The interior of Steven's home was as elegant as Kai remembered—walls lined with rare stones, fossils displayed in minimalist glass cases, and bookshelves stacked with volumes on geology, strategy, and Pokémon lore. The gentle sound of waves lapping the cliffs outside filtered in through open windows.
Kai stepped inside, taking in the familiar scent of polished stone and faint incense.
"I kept it mostly the same," Steven said, following him in with two steaming mugs in hand. "Figured you'd recognize it."
"I do," Kai replied, accepting a mug of spiced tea. "It's still peaceful. Like everything stood still here."
Steven chuckled. "Unlike the rest of the world."
They sat near the wide window that framed the ocean like a moving painting. Chimchar climbed onto Kai's shoulder, snuggling into the warmth of his scarf. Roaring Moon remained outside, resting but alert, wings folded like a dragon at watch.
"You never really explained," Steven said after a quiet moment. "Why raise a ranch, hidden from the world, with a team strong enough to match Champions?"
Kai didn't answer immediately. He sipped his tea, eyes following a distant Pelipper gliding over the waves.
"I wanted peace," he said finally. "Not battles. Not titles. Just… purpose. A home for Pokémon others don't understand. Ones that don't belong anywhere else."
Steven nodded slowly. "Iron Thorns among them?"
"Yes. It was lost. Trapped between timelines. Confused, hurt, dangerous—but not evil."
"You helped it, like you always do."
Kai glanced at him, calm but firm. "I didn't want to become some myth or symbol. That's why I asked Geeta to keep my name out of reports."
"She respects that. We all do."
Steven leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Still, the world is changing. Pokémon like Iron Thorns aren't anomalies anymore. The lines between past and future… they're blurring."
"That's why I raise the ones left behind," Kai said. "So they're not alone."
Steven smiled. "Still the same Kai. You walk your own path—but it always leads to something greater."
They shared a quiet moment, listening to the wind.
"Will you be staying in Hoenn long?" Steven asked.
Kai shook his head. "Just passing through. Heading to Kanto. Professor Oak wants to study Iron Thorns in person."
Steven chuckled. "Of course he does. The old man still chases mysteries."
"And worries too much," Kai added with a rare smirk.
"Don't we all?" Steven said, raising his mug in salute.
They sat together, the setting sun casting long shadows across the floor. For a brief while, the world outside could wait.