The morning sun had just risen and it's light shining across Pallet Town as Leyn burst out of his house, a spring in his step.
After two long days of rest, he could finally return to the lab — and he couldn't contain his excitement.
He adjusted his satchel and jogged toward Leaf's house, waving to a few townsfolk on the way. As soon as he reached the Maple residence, he called out cheerfully,
"Good morning, Mrs. Maple! Good morning, Mr. Maple!"
Leaf's parents turned from their breakfast table, smiling warmly.
"Good morning, Leyn," Leaf's mother Miss Lara greeted kindly. "You're up early as always."
Before he could answer, Mrs. Maple — Leaf's grandmother — peeked from the kitchen, a teasing grin on her face.
"Well, if it isn't our little Leyn again. You always come by for my granddaughter, don't you?"
Leyn scratched his cheek shyly. "Hehe, well, we're going to the lab again today, ma'am. Professor Oak's taking us to see the Fearow nest!"
At that, Mrs. Maple turned toward Leaf, who had just come down the stairs tying her hair back.
"You hear that, dear? He's inviting you again. Are you going with him?"
Leaf hesitated for a moment, glancing at her parents. "Um… I don't know, Grandma. Maybe I should just stay home—"
But her mother Miss Lara interrupted gently, smiling. "You should go, Leaf. It'll be good for you to see how Professor Oak studies the Pokémon in the wild. And I think Leyn would like the company too."
Leaf's face lit up. "Really? Then… okay!"
Leyn grinned. "Then let's go!"
---
When they reached the lab, the familiar smell of books, herbs, and Pokéballs filled the air.
Just as Leyn stepped inside, a familiar cry echoed from across the room.
"Pika—Pika!"
Before he could react, Pikachu leapt straight into his chest, wrapping its small arms around him tightly.
"Whoa! Pikachu!" Leyn laughed, stumbling back a little but hugging it close. "You really missed me, huh?"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu chirped happily, rubbing its cheek against his.
The warmth of the reunion made Leaf giggle softly.
"Looks like someone's happy to see you again."
Leyn nodded with a bright smile. "Yeah… I missed him too."
Professor Oak entered from the adjoining room, holding a stack of papers and smiling at the scene.
"Well, looks like both trainer and Pokémon have recovered well. How are you feeling, Leyn? Fully healed?"
"Yes, sir!" Leyn answered with enthusiasm.
"And you, Leaf?" Oak asked kindly.
Leaf nodded. "All good now, Professor."
"Excellent," Oak said with satisfaction. "Then let's not waste time. We're heading to the Fearow and Spearow nesting grounds today. I want to see what caused their sudden aggression."
He reached over to a nearby table, picking up a Pokéball. "We'll also be joined by some of my aides for safety. And just in case…"
He tossed the Pokéball lightly into the air.
A brilliant flash of light erupted — and a majestic Arcanine emerged, mane flowing like fire, eyes sharp yet calm.
"Arcanine!" it barked proudly, lowering its head toward Oak.
"This old friend of mine will watch over you two," Oak said fondly, patting its fur. "He's been with me since I was young. You'll be safe under his watch."
Both Leyn and Leaf looked in awe. "Wow…"
Arcanine gave a warm "grrruff," as if greeting them, and Pikachu chirped back in excitement.
---
The group traveled beyond the borders of Pallet Town, venturing into the dense greenery that marked the edge of the forest. The air grew cooler beneath the canopy, and the cries of wild Pokémon echoed softly in the distance.
Professor Oak led the way with two aides, while Leyn, Leaf, Pikachu, and Arcanine followed a few steps behind.
After a while, Oak stopped near a patch of open woodland surrounded by tall trees. He turned to the two kids and began explaining, his tone turning instructive.
"Fearow and Spearow are territorial creatures," he began. "Their social hierarchy depends heavily on stability within their nesting area. Any intrusion — whether from another Pokémon, humans, or natural disasters — can throw that balance off completely."
Leaf listened closely, her eyes full of curiosity. "So if something changed here, that's why they got so aggressive?"
"Exactly," Oak replied with a nod. "When their food sources dwindle or when humans interfere too much, they can become highly defensive. Fearow, being the flock's leader, often takes that burden personally."
Leyn frowned slightly, glancing at the trees around them. "But why attack near the town? They never did before."
"That," Oak said, looking around, "is what we're here to find out."
After the explanation, Oak turned to them both.
"You two may explore a bit, but stay within Arcanine's range, understood?"
"Yes, Professor!" they chorused.
Oak smiled. "Good. We'll be searching the north perimeter. If you find anything unusual, call for us immediately."
With that, he and the aides headed off deeper into the forest, leaving Arcanine to keep watch over the two.
---
Leyn and Leaf began wandering among the trees, Pikachu trotting beside them and Arcanine following quietly, its tail swaying like a living flame.
"Hey, Leaf," Leyn said, brushing through a bush. "What do you think we'll find?"
"Hmm… maybe a broken nest or some leftover food?" she guessed. "Or maybe—ah!"
She stopped when a Pidgey flew overhead, feathers scattering down. Leyn laughed softly. "You're still scared of sudden movement."
"I am not!" she pouted, crossing her arms.
Leyn smiled teasingly before crouching near a patch of bushes. Something about the ground there caught his attention — a faint glint between the leaves.
"Hmm… what's that?"
He leaned closer, pushing some branches aside. His expression darkened immediately.
Behind the bush, half-buried in dirt, lay a torn strip of barbed wire, stained dark with dried blood.
Bits of yellow fur clung to it — unmistakably Pokémon fur — tangled around a rusted collar snapped in two.
Leyn froze, breath catching in his throat. His heart began to race.
Without thinking, he reached a hand out—then stopped.
No… I can't touch it. It might ruin the evidence.
He turned immediately, grabbing Leaf's hand and pulling her gently away from the spot.
"Leaf, don't look," he said quietly, his voice trembling.
"What? Why—"
"Just don't," he said firmly, eyes serious. "Stay here. Don't move from this spot."
Leaf, seeing the fear in his face, nodded hesitantly.
Leyn turned to Arcanine. "Guard her and Pikachu, okay?"
"Arcanine!" the Pokémon barked in acknowledgment.
With that, Leyn sprinted through the trees toward Professor Oak, lungs burning as he shouted,
"Professor! Professor Oak!"
The older man turned at once, alarm flashing across his face. "Leyn? What's wrong?"
"There's… there's something behind the trees," Leyn said, panting hard. "It's barbed… and there's blood. Yellow fur too."
Oak's expression hardened instantly. "Show me. Now."
He motioned for two aides to follow as they hurried back toward the area. When they arrived, Oak's face darkened at the sight before him.
The blood was old but unmistakable. The collar fragments, the wire, the traces of suffering—it all painted a clear, ugly story.
Oak's hands clenched tightly, his jaw set.
"…I see."
Leyn, pale and trembling, looked up at him. "Professor… what did they do to the Pokémon?"
Oak looked at the boy — his frightened eyes, his clenched fists — and realized how much innocence was still in him.
He crouched down slowly and placed a hand on Leyn's shoulder.
"You shouldn't see this, Leyn," he said softly, covering the boy's eyes with one hand. "You've done well. Let the adults handle this now."
He turned to the aides. "Take him back. Don't let Leaf come near here."
As the aides gently led Leyn away, Oak stood there in silence for a long moment, staring at the cruel remnants left behind.
His face, usually calm and wise, was grim with anger.
"Poachers…" he muttered under his breath. "How dare they…"
He knew exactly what this was — and what it meant.
But the trail was old. Whoever did this was long gone.
Still, the fury burned quietly in his chest.
---
Back with Leaf, Leyn returned pale and shaking.
She immediately ran up to him. "Leyn! Are you okay? What happened?"
He forced a weak smile. "I'm fine. Just… got tired from running, that's all."
Pikachu climbed onto his shoulder, rubbing against his cheek worriedly.
"It's nothing, buddy," he said softly, scratching Pikachu's head. "We're okay."
A few minutes later, Professor Oak emerged from the trees, his expression calm but heavy.
"Everyone," he called, voice steady. "We've found the cause. We're heading back."
The aides exchanged quiet glances. They could tell from his tone — and the faint, bitter edge in his eyes — that the truth behind what they'd found wasn't something the children should know.
Leyn, still silent, followed beside Leaf and Pikachu.
The forest that had felt so alive earlier now seemed darker, heavier — as though it carried the weight of the secret they'd uncovered.