The sun had dipped low behind the hills, casting long golden streaks across the grasslands. The aftermath of the bandit encounter still lingered in Shion's muscles a dull ache in his legs, a tremor in his hands when he wasn't focused but the adrenaline had finally worn off.
The group had traveled in silence for the past hour. No one needed to say it: they were tired, shaken, and hungry.
As the caravan wheels creaked over a rocky trail, Dunlin finally spoke.
"I say we call it a day before another group of idiots with sticks and bad hygiene decides we're an easy target."
Jareth nodded. "Agreed. We'll make camp. Fena, Shion gather firewood. I'll prep the stew."
Shion, still seated in the cart's rear, blinked. "R-Right."
Fena hopped down and dusted off her coat. "Come on, berry boy. Let's go find some sticks."
---
The air had cooled by the time they reached a cluster of trees near a quiet hill. Orange and pink streaked the sky, and the long grass whispered in the breeze.
Fena wandered ahead, humming a low tune, occasionally kicking aside stones. Shion trailed behind, carrying a bundle of dry branches under one arm.
"Hey," Fena said suddenly, glancing over her shoulder. "You handled yourself pretty well back there."
Shion blinked. "Huh? Oh… thanks. I just followed everyone else's lead."
"Still," she said, plucking a curved branch from the ground. "Your Lycanroc is fast. And that Accelerock thing? Impressive. You've got some talent."
"I'm still figuring it out," Shion admitted. "Kiba does most of the work."
"You're modest. That's refreshing."
They walked in silence for a moment, the rhythm of rustling leaves and crunching twigs filling the air.
Fena spoke again, softer now. "So… you from around Ravelle?"
"Yeah. Village called Riverleaf. You've probably never heard of it."
"Nope. But I like the name."
"What about you?"
"Born near the Aldaran border. Grew up surrounded by sandstorms, cacti, and the occasional wild Flygon," she grinned. "My parents are herbalists. I wanted something... louder."
Shion laughed lightly. "You picked adventuring?"
"Wanted to do something that made a difference. See the world. Maybe save it once or twice."
"You ever save the world before?"
"Nope," she said, smirking. "But I almost saved a merchant's soup cart from tipping over last month. That counts."
They shared a quiet laugh and continued gathering.
---
By the time they returned, the sun had kissed the horizon. Jareth had set up camp circle of stones, water boiling in a pot, three tents spread evenly. Dunlin had already laid out a small cloth on the ground, carefully unpacking preserved cheese, dried fruit, and spice jars with theatrical flair.
Bidoof was lounging on a folded blanket, pawing at a handful of berries. Kiba, tail twitching, lay curled beside Shion's bedroll.
"Firewood?" Jareth asked.
"Got it," Shion said, setting his bundle beside the pit.
Fena dropped hers with a grunt. "All twigs accounted for."
With practiced ease, Jareth sparked a flint and steel. The fire caught, crackling softly as the orange light filled their small camp. Shadows danced across their faces as the stew's aroma slowly spread.
Shion sat down near Kiba, who lifted his head and rested it gently on Shion's knee.
Across from him, Bidoof was nibbling a pale yellow berry, cheeks stuffed like a Numel. He looked unusually quiet.
Fena narrowed her eyes and leaned over. "You know, I've been wondering."
Shion blinked. "Hm?"
She pointed at Bidoof. "How does a Bidoof get that fat? It's not even evolution bulk. It's just... marshmallow mass."
Bidoof stopped chewing. His cheeks puffed once more before he swallowed.
"…I'm used to it," he muttered, curling slightly. "Don't feel like reacting today."
Shion gave him a strange look. "You sure you're okay?"
Bidoof turned away dramatically. "The truth is, young man… I have reached enlightenment."
Fena stared.
"Do not question my spherical perfection."
"…It talk weird ," she said, picking up a piece of dried bread. "Weirdo."
Shion chuckled. "You learn to just accept him."
---
As the stew finished cooking, the group began to eat. It was warm, filling soft chunks of potato and wildroot, slivers of salted meat, and a hint of Dunlin's famed saffron.
Between bites, Jareth's gaze drifted toward Kiba.
He didn't speak at first. Just stared.
Then
"Hey, kid."
Shion looked up.
"…Yeah?"
Jareth nodded at Kiba. "I've been wondering. Didn't want to ask before. But I gotta say your Lycanroc's coloring is off."
Shion froze mid-bite.
Fena looked over, mid-chew. "He's right. Isn't Midday Form supposed to be light brown? Yours is… like, orange."
Kiba raised his head lazily, blinking.
Shion began sweating.
"W-Well," he laughed nervously, scratching his cheek, "Kiba really likes playing in the dirt. You know, digging, rolling, fighting underground Pokémon. It just… kinda stuck?"
Fena made a face. "Eww."
"It's not that bad!" Shion said quickly. "He's clean, just… well-stained?"
Kiba tilted his head in confusion, then glanced at his paw, sniffed it, and shrugged.
Jareth grunted.
"Must be one filthy pup," he muttered. "Playful one, huh? Rock-types do love to roughhouse same like my boldore when it's just a small rogenrola."
Shion exhaled quietly.
Crisis averted.
"Still," Jareth continued, scooping another spoonful of stew. "I'm impressed. That speed, that power. Not many Rock-types can move like that."
Shion brightened. "Thanks. Kiba's always been fast. Even when he was a Rockruff."
"Means you trained him right."
Shion glanced at Kiba. The Lycanroc looked away bashfully.
---
The stew was almost gone, the fire cracked softly in its stone ring, and the wind had stilled for the night. Kiba's tail thumped gently beside Shion, who sat leaning against his pack, soaking in the fire's warmth.
Jareth had fallen quiet after his comment about Kiba's power, staring into the flames with a thoughtful expression. Shion glanced over at him, brow furrowed.
"…Hey, Jareth."
The older man looked up. "Hm?"
"I noticed… your Rhydon, Lairon, and that Boldore you mentioned earlier...they're all Rock-type, right?"
Jareth grunted affirmatively. "That's right."
"Is that… intentional?"
Jareth gave a small smirk. "It is. I'm a Rock-type specialist."
Shion tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Rock-type specialist?"
Fena let out a short laugh and leaned forward on her elbows. "You really are fresh out of Riverleaf, huh?"
"Hey," Shion muttered, a bit embarrassed. "We don't have stuff like that back home."
"No shame in asking," Jareth said, tone calm. "Go ahead, Fena. You explain."
---
Fena tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Alright, so here's the basic idea. In Elvaris, Pokémon trainers usually fall into two categories specialists and generalists."
"Specialists," she continued, "trainers who dedicate themselves to one type of Pokémon like Fire, Grass, Rock, etc. They focus all their training, tactics, and bonding around that type. They study its strengths, weaknesses, terrain usage, even emotional bonds specific to that type. They try to master it completely."
Shion nodded slowly. "So, like, someone who trains only Water-types?"
"Exactly. Some trainers choose it because they love a certain type, others because of cultural tradition. For example, a lot of people from the coast of Obelia specialize in Water or Ice-types. Makes sense given the climate and native Pokémon."
Jareth added, "Some choose it because of ancestry, or because their town or family has ties to certain Pokémon. For others, it's just a personal bond."
"And it's not just a preference thing," Fena added. "It's easier for some people to bond deeply with a specific elemental aura. A sort of... affinity. Kind of like how some people have a natural feel for Fire-types, or how a shrine maiden might instinctively calm a Ghost-type."
Shion blinked. "Whoa. I didn't know it went that deep."
"Oh, it does," Fena said. "There's whole schools of thought built around it. And it can actually make you stronger, because specializing gives you a kind of tactical edge your team complements itself in terms of synergy and training methods. But..."
"There are limits," Jareth said, his voice steady. "A specialist has to train around their type's weaknesses. It's not easy. A Rock specialist like me, for instance we struggle against Water and Grass types. I've been wiped before just because my opponents had better terrain."
Shion looked at him with growing respect.
"So what's a generalist?"
Fena sat up straighter. "A generalist is what most adventurers are trainers who use Pokémon from various types. You've probably seen it at the guild. It's more flexible, gives you options for covering weaknesses, and makes you versatile."
"But," Jareth added, "a generalist needs to understand many different training styles, dietary needs, tactics, field commands. It's harder to train effectively unless you've got real knowledge and time."
Shion's eyes widened as he processed the difference.
"So… neither path is better?"
"Depends on the trainer," Fena said. "And the life they want."
Jareth smirked into the fire. "Ever heard of Sir Ares?"
Shion's eyes lit up. "Of course! He's one of the Ravelle Kingdom's top knights, right?"
"That's him," Fena confirmed. "They call him the Dragon Monarch."
"He's a Dragon-type specialist," Jareth said. "Every Pokémon on his team is Dragon or Dragon-adjacent. He's the most feared combatant in the entire kingdom. But it took him decades to build that power. Dragon-types are notoriously difficult to raise and control."
"Some say he even mastered the call of the dragon winds," Fena added in a low, almost reverent tone. "It's like he can speak to them. Like they see him as one of their own."
Shion sat back, eyes wide.
"A Dragon-type specialist… that's incredible."
Jareth chuckled. "I'm happy with Rock-types, thanks."
"So why Rock-types for you?" Shion asked.
Jareth's smile faded slightly. He looked into the fire, and for a moment, the silence returned.
"I grew up in a mining town," he said finally. "Half my family worked the stone quarries. My father too."
He took a breath.
"Back when I was just a boy, there was a cave-in. Massive one. Buried most of the third shaft. Everyone thought the men inside were done for."
Shion stayed quiet.
"But a wild Rhyhorn one that used to roam the edge of the mine smashed through the rubble. Dug them out. Saved my father."
He smiled faintly. "No one ever caught that Rhyhorn. No collar, no Ball. It just… showed up. Like it knew."
Shion felt something heavy settle in his chest.
"When I was old enough, I started training Rock-types. First one I caught was a Rhyhorn. Not the same, but… it felt right. I've been with them ever since."
Shion nodded slowly. "That's amazing."
"So," Fena asked, turning toward Shion, "you thinking of becoming a Rock-type specialist too?"
"Huh?" he blinked. "I mean… I hadn't thought about it."
"You've got a pretty special Lycanroc," she said. "Could be the start of something."
Shion looked down at Kiba, whose tail flicked lazily in response to the attention.
"I don't know. I like Rock-types, sure. But I haven't even seen most Pokémon out there yet."
Jareth nodded. "That's fair. You're still early in your journey."
"I might want to try a bit of everything first," Shion admitted. "But… if I did pick a type, maybe Rock wouldn't be so bad."
"If you do," Jareth said, leaning back, "I'd be happy to teach you a few things."
Shion smiled. "Thanks. I'll remember that."
The fire crackled lower, and one by one, the group turned in. Shion lay awake for a time, gazing up at the stars through the tent flap. He thought of Riverleaf, of his mother's cooking, of Miya's handmade bracelet still tied around his wrist.
He wondered what they were doing now.
Were they okay?
Did Miya cry the night he left?
He gently pressed the bracelet in his hand and closed his eyes.
---
The Next Day
Morning sun filtered through the clouds, casting a warm haze over the dew-slick grass.
The caravan was loaded up, and Jareth was double-checking the map when Shion asked the question.
"So… how much longer until we reach Ravios?"
Dunlin, from atop his seat, grinned like a man about to drop a boulder.
"Oh, about a month if all goes well!"
Shion nearly choked on his water. "A month?!"
"Ravios isn't exactly around the corner, lad," Dunlin said cheerfully. "But don't worry. We'll stop in some nearby towns along the way for supplies, maybe a festival or two."
Shion slumped back in the cart, overwhelmed.
"This journey's going to be longer than I thought…"
---
Just as the cart began moving, Bidoof who had been dozing in Shion's lap sniffed the air.
"…Huh."
Shion looked down. "What?"
"I can feel something."
Shion sat up. "You mean?"
"you okay lad?" asked mr dunlin
" oh it's nothing " shion answered as he sat down
"One of the Plates," Bidoof muttered, suddenly wide awake. "It's faint, but it's definitely somewhere nearby. Not close-close. But if we keep going… we'll get there."
Shion's heart skipped.
A Plate. Finally.
He looked out at the rolling landscape, the wind brushing through golden grass like a hand smoothing silk.
It's all starting now…