A week passed after the young adult announced his return to the National Pokémon Academy.

A sense, similar to 'belonging' began to return to Louis, building a new strength and energy within his heart. For the first time in a while, Louis felt a vigour he thought he'd forgotten. Then, the sound of knocking emitted from Louis' bedroom door.

"Come in," he said.

The door opened and Janet stepped through the portal.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"To be honest, I'm both nervous and excited," responded Louis.

"What do you have to be nervous about?"

Louis paused in thought before answering.

"Well, there's the fact I haven't seen my Pokémon in a while. So...I don't know if they..."

Seeing the mixture of sadness and nervousness displayed on her son's face, Janet placed a hand on Louis' shoulder.

"I don't think they've forgotten you, son," reassured Janet.

"That's not what I'm worried about," replied Louis.

"Huh? Then what's the issue?"

The young adult took in a deep breath.

"...nothing too serious," he answered.

His mother recognised something hidden in her son's speech but chose not to press the matter.

"Well...if you need any help with the packing, let me know," offered Janet.

"Sure, Mom," Louis said. "Thanks."

Just before Janet stepped out of the boy's room, an idea popped up in Louis' mind. He spun around to his mother.

"Actually, there is one thing you could do for me, Mom," said Louis.

Janet stopped and turned to her son.

"What is it?"

Louis then lifted up a portion of his hair, which reached past his shoulders.

"I think I should get a haircut," he chuckled.

Janet's face lit up, delighted her son was keen to shear off what had become quite a long and messy hairstyle.

Janet giggled with her son.

"Ok then," she said. "I'll wait downstairs."

Louis nodded as his mother trotted down the stairs.

The young adult then stood at the centre of his room and looked around at the memories that he had made from the years that passed.

At first, positive memories played out in Louis' mind. But then, there was one moment in his life that had a negative impact on his way of living, and it was not the moment Venusaur passed away.

Louis shook his head, clearing his mind.

The first thing that caught the eyes of Louis were the sketches that Tracey had drawn, hung up on the wall. Next to those was an image of a family holiday in the Unova region. All of these framed up pictures brought a smile on the young adult's face.

The next thing that caught his attention was a scarf that his grandmother had made him sometime after he returned from his first year at the campus. It was perfect for the cold season.

Louis picked up the scarf and packed it into his luggage.

"I'm gonna miss my bed," he sighed.

Now, it was Louis' turn to step out of his room and make his way down the stairs.

His mother immediately noticed her son approaching, ready for his makeover.

"So, do you have any preferences?" she inquired.

"Just a hairstyle that doesn't make me look stupid," said Louis.

"So, a Mohawk then!" joked Miguel.

"Wha- No!"

Janet looked at her husband in shock.
"Our son is NOT getting a mohawk, Mig."

Pidgeot chuckled as it watched from nearby.

"Were you forced to get your hair cut, Louis?" it questioned.

"Nope, suggested it myself," replied Louis.

Minutes passed as Janet commenced the makeover, with the sound of snipping scissors reaching the house occupants' ears.

Then, Janet finished cutting off the last strand of long hair and brushed off the remainder from his shoulder and neck.

"There you go, all done," said Janet.

Louis stood up from the chair, entered the bathroom and stared at his reflection. His eyes widened at his new look.

"Hey Mom," called Louis. "Do you have another mirror? I wanna see what the back of my hair looks like."

"Just a second," replied Janet.

While she sought out the second reflector, Louis peered at a face he hadn't seen in a long time. He felt fresher, younger, and a smile began to creep across his mouth.

Then, Janet stepped into the room with a mini mirror and displayed the reflection of the back of Louis' hair.

"What do you think?" she asked.

The young adult's eyes began to glitter.

"This is perfect!" cheered Louis.

Both mother and son stepped out of the bathroom and into the living room. Pidgeot and Miguel stared wide-eyed at the young adult's new appearance.

"Hey, that hairstyle looks good on you," said Pidgeot.

Louis smiled.

Janet noticed a strange movement coming from the floor. She looked down and saw a pair of red eyes appearing from her son's shadow.

"Uh...Louis?" she said, curiously.

"What?" replied Louis.

Louis spun to his shadow. Then, he saw the red eyes emerging from the floor.

"BOO!" Two voices exclaimed.

The young adult remained unfazed, as Gastly, Haunter and Gengar appeared before the boy.

"I thought you guys agreed not to do that to me again," said Louis.

"Aw, come on," said Haunter. "Just for old times sake."

Louis rolled his eyes.

Some time later, the Serrano family were on their way to the docks. Pidgeot decided to come along as well. The group soon noticed that the ghostly trio were following close behind.

"Why are you guys coming?" asked Miguel.

"You better not be trying to scare Louis again," warned Pidgeot.

As the party proceeded onward, the sun warmed Louis and a near tranquillity set upon the group. As the docks came into view, the calm serenity of the ocean today amplified the peaceful moods of the party.

Louis noticed a familiar-looking vessel in the distance. One that the young adult remembered very clearly.

"The Lapras Express," he said.

Louis' pace grew faster as he began to jog towards the ocean vessel.

"Wait up, Louis!" called Pidgeot.

Louis stopped and waited for his family and friends to catch up. As he waited, he looked at the Express to see if the dent left by the Wailord years ago was still present.

It wasn't.

A fresh coat of paint, over a now reinforced section, relayed the vessel's new solidarity.

"Hmm, at least they fixed it," he uttered to himself.

Soon, the remaining members of the party caught up to the young adult. Each of them gazed upon the vessel Louis would be riding.

After a short while, the Serrano family began to say their goodbyes.

"Take care of yourself, ok?" said Janet.

"I will, Mom," replied Louis.

Miguel rubbed Louis' head, slightly messing up his hair.

"If there are any problems, be sure to let us know," added Miguel.

"Ok, Dad," responded Louis.

The Serrano's shared a warm and loving embrace before Louis stepped onto the Lapras Express.

The sound of the ship's horn emitted. The vessel began to leave the docks as Louis waved his family and friends goodbye, while the others waved back.

As soon as the vessel was out of sight, the party began to leave the docks. However, they noticed that a few things were missing.

"Where'd Gastly, Haunter and Gengar go?" wondered Janet.

"Probably to scare somebody again," replied Miguel.

Before long, a nearby bulletin board caught Janet's attention. She approached and read all of the posters stuck onto it.

But, there was one poster that caught the lady's attention.

"Mig, look at this," said Janet.

Miguel walked toward the bulletin board and his wife.

"What is it?" he questioned.

Janet pointed at the poster in question. The man's eyes widened.

"Whoa," he said.

Aaaaaand, Louis is on his way back. Hooray! I wonder what Miguel and Janet were looking at after he left.

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)

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Thanks again. See you next time