A/N: And here they finally go!


Sendoff


"You got a good hold on?" Rhyhorn grunted.

"You don't have to do this Rhyhorn…" Leila protested, feeling mildly embarrassed. Her mother, Ruairi, and Fletchling were all watching, and she suspected that their neighbors were too.

He laughed. "Course I do! I saw your first baby steps, and now you're all grown up and takin' your first steps as a trainer! Course I gotta see ya off!"

"O-okay, but…"

She stopped protesting as Rhyhorn began a gentle walk around the yard. The elder pokémon was taking his time, plodding with firm, definite steps as though ensuring that she would not fall off. With a sigh, Leila gripped onto the ridge behind his neck and settled herself.

Rhyhorn had always insisted on offering her rides. It didn't matter how old she became; in fact, he seemed to enjoy it even more as she entered her teens. She was, after all, his trainer's daughter, and he had taken after her in the same way. As family. The youngling to look after. And here she was.

They took a couple of laps at the same pace, steady and solid. The breeze wafted softly past as Leila's body loped up and down with Rhyhorn's gait, with the pokémon sturdy beneath her. He had always seemed so strong. He was, of course, but Leila had always associated him with a sense of reassuring safety. She guessed it had to do with how he had, in a way, been a bit like a parent to her in addition to both her mother and father.

He was trotting now, circling around faster. Leila had to hold on a bit tighter, but she smiled as an exuberant feeling suddenly coursed through her. She recalled their beginning practice runs, years earlier with both her parents cheering for her. Then she remembered their first race, with the nervousness, the adrenaline, and even the panic when she accidentally directed him into a tree. Then his advice when she tried riding on other Rhyhorns, excitement on race days… everything.

She was really leaving home for this journey, wasn't she.

But she had this part of her childhood to keep. This was familiar. This was one piece of home that remained constant throughout everything, no matter what happened or how much changed; it felt like a reminder that she would always have a place to return to.

Rhyhorn would be here. So would Fletchling. So would her mom.

Leila took in the simple feeling of riding atop Rhyhorn, closed her eyes, and let out an enthusiastic whoop.

Rhyhorn laughed. "Hold on!"

He suddenly tilted towards the middle, tightening his turn. They spiraled towards the center of the yard, practically charging, until finally he dug his front feet into dirt. Leila held on as she briefly bucked forward.

With one powerful shift, he used the momentum to rock backwards and rear up onto his hind legs.

And he roared.

They came down with a whumph. Leila let herself settle into his back to soften the impact, feeling giddy all the while. Then, unable to help herself, she laughed.

"That was great, Rhyhorn!" she exclaimed.

"Good!" he replied as she slid off. "Bet I woke the neighbors."

She grinned at him. "Who cares?"

"Grace," he answered mischievously. Leila glanced over to see her mother looking slightly amused at both of them.

She giggled, realizing that just moments earlier, she herself had been nervous about their neighbors watching. It didn't matter now, she had enjoyed the ride.

Pulling her hair out of her face, she came around and knelt down to rub Rhyhorn's main head ridge. "Thanks for the sendoff," she smiled.

"Of course!" he laughed. "Have a good journey Lel."

Leila hugged his head. "Don't get into too much trouble. Take care of Mom."

"Will do."

She stood and went to retrieve her bag. Her chest felt warm inside, and as she picked up the bag and threw it onto her shoulder, she felt a sense of momentous readiness. She was leaving to start on this journey, and it would be something unforgettable. She had thought moving to Kalos would be a new start, but this… this was the real moment.

With a deep breath, she turned to face the rest of her family. "I guess it's really time then," she said. "I'll call as soon as I get to Santalune City."

"All right," he mother nodded. Then she smiled warmly. "Take care, Leila. Drop by whenever you can… and show those gym leaders who's boss!" she pumped one fist.

Leila laughed and strode forward to embrace her mother. "Thanks, I will. Love you Mom."

"I love you too."

They released, and she made sure to pat Fletchling, sitting atop her mother's shoulder. "You too. Be good, okay?"

"I will!" she chirped back. "Be careful!"

"Yeah."

She beckoned to Ruairi, who jumped up towards her. Then they made their way to the end of the yard, onto the pathway, and then to where the path met the sidewalk. She turned and waved one last time to everyone.

"I'll see you!"

Her mother waved back. Rhyhorn and Fletchling both shouted.

Leila smiled. She glanced down at Ruairi, eager for everything. They were ready to go.

She grinned and lifted a fist up into the air.

"All right. Let's do this thing!"

This was their new start.