Waking up early in the morning, Riku noticed that the weather was quite pleasant today.
However, in the distance, a strange red glow had suddenly appeared.
Snapping a few photos of it with his phone, Riku turned back, planning to prepare breakfast.
"Three birds, Red Shrimp, what do you guys want for breakfast today?"
"...Not here again?"
"Where did they go?"
Riku had planned to ask the three birds and Red Shrimp what they wanted to eat, but after searching the area multiple times, he couldn't even find their shadows. He felt a bit resentful.
"What's going on with these four lately?
I could understand if they were gone during training, but missing breakfast too? That's not like them at all!"
After grumbling to himself for a while, Riku summoned Lapras.
"Lapras, do you know where those four went?"
Lapras looked puzzled and shook its head.
The three legendary birds and Groudon were planning something major. Naturally, they hadn't informed Lapras in advance.
Even though they had accepted it as a companion, to legendary Pokémon, ordinary Pokémon still stood a tier below them.
"Forget it, never mind them," Riku muttered, feeling a bit helpless.
"Let's just eat something simple, then go out and explore the island."
As Riku turned and walked back into the small wooden house, Lapras stared after him, a bit upset.
Although its master had claimed he didn't care, his earlier reaction said otherwise.
In the past, Riku had always taken breakfast seriously. But now, just because the three legendary birds and Groudon were absent, he casually decided on a simple meal.
That kind of favoritism made Lapras feel jealous.
As intelligent as it was, Lapras could tell that Riku's occasional scolding of the legendary Pokémon was a form of affection.
In contrast, Riku always praised and encouraged Lapras—but that was a sign of distance, of treating it like an outsider.
Suddenly, Lapras found itself wishing Riku would scold it too... just once.
As expected, breakfast was simple.
After eating, Riku and Lapras headed toward the beach.
Lapras loved swimming and carrying people on its back, so whenever Riku had free time after a meal, he would usually take it out for a relaxing stroll on the sea.
"...Someone!"
"Why is there a woman lying there?!"
Just as they were about to enter the sea, Riku, with his sharp eyes, suddenly spotted a woman unconscious on the beach—wearing a black office lady suit.
He quickly rushed over and turned her over. His brows instantly furrowed.
It was Lorelei—the woman who had claimed to be a former member of the Indigo League's Elite Four.
Why was she here?
With her strength, no wild Pokémon in the Orange Archipelago should have been able to injure her.
But there was no time to think it through.
Acting fast, Riku began performing CPR and pressed firmly on her chest.
Feelings, touch—none of it mattered at that moment. Riku's mind was completely focused on saving her.
"Damn... it's not working!"
He felt a headache coming on. After several attempts, he still hadn't managed to force any water from her lungs.
Staring at Lorelei's pale lips, Riku had no choice but to take a deep breath—then began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
I'm dizzy... Is Master taking advantage of the situation?!
Lapras stood frozen, dumbfounded by the scene.
It had just opened its mouth to advise Riku—when Lorelei suddenly coughed twice and expelled two mouthfuls of seawater.
Only then did Lapras realize that its master's actions were meant to save her.
"Waa waa—"
Just then, Lapras cried out twice. Only then did Riku notice Lorelei was clutching a jagged bone spike tightly in her hand.
Placing her down gently, Riku dug into the sand—and with considerable effort, finally unearthed Cloyster.
"Lapras... do you think it's dead?"
Lorelei was okay—he could check her breathing.
But Cloyster had no visible nose or clear heartbeat, so Riku could only ask Lapras, who had more experience with aquatic Pokémon.
"Waa..."
Lapras shook its head slowly.
That terrified Riku.
Even the death of a weak Pokémon would make him feel regret and sorrow—let alone a Champion-level Pokémon like Cloyster.
In the entire Orange Archipelago, there had only been one Champion-tier Dragonite trained by Drake—and even that Pokémon was near the bottom of Champion-level strength.
If Cloyster died, the blow to Lorelei would be devastating.
"Waa waa—" Lapras cried again, seeing Riku's sorrowful face.
"What? You're saying this Pokémon isn't dead?" Riku asked.
"Then why did you shake your head earlier? You scared me half to death!"
Scolding Lapras, Riku reached toward Lorelei's waist.
After fumbling a bit, he successfully returned Cloyster to its Poké Ball.
But he couldn't just leave Lorelei here either. Left with no choice, he picked her up, intending to bring her back to the small wooden house.
"Waa waa..."
Lapras's expression turned visibly unhappy.
"What's the matter?" Riku asked, a bit suspicious.
"Why don't you want her going back to the small house? She's in no condition to be left alone on the beach—what if something happens?"
Lapras advised again, "Master, I don't really like this Trainer. How about I carry you both to a hospital instead?"
"Forget it," Riku frowned.
"A hospital would be too much of a hassle, and if they start asking questions—what would I even say?"
Rejecting Lapras's proposal, Riku carried Lorelei toward the small wooden house.
Watching his back fade into the distance, Lapras sighed internally.
It wasn't being cold-hearted. It wasn't ignorant either.
Its main concern was that if Lorelei woke up and discovered the three legendary birds and Groudon, and that news spread—it would bring serious trouble for Riku.
But now that Riku had made up his mind, Lapras had no choice but to stay outside the house. If the legendary Pokémon returned, it would have to inform them immediately about Lorelei's arrival.
Placing Lorelei gently on the bed, Riku fetched a clean towel.
Just as he reached out to wipe her face, he noticed that Lorelei was burning up with a fever.
Seeing her soaked clothes, Riku hesitated.
But in the end, he clenched his teeth and once again reached out...
---Support with power stones