Pokémon: Master of the Rain Team

[Bonus Chapter]

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Poliwag looked at the dwindling flames—and ultimately made the right choice. It set off to gather more firewood.

It came and went quickly, grabbing a piece of driftwood and rushing back to toss it into the fire.

But the fire burned fast. That piece of wood was gone in no time, forcing Poliwag to head out again to collect more.

It repeated the process several times. But it still remembered what Reiji had said: to keep the cloth on his forehead damp with cool water.

So after re-wetting the cloth and placing it back, it returned once more to gather wood.

While collecting wood, Poliwag spotted a clump of green seaweed washed up on the shore. The pangs of hunger gnawed at it—the glistening kelp looked irresistibly delicious.

Poliwag slowly walked over, picked up the kelp along with some driftwood, and brought them back to the fire. It tossed the wood into the flames, then carried the kelp to Reiji’s side.

Reiji didn’t stir. Poliwag licked his cheek with its tiny pink tongue.

”Poli... poli...” it called out, as if saying: ”Food, I found food! Wake up and eat...”

But Reiji’s fever-addled mind didn’t register the call.

Seeing this, Poliwag placed the kelp right next to Reiji’s lips, hoping to rouse him with the scent.

But even then, there was no reaction. Disheartened, Poliwag’s bright black eyes dulled, its normally lively cries becoming heavy and muted.

”Poli... poli...” it murmured, rubbing its head against Reiji’s—still no response.

Poliwag didn’t understand what this all meant. It just sat limply on the grass, staring at Reiji’s closed eyes. Even with the enticing kelp at its feet, it had no appetite.

Then, it began to feel cold. Looking up, it realized the fire was nearly out.

It immediately got up.

But before gathering more firewood, it remembered Reiji’s instructions. It re-wet the cloth in cool water and replaced it on Reiji’s forehead—then it left to fetch wood.

Before heading off, it bit the kelp beside Reiji and swallowed it—if it didn’t eat something, it wouldn’t have the strength to keep going.

It ate, then left again, fetching more wood while snacking on any kelp it found along the way.

And each time it returned, it brought more kelp to Reiji as well.

Soon, the kelp piled up next to him like a little green hill, but Reiji still didn’t wake up to enjoy the feast.

Eventually, Poliwag grew tired. It didn’t want to gather wood anymore. It just wanted Reiji to wake up.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the little Pokémon nestled against Reiji’s side, feeling that his body was no longer burning hot. It just wanted to sit beside him and watch the first sunset after the storm.

The firewood it had collected earlier that afternoon was enough to keep the fire going for quite a while. It wasn’t sure how long, but there was now a pile of both driftwood and kelp next to them.

If the fire dimmed, all it had to do was toss more wood in.

The sunset faded quickly. Darkness fell. At some point, Poliwag nodded off.

When it woke, the fire was low again. It quickly added more wood, then turned to look at Reiji—but he still hadn’t moved.

Poliwag picked up a strip of kelp and placed it at his lips, then quietly sat beside him, watching the flickering flames crackle and pop.

If it got sleepy, it would nap lightly—never falling into deep sleep, always keeping an ear out for the fire and remembering to re-wet the cloth on Reiji’s forehead.

Add water to the cloth. Add wood to the fire. After completing both tasks, Poliwag would return to its silent vigil beside Reiji. No noise. No restlessness. Just quiet companionship.

Then—

Cough. Cough, cough...

Suddenly, Reiji coughed violently, startling Poliwag awake.

”Poli! Poli!” It leapt up, overjoyed, crying out to him again and again as it saw him stir.

”Poliwag?” Reiji’s eyes didn’t open fully, but he regained some awareness. He managed to crack his lids just enough to see Poliwag’s face, and to hear its voice.

”Poli! Poli!” Poliwag called happily, thinking Reiji was finally better. But as time passed and Reiji didn’t respond further, it realized something was still wrong. He wasn’t simply asleep.

”Poliwag... water... water...”

”Poli?” Poliwag watched his cracked lips moving. Then it turned to see the plastic bottle of lukewarm water nearby and instantly understood.

It grabbed the mouth of the bottle in its teeth, dragged it over, and carefully tilted it toward Reiji’s lips—just like he had done for it many times.

Cough. Cough cough!

The water entered Reiji’s mouth, but he coughed violently—he hadn’t even had time to swallow. He ended up choking a bit, but some of the water had still gone down.

Poliwag quickly withdrew the bottle, its eyes filled with worry.

Reiji had overestimated himself. He thought he’d be better after one night of sleep. The fever had gone down a little, but he was still too weak to do anything—not even drink the hot water he’d prepared.

”Poliwag, come here...” Reiji’s time awake wouldn’t last long. Sleep was one of the best defenses against illness, and he could feel another wave coming on.

Before that happened, he wanted to see how Poliwag was doing.

”Poli! Poli!” Poliwag immediately trotted over, kelp in mouth.

”Kelp, huh?” Reiji weakly raised an arm, took it, and bit off a piece. He chewed slowly, then swallowed.

It still tasted awful. But food was food.

After swallowing, he raised a trembling hand to pat Poliwag’s head.

”Poliwag... thank you... You’ve worked so hard.”

It was nighttime. The fire hadn’t gone out—Poliwag had remembered everything he said.

For a Pokémon to understand such complicated instructions and act on them—Reiji knew that wasn’t easy.

That’s why he’d kept his instructions simple—he was afraid Poliwag wouldn’t understand. But looking at things now, it clearly had.

”Poli...” Seeing Reiji smile again, Poliwag’s heart swelled with joy. All its anxiety vanished. As long as Reiji was okay, everything was fine.

That was Poliwag’s truest, deepest thought.

”Poliwag... I’m going back to sleep now. Keep an eye on the fire. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Reiji had only just woken up, and even saying a few sentences made his head ache again. The fever wasn’t completely gone, and his throat still burned.

Before he dozed off again, he grabbed the water bottle and drank another small sip. Then his eyes shut, and he slipped back into sleep.

Poliwag didn’t worry anymore.

If Reiji could wake up once, he would wake up again.

All it had to do was tend the fire and wait for him.

Poliwag believed—without a doubt—that Reiji would wake up again.

(End of Chapter)

[+50 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]

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