Dr. Seymour had gone to the police station to report everything to Officer Jenny.
While, I carried the unconscious Ralts toward the Pokémon Center.
Its tiny body was cradled against my chest.
Meowscarada and Lopunny stayed close on either side.
Their warmth was the only thing keeping the evening chill from sinking deeper into my bones.
I knew a little about first aid.
Enough to patch up scrapes or stabilize a sprained ankle.
But this was beyond me.
Ralts wasn't waking up.
It was so light in my arms.
Like holding a hollow eggshell that might shatter if I held too hard.
Its fragile frame trembled with tiny, relentless shivers.
"Just hang on, okay?"
"We're almost there, I whispered."
Ralts didn't answer, of course.
It just trembled again.
Smaller this time.
As if even unconscious it was trapped in whatever nightmare Team Rocket had forced into its mind.
I held it closer.
And walked the rest of the way with my heart pounding against its fragile weight.
. . .
AT POKÉMON CENTRE
Nurse Joy looked up from the counter.
Her gaze met mine first, catching the raw worry twisting my face.
Then her eyes shifted to the limp Ralts cradled in my arms.
Her expression softened with quiet concern.
"What happened?" she asked.
I quietly explained everything..
She listened without interrupting.
Then she nodded once.
She reached out and gently took Ralts from me. Her hands were steady. Careful. Like she was handling something priceless and already broken.
The moment its weight left my arms, a cold emptiness rushed in.
"I'll examine it right away," she said.
"Please wait in the lobby."
She carried Ralts into the emergency room. The doors closed behind her with a quiet click.
She came back a few minutes later. This time for me and my Pokémon.
Chansey was beside her, carrying a small tray of supplies.
Nurse Joy checked Meowscarada and Lopunny first. They had fought team rocket and took the backlash of that psychic wave too.
Chansey gently used Heal Bell.
The soft chime rang through the lobby. Faint waves of soothing light washed over them.
Then she offered a Soft-Boiled egg to each. Meowscarada and Lopunny accepted.
Only after they were settled did Nurse Joy turn to me.
She checked me over quickly.
The psychic wave had left bruises deep inside my ribs and some other places.
She looked up and gave a small, serious nod.
"You were lucky," she said quietly.
Only after they were settled did Nurse Joy turn to me.
She checked me over quickly.
The psychic wave had left bruises deep inside my ribs and some other places.
She looked up and gave a small, serious nod.
"You were lucky."
"With a tougher body like yours, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. A weaker trainer might have been in real danger."
Chansey came closer. She pressed a gentle Soft-Boiled egg around me. The warmth spread through my skin, easing the ache in my chest a little.
Then Nurse Joy handed me a small cup of medicine.
"Take this," she said softly.
"And rest."
I nodded.
Then I sank into one of the lobby seats.
Meowscarada curled against my left side right away.
Her head rested on my leg.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the emergency room door.
She blamed herself, if only she'd been faster, stronger…
Her tail lay still.
No teasing flick.
Just quiet.
Lopunny leaned into my right side.
Her long ears drooped low.
One paw slipped into mine.
Minutes dragged.
I kept staring at that closed door.
Mind keeps racing with dark thoughts.
What if Ralts never woke up?
What if the damage was too deep?
We had defeated Team Rocket.
We had won.
Everything was supposed to be fine...
But Ralts still hadn't opened its eyes.
And that single truth sat heavier than any victory ever could.
Some hours passed…
Each one felt slower than the last.
The lobby stayed quiet. Once or twice, random trainer hurried in with an injured Pokémon, handed it over at the counter, glanced curiously at us, then left.
The clock kept ticking, loud and relentless, like a heartbeat I didn't want to hear.
Finally, the Emergency room doors swung open.
Nurse Joy stepped out. Chansey followed beside her.
Her face was heavy with sadness. The gentle smile she always wore was gone.
My stomach dropped.
I stood up fast.
"How is it?"
She looked at me for a long moment.
Then she shook her head slowly.
The world tilted.
"The Ralts suffered severe psychic overload from that forced attack."
"Its mind is locked in a deep loop, reliving the pain and fear over and over. It's in a coma-like state. I can keep its body stable, but I don't know how to wake it up."
The words hit me like a cold wave.
"…What?"
"Is there really no way to cure Ralts?"
Nurse Joy looked at me.
"There is one way."
She paused.
"A person, or perhaps a Pokémon, with psychic abilities might be able to help."
My voice rushed out, questions tumbling one after another.
"Do you know anyone like that, Nurse Joy?"
"Or do you have a Pokémon here that could help Ralts?"
"If not… please… where can I find this person or Pokémon who can?"
She said, "Saffron City…"
"That's where the strongest psychics gather, and they have psychic Pokémon too."
"Sabrina,"
"The Gym Leader there. She's… one of the most powerful psychic trainers in Kanto. If anyone can help Ralts… it's her."
The name struck me like cold water.
A memory from a past life, suddenly flooded in.
A dark gym. Eerie laughter, People and dolls…
I didn't remember the details, but my nerves screamed the warning clear: Sabrina might be dangerous.
A shiver ran through me.
Then I saw Ralts. Those tiny shivers. The silence behind the door.
No.
Ralts needs her.
I can't be scared.
The chill faded, buried under something fiercer.
"Nurse Joy, I'll take Ralts to Saffron City right away."
She glanced at the clock on the wall.
"It's getting late," she said gently. "Stay here tonight. I'll also need time to prepare everything you'll need to keep Ralts stable on the journey."
I nodded, understanding.
"Thank you."
She gave me a small, understanding smile and headed back toward the Emergency room.
I once again sank into the seat.
Meowscarada pressed closer against my side. Lopunny squeezed my hand.
We waited.
Soon, the Center doors slid open.
Officer Jenny stepped in.
Officer Jenny thanked us again for stopping Team Rocket.
Then her expression turned serious.
She warned us to stay clear of them in the future.
Compared to Poachers, Team Rocket was dangerous, organized, and known for holding grudges.
I nodded.
I understood the risk.
But deep down I already knew avoiding them might not be that simple now.
And he was right.
His file was already on Giovanni's desk.
A plain folder under the desk lamp. Photos inside: Ryan, Meowscarada and Lopunny.
A red note clipped to the top: "Pokémon differ from known regional forms."
Giovanni studied the images in silence, Persian purring at his feet.
Matori stood nearby.
"Tell Viper and Nova to keep an eye on him," he said, voice low.
Matori nodded once.
"Yes, Boss."
Giovanni closed the folder.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Ryan didn't know it yet, but Team Rocket was already interested in him.