The first week of Echo's training had transformed Arin's routine and his sense of self. Each evening, after finishing his duties at the Safari Zone, he hurried back to his small room, where Echo waited with eager anticipation. The world outside might have been filled with uncertainty and lingering loneliness, but inside these walls, Arin was building something new-a partnership, a purpose, and a quiet hope.
Tonight, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the city's lights flickered to life, Arin sat at his desk, the battered notebook open before him. Echo hung upside down from the curtain rod, her wings folded, her ears twitching as she listened to the sounds of the night.
He took a deep breath and began to write.
Diary Entry – Night 6 of Training
Phase 1 Progress:
Echo's flight stability has improved by approximately 40% this week-at least, that's my best guess since I don't have any measuring instruments. She can now hover for about half a minute without strain, and her landings are getting smoother. Supersonic games: 12 out of 15 hidden berries found. Bonding: She preens my hair when I'm stressed. Adorable, but distracting.
Reflections:
It's only been a few days, but I already feel like we're becoming a real team. Echo trusts me more with each session. She's started to anticipate my cues, and sometimes I think she even knows what I'm about to ask before I say anything. There's something special about the way she listens, the way she responds to my voice and my mood.
Viridian Power Notes (Private):
I haven't really tried to train my Viridian power yet, but I know I need to. Today, when Echo scraped her wing during a landing, I felt a strange twinge in my own shoulder. It was like a flash of empathy, not pain exactly, but something close. For a moment, my hands glowed faintly green, and the scratch on Echo's wing seemed to close just a little faster than normal. Not much, but enough to realize that I need to train this power too.
But I won't tell anyone-not the Warden , not Nurse Joy, not even Mrs. Varma. This is my secret, and I'll keep it that way. This world is too unpredictable, and I've read enough stories to know how dangerous it can be to stand out.
New Goals:
1. Start morning meditation by the lake-focus on sensing nearby Pokémon, just to see what I can pick up.
2. Try to have more focused "conversations" with Echo-maybe see if I can push beyond just emotions into simple ideas.
3. Try using the power on plants first, before attempting anything with Pokémon.
He set the pen down and looked at Echo, who was now watching him with her head tilted upside down. "Big plans for us, huh?" he said softly.
Echo chirped, then fluttered down to land on his shoulder. Arin smiled, feeling the warmth of her presence.
"Let's see what you can do tonight," he said, standing up and stretching. "Ready for another round?"
They moved to the center of the room, where Arin had set up a small obstacle course with books and pillows. Echo took to the air, her wings beating steadily. She navigated the course with growing confidence, weaving between obstacles and landing on the back of a chair with a triumphant chirp.
"Nice! You're getting faster," Arin encouraged.
Echo seemed to puff up with pride, then zipped over to the curtain rod to hang upside down and watch Arin reset the course. They repeated the exercise several times, each run smoother than the last.
After the obstacle course, Arin brought out a small cup and a berry. He hid the berry under the cup and encouraged Echo to use Supersonic to find it. Echo sent out a pulse, then zipped over and knocked the cup aside, snatching the berry triumphantly.
"Clever girl!" Arin laughed, clapping. "You're going to be a champion at this."
Later, they went outside for a gentle walk under the stars. Echo fluttered just above Arin's head, mapping the world with her echolocation, occasionally swooping down to investigate a rustling bush or a glimmering beetle. Arin watched her, pride swelling in his chest.
As they walked, Arin talked softly, sharing his thoughts and hopes. "You know, Echo, I never really thought I'd end up here. Not just in this world, but here-with you, training, planning, actually looking forward to tomorrow. It's a strange feeling, but a good one."
Echo responded with a soft, contented chitter, landing on his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek.
When they returned to Arin's room, Echo was tired but happy. She hung from the curtain rod, eyes drooping, while Arin wrote a final note in his diary:
Day 6: Echo's progress is amazing. I'm starting to see what we can become together. Tomorrow, I'll start working on my own abilities, too. For now, I'm just grateful to have her by my side.
He glanced at Echo, who was already dozing, and smiled.
"Goodnight, Echo. Tomorrow, we keep moving forward."
The next few days brought more of the same-steady progress, small victories, and the occasional setback. Echo's confidence grew with each session, and Arin found himself looking forward to their time together more than anything else.
One evening, Echo surprised Arin by landing on his head and refusing to move until he offered her a treat. "You're getting cheeky," he said, laughing as she nibbled happily.
Supersonic games became their favorite. Arin would hide objects around the room, and Echo would find them in record time, sometimes chirping with excitement when she succeeded. Their bond deepened with every session.
On their night walks, Echo began to lead the way, guiding Arin confidently through the moonlit paths of the Safari Zone. She even startled a wild Rattata once, then looked back at Arin as if to say, "Did you see that?"
By the end of the first phase, Echo's confidence had bloomed. She was flying with ease, landing wherever she pleased, and her trust in Arin was absolute. Arin, for his part, felt a growing sense of accomplishment and hope. For the first time in a long while, he believed in the future.
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