Returning to the village

The quiet village was lively today. People bustled about, children played with their Pokémon, and the occasional flock of Pidgey soared through the skies.

Then, a shadow loomed over the village, growing larger as it descended.

FWOOOSH!

A mighty Staraptor landed in the center of the village, its wings kicking up a small gust of wind. On its back sat a cloaked figure.

Rei.

The villagers weren't surprised. They had long known he had gone on a journey, but seeing him return on such a powerful Pokémon still made them pause. The boy who had left had returned as something far more.

Before Rei could even slide off Staraptor's back, a blazing blur shot toward them.

"Chiiiii!"

A Fletchinder swooped in with flames coating its wings, aiming straight for Staraptor's head.

THWACK!

The attack landed… but Staraptor didn't flinch. It barely even blinked.

Rei's brow furrowed as he finally dismounted. "What's its problem?"

Elise, who had just arrived, gasped. "Wha—Fletchinder, what are you doing?!"

Her Pokémon hovered in front of Staraptor, eyes blazing with fury. It let out an angry chirp, but Staraptor just gave it a deadpan stare, unimpressed.

Then, as Elise took a closer look, something clicked in her mind. "Wait… Rei, did your Staraptor ever fight a Fletchling in the forest?"

Rei crossed his arms, thinking. "Maybe. My Staraptor trained by fighting wild Pokémon all the time back then."

Elise's eyes widened. "Then maybe my fletchinder is that fletchling. The one your Staraptor beat up back then!"

Rei glanced at the furious Fletchinder. "Huh. It evolved. Still weak, though."

Fletchinder shrieked in frustration and lunged again.

BOOM!

It crashed into Staraptor with a full-body tackle, but once again, Staraptor didn't budge. It simply flared its wings and released a small gust of wind, effortlessly sending Fletchinder tumbling backward.

Elise sighed. "Fletchinder, stop embarrassing yourself…"

Fletchinder huffed but landed back on Elise's shoulder, feathers ruffled in frustration.

Shaking her head, Elise released another Pokémon—her Dubwool. It stepped forward, curiously staring at Rei's own Dubwool.

Rei raised an eyebrow. "What, do they want to fight too?"

Elise grinned. "Nope. Probably just a greeting. Our Dubwools are siblings after all!"

Rei blinked. "Huh." He turned to his Dubwool, who was now nuzzling Elise's Dubwool affectionately.

Elise chuckled. "Hehe... by the way Sorry about Fletchinder"

Rei just shrugged. "As long as your Fletchinder doesn't try to kill my Staraptor again, we're good."

Elise rubbed the back of her head awkwardly. "Yeah… about that…"

Meanwhile, Fletchinder glared at Staraptor, already planning its next move.

---

Inside Elder Garon's house, the air was warm with the scent of herbal tea. The old man sat in his usual chair, watching Rei with sharp, knowing eyes. Elise sat nearby, occasionally glancing at Rei as if she still couldn't believe he was really there.

"So," Elder Garon began, stroking his long white beard, "you've finally returned, Rei. You've changed a lot."

Rei simply nodded, sipping the tea in front of him.

The elder chuckled. "I suppose after nearly three years, that's only natural. But while you were gone, things have changed here as well."

Rei raised an eyebrow, silently prompting him to continue.

Elder Garon sighed. "You remember Theo, right?"

Rei nodded.

"Well, his entire family moved to Kanto about a year ago."

Rei's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"

Elise leaned forward excitedly. "You won't believe it! Theo saved an old man in the forest two years ago. Turns out, that old man was a powerful trainer from Kanto, and he had no family of his own. So, in gratitude, he adopted Theo's entire family and took them with him to Kanto!"

Rei tapped his fingers on the table, thinking. It was unexpected, but knowing Theo's kindness, it wasn't too surprising that he'd end up helping someone like that.

Elder Garon nodded. "His father also got a job overseas, so everything lined up perfectly for them. Last we heard, Theo is doing well there. Maybe you'll run into him if you ever go to Kanto."

Elise then grinned. "Oh, and you'll never guess who ended up together—my grandson Reiji and Mira!"

Rei blinked. "Reiji and Mira?"

Elise laughed. "Yep! Those two became a couple and went on a Pokémon adventure together! Mira's starter was a Butterfree, and Reiji started with a Machop. They left on their journey about six months ago."

Rei took in the information quietly. The village had changed more than he expected. People were moving forward, finding their own paths.

Elder Garon smiled. "And now you've returned, stronger than ever. What are your plans, Rei?"

Rei placed his cup down and leaned back in his chair.

"That," he said calmly, "is something I'll decide soon."

Silence filled the room for a moment before Elder Garon chuckled again. "I suppose you will."

Elise, however, leaned closer, eyes shining with curiosity. "So, Rei… what have you been up to all this time?"

Rei only smirked, leaving the question unanswered.