The quiet serenity of Pallet Town had a way of soothing the soul. The soft rustle of leaves, the distant calls of wild Pidgey, and the gentle sway of tall grass made it easy to forget the intensity of recent events. Professor Oak had retired to his office after their conversation, leaving Kai to reflect on the strange truths about paradox Pokémon.
He stood in front of the window, sipping the last of his tea, the edges of his mind still processing everything he had learned. The notebook Prof. Oak had given him rested beside him, full of notes on theories he had long forgotten.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the laboratory, Kai heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Roaring Moon, still outside, gave a low growl.
Kai turned to the door just as it opened, and standing there, framed by the light from the hallway, was Blue Oak.
"Look who's back," Blue said, his sharp eyes studying Kai with an intensity that had never truly left him. Dressed casually, Blue's posture was relaxed, but there was always a sharp edge to his demeanor. His presence filled the room, a reminder of the days when he had been the Champion of the Kanto region and one of Kai's greatest rivals.
Kai blinked in surprise, then smiled faintly. "Blue? What are you doing here?"
Blue stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him. "When a certain Trainer suddenly shows up in Pallet Town after all these years and keeps to the shadows, it doesn't take long to get curious," he said, his grin widening. "Besides, I've been hearing rumors. Paradox Pokémon, a hidden ranch, and someone going around in secret with a whole lot of power. Didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
Kai's mind flickered back to the whispers that had traveled from Paldea to Kanto. He'd kept his low profile for a reason, but it seemed the rumors had a way of catching up.
"Rumors?" Kai asked, crossing his arms.
Blue's grin only grew. "You're the talk of the town, Kai. And not just here in Pallet. Word gets around when you're involved with things that don't belong in the present." He looked Kai up and down. "I didn't expect you to stay out of the spotlight for so long. You used to live for it, remember?"
Kai stayed silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Some things change."
Blue's smile softened a little, and he stepped closer, his eyes studying Kai more carefully now. "I know. But some things don't. I can still see that fire in you, no matter how hard you try to hide it."
Kai turned away slightly, his gaze shifting out the window, but then he met Blue's eyes again. "I'm not the person I was before. I can't afford to be."
Blue didn't press him, though his expression remained unreadable for a beat longer. "I get it," he said after a moment. "You've always carried the weight of your abilities, haven't you? But you should know—I'm not here to drag you back into the fray. I just want to see for myself what's got you so worked up."
Kai glanced at him, surprised by the lack of challenge in Blue's voice. For all his pride, Blue had always respected Kai's strength. And now, after all this time, it seemed that respect had only deepened.
"Come on," Blue said, breaking the silence. "Let's take a walk around the lab. It's been a long time since I've seen Professor Oak's place. Maybe I'll learn something new about you."
Kai hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "You're welcome to. But be warned—things around here have changed."
Blue raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk pulling at his lips. "Change? What, no more classic battles in Pallet? I'm disappointed."
Kai chuckled softly. "There's more to life than just battling, Blue."
Blue stopped, his expression turning serious. "I guess we'll see how long you can stick to that."
With that, they walked outside together. Roaring Moon gave a low growl, looking over at Blue with cautious curiosity, but Kai gave a quiet word of reassurance.
After a long pause, Blue turned to Kai, his voice lighter than before. "You're going to have to tell me about these Paradox Pokémon someday, right?"
Kai gave a slight, knowing smile. "One day."
As they continued their walk through the fields, it was clear that time hadn't changed everything. But there was something different in the air now—a shared understanding between two people who had been rivals once, and perhaps something more, but now were just two figures walking in the shadow of a mystery that had yet to fully unfold.