After more than two years of traveling and battling, Summer finally returns to her home region of Hoenn. To celebrate, her family has something special planned. What are they doing, and how will Summer and her Pokémon respond?

Chapter 1- A Littleroot Reunion

After a week on the ocean in the S.S. Hoenn, I felt the morning sun and smelled a familiar briny scent as we stood on the deck. Grinning, I informed Lightning and Teddiursa, "We're almost there!"

The Raichu looked past the bow. "Really? I don't see any land. Just all these sandy islands."

"I wanna see! I wanna see!" the Normal type cried.

I lifted him up to give him a better vantage point.

"There's a tall pointy white building with a weird glass top," Teddiursa said.

"Yup, that's the Slateport City Lighthouse."

"FINALLY!" Lightning screamed. "I can't wait to get off this boat! I need to run around on solid ground!"

"Forget that, Lightning! I can finally meet that person Summer's giving me to!" the Little Bear Pokémon squealed.

Her face fell slightly. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." She looked at me with almost teary eyes. "Who are you giving Teddiursa to?"

Before I could answer, a man announced on the intercom. {Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at our final destination, Slateport City of the Hoenn Region. Please gather at your designated exits for departure.}

"Don't worry Lightning, he won't go too far. Now come on!" I could barely contain my excitement as I dashed to the lower floors. I can't believe it! I made it back home!

An hour later…

My legs slightly wobbled as we exited into the seaside city. It'd been a while since I had to adjust from a boat to land. Sip Anders, the Trainer I was traveling with from Johto, already left to his home in Lavaridge Town.

The streets and ocean-themed stores and restaurants were bustling with tourists and locals. I found a sheltered place and looked at my Pokégear. "My parents should be coming in fifteen minutes."

Lightning curiously sniffed the air. "Something smells good…"

I chuckled. "You must be smelling the food from the world-famous Slateport City marketplace."

"Can we get something quick to eat?" Teddiursa asked.

"All right. There must be some Lava Cookies we can buy. Come on."

I led my Pokémon down a flight of stone steps into a busy square with blue and white tents. Shopkeepers and cooks were selling their wares to the excited visitors. As we browsed the stands, I noticed a group of five kids were looking at me intently. I looked at a nearby stall and overheard their conversation.

"Is that her?" a girl in a blue dress asked her friends.

"It must be," a boy in a white shirt and blue shorts whispered back. "She does have a Raichu and a Teddiursa."

"Let's go ask!"

"W-Wait…!"

She ran over with her friends following close behind. "Excuse me, are you Summer Scorcher?"

I turned to them and smiled. "Yeah, I am."

"I knew it!" she squealed. "Can I have your autograph?"

She pulled out a small spiral notepad and a pink gel pen from her pink knapsack and presented it to me.

I was touched. "Sure. What's your name?"

The girl giggled. "Rachel…"

"Okay, Rachel." I took her possessions and signed my signature on the paper. "Here you are. Thank you for letting me sign your autograph book."

She beamed. "Thank you, Ms. Summer! I want to be a Trainer just like you when I get older."

I gave a light chuckle. "I'm sure you'll do great."

Her friends then scrambled to get their notebooks. "Can you sign ours too?"

"Of course! Just one moment."

I walked over to a food stall where an elderly woman was selling dark red cookies. After buying two bags of five Lava Cookies each, I returned, opening a bag for Lightning and Teddiursa and then for the children. As I signed their books, they enjoyed the treats and petted the Pokémon to their hearts' content. Once the signatures were documented and the quick conversations ended, the group thanked me and left to enjoy the rest of their day.

I looked at the sky and smiled. Wow… I can't believe I actually have fans...

"There you are, Summer!"

I looked forward and saw my mom, Anna, walk towards me. She wore a light blue T-shirt and blue all-purpose capris. Overcome with emotion, I ran into her outstretched arms and hugged her tightly.

"Mom…" I whispered. "I missed you so much."

She chuckled as she returned the gesture. "I missed you too, Summer."

We let go, and I wiped the tears beginning to form. I looked around and asked her, "Where are Dad and Raymond?"

She gave a sly smile. "They're running some important errands right now. They'll meet us back at home."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, okay." I turned to my Pokémon. "Oh. Mom, you've met Lightning before, and this is Teddiursa."

My mom knelt down and offered them her right hand. "It's nice to finally meet you two in person. Summer told me much about you, especially you, Teddiursa."

The Normal type grinned as he grasped her hand. "Your mom's so nice, Summer!"

The Raichu nodded and exchanged a handshake. "It's so nice to meet you too, Mrs. Scorcher."

To our surprise, Mom replied, "You two are so polite! Just call me Mrs. Anna."

"Mom, you can understand them?"

She brushed the hair behind her left ear, revealing a small white receiver. "Professor Birch has been giving people translation receivers to see if they are compatible with Pokémon entries stored on Pokégear apps. He, as well as Professor Oak and Professor Elm, are giving more of the receivers to new Trainers and those who they know treat Pokémon well. I hear that the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members will also begin wearing them for the next year's leagues."

"How cool! I can't believe I was able to help out with their invention!" Then, I fell silent. I still have to let him know about my future…

Mom took note of my silence and said. "Well then, we'd better get back to Littleroot Town. I have a Tropius Taxi reserved for us. Unfortunately, they don't allow free roaming Pokémon to fly on them."

I nodded and took out their Poké Balls. "Sorry, guys."

"That's okay," Lightning said. "We'll see you soon!"

The pair returned to their balls, and my mom and I made our way to the Pokémon Center where the large brown Pokémon with fringed tropical leaves awaited us.

[Tropius, the Fruit Pokémon. It flies by flapping its broad leaves. The bunch of fruit that grows around its neck is deliciously sweet. In the spring, it scatters pollen from its neck.]

"Wow, this is exciting," I said. "It's been a while since I've seen a Tropius."

The Grass type nodded respectfully, and we started our flight back to home.

Half an hour later…

We landed back on solid ground in front of my house in Littleroot Town. The yellow wooden buildings changed little, especially the professor's lab by the forest. After receiving a parting gift of fruit from his neck, we waved goodbye to Tropius. He took off, and I let out Lightning and Teddiursa.

"Well, here we are," I announced.

The Pokémon peered at the unfamiliar surroundings.

"I like it," Lightning stated. "It's so quaint and comfortable."

"Enough of that, Lightning!" Teddiursa shouted. "I want to meet my Trainer!"

My mom laughed. "Don't worry, Teddiursa. You'll meet him soon."

"I can hardly wait!"

We went inside, and the familiar scent of the furniture hit my nose. I couldn't believe I actually missed that smell.

The older woman looked at me with a big smile. "Why don't you get changed, Summer? You know how the humidity can set in quickly."

I wiped the beads of sweat sitting on my forehead. "Right. Be right back!" I left my backpack and belt on the dining room table and ran upstairs.

I opened the door to my room, where everything was still in its place since I left it almost three years ago. The sun shone through the window, highlighting something unusual on my bed. A white sundress with light blue and orange flowers lay on the pastel blue sheets. Next to it was a thin brown braided belt while a pair of white slip on shoes was placed on the ground.

Huh… Did they leave this for me? I guess I should put it on.

I closed the curtains and changed into the fancier clothes. It felt slightly uncomfortable; I hadn't worn any clothes like this before my journey. And even then, dresses weren't really my style. Once I adjusted the straps on the dress, I stood in front of my mirror on the closet door and brushed my hair. Realizing how long it'd gotten, I took out a black hair tie from my accessories drawer by the closet and tied my hair into a ponytail.

I then exited my room and went downstairs, where I noticed someone was missing.

"Hey, Lightning, where's my mom?"

A voice echoed from the kitchen. "She went to Professor Birch's lab and told us to bring you there when you were done."

When she and Teddiursa emerged from the next room, they were stunned.

The Raichu gushed, "Oh my gosh, Summer! You look great in a dress!"

I blushed. "Really? I don't wear them that often."

"Are you kidding?! You totally should!"

"Yeah, Summer!" the Normal type added. "It's so light and flowy!"

I put my Poké Balls on my new belt. "Thanks, you two. Anyway, shall we get going?"

The two nodded and we ventured back into town. A slight breeze from the bay near Oldale Town helped with the sweat beginning to form on my arms. Yet, it didn't bother me as much, though I hadn't been in a humid climate since the Orange Islands. It was a short ten-minute walk to the familiar rectangular building by the woods. I thought I would be excited to see the professor again, but I was worried how he'd take my resignation.

But I put those thoughts behind me as I opened the double doors. To my surprise, my parents, Professor Birch, Sorin, my female cousins, Uncle Cuyler, and Auntie Windy were waiting with anticipated smiles. Above them hung a large blue banner that read, "Welcome Home!" and an orange banner that read, "Happy Birthday!"

"Happy birthday, Summer!" everyone shouted.

I covered my mouth. "Wh-What?"

My dad laughed and approached us. "You've been gone so long, we decided that your welcome back party should be combined with the two birthday parties you missed...and the one coming up."

I teared up. "Th-Thank you…"

Professor Birch laughed. "Come on, Summer! We set the festivities outside so that your Pokémon can also join in on the fun!"

"Thanks, Professor!"

I followed the group outside to the pasture. A set of three tables with white tablecloths were placed at the center of the field, and two long tables were set by the building: one for food and one for a pyramid of colorful presents. I let out the rest of my Pokémon, who immediately charged towards a buffet of Pokémon food and Berries where Sorin's Typhlosion, Ellanher, was waiting. Once the Pokémon were comfortable, everyone allowed me to get food first. I scooped up some Caesar salad, fettuccine alfredo from the pasta bar, sautéed mushrooms, and garlic bread before sitting at the center table. My dad and Professor Birch joined me, then my mom, who was carrying a dark-haired, brown-eyed toddler wearing a white shirt and light blue overalls.

I smiled at the youngster. "Wow, Raymond's so big."

He giggled and pointed at me. "Sum-Sum!"

My mom chuckled. "He can't say 'Summer' just yet."

I laughed as well. "It's nice to finally meet you, Raymond."

He smiled and grasped my outstretched fingers. My heart slightly stung. His grip...it's like hers...

"You okay, Summer?" my dad asked.

I forced a smile. "I'm fine. I just can't believe how big he's gotten since I last saw him."

We laughed and enjoyed the delicious food and company. After a few hours, we began to take down the tables and put away the food. As I took a bowl of pasta inside, someone held the door open for me.

"Thanks, Sorin."

He smiled. "Of course, Summer. How was the ferry ride back home?"

We walked into the lab and went into the professor's kitchenette. "It was good, nothing too exciting. How's your time as the recent regional winner?"

He sighed. "Busy… Nothing but interviews and autograph sessions for the past week. I'm just happy I had time to come to your party today."

I chuckled. "I'm glad you came. But why is only Ellanher here?"

"He told me he wanted to come. Everyone else decided to stay home and relax."

"That's understandable. Wait, how did you know that?"

He pointed to his left ear, which held a receiver.

"Oh...that makes sense."

He laughed. "It does come in handy at times, especially since I'm going to challenge the Johto Elite Four at the end of the year."

I raised an eyebrow. "You are? Will you be prepared in time?"

He leaned on the gray counter. "Hopefully. Clair, Jasmine, Chuck, and Morty are going to help me out as well."

"I see. Morty can help against Will and Bruno, Jasmine against Koga, and Chuck against Karen. Plus, knowing Clair, she wants to beat Lance one way or another."

"That's it. I can't believe you analyzed those strategies so fast. With that mindset, you'll become a regional winner too, Summer."

I looked at my cousin. "Thanks, Sorin. I hope you'll beat all of them, or at least the Elite Four."

"Thanks, Summer." We hugged each other and continued the clean up.

A few hours later…

Back home and dressed in a light blue T-shirt and purple polka dot pajama pants, I was checking the tall pile of letters that accumulated on my desk. Lightning and Teddiursa were plopped on my bed, exhausted from the earlier fun.

Let's see… Junk mail, magazine subscriptions… Oh, shoot! I yanked out the drawer so quickly, it banged on the wooden barrier inside.

"Summer!" Lightning cried. "What did you do that for?!"

I sheepishly looked at the dozing Pokémon. "Sorry, guys. I just saw a letter from someone I hadn't talked to in a long time."

"Oh?" She walked over. "Who is it?"

I showed her a white envelope with a blue post office stamp. The stamp was a circular symbol with a small hole in the center and two curved points on the left and right.

"This is from my pen pal, Crystal, or Crys as she prefers to be called. She's studying to be a Pokémon Ranger at the Ranger School near Vientown in the Almia Region."

"That sounds really cool. Is that like what Forrest does?"

I smiled. "Not exactly. The Rangers in that area, known as the FAO Triangle, capture Pokémon only to help them out with protecting the land, other Pokémon, and people. They typically only have one partner Pokémon instead of a team."

The Raichu scratched her hand. "That sounds...really complicated."

Giggling, I replied, "It is, especially with how they capture Pokémon. That's why there are schools dedicated to those lines of work. She should still be in her last year there; I hope she's not mad I haven't replied to her in two years."

"I'm sure it's fine. Besides, she couldn't have known where you were during our travels."

"That's true."

Someone knocked on the door. My mom poked her head inside. "Summer, we're ready now."

"Oh, great. We'll be down soon."

After she closed the door, Lightning asked, "What are we doing, Summer?"

I slyly smiled. "You'll see." I walked towards my bed and gently prodded the Little Bear Pokémon. "Come on, Teddiursa."

He yawned and rubbed his eyes. "All right…"

He brought his arms up, and I held him close. We walked down to the living room, where my parents and Raymond were waiting. I sat on the couch while my parents were sitting on chairs opposite me.

The toddler climbed onto the couch and looked curiously at the Pokémon in my arms. The Normal type was surprised yet allowed the boy to come closer. Raymond gently touched Teddiursa's paws and giggled at its softness.

To my relief, Teddiursa beamed. "Aww… He's kind of like me!"

"Yeah, I was hoping you two would like each other."

"What do you mean, Summer?"

I looked at my parents, who nodded, before turning to him. "Teddiursa, this is the person I wanted to give you to. With my parents' supervision, of course."

The Normal type's eyes grew wide. "R-Really?"

Raymond laughed and gave the Pokémon a big hug. "Teddy!"

Patting his new friend's head, the Pokémon said, "Teddy… I like it. Thank you, Summer."

I smiled and patted his head. "Take good care of him, okay, Teddy?"

"I will!"

We spent the rest of the night watching Raymond and Teddy happily play together, and I knew I made the right decision.

Summer's Pokémon:

Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, Blaze Ability, moves: Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, Keen Eye Ability, moves: Psychic, Confusion, Hypnosis, Air Slash

Aurora (Dewgong, female): Calm Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Aqua Tail, Aqua Ring

Lightning (Raichu, female): Adamant Nature, Static Ability, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch

Flower (Ivysaur, female): Gentle Nature, Overgrow Ability, moves: Sludge Bomb, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder

Rocky (Steelix, male): Lonely Nature, Rock Head Ability, moves: Stone Edge, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Questions for the Chapter:

What do you think of Summer's welcome back party?

How will Sorin do against the Johto Elite Four and Champion?

Did Summer make the right decision to give Teddiursa to her brother?