A funeral was being held on a low hill in the southeast corner of Fruitvale Village.
On the top of the hill stood a stone tower made of stacked rocks. Beneath it lay a number of gravestones.
The villagers had only ever heard of cemeteries before—where nobles would be buried after death and mourned by others.
Every time a great noble passed away, it was a grand occasion, an event that would ensure they were remembered by future generations.
But today, Lord Aven was actually holding a funeral for Pokémon who had died in battle.
This was something the villagers had never seen before.
Even the nobles, when their magical beasts died, would never go as far as to hold a funeral for them. After all, in their minds, funerals were reserved for nobles alone.
However, since this was happening in Fruitvale Village, it didn't feel too surprising—everyone knew how deeply Lord Aven cared for Pokémon.
At the moment, the graveyard was filled not only with villagers who had come voluntarily to say goodbye, but also with a large number of Pokémon.
Squatting silently in front of the graves, the Bibarel leader stared at the gravestones with quiet solemnity.
Beside it, its companions showed clear grief in their eyes, immersed in the sorrow of losing their kin.
Bibarel's gaze swept across the area and finally landed on Aven, who was praying in front of the stone tower.
Its eyes softened.
Though it had lost many comrades in the battle, even more had been saved. The care they had received since then had truly touched its heart.
Looking around, it spotted Vileplume, Torterra, Mightyena, Skuntank, and other Pokémon nearby.
Bibarel lowered its head slightly.
Many of the casualties in this war were also caused by these Pokémon. Even though they were merely following orders, Bibarel still felt guilty and didn't know how to face them.
After Aven finished praying, he gave a speech.
The Bibarel leader listened intently, and when Aven said—
"Pokémon are our partners. They gave their lives to protect us—we will remember them forever."
—a powerful emotion stirred within Bibarel's heart.
Pokémon are partners… We should protect each other.
It slowly closed its eyes.
Scenes of village life flashed through its mind.
It realized that Aven's words weren't empty. They truly lived that way.
A warmth began to rise in its chest.
Bibarel suddenly found itself with a new goal: not just to protect its own kind, but also to protect this village—this place that had given it such connection.
"Pokémon protect humans, and humans protect Pokémon. I hope that in my territory, Pokémon and humans can live together in harmony."
Aven's speech continued.
Everyone—human and Pokémon alike—listened in silence, their fists gradually clenching.
They too were inspired.
As the funeral ended, the villagers and Pokémon slowly began to leave.
They had arrived burdened with grief, but as they left, many of them felt a sense of peace.
The departed would live on in their hearts.
The living must stay strong, and continue to protect all that they cared for.
"Lass~"
After the crowd had dispersed, Froslass appeared silently.
She looked toward the stone tower with a puzzled expression, sensing a familiar energy beginning to gather around it.
"This place will become a resting ground for Pokémon souls."
"As time goes on, the Ghost-type energy here will grow stronger. Perhaps… one day, a Ghost-type Pokémon might be born here."
Aven smiled at the Froslass beside him.
In the future world, places like this—where Pokémon souls rested—were not uncommon.
And they were living proof that vengeful spirits really did exist.
"Lass!"
Hearing this, Froslass' eyes lit up and she nodded gently.
When she closed her eyes, she could feel a strange sense of peace settle over her heart.
It was… oddly comforting.
"Lil lil… Lil…"
Petilil looked at Froslass and sighed deeply.
The deaths of those Pokémon had deeply impacted the little one.
Several of them had died right in front of her.
Petilil blamed herself for failing to save them.
But after the funeral, even she felt her soul calm a little.
Rhydon, Vileplume, and Shinx exchanged glances.
Their hearts were now filled with purpose—a strong desire to protect their territory.
"B-bii…"
The Bibarel leader didn't leave.
It looked as if it had something to say but was hesitating.
"Bibarel… don't dwell on the past. Look toward the future."
"Those who died have already passed on. We, the living, must go on—for them, and for all those still alive."
Hearing Aven's words, Bibarel shuddered slightly, then gave him a heavy nod and ran off down the mountain.
Right now, it only wanted to return to its tribe as quickly as possible.
Aven smiled as he watched it leave.
He knew exactly how powerful a message like that could be to those who lived to protect.
When someone began to think about why they fought and who they fought for…
When they had something they wanted to protect…
That's when their bonds would change in ways beyond imagination.
He firmly believed that after today, the relationship between Fruitvale Village's people and its Pokémon would grow closer than ever.
When both sides became the other's precious partner, their fates would be forever intertwined.
Of course, the public funeral was just the beginning.
Aven had many more ideas to deepen the bond between humans and Pokémon.
No philosophy was born from nothing.
Only through constant nurturing and reinforcement could this ideology be passed down through generations—etched into the souls of humans and Pokémon alike.
…
Meanwhile, a Bidoof slowly opened its eyes.
The first thing it did was glance to the side of the bed.
Seeing Sutter lying peacefully nearby, it smiled softly.
It closed its eyes again, and an image appeared in its mind—
Sutter running toward it and picking it up.
Even through the heavy armor, Bidoof had still felt warmth in its heart.
"Bidoof, you're awake."
Sutter slowly opened his groggy eyes to find Bidoof sitting up, quietly watching him.
"Looks like you've recovered well."
He gave Bidoof a once-over.
This was the same Bidoof he had rescued during the battle.
After returning to Fruitvale Village, the little guy never returned to its own tribe.
Instead, it had stuck closely to Sutter.
"Bi, bi..."
Upon hearing Sutter's words, Bidoof suddenly flopped back down onto the bed—acting as if it wasn't fully healed yet.
"Hey... are you trying to follow me now?"
Sutter looked at Bidoof's performance and hesitated before speaking.
But deep down, he had already guessed as much.
Bidoof immediately jumped back up and nodded enthusiastically.
Yes! Yes!
"Then... let's take good care of each other from now on!"
Taking a deep breath, Sutter smiled.
It was a phrase he'd picked up from Peter.
He'd heard Lord Aven liked to say it, too.
Once a bond was confirmed, they were no longer just human and Pokémon—
They were family.
"Bi, Bii!"
Bibarel nodded rapidly.
Let's take good care of each other!
"Alright, then we're partners from now on."
"But before anything else, we'll need to register at the Pokémon Breeding House."
Sutter wasn't one to hesitate.
Now that he'd made up his mind to take Bidoof in, he immediately set off toward the Breeding House.
…
At the moment, the Breeding House was very busy.
When Sutter arrived, many apprentice trainers were already waiting in line to purchase services.
Upon seeing Sutter, several of them quickly tried to make way, offering him their spot.
"It's alright, I'll wait in line like everyone else."
Sutter smiled and shook his head, heading to the back of the queue.
"Captain Sutter, are you here to register a Pokémon?"
A few patrolling team members who knew him well came up and asked in surprise.
As far as they knew, no one in the village had managed to capture a Bidoof yet.
Sutter was the first!
"That's right. I'm registering this Bidoof."
Sutter nodded.
Bidoof also looked up nervously at the surrounding villagers—
People it had once hurt.
It was still a little uneasy.
"So jealous!"
"I've tried to catch a Bidoof too, but I just couldn't do it…"
A patroller sighed in envy.
Bidoof, startled, suddenly looked up at the human.
It hadn't expected such a friendly reaction.
"Captain Sutter, can I touch it?"
A young girl stepped forward.
After getting permission, she gently stroked Bidoof's soft fur.
Seeing the humans' reactions, Bidoof slowly let down its guard.
It squinted its eyes in comfort, enjoying the affection.
(End of Chapter)