Chapter 35 – Different Roads, Same Sky
Morning in Celadon felt quieter than usual.
Not because the city had slowed down—shops were already opening, vendors shouting over one another, Pokémon crying from every direction—but because something familiar was about to leave.
Kai stood near the Pokémon Center steps, tightening the straps on his backpack. Blaze, his Charmander, sat on the railing beside him, tail flame flickering lazily in the cool air. The flame was steady now, stronger than it had been months ago, but Kai still caught himself glancing at it whenever Blaze yawned.
Old habits.
Across from him, Ash was kneeling, double-checking his gear for the third time. Pikachu perched on his shoulder, watching everything with sharp eyes.
Misty leaned against the wall, arms crossed, pretending not to care—but her foot tapped against the stone far too often.
"So," Ash finally said, breaking the silence. "Guess this is it, huh?"
Kai nodded. "Looks like it."
They'd talked about it the night before. No big argument. No dramatic fallout. Just a quiet understanding that their paths—at least for now—were heading in different directions.
Ash wanted badges. Straight paths. The classic route.
Kai… didn't.
He wasn't avoiding Gyms, but he wasn't chasing them either. He wanted battles that meant something. Trainers stronger than him. Losses that forced him to change. The kind of road you didn't see on maps.
Ash stood up and grinned, hands on his hips. "Guess we'll see who becomes Champion first."
Misty snorted. "With how often you rush into fights without thinking? Good luck."
Ash laughed. "Hey! That's my strategy."
Kai smiled, but said nothing. He knew Ash would get there—eventually. The guy had a way of growing when it mattered.
Pikachu hopped down and walked over to Blaze, tapping his paw against Blaze's snout.
"Pika."
Blaze puffed out a small flame, proud.
"You take care of him," Ash said, looking at Kai. His tone was lighter than his eyes.
"I will."
Ash adjusted his cap. "And when we meet again—"
"—it'll be on the Champion's road," Kai finished.
Ash's grin widened. "You better not lose before then."
Misty looked between them, then sighed. "Boys."
Ash waved, stepped back, then turned.
"Hey, Kai?"
Kai looked up.
Ash held out his fist.
Kai bumped it.
"For real," Ash said. "Don't die."
"Same to you."
Ash laughed, turned, and walked down the street—Pikachu hopping after him, tail swaying.
Misty watched until they disappeared into the crowd.
For a moment, it felt like something had ended.
Or maybe… something had finally begun.
They left Celadon an hour later.
The city gave way to tall grass and winding dirt roads, the air warmer, heavier. Misty walked ahead, map in hand, while Kai followed with Blaze trotting at his heels.
Riolu padded silently beside them, eyes alert, every movement controlled. He'd grown quieter lately—not weaker, just more focused.
"You're thinking again," Misty said without looking back.
Kai blinked. "That obvious?"
"You only get quiet when you're planning something stupid."
"Hey."
She smirked. "Am I wrong?"
Kai exhaled slowly. "I keep wondering if I'm doing this right."
Misty stopped walking.
She turned to face him, expression serious now. "You mean not following Ash?"
"Not following anyone," Kai corrected. "No set Gym order. No shortcuts."
Blaze climbed onto a rock beside him, flame flickering brighter.
Misty studied him for a moment, then nodded. "You're not trying to be fast. You're trying to be strong."
Kai looked down. "Strong enough that when I lose… it's because I deserved to."
She smiled faintly. "That's very you."
They continued walking.
The battle found them just past noon.
They were cutting through a narrow canyon trail when the sound of clashing steel echoed ahead.
Misty raised a hand. "Hold."
They crept forward and spotted a lone trainer in dark gear, standing over a fallen Sandslash. His Pokémon—Scyther—hovered above the ground, blades gleaming.
Across from him stood another trainer, older, blood on his sleeve, his Graveler struggling to stand.
"Not a Gym battle," Misty whispered.
"No rules," Kai murmured.
The Scyther struck again.
Graveler fell.
The older trainer swore and dropped to one knee.
The dark-clad trainer smirked. "Should've quit earlier."
Kai stepped forward.
"Hey."
Both trainers turned.
The Scyther hissed.
"That's enough," Kai said calmly.
The man laughed. "Or what?"
Kai didn't answer. He simply pointed forward.
"Blaze."
Charmander stepped out.
The man raised a brow. "A Charmander? You serious?"
Blaze's flame flared.
Misty felt it—heat sharper than before.
"Scyther," the man said lazily. "End it."
Scyther lunged.
"Blaze—don't dodge," Kai said.
Misty's eyes widened. "Kai—"
Scyther's blades came down.
Blaze took the hit.
He slid back across the dirt, claws digging in, smoke curling from his scales.
Misty clenched her fists.
"Now," Kai said quietly.
Blaze inhaled.
Not fast.
Not panicked.
Then—
Flamethrower.
The canyon lit up.
Scyther screamed as the flames caught him midair, throwing him hard into the rock wall.
He dropped.
Silence followed.
The dark-clad trainer stared.
"You… took the hit on purpose."
Kai nodded. "He needed to know how hard it would hurt."
The man recalled Scyther without another word and left.
The older trainer slumped back, breathing hard. "Thank you."
Kai nodded. "You should head back. There's a Center nearby."
The man hesitated. "That Charmander… he's strong."
Kai looked at Blaze, who was panting now, smoke still rising from his shoulders.
"He's learning."
They made camp that night.
Blaze lay curled close to the fire, exhausted but content. Riolu sat nearby, eyes closed, breathing slow and controlled.
Misty handed Kai a cup of tea. "You didn't command much."
Kai took it. "He knows what to do. I just… guide."
She studied him. "You're letting them grow at their own pace."
Kai nodded. "If I rush them, they break."
They sat quietly, listening to the fire crackle.
Above them, the stars were clear.
Somewhere far beyond them, something ancient watched—but did not interfere.
And Kai didn't look up.
He didn't need to.
Tomorrow would bring another road.
Another battle.
Another chance to lose… or barely win.
And that was enough.
Chapter End