Chapter 21 – Celadon Garden and Rocket Trouble
Morning sunlight filtered through the windows of the Saffron Pokémon Center, casting golden streaks across the polished floors. Kai sat on the edge of his bed, brushing Riolu's fur gently with a small towel. The little Pokémon gave a soft huff, half asleep, but leaning into the attention.
"You're getting spoiled already," Kai said with a smirk.
Oo
Riolu yawned, tail twitching.
Misty walked in with a cup of tea, hair damp from her shower. "So, are you going to baby that Riolu forever, or are we leaving today?"
Kai glanced up. "We'll move after breakfast. Should reach Celadon by afternoon if we keep pace."
"Good," she muttered, sitting beside Psyduck, who was chewing on a sock. Not his, of course.
Blaze stood near the window, his tail flame glowing softly as he watched the early foot traffic of trainers outside. Gardevoir hovered just behind Kai, her presence quiet but comforting. Frogadier hung upside down from a ceiling beam, arms crossed, clearly trying to look cool and failing at being inconspicuous.
Kai looked over at him. "You're not a Zubat."
Frogadier snorted and flipped down, landing in a crouch beside the group.
"Alright," Kai stood, slipping his jacket on. "Next badge is in Celadon City. Time to get moving."
---
The walk west from Saffron led them through calm wooded paths and the scent of blooming summer flowers. Butterfree danced in the air above, and the distant call of Pidgeotto echoed now and then.
Kai walked with Riolu on his shoulder — the pup had decided that was its favorite spot. Gardevoir glided quietly behind, her gown barely touching the ground. Misty walked beside Kai, arms swaying as she enjoyed the breeze, Psyduck waddling behind her, occasionally tripping over roots.
"Is it weird that I'm getting used to traveling with you?" Misty asked suddenly.
Kai tilted his head. "Weird how?"
"Like... I don't yell as much. I mean, except when Psyduck acts up. Or when bugs crawl out of bushes. Or when you almost die from a giant Beedrill swarm—"
"So, you yell less?"
Misty shot him a look. "Just... less. Don't make me regret this conversation."
Kai chuckled.
Frogadier hopped along the tree branches above them, eyes scanning for anything unusual. Riolu mimicked him from Kai's shoulder, waving its arms like it was hopping too.
Gardevoir floated closer to Misty, gently brushing a stray leaf from her hair.
"Thanks," Misty mumbled, smiling awkwardly.
It was... peaceful.
Too peaceful.
---
By mid-afternoon, the group entered the eastern edge of Celadon City — a bustling, garden-filled paradise where blooming bushes lined the roads and colorful petals rained gently from the trees. Kai's eyes sparkled at the wide-open spaces. Misty immediately gravitated toward a clothing stall.
"Fifteen minutes," she declared. "Let me browse."
"You said that last time," Kai reminded her.
"I mean it this time."
"I'm timing you."
"You wouldn't dare—"
"I would."
As Misty dived into a rack of summer hats, Kai took Riolu and the others into the nearby Celadon Garden, a lush public park filled with small ponds, walkways, and benches shaded under flowering trees.
Blaze plopped down under a large cherry blossom and promptly took a nap. Gardevoir stood quietly by the pond, admiring her reflection. Frogadier perched atop a small fountain statue, watching the world.
Kai pulled out some treats and tossed one to Riolu. The pup caught it mid-air and looked proud for the next ten minutes.
"Let's get some training in," Kai said. "Small stuff."
They started with basics — agility drills for Riolu, focus training for Gardevoir, and target tossing for Frogadier using berries.
"Ready—throw!" Kai shouted, tossing a berry.
Frogadier launched a Water Pulse, splitting the berry perfectly in half. Riolu stared in awe.
Frogadier puffed his chest out. Gardevoir flicked a berry gently toward Kai, who barely caught it.
Then, behind them—
CRASH.
A scream echoed from further in the garden.
Kai turned instantly. "That was Misty."
They ran toward the sound.
---
In a small clearing, two low-level Team Rocket grunts in poorly fitting black uniforms were frantically trying to stuff a flailing Eevee into a sack.
"Quit moving, you little furball!"
"I said use the net, not your hands, idiot!"
Misty stood a few feet away, fuming. "Put it down before I make you regret it!"
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Hey!"
The grunts turned, freezing as they saw the group.
"Oh no. Is that the kid with the Charmeleon?!"
"And the girl with the terrifying Psyduck?!"
Psyduck waddled up beside Misty, eyes blinking blankly.
The grunts flinched.
Kai stepped forward. "You've got three seconds."
The first grunt reached for a Poké Ball. "Let's show 'em—"
"Frogadier, Water Pulse!"
Before the grunt even finished his sentence, a sphere of water slammed into his chest, knocking him back into a tree.
The second one screamed and tried to run — only to be stopped by a graceful, glowing wall of psychic energy from Gardevoir.
She floated forward slowly, eyes glowing faintly.
"Drop the bag," she said telepathically.
The grunt dropped it instantly.
Riolu ran forward and tore open the sack, helping the Eevee out. The little fox Pokémon trembled but nuzzled Riolu gratefully.
"Let's go!" the grunts yelled, scrambling and vanishing into the trees.
Misty stomped forward, arms crossed. "Jerks."
Kai walked over and checked Eevee for injuries. "You okay, buddy?"
The Eevee gave a soft cry and curled up in Kai's lap, exhausted.
"Not catching it?" Misty asked.
Kai shook his head. "It's not mine to catch. Just needs help."
Riolu sat beside Eevee, gently patting its head.
"Friend-shaped," Misty whispered.
They both laughed.
---
That evening, they sat on a hill above the Celadon Garden. The city lights flickered below, casting a warm glow across the trees. Misty had a new hat — somehow, one she hadn't paid for. The shopkeeper had gifted it after she scared off the grunts.
"It's a hero's discount," she claimed proudly.
Frogadier balanced on one foot atop the hill, training in silence.
Gardevoir sat beside Kai, humming faintly. Riolu practiced small aura pulses under Blaze's watchful eye — and occasional growls of correction.
Kai leaned back on the grass. "It's strange, you know."
"What is?" Misty asked, lying beside him.
"I've only been traveling a short time. But… everything feels like it's changing. Fast."
"Of course it is. You're finally meeting real people. Not just books or training simulations."
Kai smiled. "You're one to talk. You scream at caterpillars."
"That was one time."
"It was three times."
"Don't make me scream a fourth."
They laughed again.
Frogadier glanced toward Gardevoir. She looked back. A quiet moment passed between them — silent but understood.
Kai noticed but said nothing.
Instead, he whispered, "We're growing."
Misty glanced at him. "As trainers?"
"As people."
She smirked. "Don't get too philosophical on me, Kai."
"Too late."
---
As the stars emerged overhead and the laughter of evening echoed through the garden, Kai felt it again.
A faint flicker of presence.
Not from the team.
From somewhere distant.
He turned slightly, eyes narrowing at the horizon.
"What is it?" Misty asked.
Kai shook his head slowly. "Not sure… something's calling."
> [System Notification – Passive Alert: Aura Signature Detected – Unknown, Dormant]
He blinked. The message faded.
Gardevoir placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "You felt it too?"
"Yeah."
The wind carried the scent of petals. The world felt peaceful, but something — somewhere — had stirred.
And it had noticed him.
> Chapter End.