The ferry ride to Cinnabar felt longer than any mission Alex had ever taken, even though it only lasted an hour.
The ocean stretched endlessly beneath the blood-red sunrise, painting the sky in fire and gold. Infernape leaned on the railing beside him, silent, flame crest glowing low in quiet sympathy. Normally, the Pokémon would gesture wildly or grumble about boredom, but today he simply stood at Alex's side, understanding without needing words.
Alex rested a hand on his partner's arm. The warmth helped steady him.
He closed his eyes and listened to the waves.He'd fought in deserts, jungles, and frozen mountains. He'd stood against criminals who wanted him dead.But nothing—nothing—hurt like returning home to face loss.
The ferry horn bellowed.
Cinnabar Island appeared through morning mist.
Home.And not home at all.
Alex's chest tightened.
Infernape looked up at him and huffed softly.
"I know," Alex whispered. "Let's go see the kids."
The ship docked quietly. Alex stepped onto the worn wooden pier he used to race across as a boy. A few townsfolk paused, whispering—they recognized him immediately. He always stood out.
But today, the island felt different. Too quiet. Too heavy.
Two small figures stood waiting at the end of the pier.
Lila.Kai.
Alex froze for half a heartbeat, breath catching.
Kai spotted him first.
"Alex!!!"
He sprinted forward with all the reckless determination of a charging Tauros. Alex dropped to one knee and caught him mid-jump, arms wrapping tight around his little brother.
Alex's voice cracked just slightly. "Hey, buddy…"
Kai sniffled hard, refusing to let go.
Lila approached slower, shoulders squared, gripping Arcanine's Poké Ball in trembling hands.She was trying so hard to look grown-up.
Alex stood and rested a hand gently on her head. "Hey, Lila."
She didn't move for a long moment… then stepped forward and hugged him. A quiet, careful hug that carried too much weight for someone her age.
"I-I thought you weren't coming…" she whispered.
Alex's voice softened. "Of course I came. I'll always come."
The Poké Ball in her hand pulsed faintly, as if Arcanine sensed Alex's presence.Infernape dipped his head respectfully toward it—one ace acknowledging another.
Alex took a slow breath.
This was real.He was home.
And he wasn't going anywhere.
No matter what came next.
LILA'S POV
Lila didn't have any tears left.
She'd cried until her throat hurt—after the officer's report… after the quake… after she found Arcanine's Poké Ball lying in dust and debris.She had held Kai while he sobbed.She had stayed awake two nights in a row because she was terrified of closing her eyes.
But when she saw Alex step off the ferry—tall, scarred, exhausted, but still smiling for them—something inside her chest loosened.
Kai ran first. Of course he did.
Lila walked. She had to stay composed. Everyone expected her to be strong.She clutched Arcanine's Poké Ball so tightly her fingers hurt.
When Alex placed his hand on her head, the walls she'd built started to crumble.
She stepped forward and hugged him, burying her face against him, breathing in the familiar scent of smoke and travel and something warm she hadn't realized she missed so much.
"I-I thought you weren't coming…" she whispered.
"Of course I came," Alex said. "I'll always come."
Lila's lip trembled.
The Poké Ball in her hands warmed gently—Arcanine's presence always steady, always grounding. It had been her parents' greatest partner. Now it was hers.
She didn't know if she could live up to that legacy. She didn't know if she could ever be strong enough.
But when she saw Infernape bow his head toward Arcanine's Poké Ball, something inside her flickered—like a spark taking hold.
Maybe she could become someone worthy of this responsibility.
For now… she just held onto Alex and allowed herself to feel safe again.
KAI'S POV
Kai wanted to be brave.
Everyone said he needed to be brave.Lila told him.The nurse told him.Even Arcanine had nudged him softly, like saying, "You can do it."
He tried. Really, really tried.
But the house was too quiet now.Too dark.Too big.
And Lila cried at night when she thought he was asleep.
So when he saw Alex step off the boat—scarred, tall, confident—Kai didn't think. He just ran as fast as he could.
"Alex!!!"
He crashed into him, crying before he even meant to. Alex scooped him up immediately, hugging him tight. Kai clung to him, burying his face in Alex's jacket.
"I missed you," Kai mumbled, voice shaking.
"I missed you too," Alex whispered, hand warm on his back.
Then Kai heard soft footsteps.
Infernape approached, flame crest glowing faintly. The Pokémon made a gentle rumbling sound and rested a warm hand-paw on Kai's shoulder.
Kai peeked up.
Infernape's eyes weren't wild or fierce. They were soft.Sad.Understanding.
Kai reached out and hugged him too. Because fire monkeys needed hugs sometimes.
And maybe, with Alex home again…maybe they could all be brave together.