After the long commotion had finally settled, only quiet voices remained inside the lab. Professor Oak, Rhea, and Gerald sat around the table, their expressions calm but serious. Leyn was resting nearby, the bandages around his arm still fresh.
Rhea sighed, arms crossed. "We need to be clear about this. Punishments and rewards shouldn't be the same. He deserves both — but they must not mix."
Gerald nodded firmly. "Agreed. He acted recklessly, but what he did… it saved Leaf. We can't overlook that."
Oak chuckled softly, leaning on his cane. "You two have raised quite the young man. Brave, clever, and perhaps a little too eager for his own good."
That earned a chuckle from Gerald. "He probably learned that eagerness from you, Professor."
Oak laughed. "Ah, I won't deny it."
He turned toward Leyn. The boy, though exhausted, was listening. His expression showed no protest — just quiet understanding.
"So," Oak began, "here's how it'll be. The reward will wait. For now, you'll serve your punishment first."
Rhea stepped closer and knelt down beside her son. "You're not allowed to leave the house for two days. You'll rest and recover, understood?"
Leyn nodded obediently. "Understood, Mom."
Gerald added, "We know you'll try to sneak to the lab, so we're making it clear — you stay home and heal. No exceptions."
Oak grinned. "And when you're back, we'll talk about your reward properly. I already have something in mind — so you better get your strength back before then."
Leyn smiled faintly, knowing they were doing this for his own good. "Alright, I'll rest."
"Good," Rhea said, standing up. "Then let's go home."
Before they left, Professor Oak crouched beside Pikachu, who was being examined on a nearby table. The electric mouse gave a weak but determined "Pika!" despite the light bandages around its side.
Oak patted its head gently. "You did well, little one. You're strong — but you'll stay here in the lab for now. I'll monitor you until you're fully recovered."
Leyn approached the table, watching Pikachu quietly. "Sorry, buddy. I'll visit as soon as I can."
Pikachu chirped softly in reply, its ears twitching. It didn't need words; the bond between them spoke clearly.
Oak smiled at the sight. "Don't worry, Leyn. I'll take good care of him."
With that, they finally left the lab. Oak stayed behind, making a call to the Pokémon Police to report the Spearow and Fearow incident. As he spoke, his tone grew firm — he suggested creating a sanctuary near the forest edge, a place where those Pokémon could live peacefully, undisturbed by humans or others of their kind. The authorities agreed to visit soon for an inspection.
---
When Leyn reached home, he went straight to wash up. His body still ached, but his mind felt lighter now that everything was calm. The warm water washed away the traces of dirt and adrenaline, leaving only tired relief.
Dinner followed quietly. Rhea and Gerald sat with him, listening as he recounted the battle — how Pikachu stood firm, how the Fearow was furious, how it felt both terrifying and exciting.
"Exciting?" Rhea said with an exasperated sigh. "You almost got hurt badly."
Leyn smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, but… it was kind of amazing, too."
His parents exchanged a look — half proud, half worried — before sighing in unison. After eating, he excused himself and went straight to bed, exhaustion finally catching up to him.
Rhea called out from the kitchen, "Leyn! Brush your—"
She stopped when she peeked into his room. The boy was already fast asleep, his breathing slow and even. The moonlight filtered softly through the window, lighting the small smile on his face.
Rhea smiled, walking quietly to his side. She tucked the blanket around him and gently brushed her hand through his hair. But when she saw the bandage along his arm, her expression softened into quiet dismay.
"You reckless boy…" she murmured softly, before turning off the lamp and leaving the room.
The house fell into peaceful silence.
---
When morning came, the sun was already high. Leyn blinked awake, yawning, and turned to the clock — 8:30 AM.
He sat up with a start. "Mom! Why didn't you wake me up?"
Rhea's laughter echoed from the kitchen. "Silly boy, did you forget you're grounded? You're supposed to rest, remember? Today's only day one."
Leyn froze, hand on his forehead. "Oh… right. Grounded. Why does it not feel like I'm grounded?"
Rhea chuckled as she brought over breakfast. "Because you're lucky your punishment involves sleeping and eating."
Leyn sighed in defeat but smiled anyway. "Fair enough."
Before he could take his first bite, the doorbell rang.
*Ding-dong!*
Rhea looked toward the door, and a cheerful voice called from outside, "It's Leaf!"
Leyn perked up and quickly went to open it. "Hey, Leaf! Come in!"
Leaf stepped inside with a bright smile. "Hi, Leyn. Hi, Mrs. Rhea."
"Good morning, dear," Rhea greeted kindly. "Would you like to eat with us?"
Leaf shook her head politely. "Thank you, but my parents are waiting at home. I just wanted to visit before breakfast."
She sat across from Leyn, resting her elbows lightly on the table. "So, you're grounded, huh?"
Leyn sighed dramatically. "Yeah, for two whole days. I'm not allowed near the lab."
Leaf giggled. "That sounds awful."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Maybe a little," she teased, smiling sweetly.
Rhea smiled from the kitchen, watching the two banter.
Leaf then looked at Leyn more seriously. "Hey… thank you. You got hurt because of me. If you hadn't been there, I—"
Leyn waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. We're friends, aren't we?"
His easy smile caught her off guard. Leaf blinked, then blushed lightly, looking away. "Y-yeah… friends."
Rhea watched the scene from afar, her smile deepening as she quietly turned away to give them space.
-------------
Sunlight slipped through the curtains of Professor Oak's lab, dust dancing in the sunlight . Pikachu sat quietly on a cushioned mat, its cheeks sparking faintly as it watched the professor scribble notes on a clipboard. A small bandage covered its shoulder, but its eyes still gleamed with spirit.
Oak looked up from his papers and smiled.
"You're recovering quickly, little one. I'm glad."
"Pika!" Pikachu responded proudly, flicking its tail.
Oak chuckled softly. "Still full of energy even after all that. You remind me of someone I once knew… someone who never gave up no matter how tough things got."
For a brief moment, a distant, wistful look crossed Oak's eyes — as if recalling a face from long ago — before he shook his head and smiled again.
He leaned down slightly, meeting Pikachu's eyes.
"Tell me, Pikachu… do you like that boy, Leyn?"
Pikachu tilted its head, then gave a firm nod and a bright "Pika pika!"
A spark of electricity flickered cheerfully from its cheeks.
Oak smiled, warmth softening his features. "I thought so. He's special, isn't he? You two are already in sync, even after just one battle."
He patted Pikachu's head gently before glancing toward the nearby incubators, where several eggs sat under steady light. One of them — the baby Alolan Vulpix's — emitted a soft, frosty glow.
"You're not the only one who's recovering," Oak murmured, jotting a note. "That little Vulpix Leyn helped care for is stable again. The others are calm too. It seems your fight inspired the entire lab to be more lively."
Pikachu tilted its head again, tail wagging. "Pika~."
Oak laughed. "Yes, I think Leyn will be happy to hear that."
---
Meanwhile, at the leyn's home, the days of Leyn's punishment passed quietly — though for him, they felt like endless restlessness.
Leaf visited every morning without fail, sometimes carrying a basket of berries or small sandwiches.
Rhea always welcomed her with a gentle smile, letting them spend time together in the garden.
"Still grounded, huh?" Leaf teased one morning as she sat cross-legged on the grass.
Leyn sighed dramatically. "Yup. I feel like I've been imprisoned in my own house."
"You're literally sitting under the sun eating poffins," Leaf countered, grinning.
"Hey, that's still house arrest," he argued with mock seriousness, causing her to giggle.
Their conversations flowed easily — sometimes about Pokémon, other times about the small things they missed about the lab.
Leaf especially loved when Leyn imitated Professor Oak's serious tone.
By the second day, even Rhea admitted it was nice to hear laughter around the house again.
---
That evening, as the last rays of sunset faded, the phone rang. Gerald answered first, then handed it to Leyn.
"It's for you — Professor Oak."
Leyn perked up instantly. "Professor! How's Pikachu doing?"
Oak's chuckle came through the receiver. "Much better. Your little partner is healing fast — I think he's eager to see you again."
"That's great!" Leyn said, a wide grin forming. "How about the Vulpix? And the other Pokémon?"
"Ah, yes," Oak replied warmly. "The Alolan Vulpix is Growing well. The injured Spearow we captured is also stable — though still wary. It'll take some time to calm."
Leyn nodded as he listened closely, eager to know every detail. "That's good to hear! So, what about the Fearow and the others?"
Oak's tone shifted slightly — thoughtful, analytical. "The Pokémon Police have investigated, but the cause of their aggression remains uncertain. It wasn't a random act. Something must have disturbed them… but what, we still don't know."
Leyn's brow furrowed. "So there's a reason behind it?"
"Precisely," Oak said. "That's why, once Pikachu and you are both fully recovered, we'll visit their old habitat together. I want to study what changed in the area — what drove them into Pallet's outskirts."
Leyn's eyes lit up. "Really?! I can go too?"
Oak chuckled softly. "Of course. You're the first one to face them — your observation may be valuable. But only after you've rested completely, understood?"
"Understood!" Leyn said, excitement bubbling in his chest.
"As for the sanctuary plan…" Oak continued, pausing for a moment. "It's still in progress. I'll explain the details when you return to the lab. There's much to consider — location, environment balance, species compatibility... all vital factors."
Leyn's curiosity was piqued immediately. "Can you tell me how you'll do it, Professor?"
"Haha, patience, my boy," Oak said kindly. "I'll show you everything once you're back. You'll learn more seeing it firsthand than hearing me ramble on the phone."
"Okay, deal!" Leyn said, grinning. "I can't wait!"
"I know you can't," Oak said, his voice full of fondness. "Rest easy tonight. Pikachu will be waiting."
---
That night, after dinner, Leyn sat by his window, gazing up at the stars. His thoughts lingered on Pikachu, on the mystery that still surrounded the Fearow flock.
But beneath it all, a quiet thrill pulsed through his chest — the same feeling he had in the battle.
The feeling of being alive, connected… part of something larger.
Rhea peeked into his room and smiled, seeing him sitting upright with a faraway look. "Still awake, my little hero?"
Leyn blinked, startled. "Ah—Mom. Yeah, just thinking."
She stepped closer and kissed his forehead. "Then think while resting. You've got a long day waiting once you're better."
"Okay, Mom…" he murmured, smiling faintly.