Chapitre 50: Chapter 50: Into the Fog
As I hovered above the dense fog, the swirling mist felt almost deliberate, like someone was daring me to dive into the unknown. The Pokégear in my hand beeped faintly, confirming my suspicion—this wasn't just some random patch of weather. The Pokémon Technical Institute was hiding beneath it, using the fog as a test for its students, no doubt.
I leaned forward, gripping the coarse feathers of Pidgeot. "This looks artificial," I muttered, my voice carrying against the rush of wind. Pidgeot's sharp cry was the only response I needed. "Take it slow. We go down when I say."
The massive bird flapped his wings in acknowledgment, dipping just enough to give us a smooth descent. I felt the world close in as we descended into the thick white veil. My grip tightened—nerves, maybe, or instinct. Either way, this wasn't a casual flight anymore. My mind spun with the possible challenges hidden below.
The fog thickened around us, like a smothering blanket, until the Institute's structure broke through the haze. The grand stone walls emerged, the architectural design severe and cold, a perfect reflection of its reputation for producing some of the toughest trainers in the region.
"Take me there, buddy," I commanded, my eyes locked on the clearing that marked the school grounds. Pidgeot obeyed, gliding effortlessly, the wind whipping past us, biting my skin despite my red jacket. He lowered into the playground with a precise landing, talons barely scratching the earth before I swung off his back.
I gave him a solid pat. "Good work. Rest up," I whispered, returning him to his Pokéball with a flash of red light.
As I approached the small group gathered nearby, I caught snippets of their conversation—familiar voices, laced with irritation and amusement. I moved closer, blending into the shadows, sharp eyes taking in the scene.
Ash and Brock stood with their backs to me, while Misty's hands were crossed over her chest, her expression twisted into frustration. "While you two are slobbering over that dopey picture, I'm going to find this little witch and straighten her out," she snapped.
I couldn't help but grin. Typical Misty.
"Yeah, Misty's got a point," I said, cutting in smoothly. "What's a little witch gonna do?"
They spun around, eyes wide with surprise. Ash looked like he'd just seen a ghost, while Brock remained composed, only raising an eyebrow. But the real entertainment was Misty. Her annoyance flickered to curiosity.
The kid standing next to them, who I didn't recognize, looked like he was about to jump out of his skin. "Who are you?" he stammered. "How did you get so close without us noticing?"
I smirked, crossing my arms over my chest. "You were too busy gossiping about some beautiful girl to notice me." I shot a glance at Misty, who rolled her eyes in response.
"Anyway, name's Punit. Friend of Ash, Misty, Pikachu… and I suppose I could include Brock."
Brock gave me a respectful nod, and Ash, ever the overenthusiastic one, jumped toward me with that ridiculous grin plastered across his face. "Hey, thanks for protecting Pikachu back in Viridian City!"
I shoved him back lightly, my grin not quite fading. "No problem. He's a tough little guy."
Ash puffed out his chest, clearly about to launch into some grand tale, but I cut him off. "I ended up fighting your dad instead of you, Brock. Missed my shot at a gym battle with the great Brock himself."
Brock chuckled softly. "You'll get your chance," he said, his tone casual, but there was something deeper in his eyes. The guy never made things easy.
"I've got two gym badges now!" Ash announced, puffing up like a Pidgey ready to challenge a Fearow.
Misty smacked the back of his head. "You idiot! Punit probably has more than you, and you think he's just casually hanging around?"
Ash rubbed his head, grumbling something about how I was always steps ahead. Pikachu gave him a sympathetic look before darting toward me, his small paws grabbing at the candy I held out for him.
"Good to see you too, buddy," I said, watching him retreat to Ash's side after snagging the treat.
"So," Ash asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably, "you heading to Vermilion City with us, or is there something else going on?"
"I'm here to pick up Erin Oak," I replied smoothly, glancing over at the kid who still seemed rattled by my sudden appearance.
His eyes widened. "Erin? As in Professor Oak's granddaughter?"
"Yeah, the other one," I clarified, watching as the recognition dawned on Ash's face.
Joe, as he introduced himself, rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uneasy. "She graduated yesterday. She's not… she's not going to the Indigo League. Fear or something."
Misty rolled her eyes, her previous irritation creeping back. "Let's just get inside already. I've got a witch to deal with."
I chuckled to myself, following them inside. If this Erin Oak was anything like her family, this day was going to get interesting fast.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Vivid_Horizons
Vivid_Horizons "If you enjoyed this story, please add it to your library and vote.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone