He looked furious.

  Behind him, something enormous shifted.

  A broad, orange figure stepped forward, its wings folding with a low, steady rumble.

  The Dragonite stood by Oak's side, its tail swaying slowly, eyes fixed on the downed Charizard with calm, absolute authority.

  The Charizard rose slowly, shaking off the loose rocks clinging to its

  body. It lowered its head instead, smoke still curling from its nostrils, its chest heaving. The rage that had filled the cavern moments ago bled away under that gaze, replaced by a more reluctant awareness.

  Gary made a small sound beside me.

  "G-Grandpa…"

  The word came out half-whispered, half-choked. Relief and nerves tangled in his voice.

  Oak turned, and the fury in his face softened immediately when he saw the boys—Ash hunched and shaking, Gary clutching his burned hand, both dirty, scraped, and terrified but alive.

  Oak closed his eyes for a moment.

  "Thank Mew," he murmured so quietly I almost missed it. His shoulders loosened just a fraction. "You're alright."

  Gary nodded quickly. Ash swallowed hard, staring at the ground.

  Oak's gaze shifted, To me.

  There was something heavier in his gaze then, a look I hadn't really seen from him before.

  "Thank you," he said, and there was real weight behind his words.

  I didn't answer right away. I was too busy steadying my breath, forcing my hands to stop shaking.

  Caesar swayed beside me.

  I leaned near him, trying to put an arm around his shoulder to keep him upright, but I failed. Blood matted the scales on his shoulder, dark, hot, and slick. He was breathing hard, jaw clenched, his eyes locked on the elder Dragonite with awe and fear.

  I followed his gaze for a heartbeat, then looked back down at him.

  "Easy, buddy," I murmured. "You did good. Get some rest for now." I reached down to his Poké Ball and returned him in a flash of red light to keep him in semi-stasis.

  Oak watched our exchange closely.

  Then he turned to the towering dragon at his side.

  "Dragonit, go calm down, Ember," Oak said quietly.

  The Dragonite stepped forward.

  The Charizard snarled weakly, pushing itself up, its wings spreading with effort. For a moment, I thought it might try to flee, or fight again.

  The Dragonite didn't move quickly.

  It didn't need to.

  A low, resonant sound rolled from its chest, a deep roar carrying a deeper intent.

  The Charizard Ember froze.

  Its wings faltered. The tension bled out of its body like air from a punctured balloon. With a frustrated growl, it launched itself skyward instead, limping deeper into the cavern mouth, disappearing into the darkness.

  Only when it was gone did I realize how tightly I had been holding my breath.

  Alakazam drifted closer, psychic light gathering faintly around its spoons. Oak nodded once.

  I felt it a heartbeat before it happened.

  The pressure. The pull. The world folded.

  The cavern, the night air, the sea wind gone.

  For a split second, there was nothing but motion and light, my thoughts stretched thin like taffy...

  Then we were standing in the lab.

  The transition hit hard.

  Bright lights hit me as we landed on clean floors. The low hum of machinery replacing the roar of the ocean.

  I stumbled, catching myself just before I fell.

  Hands reached out.

  "Kids...!"

  "Get medical...!"

  Researchers rushed toward us, voices sharp with alarm when they saw Ash and Gary with us.

  Oak moved immediately.

  "Ethan, bring a doctor for Gary now," he said to one of the staff, already kneeling beside Gary.

  Gary winced, trying to pull his hand back. Oak caught it gently but firmly.

  "We'll talk later," Oak said quietly, meeting his grandson's eyes. "Be glad you're here to talk at all."

  Gary swallowed and nodded.

  I stepped forward. "Professor... my Pokémon. They need medical attention. Now."

  Oak didn't hesitate.

  He straightened and nodded once, sharply. "Of course."

  One of the senior researchers, a woman in a long white coat was already approaching, her eyes flicking over me practiced precision.

  "This way," she said. "We'll put them in healing stasis until we get Nurse Joy to come here."

  Relief hit me so hard my knees almost gave out.

  Ash hovered awkwardly at my side, guilt written all over his face. "I... I want to go with Arata," he said quietly. "If that's okay."

  Oak sighed, rubbing his forehead.

  "Are you sure you're alright Ash ?" At Ash's nod, he continued after a moment. "If you're sure."

  He looked back at me. "I'll notify the search teams. And I'll call Delia as well."

  I nodded, managing a tired smile. "Thank you, Professor."

  He gave a brief nod in return, already turning away, his voice low as he started issuing orders into his comm.

  "Come on, kiddo," I said, looking down at Ash after a moment. "You can come with me."

  Ash hesitated, then nodded, shuffling closer like a kid who'd finally realized how close he'd come to something bad.

  I followed the researcher down the corridor, Ash trailing just behind me. The lab felt different at night, with only the essential people still around, dimmer lights, and fewer staff. Even most Pokémon at the lab were asleep, except for the nocturnal ones.

  We reached a medical room set off from the main corridor. Glass walls, thick doors, equipment lining the sides; the tension in my chest loosened a bit at the sight of the medical equipment, this wasn't a Pokémon Center, but it was close enough for now.

  The researcher stopped and turned. "Here," she said gently.

  Her name badge read Kailey.

  She raised both hands slightly, palms open, her eyes flicking to my belt. "I'll take them."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  I swallowed and unclipped Caesar's Poké Ball first, then Livia's, thinking about how close they had come to being seriously injured or even dying. My fingers lingered for half a second on each before I placed them in her hands.

  Kailey moved with practiced ease, slotting the balls into a large stasis machine mounted against the wall. The device hummed as she adjusted the settings, translucent panels lighting up with scrolling vitals.

  "They'll stay here until the nurses arrive," she said without looking up. "Once they're stabilized, they'll be transferred to the Pokémon Center for full treatment."

  I nodded. "I'll stay."

  She glanced back at me, a small smile softening her tired expression. "Good. That's what you must do as a trainer."

  After a few more adjustments, she stepped back, gave the machine one last check, and turned toward the door. "Someone will be with you shortly."

  Then she paused, looking between me and Ash. "Try to rest, both of you."

  And with that, she left, the door sliding shut behind her.

  The room felt too big all of a sudden.

  Ash stood near the wall, hands shoved into his pockets, eyes glued to the floor. His shoulders were hunched, as if he were bracing for something.

  I exhaled slowly and glanced around. There was a small table in the corner with packaged snacks and drinks, standard lab fare. I grabbed a juice box and a bottle of water, crossed the room, and gently pressed the juice into Ash's hands.

  "Why don't we sit down, Ash?" I said, nodding toward the couch.

  He obeyed without argument, perching on the edge of the cushion. I sat beside him, leaving just enough space so he didn't feel cornered.

  For a moment, neither of us spoke. The stasis machine hummed steadily behind us.

  Finally, I broke the silence.

  "So," I said quietly, "what happened, Ash?"

  He shifted, jaw tightening. "Gary said… Gary said we could go meet his dad's Charizard."

  I blinked. "What?"

  "And that maybe," he added quickly, "maybe we could get Charmanders from him."

  I stared at him, genuinely stunned. "Ash… it doesn't work that way."

  He bristled immediately, shoulders squaring, eyes flashing. "I don't know! Okay? You don't have to yell at me."

  I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. "I'm not yelling."

  "Yeah, well... " He scowled, then looked away. "You're going to. I think."

  I turned toward him fully. "No. I don't know you well enough to yell at you, kid. I'm leaving that to your mom."

  That got his attention.

  He froze, eyes snapping back to me. Then he frowned, lips pressing together. "It's still your fault."

  I stiffened. "My fault?"

  He nodded sharply, mutinous now. "I remember you telling Mom you had Caesar when you were my age and that's why you're strong now. If I had a strong Pokémon, I could be like you. Gary said the Charizard would help. And Charizard is a dragon too!"

  I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

  For a second, I didn't know what to say.

  "That's not..." I started, then stopped, choosing my words carefully. "Ash, Charizards aren't dragons, and that's not how you..."

  I tried to say something, but he looked unconvinced, arms crossed tightly throughout it.

  Before I could say more, the door slammed open.

  "ASH!"

  Delia Ketchum burst into the room.

  She was still in her swimsuit, a robe hastily pulled around her shoulders, her hair damp and wild as if she'd run the entire way here. She crossed the room in three strides and crushed Ash into a fierce hug.

  "Oh my baby," she sobbed, voice breaking. "Do you have any idea... !"

  Ash squeaked, arms pinned. "Mom! I'm fine... I swear!"

  She pulled back just long enough to scan him from head to toe, hands patting his arms, his shoulders, his legs. "You're not burned? Nothing broken?"

  "I'm fine," he insisted, cheeks red.

  She inhaled sharply.

  Then her expression hardened.

  "ASH KETCHUM," she snapped, his name cracking through the air like a whip. "What were you thinking?! Running off into the forest at night? Near a cave? Do you have any idea..."

  I leaned back slightly, letting her have the space. Part of me couldn't help the dry smile tugging at my lips. This… this was a problem Ash had earned.

  She finished, breathless, hands on her hips.

  Then she saw me.

  Her anger flickered, replaced instantly by something softer. She crossed the room again and pulled me into a hug before I could react.

  It was warm and full. Her body pressed close, and I could feel her heart racing against my chest. I froze for half a second, then hugged her back, one hand resting awkwardly between her shoulders and the other at her back.

  "Thank you," she whispered into my ear, her voice thick. "Thank you for bringing him back."

  "Anytime," I murmured, meaning it.

  She pulled back, wiping her eyes, then turned to Ash again. "You're grounded. Forever. We'll discuss specifics later."

  Ash groaned.

  Delia sighed, then looked back at me. "Are you coming home with us?"

  I shook my head. "Not yet. I'm going to the Pokémon Center once they transfer Caesar and Livia."

  Her face tightened with concern. "Are they okay?"

  "They will be," I said firmly. "They fought wonderfully today."

  She nodded slowly, trusting me. Then she grabbed Ash by the wrist and started dragging him toward the door.

  "We're going home, young man," she said to Ash.

  Ash glanced back at me, guilt written all over his face.

  I gave him a small nod. Learn from this.

  After they left, the room felt quiet again.

  Not long after, a nurse arrived, pink hair, gentle smile, calm eyes. She checked the readings, nodded approvingly, and assured me everything was stable before arranging transport.

  Once that was done, I finally headed out.

  Toward the Pokémon Center.