The village of Riverleaf, nestled on the eastern edge of the Ravelle Kingdom, was a quiet place far removed from the noise of the capital. Surrounded by golden wheat fields, rolling hills, and gentle rivers, the village lived at its own pace. No noble ruled over them—only the village chief, a kind old man who often spent his days drinking tea and telling stories to the children.
Here, farmers worked the land with the help of their Pokémon. You could hear the distant cries of flying-types soaring overhead—Pidgey, Starly, and the occasional Fletchling danced in the sky. Children ran barefoot through the grass, chasing after each other and their Pokémon partners, while elders watched from wooden porches with warm smiles.
"Shion, let's take a break!" called a weathered farmer, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Just a bit more, Father! I'll finish this and join you!" replied a boy kneeling in the field, carefully planting seeds into the soil.
Shion, a fifteen-year-old boy, had messy brown hair that stuck out in all directions, and forest-green eyes that reflected the sun like glassy leaves. His skin was tanned from years under the sun, and his arms were caked in dirt. A smudge of soil marked his cheek, but he didn't seem to mind. He pressed a final seed into the earth, patted the soil down, then stood up and stretched.
"Let's go, Kiba," he said, smiling down at the little Pokémon beside him.
"Ruff!" barked his loyal partner—Rockruff, a playful pup with rocky fur and a wagging tail.
The two walked together out of the field. Kiba trotted beside Shion, occasionally sniffing at wildflowers or pouncing on fluttering leaves. Along the path, other farmers greeted the boy with friendly nods and waves.
"Oh, Shion! Heading home already?" asked a man guiding a Mudbray pulling a cart of turnips.
"Nah, just taking a break," Shion answered with a small grin, continuing on.
The village was peaceful. Far from war, far from politics. Shion had never left Riverleaf in his life, but he was content. As they walked, Kiba suddenly dashed off after a Pidgey, barking excitedly.
"Oyy, Kiba! Don't go too far!" Shion called out, chuckling.
They reached a small wooden hut under the shade of an old tree. His father sat on a low stool, wiping his face with a cloth and drinking water from a clay jug. A small basket of lunch—wrapped bread, smoked berries, and berry juice—waited nearby.
Shion joined him, grabbing a piece of bread and sitting beside his father. Kiba ran in circles chasing his tail before flopping under the tree's shade.
"Shion," his father said, his voice calm but firm.
"Yeah?" Shion replied, chewing on his bread.
His father looked at him for a moment before speaking. "Are you really okay with this life?"
Shion blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
"You're still young, son. There's so much more out there—beyond the fields, beyond this village. I don't want you to waste your life here like... me. You've got something special."
Shion lowered his bread and glanced toward the horizon, where golden fields met the edge of the sky.
"I'm happy here, though," he said softly. "This life is peaceful."
"I know it is," his father replied. "But don't you want to see the world? You love Pokémon. Out there, you could meet new ones—strong ones. You could learn to battle, even train to become something more."
Shion was quiet for a moment. "I don't know. I'm not like Ren and Mila."
His father frowned slightly. "Don't compare yourself to them. They have their dreams—and you should have yours. I just want you to believe in yourself."
Shion looked away, unsure of what to say. His father let out a long sigh, and the two continued eating in silence, the sound of rustling leaves and distant Pokémon calls filling the air.
---
Evening fell, painting the sky with strokes of orange and pink. Shion rode on the back of their family's Tauros, while his father walked beside them, carrying a basket of tools. Kiba trotted close behind, tail wagging.
As they arrived at their house, the door burst open.
"Brotherrrr! Welcome home!" shouted a little girl with pigtails. She rushed forward and hugged Shion tightly.
"Oof—Miya, you're crushing me," Shion laughed.
"Hey! What about Papa? No hug for me?" their father said with a mock frown.
"Papa is smelly!" Miya giggled.
"Ack—betrayed by my own daughter!"
Just then, a gentle voice called out from the doorway. "Welcome back, you two. Dinner's ready. Wash up and let's eat," said Shion's mother, a kind woman with soft eyes and flour on her apron.
Later that night, as the family sat around the wooden table eating rice, roasted vegetables, and grilled Magikarp, they laughed at Shion's father's terrible jokes. Even Kiba munched happily under the table from his bowl.
"So, Shion, have you thought about it?" his father asked again.
"Thought about what?"
"Leaving the village—seeing the world."
Shion paused, unsure.
"You don't need a plan, son. Just a first step. You'll find your path along the way."
His mother nodded. "We're not pushing you, sweetie. But we believe in you. You're not meant to be just a farmer."
"Is brother going to leave...?" Miya asked quietly, her voice trembling.
Tears welled in her eyes. "No! I don't want brother to leave!"
Shion reached out and gently stroked her hair. "I'm not leaving, Miya. Don't worry."
Still, the question hung in his mind as the night came.
---
Later that night, unable to sleep, Shion stepped outside. The village was quiet, the only sound the chirping of Kricketot and the occasional hoot of a Hoothoot in the trees. He sat on a log and looked up at the stars.
"Dream… do I have one?" he whispered.
He thought back to Ren and Mila—his childhood friends. The three of them had always played together. Mila had a Ralts and dreamed of seeing the world. Ren had a Riolu and wanted to become a knight. Two years ago, they left for the Ravelle Royal Academy, passing the exam even as commoners. The village cheered for them. They were the village pride.
Shion often sent letters, but rarelu got replies. He told himself they were just busy.
"They had dreams. I don't." He lowered his gaze. "Maybe I'm just… not like them."
He returned inside and went to sleep.
---
The next morning, Shion woke up late. His father had already gone to work. His mother greeted him with a smile.
"Your father said you should take a break today. Go have some fun."
Shion nodded and stepped outside. Not far from the house, he saw Miya and some kids gathered around something.
"Brother! Look! It's so cute and round!" Miya shouted, holding up a plump, wobbly Bidoof.
"Whoa. How can a Bidoof get this fat?" Shion said, raising an eyebrow.
Suddenly, a voice snapped:
"Who are you calling fat, you lowly human!?"
"...Huh?" Shion looked around. "Who said that?"
Miya tilted her head. "We didn't say anything."
The Bidoof turned its back and began waddling away.
"Ahh! Mr. Doof, don't go!" Miya said, chasing after it.
"Release me, human!" the Bidoof barked in a grumpy tone.
Shion froze. "Wait… did that Bidoof just talk?"
He stared in disbelief as the round creature waddled off into the village path, muttering to itself.
"Okay… what is happening?"
He scratched his head, completely baffled—unaware that this strange Bidoof might just be the beginning of something that would change his peaceful life forever.