The sun peeked through the trees, casting golden light across the lakeside clearing. Birds called out in excited morning songs, and a thin mist rolled gently off the surface of the water.
Skylar stirred, eyes fluttering open to the smell of roasted berries and warm bread.
"Morning, sleeping prince."
He sat up, groggy, and blinked toward the voice.
Misty sat across the fire, legs crossed, Starmie spinning lazily behind her while Charmander poked curiously at a wrapped breakfast package.
Skylar rubbed his eyes. "You're up early."
"Had a call."
He paused mid-stretch. "Oh? With who?"
She smirked. "You know who."
Skylar sat up straighter. "Wait… Cynthia?"
Misty nodded and took a bite of bread, talking through the chew. "Yep. Just us girls. She wanted to get a feel for me."
Skylar paled a little. "What… what did she say?"
Misty lifted her chin dramatically, mimicking Cynthia's cool tone.
"'I don't share easily.'"
Skylar groaned. "Oh no…"
"She said it with a smile, don't worry," Misty added. "Then gave me a verbal sword to the throat. Very elegant."
Skylar buried his face in his hands. "I shouldn't have told her you were thinking of traveling with me."
"Oh, you definitely should have," Misty said with a grin. "She respects honesty. Just... don't expect her to play nice all the time."
Skylar peeked through his fingers. "So… what now?"
Misty shrugged. "She gave her blessing. Kind of. As long as I prove I'm not dead weight."
"You're not."
"She doesn't know that. Yet."
Skylar stood, brushing dirt from his cloak. Gardevoir floated silently nearby, already wide awake and alert. The Gyarados egg sat securely in its carrier on his back.
"So… still want to come?"
Misty stood and tossed him an extra fruit bar. "Only if you're brave enough to walk into the woods with me after talking to your Queen."
Skylar chuckled as they packed up camp.
"Somehow, I feel like that call was the actual gym battle."
By midday, the trees began to thicken and the light narrowed to long beams through dense canopy.
They stood at the edge of Viridian Forest, the old wooden sign half-covered in moss:
⚠️ VIRIDIAN FOREST — Enter with Caution. Home of Untamed Pokémon.
Skylar looked forward with steady eyes.Misty tied her hair up in a high tail.Gardevoir hovered behind him, her aura beginning to hum faintly.Charmander marched proudly beside him.Starmie rotated silently near Misty's shoulder.
"Ready?" she asked.
Skylar grinned.
"Let's get lost."
And together, they stepped into the shadowy green world of Viridian Forest—Unaware that something… or someone… was already waiting for them deeper inside.