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"Haunter, use Shadow Ball!"
Under the sunny sky of Cerise Park, Haunter and Zapdos darted around in a fierce aerial chase.
Electric- and Ghost-type moves streaked across the battlefield, colliding in flashes of light and shadow.
When one of Haunter's Shadow Balls struck Zapdos, both Pokémon, having expended more than half their stamina, began to tire, signalling the end of their intense training session.
As they descended to the ground, both were visibly out of breath. Judging by the battle, if Haunter hadn't used Hypnosis, their contest would have been entirely even.
After months of training and bonding, Zapdos finally began to lower its guard around Kai.
Though it wasn't fully obedient yet, Kai could command it without much trouble a significant step forward.
Nearby, Ivysaur basked lazily in the sun, Wartortle floated on its back in the pond, Charmeleon rested on a rock with its tail flicking idly, and Jolteon darted around, playfully pestering its teammates.
Suddenly, Kirlia let out a soft cry, catching Kai's attention. With a quick motion, he returned Zapdos to its Poké Ball, while Haunter silently slipped back into his shadow.
Moments later, a boy and a girl entered the park.
It was Chloe and Goh!
Kai picked up a brush from the ground and walked to the pond, calling for Wartortle. While gently scrubbing the gaps in its shell, he asked, "What brings you two here?"
Chloe clasped her hands behind her back, her big eyes sparkling. "Dad mentioned you returned to the lab yesterday. So after school, I came to see Kirlia. Goh insisted on tagging along I had no choice."
Kirlia, ever elegant, bent slightly in a dancer-like bow to Chloe, who returned the gesture with a smile.
Meanwhile, Goh paced the area, hands behind his head, scanning the expansive park. "Is this all the Pokémon you've caught so far, Kai? After travelling for so long? If it were me, I'd have at least a dozen more by now!"
His tone was half-mocking, his confidence evident. The sight of Kai's rare Pokémon had impressed him at first, but now, he seemed less convinced of Kai's prowess.
Before Goh could say more, a large, dark face emerged from Kai's shadow, floating unnervingly close to him.
"Boo!"
"Ahh!" Goh yelped, stumbling back with a high-pitched shriek.
"Heh heh heh!"
But Haunter wasn't finished. In the pond, a huge shape broke the surface of Gyarados. Its ferocious, gaping maw and piercing eyes locked onto Goh, who froze in terror.
"Grrrrrrrr?" (A Kid?)
"Wha—!" With a startled cry, Goh tripped and fell backwards into the water with a loud splash.
Spluttering, he paddled to the edge and scrambled out, soaked and shivering. Goh shot a glare at Haunter. "Why is there a Pokémon hiding in your shadow? And do you have to scare people like that?"
"Jeez, you're jumpy," Haunter replied with a mischievous laugh. "If you're this scared, how do you expect to become a Pokémon Trainer? Maybe you should rethink your career goals!"
"Wait, it can talk?!" Goh gasped, pointing a trembling finger at Haunter.
Haunter rolled its eyes. "Wow, someone's easily impressed, looks like you will not survive in catching the Pokemons" It sank back into Kai's shadow, still snickering.
Kai, unfazed, walked to his backpack and pulled out a neatly wrapped box, handing it to Chloe.
"This is a gift I picked up for you in Celadon City."
"For me?" Chloe exclaimed, her face lighting up as she opened the box. Inside was an elegant bottle of perfume.
She sprayed a little on her wrist, and a delicate fragrance filled the air. "It smells amazing! Just the other day, my classmates were talking about Celadon's perfumes they're supposed to be the best in Kanto!"
Seeing Chloe's delight, Kai felt a sense of relief. Goh, however, scowled slightly at her enthusiasm.
"It's too early for you to be wearing perfume," he grumbled. "Aren't you a little young for that?"
"Ugh, stop being so old-fashioned!" Chloe shot back, rolling her eyes. "Perfume isn't just about smelling nice. It can relax you, boost your mood, and even help you focus. It's not just for adults!"
Goh opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a loss for words.
"Oh, that's right!" Chloe exclaimed, turning back to Kai. "My mom said her latest comic is finished. She asked if you could come by to pick it up when you have time."
"Already?" Kai said, surprised. However, instead of heading to Chloe's house right away, he first returned to the lab to find Professor Cerise.
"Professor, could you transfer Zapdos from this Poké Ball to a Premier Ball?" Kai asked, setting the two balls on the table.
Professor Cerise adjusted his glasses. "Oh? Why the switch?"
Kai sighed. "Zapdos has finally started cooperating, but it's still hung up on being captured in a regular Poké Ball. Using a Premier Ball might ease its mind and make it more comfortable."
"Ah, I see," the professor said with a nod. "No problem leave it to me!"
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Later at Chloe's House
Inside, Kai sat with Chloe and her mother, Talia Cerise, while Chloe's younger brother, Parker, played outside with his friends.
Kai handed Talia a gift he had brought for her. "You've been working so hard, Mrs. Cerise. This is just a small token of appreciation."
"Oh, you didn't have to!" Talia said though she accepted the gift with a grateful smile.
While Chloe poured tea for everyone, Kai's attention was drawn to a beautifully bound manga sitting on the table.
Opening it, he admired the intricate illustrations. He had read earlier chapters before, but the new pages impressed him even more.
Talia's artistry brought the characters' emotions to life with remarkable detail, capturing the depth and essence of the story flawlessly.
"This is fantastic," Kai said, closing the book with a smile. "When this gets published, I'm sure it'll be a huge hit!"
Talia blushed slightly at the praise. "Thank you. Hearing that makes all the effort worthwhile."
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