"You've got to be kidding me."
The paperwork on my desk had somehow multiplied overnight. First Team Rocket's restaurant fiasco, now reports of a living Aerodactyl? How was I supposed to prep for the League with the world losing its mind?
The summer heat didn't help. Just sitting here made sweat pool at my collar. And now Grandpa wanted me to field investigate?
"Unbelievable," I muttered—but part of me buzzed with excitement. A real prehistoric Pokémon? Even I couldn't fake disinterest.
Slumping back in my chair, I dragged my hands down my face.
The chaos never ended. Rocket sightings at Mt. Silver. Red brushing off my warnings with his usual silent shrug ("It's fine"—how?!). And Green—
Ten minutes late. Again.
I glared at the clock. At this point, I'd rather march into the sweltering sun than stew in this office.
Knock knock.
I exhaled through my nose before swinging the door open—
—to Green's infuriatingly cheerful grin.
Oh, I'm punching him first.
Breathe. Count to ten. Do not strangle him.
"Long time no see!" Green announced, grinning like he hadn't just wasted ten minutes of my life. "Wow, you look terrible—like a sleep-deprived Raticate!"
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Why. Are you. Late."
He waved a hand. "Ten minutes is basically on time."
"Try telling that to someone who doesn't want to murder you."
Green laughed, completely unfazed. Then, with the subtlety of a Hyper Beam, he pivoted:
"Ooooh, dressed up! Got a hot date? Or—" His eyes gleamed. "—wait, don't tell me you're actually working in this heat?"
I crossed my arms. "Get to the point."
"Fine, fine." He leaned in, voice dropping to a mock-whisper. "I came to see the Champion of Kanto—reduced to a paperwork zombie! Glorious."
Of course. I should've known.
Then, like a Magikarp evolving mid-battle, his tone shifted. "So. About that Aerodactyl."
There it is.
I sighed. "Guessing that's why you're really here."
"Obviously! Spill—what happened at Granite Canyon?"
I grabbed my bag and shoved past him toward the door. "Ask me again when you've mastered punctuality."
"Ugh! Unbelievable!" Green threw his hands up, frustration boiling over. "What's the point of being Champion if you won't even flex your connections?!"
I rolled my eyes. If I refused to answer, he'd probably barricade the door—this was the guy who'd once locked me in a Poké Center bathroom over a bet.
Fine. It wasn't like the info was classified.
"Before Aerodactyl appeared, Team Rocket set off explosives at Granite Canyon. They—and some random trainer—fell into a cave. Aerodactyl burst out from underground."
Green's eyes glittered. "Classic Rocket move. So you arrested them, right?"
"They got away."
"And the trainer?"
"No clue."
"Wait—you missed everything?!"
"I didn't miss it," I snapped. "The cave was empty by the time—"
"USELESS!" Green groaned, flopping onto my desk. "This is why I do the real investigating!"
My eye twitched. "Why do you even care?"
"Are you kidding?" He sprang up, suddenly alight with the same wild energy he'd had as a rookie. "A living fossil?! This is the kind of discovery trainers dream of! I'm gonna catch one so rare, you'll choke on envy!"
"You're leaving?"
"Yep! Adventure calls!" He winked. "Try not to drown in paperwork, Champion."
The door slammed behind him.
Alone again, I slumped into my chair.
Let him chase ghosts. When he returned empty-handed, that smug grin would crumble—and I'd be the one laughing.
Platinum POV
Aerodactyl flew with careful precision—swift enough to avoid detection, yet steady for its passengers. Below, the dense forest canopy stretched endlessly, devoid of human presence. The perfect place to descend.
I glanced back at Ash. His eyes were wide, lips trembling with barely contained excitement. Was it the thrill of riding an ancient Pokémon? Or simply the joy of flight itself?
Then our gazes met.
"This is amazing!" he blurted out, grinning like he'd just been handed a Master Ball.
I hadn't expected this reaction. A simple surprise had turned into a core memory for him. Humans were... strange. So easily delighted by the smallest wonders.
No wonder people flock to him.
We landed beneath the shade of an ancient tree, its gnarled branches forming a natural sanctuary. Moments later, Chandelure arrived—Brock and Misty in tow.
"ASH!" they shouted in unison, sprinting forward.
Ash met them halfway, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry for worrying you guys!"
Misty's relief melted into a glare. "You idiot! We thought you'd been blown up!"
Brock, ever the mediator, peered past them at Aerodactyl. "So... that's the living fossil?"
Ash's grin returned, brighter than ever. "Wait till you hear how we found it—"
After assuring his friends he was unharmed, Ash pointed to me—the one who'd helped him.
Brock's face flushed crimson the moment he saw me, while Misty's eyes sparkled with an intensity that bordered on uncomfortable.
"Chandelure did most of the work," I said, dismissing the attention.
[Call me anytime~!] Chandelure chimed in, bobbing cheerfully.
"Yes, yes. Good job," I muttered, shooing it away.
Then Brock noticed Aerodactyl.
"T-That's—! An actual Aerodactyl?!" His voice cracked.
"Aerodactyl?" Ash echoed.
Brock launched into a lecture, eyes alight: "The undisputed king of ancient skies! Fierce, fearless—and supposedly extinct after a meteor strike!" His words trailed off as he stared at the very-much-alive Pokémon before him.
I arched a brow. Fierce? This Aerodactyl had been nothing but careful with Ash.
[I'M magnificent!] Aerodactyl preened—though only I could hear it. A shame; Ash's awed reaction would've been entertaining.
Ash fumbled with his Pokédex, but the screen remained blank—proof of Aerodactyl's impossible existence.
Then Brock leaned in, whispering way too loudly: "Ash... did you awaken some ancient being?!"
Ash froze, lips moving soundlessly.
I sighed. If you're going to gossip, at least be subtle.
"If I'd been asleep since ancient times," I said dryly, "I wouldn't have a Poké Ball."
Their eyes widened—right, no Poké Balls existed back then. Ash and his friends nodded vigorously, suddenly realizing their mistake.
"S-Sorry!" they blurted out in unison.
I'd lost count of their apologies today.
Instead of dwelling on it, I made my request: "Keep this a secret." True heroes knew when to stay quiet—and Ash, for all his recklessness, was nothing if not heroic.
As thanks, I treated them to dinner at the restaurant they'd wanted to visit earlier, then arranged a stay at the most luxurious hotel in town. Their stunned faces when they realized the room's exclusivity would be payment enough.
Just before parting, Ash hesitated.
"Where are you headed next, Platinum?"
"Traveling," I said. "Cool nights suit me better than scorching days."
"...You're not going to sleep?"
A normal person would be resting at this hour. I smiled. "Not tired."
Their disappointment was palpable. I understood—this fleeting camaraderie was pleasant. But attachments were dangerous. Humans aged. Humans died. The cycle never broke.
"We'll meet again," I offered, though I hadn't planned to.
Their faces lit up instantly, as if those simple words were a promise carved in stone.
"THANK YOU!" Ash shouted as they walked away.
I raised a hand in farewell. Until next time.
Their figures faded into the night, but their laughter lingered. Above, the moon shone bright—guiding us down separate paths, for now.