Since Little "Mei" had already become a mother, that name no longer seemed fitting. Thus, Yozora renamed her Queen "Mei."
The little calf, however, was lively and adorable, its whole body covered in bright green skin. Yozora decided to call it Little "Jade."
"Jade has already reached Senior Level?" Yozora was stunned, then quickly understood.
Of course—it had already been more than a month since the Silver Conference. Perhaps Jade had been born some time ago without him realizing it.
At this moment, Senior Brother Ahao walked over with a grin. "Junior Brother, this Miltank calf of yours is incredible. It's only been two days since its birth, yet it already has Senior-level strength."
"What? Only two days?" Yozora was completely shocked. That meant Jade had been born as a Senior-level Pokémon from the very start. Such talent… it was suffocating.
Yozora knew that some Pokémon with extraordinary gifts were born at a much higher starting point than others. The moment they opened their eyes, they already possessed considerable combat ability.
For example, in the original anime, Ash's Riolu—in the Journeys arc, the very moment Riolu hatched from its Egg, it charged out of the house, recklessly challenging every wild Pokémon it could find. That alone showed the sheer force of its innate talent.
Now, it seemed Jade belonged to the same category—born exceptional, destined to be extraordinary.
Its base ability was Scrappy. Shortly after, Yozora augmented it with additional traits:
Pokémon: Miltank
Type: Normal
Abilities: Scrappy + Huge Power + Stamina + Speed Boost
Level: Senior (Initial Stage)
Potential: Tier 3 Legendary
Moves: Tackle, Defense Curl, Rollout, Body Slam
Description: A gifted Miltank. Even though it has only just been born, it already possesses formidable power. However, as it has yet to mature, it cannot produce milk.
Senior-level… with the potential of a Legendary Beast!
Tsk, tsk, tsk—Yozora's eyes gleamed with excitement. He knew Jade's future achievements would far surpass those of its mother, Mei.
Mei's potential was limited. Even with the abilities Yozora had granted her, she only reached the ceiling of Elite Four potential. She would likely never go beyond that, and for now, she had only just reached the Elite-level threshold.
But Jade was different. Its potential was limitless—something that could be developed endlessly.
Of course, Yozora didn't expect to draw out all of its hidden power—that was far too difficult. But even if he could only unlock a fraction, allowing it to grow into a Champion-tier Miltank… what kind of monster would that be?
And Champion-tier Miltank milk… just imagining it was beyond comprehension!
After resting for a day at the Taige Gym, Yozora set out with Dragonite, Eevee, Suicune, Azumarill, and his other companions, returning to Pallet Town.
He entrusted his partners to Professor Oak for research, while he himself finally took the chance to relax.
Every day, he brought Jade and the Tyranitar Egg with him to go fishing, bask in the sun, and laze about. It was an easy, carefree month.
Finally, one day, with a crisp crack, the Egg hatched, and Larvitar was born.
It stood upright, its skin a rocky, grayish-green. A single blunt horn protruded from its head.
Its eyes glowed red, its short arms dangling, its belly armored with a diamond-shaped red scale. Its waist bore four diamond-shaped black holes, and its tail flared like a trumpet.
Tiny limbs, a tiny tail, and a small, delicate body—it was clear this little one had no real strength.
Such was the nature of pseudo-legendary hatchlings.
Pseudo-legendaries were often called "late bloomers" by official researchers. That meant their juvenile forms required far more training and hardship than ordinary Pokémon before they could evolve and awaken their full power.
Since it had only just hatched, this Larvitar was merely 30 centimeters tall—fragile and small.
Although its potential was Champion-level, it was clearly just a baby, with no real combat ability at all.
Compared to Jade's starting point, it was far weaker. But such was the path of late bloomers.
Pokémon: Larvitar
Type: Rock + Ground
Ability: Guts (When inflicted with a status condition, its Attack greatly increases)
Level: Hatchling
Potential: Champion
Moves: Leer, Rock Throw, Tackle, Payback
Description: A late bloomer with tremendous potential for the future.
"Larvitar, congratulations. You've finally been born." Yozora gently rested his palm on Larvitar's head, stroking it softly.
"Rrra~" Its wide red eyes curved like crescent moons, and under Yozora's touch, the little one showed an expression of pure bliss.
Moments later, footsteps echoed, and Ash came running, panting heavily. The instant he saw Larvitar, his eyes lit up. "Yozora, Larvitar finally hatched!"
Yozora nodded with a smile. "Yes."
"Oh, that's right—"
Ash quickly shifted topics, clenching his fists in excitement. "Yozora, I'm heading out to challenge the Hoenn region! Do you want to come with me?"
By now, Yozora had rested enough. He agreed with a nod.
The next morning, Yozora and Ash bid farewell to Professor Oak and the others, then boarded a fast ship bound for Hoenn.
Though fast, the journey across seas from Kanto to Hoenn still took a full day and night.
On the deck, Wingull occasionally soared overhead. Ash eagerly scanned his Pokédex, full of energy.
Beside him, Yozora carefully fed Jade and Larvitar their lunch—milk.
Larvitar was just a baby, so milk was a necessity.
As for Jade, it too was still a baby. Though a month had passed, it hadn't grown much—rising only from 50 to 60 centimeters, becoming rounder and sturdier.
Through close observation, Yozora realized it was still in its hatchling stage—simply one born at a much higher level. Despite being a baby, it already had power comparable to seasoned fighters.
Larvitar, on the other hand, though also a hatchling, had nearly no battle ability.
"Moo~" Jade's appetite was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, it had gulped down an entire serving of milk and begged Yozora for more.
Smiling fondly, Yozora stroked its head and indulged it.
When Pikachu, sitting nearby, looked at the milk longingly, Yozora chuckled and offered it a share as well.
"Pika~" Pikachu shyly scratched the back of its head before diving headfirst into the milk.
This was no ordinary milk—it came from Mei, a near-Elite Four-tier Miltank. Its nutrients were incredibly rich.
Only Pikachu could drink it casually. For ordinary Pokémon, a single serving could sustain them for three whole days.
"Miltank and Larvitar, huh…"
Leaning against the railing, Ash glanced at Yozora with curiosity. "Yozora, besides those two, did you bring any other Pokémon for this journey?"
Yozora shook his head with a smile. "Just these two."
Ash grinned. "Same here. I only brought Pikachu. I want to catch completely new Pokémon in Hoenn!"
With his Aura powers fully awakened, Yozora had no fear even against Elite trainers. Traveling light was no problem for him.
That was why this time, he set out anew with only two baby companions.
After a day and night at sea, dawn finally broke as Yozora and Ash stepped onto the shores of Hoenn.
Yozora inhaled deeply. Even the air felt fresher here.
"Ash, this port is close to Littleroot Town. Let's go meet Professor Birch first." Yozora suggested. Ash, without other plans, agreed enthusiastically.
The two left the port, heading down a forest path toward Littleroot.
In the undergrowth, a few Wurmple appeared, making Ash practically bounce with excitement.
That was Ash for you—every new Pokémon filled him with wonder.
Along the way, they also encountered Zigzagoon, Poochyena, and Seedot hanging from the trees.
Zigzagoon could evolve into Linoone, Poochyena into Mightyena, and Seedot into Nuzleaf, then into Shiftry.
Of them, Yozora was only interested in Poochyena—more specifically, in Mightyena.
But the ones they encountered had low potential, so he let them go.
After all, in Hoenn, Poochyena were everywhere. Even if he skipped them this time, there would be countless more chances to capture one later.
Ash, too, seemed determined to take a more selective path. Though he was fascinated by every new Pokémon—Wurmple, Zigzagoon, Poochyena, Seedot—he refrained from catching any.
After an hour, with the sun shining bright, Yozora and Ash finally arrived at Professor Birch's Laboratory.
"Welcome, Yozora, Ash! These are the starter Pokémon we prepare for new Trainers in Hoenn," Professor Birch greeted them warmly, releasing the three Hoenn starters for display.
Torchic, the Fire-type.Mudkip, the Water-type.Treecko, the Grass-type.
"Wow!" It was Ash's first time seeing Hoenn's starters, and he was brimming with excitement.
Yozora, having already seen them many times in the games, remained calm. Still, he couldn't help admiring them—he liked all three.
Of course, the ones before him were for new Trainers, not for him. But he resolved to catch all three on his journey.
"Professor, I'm here to receive my starter Pokémon!"
A boy in green clothes and glasses entered. The moment he spotted Yozora and Ash, he froze in disbelief.
Rubbing his glasses furiously and putting them back on, he gasped. "Brother Yozora? Ash? It's really you!"
Ash blinked in surprise. "Do you know us?"
The bespectacled boy nodded eagerly. "Of course! I watched last year's Silver Conference. Brother Yozora, you were the Champion! And Ash, you made it into the Top 8! You guys are amazing!"
Ash stiffened.
Why was Yozora "Brother Yozora"… and he was just plain "Ash"?Sigh…
So this was the difference between a Champion and a quarterfinalist…
"Wow, Larvitar! A pseudo-legendary from Johto! That's incredible. As expected of Brother Yozora—you're my idol!" The boy's eyes sparkled as he stared at Larvitar clinging to Yozora's neck.
Looking at him, Yozora felt a strange sense of familiarity. His appearance overlapped with someone he remembered.
Max—May's younger brother.
But in the anime, Max was only seven or eight years old, just a child.
This boy, however, was already fifteen. His height, his aura—completely different.
Still, the resemblance was uncanny. Yozora tentatively asked, "You are…?"
The boy straightened. "Brother Yozora, I'm your fan! My name's Max. I just became a Trainer this year, and my goal is to become as great as you!"
So it really was Max—May's younger brother.
But if Max was already fifteen, that meant May must be seventeen—Yozora and Ash's peer.
That meant in this world, the protagonists' ages had shifted. If May was already seventeen, then she likely wouldn't be traveling with Ash as a novice, like in the anime.
"Alright, Max, which one will you choose as your starter?"
Professor Birch smiled. "Your sister chose Torchic back then. Do you want to follow her and pick Torchic too?"
Back then… your sister…
The words confirmed it. May was indeed seventeen now.
Max shook his head with a grin. "No, I prefer Mudkip."
He selected Mudkip, then turned to Yozora with a fiery gaze. "Brother Yozora, I want to battle you! Will you accept?"
His eyes darted to Larvitar on Yozora's shoulder. Larvitar's eyes shone back, fearless.
But Yozora chuckled. "Larvitar won't do—it was just born, still a baby with no real strength."
Max shook his head. "That's fine. It doesn't have to be Larvitar. Any Pokémon you choose is okay—though, if possible, I'd love to battle Suicune!"
His eyes gleamed brightly.
He had watched the Silver Conference. He knew Yozora owned Suicune, and it was precisely because of that that people called him a Legendary Trainer. That was why Max idolized him so much.
Before, Max's role model had been his father, Norman.
But now, it was Yozora. After all, being a Legendary Trainer was far too cool!
"Alright, since you insist, I'll humor you," Yozora agreed with a nod.
Together with Ash, Max, and Professor Birch, they headed to the battlefield behind the lab.
"Max, though I'm a little disappointed you didn't challenge me, you'd better give it your all!" Ash cheered him on like a senior.
"I'll serve as referee," Professor Birch announced from the sidelines. "This will be a one-on-one battle. The first Pokémon to faint loses."
Both Yozora and Max nodded, then threw their Poké Balls at the same time.
"Go, Jade!"
"Go, Mudkip!"
White light flashed, and Miltank and Mudkip appeared on the field.
The moment Professor Birch and Max laid eyes on Jade, they froze in shock, then cried out together:
"Whoa! A Shiny Miltank?!"
(End of Chapter)