Digital Pokemon - 41
--+--
Chapter 41: The Spirit of All Things
--+--
As the primary venue for the Bug-Catching Contest, the National Park teems with various Bug-type Pokémon, many of which are as rare as they are powerful.
Sera was currently hunkered down behind a thicket, observing an Apricorn tree. Beside the trunk, a Scyther lay resting.
For the most part, wild Pokémon don’t care much for Apricorns.
The shells are incredibly hard, and only the weakest Bug-types are willing to spend the significant time and effort required to gnaw through them for the pulp inside.
But for a Scyther, an Apricorn holds a different kind of significance.
They need to constantly hone the scythes on their forearms to keep them sharp, and they often actively seek out hard objects to hack at, testing their blades against them.
If Bugsy, the Gym Leader of Azalea Town, were here, he would likely be ecstatic at the sight of a wild Scyther. Sera, however, just found it bothersome.
She wasn't some bug-collecting youth, and she had no interest in rare Bug-type Pokémon.
"Boss, do you need me to take it down?"
Beside her, Ryugu was eager to jump into the fray. The girl’s eyes were sparkling, brimming with a hunger for battle.
Ryugu’s actions gave Sera a strange sense of déjà vu. The Scyther uses the Apricorn to sharpen its blades, and you use the Scyther to grind for experience?
Suppressing the urge to shout, "Go, Ryugu!", Sera nodded silently. Watching the blue-haired girl dash off excitedly, she saw her toss a Poké Ball to lure the Scyther away.
Sera seized the opportunity to approach the tree, reaching out to touch one of the fruits.
"Not ripe yet, then..."
Relying on years of experience touching Apricorns, Sera realized the moment her fingers brushed the skin that this tree wasn't ready for harvesting.
This was a Black Apricorn, which, if used to craft an Apricorn ball, would result in a Heavy Ball. Heavy Balls increase the catch rate for significantly heavier Pokémon.
Since the minimum weight threshold for the bonus is 200kg, they are—much like Lure Balls—a niche item only needed by specific groups.
However...
Apricorns aren't strictly limited to crafting traditional Apricorn balls.
The reason Apricorn balls are so famous and expensive is the consensus that they cannot be manufactured by machines; they must be hand-forged by specialized ballsmiths. But that doesn't mean a smith can only use them for traditional designs.
Beyond Heavy Balls, Black Apricorns can be used to craft standard Poké Balls or Great Balls, and they are even ingredients for Dusk Balls and Luxury Balls.
In recent years, new types of Poké Balls developed by the Devon Corporation have become increasingly popular among trainers.
Naturally, where there is a market, craftsmen will try to dismantle the technology and apply it to their own hand-forging processes.
Although Sera’s master, Kurt, followed tradition and disdained making anything other than classic Apricorn balls, Sera didn’t mind.
Since Devon had opened their patents, she would occasionally tinker with a few to display on the workshop counter, just to add variety.
Thinking of this, she touched the Black Apricorn again, confirming its maturity.
Perhaps it was just a trick of the light. The more she came into contact with the fruit, the more she felt a unique pulse within it. Yet, when she tried to savor the sensation, the inspiration proved elusive.
"Pon-pon?"
Beside her, Ogerpon tilted its head, watching Sera knit her brow, and let out a curious sound.
"I'm fine... I was just wondering if I’d overlooked any details."
Sera explained to Ogerpon. Although the little ogre might not grasp the significance of her actions, simply speaking to it brought a sense of peace to her heart.
Suddenly, a crucial detail from her memory surfaced, and a hypothesis formed in her mind.
Testing it would be simple.
System, add points!
[You have consumed 1 Effort Value. Your Aura-sensing ability has improved.]
[You have sensed a faint pulse of Aura.]
In the world of Pokémon, all things possess a spirit, and there is a specific term for it: Aura. Those who can sense and control it are known as Aura Guardians.
Spending just one Effort Value was clearly not enough for Sera to grasp the power to manipulate Aura. Even in terms of sensing, it was, at best, a minor improvement.
Yet, even this faint pulse made the world before her eyes look drastically different.
The breeze brushed through the grass with a gentle, rustling sound. Nearby, Ryugu was loudly instructing her Swablu to use Aerial Ace. The Swablu flapped its cottony wings, kicking up tiny ripples in the air current.
Beside her, Ogerpon was swaying from side to side; it was sensing the flow of nature in its downtime.
Was the "nature" the little ogre saw actually the Aura of the surrounding plants?
Things that had been invisible to her before were now crystal clear. Even the unripe fruit in her palm—which she had only been able to vaguely guess about before—now revealed its secret.
With her palm pressed against the skin, the answer came naturally to her mind without a second thought:
This Black Apricorn will be ripe in three days.
—I see.
This is what I was lacking.
Sera let out a long breath and closed her eyes. The time that had seemed to slow down around her accelerated once more. When she opened her eyes again, she returned to the world as she had always known it.
Now, she finally had a rough understanding of the level her master had reached.
Even with the exact same Apricorn, a Heavy Ball made by Kurt would inevitably be more refined than one made by Sera. The reason was that she hadn't yet mastered the "heart" of the Apricorn.
The fibrous network inside the shell, once filled with pre-made jade silk, might look perfect on the surface, but in reality, it still contained countless gaps and imperfections.
From fruit to tool, the creation of a hand-forged Poké Ball is a process of refining the Apricorn. The more meticulous the craftsmanship, the more extraordinary the final product becomes.
Sera had once taken pride in the "speed" with which she could craft a ball. But that speed didn't equate to perfection.
Right now, what Sera needed most was to slow down—just a little bit.
"...So, this is the realm Master wanted to teach me."
The girl nodded slightly, her train of thought suddenly clearing.
However, even though she had identified the issue, she still couldn't reach that ideal state of perfection just yet.
"Even without keeping the Aura vision permanently active, just maintaining it for a short moment consumes an immense amount of stamina," Sera calculated.
"Adding more points to the Aura attribute might be useful, but it’s more likely it would just increase the drain. Perhaps what I really need to invest in is stamina..."
The more she calculated, the more she felt her pool of Effort Values was insufficient.
The girl couldn't help but sigh. She had thought the nearly 20 points she had saved up were quite a lot. Now, looking at the 6 left, it felt like she was running on empty.
It seemed she would have to push Slither Wing a bit harder to see if she could squeeze out some more Effort Values.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 42
--+--
Chapter 42: Flutter Mane
--+--
Area Zero, lowest level.
The Slither Wing, having laid in wait for quite some time, suddenly lunged forward, its massive body pinning a wild Garganacl to the ground.
"Puni!"
The latter yelped in pain, shedding a scattering of salt crystals from its body.
The normally good-natured Garganacl was instantly filled with rage.
It immediately hunched over, thrust its hands into the ground, and ripped up a chunk of rock laced with crystals, hurling it back at the Slither Wing to settle the score.
Commotion rippled continuously through the corners of the deep, gloomy cavern.
After a long while, the downed Garganacl lay on the ground, struggling to make sense of the situation.
It couldn’t figure out what was up with this Slither Wing; after knocking it out, the creature didn’t even stay to lick up the salt, simply turning and running off just like that.
...What was it even doing here?
The process of defeating the Garganacl hadn’t been easy for the Slither Wing, either. Even though its opponent had fallen, it was left covered in wounds.
Yet, as the Slither Wing returned to its makeshift den, it was brimming with satisfaction.
"Pu... Puni!"
Several berries dropped from the air before it, and its wounds began to mend slowly.
As the Slither Wing chewed on the berries, it couldn’t help but marvel. Its instincts were getting sharper by the day.
When it first fell to the bottom of Area Zero, it had panicked, finding the environment completely unfit for survival. But as an impulse surged through its mind, it had found itself involuntarily seeking out solitary Pokémon to provoke.
Although there were no weaklings here, the Slither Wing had pressed forward fearlessly, defeating powerful enemies with its prideful pounces.
As long as it followed those impulses, it found that its injuries would automatically heal after every battle, and berries would literally fall from the sky to replenish its lost stamina.
What a wonderful life!
Back when it was active in the lower levels, the Slither Wing couldn’t even guarantee a full stomach. Now, although life was a bit more troublesome, the Slither Wing was perfectly content.
After finishing the berries, the Slither Wing stretched its body, feeling refreshed, and moved away from the side of the crystalline wall it had been huddled against.
--+--
[Slither Wing’s HP has been restored.]
Sera stood guard under an Apricorn tree, focusing intently on the simulator in her hand.
[Slither Wing has undergone rigorous training!]
[Slither Wing’s level has increased!]
[Slither Wing has leveled up to 53!]
[Due to the level up, you have gained 1 Effort Value!]
"It really isn't easy."
Sera let out a long sigh. The Garganacl she had just battled was already the tenth suitable wild Pokémon she had managed to find in three days.
To get the Slither Wing to level up and gain Effort Values, targeted training was essential.
However, the environment in Area Zero was brutal, and the wild Pokémon here played dirty—they would never dream of fighting alone if they could gang up on you.
"I just burned through two more Super Potions..."
Sera calculated the consumption of her Raising Points, her head throbbing. So far, she had only triggered a single mission.
--+--
[Escape Operation]
[Having fallen to the lowest level of Area Zero, Slither Wing has arrived in an environment completely unfit for survival. To see green grass and sunlight again, maneuver Slither Wing and escape the lowest level!]
[Mission Goal: Return to the lower level]
[Mission Rewards: Effort Values x5, Raising Points x30, Booster Energy x1]
--+--
[Booster Energy: A capsule filled with energy that can trigger Protosynthesis in battle. The energy will slowly recover after the battle ends.]
--+--
Booster Energy was a great find; it was the first time Sera had seen a held item that could actively trigger the Slither Wing’s ability.
But achieving the mission goal was currently impossible. To get from the lowest level to the floor above, one had to traverse a long, spiraling ramp, which was crawling with a massive number of wild Pokémon.
Even though the Slither Wing had three pairs of wings, the guy couldn’t fly at all; those wings were purely decorative.
If it rashly tried to climb the ramp and got knocked down, it would be even more of a headache.
Moreover, even if it did return to the lower level, Sera wondered if that environment was actually suitable for survival. Ignoring the Scream Tails that had chased the Slither Wing all over the place earlier, that Paradox Suicune (Walking Wake) boss had left a deep impression on her.
Come to think of it, why was the Slither Wing she controlled acting alone? She had seen other Pokémon species clustering in groups while exploring the bottom layer—strong or weak, they all did it.
That was why she had spent three days and barely found any instances of wild Pokémon being on their own.
If the Slither Wing could have a partner, at least she wouldn’t have to be this cautious; she could afford to be a bit more daring.
In this "Mystery Dungeon" style control mode, both the Slither Wing and its enemies took turns attacking in a rigid, one-by-one fashion, and damage had to be taken head-on.
Not being able to use skill to handle combat meant she had to heal after every fight, a reality Sera found hard to accept. Her hoarding instincts were reaching a breaking point!
She had to think of a way.
Sera looked up at the Apricorns hanging above, confirming it would still be a while before they were ripe for picking, and turned her attention back to the Slither Wing in the simulator.
Suddenly, the Slither Wing encountered a new situation.
On the pixelated map, dark purple mist swirled faintly around the Slither Wing. It seemed another event was about to unfold.
"Pu-ni!"
[Slither Wing senses a sinister presence!]
The next moment, an exclamation mark lit up over the Slither Wing’s head, and a Pokémon that Sera found vaguely familiar appeared right in front of it.
[Flutter Mane is observing Slither Wing.]
Flutter Mane!
The ancient Paradox Pokémon that dubious magazines claimed was a ghost of a pterosaur, but was, in reality, eerily similar to a Misdreavus.
Sera tapped on the Flutter Mane as it circled the Slither Wing, immediately viewing its stats.
Ghost, Fairy.
—That was a complete type disadvantage against the Slither Wing.
The Slither Wing only knew Fire and Bug-type moves, and its stronger Bug-type moves would only do a quarter of the damage to a Flutter Mane.
According to those shady magazines, Flutter Mane was extremely violent and belligerent...
Sera recalled the intel she had noted down, and her heart tightened.
"Habu~!"
[Flutter Mane is teasing Slither Wing.]
--+--
"Habu~!"
Flutter Mane curiously sized up the Slither Wing before it. It couldn't grasp why a Pokémon of this type—which it only remembered seeing active in the upper levels—would be here.
Had this Slither Wing accidentally fallen to the bottom?
It didn't even look injured.
The more it thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Flutter Mane flew up and down, observing the Slither Wing.
As a creature that occupied the top of the food chain in the lowest level, Flutter Mane had no fear of being attacked. Watching the Slither Wing tremble in fear, it found the whole thing quite amusing.
The Pokémon active in the lowest level of Area Zero were either Rock-types, like the Glimmora clusters, or shady Ghost-types; all other Pokémon were forced to survive in the cracks between these two groups.
It was rare to see a lively fellow like this Slither Wing, so Flutter Mane reached out its long, dark green hair—which resembled arms—and poked at the Slither Wing.
"Pu... Puni!"
The Slither Wing instantly curled into a ball and started playing dead.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 43
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Chapter 43: A Slither Wing That Only Knows How to Eat Through My Funds
--+--
Fluttering with an air of carefree grace, the Flutter Mane—with its ink-green tresses trailing behind it—danced through the air. It circled the Slither Wing constantly, as if it had discovered a fascinating new toy.
Sera’s hand hovered away from the Escape Rope.
Faced with the Flutter Mane's sudden onslaught, she had been prepared to use the item to bolt.
Even though the Electronic Pokemon Raising System would likely drop her back into the lower levels, paying a few Raising Points was a small price to pay compared to being mauled by an ancient Misdreavus.
However...
The Flutter Mane, described in the suspicious magazine as a savage, bellicose creature, seemed remarkably calm in practice. It even appeared friendlier than a typical, mischievous Misdreavus.
Seeing this, a new idea sparked in Sera’s mind.
First, she couldn’t let the Slither Wing just lie there like a lump; it needed to move. She tapped the directional keys, maneuvering the Slither Wing until it stood right in front of the Flutter Mane.
"?"
[The Flutter Mane seems a bit puzzled.]
Perhaps it was the change in approach, but while previous interactions with other Pokemon only offered "Attack" as an option, this time, a "Gift" option had appeared.
[You offered a Ghost Gem to the Flutter Mane.]
Since gift-giving was an option, she might as well try it out. Sera watched the screen with bated breath, eager to see how the Flutter Mane would react.
--+--
"Habu?"
The Flutter Mane blinked in surprise at the deep purple gem that had suddenly appeared before its eyes.
What was this?
It cradled the gem with its hair, sensing that it was no ordinary object. The Flutter Mane brought the gem close to its face, studying it intently.
This stone seemed to pulse with an energy that felt strangely soothing.
It had a premonition: if it were to activate all the energy stored within the gem in one go, it could unleash a move far more powerful than its daily norm.
"Habu~!"
Not bad at all!
The Flutter Mane nodded in satisfaction. It had initially just thought the Slither Wing was interesting, but it hadn’t expected this creature—rarely seen around these parts—to actually have the goods.
Since you’re playing fair, I’ve got your back from now on, kid!
--+--
[The Flutter Mane’s affection for Slither Wing has increased!]
[Current Affection: 10]
The gift-giving tactic had been unexpectedly effective.
Sera had originally braced herself for a struggle; wild Pokemon were usually blunt, and if it really liked the gift, there was a risk it might try to extort even more out of the Slither Wing.
One could only say that this Flutter Mane was simpler than she had anticipated.
That was a good thing.
But one detail still bothered her. The Flutter Mane’s affection was directed toward the Slither Wing, not her. In other words, it hadn’t yet sensed her presence.
Just how ridiculous is that Walking Wake, anyway...?
They were all Paradox Pokemon. The Slither Wing, the Flutter Mane, the Scream Tail, and the overlord of the lower depths, the Walking Wake, all possessed vastly different traits.
Thinking back on it, her own Slither Wing was the one lagging the most behind. Aside from eating, eating, and clumsily crashing into things, it didn't seem capable of anything else.
It didn't even have any friends—until now, when it had finally managed to gain the Flutter Mane’s favor with her help.
Thinking about how she had burned nearly a hundred Raising Points on this Slither Wing, only to net a single point of Effort Value, sent her blood pressure soaring.
Still, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. At least she finally had a bit of luck.
[The Flutter Mane and Slither Wing are engaged in friendly communication...]
The two Pokemon leaned in, whispering to each other. A countdown timer appeared at the bottom of the screen, indicating that once it finished, she would be rewarded with information.
With the Apricorns about to ripen, Sera sighed in relief, set the emulator aside, and began to wait with focused intensity.
--+--
"Pon, Pon-ga~!"
A wild Cutiefly buzzed back and forth nearby, while Ogerpon stood on its tiptoes, chasing it with both hands raised.
In her memories, the National Park in Johto didn’t have any Cutiefly, but in reality, most regions had actively introduced these beneficial Bug-type Pokemon.
As Bug/Fairy types, the Cutiefly line were expert pollinators and generally kept to themselves, clashing only occasionally with the odd Butterfree.
Measuring only about ten centimeters, Cutiefly were arguably the smallest of all Pokemon. Aside from pollination, they possessed the ability to sense emotional auras—the very source of their Fairy-type energy.
If they sensed a particularly joyful aura from a person or a Pokemon, they would inevitably misunderstand the situation and deliver a sharp, painful sting with their long proboscises.
That was exactly why Ogerpon was chasing the Cutiefly right now.
Ogerpon, always by Sera’s side, carried a perpetual smile. To the Cutiefly, she was as alluring as a fresh patch of nectar. Having been stung for no reason, Ogerpon couldn’t keep that smile up anymore.
She didn’t reach for her Teal Mask or her club, but she was still sprinting desperately after the Cutiefly, looking for an explanation.
Knowing it had messed up, the Cutiefly could only zip away in a panic.
Sera, watching from the sidelines, shook her head with a smile. Through the tall grass, she spotted a Ribombee approaching.
As the elder, the Ribombee arrived to soothe the situation. Only slightly larger than the Cutiefly, the Ribombee lifted a ball of pollen and dropped it in front of Ogerpon as a gesture of apology.
"Pon-o?!"
Ogerpon, whose heart was easy to soften, immediately broke into a smile again.
Sera felt more and more how useful her Aura-sensing ability was.
If she hadn't awakened this power, she would never have been able to see the antics of the Cutiefly and Ribombee from this distance. Now, everything was perfectly clear.
And it wasn't just the visuals. Even without fully activating her Aura sight:
A Scyther—which had been relentlessly hassling a girl after being repelled by Ryugu for three days—was back again, having returned after filling its belly to keep up the relentless pursuit.
From happy acceptance to irritated frustration, Ryugu, stubbornly refusing to capture the Scyther, engaged in a cycle of mutual torment with her opponent. The sounds of their angry panting drifted into Sera’s ears.
Things aren't easy over there, either.
Sera felt that if she didn’t harvest those Apricorns soon, one of them was going to lose their mind.
Fortunately, the Black Apricorn ripened at that very moment. The girl reached out, her fingertips dancing as she triggered a hint of psychokinesis.
A Black Apricorn, still damp with morning dew, drifted from the air into her palm.
Sera weighed the heavy Apricorn in her hand.
"Now, it’s time for the experiment."
Genuine anticipation bubbled up within her. She had never felt such clear inspiration before. She had waited three days, watching the Apricorn grow from a tender bud to full maturity.
The Apricorn couldn’t speak, yet to Sera, it seemed to be transmitting a message. This mysterious, profound feeling was perhaps the key to her next breakthrough.
"Pon-o~"
Ogerpon, with pollen still dusted on its lips, returned to Sera’s side and curiously inspected the Black Apricorn in her hand.
Sera reached out to wipe the pollen from Ogerpon’s cheek, smiling reassuringly.
"Don't worry. This one might not be the best yet, but soon... in a little while, I’ll definitely be able to craft the perfect ball just for you."
Ogerpon didn't fully understand the business of Poke Balls, but it clearly saw the joy shining in Sera’s eyes. And so, the little Ogerpon beamed, reaching out to show its support in return.
"Pon-o~!"
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 44
--+--
Chapter 44: Forming a Team
--+--
Area Zero, the lowest level.
A Hydreigon was gulping down water from a spring with nonchalant ease.
Unlike the more fragile Pokémon, even in the harsh conditions of Area Zero’s lowest level, Hydreigon had no reason to fear the swarms of Glimmora.
While a gathering of Glimmora was nearly invincible, they were protective of the weaker Glimmet within their ranks.
Unless something unexpected occurred, they generally wouldn't take the initiative to provoke a Hydreigon.
The spring water at the very bottom of Area Zero was saturated with incredible, otherworldly energy, fueled by the crystals permeating the depths.
With the exception of a certain Slither Wing that had stumbled here and survived on Berries alone, almost every Pokémon in this region spent their days fighting over access to the spring.
Excessive power, after all, demands a release through battle.
After filling its stomach, the Hydreigon lifted its heads, scanning the area for a suitable opponent to help burn off that surplus energy.
Suddenly, a cry rang out from behind it.
"Puni!"
Lunge!
The two-hundred-pound Slither Wing slammed into the Hydreigon with sudden, crushing force, sending the dragon face-first into the water before it could even react.
"Hydreigon?!"
The Hydreigon was shocked and furious. How could any Pokémon be so utterly shameless... Or rather, how could one be so blind as to dare provoke me?!
The Hydreigon recovered quickly. With a slight beat of its wings, it surged into the air, violet-blue Dragon-type energy gathering in its throats.
"Hah!"
With its wealth of battle experience, it didn't even need to aim. As it spun around, all three of the Hydreigon's heads unleashed a shockwave simultaneously.
Dragon Pulse!
But before the Hydreigon could even register the results of its attack, a dark green blur flickered past its vision. An intense, brilliant pink light coalesced into a beam, washing over the Hydreigon's entire body.
"Hydre—?!"
The agonizing pain overwhelmed its senses. Its vision went black, and the Hydreigon crashed back into the water.
Having taken the Dragon Pulse head-on, the Slither Wing hadn't even noticed the pink flash. It only felt a dull ache, but within moments, its vitality restored, it was brimming with energy once again.
"Puni!"
A triumphant revival!
The Slither Wing, already accustomed to the automatic healing it received after battle, was met with a look of pure astonishment from Flutter Mane.
It was the first time Flutter Mane had ever seen a Pokémon capable of instant revival without needing to drink the crystalline spring water. Such a bizarre ability left even this ghost feeling slightly troubled.
However, Flutter Mane quickly pushed its confusion aside and poked the Slither Wing with a lock of its hair.
"Puni, puni?"
Slither Wing tilted its head, puzzled. A moment later, a Pecha Berry, emitting a faint, sweet, natural scent, dropped in front of Flutter Mane.
"Habu~"
Flutter Mane’s eyes lit up. This was exactly the kind of exotic treat it had been craving.
Living at the very bottom of Area Zero, Flutter Mane had almost never tasted the flavor of a Berry. As it took a bite, the sweet, delicious pulp made the ghost squint in delight.
From their brief interaction, Flutter Mane already knew that this Slither Wing had fallen down here from the surface.
Surely, such delicious food must have been brought down from above. Just how many more of these treasures were hidden on this big bug?
Flutter Mane looked left and right, unable to figure out where the Slither Wing was pulling these Berries from.
—Well, it doesn't matter; it's just a trivial detail.
Flutter Mane had already decided to take this little guy under its wing. Until it surrendered every last one of its Berries, it would at least deign to help it defeat any pesky enemies it couldn't handle on its own.
--+--
[Flutter Mane has joined the squad.]
[Due to insufficient affinity, Flutter Mane will require an additional Berry to participate in future battles. Please ensure your Berry reserves are replenished.]
[Slither Wing has gained insight into the move "First Impression."]
On the screen, the pixelated Slither Wing now had Flutter Mane trailing behind it. Just looking at this familiar scene gave Sera a sense of déjà vu.
--Isn't this just like an exploration team?
The two newly teamed-up Pokémon had scored an impressive victory in their first outing, taking down a Hydreigon.
A fully evolved Hydreigon, especially a wild one with a volatile temperament, could be a localized disaster in the outside world, requiring the League to dispatch emergency teams to handle it.
Sera often felt that the simulator was perhaps a window into reality, which was why she felt such deep emotion.
In reality, Pokémon battles weren't just data-driven mechanics. While type advantages existed, there was always room to maneuver in a cross-type fight.
Even so, the Hydreigon had been one-shot by Flutter Mane’s Dazzling Gleam.
This ancient relative of Misdreavus looked significantly stronger than her own Slither Wing. If she could maintain this team composition and improve their affinity, she might even be able to attempt a climb back toward the middle levels.
Sera calculated the logistics in her mind, then topped off her system inventory with fifty more Pecha Berries.
Regardless, fifty Berries should be enough to last a few days.
She planned to finish processing the Black Apricorn she had on hand during that time, and then find a moment to complete the mission for Slither Wing.
The young girl put down the simulator just as Ryugu returned to camp.
"Ah... I am absolutely exhausted."
Over the past few days, the constant sparring with Scyther had worn Ryugu down. She even felt that she had been too naive.
A guard commission in a beginner area like the National Park having a reward like an Apricorn Ball... she should have known there would be a catch.
Ryugu never imagined that the client who issued the commission could be so suicidal.
It was just an Apricorn tree in the wild. If wild Pokémon were eyeing it, so be it! Why not just let it go instead of stubbornly locking horns with that Scyther?
Ryugu wasn't a Bug-type specialist, and she had no interest in bugs.
That Scyther, for its part, was remarkably arrogant; every time it lost, it would get furious at the fact that Ryugu didn't want to catch it, only to return the next day, fully rejuvenated, to challenge her again.
This back-and-forth had lasted three days. Ryugu was starting to feel sick just looking at the Scyther. Fortunately, Sera had finally picked the Black Apricorn that had been ripening for three days.
"Boss, the quality of this Black Apricorn should be enough now, right?"
The blue-haired girl's tone carried a hint of melancholy.
"Yes."
Sera nodded.
There was no doubt that this Black Apricorn was the one she had the deepest understanding of to date. Because of this, she needed to make extensive preparations before attempting to craft a Poké Ball with it.
The initial steps were standard.
She sliced open the outer skin and set aside the complex, indescribably flavored flesh of the Black Apricorn.
The meat of a Black Apricorn was known for its pungent intensity and was generally not palatable to humans. Sera let Ogerpon sample a taste while she stretched out her fingertips, gently brushing the inner wall of the Apricorn.
The subtle, vein-like network embedded within the fruit was now fully visible within the girl's field of vision.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 45
--+--
Chapter 45: Sera’s Work
--+--
The history of crafting Poké Balls from Apricorns in the Johto region dates back 700 years—a time that predates even the emergence of the Trainer profession itself.
In that era, artisans would typically hollow out an Apricorn and stuff it with a specialized capture net.
To use one, a Trainer would simply hurl the fruit, letting the net ensnare the Pokémon. It was a crude, primitive, yet highly effective method.
Sera had originally assumed the internal construction of Poké Balls was still much the same.
It wasn't until she underwent training under Kurt that she realized how vastly different the technology had become after years of exploration and discovery.
Modern Poké Balls, produced by machines, have largely abandoned Apricorns. Instead, machines mimic the fruit to create an outer shell, installing complex devices within, resulting in the standard, reliable balls Trainers use today.
While traditional Poké Ball artisans still insist on using Apricorns, they have long moved past the outdated "net" design.
According to Kurt, about a century ago, artisans in the Sinnoh region—back when it was still known as Hisui—refined the craft of manual Poké Ball production.
That innovation laid the foundation for modern handmade Poké Balls. Even now, artisans continue to craft them by hand, utilizing Apricorns, stonestones, and metal.
The Apricorn acts as the base material; artisans believe that each color holds unique properties, and to truly unlock that potential, the specialized stonestones found in Sinnoh are indispensable.
Sera reached into her pack and pulled out one such stone.
"What's that?"
Ryugu, who had been watching from the sidelines, peered at the small stone in the girl's hand, her eyes filled with curiosity as it caught the light, radiating a fiery glow.
"A Tumblestone."
Sera explained simply, her hands never stopping their steady rhythm. "It’s a specialty of Sinnoh, and a vital material for making Poké Balls."
"Oh, wow."
"Pon..."
Ogerpon and Ryugu nodded in unison, appearing to understand even if they didn't quite grasp the details. Although Sera didn’t mind an audience, a unique aura seemed to settle over her the moment she picked up the stone, and Ryugu, feeling her curiosity partially sated, decided to remain quiet.
If Kurt heard anyone speaking while he was crafting, he would inevitably frown and snap at them; the work was far too precise, and a single lapse in concentration could ruin a whole day's labor.
But for Sera, after strengthening her psychic powers, multitasking was a breeze.
Ogerpon was accustomed to watching Sera work quietly, and having Ryugu there now made no difference to her.
Sera rubbed the Tumblestone with her thumb. She didn't rush to use her tools, letting her thoughts wander instead.
Having cleared every generation of the Pokémon games, Sera understood most of the mechanics.
Specifically, this "stone" system originated in the fourth generation, Pearl and Diamond, where players could excavate five types of stones in the Underground. In the games, they had no special function other than serving as trade currency with NPCs.
But the Pokémon world was full of mysteries. Even for Sera, there were countless things she understood only at a surface level.
The stones that could catalyze the properties of Apricorns had previously been filed away in her mind as just another one of those mysteries.
She was an artisan, not a scientist—she didn't understand the physics behind Apricorn properties, nor did she know why the stones were able to "awaken" them.
However, as Sera looked at the stone now, something was different.
The stone wasn't a living thing and possessed no spirit of its own, but through her Aura sight, Sera could see a vibrant, flame-like energy rippling deep within it.
There was a reason the artisans used these stones after all.
Satisfied, Sera blinked and turned off her Aura sight. Without further hesitation, she fixed the Tumblestone to her workbench.
A sharp blade sliced through the stone. The crystalline surface crumbled into several pieces, which she continued to break down further and further until they were reduced to fine, hair-like threads.
But that wasn't enough.
If this were any other time, Sera would have considered her work finished at this stage.
But knowing that the interior of an Apricorn held far more intricate structures, she wasn't satisfied just yet—even with the stone ground down to silk-thin strands.
She took some of the threads and began grinding them further, using her tools to turn them into a dust so fine it was nearly invisible.
By this point, Ryugu had grown bored. Not understanding the purpose of such tedious labor and not wanting to disturb Sera, she tiptoed away, leaving Swablu behind to keep watch.
Sera remained focused on the task at hand, oblivious to Ryugu’s departure. Her ears were filled only with the skritch-skritch sound of her tools against the stone.
"..."
The noise of the outside world faded away for Ogerpon. The little masked creature watched silently as Sera remained immersed in her work.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a glow over the girl, shifting the entire atmosphere around them.
...Sera had said she would make the best Poké Ball for her.
Ogerpon didn't understand what a Poké Ball truly was, but she could sense the emotions behind the promise, knowing it must be an incredibly important gesture to Sera.
Though she wanted to cling to Sera, to depend on her at every moment, to play, or to do everything together, the lonely Ogerpon was always terrified that Sera might suddenly disappear.
She didn't want to let her out of her sight.
Yet, simply watching Sera like this, the easily satisfied Ogerpon felt a warmth bubbling up from within.
This feeling—perhaps it was worth more than a brief moment of joy; it was something to be savored over a long, quiet time.
Ogerpon faintly sensed a change within herself, though she couldn't quite put into words what it was. But it was certainly a good thing.
The little creature swung her legs, her body swaying slightly. As she stared fixedly at the work, a quiet, peaceful happiness, deep and profound, began to bloom in her heart.
--+--
An hour later, Sera let out a long breath.
A small mountain of fine dust sat on the table. She had completed a step she had never attempted before.
"That took even longer than I thought..."
Feeling a rare sense of fatigue, Sera looked up and locked eyes with Ogerpon, who was sitting across from her. The little creature blinked, then broke into a brilliant smile.
Because it was her first time, Sera hadn't used her powers to speed up the process, spending the same amount of time it usually took to craft a full Apricorn ball just on the preparation.
And there was still the work of applying the stone-filaments to the inside of the Apricorn and filling the gaps with the dust.
"I can use my psychic powers for the rest."
Sera calculated for a moment, deciding she could finish the work after a short rest.
But then, her gaze shifted to the branches above, where Swablu was busy preening its cotton-like feathers with its beak. The bird noticed Sera looking and let out a confused chirp.
"Mii-choo?"
Ryugu hadn't returned to the camp in over an hour.
Sera narrowed her eyes, a sinking feeling of foreboding settling in her chest.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 46
--+--
Chapter 46: Poachers
--+--
The forest air was thick and stifling.
Ryugu pressed a hand against the Poké Ball at her waist, her body hunched slightly as she took in the scene: three figures encircling a Scyther.
"Scy-scy..."
She knew this Scyther well. Over the past three days, it had repeatedly challenged her. But now, it was battered and bruised, pinned to the ground by a net made of some strange, reinforced material.
It struggled to prop itself up with its scythe-like arms, letting out a stubborn, pained cry.
"Team Rocket?"
Ryugu had been mentally chanting to herself, stay calm, stay calm, but the words that slipped past her lips were dripping with fire.
"You actually have the guts to poach in the National Park? Aren't you afraid of getting caught?"
She kept her eyes sharp, scanning them as she spoke. All three wore the standard Team Rocket uniform.
The two in the back were young—a man and a woman in their twenties. When the young man heard Ryugu, his eyes widened and he opened his mouth to retort, but the leader held up a hand to stop him.
"Young lady, you’ve got it all wrong," the middle-aged man said with an oily, smiling face. He projected a sense of menace far greater than the two youngsters behind him.
"Team Rocket is a legitimate, cross-regional public company. Why would we ever do anything illegal? This Scyther... well, we were just camping, and we happened to run into it. We were hoping to catch it, but it was being awfully rebellious, so we thought we’d teach it a little lesson."
Bullshit.
Ryugu spat the thought out internally. Team Rocket's reputation across Johto and Kanto was beyond rotting.
Everyone knew that despite their claims of being a "company," they were nothing more than a band of thugs. Loan sharking, illegal Pokémon trading, theft—they were capable of every crime in the book.
This smirking uncle clearly saw a young girl and thought he could feed her a lie and make off with the Scyther.
Ryugu wasn't some naive rookie out on her first journey. She knew Team Rocket’s influence was vast; the fact that they remained active despite being high-priority targets for law enforcement proved that.
Even on the League trainers' forums, the advice from veterans was always the same: Don't provoke Team Rocket alone. If you witness a crime, leave it to the officers.
But she couldn't swallow this.
She preferred Dragon-type Pokémon, and she’d never felt a connection with Bug-types—which was exactly why she hadn't captured this Scyther despite beating it repeatedly over the last three days.
Training was a two-way street, and she hadn't chosen it. But even so, she recognized its spirit. It was a fighter, worthy of a trainer.
And now, that proud Scyther was looking at her, its eyes clearly screaming for help.
It didn't want to be dragged away by these scum.
"Is that so?" The blue-haired girl spoke again. "Because I don't believe a word of it."
"If you're so confident in your actions, then please, let me pull out my phone, record this, and send it directly to Officer Jenny. Let the police decide what’s 'legal' here."
"Tch." The man’s brow furrowed.
Ryugu had hit the one thing that annoyed him most. No matter how much you dress it up, you can’t make black look white.
The League struggled to take down Team Rocket because whenever a plan failed, the organization simply threw a few expendable grunts to the wolves to preserve the big picture.
Even so, the League kept them on a blacklist; any move they made was under heavy scrutiny. If Ryugu really called the police, he wouldn't be able to escape with the Scyther.
This kind of rare, powerful Pokémon could fetch a fortune on the black market, even if they couldn't turn it into a Team Rocket asset.
"...Take her out." The man commanded softly.
The moment of hesitation had been short—thoughts moved faster than time. As soon as the order was given, the two younger grunts, eager to prove themselves, lit up and grabbed their Poké Balls.
They threw them without a second thought.
BOOM!
White light erupted. As the glare faded, Ryugu, who had already taken a few steps back and raised her own ball, saw their Pokémon.
Drowzee and Zubat, huh?
Ryugu took a deep breath, steeled her resolve, and hurled her Poké Ball. As the red-and-white sphere soared through the air, she screamed her command.
"Dratini, Quick Attack!"
The air seemed to tear apart. A flash of light blue streaked forward, cloaked in rushing wind, slamming into the Drowzee before the grunts could even react.
The Drowzee, barely out of its ball and totally disoriented, gave a cry of pain as it was sent skidding back a dozen meters until it crashed into a tree.
Crash!
The battle had flipped, but Ryugu wasn't satisfied. Not fast enough!
"Dragon Tail!"
The Team Rocket grunts had no experience in coordinating battles, but their superiors had accounted for that.
When Ryugu issued her second command, the young man who sent out the Zubat was left in a daze, but the Zubat acted on instinct, its mouth snapping open.
Poison Fang!
The purple energy of the fangs collided with the glowing violet-blue tail of the Dratini. In the end, the Dratini had the upper hand, sending the Zubat spiraling high into the sky.
"Dra-tini!"
Seeing its opponent wasn't fully defeated, the Dratini coiled its body, ready to strike again, but then it heard Ryugu’s third command.
"Back off!"
Without a second of delay, the Dratini slid backward. Just a second later, a fist wreathed in thick, swirling flames smashed into the spot where it had been standing.
"I didn't expect this."
The leader’s voice boomed. The Dratini looked toward the man. The leader, who had been smiling just moments ago, was now frowning, his expression a mix of amusement and genuine irritation.
"...To think you're some rich little princess. Being able to run around with a Dratini and act like a hero—no wonder you had the guts to provoke us."
"But did it never cross your mind that your Dratini might just become the prey?"
The man slowly pulled a cigarette from his pocket. Beside him, the Pokémon that had just launched the attack ignited the tip with a spark.
Magmar... Ryugu recognized the species immediately.
The Team Rocket leader was actually pleasantly surprised. He’d just been taking his new recruits out for a simple task—catch a Scyther—and he’d ended up reeling in a big fish.
He didn't care where this girl got a Dratini. Whether she was rich or part of a dragon-taming clan, it didn't matter.
If he could bring this Dratini—one of the rarest Pokémon in the world—back to the organization, they had plenty of ways to scrub his identity clean.
If the League really came looking for a culprit, he’d just throw those two useless kids under the bus.
Amidst the rising plumes of smoke, a greedy light glinted in the man's eyes.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 47
--+--
Chapter 47: Staying in Character (Definitely)
--+--
Ryugu ignored the man’s trash talk.
Since she had chosen to engage, she had to seize every opportunity.
"Dratini, Agility!"
The unspoken bond formed over years of companionship meant Dratini executed the command without hesitation. Its blue-and-white scales shimmered with a faint, flowing light, and it coiled its body, bracing for the next move.
"Extreme Speed!"
Dratini vanished in an instant, reappearing right in front of Magmar. It lashed out with its tail, delivering a heavy, thudding blow. Seeing this, the man’s eyelid twitched involuntarily.
It’s that fast?
What startled the man wasn't just Dratini’s immense speed, but its control over that velocity.
Fortunately, after Magmar blocked the attack, it didn't show any adverse reaction. It seemed this Dratini had exceptional speed, but its actual attack power still left something to be desired.
"Agility, Dragon Tail, Extreme Speed..."
The man put out his cigarette and stepped back behind Magmar, acting as if nothing was wrong.
"Looks like I really hit the jackpot this time."
Without needing much consideration, the man was fairly certain the blue-haired girl in front of him came from the Dragon-type clan. While a momentary tension flickered in his heart, he continued speaking.
"Still, it's too weak. You won't win against me, and you can't stop me from taking your Dratini and this Scyther."
The man kicked out, shoving the Scyther lying beside him toward the back.
The Scyther, completely drained of strength, had no room to resist and tumbled toward his two young recruits.
"You two, move the Scyther further away and keep watch on the perimeter. Don't let anyone get close."
To be safe, the man scolded his eager, greenhorn recruits, cursing under his breath.
They're absolutely dim-witted. The Pokemon is already incapacitated, and they're still thinking about restraining the trainer.
The more professional a trainer was, the less likely they were to neglect physical conditioning. These two had no real skills, and they let their guard down just because the opponent looked like a child.
—Good thing I'll get a promotion and a raise after this job. I’m done babysitting newbies.
"Yes, Captain!"
Ryugu frowned, watching the man order the two to guard the area.
"Getting nervous, are we?"
The man wore that same smile that made Ryugu feel uneasy.
"What a pity. If you hadn't tried to play the hero, none of this would have happened. As it stands, just take this experience as a lesson and spend the rest of your life regretting it."
Ryugu was speechless.
Seeing the man acting so sure of victory and feigning caution, she realized he was really just treating her like a little kid.
I may look young, but I’m not exactly some idiot who would go around flashing a rare Pokemon without a plan.
"I won't regret anything."
Ryugu spoke slowly, watching the man’s expression stiffen in confusion.
"...Captain!"
In the distance, the recruits’ voices rang out in panic, followed by two pained cries.
Whoosh!
A verdant figure stepped onto the grass and landed in the clearing.
It held a giant club wrapped in thorny vines and wore a mask with a strange, maniacal grin.
It had arrived with the speed of a gale, and now that it stood before her, it was as steady as a mountain. Looking at the unmoving Ogerpon, Ryugu felt a sudden surge of safety.
"Who are you?!"
The man’s heart sank, though he forced himself to remain calm.
He couldn't see the state of his recruits, so he was naturally flustered, but clearly, an unexpected situation had arisen. The man scrutinized the unfamiliar figure.
With that bizarre form, while it looked somewhat human at a glance, it was definitely a Pokemon. And it appeared to be Grass-type, too.
The man took a breath, forcibly suppressing his thoughts to regain his composure.
—I can't drag this out any longer.
"Magmar, Flamethrower—"
"I suggest you calm down."
A cold, clear girl’s voice echoed from behind him.
The next moment, a massive force gripped his entire body.
The man felt a heavy weight pinning him down; he gritted his teeth, struggling to resist, but ultimately could only stumble forward and collapse onto the grass.
“—Sera!"
The man struggled to lift his head and saw a girl with white hair walking toward him from behind, while the girl from the Dragon Clan beamed with joy.
Sera? Never heard that name...
But that wasn't important.
The man glanced to the side. The pressure pinning his limbs didn't let up. He could clearly see the red marks bruising his wrists, but he couldn't see the source of the force applying the pressure.
"Heh."
The man gave a dry laugh.
He saw the white-haired girl turn around, her sky-blue eyes emitting a faint glow.
Damn it, where did this psychic come from?
Now the man understood exactly why he was in such a pathetic state.
Snap.
The speechless man heard the sound of fingers snapping.
Sera lowered her hand, her gaze slanted toward the restless Magmar. She had seen the Pokemon about to act on its own, so she had diverted a bit of telekinetic energy to warn it.
That sliver of telekinesis wasn't enough to stop Magmar completely, but what really froze the Pokemon in its tracks was what Sera said next.
"If you move again, I can't guarantee this guy’s safety."
The girl tilted her fair chin, gesturing to the man lying on the ground, still under her control.
Even with the Rocket training to exercise independent initiative, Magmar never imagined it would one day be threatened by its own trainer being held hostage.
What am I supposed to do in this situation?
The man-sized fire Pokemon was lost. It looked at the man, but receiving no instructions, it could only raise its hands.
In reality, the man wanted to speak.
But Sera gave him no such opportunity. He stared with wide eyes as he watched Magmar surrender. He let out muffled groans, but couldn't get a single word out.
Who attacks the trainer instead of the Pokemon?! Who is the real villain here?!
Sera couldn't care less about the man’s thoughts under her feet. Even if she had heard his question, she would only have laughed.
When taking down criminals, who follows "trainer rules"? When the International Police kick down doors, they even use Arcanine to destroy buildings; what's wrong with directly subduing a hostile target?
And even taking a step back:
She, Sera, wasn't a trainer anyway.
Right now, her persona was that of a single-minded Poke Ball artisan.
The Pokemon at her side was supposedly an "undiscovered species"—weak and fragile, only capable of wearing a mask to scare people.
You were the one preparing to steal my Dratini, and I just happened to be startled, so it’s only reasonable that my reflexive counter-attack was a bit heavy-handed, right?
Sera glanced at the two unconscious recruits not far away, nodded, and turned to look at Ryugu, who was still staring blankly at the man.
"What are you standing around for? Call the police!"
"Oh... right!"
Ryugu was still stunned by the sudden display of psychic power, but after hearing the words, she hesitated for a second before pulling out her phone.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 48
--+--
Chapter 48: Battling a Legend
--+--
“…Officer Jenny said she’ll be here shortly.”
Ryugu put down her phone and let out a long sigh of relief.
While she had managed to stay calm and handle the high-stakes situation until the very end, now that the immediate danger had passed, the suppressed emotions came flooding back.
The girl couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of how close things had come to disaster.
“Is there anything else you wanted to do to him?”
Sera spoke up suddenly, gesturing toward the man still sprawled on the ground.
Aside from him, the two lackeys who had been knocked out were tied up right beside him, bound with the very same rope that had been used to cage the Scyther.
—The now-liberated Scyther hadn’t rushed off; instead, it stood nearby, watching the intruders with a sharp, vigilant gaze.
But as menacing as the Scyther’s presence was, it paled in comparison to the words flowing from the silver-haired girl’s mouth.
“If you’re looking for payback, you’d better do it now. Once Jenny gets here, it’ll be a lot harder to take action.”
Hey!
Cold sweat broke out across the man’s forehead.
She looked like such a delicate, cute girl—how could she say such cold-blooded things?
“Don’t worry about him holding a grudge, or Jenny picking up on anything.”
Sera gave a small shrug.
“He looks like a low-level squad leader in Team Rocket. At this level, Jenny can only do so much. As long as he doesn’t commit any major crimes, Team Rocket usually finds a way to bail their people out.”
“Once he’s out, he’s likely to come after you. My advice? Settle your scores now. Give him a few hits, and you can leave the rest to your ‘boss’ or ‘big sister’—let them deal with the aftermath.”
Ryugu was genuinely stunned by Sera’s suggestion.
…Why are you so good at this?
If Ryugu hadn’t known who Sera was, she might have assumed the girl had some incredibly shady background to offer such sharp, cutthroat advice.
However, Ryugu still couldn’t bring herself to start throwing punches at the man.
“My boss and big sister will definitely find a way to stand up for me,” the girl explained.
“As for me, I’ve already let off enough steam. A Dragon Tamer shouldn’t be picking on someone who can’t even fight back.”
“‘Someone who can’t fight back,’ huh?”
Sera glanced at the man, a wry, inscrutable expression on her face.
Fair enough.
This whole mess was mainly Ryugu’s business anyway. Sera had only stepped in to help, and as long as Team Rocket didn’t come sniffing around again, she wasn't interested in getting further entangled with them.
“Speaking of which, Sera, this is…”
With the situation mostly handled, Ryugu pointed at the man on the ground, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
“Just what you think it is. Simple psychic powers, nothing more.” Sera said, her tone nonchalant.
“What do you mean ‘nothing more’! That’s an actual superpower!” Ryugu grew increasingly excited, waving her arms around. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen the real thing!”
“There are videos all over the internet of people bending spoons with telekinesis, aren’t there?”
“Does that even count? Anyone could do that with brute force!”
Ryugu mercilessly trashed the reputations of those poor, unsuspecting video bloggers.
With enough practice, most people could focus their mental energy to bend a spoon, but that level of ability had zero practical application—it was usually just a parlor trick to fool laypeople.
But the power Sera had displayed had genuinely shocked Ryugu.
To completely subdue an adult, you’d need dozens of kilograms of force, and that’s assuming you didn’t accidentally hurt them in the process.
For Sera to subdue her target so effortlessly, and with such precision that he was completely paralyzed, it was an incredibly practical and enviable ability.
Unfortunately, psychic powers relied heavily on innate talent.
Take the world-renowned psychic and Saffron City Gym Leader, Sabrina, for example. From a very young age, she could bend spoons unconsciously.
What most people spent their whole lives trying to achieve through blood, sweat, and tears, she could do as a toddler without even thinking.
And now, Sabrina’s abilities had evolved into telekinesis, precognition, and telepathy—far beyond the limits of what a normal person could ever hope to reach.
—And it seemed like Sera was even younger than Sabrina.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, the words slipped out before she could stop them:
“Become a Trainer, Sera!”
The blue-haired girl’s expression turned intense and serious.
“If you can fully utilize the advantages of your psychic powers, you’d definitely be an incredibly, incredibly strong Trainer!”
After all, even when Sabrina was restricted to using only telepathy in official matches, her reputation was legendary, and the Saffron Gym was categorized as a place most rookies were advised not to challenge.
Even though Sera currently only had Ogerpon, Ryugu felt instinctively that, even without the psychic powers, she had the talent to be a top-tier Trainer.
Hearing Ryugu’s plea, Sera couldn’t help but smile. She reached out and flicked the girl’s forehead.
“—Ouch!”
Caught off guard by the flick, Ryugu’s eyes welled with tears, wondering why she was being subjected to such violence.
“And here you are, worrying about me,” Sera said, sounding annoyed.
“Did you forget you were supposed to be protecting me? If I hadn’t reacted quickly, you would have lost your Dratini by now, and yet you’re still busy worrying about other things.”
“I… I just trusted you and the Swablu, that’s all.” The girl rubbed her forehead, looking aggrieved as she tried to defend herself. “Besides, Sera, you’re the same—you came here with just Ogerpon…”
“Don’t put yourself in the same category as me.”
After the excitement of the last few minutes, Sera’s perception of Ryugu had changed, but she was the type of person who tended to be even more demanding toward those she felt closer to.
The girl’s tone became stern.
“You have to know your own capabilities before you can handle situations without panicking.”
“You think I stepped in just because I had psychic powers, but in reality, I made sure I was fully prepared before I made a single move.”
Fully prepared…
Ryugu blinked, confused. Sera had already incapacitated everyone in the area—what more preparation could she possibly need?
Just as the girl was about to ask, the sound of applause reached her ears.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
“Well said.”
Ryugu looked up to see a young man with brown hair and casual clothes walking toward them.
“When a Trainer is out in the wild, protecting oneself is the most important thing of all.”
Looking at his face, Ryugu fell silent. After a moment of contemplation, her eyes widened in shock.
“A battling legend…”
“Mr. Blue.”
Ignoring Ryugu for a moment, Sera greeted him proactively. “Thanks for coming all this way.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Even for the sake of a newly discovered Pokémon, I would have come myself, even without Grandpa’s orders.”
Blue flashed a bright, refreshing smile, then shifted his gaze toward Ogerpon, who was standing nearby.
“…Pon?”
The little Ogerpon, feeling Blue’s steady gaze, tilted her head in confusion.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 49
--+--
Chapter 49: The Girl Enveloped in Mystery
--+--
With Blue present, there was naturally no need for Sera to deal with the aftermath.
By the time the police squad led by Officer Jenny arrived, the man still wanted to argue his case, but after Sera displayed the full footage captured by her Swablu from the air using a phone, he fell silent.
Before being hauled away, he took one last, lingering look at Sera.
Once the negotiations were settled, Blue invited the girls to hop into his sports car. He drove back to Goldenrod City and parked in front of a restaurant.
Sitting at the table, Ryugu remained in a state of utter bewilderment throughout the entire ordeal.
Where am I?
What am I doing here?
What on earth is going on?
"Mr. Blue, thank you for your help today."
"It's nothing, really."
Blue held the menu in one hand, asking the two girls what they wanted to eat with a gentleman’s grace.
Since Ryugu hadn't quite recovered her wits yet and Sera simply shook her head to indicate she was fine with anything, Blue took the initiative and ordered their signature set meal.
Although they had already been in contact via phone, now that they were face-to-face, Sera couldn't help but carefully study the young man in front of her—someone both familiar and entirely foreign.
Former Kanto Champion, leader of the Alola Battle Tree, a living legend...
These were all honors Blue had achieved. Based on the impressions in Sera’s mind, the list of Blue’s accomplishments remained largely unchanged.
However, according to the original game lore, Blue was supposed to be the rival of Red, the protagonist of the first generation; they were meant to push each other to greater heights through constant competition.
The fiercely proud Blue would have learned how to bond with his Pokemon through that process, becoming stronger and stronger.
Yet, in this world, Red did not exist.
Sera believed she must have transmigrated into a timeline devoid of any game protagonist, as the Pokemon universe was known for its diverse parallel realities.
For instance, in the Let's Go series, Red and Blue were merely predecessors to the new protagonists, and it was the new trainer who ultimately defeated Team Rocket, not these two legends.
Perhaps because of this, all regions currently enjoyed relative peace, with the undercurrents remaining hidden beneath the surface.
As Sera was lost in thought, Ryugu finally snapped back to reality, realizing she was sharing a table with a senior so legendary that even her own boss would have to show him the utmost respect.
"Senior Blue..."
The blue-haired girl gulped. She truly couldn't fathom how Sera had managed to bring such a high-profile figure here. I mean, for a group of poachers? Was it really necessary?
"Senior Blue, how did you end up here?" Ryugu asked, her inability to hide her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Naturally, it’s because of a newly discovered Pokemon!" Blue laughed heartily. "Where there’s a new Pokemon, you’ll find yours truly!"
Even though Red had vanished, perhaps due to the inevitability of history, the Blue sitting before her was just as Sera remembered: immensely confident while retaining that same burning passion for Pokemon.
Earlier, at the Pokemon Center, Sera had specifically mentioned to Nurse Joy that she had a Pokemon with her whose data couldn't be found in the Pokedex.
At the time, Sera never expected Blue to contact her directly; she had assumed one or two ordinary researchers might show up. It seemed she had underestimated the passion scholars held for Pokemon.
"If my grandfather weren't tied up with work, he would have definitely come himself," Blue remarked.
Blue was currently studying under his grandfather, Professor Oak.
As a leading authority in Pokemon research and a giant in the field known for advocating the classification of Pokemon by type, Professor Oak was famous far beyond the reach of ordinary Gym Leaders or Elite Four members.
At the very least, his name was legendary to Sera, and she found herself quite eager to meet the great Professor one day.
"Speaking of which, my grandfather mentioned your name to me."
"…?"
"Grandfather said that Kurt, the master artisan from Azalea Town, often brags about his apprentice, claiming that one day she will become a Poke Ball maker the entire Johto region can be proud of."
Blue leaned his arms on the table, interlacing his fingers as he looked at Sera with keen interest.
"So, aside from the Pokemon, I also wanted to meet you—the rumored genius apprentice who is destined to become a master artisan."
"Haha..." Sera offered a smile that was polite yet decidedly awkward.
She truly hadn't expected her master to be spreading her name outside of town, beyond just Bugsy, the local Gym Leader.
The old man was about at the age where he’d start talking about his successor to outsiders—was he doing this because his own son wasn't showing much promise and his granddaughter was still too young, so he’d resorted to using her as a talking point?
Thankfully, the waiter began serving the food, which helped alleviate some of Sera's embarrassment.
If she had felt a bit arrogant before she set out on her journey, the profound complexity of Poke Ball crafting she had realized since then made her shy away from calling herself a genius.
However, Ryugu took Blue's words to heart.
Sera is a genius who will become a master artisan.
Reflecting on all the incredible skills she had witnessed from Sera since they met, Ryugu nodded, deeply convinced. She had felt for a long time that Sera wasn't just an ordinary person.
Regardless, the fact that a teenager could hand-craft Apricorn balls was quite outrageous.
But if Sera was a genius artisan, her work would surely become increasingly popular.
Would she still have a chance to commission custom Apricorn balls from her in the future? Ryugu worried over this thought, and the delicious food she was eating suddenly tasted like cardboard.
--+--
While the girls were lost in their own thoughts, Blue was similarly contemplating. Everything he had said to Sera was true, but he had withheld a small detail.
Long before he traveled from Pallet Town in Kanto to Goldenrod City in Johto, he had conducted a background check on her.
Though his original intention was to confirm how Sera had come into contact with that undiscovered Pokemon, Blue had stumbled upon some interesting findings during his investigation.
Three years ago, a girl with amnesia had wandered near Azalea Town and was taken in by Kurt, a renowned local artisan. That experience was inconsequential; Blue didn't have much interest in Sera herself initially, as, given his status, common Apricorn balls were hardly rare to him.
But the subsequent events were fascinating.
That unknown Pokemon sitting next to Sera, happily accepting her hand-fed treats, had actually traveled all the way across the sea from Kitakami, boarded a ship, and actively sought out Sera in the Johto region.
What exactly had happened during that journey?
Blue was genuinely curious. And after arriving in Goldenrod City, he had witnessed Sera using psychic powers to subdue members of Team Rocket.
A girl enveloped in mystery.
That was his impression of her. However, although he was intrigued by the secrets she held, Blue had no intention of digging too deep.
After all, intruding into the secrets of a young, beautiful girl would hardly be the behavior of a gentleman.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 50
--+--
Chapter 50: Unusual Activity
--+--
After sharing a meal with Sera and Ryugu, Blue drove the two girls to the Pokémon Center.
With the day drawing to a close and the matter of the poaching ring not yet fully resolved, Blue still needed to pay a visit to the local police station.
They agreed to meet again tomorrow morning to record the data for the new Pokémon, and with that, Blue sped off, leaving the girls standing there, looking at each other.
"I need to go check on its injuries first," Ryugu said, tapping the Poké Ball hanging at her hip. Her Scyther was resting quietly inside.
After fending off Team Rocket, they couldn't just leave the wounded Scyther behind, so Ryugu had temporarily captured it in a Poké Ball.
"Besides, once it's healed up, I'll just release it anyway!"
Sera remembered Ryugu saying exactly that at the time. Even though Ryugu insisted she was a Dragon-type specialist trainer, Sera had her doubts.
But once that Scyther recovers, will it really just let Ryugu go that easily?
The process of a trainer capturing a Pokémon can, in turn, be a Pokémon capturing a trainer. Sera herself had been moved by Ogerpon, and even now, she was grateful that Ogerpon had been willing to seek her out in the beginning.
Lost in thought, the girl swiped her key card to open her room door and tucked her backpack into the corner. Because they had helped rescue wild Pokémon, Joy had set them up with a room, even though they weren't official trainers.
This was Sera's first time inside a Pokémon Center. She looked around curiously, finding it not much different from a standard hotel room.
It made sense—if you had money, a hotel would certainly offer a better environment, but the Pokémon Centers provided a more convenient option for the average trainer.
"Pon~"
Ogerpon, completely unfazed, pounced onto the soft mattress and started rolling around. Compared to the Dreaded Den, any ordinary indoor room felt like luxury accommodation.
As Ogerpon tumbled about, Sera caught a faint, citrusy scent wafting from the bedding. Grass-type Pokémon truly are fascinating, she thought, though she quickly spoke up to stop the antics.
"Don't get in bed just yet. You need a bath first."
"Poni!"
Being quite obedient, Ogerpon hopped off the bed and followed Sera into the bathroom.
After they both finished washing up and Sera helped Ogerpon dry off, she returned to the room and opened the Electronic Pokémon Raising System.
[Slither Wing is training.]
On the screen, the large, insectoid creature was repeatedly raising its upper body and slamming it down against a rock.
Puni!
[Slither Wing used First Impression; it failed.]
Puni!
[Slither Wing used First Impression; it failed...]
The upper and middle levels of Area Zero were always bright as day, but the bottom level was pitch black, illuminated only by the glow of nearby crystals.
The environment knew no cycle of day or night, yet Slither Wing was full of energy regardless of the time.
Sera rarely saw it rest; as long as there were enough berries, it would keep training forever. Beside it, Flutter Mane followed everywhere Slither Wing went.
What’s the deal with that Flutter Mane, anyway?
Sera couldn't look through the screen and fathom the minds of her Pokémon—neither the Slither Wing that followed her commands every second, nor the Flutter Mane that had been glued to its side ever since joining their little team.
Even though she told herself they were likely real Pokémon, the game-like way they behaved left her feeling conflicted. At this point, Sera couldn't quite tell where the game ended and reality began.
But regardless, her policy of helping Slither Wing grow stronger and completing tasks remained unchanged.
Sera watched for a while, satisfied that nothing had changed in the simulator. Setting aside her worries, she took an unprocessed Black Apricorn from her bag.
"Alright, let's try to finish this one tonight." She had her own work to do, after all.
"Poni~!" Ogerpon chirped, cheering her on as always.
--+--
“Puni!”
Slither Wing lowered its front limbs. The stone in front of it shattered, and the creature fell into deep thought.
Just now... was something watching me?
Though the feeling was faint, Slither Wing sensed that something was off. Whenever it had felt this way before, it had always led to a sudden spark of inspiration—but this time, it felt different.
"Puni?"
What's going on?
Slither Wing looked left and right, spotting Flutter Mane hovering above it. The dark green ghost was holding a Pecha Berry with its hair, carefully nibbling on it and savoring the wonderful sweetness.
Seeing Slither Wing glancing at it, Flutter Mane gave a sideways glare.
—What are you looking at?
Slither Wing quickly averted its gaze.
In the depths of Area Zero, you could offend anyone, but you couldn't afford to cross the one floating above. Slither Wing had already witnessed Flutter Mane easily defeat opponents multiple times.
The sheer power it displayed was enough to make Slither Wing shudder; it knew it couldn't possibly withstand an attack like that.
So, who was watching it?
Slither Wing pondered for a long time without finding an answer. Instead, its stomach began to growl.
Sigh, I can't keep thinking about this. The more I think, the hungrier I get. Better to just keep practicing on the stones and let the food come.
"Puni!"
Habit took over. Slither Wing diligently returned to the stone, raising its front limbs high. When they descended again, a flash of yellow-green light shimmered for an instant.
Bang!
The hard stone shattered, sending fragments flying and kicking up a cloud of dust.
The loud crash startled Flutter Mane, who nearly dropped its berry. Once it stabilized, it looked toward the source of the noise. Slither Wing was also staring at the crater in front of it, stunned.
It had only been putting in its usual effort, yet it hadn't expected to shatter the rock completely and gouge a hole in the ground.
"Habu?!"
Flutter Mane drifted down, hovering beside Slither Wing to inspect the hole, its expression one of surprise.
"Habu." You’re actually pretty good.
Flutter Mane never understood why Slither Wing was so obsessed with this repetitive training.
It had always thought Slither Wing was a bit weak, failing to deal much damage to enemies, but after only a few days, it had mastered a new ability.
Hearing the praise, Slither Wing scratched its head. Is this really useful?
While it used moves instinctively, it wasn't smart enough to differentiate between situations like Flutter Mane could. To Slither Wing, moves like First Impression and Lunge all felt the same. But since Flutter Mane had specifically complimented it, it must have done something truly impressive.
"Puni!" Slither Wing puffed out its chest, feeling proud.
It didn't notice that, as the echoes of the crash faded into the darkness, a heavy, massive figure deep in the shadows slowly opened its eyes.
--+--