---
After leaving New Bark Town, Kai and Erika continued north. By the time night fell, they had already left the open plains and stepped into the foothills of Mt. Silver.
On the way, they passed a Pokémon Reserve, though Kai showed little interest in stopping. Instead, they hiked another half hour before dusk and set up camp on a flat spot near a stream.
Dinner passed quietly, though Erika couldn't help feeling flustered under Kai's increasingly intense gaze. After the night before, she already had a pretty good idea of where things were heading. If last night was Kai taking advantage of a hazy, wine-fueled moment, then tonight, alone in the wilderness, there would be no excuses.
And truthfully, Erika knew she wasn't going to refuse him. Their bond had already crossed a threshold, and trying to deny it now would only ring hollow.
Once they washed up by the stream, Kai grinned mischievously, tugging Erika into the tent. Before pulling the flap shut, he shot a meaningful glance at his Scizor and Jolteon, silently telling them to give the tent a wide berth.
Gengar, who had been shooed out as well, floated by the fire and muttered with a roll of its eyes:
"Figures. Barely nightfall and they're already at it. And here we are stuck babysitting the camp. Typical."
Scizor and Jolteon didn't seem bothered, settling comfortably by the fire. Gengar sighed, poking the flames with a stick. "You two are hopeless. Guess I'm the only one with any brains in this party…"
Inside the tent, the lantern was quickly turned off at Erika's shy request, leaving only pale moonlight filtering through the canvas. When Kai leaned in, Erika closed her eyes, heart racing. Whatever happened after that belonged only to them.
---
The next morning, after packing their gear, the pair resumed their journey toward Silver Town. Kai looked tired but satisfied, while Erika seemed radiant, her every glance toward him filled with warmth. Their relationship had changed overnight—both literally and figuratively.
Silver Mountain lay in Johto's eastern range, technically part of the Indigo Plateau but administratively under Johto's domain. At its base sat Silver Town, built beside a wide lake. It was home to Johto's largest Pokémon Center, multiple stadiums, and even a specially designed Trainers' Village to house competitors. Everything about the town revolved around the Silver Conference.
But before entering Silver Town, Kai and Erika came across the Ho-Oh Shrine.
The shrine was said to be the source of the sacred flame that lit the Silver Conference's opening torch each year. Many Trainers stopped there to pray for good fortune before competing. Though Kai wasn't there to pray, curiosity drew him inside with Erika at his side.
A handful of other Trainers were scattered around, some kneeling, some reading the plaques that retold the shrine's legend. Erika flipped open her travel guide and read aloud with a smile:
"This shrine is built on the site of an ancient battlefield. Long ago, people's wars left the land scarred and barren. Seeing the devastation, Ho-Oh descended from the heavens, burned away the weapons of men, and restored the lakes and earth to life. The survivors honored Ho-Oh by preserving the flame it left behind. That same flame is what lights the Silver Conference torch each year. That's how the shrine earned its name."
"Ho-Oh again, huh?" Kai muttered with a frown. He still carried a grudge—if not for Ho-Oh, he would've already gathered all three Legendary Beasts by now.
Erika giggled softly, but quickly pressed her lips together when she noticed the way Kai was staring at her. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she looked away.
The two climbed the stone staircase leading to the main hall of the shrine. But just as they reached the top, two Pokémon leapt out and blocked their path—a Machoke and a Machop!
Kai froze, puzzled. "What's this supposed to mean?"
The two Fighting-types struck aggressive poses, ready to challenge. And before Kai could react, a shadow darted forward—a catlike Pokémon leapt gracefully between the Machoke and Machop.
----
Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!💎💎💎
For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.
P@treon/iamxeno
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!