The sun was beginning to rise behind the edge of Lavender Town, casting a warm hue over the stone streets as the group gathered near the base of Pokémon Tower. The air was quieter now, no longer charged with the energy of the contest or the murmur of townsfolk—just the wind brushing against the tower, and the occasional flap of a Pidgeotto's wings far overhead.

Ashley stood beside Gary, her hand curled gently around Mercury's Poké Ball at her belt, while Venus sat like a sentinel at her feet. Her father stood off to the side, arms crossed, face unreadable beneath the shadow of his ranger cap. Just behind him, Delia pulled her cardigan tighter around herself, despite the heat. Professor Oak was by her side, holding her overnight bag in one hand, looking far older than he had just a couple of weeks ago.

"Alright," Delia said, her voice soft but final. She looked at Ashley, stepping forward to tuck a lock of hair behind her daughter's ear. "You have your PokéNav charged? Extra potions in your bag? And please, for the love of—"

"Mom," Ashley interrupted, smiling tiredly, "Yes. I'm good. I promise."

Behind her, Mimey's hands glowed with that familiar psychic shimmer as he finished focusing. His eyes were closed, expression calm, fingers floating slightly apart as the power built around him like a rising tide.

"I still think we should stay longer," Delia murmured to Oak, clearly not thrilled about leaving.

"She's all healed, they both are," the Professor said, giving Gary a firm nod. "It's not ideal, but it's enough. They need to finish their journey, most importantly, they want to finish it."

"Better than enough," Ashley's dad said simply, stepping forward. He put a hand on Ashley's shoulder—briefly, gently—and she leaned into it, just a bit. "Unfortunately, darling, it seems that I will need to stay in Lavander for a bit longer. The Rangers need someone who knows how to handle Ghost-types, after the Pokémon Tower's inhabitants suddenly rose in numbers. I'll handle things here."

No grand speech. No dramatic monologue. Just that calm confidence in his voice and the way he looked at her—not with worry, but trust. That meant more than anything else.

They watched as the light around Mimey grew brighter, coalescing around him and the two older adults. Oak gave a final glance to the Ranger, a nod that said everything between men who had worked together for decades. Then the glow surged.

In a blink of light and sound, they were gone.

The silence that followed was heavier than before.

Ashley exhaled slowly, shoulders drooping just a bit as the weight of the moment settled on her chest. Venus nudged her thigh with a cold, damp nose. Her dad adjusted the straps on his field pack, looking toward the distant hills that bordered the east side of town. "You'll be alright?" he asked, not hovering, just checking.

Ashley nodded. "Yeah. I've got this."

Gary made a noise that might've been agreement or annoyance. Possibly both.

Her dad gave a short grunt of approval. "I'll be stationed in the old Ranger outpost by Route 10. You need anything, you come find me."

But as he turned and started toward the misty horizon, she called after him.

"Hey!"

He stopped.

"Be safe, okay?"

He didn't look back, but one hand lifted in a casual, confident wave.

Then he was gone, swallowed by the pale lavender fog that always hung around the edge of this strange, sacred place.

Ashley stared after him for a long time. Then finally, with a breath that wasn't shaky for once, she turned back to Gary. "Let's go?"

"Say it with more confidence! Come on!" Gary slapped Ashley on the back, laughing as she stumbled.

She grumbled under her breath but followed Gary through the town. The wind was sharp, cool and dry, tugging at Ashley's jacket as if trying to pull her back. The sky was pale blue, thin wisps of clouds stretching above Lavender Town like a second layer of mist. A few petals from the flowers swirled through the air, brushing past her legs as she stood at the edge of the path.

Beside her, Gary adjusted his backpack with a practiced motion, his arm no longer wrapped in the sling that had become almost iconic over the past two weeks. He flexed his fingers briefly, rolling his shoulder with a grimace, then straightened his spine. The old cocky smirk hadn't returned entirely—but there was something solid in his gaze again. A bit of fire. Maybe it was relief. Maybe it was focus. Maybe both.

As they stopped on the outskirts of the town, before the entrance of Route 8, he turned to look over to her, one brow lifted. "Guess this is it."

Ashley nodded, hand tightening unconsciously around her Poké Ball belt. Venus stood at her feet, ears perked, tail flicking with low energy. "You sure you don't wanna stick with me 'til Saffron?" Ashley asked, half hopeful, half joking.

Gary snorted. "What, and babysit you another week? Nah, I've got work to do. I need to start getting serious in my gym challenge, or I won't get all my badges in time. I already have the Cascade and Boulder Badge, and I will not even if I am paid challenge Sabrina. Not after what you told me."

"Amen," Ashley snorted.

Gary hesitated for a second. Then he stepped forward and bumped his fist lightly against her arm. "You're good at this," he said. "The battling, the contest stuff, the… surviving exploding ships."

"Wow," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Such heartfelt encouragement."

"I mean it."

She blinked and glanced at him again, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice.

"You're gonna be fine," he said. "Whatever's waiting in Saffron, you'll handle it."

Ashley opened her mouth to say something, but before she could find the words, Gary lifted a hand in a quick wave, turned, and started walking away. No dramatic pause. No slow-motion farewell. Just Gary—shoulders squared, determined steps, a future already waiting for him.

Ashley stood there for a few more seconds, watching him shrink into the distance. Then she looked ahead—Route 8 stretched out before her, long and slightly winding, lined with fading fence posts and tall, lazy grass swaying on either side.

The breeze carried the crisp scent of damp earth and distant wildflowers as Ashley stood at the edge of the dirt trail. She exhaled, pulling her jacket tighter, and looked down at Venus. "You ready?"

Venus gave a soft chuff, tail flicking in readiness, her sleek body low to the ground like a coiled spring. Ashley nodded, stepping forward. Every step away from Lavender felt different—less like running and more like returning to something. To her journey. To herself. There were still bruises, sure. Inside and out. But they were fading. Just like the pain in Gary's arm.

A soft ping of a Poké Ball unlocking made her pause. She turned on reflex.

Flash.

Red light surged beside her.

"…Vulcan?" she blinked.

The Arcanine towered over her, fur already puffing slightly in the chill, eyes narrowed like he was sizing up the road ahead. He gave her a look. That look. The one that said: Don't argue.

Ashley's eyebrows shot up. "Did… did you just let yourself out?"

Vulcan huffed, stepped forward, and nudged her with his snout—not hard, but enough to make her stumble a step.

"Okay, rude!" she muttered, laughing under her breath.

Then he lowered himself. Chest to ground. Waiting.

Ashley stared. "You… want me to ride you?"

Vulcan didn't move. Just flicked an ear, as if to say, Yes, obviously.

Ashley blinked again. "Okay, weirdo. You've never offered before."

She stepped closer, placing a hand on his warm back. His muscles rippled under his thick coat. Still, he didn't move. Just waited.

"Well, alright," she said, swinging a leg over and settling in. "Guess someone's decided I'm not walking today."

Vulcan stood in one fluid motion, powerful limbs lifting her easily as if she were weighing nothing. She gripped the tufts of his fur and laughed aloud. "This is so much better than hiking."

She turned to look at Venus still on the ground and knew that there won't be a chance in Distortion World that her Vaporeon would be able to keep up. So, she thanked her partner and recalled her. She did it just in time, because one second later, Vulcan was already racing down Route 8.

The wind rushed past her ears as Vulcan bounded along the edges of the tall grass, his massive paws thudding rhythmically against the dirt path. His body moved with precision and power—no wasted energy, no hesitation, no room for doubt. Every stride was deliberate, anchored with purpose. He wasn't just fast—he was commanding the very road beneath him.

Ashley leaned into him, one arm wrapped gently around the thick ruff of his neck, her chin resting near his shoulder as they cruised steadily down Route 8. She wasn't complaining. Not even a little bit. The heat of his body was a steady, grounding comfort, and his movements were so fluid she felt like she was gliding instead of riding a Pokémon.

Her fingers sank deeper into his mane as her cheek brushed against it, the breeze stinging lightly against her face but not enough to wipe the grin that stretched across it. The day's earlier anxiety—the lingering unease that came from just being back in Saffron—was gone. Blown away by the wind and Vulcan's relentless momentum.

Ashley smiled.

This was one of the best freaking experiences of her life. She cannot wait for Mars and Apollo to evolve so she can get a chance to fly.

She let out a laugh that was more giddy than composed. "We're doing this more often, you absolute beast," she called down to him.

Vulcan chuffed in response, a little puff of heat curling from his nostrils as if to say, Took you long enough to figure that out.

Ashley gave him a playful nudge with her heel. "Just wait until I teach you Extreme Speed. You'll be unstoppable."

The Arcanine huffed again, this one sounding distinctly smug.

They kept going like that for a while—cutting through the wind, dancing around patches of tall grass, keeping to the edges of the path where the ground was firmest. Occasionally, a wild Pidgeotto or Nidorino would glance their way from the brush, only to wisely slink back into the undergrowth at the sight of Vulcan barreling past like a wildfire on legs.

Time slipped by unnoticed. It wasn't until the sun began to dip low on the horizon, casting long shadows and turning the clouds a soft gold-orange, that Ashley blinked and realized how far they'd come.

"Whoa, hey!" she leaned sideways slightly, nudging his flank. "Hold up, bud. Sunset."

Vulcan gave a short grunt and slowed his pace from a thunderous gallop to a graceful lope, then finally stopped, his breath steaming just slightly in the cooling evening air.

Ashley swung her leg over and slid down his side, landing with a soft thud. Her boots crunched gently against the gravel as she turned back to glance at the route they'd covered. Her jaw dropped.

"No way," she muttered. "We covered a third of the route already?"

She turned to look at Vulcan, who was now stretching his front legs out with a pleased grunt, fangs flashing as he yawned wide. He plopped down in the dirt like a big, satisfied puppy, tail thumping lazily behind him.

Ashley dropped her bag with a grin, sitting down beside him. "You're a monster. A fast, cuddly, incredible monster."

Vulcan leaned over and gave her hair a small, slobbery lick before laying his head beside her lap.

Still grinning, Ashley reached into her bag, pulling out her battered metal canteen and a pouch of Poké-snacks she kept buried under her spare bandana and first-aid kit. The familiar crinkle of the pouch caught Venus' ear—she glanced back from where she was cooling her paws in a puddle, alert, but gave an approving blink before returning to guard duty. Always the sentinel.

"Alright, big guy," Ashley said, shaking a few treats into her hand. "Let's see if those reflexes are as good as your speed."

Vulcan's ears perked immediately, his nose twitching. He didn't move from his laid-out sprawl, but his eyes were locked onto her hands now—tail swishing, pupils narrowed with predator-like focus.

Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Ohhh, so now you're awake."

She stood, stepping back a few feet and holding one of the brown, bone-shaped biscuits between her fingers. "Okay. Let's make this fun."

Vulcan didn't even blink.

Ashley flicked the first treat into the air with a light toss.

Vulcan's head snapped up with surgical precision—chomp!—and the snack vanished with a satisfying crunch. He didn't even move the rest of his body. Just his head.

Ashley whistled. "Okay, fancy paws. Let's up the difficulty."

She took another few steps back, shook out her arm dramatically, and pitched the next biscuit high in an arc. It spun once, twice—then Vulcan surged upright and leapt a good four feet off the ground, catching it with a clean snap and landing with a whump! that rattled the ground.

"YES! That's what I'm talking about!" Ashley cheered, laughing as she tossed him another one, quicker this time. Vulcan twisted his neck, caught it mid-turn, and flopped right back down with a happy grumble.

Now it was a full game.

Ashley adjusted her stance, her body moving like a pitcher in a baseball match. "Alright, now from the side!" she called, spinning and flinging a treat like a curveball. Vulcan rolled onto his back and caught it upside down, teeth clicking in the air. He didn't even drop it.

"Okay, now you're just showing off."

He let out a muffled hrmph through his full mouth and gave his tail a dramatic flick.

Ashley couldn't stop laughing. Her face hurt, her stomach ached from the sheer joy of it. It had been too long since she'd felt this kind of lightness—this kind of normal.

Another toss, another perfect catch. Vulcan's coat shimmered in the last streaks of gold from the setting sun, firelight on fur.

Ashley took a deep breath, watching him. He was strong. He was proud. And he was hers.

"One more," she said softly, not even bothering with a windup this time. She just flicked it up gently, and Vulcan, still on his back, simply let it drop into his mouth.

He crunched once, then rolled over with a satisfied grunt, head bumping gently against her shin.

Ashley sat back down beside him and rested her head against his side, listening to his heartbeat.

"…Okay, maybe you're the best part of this journey."

Vulcan rumbled quietly.

Not that he'd disagree.

When she finally stood up and dusted herself off, she stretched her arms overhead with a yawn. "Alright, time to get camp set up before it gets dark."

Vulcan gave her a side glance. A very deliberate one.

Ashley blinked. "What?"

The look didn't change.

"Don't you dare."

Too late. The second she reached for her pack, Vulcan let out a low woof, and in a flash of red light, her Poké Balls opened one by one around her. Mars landed with a thud, tail flaring with his usual flick of impatience. Venus stretched languidly, already scanning the perimeter like she was looking for threats. Mercury popped out mid-yawn and blinked in confusion. Chione emerged with an elegant huff, as if she'd been summoned from a royal nap. Apollo coiled lazily into the grass, and Proserpina… well, the Vileplume didn't so much emerge as unfold, blooming and blinking sleepily.

Ashley stared, halfway to reaching for the tent poles.

"Guys—seriously, I can—"

Mars snatched the tent from her hands, grumbling something under his breath as he stomped off toward a flat patch of earth.

Venus gently pushed Ashley back with a nudge of her head, then padded over to help smooth out the ground with practiced sweeps of her tail.

Mercury tugged open the food bag and began sorting supplies into neat little piles with his paws, nose twitching like a tiny, determined chef.

Chione, tail raised high, immediately curled into her usual guard perch atop Ashley's backpack like a fluffy, judgmental queen.

Even Apollo used his long body to anchor the corners of the tent while Mars hammered stakes into the dirt using a rock in each clawed hand.

Ashley sat down slowly, blinking.

"I can't believe you guys actually staged a coup," she muttered.

Proserpina waddled by and dropped a bundle of kindling in front of her. Where did she get that?

"I'm surrounded," Ashley groaned, flopping back into the grass. "Utterly betrayed by my own team."

Venus returned and curled up beside her, resting her head on Ashley's stomach with a tired but content sigh.

The truth was, if she wasn't so frustrated at being benched from her own camp setup, she'd be impressed. No one had argued. No one needed direction. They just… did it. Like they'd rehearsed.

Ever since the cruise, they'd been extra everything—extra close, extra alert, extra stubborn. And tonight proved it. This wasn't about protecting her. It was about control. Because they'd lost it once, and they weren't willing to let that happen again.

Ashley reached down and scratched behind Venus's fin, her other hand trailing over Mars's back as he passed by to double-check the tent lines.

"Okay," she whispered to them all. "Okay. I get it."

They didn't stop fussing over the camp. But when Ashley reached over to start the fire herself, no one stopped her. Which was stupid, as she had not started a fire since she decided upon a Fire-type starter.

After a couple of tries, Ashley tried to recall how to do it on her own again. The fire finally crackled gently in the center of the clearing, low flames licking at the stacked branches, casting golden light against the trees that surrounded their little makeshift camp. They silently had dinner before everyone divided into little groups.

Ashley sighed, this could not continue any longer. She needed to do something about it.

The night air was cooler now and Ashley had wrapped herself in a spare hoodie, sleeves tugged past her hands as she made her rounds through the camp.

Ashley crouched down beside Neptune and Venus first.

Neptune was half-submerged in a little pond that he had formed via the use of Rain Dance. It wasn't the ocean, not even close, but he didn't complain. He never did. His shell was wet with dew, the glow of the fire reflected in his calm, unreadable eyes.

Venus was curled next to him, tail tucked neatly over her paws, ears alert. Always alert.

Ashley hesitated for a second, then sat cross-legged in the grass beside them, resting her hands gently on her knees. She gave Neptune a small smile, the kind she wasn't sure reached her eyes.

"You guys saved me," she said softly, eyes flicking between the two. "I… I've thanked you already, I know. But I think I needed to say it again. Properly."

Venus tilted her head. Her eyes, so full of intelligence, flicked to Neptune and back. She chirped quietly—not quite a sound of protest, but not agreement either.

Ashley reached forward and rested her palm against Venus' head, ruffling the soft fin of her crest. "You—you didn't even hesitate. You dived through the wreak of a sank cruise and dragged my limp form to safety like it was another Tuesday."

Venus blinked slowly. She leaned into the touch but said nothing. Didn't need to.

"And you," Ashley turned to Neptune, her fingers twitching slightly as she reached to brush his shell. "You carried me, and others. All night. I'm not sure I even know how many people you brought back to shore."

Neptune let out a low, melodic warble. He shifted slightly in the water, ripples blooming around him.

Ashley tried to laugh, but it came out a little shaky. "I know, I know. You're saying it's no big deal. But it is, Neptune. That kind of stamina, that drive… you didn't stop."

Venus stood, circled once, then pressed herself against Ashley's side with a soft whine, head nudging under her arm.

Ashley sighed and wrapped her arms around her, forehead resting on Venus' soft head.

"I'm okay now," she whispered, trying to sound more certain than she felt. "We're okay."

Venus made a quiet huff that probably translated to are we though?

Ashley smiled bitterly. "Yeah, okay. Mostly okay."

Neptune hummed again, deep and warm. A reassuring presence. A quiet strength.

"I know it's still weird," Ashley murmured. "We've all been through stuff, and it's… hard. Not just for me. For all of us."

Venus pulled back just enough to boop Ashley's nose with her own, her usual icy-cold greeting that startled every time.

Ashley smirked. "See? That's the thing. You two are still trying to protect me. I see it—every time we hear a noise in the woods, every time a Pidgey flaps too loud in a bush. Venus, you practically throw yourself between me and shadows."

Venus did not deny it.

"And Neptune," Ashley leaned forward, watching him carefully. "You haven't even let yourself rest properly. You're half-awake in that pond all the time, like you're just waiting for the next emergency."

Neptune's eyes didn't waver.

Ashley softened. "I know I was hurt. I know it scared you. I was scared too." She reached out, fingers grazing Neptune's flipper. "But I promise," she said, louder now, voice gaining strength as the words formed, "I'm not fragile. I bounced back, like always. I'm just slower this time."

Venus blinked. Her head tilted again, like she was processing that.

Neptune gave the faintest nod.

Then, as if deciding the conversation was over, Venus dropped to the ground and flopped across Ashley's lap dramatically, tail twitching once. The message was clear: you may be "fine," but I'm still keeping you close, just in case.

Ashley chuckled and rubbed behind her ears. "You're such a drama queen."

Venus closed her eyes, smug.

Ashley leaned back a bit, staring up at the stars through the branches overhead. They twinkled brighter here than in the city. Cleaner skies. Quieter thoughts.

With one last pat on their heads, Ashley stood up and made her way to the next group. Her Fire Team.

Mars was perched on a half-burnt log near the edge of the camp, his tail flame flickering low, casting long, orange shadows against the bark. His arms were crossed, claws tapping against his scales in that very specific, annoyed-but-not-talking-about-it way that was uniquely Mars. Vulcan sat nearby, his much larger form lying regally by the fire, thick fur gleaming amber under the flames. His eyes were half-lidded, but he wasn't sleeping. Not with Ashley walking toward them.

"Hey, you two," she said softly, dropping into a crouch between them and brushing grass from her knees.

Mars didn't look at her. Instead, he glared at the campfire like it owed him money.

Ashley sighed, then looked over at Vulcan first. "I know you're both mad."

Vulcan snorted gently. Not at her—more like a hum of agreement. He didn't do drama, not unless someone messed with Ashley. But yeah, he'd been tense since the S.S. Anne.

"I get it," she continued, eyes bouncing between them. "You weren't there. It was just Venus and Neptune. And I know that bugs you. But guys—come on. It's not like you were taking a nap or something. The ship sank. You weren't even out of your Poké Balls."

Vulcan shifted his weight, muscles rippling beneath that fireproof coat of his. He gave her a low, calm rumble, as if to say yeah, I know.

Ashley reached out and rested a hand on his thick ruff. "And let's be real—ocean duty? Not your zone, big guy. I love you, but you sink like a rock."

That earned a huff from Vulcan. Not offended. Just factual.

Ashley smiled gently, rubbing his neck. "You're our land guard. Not our life raft. That's why we've got Neptune. And Venus. We're a team, right? Everyone's got their part to play."

Vulcan gave a slow, satisfied nod, then laid his massive head on his paws and finally let himself relax.

Ashley turned her attention to the still-silent Mars.

He hadn't moved. Still arms crossed. Still tail swaying, low and slow.

"Alright, Mars," she said, scooting over so she was in his line of sight—barely. "I know that pout. You're not mad at me. You're mad at you."

Mars finally shifted just enough to shoot her a sideways glare. His jaw was clenched, the edges of his frill twitching like he wanted to say something—if he could say something. Ashley sighed and plopped down in the grass in front of him, folding her legs and resting her arms on her knees.

"You think you failed me."

Mars didn't nod.

Didn't have to.

Ashley leaned forward, voice dropping. "You didn't."

Mars's claws flexed. His tail flicked again, sending a small spray of embers into the dirt.

"You weren't there because I didn't let you be. I made that call. That's on me, not you."

Mars didn't look at her. But his tail flick slowed a bit.

"And if you had been there, what were you gonna do, huh?" Ashley pressed, her voice getting that slight sharpness it always did when she was trying to break through his stubbornness. "Challenge the ocean to a Flamethrower duel?"

That got him. Just a twitch of the mouth. Almost a smirk.

Almost.

Ashley leaned closer. "Look, I know you want to be the protector. You've always been like that. First out of the ball, first into the fray, first to stand in front of me when a wild Pidgeotto gives me the side eye."

She reached forward and placed her hand gently over his clawed ones.

"But we're not solo fighters. We're a team. And this team has water-types for a reason. You don't need to burn through yourself trying to do everyone else's job."

Mars's eyes finally met hers, glowing slightly from the firelight. Still upset, still frustrated—but he was listening.

Ashley smiled softly. "I know that look. You're thinking about training. You're thinking if you'd just evolved already, maybe things would be different. If you had been a Charizard you could have flown me away from danger."

Mars flinched. Just barely.

"Don't," she warned. "Don't go there. You'll evolve when you're ready. Pushing yourself to the edge just to chase a form doesn't make you stronger—it just gets you hurt. And I need you. As you are."

Mars's tail curled slightly around his feet, flame steady.

Ashley gave his claws a small squeeze, then let go and stood. "Just don't make me fight you to keep you from pulling an all-nighter, okay?"

That earned a small, stubborn snort from him. Progress.

Ashley watched them for a moment, then let herself smile. A small one. Tired, but real.

Two teams check-in down.

A few more to go.

Mercury was the first to approach.

He didn't walk so much as bounce—ears perked, tail wagging, nose twitching as he practically skidded across the grass to nose at Ashley's knee. He clearly had no idea why everyone had been so tense for the last few days, but he could feel it, like static in the air. His usual energy had been off—less zoomies, more clinginess. Not that Ashley minded. She was just glad he hadn't started chewing on any shoelaces out of stress.

She chuckled as he tried to crawl into her lap, despite very much not fitting anymore.

"Merc, buddy—pick a direction," she said, giggling as he squirmed and rotated twice before plopping down in a very proud loaf across her thighs, his tail curling up around her arm like a fuzzy ribbon.

A quiet pop of frost accompanied the release of her next guest.

Chione materialized beside her in a swirl of cold mist, her expression already set to maximum pout. She did not enjoy playing second to Mercury, who was still nuzzling Ashley like he owned her.

Ashley scooted slightly, shifting Mercury's weight and patting the blanket beside her. "C'mere, drama queen. It's spa night."

Chione gave a tiny sniff, then padded forward with that deliberate, regal walk she'd somehow mastered even as a pup. She settled beside Ashley, not on her lap—she had standards, thank you very much—but close enough to bump her shoulder with a cool, damp nose.

Ashley pulled her grooming kit out of her backpack and flipped it open, humming to herself as she sorted through the brushes. The familiar motions soothed her: a slicker brush for Mercury, soft bristle for Chione, a spritz of the leave-in conditioner Erika had sent her as a recovery gift.

She started with Mercury, running the brush through his short, velvety coat in smooth strokes. He hummed in contentment, tongue lolling out, already half-asleep on her legs.

"You're not even pretending to be dignified, huh?" Ashley teased, her voice low and warm.

Mercury's tail thumped once in response.

Beside them, Chione watched the grooming process with the practiced patience of someone waiting their turn at a salon. She didn't fuss. She didn't need to. She had expectations.

Ashley switched brushes and moved to her, giving her thick, snowy coat the care it deserved. Every stroke revealed that pearly shimmer beneath—gorgeous, clean, and cold. A part of her always forgot how cold Chione naturally ran until her fingers started going numb.

"Y'know, you're like a walking air conditioner," Ashley murmured, massaging behind the Vulpix's ears.

Chione closed her eyes, chin lifting slightly in quiet approval.

Ashley paused. "I know you don't get it. Not all of it. But I also know you feel it."

The brush slowed.

"You felt everyone's stress. And you've been acting out a little. Pouting more. Snapping at Mars. Giving Venus the cold shoulder."

Chione huffed. It wasn't denial, exactly.

Ashley set the brush down and ran her hand down Chione's spine, just once.

"We're okay," she said quietly. "I'm okay. I promise. We'll be competing again soon. But for now, it's okay to rest."

Chione blinked up at her, expression softening just slightly. She leaned forward and licked Ashley's wrist, just once, cool and featherlight.

Ashley smiled.

She leaned back, letting her hands rest on each of them—Mercury softly snoring on one side, Chione settled with a curled tail on the other.

For the first time in what felt like days, Ashley felt calm.

Not tired. Not sad.

Just still.

It was a strange kind of stillness too—not the empty quiet she sometimes got after a hard fight, or the dead silence of shock that had haunted her in Lavender. This was… warmer. Like the moment before you fall asleep when your thoughts stop racing and everything just settles. It sat deep in her chest, spreading slowly, like the warmth of a mug of tea cupped between chilled fingers.

She hadn't even realized how much she needed this.

The grooming had started for them. Chione had been prickly lately, radiating disappointment in elegant little puffs of cold air, and Mercury had been dragging his tail. She thought if she brushed them out, gave them that familiar routine, they'd relax.

But somewhere between smoothing Chione's impossibly silky fur and detangling Mercury's fluff, something had cracked open in her too.

Their world was still weird. Still dangerous. Psychic monsters she couldn't name were still out there. The S.S. Anne still sat somewhere at the bottom of the sea, and the bruises on her legs from the wreck still ached when the night got too cold. But here, with a purring Eevee half-sprawled over her hip and a frosty little Vulpix giving her content side-eye, those things felt… distant. Not gone, but not so heavy.

Their innocence was a balm.

They didn't know the weight she carried. They didn't understand how close she'd come to not making it. And honestly, she was glad. Because with them, she didn't have to be the girl who survived a sinking ship. She didn't have to be the one still flinching at sudden noises or checking for exits in every building.

She could just be their trainer.

The one who brushed out their fur. The one who clipped their claws and scratched behind their ears. The one who still knew how to laugh when Mercury sneezed into his own fluff and looked betrayed by physics.

Ashley breathed in deep and closed her eyes, letting that stillness anchor her for a moment longer.

The fire had burned low by the time Ashley moved to the last cluster of her team.

Proserpina was easy to find—her vivid petals glowed faintly in the moonlight, that deep crimson haloed in soft lavender shadows. She was settled beside the camp's edge, just where the wildflowers met the tree line. She didn't slouch like Mars. She just existed, still and watchful, her eyes half-lidded but always aware.

Apollo coiled beside her, his sleek serpentine body resting in elegant loops. His tail swished in slow, idle patterns, almost like he was drawing invisible sigils into the dirt. It was a quiet ritual, the kind of thing he did when he was thinking too hard.

Ashley approached slowly, hands still faintly smelling like conditioner from grooming session. She didn't say anything at first—just dropped into a cross-legged sit a few feet away, letting the cool breeze settle between them. Her breath clouded in front of her for a moment, and she tucked her arms into her hoodie sleeves.

Apollo lifted his head slightly, acknowledging her, but didn't speak—not that he could with words, but his posture was enough. Not tense. Not upset. Just aware.

Proserpina tilted her head, one of her stubby arms gently adjusting a leaf that had drifted onto her shoulder. She always had that regal, knowing air. Like she was older than the others—even if she wasn't. She never overreacted, never lashed out. She just knew. Knew when to hold her ground and when to step in. Ashley didn't know where she'd be without her.

"I figured you two were over here holding court," Ashley said softly, smiling at them. "All the drama queens are down for the night, so I thought I'd visit the sensible ones."

Proserpina blinked slowly at her. Apollo let out a low, musical hum from his throat—something that sat somewhere between "You're stalling" and "We've been waiting."

Ashley snorted, brushing back a stray hair as she leaned against her backpack.

"I know I should've done this sooner," she muttered, "but everything's been a whirlwind. The cruise… Lavender… the Tower… I just—" Her hand flexed unconsciously against her thigh. "I didn't want to dump my mess on you too."

Apollo raised his head a little more, flicked his tail once. He leaned forward until his snout rested lightly against her shoulder.

Not heavy. Just… there.

Grounding.

Ashley exhaled slowly.

"Thanks," she said, not even sure what part she was thanking him for.

She glanced over at Proserpina, who had finally stood up. The Grass-type waddled forward, surprisingly graceful for a creature with no visible legs and a massive flower for a head. She nudged Ashley's knee, then looked up at her, expression calm. So, calm it made Ashley's chest ache.

"You two really are my balance, y'know that?" Ashley murmured. "Like… Mars gets fired up. Literally. Vulcan needs direction. Mercury needs a full-time babysitter. Venus? She's a mess of paranoia in a swimsuit."

Apollo gave a light snort.

"I heard that," Ashley said, grinning sideways.

She ran a hand gently along Proserpina's flower, careful not to disturb the sensitive pollen. The Vileplume leaned into it slightly, her petals fluffing out in what Ashley had learned was the equivalent of a purr.

"You two don't panic. You stay steady. Even when everything goes to hell, even when you heard what happened… You stayed you."

Apollo's coils tightened faintly, the air around him buzzing with a flicker of restrained energy. But he didn't correct her, didn't argue. Because they both knew—he had felt it. That fear. That guilt. But he chose not to let it rule him.

"That's what makes you strong," Ashley said, voice a little hoarse. "Not how hard you hit. But how steady you are when the rest of us fall apart."

She looked at them, her team—her pillars—and for the first time in days, she didn't feel overwhelmed. Apollo dipped his head, pressing his snout to her forehead in a gentle tap. Proserpina sat herself beside Ashley and simply leaned her body against her side, warm and comforting and real.

Ashley didn't cry. Not this time.

Instead, she let the peace sink in. The hum of the forest around them, the occasional rustle of a sleepy Pokémon shifting in the grass, the quiet breathing of teammates curled in their nests. She stayed like that until the fire had turned to ash and the night wrapped around them like a blanket.

When she finally crawled into her sleeping bag, Apollo curled protectively beside her. Proserpina stood watch just beyond the firepit, unmoving, as if guarding a garden from ghosts.

And Ashley slept—finally, truly slept—with her team around her, her heart a little steadier than the day before.

Two days later, Ashley made it to her destination. The sun was just starting to dip when she stepped past the Saffron City gates, the orange glow casting long shadows between the buildings. The skyline hadn't changed much—not that she expected it to. Same boxy corporate towers. Same neon buzz from the Pokémon Dojo signs. Same streets that felt so familiar. But now, even the sidewalks felt heavier under her boots.

She adjusted the strap of her backpack, her grip on Mars' Poké Ball tightening before releasing him with a flick of her wrist. The Charmeleon popped out with a snort and a flick of his tail flame, eyes instantly scanning the crowded plaza. A heartbeat later, Venus padded up beside her, silent but watchful, ears flicking every few seconds. Mercury was already in her arms, half-dozing and completely unaware of the tension hanging over his trainer. Chione trotted lightly beside them, head high but tail swishing with an unease she clearly thought she was hiding.

Ashley was surrounded, yes, and that was on purpose.

The last time she'd walked through these streets, she'd been… well, she'd been a girl who thought contests were her biggest problem.

Now?

Yeah. She was different.

And so was Saffron.

The city had always been loud—horns, voices, the sharp whir of magnet trains overhead—but now every sound grated. It made her flinch, even if just a little. Her eyes darted upward on instinct whenever something flew overhead, and she knew Venus noticed. The Vaporeon brushed her leg gently, a grounding nudge.

She didn't mean to hold her breath until they crossed into the shopping district. A familiar block of stores greeted her—Poké Mart to the right, a café she vaguely remembered to the left, a park ahead with a few trainers sparring—but everything still felt… off. The streets weren't dangerous, not really. There were people here. Normal people. Businessmen, school kids, delivery cyclists.

But Ashley felt hunted.

She picked up the pace, trying not to look like she was picking up the pace. Mars kept in step at her right, his claws clicking with each stride. He hadn't spoken since being released—hadn't grunted or growled, even when a passing Machoke nearly bumped into him. That was very un-Mars.

Venus fell in behind her, casting glances at every alleyway. Chione stopped a few times to sniff the air and let out small, icy huffs, clearly unimpressed with the scents of city grime and exhaust fumes.

Ashley felt the heat crawling up her spine.

She wasn't going to cry. Not here.

"Alright," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than the Pokémon, "Center's like ten blocks that way. We're just gonna drop in, check in, crash for the night, and then—poof—we're out first light."

Chione sneezed, offended.

"Yeah, I know," Ashley said with a weak grin. "Not the most glamorous destination, huh?"

Mars suddenly paused, coming to such a dead stop that Ashley nearly bumped right into him.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice dropping into a cautious whisper.

His tail flame flicked higher, not angry—but alert. His eyes were sharp, narrowed at something just ahead. Venus shifted immediately, stepping into a loose guard position with her body angled just slightly in front of Ashley. Ears pricked. Tail low. Tension wrapped tight in every muscle.

Even Chione twitched.

Mercury, curled up in Ashley's arms, blinked slowly, nose wrinkling as he peeked his head up to look forward.

Ashley followed their gaze.

And there it was. The Saffron City Gym.

Cold and pristine. Clean lines, white stone, that eerie stillness to the air around it like even the wind didn't want to touch the building.

Her breath hitched.

Not because it was imposing—it always had been—but because the last time she'd stepped through those doors, she hadn't been sure she'd walk back out. Not really. Sabrina hadn't been Sabrina back then. Whatever had been inside her… it twisted everything. Her voice. Her eyes. Her presence. Ashley had felt like a puppet in a room full of mirrors—everything warped, reflections closing in, and no real sense of what was up or down.

She'd barely escaped.

Venus let out a low growl, she remembered. Of course she did. She'd been the one to save her.

Ashley's fingers curled tighter around Mercury.

Ashley forced herself to breathe in, then out.

"Nope," she said, turning on her heel fast enough that Chione yelped and skittered back to avoid being stepped on. "Nope, nope, nope. New plan. We're taking the long way."

She darted down the side alley that led into the market streets, skirting away from the plaza.

"We'll go around the gym block. I don't care if the Pokémon Center's closer that way," she muttered, brushing back a strand of hair. "We're not walking past that building. Ever."

Mars rumbled something that sounded like agreement. Venus moved in a little closer, brushing against her thigh as they walked. Ashley didn't need to look to know that her team was keeping a tighter perimeter around her than ever.

And even Mercury, now fully awake and alert in her arms, glanced up at her with wide eyes and gave a soft, worried "Vee?"

Ashley smiled, strained but honest, and pressed her forehead against his.

"I'm okay," she whispered. "I just… don't like this place."

Saffron City didn't feel like a city anymore. It felt like a ghost. A place where everything still worked—trains still ran, people still walked—but under the surface, there were cracks. And Ashley had fallen through them once.

Not again.

The sun dipped lower, casting the skyline in gold. They turned another corner, heading toward the less crowded residential district. She'd find another way to get to the Center, even if it took an extra hour. She just had to get through tonight.

Just one night.

That was the promise.

When Ashley finally stepped through the sliding glass doors of the Saffron Pokémon Center, her legs were stiff from walking and her throat dry from the city smog. The bright fluorescent lights overhead made her blink a few times, but the familiar scent of disinfectant and Chansey-brewed Pecha tea grounded her faster than expected. It was the same layout as every other center—cool tile floors, warm pink and cream walls, posters about flu season and type matchups—but something about being indoors again made her shoulders finally drop half an inch.

"Welcome to the Saffron Pokémon Center!" chirped Nurse Joy, who appeared behind the counter like she'd been summoned by tired trainers and trauma itself.

Ashley didn't even make it to the desk before Venus trotted ahead and leapt onto the counter with her usual grace—then proceeded to lay across it like she owned the place.

Nurse Joy blinked. "Oh my—wait, is that…?"

Ashley smiled, weary. "Yup. That's her."

Nurse Joy leaned in, squinting like she wasn't entirely convinced her memory wasn't playing tricks on her. "No way… This can't be the same Eevee I treated last time you were in Saffron."

"She is," Ashley said, voice light, but her arms were still wrapped tight around Mercury, whose tail flicked with curiosity. "Same furball. Just a little wetter."

"She's beautiful!" Joy cooed, running a hand down Venus' sleek back. "What a stunning Vaporeon! You've grown so much! And that coat—have you been moisturizing?"

Venus preened, lifting her chin proudly while her tail gave the softest flick of agreement.

"Let me guess," Joy added with a teasing smile, "Water Stone evolution?"

Ashley nodded. "Won it at… a tournament."

"Lucky girl," Nurse Joy said, still marveling.

The cheerful air lasted exactly five more seconds—until the moment Joy's fingers hovered over her keyboard, paused, and her smile faltered. She tapped something. Read the screen. Then looked up with that same smile, but this time it had the faint stiffness of forced cheer.

"Ashley…" she began, her tone now a half-octave lower, "there's something you should know."

Ashley's back straightened immediately. Venus tensed. Mars, who had just been settling into a crouch near the entryway, rose to his full height, his tail flame flaring slightly. Mercury stopped swaying and stared up at her with wide, unblinking eyes.

Joy's hands stayed carefully folded. "Gym Leader Sabrina came by. She said she's been waiting for you."

Ashley's fingers flexed instinctively over Mercury's soft fur.

Of course she had.

"I told her you were most likely still on the road," Joy continued gently. "But she seemed sure you would come sooner than later. She is on the training backyard of the Pokémon Center."

Ashley didn't answer right away. Her jaw was tight, and her stomach twisted.

She remembered what happened the last time she came face to face with Sabrina too well. Too vividly.

Mercury, sensing the change, nuzzled closer into her chest. Venus had slipped down from the counter and now sat by her side, ears sharp, tail still. Mars moved up behind her like a wall of quiet fire. Even Chione brushed herself against her ankles in comfort.

"I do not really have a chance, do I?" Ashley said finally. "You cannot refuse a Gym Leader."

Nurse Joy smiled sadly at her, as she finished checking her in for the night. Ashley scooped up the keycard and turned, her Pokémon immediately shifting back into formation. Mars took front. Venus and Chione flanked her, and Mercury clung like a warm scarf.

The gravel crunched softly beneath Ashley's boots as she stepped out into the training yard behind the Pokémon Center, her breath curling in the cool evening air. The back lot was quiet—surprisingly peaceful for Saffron. A line of training dummies sat half-forgotten at one end, and a chalk circle for practice battles had long since faded under scuffs and scurrying Pokémon. Overhead, the sky was that muted lavender hue that hinted at dusk settling in.

Sabrina was already there, standing still as stone at the far end of the field. No Abra. No haunting psychic hum that made the air buzz. Just her—quiet, composed, her arms folded neatly behind her back.

Ashley exhaled slowly, half expecting something to explode just from sheer Saffron-induced anxiety. Sabrina turned the moment Ashley stepped onto the gravel, her violet eyes narrowing with a kind of solemn recognition.

"Ashley Ketchum," she said. Her voice wasn't cold. Just… careful.

Ashley didn't stop walking until she was halfway across the field. Venus padded behind her, tense but obedient. Mars kept a few steps back, tail flicking slowly like a metronome. Mercury, for once, stayed in his ball—too much residual psychic energy in this place. Chione was clearly not thrilled either, but at least she stayed put.

"I came alone," Sabrina said.

Ashley blinked. "Well. That's… comforting, I guess?"

A faint twitch of Sabrina's lips might've been a smile. "I didn't expect you to agree to meet me, after what happened."

Ashley crossed her arms, raised her brow. "You mean the part where you tried to mind-puppet my soul out of my body? Nah, totally chill."

Sabrina actually winced.

"I was not in control. I remember pieces of it. Disjointed moments. And the pressure… the presence. Something was wrong. Deeply."

Ashley studied her face. The psychic looked thinner than last time—like sleep hadn't been her friend for a while. Her hair was still perfectly combed, her outfit still the crisp red of a professional Gym Leader, but she had the aura of someone walking a tightrope with no net.

"You weren't yourself," Ashley said, finally. "And from what I've been told, you're not the only one. Something's been going on with Psychics all across Kanto."

Sabrina nodded, slow and grave. "We believe the creature you saw during the S.S. Anne, the one in the sky above the ship, is the same one responsible for the psychic-corruption incident. It didn't just appear there by chance. The signals—faint psychic imprints—match across reports."

Ashley's stomach dropped. Her jaw clenched and her fingers twitched near her Poké Balls.

"That thing—" she started, but her throat tightened. The image flashed in her mind again. The purple psychic beam. The way it sliced the S.S. Anne like paper. The panic. The dark.

"What is it?" she asked, when she finally found her voice. "

"We don't know," Sabrina replied. "Its psychic signature is unlike anything documented. Raw. Violent. Almost... primitive, yet vast. It isn't like the usual Psychic-types we understand."

Ashley slowly sat down on one of the stone benches ringing the yard, her legs a little too shaky to keep standing. Venus sat beside her, placing her cold tail over Ashley's foot like a weighted comforter.

"Great," Ashley muttered. "So, I'm not just a trainer. I'm apparently living in a mystery movie now."

Sabrina didn't deny it.

Ashley rubbed her temples. "You think it's still out there?"

Sabrina nodded. "Somewhere. We're watching closely. But it's unpredictable."

There was silence for a long moment. Even the wind was too polite to interrupt.

Finally, Ashley looked up, giving Sabrina a half-smile that was more tired than amused. "This region is cursed."

"You're not wrong," Sabrina said, and there was almost humor in it.

Ashley stood up, brushing her palms on her jeans. "Alright. Thanks for the info."

Sabrina gave her a rare, genuine look of respect. "I wish you a safe journey."

And just like that, she turned, her heels silent as she walked back toward the shadowy corners of the training yard, vanishing into the dusk like the eerie mist her power always carried.

Ashley looked down at Venus, who huffed quietly and nudged her calf.

"Yeah, I know," Ashley said. "That was way too chill for a conversation about a floating psychic murder weapon."

She stretched her arms behind her head and started walking back toward the Center.

But her fingers never once left her Poké Balls.


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