----
After the battle concluded, the group recalled their Pokémon and headed back toward the Pokémon Center, chatting and laughing as they went.
Naturally, the topic turned to Misty's Psyduck and it received high praise from Erika and Marina, who had just seen it in action for the first time.
Compared to most Psyduck, this one was… definitely special.
When Misty casually added, "Oh yeah, by the way, it can't swim," both Erika and Marina nearly fell over.
"Wait… Psyduck can't swim?!" Marina gasped. "Is it just yours, or… is that all Psyduck?"
"No, no," Misty said sheepishly, scratching her cheek. "Just mine, I think…"
Kai listened in silence, amused. Having not given commands during the battle, he had been free to observe everyone's strengths and strategies. He'd mentally noted how much Ash, Brock, Misty, and even Erika had improved.
They'd all grown and matured through travel and experience. Their moves were sharper, their synergy tighter.
If he let up, they really would pass him by.
Back at the Pokémon Center, the group settled in the café with a few drinks but their break was short-lived.
Outside, the sound of engines caught their attention.
Alongside Officer Jenny, Nurse Joy, and John, they walked out to find several vehicles approaching the Center. At the front was a small transport bus, escorted by a police cruiser.
The bus stopped. The door opened.
And down stepped a familiar man in a white lab coat, silver-gray hair swept back, his presence dignified and composed.
Professor Samuel Oak.
"What—Professor Oak!?" Ash blurted out, stunned.
He had expected maybe Professor Elm from New Bark Town or someone else from Johto but not this.
But then again… it made sense. Oak was the leading authority in the field. And with Pallet Town not far from Johto, it wasn't such a stretch after all.
John quickly approached, respectful and relieved. "Professor Oak! We've been waiting for you."
Oak gave him a polite nod, then turned to see Ash—and Kai and Erika beside him.
"Oh? You're all here too?" he said with a chuckle. "If I'd known that, I could've saved myself the trip and just let you lot handle it."
"Huh?" Ash blinked. "Why us?"
Before anyone could explain, Pikachu suddenly perked up and sprinted toward the bus.
"Pikachu? What's wrong?" Ash asked, confused.
Then, a second figure stepped off the vehicle, following Oak closely.
Ash's eyes widened again. "Mom!?"
Delia Ketchum smiled as she crouched to hug Pikachu, then made her way to her son. Ash rushed up to meet her.
Kai, on the other hand, was completely unfazed.
If there was one thing he expected in moments like this, it was for Professor Oak and Delia to show up together. Honestly, if they hadn't walked in side by side, then he'd be shocked.
After a warm mother-son reunion which a nearby camera crew eagerly captured and streamed to live TV—Officer Jenny took Oak straight to the crystallized zone for a hands-on investigation.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group found a table under the shade of a large umbrella, where Delia joined them.
Over a glass of juice, Delia explained why she'd come.
"Professor Hale used to visit Professor Oak often for research. That's how we met," she said. She reached into her bag and pulled out a photograph.
Kai leaned in to see.
In the photo, Delia and Ash stood beside Oak on one side. On the other side was a family of three Professor Hale, his wife, and a young girl, smiling shyly. She looked even younger than Ash had been at the time.
"This was taken years ago in Pallet Town," Delia explained. "We all got along well."
Ash stared at the picture, trying to remember but the memory was long gone, his mind too young at the time.
Delia continued softly, "When I saw the news last night, and heard that Professor Hale had gone missing… I had to come. I'm worried about Molly."
Just then, Pikachu tensed, its ears twitching as it stared into the distance. At the same moment, Gengar emerged from Kai's shadow, standing protectively in front of him.
The atmosphere shifted.
It felt like something powerful was approaching something dangerous.
"What is it?" Kai asked, turning.
Everyone looked up.
And then, from the sky a massive figure dropped down from above, landing with a force that shook the earth.
The air grew hot.
A giant, four-legged beast stood before them.
Its thick orange-red fur glowed in the sunlight, its steel-plated legs glinting. On its forehead rested a golden crest shaped like a three-leafed crown. A red six-pointed emblem marked its face. Its presence was regal, almost divine.
Entei.
Kai recognized it instantly.
Erika gasped beside him, hand over her mouth. "That's… Entei!"
Like Suicune, Entei was a legendary Pokémon one of the Beasts of Johto, guardians created by Ho-Oh.
It stood tall, flames pulsing from its mane, its eyes locked on them with quiet intensity.
Even among powerful Trainers, none dared move.
There was pressure not from aggression, but from sheer aura. Just standing there, Entei's presence pressed down like a mountain.
'It looks like a lion' Kai thought. 'But to me… it feels more like a massive Tibetan mastiff.'
----
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