When we got home, Ann and Nova immediately released their Pokémon, proudly showing them off to everyone.
Mom: "Where did you get those Pokémon?"
Ann: "We caught them in the forest—with Brother Brian's help."
Dad: "Ohhh… so you want to become trainers?"
Jeremy: "No, Dad. We just want to be strong… and protect our family."
Everyone turned to look at Jeremy. His cheeks flushed red under the attention. Leon and Fiona were just as surprised by his answer, but their shock quickly turned into warm smiles.
Fiona: "Well, I believe you can protect this family."
Leon: "Hahaha! This family is lucky to have you."
Hearing that, Ann, Nova, and Jeremy all felt a quiet surge of pride. Deep down, they were determined to grow stronger as soon as possible—to truly become protectors.
Alan, smiling along with everyone else, suddenly remembered something.Alan: "Oh! Brother, didn't you promise to give me a Pokémon?"
Brian reached into his bag and tossed him three Poké Balls—the ones he had caught during his first visit to the hidden garden. Alan caught them and released each one in turn.
Ann: "Wow—Heracross, Shroomish, and Rhyhorn!"
Alan's eyes lit up. Rhyhorn especially caught his attention—it was strong, and he remembered Brian mentioning he could craft protective gear for its final evolution.
Fiona: "Alright, let's eat first. We can talk more after dinner."
Everyone: "Okay!"
The next morning, Brian invited everyone to train with their Pokémon. His program included running with weights, zigzag sprints, and shuttle runs—training both strength and agility.
Ann: "Do all Pokémon trainers train like this, bro?"
Brian: "Nope. This is just something I came up with myself. I'm not sure how others train."
Ever since getting Eevee, Brian had improvised his own regimen—something more like an athlete's workout. It was tough, but he believed that if Eevee's stamina was high, battles against Pokémon of similar levels would be much easier.
Brian: "So… do you think my Pokémon's strong?"
Ann: "Very strong—especially when Eevee battles."
She had seen Eevee in action back when Brian was helping them find their own Pokémon.
After the training session, Brian took over running the shop again. He had learned that rare candies from energy cube sales only appeared if he handled the transactions personally.
Later that afternoon…
Shi Yun: "Is this the place, Su Mei?"
Su Mei: "I think so. The address on their website says they moved here."
Shi Yun: "Shall we go in?"
Su Mei: "We're already here—let's do it."
They stepped inside and immediately spotted Brian behind the cashier. They walked over.
Su Mei: "Hello, we're back again!"
Brian: "Oh, you two?"
Shi Yun: "You remember us?"
Brian: "Of course—you were this shop's very first customers."
Su Mei: "Really? Haha, we're flattered."
Brian: "So, buying Grass-type energy cubes again?"
Shi Yun: "Yes, and also the Normal-type ones from your website."
Brian had made a small batch of Normal-type cubes just yesterday as a market test.
Brian: "You're in luck—there's only one set left. We make very few of them."
Su Mei: "Good thing we came. It's hard to find high-quality energy cubes in this city."
Brian: "Well, Arca City is a small place," he said, handing over the packages.
Su Mei: "Thanks for the service."
Brian: "Anytime."
They left, and Brian closed the shop for the day.
That evening, back home, Brian checked the message floating on the screen in front of him:
"Congratulations! You've received 20 rare Normal-type candies and a Dragon-type energy cube recipe."
A grin spread across his face. Dragon-types were powerful, though notoriously slow to train. But with rare candies from energy cube sales, raising one to full strength would be much faster. After some thought, he decided—he'd go catch a Dragon-type Pokémon.
Heading downstairs for dinner, he noticed one chair empty.
Leon: "Where's Ann?"
Jeremy: "She said she was going to buy fruit. I offered to go with her, but she said it wasn't necessary."
Fiona: "It's already six. Brian, go look for her."
Brian headed toward the fruit shop. On the way, passing a narrow alley, he heard a muffled cry. His gut told him something was wrong. He turned in—and saw the back of a girl in the same clothes Ann had worn today, struggling in a man's grip.
The man was covering her mouth. "Where have you been all this time? I've been looking for that kitten that ran away," he sneered. "Ever since you all disappeared, my income's dropped. Where are the others hiding? You're not afraid of me anymore?"
From a distance, Brian already knew—it was Ann. His eyes went cold. Without hesitation, he charged forward and kicked the man hard, sending him sprawling.
Brian: "Ann, are you okay?"
Ann: "Brother!" She ran into his arms, sobbing.
Brian: "It's alright. I'm here now."
The man groaned and staggered back to his feet, glaring. "Who the hell are you, sticking your nose in my business?!"
Brian: "That's my question. Who are you to mess with my family?" His voice was calm, but his eyes were like ice.
Brian already knew exactly who this man was—the one who had once forced Ann and the others to work on the streets.