The Academy’s Pokémon Center has a few small booths tucked in the back—private spots for long-distance calls and Pokémon transfers. I always thought it was normal to have one of these machines at home. Apparently, it’s not. Most people have to visit a Center or League office.

  Another reminder that my family isn’t exactly normal.

  Maybe that’s why people from the village used to come by to borrow the machine. I just thought it was neighborly.

  Now I know better.

  I sit in the booth, staring at the screen. My finger hovers over the dial.

  I’m stalling.

  It’s not easy calling your mom to say, “Hey, why did you keep my entire family history a secret?”

  I take a breath.

  “Okay, Gabe. Stop procrastinating. Three, two, one… go.”

  I hit the button.

  The screen lights up—and suddenly, she’s there.

  “My baby boy!” My mom beams. “I’ve missed you so much.” She turns. “Diana, come here—look who’s calling!”

  My little sister pops into view with Teddy by her side. “Gabe! When are you coming back?”

  She pouts. I can’t blame her—there weren’t many kids her age in the village. And now even Teddy’s leaving her side.

  “Diana,” Mom says gently, “we talked about this. Your brother won’t be back until the school year ends.”

  “But Mom,” Diana sniffles, “even Teddy’s leaving. I’m going to be all alone.”

  Teddy leans into her, wrapping his little arms around her leg in a hug. That bear always knew when someone needed comfort.

  “Actually,” Mom says, pulling something from behind the camera, “I was going to wait a few more days, but… surprise!”

  She holds up a Poké Ball.

  Diana gasps. The tears vanish, replaced by pure awe.

  “This is your own partner, sweetie,” Mom says, smiling. “You’re almost ten. It’s time.”

  I can’t help but smile. That was planned. No way it wasn’t.

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  “Now,” Mom says, “go say goodbye to Teddy. Let me talk to your brother.”

  “Okay!” Diana scoops up Teddy and trots out of the room.

  Mom turns back to me. “So… how’s the Academy? Made any friends? You having fun?”

  I nod. “Yeah. It’s been fun. I’ve met some great people who’ve… opened my eyes.”

  The sarcasm slips in at the end. Subtle, but not subtle enough.

  Her smile falters. “That quick, huh?” she mutters. “What did you find out?”

  I take a breath. “I heard about the cartoon. Santos Adventure Time. And… Instructor Jordan gave me a recording. From Dad.”

  She closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, I see something flicker across her face—pain, maybe. Regret. She hides it fast.

  “Your father was supposed to be there when you started school,” she says quietly. “I guess… he couldn’t make it after all.”

  She sighs.

  “Gabe, we wanted you to have a normal childhood. Free from politics, pressure, and the danger that came with our names. Your dad and I didn’t have that growing up. We thought... maybe we could give it to you.”

  There’s more. I can feel it.

  “You’ve probably heard a little about your dad’s side already. Well… my family has their own complications.”

  I raise an eyebrow.

  She nods. “Our village has another name—Ursa Village. Only clan members use it. We’re the Ursa Clan. My parents are the leaders.”

  That hits me harder than I expect. Grandma? A clan leader?

  “We’ve always kept to ourselves. Our village doesn’t appear on maps. Visitors are turned away. Why? Because we hold something precious—the secret to the evolution of the Teddiursa line. We’re the only ones who can raise Ursaluna. They don’t even exist in the wild anymore.”

  I sit back, stunned.

  “We guard that knowledge,” she continues. “Because Ursaluna is descended from one of the Ten Noble Pokémon—companions of the ancient hero blessed by Arceus.”

  I remember the bedtime stories. I thought they were just legends. Myths.

  “They’re real,” she says, almost like she read my mind. “Our duty has always been to protect that lineage—and the knowledge tied to it.”

  She tells me how our clan fled Hisui, now Sinnoh, after a war between legendary Pokémon and their worshippers. How they settled in Johto. How they stayed hidden, generation after generation.

  “My grandfather—your great-grandfather—refused to side with either region during the Kanto-Johto conflict. We hid. And when the League came calling… my father turned them away.”

  She pauses.

  “I didn’t agree. I wanted more. I left, enrolled in the Academy, joined the League. He never forgave me.”

  I swallow. “Is he… alive?”

  She nods, her expression tight. “Yes. But to him, I don’t exist. ‘I have no daughter,’ he said.”

  The words hang in the air. I can see the hurt in her eyes, even now.

  “There’s something else,” she adds. “As the only child of the clan leaders, I was next in line. But when I left, I lost that right. Now, the title will go to either my cousin’s child—Eric—or… my firstborn.”

  Me.

  “Wait, what?” I blink. “I’m in the running to lead the clan?”

  She nods. “If you want to. It’s your choice. But if you do, you’ll need to prove yourself.”

  I exhale slowly. “How?”

  “By the time you turn eighteen,” she says, “Teddy must evolve into Ursaluna—and defeat your rival in a trial battle. Eric’s three years older. He’s been trained for this his whole life. You’ve just found out.”

  I stare at the screen, everything swirling in my head.

  And yet... I already know my answer.

  I’ve never been afraid of hard work. Never backed down from a challenge. And now—this isn’t just about me.

  It’s about her. It’s about Teddy. It’s about the clan that turned their back on us.

  I lift my chin.

  “Then I’ll do it. I’ll become clan leader.”

  Her smile is soft—but full of something fierce. Pride. Hope.

  “Thank you, Gabe.”

  And for once, I see it clearly—how much she’s carried. How much she’s tried to protect.

  And now… she’s trusting me to carry something too.