----
Dinner was over. The storm had passed both in the sky and in their hearts.
After bidding Kai and Gengar goodnight, Erika, Ash, Misty, and Brock dragged themselves off to bed, barely able to stifle their yawns. They had earned their rest.
But Kai?
Kai had one more thing to do.
---
It was nearly 1 a.m. The Pokémon Center was silent.
He walked the empty corridors beside Gengar, their footsteps echoing quietly in the stillness. Not a soul stirred. Every other trainer in the building was asleep, resting for the journey ahead.
Kai, on the other hand, made his way to the front desk summoned by the intercom. Nurse Joy had just informed him that the Pokémon he'd submitted for treatment had finally recovered.
As he approached, Joy greeted him with a tired smile, dark circles beneath her eyes. Still, she radiated that familiar professionalism he'd come to admire.
"Mr. Kai," she said softly. "Your Pokémon are ready."
She passed him a tray with four Ultra Balls and one standard Poké Ball.
The Ultra Balls contained the Three Legendary Birds and Suicune. The Poké Ball? His trusted Charizard.
"Sorry to trouble you this late," Kai said.
"It's no trouble," she replied, waving it off. "This is my job, after all. Trainers arrive at all hours it comes with the territory."
He nodded, but the truth was obvious.
She was exhausted.
Still, she'd done her work without complaint. That kind of dedication deserved respect.
As he returned the Poké Balls to his belt, Kai did a quick mental count. Twelve Pokémon his team was once again full.
Four of those twelve were Legendaries.
Even after Professor Cerise raised the party limit, he still felt like it wasn't enough.
One day, he thought, I'll need to head back to Cerise Park to reshuffle the lineup.
As he turned to leave, he noticed Nurse Joy quietly watching him, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Hours ago, when he'd first handed over those Poké Balls, she hadn't thought much of it.
But once she entered the treatment chamber and scanned what was inside...
She froze.
Four Legendary Pokémon.
Not one. Not two. Four.
In all her time stationed here at Greenfield, a hub for hikers and trainers alike, she'd never seen anyone with even one Legendary.
And now this mysterious young man had casually dropped off four for routine treatment.
Joy said nothing. But she knew the truth:
The battle at the Crystal Tower?
That wasn't some illusion conjured by the Unown.
It had been real.
A clash between real Legendary Pokémon.
And the one at the center of it all?
Was him.
She smiled faintly as he disappeared down the corridor.
Let the news say what they want.
Let this become a legend.
But those who knew knew:
Greenfield had witnessed something extraordinary.
---
The next morning, Kai rose late.
By the time he got to the dining hall, Ash and the others were already packing up.
"You call this early?" Ash teased, raising an eyebrow. "It's nearly 9 a.m.! We've been waiting forever!"
"Sorry," Kai muttered, stifling a yawn as he slumped into the seat. "Didn't crash until late."
He blinked and looked around.
"Wait... where's Professor Oak and your mom?"
Ash shrugged. "Professor Oak left early with John—they're heading back to the manor to study the area."
"And my mom? She's already gone home to Pallet Town," he added, then smiled sheepishly. "She told me to learn from you."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Learn from me? About what?"
Ash scratched his cheek. "You know. Legendary Pokémon... being cool... that kind of thing."
Kai chuckled.
If only she knew how many Legendaries you've already met by sheer dumb luck...
Erika nudged a sandwich and some milk toward him. It was cold, but it had clearly been saved for him.
"Thanks," he said, wolfing it down in a few quick bites.
Soon, the others picked up their bags. It was time to go.
Time to say goodbye.
But this time, Misty didn't seem sad.
Not because she didn't care.
But because she knew—
They'd see each other again.
Soon.
"Take care," Erika said with a smile.
"See you next time!" Ash and Brock waved.
Kai and Erika turned west.
Ash and his friends turned north.
Two paths.
This time, they didn't need Charizard to carry them. No more teleporting or rushing through danger.
Just a quiet road beneath their feet.
Kai glanced back once.
The Pokémon Center had already vanished behind a curve in the trail.
The sun was warm.
And now, without the crystal towers to block the view, they finally saw it—
Rolling golden hills.
Acres of sunflowers.
Bright. Vibrant. Alive.
Erika's eyes lit up.
No wonder this place is loved by so many girls, she thought.
It's beautiful.
----
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