The door flew open and Eugene stormed into the condo, running past his parents eating dinner. He ran into his room and shut the door. From inside it sounded like he was tearing the place apart, and in a few minutes he came out with a half full bag and his Growlithe, Cúchulainn, ambling behind him. Cupboards in the hallway were opening and their contents were extracted into his bag.
"Eugene, why were you so late from work tonight? Did your boss keep you late again? And why are you pillaging the house?" His mother, Anne, asked.
"No, Mom. I'm leaving and taking Cúchulainn with me. We're gonna get girlfriends," Eugene said.
"Why do you have to leave to get a girlfriend? And why do you have to pillage the house?" Anne asked.
"Okay so at work we've been working on that summer style guide and today were splicing together clips of current trends from around Jubilife and one of the girls mentioned that she likes really strong trainers." Eugene said as he opened up the cupboards in the kitchen, shoving whatever food looked best into his bag.
"Eugene, we don't understand what you're talking about. You're gonna have to start from the beginning." His father said.
"This is the beginning, Henry. Chronologically, of course. Okay so anyways after work T.J. came to town and we got dinner. Did you know that he's gotten six gym badges since he left? Anyways he got me thinking about how I am missing something in life and you know what I realized?" Eugene said.
"What?" Both of Eugene's parents were now up from the table and following him around on his raid of the house.
"I realized that if you want something in life nobody is gonna just deliver it to you. I'm wasting my time at work and I deserve more than I have given myself," Eugene continued. At this point he had finished raiding all of the hallways and was opening drawers in his parent's room and sifting through their things for whatever he deemed useful, all while still talking. "So I'm going out there to get it and I am taking Cúchulainn with me because he is mine and chicks like strong trainers. I'm not sure when I'm coming back. If I do, I dunno. It's been fun but I'm just ready for something new."
By now Eugene had reached the door again, Cúchulainn right on his heels, and his parents dumbstruck. "So, I guess this is it. Bye Mom, Bye Dad." Eugene said as he walked out of the door and down the walkway.
"Eugene, wait!" Henry yelled, and Eugene stopped in his footsteps and turned around to face his parents. "You aren't leaving without explaining this. Why did you change your mind about this whole Pokémon Trainer business? We've been urging you to go for the past nine years, and just now you spontaneously decide to leave? Maybe you should stay a bit and think things through, plan things out. This is a big decision, you shouldn't just make it spontaneously."
"I already explained whats going on. And if I wasn't prepared why would you have ever been urging me to go? The way I see it, I'm much more capable of surviving out there than some ten year-olds. I've grabbed everything in the house that could be useful, and I put all of my other stuff in my PC Box. You guys have nothing to worry about," Eugene said.
"Stay there," Henry said. Eugene stayed put outside as his parents returned to the house and began to talk in lowered voices as they roamed around the house themselves in a very calm and organized rendition of Eugene's earlier shake-down. In a few minutes when they returned, it was evident that they had not taken any new items for Eugene.
Anne stepped forward and held onto Eugene's shoulder's. Her eyes were scrunched up and she avoided looking him in the face when she spoké. "Eugene, you've grown up so much. I know I always told you how you should go on a journey and live your own life, but I was secretly happy that you stayed. I wanted you to be my baby forever. I guess you had to move on eventually, I just wish I had more time to prepare."
"Mom, you've had nine years to prepare, don't be so dramatic. I'll be fine." Eugene said.
"Oh, I know, I just can't help it. I'm a mother. Don't be afraid to come back or call, even after all of this. You're always welcome here," Anne said. She kissed him on both cheeks before stepping back and letting Henry step forward.
"You know, Eugene, I was starting to think this day would never come, but I'm glad it did. I don't think anyone is ever ready to go on their own Pokémon journey, but I know that you're as ready as anyone can be. And besides, you've got a Champion on your side," Henry said.
"Henry, you were League Champion for less than a year," Eugene said.
"Regardless of when I had to hand over the title, I was the Indigo League Champion. And not just anyone has what it takes to be a League Champion. Yes, you need dedication but that doesn't mean anything if you don't have anyone to support you. Thats why I want you to take Saint David with you," Henry said. He reached down to his belt and unclipped Saint David's pokéball, grabbed Eugene's hands and closed them around it."I couldn't have been League Champion without him, and I'm sure he'll be able to help you. He's very intelligent, and knows what it takes to make it to the top. With him, I know you'll be safe."
Eugene dropped Saint David's pokéball in his bag unceremoniously, and Anne ran over to give him one last hug. And then they returned, Eugene standing right outside the condo and his parents in the doorway.
"Eugene, we'll always be here. And remember that we love you very much! And I don't care if you don't want to, come home for Christmas!" Anne said, trying her best not to cry. Henry put his arm around her and nodded.
Eugene smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Trust me." He turned around and began to walk away, Cúchulainn trailing right behind him as he walked down the street, turned around the corner and disappeared into the brightly lit night.
As Eugene and Cúchulainn reached the northern exit of town, he stopped and looked out upon the wilderness in front of them. He took a deep breath and crouched down next to Cúchulainn, rubbing his head vigorously. "Welcome to our new life, buddy. This is gonna rock, huh?" Eugene said. Cúchulainn barked in return. Eugene tightened his shoes, stood up and left Jubilife City behind.