章 82: Chapter 82: Legacy of the Dragonite

I woke with a start, feeling the warm, familiar weight of Raichu on my chest, his tiny breaths tickling my skin. The hum of the St. Anne's engines was a constant backdrop, a low rhythm that thrummed through the luxury room. I hadn't bothered with the bed. The plush carpet beneath me was enough. The soft glow of the ship's brass fixtures barely reached the corners, but I preferred the darkness. It was quiet.

Raichu stirred slightly, still deep in sleep, his soft snoring barely audible. I almost drifted off again when the door creaked open, the sound sharp against the stillness.

I cracked an eye open, heart tightening for a second before I saw Erin , her expression calm—too calm. Lucy lingered, clutching her scarf like it was the only thing keeping her grounded, and Alisha, arms crossed, stared at Erin with her usual playful glint but a hint of something else, something more serious.

"Come with me," Alisha said, voice light but her eyes cutting toward Erin. "We need to talk."

Erin's eyes flickered briefly to me, her face betraying nothing. "I don't," she replied calmly, her voice as steady as ever.

Alisha's eyes didn't leave Erin, but her voice shifted, serious now as she addressed me. "She doesn't have common sense, Punit. She loves you too much. She doesn't care what you said before. Let me tell her in detail so she can make her decision with a clear head."

I stayed where I was, unmoving, Raichu still curled up on me. My voice was relaxed, casual, but the weight of what I said hung heavy in the air. "Erin, go with them. It's best for you."

Erin stared at me for a moment, her calm unwavering. "I know what I'm doing," she said softly. "But I'll go because Punit said so." With that, she stepped toward the door.

I sighed. This wasn't how I wanted things to go, but with Erin, there was always this sense of inevitable tension. She made her choices, no matter how detached she seemed.

Alisha shot me a look, then without warning, crossed the room and slapped me. My cheek stung, and I stayed still, watching her retreat to the door. Lucy avoided my gaze, her face turning as if she couldn't bear to look at me again. Erin, on her way out, paused by my side. She leaned down, pressing a kiss to the cheek Alisha had hit, her lips warm against the burning skin. Then they were gone, the door clicking shut behind them.

I sighed again, shifting slowly, careful not to disturb Raichu. But as I stood, the sudden movement woke him, and he immediately began to whimper, his tiny paws reaching for me. He jumped into my arms, burying his face into my neck.

"I'm not going anywhere," I murmured, rubbing his back as his little body trembled. He calmed down, letting out a small sigh as he nestled deeper into my hold.

I walked to the bed, laying him gently on the soft covers, pressing a kiss to his forehead. He licked my face in return, his whiskers tickling my skin, and I couldn't help but laugh. His eyes fluttered shut again, and he was back asleep in moments.

I moved to the door and locked it with a soft click before turning toward the desk. The egg sat there, untouched but humming with a strange energy. I picked it up, cradling its cool surface in my hands as I carried it to the armchair by the window.

"Let's take another step," I whispered, settling it gently on the plush fabric. "I have a feeling you're going to become a big part of that."

I flicked my fingers, bringing up the holographic display, the cool blue light dancing over the surface of the egg. Evolution. It was time.

The egg pulsed, responding to the energy from the display, tiny cracks beginning to spiderweb along the shell. My heart pounded. Slowly, the cracks widened, light spilling from within in soft, green waves. It wasn't just an egg. This was more than that.

A sharp crack echoed in the quiet room, and then, with a soft rush of energy, the shell shattered completely. Coils of green scales unfurled, shimmering in the dim light. My breath caught in my throat. A Shiny Dratini. Not just any Dratini—a descendant of the ancient Dragonite that had entrusted this to me.

The Dratini blinked up at me, its large eyes reflecting the light. My heart pounded. This was it. The next step. The thing I'd been waiting for.

The Dratini gave a soft, musical cry before it slithered forward, curling into my arms, its scales cool and smooth against my skin. I barely had time to take it in before Raichu stirred on the bed, his eyes narrowing in mock betrayal.

"I know, I know," I said with a chuckle. "But he's the new member. You'll take care of him, won't you?"

Raichu looked at the Dratini, then at me, and after a moment, he nodded, his ears perking up.

I pulled out the Pokéball, gently tapping it to Dratini's head. With a soft glow, the little dragon was safely inside. The holographic display flashed again, pulling up Dratini's stats. What I saw made me laugh, a short, surprised bark of laughter that echoed in the room.

"Thanks for the gift, old Dragonite," I muttered, my eyes scanning the moves. Aqua Jet, Dragon Breath, Extreme Speed and he doesn't even have any type disvantage—this Dratini was something else.

Raichu jumped into my arms again, his eyes wide, almost like he was accusing me of some unspoken crime.

"Don't worry," I said, still chuckling. "We're all in this together."