Ashley woke up with a sharp, choking gasp, like her body had forgotten how to breathe until just now.
Everything was bright—blindingly white and sterile, so much so that the harsh fluorescent light overhead stabbed right through her skull. She groaned, squinting to shield her eyes. Her head felt full of cotton, her thoughts were like a slow-moving fog.
Where… where even is this?
The last thing she remembered was—
She jerked slightly in place, or tried to, but a tugging at her arm stopped her. Wires. Sticky pads on her skin. Something soft under her head. Her hands clenched instinctively, and she realized she couldn't feel much besides a dull ache behind her eyes and a pounding headache that made her want to sink into the mattress and never get back up.
Her body was heavy. Like she'd been asleep for days.
She turned her head, the movement sluggish and disjointed, and that's when she felt it again—that cold, damp, oddly familiar sensation nudging at her cheek.
What the—?
Before she could make sense of it, a face appeared above her—close, too close—and for a second Ashley flinched, startled, until her blurry vision cleared just enough to register the telltale pink hair and white nurse's cap.
Nurse Joy.
Okay. That's... good? That's familiar.
But she was talking. Clearly talking. Her mouth was moving in a calm rhythm, like she was explaining something—but there was no sound. Nothing. Just silence.
Ashley blinked, dazed, watching Nurse Joy's lips form words she couldn't follow. It was like everything around her had been put on mute. A slow-motion movie she didn't remember signing up for.
Her pulse spiked.
Was this normal?
Was this bad?
Where was—
That cold feeling nudged her again, firmer this time.
Ashley shifted her head toward it, sluggishly dragging her gaze sideways. She blinked hard, trying to clear her vision as a pale-blue blur came into focus. Then the blur moved—a soft, gentle wetness against her jawline—and Ashley's breath hitched in her throat.
Venus.
Her Vaporeon was right there. Nestled beside her bed, head on the edge of the mattress, sleek body tensed, licking her face with trembling, uncertain nudges. Her deep blue eyes were locked onto Ashley's, wide with worry.
Ashley's throat clenched.
"V…" she tried to speak, to say her name, but her voice barely came out. A dry whisper. It hurt. Her mouth felt like sandpaper.
Venus let out a worried chirp, or at least that's what Ashley think she did, as she is still uncapable of hearing anything. Venus whole posture shifted closer, tail twitching sharply, almost crawling halfway onto the bed now as if she didn't care who told her not to.
Ashley reached for her with fingers that barely cooperated, but Venus met her halfway, pressing her forehead against Ashley's knuckles with something just shy of desperation. Her usually smooth, fluid breathing was shallow, panicked—like she hadn't stopped worrying since the moment Ashley went down.
Ashley wanted to say I'm okay—even if it wasn't fully true. Wanted to say you did great or thank you or literally anything at all.
But all she managed was a pained wince before her eyes fluttered again.
She caught sight of Nurse Joy out of the corner of her eye—her mouth moving quicker now, maybe calling for someone, maybe adjusting the IV line. The nurse's face blurred.
Venus nudged her cheek again.
Ashley gave a weak smile—small, tired, full of pain—but it was all she had.
And then she became drowsy as darkness crept back in.
The last thing she saw was Venus's face hovering over hers, eyes bright with concern, refusing to look away.
When Ashley woke up again, it was different.
First, there was sound. Real, actual sound. No more underwater silence or dreamlike haze—just a steady, rhythmic beep-beep-beep from the heart monitor, the soft hum of machinery nearby, and—
Venus.
The gentle purring sound, low and soothing, came from her left, accompanied by the soft squish of paws against tile as the Vaporeon shifted anxiously beside the bed.
And then—
"—she'll wake up soon! You need to stop worrying so much. She always bounces back, like that time with the Scyther incident!"
"Yeah, and then she fainted immediately after, remember? She doesn't know when to stop."
Ashley's eyes opened wide.
Wait a second. I know those voices.
She blinked against the overhead lights, and this time it didn't hurt. No stabbing headache, no spinning room. Just a weird dryness in her mouth and a general stiffness, like she'd napped way too long in a bad position. But most importantly—
She felt better.
Before she could say anything, a familiar face leaned over her—a blur of brown hair and wide, tear-filled eyes.
"M-Mom?"
Delia Ketchum's face crumpled the second she saw Ashley's eyes open. "Sweetie!" she cried, voice catching as she leaned down to hug her, but delicately—arms looping around her daughter without jostling the tangle of wires or pressing too hard. "Oh, Arceus, you scared us so bad! We didn't know if you were gonna—!"
"I'm okay, Mom," Ashley rasped out, her voice rough but functional. She blinked a few more times, her hand twitching up to return the hug, even if her muscles weren't fully cooperating. "I think I'm okay."
Delia just sniffled louder, refusing to move for a full minute until someone gently tapped her shoulder. "Delia," came a low voice, calm and patient. "She needs space to breathe."
Her dad's face took over the view next, and as always, it was the calmer contrast to her mom's full-on emotion. His expression was tight with concern, but his hand came to rest gently on her shoulder.
Ashley blinked up at him, still dazed. "Hey, Dad."
"Hey, kiddo." His voice was steady, but his thumb gave her shoulder a small, reassuring squeeze. "Welcome back."
In the corner of her eye, Chansey waddled out of the room, the soft swish of her apron fading into the hallway. Probably to call Nurse Joy, or maybe give them a moment.
But all of Ashley's focus swung back to the one constant that hadn't moved—Venus.
The Vaporeon was whining. The soft kind, almost like a pup. Her head rested beside Ashley's arm on the bed, pressed as close as she could get, her finned tail twitching anxiously with every exhale. Her blue eyes were glassy, locked on Ashley's face like she couldn't quite believe she was really awake.
Ashley smiled, tired and small, and tried to lift her arm to comfort her.
Except—nope.
Her mom was still hugging her like she'd just come back from the dead. Which, honestly, wasn't entirely inaccurate.
"M-Mom," Ashley said, gently wriggling one hand free, "I need my arm. My Pokémon's having a crisis."
Delia let out a watery laugh but loosened her hold. "Sorry! Sorry, I just—okay." She stepped back with a sniffle and let Ashley rest her arm beside her.
The second Ashley's fingers brushed Venus's head, the Vaporeon let out a shaky trill and nuzzled her harder, pressing her cheek into Ashley's wrist like she was trying to merge with her.
"You did so good, girl," Ashley whispered, scratching softly behind one of her damp fins. "You stuck with me, didn't you?"
Venus let out another soft sound, a little more confident this time. Her body relaxed bit by bit, and Ashley could feel the tension bleeding out of her Pokémon like water slipping off a leaf.
"She's barely left your side," Delia said, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "I don't think she slept at all. Poor thing refused to go into her Poké Ball."
"She wouldn't even let the nurse touch you at first," her dad added. "Growled at a Chansey. It was honestly kind of impressive."
Ashley huffed a weak laugh and stroked the side of Venus's neck. "Yeah… sounds about right."
She let her head sink into the pillow again, eyes fluttering closed just for a second. Everything felt like it weighed a little more than usual—her arms, her voice, her thoughts—but she didn't feel scared anymore. Not now.
"Do you remember what happened?" her dad asked, voice cautious but not pressing.
Ashley nodded slowly. "Kind of. It's all fuzzy after the… the thing in the sky." Her brow furrowed. Delia's face pinched again, and her dad gave her a look, like not now. Ashley noticed it but didn't press. She was too tired for the full recap. There would be time for that later. "I remember grabbing Venus," she murmured, fingers never stopping their movement through Vaporeon's smooth, damp fur. "I threw her off the side. I didn't want her to get hurt."
"She swam back," her mom said softly.
Ashley blinked. "She…?"
"She wouldn't leave," her dad said. "We're lucky she's a strong swimmer."
Ashley stared down at Venus, and the Vaporeon blinked back at her, eyes still shiny with leftover worry.
"You saved me," Ashley whispered. "Again."
Venus didn't respond with a sound this time. She just curled up closer, resting her chin gently on Ashley's chest and letting out the smallest, content exhale.
Ashley's hand stayed right there, fingers tangled in damp fur. Everything still felt a little unreal—but she was alive. She was awake.
The room finally began to settle when Nurse Joy stepped in, her usual composed calm following her like a second aura. Chansey waddled in right behind her, carrying a tray of supplies with her stubby arms. Her soft cooing filled the room like white noise—but the second she came too close to the bed, Venus raised her head and growled.
Not loudly. Not aggressively. Just enough to say, Touch her, and I dare you.
Chansey froze like someone had slapped the tray out of her hands, blinking wide-eyed at the Vaporeon currently doing her best impression of a bodyguard. Chansey looked over at Nurse Joy, silently asking uhhh?
Nurse Joy chuckled, not even a little fazed. "It's okay, Chansey. You've done enough. I've got this."
Chansey shuffled back with a sigh and left the tray on the nearby table, muttering something that definitely sounded like I don't get paid enough to deal with all this bullshit.
Meanwhile, Delia had finally, finally stepped away from the bed—sniffling as she wiped her eyes again—and passed the emotional baton to her husband, who quietly pulled her into his arms. The man wrapped her up effortlessly, whispering something only she could hear, and Delia nodded into his chest, a small, teary laugh escaping her.
Nurse Joy gave them both a gentle smile before pulling up a stool next to Ashley's bed and slipping a stethoscope into her ears. "Alright, Ashley. Let's see how that stubborn Ketchum heart is doing."
Ashley exhaled slowly, letting the cool metal disk press against her collarbone. "Still beating."
Joy smiled without looking up. "Like a champ."
Venus had shifted to the other side of the bed now, curled tightly against Ashley's ribs and watching Nurse Joy's every movement like a Noctowl. Every time the stethoscope moved, her tail flicked once—an unspoken warning. Joy caught it, but kept her tone light.
"She's a fierce one," she said, checking Ashley's pulse next. "Didn't let anyone touch you when they pulled you in. Growled at every nurse. Snarled at every scanner. Nearly popped the air mattress when we tried moving you to it."
Ashley's smile tugged wide, her hand resting atop Venus's head. "Yeah… she is the best girl."
Joy chuckled again and adjusted the IV. "She's not just fierce—she's loyal. Venus was the one who found you in the wreckage. Swam through it. Dragged you out." Venus let out a quiet chitter at the sound of her name and buried her face against Ashley's arm like she couldn't handle being talked about. "Then," Joy continued, tapping a few notes into her PokéPad, "once you were at the surface, she released your Lapras from his Poké Ball. Smart girl. Lapras carried you the rest of the way to shore. And five other trainers."
Ashley's mouth fell open. "Wait. Neptune brought six people to shore?"
Joy gave a small, awed laugh. "And then kept on going out for the next batch. Back and forth. All night. Refused to stop until the last person he could find was out of the water. He must have saved over two dozen of people and Pokémon."
Venus whined quietly and pressed her nose into Ashley's palm.
Ashley beamed through the new sting in her eyes and scratched just behind Venus's ear—the sweet spot. "You're such a good girl," she whispered, her voice rough again but this time from pride, not pain. "You saved my life. And Neptune's out here running a ferry service?"
"Your team really pulled through," Joy said with a satisfied smile. "You've got one heck of a rescue crew, Ashley. Not everyone gets that lucky."
Ashley met her mom's eyes from across the room. Delia was still tucked against her husband's side, but she gave her daughter a teary, proud smile that said everything she couldn't say out loud just yet.
Ashley turned back to Venus, who had finally let her guard down enough to curl fully beside her. "I think I owe you guys a spa day. And about five pounds of Poképuffs."
Venus gave a pleased chirp, eyes finally beginning to close as she rested her head against Ashley's chest with a sigh.
Once Nurse Joy finished her last check—stethoscope off, monitors stable, notes scribbled in neat digital handwriting—she stood back and gave Ashley a small but firm smile.
"Well," she said, smoothing her apron and folding her hands in front of her, "you're perfectly healthy."
Ashley blinked. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Joy chuckled. "Your vitals are stabilizing well. No fractures, no internal damage. A couple of bruised ribs, some dehydration, a mild concussion, and one very exhausted system, but you're gonna be okay."
Venus made a low, content noise and curled tighter against Ashley's side like she'd heard that and was proudly claiming credit.
Joy continued, voice even but reassuring. "I'd still like to keep you here for a couple more days, though—just for observation. Your vitals look great now, but considering what you went through, I'd prefer to be overly cautious."
Ashley nodded slowly. "Yeah… no complaints from me." She shifted slightly to sit up a bit more, wincing as her ribs protested. "I'm not exactly ready for a jog anyway."
Delia let out a nervous chuckle from the chair beside her, reaching forward to gently fix a loose piece of Ashley's hair behind her ear. "You gave us a real scare, sweetie."
Ashley gave her mom a tired smile, then turned her attention back to Nurse Joy, frowning slightly. "Okay, one thing. When I woke up before... I couldn't hear anything. Like, nothing. Just lips moving. What was that?"
Nurse Joy's expression softened. "Ah, yes. That."
She stepped closer again, pulling up the little stool to sit beside the bed. "When you were underwatering the sudden pressure change caused your eardrums to burst. It's not uncommon in underwater trauma or high-pressure exposure."
Ashley's eyebrows lifted. "Wait—burst? Like, pop?"
Joy nodded. "Tiny tears. Painful, but treatable. You already had surgery while you were under—nothing invasive, but enough to repair the damage. It was probably just too soon for you to adjust when you first woke up." Joy smiled comfortingly. "Just take it slow."
Ashley exhaled, glancing at the ceiling. "Okay. Okay, cool. No big. Just, you know, dramatic hearing loss. Casual stuff."
Venus nuzzled her cheek again, like a reminder that things could've gone way worse. Ashley gave her a small smile and gently wrapped both arms around her partner, holding her close.
Delia stood, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder before stepping aside to let her husband check the room's nearby supply table for extra water. Ashley's eyes followed the motion before flicking back to Nurse Joy.
"Um… what about Gary?" she asked suddenly, sitting up straighter. "We got separated on the ship. I don't—he was behind me one second and gone the next. Did he—?" Her voice trailed off, tight.
Joy held up a hand quickly. "He's fine."
Ashley blinked. "He is?"
"Absolutely," Joy said, nodding. "He's one of the trainers your Lapras brought back." Ashley stared at her, not believing what she was hearing. "He was found on some drift debris about half a mile from where you were. His Wartortle kept him afloat until Lapras picked them both up. He's resting in his room now. And—" she added, tilting her head with a grin, "—he's got Professor Oak with him."
Ashley flopped back onto the bed with a loud, relieved whoosh of breath. "Oh, thank Arceus." Venus let out a short chirp of agreement, clearly just as relieved. "When I woke up, I thought—I mean, I didn't see him. And everything was chaos, and—" She let her eyes close for a second. "I really thought I lost him."
"You didn't," Joy said gently. "Actually, he's just next door. You'll probably see him soon. But he's been under strict orders to let you rest."
Ashley smirked. "Guess he listened for once."
Joy chuckled, rising to her feet again. "I'll check on him next. You get some more rest, and I'll tell him you're awake."
Ashley gave a thumbs-up, though her arm wobbled halfway through and dropped back down. "Cool. Great. I'm totally not about to crash again."
"Sleep is part of healing," Nurse Joy said with a wink as she turned toward the door.
As she left, Chansey peeked her head in again, locked eyes with Venus, and quickly vanished before she could be growled at again.
Ashley snorted weakly. "Diva Queen."
Delia chuckled, brushing Ashley's bangs aside. "You're very loved, you know."
Ashley's smile softened, and she looked down at Venus—still touching her, always touching her. "Yeah," Ashley whispered. "I really am."
Delia exhaled slowly, her face still flushed from crying but determined to keep it together. She gently fluffed the pillows behind Ashley and helped her daughter sit up, careful of the wires and IV drip. The hospital bed creaked as Ashley shifted, settling into the support of the pillows with a tired sigh.
"That better?" Delia asked, brushing stray strands of hair from Ashley's forehead.
Ashley nodded. "Yeah… thanks, Mom."
As her eyes adjusted and her brain stopped swimming quite so hard, Ashley looked around the room more properly for the first time. There, tucked into the far corner by the closet door, sat two familiar shapes.
"Mimey?" she said, blinking.
Mr. Mime perked up instantly, wringing his hands nervously but waving a little with one gloved hand. Beside him, her dad's Raichu stood stiff as a broomstick, holding a little plastic bowl of berries and looking like he hadn't blinked in an hour.
Ashley gave a watery smile. "You guys came too?"
Mimey nodded, wiping his face with an invisible handkerchief, which he mimed pulling from the air. Raichu just nodded solemnly, then looked pointedly at the bowl like he wasn't sure if he was supposed to offer it or eat it himself.
Ashley chuckled, heart aching in a way that wasn't physical.
She turned to the nightstand and her eyes widened.
Her Poké Balls. Her backpack. Her hat—crumpled but there. All of it was piled carefully on the table next to her bed, arranged like someone had made sure not a single thing was out of place. Seeing it—seeing them—grounded her in a way nothing else had yet.
She was alive.
Her Pokémon were safe.
They had all made it.
Before she could say anything else, a warm hand landed gently on her shoulder.
Ashley turned her head and found her dad standing beside her, his usually calm, unreadable expression cracked open with something much deeper. His brows were pinched, mouth set in that way he always did when he was worried but trying not to make it worse. He crouched slightly to her eye level, hand still resting firmly on her shoulder.
"You okay, kiddo?" he asked quietly.
Ashley opened her mouth to say something witty—something like I survived, or Define okay, or even Nothing a nap and a sandwich won't fix. She wanted to say she was fine. That she was strong. That everything was totally okay.
But all that came out was a sobbed, broken, "Daddy…"
And then she burst into tears.
No holding it in. No pretending she had it handled. No brave face. Just Ashley, the girl who had fought Gym Leaders and tamed weather and survived a cruise ship disaster, crying like a little kid into her father's chest.
Her dad didn't hesitate. He pulled her into a hug, cradling the back of her head, arms firm and steady, like he'd been waiting for her to finally let go. Ashley's shoulders shook, sobs escaping uncontrollably now, as if everything she'd bottled up since the storm—since the attack, the separation, the Pokémon Center—was spilling out all at once.
"I thought I lost them," she gasped between sobs. "I thought I lost Gary, I thought I lost Venus, I didn't know—everything was so loud and then quiet and I couldn't—"
"I know, sweetheart," he murmured, holding her tighter. "I know. You're safe now. You're here. We've got you."
Delia sat on the edge of the bed, gently running her hand over Ashley's back as tears soaked into her dad's shirt. Venus stirred beside her, nudging her trainer gently with her snout, letting out low, soothing noises.
"I was so scared," Ashley whispered. "I didn't know what to do. I just… threw Venus off the ship and hoped she'd make it."
"You made the right call," her dad said, voice steady and quiet. "You saved her. And she saved you."
Ashley nodded into his chest; she didn't feel embarrassed about crying. Not this time. Not with them. She'd been brave for long enough. Once her sobs had finally settled into slow, hiccupping breaths, Ashley felt her dad shift. He loosened his arms just enough to pull back, his hands still firm on her shoulders. His eyes searched her face, checking her like she might still fall apart again. But she managed a shaky smile—red-nosed, blotchy-eyed, and completely exhausted.
"I'm okay," she whispered, wiping her eyes with the edge of the thin hospital blanket. "I promise."
He gave her a small nod, the kind that said I believe you, but still didn't move until she exhaled a little more evenly.
Then he stood up and stepped back, finally giving Delia room to hover again, though her mother looked like she was trying hard not to smother. Delia had one hand pressed to her chest like if she moved too fast, she might grab Ashley all over again and never let go.
Ashley looked away, gently tugging her IV tube to get a little more room to shift. Venus, as if sensing the emotional freefall had paused, slid up from the sheets and flopped dramatically onto Ashley's lap with a low, watery purrrr that vibrated against her.
Ashley let out a small, surprised giggle as Venus's cold, wet nose bumped right against hers. "Venus! That's freezing, what the heck?"
Venus chirped like she was proud of it.
Still sniffling, Ashley cradled the Vaporeon's face between her hands and pressed her forehead against Venus's gently. For a moment, they just breathed together, and Ashley's giggles faded into a quiet sigh.
She leaned back into the pillows again, petting her partner in slow, absent motions, then said, her voice a little hoarse, "I feel like such an idiot."
Delia instantly opened her mouth—classic mom reaction—but Ashley's dad beat her to it with a quiet "Let her say it."
Ashley took that green light and ran with it. "I trained under Koga, okay? And at the Fighting Dojo—literal fighting maniacs who specialize in high-pressure, combat-locked training. I've had drills where my team and I were dropped in the middle of nowhere with only a compass and a Berry pouch. And yet—" she motioned loosely around the hospital room "—this happens, and I freeze. I didn't fight. I didn't think. I panicked. I let myself get swept up with the crowd, I forgot Neptune was in my belt. I didn't even think to call him out. I just—threw Venus overboard and waited for the worst. Who does that? Seriously?"
Venus gave a low, offended squeak like Excuse you, that throw saved my life.
Ashley groaned and covered her face with one hand. "I'm mad I forgot my own training. I acted like a total rookie."
Delia stepped forward, hand half-raised, but Ashley's dad just gently caught her wrist and shook his head. "Let me," he murmured. Delia sighed but nodded, stepping back to perch on the edge of the bed again. Ashley's dad crossed the room and leaned back against the windowsill, arms folded loosely over his chest. "You're not an idiot."
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Dad—"
"Nope," he cut her off, voice calm but firm. "You're not. You're eighteen."
Ashley blinked at him, confused.
He nodded toward her. "You're young, Ash. Smart, talented, well-trained, yeah. But you haven't seen the kind of chaos that hits without warning. The kind where you don't have a plan. When it's not a battle or a test or a Gym match with a ref. This wasn't a contest round with points and applause at the end. This was survival."
She stayed quiet, staring at him.
"I've been a Ranger for over twenty years," he continued. "And I've seen seasoned trainers—people way older and more experienced than you—lose it when disaster hits. I've watched them freeze up. Make mistakes. Let fear take over. And I've done it myself."
Ashley blinked. "You?"
He gave a tired smile. "Oh yeah. My first wildfire zone deployment? Total panic. I forgot half my own protocols. Got chewed out so bad I thought I'd get sent back to base. But I didn't. Because I learned. That's the point. You've got the training—but experience? That only comes from messing up and still making it through."
Ashley swallowed hard and glanced down at Venus, who was now lazily kicking her back leg as Ashley scratched under her chin.
"You didn't freeze," her dad added, his voice gentler now. "You threw your partner to safety. You gave her a shot at surviving, and she brought you home. That's instinct. That's trust. That's not failure." Ashley blinked back another sting of tears—these ones softer, more controlled. She nodded slowly. "You're gonna be one heck of a Ranger," he added, "if that's still what you want."
She let out a small breath. "Yeah. I think I do. But I will become a Pokémon Master first!"
He nodded, standing up straight and finally stepping forward to ruffle her hair. "Then you'll get there. Just give yourself time."
Ashley smiled—tired but real—and leaned into the affection, even as she muttered, "You could've just said I didn't totally suck, y'know."
"Where's the impact in that?" he smirked.
Delia finally spoke, voice softer this time. "You were amazing, sweetheart. And you'll only get better."
Ashley tilted her head and squinted a little, only now noticing what should've been obvious: her dad was still in uniform. His khaki Ranger jacket had a few wrinkles and a scuff on one shoulder, like he hadn't had time to change. His boots were muddy, and his radio was clipped to his belt, blinking silently with an idle green light. The Kanto Ranger patch was still visible on his sleeve—frayed a little around the edges, but proud.
"Wait…" she said, slowly, brows furrowing. "You're still in your uniform." Her dad paused—subtle, but she caught the slight shift in his shoulders. Ashley narrowed her eyes. "Were you coming from a mission?"
He didn't answer right away, which, of course, confirmed everything.
Delia, seated beside the bed again, glanced at her husband, but didn't interrupt. He sighed, then scratched the back of his neck, eyes drifting toward the window before finally meeting Ashley's.
"I came straight here," he admitted. "As soon as the call came in from the Pokémon Center."
Ashley's throat tightened. "How long have I been here?"
"Couple of days," her mom answered gently. "You've been in and out. Mostly out."
Her dad folded his arms. "When I got to Lavender, Lorelei was already organizing the emergency response. Had half the port cleared, teams out helping the survivors that Lapras brought in and those who made it to the shore on their own. I checked in with the Ranger outpost, made sure they knew we were here for you, and then Jenny pulled me aside."
Ashley blinked, brows rising. "Officer Jenny?"
"Yeah," he said, and the weight in his tone made her sit up a little straighter. "Turns out while everything was going down at sea, something else was happening here. She got word of weird activity at the Pokémon Tower."
Ashley's stomach dropped. "No."
"Yeah," he confirmed. "Rocket."
Venus lifted her head with a low growl, as if she understood the word on pure instinct.
Ashley's hand paused mid-scratch behind Venus's ear. "What were they doing? Why there?"
Her dad exhaled slowly, resting his hands on his hips like he was still trying to figure that out himself. "From what Jenny and Lorelei pieced together, they were tampering with the spirits. Setting up something in the upper levels. The Ghost-types were agitated—dangerously so. Multiple hauntings, Pokémon fleeing the lower levels. It was a mess."
Ashley felt her fingers curl into the hospital blanket. "Seriously? They picked Lavender Tower to start some nonsense?"
"It's not the first time they've pulled something like this," her dad muttered. "But Lorelei stepped in before it got too far. Took command of the operation herself. We helped drive the Rockets out and contained the Ghost-types before they caused too much harm."
Ashley slumped back into the pillows, trying to absorb everything. "Unbelievable… They were poking around on sacred ground?"
Her dad nodded. "They're getting bolder."
Ashley's jaw tightened. "What happened to them?"
"Lorelei's overseeing their transport to a high-security holding facility," he replied. "They're getting moved out tonight. She promised she'd drop by tomorrow to check in on you."
Ashley blinked. "She will come to visit?"
Her dad smirked. "You left an impression."
Before Ashley could answer her dad—probably with something appropriately snarky about Rocket grunts being allergic to common sense—the hospital room door creaked open with a soft whish. All three of them turned, and Ashley's eyes widened when she saw Professor Oak pushing in a wheelchair.
"Hope we're not interrupting," the Professor said with a light smile.
But Ashley wasn't looking at him.
"Gary?!"
Her voice cracked, half in disbelief and half in alarm, because there he was—slouched in the wheelchair with one arm in a full white cast, sling and all. His free hand was cradling a juice box, of all things, like it was the most natural accessory to a near-death situation.
Gary gave her a sideways grin. "Well, someone had to show up looking cool."
Ashley gasped again, gesturing at his arm. "You broke it?! When?! How?!"
Gary dramatically took a long slurp from his juice box before answering. "During whatever caused the S.S Anne to sink. Some wayward debris collided against me as I was trying to reach my starter."
Ashley stared, mouth open.
"Anyway, it was totally worth it," Gary added, leaning back with exaggerated nonchalance, "because guess who evolved on the way here?"
He gave her a smug, lopsided smile and nodded toward the hallway. "Come on in, big guy!"
The door opened just a little wider, and the unmistakable, stomping gait of a newly-evolved Blastoise came into view—shoulders broad, water cannons gleaming, shell still dripping from his last hydration. He gave a proud grunt and waved awkwardly with one stubby paw.
Ashley's mouth dropped. "No way."
"Oh yeah," Gary said, wiggling his eyebrows. "A Tentacruel pod tried to cause trouble while Neptune was carrying me and some nobodies to Lavander. Wartortle stepped up, evolved mid-fight. Blasted them outta the current."
Ashley just blinked again.
Gary took another smug sip. "No big deal."
She tilted her head. "You're insufferable."
"Thanks, I try."
But the corners of Ashley's mouth betrayed her, tugging upward despite everything. It didn't matter how ridiculous the story was, or how casually Gary played it off—she could see it clear as day. He was trying to lift her spirits. To yank her out of the heaviness. The teasing tone, the bragging, the dramatic "entrance"—it was all for her.
Ashley sniffed hard and grinned. "Well, congrats, I guess. Blastoise is cool."
"Very cool," Gary added, puffing his chest.
"But Mars is gonna catch up, and when he does, he'll be better."
That wiped the smug off Gary's face faster than a Splash attack. "Excuse me?!"
"You heard me." Ashley smirked, leaning back into her pillows. "Stronger. Faster. Cooler fire-breath. Better tail flick."
Delia covered her mouth, already laughing.
Ashley's dad shook his head, muttering something like "Here we go," under his breath.
Gary pointed his juice box at her like it was a weapon. "Blastoise has cannons, Ashley."
Ashley pointed at her chest. "Heart of fire, baby."
"Your Charmeleon gets seasick!"
"And still wins fights."
Professor Oak chuckled, crossing the room and ruffling Gary's hair, to his absolute horror. "Well, I'm glad to see this disaster hasn't dulled either of your competitive streaks."
Gary immediately smoothed his hair down, glaring at his grandfather. "Gramps—c'mon, not in front of Mars's trainer."
Ashley waggled her eyebrows.
Venus purred loudly in her lap like she was cheering the whole thing on.
The adults all exchanged amused looks—relieved, soft smiles—because after everything that had happened, seeing the two teens slip right back into their banter meant something was healing.
Ashley leaned back again, grinning wide. "Just so you know, next time Mars and Blastoise mee, there will be no mercy."
Gary snorted. "He'll try. And then Blastoise will sneeze and send him flying."
Ashley narrowed her eyes. "Mars would eat that sneeze and breathe fire back."
Venus let out a small, approving chirp.
Professor Oak shook his head fondly. "You two are unbelievable."
Delia sighed. "They're exhausting."
Ashley and Gary both looked at each other, shared a beat of total agreement—and fist-bumped across the hospital bed.
Back in sync.
Just how it was supposed to be.
When night finally rolled in, the soft hum of the Pokémon Center quieted into something calm and peaceful. The lights were dimmed, the machines beeped in a slower, more comforting rhythm, and for the first time since waking up, Ashley felt… okay.
Not perfect. Not whole. But okay.
Venus had curled against her side like a space heater with a heartbeat, and Ashley had one hand resting in the soft fur along the Vaporeon's neck. Her breathing slowed. Her body relaxed.
And she finally drifted off.
The next morning came softly, with golden light peeking through the blinds and the scent of warm porridge and Oran berry tea wafting into the room. Ashley stirred, blinking slowly as she woke to the familiar ding of the sliding door and the cheerful hum of a "Chansey!"
Venus perked up first, stretching out across the bed with a high-pitched yawn before hopping down with a splash of grace that could only come from a Water-type. She padded over to the breakfast tray with ears flicking and a soft chirp of interest.
Ashley rubbed her eyes and pushed herself upright with a groan. Her muscles ached, but nothing sharp or panicked—just the leftover weight of her body recovering from… everything.
Chansey placed the tray on the bedside table with practiced ease and gave her a happy nod before waddling off without a fuss. Venus had already dipped her head toward her own bowl of food, tail swaying gently behind her.
Ashley glanced at the tray, saw the warm breakfast, and then reached for her PokéNav instead. It buzzed the second she turned it on, the screen lighting up like a parade. She stared at the number of missed calls and messages, blinking in disbelief.
"Whoa…"
She took a bite of her toast first—priorities—and started scrolling.
The group chat with Damian, Eva, and Nate was an absolute mess. Messages pouring in, the three of them had apparently gotten the news mid-ferry ride.
Damian: "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"
Eva: "The cruise SANK?! You were ON that cruise!"
Nate: "WHAT?! You okay? Please say you're okay! Please say Gary's okay too!"
Damian: "We leave for ONE hour and this happens! What the fuck is your luck?! I mean, first a horror movie, then a psi-fi, and now you star on a FUCKING disaster movie!"
Ashley snorted through a bite of her porridge and quickly tapped out a reply.
Ashley: "Still breathing. In one piece. Venus carried me out of the wreckage. Gary's arm is broken, but he's milking it for all it's worth."
A beat later, the PokéNav buzzed again.
Eva: "OH THANK ARCEUS 😭😭"
Damian: "Venus carried? MVP. Like really, she kicked Abra's ass and now this. Literal queen."
Nate: "Tell Gary I expect a full dramatic retelling. With sound effects."
She grinned and moved on, sipping her tea as more messages loaded.
From Blaine:
Blaine: "Heard about the ship. Hope you're healing up. I also heard the pup evolved, you've done right by Vulcan. Congrats."
Ashley felt her chest warm. She replied quickly, promising to update him on Vulcan's training as soon as they were back at it.
Next came Koga—brief, efficient, but just as heartfelt in his own way.
Koga: "You survived. That's what matters. Three evolutions under your belt now—well done. We'll talk once you recover."
She smirked. Still a ninja. Still direct.
Lt. Surge's message, unsurprisingly, was loud even in text form.
Lt. Surge: "TOLD YA. Knew you'd crush the tournament. Knew you'd live. Strongest kids don't go down easy. Rest up, Ketchum."
Ashley shook her head fondly. "Never change, Surge," she mumbled into her tea.
Then came Erika's message, which was gentle, floral, and worded like a poem:
Erika: "I was distressed to hear of the S.S. Anne incident. You and your team were in my thoughts. I will personally oversee the creation of your kimono—consider it a blessing for your continued journey."
Ashley smiled, letting the screen drop to her lap for a second. She blinked away some suspicious moisture in her eyes and leaned back against the pillows.
Touched didn't begin to cover it.
Her breakfast was nearly gone now, and Venus had returned to the bed with a full belly and a happy sigh, nudging against Ashley's arm before curling up again. Ashley gave her a scratch behind the frill and looked around the quiet room. She wasn't alone. Not in the slightest. Not in battle, not in disaster, not in recovery.
Ashley had just lifted another spoonful of porridge to her mouth when the door swished open again, and the air in the room shifted—like someone important had just walked in.
She blinked up from her tray.
Standing in the doorway, framed by the early morning sunlight pouring in from the hallway, was none other than Elite Four Lorelei.
Her glasses caught the light in that dramatic way that usually only happened in TV shows or when Gary was being extra. Beside her floated her ever-present Jynx, swaying gently with that dreamy elegance only Ice-types seemed to pull off without looking ridiculous.
Ashley, spoon still halfway to her mouth, stared.
"…Oh," she croaked, then scrambled to sit up straighter, nearly knocking her tea over in the process. "I—I didn't think you'd actually come. I'd though you would be too busy—"
Lorelei smiled softly, striding into the room with calm, collected steps. "You really think I wouldn't check on one of Kanto's rising stars after that disaster? Especially one I consider a dear pupil."
Ashley blinked. "I'm not—uh—wait, really?"
Venus, still curled against her, perked up as Lorelei approached. The Vaporeon tilted her head, blinking with mild curiosity as the older woman crouched down and gently patted her slick head.
"You're even more stunning up close," Lorelei said with a warm smile, giving Venus a light scratch behind the frill. "Congratulations on your evolution. And thank you… for saving your trainer."
Venus let out a satisfied purr-chirp, clearly pleased with the compliment. Her tail flicked proudly.
Ashley grinned. "She's been milking the hero angle for attention ever since."
"Deserved," Lorelei replied, then looked up at Ashley.
Jynx had floated closer in the meantime and was now making a series of cooing noises as she wrapped a feather-soft shawl-like hand around Ashley's shoulders, patting her like an overenthusiastic aunt. Ashley blinked and gave a weak laugh as the Psychic-type adjusted her pillows, tucked the blanket higher, and very decisively fluffed her bedhead.
"Uhh… thanks?" Ashley said, allowing herself to be gently fussed over. "She does this a lot?"
"All the time," Lorelei said with a sigh that was definitely affectionate. "She likes taking care of strong ones who forget to take care of themselves."
"I do take care of myself!"
Jynx let out a long, musical "Jyyyyynx…" and gently booped Ashley's nose.
Ashley narrowed her eyes. "...Okay, mostly take care of myself."
Venus yawned dramatically and flopped across Ashley's lap, as if to agree.
Lorelei glanced around the room, taking in the half-eaten breakfast, the PokeNav sitting beside her tray, the slightly rumpled bed, and the peaceful way Ashley's Vaporeon curled around her like a weighted blanket.
"I've been reviewing everything we've got so far," Lorelei began, voice low and steady. Jynx moved to stand beside her, still as ever, those haunting eyes focused calmly on Ashley. "But here's the problem—no one knows what actually triggered the alarms. The communications from the S.S. Anne cut off before anyone could log a proper emergency report. No warning. Just panic. And then silence."
Ashley's hand, still resting on Venus's back, stilled.
"We don't even know what caused the ship to go down," Lorelei continued. "The structural damage doesn't match any conventional weapon." She looked at Ashley, steady. "Did you see anything?"
Ashley blinked, her expression scrunching up with effort as she tried to comb through the fog in her head. "I… I don't know. Everything happened so fast. The alarms were blaring, people were screaming—Venus was with me, and Gary—Gary got pulled away and then—" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "I hit my head. Concussion. Nurse Joy said I was out cold by the time Venus dragged me to Neptune."
Lorelei nodded, not pushing. "That would explain the memory gap. But even small details could help."
Ashley chewed the inside of her cheek. "I remember running. The deck was a mess, people everywhere. I remember being scared I'd never find Gary again. I remember grabbing Venus and…"
Her voice faded out.
Something tickled at the back of her brain. Not quite a thought. More like a feeling. Like when you walk into a room and forget why you came in—but deeper. Heavier.
And then it hit her.
Like a brick to the chest.
Her eyes flew open, and she jerked upright, her tray clattering slightly. "Wait—wait, no, I did see something!"
Lorelei straightened. Jynx floated forward slightly, focused.
Ashley's voice was sharp with urgency now. "I looked up. Just before everything went dark. There were helicopters—black ones, like the ones in the Indigo League reports on Rocket operations. They had the R on the sides."
Lorelei's brow furrowed. "Team Rocket?"
"Yes—but it wasn't just them!" Ashley's voice rose, and she had to take a breath to keep from rambling. "They weren't attacking—they were flying around something. A… someone. It was this… this floating humanoid Pokémon. I've never seen it before. It had this weird, alien look. Pale—like a light gray or maybe lavender skin—and these cold, emotionless eyes. It wasn't flying—it was just floating there."
Venus let out a soft, distressed trill and pressed herself closer against Ashley's side.
Ashley's fists clenched around the blanket. "It just raised a hand. And there was this laser. A violet beam, psychic energy—I know it was psychic, I felt it in my bones—and it obliterated the helicopters. Not knocked down. Not damaged. Disintegrated. Like they were made of paper. Then it turned and—and—"
She paused, breath catching.
"And it sliced through the S.S. Anne. Clean. Like a blade. The whole ship shook, and then…" Her voice cracked. "Everything went black."
For a long moment, no one said anything.
Lorelei's eyes had gone wide during the retelling. She exchanged a silent glance with Jynx, who hovered closer to Ashley, her psychic aura growing stronger, a gentle, pulsing glow now lighting the room.
"Do you trust her?" Lorelei asked, looking at Ashley, voice softer now.
Ashley blinked. "Jynx? Yeah."
Lorelei gave a small nod. "Would you be willing to let her extract that memory? It won't hurt—just like replaying a dream. She can show me directly. It'll help."
Ashley hesitated for half a second, then gave a firm nod. "If it helps stop whatever that was from hurting more people—absolutely."
Jynx raised her hand slowly. Her fingers didn't touch Ashley's forehead, but the moment they were close, Ashley felt it—a cool wave washing over her mind, like someone had opened a window in her thoughts.
She felt weightless for a second. Like she was floating too.
The memory played out again—but clearer this time. Like a movie in her head.
The sound of wind. The chaos of the deck. Gary's voice calling her name. The blinding light in the sky. The R-emblazoned helicopters. The silence before the storm.
And then that thing.
Its eyes.
The energy.
The destruction.
Jynx's fingers drifted back. The glow faded.
Lorelei's face had gone still. Thoughtful. Troubled.
"That wasn't any Pokémon I've seen in any Pokédex," she murmured, mostly to herself. "Not even classified legendaries…"
Ashley tilted her head. "You didn't recognize it?"
Lorelei shook her head slowly. "No. And that's not something I say lightly." She straightened, face hardening just slightly. "But now we have a lead. A real one."
Ashley leaned back again, exhaustion tugging at her edges. "I wish it were just a nightmare."
Lorelei gave her a look that was both kind and deeply serious. "Sometimes nightmares are warnings. And thanks to you, we might have a chance to do something about this one."
Venus let out a low hum of agreement, nudging Ashley's hand as if to remind her she wasn't alone in this.
Ashley sighed and gave her a small smile. "Guess I'm in deeper than I thought."
Lorelei cracked the tiniest smile. "Welcome to the club."
Lorelei didn't move right away. She remained by the bed, gaze fixed somewhere distant in thought. Then, quietly—almost as if remembering something important—she turned back to Ashley, her expression softening just a bit.
"There will be a memorial," she said, voice lower now. "A funeral and homage for the fallen of the cruise. Tomorrow morning, at the Pokémon Tower."
Ashley blinked, her chest tightening again.
"Everyone's welcome," Lorelei continued, folding her arms across her chest. "Trainers, families, survivors. Even Pokémon will be honored. It's not mandatory—but I thought you'd want to know."
Ashley nodded slowly, her voice catching a little in her throat. "Yeah. Of course. I'll be there."
There wasn't much else to say to that. The kind of quiet that followed wasn't awkward—it was the heavy kind. The kind that only comes when something truly awful has happened, and everyone knows it, and no one wants to pretend otherwise.
Lorelei gave her one last long look, like she was checking for cracks beneath the calm, then gave a faint nod. "Good."
Then, more gently, "I'll see you again soon, Ketchum. Rest up."
Jynx floated closer to Ashley, leaned down with an odd maternal hum, and—much to Ashley's surprise—planted a cool, ghostly kiss on her forehead. It tingled, like dry ice. Ashley blinked, startled.
"…Uh. Thanks?"
Jynx made a purring sound, satisfied.
Lorelei cracked the faintest smile. "You've earned her approval. That's rare. Then again, I am sure you've had it since the Seafoam Islands."
The door swished open with a soft hiss, and the two exited with barely a sound, Lorelei's coat fluttering slightly behind her as she left.
The silence that followed was full—but not heavy.
Ashley slumped back into her pillows with a long, slow breath. Venus crawled back onto the bed beside her and nestled close, tucking her nose under Ashley's hand.
Ashley gave a tired little smile.
"Okay, okay, you win," she murmured. "I'll nap."
The following morning, light streamed in through the window like it had no idea yesterday happened. Ashley stirred slowly, eyes cracking open with a groggy squint. For a second, she wasn't sure where she was. The clean smell, the soft beep of a monitor, and the gentle chill in the air all clicked together after a moment—right.
Lavender Town.
Pokémon Center.
She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, letting out a low groan. Her body still ached, but less like she'd been hit by a truck and more like she'd been bench-pressing one. Progress. Venus was already awake, curled neatly at the edge of the bed, blinking up at her with those soft ocean-blue eyes. The Vaporeon let out a soft, questioning chirp.
Ashley reached out, scratching gently behind her fin. "I'm okay. Just feel like I got stomped by a herd of Tauros, that's all."
There was a knock at the door, and then it opened just wide enough for Nurse Joy to step in, clipboard in hand and Chansey waddling right behind her with that ever-present cheerful expression.
"Morning, Ashley," Joy said, already smiling. "How are you feeling today?"
Ashley stretched a little. "Like I need a nap after sleeping."
Joy chuckled, checking her vitals one last time as Chansey busied herself by fluffing the pillows that no one would be using anymore. "Well, that's actually not a bad sign. You're stable, your hearing's holding up great, and unless something explodes in the next five minutes, I'm giving you the all-clear."
Ashley blinked. "Seriously?"
"You're free to go," Joy said with a wink. "Though I recommend light activity today. You've still got healing to do."
Ashley nodded. "Right. Light activity." She swung her legs over the edge of the bed. "You know. Like attending a public memorial for a bunch of people who—" She caught herself, then exhaled slowly. "Yeah. Light."
Joy gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Take your time. We'll have your discharge papers ready at the front desk. And your things have already been packed. Your parents dropped off a change of clothes, too."
"Oh, thank Arceus," Ashley muttered, glancing down at the bland hospital gown with mild offense.
She moved slowly, her joints stiff but cooperative, and padded barefoot to the small bathroom to change. Ten minutes later, she stepped out wearing a modest black outfit. Not her usual style, but… today wasn't about style.
She gathered her backpack and returned her Poké Balls to her belt one by one, murmuring to each of them softly. All of her Pokémon were still safe and resting—Neptune in particular would need another day or two—but just feeling their presence again made her chest loosen.
Venus followed close at her heels as they walked toward the front desk. Ashley signed her name where she was told, accepted a thermos of tea from Chansey with a small smile, and thanked Nurse Joy again.
Then, she stepped out into the streets of Lavender.
The air was cool, not cold. The sun was out, but muted—filtered through soft, gray clouds that hadn't quite decided if they were going to cry or not. It matched the mood.
The Pokémon Tower stood tall at the end of the street, a quiet silhouette against the morning sky. Even from a distance, Ashley could see the people beginning to gather. Trainers, townsfolk, League officials. And Pokémon—so many Pokémon. Some on leashes, others floating or hovering beside their trainers, many sitting in silence near the tower steps.
Ashley felt Venus brush up against her leg, her frill low and body tense.
"I know," she murmured. "Me too."
She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder and began the walk.
As she moved through the streets, people turned. Some whispered. Others offered small nods or quiet greetings. One elderly woman passed her a small bouquet of marigolds without saying a word. Ashley blinked down at it, then nodded in thanks.
By the time she reached the foot of the Pokémon Tower, she saw them.
Her mom and dad, standing with their hands clasped in front of them, eyes scanning the crowd until they met their daughter's. Professor Oak, standing tall but solemn, his usual warmth dimmed. And Gary, in his sling, waiting quietly with Blastoise beside him.
Ashley made her way over, Venus never leaving her side.
Delia reached for her hand immediately. "You okay?"
Ashley nodded. "Yeah. I'm good."
Gary arched a brow. "You look like you slept better than me."
Ashley smirked, elbowing him lightly. "Perks of being unconscious for two days, I guess."
Professor Oak gave a dry huff of a laugh, and even her dad smiled a little.
Together, they turned as the bells of the Pokémon Tower tolled once—low and deep.
The ceremony had begun.
The usual wind that tugged gently through the narrow streets barely stirred. Even the wild Pokémon that sometimes wandered near the edge of town were nowhere in sight. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Ashley stood just outside the main entrance to the Pokémon Tower. Her jacket had a silver ribbon pinned to the collar, and her hair, normally wild from the wind or tied up for travel, was pulled back into a low, neat braid.
Delia stood to Ashley's left, holding her hand gently, fingers occasionally squeezing when the weight of the silence felt like too much. To her right, her father stood stiffly in full ranger uniform, hands folded behind his back, his usual warm expression replaced by something harder, older. He was here as her dad—but also as a ranger. And a witness.
Gary was quiet beside them, his arm still in a sling, dressed in a dark turtleneck and gray jacket, his usual cocky smirk absent. Instead, he just stared up at the towering structure ahead of them, jaw clenched, Blastoise standing silently behind him with head bowed low.
Professor Oak hadn't said much either since they arrived. He stood a little apart, hands folded in front of him, hat in hand, his expression unreadable but his eyes wet with restrained emotion. The man who had spent his life studying Pokémon looked every inch his age in that moment.
The tower loomed above them, cloaked in low-hanging fog. Its bells didn't ring today. No music. No chimes. Just the quiet hum of gathering people and Pokémon alike.
Rows of attendees filled the grass surrounding the base. Coordinators, trainers, ship crew survivors, families of the missing. Elite Four members stood in solemn respect—Lorelei among them, her Jynx beside her, both holding a stillness that was somehow heavier than silence.
The memorial stones had been freshly cleaned, new ones added too soon.
Too many.
Ashley swallowed hard, her throat tight as she glanced around at the other survivors. A few trainers from the S.S. Anne caught her eye—some she'd seen before only in passing, others she'd helped pull up from the chaos on Neptune's back.
They looked different now.
Older, somehow. Worn thin.
And then the ceremony began.
A priestess of the Pokémon Tower stepped forward, draped in lavender robes with incense trailing behind her. Ghost-type Pokémon floated gently through the air above, silent guardians to the moment. A Dusclops moved alongside the altar with steady grace, placing symbolic offerings as the priestess spoke.
"Today," she said, voice barely more than wind, "we remember those lost in the waters between Chrysanthemum Island and the coast of Lavender. The tragedy that struck the S.S. Anne will not be forgotten. Their names are etched into this tower, their spirits watched over by our protectors."
Ashley's fingers curled into her jacket sleeves.
"For trainers, for crew, for Pokémon… we bow our heads, we light the flame, and we vow to carry their memory forward."
The flame lit with a quiet fwoosh, a pale blue fire flickering atop the ceremonial pyre. Candles lined the base of the tower, each lit one by one—slowly, reverently—by those who had survived, or had lost someone.
Ashley stepped forward when it was her turn. She moved slowly, Venus at her side, her family just behind her.
She took a candle with shaking fingers. The match in her hand trembled as she struck it once.
Twice.
On the third try, the flame caught.
She lit the candle and placed it in the holder.
She didn't say anything. She didn't need to.
Instead, she turned to the wall—one of the newer ones, where the fresh stones had been added for the S.S. Anne. There, etched into polished granite, were the names.
Some she didn't recognize.
Others made she recognized in passing.
Sasha the cook, who made the most delicious pancakes for the breakfast buffet.
Daniel, who was traveling to Lavander to meet his grandson for the first time.
Nicole, who had helped her buy some things for her team.
Crew members. Passengers. Tourists. Pokémon.
Ashley blinked rapidly and stepped back, joining her family again.
Gary glanced at her and opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but stopped. Instead, he gave her a nudge with his good shoulder. Small. Reassuring.
Ashley nudged back, then looked toward Lorelei, who met her eyes across the clearing.
The Elite Four member gave her a nod. Not stiff. Not formal. Just… understanding.
Ashley nodded back.
They stood together like that, all of them—trainers and friends, families and Pokémon—watching the flames burn and the ghosts swirl gently overhead.
A bell finally rang.
Once.
Soft.
Clear.
A farewell. A promise.
And as the wind picked up again, brushing gently through the crowd and carrying away the smoke, Ashley exhaled.
Ashley Ketchum's Team:
Mars - Charmeleon
Vulcan - Arcanine
Neptune - Lapras
Proserpina - Vileplume
Venus - Vaporeon
Apollo - Dragonair
Mercury - Male Eevee
Chione - Alola Vulpix
Gary Oak's Team:
Blastoise
Nidorina
Nidorino
Scyther
Kadabra
Kingler - Krabby
Doduo
Golem
