Aren refused the League's invitation.
The message had been polite—an automated recommendation triggered by battle data near the metro incident.
"Trainer potential detected. Gym registration encouraged."
He deleted it without hesitation.
Liora watched him do it.
"No second thoughts?" she asked.
Aren shook his head. "Once you step into that system, you stop choosing your pace."
Their Charmeleon sparred nearby, flames controlled, movements deliberate. No wasted energy. No aggression.
The Suicune remained unseen—but present.
They were strong enough now to be noticed.
That was the danger.
Chapter 17 – The Handheld's Quiet Help
The handheld device never spoke unless asked.
That night, Aren finally explored one option he had ignored.
Breeding Assistance – Advisory Mode
Not execution.Not forcing outcomes.Only probabilities and compatibility flows.
He closed it quickly.
"Not yet," he murmured.
The device dimmed, obedient.
This tool was powerful—but it respected restraint.
That, more than anything, made Aren trust it.
Chapter 18 – A World That Breathes
They traveled.
Not far—just enough to understand the world beyond the city center.
Suburbs where Pokémon helped farmers.
Coastal zones where Water-types shaped tides.
Quiet towns built around sealed dungeons, now dormant and overgrown.
Danger existed.
But it was managed, not glorified.
Liora leaned against a railing overlooking the sea.
"This world isn't afraid," she said. "That's why it's peaceful."
Aren nodded. "Fear makes monsters. Balance keeps them asleep."
Behind them, the Suicune stood side by side, gazing at the horizon.
Chapter 19 – Evolution of Trust
Their Charmeleon evolved again—this time not together.
Liora's first.
Her Charizard's wings unfolded with controlled majesty, blue fire steady and proud.
Aren felt no jealousy.
Only certainty.
Two days later, his own Charizard followed.
Evolution Complete
Emotional Stability: Perfect
Power Ceiling: Gym+
Loyalty: Absolute
The two Charizard stood facing each other.
Then—without prompting—lowered their heads in mutual acknowledgment.
Not dominance.
Respect.
The legacy of Aren's parents echoed quietly.
Chapter 20 – A Ring Without Spectacle
There was no proposal speech.
No crowd.
No kneeling in a stadium.
Just a quiet rooftop garden, city lights glowing below.
Aren held out a simple ring.
"I won't promise power," he said. "Or fame. Or safety."
Liora smiled softly.
"Good. I don't want those."
She slipped the ring on.
Their Pokémon gathered around them—Charizard, Suicune, and the quiet presence of bonds unspoken.
Life Event Logged
Status: Married
World Awareness: Unchanged
The world continued peacefully.
Unaware that two lives had just aligned—and that the next generation would one day walk the same quiet path.