The Seafoam Islands.
They were two islands with completely identical appearances, like a pair of twins standing side by side.
Articuno was hiding within the underground caverns beneath the islands.
After being injured during its previous battle against Moltres, it had retreated to the deepest part of the cave system to recover.
"Should we go down?"
"Chat~"
Chatot shook its head, indicating there was no need to go through all that trouble. The three of them could handle it themselves.
After all, this was essentially a family matter. It was more appropriate for them to settle it on their own.
"Alright. If you need any help, remember to let me know."
Silas did not insist. He directed Dragonite to land on the eastern island before releasing all of his Pokémon.
After exchanging a few chirps with him, the three bird Pokémon flew into the cave one after another.
Since they were about to part ways again, Silas planned to prepare something especially nourishing for Chatot.
In the future, it would have to deal with three Legendary birds. Even the strongest man would eventually become exhausted.
If he did not give it a proper supplement beforehand, then when the time came, it might not even be able to perform...
Fortunately, Silas had prepared all the necessary ingredients in advance.
Dragonite and Cinccino worked together to help prepare the meal.
Every now and then, blasts of freezing air, roaring flames, and crackling lightning burst from the cave entrance, making it obvious just how intense the battle raging underground was.
By the time Silas finished cooking, the effect of the meal could be summed up in just two words.
Virility enhancement.
The battle inside the underground cavern gradually drew to a close.
Zapdos and Chatot emerged first.
Following behind them came a refreshed and invigorated Moltres, while Articuno stumbled out with countless swollen bumps covering its head after being thoroughly beaten.
After a very "friendly" exchange, Articuno agreed to join the flock.
"Chatot."
Silas waved toward Chatot, who had already built a rapport with Articuno during their exchange, then handed over the freshly prepared meal.
"This is for you."
"Cha~"
There was no need for words.
Chatot immediately devoured everything, leaving not even a single drop of soup behind.
The moment it finished eating, its entire body overflowed with strength.
Seeing Chatot's spirited reaction, Silas gently flicked the musical note shaped crest on top of its head.
Chatot affectionately rubbed against him in return.
Both of them understood.
It was finally time to part again.
Silas walked to the highest point of the Seafoam Islands.
Standing upon his outstretched arm, Chatot spread its wings and let out a sharp, incredibly penetrating cry.
Its voice carried a mysterious power that spread outward in every direction.
The first to respond were several Wingull that burst out from the ocean's surface.
Freshly caught Wishiwashi were still clamped in their beaks, too late to even swallow them.
The instant they heard their leader's call, they abandoned everything and rushed over, circling above the Seafoam Islands.
Nor were they alone.
The flock of Pidgey led by a Pidgeot and the flock of Spearow led by a Fearow charged across the sky as if competing with one another, each determined to arrive before the other.
Yet just before reaching the islands, both groups voluntarily slowed down and merged into the circling flock above.
There were Skarmory clad in armor from head to toe.
Honchkrow wearing its gentlemanly hat.
The sharp eyed Staraptor.
Entire flocks of Talonflame.
In only a few short moments, the sky above Silas's head became densely packed with layer upon layer of bird Pokémon.
Their types were different.
Their species were different.
Yet every single one of them looked toward Chatot with the same respectful gaze, quietly awaiting its orders.
"Chaatot!"
With nothing more than a single, simple command, the thousands of bird Pokémon immediately sprang into action.
Their formation shifted into a giant V shape across the sky.
"Screee!"
Zapdos pecked both Moltres and Articuno.
Only then did the two finally realize what they should be doing. They spread their magnificent wings and flew to the very front of the flock.
"Go on. Stay safe."
Silas gently patted Chatot before raising his arm high and throwing it toward the sky.
Chatot immediately unfolded its wings and soared upward, joining Zapdos at the very front of the formation.
"Chaatot!"
It gave another command.
This cry was even louder and more powerful than the last.
The entire flock seemed to be infused with fresh strength.
The V shaped formation tightened.
Countless pairs of wings beat in perfect unison.
The powerful wind they generated swirled above the Seafoam Islands, sending ripples racing across the sea below.
Leading the entire flock from the front, Chatot followed the ocean currents left behind by Lugia, continuing onward as their journey resumed.
"Cin Cin!"
"Meow!"
"Draa!"
As they watched the flock gradually disappear into the distant horizon, Cinccino wrapped itself around Silas's neck, telling him that it would always stay by his side.
Torracat rubbed against the leg of his pants, declaring through its actions that the person it loved most was Silas.
Dragonite simply pulled him into an enormous embrace.
It would never leave Silas.
Without him, without the ranch, it would once again return to the aimless, muddled life it had lived before.
Surrounded by the three Pokémon, Silas suddenly felt his nose sting with emotion.
He gently rubbed Cinccino's fluffy little head.
The little fellow immediately burrowed deeper into his embrace, its tail wrapping around his wrist while swaying back and forth in an attempt to cheer him up.
Torracat used Dragonite's body as a stepping stone before leaping into Silas's arms.
Its soft pink tongue repeatedly licked Silas's face.
The tiny barbs on its tongue made him itch so much that he could hardly bear it.
Dragonite tightened its embrace even more before lowering its head and resting it gently upon Silas's shoulder.
"Alright, alright. Dragonite, let go of me already."
Silas patted Dragonite's arm, signaling it to loosen its grip, before looking at the three Pokémon who clung so closely to him.
"The three of you are this attached to me. What would you ever do if one day I wasn't around?"
Cinccino immediately grabbed onto Silas's clothes with its tiny paws, pressing itself tightly against him.
"Cin~ Cin~" (Cinccino would never leave Silas.)
The little mouse had never even imagined a day when they would be separated.
In all of its memories, Silas had always been there.
Always.
Torracat and Dragonite felt exactly the same.
They were family.
A family that would never be separated.
"Alright, alright."
Silas pinched Cinccino's large ears with a smile.
There was no need to think about things like that yet.
He was still young enough.
Young enough to take care of all of his Pokémon for the rest of his life.
"Let's hurry back. It's time to pick up our new companion."
"I imagine it's been waiting impatiently for us."
Twelve whole hours.
The revival process had finished long ago.
Now Silas could hardly wait to meet the fossil Pokémon that belonged to him.
With his three Pokémon accompanying him, Silas returned to Cinnabar Island and headed straight for the Cinnabar Research Institute to find Seron.
The moment Seron saw him, he silently led Silas to the fossil revival machine.
After that, he quietly excused himself, leaving the room entirely.
He understood.
A Pokémon revived from a fossil was fundamentally no different from one hatched from an Egg.
The very first living being it saw after being born was incredibly important.
"Cin!"
Cinccino, perched upon Silas's shoulder, urged him onward while once again reaching for his hair with its tiny hand.
Silas lightly slapped away its little paw before stepping forward and pressing the switch.
A burst of white mist hissed from the machine.
The revival chamber slowly opened.
Within the lingering fog stood a small, juvenile Pokémon.
Its body was still immature.
It took a step.
Then stumbled.
Then slowly walked out of the chamber until it stood before Silas.
"Rawr!!!"
The little one let out its very first roar.
Its voice was still adorable and childish.
Yet it was proudly announcing its existence to the entire world.
"Cin?!"
Cinccino poked its fluffy little head out from Silas's arms, curiously staring at this brand new Pokémon.
It immediately prepared to jump over for a closer look.
But Silas gently pressed down on its head, stopping it.
The Pokémon before them was a ferocious predator from the prehistoric era.
Its temper certainly would not be gentle.
If Cinccino recklessly approached it, it might very well be bitten by that mouth filled with razor sharp teeth.
Squatting down, Silas lowered himself until he was looking directly into the Pokémon's eyes.
The little Pokémon lazily lifted its eyelids to glance at him.
Its newly revived wings gave a small flap.
Then, instead of opening its mouth to roar again, it lowered its head and charged straight at Silas like a battering ram.
Before it could even open its jaws to bite him, Silas moved with lightning fast speed and pinched its enormous mouth shut.
Even with its jaws firmly held closed, the little Pokémon refused to surrender.
Its hind legs kicked furiously against the ground while its foreclaws and wings flailed wildly in every direction, struggling with all of its might.
From the very first reaction it displayed upon seeing another person, Silas immediately reached a conclusion about the personality of his newly revived Aerodactyl.
It was a complete hardheaded hotblood.
The kind that would charge first, think later, and never admit defeat.
(End of Chapter)