" Misty yelped, laughing.
They left the Gym behind, the setting sun casting golden light over the rooftops. The city was quieter now. A soft breeze stirred the trees as the group headed back toward the Pokémon Center.
They'd barely made it two blocks when a very familiar voice echoed from the bushes.
"Caaateeerp!"
"Oh no," Misty groaned.
From the shrubs bounced a slightly larger Caterpie—now with a red ribbon tied proudly around one antenna. It skidded to a stop in front of Misty and presented… a heart-shaped leaf.
"Why," she said, backing up, "does it keep doing this?!"
Kai burst out laughing. "Persistent little guy."
Caterpie made a chittering sound and wiggled its body proudly. Then it turned dramatically… and pointed at Froakie.
"Oh boy," Kai muttered.
Caterpie waved its tiny leg at Froakie like a challenge.
Froakie blinked once. Slowly.
Then crossed his arms and nodded.
"Oh, it's on," Kai said, grinning.
---
They found a small park on the edge of the city and cleared a patch of grass. Misty sat on a bench, arms folded, while Ralts sat beside her, peeking from behind her skirt.
Caterpie hopped into the middle of the grass like it was stepping into an arena. It did a twirl, shot a String Shot straight up, and used it to swing in a full circle like a bug ballerina.
"Not bad," Kai admitted. "Graceful."
Froakie stepped up. Calm, silent. He leapt onto a rock, stood on one hand, then backflipped into a perfect ninja crouch.
Caterpie glared.
Caterpie tried to leap… and landed belly-first with a splat.
Froakie turned his head just slightly. If Kai didn't know better, he might've smirked.
Misty sighed. "They're battling for my affection, aren't they?"
Kai laughed. "You're a bug-type magnet."
"I didn't ask for this power!"
Ralts stood and walked up beside Froakie. She tapped his arm shyly. Froakie looked at her, curious. She held out a flower.
He took it.
Misty leaned to Kai and whispered, "She's totally into him."
Kai blinked. "They're Pokémon."
"So? Feelings are feelings."
Ralts smiled when Froakie held the flower gently. Then she gave Caterpie a long, quiet look.
Caterpie wilted.
"Okay, I feel a little bad," Misty admitted.
---
That evening, the group gathered in a quiet clearing near the river. The sun was dipping low, the water shimmering gold.
Charmeleon, now proudly taller and more muscular, sat beside Blaze, watching the river.
Froakie and Ralts sat quietly on a flat stone nearby. She inched closer every few minutes. He didn't seem to mind.
Misty leaned back against a tree, eyes half-closed. "This has been… weirdly relaxing."
Kai was setting up their simple campfire. "Even with bug love dramas?"
"It's growing on me."
Suddenly, something rustled in Misty's bag.
She turned. "Psyduck?"
Psyduck waddled out… and tripped over her sleeping bag.
Right onto Caterpie.
The bag exploded open. Caterpie and Psyduck rolled into the firepit (thankfully unlit), tangled in blankets and snacks.
Misty stared.
"Why is this my life?"
Kai tried not to laugh. "He followed you again."
Ralts lifted the bag flap. Caterpie's head popped out, dizzy but determined.
Misty sighed. "…Fine."
She walked over, pulled out a Poké Ball, and held it above Caterpie.
"I can't believe I'm doing this."
The bug Pokémon nodded seriously.
"Just so we're clear," Misty said, "no more leaf gifts, no flower crowns, and no weird bug poetry."
Caterpie stared up at her with pure admiration.
"…Yeah, you're gonna ignore that, huh."
She tapped the ball to his head.
Click.
Kai clapped. "Congratulations! Your first bug-type catch."
Misty looked horrified. "Don't say it like that."
Ralts clapped gently. Froakie… blinked and gave a slow nod.
Caterpie popped back out of the ball and immediately crawled into Misty's lap.
"Whyyyy," she groaned, but she didn't push him off.
---
As the stars began to appear overhead, the group settled in.
Froakie, Ralts, and Caterpie sat around Kai, who handed out berries like a dad at a school picnic.
Charmeleon watched over them all like a tired but proud big brother.
Misty poked the fire with a stick. "So what now?"
Kai smiled. "We head for the next city. But maybe tomorrow."
Misty nodded. "Yeah… one more night like this sounds good."
As Ralts leaned her head sleepily on Froakie's shoulder, Kai watched quietly.
And in his heart, he knew—
These peaceful moments were the ones that mattered most.
But just as he closed his eyes…
> [System Notification] "New Evolution Detected…?"
Kai sat up.
He turned to see Ralts… glowing slightly.
But it faded.
She blinked sleepily and tilted her head.