Seeing that scene, Ethan finally let out the breath he had been holding. Pidgeot slowly landed in front of him. Pikachu hopped down from its back, then returned to Ethan's shoulder, looking a little tired but far more excited.
Pidgeot rubbed its huge head against Ethan's cheek and cried, "Pidgeot!" Its eyes were full of approval and affection. Clearly, after that battle, it had acknowledged Ethan's current strength and was willing to follow him again on his journey.
Ethan took out an empty Poké Ball and looked at Pidgeot gently. "Welcome back, Pidgeot. This time, we're not separating again."
"Pidge!" Pidgeot lightly pecked the Poké Ball. Its body turned into a red beam of light and was drawn inside. The ball did not even shake. It stabilized immediately, showing Pidgeot had returned to Ethan of its own free will.
Not far away in the sky, the Pidgey and Pidgeotto cried out in unison, as if seeing their king off. Ethan redeemed a large amount of Energy Cubes from the system shop and handed them to the other Pidgeot, the strongest in the flock besides the king, and clearly the new leader who would protect the flock after Pidgeot left.
That Pidgeot looked at Ethan gratefully, picked up the Energy Cubes, then called out toward the Pidgey and Pidgeotto. It led the flock away, slowly flying toward another direction deeper in the forest.
"All right, Pikachu. Mission complete!" Ethan put the Poké Ball away, smiling brightly. "We caught Eevee and brought Pidgeot back. Now we can head home!"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded and happily rubbed its cheek against Ethan's face.
The sun sank lower, and golden light spilled through Viridian Forest, stretching Ethan and Pikachu's shadows long across the ground. The two walked side by side toward the edge of the forest. Behind them was the fading sea of trees. Ahead of them was a future full of hope.
By the time Ethan returned to Pallet Town, night had fully fallen. He did not go home right away. Instead, he took Pikachu, Charizard, the newly caught Eevee, and the returned Pidgeot straight to Professor Oak's Laboratory. He knew Professor Oak and Tracey would be waiting, and his mom Delia would come as well to hold a send off party for him.
Before he even reached the entrance, laughter and lively voices drifted out from inside. Ethan pushed the door open and saw that the backyard had been decorated warmly. A long table stood in the center, covered with all kinds of food and drinks: fruit salad, sandwiches, cake, and plenty of Energy Cubes and Pokémon food prepared specially for the Pokémon.
Around the table, Delia and Professor Oak and Tracey were busy setting out plates and utensils. All the Pokémon Ethan had left at the lab were gathered there too, chattering excitedly and filling the yard with a bright, cozy energy: Bulbasaur, Snorlax, Bayleef, Heracross, Kingler, the Tauros leader, Noctowl, Muk, Totodile, Quilava, Phanpy, and more.
"Ethan! You're back!" Delia set down what she was holding at once. Smiling softly, she hurried over and fixed his slightly messy hair. "Was everything okay? Did you run into anything dangerous?"
"Mom, I'm fine. Everything went smoothly," Ethan said with a grin. Then he gestured to Pidgeot and Eevee beside him. "And I brought back two partners. Well, one new partner and one old friend."
"That's Pidgeot?" Professor Oak and Tracey walked over too, both surprised when they saw it. Professor Oak studied Pidgeot carefully, then nodded. "I didn't expect it to reach the peak of Gym level after all these years. Impressive."
"And this Eevee," Tracey said, looking at it with curiosity. "It's so cute. It looks like it has great potential too."
"Yeah! I caught Eevee in Viridian Forest. Even at mid ordinary level, it already knows seven moves. Its talent is incredible," Ethan said proudly. He released Eevee and Pidgeot so they could get to know the others.
The moment Eevee came out, Bayleef and Totodile and several others crowded around it. Bayleef leaned in with its long neck, friendly and welcoming. Totodile bounced in circles around Eevee, calling happily. Quilava came closer too, its flames swaying gently as if greeting a newcomer. Eevee was shy at first, but soon it blended into the group and began playing along with the rest.
Pidgeot flew over beside Snorlax. Snorlax was sprawled on the ground, eating Energy Cubes with huge bites. When it saw Pidgeot, it lifted its head and gave a friendly call, then nudged an Energy Cube toward it. Pidgeot nodded and ate as well, clearly familiar with Snorlax.
"All right, everyone's here. Let the send off party begin!" Delia said with a bright smile as she placed the last cake on the table. "Ethan leaves for the Hoenn region tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate properly!"
"Yeah!" Tracey cheered first. Professor Oak nodded too, smiling with pride.
Ethan sat with everyone around the table and started eating. Delia's cake was sweet and soft. The fruit Professor Oak prepared was fresh and juicy. Tracey had also made sure there were Energy Cubes in many flavors, so every Pokémon ate happily.
"Ethan, Hoenn's Gym challenges aren't the same as Kanto and Johto," Professor Oak said as he ate. "The Gym Leaders there are very strong, and they use all kinds of unique tactics. Be careful. But I believe you can overcome anything with your strength and these partners."
"Thank you, Professor Oak. I'll be careful," Ethan said, feeling sincerely grateful.
"Ethan, I prepared a gift for you," Tracey said, taking a notebook from his pocket and handing it over. "It has information on the Pokémon in Hoenn, where they live, their habits, and some notes about the Gyms. I hope it helps."
"Thank you so much, Tracey. This is seriously valuable," Ethan said as he accepted it. Tracey did not talk a lot, but he was always thoughtful. Ethan could tell how much time and effort went into that notebook.
"Ethan, Mom has a gift too," Delia said, bringing out a backpack from inside and handing it to him. "There are extra clothes, medicine, and food inside, plus some Energy Cubes I made myself. Eat on time, take care of yourself, and take care of your Pokémon."
"Thanks, Mom," Ethan said, hugging the backpack tightly. His eyes stung. In his previous life, he had never felt warmth like this. Delia's care made him feel a kind of love he had missed for a long time.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll take good care of myself and everyone," Ethan said firmly. "When I win the League in Hoenn, I'll come back right away and tell you the good news!"
"Good. Mom believes in you," Delia said, her eyes full of affection as she gently patted his hair.
Time passed as they ate and talked. Professor Oak told Ethan stories and important things to watch out for in Hoenn. Tracey chatted with him about Hoenn Pokémon. Delia kept putting food on Ethan's plate and reminding him to eat more. Nearby, the Pokémon played happily too. Snorlax and the Tauros leader competed to see who could eat more. Bulbasaur and Heracross relaxed together. Bayleef chased around with Eevee and Totodile. The whole backyard felt warm and alive.
Before anyone noticed, it was late. The party was coming to an end. Some Pokémon had already fallen asleep on the ground, while others leaned against each other, enjoying the rare reunion.
"Ethan, it's getting late," Delia said gently. "You have to get up early tomorrow, so go home and rest."
"Yeah," Ethan said, nodding. He stood up and bowed deeply to Professor Oak, Tracey, and his mom. "Thank you for the party, and for the gifts and everything you've done for me. I'll work hard in Hoenn and I won't let you down!"
"Go on, Ethan. Safe travels," Professor Oak said with a smile.
"Ethan, you've got this! We're waiting for your good news!" Tracey waved.
"Mom, see you," Ethan said, looking at Delia with reluctance.
"See you, Ethan. Take care of yourself," Delia said, her eyes soft with worry and hope.
Ethan left Professor Oak's Laboratory with Pikachu. He returned the other Pokémon to their Poké Balls, slung the backpack over his shoulders, and walked back toward home. In the night, his silhouette looked steady and resolute.
Tomorrow, he would set out for Hoenn and face brand new challenges. Strong Gym Leaders, mysterious opponents, rare Pokémon, and countless unknown adventures awaited. But Ethan felt no fear, only excitement and determination.
"Hoenn, here I come. I will make the dream of becoming a Pokémon Master come true."
(End of Chapter)
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