Warmth.
That was the first thing I felt.
A soft, soothing warmth—like sunlight filtered through leaves—wrapped around my body. My Evergreen Power pulsed gently, no longer raging wildly like before.
My eyes fluttered open.
I was still lying in the same clearing.
The battlefield was gone. The poisonous stench was gone.
The Venusaur tribe… had left.
What remained was peace.
On my right, Pidgeotto was curled beside me, breathing softly, wing bandaged carefully with broad leaves. Mankey lay just beyond her, snoring faintly, one hand still gripping a broken twig as if he had fought it in his dreams.
On my left, Rhyhorn—fully healed—slept like a boulder. The four newly evolved Pikachu were curled on his back, tails twitching lazily.
I let out a weak laugh.
"Good… you're all okay."
The sound must've alerted someone.
A pink blur hopped into my field of vision.
Large ears, stethoscope-like feelers, gentle blue eyes.
Audino.
She touched her feelers to my chest, my forehead, my wrist—checking pulse, breathing, Evergreen stability.
A soft chime escaped her throat:
"Au-di~"
Behind her, Meera hurried over.
"Aakash! You're awake!"
The relief in her voice made my chest tighten. She dropped to her knees beside Audino, who looked up and nodded.
"He's okay now," Audino communicated kindly, using simple telepathy that only carried intent.
Meera exhaled. "Thank god…"
One by one, footsteps rustled.
The rest of the team emerged from behind the trees.
Captain Sethi stepped forward first, saluting automatically before remembering we weren't on duty.
"Aakash… you scared the entire country," he said, voice rough. "It's been two hours since the battle."
Two hours.
No wonder my body felt both healed and drained.
Sethi continued:
"We've secured the zone. Venusaur left after ensuring everything was safe. Nearby Pokémon were transported deeper inside by Bulbasaur. The area is stable."
I nodded slowly, memories returning like fragments of dream.
"Arbok…? The poisoned Pokémon…?"
"Handled," Sethi said simply. "And Venusaur made sure it won't be a threat ever again."
Not my favorite memory, but accurate.
Then Meera stepped forward, rubbing her hands nervously.
"Um… Aakash? Kavya and I… took initiative."
I blinked. "What kind of initiative?"
Before she answered, Kavya approached carrying Chikorita in her arms. The little leaf Pokémon perked up happily when she saw me. Her wounds were nearly gone.
"During the time you were unconscious," Meera said, "we initiated… a peace agreement with Venusaur. Similar to our Arcanine treaty."
I stared.
"You what?"
"Audino helped," Meera said quickly. "I don't know why, but she started following me after we healed the poisoned Pokémon. She convinced Venusaur we meant no harm."
I looked at Audino.
She smiled gently.
I understood immediately.
"You helped every fallen Pokémon here," I said to Meera. "Without hesitation. They recognized your goodwill. Audino fits you perfectly. Especially since you're partnered with Rhyhorn now—you don't need to worry about defense and attack."
Meera flushed.
"And the Venusaur agreement was smart. Very smart. Now we have understanding with almost every Overlord and leaders of Aarey Forest."
Everyone brightened at that.
But Meera jolted as if remembering something. She turned toward the group.
"Oh! Bring it!"
Rohan and Bhavesh stepped forward carrying three Pokémon eggs.
Cream-colored shells, resting on leaf mats.
"When we were resting," Meera explained, "Audino brought these to us. She said two were Arbok's eggs. One belonged to a bird… the parent was eaten by Arbok."
I examined them.
Two purple-spotted eggs.
"Ekans eggs," I said.
The group fell silent.
Four members had no starter Pokémon when we arrived.
After today's events:
• Meera had Audino
• Kavya held the rescued Chikorita
• That left Rohan and Bhavesh
I gestured to the Ekans eggs.
"These two go to Bhavesh and Rohan—"
But something tugged at me.
A faint glow.
The third egg.
Gray with faint reddish tint.
I held it gently.
My system pinged.
Fletchling Egg (Ability: Gale Wings)
My eyebrows rose.
A rare offensive flyer.
I turned to Rohan.
"This one's yours."
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Then I gave Bhavesh one of the Ekans eggs.
Everyone stared at the last egg.
"All of you," I said quietly, "now have a starter Pokémon."
A hush fell.
A meaningful one.
"I've completed the most important part of this expedition," I continued. "Honestly… I didn't expect to find all your partners inside Aarey Forest itself."
Their expressions softened.
Pride.
Hope.
And gratitude.
"Now," I said, clapping my hands weakly, "I've given almost all the knowledge I intended to teach. If anyone still feels they need the full seven-day training program—tell me now. Those who haven't received detailed training plans will get them tomorrow."
No one spoke.
No one hesitated.
They were ready.
I pushed myself slowly to my feet.
"We head to Miltank Pasture first," I announced. "Then Growlithe territory."
"To get final approval from Arcanine."
The last step before Aarey Forest officially allowed human coexistence.
The forest had accepted us.
Now we had to earn it.
__________________________________________________________________
With everyone stable and the crisis behind us, we began the slow trek back toward the familiar center of Aarey. The forest felt different now—quieter, calmer, as if the entire eastern zone had exhaled after the chaos.
When we stepped into the open grassland, the Miltank herd lifted their heads and mooed softly in greeting. Their leader trotted over, bumping her head affectionately against my arm.
I smiled."We'll be starting proper milk collection from tomorrow. A team will come with containers and schedules. Nothing aggressive, only what you allow."
Miltank leader nodded firmly, tapping her hoof twice—agreement.
I signaled the team.
"Collect only what they offer. No forcing. Respect their rhythm."
In ten minutes the group had gathered several liters, enough for tonight's recovery and tomorrow morning's rations.
Next, Mama, Tanisha, and I branched off toward the scorching western ridge.
The moment we entered, the air warmed. Ember sparks drifted lazily through the grass. Arcanine appeared on a high rock, mane blazing in the moonlight.
A single howl—deep, commanding—echoed across the zone.
Growlithe from the territory rushed forward, circling around Mama's and Tanisha's partners. They yipped excitedly, exchanging scents.
Mama's Growlithe stepped ahead proudly and narrated everything—their battles, their teamwork, the Arbok fight, and the fact that humans had protected Rapidash and the forest.
Arcanine listened silently.
Then, he tilted his head and huffed approvingly.
A final loud ROOOARF!
Approval granted.
A few Growlithe from his pack looked at us with shining eyes—curious, interested… considering joining humans someday.
I bowed slightly.
"Thank you. We'll protect this place."
Arcanine dipped his head once before disappearing huge tree canopy.
We regrouped at the Miltank pasture, filled all canteens, and began the long walk back toward the forest edge.
Twenty two Rhyhorns walked in formation.Pidgeotto, still recovering was in her pokeball.
The night air had cooled.
By the time we saw the faint artificial lights of the forest checkpoint—
It was already 9 PM.
We stepped out of the tree line together.
Tired.
Bruised.
But victorious.
The Aarey expedition was officially complete.
Behind us, the forest rustled softly…
…as if acknowledging us.