Waiting for a Rival

"Professor, I'm leaving."

The next day.

Seated on Latios's back, Xia Yan waved at Professor Oak on the ground.

Professor Oak stood with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face.

He nodded and said,

"Be careful."

"Got it."

With that, Xia Yan nodded to the imposing Pokémon beside him, its body blazing with fire.

Screech—!!

Moltres let out a long cry.

It spread its wings and flew into the distance.

Xia Yan patted Latios on the back, signaling it to follow.

Last night.

While Xia Yan had been keeping watch over Larvesta, he had taken out the Silver Feather while pondering a few things.

The appearance of that feather had caused the previously dormant Moltres to become active and agitated again.

The magma it splashed up at the time had nearly burned Xia Yan. If not for Alakazam and Beedrill stopping it, Xia Yan might have had to say goodbye to his long black hair.

However.

The Moltres connected to the Silver Feather had said it wanted to leave with Xia Yan today.

Even though it had yet to recover, and even though its mind still seemed somewhat muddled to Xia Yan.

As the guide, Moltres swiftly climbed into the sky.

Although Moltres was stronger, it was in poor condition.

And Latios was naturally a Pokémon exceptionally skilled at flying in a straight line, so it would not hold them back on the journey.

"Moltres."

Through Telepathy, Xia Yan contacted the now rather irritable creature.

"Speak."

"If the ones who attacked you were a group of humans, then your appearance would draw their attention, wouldn't it?" Xia Yan asked slowly, unconcerned by its tone.

Moltres fell silent.

It might not have been in good condition, but that did not mean it had completely lost its mind.

"When