Chapter 23 – A New Journey Trio
The stars had barely faded from the sky when Kai woke up, stretching against the cool breeze that swept over the Celadon hills. The campfire embers crackled faintly, with Blaze sitting beside them like a living flame, tail gently swishing.
What woke him wasn't the morning chill — it was a familiar sound. Loud chewing. Very loud chewing.
Psyduck.
Gnawing on Misty's new hat.
"Psyduck!" she screeched, jumping up from her sleeping bag. The Water-type blinked innocently with the hat stuck halfway down his bill.
Kai rolled over, half-laughing. "Good morning to you too."
Misty groaned. "Do I look like I want to start my day like this?"
Psyduck hiccupped. The hat popped off with a soggy plop.
Ash Ketchum — who had arrived the previous night like a shadow from Kai's memories — chuckled, arms folded. Pikachu stood on his shoulder, watching everything like he was already used to the chaos.
"You weren't kidding," Ash said. "Your group's got energy."
Kai stood and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's always like this."
Ash looked at Kai with thoughtful eyes. "You battled Erika yesterday, right?"
"Yeah."
"I watched from the balcony. You've got good instincts. And that Gardevoir… strong connection."
Gardevoir floated forward as if summoned by the compliment. She gave a polite nod, while Frogadier perched on a low branch nearby, arms crossed like a silent ninja.
"I've decided something," Ash announced.
Kai blinked. "...What?"
"I'm joining you."
Misty turned sharply. "What do you mean, joining us? You just showed up out of nowhere last night like a mysterious rival guy in a TV drama!"
"I'm not just wandering around anymore," Ash replied with a grin. "I've already seen the world. Now I want to travel slower — like I used to. Besides… something about Kai's path feels important."
Kai's stomach dropped slightly. Ash said it casually, but Kai knew the weight behind those words.
Misty sighed. "Fine. But you carry your own food and help keep Psyduck from destroying my belongings."
Psyduck sneezed on her sock.
---
On the Road Again
The group began walking down Route 16, heading toward Fuchsia City. Misty led the way with Psyduck marching proudly at her side — his head caught in a snack bag again. Kai and Ash walked shoulder to shoulder while their Pokémon meandered nearby. Blaze trotted ahead, occasionally lighting small sticks for Riolu to kick.
"So," Ash asked after a while, "how long have you been training?"
Kai looked up at the sky. "Feels like years, but it's been just a few months."
"You train like someone who's been at it for a decade."
"I had…a head start."
Ash didn't press further. Instead, he smiled. "You've got good people. Misty's strong. Gardevoir's loyal. And Riolu… I've never seen one bond so fast."
Riolu, sitting on Gardevoir's floating scarf, waved happily.
"He's… special. I can feel his aura," Kai admitted.
Ash nodded, more serious now. "So can I."
Kai blinked. "You too?"
Ash grinned. "You'll find out soon enough."
---
Campfire Chaos
That evening, they camped near a creek. Misty insisted on setting up the tent herself — and promptly tied two of the poles together upside down. The whole structure collapsed when Psyduck tried to sit inside.
"This is your fault!" she yelled at Kai.
"How is it my fault? I was setting up the food!"
Ash and Pikachu exchanged a look.
Kai, not helping his case, added, "We all agreed someone else should be in charge of tents this time."
Misty growled. "You're sleeping outside."
Blaze chuckled from the fire pit.
Meanwhile, Riolu had somehow convinced Frogadier to let him ride on his back while hopping through the trees. Gardevoir watched with gentle amusement, plucking berries and floating them into bowls.
Dinner was a surprisingly delicious berry stew, though Psyduck tried to season his with ketchup.
"That's not— Never mind," Misty said, letting it happen.
Afterward, Ash pulled out his harmonica — something Kai didn't expect. He played a soft, wandering tune as the stars glimmered above.
Kai closed his eyes.
The peace was real.
---
Foreshadowing Whispers
Later that night, as the fire dimmed, Kai sat alone at the edge of camp. Gardevoir silently sat beside him, brushing her fingers over the grass.
Kai looked at his hands. "Something's coming. I can feel it."
"I feel it too," Gardevoir said quietly.
A sudden jolt struck Kai's chest. His system flickered in his mind — the interface glowing.
> [System Notification] Aura Disturbance Detected Nearby… Signature: Unknown. Dormant. Vast.
Kai's breath hitched. "What was that?"
Gardevoir stood slowly. Her eyes shimmered faintly.
Ash approached, drawn by the tension. "You felt it too, didn't you?"
Kai nodded. "It felt… ancient."
Ash turned toward the woods. Pikachu tensed on his shoulder.
"It's close. I've felt that kind of presence once before… back when I met Ho-Oh."
Kai's heart skipped.
"You think it's a legendary?"
Ash didn't answer. But his silence said enough.
---
The First Glimpse
They investigated the next morning. Following the pulsing sensation, they reached a lake — fog-covered and glowing faintly. Riolu seemed especially affected. His aura sensors quivered.
"It's here," Gardevoir whispered.
Suddenly, a single ripple broke the lake's stillness.
A shape emerged — elegant, white, and glowing softly beneath the surface.
Kai's eyes widened.
Ash took a step forward. "That's…"
A small part of a golden ring surfaced. Then it vanished.
The fog swallowed everything.
> [System Alert: Legendary Presence Confirmed – Arceus. Status: Dormant Observation]
Kai stared. "That was… Arceus?"
Misty grabbed his arm. "Please tell me that wasn't a hallucination."
Ash stood frozen. "No. It was real. But it wasn't ready to show itself."
Kai whispered to himself. "Then it's watching me."
---
After the Silence
They returned to camp, quiet.
Frogadier tossed stones into the stream while Riolu sat beside him, mimicking every flick.
Psyduck finally broke the silence by tripping and falling headfirst into the berry pot.
"That's the most normal thing that's happened all day," Misty muttered.
Kai finally smiled again. "Guess our peaceful days are ending."
Gardevoir nodded, eyes locked on the trees. "But a new chapter is starting."
Ash tossed a stick to Pikachu, who caught it with a tiny electric zap.
"Let's keep moving. The world's opening its doors. We'd better be ready."
Kai looked up at the sky — no longer distant.
> Chapter End.