Peter stepped up to the hospital bed, focus sharpening.
A single thought crossed his mind—
Heal. Activate.
At once, a rich green glow enveloped the injured Rufflet.
The wounds along its wings visibly began to mend. Blood that had still been seeping moments ago dried and sealed. Even its breathing steadied, the faint wheeze fading into something stronger.
"…Not bad at all," Peter muttered.
The little eagle twitched.
Its eyes fluttered open.
"Chee…?"
It blinked, then tried to push itself upright.
"Not yet," Peter said gently. "You still need rest before you can fly again."
The Rufflet froze.
That face.
That presence.
Memories surged back—
…
"Rufflet, hold on! Don't you still want to soar back into the sky and challenge Braviary? If you fall asleep now, you'll never take flight again!"
"Lopunny, Indeedee—Healing Wish, now!"
"Damn it, this mountain road is killing me… Forget the bike—I'm running!"
"Just a little further. We're almost there!"
The frantic breathing.
The relentless footsteps.
The warmth of strong arms carrying it across miles of uneven terrain.
It was him.
The human who had carried it for dozens of kilometers.
The Rufflet's talons tightened against the bedding.
Peter smiled and produced a Golden Razz Berry.
"You'll probably like this."
The little eagle chirped softly, plucked a single berry, and gently pushed the rest back toward him.
Then—
It plucked a crimson feather from its own crest and placed it before him.
A Braviary feather.
A symbol of inheritance.
A pledge of pride.
"Chee. Chee-chee!"
It was offering its most precious token—staking its honor as collateral. A promise to repay everything.
Peter blinked.
Interesting bird.
"Try this too." He produced a finely crafted Basic Pokéblock.
The faint fragrance alone made Rufflet's stomach rumble.
"I saw your fight," Peter said quietly. "With your father."
The little eagle's gaze dimmed briefly.
Then it burned again with determination.
"You're frustrated, aren't you?"
A nod.
"What's your plan?"
"Chee! Chee-chee!"
(Train harder. Go back. Prove myself.)
Peter's smile softened.
"And how long will that take? Your father spent years building his strength. By the time you match him… he may already be old. Would victory still mean anything then?"
The Rufflet froze.
"Chee…?"
(Then… is there no chance?)
"There is," Peter said calmly. "Grow stronger—faster than anyone expects."
He revealed a single Rare Candy.
"Eat this. You'll understand."
Hesitant—but driven by instinct—the Rufflet tore open the wrapper.
The scent exploded outward.
It tossed the candy into its beak.
The flavor was electric.
"Chee~~!"
[Ding! Rufflet consumed Rare Candy.]
Level increased to 10.
Friendship +20.
Rufflet ♂ Lv.10 (Novice Tier)
Ability: Hustle – Boosts physical attack by 50%, slightly lowers accuracy.
Talent: 321 / 350
HP: 60
Attack: 81
Defense: 50
Sp. Atk: 20
Sp. Def: 50
Speed: 60
Friendship: 120
Moves:
Learned: Peck, Hone Claws
Inherited: Roost, Rock Smash
Unmastered: Brave Bird
Description: Recently out of infancy. Possesses noble Sky Warrior bloodline and hidden potential. Resilient, fearless, and driven to prove himself before his father.
…
Peter nodded inwardly.
Excellent stats. Hidden potential.
He carefully placed the red crest feather back atop its head.
"Rufflet… I like you. Become my partner."
"Chee?"
"My goal is to become the strongest Trainer in the world. Every partner I choose will become part of that strength. When we reach the top… both our dreams will come true."
The Rufflet studied him carefully.
Weighing.
Measuring.
It opened its beak—
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the Pokémon Center.
Peter's head snapped toward the door.
"Marnie—!" Nurse Joy screamed.
A silver-haired woman in black, sunglasses gleaming coldly, held the unconscious Paige in one arm while mounting the back of a massive Salamence.
Peter's pupils contracted.
"Pokémon Hunter J!"
The name left his mouth before he could stop it.
Hunter J glanced at him.
A slow, amused smile formed.
"Well. What a pleasant surprise."
Peter's stomach dropped.
She wasn't here randomly.
She had seen his Hisuian Zorua.
And now—
She was hunting.
Peter spun and sprinted back toward the room.
Hunter J's mechanical gauntlet clicked.
"Useless."
A pale yellow beam fired from her arm device.
It struck Peter square in the lower back.
In an instant—
Stone.
His body crystallized into a lifeless statue mid-stride.
"Mr. Peter!!!" Nurse Joy and Marnie cried out.
Hunter J stepped closer, examining him.
"A rare-form Zorua… extinct lineage. That will fetch a fine price."
She tossed out another Poké Ball.
"Ariados."
The massive spider emerged, silk snapping forward to bind Peter's stone body.
"Bring him."
She leapt back onto Salamence.
"Do not follow. Or both hostages die."
With a powerful beat of its wings, Salamence tore into the sky.
Inside the room—
The Rufflet stared in stunned silence.
Then—
Rage ignited.
"SKREE—!"
With a violent snap, the bandages around its wings tore apart.
It launched from the bed and shot after the fleeing dragon.
"Rufflet!" Nurse Joy gasped.
She rushed to the counter and grabbed the phone.
"Officer Jenny! This is urgent—please dispatch immediately!"
Marnie stood frozen, pale.
She alone understood.
Hunter J wasn't just here for Peter.
Behind the mountain…
The legendary guardian of the north wind—
Suicune.
And if J had set her sights on it—A storm far greater than the power plant incident was about to begin.
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T/N:
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