The village of Riverleaf had never been so quiet.
Days had passed since the Ursaring attack, and though the villagers had begun to resume their lives, a heaviness still clung to the air. The laughter of children was softer. The fields were worked in silence. Even the Pokémon seemed more subdued, moving with careful watchfulness rather than playful energy.
Bandaged and bruised, many adults moved more slowly than usual. The scent of medicinal herbs drifted through the streets, and whispers of recovery or fear of another attack hung in every home.
Shion sat on a crate near the central well, his wounded arm wrapped, the white cloth slightly stained at the edges. His eyes watched the sky again, as he often did now. Only this time, he wasn't dreaming of something distant.
He was preparing to leave.
Arceus in his Bidoof disguise was sprawled beside him, belly-up in the shade, chewing a stalk of wheat like he was born to this life.
"You're not gonna tell them the truth?" Arceus asked without looking at him.
"No," Shion muttered. "They wouldn't believe it. Or worse… they might believe too much."
"Smart boy," the Bidoof said. "But you realize we're leaving soon, yes? You can't just sit around staring at the clouds and looking sad forever."
Shion sighed. "Give me today."
---
Later That Evening – At Home
The dinner table was quiet that night.
Shion sat across from his mother and Miya, the room dimly lit by a lantern. Kiba was resting quietly in the corner, bandaged but breathing easier now. The smell of stew lingered in the air, though none of them had eaten much.
Their father rested in the next room, unable to join them.
Shion set his spoon down, hands curled into fists.
"I'm… going to leave tomorrow," he said.
Miya froze.
His mother looked up slowly.
Shion couldn't meet their eyes. "I need to go. I...I can't explain everything, but it's important. There's something happening out there. Something bad. And I can't stay here knowing that."
"Shion…" his mother said softly.
Miya's eyes began to water. "No…then take me with you!"
"It's dangerous," Shion added quickly, turning to Miya. "You can't come with me. I don't even know where I'm going yet. It won't be safe."
"But..but" Miya's lip trembled. "Why now? Papa just got hurt! You should stay! What if something happens to you too!?"
"I know," Shion said, voice cracking. "I know the timing's terrible. But if I don't go now… I might never get the chance. And if something worse comes here, I'll never forgive myself."
His mother stood up and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around him gently, holding his head against her shoulder.
"We always knew you'd leave one day," she whispered. "Just… didn't expect it to come so soon."
---
The Next Morning
The first rays of sunlight spilled across the horizon, washing Riverleaf in gold.
Shion stood outside the front gate of their small home, his satchel slung across his shoulder, his arm still lightly bandaged. His heart was pounding louder than his footsteps.
His mother stood beside him, brushing dust off his cloak with motherly precision. Miya was there too, clutching a small cloth bundle to her chest, her cheeks red from crying through the night.
"Here," his mother said, pulling a small leather pouch from her belt. "Take this. Travel money. For inns, food, supplies."
"I can't—"
"You will," she said firmly. "We've been saving this for you. Your father and I both. Ever since you were little. We knew, one day, you'd need it."
Shion took the pouch, fingers trembling. "Thank you."
Miya stepped forward and held up a handmade bracelet, strung with tiny beads, carved bone, and a single shiny stone in the center. "For good luck," she mumbled, refusing to look up. "I made it last night. So you don't forget us."
Shion crouched down and hugged her tightly.
"I'll never forget you, Miya. You're my little sister. Always."
She sniffed. "Then… then come back."
"I will."
As he stood, guilt gnawed at his chest again.
Before he left, there was one more thing he had to do.
---
His Father's Room
The room was dim. A single candle flickered on the table beside the bed.
Shion's father lay propped up on pillows, pale but conscious. His gaze found Shion's as soon as he entered.
"You look like you're carrying the whole world," he rasped with a weak smile.
Shion swallowed the lump in his throat. "Feels like it."
"You're leaving."
"I… yeah. Today."
His father nodded slowly. "You should. I can feel it. You're not meant to stay here forever."
Shion hesitated, then stepped closer.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I should've protected you better. I should've been stronger—"
"Don't," his father said gently. "I made my choice that day. I don't regret it."
There was a silence.
Then, his father reached toward the drawer at his bedside and pulled out a small wooden Poké Ball, engraved with swirling patterns simple but beautiful. Its wood was a warm, polished brown with metal seams holding it together, much like the ones from the ancient times.
"I made this a long time ago," he said. "Never thought I'd need to give it to you so soon."
He placed it in Shion's hand.
"You never officially captured Kiba. He's been wild this whole time. But if he's going with you… he should go as your partner. For real."
Shion looked at the ball.
Then at Kiba, who was resting in the corner of the room.
Kiba stirred, stood slowly, and limped over. Bandaged but awake. His eyes met Shion's and he nodded.
Shion lowered the Poké Ball and tapped it gently against Kiba's forehead.
A burst of red light.
The ball clicked shut.
Then shook once.
Twice.
Click.
Then a small puff of white smoke.
Kiba was caught.
Shion stared at the Poké Ball in his hands Kiba's Poké Ball and felt the weight of it settle in his palm.
"I'll protect him now," he said. "I promise."
His father smiled weakly.
"I know you will."
---
Shion stepped out into the morning light, standing before the winding dirt path that led away from Riverleaf. The fields, golden with new crops, swayed gently in the breeze behind him. The village was waking up, unaware of his departure or pretending not to watch, out of respect.
His mother and Miya stood at the gate.
Shion turned, hugged them one last time.
Then began to walk.
Behind him, Arceus in the form of a waddling, dramatic Bidoof grumbled.
"Do we really have to walk? I am a god. Surely there's a better way."
"No," Shion said, smiling faintly. "Walking's fine."
"And why am I the only one walking ?! While that dog is sleeping comfortably in that ball ."
"Kiba's still resting."
"Oh sure. Let the injured Pokémon nap in a ball while I'm forced to waddle like an overripe Sunkern."
Shion laughed softly and adjusted his satchel.
He looked over his shoulder once more, just once.
The wind blew gently behind him, urging him forward.
And so, with the sun rising at his back, and the road stretching out ahead
Shion left Riverleaf Village.