A sleek green limousine glided through the streets of Goldenrod City, its polished body reflecting the afternoon sun. Pedestrians stopped to stare, some whispering in awe — it wasn't every day a car that luxurious passed through the business district.
The limousine didn't slow down. It rolled past the bustling markets, past the shining tower of Hermonia Corp, and finally turned toward the heart of the upper district.
The gates of the Hermonia Mansion swung open automatically as the car approached. Guards bowed slightly as it entered the courtyard, the hum of the engine fading into silence when it stopped.
From within, the door opened.
A man stepped out first — tall, calm, with the same air of refinement as Shinku Hermonia, though his presence carried the weight of nature instead of technology. His dark green tie and forest-colored eyes made that clear.
Next came a woman of serene beauty, her every movement graceful. She wore a deep red kimono, her hair pinned with flowers, and in her hand rested a Poké Ball, though one could tell she didn't need to use it often — Pokémon came to her willingly.
And finally, seated between them, was a young girl.
Only eight years old, yet already poised and composed. Her short black hair was cut neatly in a princess style, her pale skin giving her the appearance of a porcelain doll. But her eyes — her emerald green eyes — shimmered with something ancient and calm, like the depths of the Kanto forests themselves.
She adjusted her little blue kimono, trying to sit as dignified as her mother had taught her, even though her legs barely reached the edge of the seat. Her mother chuckled softly, reaching over to fix the flower clip in her hair.
"Stay still, Erika," her mother said gently.
"Yes, Mama," the girl replied with a polite nod.
A small Pokémon sat beside her — a Gloom, cheerful despite its sleepy eyes. It leaned against her arm, and Erika patted its head with the patience of someone far older than her years.
When the car finally stopped, the butler opened the door. The little girl's feet touched the stone driveway, and immediately the plants in the garden began to stir. Flowers tilted toward her as though greeting an old friend. A passing Butterfree slowed its flight, fluttering down to perch briefly on her shoulder.
Erika smiled faintly.
Her father adjusted his jacket. "Remember, Erika, this is the Hermonia family's main estate. Be respectful."
"I will, Father." She bowed slightly, her posture perfect. Then she turned toward the house — toward the boy who didn't yet know that fate, family, and maybe a mischievous sister had already decided his engagement.
Meanwhile, Inside the Hermonia Estate...
It was chaos.
Refined, dignified chaos — but chaos nonetheless.
The usually pristine Hermonia household was in full emergency mode.
Midori was frantically trying to shove her prototype gears and gadgets under a sheet, mumbling to herself as sparks flew. "No, no, no— we can't let a nature-focused family see a plasma rotor! They'll think I'm turning the forest into a battery!"
Violet, meanwhile, was in front of a mirror, desperately trying to not look like she'd spent all morning arguing with her Pokémon about hair products. "Composed face, composed face," she muttered, slapping her cheeks. "You are calm, you are elegant, you are—"
"—done with everything," Kitsu muttered, walking by with a smirk.
Outa, ever the responsible one, was running around trying to wrangle the actual cause of most of their anxiety — Ethan. "Shirt tucked in! Hair brushed! For Arceus' sake, Ethan, this isn't a battle challenge, it's a meeting! And stop trying to sneak a snack!"
Ethan just blinked, toast still hanging from his mouth. "Relax, Outa, it's not like they're royalty."
Kitsu snorted. "They're basically nature royalty."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Akagi and Asagi were whisper-yelling as they stared into the oven.
"It's not ready yet!"
"It's been forty minutes!"
"I told you to check the temperature!"
"It's fine, it's fine— just put berries on it, nobody will notice!"
Through all this, the parents stood in the main hall, watching the commotion unfold with the unified expression of people who had long since given up.
Shinku sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I expected this level of panic from my students, not my children."
Erza crossed her arms, her smile tight but amused. "You married into chaos, dear. You should be used to it by now."
Just then, a servant rushed in, bowing quickly. "Sir, ma'am — the Midori family limousine has arrived."
A sudden freeze spread through the house.
Everyone stopped moving, mid-panic, like wild Pokémon caught in a Flash attack.
Violet straightened.
Midori froze mid-shove of a wrench under the table.
Outa grabbed Ethan by the shoulders.
Kitsu just sighed.
Akagi and Asagi whispered, "It's not ready yet…"
Then, in perfect unison, the parents said—
"Everyone. Act natural."
Which, for the Hermonia family, meant absolutely nothing was natural at all.
Before anyone could process the incoming Midori entourage, another voice broke the tension. "Um… what's happening here?"
Everyone turned.
Standing in the hallway was Whitney — the five-year-old Gym Leader-in-training — and her mother, Mrs. Akane, both looking adorably lost in the middle of the Hermonia family panic.
Whitney was dressed in a frilly pink dress that clearly wasn't her idea, holding a slightly squished Skitty doll like a life anchor. Mrs. Akane, graceful but visibly confused, was also in an elegant gown that the maids had clearly forced her into at lightning speed.
Whitney tilted her head, her big blue eyes blinking. "Why are we all dressed up? Did I miss a contest?"
Ethan, halfway through fixing his collar, looked over and sighed. "Because you came to play with me, and then… uh…"
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "We panicked when we heard the Midori family arrived earlier than expected."
Whitney blinked once.
Then twice. "So… we're in a panic party?"
Kitsu smirked from the corner. "Pretty much."
Outa just groaned. "You're not helping, Kitsu."
Mrs. Akane, ever the calm presence, smiled softly and patted her daughter's head. "It's all right, dear. Sometimes grown-ups panic too."
Whitney gasped, eyes wide."Even Gym Leaders?!"
At that, the entire Hermonia house froze for a second time.
Even Violet cracked a laugh, muffling it behind her hand.
Shinku facepalmed quietly. "This… is going to be one of those days, isn't it?"
Erza sighed, nodding. "Oh, absolutely."
And just as the family tried to straighten up again, the front doors opened — the sound of the Midori family's footsteps echoing down the polished marble hallway.
The grand double doors at the entrance of the Hermonia mansion slowly opened, and a voice from the butler echoed down the hall.
"Announcing the arrival of the Midori family."
Instantly, the chaos stopped.
It was like someone had hit the pause button on reality.
The maids who were still fixing curtains stood straight.
Akagi and Asagi dropped the plates they were carrying—thankfully onto a couch—and immediately clasped their hands behind their backs.
Outa went from frazzled big sister to picture-perfect lady, smile gentle, posture flawless.
Violet adjusted her glasses and crossed her legs with all the calm grace of a professor who definitely hadn't been threatening to burn her eyeliner five seconds ago.
Even Kitsu, who had been teasing Ethan moments earlier, stood beside him and tried to look dignified… though the mischievous grin at the corner of her lips refused to die.
And Ethan… well, Ethan straightened his little tie and muttered to himself, "Okay, classy face, classy face," before giving the most awkward gentleman smile imaginable.
The Midori family entered the hall like a gentle breeze through a flower field.
Mr. Midori led the way with calm confidence, bowing politely.
Behind him, Mrs. Midori walked with quiet grace, her red kimono shimmering faintly with natural patterns that reminded one of petals in spring.
And beside her was a small girl, elegant beyond her years—dark green eyes, short black hair with neat bangs, a tiny blue kimono, and a composed smile that made her seem far older than she was.
Ethan blinked as she stopped in front of him, giving a polite bow.
For a moment, he swore the faint scent of flowers filled the air.
"Good afternoon. I am Erika Midori of Celadon," she said softly, voice calm and polite. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Kitsu leaned closer to Ethan and whispered under her breath, "You think she's already judging us?"
Ethan whispered back, "Kitsu, she smells like a perfume shop. Of course she is."
Erza, hearing them, gave them the look—one that promised grounding and no dessert if they didn't shut up immediately.
Mrs. Midori smiled, clearly noticing the twin dynamic but choosing not to comment. "Your family's estate is lovely," she said to Shinku and Erza. "Goldenrod's finest, I must say."
Shinku chuckled politely, his formal smile only slightly strained. "You're too kind, Mrs. Midori. We're honored to have you here. I hope the trip from Celadon wasn't too tiring."
Mrs. Midori shook her head gently. "Not at all. Our daughter was rather excited to meet her future fiancé."
Ethan froze.
So did Kitsu.
Outa and Violet both smiled way too wide, trying to keep the noble façade while absolutely dying inside.
Whitney tilted her head and said innocently, "Wait, Ethan, didn't you already get a fiancée yesterday?"
A vein popped on Shinku's forehead.
Erza closed her eyes. "...Whitney, dear, how about some cake?"
Whitney gasped. "Cake?! Where!?" and ran off before anyone could stop her.
And just like that, the elegant façade cracked again—leaving the whole room teetering between awkward silence and barely contained laughter.
Mrs. Midori smiled gracefully, folding her hands as she spoke.
"Our daughter was rather excited to meet her future fiancé."
The entire Hermonia family froze.
Not because of the fiancé part — they'd been briefed, lectured, and emotionally prepared for that the moment Crimson got involved.
No, it was that one word.
Excited.
Erza's polite hostess smile twitched.
Violet nearly choked on the tea she hadn't even started drinking.
Outa blinked like she was sure she'd misheard.
Kitsu and Ethan turned toward each other, the exact same "Wait, what?" look on both their faces.
Even Shinku, who'd faced countless board meetings and worse political headaches, blinked slowly and muttered, "...Excited? Did she say excited?"
Erza leaned toward him, whispering, "Did we hear the same family name? Because the Midoris don't do excited. They do serene. Calm. Sometimes mildly interested."
Violet, still adjusting her glasses, added dryly, "I thought the last time a Midori smiled in public, the Johto press wrote a whole article about it."
As the Hermonia family collectively questioned reality, little Erika, standing between her parents, smiled warmly.
She stepped forward, clasping her hands politely and looking up at Ethan.
"It's true," she said with quiet joy. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Ethan."
Ethan blinked, confused but trying to be polite. "Oh, uh… thanks?"
He leaned closer to Kitsu and whispered, "Is it me, or does she look like she's glowing?"
Kitsu squinted. "She's not glowing, dummy, that's just the sunlight—wait, no, she is glowing."
Indeed, a faint shimmer seemed to surround Erika, like sunlight through leaves. The air around her felt calm… almost alive.
The houseplants in the room even seemed to straighten subtly toward her presence.
Violet muttered, "...Okay, either she's using some kind of fragrance, or she's radiating nature energy."
Outa smirked. "Aura, maybe?"
Shinku coughed quietly. "Right, well, that's… fascinating. Ethan, why don't you and Erika have some tea in the garden?"
Erza clapped her hands together, regaining her composure. "Yes, and children, please—no explosions, no chaos, and no psychic duels this time."
Erika just giggled softly — a calm, bell-like sound that somehow made everyone in the room relax.
Even Ethan blinked, realizing that for some reason, he couldn't help but smile back.
The garden of the Hermonia estate was wide and lush — a perfect mix of Johto's elegance and Celadon's natural grace. Flowers of every color swayed lightly in the breeze, and the distant hum of bug Pokémon created a peaceful rhythm.
Ethan sat on the edge of the fountain, Noibat perched on his head, looking curiously at the small Gloom sitting beside Erika. The Grass-type had a lazy smile and was happily puffing out a gentle, sweet aroma that didn't even smell bad — likely the result of Erika's control over her Aura.
Ethan blinked. "Wait… Gloom usually smells terrible, right?"
Erika smiled proudly. "He only smells bad when he's upset or scared. But he's happy right now. Aren't you, Gloom?"
The Pokémon made a happy sound and waddled over to nuzzle Noibat, who squeaked in surprise before chirping back.
Ethan chuckled softly. "Guess they get along."
"Of course they do," Erika said, brushing her hands along a flowerbed. "Pokémon can feel emotions even better than people. That's why Aura is so special—it helps us connect."
As she spoke, the air shimmered faintly. Greenish-blue threads of light flickered around her hands, and the flowers she touched opened wider, brighter. Ethan blinked, feeling something stir inside him — deep in his chest. His Dragon Force reacted instinctively to the pulse of Aura around her, and the air seemed to hum softly.
A soft breeze swept through the garden. The petals in the air spun in a spiral between them, glowing faintly with the merging of energies — the calm serenity of Aura meeting the wild strength of Dragon Force.
Erika froze for a moment, eyes wide. Her Aura sight let her see it — a vast, endless power coiled inside Ethan, like a sleeping dragon wrapped around a star. It wasn't scary to her. It was beautiful.
The faint glow around her cheeks deepened into a blush as she clasped her hands close to her chest. "I knew it…"
Ethan blinked. "Knew what?"
She smiled softly, eyes sparkling. "That you were my prince charming. Or… maybe my knight."
Noibat tilted his head at her words, chirping curiously, while Gloom happily clapped his petals together.
Ethan just stared, completely caught off guard. "Wait—what!?"
Kitsu, watching from the veranda with a cup of juice, spat it all over the railing. "She's worse than Sabrina!"
From the window, Outa tried (and failed) to hold in her laughter, while Violet adjusted her glasses and muttered, "So, this is going to be my life now… siblings who attract prodigies and princesses before they even hit ten."
Erika didn't hear them. Her eyes were still on Ethan, glowing faintly with Aura. "You're strong, Ethan. But not just in power. You have the kind of energy that makes others feel safe."
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks heating. "Uh… thanks, I guess."
Erika just giggled softly and extended her hand. "Then it's decided. I'll be your princess, and you'll be my knight."
Noibat chirped approvingly. Gloom clapped again.
Ethan sighed internally. "...Arceus, what have you done to my life?"
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy