The last shimmering traces of Reuniclus' illusions were still fading from the glade when Eva Lindenberg clapped her hands together lightly.
"Alright, explorers!" she called towards her son and his classmates. "Time to move on."
A chorus of small groans and disappointed sighs rose from the group. Jake, in particular, glanced back at the floating Reuniclus with a frown. Charmander on his shoulder gave a little whimper too.
"But why can't we stay and play with Reuniclus?" Jake asked, dragging his feet as the others began to gather their things.
His mom smiled at him shaking her head. "Because Reuniclus is still tired. You know your dad told me he battled it recently." she said. "It fought a really tough match against your dad's Ambipom."
Jake's eyes lit up with recognition. "Marcel won, right?" he asked.
"Exactly," Eva said, leading them down the hidden path again, the glade slowly vanishing behind them like a fading dream. "Reuniclus was incredible, but fights like that take a lot of strength to recover from. It needs to rest before a possible rematch."
Then she grinned mischievously and added, "Besides... Reuniclus knocked out Fluffy."
Jake froze in his tracks so abruptly that Charmander had to flap its tiny arms to stay perched on his shoulder.
"NO WAY!" he blurted, turning on his mother with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Fluffy?! That's impossible!"
Eva just laughed, that light, easy motherly giggle that drove Jake crazy when he was trying to be serious.
"MOM!" he protested.
"We cleared that in the car, Jakey," she reminded him, "levels and experience matter more than just type or size. Even a Houndemon can fall if it's not careful."
The other kids, even though they didn't know Fluffy personally, nodded sagely, remembering the long van conversation about Pokémon level stages and battles. They trusted Eva's explanations.
Jake, however, was still scowling. "Fluffy's the strongest!" he muttered under his breath, arms crossed.
Charmander patted his cheek reassuringly, which only made him scowl harder.
But Eva wasn't worried. She leaned in closer and tapped the snowflake engraving on the newest star piece.
"Cheer up," she teased him. "Because that snowflake? It's your next clue."
That did the trick. Jake's frown cracked just slightly, curiosity winning over stubbornness.
"Snowflake..." Lukas muttered, rubbing his chin. "Oh! My cousin's a Gym apprentice up north. He trains Ice-types! He told me about the Ice Cave you have somewhere around here!"
Marta's eyes grew wide. "There's an Ice Cave here?!"
Eva nodded, hands casually stuffed into the pockets of her light vest. "There is. Deep inside the Ranch lands. And your next star piece might just be hiding there."
Jake brightened completely now, excitement snapping back into him like a flame catching dry wood.
"Come on!" he shouted, turning toward the wide fields beyond the orchard. "Follow me! I know the way!"
He took off at a full sprint, Charmander clinging on with a surprised squeak, the other kids laughing and charging after him in a wild, joyful stampede. Togekiss, ever patient, fluttered into the air, drifting along overhead like a guardian star.
Eva, smiling to herself, set off at a leisurely pace behind them, hands in the pockets of her sleeveless vest as she trailed her little herd of adventurers across the sun-warmed fields.
They headed out along a narrow, almost hidden dirt track that wound around the orchard fence and into a more rugged part of the ranch. The path stretched before them, surrounded by fields slowly giving way to rocky outcrops and thicker patches of trees. As they walked, the conversations bubbled up.
"How big is this place?" Tomas asked, pushing up his cap and staring at the endless horizon.
"Big," Jake said with a shrug, but then he glanced at his mom for a more complete answer.
Eva smiled, hands in her vest pockets, with Lenny the Venomoth circling around her. "Huge. There are hundreds of Pokémon here, from dozens and dozens of trainers — not just ours. Some stay a few weeks, some longer. We need a lot of space to keep everyone happy."
Emily, the smallest of the kids, skipped alongside Jake. "You mean like... dragons and stuff too?"
"Well," Jake said proudly. "Dragons are not here much. But a kid from Lemon Islands had a Dragonite. Dad battled it with his Ambipom."
"Orange Islands, honey..." Eva corrected him with a giggle.
Petra, who had a notebook sticking halfway out of her backpack, scribbled something down. "What's the biggest Pokémon here?" she asked.
Jake hesitated, scratching his cheek. "Uhhh..." he glanced at Eva again.
"Biggest currently?" Eva mused. "Probably Gyarados... or maybe Marek's Steelix, that tall lanky and pale guy that used to work at the gym in town before transfering here. But about your question Petra... it depends if you're asking about height or length."
The kids oohed at the thought of enormous metallic monster roaming somewhere beneath their feet.
As they climbed a gentle slope, the air noticeably sharpened. Trees became frosted at their tips. Strange, shimmering figures moved in the distance—Pokémon with glistening white fur or icy scales. A Snover peeked from behind a rock, and a Delibird waddled by, dragging its sack along the ground.
"Look!" Marta squealed, pointing at a little Swinub snuffling through a drift of snow clinging to a hollow.
"It's like winter!" Lukas exclaimed and added with silly grin, "just remember not to eat yellow snow!"
"What?" Emily asked not understanding.
Lukas was about to explain his joke, but Eva cut in.
"That is stupid. If you're gonna tell more nonsense like this, you will wait for us outside the ice cave."
Lukas gulped, "Sorry."
At the mouth of a wide, shadowed cleft in the rocks, Eva stopped the kids. She bent by a bush and pulled out a perfectly hidden backpack that had been stashed there earlier. From it, she yanked armfuls of bundled winter clothes — colorful jackets, scarves, and mittens.
"Bundle up!" she ordered.
"But it's not that cold!" Tomas tried to argue, arms crossed.
Eva raised an eyebrow, the classic "mom look" of non-negotiation. "No jacket, no cave."
The kids groaned but started pulling on the clothes. Jake tugged on a thick blue jacket while Eva handed a pink coat to Emily and a green one to Petra.
"How big is the cave, Mrs. L?" Lukas asked as he struggled with a scarf.
"And are there, like...dangerous Pokémon in there?" Tomas added, his eyes wide with excitement.
Before Eva could answer, Marta clutched her mittens to her chest, looking nervous. "What if something attacks us?"
Right on cue, a soft trill floated down from the air. Togekiss, floating above them with gentle, radiant wings, sang a soothing, funny melody. The sound was like warm sunlight pouring into the cave's cold breath, and the kids giggled and relaxed.
"Thank you, Lucky," Eva said, patting the Pokémon on its wing. "And don't worry," she reassured the group, "we're only staying near the entrance. The star piece would freeze deeper in.
Plus, Togekiss here will keep the stronger Pokémon at bay."
Fully bundled now and giggling from the effort, the group stepped into the ice cave.
Immediately, they gasped.
The inside was a cathedral of glittering frost and ancient ice. Stalactites like frozen swords hung from the ceiling, and stalagmites thrust upward like spears from the ground. The walls sparkled with intricate fractal patterns, and strange natural sculptures — frozen arches, bridges, and towers — made the place feel like a sleeping palace of winter.
The temperature plummeted, and suddenly, no one was complaining about the jackets anymore.
"I can see my breath!" Lukas yelled, laughing as he blew white clouds into the air.
"Yeah, I'm smoking like my grandma!" Tomas added with grin and exhaled a puff of cold air.
Charmander, nestled now in Jake's arms, became the center of attention. Every kid wanted a turn holding the fire Pokémon for warmth.
"Hey!" Jake laughed as Petra and Emily both reached for Charmander. The little lizard puffed up proudly, shooting a smug look at the others as if he had just ascended to royalty.
As they ventured deeper, they spotted more Pokémon — a Spheal rolling joyfully across the floor, a Glaceon peeking shyly from behind an ice column, and a Bergmite frozen perfectly still, blending into the ground.
Finally, the cave widened into a giant open chamber. Before them lay a frozen lake — smooth, clear, and sparkling like crystal. At one end stood a hockey goal, its frame frosted over with rime. Above it, something gleamed and sparkled, embedded in the thick wall of ice: the unmistakable shape of a star piece.
Beneath the shining spot stood a small figure — a chubby Cubchoo, its nose dribbling as it swung its stubby arms in the air.
===
Cubchoo
Level: 43 to 45
Name: Baloo
Gender: Male
Type: Ice
Affinity: Ice (Full)
Moves: Powder Snow (38 to 41), Growl (30 to 32), Fury Swipes (35), Frost Breath (41 to 43), Slash (39), Charm (32), Snowscape (40), Thrash (23), Rest (21 to 24), Blizzard (34), Sheer Cold (21 to 22), Mud-Slap (29), Protect (31), Ice Fang (42), Water Pulse (21 to 25), Snarl (20), Metal Claw (19), Shadow Claw (18 to 19)
Abilities:
Snow Cloak – Raises Cubchoo's evasion in a hailstorm
Slush Rush – Raises Cubchoo's speed in a hailstorm
Weak to: (Fighting,) Rock, Steel, Fire
Resistant to: Ice
Weakness removed: Fighting
===
"Baloo!" Jake shouted with a wide grin, waving excitedly as he recognized his mom's Pokémon.
The Cubchoo waved back with both arms, almost losing its balance on the ice and flailing to stay upright, making everyone laugh.
Near the edge of the rink, a wooden bench had been set up. Upon it lay ice skates in various sizes, hockey sticks, and a few black pucks gleaming with a fine sheen of frost.
Eva stepped forward, grinning mischievously.
"Alright, team. Here's the deal — you need to outplay Baloo and score some goals to melt the ice around the star piece."
The kids erupted into cheers.
"ICE HOCKEY!" Lukas whooped.
"This is gonna be awesome!" Tomas shouted, grabbing a pair of skates.
"Jake, you better not fall!" Petra teased as she pulled on a helmet.
Jake just smirked, lacing up his skates with quick fingers. "You wish."
Charmander hopped onto the bench, tail flame crackling brightly, watching the chaos with a mischievous glint in his eye as the kids prepared for their next grand adventure.
The kids burst into laughter and excited shouting as they strapped on the skates and stumbled onto the ice. The frozen lake was smoother than anything they'd ever skated on, its surface gleaming under the faint, cold light filtering through cracks in the cave ceiling. Togekiss floated lazily above, sending down occasional soothing waves of sound that seemed to keep the air lively.
Jake grabbed a stick first, expertly flicking a puck across the ice towards Tomas.
"Like Šimon Hrůza!" he yelled, referencing one of their favorite pro hockey players. Tomas grinned and tried to mimic a fancy slap shot he had seen on TV, only to send the puck spinning wildly toward the cave wall, making a soft thwack against the ice.
"Hey, not that way!" Petra called, half laughing, half scolding.
Meanwhile, Marta and Emily had laced up and were twirling clumsily on their skates, pretending to be figure skaters from the championships they watched with their moms. Their scarves floated behind them like banners, and even though their spins were wobbly and full of flailing arms, their laughter echoed warmly through the chilly cavern.
At the goal, Baloo the Cubchoo waddled back and forth, determinedly guarding it — though often sliding uncontrollably on his own ice, his little arms waving frantically to keep balance.
Jake lined up another puck, and with a swift pass to Lukas, they charged the goal. Cubchoo squeaked and lunged left... but the boys were too quick. Lukas lightly tapped the puck across to Tomas, who whacked it in.
THWAP! The puck zipped into the net.
Immediately, Cubchoo raised his paws with a cheerful yip, and his eyes glowed briefly blue.
A shudder ran up the ice wall behind him, and with a low crackling sound, a layer of ice around the star piece melted away.
"YEAH!" the kids shouted, sticks raised high.
Eva clapped loudly from the sidelines, a big smile on her face, Charmander sitting proudly on her lap like a warm, fiery cushion was clapping alongside her.
"First one! Keep going!" she called, scribbling a tally mark on a notepad she pulled from her coat pocket.
One after another, the kids tried to score.
Jake attempted a behind-the-back pass he had seen once at a stadium — it went nowhere near his teammates, spinning off awkwardly toward the ice rink's edge.
"Nice try, NHL star!" Eva teased, laughing.
Petra and Emily, meanwhile, kept skating graceful (and not so graceful) loops, trying to perfect synchronized twirls. They weren't very coordinated, but they cheered each other on with giggles every time one of them fell with a soft whump onto the ice.
After a few minutes, Eva stood up, shifting Charmander to her hip.
"Hey, team! Remember — each of you needs three goals, or the star piece stays stuck!"
The kids immediately sobered at the reminder. They huddled together, whispering, then burst apart, ready with a new plan.
Jake, Tomas, and Lukas began passing the puck between them rapidly, making Cubchoo dizzy as he spun around trying to track it.
Meanwhile, Emily took careful aim, lifted her stick awkwardly... and gently tapped the puck straight into the goal.
Cubchoo tried to dive, but slid right past the puck.
Another shimmer of blue energy, another crackle of melting ice.
"YES!" Emily shrieked, spinning in place with glee, arms raised high.
Petra was next — the boys feinted left and right, pulling Cubchoo to one side of the goal, while Petra snuck up from the other and poked a puck into the open net.
More cheering, more tally marks from Eva.
They kept experimenting — Tomas tried a crazy spin shot that accidentally knocked Marta over, causing an explosion of laughter. Lukas attempted a "no-look" pass that turned into a wild, stumbling scramble.
Each kid had their moments, and with enough teamwork and chaos, they eventually reached their three-goal target apiece.
All the while, more Pokémon cautiously emerged from the cave's sparkling corridors. A pair of playful Snorunt giggled and slid on the ice. A Snom wriggled forward and blinked up at the spectacle. A huge Abomasnow stood at the back, arms crossed and its eyes were focused on the small Snorunts.
Marta managed to coax a curious Vanillish to swirl around her as she tried more twirls, both spinning in wide, slow arcs across the rink, while Petra and Emily lured a sleek Glaceon onto the ice with gentle claps and calls.
Once it trusted them enough, the Glaceon barked playfully and started a lively game of tag, darting between the skating girls with surprising speed.
Meanwhile, Jake, Tomas, and Lukas got competitive again, trying to invent complex passes and shouting real hockey strategies they'd overheard from games in town.
"Forecheck, Tom, forecheck!"
"Pass across, quick!"
"I'm here, Luke, pass it over here!"
"No! Jake, you didn't catch it!"
"Dummy, you shot it the other way!"
Baloo finally waddled off the goal, rubbing his belly and panting with exhaustion, and skated back toward Eva.
"Good job, Baloo!" Eva laughed, setting Charmander down and kneeling to rub the Cubchoo's fuzzy head. She fished a handful of colorful berries from her coat pocket and let the little bear happily stuff them into his mouth.
Charmander wasn't about to be left out. He scurried up to Eva, pawing at her leg and making an insistent chirp.
"Don't worry, you too," Eva chuckled, tossing a berry to the excited lizard.
Charmander gobbled it up and immediately started chittering at Baloo, waving his little arms and gesturing excitedly.
Cubchood raised its paws and cracks of ice energy appeared between those. Then an area not far from those two started to melt into a puddle. Charmander happily chirped and send a volley of Embers to a nearby wall, making similar puddle.
Eva tilted her head, amused.
"I think I know what you're trying to do," she said.
She stood, waving for Lenny — her Venomoth — who had been lazily circling the rink's upper reaches with Togekiss. Lenny buzzed down in a flurry of delicate wings, landing gracefully beside her.
"Alright," Eva said with a grin. "Let's make some art."
She pointed to a block of untouched ice near the lake's edge.
"Charmander — Ember!"
The little fire Pokémon focused for a few seconds, before loudly inhaling. Then it gleefully shot a spray of tiny flames toward the ice. At the same time, Lenny's eyes glowed a soft pink as she caught the Embers mid-air with Psychic, directing them like a conductor leading an orchestra towards a block of ice.
The frozen water hissed and steamed as the Embers, carefully guided, began carving delicate shapes into it.
First came a wing — jagged and translucent, refracting the faint light like a broken rainbow. Then another wing grew from the ice block, graceful and full of detail.
Lenny buzzed towards the small lizard and Charmander, puffing out his chest with pride, launched more Embers.
Venomoth caught each burst and used them like brushes, melting and shaping the ice with precision.
At one point, Venomoth gave a buzz at Cubchoo, who immediately sneezed out a weak Powder Snow.
With a glow of Psychic, Lenny gathered the sparkling snowflakes and fused them into the sculpture, adding delicate frost textures looking like an antenna.
Slowly, an entire ice-statue of Venomoth emerged — wings spread, antennae delicate as lace, body shimmering in intricate carvings.
The kids, noticing the spectacle, skated closer, marveling at the beauty taking form right before their eyes.
"Wow!" they all awed at the results of the Pokémon effort.
And Charmander — tail flame burning bright and proud — bounced on his toes, already eager to shoot more Embers for the next masterpiece.
With the shimmering ice Venomoth already sculpted into its own likeness glistening at the edge of the rink, a hush settled over the group. The kids had gathered around, cheeks pink from the cold and excitement, eyes wide with wonder.
Eva sat cross-legged on a smooth rock, with Charmander curled in her lap, his fiery tail swaying gently from side to side like a satisfied metronome. Cubchoo waddled beside her, its nose dripping slightly from its last sneeze, eyes locked on its trainer with quiet affection.
Then Venomoth's wings stirred again, a hum of Psychic power vibrating subtly through the chilly air. Its eyes glowed faintly violet, and the air above a second ice block shimmered like a mirage. Eva's brows lifted.
"Oh? One more, Lenny?" she asked, amused. "What are you planning now?"
The majestic moth didn't answer, of course, but soared upward, hovering like a conductor above the ice. With perfect timing, it tilted its wings slightly toward Charmander and Cubchoo.
Both Pokémon responded immediately. Charmander stood up straight, his tail flame flaring with energy, and released a short burst of Ember into the air. Cubchoo followed with a puff of cold breath, a gentle Powder Snow spiraling upward to meet the fire. Venomoth caught them both with Psychic, blending the swirling snow and fire into controlled currents of hot and cold. They didn't cancel each other — instead, they danced.
Soft hisses and crackles echoed as Venomoth sculpted, melting and refreezing in perfect harmony. The ice block began to shift, its shape slowly forming from the bottom up.
At first, the kids squinted.
"Is it another Pokémon?" Lukas whispered.
"Or, maybe... a flower?" Petra guessed, tilting her head.
But then the base of the ice statue began to show the flow of a long coat, gently rippling as if caught in a breeze. The curve of legs, slightly bent at the knees. Then a waist, hands relaxed at the sides. The faint suggestion of a scarf.
And then came the hair — flowing, long, tied loosely at the nape of the neck — and finally, the face, serene and familiar.
Eva blinked, lips parting slightly. Her cheeks reddened.
"Oh no," she muttered, chuckling nervously. "Lenny, really?"
The kids gasped in unison. Emily was the first to speak, eyes wide and full of admiration.
"It's you, Mrs. L!"
"It is! Look at the scarf, and the hair — that's totally you!" Petra added, skating in a small circle around the slowly forming statue.
Eva laughed and pressed a hand to her face, turning pinker by the second.
The girls clustered together, whispering and nodding.
"She looks so pretty," Marta whispered.
"I love the way the hair looks," Emily added.
"It's like a queen from a fairytale," Petra said softly.
Even the boys stopped their hockey antics, drawn toward the slow reveal of the sculpture. Tomas let out a low whistle.
"Wow... that's kind of amazing."
Venomoth buzzed happily in the air, clearly proud of its creation.
Charmander, watching all of this unfold, suddenly stood straighter. He puffed out his chest and looked from the girls to Eva, then to the shining sculpture. His eyes narrowed with resolve.
"Char!" he said aloud, and then closed his eyes.
Eva noticed immediately. "Hm? What are you up to, you rascal?"
Charmander stayed still, concentrating deeply. His tail flame flared, brighter than it had been all day. Then, he opened his mouth — and instead of scattered Ember sparks, a swirling stream of fire emerged, curling and spinning in a tight spiral of flame.
The fire hovered midair, twisting like a tiny cyclone. Controlled. Continuous.
Everyone stared in amazement.
Jake's jaw dropped. "Whoa... that's not Ember anymore."
"It's like... like a baby Flamethrower!" Lukas shouted.
Eva stood, eyes wide, then smiled. "I think you're onto something, Lukas. It's not a full attack yet, but he's finding his way to it." She looked down proudly at the little lizard before taking out her phone and scanning the young Pokémon. "Well done, Charmander."
===
Charmander
Level: 3 to 4
Name: N/A
Gender: Male
Type: Fire
Affinity: Fire (full)
Moves: Scratch (3 to 4), Growl (1), Ember => Fire Spin (1), Sunny Day (2), Smokescreen (3)
Abilities: Blaze – Powers up Fire-type moves when Charmander's health is low
Weak to: Ground, Rock, Water
Resistant to: Bug, Steel, Fire, Grass, Ice, Fairy
===
The small Fire-type grinned, mouth open in a proud pant, his flame crackling with glee. He looked around at the others, clearly hoping for more praise.
Jake didn't hesitate. With his skates still on, he clumsily shuffled off the ice toward the snowy rock ledge, arms outstretched.
"You little champ!"
Charmander squeaked in surprise as Jake scooped him into a warm, tight hug, laughing as he spun him slightly. The tail flame flared but didn't burn, just radiated heat and pride.
"Your fire's amazing and you're the best," Jake whispered, still holding him.
Charmander wriggled with happiness, tail wagging, then looked over at Cubchoo with a cheeky little smirk. Cubchoo giggled back, clapping its stubby paws.
The statue of Eva stood tall and silent in front of them, bathed in the soft reflections of firelight and frost, while around them the ice cave echoed with the happy shouts of children and the curious chatter of Pokémon drawn to the warmth of joy in the frozen dark.
The massive ice sculpture stood gleaming beneath the vault of the frozen cave, refracting the soft blue light of the crystals embedded in the walls. It was unmistakably Eva — graceful posture, long hair swept behind the shoulders, an outstretched arm carved in elegant detail. The statue shimmered with subtle frost, flecks of Powder Snow catching in the dim light like glitter.
Eva crossed her arms and looked up at it, a deep flush rising on her cheeks. "Alright, alright," she muttered under her breath, half-laughing, half-mortified. "That's enough flattery for one day."
Marta spun on her skates, landing in a clumsy but proud pose. "But Mrs. L, it really does look like you! The nose, the boots, even your hair!"
"It's like you're a hero from a movie," Petra added with wide eyes. "Your Venomoth's amazing!"
The large moth Pokémon gave a slow, contented loop through the air, then fluttered back toward Eva, humming softly. Charmander gave a triumphant squeak and puffed a tiny Ember into the air, clearly demanding some credit.
Eva chuckled and bent down. "Yes, yes, you too, little flameball. You were brilliant." She scratched under Charmander's chin, and he leaned into her touch, smug as ever.
At that moment, Cubchoo waddled over, its stubby arms barely able to hold the glimmering object pressed to its chest. It looked up with bright eyes and sneezed — hyaa-chooo! — nearly sending the object sliding across the ice. But it managed to hold on and proudly extended the star piece to Eva.
"Thanks, Baloo," Eva said, kneeling to accept it. The little bear bounced in place, clearly pleased. Eva raised the crystal shard high so all the kids could see.
"Another star piece!" Tomas shouted, racing to get a better look.
As the others gathered around, Emily leaned in. "There's something etched into it…"
"It looks like a little sheep," Marta said, squinting.
"Is that a Mareep?" Lukas asked.
"Hmm," Eva said with a sly smile. "Do any of you know a Pokémon that looks like Mareep, but isn't an Electric type?"
Jake immediately opened his mouth. "It's—"
"Ah-ah." Eva quickly raised a finger, stopping him. "Let's see if anyone else knows."
There was a moment of silence as the kids traded looks.
"Uh… Skiddo?" Petra guessed hesitantly.
"No, that has horns and not wool, right?" Emily countered.
"Maybe… Flaaffy?" Lukas offered.
"Still Electric," Marta groaned.
Finally, Eva turned toward Jake. "Alright, what do you think, mister expert?"
Jake grinned, puffing out his chest just a little. "It's Wooloo. They're Normal type. Super round. Super fluffy."
"Correct," Eva said, nodding. "The next challenge is going to take us somewhere a bit warmer… and a bit woollier."
Everyone clapped and murmured with excitement. Cubchoo sneezed again, then blinked up at Eva.
"Baloo, you've earned your rest." Eva pulled out his Pokéball and recalled him with a flash of red light.
Charmander scrambled up onto Jake's shoulder again, his tail swaying cheerfully behind him.
As they turned toward the path, the Pokémon who had gathered to watch began to drift back toward their icy homes. The Vanillish swirled higher into the ceiling crevices; the Glaceon who had been playing tag with Emily and Petra bowed its head before slipping into a glittering tunnel.
Abomasnow stood near the cave wall, its large hand gently resting on the heads of two smaller Snovers.
"Bye-bye!" Marta called out, waving both hands high above her head.
The two Snovers waved back enthusiastically, and the kids giggled as they shouted their goodbyes to each Pokémon.
Once they reached the mouth of the cave, the warm sunlight was a welcome slap to the senses. Eva stretched her arms out and exhaled. "Phew. Let's get these off."
One by one, the kids unzipped and peeled away their layers of coats, scarves, and gloves. Steam practically rose from their flushed faces.
"Wait," Tomas said, holding up his coat. "Aren't we gonna need to bring these back?"
"We're just leaving them here?" Marta asked.
Eva nodded and pointed to a nearby rock formation, where several durable, waterproof backpacks were tucked neatly beneath an overhang. "We've got supplies stashed all over the ranch," she explained. "Since the cave's a popular destination, people can borrow clothes when they visit. No need to carry winter gear all day."
"Huh," Lukas said. "That's actually kinda smart."
"Yup," Jake added. "Even Grandpa uses them, because he always forgets his coat."
Eva raised an eyebrow at him with a smirk, but said nothing, knowing how her father always forget things.
They began their hike across the gently sloping hill leading to the southern grasslands. The snow had melted here, leaving patches of budding grass and sleepy wildflowers stretching toward the sun. Birds chirped in the air — a flock of Pidove wheeled overhead, and a Watchog scurried off into the brush.
"Finally! No more freezing my face off," Lukas exclaimed, kicking at a stone as he walked.
"It's sooo nice out here," Emily sighed, stretching her arms.
As they descended toward the field trail, Eva reached into the side of her belt pouch and pulled out a bright red frisbee.
"Ohhhh!" Petra gasped. "Frisbee!"
Before she could blink, Eva tossed it high into the air.
"Mine!" Tomas yelled, bolting after it, with Lukas and Emily close behind. The disc soared and curved, landing on the soft grass where Lukas scooped it up and launched it back. It was clumsy, lopsided — but fun.
Jake handed Charmander over to Eva. "Here, hold him, Mom?"
Eva blinked in mock disbelief. "You're getting rid of him?"
Jake grinned. "Only so I can beat them in frisbee."
Charmander gave a questioning chirp as he was transferred to Eva's shoulder, but quickly settled in, tail curling gently around her neck. Eva sat on a sun-warmed rock and laughed, watching the six kids dart across the grass, shrieking, laughing, trying to outmaneuver each other for frisbee dominance.
Even with the distractions, it didn't take more than half an hour for the group to reach a low hill overlooking a broad pasture — and there, grazing calmly in a sunny stretch of grass, stood about ten Pokémon.
All of them were saddled.
A tall Gogoat flicked its ears and looked up. A Sawsbuck let out a low rumble, stamping a hoof. An old, noble-looking Mudsdale turned its head slightly, nostrils flaring. A pair of large, fluffy Dubwool stood toward the back, their soft wool shimmering faintly in the breeze.
The kids all stopped dead.
"…Whoa," Lukas breathed.
"They all have saddles…" Marta said, her voice almost reverent.
Tomas turned around, his face lit up with pure joy. "Wait — is the next quest to ride with them?!"
Eva grinned. "Looks like someone figured it out."
The kids erupted into excited shouts.
Jake gave Charmander a quick pat on the head. "This is going to be so cool."
The clearing buzzed with excitement, but as the kids drew closer to the assembled Pokémon, Petra and Emily slowed their steps. The towering presence of the larger creatures — their muscled frames, twitching ears, and watchful eyes — made the girls hesitate.
Petra clutched her arm nervously. "They're… really tall. And scary."
Emily glanced sideways at a stoic Luxray, its piercing golden eyes seemingly glowing beneath its dark mane. "That one's staring right into my soul," she whispered.
Eva noticed their hesitation and stepped between them with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, girls. These Pokémon are trained to carry riders. They've been raised around people their whole lives — they know how to keep you safe. Some of them even work with Rangers."
"But what if they don't like me?" Petra asked softly.
"They'll let you know if it's not a good match," Eva said gently. "But I think you'll be surprised. They're very good at choosing you."
With that, she gave them all a playful shove forward. "Alright, everyone — go find your ride!"
The group hesitated for only a second before scattering. The kids weaved carefully among the Pokémon, watching them, reaching out, speaking in hushed tones.
Jake approached a majestic Arcanine, its orange-and-black stripes gleaming in the sunlight. It met his eyes with a noble calm and gave a gentle woof. Charmander chirped on Jake's shoulder, puffing smoke proudly.
"Hi there," Jake said, reaching out. The Arcanine leaned into his touch and gave his hand a warm, slightly wet lick. "Whoa—okay, I think we're friends already."
Tomas, on the other side of the clearing, was mesmerized by a sleek Zebstrika. "It's like lightning on legs," he muttered. He reached out, and the zebra Pokémon nickered, tossing its striped mane. "Can I… ride you?" Zebstrika let out a soft whinny and knelt slightly — just enough for Eva, who was nearby, to give an approving nod.
Marta ran her hand down the thick, green-furred neck of a Gogoat, which responded with a low, approving bleat.
Emily took careful, deliberate steps toward the Luxray, still unsure. But as she stopped beside it, the electric-type Pokémon turned and, surprisingly, gently nudged her hand with its forehead.
"You're… not scary?" she murmured.
It gave her a soft rumble in return.
Petra was next to a proud Sawsbuck, the seasonal blossoms in its antlers gently shedding petals. She stared at it with wide eyes. "You're so pretty…" The Sawsbuck bowed its head slightly, and Petra smiled for the first time.
Lukas, meanwhile, laughed out loud as a tall Dodrio leaned all three heads toward him at once, sniffing his hair, his cheeks, even his backpack.
"Okay, okay, one at a time!" he laughed. "Guess we're together in this, huh?"
Eva moved through the group, helping each child into their saddles with practiced ease. "Hold the front reins like this… that's right… good posture, Tom."
Then, with a flick of her own wrist, she called over a Rapidash.
The creature was a swirl of flames — bright, flowing fire danced down its mane and tail like liquid sunlight. The kids collectively gasped and froze.
"Th-the fire," Marta stammered.
"Don't worry," Eva said, already swinging into the saddle. "Rapidash's flames only burn those it doesn't trust. As long as we're on good terms…" She gave the fire horse a gentle pat. "You'll be just fine."
The kids still stared, unsure, but Eva smiled. "You should be more worried about getting through the next challenge in one piece."
Togekiss swooped overhead, circling once as if to check on the formation. Venomoth fluttered close to Eva's shoulder, its wings shimmering in the light.
"Alright, riders," Eva called, turning in her saddle. "We're heading into that orchard over there." She pointed to a patchwork forest of fruit-bearing trees in the distance. "Our first challenge is to collect as many berries and fruits as you can. Each of your mounts has a sack strapped to its side. Keep your eyes open and work with your partner — you'll need the fruit later for herding the Wooloo."
The kids responded with excited nods and whoops.
As they began to move, Eva called out instructions: "Left is a gentle nudge on the reins, like so. To slow down, pull back. To go faster, press your heels gently and give a short 'hup'."
Lukas kicked off first, Dodrio bursting forward with a series of bobbing strides, its three heads scanning in different directions. He swerved a little, nearly tipping over — but before disaster struck, Venomoth was already there, a shimmering aura lifting him back into position.
"Whoa!" Lukas shouted. "Thanks, moth-dude!"
He did not even realize that Venomoth was female.
Petra clung tightly to her Sawsbuck's mane. "Okay… okay, go slow, please," she muttered. The Sawsbuck obliged, trotting gently beneath her, regal and patient.
Marta laughed as her Gogoat lumbered forward, occasionally chewing on grass even while walking. Emily, atop the now-docile Luxray, looked more confident by the second.
Jake patted Arcanine's side. "Alright, buddy. Let's go!" With a strong leap, they joined the others, Charmander chirping from behind him like a fuzzy little co-pilot.
Eva brought up the rear, her Rapidash walking proudly. She watched them all carefully, and Venomoth circled above, ever-ready to catch any slipping child. Togekiss flew wide loops, watching the orchard's edge.
The orchard was bursting with late-summer colors. Golden-leafed trees rustled in the breeze, branches heavy with berries, oranges, apples, and more. The scent of fruit filled the air, sweet and crisp.
"Okay!" Eva called out. "Spread out and start collecting! Fill those sacks!"
Lukas, with Dodrio's triple assistance, was absurdly fast. One head bit an apple, another grabbed berries, and the third nudged a tree trunk to shake down more fruit.
"Unfair!" Tomas shouted from behind a Zebstrika, struggling to reach a high-hanging oran berry. "He's got three beaks!"
"You've got a really fast Pokémon, though!" Marta countered. "I can't even catch up to you!"
Laughter echoed through the trees as the group darted and gathered. Even shy Petra giggled as her Sawsbuck knelt beside a branch so she could pluck fruit easily.
But trouble wasn't far behind.
Jake and Emily were near the far edge of the orchard, carefully guiding their Pokémon through a cluster of apple trees. Jake reached for an apple, but then frowned.
"Wait… where'd it go?"
Emily looked down. "Hey! My sack was full a minute ago!"
There was rustling from the bushes.
"Thieves!" Jake shouted.
Two round, furry shapes darted from the underbrush — Skwovet! Their cheeks were puffed like balloons, apples practically spilling out of their mouths.
"Get 'em!" Jake yelled, and Arcanine surged forward, Luxray bounding beside them.
"Wait—guys, not too fast!" Eva called, urging Rapidash after them.
But the chase was on. Skwovet darted and zigzagged, weaving between trees. Arcanine thundered behind, Jake gripping the reins tight, and Charmander clung on with wide eyes.
Then — whirr! — Charmander let out a shrill cry and unleashed a stream of spinning fire. A fiery spiral erupted in the orchard, lighting a low-hanging tree branch ablaze.
"Whoa!" Jake shouted. "That wasn't Ember—!"
"Hold on!" Eva cried. "Lenny—!"
The moth Pokémon darted forward, its eyes glowing. With a pulse of Psychic energy, it crushed the fire out, extinguishing the flames just before they spread.
Meanwhile, the Skwovet were still running — until a glowing swirl of green leaves streaked through the air.
Zzzuuum!
Togekiss dove from above, Magical Leaf trailing behind like a comet. The leaves circled the Skwovet, corralling them until they skidded to a halt and dropped their stolen fruit in panic.
Jake and Emily rode up, panting. Luxray growled in warning.
The Skwovet stared up at them, shivering.
Jake blinked. "Uh… I feel kinda bad now."
"Me too," Emily said. "They were just hungry."
Eva rode up behind them and raised an eyebrow. "Next time, try not to chase thieves through an orchard on fire."
"Sorry, Mom," Jake muttered.
Charmander looked away, embarrassed.
Eva smiled, shaking her head. "Alright. Let's let them keep a few. Fair?"
Jake nodded, and the kids each let the Skwovet carry away some fruit before collecting the rest.
Back at the group, Lukas grinned. "You guys missed it! Dodrio picked a pear with its feet!"
"No way!" Emily exclaimed.
"Way! And it was so cool!" Lukas continued.
Petra rolled her eyes. "Only you would be proud of that."
Eva clapped her hands. "Okay, everyone — regroup! Let's tally what we've got and head toward the Wooloo field. You're gonna need all that fruit!"
The grassy clearing buzzed with laughter and a bit of nervous chatter as the kids gathered near the pasture, their mount Pokémon shifting excitedly under them. The Wooloo herd—nearly thirty of them—lazily grazed across the sunny meadow, scattered in fluffy clumps like dandelions in the wind.
"Alright!" Eva called, turning in the saddle of her Rapidash, its fiery mane flickering gently, safely cool for those it trusted. "The goal is simple. Get the Wooloo into the fenced area up ahead before sundown. You've got your berries and apples in the sacks—use them to lure them or guide them!"
The kids nodded from atop their mounts. Lukas patted the neck of his Dodrio confidently. "Ready to herd some sheep, triple-threat style!"
Petra and Emily, now more comfortable in their saddles, shared a determined glance from their Sawsbuck and Luxray.
"We'll circle around from the left, okay?" Petra suggested, already nudging her Sawsbuck into motion.
"I'll go from the right!" Tomas shouted from his Zebstrika, causing a few Wooloo to raise their heads.
Jake and Marta rode side-by-side, with Charmander perched proudly in front of Jake on Arcanine. "We got this, huh buddy?" Jake grinned.
Charmander chirped with excitement, tail flame burning bright.
At first, everything went surprisingly well. The kids guided their mounts into flanking positions, gently calling to the Wooloo and tossing berries to encourage them to move. Some of the round-bodied sheep Pokémon rolled more than walked, bumping into each other like living puffballs. The kids giggled at the sight.
"They're so silly!" Marta laughed, patting Gogoat's leafy mane as it carefully nudged a Wooloo forward.
Lukas was having a blast. "Dodrio's heads can each watch a Wooloo! It's like cheating!"
"Focus, Lukas!" Eva called from behind, riding beside the herd with Venomoth buzzing above her head. Togekiss soared high in the skies, watching the perimeter. "Keep the group tight! If one breaks off, the rest might follow."
That's when it happened.
A sharp bark cracked through the air.
Before anyone could react, a lean, fast-moving blur shot from the nearby bushes. Then another. And another.
"Poochyena. And just in time," Eva muttered to herself, eyes narrowing.
"Let's see how the kids handle them..."
More of them burst out of the underbrush—at least seven small, grey-and-black canines. And behind them, emerging with a low growl and gleaming eyes, was a towering Mightyena. It barked once, commanding the pack, and the Poochyena immediately darted forward, expertly fanning out.
"They're splitting the herd!" Emily cried.
"Get back here!" Tomas shouted as three Wooloo panicked and veered off to the side, bouncing wildly away from the group.
"Hold the line!" Eva barked. "Togekiss, watch the kids! Lenny, you're with me, everyone, stay on alert!"
Venomoth zipped forward with a gleam of light in its wings. Togekiss dipped low and fired a warning by using Magical Leaf, scattering two of the Poochyena who got too close to Lukas. But the rest of pack kept going, lunging at the fleeing Wooloo.
"Jake, take the left flank—Marta, help Lukas on the right! Keep the rest of the herd from scattering!" Eva shouted, then released Cubchoo from his Pokéball with a flash. "Baloo, Blizzard—cut off their escape!"
Cubchoo stomped his tiny paw and howled. A chilling wind surged from his fur, forming a shimmering wall of snow in front of two of the separating Wooloo, who skidded to a stop, bleating in confusion.
Meanwhile, Mightyena was stalking low, eyes locked on a particularly slow Wooloo. With a snarl, it lunged—
"Lenny, Bug Buzz!" Eva snapped.
The sound was piercing—an almost metallic whine. Mightyena flinched mid-air and twisted away with a snarl, missing its mark by inches.
Jake gritted his teeth. "Charmander, let's help mom!"
Charmander leapt from Arcanine's back, landing with a puff of dust, and spun in place. A spiraling column of flame whooshed into life, forcing another Poochyena to tumble back in panic.
Petra, riding closer now, pulled out a handful of berries and tossed them in a wide arc to draw a stray Wooloo back toward the center. "C'mon, follow the snacks, not the teeth!"
Emily, lips tight with focus, directed Luxray to growl menacingly, intimidating two of the predators long enough for Tomas to sweep in on Zebstrika and guide the sheep back.
"They're regrouping!" Lukas called from Dodrio. "Let's keep them boxed in!"
Eva nodded in approval as she watched the kids by the corner of her eye, even as she directed Venomoth and Cubchoo in a coordinated attack—Stun Spore to hold Mightyena in place for a moment, and a well-aimed Frost Breath to freeze it.
The predators were starting to back off. With more flames from Charmander and another Magical Leaf blast from Togekiss, the Poochyena scattered into the tall grass, barking and howling in frustration.
Mightyena snarled one last time, locking eyes with Eva, before turning and vanishing into the woods.
The field fell quiet except for the soft baaing of the Wooloo and the heavy breaths of kids high on adrenaline.
"Everyone okay?" Eva asked, dismounting Rapidash and running over.
"I think so," Emily said, her cheeks flushed.
"That was insane!" Tomas laughed, punching the air. "We actually did it!"
Jake ran to Charmander and scooped him up. "That was awesome, buddy! You saved that Wooloo."
Charmander puffed up with pride, tail flame flaring.
Eva crouched near Cubchoo, giving him a berry and a pat on the head. "You were amazing, Baloo. Thank you."
Venomoth fluttered proudly above her, eyes scanning for any last signs of trouble.
Slowly, the kids regrouped, herding the Wooloo now more gently but with new urgency. Togekiss flew overhead, circling like a watchful guardian, as they guided the Pokémon into the safety of the fenced pasture.
When the last Wooloo waddled inside and the gate clicked shut, Eva turned to the group with a proud, if slightly weary smile.
"Well," she said, brushing grass from her jacket, "you just passed unexpected and hopefully the hardest part of today's challenge."
Marta let out a long breath and leaned on her Gogoat. "Can the next one be, like… napping with Snorlax?"
Everyone laughed.
Jake grinned. "Only if Charmander doesn't set his blanket on fire."
Charmander snorted indignantly, tail swishing.
The afternoon sun hung lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the fields as a warm breeze rustled the grass. The air was calm after the chaos of the Wooloo herding challenge, and the fenced area around the pasture now held a comforting stillness. The large Pokémon stood in a row, panting gently, flanks heaving after a long and exciting day.
Eva clapped her hands once and gathered the kids. "Alright, everyone. Before we move on, it's time to thank our incredible partners. They've carried you, helped with the herding, and kept you safe. So now… we take care of them."
She pointed to a small wooden shack nestled inside the pasture, not far from the fence gate. "In there, you'll find grooming brushes, cloths, and a bucket of feed pellets. Each of you will clean your mount's sides, check their hooves or paws if needed, and then give them a nice snack."
Petra glanced nervously at Sawsbuck's towering antlers. "What if they don't want to be cleaned?"
Eva walked beside her, smiling. "Then you stop and wait. Watch their ears, their stance. Pokémon speak with their bodies. If they swish their tail calmly, lower their head, or nudge you gently, it means you're doing just fine. But if they tense up or step back, you give them a moment. Understand?"
Petra nodded, and the others followed her lead, heading into the shack.
Soon, the pasture came alive with loud chatter and laughter. The kids, tired but beaming with pride, moved around their mounts like eager apprentices.
Lukas was standing on a wooden crate to reach Dodrio's tall necks. "Okay, okay—one head at a time, please! You'll all get your turn!"
Two of the heads eagerly leaned in for brushing, while the third suspiciously watched the crate, as if it didn't trust the setup.
Eva chuckled from nearby. "You've got the feisty one watching you."
Emily, still a little wary, slowly brushed the Luxray's thick mane, talking softly. "You're not as scary as I thought… You've got kind eyes."
The Luxray gave a soft purr and leaned into the brush, making Emily smile proudly.
Tomas sat cross-legged in front of Zebstrika, holding a brush like a microphone. "Welcome to Pokémon Salon TV! Today we're grooming the most stylish stripes in the world."
Zebstrika pawed the ground dramatically, as if it were in on the act.
Meanwhile, Marta and Petra were teaming up, moving slowly and attentively around Gogoat and Sawsbuck. "Let's start from the legs and go up," Petra said seriously. Marta nodded. "I saw it in a grooming show once."
The two girls worked carefully, pausing often to feed berries from a shared bucket.
At the other end of the pasture, Jake was brushing Arcanine's luxurious fur, with Charmander sitting nearby watching every move like a student in training.
"You've got so much fur, buddy," Jake muttered as he worked. "You should enter a contest."
Arcanine gave a low, pleased rumble, then lowered its head to nuzzle Jake.
After nearly half an hour of brushing, checking hooves, wiping down flanks, and feeding, the kids gathered again near Eva, who carried a water pail to clean the brushes.
They looked satisfied. And more importantly—connected.
Suddenly, from the nearby Wooloo herd, a majestic Dubwool emerged, its wooly coat bouncing as it stepped forward. Its large curled horns gleamed in the sunlight—and tied to one of them was a shimmering star piece, hanging from a braided string.
The kids gasped. "It's got a star piece!" Marta exclaimed, pointing.
Eva knelt down and raised a calming hand. "Easy. Let it come to us."
Dubwool strode confidently to her, lowered its head, and allowed Eva to gently untie the string. She stood and held the new star piece aloft, letting it catch the sun's rays.
On its surface was a delicate water droplet symbol.
"Alright, adventurers," Eva said, looking at each of them. "What do you think this one means?"
"Water-type Pokémon?" Tomas guessed.
"A river?" added Petra.
"Rain?" Emily chimed in.
Jake opened his mouth, but Eva quickly shushed him, pressing a finger to her lips with a smile. "Let the others think first, okay?"
The kids went quiet, puzzled.
Marta finally shrugged. "No idea."
Eva turned to Jake. "Alright, mister. What's your guess?"
Jake grinned. "Lake!"
Eva winked. "Bingo. Looks like that's where we're headed."
With the sun slowly descending, Eva told the kids that it was time to move. Together, they gave each Pokémon a thank-you before gathering in a circle.
"Time to hit the road. We've got a walk ahead of us—and something beautiful waiting at the end."
They followed a well-trodden dirt path leading away from the pastures and into a grove of whispering trees. Sunbeams filtered through the leaves, and wild Pokémon peeked out as they passed—a couple of Combee buzzed overhead, a pair of Cherrim danced on a branch, and a Grumpig was seen napping under a tree, one eye cracking open lazily as the group passed. But the presence of Togekiss kept all curious Pokémon at bay.
As they reached a clearing, the smell of fresh water and moss grew stronger. Then came the moment of awe.
Before them stretched a vast, serene lake, glimmering under the orange and pink hues of the late afternoon sky. A small wooden cabin stood near the water's edge, simple but inviting, with a weathered dock stretching over the still water.
The kids froze at the sight.
"Look!" Petra cried, pointing at the water.
Dozens of Pokémon swam and splashed near the dock. Poliwag, Goldeen, Lotad, Psyduck, and even a Buizel or two zipped by. In the distance, the elegant form of a Lapras glided across the lake's surface, shimmering in the sun's reflection.
"It's like something from a movie," Marta whispered.
Eva stood beside them, arms crossed, her smile soft. "This is where we'll spend the night. That's the old fishing cabin. It may not look fancy, but I promise it's got warmth, good stories… and a lot of memories."
Charmander squeaked happily from Jake's side, tail flame glowing bright.
The wind picked up, gentle and cool, carrying the scent of the lake and the sounds of distant bird Pokémon.
The sun had sunk low, casting amber gold across the surface of the lake, which shimmered like a bowl of melted stars. Shadows stretched long beneath the tall trees, and the cabin by the shore now glowed faintly with the last light of the day.
Some of the kids were still buzzing from the day's adventure, skipping stones across the water or crouching near the dock, peering at the graceful silhouettes of Magikarp, Goldeen, and even a far-off Lapras gliding silently through the lake.
"Mrs. L, what happened to the star?" Petra asked eagerly, brushing back a strand of hair from her cheek. "The one that was a wish?"
"Yeah, we find the pieces, so what is next?" Tomas chimed in, adjusting the knit hat that always slid over his eyes.
Eva only smiled and stretched her back with a small sigh. "That's a story for later," she said, her tone playful but gentle. "Right now, I want to know if anyone's hungry."
As if on cue, Lukas's stomach growled—loudly enough to make everyone laugh.
Within minutes, the little clearing beside the cabin had come to life. Eva, with the help of her ever-present Venomoth, Lenny, and a few uncomplaining kids (mostly Marta and Tomas), gathered dry branches and logs from a nearby woodshed. Charmander, always proud of its role, stepped forward with confidence. With a flick of its tail and a playful spin, it ignited the campfire. A satisfying whoosh of flame bloomed, sending up sparks into the darkening air.
Eva opened a small fridge inside the cabin and emerged with a basket of goodies: skewers loaded with sausages, bread, mushrooms, and even a few marshmallows. "Toasting sticks, anyone?" she asked with a grin.
The children all gathered around the crackling fire, plopping onto logs and cushions Eva had pulled from the cabin. Their faces glowed orange from the flame, laughter and chatter rising into the night.
"Remember when Sawsbuck slipped on the mud and almost ran into the Wooloo?" Lukas said, mouth full, waving a greasy skewer in the air.
"I do! And Mrs. L screamed louder than the Wooloo," Marta giggled.
"I did not," Eva said dryly, sipping tea from a thermos. "That was clearly Togekiss."
Emily pointed a stick at Lukas. "You still smell like Dodrio," she teased. "All sweaty and birdy."
"Do not," he muttered, then sniffed his sleeve. "Okay, maybe a little."
Charmander sat curled up beside Jake, munching on a tiny burnt sausage of its own, while Lenny the Venomoth flied in circles around the fire mesmerized by the flames.
After everyone had filled their bellies, Eva disappeared briefly inside the cabin and returned holding a tray of warm mugs. "Hot chocolate," she announced.
The kids eagerly grabbed mugs, noses buried in sweet steam. Silence fell for the first time all evening—one of contentment and anticipation.
Eva knelt by the fire and stirred the embers, watching them flicker like tiny stars.
"Do you remember what I told you earlier? About the wish that turned into a star?" she asked softly.
Six heads nodded.
"Well…" she said, her voice lower now, the flames crackling beneath her words, "now it's time to tell you the rest."
"Once upon a time," she began, "there was a wish. A wish that soared into the sky and became a star.
"But the other stars in the sky… they didn't know what it was. It didn't look like them, didn't act like them. They whispered. They hid. They turned their faces away."
The fire popped and crackled.
"The little star wandered the sky, calling out, asking if anyone would play with it. But none answered. Not because they were cruel… but because they were afraid of something different. So the star grew quiet. Its light dimmed. And in its loneliness, it broke. Shattered. And fell."
She looked around at the quiet, wide-eyed children. Their hot chocolate sat cooling in their laps.
"But even broken, the star never stopped hoping. Pieces of it lay sleeping across the land. Until tonight."
Eva gently nodded to Lenny.
Venomoth's eyes shimmered, and the small velvet bag with the star pieces levitated from her satchel. The polished fragments—each collected after a different task—rose into the air, spinning slowly. One by one, they clicked into place, reassembling into a shining, jewel-like form. The newly reformed Lucky Star pulsed with gentle, blue-white light.
Eva's voice grew softer, filled with reverence.
"The star remembered. And so did the sky. The constellations above looked down and saw what had happened. They saw that brave little adventurers—kids who were smart, and curious, and just a bit muddy—had helped their adopted sibling come home.
"So the stars came back for it."
She lifted her eyes to the heavens.
Above them, Togekiss circled gracefully in the cooling night air. With a serene cry, it suddenly spread its wings and soared higher. A gust of wind rolled through the trees as the Lucky Star, subtly lifted by Venomoth's psychic power, rose too—higher and higher, until it looked like just another point of light in the darkening sky.
And then… it began.
The first meteor streaked across the sky like a golden paintbrush stroke.
Then another. And another.
Suddenly, the whole sky bloomed with motion—hundreds of stars rushing earthward, trailing silver, blue, violet, and gold. They weaved through the constellations like dancers in a vast celestial waltz.
The firelight paled before the cosmic brilliance.
Gasps filled the clearing.
Emily clutched Petra's hand. Lukas just stared, his sausage forgotten, mouth wide open. Marta wiped her eyes without realizing it. Even the Pokémon were frozen—Charmander's flame tail flickering slowly as its gaze followed the star trails.
Eva looked at them all—bathed in light, safe and glowing—and spoke one final truth.
"Even if you feel small. Or left out. Or like no one sees you… there's always someone out there who remembers you. And someday, they'll come back for you."
The fire hissed as Lenny levitated another log in it. Silence held the group in a warm, reverent stillness, broken only by the soft lapping of water at the dock and the distant cries of nocturnal bird Pokémon.
Then—
"Uh… Mrs. L.?" Emily's voice came from the edge of the group, barely above a whisper.
She pointed toward the lake, her eyes wide with awe.
"What's that?"
The others turned to look.
Something tall… something large… was standing just at the edge of the lake. In the glow of the fire and the fading meteor shower, the silhouette shimmered—bipedal, with a long tail, thick mane, and a crest glowing faintly blue. The shape was imposing, noble, ancient.
It stared at them. Silent. Still.
A hush fell. Even the crackling fire seemed to hold its breath.
Then, with a rippling distortion, the figure suddenly splashed apart into the water, as though it had never been solid at all.
"W-what was that?" Tomas said, eyes huge. "What Pokémon was it?!"
"Did anyone else see it breathe?" Petra asked, clutching her mug to her chest.
Eva had stood up so fast she nearly kicked over the thermos. Her hand instinctively went to her belt where her Pokéballs hung.
But then she caught herself.
With a strained chuckle, she waved a hand. "It's nothing," she said. "Just Lenny again. Playing with water the way she did in the ice cave. Right, Lenny?"
Venomoth chirped softly, wings flickering like moonlight.
The kids relaxed. A few muttered things like "Wow, she's good" or "I want a Venomoth someday."
But Jake wasn't buying it.
He sat quietly, mug cradled in his hands, eyes on the lake.
He didn't say anything. Not yet.
But he had felt something.
Not fear. Not even danger.
Just… something vast.
Something older than even the 2,000-year-old Cofagrigus he had met before.
And in the back of his mind, the voice of the water still whispered.
After the meteor shower, the kids were exhausted. The afternoon was long and tiring, so when Eva told them it was bed time, they did not protest. Well, they protested only a little. Luckily for the kids, there were prepared beds in the cabin, so it was quite comfortable sleep.
And to be sure nothing unexpected would happen, in the shadows of the cabin, there was Maya, Eva's Decidueye hiding and watching over the kids.
The fire had dwindled to a low, glowing bed of embers, its flickers casting gentle shadows across Eva's face. She sat alone now, arms wrapped around her knees, the sleeves of her hoodie tugged down to her knuckles. Venomoth fluttered quietly near her, its eyes catching glimmers of the fading firelight as it hovered like a silent guardian. The evening air had cooled further, laced with the earthy scent of smoke, dew, and the faint, metallic hint of lake water.
Above, Togekiss perched on the cabin's roof, its broad wings folded neatly around its body. It didn't sleep—not quite. Its gaze drifted toward the lake, alert, almost reverent. Even for a seasoned Pokémon like Lucky, the shape they'd all glimpsed moments earlier had unsettled something deep in its instincts.
A soft creak broke through the chorus of night insects.
Eva turned, instantly attentive, and saw the cabin door gently swing open. A small figure slipped out, silhouetted in the doorway.
"Jakey?" she called softly after seeing her son.
He padded toward her in his socks, pajamas slightly rumpled from tossing in sleeping-bag. "Mom," he whispered, rubbing one eye, "I can't sleep."
"Why, honey?" she asked gently as he curled into the space beside her. She wrapped one arm around his narrow shoulders, pulling him close. The boy nestled against her side without hesitation, soaking in the warmth of her embrace.
"I… Mom, it wasn't Lenny. I mean, the water thing. That… shape. It wasn't a trick, right? Why did you lie?"
His voice was quiet, but filled with that earnest confusion unique to children—when the world doesn't quite line up with the truth they feel in their hearts.
Eva's smile faded. Her eyes lingered on the fire a moment longer before she sighed and leaned her cheek briefly against the top of Jake's head.
"You know, Jakey… it's complicated." Her voice dropped, soft and serious. "I've never seen it before—not like that—but both your grandfathers, and others who work on the ranch, have seen something in the lake. Something rare. Something... special."
Jake looked up at her, his eyes wide in the dark.
"The Lindenbergs call it the lake guardian," Eva said, her voice almost reverent now, as if speaking too loudly might summon it again.
Jake blinked. "I remember! Grandpa told me about that. We were talking about legendary Pokémon. Was that it? Did we see one? A real one?"
His voice had lost all drowsiness now—sparkling with the thrill of discovery.
"Yes, honey." Eva gave a faint nod. "We saw Paldean Suicune."
His breath caught. "Whoa…"
Eva squeezed his shoulder gently. "But listen. I told your friends it was just a trick with Lenny's psychic powers for a reason. If word got out that a legendary Pokémon lived here—especially one this rare—people would come from all over. They'd search, they'd disturb the lake, the forest. They'd ruin the peace."
"And the Pokémon might leave," Jake finished, a quiet seriousness settling over him.
Eva nodded. "Exactly. Your grandpa asked you not to tell anyone before, remember?"
Jake sat up a little straighter and placed a hand over his heart. "I remember. I won't tell. It's our secret."
She looked at him with warmth and pride. "I'm so glad you understand. You really are growing up, Jakey."
He smiled shyly, then added, "So… we'll talk more about it later? Just us?"
"Later," Eva agreed. "After the others go home. It's a Lindenberg secret. And you," she added, poking him gently on the nose, "are a Lindenberg. A small one, but very clever."
Jake giggled. "Just like you, Mom!"
Eva laughed and ruffled his hair, then pulled him in for one more hug before nudging him up to his feet. "Alright, that's enough adventuring for one night. Chop chop—back to bed with you."
"Okay. Good night, Mommy," Jake whispered, giving her a quick wave as he tiptoed back toward the cabin.
"Good night, honey," she called after him, watching as the door clicked shut once more, and the soft night wrapped around them again.
As Jake disappeared back into the soft glow of the cabin, the door clicking quietly shut behind him, Eva let out a long, slow breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
The fire had burned lower now—embers nestled beneath crackling charred logs, casting soft red pulses onto the grass. Venomoth hovered a little closer, her wings barely stirring the air. The nocturnal hum of the forest resumed: distant chirps, the slow chorus of crickets, the occasional plop of something slipping beneath the lake's surface.
Togekiss still sat sentinel on the rooftop above, silent but watchful, its form faintly outlined against the star-strewn sky. Its wings trembled once—just barely—as if remembering that other presence. The lake shimmered with reflected constellations, as though trying to hold the meteor shower in its memory a little longer.
Eva remained seated by the fire, arms still hugging her knees, but her expression had softened. There was something so beautifully pure about how Jake had asked. So instinctively right. Of course he'd seen through the lie—he always had a way of feeling things deeper than most, ever since he was a toddler. He had sensed something sacred in that moment, something ancient and unknowable, and had spoken the truth as easily as breathing.
"Small Lindenberg, but very clever."
She chuckled to herself and poked gently at the fire with a stick.
It warmed her heart to know the legacy was alive in him—Joe's calm wisdom, David's fire, and something all his own, something earnest and quietly brave. Jake didn't crave the spotlight like some kids his age. He wanted to understand. To connect.
Her eyes flicked toward the lake again.
The surface was calm now, utterly still. But the air still held a certain weight, as if the moment hadn't fully passed, as though something had been awakened, then slipped back beneath the veil. The Paldean Suicune—if it truly was what others had spoken of in hushed tones for years—wasn't just a wandering curiosity. It was something... ancient. Ancient and deep. Something that included dreams. Memory. Lost things.
Maybe even wishes.
Eva's gaze lifted to the stars again, now quiet and unmoving in the vast night sky. Her adventure and tale of Lucky Star that had been a success. And the memory of it glowed warmly in her chest, while the stone itself was back in her pocket.
A wish brought back together.
A star returned home.
"Sleep well, kids," Eva whispered into the night.
Venomoth let out a gentle fluttering chime in response, and Eva leaned her head onto her knees, finally letting her eyes close.
Behind her, inside the warmly lit cabin, six young adventurers lay curled in their beds—some murmuring in their dreams, others sprawled in tangled pajamas, their limbs heavy from the day's adventures. Charmander had taken up a spot near the fireplace inside, tail softly illuminating the dark room with a gentle flicker. Decidueye sat unmoving in the shadows, her eyes alert but calm, a living shadow protecting the peace of the night.
Outside, the lake lapped the shore like a slow breath. Somewhere far below the surface, deep and hidden, something stirred once more… and slept again.