The passengers inside Sealine City Airport were still discussing the sudden suspension of every flight.
Quite a few were openly complaining, though others had noticed the scale of the emergency response outside and understood that something unusual must have happened.
Then someone near the windows pointed toward the sky.
"Hey... is that something in the clouds?"
"A Pokémon?"
"What in the world is that?"
His shout drew everyone's attention.
Two enormous, dragon-like Pokémon slowly emerged from the distant cloud bank.
A damaged passenger jet followed behind them.
Thick wooden cables connected the aircraft to both Pokémon, while strange clouds rolled beneath its wings and fuselage.
For several seconds, the entire terminal stared in silence.
Then someone finally found their voice.
"Are they... pulling that plane?"
"With Pokémon?"
More passengers rushed toward the windows as the impossible procession drew closer.
...
Major Grant and the airport officials waiting beside the cleared runway had also spotted the aircraft.
Only now did he fully understand what Aaron had meant during their call.
His Pokémon were not merely keeping the plane airborne.
They were literally towing it back to Sealine City.
"This is unbelievable..."
The airport director stared at the approaching jet, cold sweat gathering across his forehead.
"Flight 608 weighs nearly a hundred and fifty tons—and that doesn't include everyone aboard. Even many Champion-level Pokémon would struggle to move something that heavy through the air."
He swallowed hard.
In all his years working at the airport, he had never imagined seeing a passenger plane arrive like this.
Major Grant recovered first.
"Activate the guidance lights," he ordered. "Bring them toward the cleared runway."
The airport staff responded immediately.
Bright red guidance lights illuminated the designated landing area, clearly visible against the gray tarmac even in daylight.
...
High above the airport, Aaron spotted the runway.
The red lights marked a clear approach path.
"Gyarados, Charizard—follow the lights!"
Both Pokémon answered and adjusted their course.
The wooden towlines creaked as they guided the damaged jet toward the airport. Gyarados pulled from the front while maintaining the Flame Clouds beneath the aircraft, and Charizard controlled its position from above.
Sceptile remained on the fuselage, reinforcing the roots and keeping the harnesses secure throughout the descent.
Under the astonished gaze of everyone at the airport, the strange formation gradually lost altitude.
The plane approached the runway.
Lower.
Lower.
The Flame Clouds spread beneath the fuselage, cushioning the final descent as the landing gear met the ground.
The aircraft struck the runway with a heavy jolt.
Its damaged frame shuddered, tires screaming against the pavement as it rolled forward. Dust and smoke swept outward behind it, but the roots held firm and the two dragons continued pulling until the plane finally slowed to a stop.
For one breathless moment, no one moved.
Then the airport erupted in cheers.
They had made it.
"GRAAAADOS!"
"GRAAAZARD!"
Gyarados and Charizard cried out in triumph before releasing their transformed states.
Both landed nearby, breathing heavily.
Supporting and towing an aircraft of that size had pushed them hard.
Aaron jumped down from Charizard's back and approached them.
"You two did great."
He rested a hand against each Pokémon.
"Get some rest. You've earned it."
They answered with tired but satisfied growls before Aaron recalled them into their Poké Balls.
Sceptile released the roots surrounding the aircraft, then returned to Aaron's side.
...
A short while later, the cabin door opened and the boarding stairs were lowered.
The first passengers descended with tears streaming down their faces.
"We made it!"
"We're finally on the ground!"
"Mom, I'm safe!"
Some laughed uncontrollably. Others dropped to their knees the moment their feet touched the tarmac, overwhelmed by the relief of having survived.
Then someone noticed Aaron standing nearby.
"There he is!"
"That's the Trainer who saved us!"
The rescued passengers quickly gathered around him.
"You're Aaron, aren't you? Sealine City's top entrance-exam scorer?"
"Thank you. You saved every person aboard that plane."
"We'll never forget what you did for us."
"You deserve to be recognized for this. Every one of us will testify to what happened."
A businessman pushed closer through the crowd.
"My name is Gray. I have a few connections here in Sealine City. If you ever need help, contact me."
More people tried to offer him rewards, favors, introductions, or anything else they could think of.
Within moments, Aaron was surrounded so tightly that he could barely move.
Several overly enthusiastic passengers grabbed his arms and shoulders as they thanked him, while others pushed forward for a better look.
Aaron pulled one wandering hand away from his waist and took a careful step back.
"Please, give me some room."
The crowd eased only slightly.
Aaron forced a polite smile.
"You don't owe me anything. We were all on the same flight, and I had the ability to help."
His answer only made them admire him more.
Aaron looked at the growing crowd around him and quietly wondered whether fighting the Shadow Fearow had actually been the easier part.
...