Silas's judgment was absolutely correct.
He released Dragonite, intending to let the newly revived little Aerodactyl understand what true strength looked like.
The moment the small Aerodactyl saw Dragonite appear, it immediately changed its target. It gave up pestering Silas altogether and staggered straight toward Dragonite instead.
Dragonite simply extended one finger and gave it a light push. The little Pokémon tumbled over like a rolling gourd, flipping onto the ground in a sorry state.
Yet it did not even whimper. Flapping its wings, it struggled back to its feet, opened its mouth full of tiny sharp teeth, and charged again.
Once, twice, three times… no one knew how many rounds passed. The little Aerodactyl kept repeating the same cycle of falling and getting back up.
Every time it was knocked flat on its back, it would still rise again covered in dust and rush forward once more. Calling it stubborn to the bone was perfectly accurate.
Until the final time, when Dragonite swept it down with its tail, the little Aerodactyl finally could not endure any longer. It lay on its back, belly exposed, completely exhausted.
Dragonite curiously stretched out a claw and poked its belly.
But in the very next second, the little Aerodactyl suddenly snapped its eyes open. Like a bolt of lightning, it lunged forward and bit down hard on Dragonite's claw!
"Draa!"
Dragonite was startled and instinctively shook its hand, only to realize afterward that it did not hurt at all.
Those tiny baby teeth could not even scratch its scales, let alone pierce them.
After a short while, perhaps having used up the last of its strength, the little Aerodactyl remained hanging from Dragonite's claw, its eyelids drooping as it actually began to snore.
Dragonite tried shaking its claw again, but the little creature bit down even tighter and refused to let go.
Helpless, Dragonite turned its head, its round eyes filled with confusion as it looked to Silas for help.
While Silas was thinking of a way to make the little Aerodactyl release its grip, over in Pallet Town…
Serena and the others' summer camp had officially begun.
Serena, Korrina, and Nemona, along with the other children, followed Daisy and Professor Oak to the back mountain of the laboratory.
Yes, Nemona had arrived as well.
She had come all the way from Paldea. If Silas had stayed just one hour longer, he would have met her.
After leading them around, Professor Oak briefly introduced the habits of various Pokémon and then assigned a small task.
"Children, you can now split up. Remember to photograph thirty different Pokémon. Come back in one hour and we will compare results. The best performer will receive a mysterious grand prize."
Ash's eyes instantly lit up like lightbulbs. His wandering gaze snapped toward Professor Oak.
As long as he got the grand prize, he could finally mock Gary properly.
Alright, he would definitely win it.
The moment Professor Oak finished speaking, Ash dashed off first. Gary moved at the same time.
"The grand prize belongs to me, Master Gary. Someone like you who cannot even recognize a hundred Pokémon will be lucky to find five."
After saying that, Gary flicked his hair and made a face at Ash before sprinting into the forest.
"Ahhh!" Ash was furious, shouting after him like a raging Primeape, "Gary, just you wait! The grand prize is mine!"
He then ran off in the opposite direction out of sheer stubbornness.
The other children split into small groups. Serena, Korrina, and Nemona also agreed to compete and see who could photograph the most Pokémon.
They each headed in different directions.
Soon, only Daisy and Professor Oak remained.
Professor Oak stroked his chin as he watched the children scatter, a smile in his eyes. "Such lively kids. They remind me of us when we were young, always full of energy."
Holding a clipboard, Daisy said, "Thirty species is not easy. When they start crying later, you should be ready to comfort them."
Professor Oak immediately rubbed his temples, his face turning bitter.
A group of children was lively, yes, but once they started crying, it would be endless.
For a moment, he regretted his decision. He should have set the goal at ten.
But it was too late to change it now. He could only hope more children would succeed.
Just as Professor Oak was thinking about how to handle things later, a researcher hurried over.
After catching his breath, he spoke rapidly, "Professor, the flock we have been monitoring has started moving. According to its route, it will pass over Pallet Town."
The flock he referred to was none other than the massive bird flock recently observed.
It was unlike any ordinary flock. It consisted of many different bird Pokémon species.
There were fierce Staraptor, as well as natural rivals like Pidgey and Spearow.
Yet they coexisted peacefully under the command of a single Chatot.
When researchers first observed it, they could hardly believe their eyes.
Chatot itself was not particularly strong in battle. Its only special trait was mimicking speech, sometimes even human language.
And yet, it led a massive flock.
More astonishingly, within the flock was a legendary bird Pokémon, Zapdos, which maintained a close relationship with Chatot.
The academic community had debated extensively about this strange Chatot.
The final consensus was that it was a king variant within its species, rarer than even shiny Pokémon by an unimaginable margin.
Its abilities lay in commanding flocks and holding a status equal to legendary birds.
For now, it was tentatively classified as a "Legendary Chatot."
Whether it would be officially included in future Pokédex updates remained to be seen.
If another such Chatot were discovered, it would surely ignite a new wave of research worldwide.
Professor Oak grabbed the researcher's arm. "Are you certain it will pass over Pallet Town? When exactly?"
"Grandpa, it's already here."
Daisy spoke as she looked up at the distant sky.
At first, there was only a tiny black dot, but it rapidly expanded.
The first thing they saw clearly was a mass of lightning.
"It's the Legendary Chatot and Zapdos!"
"And Articuno and Moltres too."
Even with Professor Oak's experience, he was left speechless at the sight of the flock passing overhead.
No words could describe it. Only seeing it in person could convey the uniqueness of this Legendary Chatot.
Chatot flew at the very front, its wingbeats carrying a special rhythm.
It glanced down at the human town below, passing over windmills, until its gaze paused at a certain spot.
'Huh? Why does that human look so much like Silas?'
Curious, Chatot slightly adjusted its flight path, lowering its altitude.
Meanwhile, Serena was running, her face pale as she glanced back repeatedly.
No matter where she ran, the flock followed behind.
Suddenly, she tripped over a tree root and fell.
The flock drew closer and closer.
Serena closed her eyes.
"You… are not allowed to bully her."
Standing in front of her was Ash, holding a wooden stick.
A flash of white light passed behind them.
That moment was forever captured.
...
On Cinnabar Island, at the Pokémon Center, Silas was chatting with Lance when he suddenly sneezed.
A strange sense of unease rose in his heart.
(End of Chapter)