Days had passed since the chaos…
Our destination, Maiden's Peak, rose slowly on the horizon.
Sunlight spilled across the sea like molten gold, painting soft streaks of rose and amber over the gentle waves.
The glow reflected off the ship's deck, catching my eyes as we drew closer.
I was standing at the railing, the breeze tugging at my hair, feeling the tension tighten in my chest.
Ahead, lies a small coastal town. Behind it, a steep cliff rose sharply, crowned by a lone statue that seemed to wait for someone.
A calm, clear voice echoed across the deck.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have now reached Maiden's Peak. Please remain seated until the vessel is fully secured. Collect your belongings, and thank you for sailing with the M.S. Aqua Wing. Enjoy your visit."
The engines slowed to a quiet hum, then faded into the soft rhythm of water against the hull.
I lingered for a moment longer. The warmth of the sunrise brushed against my face like a quiet promise.
Then I turned.
They were already watching me.
The same way I looked at them.
Quiet. Steady. Filled with something words could not quite hold.
Meowscarada's pink eyes had softened, her tail swaying in slow, idle arcs.
Lopunny stood beside her, relaxed, an easy, genuine smile resting on her lips.
And Gardevoir stood closest. Her calm red gaze never wavered.
We had all recovered.
My body had taken longer. Faint scars still traced across my back where burns and cuts had once torn through flesh. They would fade with time.
But what mattered was them.
They had healed.
Completely.
That alone eased something deep in my chest.
It had only taken them a day, yet even now something lingered behind their eyes. Not pain.
Memory.
Something that they had not fully let go.
I stepped closer.
I reached Gardevoir first. Our hands met naturally.
Meowscarada slipped in at my other side, her paw sliding into my free hand.
Lopunny pressed close from behind, her head resting gently against my shoulder
Without thinking, I shifted slightly, pulling them all closer.
"Let's go," I murmured.
"Nyaaa~♡"
"Lopuuun~♡"
"Voir~♡"
Their voices bubbled up, quick and eager, pulling us all forward.
Together, we gathered our things and stepped off the ship.
The metal dock creaked softly beneath our steps, like the world itself was easing us forward into something new.
…
Meanwhile, somewhere inside the ship, in a dimly lit storage, a shop staff glanced at an empty cage.
"Was there a Pokémon here… or did I just forget?" he muttered, scratching his head.
Low growls and restless shuffles echoed from Team Rocket's abandoned Pokémon, most still safely locked in their cages. They had been left behind when their trainers were captured or ran off.
Cages lined the walls, all intact, all locked, even the empty one was still locked and showed no sign of damage.
The man shrugged and leaned back. "Hmm… probably nothing missing here. Guess the authorities will sort the rest..."
They were handing over all the captured people and Pokémon to the authorities, cage by cage.
And yet… the Flareon, kept in an Fire-proof cage, was gone.
Where it went, or how it escaped, remained a mystery for now. But one thing was clear: it would show up again, somehow, somewhere later...
-<>-
Quick update, everyone!
My exams are starting on June 12th and will continue until June 18th, so chapter releases may slow down quite a bit during that period. There may even be days without updates.
Thank you all for your patience and support. Once my exams are over, I'll be back to updating regularly.