I looked at Ash, at the hope in his eyes, at the sleeping Riolu who'd finally found someone worth trusting.
In the original timeline, Ash had traveled with Brock and Misty. But here, Brock was a part of Team Rocket who'd tried to kidnap and murder him.
He needed allies. Companions. People he could trust.
And honestly, so did I.
"Sure," I said. "We can head out together tomorrow morning. Route 1 to Viridian Forest. Sound good?"
Ash's face lit up with genuine joy. "Really? That's awesome! Thank you, Samael! This is going to be great!"
Riolu cracked one eye open, looked at Gible, and seemed to assess whether this arrangement was acceptable. The little dragon met his gaze steadily, and something passed between them. Not friendship, not yet. But acknowledgment. They could coexist.
"Meet me at the Oak Residence tomorrow at dawn," I told Ash. "The house on the hill overlooking Route 1. Bring cold-weather gear and at least three days' worth of supplies. Route 1 has shelter points, but we should be prepared for delays."
"Got it! I'll be ready!" Ash carefully adjusted Riolu in his arms and headed for the door, then paused. "Hey, Samael? Thanks. For everything. For trying to save me yesterday, and for being willing to travel with me now. It means a lot."
"Don't mention it. See you tomorrow."
He left, and the laboratory fell quiet. Oak, Elara, and Cynthia all watched me with varying expressions.
Oak looked pleased.
"That was kind of you. Ash needs someone steady to help him find his footing."
Elara looked concerned. "You're sure about traveling with him? He's completely inexperienced, and that Riolu is traumatized. They could slow you down significantly."
Cynthia looked thoughtful. "Or they could surprise you. That boy has something special. And his Riolu..." She trailed off, her eyes looked distant. "There's potential there. Significant potential."
I wondered whether she could somehow sense the genetic plasticity, and whether Champions developed instincts for recognizing exceptional Pokémon. But I kept that thought to myself.
"I should head back to the Oak Residence," I said, checking the time. "Need to prepare for departure tomorrow."
"Of course." Oak smiled. "Travel safe, Samael. And remember—you can always call if you need anything. The emergency beacon I gave you connects directly to my personal line."
"Thanks, Grandfather."
Elara stepped forward, clearly wanting to say something but struggling with the words. "Samael, I... be careful out there. And maybe check in occasionally? Let me know how Gible's development is progressing."
"I will. I promise."
Cynthia approached last, and I felt that familiar flutter of nervousness as she moved into my personal space.
Her hand found my shoulder—a gesture that had become almost habitual over the past two days.
"I'm leaving for Sinnoh tomorrow afternoon," she said quietly. "Champion duties call. But I wanted to give you this before I go."
She pulled a card from somewhere in her outfit and pressed it into my hand. It was made of high-quality material and featured an elegant script: "Cynthia - Sinnoh League Champion," followed by a personal phone number.
"Not many people have my direct contact," she continued, her gray eyes holding mine. "But I meant what I said. You're special, Samael. Your Gible is special. If you encounter any other unusual Pokémon—rare colorations, unexpected abilities, anything that doesn't match standard documentation—call me immediately."
Her thumb traced a small circle on my shoulder, and I saw her bite her lip briefly.
"Or if you just want to talk. About training, about your journey, about anything." Her voice dropped lower. "I'm very interested in how you develop as a trainer."
The implication in her tone made my face heat up despite the laboratory's cool temperature.
"I... I'll keep that in mind," I managed.
"Good." She stepped back, but her smile showed she'd noticed my flustered reaction and enjoyed it. "Don't get yourself killed, Samael Oak. I have plans for you."
She turned and walked away, and I stood there holding her contact card like an idiot while my brain tried to process what had just happened.
Gible's voice cut through my confusion. 'That woman definitely wants to mate with you.'
"We are NOT having this conversation," I hissed.
'But she made it very clear. The body language, the pheromones, the territorial behavior around the other female—'
"NOPE. Not discussing this. We're leaving. Right now."
I practically fled the laboratory with Gible trotting behind me, the little dragon's amusement radiating through our mental connection.
Outside, the snow was falling more heavily now, accumulating in fresh drifts across Pallet Town's streets. The sun was beginning to set, painting the gray sky in shades of orange and purple.
I walked up the hill toward the Oak Residence, my mind churning with everything that had happened today. The ceremony. The trainers—some good, some terrible.
Ash receiving Riolu and forming that perfect bond. The decision to travel together. Cynthia's card burning a hole in my pocket.
And the system's information about the hidden Totodile on Pallet Town Beach.
I pulled up the notification again:
[RARE POKÉMON LOCATION]
[OPTIMAL CAPTURE WINDOW: Tonight, 9 PM - Midnight (low tide)]
I checked my Pokédex. Current time: 3:47 PM.
Just over five hours until the tides would be low enough to access the sea cave.
'We're going tonight,' I decided. 'Before we leave tomorrow and add a second Prism candidate to the team, give Gible a partner.'
'A Water-type would cover Fire, Ground, and Rock—all my current weaknesses.'
Gible perked up at the thought of a new team member. 'Another Prism candidate? Like the Riolu?'
'According to the system, yes. Won't come out unless someone proves they're strong enough to be its trainer.'
'Then we prove our strength.' Gible's teeth gleamed in the fading light. 'We capture it. Make it ours.'
'Exactly.'
I reached the Oak Residence and entered the warm interior. The mansion felt less empty now, more familiar. I climbed to the third-floor study and looked out the window toward the southern horizon.
A/N: Sorry, I have the flu and haven't had time to update.