Rustboro experienced an earthquake.
It wasn't a strong one, but it still caused quite a stir. The streets were filled with people frantically making phone calls, the sounds of ringing and voices overlapping in a wave of chaos.
"Grandpa Robert, I'm heading over to see Headmistress Lillian," Edward said as he looked at the panicked crowds and the now-stable house. He decided against going back inside—after all, he wasn't sure if there would be aftershocks. It seemed safer to check in with Headmistress Lillian instead.
The old butler didn't object, though he did worryingly remind Edward to stay away from densely built-up areas for the time being.
"Kyu~" Q rubbed affectionately against Edward. Just moments earlier, Edward had returned Q and Fortune to their Poké Balls before rushing out with Grandpa Robert. Now that things seemed safe, he released them again. Q nestled into his arms, while Fortune stood nearby, curiously watching the flustered crowds.
Edward walked along the street, weaving through groups of people. Some had begun returning to their homes now that the tremors had stopped, since the quake wasn't very strong and typically wouldn't lead to aftershocks. Still, many remained outside just in case, and Officer Jennies were already out maintaining order.
"An earthquake, huh? When was the last time Rustboro had one? And with no warning this time, too." Edward gently patted Q's head as they walked.
Earthquakes do happen in the Pokémon world, but it depends on the region. Rustboro City rarely experienced them. In fact, the only quake Edward could remember since arriving in this world had been when he was six years old.
Normally, the Pokémon League could issue early warnings for earthquakes—after all, Earthquake was a move that Pokémon could learn. The League had even trained specific Pokémon to detect and alert people to seismic activity, typically giving a three-minute warning.
Three minutes might not sound like much, but it was usually enough to get people to safety.
However, this time, there had been no warning at all. That was definitely strange.
"Feels like ever since Ash started his journey, this world's been getting a bit... odd," Edward muttered. Ash was truly something else. Barely into his journey and already an earthquake occurs. Edward couldn't help but wonder if the two were connected.
It wasn't that he believed in fate, but Ash's presence felt oddly significant. Having grown up watching the anime, Edward knew one thing: wherever Ash went, something happened. That was the formula for every movie, every season.
Still, even though he was curious about why the League failed to give a warning this time, Edward didn't dwell on it. He understood that the League had its secrets—some things were better left unknown.
Knowing too much isn't always a good thing.
When he arrived at the Rustboro City Pokémon Care Center, he found Big Bear standing at the entrance, wearing his usual overalls and looking unusually serious.
But what surprised Edward more was the Pokémon standing beside him—a Kubfu that had evolved into Urshifu!
Edward blinked in shock. Urshifu was extremely rare. In the Hoenn region, without a Pokédex, most people wouldn't even recognize it. Edward, of course, knew what it was because of the games.
And now, this Urshifu was standing guard beside Big Bear like a security guard duo.
"Big Bear, who's this?" Edward asked as he walked over.
Big Bear's face brightened when he saw Edward. Urshifu eyed Edward with curiosity, its gaze pausing particularly on Q in Edward's arms. Its interest visibly piqued. In response, Q stood up in Edward's arms, watching the Urshifu warily.
Fortune, on the other hand, didn't care much about Urshifu at all. He was busy reading—after all, admissions for the Hoenn League University were about to begin. If Fortune wanted to be specially admitted, he'd need to pass the entrance exam for the economics department.
So now, he was studying every day, buried in test prep. Edward was reminded of his own high school years—how during his junior year he had studied like mad, cramming astronomy, geography, and everything in between. After he started working though, he could barely remember a single classical poem.
"Stuf!" Big Bear let out a few growls. Edward didn't understand a word.
Still, seeing the way Big Bear gestured, Edward guessed that this Urshifu wasn't abandoned—it had been brought over by someone else.
He nodded politely at Urshifu. The bear-like Pokémon immediately stood up straighter and respectfully bowed. Edward chuckled and returned the gesture before heading inside the shelter.
Greeny wasn't at the front garden. Who knew where that little troublemaker had run off to?
As Edward entered the shelter, he quickly spotted Headmistress Lillian tending to the Pokémon—and standing beside her was an old man with a slightly hunched back and long eyebrows. Something about him felt oddly familiar to Edward.
"Headmistress Lillian," Edward greeted her with a warm smile and walked over.
Her previously stern expression softened when she saw him.
The old man gave Edward a curious look, but quickly returned his gaze to the Pokémon before him.
"All the little ones doing okay?" Edward asked, glancing around the courtyard. Most of the Pokémon had come out from their rooms. One particular surprise was seeing Greeny out and about.
However, Greeny was currently surrounded by a purple psychic barrier, which looked like it was protecting it from the dense cloud of spore powder floating around it.
"They're all fine. The quake wasn't strong and didn't last long. Only this silly one here got too excited running and sprained its foot," Headmistress Lillian said, affectionately ruffling the fur of a Mightyena lying in front of her. Beside it stood a Kirlia.
Edward understood immediately—it must've been one of those former "Pokémon thieves duo" who had been brought in after that incident in Rustboro City. Now that they were at the shelter, that whole online scandal had completely faded from public memory.
Even in the world of Pokémon, online trends disappeared in a flash.
Edward's eyes eventually fell on Ruckus.
The big guy was just standing there—but what surprised Edward was the fact that a Shedinja was floating right above Ruckus's head.
Edward knew how proud Ruckus was. He never expected it would tolerate a Shedinja hovering over it like a hat.
(End of Chapter)