Night fell silently upon the outskirts of Saffron City. Aoki rode atop his Storm Flying Dragon, wings cutting through the wind as they descended toward a dark, secluded forest clearing.
He hadn't brought Kamizlei along.
Because tonight was special. Tonight, he was meeting two key operatives of the Sky Team—codename Bonfire from Team Magma, and Shelly from Team Aqua.
They had arrived ahead of schedule, keeping distance, each eyeing the other warily from the shadows. The tension between them was immediate.
They both recognized each other.
A senior operative of Team Magma.
A top executive of Team Aqua.
Natural enemies. Opposing elements. A history of conflict ran deep between them.
Had they not each heard whispers of another faction—Team Sky—they might have clashed outright. Even so, their hands lingered near their Poké Balls, and their auras screamed caution.
Suddenly, a great shadow eclipsed the moonlight.
Fwoooosh—
The wind shifted violently as a dragon descended from above—Storm Flying Dragon, its presence alone enough to jolt both cadres into battle mode.
Shelly's Ludicolo and Bonfire's Ninetales stepped forward instinctively, bristling with energy.
"Relax. It's me." Aoki's calm voice rang out.
He leapt down gracefully from the dragon's back, cloak billowing slightly in the breeze.
"Leader," both women said simultaneously, then turned to glance at each other.
In that instant, everything became clear.
They were both Sky Team.
"I called you here tonight so you could get to know one another," Aoki said, folding his arms. "You may not always work together—but I can't have my subordinates killing each other over old grudges."
His tone brooked no argument.
He turned his gaze on the two Pokémon.
Name: Ludicolo
Trainer: Shelly
Strength: Quasi-Elite
Name: Ninetales
Trainer: Bonfire
Strength: Quasi-Elite
"Your Pokémon have been raised well," Aoki nodded. "With proper training and some luck, they'll reach Elite level within the year."
He reached into his belt pouch and pulled out two Poké Balls.
"Here. Two Lairon, both with Elite-level potential. Take them. Raise them well."
The women's eyes widened. Even among experienced trainers, a Lairon of Elite potential was rare.
"Thank you, Leader," Shelly said solemnly. Bonfire simply grinned, clearly pleased.
They released the Lairon onto the field. Each one stood proud and strong, with polished armor plating and piercing eyes. Clearly, Aoki had raised them with care before handing them over.
"Dora!"
The two Lairon growled low, acknowledging their new Trainers.
"With proper care, they could become Elite in two years," Aoki said. "Maybe even one, if you train them with my energy cubes."
He wasn't exaggerating. His own Boss Lairon had already reached Champion potential, having consumed multiple Profound Truth Fruits and top-tier energy cubes. These two would walk a similar path.
He took out two more Poké Balls.
"One Gyarados and one Poliwrath—also high-grade. Take one each. Build your strength."
These weren't just wild captures. Aoki had raised them personally at Professor Odamaki's lab, fed them well, helped them evolve. Now, he was handing them off.
Strength was the only way to survive undercover in Teams Magma and Aqua.
"Thank you…" Shelly said again, clearly moved.
Bonfire, standing beside her, clutched her new Poké Ball a little tighter. A moment passed. Her lips curled up faintly. If Shelly hadn't been here, she might've leapt into Aoki's arms on the spot.
As for Kamizlei or Naqi? Aoki hadn't prepared gifts for them. Kamizlei was always by his side—she didn't need extra Pokémon. And Naqi already had her Shiny Swellow to nurture.
Shelly and Bonfire were on the front lines. They had to be strong enough to command and to protect themselves.
"I've prepared a set of custom energy cubes for each of you," Aoki added, handing them each a pouch. "Use them wisely. And remember—stay hidden. Don't expose yourselves."
He looked at them seriously.
"You're not just Team Magma or Aqua anymore. You're Sky Team. When the time comes, I'll call you again."
With that, Shelly nodded respectfully, then turned to leave.
Bonfire, however, lingered.
She walked a few steps toward Aoki, eyes glinting in the moonlight. After confirming that Shelly was gone, she turned and ran into his arms.
"Aoki… did you miss me?" she asked, her voice soft.
Aoki responded without hesitation. He caught her effortlessly, one arm behind her legs, lifting her into a princess carry.
"You're softer than I remembered," he said with a smile. "Let's talk like this. Quietly… together."
Bonfire blushed and closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest.
For a long moment, they just held each other under the moonlight.
Far off in the trees, Shelly paused. She looked back. Her instincts told her Bonfire hadn't left.
And when she remembered the flicker in Bonfire's eyes when she looked at Aoki… she understood.
Bonfire liked Aoki. Deeply.
Shelly bit her lip.
I… I like him too. But he's the leader… can I say that?
She shook her head and left quietly. But the idea lingered.
Back in the clearing, Aoki slowly put Bonfire down.
"I should go," he said softly. "Kamizlei's waiting back at the Center. If I stay out too long, she'll notice something."
He leaned in and kissed Bonfire gently.
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't push him away. She only nodded, eyes filled with longing.
"Then I'll wait. After the Ever Grande Conference… let's travel together. Just us."
"I promise."
He mounted the Storm Flying Dragon once more.
"Let's go."
The great dragon rose into the sky, disappearing into the moonlight.
Bonfire stood in place for a long while.
Far off, Shelly watched Aoki fly away too, expression unreadable. She knew now—there was something between Bonfire and Aoki. Something she hadn't been a part of.
But maybe… she wanted to be.
Half an hour later, Aoki returned to the Pokémon Center. The first thing he did?
Take a long, hot shower.
He had to wash away any lingering scent or traces of the night—especially before Kamizlei noticed.
There was no need for questions… yet.
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