It had been five hours since Rex, Daisy, and Gary had raided the abandoned Power Plant.
The chaos had settled.
The sirens were gone.
The adrenaline had faded.
But the weight of what was lost still lingered.
Inside the Vermilion City Pokémon Center, Daisy stood near a quiet corner, holding up a video phone. On the screen was Professor Oak, his usual calm expression present—but his eyes carried concern.In his hand was a Poké Ball recently transferred.
"The Rotom Gary caught arrived safely," Oak said, lifting the Poké Ball slightly. "Thank you for that. This will help a lot with the project."
Daisy nodded. "Yeah… Gary caught it before he left."
Oak's gaze softened. "And the situation at the Power Plant?"
Daisy straightened slightly. "All the Team Rocket grunts and scientists were arrested. Officer Jenny handled it personally. They're all in jail now."
She hesitated.
"But…" Oak prompted gently.
"But Team Rocket still escaped with Zapdos."
Oak closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled slowly.
"I see," he said. "Then tell me, Daisy… how is Rex taking it?"
Daisy's grip on the phone tightened.
"He… blames himself," she admitted. "A lot."
Oak remained silent, letting her speak.
"He thinks he got arrogant," Daisy continued. "All the fame, the attention, the praise after defeating Executive Proton… it went to his head. He keeps saying Proton was the weakest executive, and that he let that victory fool him."
She looked away, her brows knitting together.
"He believes that if he had moved faster… if he had chosen the right transformation… if he had helped Zapdos sooner…"
Her voice lowered.
"…Zapdos wouldn't have been captured."
Oak sighed deeply.
"Rex is still young," he said. "Very young."
Daisy looked back at the screen.
"He can't decide the value of every action on his own shoulders. He lacks experience—not strength. And mistakes are inevitable when someone walks a path like his."
Oak's expression turned resolute.
"I will send someone to him," he said. "Someone who can help guide him. Someone who understands the weight he's trying to carry."
Daisy blinked. "You're sending… someone?"
"Yes," Oak replied. "Even with the Poketrix, Rex should not be bearing this pressure alone. Not this early."
He paused.
"Until he arrives, try to distract him. Keep his mind from sinking further."
Daisy nodded slowly. "I will."
Oak smiled faintly. "And Gary? Where is he now?"
Daisy exhaled. "He left Vermilion City. Said he wants to get stronger."
Oak raised an eyebrow.
"He felt like he didn't contribute much," Daisy added. "So he went to Lavender Town… to meet Grandma."
Oak's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Agatha will train him well," he said. "And perhaps he'll gain a strong Ghost-type partner along the way."
"That'd suit him," Daisy muttered.
Oak chuckled softly. "Take care of Rex, Daisy."
"I will, Grandpa."
The call ended.
Daisy lowered the phone and let out a long sigh before turning toward the hallway.
'He's been like this ever since...'
She walked down the corridor and quietly opened the door to the room she and Rex were staying in.
Inside, the lights were dim.
Rex sat on his bed, his back pressed against the wall, one knee drawn up. His gaze was locked onto his left wrist.
The Poketrix rested there, silent, fully recharged.
On top of his head, Zorua sat quietly, unusually still, its small paw resting against Rex's hair as if trying to comfort him.
Daisy stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
She walked over and sat down beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Daisy gently patted his arm.
"It's not your fault," she said softly.
Rex didn't look at her.
"But it is," he replied quietly. "What if I had transformed into Regice from the start? A full Blizzard… froze all the grunts before they could even react. Then I could've gone straight to Zapdos."
Daisy flicked his forehead.
"Oi."
Rex blinked and finally looked at her, his blue eyes meeting her brown ones.
"You can't drown yourself in 'what ifs,'" Daisy said firmly. "There are infinite possibilities."
She leaned closer.
"What if your Blizzard had hit the weakened Electric-types and froze them to death?"
"What if you picked the wrong Pokémon and got defeated?"
"What if you reached Zapdos with a fully charged Poketrix… and still couldn't beat that executive?"
Her voice softened, but her eyes stayed sharp.
"By my estimate, that guy was at least Gym Leader, maybe even at the low Elite-tier level."
Rex clenched his fist.
She reached out and gently took his left hand, lifting it so the Poketrix was right in front of him.
"Don't stare at the past," Daisy said. "Look forward."
She tightened her grip slightly.
"What you should think about is how to improve. How to be better than you were yesterday. And then do that… every single day."
Rex stared at the Poketrix.
Then at Daisy.
Then at Zorua—who nodded seriously in agreement.
His eyes widened slightly.
A small, shaky smile formed on his lips as tears welled up.
"…Thank you," he whispered.
Zorua let out a soft cry and pressed closer to his head.
For the first time since the Power Plant—Rex felt like he could breathe again.