Chapter 18

The crowd began to disperse, but not before approaching Emmet for handshakes and kudos. "Great match! What's your name, kid?" one person asked. "Emmet. Just Emmet," he replied, relishing the sense of achievement. An older woman with silver hair pulled him aside, "Oh dear, that was quite a show! I'll be watching you at the Indigo Conference, you hear?" "Really? Well, thank you, ma'am. That means a lot," Emmet responded, feeling a tickle of pride.

"Hey, you did amazing out there," Leaf chimed in as she walked over to Emmet's side. She then turned to Firefly and extended her hand, "And you must be Firefly. An incredible performance! It's a pleasure to meet you."

Firefly glowed brighter than her tail flame at Leaf's praise and gentle head pats. Emmet watched, slightly envious of how effortlessly Leaf charmed Pokemon. He remembered back in school, she always had a knack for connecting with creatures. But since she began her journey, she had elevated that innate ability to an art form. How did she do it? Was there a secret skill he wasn't aware of? Could EM replicate it?

While watching the interaction, Emmet's thoughts wandered. He was contemplating training strategies for his Pokemon but didn't want to give away his methods to Leaf. His thoughts danced around EM and how best to integrate it into his sessions.

Leaf caught his distant stare and felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "Um, is something on my face?" She started patting her cheeks and forehead, trying to find the nonexistent culprit. It was adorable, really.

Smiling, Emmet shook his head. "No, no, you're fine. I was just wondering how long you plan on traveling with me. Not that it's a bad thing!"

Leaf's grip tightened around Sylveon, her face a mixture of vulnerability and hope. Sylveon let out a soft, almost questioning chirp, bothered by the sudden squeeze.

"Is it that you want to get rid of me soon?" Leaf's voice had a fragile edge, and her eyes seemed to search his for reassurance. Her emotional cues practically screamed insecurity.

"Absolutely not! I was just curious because I'm planning a training schedule for my team. I thought maybe you'd want me to plan one for your Pokemon too, if you're sticking around," Emmet quickly clarified, trying to dispel the tension.

Emmet looked at Leaf, seeing her for what she was—a friend who'd always been there. She had a heart of gold, always thoughtful and compassionate. If there was anyone he'd trust with the secret of EM, his Efficiency Mastery, it would be her. After all, friendship had its privileges, and Leaf had earned them in spades.

Still, Emmet wasn't a fool. Information on EM was potentially dangerous. If word got out, he'd be a prime target for capture—both for him and his Pokemon. It was a secret that had to be safeguarded, a Giratina's Pokeball that couldn't be opened in public.

A thought popped into his head. Did he really need to spill the beans about EM at all? He pondered as he fiddled with a Pokeball in his pocket. Couldn't he simply chalk up the rapid advancement of his Pokemon to their being "prodigies"? Sure, it would raise questions when Cleffa—and eventually any other Pokemon he trained—also displayed accelerated progress. Leaf might be bubbly and optimistic, but she was far from dim-witted. She'd put two and two together eventually, but until then, he could keep his cards close to his chest.

"Phew, thanks for letting me stick around, Emmet. Really, you're a lifesaver," Leaf said, exhaling in obvious relief as she grinned at him.

"You know, after the novelty of being on a journey wore off, I realized how much I missed just talking to people. Don't get me wrong, battling and training are great, but the loneliness? Not so much. It's always reassuring to have another human being around, you know?"

Emmet chuckled. "Well, technically, we're never really alone. I mean, Firefly here practically talks my ear off." Firefly snorted flames in mock indignation.

Leaf gave him a deadpan look, "Sure, but Pokemon aren't going to help you figure out if you bought enough Berries or if you've set up camp correctly. It's good to have someone to bounce ideas off of, make small talk with, and just generally be around. I can't expect Ivysaur to calculate our Potion consumption rates, can I?"

She then muttered under her breath, just too quietly for Emmet to hear, "Plus, it doesn't hurt that you're easy on the eyes."

Glancing down, she noticed that Sylveon was still wrapped around her arm and was wearing a sly grin. "Sylveon! Not a word," she whispered, blushing.

To her surprise, Sylveon nodded, appearing to grasp the complexities of her ramblings. Intrigued but putting it aside for now, Leaf shifted her focus. "So, Emmet, you busy there with your Pokegear? Planning on heading directly through Route 5 to Saffron City, or taking the underpass to reach Route 6?"

Tapping something on his Pokegear, Emmet thought for a moment. "We'll go through the underpass. But first, I want to catch a Pidgey. Thinking it might make a good support Pokemon down the line."

"A Support Pidgey? Why?" Leaf tilted her head. "Pidgeots are strong battlers, and they can fly. They're not just support Pokemon, you know."

"It's not that I don't see their battling potential. But I'm thinking of training this Pidgey differently—focusing more on strength and stamina rather than agility. By the time we get to the Indigo Conference, the competition's gonna be fierce. I want to avoid putting a Pidgeot in a frustrating situation it's not fully prepared for. So, better to set the expectations from the get-go.""

"What if the Pidgey you catch wants to focus on battles? Would you just release it then?" Leaf probed further, her eyes narrowing a bit.

"I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But I think we could find a middle ground that makes both of us happy," Emmet responded, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

"Alright, lead the way! Just a heads up though—the Pokedex says Pidgeys around here are a bit stronger than those back on Route 2," Leaf cautioned. "I have no doubt Firefly or Sylveon could make quick work of them in a battle, but the training aspect might require a bit more finesse."

Emmet shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's fine by me. It's a win-win, really. If I succeed, I get a stronger Pokemon and a head start. If I fail, well, I'll learn a valuable lesson. Either way, it's not like we're going to backtrack to Route 1 or 2."

"Oh, you know we could always go back to Pewter via Diglett's Cave east of Vermillion, right?" Leaf commented, seemingly lost in her Pokedex screen.

Emmet's face tightened. "I'm not stepping foot in another cave, Leaf."

Leaf winced, suddenly remembering what had happened inside Mt. Moon. "Oh, Emmet, I...I forgot. I didn't mean to—"

Before she could finish, Emmet found his breath getting shallow, his hands clenching. But then he felt Leaf's hand enveloping his own. "I'm really sorry, Emmet," she said softly. "Whenever you're ready to talk about it, I'll be here. No rush, no pressure."

With a shallow nod, Emmet's breath steadies. "Thanks, Leaf," he murmurs, the tension visibly draining from him.

"Alright, we should have some Pidgeys around here; they're like the Rattatas of the sky, always around," Emmet begins, setting the tone. "So, here's the plan: Firefly, Cleffa, you're going to do some training exercises while Sylveon and I go Pidgey hunting. We can multitask, right?"

Leaf cocks an eyebrow. "Why Sylveon for the capture and not Firefly? They both have ranged attacks, and Firefly's pretty quick on her feet... or, you know, tail."

Emmet glances toward Firefly and smirks. "Well, see, when you want to capture a Pidgey to train it, it's best not to roast it beforehand. Barbecued Pidgey might be delicious but makes for a lousy teammate." Firefly snorts in agreement, puffing embers from her nostrils as if to say, "Speak for yourself; I'm always a delight."

Leaf bursts into laughter. "Fair point! I'll babysit our resident firestarter here while you and the beauty queen go do your thing."

Pulling Cleffa's Pokeball from his belt, Emmet releases her into the world. She's dozing and wakes up with a surprised yawn. "Alright, little star, you ready for some intense training?"

"Do you know the move 'Pound,' Cleffa?" Emmet asks, watching her nod, which involves her whole body given her unique physique. "Great. I thought so."

He squats down to eye level with Cleffa. "I want you to focus on gathering energy for the Pound attack, but don't release it right away. Try to hold onto that energy, feel it, and then distribute it throughout your entire body. If you get stuck or confused, Firefly will be your go-to coach, okay?"

Emmet then turns to Firefly, his eyes serious yet excited. "Our battle with A.J. got me thinking. You've got a decent handle on Normal and Dragon Energy, even some budding skills in Steel. We can focus your training on any of those. So what'll it be?"

Before she can make a sound, he continues, "I should say, though, Steel is a bit tricky for the Charizard line. There aren't many Steel-type moves available to you, so it may not be the best investment of your time."

"Dragon Energy, on the other hand, can be your bread and butter. You've already got Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath in your move set. Mastering Dragon Energy could make those attacks devastating."

Firefly's eyes glisten, clearly excited by the prospect of ramping up her Dragon Energy control.

Emmet grins, catching her enthusiasm. "This isn't just about slapping a Dragon coating on your attacks. I want you to get intimate with Dragon Energy. I mean, so connected that it's in your cells, in your core."

"If you manage to pull this off, your Dragon-type moves would become as second nature to you as your Fire-type moves. You'd be able to draw from those reserves almost effortlessly. Imagine Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath with the efficiency you can pull off Ember and Flamethrower," Emmet explained, the corners of his mouth turning upward in anticipation.

Emmet noticed Firefly's keen interest, her eyes practically glowing. "Leaf, can you just make sure Cleffa and Firefly don't go off-script? They're supposed to focus on energy-related exercises. If Firefly gravitates toward a boulder or tree and starts powering up a Dragon-type move, don't be alarmed. She's just practicing what we talked about," he said, making sure Leaf was in the loop.

"Sure, I got it. But don't take forever, Emmet. If we don't get through that underpass by sundown, we'll have to set up camp. Trust me, Route 5's terrain is a nightmare to navigate in the dark, let alone find a decent spot to pitch a tent," Leaf warned, her tone half-serious, half-joking.

"No worries, I'll make it quick. Finding a decent Pidgey shouldn't take more than an hour or two," Emmet said, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of capturing a new team member.

"By the way, you might consider catching some male Pokemon. Your current setup is sort of like a girl's night out. It's not that there's anything wrong with it, but you don't want people to start getting the wrong idea," Leaf quipped, her voice dripping with mischief.

Emmet's cheeks reddened. "Hey, I didn't plan it this way, alright? Pokemon don't come with a gender tag. And even if they did, who am I to discriminate? But yeah, I get it; it's a bit skewed," he stammered, feeling more self-conscious by the second.

Leaf burst into laughter. "Oh, relax! Just go get your Pidgey. I'll keep an eye on our little pyromaniac and tiny dancer here. And while you're doing that, I'll give my own team some much-needed exercise," she said, already taking her Pokeballs out for some training.

Emmet stepped into the dense foliage of Route 5, no real direction in mind but an eagerness in his step. Sylveon padded silently beside him, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any hint of danger or opportunity. They made an alert, albeit mismatched, team, Sylveon with her ribbons and all.

Within 20 minutes, they found a Pidgey. Or rather, what was left of one—lying dead, half-eaten on the forest floor. "Guess some Rattata had a hearty meal," Emmet said, looking around cautiously. You could never be too sure what else lurked in the undergrowth.

Another thirty or so minutes went by before they found a live Pidgey, this one engrossed in a small Caterpie meal. Emmet sighed. Nature could be brutal, but he had grown desensitized to its more gruesome aspects.

Emmet crept closer. He wasn't the type to catch Pokemon without first establishing some sort of understanding, Sylveon being a unique exception. The Pidgey ceased its pecking, fixing him with a wary eye.

Breathing deeply, Emmet activated his Aura trick—the same one he'd used when he met Sylveon back in Viridian City when she was still an Eevee. Sending out waves of trust and benign intent, he stopped in his tracks, maintaining eye contact with the bird, awaiting its signal.

Sylveon understood the tension and positioned herself just a step behind Emmet. Close enough to leap into action if things went south but far enough to not appear as a collective threat.

To his surprise, Emmet began feeling a weak but distinctive presence—the Pidgey's Aura. It was curious, not alarmed. And, best of all, it was male. "Ha! Take that, Leaf," Emmet thought, amused that this would be the first step into evening out the gender ratio of his Pokemon team.

Reading the bird's mood as curious but cautious, Emmet took another step and dropped to one knee. His lower height would hopefully appear less intimidating to the small creature.

"I'm Emmet Grant," he began, speaking softly but clearly. "I've been on this journey for nearly two months. I'm looking for a Pidgey to join my team. Not as a front-liner in battles but as a support Pokemon. Think of it as being the backstage tech that makes the concert shine. Interested?"

The Pidgey tilted its head, looking perplexed. Quickly realizing the confusion, Emmet elaborated. "As a support Pokemon, you wouldn't partake in official battles. You'd be part of the entourage probably working as a mount, traveling with the main six until I earn enough badges to expand my team. Then if there are spots I will register you as a battler, but that is a big 'if'"

"And listen, if you join us, I'll make sure you become a Pidgeot with amazing stamina and strength. You won't be winning agility contests, but you'll be able to carry massive loads over long distances without breaking a sweat. Imagine being able to fly freely through all of Kanto and maybe even Johto and beyond," Emmet continued, trying to make the offer sound as tempting as possible.

"Pidgey, Pidgey!" The bird hooted, its Aura pulsating with a question. Emmet felt as though it were asking, 'What if I want to be a fighter?' He was amazed by his newfound ability to read Pokemon Auras without a formal bond.

"Look, focusing on strength and endurance is non-negotiable, I currently need to start training a flying mount," Emmet replied, locking eyes with the Pidgey. "However, I could try to find some middle ground for you to participate in high-stakes battles if the opportunity arises. Just understand, it's a long shot. No false hopes, okay?"

"And just so we're clear, if this doesn't work for you, it's fine. I'm not gonna sic Sylveon on you or anything. I want companions on my journey, not submissive minions," Emmet added, his voice filled with sincerity.

Pidgey looked at him, silent for a moment. Emmet interpreted this as a decline, stood up, and started to turn away, thanking the bird for its time. But just then, Pidgey hooted and flew into his path. "Pidgey!" It seemed like a challenge.

Emmet smiled. It was a challenge. If he won, Pidgey would join him; if he lost, they'd part ways. The stakes were clear. "Alright, buddy, let's see what you've got," Emmet said, readying a Pokeball.

Pidgey coated itself in a white glow and zipped off like a rocket, aiming straight for Sylveon. It was a Quick Attack, a move that usually spelled trouble for those not quick enough to react. To be fair no two-badge trainer would be expected to react in time.

But Emmet and Sylveon were on another level. As if dancing to an inaudible beat, Sylveon dodged with a quick jump to the left. Emmet smirked; no commands were needed. Pidgey, thrown off by his miscalculation, collided with the ground, causing a mini explosion of dust.

"Hey, Pidgey! If you think that was fast, you should know Sylveon's only three months old. Let me show you what a real Quick Attack looks like," Emmet called out, winking at Sylveon.

Catching her trainer's cue, Sylveon's body lit up instantly—faster than a Voltorb on the run. She morphed into a blur, zigzagging across the battlefield. Her speed was dazzling; each touch of her paws on the ground seemed to rocket her in a new direction, sending sprays of dirt in all directions.

Pidgey hovered mid-air, his eyes widening, trying to keep track of Sylveon but failing miserably. His feathers ruffled, part awe, part humiliation.

"Sylveon, give him a gentle tag, will you?" Emmet ordered. 

Pidgey felt a light touch—no more than a gentle pat—before Sylveon was gone again. What was truly astonishing wasn't just her speed but her control. She managed to touch him without turning him into a feathered pancake.

"See? It's all about control, Pidgey. Strength is nothing without it, I will teach you the same control and make you severalfold stronger." His speech seemed to be getting to Pidgey's head judging by what he felt from the small bird's Aura.

"Alright Sylveon, time to wrap this up. Use Take Down followed by Swift!"

Suddenly appearing right above Pidgey, Sylveon shoved him down to the ground. As he lay there, back pressed into the soil, he saw Sylveon's mouth glowing with a prelude to star-shaped projectiles. His eyes widened in what he was sure would be his last moments.

Pidgey squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for impact. A deafening sound filled the air, echoing across the battlefield.

When Pidgey reopened his eyes, Sylveon was already back at Emmet's side, who wore a grin that could light up a cave. A crater lay next to him, evidence of Sylveon's intentional miss. A message clear as crystal—she had the power but chose to show mercy.

Ego bruised but spirit ignited, Pidgey almost leapt towards the Pokeball Emmet flung into the air. And just like that, Emmet's team expanded to four.

"Well done, Sylveon! You were magnificent out there, and thank you for not turning him into Pidgey-paste," Emmet beamed as he reached for the captured Pokeball.

Just as his hand was about to grasp the Pokeball, a sharp cry from Sylveon alerted him to impending danger. A white blur shot toward him. Acting on instinct, he snatched the Pokeball and dove to the side.

Without waiting for Emmet's command, Sylveon unleashed a Disarming Voice, sending a shockwave towards the unidentified threat.

Emmet rose, dusting himself off, his eyes locking onto the would-be attacker who was still shrouded by dust. "Whoever you are, you just made a big mistake. Sylveon, let's show 'em what we're made of."