The scent of warm bread and spiced tea drifted up from the lower floor of the inn, tugging Shion from his dreams.
He blinked slowly at the ceiling above, rays of sunlight filtering through the wooden slats of the window. Kiba lay curled near the foot of the bed, already awake, while Bidoof lay on his back atop a pillow, snoring with his mouth wide open, a small snot bubble inflating with each breath.
Shion sat up, stretched, and let out a long sigh. Another day. Another piece of the road.
He dressed quickly and carefully slung on his satchel, adjusting it over his shoulder before gently nudging Bidoof.
"C'mon, up. Breakfast."
Bidoof snorted awake. "Was dreaming of roasted tomato Berries…"
"Sounds spicy."
"They were perfect."
---
Downstairs, the inn's common room was already half full. Adventurers murmured over maps. Locals chatted with travelers over steaming plates. The hearth fire crackled lazily.
At a table near the window, Jareth and Fena were already seated, halfway through their breakfast.
"Morning," Shion said, waving as he approached.
"You're late," Fena said flatly, raising her teacup. "I almost thought we'd have to fetch you."
Jareth offered a brief grin. "Sit down. Eat. We've got a bit of a day ahead."
Shion slid into the empty chair, Kiba settling beside him with a low huff. Bidoof climbed up onto a stool, looking proud of himself for not demanding to be carried.
A waitress came by, and Shion ordered some eggs, flatbread, and a bit of berry jam along with tea.
"So," he asked between sips, "when are we heading out?"
"Afternoon," Fena replied, glancing out the window. "Dunlin's making a few trade stops. He'll be back by midday."
Shion nodded. "And until then?"
Jareth leaned back in his chair. "You're coming with me."
Shion blinked. "Huh?"
"Your clothes look like you've been wrestling wild Mankey every day," Jareth said, gesturing to the fraying sleeves of Shion's shirt and the scuffed leather of his old boots. "They're not going to last another two weeks on the road."
"I've only fought, like… one wild Mankey."
"Exactly my point."
Fena snorted softly into her teacup.
"So we're getting you geared up. Armor, boots, travel gloves. Nothing fancy. Just enough to stop you from looking like you tripped into an adventure."
Shion hesitated, then looked down at his sleeves. They really were starting to tear at the seams.
"Okay… you're probably right."
"Of course I am."
---
The town's armor and outfitter shop sat near the northern bridge, its wooden sign carved with the image of a crossed sword and a pair of boots. Inside, the scent of oiled leather and iron filled the air. The walls were lined with racks of gear some battle-worn, some fresh-stitched, and others clearly decorative.
"Don't let the polished stuff distract you," Jareth said as they entered. "Find what works, not what looks heroic."
Shion browsed cautiously at first, unsure where to start. Kiba sniffed a few racks, his nose wrinkling at a pile of old helmets.
Eventually, Shion's eye caught a modest setup: a single leather shoulder pad, a simple brown breastplate, and a set of reinforced knee pads. Nearby, a pair of weatherproofed boots and fingerless gloves completed the look.
He picked up the gloves, flexing them.
"Good fit?" Jareth asked, watching.
"Yeah," Shion said, surprised. "Actually feels… right."
"You'll need to break them in on the road. But they'll hold up."
Shion tried everything on, moving through a few stances with Kiba to test the flexibility. His old farm clothes were still underneath but somehow, just adding the armor made him feel different. More grounded.
More like… an adventurer.
"Not bad," Jareth said with a nod. "Looks like you're ready to stop being a background character."
Shion snorted. "That an insult or a compliment?"
"Both."
---
On their way back toward the guildhouse, something caught Shion's eye in a nearby stall.
A scarf simple, dyed a deep forest green, fluttering lightly in the breeze.
He didn't need it. It wasn't part of the gear Jareth recommended. But something about it reminded him of Riverleaf. Of the trees. Of Miya's ribbon around his wrist.
He stepped over and bought it with the few spare coins he had.
As he tied it around his neck, Jareth raised an eyebrow.
"Going for the mysterious rogue look?"
Shion shrugged. "I like green."
Jareth didn't argue.
---
They returned to the guild courtyard where Dunlin and Fena were waiting. Dunlin, ever energetic, was supervising a Machoke as it hoisted crates onto the cart.
Fena turned as they approached and stopped.
Her eyes scanned Shion's new gear. "Huh. You clean up well."
Shion glanced at his gloves. "Thanks. Jareth insisted."
"Rightfully so," Dunlin added, tipping his hat. "Armor makes the man or at least keeps him alive a little longer."
Kiba gave a proud bark, clearly approving of the transformation.
Bidoof peered over from Shion's pack and squinted. "You look… marginally less likely to die in your sleep."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
---
With their supplies loaded, mudsdale fed, and the sun now tilting toward the western sky, the party gathered near the town's east gate.
Brookmill's watchtower guards gave them a friendly nod as they passed.
The road ahead stretched long and quiet. Hills rolled beneath the clouds like sleeping giants.
Shion turned back once to look at the town its soft rooftops, the churning river, the laughter of children playing with their Pokémon on the grass.
It had only been a short stay.
But he'd remember it.
He touched the green scarf around his neck.
"Ready?" Jareth asked from the front of the cart.
Shion nodded, smiling.
"Let's go."
---
The wind swept softly across the open path, stirring the tall grass along the dirt trail east of Brookmill. The road was smooth for the most part, winding through open fields and sparsely wooded areas. Birds pok circled above, and somewhere distant, a Kricketune's gentle hum drifted with the breeze.
It had been nearly a full day since the group departed Brookmill.
No bandits.
No corrupted Pokémon.
No sudden Skitty chases.
Peaceful.
Shion sat on the back of the wagon, legs dangling off the edge, watching the path roll behind them as Kiba walked beside the cart, alert but relaxed.
Even Bidoof wasn't complaining for once though he did mutter now and then about "dust ruining his divine fur."
In front, Jareth walked steadily, his armor clinking softly with each step, while Fena sat near the front, reading through a weathered herbal guide. Dunlin hummed a wandering tune as he guided the mudsdale.
It was… pleasant.
Too pleasant.
So of course, it didn't last.
Jareth raised a hand. "Stop the cart."
Dunlin pulled the reins. "Trouble?"
Kiba had already bristled. His ears pricked high, eyes locked on the tall grass ahead.
And then they saw them.
Four Mightyena, emerging from the grass dark-furred, yellow-eyed, and clearly territorial. One at the front snarled and pawed at the ground, hackles raised.
"Great," Fena muttered, sliding off the cart. "Wild pack."
"Typical patrol aggression," Jareth said calmly. "They're not angry ,just guarding their turf."
Shion stepped off the cart as Kiba took a position in front of him.
"This might be a good time," he said under his breath.
Jareth glanced over. "You sure?"
Shion nodded, steadying his stance.
"Kiba Rock Slide."
The lead Mightyena let out a piercing howl and the pack charged.
"Start with defense," Jareth called, releasing his Lairon beside Shion. "Use the terrain to your advantage!"
Shion focused. Kiba crouched low, eyes narrowing.
"Now!"
Kiba leapt forward, his claws striking the ground hard. This time, there was no awkward delay.
The earth trembled beneath his paws.
Stones ripped from the ground and arced overhead, the formation cleaner, tighter. They slammed down into the charging Mightyena, scattering two with direct hits while the others dodged.
"Perfect!" Jareth barked.
The lead Mightyena lunged, jaws glowing with Crunch, but Lairon intercepted it with a shoulder tackle.
Kiba swerved around to flank. "Accelerock!"
Kiba vanished in a blur of orange light striking the second Mightyena clean in the ribs, sending it skidding across the dirt.
Shion felt the rush in his chest. The move had landed perfectly.
Another Mightyena tried a fire Fang from behind Kiba sensed it, pivoted with a howl, and used a mini Rock Slide burst at close range.
It hit point-blank.
The wild Pokémon yelped and backed off, clearly not expecting such control from a mid-range attack.
In just a few moments, the pack had scattered wounded but not severely. They fled into the wilds, yipping low growls of warning as they vanished into the brush.
Shion exhaled slowly, pulse still elevated.
"That," Jareth said, approaching with Lairon at his side, "was proper technique. Controlled spacing. Quick response. Excellent synergy."
Shion blinked. "Wait you're saying I did good?"
Jareth grinned. "I'm saying Kiba did good. But yeah you ..kinda helped."
Shion rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop the smile that followed.
---
The rest of the road was quiet.
No more wild Pokémon. No bandits. Just wind, clouds , and the steady rhythm of footfalls.
By evening, they set up camp under a broad oak tree, the fire crackling warm in the center of their circle. Dunlin roasted skewers of salted meat over the flames while Fena flipped through her herbal journal, occasionally muttering notes to herself.
Shion sat beside Kiba, who now proudly wore a bandage across his front leg from a glancing bite earlier in the battle.
Bidoof chewed on a roasted berry while sitting in Shion's lap like an entitled house cat.
The flames flickered across Jareth's face as he finished polishing his Lairon's armor plates. Shion leaned back against his pack and stared at the stars.
"Where to next?" he asked.
Dunlin perked up. "Ah, yes. Next stop's a place called Ternstone. Small mining town nestled in a canyon system. Good folk. Sturdy food. Honest trade."
Jareth smirked. "It's also where I was born."
Shion blinked. "Wait, really?"
Fena glanced up. "You never mentioned we'd be heading to your hometown."
"I wasn't sure we'd pass through," Jareth admitted. "But once Dunlin showed me the map, I figured we might as well. We need supplies, and the guild outpost there is strong."
Shion smiled. "I remember your story the one about your dad being saved in the mines."
"Yeah," Jareth said, his voice softening. "Feels like full circle, in a way."
Fena gave a faint nod. "It'll be interesting to see where you came from."
"I'll warn you now," Jareth said with a grin. "The beds are hard, the air's dry, and the food is boiled rockroot stew. But the people? They're solid."
Shion chuckled. "Looking forward to it."
Bidoof, however, said nothing.
He was staring at the fire. Then… at the eastern horizon.
"You feel it?" Shion whispered.
Bidoof's voice was unusually quiet. "Closer."
---
Far away, beneath the vaulted ceilings of Ravios Castle's auxiliary wing, Ren adjusted the straps on his newly issued uniform.
It wasn't the standard full plate of the Royal Knights, but the black and silver coat bore the crest of the Provisional Corps a sunburst over a blade.
Ren's reflection stared back at him in the polished mirror.
Lucario stood behind him, arms crossed, tail twitching once.
"let's go " Ren whisper as lucario nodded and followed it's trainer