October 12th, League Calendar.
Today, Silas felt like beating drums and gongs in celebration. He had finally waited for this day to arrive.
He was sending the two girls to Kanto for summer camp, which meant two whole weeks without seeing them. Absolute bliss!
"You two hurry up! Don't keep the Dragonite waiting too long!"
Silas called upstairs, urging the two little girls who were still dawdling.
"We're coming!"
Serena and Korrina's voices came from above, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps as they ran down hand in hand.
Their luggage was being carried by Riolu and Jangmo-o. Despite their small size, as Fighting-type Pokémon, they were more than capable when it came to carrying bags.
Just as Silas was about to step outside, a certain mouse and cat that had been waiting for a long time suddenly jumped onto him and refused to come down.
"Cin Cin!"
"Meow wu~"
"Alright, alright, I'll take you both along."
With a helpless expression, Silas picked up the Cinccino clinging to his leg and placed it on his shoulder, then adjusted the large cat in his arms.
The two Pokémon affectionately rubbed against him, acting as cute and obedient as possible.
"Cyclizar, stay at home, okay? I'll only be gone for two or three days."
"Cyc~"
Cyclizar, curled up together with the two Charcadet, lazily flicked its tail. For once, it did not feel like following Silas.
Ever since the snowfall a few days ago, the temperature had been dropping steadily. Cyclizar had become increasingly inactive, preferring to curl up inside the house and sleep.
"Kangaskhan, you don't need to see us off either. It's still a bit cold outside." Silas patted its shoulder armor, signaling it to go back. "While I'm gone, I'll have to trouble you to take care of the ranch and everyone."
"Kang!" (Don't worry, Silas!)
After tying scarves around the girls and leading them outside, Silas recalled Registeel and Arboliva into their Poké Balls and carried them with him.
When traveling, safety always came first.
Outside, under the leafless trees, three Dragonite were already waiting.
As they approached, the Dragonite shifted slightly, their small wings flapping and stirring the cold air.
The leading Giant Dragonite lowered its head and rubbed against Silas's arm. Cinccino took the opportunity to climb over, and the big and small Pokémon gently bumped cheeks together.
"This trip will be hard on you. Please take us to the Kanto region."
"Draa~"
The other two Dragonite shook their heads. It was not troublesome at all. For double the reward, they would safely deliver them to their destination.
First, Silas helped the two girls onto the Dragonite's backs and secured them with safety ropes. One Dragonite carried the luggage, while another held Riolu and Jangmo-o.
Finally, Silas climbed onto the Giant Dragonite with Cinccino and Torracat. "We're taking off now!"
"Got it, big brother, we're ready!"
Giant Dragonite let out a steady dragon cry, flapped its wings powerfully, and slowly lifted into the air with Silas on its back. The other two Dragonite followed closely behind.
With Silas's Dragonite leading and breaking the wind, they flew in formation like migrating geese, weaving through the clouds as they sped toward Kanto.
Kanto was quite far from Kalos, and they would have to pass over Sinnoh along the way.
As they flew closer to Kanto, the temperature gradually warmed. By the time the Kanto continent came into view, a blazing sun hung overhead like a massive disk.
Kanto was in the middle of summer. The bright sunlight shone through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the Dragonite's scales.
Serena and Korrina removed their scarves and gloves, beads of sweat forming at the tips of their noses as they stared excitedly at the scenery below.
Soon, the distant black dot in their vision grew larger and larger, eventually transforming into a vast landmass, with towering mountains rising high into the clouds at its center.
That was the famous Mt. Silver. On its mountainside lay the Indigo Plateau, where the League headquarters was located.
Looking further down, a large island appeared, with a towering volcano at its center that occasionally emitted grayish smoke.
That was Cinnabar Island. Beyond the sea to the south lay their destination, Pallet Town.
In that town lived an important figure, a giant in the research world, the former Champion of the Kanto region, a fan of Kangaskhan, Professor Samuel Oak.
"Dragonite, the destination is the white house in that town."
Silas leaned forward to guide the Dragonite, absentmindedly scratching Cinccino's belly.
"Dra!" (Got it!)
The Dragonite responded and gradually descended, diving toward Professor Oak's laboratory.
The outline of Pallet Town grew clearer, with red-roofed white houses scattered throughout.
On the road leading to the laboratory, two boys were chasing each other.
The one in front flipped his hair coolly and made a face at the one behind him. Then suddenly, his attention was drawn to the Pokémon flying overhead.
"Gary, I got you!"
"Idiot Ash, look over there!"
"Pokémon! That Pokémon looks so cool!"
"Idiot, that's Dragonite!"
Taking advantage of the distraction, Gary broke free and dashed toward the laboratory.
"Hey! Gary, I'm not an idiot! Of course I know that's… a dragon Pokémon!"
Ash stomped his feet in frustration and hurried after him.
Meanwhile, Silas and the others landed in the open area of the laboratory.
Waiting to greet them were Professor Oak and his granddaughter and assistant, Daisy.
"Wow! So this is the Dragonite that can Mega Evolve."
Professor Oak, ever the familiar type, stepped forward without hesitation, examining Dragonite's arms and tapping its scales.
Just as he reached for its tail, the usually gentle Dragonite flicked its tail and sent him flying.
By sheer coincidence, he crashed right into the rushing Ash and Gary, landing on top of them.
"Grandpa!"
"Professor!"
"I'm fine, doesn't hurt at all." Professor Oak sat up and waved reassuringly.
"You might not feel anything, but we just became your cushions," Gary said helplessly, struggling to get up. "Please get off us first!"
"Hahaha! So you two caught me!"
Professor Oak scratched his head awkwardly. With Daisy's help, he stood up and casually brushed the dust off his lab coat.
Only then did Ash and Gary sit up. The two boys looked completely unharmed.
Seeing this, Silas silently gave all three of them a thumbs up.
As expected of Pallet Town locals. Their physical toughness was truly something else.
Silas seriously suspected that when Professor Oak was young and traveling, he might have been able to wrestle an Onix with his bare hands.
He always had a habit of doing such reckless things, often ending up taking hits from Pokémon.
"Sorry, Professor. Dragonite didn't mean to do that."
"Draa!"
Dragonite turned its head away and let out a faint sound.
"That was my fault. I shouldn't have touched it without asking." Professor Oak waved it off, unconcerned, and instead praised Dragonite. "This Dragonite is very strong. You have trained it exceptionally well."
"Draaa~"
Dragonite responded again, its tone filled with pride, as if saying, you have good taste.
Silas lightly smacked it twice, then gestured behind him. The two girls immediately ran over and stood on either side of him.
"Professor Oak, this is my sister Serena, and this is Korrina. They're here to participate in the summer camp you organized."
"Welcome, welcome!"
Professor Oak clapped enthusiastically.
Korrina introduced herself openly and also introduced Riolu and Jangmo-o.
Serena, however, clung to Silas's leg. Despite her lively nature around familiar people, she became shy and soft in front of strangers.
It was Cinccino who pulled her along, and together they managed to introduce themselves.
The moment Professor Oak saw Cinccino, his attention was instantly drawn again, and he could not help reaching out.
Before anyone could react, he was sent flying once more at even greater speed.
Silas and Daisy both held their foreheads.
Ash and Gary burst out laughing.
Serena looked worried.
Korrina blinked in confusion.
(End of Chapter)