After memorizing Zorua's attacks and understanding how the small Ghost type fought, Alex resumed his journey toward the next town. This time, he walked with all of his Pokémon outside their Poké Balls. Riolu moved quietly at his side, Charcadet's flames flickered softly with each step, Grovyle walked ahead scanning the path, Larvesta rested atop Alex's shoulder, and Zorua lingered in the shadows just behind them.
None of them liked being inside Poké Balls.
Alex understood that feeling more than he wanted to admit.
He felt safer like this too. Surrounded. Protected. Like a moving pack rather than a lone trainer.
As he walked, Alex unfolded the worn map he had taken from the previous town. It was old, creased, and stained, but still readable. His eyes traced the route ahead until he noticed the name of the next settlement.
Sunrise Town.
"That's… a strange name," Alex murmured.
Sinnoh towns rarely had names like that, at least not in the Sinnoh he remembered. But this world had already proven that it did not care about his memories. He shrugged and folded the map, continuing forward.
As the forest path stretched on, Alex's thoughts drifted. He began planning what kind of training he could do once he reached Sunrise Town. Maybe better endurance drills for Riolu. Control exercises for Charcadet's flames. Precision training for Grovyle. Zorua still needed trust before anything else.
And then there was his team composition.
"I still need something big," Alex thought. "Something that can stand at the top."
A pseudo legendary.
The idea burned quietly in his mind. Not greed. Not pride. Strategy. In this fractured world, strength decided survival.
He glanced back at his Pokémon. They trusted him. That meant he could not afford to be weak.
When Alex looked back at the map again, something else caught his attention.
Ruins of the Ancient Capital of Sinnoh.
His steps slowed.
Ruins meant history. Secrets. Strong Pokémon. Lost techniques. Possibly dangers that no longer existed anywhere else.
Alex smiled faintly.
"That's a place worth visiting," he muttered.
This Sinnoh was nothing like the one he remembered. Regions had fractured. History had been buried or rewritten. If he wanted to understand this world, the ruins would be the place to start.
Still, he forced himself to stay focused. His Pokémon were injured and tired. Exploration would have to wait.
He pushed deeper through the forest, intent on reaching Sunrise Town first. Supplies came before curiosity.
Two hours passed.
By the time Alex reached the outskirts of the town, the sky had darkened completely. Lanterns glowed softly along the streets, casting warm orange light over stone paths and wooden buildings. Sunrise Town looked peaceful. Almost welcoming.
but Appearances could lie.
Alex headed straight to the Pokémon Center first. He watched closely as his team was healed, relief washing over him as he saw Riolu stretch without pain and Charcadet's flames regain their steady glow.
After that, he searched for a place to stay.
It took a few minutes, but he eventually found a small inn tucked between two larger buildings. He rented a room without hesitation. It was cheap, simple, and safe enough.
Once inside, Alex sat down heavily on the bed.
The room was quiet.
As his Pokémon settled around him, Alex's thoughts drifted backward.
Back to the beginning.
Back to the forest where everything started.
His eyes rested on Riolu.
The faint scar on Riolu's chest was still visible, a pale mark against blue fur. Alex had noticed it before, but exhaustion had always pushed the question aside.
Now, curiosity returned.
"Riolu," Alex said softly. "That scar on your chest… how did it happen?"
Riolu froze.
Slowly, he began to explain using gestures, movements, and faint aura impressions. It wasn't perfect, but Alex understood enough.
Riolu had once been happy.
He had an old trainer. Someone who smiled. Someone who trained him properly. Someone he trusted.
Then came a battle.
Team Rocket.
The trainer lost.
Riolu was stolen.
They tested him. Hurt him. Burned him. When they decided he wasn't strong enough, they threw him away like trash.
That was when Riolu escaped.
Alex felt his chest tighten.
He looked at Riolu with a heaviness he couldn't fully express.
"I see," Alex said quietly.
He reached out and rested his hand gently on Riolu's head.
"That's the past," Alex said after a moment. "Now… we have a family."
Riolu leaned into his touch.
Alex looked around the room at all of them. Riolu. Charcadet. Grovyle. Larvesta. Zorua.
They weren't just Pokémon.
They were his family
And Alex knew one thing for certain as he lay back on the bed.
No matter what this world threw at them next, they would face it together.