The first sign that something was wrong was the silence.
Lucian had visited enough forests to know that nature was never completely quiet.
Even during the calmest hours, there should have been the rustling of leaves, the song of a Pidgey, or the movements of small Pokémon among the bushes.
This forest had none of those sounds.
Metang floated at a low altitude, avoiding the branches with its metallic body.
Growlithe walked beside Lucian with his snout close to the ground.
Elena and Absol followed behind them.
Adrian remained several yards farther back.
He gave no instructions.
That was part of the test.
“The road is less than a kilometer away,” Elena whispered.
“We should be able to hear people.”
“Oak asked us to avoid the main path,” Lucian replied.
“I know what he asked. I’m only saying that this place is too empty.”
Absol stopped.
One of her ears moved.
Her tail struck the ground once.
Unease.
It wasn’t a warning of immediate danger, but she had sensed something unusual.
Growlithe also stopped.
He sniffed an exposed root and released a growl.
Lucian crouched.
Small tracks covered the ground.
Some belonged to Rattata and others to Nidoran.
All of them headed west.
None returned.
“They’re abandoning the area,” he said.
Elena examined the bushes.
“There are broken branches.”
“Small Pokémon. They moved in a hurry.”
Lucian closed his eyes.
He extended his psychic abilities.
He didn’t attempt to reach across the entire forest.
At nine years old, he could sense emotions from farther away than before, but doing so in an unfamiliar place remained dangerous.
Too many presences could overwhelm his senses.
He raised a barrier around his mind and searched for nearby impulses.
He found fear.
Not from a single source.
Several.
They were farther ahead.
He also sensed something weaker.
Pain.
Lucian opened his eyes.
“There are injured Pokémon.”
Adrian didn’t move from his position.
“How far away?”
“I can’t determine the exact distance. Maybe three hundred meters.”
“What will you do?”
It wasn’t a casual question.
During the previous eight months, Lucian had taken five short expeditions beyond Celestia Island.
He visited the fields near Viridian City, a coastal area south of Vermilion City, and several less-traveled routes throughout Kanto.
During every expedition, he had been accompanied by his grandfather, Adrian, or one of the guardians.
He learned how to establish a camp, recognize trails, negotiate with unfamiliar Trainers, and seek help when a problem exceeded his capabilities.
However, the adults always made the important decisions.
This was the first time Adrian had given him command of the expedition.
The original objective had been simple.
Professor Oak had received reports about a Nidoran population abandoning its territory near Route 2.
Several injured individuals had appeared near the road, and some farmers feared the Poison-type Pokémon would approach their fields.
Lucian needed to investigate the situation and propose a solution.
He hadn’t expected the entire forest to be fleeing.
“We’ll approach,” he decided.
“But we won’t go directly toward the emotions.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“The injured Pokémon are there.”
“And we don’t know what injured them.”
Lucian looked at Metang.
“Rise above the trees. Stay hidden and examine the area.”
Metang ascended.
Its body disappeared among the highest branches.
“Growlithe will track from the ground. Absol will stay near Elena and watch for threats.”
Elena nodded.
“What about you?”
“I’ll try to remain in contact with Metang.”
Adrian continued without interfering.
Lucian took that as approval.
They advanced slowly.
Growlithe found more tracks.
Some belonged to an adult Nidorino.
Others were much larger.
Nidoking.
The entire group had moved.
Lucian also discovered tire tracks across a wet patch of ground.
“A vehicle passed through here,” Elena said.
“More than once.”
Growlithe sniffed one of the tracks.
Then he raised his snout and bared his fangs.
He had recognized a scent he didn’t like.
An impulse reached Lucian’s mind.
Metang had found something.
He received fragmented images.
Cut trees.
A metal fence.
People.
Cages.
Lucian raised one hand.
Everyone stopped.
“There are humans ahead.”
Adrian finally moved several steps closer.
“How many?”
“Metang saw three, but there may be more.”
“Are they workers?”
Lucian closed his eyes again.
Metang showed him an excavator and several trees marked with red paint.
He also saw two trucks.
One carried timber.
The other had enclosed compartments.
“Part of the land is being prepared for construction.”
“That would explain why the Pokémon abandoned the area,” Elena said.
“Not the cages.”
Absol growled.
Adrian looked at Lucian.
“Do we continue or return to ask for help?”
That was the first real decision.
They could return to the route and contact the forest rangers.
It was the safest option.
But the injured Pokémon were near the humans.
If they left, the captured Pokémon might be transported elsewhere before help arrived.
Lucian took out his communicator.
There was no signal.
“The trees are blocking the connection.”
“We can search for higher ground,” Elena said.
“That will take time.”
Lucian looked at Adrian.
The man wouldn’t provide an answer.
He had to decide.
“We’ll approach closely enough to confirm what’s happening. We won’t enter the camp. If we see captured Pokémon, one of us will search for a signal while the others continue observing.”
“Who will go?” Elena asked.
“Adrian.”
She blinked.
She had expected him to send one of the children.
Adrian smiled faintly.
“Why me?”
“You’re the fastest at moving through the forest without using a Pokémon. You also know the forest rangers’ frequency and can explain the situation better than we can.”
“And who will protect the group?”
“Your Arcanine can stay with us.”
Adrian carried his partner’s Poké Ball on his belt.
He studied Lucian for several seconds.
“Continue.”
That meant he accepted the plan.
They reached a low ridge overlooking the camp.
The area had recently been cleared.
Several machines stood near the cut trees, although they weren’t operating.
There were tents, boxes, and a metal structure installed beside two trucks.
Lucian counted five people.
Two wore work clothes.
The other three wore dark jackets without symbols.
A Nidorino was trapped inside a cage.
A net covered its body, and several tranquilizer darts were embedded in its back.
Another compartment held four Nidoran.
Two males and two females.
An adult Nidorina lay near the truck.
Her legs were tied.
Elena clenched her fists.
“They’re capturing them.”
“The rest of the population is still missing,” Lucian said.
“They could be inside the vehicle.”
Metang sent another image.
On the other side of the camp, hidden inside a depression in the terrain, were several Pokémon.
A Nidoking.
A Nidoqueen.
Two Nidorino.
Three Nidorina.
And more than a dozen Nidoran.
The tribe watched the cages from the forest.
Nidoking had a deep wound on one arm.
Nidoqueen protected the younger Pokémon.
“The population hasn’t been captured,” Lucian explained.
“They’re preparing an attack to rescue the others.”
Elena looked toward the camp.
“Then we help them.”
“If Nidoking enters from the forest, the humans will use more tranquilizers. There are also workers who may not know what’s happening.”
“Do you think some of them are innocent?”
“The two in construction clothing aren’t approaching the cages. They look nervous.”
One of the men in a dark jacket emerged from a tent.
He carried a weapon designed to fire darts.
He spoke to the workers.
Lucian couldn’t hear the words, but he sensed fear from both men.
They weren’t participating willingly.
“They’re being threatened,” he said.
Adrian moved closer.
“What’s the plan?”
“We need to contact the forest rangers.”
“They’ll need at least forty minutes to arrive from Route 2.”
“Then we need to prevent the trucks from leaving.”
Elena observed the machines.
“Metang could lift one.”
“Not without being seen.”
“Growlithe could burn the tires.”
“The fire would draw attention and could spread.”
Lucian studied the camp.
The armed people were separated.
One guarded the cages.
Another inspected the truck.
The third spoke with the workers.
If the tribe attacked, they would gather.
They could use that reaction.
“Adrian will search for a signal,” he decided.
“He’ll leave Arcanine with us. While we wait, we’ll speak with Nidoking.”
“Speak?” Elena asked.
“He looks ready to attack.”
“Exactly.”
Lucian looked at Absol.
“I need her to guide us to them without being detected.”
Absol sniffed the air.
Then she descended from the ridge.
Elena followed.
Adrian released Arcanine.
The enormous Pokémon appeared beside Lucian.
His cream-colored fur moved in the wind, and his presence caused Growlithe to straighten his body.
“Don’t leave cover unless necessary,” Adrian warned.
“If anything changes, retreat.”
“Understood,” Lucian replied.
Adrian looked at his daughter.
“Elena?”
“Understood.”
“Answer more quickly next time.”
The man disappeared among the trees.
Absol led them around the camp.
They traveled through an area covered in ferns until they reached the depression where the tribe was hiding.
They failed to approach undetected.
One of the Nidorino smelled them.
It released a cry.
Every adult moved in front of the younger Nidoran.
Nidoking emerged from between the trees.
He stood more than two meters tall.
The horn on his forehead had broken at the tip, and dried blood covered one of his arms.
Despite his injury, his presence remained powerful.
Analyze.
The screen appeared.
Species: Nidoking
Sex: Male
Type: Poison/Ground
Ability: Poison Point
Potential: Upper Gold
Condition: Deep wound on right arm, moderate exhaustion, and elevated stress levels.
Emotional Condition: Defensive hostility.
Nidoking roared.
Arcanine moved forward.
His strength exceeded that of the tribe’s leader, but Lucian didn’t want to begin a battle.
“We aren’t here to stop you.”
Nidoking pointed one claw toward the camp.
“We know they captured members of your group.”
The Pokémon struck the ground.
Lucian felt his fury.
He carefully extended his powers.
He didn’t try to enter Nidoking’s mind.
He only transmitted simple images.
The cages.
The darts.
The approaching forest rangers.
Then he projected a warning.
If Nidoking attacked now, the captured Pokémon could be injured.
The tribe’s leader tensed.
Nidoqueen appeared behind him.
Her expression was more controlled.
She observed Lucian, Metang, Growlithe, Elena, Absol, and Arcanine.
Then she looked at Nidoking.
She released a low sound.
Nidoking answered with irritation.
They appeared to be arguing.
Elena leaned toward Lucian.
“Can you understand them?”
“Not the words. Nidoqueen wants to wait. Nidoking believes the humans will leave.”
One of the Nidoran within the group began to cry.
Nidoqueen pulled it closer.
Lucian understood.
One of the captured Pokémon was probably a direct member of her family.
“We can’t ask them to wait without offering a plan,” he said.
Elena observed the camp through the vegetation.
“Then let’s make one.”
Lucian crouched and drew on the ground.
“Metang will move the cages away from the people.”
“Can it lift all of them?”
“Not at the same time.”
Metang released a sound.
It could do so if it only needed to drag them.
“Swablu would be useful for creating mist,” Elena muttered.
Daisy was in Pallet Town.
They couldn’t depend on an absent companion.
“Growlithe can create smoke without setting the forest on fire if he burns wet leaves,” Lucian said.
“You and Absol will free Nidorina.”
“What about the armed people?”
Lucian looked at Arcanine.
“He and Metang can contain them without hurting them.”
“What will the tribe do?”
Nidoking approached the drawing.
Lucian pointed toward an area north of the camp.
“They’ll wait there.”
The Pokémon growled.
“If everyone enters the camp, the young Pokémon will be at risk.”
Nidoking didn’t appear willing to accept.
Lucian held his gaze.
“You can accompany us. Only you.”
Nidoqueen roared.
The leader turned toward her.
Their argument became more intense.
Finally, Nidoqueen struck Nidoking’s chest with one claw and gestured toward the Nidoran.
She would stay and protect the group.
Nidoking would accompany Lucian.
“He won’t attack unless I tell him to,” the boy said.
The Pokémon growled.
Lucian transmitted another image.
The captured Nidoran being struck during the confrontation.
Nidoking clenched his fists.
Then he nodded.
Elena smiled.
“That counts as accepting.”
“I hope he still agrees once we’re inside.”
They waited for twenty minutes.
Adrian sent a brief signal through the communicator.
He had contacted the forest rangers.
They would arrive in half an hour.
Lucian was preparing to wait when one of the engines started.
The men began loading the cages.
“They’re leaving early,” Elena said.
The situation had changed.
Lucian picked up the communicator.
“Adrian, we’re beginning the rescue. The trucks are preparing to leave.”
He received only static.
He didn’t know whether the message had gone through.
He needed to act.
“Growlithe, begin.”
The Fire-type moved around the camp.
He found a pile of wet leaves near one of the machines.
He used Ember.
The leaves began producing smoke.
One of the workers saw it.
“Fire!”
Both construction workers ran toward the location.
One of the captors also approached.
There were no real flames, but the smoke concealed part of the camp.
“Metang, the small cage.”
The metallic Pokémon extended both arms.
Its eyes glowed.
The cage containing the four Nidoran slid across the ground.
The man guarding it turned around.
“What…?”
The structure moved toward the forest.
The man raised his tranquilizer weapon.
Arcanine appeared in front of him.
A deep growl made the air vibrate.
The weapon fell from his hands.
“An Arcanine!”
The second captor emerged from the tent.
He threw a Poké Ball.
“Golbat, stop it!”
Golbat appeared above the camp.
Its wings created a current that began dispersing the smoke.
“Absol, Double Team,” Elena ordered.
Several copies appeared around Golbat.
“Air Cutter!”
Golbat released blades of wind.
The images vanished.
The real Absol ran toward Nidorina.
Elena arrived behind her and began cutting the ropes with a small tool.
The third man climbed into the truck.
“We’re leaving! Abandon the other cages!”
The vehicle began moving.
Nidorino was inside.
Nidoking roared.
Lucian felt his promise was about to break.
“Not yet!”
The leader struck a tree with his fist.
The bark cracked.
But he remained hidden.
Lucian observed the truck.
“Metang, use Gravity in front of the wheels.”
The field changed.
The front of the vehicle sank.
The tires dug into the soft ground.
The driver accelerated.
The truck didn’t move.
Golbat descended toward Elena.
“Growlithe, Fire Blast into the sky. Low power.”
The Pokémon released a line of fire.
He didn’t aim directly at Golbat.
The heat created a barrier that forced it to change direction.
Elena finished cutting the rope.
Nidorina attempted to stand.
Her legs were numb.
Absol positioned herself beneath one of her arms and helped her move.
The first man recovered his weapon.
Arcanine struck the ground with one paw.
Fire surrounded the captor without touching him.
He was trapped inside a ring of flames.
The second man pointed toward Lucian.
“Golbat, Supersonic!”
The sound wave traveled toward him.
Metang moved in front.
The attack struck its metallic body and partially rebounded.
Lucian raised a psychic barrier around his mind.
Even so, he felt intense dizziness.
The forest spun.
“Lucian!” Elena shouted.
Golbat descended.
Growlithe jumped in front of his Trainer.
The Fire-type received a wing strike and fell.
Lucian clenched his teeth.
He needed to concentrate.
He couldn’t allow Supersonic to break his connection with Metang.
He felt a stable mental presence.
His partner.
Metang sent a pulse.
A fixed point within the confusion.
Lucian held on to it.
His vision stabilized.
“Psyshock.”
Metang gathered psychic energy between its claws.
The attack struck Golbat.
The Pokémon was thrown backward and fell near its Trainer.
It wasn’t unconscious, but it couldn’t fly steadily.
The captor retreated.
He looked at Arcanine, Metang, Growlithe, and Absol.
Then he heard a roar emerge from the forest.
Nidoking appeared.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
He charged toward the truck.
“Nidoking, the doors!” Lucian shouted.
The Pokémon raised one fist.
He could have attacked the driver.
Instead, he struck the rear of the vehicle.
The metal bent.
One door was torn away.
Nidorino’s cage was exposed.
The driver abandoned the truck and began running.
Nidoking struck the lock.
The cage opened.
Nidorino emerged with difficulty.
The leader caught him before he fell.
Nidoking’s anger didn’t disappear.
He looked at the humans.
One remained trapped by Arcanine.
Another stood beside Golbat.
The third was attempting to escape.
Nidoking left Nidorino on the ground and advanced.
“Stop!” Lucian ordered.
The Pokémon didn’t obey.
The captor beside Golbat retreated.
“Don’t let it come closer!”
Golbat tried to rise.
It couldn’t.
Nidoking raised a fist.
Lucian ran and positioned himself in his path.
Elena shouted his name.
Nidoking stopped.
His fist remained only inches from the boy.
“You recovered your family.”
The Pokémon roared.
Lucian felt images of pain.
Destroyed trees.
Fleeing Nidoran.
Darts piercing their bodies.
Nidoking’s injured arm as he tried to protect them.
“I know.”
Nidoking pointed at the men.
“They’ll be punished. The forest rangers are coming.”
The Pokémon didn’t lower his arm.
“If you attack them now, you may also be considered a threat.”
The emotion Lucian received was clear.
Nidoking didn’t care.
“Nidoqueen does.”
The leader tensed.
Lucian projected an image of the waiting tribe.
The young Nidoran.
Nidoqueen protecting them.
“They need you with them.”
The leader maintained his position.
Then he lowered his fist. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
The captor fell onto the ground.
Lucian released the breath he had been holding.
His legs trembled.
He hadn’t been certain it would work.
Adrian emerged from between the trees with four forest rangers.
His expression changed when he saw Lucian standing in front of Nidoking.
“It seems we arrived late.”
“Only a little,” Elena replied.
Adrian examined the cages, the trapped truck, and the three captors.
“Explain what happened.”
Lucian looked around the camp.
“First, we need to treat the Pokémon.”
Adrian nodded.
“Good answer.”
The forest rangers arrested the three men.
The construction workers explained that they had been hired to clear the area and prepare a private road.
They didn’t know the group intended to capture Pokémon until they discovered the cages.
When they tried to leave, they were threatened.
The supposed construction project also lacked valid permits.
The authorities confiscated the vehicles and equipment.
The captured Pokémon received immediate treatment.
Nidorino had several doses of tranquilizer in his body, but he would recover.
Nidorina had no serious injuries.
The greatest problem remained unresolved.
The tribe had lost its territory.
The trees had been cut down, several water sources had been contaminated by fuel from the machines, and the noise had caused much of their prey to abandon the area.
Even if the construction was stopped, the forest would take years to recover.
Lucian sat beside a map while the forest rangers examined possible locations.
“There’s a protected area near Pewter City,” one of them said, “but another Nidoran population already lives there.”
“The two tribes could fight over resources,” Lucian replied.
“We could also divide the group.”
Nidoking, who was listening nearby, growled.
“They won’t accept being separated.”
The ranger looked at the Pokémon.
“Then we don’t have many options.”
Lucian examined the map of Kanto.
Then he took out another one.
It displayed Celestia Island.
In the southwestern area was a rocky territory connected to a small forest.
There was water, caves, and a stable population of smaller Pokémon.
No Poison-type species lived there that would compete directly with the Nidoran.
The area had already been registered as a possible relocation habitat.
“They can go to Celestia.”
Adrian looked at him.
“That decision requires authorization.”
“The territory is suitable.”
“I’m not only talking about the ecosystem.”
The family would have to assume responsibility for transporting, protecting, and monitoring more than twenty Poison-type Pokémon.
They would also have to guarantee that the newcomers wouldn’t threaten other populations on the island.
Lucian looked at Nidoking.
“We can’t force them.”
He approached the tribe.
Nidoqueen stood beside the leader.
The released Nidoran had already returned to their families.
Lucian unfolded the map.
He didn’t expect them to understand the drawings.
He used his abilities to transmit images.
Cliffs.
Forests.
Clean water.
Empty caves.
The coast of Celestia Island.
Then he showed them a choice.
Remain in Kanto and search for another territory.
Or travel together to the island.
Nidoking looked at Nidoqueen.
She sniffed the map.
One of the Nidoran approached Growlithe.
The Fire-type remained still.
The small Pokémon touched his paw with its snout.
Nidoqueen released a series of sounds.
Nidoking answered.
Their discussion was calmer than before.
Finally, both leaders looked at Lucian.
Nidoking struck the ground once.
They agreed to see the island.
It wasn’t a promise to stay.
They would evaluate the territory first.
“That’s enough,” Lucian said.
The system screen appeared.
Territorial Mission Completed
Name: A Home After the Forest
Objectives Achieved:
—Identify the cause of the population’s displacement.
—Free the captured Pokémon.
—Avoid human and Pokémon casualties.
—Obtain the cooperation of the population’s leaders.
—Propose a compatible relocation territory.
Evaluation: Excellent.
Population Registered: Mixed Nidoran Tribe.
Estimated Population: 24 individuals.
Leaders: Nidoking and Nidoqueen.
Relocation Status: Trial pending.
Rewards:
—Function Unlocked: Habitat Management.
—Basic Blueprint: Poison-Type Pokémon Shelter.
—Basic Knowledge: Safe Population Transport.
—Organization Points Obtained: 100.
Lucian examined the final reward.
It was the first time the system had mentioned organization points.
He opened the new section.
Starfall Organization
Level: Foundation
Primary Territory: Celestia Island
Recognized Members: 3
Protected Populations: 4
Available Points: 100
Current Functions:
—Population Registry
—Basic Habitat Management
—Resource Allocation
—Adaptation Monitoring
Note: An organization isn’t built through buildings or power alone.
It requires people, objectives, resources, and the trust of those under its protection.
Lucian closed the screen.
He hadn’t officially created any organization.
However, the system recognized the foundations.
Himself.
His grandfather.
And Elena.
Three members.
He didn’t know whether Adrian, the workers, and Daisy would be recognized in the future.
That would probably depend on whether they willingly chose to participate.
That could wait.
For now, they had a tribe to transport.
The expedition was supposed to last two days.
They remained in Kanto for an entire week.
Transporting twenty-four Pokémon wasn’t simple.
The forest rangers provided vehicles, but Nidoking refused to enter any of them.
Nidoqueen also refused to allow the Nidoran to be divided into separate groups.
In the end, Oak traveled from Pallet Town to help.
Daisy came with him.
She stepped out of the vehicle and ran toward Lucian.
“I heard that you stood in front of an enraged Nidoking.”
Lucian looked at Adrian.
“Who told her?”
“My grandfather spoke with Adrian.”
Daisy stopped in front of him.
“Is it true?”
“The situation was under control.”
Adrian began laughing.
“It wasn’t entirely under control.”
Lucian looked at him.
“Nidoking stopped.”
“After you placed yourself in front of its fist.”
Daisy crossed her arms.
“You promised not to take all the risks yourself.”
“There was no one else close enough.”
“Metang could have blocked it.”
“That would have started a battle.”
“You could have waited for Adrian.”
“The men were in danger.”
Daisy opened her mouth.
Then she closed it.
She knew Lucian couldn’t allow Nidoking to attack them.
That didn’t mean she liked it.
“Next time, find a solution that doesn’t involve standing beneath the fist of a two-meter-tall Pokémon.”
“I’ll try.”
“Not ‘I’ll try.'”
Daisy extended her little finger.
Lucian observed her hand.
“I can’t promise it will never happen.”
“Promise that you won’t do it if another option exists.”
He considered the condition.
“I can promise that.”
They hooked their fingers together.
Elena watched from several steps away.
Absol stood beside her.
“I told him the same thing,” Elena said.
Daisy turned toward her.
“Then you should have forced him to wait.”
“I was freeing Nidorina.”
“You could have watched him at the same time.”
“I don’t have four eyes.”
“Absol could have done it.”
The Dark-type Pokémon looked away.
Lucian suspected she didn’t want to participate in that argument.
Oak interrupted before it could become worse.
His solution for the transport was simple.
They would use a cargo ship with an open deck.
The tribe could remain together, and Nidoking would have enough room to move.
Metang and Alaric’s Metagross would stabilize the vessel if the Pokémon became frightened during the journey.
Two days later, the tribe arrived on Celestia.
They weren’t confined.
The doors of the transport area opened directly toward the new territory.
Nidoking was the first to leave.
Nidoqueen followed him.
The others advanced cautiously.
They explored the caves, drank from the stream, and marked the forest boundaries.
The tribe didn’t immediately accept the territory.
They remained under observation for three days.
During that time, Nidoking examined every section.
Nidoqueen inspected the areas where the younger Pokémon would live.
On the fourth day, both leaders approached Lucian.
Nidoqueen placed a small stone marked by her claws in front of him.
Lucian didn’t understand the gesture until Nidoking struck the ground and pointed toward the territory.
It was a mark of acceptance.
They had decided to stay.
The system confirmed their initial adaptation.
Lucian held the stone.
It wasn’t a medal or a valuable reward.
But it represented something no system item could provide.
Trust.
Alaric appeared behind him.
“Your first relocation.”
“I didn’t do it alone.”
“Exactly.”
The old man observed Elena, Daisy, Adrian, Oak, and the workers installing watering stations near the territory.
“You’re learning.”
Lucian placed the stone inside his pocket.
“I still made mistakes.”
“And you learned from them.”
Alaric looked toward the tribe.
“You’ll turn ten in a few months.”
“I know.”
“After that, you’ll be able to apply for your license.”
Lucian looked toward the distant sea.
His journey was no longer a distant idea.
Metang floated beside him.
Growlithe sat in front of him.
Elena remained nearby with Absol.
Daisy stood beside Swablu, although she would have to return to Pallet Town the next day.
Only a few months remained.
After years of preparation, Lucian would finally begin his own adventure.
But he now understood something he hadn’t known when he was five.
He wouldn’t leave merely to capture Pokémon, challenge Gyms, or prove his strength.
He would travel to discover the world.
To find populations that needed help.
To gather people capable of sharing his vision.
And to transform Celestia Island into something much greater than the final refuge of a declining family.
He would turn it into the beginning of his future.
End of Chapter 24