Inside the aircraft, Peter had already spent enough time experimenting to understand most of its functions and become proficient with its controls.
The interior measured roughly thirty square meters and was divided into four sections: a cockpit, a living and entertainment area, a battle-training room, and a medical bay.
The craft could also switch freely between Flight Mode and Combat Mode.
In an emergency, all Peter had to do was press a button on the controller. Within five seconds, the aircraft would transform into its armed configuration, revealing hidden laser cannons, rocket launchers, and Gatling guns concealed within the hull.
On top of that, the craft possessed its own storage mechanism and could be compressed into a palm-sized spatial box.
Of course, for Peter, who already possessed an effectively limitless system storage space, that feature wasn't particularly useful.
At the moment, he sat comfortably in the pilot's seat and pressed the voice-control button.
"Activate autopilot. Destination: Petalburg Gym."
"Destination locked: Petalburg City, Hoenn Region. Estimated arrival time: five hours and twenty minutes. Stable flight mode activated. Passengers are free to move about the cabin."
Whoooosh—
With a thunderous roar, the aircraft streaked across the sky and rapidly departed the Alola Region.
Peter hadn't seen Norman or Caroline in a long time.
Right now, he was eager to get home.
And while he was at it...
He could finally introduce Whitney to his parents.
Unfortunately...
Between Brassius's gift and Nanu's enormous present, Peter had completely forgotten something.
In the corner of his backpack sat a package quietly labeled:
"For Professor Juniper."
At the moment, however, Peter had no time to think about such things.
Because a certain Miltank-like girl was blushing furiously while demanding a very thorough "physical examination."
Whoooosh—
The aircraft vanished into the distance.
And somehow...
The air seemed to carry a suspiciously rhythmic vibration behind it.
...
Akala Island — Dimensional Research Lab
Professor Burnet was currently on a call with an old university classmate.
Professor Juniper of Unova.
"Don't worry~"
Burnet smiled confidently.
"I specifically entrusted it to a reliable Trainer."
"Alright then, I'll look forward to it~"
Juniper's voice came through the speaker.
"Oh, sorry, Burnet. The museum in Nacrene City just uncovered an artifact from an ancient civilization. I need to go take a look. Talk later!"
"Okay, okay! And if your research makes any progress, be sure to tell me!"
"No problem~!"
Click.
Burnet hung up the call and happily hummed a tune while preparing a cup of coffee.
Unfortunately...
She had no idea that the "reliable Trainer" she trusted had already completely forgotten her request.
...
Hoenn Region — Petalburg City — Petalburg Gym
As usual, Norman was conducting battle training in his backyard.
Aside from the period when Peter had become famous and Norman had spent several days visiting old friends just to brag about his student, he had remained focused on preparing for his future Elite Four challenge.
"Slaking! Give it everything you've got! One more time!"
"GAAAH!"
The larger Slaking lying on the ground suddenly erupted with white flames and charged forward with unstoppable force.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
More than a dozen steel plates exploded apart.
Then Slaking collapsed onto the ground again, returning to its usual lazy posture.
At the same time, a green glow appeared around its body.
"It worked!"
Norman's face lit up with excitement.
His Slaking had finally mastered the ultimate technique he'd envisioned.
Giga Impact + Slack Off!
Everyone knew that Giga Impact caused severe recoil and left the user unable to move afterward.
Slaking's Truant nature also forced it to loaf around and ignore commands.
Norman's solution?
Stack the two together.
By combining the recovery period of Giga Impact with the healing effect of Slack Off, he could restore stamina while simultaneously bypassing the drawbacks of both techniques.
"With this move..."
Norman clenched his fist.
"I won't even fear Drake's Salamence!"
(Drake, the Dragon-type member of Hoenn's Elite Four.)
At that moment, a silver streak approached rapidly from the horizon.
A sonic boom followed shortly afterward.
Norman looked up in confusion.
A sleek aircraft slowed to a hover before descending gently into the yard.
A young man and a beautiful young woman stepped out.
"Teacher! I'm back!"
Peter waved enthusiastically.
Norman immediately grinned.
"If you hadn't come back soon, I was about to expel you from the school and clean house myself!"
"Oh, you can't do that."
Peter laughed.
"This time I brought family with me~"
As he spoke, he reached over and took Whitney's hand.
Norman's eyes widened in realization.
"This must be Uncle Howard's granddaughter."
"We met when you were little."
"Hello, Uncle Norman."
Whitney bowed politely, a trace of nervousness visible on her face.
"Hahaha! Excellent!"
Norman laughed heartily.
"Caroline! Come see who's back!"
Wearing an apron, Caroline hurried out from the front hall.
The moment she saw Peter, her eyes lit up.
"Peter?"
"You child! Why didn't you tell us you were coming home?"
Then her gaze shifted toward Whitney.
Instantly, her expression transformed into that of a future mother-in-law inspecting her daughter-in-law.
"You must be Whitney."
"What a beautiful girl."
"I've heard all about you and Peter."
"Come inside, come inside!"
"Tonight I'll make something delicious for you two!"
Seeing Whitney's nervousness, Peter gently patted her back.
"Relax, Babe. Teacher and Miss Caroline aren't outsiders."
"That's right."
Caroline immediately took Whitney's hand.
"Just treat this place like your own home."
"Later, save my phone number."
"If Peter ever bullies you, call me immediately."
"I'll have his teacher straighten him out."
"N-No... I mean... Peter would never bully me..."
Whitney's face turned crimson as she allowed herself to be dragged along.
"Look at this child!"
Caroline smiled warmly.
"She really is adorable. And so pretty too. Much prettier than May~"
"Exactly!"
Norman nodded repeatedly.
Far too enthusiastically.
Soon, all four entered the house together.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Johto, a certain Hoenn dancing princess who was about to participate in a Contest suddenly started sneezing nonstop.
...
A short while later, Caroline had prepared an enormous feast.
Eight dishes and a soup.
The four of them sat around the table chatting like family.
Caroline repeatedly asked Whitney when she planned on having children.
She had apparently been bored for years and was desperately waiting for grandchildren.
Whitney couldn't answer.
All she could do was make vague noises of agreement while burying her face in a bowl of rice.
Meanwhile, Peter and Norman exchanged stories about their recent adventures.
The moment Norman heard about Peter's explosive growth in strength, he immediately slammed down his chopsticks and reached for a Poké Ball.
Naturally, Caroline's overwhelming authority forced him to sit back down and finish lunch first.
"Oh right, Teacher."
Peter suddenly remembered something.
"I found a Kangaskhanite and a Key Stone recently. They're perfect for Mega Evolution."
As he spoke, he placed the two items on the table.
He had been holding onto them for quite some time.
Norman glanced at them.
Then immediately pushed them back.
"Keep them."
"I don't really need something like this."
Then he smiled.
"Actually, I was just about to tell you something."
"The baby Kangaskhan belonging to my ace Kangaskhan has already grown up."
"And recently, it had offspring of its own."
"Come take a look later."
"If you like it, take it with you."
"It'll fill the final gap in your team."
"And then you'll have a use for those stones too."
Peter paused.
Warmth filled his heart.
He shook his head.
Then produced another Kangaskhanite.
"Teacher, please accept it."
"At least let your student do something for you."
"Besides..."
He grinned.
"I still have another one."
Caroline immediately interjected.
"Why are you being so polite with your own child?"
"He obviously brought it back specifically for you."
Seeing no way out, Norman reluctantly accepted the gifts.
He handled them with extraordinary care.
"You really have changed."
"Only a few months apart and you've started acting like an outsider."
His words sounded critical.
But the smile in his eyes betrayed him completely.
"Still, even though these stones are valuable, they're nothing special to a Pokémon Professor like you."
"I suppose your teacher gets to enjoy some reflected glory too."
Peter blinked.
"Why are you saying things like that?"
"Back then, you even gave me your entire secret savings fund to support me."
"Ah..."
Norman's smile instantly froze.
Caroline laughed.
"Peter, don't listen to your teacher's nonsense."
"That money came from my account."
"He just thought you'd feel more comfortable accepting it if he phrased it differently."
"Y-Yeah, exactly!"
Sweat instantly appeared on Norman's forehead.
"Come on, come on! Try this Zigzagoon Pine Nut dish! It's your Miss Caroline's specialty!"
He frantically tried changing the subject while shooting Peter desperate warning looks.
Unfortunately...
Peter had already latched onto the important part.
"So that's what happened!"
"I was wondering how Sensei could possibly have had two million Poké Dollars lying around."
"In that case, I really need to thank Miss Caroline properly!"
"Hmm?"
Caroline's smile slowly disappeared.
She turned toward her husband.
"Honey..."
"I distinctly remember transferring five million Poké Dollars to you."
SMACK.
Norman slapped a hand over his face.
It's over.
Everything's over.
Ding!
Norman has received the Deluxe Punishment Package: Washboard + Keyboard + Instant Noodle Diet.
Ding!
Caroline has obtained execution authority.
Peter & Whitney:
Amazing!
Miss Caroline is incredible!
--------------
T/N:
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