Bonds and Beginnings
Chapter 7: Bonds and Beginnings
The soft rustle of leaves overhead and the distant call of wild Pokémon filled the air as Draco, Charlie, and Soren trekked deeper into Viridian Forest. Draco, for all his aristocratic upbringing, found the forest strangely calming. The towering trees, with sunlight filtering through the dense canopy, provided a sense of isolation yet peace, something Draco hadn’t experienced in a long time. Soren, striding confidently a few paces ahead, glanced back at Draco. “So, Malfoy, you think you’re ready to handle yourself in a forest like this?” Draco bristled at Soren’s tone but kept his face calm. “I think I’ll manage,” he replied coolly. Charlie shot Soren a warning glance. “Ease up, Soren. This isn’t a competition… yet.” Soren shrugged, but there was an unmistakable spark of challenge in his eyes. “I’m just making sure he’s prepared. Not everyone can handle what’s out here.” The tension between Draco and Soren was palpable, and Charlie noticed it too. He stepped closer to Draco, offering a reassuring smile. “You’re doing great. Viridian Forest can be tricky for first-time trainers, but I’ve got your back.” Draco nodded, feeling slightly reassured by Charlie’s presence, though the nagging feeling of inadequacy gnawed at him. Soren’s constant prodding didn’t help either. Every word out of his mouth felt like a challenge Draco couldn’t ignore. Suddenly, the underbrush near Draco rustled. Charlie’s hand moved instinctively to his Poké Ball, while Draco tensed, unsure of what to expect. Out of the bushes bounded a small, cream-colored Pokémon with large, expressive eyes and a fluffy tail—a wild Eevee. It blinked curiously at Draco before tilting its head as though assessing him. Charlie smiled. “Eevees are rare around here. Looks like you’ve got some luck on your side.” Draco’s heart skipped a beat. He knew this was his moment—a chance to catch a second Pokémon, to prove to himself that he was capable. His hand tightened around the Poké Ball at his belt. “I can handle this,” he muttered under his breath, stepping forward. Soren, however, wasn’t about to let the moment pass without comment. “Think you’re up for it, Malfoy?” His voice had that familiar edge of challenge. Draco ignored him, focusing on the Eevee in front of him. The Eevee didn’t seem threatened, but its posture suggested it was ready to bolt at any moment. Draco’s mind raced, recalling everything Charlie had taught him about wild Pokémon and the bond between trainer and Pokémon. “Ralts, let’s go!” Draco called, releasing his first Pokémon. The small Psychic/Fairy-type appeared in a flash of light, its soft, serene eyes locking onto the Eevee. “Ralts, use Confusion—gently,” Draco ordered, hoping not to scare the Eevee off. Ralts obeyed, sending a gentle wave of psychic energy toward the Eevee. The wild Pokémon flinched but didn’t flee. It looked at Ralts, intrigued by the careful approach. “You’ve got this,” Charlie encouraged from behind, watching closely. The Eevee shifted its stance, preparing to counter, but Draco was faster. “Poké Ball, go!” He threw the ball with precision, his heart pounding as it hit the Eevee and enveloped it in a flash of red light. The ball wobbled once. Twice. Three times. Then it clicked. Draco exhaled sharply, his chest filled with both relief and excitement. He had done it. He had caught the Eevee. Soren, leaning against a tree, clapped slowly. “Not bad, Malfoy. Maybe you’ve got some potential after all.” His smirk was both infuriating and somehow… alluring. Draco fought the heat rising to his cheeks, refusing to let Soren get under his skin. Charlie stepped forward, a proud smile on his face. “Nice catch, Draco. Eevee is a great addition to your team.” Draco looked down at the Poké Ball in his hand, feeling an unexpected warmth. This was his second Pokémon, and something told him that Eevee would become very special to him. As they continued their journey through Viridian Forest, Draco couldn’t help but glance over at Soren from time to time. Despite the man’s cocky demeanor and constant taunts, there was something more beneath the surface—something Draco couldn’t quite place. And every time their eyes met, Draco felt that strange tension, a mix of rivalry and something… more. But for now, his focus was on his newly caught Eevee and the journey ahead. The Pewter City Gym awaited, and with it, his first badge. He wasn’t about to let anyone—Soren included—distract him from that goal.