In the Pokémon Center's backyard arena, the sound of battle filled the air.
Dust swirled across the field as two trainers faced off-Silas on one end, calm and focused, and a well-dressed challenger on the other. The crowd around them held their breath, waiting to see who would emerge victorious.
"Murkrow-Wing Attack!"
At Silas's sharp command, Murkrow, already moving with the momentum of Tailwind, became a streak of shadow.
Its black wings flared once, slicing through the air as it dove.
"Combusken, Sky Uppercut-don't back down!"
The opposing trainer shouted, his voice full of passion.
The Fire- and Fighting-type Pokémon kicked off the ground, leaping several meters high, its claws clenched in a glowing uppercut aimed straight for the descending Murkrow.
The air rippled. The two forces collided.
BOOM!
A muffled explosion echoed across the arena. Smoke and dust billowed up, obscuring everything. The audience strained their eyes toward the center of the field.
Through the haze, Murkrow could be seen flapping its injured wings to stay airborne, panting heavily but its opponent, Combusken, lay sprawled unconscious on the ground.
The referee raised a flag. "Combusken is unable to battle! Murkrow wins!"
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
"That's seven victories in a row, right? Murkrow's on a winning streak!"
"Six battles back-to-back and it still had the stamina to beat a starter Pokémon?"
"You think it's just Murkrow? No way. The real monster here is its trainer! Did you see how perfectly he timed every move?"
The spectators erupted into chatter.
None of them had ever seen a Murkrow fight with such precision and ferocity-especially after using Tailwind. Its speed was terrifyingly fast, and every attempt to interrupt its rhythm was shut down by a perfectly timed Protect.
Even those who dared to fight up close found themselves completely outmaneuvered.
The defeated trainer recalled his fainted Combusken with a sigh. He wanted to approach and ask that mysterious trainer for advice but when he looked across the field, Silas was already gone.
.....
Inside the Pokémon Center, Silas handed Murkrow's Poké Ball to Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy-thank you, as always."
Joy looked up from her counter. Recognizing his voice, she immediately handed her duties to another nurse and took the ball with care.
"Don't worry, Silas. I'll take good care of your Murkrow."
She hurried toward the treatment room, her pink hair bouncing behind her.
Around them, several trainers waiting in line exchanged envious glances.
"Who's that guy? Some big-shot's kid, maybe?"
"Must be. Look at how fast Nurse Joy dropped everything for him."
Their whispers faded quickly-no one dared to question the League's established hierarchy.
Within its iron structure, favoritism wasn't just common; it was unshakable.
Moments later, the healing chime echoed—
"Beep-beep-beep~~~ Treatment complete!"
Joy returned, her hands cradling the Poké Ball gently. Silas accepted it with a polite nod.
Then, without warning, he said, "Nurse Joy… please cancel my room."
Her smile froze. Her hands trembled slightly as she looked up.
"You're… leaving Rustboro City?"
Silas nodded. "I've learned everything I needed here. It's time to move on to my next destination."
Joy bit her lip, her voice soft but strained.
"Is there… nothing here that makes you want to stay?"
There was a faint ache behind her words. Over the past few weeks, the two had often discussed breeding techniques and training philosophies. Bit by bit, her admiration had grown into something deeper.
But Silas wasn't one for romance.
He saw the world as a battlefield of growth and purpose-feelings only complicated things later.
Joy seemed to understand that too. She said no more. Still, as she processed his checkout, her eyes lingered on him-quietly, unwillingly.
When she handed back his League ID card, her delicate fingers clung to it a moment longer before letting go.
"Remember to come back and visit me sometime," she murmured. "We can… talk about breeding techniques again."
Silas hesitated, then gave a faint smile. "Sure."
He turned, raised his hand in a casual wave, and walked out through the Pokémon Center's doors-disappearing into the crowd beyond.
....
In the days that followed, the trainers of Rustboro City were puzzled to learn that Nurse Joy had taken three full days off work.
For someone so dedicated and cheerful, it was unheard of.
When she finally returned, her trademark smile seemed softer, fainter.
She spent long hours quietly staring at a small notebook on her desk-a notebook signed with a name.
Whenever someone tried to peek, she'd snap it shut and glare until they backed off.
Soon, the mysterious "signature in Joy's book" became a favorite topic of gossip among Rustboro's trainers.
That night, in a pink, softly lit room filled with the scent of perfume and plush toys, Joy rested her head on her arms at her desk.
Under the lamp's glow, colorful ink shimmered faintly across the page-words forming a simple name.
Silas
.....
Meanwhile, at the Rustboro Trainer School.
Inside a quiet office filled with shelves of thick books, Roxanne sat at her desk, her gaze fixed on her Pokédex screen.
She had been staring for a long time, lost in thought.
Only when her elderly mentor, Mr. Muto, coughed softly beside her did she blink and come back to reality.
"Roxanne," he said gently, "you seem restless today. What's troubling you?"
Muto, the former Gym Leader of Rustboro, knew his pupil well-every habit, every flicker of hesitation.
Leaning on his armchair for balance, he shuffled toward the bookshelf with slow, deliberate steps.
Roxanne stood, closing her Pokédex. She approached and bowed deeply, the traditional gesture between student and teacher.
"Grandpa Muto," she said, her voice firm, "I want to become someone decisive. Please… teach me."
Her tone carried a rare strength-no trace of her usual gentleness remained.
The warmth in her eyes was replaced by determination and resolve.
As if, somewhere deep inside, a switch had finally been flipped.
<><><><><><>
(Bonus chapter for holloween)
(End of chapter)