The warm lights of Pallet Town softened the evening as Tharion, Selene, and Aster came to a stop before a familiar house.
Delia Ketchum's home.
The door opened before they could knock.
Delia stood there already smiling, eyes bright—and the moment she saw the small bundle in Tharion's arms, her expression melted completely.
"Well," she said warmly, stepping forward, "look at you… already getting so big."
Tharion smiled and gently adjusted Aster so Delia could see him properly. Aster stirred, eyes half-opening, then settled again, calm and unbothered.
"He sleeps like his father," Delia said knowingly, chuckling. "Even with noise around."
Selene laughed softly. "That's definitely from Tharion."
Delia reached out, brushing a finger lightly against Aster's tiny hand. "I still remember the day he was born," she said, voice full of fond nostalgia. "Feels like yesterday."
Tharion inclined his head slightly. "We're glad you were there."
Before the moment could deepen further, a loud, familiar voice cut through the calm.
"Well, well… look who finally decided to show up."
Gary Oak stepped into the yard, arms crossed, grin sharp and confident as ever. Behind him, Professor Oak followed, adjusting his coat with a weary sigh.
"Gary," Oak said, already anticipating trouble, "this isn't the time—"
Gary ignored him completely, eyes locked on Tharion.
"So you're really back," Gary said. "And from the looks of it, you've been busy."
Tharion met his gaze evenly, unbothered. "You've grown too."
Gary scoffed. "I didn't come here for compliments."
He took a step forward. "I want a match."
Oak's eyes widened. "Gary—absolutely not. Tharion just arrived, and this isn't—"
"It's fine," Tharion said calmly.
Oak froze. "Tharion?"
Tharion shifted Aster slightly, making sure he was comfortable, then looked back at Gary.
"A friendly match," Tharion continued. "If that's what you want."
Gary's grin widened. "Three-on-three. No excuses."
Selene raised an eyebrow but said nothing—she knew that look in Tharion's eyes. This wasn't pride. It was curiosity.
Tharion nodded once. "Agreed."
Oak opened his mouth to protest again, then stopped. He knew better.
Tharion continued, voice steady, almost instructional.
"But you'll choose carefully," he said. "I'll give you three options."
Gary blinked. "Options?"
Tharion raised a finger.
"Option one—Charizard."
A faint pressure seemed to ripple through the air at the name alone.
"Option two—Tyranitar."
Gary's confidence wavered for just a fraction of a second.
"And option three—Lucario."
The yard went quiet.
Oak stared at Tharion. Delia looked between the two boys, sensing the shift. Even Selene felt the atmosphere sharpen.
Gary swallowed, then smirked. "You're giving me a handicap?"
Tharion shook his head slowly. "I'm giving you a benchmark."
He met Gary's eyes directly.
"Choose the one you want to measure yourself against."
Gary clenched his fists—excited, nervous, fired up all at once.
"…Fine," he said. "I'll show you how far I've come."
Tharion turned slightly toward Selene. "I'll keep it clean."
She smiled. "Just don't break the yard."
Delia laughed nervously. "Please don't."
As the trainers began to move toward the open space behind the house, the air buzzed with anticipation—not of rivalry, but of growth.
A new generation testing itself.
And an old champion watching—calm, patient, and curious to see who Gary Oak had become.
The wide training ground behind Delia's house was quickly cleared.
Years ago, it had been nothing more than an open patch of grass where Ash had practiced throwing Poké Balls and battled Pidgey. Now, it felt different—charged, expectant, as if the land itself knew something important was about to happen.
Tharion stepped to one side of the field, calm and unhurried.
Gary stood opposite him, rolling his shoulders, adjusting his gloves, eyes sharp with anticipation. This wasn't arrogance—this was a challenger standing before a wall he wanted to climb.
From the porch, hurried footsteps approached.
"Wait—what?! A battle?!"
Ash burst out of the house, nearly tripping over the last step before stopping short at the sight of the field. His eyes flicked from Gary to Tharion, then widened.
"Tharion?! You're back?!"
Tharion glanced over and gave a small smile. "Hey, Ash."
That was all it took.
Ash sprinted forward and stopped just short, staring up at him with the same fire he'd always had—but tempered now by experience.
"I heard you were in town," Ash said quickly, then froze as he noticed the tiny figure in Selene's arms.
"…Is that—?"
Selene stepped closer, smiling. "This is Aster."
Ash's jaw dropped.
"No way…!" he whispered, carefully leaning closer. "He's so small…"
Aster stirred slightly, eyes opening just long enough to look at Ash—then closed again, unimpressed.
Ash laughed softly. "He's amazing."
Gary cleared his throat loudly. "Are we doing this, or are we holding a family reunion?"
Ash turned toward him instantly. "Gary? You're battling Tharion?!"
Gary smirked. "That's the plan."
Ash's eyes lit up. "Can I watch?!"
Oak sighed. "You already are."
Before anything else could be said, Tracy stepped forward, notebook already in hand.
"If no one objects," Tracy said eagerly, "I can act as the referee!"
Oak considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Just keep it fair."
Tracy nearly vibrated with excitement. "Yes, Professor!"
Selene moved beside Delia, handing Aster to Tharion briefly as she adjusted her shawl.
Tharion instinctively cradled him, resting Aster against his shoulder. The baby slept through it all, completely at ease.
Gary watched, oddly thrown off by the sight.
"…You really changed," he muttered.
Tharion met his gaze. "So did you."
After a moment, Tharion passed Aster back to Selene and stepped onto the field fully.
Tracy raised his arm. "This will be a three-on-three Pokémon battle! Substitutions allowed! The battle ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle!"
Gary rolled his neck once more. "I'll go first."
He reached for his belt and flicked a Poké Ball forward.
"Let's go—Electivire!"
The Poké Ball burst open in a flash of light as Electivire landed heavily on the grass, electricity crackling around its arms.
Ash's eyes widened. "Whoa… that's strong."
Tharion studied Electivire for a brief moment—no rush, no pressure—then reached to his own belt.
He paused.
Gary noticed.
"You hesitating?"
Tharion shook his head.
"I'm choosing carefully," he said calmly.
His fingers brushed over three Poké Balls—each one carrying a presence that Gary could almost feel.
Charizard.Tyranitar.Lucario.
Tharion closed his eyes for half a second.
Then he made his choice.
He flicked a Poké Ball forward.
"Let's begin," he said quietly.
The light burst forth—
And the battle that would define Gary Oak's progress finally began.