The Christmas Eve moon was a crescent, like a small silver boat suspended in a lake-like night sky. Its light shone down on the snow-covered ground, blanketing the entire world in a soft, silvery glow.
Principal Kiriyama stood in the snow, wearing a Santa hat and carrying a gift sack just like the real Saint, rubbing his hands together to keep warm. He saw the lights in Zane's room turn on and looked up, his eyes meeting Zane's through the window. Neither of them said a word; they just shared a knowing smile.
Zane turned from the window, picked up the gingerbread man he'd bought the day before, and handed it to the Surskit to take back.
"Sur?"
The Surskit took it curiously. "A Christmas gift for you guys," Zane explained.
"SUR!"
The Surskit chirped happily, gave Zane one last look, and then scurried out of the room with the gingerbread man. Through the window, Zane saw the joyful smile on Principal Kiriyama's face as he received the gift. He carefully put it away and, with Surskit in tow, continued on to deliver presents to the other teachers.
A warm feeling spread through Zane's chest. He and his Pokémon gathered around to open the gift box he'd been given.
He untied the ribbon, tore off the wrapping paper, and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled on a bed of satin, was a round stone, about the size of a marble, with a bi-colored, swirling pattern. The moment Zane's eyes fell on it, a line of text appeared in his mind.
[Gardevoirite]: A wondrous Mega Stone that allows a Gardevoir to Mega Evolve in battle when held. It was once carried for twenty years as a good luck charm by an old man who was unaware of its true purpose.
Zane froze. His first reaction was that this gift was far, far too valuable.
In this world, research into Mega Evolution hadn't been discovered yet. At this point in the timeline, Professor Sycamore in the Kalos region was probably beginning his studies. It would be a long time before Mega Evolution became known to the wider trainer community.
The stone suddenly felt like it was burning a hole in his hand.
Principal Kiriyama didn't know what it was, but Zane did. If he just accepted it, he'd feel like he was taking advantage of the old man's kindness. He'd already received so much special treatment from the people at the school; his conscience wouldn't let him accept something this precious.
After much deliberation, Zane decided he had to return the priceless Evolution Stone.
But when he explained his intentions, Principal Kiriyama just blinked at him. "We've already exchanged gifts, haven't we?"
Zane was at a loss for words. He couldn't explain the stone's true purpose, so he just said, "This stone looks very rare. It's too valuable. I can't accept it."
The principal just smiled. "Rika told me you're preparing to become a trainer. Is that right?"
Zane nodded. "I want to go out and see the world."
A look of approval appeared on the principal's face. "A very fine idea." He looked down at the stone. "That stone... I found it in a mine when I was traveling in my youth. It's been with me for many years. Unfortunately, I was never able to finish my journey. I'm giving it to you now because I hope you can carry it with you on yours. Ah, you could say it's a way of passing on my regrets!"
A look of nostalgia and wistfulness appeared in the old principal's eyes.
Zane understood. Since coming to this world, he had met so many kind people: the teachers who looked out for him at school, the students who were both his pupils and his friends. Everyone here loved Pokémon and looked forward to the day they could set out on their own journeys to meet new ones. It was a pure, simple dream, and it was deeply moving.
He clutched the Evolution Stone tightly in his hand. "I understand," he said, his voice firm. "I'll do my best."
Principal Kiriyama smiled and nodded. "Then I'll be cheering you on."
...
At the same time, deep in Petalburg Woods, a Gardevoir stood facing a young Ralts. The Ralts was on its knees, panting, its small body covered in scrapes and bruises.
The Gardevoir's face was a mask of calm, but its eyes were troubled. "Was it worth it?" it asked.
The Ralts pushed itself back up, its little fists clenched. "I want to see the human world," it said, its voice unwavering. "I want... to travel with that human!"
The Gardevoir took a deep breath and closed its eyes, feeling the sheer force of its daughter's determination. "Then," it said, opening its eyes, now swirling with psychic energy, "let us continue."
"Father..." Ralts began, confused. "Why...?"
Ever since returning with her father, the Gardevoir had been battling with it constantly. It was less of a battle and more of a lesson. The Gardevoir was trying to teach its daughter everything it knew. But Ralts hadn't understood. It had thought its father was just punishing it for sneaking out, and it had been heartbroken.
"If that human cannot protect you," the Gardevoir said, its voice laced with a deep reluctance, "then I want you to be able to protect yourself. So, before you leave, you must learn everything I have to teach you."
Ralts froze, then a look of pure joy spread across its face. "Father, does that mean you'll let me go on a journey?"
The Gardevoir sighed, exasperated. "I can't just keep you tied to my side forever, can I?" The last time it had snuck out, it had nearly been caught by humans. And it hadn't been the first time. If it hadn't arrived in time, the consequences would have been dire. Rather than let Ralts continue to sneak out behind its back, it was better to just grant its wish.
Besides, the Gardevoir species had the innate ability to sense the hearts of humans. And it could sense that the human its daughter had chosen was a "good person."
"Thank you, Father! You're the best!" Ralts cried, rushing forward and throwing its arms around the Gardevoir's legs.
...
Zane knew nothing of what was happening in the forest.
After Christmas, there would be a few more weeks of classes, and then the students would have their last break of the year: winter vacation.
Zane was trying to figure out what he would do when the break started. The entire school would be shut down, the cafeteria would be closed, and all the other teachers would be going back to their own homes. Once winter set in and the temperature dropped below freezing, most traveling trainers would halt their journeys and return home to wait for spring. Finding battles in the wild would become incredibly difficult.
He had two options.
First, he could stay at the school and hibernate in his dorm for the winter.
Second, he could go on a vacation to Lavaridge Town, at the foot of Mt. Chimney. Because of its proximity to the volcano, Lavaridge Town had a warm, humid climate even in winter, and it was famous for its hot springs.
Zane had no desire to spend a whole winter lying in bed. Looking at the growing number on his bank statement, he finally decided to take a trip to Lavaridge Town.
I'll just think of it as a vacation for myself, he rationalized.
And besides Lavaridge Town, there was another town at the base of Mt. Chimney: Fallarbor Town. Because it was so close to the volcano, it was constantly showered with volcanic ash, which made the local plants grow incredibly lush. But that wasn't what interested Zane. What interested him was Fallarbor Town's Contest Hall. Where there were contests, there were trainers, and where there were trainers, there were battles. There, he wouldn't have to wander around the streets all day just to find a single match, like he did in Petalburg.
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