The sun dipped low over Eterna Forest, casting golden light between the trees but two voices rang out, loud and clear, shattering the stillness.
Two teenagers stood across from each other, eyes locked in determination as their Pokémon clashed in battle.
"Luxray, use Bite!" shouted the blonde-haired boy, fire blazing in his brown eyes. His Luxray lunged forward, fangs bared.
"Toxicroak, counter with Poison Jab!" commanded the black-haired boy, his sharp blue gaze unyielding. His Toxicroak met the attack head-on, striking with venomous precision.
The collision of the two powerful moves sent a shockwave rippling through the forest. Leaves scattered, and dust surged into the air, cloaking the battlefield in a thick haze.
Both boys held their breath, waiting.
As the dust settled, both Pokémon still stood—battered, but unbroken.
"Now, finish it with—"
Before either could give the final command, a sudden roar echoed above. The sky trembled as a mighty Salamence descended, its wings slicing through the air with raw power.
The boys froze.
"Dad!" they shouted in unison, quickly recalling their Pokémon. A Pikachu on Staraptor's back circled overhead before landing beside them.
From Salamence's back, a man leapt down gracefully—tall, commanding, and effortlessly charismatic.
"Sorren. Alex," he said, arms crossed. "So this is the 'research' your mother mentioned? Battling in the forest?"
He raised a brow, recalling Salamence to his Poké Ball.
The boys exchanged sheepish glances.
Pikachu climbed onto Sorren's shoulder, nuzzling against his neck. Elijah Faelanor reached out, gently brushing his fingers along Pikachu's cheeks. The little Pokémon cooed in delight.
Not wanting to be left out, Staraptor bumped its beak lightly against Alex's side, demanding attention.
Elijah chuckled and obliged, running a hand through the feathers on its head. "You haven't changed a bit," he murmured fondly.
"You're back early, Dad," Alex said, his focus shifting as he watched his father affectionately pat Staraptor.
"There wasn't much left to take care of," Elijah replied with a grin. "And I thought we could use some family bonding. But what do I find? My two sons battling each other in the forest…without me." He placed a hand on his chest, mock-offended.
Both boys laughed, voices echoing through the trees, before pulling their father into a hug.
"I missed you, Dad," Sorren said softly as he pulled back, his smile warm.
"So, before my interruption—who was winning?" Elijah asked with a curious tilt of his head.
Both boys immediately perked up.
"Obviously, it was me!" Sorren declared without hesitation, a smug grin on his face.
Alex scoffed. "As if, little brother. If Dad hadn't shown up, Toxicroak's poison would've hit Luxray—victory was just seconds away!"
"But it didn't happen, did it?" Sorren shot back with a mischievous smirk, already turning to sprint out of the forest.
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Get back here!" he shouted, dashing after him. Their Pokémon—Pikachu and Staraptor—quickly followed.
Elijah just sighed with a shake of his head, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "That battle better stay friendly!" he called after them.
"Of course, Dad! The friendliest one!" they both shouted in unison, voices fading into the trees as laughter echoed through the forest.
❦
By the time the three of them reached home, a rich, spicy aroma wafted through the air, instantly making the boys bolt toward the front door.
"Mom! We're back!" they shouted in unison, kicking off their shoes at the veranda and dashing inside, their Pokémon scrambling after them.
"Slow down, sons!" Elijah called after them with a chuckle, stepping in at a much calmer pace. "The food's not going anywhere."
Selena Faelanor stepped out of the kitchen, a letter in her hand. She paused as she saw her sons collapse onto the couch, clearly worn out. Her smile softened when she spotted her husband trailing behind them.
She walked over and kissed Elijah lightly on the cheek. "Lovely to see you safe and sound, honey."
The boys groaned at the display, both making exaggerated faces of disgust until their eyes locked onto the envelope in their mother's hand.
"Mom, what's that?" Alex asked, sitting up straighter.
"This," Selena said, waving the envelope lightly, "is for you, Sorren."
She handed it over, and Sorren blinked in confusion. "For me? I don't remember applying for anything…"
He turned the envelope over, his fingers pausing on the elegant stamp of a golden Poké Ball pressed on the corner. With growing curiosity, he carefully opened it and began to read aloud,
To Sorren Faelanor,
You are hereby invited to participate as a Trainer on Pasio Island, a region dedicated to the world's most talented Pokémon Trainers.
On Pasio, you will be able to form sync pairs with your Pokémon and join others in cooperative and competitive battles.
This invitation grants you full access to the island, accommodation, and resources to continue your training and growth.
If you choose to accept, please report to Jubilife City within this week. Transportation will be arranged.
We look forward to welcoming you to Pasio.
— Trista, Assistant to the Pasio Admin
"Pasio?" Alex leaned in and quickly snatched the letter from his brother's hands, scanning it with furrowed brows. "Did we miss something huge?"
Elijah suddenly snapped his fingers. "Ah! Cynthia mentioned something about this…"
He tapped his Pokétch, scrolling through until he found a voice message. He pressed play.
"Elijah, it's been a while," Cynthia's familiar voice filled the room, calm and elegant. "How's your family?"
"I wanted to tell you that I've recommended Sorren for something special. I've recently been invited to an island called Pasio, and I truly believe Sorren has the potential to shine there. I know he hasn't started his journey formally yet, but this could be the perfect beginning. A rare opportunity like this shouldn't be missed. Please give him my regards."
The message ended with a soft click.
Both boys were frozen in awe.
"Aunty Cynthia…" they whispered in unison, reverence in their tone.
Sorren stared down at the letter, his heart racing. "She…recommended me?"
Selena placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder, her eyes filled with quiet pride. "You should take it, dear. Cynthia has an eye for talent. She saw it in your father when she introduced him to the Pokémon Rangers…and now she sees it in you."
"I'll try not to take that personally," Alex chimed in, smirking. "Just a reminder—I'm heading to Kalos to help the professor with his research on Mega Stones while you're out battling other trainers."
The mood lightened, just as he intended, and Elijah chuckled before giving the back of Alex's head a playful smack.
"This moment is about Sorren, smart guy. You already had your big celebration last month when you got that Kalos research invitation."
But Sorren's voice broke through the cheer, softer, uncertain. "But…Do you guys really believe I deserve this? That I'm ready for something like this?"
Selena knelt beside him and looked into his eyes. "Oh, sweetheart. You were born ready. Greatness doesn't wait for permission and neither should you. We'll support you every step of the way…and so will your Pokémon."
Pikachu, as if in agreement, climbed into his lap and nuzzled against his chest. Sorren let out a soft laugh, his hand resting gently on Pikachu's head.
"C'mon now," Elijah said, lifting the letter from Sorren's hands with a grin and tugging him to his feet. "Whether you accept or not can wait. Right now, I'm starving for your mother's delicacies"
As Sorren was nudged toward the dining table, Alex followed behind, hands in his pockets and a light bounce in his step. Selena turned with a smile, disappearing into the kitchen to bring out the dishes, her loyal Chansey at her side carrying a bowl of curry with practiced grace.
❦
That night, Sorren stood alone on the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against his skin as he gazed up at the star-scattered sky. The stars twinkled like scattered gems so unlike the storm of questions swirling inside his mind.
In his hands, he clutched a photo frame, fingers gently tracing the edges.
"Am I really meant for something great like this…?" he whispered, as if the photograph might offer an answer or soothe his restless thoughts.
The balcony door creaked open behind him, followed by a long, exaggerated yawn.
"You're seriously overthinking when you should be knocked out cold," came a familiar voice.
Sorren turned to find Alex sauntering in, wearing a loose white shirt and black shorts, his hair tousled like he'd just rolled out of bed.
"You seriously think I could sleep after being handed an entire island's worth of expectations by Aunt Cynthia?" Sorren said with a dry chuckle, lowering the frame.
Alex joined him at the railing, leaning over it lazily with his arms draped across. "Well, what's left to think about? The invitation's there. The chance is real. All you gotta do is accept it…and walk the path that already has your name on it."
Alex groggily rubbed his eyes, another yawn threatening to take over until his gaze fell on the photo frame in Sorren's hands. His expression softened.
"We look so small in that," he said with a quiet chuckle.
And they did. In the photo, two wide-eyed boys clung to their father's legs, beaming with wonder as they met a rescued Pichu and Starly for the first time. Those tiny, timid Pokémon had long since grown into their loyal companions.
"I miss those times…" Sorren murmured, his voice laced with that particular tenderness he always carried when speaking about Pokémon.
"You mean the time when you didn't have to talk to actual people?" Alex teased, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "You're eighteen, Sorren. How long are you planning to stay tucked under Mom and Dad's wings?"
"I wish it could be forever…" Sorren replied, eyes still fixed on the photo. "People scare me. They already look at me like I don't belong in this family. I mean—look at you. You have Dad's hair, Mom's eyes. I don't look like either of them. Sometimes I wonder if they even—" He stopped, his voice faltering.
Alex sighed, not out of annoyance, but from familiarity. He'd heard this tune before whenever Sorren's confidence began to crumble.
"Has anyone in this family ever made you feel like you don't belong?" he asked firmly.
"…No," Sorren admitted quietly.
"And what have we always done?"
"…Appreciated me," he replied, his voice softer.
"And?"
"…Supported me."
"There we go," Alex said, nudging his brother lightly. "So take that love, tuck it in your backpack, and leave all that self-doubt behind. You've got us and—"
The door creaked open a second time as Pikachu strutted in, balancing three Poké Balls in his arms.
"Pika pi!" he chirped proudly.
With care, Pikachu placed the Poké Balls on the balcony floor and pressed the buttons. One by one, both of their Pokémon emerged in a flash of light.
Staraptor immediately took to the sky, soaring through the night air. Luxray stretched her limbs with a low rumble, while Toxicroak blinked sleepily before striding over to his trainer.
"You really should take a lesson from your Pikachu," Alex remarked, crouching to pat Toxicroak. "That little guy has more confidence than you ever will."
Sorren chuckled and settled down on the balcony floor. Luxray padded over and gently rested her head in his lap. Pikachu hopped onto his head and curled up comfortably between his tousled hair.
"What's the meaning of this?" Alex asked, arms crossed as he eyed his brother. Toxicroak mimicked his trainer's stance, making him snort.
"We're sleeping," Sorren replied simply, eyes already half-closed. "Like we're supposed to."
"In the cold? On the balcony? Without a bed?" Alex huffed. "What are you going to do when Mom and Dad find you like this in the morning?"
"Find us, you mean," Sorren smirked. "Because you're joining us. Isn't that right, Staraptor?"
Staraptor landed gracefully on the railing and let out a soft, confirming chirp.
Alex rolled his eyes, but after a beat, sighed and plopped down beside his brother. "The things I do for you…"
"You love me enough to overlook the small stuff," Sorren said with a sleepy grin.
"I hate that I can't even deny that."
"Goodnight, Alex."
"Goodnight, my idiotic brother."