Arthur and Martha watched the little green dragon sulk, sharing a silent, knowing smile. As top-tier Breeders certified by the League, they didn't need a Pokédex to tell them what was going on. They could see the way the light played off Dreepy's scales he was vibrating at a frequency that practically screamed Elite Peak. He was a coiled spring, just waiting for the right moment to evolve.
A year ago, when their grandson had shown up claiming he'd "found an egg," they'd humored him. They figured it was just some common Pokémon, a hobby to keep him busy. But when it hatched, even Arthur a man who had seen almost everything in the Hoenn region was stumped.
It was Martha who had made the connection. She'd spent time studying the Galar region's ecology back when it was first integrated into the International League. She recognized the sleek, ghostly lines immediately: a Dreepy. A pseudo-legendary.
They'd spent weeks researching the line, only to realize that Dreepy were the ultimate late-bloomers. They evolved later than almost any other species, right up there with the Hydreigon line. It made sense why the little guy was still in his base form despite a year of intense training.
"You know," Martha said, a touch of worry creeping into her voice as they walked, "I read some research about the next stage. Apparently, Drakloak feel a biological need to carry a Dreepy on their heads. And Dragapult? They need two. It's a nesting instinct."
She looked at Arthur. "Maybe we should reach out to our contacts in Galar? See if we can trade some high-grade honey for a couple of Dreepy to keep him company when he evolves?"
Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Martha. I looked into it the second that egg hatched. Their evolution is... unique. It's almost like a fusion in reverse a fission evolution."
"Fission?"
"Yeah. If the parent's talent and energy levels are high enough and let's be real, this kid's Dreepy is a freak of nature they don't need to find others. When he evolves, he'll actually split off a portion of his own ghostly energy to create the smaller Dreepy. They aren't independent Pokémon in the traditional sense; they're more like extensions of his own will. They don't evolve on their own; they live and grow as part of the main body."
Martha blinked, mesmerized. "Nature really is something else, isn't it? No wonder the Researchers are still obsessing over them."
Arthur was about to agree when a cloud of dust appeared on the horizon. A ten-foot-tall Swampert was charging toward them like a blue freight train, a familiar figure perched on its massive shoulder, waving like a madman.
"Grandpa! Grandma! I'm home!"
Martha's face lit up. She dropped her walking stick and practically sprinted as much as her knees allowed toward her grandson. Leo hopped down from Swampert before the big guy had even fully stopped, rushing forward to catch his grandmother in a massive hug.
"Whoa, easy there, Grandma!" Leo laughed, steadying her. "If you trip because you're rushing to see me, I'll never hear the end of it."
Martha pulled back, her hands framing his face. Her eyes were moist as she scanned him. "Look at you. You're so tanned. You've lost that soft, city-boy look. You must have been through hell this year, haven't you?" She patted his cheek. "Grandma's gonna make you a feast tonight. No arguments."
Leo grinned, that old, familiar warmth filling his chest. "I wouldn't dream of arguing with a feast, Grandma."
Arthur walked up, his eyes meeting Leo's. He didn't say much he wasn't the type but the way his shoulders finally relaxed spoke volumes. "So," Arthur asked, his voice steady. "How long's the stay? A week? Two?"
Leo hesitated, then looked around at the rolling hills of the farm, the humming Combees, and the peaceful horizon of Verdanturf. "Actually... I think I'm done, Grandpa. I'm hanging up the backpack. I want to stay here on the farm. Help you guys out."
The silence that followed was heavy, but in a good way. Arthur and Martha exchanged a look of pure relief. They'd already lost Leo's parents fifteen years ago a freak Pokémon outbreak during a storm that had claimed too many lives. They'd raised Leo themselves, and every day he'd been on the road had been a day they spent holding their breath, waiting for a phone call that never came. Having him home was more than they'd dared to hope for.
"I assume you haven't let your studies slide while you were out playing hero?" Arthur asked, trying to keep his voice gruff.
Leo smirked. "You know me, Grandpa. I don't do anything halfway. If you want, I can head into the city tomorrow and bring back a Senior Breeder certification just to prove it."
Arthur barked a laugh. He knew the kid wasn't bragging. Leo was a certified prodigy. He'd passed the Intermediate exams at fourteen a feat that usually took people until their mid-twenties. The League had hailed him as a future Master Breeder, a title usually reserved for the legends of the industry.
"Lachi! Lachi-chi!"
The moment was interrupted by Swampert, who was currently tapping his stomach and looking at Arthur with a deeply pathetic expression.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Arthur grumbled, though his eyes were twinkling. "You're exactly like your mother. A bottomless pit." He pointed toward the barn. "The fresh Sweet Honey is in the storehouse. Go grab a jar."
Swampert's eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
"But don't you dare crack it open yet!" Arthur yelled after him as the blue giant took off at a sprint. "Bring it back to the house for dinner!"
Leo watched his starter disappear in a blur of blue. "I've created a monster," he muttered.
"He's just happy to be home," Martha said, chuckling. Her attention was suddenly diverted to the other Pokémon approaching from the path. "Now wait a minute. Who are these lovely children?"
Leafeon trotted up, bowing her head politely, while Florges followed with the poise of a queen.
"Is that... a Leafeon?" Arthur asked, squinting. "I saw a paper on the Breeder forums about them recently. Some researcher with the handle 'AnalysisParalysis' posted the evolution method. It's pretty rare stuff."
"Bui~" Leafeon chirped, leaning into Martha's hand as the old woman reached out to pet her.
"And this must be a Florges from Kalos," Martha noted, her expert eyes taking in the vibrant blue petals. "Is this why you had us hunting down a high-grade Shiny Stone a few months back? I assume she's the lucky lady who used it."
Florges gave a graceful, elegant bow, her petals shimmering in the sunset. "Hua~"
"She's the heart of the team, Grandma," Leo said, patting Florges' arm. "But actually... I might need to hit you up for another one of those stones. For this little one."
He held up the Togepi, who was currently trying to hide behind his collar.
"Cha~ Chajidooy~" she whispered shyly.
Martha frowned slightly. "A Shiny Stone? I can get one the Stone family over at Devon Corp owes us a few favors but I thought the Togepi line was still a mystery. Nobody's figured out how they evolve yet. Are you sure a Shiny Stone is the key?"
Leo just gave her a mysterious wink. "Let's just say I have a feeling. You'll see when the time comes."
Martha didn't push. If Leo had a "feeling," it was usually right. "Well, let's get inside then. The sun's going down and I have a kitchen to haunt."
Leo smiled, walking between his grandparents toward the house he'd missed every single day for a year. Behind them, Florges watched the sunset, her eyes already picking out the perfect spot for her new garden.