Homecoming: Nidoking

Yan Yang finally returned home to the Johto Region.

After warmly catching up with his Pokémon companions in the forest, it was time to say goodbye once more.

This time, the Pokémon did not show much reluctance or try to stop him.

After all, being reunited after so long was already a blessing. As long as they knew Yan Yang still cared about this home and knew he would always return, that was enough.

Perhaps parting was most painful only the first time; afterward, one gradually grew accustomed to life's endless reunions and separations, Yan Yang thought.

Now that he was back in Johto, how could he head straight back to school? Of course, he had to go home first!

Yan Yang stepped into reincarnation again—no, wait.

He wondered how things were at home. The Nidorino and Audino left behind should have kept everything in perfect order, right?

He had complete faith in those two capable "former stray Pokémon" who had willingly stayed behind to look after the home.

If everyone went out together in the future, the house would depend entirely on them for protection.

A thought suddenly occurred to him. If I ever failed to return, would they keep guarding this place forever?

As it turned out, his concern was unnecessary.

Home still looked exactly as it had when he left, perhaps even livelier than before.

The stray Pokémon he had taken in were all living comfortably and peacefully in the small forest.

Seeing their master return from afar, several Pokémon that appeared to be on watch immediately ran off smartly to spread the news.

Soon, a familiar yet slightly unfamiliar figure emerged from the woods.

Oh, it was a Nidoking!

Hm? Wait, a... Nidoking?

Yan Yang looked in surprise at the Pokémon before him, whose body was