Floss gradually blinked awake on the sofa, the warm scent of the Chen family's villa replacing the cold Ghost-aura of Mt. Pyre.
She stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling, confused—until memory slammed back:
Leaving Mt. Pyre.
Following Brother Chen Shi…
And then—
Gengar hypnotized her.
Her face flushed a deep red.
She leapt off the sofa and stormed toward Chen Shi like an angry Mankey.
"You—!"
Chen Shi didn't even look up.
"Mm? Yes? You were asleep."
"I—!"
"You sleep very soundly. Loud snoring, too."
Floss sputtered, nearly exploding.
He hypnotized her! He put her to sleep like a wild Pokémon!
And now he was acting like she just decided to nap in public!?
Chen Shi sighed with mock solemnity.
"I only did it for your own good."
"What!?"
"You trust people too easily. If I'd wanted to sell you, you'd be mining ore in some illegal cave by now."
Floss froze mid-rage.
Her brain attempted to process the logic—
…He hypnotized me.
…But he's also not wrong?
Her expression collapsed into total confusion.
Grandma Chen quickly stepped in before the girl self-destructed from emotional overload.
"Come here, child," she said gently. "Don't listen to that rascal. Sit with Grandma."
Floss stiffened, suddenly realizing—
These two weren't strangers.
These were the friends her grandparents trusted the most.
The legendary Chen family, master breeders of Hoenn.
She bowed quickly, face pink.
"Hello, Grandpa Chen, Grandma Chen. My name is Floss."
Both elders softened instantly.
Grandma Chen guided her onto a chair.
"You'll stay with us awhile," she said, smiling. "Your room upstairs is ready. If you need anything, tell me."
Grandpa Chen added warmly:
"We've known your grandparents most of our lives. Treat this home as your own."
Floss nodded, shy but soothed.
A Room Like a Dream
Upstairs, the room prepared for her was larger than her entire wooden house on Mt. Pyre.
Soft carpet.
Neatly arranged drawers.
A huge, warm bed.
Fresh linen with a faint floral scent.
Floss touched everything with trembling hands.
"This is really… for me?"
"Of course," Chen Shi said. "You can stay as long as you want. My room's across the hall—call me if you need anything."
Then he left her to explore.
Floss bounced on the bed, spun around in circles, flicked the lamp on and off, and squealed into a pillow.
So this…
This was the outside world.
Togepi's Tears
Back in his room, Chen Shi found:
Togepi curled on his bed, sobbing even in its sleep.
Shiny Beldum, tucked into its little nest, staring blankly at the crying egg.
Chen Shi scooped Togepi up.
"Togepi, why are you crying?"
The moment Togepi woke and saw him, tears overflowed.
"Togepiiii!"
(A wailing storm of betrayal and relief.)
Chen Shi's chest tightened.
"Who bullied you? Come here."
Beldum floated closer to watch, the red eye full of curiosity.
Between hiccups, Togepi pointed its tiny hand accusingly.
It had waited all afternoon.
It had missed Chen Shi deeply.
Nobody knew where he'd disappeared to.
Even Leafeon didn't know.
Florges was training.
Grandpa thought Togepi was "acting cute."
So Togepi spiraled into the worst possible conclusion:
Chen Shi had gotten a new Togepi…
and was abandoning the old one.
Chen Shi's expression softened instantly.
"Oh, you silly little egg…"
He wiped its tears.
"I only left for a bit. I'm back now."
Togepi sobbed louder—relief overflowing now that the nightmare was over.
Chen Shi stroked its head.
"Alright, alright. Next time, I'll bring you. I promise."
Togepi sniffed.
"Toge?"
(Are you… getting a new Togepi?)
Chen Shi burst into laughter.
"No. I gave that egg to a friend—it's gone. I only have you."
Togepi brightened like dawn breaking.
It buried its face in his chest, cheeks glowing red from embarrassment.
Chen Shi hugged it closer.
"Don't overthink things. I told you before…"
He whispered gently:
"I will not abandon you. I'll be with you until the end of life."
The words struck Togepi like a thunder of warmth.
Memories flooded its mind:
The dark cave.
The boy offering food.
Cleaning its dirty shell with care.
Holding out a hand:
"Togepi, Eevee… will you come with me?"
And Togepi had nodded.
Now, its body trembled—not with fear, but overflowing love.
"Togepi!"
(We'll stand together. We'll rely on each other.)
A glow burst from its small form.
A brilliant evolution light surged.
Chen Shi's eyes widened.
"Good. Drink this."
He pulled a Sky-Blue Evolution Stabilizer from his drawer and fed it to Togepi mid-transformation.
The glow intensified—
Eggshell cracked—
Wings extended—
Body grew brighter, purer—
Yellow turned soft white—
When the light faded—
A Togetic floated gracefully before him.
Chen Shi grinned.
"Congratulations, Togetic."
Togetic chirped, dancing in the air, finally believing with all its heart—
Its trainer would never leave it behind.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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