Pokemon: Skybound

----

"Grandpa! The monkey-faced professor is here!"

The shout rang out across the courtyard as the little girl led the group toward the house, completely oblivious to Professor Elm's reddening face.

"Maizie! That's enough!!"

An elderly man burst out from the house in a hurry, scolding the child. "You can't just say things like that in front of people!"

"But…" the girl blinked innocently, "you're the one who told me he looked like a monkey…"

Elm let out a quiet groan.

Trying to ease the tension, the elderly man quickly stepped forward and covered his granddaughter's mouth. "My apologies, Professor Elm. She's young and doesn't know any better. Please don't take it to heart."

Elm waved it off awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "It's fine, really… Long time no see, Kurt."

To help lighten the moment, Kurt turned toward Kai and Erika.

"And these two?"

Kai took the moment to size up the old craftsman. Kurt wore a traditional-style robe, his gray-white hair tied back. His sharp eyebrows angled slightly upward, giving him a fierce look. With his piercing gaze and stern face, Kai imagined most kids would turn and run if they saw this guy on a dark night.

Professor Elm made the introductions.

"This is Kai, the current Indigo League Champion, and beside him is Erika, Gym Leader of Celadon City."

Kurt's eyes lit up with interest. "Well now… didn't expect to host such important guests. Impressive of you to pull that off, Elm."

Elm chuckled. "Actually, I ran into them by chance. Total coincidence."

He turned to the pair. "And this is Kurt a master Poké Ball artisan, now retired. One of the best in all of Johto."

That explains it, Kai thought. No wonder Professor Oak sent the GS Ball here.

"You're Kai, huh?" Kurt said, looking him over. "I heard about you from my son. You're the one who helped stop Team Rocket during the Silph Co. incident?"

Kai nodded. "Just doing my part."

"Impressive." Kurt grinned. "I know Oak, by the way. We go way back him and that quirky lady, Agatha. We used to trade Poké Balls and bad haiku in our younger days."

That last detail got a chuckle from Erika.

The introductions complete, Kurt invited them inside for tea.

Maizie brought out steaming cups and sat quietly beside them. She couldn't help but sneak glances at Erika, utterly captivated by her elegance. In her eyes, Erika was the definition of a refined lady everything she herself wanted to be.

Then, Kurt returned with a soft red cushion.

Resting atop it was a Poké Ball unlike any they had ever seen gold and silver in perfect symmetry.

"The GS Ball," Kurt said solemnly.

Kai and Erika leaned forward, inspecting it.

Kai had seen pictures before, but this was his first time seeing it in person. Still, having already known its history, he didn't find it all that mysterious. He took a sip of tea—

"Hss—!" Too hot.

Setting it down, he turned his gaze outside to a large Apricorn tree in the courtyard, branches heavy with ripe fruit.

Those Apricorns would be carefully processed heated, hollowed, cooled, and reshaped into Kurt's signature handmade Poké Balls. Many older Trainers still preferred them over factory-made ones.

No wonder Kurt's son joined Silph Co. Kai mused. It's practically heresy in a household like this.

Meanwhile, Kurt and Elm were deep in discussion.

Professor Elm rotated the GS Ball between his fingers, squinting at it.

"So, you're saying it can't be transported by PC?"

Kurt nodded. "Exactly. That's what makes it so strange. Usually, only Apricorn Balls those made by hand resist the transport system."

Elm frowned. "But this doesn't look handmade. The finish is far too polished…"

"I agree," Kurt sighed. "There's no indication of the craftsman, no symbol or mark. If we knew who made it, maybe we'd have a lead."

Elm nodded. "It resists scanning, doesn't respond to Pokémon, and has no open mechanism. It's like it's sealed by some force."

Kurt lowered his head. "Even I can't figure out what it's made of. Whoever made this was a genius… or not from this world."

The room fell quiet.

Then Kai cleared his throat.

"I actually heard something during my travels—about a rare Poké Ball forged for a legendary Pokémon."

All eyes turned to him.

"I was told it was made using a blend of the Rainbow Wing and Silver Feather—woven into a net and sealed into a one-of-a-kind Poké Ball. The purpose? To capture a Pokémon that only appears under very rare, mythical conditions."

Elm's eyes widened. "That sounds… too specific to be rumor."

Kurt leaned closer. "And you heard this where?"

Kai gave a faint smile. "Here and there. Travelers talk."

But in truth, he knew exactly what the GS Ball was for. And he knew the Pokémon it was meant to summon.

He simply wasn't ready to say it out loud at least, not yet.

----

Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!💎💎💎

For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.

P@treon/iamxeno

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!