Jubilife City's Northern Suburbs, Coastline
Metagross had already calculated all possible escape routes for Hunter D.
It feigned an attempt to destroy Hunter D's armored launcher, but it was actually a diversion.
Metagross had accurately determined that controlling shattered rocks with Psychic would not be sufficient to destroy his launcher.
"Kangaskhan, Drapion, cover the rear!"
Hunter D was decisive, planning to run back to his boat and escape via lifeboat.
"Arcanine, Drakloak, stop them."
At the same time, Lucario, who had gone to rescue Shaymin, returned.
"Lucario!"
"Shaymin!"
With Lucario present, Wayne felt even more confident. "Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
The Drapion and Kangaskhan covering the rear were struck by multiple moves, losing their ability to battle in a violent explosion.
Metagross continuously blocked Hunter D's escape routes with shattered rocks. "Meta!" (Now!)
Hunter D was too busy dodging Metagross's rocks to even notice Dragapult's presence.
Dragapult, which had been floating in midair, suddenly vanished.
Using Phantom Force, Dragapult appeared beside Hunter D in the blink of an eye.
Phantom Force successfully destroyed Hunter D's armored launcher, and Dragapult's tail glowed green once more.
Dragon Tail!
The sound of Dragon Tail tearing through the air echoed across the sea, and Hunter D, who had been about to run back to his boat, flew backward in pain.
Metagross used Heavy Slam.
Hunter D's limbs briefly lifted before falling limply—he had already fainted.
Hunter D, unable to battle!
Wayne's phone rang, and at the same time, siren sounds from both directions gradually approached. The police had arrived.
"It's me, by the coast. Did you see Dragapult?"
"We saw it!"
"Come follow Dragapult. The Pokemon Hunter has been captured. Please come and take him away."
The Officer Jenny wearing a Bluetooth earpiece was stunned.
"Huh?!"
This time, Wayne's report was taken very seriously by the police, with both Floaroma Town and Jubilife City police stations dispatching officers.
Arcanine, Pidgeot, Staraptor... even Blastoise appeared, demonstrating how seriously the police station regarded the situation.
Before Officer Jenny and the others arrived, Wayne had Metagross and the others guard the Pokemon Hunters.
Meanwhile, he began treating Shaymin's injuries.
[Name]: Shaymin (Land Forme)
[Type]: Grass
[Ability]: Natural Cure (When returned to the party, status conditions will heal naturally.)
[Moves]: Synthesis, Magical Leaf...
[Strength Rating]: Veteran Beginner
[Status]: Severely injured (Exhausted, burnt on the right side of the body, abrasion on the right lower leg...)
The effect of Intermediate Appraisal began to show its value.
"So severely injured."
Wayne retrieved a bottle of Moomoo Milk from his backpack, inserted a straw, and said, "Drink this first. It's for restoring stamina."
"Shaymin~"
Shaymin, cradled in Lucario's arms, drank the Moomoo Milk in small sips.
"Here, have a few Oran Berry Cubes too."
One bottle of Moomoo Milk and several perfect-quality Oran Berry Cubes resolved the exhaustion problem.
"Shaymin!"
Shaymin's tone was much more spirited now.
Wayne then retrieved a bottle of Burn Heal Spray.
"Here, it might feel a bit cool, so bear with it, okay?"
"Shaymin~"
(I... I can endure it!)
Shaymin closed its eyes, its brows slightly furrowed.
(It's okay.)
Lucario gently stroked Shaymin's back.
Finally, Wayne bandaged Shaymin's hind leg.
"What happened? The boat is so severely damaged?"
"This one is critically injured."
The Hunter who had been struck head-on by Lucario's Bone Rush had a completely broken nose and barely any teeth remaining.
"A shiny Metagross, Lucario..."
"Oh no, it seems to be Wayne!"
"Is he okay?!"
"He's bandaging Shaymin, so he should be fine."
The momentarily flustered police officers quietly breathed sighs of relief, but Wayne was focused on bandaging Shaymin and didn't notice.
All eight Pokemon Hunters were taken into custody by the police.
Since this area fell under Jubilife City's jurisdiction, they were escorted by Jubilife City police.
However, Floaroma Town police would also provide escort support.
The Officer Jennys from Jubilife City and Floaroma Town temporarily remained at the scene, though Wayne couldn't distinguish them at all.
Equally beautiful, equally young, equally green curly hair, equally tall, equally... relatives.
They were cousins.
Their genes were truly remarkable.
He could, however, distinguish them by the badges on their hats. Different towns had different badges.
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Wayne."
Wayne was startled. "You know me?"
The Jubilife City Officer Jenny maintained a serious demeanor.
"Chief Zorro introduced you, because of Arcanine."
The Floaroma Town Officer Jenny smiled playfully.
"I even saw you on Eevee Video Network!"
"I see."
What Wayne didn't know was that after he took over Arcanine's care, his photo had spread throughout all police stations in the Sinnoh region.
Chief Zorro of the Jubilife City Police Headquarters had emphasized that nothing must happen to Wayne.
The Chief of the Jubilife City Police Headquarters was essentially the head of all Jubilife City police, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say he wielded vast influence.
"Excuse me, what is this..." The Jubilife City Officer Jenny had never seen this unusual Pokemon held by Lucario.
The Floaroma Town Officer Jenny immediately replied, "Shaymin."
The Jubilife City Officer Jenny asked in surprise, "You know it?"
The Floaroma Town Officer Jenny reached out and stroked Shaymin's head. "I've seen it in the flower fields of Floaroma Town!"
"Shaymin!"
Shaymin clearly recognized Officer Jenny as well.
"Are your injuries alright?"
"Shaymin~"
"That's good."
After confirming Shaymin was stable, a problem arose. The Jubilife City Officer Jenny asked, "What should we do with Shaymin now?"
The Floaroma Town Officer Jenny suggested, "How about I take it back to the flower fields in Floaroma Town?"
"Lucario."
(It's still injured.)
Wayne looked at Shaymin in Lucario's arms.
"I want to temporarily take it back for treatment. As for future arrangements, we can discuss them later."
This Shaymin's strength was simply insufficient to protect itself. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been pursued all the way here by the Pokemon Hunters.
The Jubilife City Officer Jenny nodded. "That's acceptable. You have a Pokemon Center there anyway."
If it were anyone else proposing such a thing, the two Officer Jennys would most likely not agree.
However, Wayne was someone Chief Zorro had specifically ordered to protect.
He was also assisting in the treatment of their comrade Arcanine.
And he had even cared for Cynthia's Garchomp.
By all accounts, Wayne was the most suitable person.
The Jubilife City Officer Jenny nodded. "Then I'll leave it in your care. I'll drive you back."
"Okay, thank you all."
"I'm coming too!"
The Jubilife City Officer Jenny glanced at the Floaroma Town Officer Jenny.
The Floaroma Town Officer Jenny remained unconcerned.
"Anyway, everyone else has temporarily gone to the Jubilife City police station! Shaymin also needs protection."
"Woof!"
Arcanine expressed agreement.
The Jubilife City Officer Jenny sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead.
"I really can't win against you two."
On Wayne's way home,
[Side Quest: All Caught in One Net, completed. Reward...]