We continued to walk along the rocky path leading to Mt. Moon, the late morning sun warm and gentle on my face.
My heart felt light and fluttery, filled with hazy memories of the past: tiny Clefairy dancing in soft moonlight deep inside hidden caves.
This was it.
The place I had remembered since I was five, the one I had dreamed about for so long.
The quiet wonder I had carried with me across two whole lives.
Each step brought me closer, and a quiet, happy smile tugged at my lips.
Lopunny walked on my left, ears swaying softly. She glanced at me with curious eyes and let out a gentle "Lop?"
Meowscarada padded on my right, tail flicking. She looked up too, giving a low, amused "Meow," as if asking why I was suddenly so excited.
I just smiled wider. They sensed my happiness but did not know the old memories behind it.
Their quiet company made the moment even warmer.
This route was different from what most people normally took.
The thick forest had not appeared yet. Instead, wide open cliffs stretched out on both sides, with huge boulders scattered everywhere.
I could not wait to start my research.
Mt. Moon was full of wonders: glowing Moon Stones, cheerful Clefairy, graceful Clefable. Even little Zubat and Paras made their homes deep inside the twisting caves.
The paths were so winding and the caves so dark and quiet that hardly anyone ever came here.
It felt like a secret world, peaceful and waiting just for me.
My chest swelled with pure, childlike wonder.
I imagined watching a Clefairy up close, its pink cheeks glowing softly.
Finding a smooth, shining Moon Stone of my own.
Exploring every shadowy corner of that mysterious mountain.
A little shiver of impatience ran through me.
This was the perfect spot, far from crowds, quiet for days and days, so I could research as long as I wanted, completely undisturbed.
As we walked closer to Mt. Moon, the peaceful quiet suddenly broke.
A sharp, angry voice rang out from just ahead.
"What are you doing? Let go of me! I don't know anything!"
Then a woman's voice replied, cold and full of mockery.
"So you won't cooperate?"
Lopunny, walking right beside me, froze. She gently took my hand in her soft paw and pulled me to stop.
Her eyes narrowed toward the voices. A low, worried "Lop..." came from deep in her throat, like a soft warning.
I knew immediately. Something bad was happening up there.
If it was a wild Pokémon, Lopunny and Meowscarada could have dealt with it without any problem.
But these were clearly people. Their voices sounded angry and mean. Threatening.
My heart began to beat faster, thump-thump in my ears.
On my other side, Meowscarada stiffened too. Her ears stood straight up, her body tense and alert.
She let out a low, serious "Meow..."
We all stood still for a few moments, just listening. My curiosity tugged at me, but caution kept my feet planted.
I looked at my two Pokémon.
Their eyes were sharp and protective. Seeing them ready to keep me safe made a little courage bloom inside me.
Very quietly, we started moving forward again.
We slipped from one bush to the next, crouching low behind to stay hidden.
With every careful step, my pulse raced quicker. I needed to know what was going on.
Lopunny stayed close on my left, her long ears turning this way and that to catch every sound.
Meowscarada kept pace on my right, moving silently, eyes scanning ahead.
We moved as one. A small, quiet team. Our hearts all beating in the same nervous rhythm.
The need to understand pushed most of the fear away. Whatever was happening, I had to see it for myself
Finally, we reached a spot where we could see clearly.
There, parked off the path in a small clearing, stood two black jeeps.
The bold red "R" on their doors and hoods stood out sharply against the dark paint.
Team Rocket.
I felt a sharp shock run through me. I had seen them on screens countless times before, but this was real.
Meeting them in person hit much harder than I thought it would. It was not my first brush with danger in this life, and I had even crossed paths with Team Rocket once before, yet something deep inside screamed not to mess with them.
Last time I had slipped away unnoticed, still young, too innocent to fully grasp what real danger meant.
But now, after everything with the poachers, I understood.
My instinct told me clearly: these people were bad news.
Real trouble.
My breath caught for a moment. Danger was right here.
Still, I forced myself to stay calm, like I always did in tough spots. My heart raced, but I kept it under control.
The jeeps looked tough and ready.
Six people stood nearby, all in black uniforms.
Four men wore round black caps pulled low, arms crossed, standing quard without a word.
The two women had no caps. One had long pink hair flowing loose, the other shoulder-length purple hair.
In the end stood a man in a white lab coat. His hands were tied behind his back. He looked like a professor, face tight with anger and defiance.
He was clearly in trouble, but he refused to look scared.
The purple-haired woman leaned in close to him.
"So you won't talk?"
The pink-haired one watched with a small, smug smile, arms folded.
The men held their positions.
I crouched lower behind the bush, heart beating a bit faster but still under control.
Lopunny's paw rested gently on my arm. Meowscarada's tail brushed my side, calm and reassuring.
This was no longer just my peaceful trip.
Something bad was happening, and someone needed help.
The purple-haired woman reached to her belt and pulled out a sleek black Poké Ball.
I had never seen one like it before.
Not in my past-life memories, at least.
Or I could be wrong; those memories were not always clear.
But the ball was definitely darker than any standard ball I remembered recently.
A chill crept up my spine. Was this some kind of special ball? One made to hold Pokémon against their will? The thought tightened my chest.
She tossed it forward with a casual flick.
A burst of dark red light flashed, and a Ralts appeared.
It was small and delicate, its body a pure, soft white that seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight.
Pale pink touched only its bowl-shaped head and the tiny red horn, giving it an ethereal, dreamy look.
A shiny Ralts. Rare. Beautiful.
For one heartbeat, pure awe filled me. My eyes widened.
It was perfect.
I had been in this world for years now, traveling in forests, meeting countless Pokémon, yet I had never seen a shiny one before. Not once.
This little Ralts was the first.
My breath stilled. For that single moment, everything else faded.
But then I saw the collar.
A thin black band circled its neck, cold metal with small red lights blinking steadily. It looked cruel against that soft white skin.
Everything about the sight felt wrong. Deeply, horribly wrong.
The little Ralts stood perfectly still, head lowered. No voice, no shy movement. Just emptiness.
A heavy sadness washed over me. It was not my own feeling. It came straight from the Ralts, faint and muffled, like a quiet cry for help reaching us.
Its pain slipped into my chest. Dull. Constant. Truly heartbreaking.
Anger rose in my throat. Deep pity pressed hard on my heart.
I wanted to run to it. Free it. Wrap it in my arms and make the pain stop.
Meowscarada's fur stood up along her back. Her claws came out, ready. She was furious for the little one.
Lopunny's long ears drooped sadly. Her paws clenched tight. A soft, sorrowful "Lopun..." escaped her, almost a whisper.
We all felt it now. The Ralts was suffering. Its gentle heart was trapped, crying out in silent agony.
My Pokémon pressed closer to me. Their anger and sadness mirrored mine.
We were together in this.
In our minds, the decision was already made. We would help this Ralts. No question.
But we needed a plan. We needed to understand exactly what was happening.
So we stayed hidden behind the bushes, watching quietly, breathing slow and steady.
For now, we waited. Patient. Ready.
The clearing stayed tense, the Ralts still suffering in silence.
But it would not stay that way for long.
We promised each other.
-x-X-x-
Dr. stared at the Ralts, sensing waves of numb, negative emotion radiating from it.
His gaze dropped to the cruel black mechanical collar around its neck.
His face flushed red with fury.
He looked up sharply at the purple-haired woman and her cold-eyed companions.
"What have you done to this poor Pokémon?" He shouted. "Release it right now! Can't you see it's suffering?"
Hidden behind the bushes, Ryan felt a similar surge of burning anger rise in his chest.
His fists tightened, jaw clenched, but he forced himself to stay calm, this wasn't the moment to act, not yet.
"Haaa..."
The purple-haired woman laughed. She ignored him completely and crouched down, patting the Ralts' head.
She straightened up and shot a piercing look at him, eyes narrowed with cold amusement.
"This is your last chance, Dr. Seymour."
"Or perhaps you don't understand what this Pokémon could do to you if you don't talk."
"You're the ones who don't understand," Seymour shouted, "What you're doing to that innocent creature is unforgivable! The police will arrest you for this, you should release this Pokémon right now!"
The pink-haired woman glanced at her companion coldly.
"Viper, just do it. Don't waste time."
Viper nodded. "Yes, Commander Nova."
She straightened slowly, shaking her head with a sweet, chilling smile.
"Looks like words alone won't work on stubborn people like him."
She turned to the Ralts, her voice soft yet commanding.
"Use Psychic on him."
The little Ralts hesitated, its body trembling.
The instant it paused, a sharp electric jolt crackled through the collar.
"Ralts... Raaalts!"
The little Pokémon's cry came out high and thin, full of hurt.
It tore through the air like a small child's broken sob: raw and impossible to ignore.
My heart twisted hard, the ache hitting me fresh and sharp all over again.
It reminded me how truly bad these people were, treating Pokémon like nothing more than tools, disposable things to be broken and used.
I still remembered those poachers bragging about it, laughing over how they would sell and break this Rapidash and Ponyta
The memory fueled the fire already burning inside me.
No more...
Viper shook her head slightly in disappointed impatience, as if scolding a misbehaving pet.
"When will you learn, you stupid Pokémon? As long as that collar's around your neck, you can't disobey me."
With the shock finally over and no choice left, the Ralts' small red horn glowed a faint light pink.
An invisible psychic force slammed into Seymour's mind.
His eyes snapped wide. His body jerked up slightly, gripped by the crushing pressure.
"Aaaarghhhhhhh...." A raw scream tore from his throat.
His face twisted in agony.
Sweat poured down his flushed skin.
Veins throbbed at his temples.
His mouth hung open, saliva dripping from the corner as his eyes squeezed shut, then snapped wide in pain.
Horror froze me behind the bushes as I watched.
A faint pinkish psychic aura rippled out from the Ralts, like a shimmering wave pressing through the air.
Even from far away, I felt the raw strength of it brush against me, heavy and overwhelming.
This Ralts was far more powerful than it looked.
Ten seconds later....
"Stop," Viper said calmly.
The faint pink glow faded from the Ralts' horn. The invisible grip vanished.
Dr. Seymour collapsed forward, ropes pulling tight against his arms as he hit the ground.
He gasped hard, chest heaving with ragged, shaking breaths. His eyes stayed glassy and dazed, staring at nothing.
Viper smiled faintly and knelt down beside him, close enough that he could feel her presence through his haze.
"So... will you tell us now?" she asked softly.
He shook his head weakly.
"L... won't..."
Viper's smile thinned..
She nodded to the Ralts again.
The horn glowed once more.
The Psychic surged back, stronger this time.
He screamed again, louder, more desperate, his voice cracking as the mental assault crushed deeper.
He held out as long as he could, body shaking, teeth gritted.
But the pain became too much.
His screams faded into weak, ragged gasps.
His eyes rolled up, showing only the whites, unfocused and blank.
He passed out, slumping limp in his bonds, head hanging forward.
Viper looked toward her commander.
"Commander Nova, it will take some more time to get the information."
Nova glanced coldly at Viper.
"You four, go search those caves. Find a path to the Moon Stone deposit and the Clefairy Group. We need them all."
She paused, voice sharpening.
"According to the report the boss received, even those losers Jessie and James stumbled onto Moon Stones here before. If they managed it, you certainly should."
"Yes, Commander."
The four male grunts nodded at once and headed straight for the cave entrance.
Their flashlights flicked on, beams cutting sharp lines through the gathering darkness as they went inside.
Meanwhile, hidden behind the boulders, I watched everything.
My blood boiled hotter with every second.
Seeing him tortured like that.
Seeing that poor, suffering Ralts forced to hurt someone against its will.
Meowscarada's claws dug into the ground, her whole body trembling with barely contained rage.
Lopunny's ears were flat against her head, fists clenched so tight her paws shook.
When the other members disappeared into the cave, leaving only the two women and the Ralts outside, I knew this was our chance.
We could handle the two women, at least. Lopunny and Meowscarada were more than strong enough for that.
But that Ralts... its Psychic was terrifyingly powerful.
The collar was clearly forcing it to obey. If we could break or remove that thing, the Ralts would stop fighting, maybe even turn against them.
But there was no guarantee they didn't have other Pokémon ready.
We had to be smart about this.
Rush in blind, and we'd get overwhelmed.
Plan it right, and we could free the Ralts and Dr. Seymour without anyone else getting hurt.
I took a slow breath, eyes locked on the clearing.
We needed the perfect moment.
After thinking for a while, whispering quickly between us, we finally made a plan.
Both Pokémon nodded, eyes sharp and determined.
I took a slow, steady breath, heart pounding but steady.
Eyes fixed on the clearing.
Let's go...
-x-X-x-
Meowscarada moved first.
Silent and swift, her body blurred as she slipped from the bushes like a leaf on the wind.
The clearing held still air.
Nova and Viper stood with their backs partly turned, focused on the unconscious professor.
Suddenly, Meowscarada's eyes glowed faint green.
She lifted one paw.
From the air around her shimmered dozens of razor-thin leaves, Magical Leaf.
They danced and spun of their own accord, swirling into existence then launching forward in a wide arc.
Each leaf hummed through the air, a whistling sound that cut the quiet like a blade.
Nova heard it first.
She half-turned.
Viper realized the attack and shouted immediately, "Ralts! Confusion!"
The Ralts' horn flared bright pink.
A sudden wave of psychic energy shot outward, visible as a rippling forcefield that bent the air itself.
The swirling leaves met it.
Most scattered mid-flight, splintering into harmless fragments of green against jeep hoods and ground.
But a few slipped past, too fast and too precise.
They struck.
Nova staggered back, a sharp hiss of pain escaping her lips as the razor-thin leaves sliced lightly across her shoulder and thigh.
Thin beads of blood appeared at once on her pale skin, bright red and shining in the light, the cuts visible through the tears in her tight black uniform.
Viper cursed under her breath, clutching her arms where similar cuts had opened.
The shallow slices stung sharply, a thin line of red quickly soaking into her sleeve and staining the edge of her black glove.
"What the...?!"
Both women spun fully toward the attack, shock and fury burning in their eyes.
Nova snapped, reaching for a Poké Ball at her belt.
She threw two Poké Balls high into the air.
Red light burst outward.
A heavy thud shook the clearing as Rhydon appeared, horn lowered, already braced to charge. "Rhy!" it bellowed, stomping the ground.
Beside it, Golem rolled into place. "Golem!" it grunted, fists pounding its chest.
Viper moved at the same time, her hand snapping forward with quick speed.
She threw her own Poké Ball.
Red light flashed again, and purple smoke spilled across the ground, twisting into a wide grin.
Gengar surfaced, eyes glowing. "Gen gar!" it cackled, tongue lolling.
Nova's gaze fixed on Meowscarada.
"...I've never seen a Pokémon like that before."
Viper's lips curled into a slow, hungry smile.
"It must be rare," she said quietly, her tone laced with greed. "If we bring it to the boss, we'll be rewarded handsomely."
Nova nodded.
Behind them, unseen, Lopunny moved.
She reached the cave entrance and struck.
Her powerful kick landed with a sharp, resounding crack. The stone ceiling shuddered violently.
Boulders broke loose and crashed down in a deafening roar, sealing the entrance behind a wall of tumbling rock and dust.
The sound echoed through the cave like thunder.
Nova and Viper spun around, eyes narrowing.
Another figure stood behind them now.
Tall. Silent. Unfamiliar.
"...Commander, Viper muttered. "That one too."
Nova's eyes gleamed with cold greed.
"Looks like we're lucky today," she said, her voice low and smooth. "Rare Pokémon are coming to us on their own."
Meowscarada and Lopunny didn't wait for a command. They already knew their roles.
The battle exploded into motion.
"Rhydon, Horn Attack! Golem, Rock Smash, now!" Nova commanded, her eyes locked on Meowscarada.
Both Pokémon lunged at once.
Rhydon charged like a ten thousand-pound avalanche of rock and muscle, the ground shaking beneath its pounding feet, horn lowered for a devastating pierce. "Rhydon!" it roared.
At the same instant, Golem rolled forward, building terrifying speed, a living boulder spinning toward the same spot. "Golem!" it bellowed.
Meowscarada didn't stand her ground. She simply wasn't there when the attacks converged.
She vanished in a blur of green and pink, coat whipping as she reappeared ten feet to the side, untouched.
Rhydon's horn slammed into empty earth with a bone-jarring thud, kicking up a spray of dirt.
Golem uncurled right after, massive rocky fists hammering down in a thunderous smash.
The impact exploded outward. Dirt flew in a wide spray, the ground shuddering as spiderweb cracks raced across the hard-packed earth, deep fissures splitting the surface in a perfect circle around the fresh crater.
Dust hung thick in the air, slowly settling over the shattered ground.
Meowscarada stood ready amid the haze, pink eyes gleaming, completely unscathed. "Nyaa!" she called, a sharp, confident cry.
"Gengar, Shadow Ball from above! Don't let it get away!"
Gengar twisted its smoky body and conjured a swirling ball of dark purple energy, a Shadow Ball.
It launched the attack, which screamed through the air toward Meowscarada. "Gengar!" it hissed.
"Ralts, support! Confusion, now!" Viper ordered.
At the same moment, the Ralts's horn glowed pink. A visible wave of force slammed toward Meowscarada. "Ralts..." it whimpered weakly.
A heavy stone hurtled from the bushes and smashed into Nova's already-injured arm.
"Ah!" she cried out, stumbling as fresh blood soaked her sleeve.
Another rock flew toward Viper.
She twisted at the last second, dodging narrowly, and barked at the Ralts, "Protect me, now!"
The Ralts' horn glowed weakly, a shaky barrier flickering up just as more rocks rained in from the darkness.
The sudden barrage of stones broke the enemies' focus completely.
Lopunny circled quickly behind Rhydon while Meowscarada drew Gengar's attention upward.
That split-second distraction was all Meowscarada needed.
Her eyes flashed with dark energy. She thrust her claws forward, and a wave of crackling black-purple force, a powerful Dark Pulse, erupted from her paws.
"Meoww!" she cried fiercely.
It slammed into Gengar in the chest while the ghost was distracted.
Gengar shrieked, its shadowy form flickering wildly as the attack blasted it backward through the air.
"Gengaaar!"
At the same time, Lopunny leaped high, spun mid-air, and drove her foot down in a devastating High Jump Kick.
"Lopun!" she shouted, voice determined.
The strike connected with Golem's stony chin with a sound like a gunshot. The impact sent the massive rock creature tumbling end-over-end, crashing hard into the ground. "Golem!" it groaned.
"Rhydon, forget the bunny! Continue to Focus on the cat, use Megahorn!" Nova commanded, her voice sharp with frustration as she tried to regain control.
Rhydon roared in fury and pivoted, horn glowing as it charged straight at Meowscarada. "Rhy!"
But Lopunny darted in from the side like a blur, delivering a rapid flurry of stinging punches and kicks to Rhydon's legs and flank, Feint Attack at full speed.
"Lopun! Lopun!" she called with each strike.
The blows rang out loudly against its armor, throwing off its balance and forcing the charge to falter.
Nova clutched her bleeding arm, stumbling back as panic finally cracked her cool facade.
"Viper, retreat! They're too strong, and someone's helping them. Those rocks from the bushes..."
Viper nodded sharply. Both women scrambled toward their jeep.
As they ran, they pulled out their Poke Balls to withdraw their Pokémon.
Red light flashed.
Golem vanished into its ball.
Rhydon disappeared next.
Viper reached desperately for Gengar's and Ralts' Poké Balls.
At that moment, I spotted the black Poké Ball in Viper's hand. She was trying to withdraw her Ralts.
I reacted instantly. "Meowscarada, now!"
Nova and Viper whipped around at the sound of my voice.
Their eyes widened in shock.
"You!" Nova snarled.
Finally seeing the face of the hidden attacker who'd been hurling rocks at them.
And this Pokémon... it must be his.
But it was too late...
Meowscarada reacted in an instant.
Her form blurred with speed as she lunged forward.
"Nyaa!" she cried sharply.
Claws extending in a flash of dark energy.
Night Slash, channeled at full power straight toward the Black Poké Ball in Viper's hand.
Meowscarada's strike connected with a violent crack.
The blade-like energy sliced clean through the ball's casing.
It shattered in a burst of red sparks and fragmented metal.
Sharp shards flew outward.
Several slicing across Viper's fingers and palm as she gripped the broken halves.
Thin lines of blood welled up instantly.
The recall beam flickered weakly.
Pulling Ralts only halfway into red light before the device fizzled completely with a dying pop.
The little Pokémon dropped back to the ground.
Landing in a limp heap.
Viper staggered.
Clutching her bleeding hand close to her chest.
"No! The ball..." she shouted.
Already scrambling into the jeep.
She turned her head.
Eyes blazing with raw anger.
"What have you done?!"
Nova gripped the wheel, face twisted in fury.
"We don't have time! Retreat!"
The jeep engine roared to life.
Viper barked one last command.
"Ralts, Use Psychic! Destroy them all... go all out!"
Ralts horn flared bright pink.
"Ralts...!" it whimpered.
A massive wave of psychic force erupted outward.
Rippling visibly through the air like a shockwave.
It slammed into everything in range.
Raw, crushing mental and physical pressure that hit like a hammer.
Its small body trembling as the power intensified.
Pink energy crackled around it.
Lifting rocks and debris into the air.
Hurling them in wild arcs.
The wave grew stronger.
Shoving everything away in a chaotic storm of psychic fury.
Seeing the situation turning dangerous, the swirling pink energy growing wilder, Lopunny and Meowscarada still close to the center of the storm, I acted fast.
"Return, now!" I yelled.
My hands snapped to my belt.
Fingers closing firmly around their Poké Balls.
I pulled them free in one swift motion.
Pointed towards them
Red beams shot out.
Pulling Meowscarada and Lopunny back just as another pulse ripped through the air.
I was instantly thrown off my feet.
My body slammed hard into a tree trunk.
A heavy thud echoed through the clearing as my back hit the bark..
The blast didn't spare anyone close.
Dr. Seymour, still dazed on the ground nearby, was hurled several feet across the dirt.
Tumbling with a pained groan.
Even loose rocks and branches skittered away like leaves in a storm.
Raw, crushing mental and physical pressure wrapped around everything like invisible chains...
Nova and Viper had already jumped into their jeep.
The engine roared to life.
They floored the accelerator.
Tires spinning furiously as they sped away into the forest.
Leaving only a trail of dust and Ralts behind.
The clearing fell into an eerie silence.
Broken only by Ralts' cries.
I pushed myself up slowly.
Every movement fought against the lingering psychic weight pressing down on my body.
My head throbbed.
My limbs felt heavy...
But I forced my eyes open.
And I watched in horror.
Ralts floated slightly above the ground.
Its tiny face twisted in agony.
Pink energy flickered wildly around it.
Too much... too uncontrolled.
If this kept up, it would tear itself apart from the inside.
I was close.
Close enough to feel the heat of the psychic storm on my skin.
But I had to get closer.
I pushed myself up from the dirt.
My body screamed in protest.
Every muscle aching from the earlier blast.
"Ralts, stop! You're safe now!" I called.
My voice cracked against the humming air.
I took a step forward.
The pressure hit me immediately.
Like walking into a wall of water.
Invisible force shoving at my chest.
My feet dragged.
Sliding back half a step for every one I gained...
I clenched my jaw.
Lowered my shoulder.
Pushed harder.
Another step.
Then another.
I kept going...
The air grew thicker.
Heavier.
My lungs burned with every strained breath.
Pink light pulsed brighter.
Waves rolling out in rhythm with Ralts' pained whimpers.
Each pulse slammed into me.
Knocking me back slightly.
Forcing me to brace..
To dig my heels in and fight for every inch...
Sweat stung my eyes.
My legs trembled under the strain.
But I refused to stop.
Not now.
Not when it was suffering right in front of me.
Its horn pulsed erratically.
Wilder with every passing second.
The energy crackled louder.
Debris whipped past me.
A rock grazed my arm.
Drawing a thin line of blood.
I didn't care.
One more step.
Then another.
The pressure crushed down harder.
Trying to force me to my knees...
My vision blurred at the edges.
But I dropped low.
Crawled the last few feet on hands and knees.
Dirt grinding into my palms.
Fingertips scraping the earth.
Until I reached it.
Finally.
Close enough.
I held Ralts.
My arms wrapped around its tiny body.
Pulling it tight against my chest.
The moment I did, a fresh wave of psychic force surged.
Directly into me.
Like an iron grip clamping around my ribs.
Squeezing.
Harder.
Harder.
As if trying to crack my bones from the inside.
My breath caught.
Vision tunneling for a second.
It felt like my chest was being crushed.
Every rib protesting.
Threatening to snap under the relentless pressure...
But I didn't let go.
I held tighter.
Warm against my shirt.
I lowered my gaze.
Spotting the thin black collar around its neck. The source of all this pain. The cruel device that amplified its suffering.
With a surge of determination, I grabbed the collar. My hands burning from the sharp psychic feedback.
It was strong.
But I twisted hard.
Channeling all my strength until it snapped with a sharp crack.
"It's okay," I whispered.
Dropping pulling the small Pokémon into a gentle hug. "You're free. No more fighting. Just breathe... you're not alone anymore."
Ralts' body tensed one last time. Then slowly relaxed in my arms.
The pink glow fading.
It let out a final, soft whimper before going limp.
Unconscious but finally at peace. I held it close to my chest...
I don't know where I was.
Everything was dark.
An endless void pressing in from all sides.
Cold.
Heavy.
Then I heard it.
A small, broken cry echoing through the darkness.
"Ralts... Ralts..."
The sound pierced straight into my heart.
I could feel it.
Not just hear it.
Feel it.
The terror.
The pain.
The endless loop of fear and confusion.
Flashes of harsh lights.
Cold metal.
The little Pokémon curled up in the dark.
Crying.
Alone.
I reached out.
Wanted to say something.
Anything.
Before I could, familiar voices cut through the darkness.
"Lopun...!"
"Nyaa...!"
Soft.
Worried.
Calling me back.
I opened my eyes.
The real world rushed in slowly.
First the light, soft sunlight.
Then the faces.
Meowscarada and Lopunny were right there, leaning over me, their expressions inches from mine.
Meowscarada's bright pink eyes shimmered with worry, almost watery, the black mask pattern making her look even more anxious as her ears twitched nervously.
Lopunny's long ears drooped low, cream tips brushing the ground, her big brown eyes glistening with unshed tears, wide and full of fear.
The moment they saw my eyes open, they moved at once.
Meowscarada pressed forward first.
She licked my cheek gently, over and over, warm and reassuring.
A soft, relieved "Nyaa..." rumbled in her throat, low and trembling.
Lopunny wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me into a warm hug.
She nuzzled against my shoulder, her fluffy cream fur soft against my skin.
"Lopun... Lopun..." she murmured, voice thick with emotion, almost breaking.
Both of them crowded close.
Licking.
Nuzzling.
Holding.
Like they needed to make sure I was really okay, really here.
I smiled weakly.
Lifted my hands to gently stroke their fur.
"Hey... hey, you two..."
I chuckled softly, voice still rough.
"I'm fine. Really. Calm down..."
They eased back just a little.
But stayed close.
Watching me carefully, ears perked now, eyes still shining with relief.
Only then did I feel it.
The small weight against my chest.
Warm.
Still.
I looked down.
And there it was.
Ralts.
Nestled safely against my chest, small body curled in my arms.
Unconscious.
But breathing steadily, soft and even.
The nightmare gone.
For now, at least.
As I sat up slowly, I felt it, a faint tremble running through the Ralts.
Not just the aftershock of exhaustion.
Its tiny body twitched.
Short, shaky breaths came faster, like it was trapped in a bad dream it couldn't escape.
I shifted carefully, cradling it closer.
"Hey... Ralts," I whispered, voice low and worried. "Wake up. It's over. You're safe."
I gently stroked its smooth pink head.
Nothing.
No response.
Just that quiet trembling, growing a little stronger.
Meowscarada leaned in, eyes full of concern.
She let out a soft "Nyaa..." and nuzzled Ralts' cheek gently, trying to comfort it.
Lopunny joined from the other side, her long ears drooping with worry.
She hummed a low "Lopuu..." and rested a paw on its back, rubbing slow circles.
But the Ralts didn't stir.
It kept on trembling, small body quivering with quick, shallow breaths, like it was lost in a nightmare it couldn't wake from.
"Uuuugh...!"
A loud groan from nearby drew my attention.
Dr. Seymour stirred.
He pushed himself up slowly from the ground, still on his knees, one hand pressed to his temple, face pale and drawn.
He blinked hard, squinting at the blurry shapes around him.
"Where... where are my glasses?"
His voice was weak, confused, as he patted the dirt near him with his hand, searching blindly.
Lopunny's long ears perked up at the sound.
She tilted her head, then spotted the glasses lying a few feet away in the dirt.
She walked over quietly, picked them up gently with her paws, and brought them back to him.
She held them out with a soft, polite "Lopuu...".
Dr. Seymour took them, smiling gratefully.
"Thank you," he said, voice still shaky as he slipped them on.
Only then did he look up properly at Lopunny.
His eyes widened behind the lenses.
He froze for a moment, gaze traveling slowly upward, taking in her tall form standing over him, the fluffy cream fur on her legs and wrists, the long ears, the gentle expression.
He had never seen Pokémon like her before.
He turned slowly to me, holding the unconscious Ralts against my chest, then at Meowscarada beside me, then back to Lopunny.
"Those Pokémon..." he murmured, wonder mixing with his exhaustion. "I've never seen anything like them before."
His eyes widened at the sight of Meowscarada and Lopunny.
He adjusted his glasses with a trembling hand, pushing them up the bridge of his nose.
"And... you saved me and this Ralts from Team Rocket?"
I stood carefully, still cradling the Ralts gently against my chest.
"Yes"
"I'm Ryan, a Pokémon researcher. These are my partners: Meowscarada and Lopunny. I was heading into the cave when I saw Team Rocket and this Ralts..."
I couldn't hold back.
Dr. Seymour nodded slowly, dusting off his coat.
"So you managed to drive them off?"
I shook my head. "No. There are still some members trapped in there."
I pointed at the blocked entrance, boulders piled high in a chaotic wall of rock and dust.
"I think we should head to Pewter City and inform Officer Jenny about this."
I glanced down at the unconscious Ralts in my arms, its small body still and fragile..
"And I need to take this Ralts to the Pokémon Center as soon as possible."
Dr. Seymour followed my gaze to the little Pokémon.
His expression softened, sadness flickering across his face as he took in its limp form and the broken collar fragments scattered nearby.
"You're right, young man. We can't let them get away with this."
He straightened up as best he could, brushing dirt from his sleeves with slow, deliberate movements.
"I'm Seymour, a scientist. Research is my life... but protecting these caves and the Pokémon inside matters more."
He looked at the sealed entrance one last time, then back at me with quiet determination.
"Let's go."
"The sooner we report this, the sooner we can make sure they're stopped for good."
I nodded, cradling the Ralts a little closer.