Pokemon: Gym Leader

"Alright, goodbye, Professor Sada AI and Professor Turo AI. We'll visit you again when we get the chance."

At the Zero Lab, Dylan and his group were bidding farewell to the AI versions of Professor Sada and Professor Turo.

On Dylan's shoulder, Terapagos perched curiously, its bright eyes scanning the surroundings. Having slept for so long, it now found everything around it novel and fascinating—much like Aloy's companion in Horizon: Forbidden West.

"Alright, come visit us if you have time," said the Sada AI with a gentle smile.

"I... I can visit you again too, right?"

Arven hesitated, reluctant to leave. Though he knew these AIs weren't his real parents, they still shared the same appearance and retained all of Sada and Turo's memories.

"Of course you can, Arven," said the Turo AI softly.

"We've inherited the feelings of Professor Sada and Professor Turo. Believe us, the professors truly loved you."

"We may not understand how to be proper parents, but you can always think of us as your closest family."

"Thank you... thank you both..."

Arven's eyes welled up with tears again. He had spoken at length with the two AI professors while Dylan and the others explored the Great Crater, finally coming to terms with his lingering pain.

"Alright then, time to go. Goodbye, Professors," Dylan said, patting Arven on the shoulder. He then released Reshiram and Dragonite from their Poké Balls.

"Goodbye," the AI professors said with a wave.

"Goodbye, Professors! We'll come back to see you again," said Lillie and Ilene as they waved.

With that, Reshiram and Dragonite took to the skies, carrying the four of them away.

By the time they returned to Mesagoza and Naranja Academy, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the campus.

"Thank you, Dylan. Thank you so much."

Standing before the familiar sight of the academy, Arven felt dazed. The experiences in Area Zero had been so surreal.

"If it weren't for you, I might still be in the dark about everything," Arven said, lips trembling with gratitude.

Without Dylan, he might have still harbored resentment toward Sada and Turo. But now…

"You don't need to thank me. You helped us as well," Dylan replied with a smile. Seeing Arven's downcast expression, Dylan thought for a moment.

"Arven, I don't know how to comfort you, but I will say this: grieve for the ones you've lost."

Dylan sighed softly.

"And no matter what happens, even though you've lost your parents, you still have the Sada AI and Turo AI. They care about you deeply. Don't think of them as replacements for your real parents; they're more than that."

"I understand," Arven nodded.

"Then keep moving forward—work hard at what you love. I'm sure the professors would be proud of you in the future."

Dylan smiled encouragingly. Though Arven didn't have exceptional talent as a Pokémon Trainer, he was an incredibly skilled cook.

After all, his role in the protagonist group was essentially that of a chef, someone who excelled at culinary arts.

"I will do my best," Arven said earnestly, nodding with determination.

"Make the most of your talent. I believe in you."

Dylan had already invested in Arven's future. He believed that one day, Arven could become a top-tier chef—a gesture of support and sympathy for the challenges Arven had endured.

"Dylan!"

A familiar, energetic voice suddenly called out behind them.

Dylan turned to see three girls approaching.

Nemona was beaming with excitement, while to her left stood a petite, gentle girl in the Naranja Academy uniform. To her right was another girl in a gray hoodie.

Juliana and Penny!

Of course, this Penny wasn't the Gym Leader from Cerulean City in Kanto. This Penny was the true leader of Team Star, originally from Galar.

"Nemona, what a coincidence," Dylan said with a smile, greeting her.

"Right? What are the odds? Since we've run into each other, Gym Leader Dylan, how about we have another battle? I've figured out how to beat your Pecharunt!"

Nemona jogged over, her excitement palpable.

"Not today. I'm pretty exhausted. Let's save it for next time, or when you visit Kanto," Dylan replied tactfully, gently turning her down. It was getting late, after all.

"What?! Oh, come on..." Nemona pouted, her energy visibly deflating as she gazed at Dylan with mock disappointment.

Both Ilene and Lillie couldn't help but laugh, covering their mouths to stifle their giggles.

"And who might these two be?" Dylan asked, changing the subject as he turned his attention to Juliana and Penny.

Nemona was a battle fanatic, the kind who couldn't go a day without a match. Her reaction was entirely expected.

"Oh! Right, Gym Leader Dylan, this is Juliana, my rival! And this is Penny, Juliana's friend."

"I ran into them on my way back to the academy."

Nemona's energy bounced back immediately as she introduced the pair.

"Hello, Gym Leader Dylan. I'm Juliana," Juliana said politely, her demeanor sweet and respectful.

"I'm Penny," Penny added in a quieter voice, clearly a bit shy and reserved.

"Nice to meet you both. I'm Dylan, from the Kanto region," Dylan replied warmly, greeting them with a friendly smile.

With Juliana, Nemona, and Arven together, the Scarlet/Violet protagonist group was now complete.

Dylan glanced at Arven, who was still standing quietly behind him. This was the full team from the games—though Arven seemed blissfully unaware of it.

"Juliana, Gym Leader Dylan is super strong! He beat me, even when I was going all out."

"Maybe you should challenge him sometime?" Nemona suggested, trying to encourage her rival.

After all, if Juliana was her chosen rival, she had to prove herself by earning Dylan's recognition through a Rotar Gym challenge.

"That doesn't seem right. Gym Leader Dylan said he was already tired," Juliana said, blinking with innocent politeness. She might have been straightforward, but she was always mindful of others' feelings.

"Don't listen to Nemona's nonsense. Even if Dylan agreed to battle, you wouldn't stand a chance," Arven cut in with a glance at Juliana.

Nemona, as usual, was up to her usual antics—trying to push her rival into situations just to "train" her. Arven shook his head in exasperation.

"By the way, Arven, why are you with Gym Leader Dylan?" Nemona asked curiously.

"None of your business," Arven replied curtly before bowing to Dylan and heading back into the academy.

"He's still such a loner," Nemona said, rolling her eyes but letting it slide.

"Arven's actually a really good guy," Juliana chimed in with a tilt of her head.

"Yes, he is," Dylan agreed. Then, turning to Penny, he added, "Penny, your father is Peony, correct?"

"Huh? How do you know that, Gym Leader Dylan?"

Penny looked up in surprise, her curiosity piqued. She had been trying to stay out of the conversation until now.

"Let's just say I have access to certain information. If you get the chance, say hello to Peony and your uncle Chairman Rose for me. I'd like to visit Galar someday," Dylan said with a kind smile.

So Penny was Peony's daughter. Dylan's eyes glimmered briefly.

Peony, a former Champion of Galar and a Steel-type specialist, had resigned from the Elite Four after a falling-out with his brother, Rose, who was now the chairman of the Galar League.

In other words, Penny came from a very influential family.

Later that evening, after finding a hotel in Mesagoza, Dylan received a delivery containing three Poké Balls from his trusted associate.

"These will be great additions to the team," Dylan mused as he examined the Poké Balls.

He returned to his suite and released the Pokémon inside.

With a flash of light, three Pokémon appeared before him.

On the left was a Cottonee, a fluffy, round Pokémon with white cotton-like tufts on its head and underside. Its sides featured curled, leaf-like appendages.

The second was a Ferroseed, a Pokémon resembling a durian, its metallic body covered in protective spikes.

And lastly, a Grookey, a small monkey-like Pokémon with innocent, curious eyes.

These were the newest members of Dylan's Grass-type team—each one filled with potential!

"Hello, little ones. I'm Dylan, your new Trainer," he said warmly. His kind smile and the faint aura of his Viridian Power immediately put the three Pokémon at ease.

These three would surely charm his challengers. After all, green was the color of life—what could be healthier than that?

(End of Chapter)