Chapter 13: A Legendary Egg and A New Companion
I was standing in the quiet hallway of the hotel, lost in thought, when suddenly, a mechanical chime echoed in my mind.
'Ding!'
> [ Host, you have completed "Sign Ins" at multiple locations. Would you like to claim your rewards? ]
>
I blinked. I had completely forgotten about the System's "Sign In" function amidst the chaos. The System had automatically stored the rewards for me. I let out a sigh of relief.
'System, show me the rewards,' I thought.
> [ Ding! Rewards Claimed: ]
> * Sign In at Pokémon Center: Obtained 5 Healing Balls.
> * Sign In at Racing Stage: Obtained Skill: Volt Tackle.
> * Sign In at Zeraora's Forest: Obtained Shiny Zeraora Pokémon Egg and Zeraora Mega Stone.
> * Sign In for Saving Fula City: Obtained Partner Potion.
>
My eyes widened as I read the list. Five Healing Balls and the Volt Tackle skill were great, but the third reward… a Shiny Zeraora Egg? And a Mega Stone for it?
I had secretly wanted to catch the Zeraora we just saved, but I knew that the Guardian of the Forest would never leave his home. He had a duty to protect the wild Pokémon there. But the System had read my mind perfectly. It gave me a Zeraora that would be mine from birth—and a Shiny one at that!
And the last item—the Partner Potion. I had planned to spend my hard-earned points to buy one for Risa, but the System had gifted it to me for free.
'This is perfect,' I thought, a satisfied smile playing on my lips.
Just then, I heard footsteps approaching.
"Ash?"
It was Risa. She walked up to me, looking a bit shy but expectant. "About that reward you promised me earlier… for running up the tower?"
"Don't be so impatient," I chuckled. "I'm not running away anywhere. Give me a second."
I pretended to rummage through my bag, but in reality, I withdrew the Partner Potion from the System inventory. I placed the small bottle containing the glowing liquid on a nearby table.
"Here it is."
Risa picked it up, examining the strange liquid. "Is this… some kind of high-level healing potion? I've never seen anything like it."
"No," I shook my head. "This is called a Partner Potion. It only works on Pikachu and Eevee. If your Eevee drinks this, it will transform into a Partner Eevee."
"Partner Eevee?" Risa tilted her head.
"Yes. Once it drinks this, it will lose the ability to evolve into Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon. However," I paused for effect, "it will gain the ability to learn 9 special moves—Partner Moves. The surfing move my Pikachu used? That was one of them."
Risa listened intently, her eyes wide. "So… your Pikachu is a Partner Pikachu? That explains why he's so strong."
"Exactly," I nodded. "But Eevee's moves are different. Let me list them for you: Veevee Volley, Bouncy Bubble, Buzzy Buzz, Sizzly Slide, Glitzy Glow, Baddy Bad, Sappy Seed, Freezy Frost, and Sparkly Swirl."
Risa's jaw dropped. "Nine moves?! And they sound like they cover almost every elemental type!" She looked at the small brown Pokémon in her arms with newfound awe.
"So, Risa," I asked, "do you want to turn your Eevee into a Partner Pokémon?"
Risa looked at the potion, then down at Eevee. She thought for a moment before shaking her head slightly. "Ash, I can't decide this alone. I need to discuss it with Eevee first. I'll tell you our decision in the morning."
I smiled, impressed. "That's the right decision. A trainer who forces their will on their Pokémon without caring about their feelings isn't a true trainer. You're doing great."
Risa blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thanks, Ash. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Risa."
The Morning Trade
We went to our separate rooms. I prepared my bed, and Pikachu, who was exhausted from the day's events, was already dozing off. I tucked him in, pulling the blanket over him, and soon fell asleep myself.
Tick-tock… Tick-tock…
Time passed.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
At 5:00 AM sharp, a rhythmic knocking on my door woke me up.
"Yawn…" I rubbed my eyes, groggily walking to the door. "Who is it at this hour?"
I opened the door to find Mayor Oliver standing there, looking remarkably fresh and excited.
"Good morning, Ash," the Mayor beamed. "Regarding the items you asked us to find… we have completed the search."
He lowered his voice slightly, though he couldn't hide his excitement. "I am sorry we couldn't find more, but we managed to recover 30 colored stones from the mines and the city storage."
My sleepiness vanished instantly.
'Thirty?!' I screamed internally. 'Thirty Mega Stones? I was expecting maybe ten! My luck is insane!'
On the outside, I kept my face calm and neutral. "Thirty? Hmm. That will suffice. I didn't expect you to find so many, so as per our deal, I will give you three 100% Recovery Potions and one Legendary Potion."
"Wait here, they are in my bag."
I turned around and mentally commanded the System.
'System, buy three Full Restore Potions and one Legendary Potion.'
> [ Ding! Request acknowledged. ]
> [ 3 Full Restore Potions: 750 Points. ]
> [ 1 Legendary Potion: 1,000 Points. ]
> [ Total: 1,750 Purchase Points deducted. ]
> [ Items have been deposited in your bag. ]
>
I reached into my backpack and pulled out the four vials. I walked back to the door and presented them to Mayor Oliver.
"Here you go."
Mayor Oliver's eyes sparkled greedily. "Oh, you really didn't have to… but since you insist!"
Swish!
Before I could even finish extending my hand, he snatched the potions with lightning speed, clutching them to his chest as if he thought I might change my mind. I stared at him, stunned. His polite words and his greedy hands were telling two very different stories.
"Well then!" Mayor Oliver cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "I must be going. Thank you, Trainer Ash!"
He turned on his heel and marched toward his car, speeding off toward City Hall.
A New Journey Begins
A few minutes later, Risa appeared in the hallway. She looked determined.
"Ash," she said, walking up to me. "I asked Eevee. She told me she doesn't want to evolve. She wants to stay as she is and become strong by my side. So… we decided to use the Partner Potion."
"That's great," I smiled. I reached into my pocket and handed her the potion. "Here. Give it to her when she wakes up."
Risa took the bottle, gripping it tightly. Then, she looked up at me, a question lingering in her eyes.
"By the way, Risa," I asked suddenly, beating her to the punch. "Do you want to join my team? I'm heading to the Johto Region for my journey."
Risa's face lit up. " really? I was actually planning to become a Pokémon Trainer and travel too! If you're okay with it, I'd love to join your team. Please, take care of me, Ash!"
She extended her hand toward me.
"Take care of me too, Risa," I replied.
Clasp.
We shook hands, sealing our new partnership. With a new companion and incredible rewards in hand, my journey to Johto was officially about to begin.
To be continued...