c118: Going Home – Transitional Chapter
After stepping out of the taxi and paying the fare, Chen Xiaoxiao dashed toward her grandmother's Pokémon Breeder Field with visible excitement lighting up her face.
"Grandma, Grandma! Your favorite granddaughter is home!" she called out, her voice carrying through the summer breeze as she bounded through the main gate of the Breeder Field.
The homestead hadn't changed much still tucked neatly behind the row of berry trees, with the same rustic stone arch marking the entrance. But something was different. As she made her way to the outer house beside the Breeder Field proper, she didn't spot her grandmother. Instead, she saw a new face: a young woman tending to a tray of Pokémon vitamins by the porch.
This was Jiajia, a recent graduate of the Huaqing University Pokémon Breeder Department. She hailed from Shencheng, same as Chen Xiaoxiao, and was even her childhood neighbor. Their families had long-standing ties, and Jiajia had grown up admiring Xiaoxiao's training career. After completing her internship at the Sinnoh Daycare Exchange Program, she had become the official disciple of Chen Xiaoxiao's grandmother one of the region's most respected breeders.
When Xiaoxiao heard that her grandma had taken on an apprentice, she had felt nothing but comfort. After all, her grandmother wouldn't be alone anymore, and Jiajia was someone she trusted by background and character.
"Hey! Xiaoxiao! You're finally back! That's awesome! Come on, sign my Pokédex! Let's take a photo together!"
Jiajia's excitement bubbled over as she stood up quickly, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight.
"Sister Jiajia, where's my grandmother?" Xiaoxiao asked with a grin, indulging her old neighbor's energy as she signed the Pokédex and posed for a quick selfie.
"She's in the back, near the work shelter. Come on I'll take you!"
As they walked toward the Breeder field, the soft rhythmic thunk-thunk of tools echoed through the garden. Xiaoxiao immediately sensed what was going on, and sure enough, the corridor opened into a brighter view of the Breeder yard. There, standing under the sun, was a Conkeldurr, carefully placing timber beams into place—it was constructing a small wooden shelter near the east side of the Pokémon play zone.
And sitting nearby, fanning herself under a straw parasol, was her grandmother, watching everything with a warm, contented expression.
"Grandma, grandma! Your dear granddaughter is back!" Xiaoxiao shouted again, this time practically skipping as she ran over.
"Oh! Xiaoxiao, why didn't you tell me you were coming!" her grandmother replied with joy, standing to give her granddaughter a firm hug. "I haven't seen your real face in over half a year!"
Conkeldurr noticed them and let out a booming "Keldurr!" of welcome, waving its thick arm joyfully.
"Heehee, I wanted to surprise you! Conkeldurr, long time no see! Looks like you've put on some weight," she teased, poking its solid belly. Clearly, the Breeder Field meals were generous and consistent.
Conkeldurr puffed its chest proudly and patted its belly with a sheepish grin. Both grandma and Jiajia burst into laughter at the sight.
"Xiaoxiao, what about your Pokémon? Let me take a look, I've missed them too!" her grandmother said eagerly.
Jiajia's eyes lit up like a Shiny encounter. She had heard rumors about Xiaoxiao's powerhouse team.
"Heehee, of course! Everyone, come on out! Gardevoir, Solgaleo, Volcarona, Metagross, Meowstic, Togekiss, Latias, Lapras, Ampharos say hello to Grandma!"
With nine confident flashes of light, her Pokémon emerged one after another, standing tall under the midday sun. The rules normally only allowed six Pokémon per trainer, but after her promotion within the Battle Federation's Elite Task Force, Xiaoxiao had been granted permission to carry nine by special application to Director Leng Xin, her superior.
Although Leng Xin had denied her request to exceed nine, he had personally taught her how to properly use the Rotom Transfer System, which let trainers safely rotate Pokémon via Poké Ball signal without damaging their integrity. It's common for advanced trainers especially those active in wild zones to require more Pokémon than the standard six. After all, daily training, feeding, and bonding take effort. And energy synchronization as researched in Professor Kukui's fieldwork is limited by the trainer's emotional bandwidth.
And let's be real not everyone can afford enough Power Cubes to keep 12 fully-trained Pokémon fed.
After that lesson, Leng Xin had only given her one warning: "Keep it under wraps. Don't get caught flaunting it."
Now, as her Pokémon emerged, those raised under her grandmother's watch Gardevoir, Solgaleo, Volcarona, Metagross, Meowstic, and Togekiss immediately crowded around Grandma like overgrown puppies, showering her with affectionate cries and nudges.
Lapras and Latias, who had only met her grandma via video call, chirped warmly and gave respectful bows.
Ampharos, the newest and gentlest of the group, shyly walked up and nuzzled Grandma's hand, earning a pat on the head.
"Goodness me," Grandma beamed, petting each one in turn, "they're even more well-behaved than I remember! Look at how strong and healthy they've grown!"
She could hardly contain her joy, touching each lovingly as if they were her own grandchildren. Jiajia watched with stars in her eyes.
After the greetings, Chen Xiaoxiao introduced Jiajia to each of her Pokémon. Jiajia could barely contain her excitement, especially when she got to see Latias and Solgaleo—legendary-class Pokémon that few breeders ever see up close.
What touched Xiaoxiao the most was that unlike her last return Grandma didn't scold her for getting into televised battles, trouble with rogue trainers, or causing regional panic. Perhaps it was because she'd recently received multiple calls from old friends who praised Xiaoxiao's televised victory over Sinnoh rogue agent Delta and her coordination with Elite Four member Flint. Grandma had been beaming with pride all week.
"Last night, I slept better than I have in months," Grandma chuckled.
At around 10 a.m., after catching up and laughing together, Grandma checked the time and asked, "Xiaoxiao, I'm heading to the market. What would you like for lunch?"
"Anything! As long as it's made by you, I love it!"
Grandma narrowed her eyes playfully. "How about bitter melon?"
"Grandmaaa!" Xiaoxiao whined, her face scrunched in mock horror.
"Hehehe, alright, alright! I got it," Grandma said, chuckling as she headed out.
After she left, Jiajia came over shyly and asked, "Xiaoxiao, do you think… I can take a photo with your Pokémon?"
"Of course! They're all super gentle. Just be sure to hold the Pokédex steady Metagross hates blurry photos."
"YES!" Jiajia squealed, hugging Xiaoxiao, planting a quick kiss on her cheek, then bolted over with her Pokédex, taking selfies and group shots like a trainer at a fan meet.
By noon, a full table of familiar dishes Charizard Tail Curry, Sitrus Berry Soup, and Slowpoke Tail Pie (the legal, artificial kind) awaited her at the field house. Every dish was Xiaoxiao's childhood favorite.
"Mmm… this is the taste of home," she said, savoring every bite. Naturally, she didn't hold back on the praise grandma was grinning so hard her cheeks almost cramped.
After lunch, and a quick call with Leng Yue, Xiaoxiao stepped into her bedroom for a nap. The room was exactly as she left it clean, bright, untouched.
It felt like she never left.
Her eyes welled up a little.
Home really was home.
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