After ending the video call with Brawly, Xinhai slowly slipped the Pokédex back into his pocket.
The forest was still filled with birdsong, and sunlight still filtered through the leaves in dappled patches, but in his eyes, the entire world seemed to be shrouded in a grave, perilous shadow.
Eevee worriedly pawed at his pant leg. "Vee?" (Xinhai, what's wrong? Did something happen?)
Axew cautiously moved closer as well, her purplish-red eyes brimming with unease.
The other partners also stopped training and gathered around, their gazes full of concern.
Xinhai took a deep Qi, crouched down, and gently stroked Eevee and Axew's heads. He tried to keep his voice steady. "Something did happen. There's been a major upheaval in the Kanto region."
He did not mention words like deaths in battle or severe injuries in detail, afraid of frightening the two little ones.
"Vee..." (Is it serious?) Eevee's large brown eyes were fixed tightly on Xinhai.
"It's very serious." Xinhai nodded without hiding it. "It could affect many places, including Hoenn. But..." His Qi shifted, becoming firm.
"These matters are still far away from us. What we can do now is keep training hard and make ourselves and our partners stronger."
He stood and swept his gaze over every Pokémon gathered around him—Blaziken's sharp eyes, Gardevoir's gentle gaze, Zigzagoon's perked ears, Krokorok's clenched claws, Mightyena's calm posture, Charmander's steady tail flame, Weedle's curious little head poking out, and Eevee and Axew's worried yet trusting eyes.
"Only by becoming strong enough can we protect ourselves, protect one another when the storm comes, and even... gain the ability to change some things in the future." Xinhai's voice was quiet, yet it carried a heavy strength.
"So, everyone, don't let news from afar unsettle you. Focus on what's in front of us and