Hello everyone. I'm posting Chapter 2 earlier than usual. I will post Chapter 3 on Thursday/Friday/Saturday (whichever day the chapters post in your region)
Back at the temple, Louis thought long and hard about the chief's words. He prepared to leave the ancient structure before someone called out to him.
"Ahem. Aren't you forgetting something?"
Louis stopped in place. He spun his head to see an elder woman with tied up grey hair, wearing a green yukata. The boy immediately recognised the figure.
"Hey...grandma," he said.
The two quickly embraced one another.
"My my, you've grown so much," said Grandma. "Especially your hair."
"Eh, sorry," apologised Louis. "I'm...kind of a mess right now."
As she eased the tightness of her hug, the grandmother gazed upon Louis, focusing on his eyes. They reminded her of her son, Miguel. Louis, in turn, stared at her grandmother, noticing the aging around her face.
However, as they looked at one another, the frail lady could sense something...off.
"Are you feeling ok?" she asked.
For a moment, Louis remained silent.
"Louis... you've been cooped up here too long."
The boy became confused at her grandmother's statement.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.
"You need to fly free, spread your wings again," the grandmother responded.
A spark, tiny at first, began to build into a flame of thought within the young man.
"...maybe you're right."
Soon, as he navigated the forest homeward, the grandmother's words played again in his mind.
The thought became an idea, and the idea began to set foot deep within his subconscious. Before long, Louis found his way to the Serrano household. From the windowsill, Pidgeot spotted the approaching young adult.
"Here he comes," it said.
"Here comes who?" replied Miguel.
"Who do ya' think?"
Then, the sounds of the front door opening reached the ears of the household's occupants.
"I'm home," said Louis.
The words, though good to hear, sounded sad to his mother who sat at the oak table in the kitchen.
"I can't tell if he's happy or not," said Miguel.
Pigeot sighed. It then silently left the kitchen perch and flew up to Louis' bedroom window.
Inside, the boy sat quietly on his bed, staring at a copy of the picture taken of him and his team of Pokémon.
"Yo, Louis," said Pidgeot.
Louis snapped back to reality. He turned his focus to the windowsill, where he saw Pidgeot standing.
"What are you doing in here?" the bird Pokémon asked. "Your parents are worried about you...again."
It felt as though a slither of ice found its way to the boy's heart.
"Oh, hey Pidgeot," said Louis. "I've just been...thinking."
"About what?" inquired Pidgeot.
"A lot of things. After I had a talk with my grandma and Chief Tanaka, I've...got a lot on my mind right now."
Pidgeot rolled its eyes and sighed in frustration.
"Let me guess, the academy?" it groaned.
Louis immediately shot a scowl at the snarky bird Pokémon.
"...lucky guess," the boy said.
The flying-type allowed him to think, before replying.
"If you want to go back to the academy, then just do it!"
The boy's eyes widened in surprise as he turned his head back to Pidgeot.
"I...never thought you would say that," said Louis.
"Well, someone had to," replied Pidgeot. "And to be honest, seeing you all mopey has been frustrating me to no end."
The young adult shook his head and groaned.
"What even made you quit, anyway?" questioned Pidgeot.
With that question in mind, Louis had to think back to when this problem first developed. He recalled the events but didn't know how to describe it.
"It's...complicated."
"Well... get up, and go uncomplicate it!"
Louis glared at the bird.
"You think it's just that easy?" he grumbled.
"I never said that," replied Pidgeot. "I'm just saying that if you keep this holding you back, you're only gonna make yourself feel worse."
Taking these words to account, Louis recalled the information spoken from both Chief Tanaka and his grandmother.
Soon, Louis made a conclusion.
"Y'know what?" he began. "...you're right."
He found his feet again before commanding any action from them, opened his door, and approached his parents.
"Hey Mom, Dad?" he spoke.
Miguel and Janet spotted their son stepping down the stairs and walking toward the kitchen.
"Yes?" Janet spoke.
"Um...when I was on my way back from the temple, I was thinking about the academy," said Louis.
"What about it?" inquired Miguel.
The young adult looked his parents in the eyes before saying;
"...I'm gonna go back."
Yes! Louis is going back to the academy. Good for him.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Is there something you enjoyed? Can you guess what happens next? Or...what do you hope to see in future chapters? If so, go ahead and leave a review explaining any of these reasons. (Please don't leave hurtful reviews)
If you enjoy this story and don't want to miss out on future chapters, go ahead and follow/favourite this story so you will be notified when a new chapter is released. Heck, feel free to share this story with your friends.
Thanks again. See you next time