The wind cut sharp and cold at this altitude, but Sasuke barely felt it. Three years in the Crown Tundra had taught his body to ignore worse.
He leaned forward against Latios's sleek neck, watching the horizon where the first hints of Blackthorn City's mountain peaks carved dark silhouettes against the afternoon sky.
Victini shot past them for the seventh time in the last hour, a blur of cream and orange that left trails of excited chittering in its wake. The small Psychic-type had been scouting ahead relentlessly since dawn, unable to contain its enthusiasm about finally going home.
"Easy," Sasuke called, though he knew it was pointless. Victini lived up to its typing, the Victory Pokemon never did anything halfway.
Fugaku pulled his Salamence alongside Latios with practiced ease. His father's expression remained neutral, but Sasuke had learned to read the small signs during their years together. The slight relaxation around Fugaku's eyes meant satisfaction. Pride, maybe.
"Another hour," Fugaku said. His voice barely carried over the wind. "Victini will wear itself out before we arrive at this rate."
As if responding to the criticism, Victini materialized directly in front of Latios's face. The Dragon-type banked slightly to avoid collision, more annoyed than startled. Victini waved its stubby arms frantically, pointing ahead and babbling in rapid chirps that only Sasuke had learned to interpret.
"I know," Sasuke said. "Yes, I see the mountains. No, we can't go faster, Latios isn't a taxi service."
Latios projected a wave of dignified agreement directly into Sasuke's mind. After eight years together, their bond had deepened past the need for words in most situations.
Victini deflated slightly, then perked up again as a new thought struck it. The little Pokemon zipped downward in a steep dive, probably to inspect something it had spotted on the ground far below.
"It's like traveling with a hyperactive child," Fugaku observed. But the corner of his mouth twitched, the closest thing to a smile Sasuke had seen from him in months.
The mountains grew clearer as they flew, transforming from indistinct shapes into the familiar jagged peaks that cradled Blackthorn City. Sasuke felt something tighten in his chest. He'd left at sixteen, still gangly and uncertain despite his natural skill with Pokemon. The boy who'd departed on this same Latios had spent three years learning exactly how much the world could hurt.
He flexed his right hand unconsciously. Scars from training marked his knuckles, small white lines that spoke of close calls with wild Pokemon and environmental hazards. His body had changed too. Six centimeters of height, fifteen kilograms of muscle that his old clothes could never accommodate. The purple shirt he wore now had been purchased specifically for the journey home, along with the dark navy pants and practical sneakers that replaced his worn training gear.
Victini returned from its dive carrying a branch with late-season berries, looking immensely pleased with itself. It offered the berries to Sasuke first, then Fugaku when Sasuke waved it off.
"Save them for later," Sasuke suggested. "Mother will have prepared enough food to feed the entire clan."
That was an understatement. Mikoto Uchiha didn't do anything by half-measures, especially when it came to welcoming family home.
The city emerged into full view as they cleared the final peak. Blackthorn City sprawled across the mountain valley like a dragon coiled in its lair, appropriate, given its specialty. Thirty million people lived in the metropolis, making it one of Johto's crown jewels. The architecture reflected the city's heritage: buildings carved directly into cliff faces, bridges that arced between peaks, and everywhere the motif of dragons worked into stone and metal.
At the city's heart, visible even from this distance, rose the Tree of Beginning. The ancient tree dwarfed the surrounding structures, its massive trunk wider than most apartment buildings. Crystalline growths along its branches caught the afternoon light, casting rainbow refractions across the city. Even from here, Sasuke could see the faint blue-green aura that marked the tree's mystic energy.
The Uchiha compound occupied the slope directly overlooking the tree. Traditional architecture met modern security in the estate's design, wooden buildings with sweeping roofs clustered within reinforced walls that had stood for three centuries. Guard towers disguised as decorative pagodas monitored approaches. Elite clan members patrolled with their Pokemon, maintaining the territory that had belonged to the Uchiha since Blackthorn's founding.
Latios adjusted course without prompting, angling toward the compound's main courtyard. Salamence followed. They descended in a wide spiral, giving the guards time to recognize them and stand down from alert status.
Sasuke spotted the welcoming committee as they dropped below the wall's height. His mother stood at the courtyard's center, her posture perfect despite having probably been waiting for hours. Mikoto had never been the type to show impatience physically. Beside her, Itachi maintained his own careful stillness, though at twenty-six, his older brother had mastered the art of appearing relaxed while missing nothing.
The third figure didn't bother with composure. Sayuri bounced on her toes, waving with both arms as if trying to flag down an aircraft in distress.
Latios touched down with barely a whisper of displaced air. Sasuke swung off before the Dragon-type had fully settled, his boots hitting stone with a solid thump. Muscle memory from thousands of dismounts made the motion automatic.
He managed two steps before Sayuri crashed into him.
"You're back!" His sister wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed hard enough to make his ribs protest. "Three years! Do you know how boring it's been without you?"
Sasuke returned the hug, startled by how much she'd grown. Sayuri had been thirteen when he left, still a kid by any measure. The sixteen-year-old attached to him now had shot up in height and lost the round softness of childhood. She'd inherited their mother's features more than the traditional Uchiha severity, but her crimson eyes marked her bloodline as clearly as Sasuke's own.
"I wrote every week," Sasuke said.
"Letters aren't the same." Sayuri pulled back enough to look up at him, then immediately punched his shoulder. "And you got taller! That's not fair, I'm supposed to be the one who grows while you're gone."
"That's not how aging works."
"It should be."
Fugaku's Salamence landed beside Latios with considerably more force, kicking up dust that made several nearby Pokemon sneeze. Fugaku dismounted and immediately began checking his Pokemon over with professional efficiency, looking for any signs of strain from the long flight.
Sasuke turned to face his mother. Mikoto hadn't moved from her position, but her eyes tracked over him with the intensity of a Dragon-type sizing up prey. She registered every change, the height, the muscle, the way he held himself now with unconscious confidence instead of teenage bravado.
"Welcome home," she said. Her voice carried the warmth she rarely showed in public. "You've grown strong."
That simple phrase carried weight. From Mikoto Uchiha, Gym Leader and Dragon Master, it qualified as effusive praise.
Sasuke bowed, not deep, but enough to show respect. "I had a good teacher."
"You had a harsh teacher," Mikoto corrected. She stepped forward and did something that shocked him. She pulled him into a brief embrace. "I'm glad you're home safely."
The hug lasted maybe three seconds before she released him and stepped back to proper distance. But those three seconds said more than any speech could have.
Itachi approached last. At twenty-six, the current Indigo League Champion carried himself with the casual authority of someone who'd stood at the top and gotten comfortable there. He wore civilian clothes, black pants and a high-collared shirt, but his presence commanded attention anyway. Multiple Pokeballs hung from his belt, each one containing a Pokemon that had earned him his title.
"Little brother." Itachi's crimson eyes met Sasuke's, and for a moment something passed between them that had nothing to do with words. A measuring. An acknowledgment. "You've changed."
"So have you," Sasuke replied, though that wasn't quite true. Itachi looked almost exactly the same as three years ago, as if time had decided he was already perfect and needed no adjustment.
"Perhaps." Itachi's lips curved in what might have been amusement. "We should spar soon. I'm curious to see what Father taught you."
The challenge hung in the air, gentle but unmistakable. Sayuri made an excited noise. Even Mikoto looked interested, though she hid it better.
"Tomorrow," Fugaku cut in before Sasuke could respond. He'd finished checking Salamence and now joined the group properly. "Today is for the clan. They'll want to see what three years in the Crown Tundra produced."
Sasuke's stomach sank slightly. He'd known this was coming, the formal presentation to the clan elders. The Uchiha took these things seriously, especially when the son of their Gym Leader and former Elite Four member returned after his 3-year training trip.
"They're gathering in the main hall," Mikoto said. She gestured toward the largest building in the compound, where Sasuke could already see people filing inside. "We should go. They've been waiting since noon."
Victini chose that moment to return from wherever it had wandered off to, landing on Sasuke's shoulder with a triumphant chirp. It had somehow acquired another branch of berries and looked extremely pleased with its foraging skills.
"Where does it keep finding those?" Sayuri asked. "There aren't any berry trees in the courtyard."
"Victini's concept of property boundaries is flexible," Sasuke said. "Someone's private garden is probably missing a branch right now."
His sister giggled. She'd always loved Victini, ever since that first day when eight-year-old Sasuke had brought home the injured Psychic-type and nursed it back to health. The two of them had bonded over keeping the secret from their parents for three whole days before Mikoto inevitably discovered them.
The main hall had been prepared for a formal gathering. Cushions arranged in a wide circle, traditional lanterns providing warm light, and the clan's ceremonial tapestries displayed on the walls, each one depicting significant moments in Uchiha history. The dragon motif appeared everywhere: embroidered on fabric, carved into wooden pillars, painted on decorative screens.
Sasuke recognized most of the around three hundred people assembled. Clan elders occupied the positions of honor near the hall's far end, their ages ranging from middle-aged to ancient. Prominent family members filled in the remaining spaces, trainers, coordinators, researchers, and the occasional civilian who'd married into the bloodline.
All of them fell silent when Sasuke entered with his parents.
Fugaku led him to the center of the circle. Mikoto took her position among the elders despite being younger than several of them. Her status as Gym Leader and one of the clan's strongest trainers earned her the privilege. Itachi remained near the entrance with Sayuri, both of them observers rather than participants in this particular ceremony.
"Sasuke Uchiha has returned," Fugaku announced. His voice carried easily through the hall's acoustics. "Three years ago, I took my son to the Crown Tundra for intensive training. Today, I present him back to the clan as a fully-fledged trainer worthy of the Uchiha name."
Elder Kagami, the oldest person present at eighty-six, leaned forward on his walking stick. His Dragonite lay coiled behind him, the massive Pokemon watching proceedings with ancient, intelligent eyes.
"Bold words, Fugaku," Kagami said. His voice creaked with age but held sharp awareness. "We sent away a talented boy with one Legendary Pokemon earned through childhood bond. What returns to us now?"
"See for yourself." Fugaku gestured to Sasuke. "Show them your team."
Sasuke had prepared for this. He pulled the Pokeballs from his belt, nine total, with Victini still perched on his shoulder making ten. The weight of so many eyes on him would have made sixteen-year-old Sasuke nervous. Nineteen-year-old Sasuke just found it tedious. But he understood the importance of this moment for the clan's hierarchy.
He released his team simultaneously. Light flooded the massive hall as nine Pokemon materialized in flashes of red energy.
Latios appeared first, hovering near Sasuke's right shoulder. The Dragon-Psychic type radiated calm confidence, unbothered by the scrutiny. Eight years of partnership had made Latios comfortable with Sasuke's world.
Raikou manifested with a crack of thunder, electricity dancing across its yellow fur. The Thunder Pokemon's presence made several clan members sit up straighter. Legendary Pokemon weren't casually obtained.
Zekrom's appearance drew actual gasps. The massive Dragon-Electric type filled nearly a quarter of the hall's available space, its black scales absorbing light while its blue eyes swept across the assembled Uchiha with detached interest. At over ten feet tall, Zekrom couldn't stand fully upright without damaging the ceiling, so it crouched instead, still managing to look imposing.
Mega Tyranitar didn't help the space situation. The Rock-Dark type's Mega Stone glinted in its collar, allowing Sasuke to demonstrate its evolved form briefly. Tyranitar's Mega Evolution made it even bulkier, covered in additional armor that spoke of raw defensive power. He let it revert after five seconds to avoid crushing the cushions beneath its feet.
Galarian Moltres spread its wings slightly upon appearance, the Dark-Flying type's malevolent aura making several lower-ranked clan members unconsciously lean back. This variant of the legendary bird carried itself with predatory grace, a stark contrast to the original Moltres's blazing aggression.
Landorus took Therian forme, its sleek aerodynamic shape allowing it to hover without taking up floor space. The Ground-Flying type's presence added to the growing sense that Sasuke had caught several Pokemon that should have been beyond a teenager's reach.
Mega Venusaur nearly matched Tyranitar for bulk. The Grass-Poison type's flower spread wide, releasing a subtle scent that spoke of health and vitality. Its mega stone sat embedded in a band around the base of its flower.
Mega Blastoise completed the starter trio. The Water-type's mega form added additional cannons to its arsenal, the extra barrels visible on its arms. Like Tyranitar, it remained in base form to conserve space and energy.
Finally, Groudon materialized, and suddenly the hall felt very small. The Legendary Pokemon associated with continents and land itself had to hunch uncomfortably to avoid damaging the building. Its ancient eyes scanned the assembled Uchiha with vague disapproval, as if annoyed at being summoned indoors. Red veins of light pulsed through cracks in its hide, hinting at the primal power contained within.
Silence stretched for several seconds. Even Elder Kagami seemed at a loss for words.
Victini chose that moment to pipe up with an enthusiastic chirp from Sasuke's shoulder, as if to remind everyone that it had been there first and was still the most important member of the team.
"The Victory Pokemon," Elder Setsuna said finally. She specialized in Dragon-Fire types and had always taken interest in Victini's unusual typing. "Still by your side after all these years."
"Always," Sasuke said simply. He reached up to scratch behind Victini's ear, earning a pleased trill.
"Ten Pokemon," another elder observed. "Including multiple Legendary specimens. How?"
Fugaku answered before Sasuke could. "The Crown Tundra hosts many powerful Pokemon seeking worthy trainers. My son proved worthy. Each of these bonds was earned through combat, perseverance, or mutual respect, not through capture technology or tricks."
That carried weight. The Uchiha Clan prided itself on forming genuine bonds with Dragon-types and other powerful Pokemon. Catching something with a Pokeball was easy. Making it actually want to battle for you required something more.
"Tell us about Zekrom," Elder Kagami requested. "The Deep Black Pokemon is said to appear only before heroes who seek truth."
Sasuke met the old man's eyes. "I found it during a blizzard in the Crown Tundra's deepest reaches. It had been dormant in an ice cave for an unknown period. When I entered seeking shelter, it woke and challenged me immediately. We fought for three hours before it acknowledged my strength and agreed to join my team."
He left out several details, the frostbite, the near-death experience when Zekrom's Fusion Bolt had almost killed him, the week of recovery afterward. Those parts weren't relevant to the clan's assessment.
"And Groudon?" Setsuna asked.
"Volcanic region of the Tundra," Sasuke said. "It was preventing local Pokemon from accessing a crucial migration route. Father and I negotiated its cooperation by proving we could withstand its power. It respects strength."
More accurately, Groudon had tried to kill them both until Fugaku's team combined with Sasuke's emerging roster to hold it off long enough to demonstrate they weren't typical trainers. The Continent Pokemon seemed to appreciate the effort and decided following them would provide more interesting battles than sleeping in lava.
The questioning continued for another twenty minutes. Each elder wanted specific details about different team members. Sasuke answered patiently, aware this ritual served an important function beyond mere curiosity. The clan needed to know he could represent them properly in his coming journey.
Finally, Elder Kagami raised one hand for silence. "I have seen enough. Fugaku, you have trained your son well. Sasuke, you have proven worthy of carrying the Uchiha name into the Indigo League competition. The clan recognizes your status as an elite trainer."
The formal acknowledgment rippled through the assembled family members. Several nodded approval. Mikoto's expression didn't change, but Sasuke knew his mother well enough to recognize satisfaction in the set of her shoulders.
"Recall your team," Kagami added. "Before Groudon damages the ceiling."
The Continent Pokemon did appear to be getting tired of crouching. Sasuke returned all nine Pokemon to their balls, leaving only Victini on his shoulder. The little Psychic-type preened, enjoying its role as the one Pokemon allowed to remain outside constantly.
"Tonight, we feast," Fugaku announced. "The clan celebrates Sasuke's return."
That got actual cheers from the younger family members. Uchiha Clan feasts were legendary, Mikoto insisted on maintaining traditional standards, which meant enough food to sustain a small army.
The formal gathering dissolved into something more relaxed as people stood and began preparing the hall for the evening meal. Several clan members approached Sasuke directly, offering congratulations or asking questions about specific Pokemon. He answered politely while trying to subtly move toward the exit.
Itachi intercepted him before he could escape. "Quite the collection," his brother said. "I'm almost jealous."
"Almost?"
"I already have six Legendary Pokemon myself," Itachi reminded him. "But yours are... flashier. Groudon particularly. Bringing a Continent Pokemon to a formal gathering shows either confidence or poor judgment."
"Elder Kagami asked to see my whole team."
"And you could have recalled Groudon after five seconds, like you did with Mega Tyranitar." Itachi's eyes glinted with amusement. "You wanted to make a statement."
He wasn't wrong. Sasuke had spent three years being Fugaku's student, constantly reminded he needed to reach certain standards. Coming home and immediately showing he'd exceeded those standards felt necessary.
"You're learning politics," Itachi observed. "Good. You'll need that for the League."
"Is the Champion position that political?"
"Everything at the top is political." Itachi's expression turned more serious. "But we can discuss that tomorrow. Tonight is for celebration. Try to enjoy it, genuine relaxation will become rare once your journey begins."
Sayuri appeared at Sasuke's other side, linking her arm through his. "Stop hogging him, big bro. I barely got to say hello before the elders dragged him off. And I have three years of stories to share."
"Then share them at dinner," Itachi smiled. "I believe Mother is glaring at us for blocking traffic."
Indeed, Mikoto stood near the hall's entrance, silently directing the flow of clan members toward the preparation areas. Her eyes fixed on her three children with pointed expectation.
The next two hours passed in a controlled chaos Sasuke remembered from his childhood. The Uchiha compound's main hall transformed from a formal meeting space into a festival ground. Long tables appeared, covered in dishes that represented both traditional clan recipes and modern fusion cuisine. The smell of grilled meat mixed with steamed rice and exotic spices from imports across multiple regions.
Sasuke found himself seated at the head table between Fugaku and Sayuri, with Mikoto and Itachi positioned nearby. Victini claimed the space on the table directly in front of Sasuke's plate and proceeded to steal food samples from everyone within reach. No one seemed to mind, the Victory Pokemon had charmed the entire clan years ago.
"Tell me about the training," Sayuri demanded around a mouthful of rice. "Your letters said you were learning advanced techniques, but you never explained what that meant. And don't give me the boring version, I want details."
Sasuke considered how to summarize three years of intensive work. "Father had me fighting wild Pokemon without using my own team for the first six months. Building physical strength and combat instincts."
"You fought Pokemon? Like, personally?"
"Nothing too dangerous," Fugaku interjected. "Mostly lower-level species to teach evasion and endurance. Though the Ursaring incident was inadvisable."
"What Ursaring incident?" Sayuri's eyes went wide.
Sasuke shot his father a look. "That was an accident. I didn't know it had cubs nearby."
"Context clues would have helped," Fugaku replied mildly. "Fresh claw marks on trees, scattered berry bushes, territorial scat patterns, all classic signs of a nesting Ursaring."
"I was tracking a Sneasel at the time."
"Situational awareness requires monitoring all threats, not just your target."
Sayuri looked between them. "Did it attack you?"
"Yes," Sasuke admitted. "I had to fight it off until Father's Pokemon could intervene. Ursaring are incredibly strong, and maternal instinct makes them vicious. I took a hit that broke two ribs."
His sister's expression shifted from excitement to horror. "And Father just... let that happen?"
"He was teaching necessary lessons," Sasuke said before Fugaku could respond. "Real danger forces you to adapt faster than controlled training. I learned to read Pokemon body language better after that experience."
Mikoto had been listening while apparently focused on her meal. "Did it leave scars?"
"Some." Sasuke touched his left shoulder briefly. "Nothing visible with a shirt on."
His mother nodded once, processing that information with the clinical detachment of someone who'd sustained her own collection of training injuries over the years.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as the meal progressed. Sayuri recounted her time at the Blackthorn Trainer Academy, where she'd been preparing for her own journey that would begin in three years when she turned nineteen. She'd bonded with her Latias during the same period Sasuke had caught Latios, and the two siblings often joked about their matching Dragon-Psychic partners.
"Latias misses Latios," Sayuri mentioned. "She kept flying to the edge of the city every day this week, like she could sense him getting closer."
"They're twins," Sasuke said. "Makes sense they'd have some connection. Latios knew we were close before I saw the city."
"Will you visit the Tree of Beginning while you're home? I know you need to leave soon for your journey, but you should at least say hello. The tree has been... bright lately. Father thinks it might be reacting to something."
Sasuke filed that information away as interesting. The Tree of Beginning was ancient and mystical, it had stood for over ten thousand years as a focal point for Pokemon energy in the region. The Uchiha Clan served as its guardians, maintaining the land around it and ensuring no one damaged the sacred site. Changes in the tree's behavior usually meant something significant was happening in the Pokemon world.
"I'll visit tomorrow," he promised. "Before I spar with Itachi."
"Can I watch the battle?" Sayuri asked immediately. "Please? I never get to see high-level matches up close."
"If Itachi doesn't mind an audience."
"I never mind an audience," Itachi said from across the table. He'd been conversing with several clan cousins but had clearly kept half his attention on Sasuke's conversation. "The more witnesses to watch me defeat my little brother, the better."
"Confident," Sasuke observed.
"Realistic." Itachi smiled. "I'm the Champion for a reason."
The feast continued well into the evening. Sasuke found himself pulled into multiple conversations, asked countless questions about his team and training, and generally treated like a returning war hero. The attention was both flattering and exhausting.
He left the hall and made his way to his old room, which the family had maintained exactly as he'd left it three years ago. Posters of famous Dragon-type trainers still covered the walls. His collection of training manuals sat untouched on shelves. Even his old desk remained cluttered with notes from teenage years spent studying Pokemon battle theory.
Victini immediately claimed the bed, curling up in the center with a contented sigh. Sasuke changed into sleep clothes and lay down beside the little Psychic-type, staring at the ceiling and processing everything that had happened.
He was home. After three years, he was finally home. And in one week, he'd leave again, this time not alone, but with three people he barely remembered. The thought should have worried him more than it did.
Instead, as exhaustion pulled him toward sleep, Sasuke found himself almost curious about what came next.