Pokémon: Master of the Rain Team

Day 43 of survival on the deserted island. Clear skies.

The weather was nice today—sunny and bright. Reiji had decided this would be the day he finally left the island.

Last time he tried to leave, the crab swarm attacked. And then Poliwhirl was dragged off for special training. But today? Hopefully nothing that ridiculous would happen again.

He'd even washed the clothes he'd washed just five days ago—again—last night. Took another full-body scrub, too.

This morning, he felt refreshed and sharp. No risk of fatigue-induced flying accidents. He could ride a Pokémon safely.

He let the Pokémon sleep in. Rhyhorn, Poliwhirl, and the others had exhausted themselves. They deserved the rest.

While they slept, he started preparing breakfast. Once they'd eaten, they'd depart.

The stolen honey was already used up. He had said that would be the last time—and it really was.

He had no intention of stealing again, not today. He would leave Beedrill's honey alone this time.

A simple breakfast would do. Better to get off the island quickly than risk another swarm incident.

By the time breakfast was ready, the Pokémon had woken and gathered around the table.

Everyone was here—Poliwhirl, Butterfree, Pelipper, Krabby, Spinarak, Slowpoke, Rhyhorn, Magikarp, Wishiwashi...

Nine in total. All of Reiji's Pokémon except for Farfetch'd were present.

As they began to eat, wild Pokémon started to emerge from the woods. Slowly, more and more of them gathered.

The first was Oddish, who placed down some blue berries and green seeds. Reiji couldn't tell what kind of berries or seeds they were. He didn't even understand why Oddish was giving them gifts.

"Muuyii!" Butterfree flew up and asked what this was about.

"Dona. We heard you're leaving. We came to say goodbye," Oddish explained.

"Muuyii! Wait!" Butterfree, upon realizing that all these wild Pokémon had come to give farewell gifts, hurried back to the table, picked up a piece of bread, and gave it to Oddish in return.

Seeing that, Reiji finally understood. These wild Pokémon had learned they were leaving—and had come to say goodbye.

After Oddish came Pinsir, bringing sweet tree sap stored in a container it had found by the sea. It was their food, but it offered it to Reiji's group.

For every gift, Butterfree returned one—typically a piece of bread.

Then came Bellsprout, who also brought some blue berries. One Gloom even delivered a pitch-black lump using its Vine Whip.

Just one look and Reiji knew that was definitely not something to touch with bare hands. He quickly pulled out a glass jar from his bag and sealed the black lump inside.

Rattata followed with more berries, quietly placing them on the grass before retreating.

Then came Beedrill—with Charti Berries and honey from its territory.

Reiji stored the honey in glass jars—three jars in total.

After all the honey he'd stolen before, having Beedrill gift him some now made him feel... awkward.

Following Beedrill, an Ekans slithered up and spat out a poisonous fang.

On closer inspection, it looked like a bent venom fang—probably one of Ekans's own. Maybe it had lost it by accident and now offered it as a parting gift.

Not wanting to risk touching it, Reiji used chopsticks to lift the fang into another glass jar.

Once the gifts were given, the wild Pokémon quietly dispersed back into the forest.

Those that hadn't come by now weren't going to.

While the Pokémon ate, Reiji busied himself organizing the items. There were many berries—especially blue ones called Oran Berries, good for healing Pokémon HP.

Others included Rawst Berries, Charti Berries...

He then inspected the green seeds left by Oddish—activating his Pokédex panel to identify them.

They were "Grassy Seeds," most likely from Oddish's grassy homeland.

Pinsir's jar of sweet sap, Gloom's black sludge—likely ingredients for Poison-type items—and Ekans's venom fang were all useful components.

They weren't especially valuable, but in the human world, someone could probably craft tools with them. Or they could be sold.

With the gifts put away and breakfast finished, Reiji packed up. Everything the wild Pokémon had given them went into the backpack.

He recalled Magikarp, Wishiwashi, Poliwhirl, Krabby, Spinarak, Slowpoke, and Rhyhorn into their Poké Balls.

Only Pelipper and Butterfree remained outside. He would fly off soon—riding Pelipper.

Before leaving, Reiji walked to the door of the treehouse. He left it open.

If it rained, wild Pokémon could still shelter inside.

The vines he'd planted around the roots had grown tall and lush, climbing and covering the wooden structure. The artificial touches of the treehouse were now camouflaged beneath green foliage—just as he'd planned.

Even the giant tree that had toppled on the beach had withered leaves now. Most had fallen, leaving behind a bare trunk.

That tree had caused him trouble, but it had also brought joy, and helped them in many ways. Even now, a few floating balls still hung from its branches.

Krabby had been training there just yesterday. Lately, only Krabby had kept up training—while the others mostly played.

Turning from the tree trunk, Reiji glanced at the pond nearby. Best to leave it as-is. The wild Pokémon could use it as a water source.

Then his eyes fell on a pile of scavenged gear in the corner: lifebuoy, rope, plastic basin, cooking pots, steel mugs, plastic bucket, hourglass, stove, ladder...

All of it—left behind. He'd scavenged them all, but brought none with him. They would stay here, as traces of the life he'd lived with his Pokémon.

Crossing the now-flat grass patch, he walked beneath the tree where they used to sit and watch the sunset.

With Pelipper and Butterfree by his side, he lit his last two cigarettes—one for himself, the other placed on a stone to burn away on its own.

This was his farewell.

A final goodbye to the place he had lived. A farewell to survival life. A farewell to his past. He would quit smoking, starting now.

Human society surely sold cigarettes—but he'd decided to quit. To leave the past behind.

Leaving the island marked a new beginning. A new life. A new journey as a trainer.

He didn't know what the human world would be like—but he was ready.

Ready to go hard—not just on others, but on himself.

Because that's the only way to survive.

Just like before: he had escaped one world that devoured people... only to be thrown into a devouring island. Now, he was headed toward yet another devouring world.

For a man who just wanted to fish and be left alone, he didn't like the changes. But he couldn't stay in his comfort zone forever.

Life doesn't work that way. Life forces you to change—to do things you don't want to do. To smile when you don't mean it. To drag your tired body to deal with work, obligations, family, children...

Lost in thought, Reiji finished his cigarette. Then he walked down to the beach and stood still, taking in the full view of the place where he had fished, lived, and survived.

One last deep gaze at the beach. He imprinted in his heart the treehouse, the forest, the grass, the stones, the surf—all the signs of life they'd built.

Then he climbed onto Pelipper's back, tapped its neck, and gave the signal to take off.

"Beeh-lih beeh-lih," Pelipper chirped, adjusted its posture, and began to flap its wings rapidly.

A swirl of sand rose into the air as it lifted off—heading out toward the glittering sea.

The sun was warm. The sea a brilliant blue. Occasionally, fish would leap from the waves, splashing white spray.

And with that view—Reiji's mood lightened.

The doubts and worries faded.

Whatever lay ahead, he had to keep moving.

He believed: until he reached the level of an Elite Four, he had no right to lie flat.

And he had the strength to reach that level. With Butterfree, Krabby, Pelipper, Rhyhorn—he could do it.

This island, wild and miraculous and unforgettable, would always be his foundation. He would return.

One day, he'd be strong enough to defeat the island's fearsome rulers.

…

At that moment, atop the canopy near the treehouse, two figures watched in silence: the boss Pidgeot on a branch, and the boss Rhydon standing below.

"Pidgoo. You really let that dumb kid leave? Not worried?"

"Raaa. I've got a lot of kids—not just that one. Letting it roam with the tadpole could be good. I like that tadpole. I've got a feeling... it'll surpass both of us."

"Pidgooo... That tadpole really did work hard…"

Even Pidgeot had to admit: Poliwhirl's training had been fierce.

"Raaa. Kids who've never faced storms can't become strong. Dumb bird, keep watching—I'm going to nap…"

"Pidgeoo…"

Pidgeot gazed long at the shrinking speck in the sky.

"Pi, pidgeoo."

A Pidgey called out, rousing Pidgeot from its thoughts.

"Pii…"

Looking at its own child, Pidgeot hesitated for a moment.

But then its eyes grew firm again.

Its kid was just as good as anyone else's. It only wanted its child to grow up safe—not battered by hardship.

"Pidgeooo."

Pidgey looked to the vanishing dot in the sky.

It had wanted to go too—after all, its best buddy had gone.

But Pidgeot kept a close eye on it. It had no chance.

It could only stay behind and live a carefree island life, already missing the days of sunbathing with its friend.

Reiji didn't notice any of this.

And even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.

They'd left the island. There was no turning back.

Only forward.

It wasn't until the island had vanished from view that Reiji finally recalled Butterfree into its Poké Ball.

Pelipper was about to gain altitude and speed.

Holding his compass, Reiji constantly adjusted Pelipper's course. The bird glided with the wind—they needed to reach Fukuhara Island No. 4 before sunset.

The distance from Fairchild Island to Fukuhara island No.4 was much shorter than to Kinnow Island. That was why Reiji had chosen it.

Flying over the sea on Pelipper's back, Reiji was nervous at first. But gradually, he relaxed. His grip loosened.

That made things easier for Pelipper, too. The flight became smoother, more agile, as it followed Reiji's directions toward Fukuhara Island No. 4.

They flew from morning until noon, and noon until afternoon—without a single break.

Mainly because they didn't know how to rest mid-sea—there was no place to land.

So Pelipper flew for six to seven hours straight, panting heavily, wings drooping, flight growing unstable. Still, they saw no land.

If nothing appeared soon, Reiji would have to switch to Butterfree.

Pelipper had already gone above and beyond—its first long-distance flight.

But when asked, Pelipper shook its head. It wasn't done yet. It could keep going—and it had spotted land.

Bird vision outclassed human vision by far. A few more kilometers and even Reiji would see it.

"Alright. If you hit your limit, tell me. Butterfree and Poliwhirl can take over," Reiji said.

He didn't push any further. Then, finally—he saw it.

"Land! That's land!"

He cried out in joy. At last, another island besides Fairchild Island.

As Pelipper drew closer, Reiji peered down from the sky.

Something about this island seemed off—it was tiny. Maybe just a few hundred meters wide.

No trees. Just rocks, short grass, and shrubs.

Pelipper quickened its descent and landed.

And the moment it touched down, it collapsed flat on the sand, wings limp, gasping for breath.

[End of Chapter]

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