Episode 10

"Is he coming, is he coming?" Two young eyes looked out the window, awaiting his brother's return home. It had only been about a week since Matt had left, but Alex Cordia missed his brother already. "Is that him? No, that's just a tree…Is that him? No, wait…it's just a Machoke. Is that…no…"

Alex's mom laughed behind him. "Relax, Alex. Matt said he'd be home soon, I'm sure he's on his way.

Sure enough, Matt had taken extra measures to ensure he'd surprise his brother upon his return. He made sure he wouldn't be seen from any of his windows as he slowly entered the back door, out of Alex's sight. His mom saw Matt, but he put a finger to his mouth. She understood what he was about to do, so she kept quiet.

After mistaking several Pokémon, formations, and a windmill for his brother, Alex began to turn around with his head down, sad that his brother wasn't there yet. In his line of sight was a pair of red pants. Alex only knew one person that wore those. He tilted his head up and stared his brother straight in the eye. "Hey Alex," Matt said with a huge smile.

"Matt!" Alex yelled, excitement overcoming him. He leapt up at Matt, who caught him and gave him a big hug. "You're home!"

"I sure am, buddy." Matt said, putting his brother down. At that moment, Tyler came in the door, holding Matt's Pokémon egg.

"You know, usually the trainer the egg belongs to is the one that should carry it." Tyler noted as he set the egg on the kitchen table.

"Nice to see you both again," Matt's mom said, as the four of them congregated around the kitchen table. "I'm sure you've been travelling for a while, why don't you have some lunch?"

"I'd love some," Matt said, putting his hat on the back of his chair. "What are we having?"

"It'll take a bit to make," Matt's mom said, taking some stuff out of the refrigerator. "In the meantime, why not show Alex your Pokémon?"

"Can you, Matt? Can you? I wanna see all the Pokémon you got!" Alex was jumping out of his seat.

"Sure thing, bro. Follow me outside." Instead of following Matt, however, Alex bolted outside, not giving Matt a chance to move. Shaking his head, Matt went outside and took his two Pokéballs from his belt. "Come on out, you two!" Flint and Raina both came out of their Pokéballs, calling out in delight. "I'd like you both to meet my little brother, Alex. I think you've already met Flint, though, right?"

Alex looked at the Combusken, newly evolved. "Is this Torchic?"

Matt nodded. "He evolved during my first Gym Battle. I'll show you the badge later." Alex beamed. "And this right here," Matt continued, putting his hand on Raina's shoulder, "Is the first Pokémon I technically caught. This is Raina, a Buizel."

Raina nodded her head. "Bui," she said, and Alex approached her, scratching under her chin. Raina closed her eyes and tilted her head up, liking the scratching.

"I think she likes you," Matt noted. Alex was overjoyed getting to meet Matt's Pokémon.

"Do you have any more?" he asked.

"Sorry, bud; these are the only two I've caught so far. But don't worry. I've got an egg sitting in the kitchen, and by the next time I see you, I'll have loads more!"

Alex smiled, still petting Raina. "I can't wait! I'm so jealous of you and Tyler, though, Matt. You get to go on an amazing journey, and this is Tyler's second. I wanna go travel with Pokémon so badly…"

Matt ruffled his hair. "You'll get a chance to go soon enough, bro. And I'll be cheering for you every step of the way." Alex looked up at Matt, his eyes beaming with excitement.

"Boys, lunch is ready!" their mom called. Matt recalled his Pokémon and the two ran inside. On the table lay four grilled cheese sandwiches, chips for all, and four glasses of milk.

"Fresh from Bessie, I assume?" Matt asked, taking a sip of milk. Bessie was his mother's Miltank. Matt's mom sold milk to all of Oreburgh, it was the best around! His mother nodded, and Matt set his glass down, refreshed. "I have to say, this is one of the things I've missed about home: fresh milk." The four sat down and chowed down, enjoying the delicious food made for them. After a while, Matt glanced down at his belt, and thought of his Pokémon. "Hey, mom, do we have any Pokémon food? I'm sure these two are getting pretty hungry."

"Let me check," she got up, looking through the cabinets. In the meantime, Alex went up to Tyler, asking him to see his Pokémon.

Tyler laughed. "I haven't caught any new Pokémon yet. All I have is Luxray, and you've met him before." Tyler let Luxray out. Matt decided to do the same with Raina and Flint, letting all of them stretch for a while. Luxray rubbed the side of his head on Alex's recognizing his friend. Alex scratched Luxray's ear, and the Electric-Type smiled.

Mrs. Cordia laid down three bowls of Pokémon food. "Dig in!" She said. The Pokémon ran over, each chowing down.

Matt knelt down beside Raina, who was on the end. "How does it taste?" He asked. Despite how well Raina did in battle, Matt still felt like he wasn't connected with her, that she didn't trust him fully.

Raina swallowed what she was chewing and replied with a "Bui" and a smile. At least she looks happy, Matt thought. He looked at Flint next. Ever since his journey began, Flint's been right there with him. Looking at him evolved, Matt couldn't wait to get Flint's power fully realized. Even with just two Pokémon, Matt had formed a great bond with both. Sure, he felt a bit distant from Raina. But there was something between them, a spirit to fight, that pulled them together. Matt knew that, and he felt like Raina did, too.

"Can I see your badge now Matt? Huh? Can I?" The family was sitting in the living room, watching TV and resting when Alex raised the question.

"I nearly forgot," Matt said, taking his badge case out of his bag. He opened it up, the shiny green badge sparkling. Alex pointed to it, it silently asking if he could feel it. Matt nodded. Alex took it from the case with care, eying it with awe. Matt couldn't help but smile at his brother's excitement. He could tell Alex will make a great trainer someday.

"So when are you getting your next badge? Can I watch you, please?" Alex gave Matt his badge back, but his face still beamed with excitement.

"Well, seeing as how there's a gym right in town…I'd challenge Roark tomorrow. These two look pretty ready to me." Raina, Flint, and Luxray were all outside of their Pokéballs, playing on the floor behind the couch.

"That means I can come and see you!" Alex was practically jumping off of the walls.

"We'll all watch him together," Tyler said. He looked down at his Pokétch. "But it's getting pretty late. You should get some rest so you'll have enough energy for your battle tomorrow."

Matt nodded, and went upstairs to his room. "Nice to be back in my bed," he said, crawling in. "Though I'm not going to be here for long…" He yawned, looking up at the ceiling. It's only been a week, and already Matt has been through so much. He thought about his excitement both receiving and catching his first Pokémon. He thought about the trainers he's met; his battles with Ricky and Gold, as well as his battle with Gardenia. Though those were happy memories, he couldn't help but think of Lucario and of Team Revenant. What were they planning? And why couldn't he do anything to Donald's Spiritomb? Matt knew he had to do something about them, but he was too weak to do it now. Soon enough, he thought. Soon, I'll be able to take them down; for Lucario, for everyone. With these thoughts, Matt closed his eyes, fantasizing about his gym battle tomorrow. Though soon after his last one, he was going to be sure to make it just as great.