The sound of trickling water grew louder with every step. The earthy scent of moss gave way to the crisp freshness of moving current. As Skylar and Misty pushed through a curtain of ferns, they emerged into a beautiful natural glade where a narrow stream wove between smooth stones and banks of wildflowers.
The sunlight here broke through the canopy in golden shafts. Pidgey flitted overhead, and a pair of Lotad floated lazily downstream.
—"Wow," Misty whispered, awestruck. "It's like something out of a painting."
—"Looks untouched," Skylar said. "Perfect place to take a break."
They found a flat rock near the water's edge and carefully settled the Gyarados egg in a patch of soft moss. Charmander splashed his claws happily in the shallows, while Gardevoir floated above the surface, eyes closed, enjoying the flow of energy in the air. Starmie hovered silently at Misty's side, its core gem pulsing in slow rhythm with the gentle current.
Skylar removed his shoes and dipped his feet in the water with a sigh.
—"Cold," he murmured.
Misty smirked. "That's the point."
They sat in silence for a while, each lost in thought, letting the peace of the forest settle over them.
Then—
A splash.
Louder than it should have been.
Then another.
Skylar's head snapped up. Gardevoir opened her eyes instantly.
The water near the bend swelled unnaturally, waves crashing against the rocks.
—"Back up," Skylar said quickly, already grabbing his belt.
From beneath the current, a long blue tail crested the surface.
A moment later, the Pokémon emerged fully.
Floatzel.
Its twin tails flicked sharply, cutting through the stream with precision. Water droplets rolled off its sleek orange fur as it bared its teeth—not in mindless rage, but in firm warning.
Misty stepped forward cautiously. "It's guarding something."
Sure enough, tucked into the tall reeds behind it were three Buizel pups, their wide eyes peeking through the grass.
—"It thinks we're a threat," Skylar said.
—"And we're too close to its young," Misty added.
Floatzel roared and launched forward in a blur of movement—Aqua Jet.
—"Charmander—Intercept with Dragon Breath!"
A wave of blue energy collided midair with the rushing Floatzel, knocking both attacks off course. Skylar gritted his teeth.
—"It's strong."
—"Let's not try to win," Misty said. "Let's try to prove we're not enemies."
—"Then let's show control."
Floatzel circled back, water spiraling behind it. This time it went for Misty.
—"Starmie, Barrier!"
A glowing field shimmered into place just in time, absorbing the impact and forcing Floatzel back mid-spin.
Skylar stepped between the stream and the Buizel nest.
—"We're not here to hurt them!" he called.
Floatzel growled low and skidded to a stop, watching him carefully.
Gardevoir floated forward, slowly, hands raised. Her aura shimmered gently, projecting not power—but peace.
The Floatzel's ears twitched.
A long pause.
Then…
It lowered its stance.
Not submission.
But recognition.
It dipped its head slightly and swam back toward its young, circling them protectively.
Skylar and Misty didn't move.
After a moment, Floatzel turned back once more, eyes lingering on Skylar.
Then it slipped into the deeper water and disappeared into the current with its pups in tow.
Misty let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
—"That… could've been bad."
Skylar knelt beside the water, splashing some on his face. "That was instinct. It was doing what any parent would."
—"Yeah. And we passed the test."
They waited a bit longer, just in case, then returned to their resting rock. This time, a respectful distance from the stream's edge.
—"Next time," Misty said as she bit into a berry bar, "you pick the break spot."
Skylar grinned. "Deal."
But even as they laughed, a deeper truth settled in the back of his mind.
Not every battle was about power.Some were about presence.And understanding where the line was between challenge… and trespass.