Chapter 1 - The Ho-oh Incident

  In the heart of Saffron stood a towering skyscraper, all steel and gss, its third-floor home to an expansive exercise gym. Even on Sundays, the pce buzzed with activity, swimmers slicing through the pool's waters with rhythmic vigor. Among them was a middle-aged man, his expression a mask of determination as he pushed himself to the brink, each stroke powerful and precise. Despite the pool's generous size, he held a deep-seated disdain for the gym, forever pgued by crowds, further exacerbated by the free-roaming Pokémon. These creatures had changed his life in ways he couldn’t ignore. They were part of his everyday world, always making him feel a bit on edge.

  Elduran Aloger, a 31-year-old sniper, stood as a legend within the ranks of the Joint Anti-Pokémon Special Ops for Kanto and Johto (APSO). With 27 missions to his credit, including confrontations with legendary Pokémon, he had rightfully earned the moniker "Owl." His most renown deed involved a long-range shot that dispatched a rampaging Spiritomb menacing a vilge near Fuchsia City. With a fairy-infused round, fired from a mile's distance, he brought down the destructive Pokémon with a single, expertly pced shot.

  A native of Cianwood City in Johto, Elduran grew up in a coastal cottage alongside his parents, who were prosperous entrepreneurs owning an asset management firm. Their perfect life came crashing down when Kyogre's anger stirred up a huge tsunami. The waves wrecked the city and took away hundreds of lives, including his parents. This camity left Elduran scarred, both physically and emotionally, compelling him to maintain his distance from Pokémon.

  Pokémon activists bmed a shadowy group known as the Watchers, accusing them of attempting to control Kyogre and failing in a disastrous manner. The Watchers are the main adversaries of the Anti-Pokémon Special Ops (APSO), holding responsibility for the majority of legendary Pokémon-reted catastrophes. Orphaned by misfortune, Elduran spurned the government's offer of a complimentary Pokémon at sixteen and enlisted in the army. His path was unequivocal: to combat the creatures and the organization that had devastated his world.

  A loud bang rattled the building and reflected through the water. Elduran broke the surface, tearing off his goggles as debris showered from above. Adrenaline coursed through him as he got out of the water and dashed for the changing room and his locker. A Nidorino erupted into the chaos, narrowly avoiding him with a vault. Pandemonium broke out as people and Pokémon scrambled toward the exits. Elduran remained resolute. The distant screech confirmed his suspicions: a Pokémon was behind this. The situation demanded a quick, lethal response.

  He charged into the locker room, making a beeline for his own. Just before reaching it, a section of the ceiling colpsed before him. Convinced his end was near, he braced for the inevitable blow. Yet, a sudden, fierce gust of wind hurled him backward, his body crashing into the metal lockers. Dazed and with his heart thundering, he surveyed the scene around him. A Vivillon with vibrant red and white wings hovered beside a lifeless woman, its sorrowful cries resonating through the debris-strewn room. Clearly, the creature had saved his life, a debt he knew he could never truly repay.

  His locker y ensnared beneath the wreckage. He strained against the ruins, but it was hopeless. As despair seeped in, a formidable push stirred him. The Vivillon, with a determination belying its size, was urging him aside. "Alright, if you're that keen to help," he murmured, moving out of the way. With another mighty gust, the Vivillon cleared the debris from the locker. "Impressive little bugger," Elduran remarked, respect glinting in his eyes. He wrestled with the lock as it groaned under his efforts. Finally, the locker relented, and he skillfully pieced together his rifle. He also retrieved a small bck cassette. Equipped and ready, he dashed out of the locker room into the turmoil consuming the gym's main area.

  He had borne witness to innumerable horrors, yet this scene ranked among the worst. Gym equipment y strewn as if deployed by a malevolent force, ciming casualties—both human and Pokémon. Those with flying Pokémon found themselves fortunate, able to leap to safety from shattered windows. Below, the stairwells festered with frenzied crowds, trampling one another in a frantic bid for survival. Elduran dismissed the exits, driven by an urgent need to gauge the threat; he sprinted toward a window. As he neared, a gigantic, avian figure loomed from afar. Recognition turned his stomach: it was a Css Level 7 threat, Ho-oh, and he was alone against it. Understanding that Css Level 10 represented the ultimate peril, he grasped the gravity of the encounter. Yet, Ho-oh's devastation wasn’t limited to this building; the entirety of Saffron City y in its destructive path.

  Lying prone on the floor, he settled himself and set up the rifle rest. Opening the bck case, he selected a small blue vial from among the many within and carefully applied two drops to a bullet. As he waited for Ho-oh's return, he chambered the water-infused round. The military had engineered essences that armed ammunition with Pokémon-type traits to target their weaknesses, even those of legendary beings. Ho-oh was particurly susceptible to rock, electric, and water.

  Another tremor rippled through the city as yet another building crumbled beneath Ho-oh's wrath. Patience was essential. Finally, the colossal bird filled his vision through the scope. This was a risky gamble with just a single attempt; reloading was impossible. An eye shot was crucial. Even Css Level 9 Pokémon had retreated after taking a single, expertly-aimed bullet that exploited their weaknesses when struck in the eye. The unsettling truth was that legendary Pokémon seemed impervious to death, yet enduring torment could drive them to withdraw.

  The bullet found its mark in Ho-oh's right eye, eliciting a blood-curdling shriek as its flight became wildly erratic, plunging toward the building Elduran occupied. A surge of panic gripped him, realizing the inevitability of its trajectory. Through his scope, he glimpsed the impending doom.

  Reacting instantly, he dashed across the room, diving through the opposite window just in time, as Ho-oh crashed mere moments ter into the floor above. The structure crumbled in its wake. Memories of intense training sessions flickered through his mind: lessons on surviving long falls. Land on your feet, lean to one side, roll. At best, suffer a broken leg and some broken ribs. Yet, the street below, littered with debris, made even that seem impusible. Impalement posed a genuine threat. Even in a fortunate fall onto ft ground, severe injuries were almost certain. Escape seemed impossible. Demise felt inescapable.

  As he plummeted, Elduran steeled himself for the end. Below loomed a twisted, overturned car, its metal frame a grim welcome. Surprisingly, he found himself less attached to life than expected. He was going down, yet he had single-handedly forced Ho-oh's retreat.

  In that near-final moment, a gust of wind intervened, slowing his descent, nudging him away from the colpsing building. Though still falling rapidly, the imminent injury seemed less catastrophic. Then, with a sudden burst of color, Vivillon intervened, crashing into him midair, redirecting him safely into the rear of a rge, overturned truck.

  Elduran groaned as he rolled to a stop. Vivillon y outside, motionless, with a rge piece of Elduran groaned as he came to a halt. Vivillon y still outside, a hefty chunk of concrete resting ominously beside it. "Damn it, get up!" he urged himself. With a painful effort, Elduran inched to the truck's edge, csped Vivillon's wing, and pulled. "You're heavier than you look," he grumbled, fighting to hoist it inside. Just as he managed, the building came crashing down onto the truck. For a moment, the world was obliterated. Half the truck bed y crushed, yet remarkably, the roof above them held firm. They were alive, but just barely. Elduran appraised their dire predicament. The truck was precariously banced, teetering on the brink of destruction. They had survived, but only by sheer chance.

  Vivillon stirred, its eyes fluttering open. It gazed directly into Elduran's eyes and uttered a soft "Viiii." Elduran often pondered how Pokémon seemed to grasp human emotions more keenly than humans understood them. Despite the common notion of humans being the more intelligent species, Pokémon had a knack for more effective communication.

  He still couldn't fathom how trainers discerned the meanings behind their Pokémon's cries. To him, it was an endless array of "Viiii" here and "Viiii" there—nothing but indecipherable babble. People cimed that owning a Pokémon led to understanding, though even Pokémon professors failed to provide a lucid expnation, accepting it as an unquestioned truth.

  Elduran cast a reluctant gnce at Vivillon, feeling a surge of gratitude, he found hard to express. These creatures had once brought chaos to his life. Vivillon looked back at him with a mysterious expression in its eyes.

  "Why are you staring at me like that?" Elduran asked.

  Though he couldn't articute why, Elduran was certain that Vivillon's gaze brimmed with admiration, ced with a sorrow for its former trainer. The uncanny ability to sense the Pokémon's emotions left him uneasy. He pondered if this was the nature of such connections—did it simply happen this way?

  Elduran's shivering grew more intense, his endurance slipping away. Vivillon flew up, its mouth wide open, and bsted a string shot straight at Elduran. He tried to sidestep, but Vivillon was relentless, circling him tirelessly with its String Shot. When it finally halted, Elduran inspected himself, discovering a nearly silk-like string enveloping him from waist to neck. He understood it was attempting to warm him.

  Vivillon emitted a resonant "Viii," raising its arms and gazing at him with anticipation. Soon, he discerned its intent—it wanted him to lift his arms. Vivillon gave in and wrapped them up in silk just like before. It flew around him, letting out a steady stream of string to make a sort of makeshift outfit. At another "Viii," Elduran immediately understood the cue. Rising, he parted his legs, allowing Vivillon to wind the string from his feet to his waist, ensuring his movement remained unhindered. As he settled back down, a comforting warmth enveloped him.

  "Vivillon," Elduran began, struggling. "This isn't easy, but thank you." Vivillon blinked twice before drifting back to sleep. "Guess with that injury on its head, it wasn't ready for all that string shot," Elduran mused. He had known the bug Pokémon only hours, yet felt a growing attachment.

  Gazing upward, he noticed water trickling from a crack in the truck's roof. He got up and picked up a piece of metal that was shaped like a bowl. Then, he pced it under the drip. It would be a slow collection, but it promised survival for days.

  It could've been the heavy rain coming down outside, or maybe the rescue team was using Pokémon that specialize in Rain Dance to help get water through the gaps. Muffled noises gradually started reaching Elduran's ears, dampened by the rubble. Help was coming, but it would take a bit of time. Hope remained his sole comfort.

  Elduran had lost track of the days since they'd been trapped. Three? Four? Maybe more. His connection with Vivillon had deepened, and he'd discovered she was female. Aside from Gust, she knew Psybeam, a fact he learned the hard way when she attempted to move some debris while he was asleep. He had stopped her, after waking up abruptly, worried she might dislodge something vital keeping the truck intact.

  The noise from above, presumably from rescue teams, intensified yet still seemed distant. Starvation hovered as an ominous threat. A grim thought crossed his mind: he could attack and consume Vivillon. It would sustain him for days. But he realized his martial skills were no match for her potential Poison Powder and Stun Spore. Most troubling was his reluctance; he had become attached to Vivillon, a departure from his typical pragmatic mindset. Vivillon had been low-spirited for days, mourning her trainer's demise. She was vocal, her anger at their plight evident, and Elduran realized she held Ho-oh responsible.

  "Let me tell you something, Viv," Elduran began.

  Vivillon squeaked, spinning mid-air, tears glistening in her eyes.

  "Did I say something wrong? I understand you're grieving, but considering our circumstances, we both need to stay strong."

  She gazed at him, then moved closer, clinging to his chest, her wings enveloping him as she wept. Elduran froze, uncertain. His mind urged him to return the embrace, but his arms refused to move. He recalled his words and finally understood.

  "Viv was the name your trainer gave you, wasn't it?"

  Vivillon hugged him tighter, her wings pressing into him. Elduran struggled but managed to hug her back. He couldn't fathom why the gesture was so difficult. After all, it wasn't Vivillon who had stolen his childhood, it was Kyogre—or rather... He owed payback to an organization.

  He hid behind his dislike for Pokémon. Deep down, he knew it wouldn't st. If they emerged from this, he would leave APSO. His hunt would turn from Pokémon to humans. The organization known as the Watchers had orchestrated every legendary Pokémon attack. Only he refused the see the truth.

  "I have to say, you have a beautiful name. I would've named you the same. What I meant was, it wasn't Ho-oh's fault, Viv. An organization called Watchers is behind this. They've sparked most legendary Pokémon attacks globally. I don’t know how or why, but they're always involved. I bet they’re behind this event too."

  Their communication was still imperfect, so it took hours for Elduran to expin fully who Vivillon should hold accountable. As they talked, a noise emerged from below. Something approached them.

  The noise grew louder, piercing the truck’s floor. Dust swirled, but Vivillon used Gust to clear it. Before them stood two Pokémon: an Excadrill and a Zubat. Vivillon prepared a Stun Spore, but Elduran stepped in to calm her.

  "Viv, rex. These are rescue Pokémon. Excadrill digs tunnels, Zubat guides with its keen hearing. They’re a staple rescue team for trapped Pokémon and humans. It helped that you were loud," Elduran said.

  Vivillon let out a loud "viiiiiiiii."

  "Okay, okay, I made noise too," Elduran admitted, turning to the others. "I guess we follow you through the tunnel?" he asked, keeping his distance from the unfamiliar Pokémon.

  Excadrill nodded approval and led the way into the tunnel, motioning for them to follow. The tunnel widened as Excadrill dug. Elduran and Vivillon crawled along, moving slowly but hopeful of a safe escape.

  A full week had passed since the Ho-oh Incident, which cimed the lives of over 1500 people. The devastation was even more severe for Pokémon, as untold numbers remained confined within their Poké Balls, unable to be released. Unless their trainers were located, either alive or dead, the Pokémon Registry Center (PRC) in Cedon City was powerless to dissolve the bond.

  A sorrowful outcome of this predicament is that releasing a Pokémon from an entombed Poké Ball would lead to its instant demise. Twenty-one years back, the PRC suggested legistion permitting trainers to transfer their active Pokémon to the Database, akin to switching between active and stored ones. Although this would have provided many advantages, the popuce voted against the proposal.

  The mythical bird's onsught resulted in the colpse of five towering skyscrapers, leaving the heart of Saffron in shambles. The destruction surpassed even the havoc wrought by Kyogre in Cianwood, though Kyogre was deemed a greater menace. Saffron's denser popution contributed to a significantly higher toll of casualties, despite the fact that only five structures were obliterated.

  Elduran brewed his stovetop coffee, rinsed the pot clean, and stepped out onto the balcony of his second-floor apartment. Nestled on the outskirts of town in a tranquil neighborhood, his home offered a quiet retreat. Settling into his chair, he inhaled the rich aroma of his drink, took a sip, and heard the ring of the doorbell.

  He went back inside, towards the door. Without checking the camera, Elduran pressed the buzzer to let the visitor in. Moments ter, a woman in her mid-thirties knocked on the door. Elduran unlocked the door and welcomed her inside. She had long blonde hair, stood of average height, and wore a neatly tailored gray pantsuit.

  Elduran greeted Gemma with a compliment on her appearance.

  "You look nice" he said.

  "I can't return the favor," she replied, eyeing him with concern. "Seriously, how are your injuries?"

  "Just some scratches," Elduran reassured her, gesturing to his wounds. "No broken bones this time."

  He set his coffee on the table and beckoned Gemma to sit. "I know this is risky," he began. "I need your help, Gemma. You know how desperate I am."

  Gemma nodded. "I do, but there are safer ways to approach this. You can't keep risking your life. If the higher-ups discover I'm feeding you intel, I'm as good as fired."

  "I know, and I appreciate your help. Do you have any specific information?" he asked.

  "That was the easy part. We have a region, not specific locations though. The Watchers' reach is global. Few criminal organizations are this vast. Unfortunately, we believe they're in Tenera, far from here."

  "Tenera? I kind of like the sound of that." he said.

  "An isnd nation so remote that it takes six hours by pne to reach the nearest outpost of civilization. Why would I think you wouldn't find that appealing?"

  "I don't know," Elduran said with a smile, "maybe your sharp observational skills are slipping."

  "So how exactly are you pnning on taking them down? You're not part of the military anymore. You quit, remember? No resources, no weapons, no Pokémon. What's your pn, to ask them to self-destruct? You might source a rifle from the bck market, as they can reprogram it to work with your fingerprint, it won't work for someone who's been exposed to Pokémon digital energy, but you don't have to worry about that."

  "You're well aware of my exceptional prowess with the bow," he remarked with a smirk.

  Gemma sighed. "A bow? Really? Okay, let's roll with it—bow instead of guns. Got it. Even though I'm sure I could secure a rifle for you. What about resources? This apartment's a dive, and rent is dirt cheap, but you couldn't have saved much. Soldiers don't make a lot."

  "Oh, that's simple. I'll earn money by becoming a Pokémon trainer. So, no need for a rifle; it'll be useless. You know Pokémon digital energy and all, with Pokéballs"

  Gemma gasped. "I'm sorry, did I hear that right?"

  "You heard me," Elduran said with a smirk. "Tenera is part of the 1st Year Pokémon Trainer Agreement, like every other region. New trainers get free housing at Pokémon Centers, free healthcare for themselves and their Pokémon, and free meals—up to fifty Pokédolrs a day at PokéCafés and three hundred Pokédolrs a day for Pokémon food at PokéMarts. It's perfect. Plus, any trainer can stay up to a year in a region without a special visa."

  "There's a problem. You need to prove you're competing for badges or you lose all those benefits. And Tenera doesn't use PokéDolrs; they use Crimson Cetis." she said.

  "Even better," Elduran excimed. "I never understood why our currency needs to feature Pokémon. I like that region already. And when did I say I won't be competing?" he said.

  "You know you can't just get a starter Pokémon and challenge all the gyms. Challenges increase in difficulty as you earn badges. To challenge the first gym, you'll need at least two Pokémon. The second gym requires three, the third four, and the fourth five. There's no obligation to have a sixth Pokémon. You have six months to earn the first four badges, which isn't easy. I only got to three when I was sixteen, with family support for half a year. My second year, well as you know went a lot better" Gemma said.

  "Oh, I'm competing, alright. If I can't get eight badges, then I won't be able to handle the Watchers," Elduran said gravely.

  "So, you're pnning to fight them with Pokémon?" Gemma asked curiously.

  "Did you think I'd go against them alone with a bow?" Elduran asked.

  Gemma looked at him seriously before speaking calmly. "Elduran, you do realize you're too old for this, right? A Pokémon trainer at thirty-one? And don't mention Rurik Crevace. He's an outlier." she said.

  "Why not mention him? He began at forty-two and became Johto's champion within a year. He's held that title for thirty-three years, the oldest and longest-reigning champion. I know Pokémon, Gemma. My skills came from observing their movements and habits, not just aim. I've invested hours daily studying Pokémon for far too long. The connection may take work, but I trust my instincts. They'll need to battle the Watchers, so they must be strong."

  Gemma walked to the window, her voice calm. "Elduran, if you only see Pokémon as weapons, you won't succeed."

  "I never regarded them merely as weapons; akin to bombs, they're frequently misused," he remarked with a smile.

  A crimson glow burst from Gemma's Poké Ball, unveiling a Vileplume at his side. Elduran sprang to his feet, grabbing a knife, but hesitated, realizing what Gemma did. He let the knife fall, took a long, measured breath, and settled back, his gaze fixed intently on Vileplume.

  "I see Violet evolved," he said, still focused on Vileplume.

  "Pluuuum," cooed Vileplume, reaching out with her petals to brush against Elduran.

  Elduran delicately pced his hand on the petal that made contact with him, gently nudging her away with care to avoid causing offense.

  "Quite a breakthrough," Gemma commented, softly caressing Vileplume. She sat across from Elduran, who maintained his watchful gaze, ready for any swift movement from Vileplume. "Even with Violet, your trust falters, despite knowing her intentions are harmless. Yet, here you are, actually touching her.”

  "She has every reason to resent me. Every time you let her out, I made sure she went back into her Pokéball. It's understandable if she's upset. I figured you might have left me because of that, among other reasons. Trust me, I understand—being with me means your Pokémon spend most of their lives inside those balls," Elduran replied.

  "I left because you opposed marriage, wanted me to move into this hovel, and you were too immature—eight years younger than me. The Pokémon excuse was just that, an excuse," she expined calmly.

  "I guess I had that coming. I sincerely believed it was concern for your Pokémon's wellbeing that drove you off. By deceiving me, you only made me more wary of them. Well done!" he retorted with a smile.

  Gemma was startled. Elduran appeared unaware that Violet was touching him once more. Seeing Gemma's confusion, his smile dimmed. Turning to Violet, even he was taken aback; Violet was in contact with him again, and he hadn't even realized it.

  "You really are more comfortable with Pokémon now. You weren't lying," Gemma remarked.

  Elduran thought he was merely pretending, but a newfound ease with Pokémon had taken root. He really did not notice Vileplume touching him, That Vivillon had completely transformed his outlook.

  Gemma stood, recalling her Vileplume, and decred, "You've got what you need. I'm leaving. I'm gd you're taking this step and hope you'll release your vengeance and embrace becoming a trainer."

  Elduran stood up, a faint smile on his lips. "You could stay the night. You might not see me again."

  Gemma sighed, raising her left hand. "See this? It's a wedding ring."

  Elduran, still smiling, said, "Can't bme me for trying," and embraced her in farewell.

  Just before Gemma left, she hesitated, turning back to extract a Poké Ball from her purse. It was no ordinary ball; it was a green and white Friend Ball, adorned with a distinctive yellow dot nestled between two pairs of red stripes—a symbol of fortune and nostalgia from her days as a trainer, a ball she never used. She tossed it to Elduran, then firmly closed the door behind her and walked away.

  It had been three weeks since Ho-oh's disastrous assault on Saffron City. Elduran stood upon a vast hill, gazing down at the city where the majority of fallen, both human and Pokémon, were id to rest. A solemn memorial service drew nearly half the popuce, gathering to remember and mourn.

  Mayor Christopher Cornwell and Gym Leader Rina Comps spoke earnestly, offering their condolences and stressing the urgency of strengthening the city's defenses against future threats. Words about being strong and tough filled the air, sounding just like what is usually said after something bad happens.

  Rina, a celebrated Psychic-type trainer once considered for an Elite Four spot, had chosen to remain in Saffron. Her exceptional abilities had earned her the title of the mightiest gym leader in Kanto. Yet, she was a victim of how poorly the system worked. The League's many rules slowed down how they dealt with problems, often stepping in only after something went wrong. Regional restrictions complicated interventions against international criminal entities like the Watchers.

  In spite of his personal distaste for Pokémon, Elduran admired trainers who operated independently of the League’s influence. Securing eight badges guaranteed permanent residency in any region; however, aligning with the League required surrendering residency in other regions. Although employment with the League assured job security, independent trainers demonstrated superior skill in confronting the Watchers, often by their expedited arrival.

  The army paled in comparison to the might of legendary Pokémon. Countless soldiers perished merely to provide a fleeting chance for their snipers to execute the perfect shot. Top-tier league trainers needed only minutes to subdue a legendary Pokémon when in numbers, yet they always arrived too te. Elduran felt the bitter pang of inadequacy, acknowledging the sobering reality that firearms were just not up to par against such mythical creatures. Yet, in this moment, he aspired to join those who could truly make a meaningful difference.

  "I am quite sure we've both had enough of this for one lifetime," came a voice from behind Elduran.

  Turning, he found Robert, although everyone called him Bob, a towering figure renowned for his physical prowess.

  "Hey, Bob!" Elduran greeted with a friendly shoulder punch.

  "I'll miss you, Owl," Bob said, acknowledging Elduran's sharpshooter nickname with a nod. "Having you to watch our backs has been invaluable," he remarked as they shook hands strongly. "Taking on Ho-oh alone? That's one way to make an exit. I can't wait to tell my kids about the legend from our squad," Bob added with a grin.

  "You all will thrive even more in my absence. Some rising star will take my pce shortly. At st, I've come to understand the message you've always imparted. Trainers possess a unique advantage in this battle. How I wish I could do both, wield firearms and command Pokémon," Elduran admitted.

  "That would be quite intimidating," Bob ughed. "Picture yourself with six champion-level Pokémon and a rifle. You’d be unstoppable! There's a reason this w exists—it's for formidable people like you," Bob said.

  "Trainers are more effective than us, that's always been clear. I understand my reasons, but what compelled you to join the army?" Elduran asked with curiosity.

  "At sixteen, nearly everyone dreams of becoming a trainer. We all tried, though we weren't cut out for it, we still longed to make the world a better pce. Parting with our Pokémon for the army was tough, but I visit mine often, since my parents took custody of them. There's another matter, too; having Pokémon is wonderful, yet I've always yearned to battle the forces of evil. However, I could never bear the thought of losing any of my Pokémon in combat, as league trainers often do. Elduran, you have immense potential, whether for good or ill. The choice is yours."

  "What do you mean?" Elduran asked, intrigued.

  "You have an exceptional understanding of Pokémon. I've seen you study them tirelessly. You don't need a Pokédex to know their moves or abilities. But it’s more than moves and commands. The bond with your Pokémon is paramount. They must trust your judgment without hesitation. It's not about affection or humor but a respect-based bond. Rainbows and unicorns, strength, or fear—trainers forge bonds in various ways. Time nurturing that bond outweighs studying moves and counters."

  "I’ll take that to heart. Gemma gave simir counsel," Elduran reflected.

  "Listen to her. She was a great trainer. And one final piece of advice: if you're enjoying this new path, leave the Watchers behind for a while. Arceus knows you deserve some peace," Bob advised.

  "That's asking a lot," Elduran said with a smile.

  Bob smirked at him. "I like that beard you're growing. I never thought of you as a beard guy, but let your hair grow. You're not in the military anymore, no need for that haircut." He extended his hand.

  They shook hands one st time. "I prefer short hair, but I'll see about the beard. My flight's tomorrow morning; this is farewell. Until we meet again."

  "For your own sake, I hope it's not too soon," Bob replied, nodding toward a woman approaching. "Here's my cue. Thought she should know you left the force. Take care!" He called back, walking away.

  "Wait, what?" Elduran called, but Bob was already leaving.

  A woman in her fifties approached, eyes puffy from tears. Cd in bck, her attire mirrored her inner sorrow.

  "Are you Elduran?" she asked.

  "Yes, how can I help you?" he replied.

  "I'll be brief. Don't bme your friend, but he revealed it was you who drove Ho-oh away," she said.

  "What he did was illegal. Anyways, what do you want with me?" Elduran questioned cautiously.

  "For this Vivillon, my daughter's Pokémon..." Tears welled up. "All she wanted was..."

  Elduran felt a surge of excitement, though he concealed it. Vivillon was really here? What was it about this Pokémon that made his heart race so? This question consumed his thoughts entirely.

  "It's all right, I understand," Elduran said gently, pcing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'd be honored to see Viv again. She must have been remarkable person your daughter to raise such a well-behaved Pokémon."

  "You misunderstand," the woman replied, finding her voice. "Bob told me you left the force. Vivillon wishes to join you. You’re allowed to accept her now, if you want her," she said.

  Elduran was stunned. Accepting Viv as his first Pokémon? He felt a surge of joy, yet he hesitated to take her from her deceased trainer's family.

  "I'm unsure if I can accept her," he faltered. "She must mean so much to you," he said.

  "This isn't about us. She's not property, nor is money a factor. She truly wants to be with you. The only obstacle is if you want her," she spoke gently.

  "Of course...of course I want her," Elduran decred with resolve.

  She released Vivillon from her Pokéball. Enveloping Elduran in a tight hug, the Pokémon almost smothered him.

  "I'm thrilled to see you," Elduran gasped for air. "But we need to work on those hugs. You'll be the end of me!"

  "Proves it's truly you," the woman said, smiling through tears. "They identified my daughter the second day. After completing paperwork, her Pokéball connection was severed. I recaptured her, promising to find you." She expined, pressing her thumb against the Pokéball's top. A blue ring appeared around her finger. Unlocking her phone, she entered her Pokédex app password, then passed the Pokéball to Elduran. "Hold your thumb there." Elduran did so until the light fshed twice and vanished. "There, she's yours. Take care of her," she said, turning away, tears renewed.

  Vivillon dashed and hugged her from behind. She paused, tenderly stroking Vivillon's wing.

  "May I know your name, please?" Elduran asked softly.

  "Johanna," she answered, as Vivillon released her to leave.

  "Just one more thing," Elduran hesitated. "May I ask your daughter's name? I think it would mean a lot to Viv to actually address her previous trainer by her name," he said.

  She paused, wiping tears. "Nancy...please take care of her dearest friend. She was her world."

  As Johanna walked away, Vivillon's tears flowed as she mourned her former trainer.

  Elduran walked towards Vivillon, gently taking her into his arms. This time, he was the one that initiated the hug, offering her comfort.

  The pne finally touched down. After clearing security, he emerged from the airport into a vast expanse of farmnd with a distant city a few miles away. He had arrived in Tenera, and Asven City, where his registration awaited, was a short bus ride away. At 31 years old, he was about to embark on a new chapter as a trainer.