Chansey's decision was final:
A battle with Wigglytuff at sunset.
In the backyard.
In front of every Pokémon in the zone.
A public duel to prove leadership.
Fine.
I had a plan forming already—but before that, I walked toward the group of Grookey who were still crowding around their recovered friend.
The moment they saw me coming, their leafy ears perked up in confusion.
They huddled subconsciously closer, sticks raised—not in aggression, but in uncertainty.
Budew shifted nervously on my shoulder.
I scanned the group.
Levels: 11, 12, 13.
Healthy.
Energetic.
Well-fed.
But something felt off.
There were supposed to be six Grookey signatures in the scan I picked up earlier.
Only five stood in front of me.
Where was the last one?
I turned slightly.
And then I felt it—
a faint, weak energy signature at the edge of the clearing.
Hiding.
Watching.
I walked past the main group, deeper toward a lone tree near the perimeter.
The Grookey group blinked in surprise and whispered among themselves.
When I reached the tree, I looked up.
And froze.
A Grookey clung to the trunk, half-hidden behind the branches.
But not like the others.
Its fur had a slight golden tint—a shiny.
Its eyes were sharper, more aware.
But its body…
Thin.
Underfed.
Weaker than it should be.
Level 10.
But what made my breath catch—
[ Hidden Ability Detected: GRASS SURGE ]
A rare Hidden Ability.
A future Rillaboom with this ability would be a monster.
I met its eyes.
"Grookey."
It tensed but didn't run.
"Will you be my Pokémon?"
Its fingers tightened around the bark.
"No one will bully you. No one will ignore you.
I'll make sure you grow strong. Stronger than anyone here."
The Grookey hesitated—its gaze flicking briefly toward the larger, healthier group.
Rejected.
Excluded.
That's why it was here.
I understood instantly.
So I changed approach.
"Alright," I said quietly, placing a hand against the tree trunk.
"Let's make this fair."
Grookey's eyes narrowed slightly.
"If you win in a battle, I'll give you food every day you live here.
You'll never go hungry again. That's a promise."
Grookey's ears twitched.
"But—"I smiled gently.
"If I win…you become my partner."
The Grookey straightened.
A spark lit inside its tired eyes.
It nodded.
Deal.
I stepped back into the clearing.
"I choose Pikachu."
Mankey looked insulted for half a second, but I shook my head.
"Sending Mankey would not be fair. Pikachu's closer in strength."
Pikachu stepped forward, cheeks sparking lightly.
"Pika."
Grookey jumped down, wobbling slightly on impact, then steadied itself.
Wigglytuff, still annoyed at me, waddled over to referee again.
"Wiggly…TUFF!"
—BEGIN—
"Grookey, show me your strength."
The small Grass-type tapped its stick on the ground—and a faint shimmer of green spread beneath its feet.
Not Terrain activation—but the potential was there.
"Pikachu—Quick Attack!"
Pikachu blurred forward—Grookey dodged sideways, surprisingly quick despite its malnourished body.
It swung its stick—Thwack!
Pikachu winced.
A clean hit.
Good.
"Thunder Shock, but controlled! Don't knock it out."
Pikachu sparked and released a focused jolt.
Grookey leaped—but its weakened legs couldn't carry it high enough.
The electricity struck.
"Groo—!"
Grookey skidded, panting.
But it forced itself up again.
Eyes determined.
It rushed forward with Scratch, stick glowing faintly with Grass-energy.
"Meet it head-on. Quick Attack!"
They collided.
A burst of dust.
Grookey staggered back…then collapsed onto its knees.
It tried to stand—
Failed.
One more time—
Its stick slipped from its fingers.
Finally… it slumped.
Wigglytuff raised both arms.
"TUFF!"(Winner: Pikachu!)
Pikachu exhaled softly, walking over and nudging Grookey's cheek gently.
The Grookey blinked weakly—
—and smiled.
It accepted the defeat with grace.
I walked over slowly.
Kneeling down, I scooped the trembling Grookey into my hands.
"You fought well," I whispered. "Better than your condition should've allowed."
Grookey's small hand reached out…
And gently tapped my chest—
I accept.
I pulled out a Pokéball.
A brand-new one I crafted last night.
"Grookey…my fifth partner."
The Pokéball touched its forehead—a soft light wrapped around the little Grass-type—
click.
The ball didn't even shake.
It accepted me instantly.
The Roselia who had returned watched with approval.
Even Chansey nodded quietly.
Happiny waved cheerfully.
The Grookey group looked surprised.
Budew clapped its leaves excitedly.
I released him immediately.
"Welcome to the team…Grookey."
He blinked up at me, then at Pikachu, then at mankey still on my side—as if trying to understand what "team" meant now.
Before I could say anything, a tiny pink blur waddled over.
Happiny.
She looked determined—like a nurse reporting for duty.
Her little arms glowed faintly as she pressed her stone gently against Grookey's chest.
The familiar warm energy of Soft-Boiled spread through his body.
Grookey flinched—then relaxed, eyes closing as the pain faded.
Chansey watched with calm approval from a short distance.
I crouched down and examined Happiny's stone.
It was… not ideal.
A bit rough.
Grayish.
Edges uneven.
Probably something she found around the hill.
Happiny noticed me staring and tilted her head innocently.
I smiled.
"Wait here."
I opened my bag and dug through the side pocket.
After a moment, my fingers brushed against something smooth.
Cold.
And perfectly polished.
I pulled it out—a rounded, white stone with a faint sheen.One of the gifts the Pidgey flock had brought me long ago.
I hadn't used it for anything.Just kept it because it looked… special.
I held it in my palm.
"Happiny."
She blinked up at me, eyes bright.
"Thank you for helping Grookey."
I extended the polished stone toward her.
Her entire face lit up.
She glanced at Chansey—seeking approval like a child glancing at her mother.
Chansey gave a soft, warm nod.
Happiny gasped—then waddled forward quickly, almost tripping over her own feet, and reached out with tiny hands.
She accepted the stone reverently.
Then, with a proud little wiggle, she removed her old rough pebble and gently placed the polished white stone into her pouch.
It glowed faintly as it touched her skin.
Happiny froze.
Then—
"Ha…ppy!"
She threw her arms up…
And hugged my leg with all her tiny strength.
I laughed softly and patted her head.
She hopped twice in excitement, spun around, and ran back to Chansey—almost tumbling over her own stubby legs—to show her new treasure.
Chansey inspected it, smiled gently, and patted Happiny's head.
Happiny puffed out her chest proudly like she had just won a medal.
I wasn't in a hurry to get Happiny.
Her evolution path, her bond—it all needed time.
And forcing anything with a Pokémon that gentle felt wrong.
So I stepped back, gave Chansey a respectful nod.
"See you at sunset."
Chansey inclined her head like a queen accepting a formal farewell.
Happiny waved her tiny arms enthusiastically, the new polished stone in her pouch gleaming brightly.
I turned around and walked out of the clearing, Budew returned to it's parents, Grookey trotting quietly at my heel.
Back at the Villa — 3:00 PM
By the time I stepped into the backyard again, the adrenaline had faded and a heavy realization hit me:
"I haven't eaten lunch…"
My stomach growled loudly.
Grookey tilted his head in amusement.
Pikachu snorted.
Mankey laughed outright.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh now. I'll feed you last."
I opened my travel bag and pulled out my berry stash.
Grookey munched cautiously, still watching the others.
Mankey devoured his cube like a gremlin.
Pikachu ate with his usual smug elegance.
Then I sat on the steps and ate a couple of Oran berries myself.
Just then, a roaring engine echoed through the compound.
I turned toward the gate—
A military jeep rolled in.
Behind it—
A full truck piled high with berry crates.
And standing in the passenger seat, waving with both hands as if she was riding a parade float—
Ritu.
Pidgeotto perched on top of the truck, looking slightly exasperated.
The jeep stopped in front of me, and Ritu hopped down with a dramatic flourish.
"Delivery for Boss Aakash!" she announced.
I stared at the mountain of crates.
"…Where did you get a truck?"
She grinned.
"The soldiers guarding the main gate said, 'If sir needs berries, we will load everything.'"
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Ritu…"
"What? You told me to bring berries! I brought berries!"
Pidgeotto chirped proudly.
I looked at the pile again.
Dozens of crates.
Hundreds of berries.
Enough to run a small berry shop.
I sighed.
"Well… at least we won't starve."
I glanced back toward the zone.
"This.... is my Home now"
_________________________________
Support me on p@treon:
[email protected]/blaze98