Viridian City basked under a calm afternoon sun.
The air was warm and peaceful. The trees swayed in a gentle breeze. Laughter from younger Trainers echoed in the distance as they practiced near the Gym. Skylar sat quietly outside the Pokémon Center, his shiny Charmander sprawled lazily at his feet, and Gardevoir standing nearby with arms folded and eyes half-closed in a meditative calm.
He had stayed in the city a few days longer than planned, using the time to rest, train, and reflect.
"The road can wait," he muttered, gazing at the sky. "I want to be ready when I leave."
His fingers drifted to a familiar Poké Ball clipped to his belt—one that no longer held a Pokémon inside.
Flashback – One Month Ago, Sinnoh
The private training grounds outside the Sunyshore family estate were scorched and cracked after another round of intense fire-type drills.
Skylar, dripping sweat and breathing heavily, gave a command—his Arcanine unleashed a roaring Flamethrower that tore through the air, leaving trails of smoke in its wake.
Watching from the sidelines with arms crossed was Flint, his flame-like hair catching the late sunlight.
"He's getting stronger," Skylar said between breaths.
Flint walked up slowly, eyes focused on Arcanine as the Fire-type sat proudly, chest rising with calm, disciplined breathing.
"He's not just getting stronger. He's getting closer to something deeper."
Skylar raised an eyebrow. "You've said that before."
Flint smiled. "That Arcanine of yours—he was your second catch, right?"
Skylar nodded. "Caught him near Mt. Coronet when I was ten. He was wild. Hard to control. But he followed me home after a rescue mission."
Flint chuckled. "You earned his loyalty. But there's more in him than battle instinct. I've trained dozens of Arcanine in the League, and yours... he reacts to things before they happen. Tracks movement that shouldn't be trackable. Burns hotter under pressure, but stays in control. That's not just training. That's heritage."
Skylar blinked. "You mean... inherited instincts?"
"Exactly. I think there's something in his bloodline—maybe from both his parents—that's starting to awaken. But it's going to take precision and focus. Let me work with him for a few weeks. You'll get him back when he's ready."
Skylar looked at Arcanine, who stared back with steady, loyal eyes.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Just make sure he doesn't start calling you 'partner.'"
Flint laughed. "No promises."
Present Day – Viridian City
Skylar leaned back on the bench, hand resting over the now-empty Poké Ball.
"You'd make this trip a lot faster," he whispered, "but I know this is what's best for you."
Charmander chirped from beside him, almost in agreement.
Skylar smiled. "Don't worry, you'll get to meet him soon."
Later that day, eager for something different, Skylar followed a hiking trail that led to a forest lake just outside the city.
Locals had told him that wild Water-type Pokémon gathered there in the afternoons—Poliwag, Lotad, Psyduck, even the occasional rare encounter.
Charmander wasn't thrilled about the water, and stayed near a warm sunlit rock, while Gardevoir hovered nearby, eyes scanning for movement.
Skylar crouched at the edge, tossing small berries into the water to see if anything would nibble.
"Come on… I could use something like a Buizel or a Goldeen…"
Then—movement.
Ripples spread across the water.
Not from a Pokémon.
From a person.
A girl, swimming with elegance and precision across the crystal-clear lake. Her body arched in perfect form, her arms slicing the surface with the rhythm of a professional.
Skylar stepped behind a tree to watch more closely, not out of rudeness—but because something about the way she moved struck him as deeply familiar.
Her hair shimmered in the sunlight—bright orange, tied in a low braid.
The girl dove under for a moment.
Skylar's heart thudded.
"No way… is that Misty?"
She resurfaced closer to the shore, standing waist-deep in the water, her head tilted back as she smoothed her hair.
Skylar squinted.
He took a cautious step forward.
"...Misty?"