The morning at Runcandel Mansion started with screaming.
Not danger screaming.
Happy screaming.
"—IT HATCHED!"
Alexander Argus Runcandel paused mid-sip of his coffee and sighed.
"…Which one?"
The answer came in the form of two flashes of light bursting out of the incubation room.
One was soft and silver-pink.
The other was sharp and blue.
Alex stood up calmly, already knowing the answer.
"Both," he muttered. "Of course it's both."
The New Family Members
When Alex entered the room, two small Pokémon were standing there, blinking at the world like it had personally offended them.
A Shiny Ralts, its green helmet gleaming faintly with silver highlights.
And beside it—
A Bagon, wobbling slightly on its feet, stubborn pride already written all over its face.
The Ralts tilted its head.
The Bagon tried to roar.
It came out as a squeak.
Alex crouched down and smiled.
"Welcome to the family."
The words were simple.
But the reaction wasn't.
The Shiny Ralts' eyes lit up instantly and floated toward him.
The Bagon puffed out its chest like it had just joined royalty.
Behind Alex—
Victor Runcandel was already wiping tears.
"…My grandson has more children now."
"Victor," Evelyn said calmly, sipping tea, "they're Pokémon."
"They're family," Victor corrected seriously.
Darius laughed loudly.
Selene nodded approvingly.
"Good genes. Very good genes."
Alex straightened up.
"Alright," he said, clapping once. "Since everyone's awake—training time."
The Training Lineup
Alex gathered his team in the courtyard:
Shiny Metang — floating calmly, already judging everyone Shiny Ralts — quiet, observant, terrifying potential Bagon — determined, aggressive, zero self-awareness Aron — sturdy, reliable, built like a tank Feebas — splashing happily, completely useless (for now)
Alex crossed his arms.
"We'll be gone for one month."
Feebas splashed harder.
"Yes," Alex added, "even you."
One Calm Conversation That Terrified the World
Alex found his mother later that morning.
"Mom," he said casually, "I'll be leaving for a month."
Evelyn didn't even look up from her tablet.
"Dungeon?"
"Multiple."
She nodded.
"Be careful."
That was it.
No questions.
No objections.
No drama.
The rest of the family agreed immediately.
Victor tried to secretly pack twenty healing items into Alex's bag.
Alex removed nineteen of them.
The Company Hand-Off
Before leaving, Alex held a short meeting.
Around the table sat:
Chisato Chris Grayfia Bayonetta Zeta Gamma Ningguang Raiden Shogun
Alex spoke calmly.
"I'll be gone for a month. Company operations are yours."
They nodded.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Chris smiled.
"Come back stronger."
Grayfia adjusted her glasses.
"We'll make sure nothing burns down."
Bayonetta smirked.
"No promises."
Alex decided not to ask.
Departure
Outside the mansion, Victor released his pride and joy.
Garchomp.
The massive dragon bent down slightly.
Alex jumped onto its back.
"Sorry," Alex said casually. "You're my ride."
Garchomp sighed.
A Champion-level dragon.
Reduced to transportation.
With a thunderous roar, they took off into the sky.
A System Notification Nobody Else Heard
Mid-flight—
DING
System Notice:
Protagonist Leon Ashford has obtained a Goomy Egg
Source: Lunaria Valencrest
Alex blinked.
"…Oh."
He thought about it for half a second.
Then shrugged.
"Not my problem."
A Goomy wasn't bad.
It just wasn't something Alex cared about.
His team was already enough.
Below them, the Runcandel Mansion shrank into the distance.
Above them—
The sky opened wide.
Alex smiled faintly.
"One month," he murmured.
"Let's see how much stronger we get."
Garchomp roared.
And far away—
Fate quietly adjusted itself.