Jin and his friends were currently visiting the elder's house, who was Roy's grandfather. The reason for their visit was that the Ancient Poké Ball Roy possessed originally belonged to the elder. They hoped that he might provide information about the black Rayquaza and the pendant that resonated with the ball.

"Hey there, Pokémon Trainers! How's it going? It's time for a Nidothing's video!"

While the Elder stepped out to prepare tea, Liko turned on her Rotom Phone to pass the time. On the screen appeared Nidothing, a video streamer wearing a Nidorina plush costume, greeting the audience energetically.

"What? You want to know about rare Pokémon? In this world, there are special creatures known as Legendary Pokémon! They're incredibly strong, their whereabouts are unknown, and just meeting one is beyond amazing! Catching one? That's just a dream! Everyone wants to see a Legendary Pokémon at least once, right?"

"Nidothing... she's so cute today too," Liko said, her eyes glued to the screen.

"...Yeah, she sure is," Roy responded.

(Is she really cute?) Jin thought.

Apparently, Nidothing was quite popular among the girls at their academy, with Liko being a huge fan. Jin vividly remembered how Liko had been shocked to learn that he didn't know about Nidothing. "Jin, you can't be serious! Not knowing about Nidothing is like missing out on life!" she had exclaimed passionately.

(She does say some pretty accurate things though,) Jin mused.

Having been recommended by Liko, Jin had watched several of Nidothing's videos. One time, it was a battle analysis video, which he found to be quite insightful and genuinely interesting. However, something about it also bothered him.

(Nidothing... she probably doesn't have actual battle experience.)

From Jin's perspective, while her comments were accurate, they seemed overly theoretical. This was often the case for those who attended Trainer Schools and amassed knowledge without much real-world battling experience. The reason Jin wasn't fully convinced by her insights was likely because they were based purely on knowledge without the backing of practical experience.

"Jin!"

"Hmm?"

"You saw it too, right? Rayquaza!"

"Yeah, no doubt about it. That was Rayquaza."

(T/N: Yes, that was a fucking Shiny Rayquaza!!!)

"Wow..."

After a while, the elder returned with tea for everyone, interrupting their conversation and shifting the focus back to their original purpose: asking about the Ancient Poké Ball and the pendant.

However...

"Sorry, I don't know anything about it."

It seemed the elder also thought the Ancient Poké Ball was empty and was unaware of its connection to the pendant. The only information he could provide was that the black Rayquaza was a Legendary Pokémon once controlled by an ancient adventurer.

(It feels like the mystery has only deepened...)

The pendant alone was already shrouded in mystery, and now the Ancient Poké Ball had added another layer. Given this, they might have no choice but to visit Liko's grandmother, who had entrusted the pendant to her.

(But the most pressing concern right now...)

...was Roy. There was a real possibility that he might be targeted by the Explorers in the future. However, Roy lacked the means to protect himself. If the Explorers decided to make a serious move, it was clear that Roy would be captured without a doubt.

"Roto roto roto! Roto roto roto!"

At that moment, Friede's Rotom Phone started ringing. It was Mollie, who was treating the Pokémon on the ship.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, but Sprigatito and Fuecoco's treatment is done."

"Fuecoco!"

"Hey! Wait up!"

Upon hearing Mollie's words, Roy couldn't contain his excitement and immediately ran towards the ship.

"Thank you! Roy, wait for me!"

Liko, equally concerned about the treated Sprigatito, followed Roy, running towards the ship. Jin, however, remained where he was.

"Jin, let's go too."

"Friede, Grandpa, could I speak with you for a moment?"

"?"

"It's about Roy. Would it be possible for him to join us on the Brave Olivine?"

Jin had been considering this ever since he realized Roy might be targeted by the Explorers. In fact, he'd been thinking about it even before then, from the moment Roy asked him to be his mentor. It would be easier to protect Roy if he was with them, and they could train him, helping him learn to defend himself.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Roy said he wanted to come with us?"

"No... this is just my idea. I haven't asked him yet."

"So then..."

"I understand. I'll talk to him about it, but if he agrees, would you consider it?"

"I don't have a problem with it... Elder?"

Friede looked at the elder, who was Roy's guardian and thus had the final say in whether Roy could go on a journey.

"Jin, why do you want to take Roy on this journey?"

The elder's gaze was stern, as if he was trying to see through Jin. It was clear that he wouldn't tolerate any falsehoods.

"Do you know Roy has a dream?"

"A dream?"

"When we first met on this island, he told me he wants to become a trainer like the ancient adventurers who traveled the world."

For Roy to achieve his dream, he needed to leave this island. It was a necessity. Without leaving, his adventure couldn't even begin.

"Roy has such a dream... I understand that. But why are you making this request for him?"

"Because he's my friend."

Jin and Roy had only known each other for a few days. Their time together hadn't been long, but Roy had already become a friend in Jin's eyes.

"Roy is a good guy. You can't help but want to support him."

Roy's straightforward and pure nature made him someone you naturally wanted to cheer for. Perhaps it was this unique charm that made Jin unable to outright reject Roy's request to become his apprentice, despite knowing it might upset Liko.

"And... actually, Roy asked me to take him on as an apprentice."

"An apprentice? Yours?"

"Yes... it seems he saw me battle and catch a Scyther on this island."

"A Scyther... you mean the one with the scar on its forehead!"

The elder immediately thought of the aggressive Scyther that had suddenly appeared on the island days ago. It was a troublesome Pokémon, too strong for the local ones to handle and unwilling to negotiate, often responding with attacks instead.

"That one is quite strong. It's been a while since I had so much fun battling a wild Pokémon."

"I... I see..."

Jin's description of the battle as fun, despite the Scyther's known ferocity, caused the elder to smile awkwardly.

"I'm not too hung up on the idea of being a teacher or having an apprentice right now, but Roy's desire to become stronger and to grow is genuine. So, as a friend, I want to help him as much as I can. I'm not asking for immediate permission. But could you have a serious conversation with Roy about this?"

Jin stood up, moved in front of the elder, and bowed his head. There was no trace of deceit in his gesture. Seeing him bow for his new friend's sake deeply moved both Friede and the elder.

"Elder... why don't you at least hear Roy out?"

"Raise your head. I understand how you feel."

"So then..."

"It's not decided yet. First, I will talk with Roy. The rest depends on his determination. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes! If you take it seriously, that's all I ask."

It might seem harsh, but if Roy couldn't convince one family member, his dream would likely end there. If he couldn't overcome this trial, he wouldn't be able to overcome the challenges of the journey ahead.

(...This is the first hurdle Roy must overcome. Win this, Roy.)

After their discussion, Jin, Friede, and the elder headed back to the Brave Olivine. When they finally arrived at the ship, they were greeted by Roy and Liko, each accompanied by their partners, Fuecoco and Sprigatito.

"Grandpa! I have something to talk about!"

Upon seeing his grandpa, Roy, though nervous, didn't avert his gaze and spoke up.

(...Could it be...?)

"I want to go on an adventure! If Friede and the others allow it, I want to journey with Jin and the Rising Volt Tacklers!"

"..."

"Um, Grandpa?"

"Go on."

(...The timing is too perfect.)

The topic Roy brought up was the same one Jin and the others had intended to discuss, leaving them a bit perplexed. It didn't seem like Roy had come to this decision on his own. The likely influencers were...

(Fuecoco... and Liko.)

Since Fuecoco was now Roy's Pokémon, if Roy didn't come along, Fuecoco would have to stay behind, which the Pokémon aspiring to be like Charizard wouldn't want.

Liko, who initially disliked Roy, now treated him like a friend. Seeing Roy hesitate to take the first step, she likely offered advice, having faced similar struggles herself.

(She's really becoming a senior apprentice huh... Maybe my concern was unnecessary.)

It seemed that, in Jin's absence, the group had done a lot of thinking on their own. Perhaps, even without Jin's intervention, the outcome would have been the same.

"I've always believed in the ancient adventurers! I've dreamed of leaving the island to meet Legendary Pokémon! I want to chase that Rayquaza and catch it! That's why I want to go on a journey!"

"...Is that your new dream?"

"A new dream? Oh! There's one more thing. It's Fuecoco's dream!"

"Fue-co?"

"Fuecoco wants to be strong and cool like Charizard! So, I will train Fuecoco! As his Trainer, I will make Fuecoco's dream come true! Together, as a team!"

"Fuecoco!"

(...Roy)

Not long ago, Roy could only talk about his own dreams. Now, he was declaring that he would fulfill Fuecoco's dreams too. Meeting a Pokémon can significantly help a Trainer grow, and Roy was no exception. Encountering Fuecoco and becoming partners had clearly sparked his growth.

"...Very well. Until yesterday, you could only speak of your own dreams. But now, you speak of your partner's dreams too. A Pokémon and its Trainer are one and the same. Work together and strive hard for each other."

While the fact that Friede, a known acquaintance, would be accompanying Roy played a part in granting permission for the journey, the elder also saw Roy's growth.

(Capturing Rayquaza, though...)

That was an incredibly lofty dream.

Many Trainers dream of capturing a Legendary Pokémon. Yet, even after dedicating most of their lives, many never even catch a glimpse of one, let alone capture it. Catching a Legendary Pokémon is an extraordinarily difficult feat.

(But wait...)

Roy possessed the Ancient Poké Ball that had a definite connection to Rayquaza. Although the details were still unclear, like Ho-Oh's Rainbow Wing, that Poké Ball might lead Roy to the black Rayquaza. Jin had a gut feeling about this, even if it lacked concrete evidence.

(...It's a much better start than having no leads at all.)

"Jin!"

"Hm?"

"Let's work well together!"

Roy extended his right hand for a handshake. Jin responded by extending his right hand as well.

"Yeah, let's do this."

While Roy opened his hand for a handshake, Jin extended his hand with a fist. As their hands met, they performed the Rising Volt Tacklers' handshake by moving their hands up and down.

"What? Uh, oh, um..."

"Haha, sorry about that. It's confusing, right?"

"Alright, newbie! First, greet the crew. Then, help with the departure preparations. There's plenty to do!"

"Y-yes! Thank you very much!"

And so, the boy they met by chance on this island while repairing their ship, Roy, became a new member of the Rising Volt Tacklers. To unravel the mysteries of the Ancient Poké Ball he possessed, the black Rayquaza that emerged from it, and its connection to Liko's pendant, the Rising Volt Tacklers set out once again, this time heading to the Paldea region where Liko's home is located.

What their encounter with Roy would bring to their future adventures, no one could yet foresee.

// END

That was long! I didn't expect to write over ten chapters just for the Kanto Outlying Island Arc. I'll try to speed things up a bit from here.

Also, Anime did not give Roy's grandfather's name, so we'll call him Elder out of respect :/

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