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

Chapter 78: Mountain Misunderstandings

Breakfast with Clair felt different after everything that had happened in Blackthorn. She had tested Ethan, battled me, guarded Dratini, and stood beside us at the Prayer Flame. Now she sat across the table with breakfast as if yesterday had not included a shrine fire and an enraged Dragonite.

Kaburagi moved around the table with his usual quiet dignity, though he checked the Dragon Fang case twice before pouring more tea.

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 New Bark Town is next," I said, touching the badge case inside my bag.

Lillie smiled. "Eight official Johto badges. It still feels strange that the last space is finally filled."

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 have been 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. Delibird kept offering food packets, and I guided it toward a safer ridge."

The wild Delibird saluted with one wing, offered East a wrapped snack, then waddled 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 balanced on my shoulder while his cheeks brightened. "East didn't catch Delibird. Delibird rearranged his morning instead."

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 badges of annoying success," Meowth said, "plus whatever makes you chase us harder!"

"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 my eight official Johto badges and the extra badges gathered during 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 Delibird too, and it began hopping through the courtyard with its sack open, collecting anything shiny that was not nailed down. Meganium searched the shrubs and garden paths, Pikachu checked roof edges, and Togetic flew over the courtyard.