Pokémon: Above the Top

The Shiny Cacnea was optimistic and resilient. Even though its kind did not acknowledge or interact with it, it still lived happily, doing its best every day.

But it was also sensitive and fragile.

The elder Cacturne had long promised to help it find a worthy companion, which was why Sato had been invited by the Cacturne group.

However, Sato's silence did not go unnoticed by the Shiny Cacnea. Although he did not look at it with disdain for being different, still, the thorn in its heart was difficult to remove.

"Eevee!"

Eevee jumped down. It understood that the elder Cacturne was entrusting the Shiny Cacnea to Sato, but it was confused as to why Cacnea was refusing.

Eevee was lucky, its bond with Sato had been solid in both of their lifetimes. In this second chance, Sato had spoiled it endlessly.

In just a short time, their closeness had reached an incredible level. The Soothe Bell had only a minimal effect.

The most important thing was that unwavering look in Sato's eyes when he chose it without hesitation!

Eevee tried to persuade the Shiny Cacnea, but after a long effort, it realized that neither Sato nor Cacnea had said a word.

Eevee felt a little discouraged, as if all its work had been for nothing. It had already sympathized with Cacnea, and if they could become partners, that would be even better.

"Eevee, thank you."

Sato picked up Eevee and approached the Shiny Cacnea, crouching down to meet it at eye level.

"Since becoming a Trainer, including Eevee, I now have seven partners. Every single one of them has immense talent, a love for battle, the determination to grow stronger, and an unbreakable bond of support."

Hearing this, Eevee proudly lifted its head. Although it didn't fully understand everything, it knew Sato was praising it.

Even Houndoom, who usually remained silent, stood up. Its fierce aura flared as it recalled its journey with the team, a deep sense of pride swelling in its heart!

"That's why, with seven trusted partners, I must take responsibility for them, for myself, and for any future members. My standards for choosing a teammate will be stricter!

Underestimating your strength was my mistake, and for that, I apologize. But at the same time, I hope you'll give us a chance to properly get to know each other. What do you say?"

The elder Cacturne remained silent, but its clouded eyes gleamed with an intense light.

It had witnessed true Pokémon Masters before, and every single one of them possessed extraordinary personal charisma.

Sato's words, even to an old Pokémon like itself, were moving, his blunt sincerity cutting straight to the heart.

"Let's do this, use this desert journey as the boundary. You lead the way for us out of the desert, and along the way, we'll get to know each other. When it's over, you can decide whether to stay or leave."

"Cacnea…" The Shiny Cacnea hesitated for a moment before nodding.

It was a little overwhelmed by Sato's seriousness, but rather than rejection, it felt a strange sense of anticipation.

----

From that moment on, the Shiny Cacnea temporarily became a member of Sato's team. It traveled, played, battled, and trained alongside Eevee and the others.

During mealtime, Cacnea finally got to meet the rest of the team.

Aside from Eevee, every single one of them was far stronger than it was. Even though they restrained their auras, their presence alone made it nervous.

Cacnea recalled Sato's words, his partners were all incredibly strong!

But thankfully, with Eevee's introductions, everyone warmly welcomed Cacnea. Even though it was only a temporary addition, they all seemed convinced that it wouldn't leave!

Would it really leave? Cacnea felt uncertain.

It decided to wait and see.

Good or bad, exhausting or difficult; Sato made sure Cacnea experienced everything just like the rest of the team.

For achievements, there were rewards and delicious meals.

For slacking off, there were punishments: no mercy.

Sato even created a short-term training plan specifically for Cacnea, carefully analyzing its strengths and weaknesses.

He taught it, step by step, how to attack properly, how to defend itself, how to evade; covering every detail of battle.

From the very beginning, Cacnea was fully invested, because aside from the elder Cacturne, no one had ever treated it so seriously before.

And the feeling of growing stronger each day, combined with the variety of new foods, it soon became addicted to the experience.

It also liked Eevee, who always cared about it.

Although Eevee was much weaker, it always insisted that it would "protect" Cacnea.

It admired the silent big brother, Zoroark, because Zoroark's power was overwhelming. A single Night Daze felt as if it could shatter the all what it knew.

It also enjoyed being around Gengar, who spent most of its time meditating. Gengar would tell stories to both it and Eevee, stories of the adventures they had experienced with Sato.

Cacnea couldn't help but look forward to the future, imagining the day when it, too, would have such thrilling and exciting adventures.

Houndoom and Ariados, the two dominant figures in the team, never quite got along. They were always bickering whenever Sato wasn't looking... but they never actually fought!

For several days, Cacnea was completely confused, trying to understand what was going on.

It wasn't until Sharpedo casually revealed the truth that it finally stopped wondering.

This was just how they cared for each other. It was normal. Get used to it!

And speaking of Sharpedo—this thing could fly!

Every time Cacnea saw Sharpedo soaring through the air, it was left in complete shock all over again.

Especially when it learned that this was something Sharpedo had mastered under Sato's training…

As for Sato, this time, he fully admitted that he had misjudged. Cacnea's potential was truly exceptional!

Although he hadn't officially captured it yet and couldn't fully evaluate its talent, its current performance alone was proof of its excellence.

An incredible ability to learn and adapt, a seemingly frail body that was actually extremely resilient, and, something even Sato wasn't certain about, a potential special ability that might exist within it!

---

A week later, without rushing, the group finally crossed the desert, arriving at its northernmost exit.

Under the blazing noon sun, Sato chose a large, sturdy tree at the desert's edge for their midday rest.

After lunch, it was their usual break time. Cacnea and Eevee eagerly approached Gengar, ready to listen to more stories. But before Cacnea could settle down, Sato called out to it.

"Cacnea, our journey through the desert is over."

Cacnea froze, then suddenly remembered.The agreement it had made with Sato!

These past days had been so fulfilling that it had almost completely forgotten.

Without even realizing it, Cacnea had already become a part of the team!

"So, what is your decision?" Sato smiled as he pulled out an empty Poké Ball, looking at Cacnea quietly.

Cacnea looked at Sato. Then, it glanced around at the teammates who had already gathered, watching it expectantly.

Its round, black eyes curved into two crescent moons.

"Cacnea!"