1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 78: Mountain Misunderstandings

Breakfast with Clair felt strange after everything in Blackthorn. Clair had tested Ethan, fought me, guarded Dratini, and stood before the Prayer Flame, yet now she sat across from us with breakfast and a calm expression that still felt like a challenge.

Kaburagi moved around the table with quiet dignity, though he kept glancing toward the Dragon Fang after yesterday.

Clair set her cup down. "I heard that the Silver Conference will take place in three months in Silver Town. You should register at New Bark Town before you begin your League preparation."

"Then we will go to New Bark Town next," I said, touching the badge case at my belt.

Lillie smiled at the case. "Eight official Johto badges. It still feels heavy."

Ethan grinned and tapped his own Rising Badge. "Mine feels inspiring."

Kris gave him a patient look. "You have checked it seven times since breakfast started."

"That means I am inspired seven times," Ethan said.

Reisa laughed softly, but East was quieter than usual. He kept watching the mountain wind until I noticed a small red-and-white shape near his bag.

"East," I asked, "why is there a Delibird standing next to your supplies?"

East blinked once, then looked away. "It followed me when I checked the route before sunrise."

Lillie tilted her head. "You went outside alone?"

"Not far," East said quickly. "I wanted to study the descent road. The Delibird kept offering food packets, and I gave it directions to a safer ridge. It did not join my team."

Delibird saluted with one wing, offered East a wrapped snack, then waddled away toward a group of Blackthorn attendants. East accepted the snack with a faint sigh.

Ethan leaned closer. "That was suspiciously specific."

East opened the packet and said nothing.

Pikachu's meaning came through playfully: "East did not catch it. Delibird caught his schedule."

I laughed, and East finally smiled a little.

The peace lasted until the window exploded inward with confetti, smoke, and a mechanical hand.

"Prepare for trouble with a badge collection!" Jessie shouted from outside.

"And make it double with historical appreciation!" James added, dangling from a rope.

Meowth's mechanical hand snatched my badge case before I could stand.

"Seventeen shiny proofs of annoying success," Meowth said, "plus whatever emotional value makes them extra stealable!"

"My badges!" I shouted, lunging after the case.

The hand yanked back through the window. Team Rocket's balloon rose outside, and Jessie held up the case with a triumphant laugh. Inside were the eight official Johto badges and the extra badges gathered across the journey.

Clair stood so fast her chair scraped the floor. "You dare steal from my guest in Blackthorn?"

Meowth froze, clutching the case tighter. "Retreat faster before the Dragon lady remembers yesterday!"

Pikachu leapt to the windowsill and fired Thunderbolt. Team Rocket's balloon lurched sideways, dropping the badge case into a gust of mountain wind. The case burst open as it fell, scattering badges across the courtyard, roof tiles, shrubs, and stone paths below.

"That is worse!" I yelled.

Lillie released Meganium immediately. "Meganium, help us search!"

I sent out my Delibird too, and it immediately began hopping around with its sack open, collecting anything shiny that was not nailed down. Meganium lowered her head and used her petals to sense movement through the garden, while Pikachu and Togetic searched from above.