//------------------------------//
// Chapter 18 : Unexpected Visitors 
// Story: A New World, A New Dawn 
// by Uber Reaper 
//------------------------------//

Nothing was ever so simple. The appearance of good things can be the break we need, to disguise the many problems we had. But that is only a temporary solution. We can't run away from our troubles just like we can't run away from our past. In order to rid ourselves of those troubles....we have to face them head-on. - Eric Angelo

Play this as the second opening theme






“....we’re back.” The Hydreigon stated as he exited the carriage he was in a moment ago.

Their short visit to the capital city of Equestria, Canterlot in search for Eric’s comatose father, had proven fruitful. Not only did Eric discovered that Dave was alright and taken care of by the hospital staff in St. Celestial Hospital, Reynard was there as well to ensure his good health.

With his father’s body not being movable due to the railway company operating the trains lacking carriages that could be considered adequate to move patients, they have left no choice, but to return and discuss their next course of action.

And a night of train ride later, they’re back in Vanhoover right in the afternoon.

A yawn came from next to Eric. Dominus was stretching his wings out after a long night of immobility. “Ah, that feels so good!” Moving his body in every way, he got a satisfying crack from his spine and neck. “Lucky for us, huh?”

“...hmmm?”

“That we got to go on a train ride for free, dude.” Dominus cracked a smile. “Sure is convenient, huh?”

Looking at the ticket in question, he remembered that the ticket was given to him by the railway company CEO as a token of gratitude after helping catching an infamous crime lord. The date in question mentioned that the expire date was three months from now, enough for their purposes.

“....it’s sure is.” He simply nodded.

“Dude, cheer up,” He slapped the back of the Hydreigon for emphasis. “I’m sure your dad will be fine. He’s a tough old man!”

One thing he noticed, it seems Dominus tried too hard to cheer him up despite all the things that happened a day earlier. However, he appreciated the thought. But now is not the time for such things, what they need now is rest.

Glancing to his right, his eyes locked on his companion. “....Alex, you okay? Do you need me to carry you?”

The Volcarona beside him let out a cute  yawn from his tiny mouth, blinking the lights out of his eyes. “....no, thanks...I think I’m...fine?”

Eric nodded in confirmation.

A third yawn drew their attention. Dawn had just exited the train. “We’re back home?”

“....it is, we’re back in Vanhoover.”

The mare sighed in relief. “Thank Celestia.” Her mind inevitably flashes back to yesterday, doing everything she could to forget about it. But fate still says otherwise.

The silence alone was enough to tip off Eric. “....are you still thinking about yesterday?”

As usual, she got caught red hoofed. Dawn scratched her head in nervousness. “Yeah...”

“....don’t worry about, it’s....my problem.” Eric bit his lips as he uttered the word.

Her head perked up, did she hear things now? “But, but-“

“...I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to worry about it. You already done more than enough, Dawn.”

“Uh, dude and dudette,” Dominus chirped in, cutting Eric off. “I think we best go to Dawn’s house pronto? You know, two certain volatile Pokémon in there waiting to explode and tore it down?”

“...uhm, that...won’t be good...right?” Alex squeaked.

“Nothing is ever good when it comes to grandpa sarcastic, little guy. Learn that the hard way.” Dominus didn’t hear Alex mumbled the reply nor was he paying attention. “So I think we should go.”

Meanwhile, the image of an obliterated house came across Dawn’s vision, leaving only Sally and Will standing on the pieces. She instantly shuddered and once more scratched her head due to nervousness. “Uh....I think we should go.”

The Hydreigon nodded in agreement. “....I agree, let’s go.” He needed to make sure his friend’s house had stood intact during their journey away from it, ASAP.





In the streets of the suburbs, ponies and all other species are mingling together, even Pokémon included. The changes that had been dropped onto their planet was certainly strange, but a welcoming one. At this day of their life, everything had all, but returned to normality that had cloaked their lives before, minus the strange beings.

However, two anomalies that they haven’t seen made every living thing in the street go dead silent or stopping themselves in their tracks, eyes curiously following the newcomers that had walked through their neighborhood.

“Oh, Kenny,” The voice was female, one could mistake for the song of an angel, yet also possessing a childish tone in it. “Where do you think they are?”

The first anomaly was a Goodra with one hand shaded her eyes as she goes to a full tracking mode for the one she seeks. The Dragon-type was an anomaly indeed, for it’s appearance are not typical of that of a standard one. This Goodra instead of pudgy, was considerably slimmer. This Goodra have two sets of antennae atop their head that are capable of retracting. However, behind the front pair of antennae, a purple headband was worn across her head just behind the two with an empty  round slot on the side, three more purple rubber bands was found on her person ; two near the tip of her two larger antennae each, squeezing them while the last was found near the tip of her tail, causing it unable to form a proper curl at the end.  Last, but not least was her fiery earring attached to the left side of her head. Other than that, her other appearances was standard among her own species.

Her appearance meant two things to the Pokémon littering the streets : Beautiful was one of them, and the second was that their hearts was beating like a wardrum for reasons that had escaped them.

“I don’t know,” The second voice was rough, mature, indicating a male. The voice belongs to another Dragon-type, one that looks more simplistic. “Are you sure they are here?” The voice cast doubts on his trainer due to her more....quirky nature.

It is a bipedal, dragon-like Pokémon that is primarily dark blue, with a red underbelly that covers from the middle of its abdomen, to its jaws, and then to the undersides of its arms. Underneath the red is a gold diamond shape as well a gold cross on its snout. Garchomp has appendages that resemble a jet or plane's engines, giving it an appearance similar to a hammerhead. It has four fins, one on each arm, one dorsal fin and another on its tail that resembles a shark tailfin. It has spikes on its hind limbs and arms as well as sharper claws than its previous evolution. Its eyes have black scleras and gold-colored irises. Itspupils have shrunk. His only accessory was an black ornate armband worn on his right arm, a similar empty round slot found on the Goodra’s headband was there.

One thing run through their mind for each species upon witnessing the Garchomp who accompanies the Goodra : Intimidating for ponies and the other species of Equus, charming for the female population of Pokémon

“Kenny, how could you?” The voice replied had I’ve read the newspaper just fine, it is said they are here.”

However, the Garchomp was nonplussed, for such tactic didn’t work on him anymore. “Best we keep our eyes and ears open then, yes?”

The Goodra couldn’t agree more.

The ponies and other species of Equus didn’t know what to make of them. The first Dragon-type was certainly cute in their eyes, but for her companion....he let out an aura that screams ‘intimidating’, ponies decided to slink away the moment he is near. Even the Pokémon saw fit to agree, due to their more instinctive nature, they are able to detect something unnatural within the Garchomp, something beyond their standard for Garchomp.

Their behaviour did not go unnoticed by the Goodra. “It’s okay, fellow ponies and Pokémon, we are not here to give you bodily harm. Sorry if we acted like a pair of stalkers, please carry on.” She let out her tongue on the side as a harmless gesture.

They understood what she said....everyone except the species of Equus. The Pokémon relaxed, the Equus species did not but more on the Garchomp side.

Her Garchomp companion sighed, and faceclawed. “They don’t understand us, so please stop embarrassing yourself.” The last thing he need was his trainer running off to somewhere to hug these so called adorable ponies.

“But they seems so scared. It’s wrong to leave them like that. So maybe...” Her eyes found the skies to be the hottest topic right now while playing with her fingers.

Her companion simply shook his head in acceptance of their situation for he had feared gone true. The Garchomp decided to look around the neighborhood to loosen the grip from the atmosphere had on him.

Fortunately, this served a lot better than he had expected because his eyes had found themselves locked on a group of Pokemon, with one mare with odd bat-like wings among them. But that wasn’t what caught his attention, because it was solely on the watch worn by the Hydreigon and the Volcarona beside him.

Kenneth connected the dots soon. “Hey, I think I....” He cut himself off the moment he turned his head to look over his shoulder. His trainer had a smile crept across her face, threatening to cut it in half.

That was all the signs needed for the Garchomp to step back and enjoy the show.

“ERIC!” Her voice cut through the entire district.





“....hmmm?” The voice registered in Eric’s head soon enough, allowing him to turn around to witness a sight most disconcerting.

A Goodra, full of accessories was there, but his immediate attention was drawn to the fact that the Dragon-type was closing in a mile a minute on him.

Instinct took over, his body tensed up in preparation for an assault, brain ready to find the command suitable for Alex to deal with their unexpected arrival.

Eric found himself gritting his teeth at change of scenery. “....a Goodra? Who is it? Why is it going at me at full speed?” He shook his head out of such thoughts, it can wait later. “...for now, I need to focus.”

The Goodra was certainly fast on her feet, covering the entire street within one burst of speed, arms stretched out ready to give a hug. The unexpected happened in the form of an uneven concrete, the Goodra tripped and she flew through the air....literally. And she landed on her stomach and slid across the ground, kicking up dust along the way before coming to a full stop just before the Hydreigon.

The entire square went dead silence as the night. If one were to listen closely, only the chirping of birds accompanies the weird atmosphere.

Eric did not knew how to address this situation. One moment this Goodra came to him like the force of a hundred Tyrantrum, the next it was here, on the ground before him.

Nonetheless, he decided to take the initiative by going straight to the point. “....are you okay?”

The next thing he knew, he got caught off guard and the Goodra had glomped him in a hug.

Meanwhile, Dominus was having a game of pinball with how fast his eyes were going all over the place. He stopped himself before his eyes could really become a pinball. “Okay, dude, what just happened?”

Dawn couldn’t answer, mouth still agape, she herself did not know the new arrival who had enveloped Eric in hug, The surprise written across his face was enough indicator that he himself didn’t know what’s going on.

The Hydreigon was unamused at the situation he found himself in. “....sir, I think you got the wrong gu-“ A finger had found itself cutting him off at the mouth.

The head that laid across his shoulder retracted back to look him straight in the eyes. “Hello, remember me?” The grin that threaten to cut her cheek was a good imitation of an Electrode.

The form Eric didn’t recognize, but the voice he did recognize immediately. “....mom?” Looking all over to make sure his eyes didn’t trick him, he found himself believing her on the first try, due to the absurd amount of rubber bands on her.... larger antennae and near the end of her tail this time instead of hair he had known her to wear around, possibly bought since all other accessories beside your signature were left behind. 

“Right the first time, sonny!” Eric found a hint of relief behind those now green eyes of hers. “I’ve been looking all over for you and Joe and your dad! How you’ve been?”

Once the immediate surprise wore off, he resumed his stoic expression. “...just fine.”

Just the sight of her son stoicism was enough to convince her that this Hydreigon was 100% her son. That and also the fact he wore a brown watch with a similar empty round slot for a Key Stone to fit in.

Sounds of immediate footsteps was heard. “I see we’ve found Eric, Sylvia?”

Tilting his head slightly to the left of the Goodra, he was treated with the sight of another new arrival drew one name within the Hydreigon’s head. “...Kenneth.”

“Uh-huh.” She nodded with excitment of a child finding a long lost object.

The Garchomp folded his arms across his chest. “I’ve never expected you to be a Hydreigon, kid.”

“....I didn’t either.” His answer was simple and to the point, but that was enough to confirm for Kenneth that he is the real deal. No one could act more stoic than his trainer’s son.

“Uhm....” The soft, shy voice of one bug made his appearance beside Eric known. “Mrs. Angelo, Kenneth...it’s...er, good...to see you two okay...again?”

Her mind found that the cutest immediate object was the fire moth floating nervously beside her son. Releasing her death grip on Eric, she crouched low to address the bug. “Alex! Good to see you! Oh, you’re still the same shy cutie I remembered,” The Goodra’s fingers found his cheeks and lightly pinched them. “Can’t wait to treat you to my poffins again!”

The bug decided to hide his blush by finding the concrete beneath them interesting.

Meanwhile, a bat pony and her Braviary companion’s mouth went slack. Did their friend just said what they thought he did?

The pony and his partner made sure to stare to each other to confirm the scene in front of them was not some sort of hallucination. Locking gazes for a moment told each other everything. “MOM!?”

Their simultaneous shouts had an effect they didn’t desire, as all eyes locked on the two. Dawn looked down to escape those nerve –wracking gazes while Dominus decided to get answers from the horse’s mouth.

“Okay, dude, mom?” He pointed at the Goodra. Next he pointed at the confused Garchomp. “Kenneth? This Braviary here needs explanation.” He beat a wing against his chest, explanation made mandatory.

Dawn was inwardly thankful, Dominus had saved her from embarrassment by being unnecessarily curt again.

Kenneth’s curiosity piqued his interest. This Braviary was certainly new. “Who is this? A new team member perhaps?”

“A new team!?” The Goodra was horrified at this new information, she grabbed her son’s shoulder and locked gazes with him again. “Eric, why didn’t you tell your mommy you had a new team member. This requires the ritual!”

Eric slowly shook his head once before removing the death grip that made his shoulders numb suddenly. “....not quite. Dominus was my friend and  a partner of a friend of mine.” He simply pointed an arm to the slack-jawed bat pony watching the spectacle.  “Her name is Dawn, she had offered her house for us to stay for quite some time now. She’s quite nice, although she might let slip of her curiosity at times and being curt, but that doesn’t stop her from being a good hostess and friend.”

Only now did the aforementioned mare realized that her friend was pointing to her direction. Just enough for her to close her gaping mouth before a fly could find it’s home there.

Meanwhile, the Goodra was thrilled, her son had made friends with the one of the locals. The way he vouched for her told Sylvia everything she needed to know, it is rare for her son to show more than a benefit of doubt for everything.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” The Goodra slipped and headed to the mare with an additional spring in her steps.

Now she stood before Dawn. Eric’s size was imposing, but that is partly due to the fact that he took flight all the time. But this....she wondered if every Dragon Pokémon was this tall. She felt herself so small.

“Uh.....hi?” She internally groaned at her botched greeting and she simply scratched her head out of habit and cursing her habit at becoming nervous once at the center of attention.

What the Goodra did was the last thing she expected, she simply grabbed her right forehoof and shook it wildly. With each shook comes the numbness that took it over.

Nonetheless, her childish excitement overrode her sensibility. “Hi, I’m Sylvia, nice to meet you, Dawn! Sonny spoke highly of you, you know. Rare thing for him to do that nowadays.”

Dawn was helpless as the Goodra shook her numb to the state of numbness. All she could do was nod her head. “Uh...yeah. Nice to meet you too...I guess?” But what Sylvia said on the last part of her sentence had brought her back to that scene, where it all had began for her new friend. She understood his feelings all too well and didn’t hold it against him if he didn’t trust her at first.

The Goodra let go of her forehoof. She sighed inwardly, anymore and she wouldn’t be surprised if her leg had suddenly come off.

“Oh, don’t be so shy, we’re all equals here. That reminds me too, also, thank you so much for having sonny stay with you for a couple of days. I figured it must be harrowing experience?” She added playfulness in her tone.

Dawn didn’t miss it, she could feel that Sylvia and herself was going to get along great. “It was nothing. He’s been quite the polite guest. In fact, he’s been helping me all the time.”

Sylvia giggled at Dawn’s words. “Yes, that sounds like what sonny would do, alright. As for you, young mon,” Her gaze found itself locked on the Braviary. “I believe I haven’t introduced myself to you, silly me.

Their gazes locked, Dominus felt a chill going down his spine. “Huh, me?” He pointed at himself in confusion.

For the sake of leaving those two to do their thing, Dawn quietly slinked away to watch the event unfold.

Dominus didn’t know what to say, he didn’t expect his day going down like this. With their gazes locked, smile is gone from the Goodra’s face, his imaginations going wild. What was she going to do to him?

After a momentary silence, that grin returned to adorn her face. “Oh, look how cute you are!” The Goodra felt the need to glomp the Braviary in a hug which she did.

Dominus didn’t know how to react to this one, he had expected many things, being hugged is the last one on the list. “Uh, cute?”

“Sure you are, one of the cutest Braviary ever. What’s your name, young mon? I think I remember that Eric said something about you?” 

The smile she let out was enough to sent away any fear he had on her just now. “Name’s Dominus. Yeah, nice to meet you, Miss Sylvia.”

“Dominus, cute name for a cute Braviary. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re quite cute?”

“I think Dawn did say that a few times.” The Braviary couldn’t help, but let out a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of his head.

A polite cough from Kenneth interrupted their conversation. “I think we should move elsewhere, we have seemed to draw too much attention to ourselves.”

The bat pony wanting nothing more than to discover the secrets of earth right now, the same could be said for Alex. All those eyes did nothing to ease their nerves.

Eric couldn’t help, but agree with Kenneth. After all, Alex was already looking like he wanted to sink into the earth. “....I agree.” The former human grabbed the quivering bug and held him close to his chest for comfort. The quivering died quickly.

“....let’s go.” He flicked his head to a direction before heading off.

The others soon followed without another word, intent to get out of hundreds of prying eyes.





With their unexpected arrival, they figured a change of environment is a necessity due to how many prying eyes were eyeballing them as they go. And now, they headed through the suburbs back toward the comfort of Dawn’s home, eyes from curious bystander still following them wherever they go.

Strangely, most of the male Pokémon gazes rested solely on the Goodra following behind Eric. He pretended not to notice for he knew any actions taken right now will only serve to embarrass anyone close to him.

“Eric?”

“....hmm?” He glanced beside him to find his hostess trotting beside him with the gleam of curiosity in her eyes he recognized. “....what is it?”

“Your mom’s...sure is...what’s the word for it?” She scratched her head as she sought the correct word.

“....interesting?” Eric offered with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah...that.” She grinned sheepishly again at her clumsiness. “I mean, for your mom to act like a kid whereas you look more....mature? It seems unrealistic to me. No offence.”

His silence and simple nod told her that none is taken.

“Dawn,” The Braviary beside his partner chirped in. “I think that’s the worst understatement ever.”

The mare agreed, scratching her head as a result of the dilemma they found themselves in. “Alright, alright, but it’s still odd to me that-“

“Hey, what are you guys talking about? Can I join in?” The childish female voice sounded behind them.

Dawn and Dominus nearly froze on the spot when they realized they had been talking about their friend’s mother behind her back.

Thankfully, Eric saved them from such fate. “....it’s nothing, mom. Just talking about how we should accommodate you for the time being

The Goodra felt flattered. “That’s kind of you, sonny. But it’s not necessary, you know?

When her three-headed friend mentioned that again, nervousness wracked her already gut-wrenching nerves. A vision where rubbles that is her house flashed across her vision, because of....she thought better than to think about it, best hoping that she won’t be homeless by the time her house was in sight.

Dawn sighed. “I hope so.”

“.....hope what?” Eric had heard, but he decided to play along a little.

“Hope, Sally and Will didn’t turn my house into a ruin when we get there. No offense, but I don’t want to become a bum, okay?” The curtness in her voice was both usual and unusual.

Her eagle partner could feel for her, being homeless is not something you should experience. Eric had heard, and himself feared for the results.

But their fears came to nothing because coming down the streets toward the end of the road, Eric, Dawn, Alex and Dominus laid witness to something surprising. The infrastructure that is Dawn’s two-story house is still intact and unharmed.

Their minds were a flurry of question, but one stand out : Were the unofficial guardians of said house hadn’t made it their playground during their time away?

Once this fact was digested, Eric sighed in relief. “...glad they didn’t actually remove it from existence. For once, they didn’t do anything bad together.”

“Took the words right out of my beak, dude.” Dominus voiced his agreement with a nod.

“Uh-huh,” It was the only thing Dawn could do except stare slack-jawed and scratched her head. She make sure to look all over to ensure it is not a trick of the light. It didn’t vanish or turn into rubble that much she can confirm.

The Goodra and Garchomp trailing behind them was curious as to why they stopped and gaped at the house on the end of the road. “Excuse me, everyone. Why did we stop?”

The Hydreigon shook his head. “.....nothing, let’s go.”

Unfortunately, the Goodra knew her son better than that. “Sonny, what’s the matter? C’mon, you can tell mommy everything.”

“....it was nothing, mom. We’re...surprised...surprised that Sally or Will didn’t take the whole house down when we were away.” All the scenarios he painted in his mind had not expected his outcome.

Sylvia should have been happy to the fact that Sally and Will were okay as well, were it not for the mention that her son had literally....left the two of them together...to guard a hostess’ house. Her logic indicated that is the worst idea ever. Looking over the house, she rubbed her eyes to make sure it is still standing instead of reduced to rubble.

She decided to just take his word for it. “I’m not gonna ask how is that even possible.”

“Agreed.” Kenneth nodded. Not wanting to know how pairing a jerk and someone with a temper problem could result in anything around them still intact.

For the lack of better word, Eric could share their sentiment. “..... alright, with that out of the way,” He turned around, facing his mother and her Pokémon. “That’s Dawn’s hou-“

Then an explosion went off behind him, scaring the daylight out of everyone around the streets, smoke cloud followed. Eric didn’t want to know what that was, but for the sake of sating his curiosity, he turned his head slowly.

To his relief, the house is still intact. But the immediate problem came from the smoke cloud rising on the hill.

It came to him that the source of the smoke came from the spot where he had Alex battle Dominus a few days prior. “....the meadow. Could it be....?” His mind already had a clear picture on what was happening. He resisted the urge to rub his head in annoyance. “...those two...did they do this the moment we were gone?”

Sylvia and Kenneth themselves made no reaction whatsoever for they had figured out what happened. Honestly, to them, a mere smoke cloud was the best when it came to pairing a temperamental Dragon and a snarking Psychic.

“Eric?” Dawn knew that her friend is in full self-indulgment mode. All she could do was watch.

“...let’s go.” He flicked his head toward the direction of the source.





Play this as battle theme


In the middle of meadow ways behind Dawn’s home, laid a meadow, home to many bountiful blades of grass as a result of nature. However, it has become some sort of battlefield as of late if the scorch marks and smoke cloud from that shrouded the center of the battlefield were any indication.

Out of the smoke, came a bullet-like impression of Sally with a snarl decorating her face. Her opponent, hidden in the smoke, aim to please, he build up a sphere of darkness within his right hand, once at full power, a simple flick and it went flying into the smoke.

Sally still charged on through the smoke with the same manner as a Bouffalant, only now did she realize her mistake. The Shadow Ball came flying fast toward her face. As a last ditch effort to avoid it, she tucked in her wings and hit the deck, it flew wide just above her.

However, the secondary effect of such maneuver is that she slid across the ground straight toward the offender, Will.

He was dumbstruck enough to allow Sally to beat her wings in one solid thrust and she somersaulted over him. Her tail glowed dark purple to sign that a Dragon Tail incoming, she extended it forward and it slammed onto the back of Will’s head that sent him sprawled on the ground.

Sally meanwhile, grinned at her successful hit and landed gracefully before spinning around to face the disoriented Reuniclus.

He got up, shaking his head to get rid of the woobly feeling. Turning around, the insufferable grin that infuriated the Salamence was still plastered on his face. “Sally, I just found a new discovery again.”

“What?” She didn’t hide her barely disguised mirth.

“The most promising discovery of the day is that you hit like that of a girl. Nicely done by the way, a little more and it’ll be a world-breaking record. Haha.” He snarked, ensuring to droll his forced his laugh at the end.

The trash talk caused the Salamence to grind her teeth. She was already having many thoughts on how she is going to put him in his place today. “Oh, yeah?

The Flamethrower hit the target dead on, her satisfaction was gone as soon as it came when it flickered away. Looking around, the source of her temper was all around her via Double Team. The copies slowly encircled her in a manner made to entice the opponent to strike out.

“It’s rude you know, to interrupt someone when they’re talking.” Every copy  voiced as one, making it somewhat distorted. The real Will got the opposite reaction, instead of anger, it just made her want to punch his lights out even more. “Didn’t your crush told you to behave?”

The blush that threatens to overtake her cheek didn’t went unnoticed by the Reuniclus, that only serve to widen his grin even more.

“T-that’s none of your business!” Her voice quivered.

“Oh, you think? Ah, the joy of secret of young love, only to be cruelly discovered. Bla bla bla and all that stuff.” The copies chorused.

Sally replied by simply untucking her wing, a sign that she was about to take flight, but not without parting words. “Just shut up!”

Instead of flight as he had expected, her tail, now he noticed was glowing with solid grey color was dragged along the ground as she spun a full circle. Dust kicked up as a result, reducing the real Will visibility.

During his momentary distraction, Sally had shot through the smoke skyward. The chorus of copies followed the trail of dust left behind in the Salamence’s wake. Once reaching to a satisfying altitude, she flipped once in the air, and dove, faster than ever. Looking closely, Will could swore her eyes glowed red for a moment.

“Dragon Dance while taking altitude, very obvious, I must applaud you.” The real one and all the copies glowed blue, preparing to intercept the speeding bullet with the use of their Psychic.

Their hopes are dashed for a streaming flame rained hellfire upon them in a continuous stream that made sure the copies were singed proper. Sally continued her Flamethrower, aiming for every single copies until none is left, but the real one.

With every copy flickered away, so does Will’s growing dread. He could feel the singular gaze had rested upon him. Sally threw him a wicked grin as she continued to dive.

“There you are!” And she dove to ram herself into Will with Return.

Getting hit by a Dragon Dance powered Return was the last thing on the Reuniclus’ list. He decided to take chances and threw several Shadow Balls in succession. They proves useless as Sally’s honed agility and reflexes proven enough to dodge each and every single one.

Sally couldn’t help, but feel smug. “Keep trying, won’t do you any...” Her breath had been taken away when she realized a bolt of electricity is heading for her face. “...good?”

“Surprise!”

The Thunder struck, blinding all those who stared into it’s direction momentarily. To Will’s dissatisfaction, Sally reflexes proven enough to move her face out of the way, the electric attack singed her cheek instead. However, it had proven enough to throw her off course.

“Second surprise!” A simple thought and glow later, he had seized Sally in his Psychic grip. “Third surprise, make-up! Please accept this gift nicely, will you?”

Another simple thought, and her entire body shot downward out of her own will, ready to crash into the ground at high speed on her stomach.

“Ack!” Sally trashed all she could, to no avail, Will’s grip on her was as secure as a noose around her neck.

To her only consolation, her eyeballs could move, providing her with enough visibility to start looking around. She realized two things, Will was there, floating near the ground, and her head was facing toward him.

The Salamence grinned a wicked smile as she thought up of a plan. With strenuous effort, she managed to crane her neck to the Reuniclus’ direction and opened her mouth, unleashing another hellfire toward the Psychic.

The resulting effects were instant, Will yelped as he backfloated to avoid being fried a new one, his Psychic grip over his teammate had ceased to exist. Seconds before she hit the ground, she stabilized herself, opening her wings and skimmed low over the blades of grass toward Will for a counter-attack.

No time to dodge, he quickly conjured another attack in his palm. With the distance decreasing faster than he anticipated, looking at the ball, he just resolved to do one thing instead, he pulled the arm back and pushed the hand holding the Focus Blast forward.

Seeing the attack incoming, Sally, instead of continuing her charge, thrust her wing upward. It sent her down on the ground, the momentum caused her to skid across the ground in a 180 arc, in that moment, her tail glowed a solid grey and it extended to meet the Focus Blast head on during her spin.

Both attacks collided. The resulting impact causing a large explosion  to occur which sends shockwave from the epicenter and smoke to kick up, concealing everything which is currently happening in the center.

Seconds after the show of fireworks, two figures shot out of the smoke in opposite directions. Sally, looking none for worse flipped, landing neatly before skidding backward to a full stop. Will on the other hand had no luxury of footing thus send skipping across the ground like a stone thrown across the water before he stopped himself by planting both arms into the ground.

Shaking her head and regaining orientation, Sally send out a smug grin toward the Reuniclus for a direct hit. “Will, I thought you could do better than that? Or were you getting rusty?”

Once the initial shock wore off, Will coughed several times, plastering another one of his grins, something Sally didn’t expect.

As if on cue, the Dragon’s body seized it’s function for a moment as her muscles locked in on itself. Electricity rippled across her being for a moment. “What? Thunder Wave?”

Will tsked several times with a shake of his head “Lesson one, my fair lady, Sally, -” His view of the sun was quickly overtaken by a large bodymass. The next thing he knew, a massive blow was applied to the left side of his face that send him flying outside of the battlefield.

The Reuniclus attacker skidded to a stop, waving her the foreleg which had Brick Breaked Will to get rid of the numbness caused by Paralysis. “Lesson two, don’t talk in the middle of a battle.” She could feel herself getting sluggish at this, nonetheless, it didn’t stop her from trying to punch the annoying Reuniclus’ lights out.

Will coughed several times again, even if the Brick Break dealt non-effective damage against him, it still hurt a lot to be on the receiving end, especially from someone with great strength like Sally.

Only now did he realize he was horribly outmatched. A simple thing like this won’t stop someone like Sally, just like Poison from Fox didn’t really stop her. “Oh, woe is me, glad to see you still kicking up to punch me into next week.”

“You know me all too well. I won’t let any paralysis stopping me from kicking your butt.” She took up her stance once more, faltering momentarily when her muscles seized up.

She sprang forward, intending to finish this quickly before her Paralysis could hamper her efforts even more.

But she found that is not necessary now as someone else done it for her. “STOP!”

End theme

The voice startled her so much that her muscles locked up again, causing her to crash jaw first that send her sliding across the ground in a similar manner to an Empoleon. She stopped short before her annoying teammate.

The voice that grated her nerves had returned to finish it’s job. “Loving the Empoleon style skying by the way. Must be nice to have such a smooth belly for such a task.”

“Shut up before I feed you to the fish.” Sally growled out the words.

He leaned himself closer to the flattened Dragon, grin going even wider. “Looking forward to it.”

The annoying sarcasm was really getting to her, a vein had popped itself on her head. She had the mind to follow up on her promise. Speed as fast as lightning and Paralysis forgotten, her head butted itself against his, coupled with a scowl of frustration. “Okay, let's take you for a dip."

"I'd love that, but-"

Two pair of hands grabbed the back of their heads and pulled them apart. “Now, now, let’s not have a fight, okay? Especially now that we’re having a happy reunion and all that?” The voice giggled.

Only did they register the female voice of the newcomer, slowly turning their head to the side, revealed the face of a smiling Goodra.

Her voice and a quality of childish tone to it just now was enough to tell Will everything, meanwhile, Sally was still as confused as ever, not being the sharpest tools in the shed.

“Who are you?” She asked as if it’s the most obvious question on Equus.

The Goodra beside her was dumbstruck.

The Reuniclus beside chuckled. Wondering if her brain alone could land her a job without Eric. “Really? Earth to Sally or Sally to Earth? Wow, good to know your brain is still functional enough to miss something so obvious.”

Her head snapped toward Will, tempers flaring a moment ago. “Oh, for....can you speak straight for once!”

Her wish is granted. “She’s Sylvia, the brooder’s mom? Remember now or do your brain needed to be checked up by yours truly?” Will offered, however, it was anything but sincere.

Digesting the information quick enough, her head snapped to the still smiling Goodra, back to Will and back to her again. Once she had make sure she is not seeing things, she looked her over for any identifying marks. Sure enough, the same accessories was there, all except the Key Stone that was supposed to be inserted on the side of her headband.

“Sylvia?” She questioned with a tilt of her head.

With an ‘oomph’ her body and Will’s was seized by a hug. Sally could swore that she heard cooing that of her mother embracing their child.

“Oh, missed you two so much.” After several more whispers of relief, she lets them go. “So, how you two have been? Sally still trying to punch your face in, Will?”

“Fine.” Standing up, the Paralysis still raked her body inside and out, causing her to steady herself using one leg.

“Oh dear, are you okay?” She lowered herself to check up on the Salamence. Turns out she was hit by a Thunder Wave.

“Yeah, she’s okay, don’t worry.” Will said offhandedly.

Sylvia giggled, now she knew that this is the real Will the Reuniclus. None could defeat his knack for sarcasm.

“...mom!” The voice drew their attention to the Hydreigon floating closer toward them with a familiar Volcarona floating close by his side. Stopping, he took only a moment to get a grip on the situation. “How are they? Any severe injuries?”

“Nice to see you too, brooder. Your endless kindness moved me.” Will snarked, flinching at his excess bruises.

“Don’t worry, sonny. Only a mild case of Paralysis. Give it a day and it’ll be gone before you know it. As for you,” Turning her head at Will, a momentary glance told her it’s merely a flesh wound. “Just some bruises, nothing major.”

Eric simply nodded, Alex sighed with relief.

“Riiight," Will drooled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, miss." He finished with a grin.

“Can you please, stop it with the sarcasm before I throw you down the mountain!” Sally yelled in frustration, trying to get up, but her muscles take this as a right time to seize her muscles up again. Before she could hit the ground, a pair of arm supported her neck. Looking up, the arms belong to someone else she recognized. “Kenneth? You’re with Sylvia?”

Kenneth held his arm securely around her neck. “Good to see you, Sally. I trust you’re well?” The Garchomp tilted his head.

Sally merely nodded. "I'm okay, but not because of some Reuniclus let his trash mouth ran wild again."

A short clap from Will was made. “Well enough to do a happy reunion, I need to barf someplace now.” And he did, he floated off without a word. “Have fun, you two!” He sing-songed.

“Still snarking as always?” Kenneth pointed out rhetorically with a raised eyebrow. Although, he didn’t expect the Reuniclus to retort anyway, for he had a ward to be taken care of.

“Guys!” Dominus landed with Dawn followed shortly after, wheezing desperately for breath. “Don’t suddenly run off like that, dudes. Not cool.” Looking around the battlefield, he found that it was decorated with scorch marks and the occasional small craters. “Say, the heck happened here? Did Groudon come through?”

“Oh, nothing like that, silly.” Sylvia waved off with a giggle. “Just some feud that Sally and Will settled with a battle, you know, like they always-“

“BATTLE!?” Dominus’ shout sent bells ringing off in their ears. Eric and Kenneth strangely unaffected. “How come did I miss that smoke, if I knew! Aw, man, I missed it....again.” His body slumped with the sorrowful revelation.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” The Goodra patted him. “How about I give you my herbal tea special? My treat!”

“How about,” Dawn chimed in, holding a forehoof up for attention. “We talked while we’re all inside the house, okay? I’m too tired to deal with this.” She said curtly, not wanting to spend anymore time outside with how tired she is as she is not used to flying.

Eric nodded in agreement. “....this way.” Instead of Dawn, he led them away from the scorched meadow and toward the comfort of Dawn’s home.





Going inside through the backdoor, Eric and Dawn expected to find assortment of garbage or dust to litter the floors. To their surprise, it was actually all clean, no garbage, dust or anything. Plates are washed.

“....hmm,” Gazing all around the kitchen/dining area, he found them quite spotless. Satisfied, he nodded. “I guess Will is cut out for domestic work after all.” Inwardly, he knew this wasn’t Sally’s doing. She’s good at battles, but anything beyond that...mediocre.

Dawn was speechless and she scratched her head. “Yeah.” She didn’t know Will was capable of such a work, not that she was complaining.

“And I expected grandpa sarcastic to suddenly left trashes littering the floor like the trash talker he is.” Dominus deadpanned, unimpressed by the clean state of the kitchen.

“Hello?” Looking back, Sylvia was outside with Kenneth, waving her arms innocently.

“Oh, right,” Dawn made way for her new guest to come in. “Please come in.”

Sylvia and Kenneth threw her a smile as they helped themselves in, the Garchomp still shouldered Sally with him. Once they got inside, they took in the sight of such modest, yet the homely nature of the house. The Goodra and Garchomp could feel that they could relax and let their troubles go away for a while.

“Quite the house you have, miss.“ Kenneth complimented, impressed at the homely nature of the house.

Dawn didn’t know what to say, instead she just scratched her head in embarrasment, a habit that Sylvia noticed.

“....mom, Kenneth.” Eric called, opening the drawers containing the kitchen wares.

“Yes, sonny?”

“You guys go and make yourself comfortable. I’ll go prepare something for us in the meantime.” Leaning against the counter, he could see the tea ingredients some ways back. He raised his altitude for a bit, and grabbed it just in time for fingers to wrap around his arm. Eric knew whose fingers are those and simply threw the Goodra to his side a glance.

“No, can do, sonny. It’s mommy’s job to be in the kitchen. I’ll go prepare to food okay? You just relax and let mommy do the rest.” 

Eric remained neutral as usual, but deep inside, he knew it is impossible to say no to his mother. “....alright. We’ll be waiting in the living room.”

“Sweet, and Kenneth, go and relax too. That’s an order.” Sylvia admonished, although the childish tone in it ensure the lack of power.

However, as her Pokémon, Kenneth is compelled to obey. “As you say, Sylvia.” He chuckled, realizing how tense he is as of late.

Unknown to him, he still has an irritated Dragon in his care. “Kenneth, I’m fine, you can let go of me now.” As if on cue, electricity rippled across her once more, ensuring her muscles remains uncooperative for the day.

“Still stubborn as always.” The Garchomp mused, his attention still on the mare. “Miss? May I know where the living room sat? ”

“Oh, uh...it’s...” She fumbled with her words, resolving to just point at the door leading to house innermost area. “It’s over there.”

“My thanks.” Kenneth gratefully nodded before slowly helping Sally toward the door and into the living room.

“....we should be going as well.” Noticing Alex had let out another one of his cute yawns indicated the trip spent the rest of their energy. “...Dawn, Dominus, you two should rest too. It’s been quite the trip.”

“No complains there, dude.” The Braviary flared his wings out, hearing several cracks from them. “Never thought a train trip would be that long.” Dominus yawned before crossing the doorway to take a well-deserved rest in the living room.

“Guess, I’ll be going too.” Dawn grinned sheepishly, joining her partner for a R&R.

With nothing else left to do, Eric decided to join up with the others. “...let’s go, Alex.”

“....okay.” He floated off.

However, Sylvia’s voice stopped him. “Before you go, sonny.”

“...hmmm?” He raised an eyebrow in response just as he turned around.

“What did he mean just now by ‘trip’? Now that you mentioned it, it” She playfully put a two fingers on her chin in thought. “All of you came from the train station weren’t you? Where

Eric knew it had come to this and there is no hiding it.

Noticing his hesitation, she sought to give him a little push. “C’mon, sonny, you can tell mommy anything.”

Her reply was a momentary silence before her son spoke. “....the short version or the long version, mom? Which one do you want to hear?”

Caught off guard for a moment, she chose the former.

Eric breathed in to calm his nerves, even if he didn’t show it. “....basically, we went to Canterlot, the capital of this country.” He purposefully left out the part regarding a certain thief on their way to the marble city.

The Goodra had heard all sorts of things about the mountainside city. To think that her son was there left her excited to no end. But she stayed quiet, wanting to hear the rest of it.

“...after we arrived at Canterlot, we went to hospital and-“

“Hospital? Why would you go to a hospital? Is there something you’re not telling me? Injuries, maybe?” Looking all over the Hydreigon again with scrutinizing eyes.

“....yeah, hospital. And no, I’m not injured, so please stop that, mom.” His mother merely giggled. “...anyway, we were merely there searching for someone.” He paused, wondering how Sylvia would take it.

“Someone, sonny?” Sylvia tilted her head in curiosity.

“....we’ve found....dad ....and Reynard.... is keeping watch over him. I couldn’t bring him back here now...he’s still in Canterlot. I wanted to avoid moving him here for now because.....because I’m afraid the journey might prove strenuous to his comatose body.”

Her smile disappeared in an instant. “....Dave?” A nod. “H-how is he?” Her son’s silence was enough of an answer for her. “I see.”

“....I’m....sorry, mom. He’s still....”

She took his arm and pulled him into a hug, letting several tears to escape her eyelids, relieved that her husband was alright. “Why do you need to be sorry? You did everything you could, you know? So you don’t need to be sorry. It just...happened, so don’t worry, okay?”

Within his mother’s warm body close gave him a source of comfort. “....thanks...mom.”

Letting her son go, she put her fingers and squeezed his shoulder while giving the smile that any mother would have. “Go to your friends now, I’ll take care of things here.”

With a nod of resignation, Eric crossed the doorway and left Sylvia to do her thing, atmosphere became that of a depressed one.





Eric didn’t have the desire to say anything nor do anything while awaits back in his designated sofa as if his willpower had been sucked out by the revelation he had made.

Looking around, Dawn was back in her workplace, doing one of her contracts again for pictures requested by her clients. One thing he noticed, just like him, her face was a mix of depressed and tiredness written all over it. To the left, Will was resting his bruises on his own designated sofa, head against the armrest and resting while Alex was in the other sofa, also asleep alongside Dominus. Sally was in front of him, the occasional electricity rippled while she slept through the Paralysis.

Kenneth simply leaned himself on a corner a little ways to the left of the door in front of the Hydreigon, watching the spectacle unfold. Ignoring Sylvia’s order to relax.

“I heard everything you said, kid.” Out of nowhere, Kenneth said. “I’m sorry. It’s the least I can do.”

Eric leaned his head against the headrest, staring at the ceiling in thought. “....don’t be. All of it was my fault in the beginning. Maybe...just maybe, if I had just stayed in that spot....forget it, I can’t keep blaming myself like-”

“That is no way for you to say things like that. You’ve done what you could for you father. Besides if it weren’t for you then that woman might have died.” The Garchomp admonished.

Kenneth’s only reply was silence from the former human.

He sighed, uncrossing his arm before walking toward the sofa and sat down just beside the former human. “You remember what you used to say?”

“...what?” He asked curtly, not bothering to look at the Garchomp.

“Yes, something about in saving one life, you saved a thousand more in the future. You saved that woman and her ‘descendants’ gets to live a good life.”

“....I did say that, yeah.” Eric nodded, remembering that line he used to live by. “...its something out of a cliched comic book now that I realize it.”

“I think you’re wrong on that one. It’s something you created yourself.” The Garchomp disagreed. ”One thing I need to ask....were you still...doing your ‘side activities’?”

“......yeah.”

Strangely, Kenneth haven’t made any reaction other than a frown. “Were you still....excessive perhaps?”

“....once again, yeah.” Eric figured there’s no use denying it any longer.

“Eric, you know that your mother does not condone-“

“Okay,” The door burst open to reveal the cheerful Goodra on the other side, holding a tray full of steaming hot cups. “Refreshments ready everyone!”

The words refreshments from Sylvia was like a dinner bell. Dominus  instantly shot awake, barring Will and Sally who was still taking a power nap after their battle and Alex who was just too tired to lift his eyelids. Dawn herself was curious, after tasting the heavenly that is Eric’s cooking, she can’t wait to try out Sylvia’s own.

Once the initial surprised weared off, Kenneth turned toward Eric again. “We’ll talk about this later, alright?”

His reply was a simple nod. It is a much agreement as Kenneth could get, he vacated his seat and went into the living room.

“Okay, everyone,” Sylvia skipped over to the living room, with gracefulness befitting a Gardevoir, she spun around and put the tray on the table, without a single spill. “Knock yourself out!”

A smell that sent Dominus to heaven for a second filled his nostrils. He clapped his wings together. “Don’t mind if I do.” He was always excited when a delicious food was within sight.

Disappointment filled him the moment he laid eyes upon what is on the tray. They are just....cups...of  steaming hot tea. “Hey, dude, what’s this?”

“Tea, of course.” Her smile never wavered.

He deadpanned. “I know that. Sorry, miss, but I kinda expected cookies.” He

“Oh, it’s okay, but looks can be deceiving you know.” The Goodra gently pushed her tray to his direction. “Why don’t you try it out? I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“I advise you do, kid.” Kenneth voiced just as he took a seat on the other sofa, just beside the slumbering Will. “It is as she said, looks can be deceiving. Especially this one.” Without another word, he took a cup and emptied the contents down his throat.

Unwilling to offend her nor the scary-looking Garchomp, the eagle decided to take her word for it. Picking up a glass from the tray, he gave an experimental sniff to ensure his nose didn’t trick him. The heavenly smell was still there as before. With a noncommittal shrug, he put it against his beak and let the contents flow.

When the liquid hit his tongue and into his throat, the taste was....pure bliss. “Cool, the tea is just....” He squawked,  drinking a bit more, letting the hot liquid slosh around his mouth first before swallowing. “....so awesome!”

Sylvia’s smile now threatened to cut her cheeks again. “Glad you like it.”

Now Dawn was really curious. Simple tea had that much effect on her partner? She intended to find out for herself.

“Can I try?” Dawn came out of her workspace, drawing attention to her which she suddenly went nervous about, muscles almost locking in place.

“You’re the hostess, Dawn. You don’t need permission to do anything in your house, yes?” Sylvia smiled coupled with a tilt of her head

She scratched her head to the fact the mare had forgotten this is her own house, hardly needs permission to do anything. “Uh....yeah, sorry about that.” She let out a sheepish smile.

Sylvia giggled at the mare’s clumsiness. “No worries. Now,” She presented the tray holding the remaining.” How about tasting one?”

“Oh, yeah, you should, Dawn. This tea here is beyond cool and to the realm of awesome!” Dominus suggested, just in time to grab another tea and emptied to contents again into his stomach, ignoring the temperature.

Just like Dominus before her, just the first drop hit her tongue, she felt like she was in heaven for a moment. Unlike Dominus, however, she consumed it slowly as to prevent her tongue from being fried.

Once the last drop has been emptied into her stomach, she was almost in tears as her tongue begged for more. “Wow, it’s...it’s...” Dawn was struggling to fumble with the right words.

“Delicious, isn’t it?”

“Understatement right there, miss.” Dominus chimed in, prompting a giggle from Sylvia and a head scratch from Dawn.

“Oh, please call me Sylvia or Sylvie. We’re all friends now, okay?”

However, Dominus were in too much of a bliss to care. “Sure, Sylvia it is then.”

Sylvia smiled, glancing over her shoulder toward the last member missing from this party. “And sonny!”

“....hmmm?” During the conversation, he was deep in self-indulgement mode, hence not really paying attention to the whole spectacle to his right.

“C’mon, the tea party is about to start, you can go indulge yourself later. For now, let’s relax, okay?” She motioned her son over.

With a slight tug at the edge of his mouth, he moved to join them in their tea party. “....alright.”





The night time had came once more, evident by the glowing moonlight filtered through the window Eric glanced up upon. The remainder of the time they had spent at home was to simply talk to their hearts contents over tea. He smiled as he remembered the almost magical taste of his mother’s tea. Sooner than expected, everyone the house was quickly knocked out, Will was asleep beside him, Alex was asleep on the other sofa alongside Dominus, Dawn had vacated the premises for the comfort of her bedroom upstairs.

Knowing he was the only one who is fully awake, he decided to join them in their slumber and headed over to his designated sofa as his usual resting place.

“Eric.”

“...hmmm?” He glanced over his shoulder at the Goodra who is still up and running despite everything.

“Can we talk for a moment? Just as soon as I finish this.” She gestured to the tray holding several cups on her person.

Eric noticed her tone had gotten serious all the sudden, it’s the cue for him to oblige to her wishes. “....alright.”

“Great, wait for me then.” Sylvia skipped to the kitchen door while Eric had sat in his designated sofa once more.

As soon as he sat down, she skipped through the door and made herself comfortable beside him on the same sofa. “I heard everything when you were talking with Kenneth.” She stated with a small smile.

Eric wasn’t surprised there, one moment they were talking and the next Sylvia burst through the door as if she had done that intentionally. He knew the fact that she is his real mother due to knowing she is still as sharp as ever during her days as a trainer, reinforced when she detected something amiss in two conversations two in a row today. Coupled with the fact she knows her son better than the back of her own hands, she caught him red handed.

“....what is it about, mom?” He decided to not beat around the bush and go straight to the point.

“Your talk with Kenneth, that’s what!”

The Hydreigon once again had the urge to rub his head. “....I mean, which part?”

“Why were you doing that again? You should’ve just quit. But the more pressing matters is that your method! You said it yourself, you’re still as excessive as ever.” Sylvia’s words were like a hot knife through butter for her son, any mother would have that kind of effect on their children.

If Sylvia looks closely, Eric had made the slightest of movement in the corner of his mouth.

Sylvia secured his fingers around her son’s cheek and turned his head to gaze at her directly. “Eric, look at me. Answer me honestly, why were you still doing this?”

“....” Silence was all that she got.

Sylvia sighed at the unprogressive state, she decided to use her motherly method. “Whatever your reasons is, I won’t be mad at you about it. You’re still my son and it won’t change anytime soon, okay?”

The Hydreigon’s mother knew just the right words to strike a critical hit on his defenses. It instantly crumbled. “....alright.”

“Great, now can you tell mommy everything?” She gave him an encouraging smile.

The eyes of Sylvia was not something Eric wanted to see when he explained, he reserved to just look anywhere, but her. He nodded as he took a deep breath to signify the start. “....at first, I thought maybe...maybe when I saw how the inhabitants of this world were so...happy, I thought we could finally just stop. Go back to what we were doing.....defeat the champions.”

She crossed her arm. “What made you go at it again, Eric?”

“......I encountered....a certain someone.”

“Certain someone?” Her mind was racing with childish excitement.

As if reading her mind, Eric botched her imagination quickly. “....nothing like that. What I mean by a certain someone, is someone from our old world, Earth....got here. Someone who could be considered a criminal and unworthy of being here. But...I’m one to talk.”

A solid slap on his shoulder made him think otherwise. “Don’t say that. You deserve everything to be called worthy. Why, everything you’ve done up until now was enough to be called worthy right?”

Eric had no say in the matter for he knew she was right. Despite his faults, he had never harmed a criminal just for the sake of his own amusement.

“Anyway, who’s this ‘certain someone’?” She leaned forward in anticipation.

“....have you ever heard of Fox? The thief that had been hanging around Kalos? Exposing all sorts of underworld activities just as I do?”

That smile of her died instantly. Sylvia had heard of the infamous Phantom Thief from the newspapers. “Fox? You met her?”

“....more than met her. I tried to stop her, just like I tried to stop every criminal like usual and...” He bit his lip as he remembered the day like it was yesterday. “...it ended up badly for us. I should’ve just ignored it instead of playing hero and put everyone in danger.”

“It’s not your fault and you know that. They followed you out of their own violation right? Even when they were told to wait?” She unconscious squeezed his shoulder harder.

“I know it’s not my fault, but I still felt guilty about that.”

“Then you still have have a heart. In fact, if you didn’t feel guilty at all, then there is something really wrong with....” She poked his chest. “...this here.”

“....if you say so, mom.” He nodded after some hesitation.

She resumed her smile. “After that, what happened?”

“.....I made sure that Sally and Will had properly rested, of course. But seeing someone like Fox had managed to get here in Equestria just....kick started my desire again. So....did you know what happened to the crime lord in Vanhoover?”

“No, I mean, I just got here. How am I supposed to know anything about....” She cut herself off when she saw his face made a simple glance at her. It tells her everything. “Oh...I see now. You beat them up again, don’t you?”

“....yeah.” He replied simply.

Her smile  had gone again, replaced by a frown. “You know I don’t condone excessive violence unnecessarily like that. I never did say in all of your life as a vigilante that you could beat up criminals excessively. I only said that you shouldn’t push too far.”

It was the third time she had caught him red-handed, truly a trainer at heart. “....I guess I really did go too far on those guys.”

“You already did go too far several times in the past already. Even if you said you didn’t beat them up again after they are unconscious, your method of putting them in that state....it was unnecessarily violent.”

Putting a finger under the Hydreigon’s chin, she forced him to lock gazes with her soul-piercing eyes. “Look, Eric. I’m not saying that you try to change right now, just change a little bit at a time, okay? The last thing I want you to do is to end up doing something you regret later.”

The last thing he wanted was to disappoint her. He had done quite enough in his lifetime. “...alright.”

“With that out of the way, what was the ‘exact’ reason for you to start doing this again? This is after all a chance to start again, you don’t have to do this, just let the guards or any law enforcement in this planet handle them.”

“.....I really can’t tell what it is.”

Sylvia tilted her head questioningly. “Then what is it?”

“....maybe the reason I started it again was because I felt it was the right thing to do, or maybe I’m too far into this to stop now...and...” He stopped himself which Sylvia noticed. “... maybe... because of the deep-seated anger I’ve kept suppressed deep inside me. I don’t really know, but I’d like to think it was because I merely felt it was the right thing to do.”

Sylvia herself agreed on his self-assessment. After the dreadful event that had made her son this way, she could feel that her son had changed a lot in so many ways, not just in personality, but also in his views of the world.

“....I never much care about justice anyway because of the deep corruption in its vein. I just care about doing the right thing. Again and again. It was never about punishing the wicked for me....just the satisfaction of doing the right thing is enough. Besides, I….won’t justify anything I did in the name of justice, it’s possibly the weakest justification there is. To speak justice when what I’m doing is not in the right either.”

The way her son had said that made her smile. Eric had grown in so many ways. “I guess you really did grow up to be a hero. You really are your daddy’s son.” 

That statement alone made Eric frown. “.....mom, I’m no hero, never will be. I’m just a guy doing the right-”

She quickly cut him off by putting a finger over his mouth to silence him. “And you keep telling yourself that despite your actions and words says otherwise. What was that  you said earlier? Doing the right thing and will never justify your actions with any reasons, hmm?”

“....I don’t want to brand myself as the hero. You said it yourself mom, I was unnecessarily .....violent at times.” As much as Eric didn’t want to admit, she was right.

“You just made a mistake, you can change that, you know. If you make a mistake, then do everything you can to fix it. Wasn’t it you who always wanted to take responsibility if anything happens?”

Once again, she was right. He had no reply because of it.

Taking the silence as a yes, she continued. “Anyway, aside from those things, I’d like for you stop doing all of those ‘side activities’ that endangers your life, partly because....” She looked away for a second before rounding up on him again. “I don’t want a repeat of what happened to your daddy. I don’t...really.”

“....I know that.” The image of her mom crying over his father’s body that day...had torn his heart out.

“I know you do, but I know I can’t stop you. What choices you’ve made is none I can change. The only thing I can do is support you and try to coax you out of it.” The Goodra felt she didn’t really need to hide the last part anyway.

“....mom.” Eric could feel safe in his mother’s touch, to just forget every burden he carried for a moment...and rest.

“Come here, Eric.” Once more, he was pulled into the warm embrace of Sylvia’s hug. “What kind of mother am I if I can’t try to coax you out of it? The least I can do right now is support you while trying to coax you out of it. I know that you don’t blame yourself, but you can’t keep doing this either. I’m not asking for you to stop immediately, I’m asking you this, as your mother, to be careful....and please, stop the unnecessary violence thing too, I’m worried that if you go too far, one of these days....” She cut herself off, knowing Eric will get the hint.

The Hydreigon remembered the feeling that day, it was the same feeling now. He felt like a baby being held by his mother’s arms the first time, safe and comfortable.

“....thank you. You’re the best.” His eyelids slowly drifted shut as he was being embraced.

And soon, the Goodra let herself being embraced by the darkness of the night as the need for rest overtook her. But not without some parting words. "No problem....sonny." 

Both mother and son slept in each other's embrace.





Play this as the second closing theme