Chapter 10: Campfire Whispers and Ralts' First Steps
The sun had already dipped low by the time Kai and Misty finished setting up their small camp. The forest clearing was quiet except for the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional flick of a tail from Blaze, who was poking at their firepit with a stick.
"Alright, fire's set," Kai said, tossing a few dry twigs into the pit.
Misty was sitting on a log nearby, arms folded and eyeing the surrounding trees. "No bug ambushes this time, right?"
Kai grinned. "No promises. Caterpie might be planning a surprise proposal."
Misty glared. "If it shows up again with another leaf, I'm sleeping in a tree."
Blaze gave a low chuckle from his spot, the flame on his tail dancing brighter in the dim light.
Kai leaned back and opened his backpack, pulling out a few berries and snacks for the team. "We earned this. A Gym Badge, a new teammate... not bad for a couple days."
He looked over at Ralts—no nickname this time—who sat quietly beside Blaze, hands resting on her knees. She was watching the flickering firelight with wide, curious eyes. Every few minutes, she'd glance up at Kai to make sure he was still there.
Misty stretched her arms above her head and leaned back on the log. "So, are you going to train her soon?"
Kai nodded. "Tomorrow. She's still adjusting. She didn't even try to hide behind a tree today, so that's progress."
"She's cute," Misty said. "Like a shy little sister."
Kai smiled. "Yeah. But she's strong. I can feel it. Her energy... it's calm, but deep."
Ralts blinked up at him and tilted her head. She didn't speak, but Kai could feel her thoughts brushing lightly against his. Soft, like a feather.
It wasn't full telepathy, not yet. But it was something.
Blaze handed Ralts a small stick with a berry skewered on the end. She took it with both hands like it was the most delicate treasure in the world.
Kai lay back and looked up at the stars. "Hard to believe all this started just a few days ago."
Misty kicked off her shoes. "Yeah. I didn't expect to be traveling again. Let alone with you."
"Is that a good thing or bad thing?"
She smirked. "Ask me when we're not being chased by romantic caterpillars."
They both laughed.
---
Later that night, Misty had fallen asleep curled up in her sleeping bag, her Psyduck snoring softly beside her.
Kai sat by the fire, Blaze dozing next to him.
Ralts hadn't gone to sleep yet. She sat quietly beside him, watching the stars.
Kai looked down. "Can't sleep?"
Ralts shook her head slightly.
He reached into his pack and pulled out a small sketchpad. He flipped to a page and showed her a rough sketch he'd made earlier: her, curled in his lap during the first meeting.
"See this?" he said softly. "This is the moment I knew we were going to be a team."
Ralts stared at the page, then up at him.
She touched his hand.
> [System Notification]
Bond Level with Ralts increased.
Psychic Link forming...
Aura Sensitivity synchronized
A soft warmth spread in Kai's chest.
Ralts' horn glowed faintly.
"You'll grow strong," Kai whispered. "I'll help you. You'll never have to be alone again."
She leaned against his side.
---
The next morning, they started light training.
Kai stood in the open field just beyond their campsite. Misty watched from a safe distance, Psyduck munching on a rice cracker beside her.
"Alright, Ralts," Kai said, kneeling beside her. "First, let's try calming your mind. Focus on your surroundings. Just breathe."
Ralts closed her eyes.
The grass fluttered in the wind. Birds called out in the distance. Blaze stood nearby, occasionally glancing over like a watchful older brother.
Suddenly, a small rock floated up beside Ralts—just for a second—then dropped.
Kai blinked. "That was..."
Ralts opened her eyes slowly.
Misty clapped lightly. "Hey, she moved it!"
Kai laughed. "That's Telekinesis. First try."
Ralts smiled, proud.
> [System Notification]
Ralts learned Telekinesis (low level).
Psychic Potential developing...
Misty walked over, kneeling beside her. "You've got a smart little one. I mean, I don't like Psychic-types, but this one? She's sweet."
Ralts ducked her head shyly.
Psyduck blinked at her.
Ralts blinked back.
The two stared at each other in perfect, confused silence.
Kai grinned. "Psychic showdown?"
Misty snorted. "My Psyduck doesn't even know it's a Psychic-type."
---
Later that afternoon, the group moved on. They were still heading toward Mt. Moon, though at a slow pace.
Ralts now walked beside Blaze more confidently. She even mimicked some of his movements—arms crossed when he did, nodding when he nodded.
Misty caught them doing it and burst out laughing.
"Your Charmander's a bad influence," she said.
"He's proud. Let him have this."
Up ahead, the trail curved toward a bubbling brook, with flat stones crossing the shallow water.
Kai stepped forward, testing one stone, then held out his hand to Ralts.
She hesitated—then took it.
They crossed slowly, Misty and Psyduck following.
Halfway across, a rustle echoed through the bushes.
Kai paused. "Not again..."
Out leapt a familiar green bug.
"Caterpie," Misty groaned.
It landed on a rock with surprising grace and presented a flower.
Misty screamed. "IT FOLLOWED US?!"
Blaze sighed, stepped forward, and gently nudged the Caterpie back.
The bug wilted.
Even Ralts looked at it with pity.
Misty huffed. "Why do I feel like I broke its heart?"
Kai smirked. "Because you did."
"I didn't even say yes to begin with!"
They finished crossing and left the Caterpie behind again.
---
That night, they camped under the stars again. Misty was trying to teach Psyduck to do anything useful. It had so far managed to eat half a bag of crackers and fall asleep.
Kai trained lightly with Ralts and Blaze, helping her refine her control. Her Telekinesis improved a little, and she managed to float a pebble for five seconds.
Kai ruffled her hair gently. "Good work."
She beamed up at him.
As the stars shimmered above them, Misty sat beside Kai near the fire.
"You're getting pretty good at this trainer stuff," she admitted.
Kai shrugged. "Still learning. Still a long way to go."
She rested her chin on her knees. "Yeah. But I think… you're going to be something big."
He looked over at her.
"You too," he said.
They sat in silence a while.
Ralts curled up beside Blaze, already asleep.
Kai leaned back.
His heart was full. Not just with dreams of power, of becoming Champion.
But of something warmer. Deeper.
A team.
A bond.
A future.
And as the fire flickered low, he looked toward Misty—and she looked right back.