"Gym Leader Grey, have you heard of the legendary bird Pokémon?"
Blaine's fingers tapped the tabletop in a steady rhythm. His gaze slid across to Grey, watching the shifts in his expression.
"I've heard of them—the three Legendary birds in Kanto. Zapdos, Articuno, Moltres. All three are legendary Pokémon."
Grey nodded lightly.
Those three are all over Kanto folklore—household names, more famous than Ho-Oh or Lugia in some circles.
Even the Pokémon Center in Viridian City and the battle club in Saffron City have murals of them. That alone says enough about their renown.
"I once ran into one of them while mountaineering—and nearly didn't make it back."
Blaine took a small sip of sake, then poured a cup for Grey. "Moltres saved my life back then. That's what set my resolve to raise Fire types."
"Congrats are in order, then."
Grey tossed back the sake, met Blaine's eyes, and smiled. "You can go a whole century without meeting a legendary. Being saved by Moltres? That's not something most trainers ever experience."
"Old stories. Not worth dwelling on."
Blaine waved it off—then his serious gaze snagged on Riolu sneaking a cheeky sip of sake.
For a second, Blaine seemed to see… something.
He took off his sunglasses, rubbed his eyes, and looked at Riolu again.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
"Ah…"
With a regretful sigh, he went on, "I'm not telling you this to brag, Grey."
He chose his words. "Legendary Pokémon can reshape the environment around them. People online like to 'rank' the legendaries, but any one of them is not to be underestimated."
"Take Moltres. On paper it looks like Charizard's typing. You only understand how terrifying it is when you get close."
Blaine's tone grew heavier as the sake loosened his memory, pulling him back to that moment years ago.
"Just a flap of its wings sent the temperature spiking. Nudging the weather was nothing to it…"
"So—you see what I'm getting at?"
He didn't spell it out. Instead, he tested Grey with the question.
In his experience, 'fortuitous encounters' aren't just luck; they click into place when your own insight lines up with the moment, and then the harvest follows.
"I'm guessing you think Articuno is nearby."
Grey refilled Blaine's cup, setting it down gently. "Open with Moltres, tie it to what's been going on around Cinnabar Island lately… in Kanto, I can't think of anything more likely than Articuno."
"Mm. Islanders heading to nearby waters have reported a brilliant, indistinct silhouette entering the Seafoam Islands.
And long ago, there were already tales of Articuno roosting there.
It's one of the few Ice-type habitats in Kanto, so the environment fits."
Blaine folded his hands under his chin, voice low. "But we can't confirm it's Articuno. If it is, though, a legend's power won't be any weaker than a Gym Leader's ace."
Grey didn't answer. He stroked Riolu's head and slipped into thought.
If he could catch Articuno, his main lineup would get a serious boost.
And if anyone complained? He could point at Lance, Agatha, Bruno, and Lorelei.
When those four first became the Elite Four, maybe three of their Pokémon actually matched their 'type theme.'
Don't even get him started on Flint in Sinnoh.
A Fire Elite Four who brought Lopunny, Drifblim, and even a Steelix? Please.
So if he really could catch Articuno, slotting it into his team was fair game.
Teach it Rock Smash for coverage, and if anyone asked, he'd say he was taking a page from Flint.
Thanks, Flint.
"You should think this through," Blaine said gently, stroking his beard. "This is unconfirmed rumor—fun to chew on, but that's it."
Grey looked up, a smile tugging at his mouth. "Thanks for the tip, Blaine. I've been wondering how to deal with Giovanni. If I get the chance to catch it, my odds in the Gym challenge go way up, right?"
"That's true."
Blaine nodded hard.
A single legend spikes a team's power curve.
Giovanni's strong, no doubt, but if he sandbags and doesn't bring his main force, he could lose in a ditch…
That thought made Blaine study Grey again.
He could see the itch in him—like Articuno was already in the bag.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Blaine cleared his throat. "Most people live and die without ever meeting a legendary. This trip might be a complete bust. Even so—are you going?"
"Of course. I'm a trainer before I'm a Gym Leader. You grab at chances like this."
Grey didn't lump himself in with 'most people,' and besides, he had aura on his side. On the Seafoam, all he had to do was seek out the strongest presence.
When you boil it down, it's fifty–fifty.
Either it's there, or it isn't.
Simple as that.
Blaine couldn't help a laugh, shaking his head. As expected.
The young charge forward, fearless, if only to prove a point.
"As it happens, I'm heading to the Seafoam Islands tomorrow. I'll give you—and that girl—a lift."
Blaine volunteered to play driver and made the offer.
"Thanks, Blaine. Appreciate it."
Grey checked the time—already nine at night. "It's late. I'll turn in. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, kid."
…
Back in the room—
Green peeked out from under the covers, watching Grey kick off his shoes.
"Well, well. Out drinking this late? Did you even eat?"
She sat up, sniffed the faint alcohol on him, and pinched her nose.
"I grabbed something at the Pokémon Center. Dress warm tomorrow—we're making a run to the Seafoam Islands."
Grey offered the reminder, then pulled out his phone and uploaded the battle video with Blaine.
Ring, ring—
Right as the upload got approved, Sabrina called.
Grey arched a brow at the caller ID.
First time Sabrina had ever called him. What could she want?
He picked up.
Her first line was:
"When are you coming back to Saffron City?"
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