Celadon City Hospital.
A doctor in a white coat stepped out of the operating room, his expression grave.
Armin and Mimikyu had been sitting stiffly on a bench outside. The moment the door opened, Armin shot to his feet.
"Are you the girl's guardian?" the doctor asked.
"I'm her older brother," Armin replied without hesitation. "How is she?"
The doctor sighed and shook his head.
"Her body is undergoing progressive collapse. This is a genetic-level failure. With current medical technology, it's impossible to treat. At this rate… she has at most half a month left."
With that, he turned and left.
Armin stood there in silence, staring up at the sterile white ceiling. For some reason, the sharp scent of disinfectant suddenly felt suffocating.
Mimikyu let out a small sigh. Even its disguise cloth drooped in dejection.
It blinked and gently took hold of Armin's hand.
Armin pressed his lips together, pulled Mimikyu into his arms, and murmured, "Let's go see Amber."
…
Amber had been transferred to a sunlit ward.
She lay quietly on the pristine white hospital bed. The blood on her face had been cleaned away. Warm sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her fragile frame.
She looked like a porcelain doll—beautiful and heartbreakingly delicate.
…
In a dream.
Amber beamed brightly.
"Mewtwo! Brother came to see me again today!"
In the darkness, a pair of violet eyes lifted.
When Mewtwo saw her, its gaze softened.
"You don't look well," it said quietly.
Amber's little face fell.
"I don't know why… but I feel like I'm going to die soon. And I haven't even gone to see the ocean with Brother yet."
Mewtwo tilted its head.
"Die? What does that mean?"
Amber thought carefully.
"Die means… you'll never wake up again. If I die, you won't be able to see me anymore. We won't be able to talk like this."
Mewtwo's expression changed instantly.
-----
At that same moment—
Inside a Team Rocket aircraft marked with their emblem—
A violent surge of psychic energy exploded through the cabin.
Seats shattered.
Loose equipment was ripped apart and hurled through the air.
In the cockpit, Ariana sensed the disturbance and rushed to the rear cabin.
"What's happening?" Giovanni's calm voice crackled through the communicator.
Ariana's face had gone pale.
"Boss… the Mewtwo clone has suddenly gone berserk. The cause is unknown!"
Giovanni frowned.
"Administer the suppressants immediately. We just need to hold it together until we reach New Island."
Researchers scrambled into action.
Soon, the restrained Mewtwo clone fell quiet once more.
The forced suppression disrupted its psychic link—
And the consciousness connected to Amber was abruptly severed.
In the hospital ward—
Amber's eyes snapped open.
"Brother?"
Armin turned immediately.
"You're awake. Hungry? Thirsty?"
Amber shook her head and curiously looked around.
"This is the hospital," Armin explained gently. "We made it out."
Right on cue, Mimikyu hopped onto the bed holding a pink Pecha Berry, offering it to her.
"Thank you!" Amber smiled and gently patted Mimikyu's head before taking a bite.
Sweet juice spread across her tongue. The hydration and glucose restored a faint flush to her pale cheeks.
Seeing that she was stable—for now—Armin finally relaxed slightly.
He left Mimikyu to keep her company and headed downstairs to buy food.
…
There was a snack street beneath the hospital.
Food for humans. Food for Pokémon.
Expensive—but convenient.
Armin bought mango sticky rice for himself.
For Mimikyu, he purchased something that looked suspiciously like culinary war crime stew.
The vendor swore it was a specialty beloved by all Ghost-type Pokémon.
Armin, being from another world, strongly suspected he was being scammed.
But he had no proof.
So he carried the takeout and headed back.
And then—
He saw Officer Jenny.
She had been patrolling with her Growlithe.
Her eyesight? A flawless 5.1.
It took her exactly one glance to lock onto the young man standing across the street.
Armin watched in horror as Growlithe bolted toward him like an overexcited Yamper—
With Jenny sprinting behind, already dialing her phone.
She skidded to a stop in front of him, hung up, and glared.
"I've notified Lance. This time you're not slipping away!"
Armin: …
Why did this feel like he was the criminal?
-----
Thirty minutes later.
Officer Jenny.
The Dragon Master Lance.
And Armin.
Sat in Amber's hospital room.
Staring at each other.
Lance had originally been preparing to leave Celadon and report to League Headquarters.
But upon hearing that the sole surviving investigator had been located—
He had literally jumped off the aircraft.
And flown back on Dragonite at full speed.
Armin set down his food and asked awkwardly, "So… you're planning to hold a memorial service for the fallen investigators?"
Lance nodded solemnly.
"Some people may die—but their fearless spirit lives on. We cannot let their sacrifice be meaningless. That is our duty."
Armin: …
He suddenly really wanted to see Floyd, Rento, and Hannah's reactions if they ever heard about this.
Lance studied Armin's expression and continued.
"Not just them. You too. You infiltrated Team Rocket at great personal risk and delivered crucial intelligence. You've rendered tremendous service to the League."
He leaned forward.
"Tell me. What reward do you want? We will do everything in our power to grant it."
Armin paused mid-bite.
"Really?"
"Of course," Lance replied confidently. "Money? A promotion?"
Armin genuinely considered it.
Money and items from this world couldn't be taken out of the instance.
So both options were meaningless.
That left only one possibility.
He shook his head.
"I don't want either."
Lance's eyes lit up.
A brave, upright, intelligent investigator who wasn't greedy for wealth or status?
He was practically glowing with approval.
"Then what do you want? A plane? A yacht? If the League refuses, I'll buy it for you myself!"
Armin looked him straight in the eye.
"I want a Dragonite."
The room fell silent.
Even Mimikyu froze mid-chew.
Lance blinked.
"…You want what?"