~Celadon City Hospital~
A doctor in a white coat walked out of the operating room with a grave expression...
Caleb Chase, who had been anxiously waiting on a bench with Mimikyu, immediately stood up.
The doctor asked, "What is your relationship to this little girl?"
Without hesitation, Caleb replied, "I'm her brother. How is she?"
The doctor sighed and shook his head, "Her body is collapsing at the genetic level. Current medical technology can't cure this. At this rate, she has at most two weeks left."
Having said that, the doctor turned and left.
Caleb silently looked up at the white ceiling, suddenly finding the antiseptic smell of the hospital stifling.
Mimikyu let out a soft sigh, its disguise drooping in sync with its mood. It blinked its eyes and reached out a tiny paw to hold its trainer's hand.
Caleb pursed his lips, picked up Mimikyu, and said, "Let's go see Amber."
Amber had been moved to a sunny ward.
She lay on the pure white hospital bed, the bloodstains on her face already cleaned away. The warm sunlight streaming in through the window made her look like a fragile, delicate porcelain doll...
...
~In a dream~
Amber said happily, "Mewtwo-chan, Onii-san came to see me again today!"
Mewtwo raised its head in the darkness, its gaze softening the moment it saw the girl.
"...You don't look well..." Mewtwo said.
Amber's face fell at these words, "I don't know, Mewtwo-chan. I feel like I'm going to die soon... But I haven't gotten to see the ocean with Onii-san yet."
Mewtwo seemed puzzled: "...What does 'die' mean?.."
Amber wasn't entirely sure either... she had only read about death in books...
After thinking for a moment, she carefully explained, "Dying means never waking up again... If I die, Mewtwo-chan won't be able to see me anymore, and we won't be able to talk like this."
Mewtwo's expression changed instantly...
...
~Meanwhile, aboard a Team Rocket-marked aircraft~
A surge of immense psychic energy suddenly erupted from the cabin.
Chairs and loose items throughout the plane were instantly snapped and sent flying by the force.
Ariana, sitting in the cockpit, sensed the disturbance and rushed to the back with a grim expression.
<...What happened?..>
Giovanni's calm voice came through the radio.
Ariana stared at the chaotic scene before her, a cold sweat forming on her forehead, "Boss... The Mewtwo prototype has suddenly gone berserk! The cause is unknown!"
Giovanni frowned and quickly ordered:
<...Administer the suppressants immediately. Hold out until we reach New Island!..>
A team of researchers quickly took action.
Soon, the Mewtwo prototype which was housed in a special containment unit quieted down.
The forced external interference disrupted Mewtwo's mental connection, severing its link with Amber and plunging its consciousness into slumber...
....
~Back at the hospital~
Amber suddenly opened her eyes, waking from her dream...
"Onii-san?" She called out to Caleb, who was sitting beside her bed.
Caleb turned to look at her, "Awake? Are you hungry? Do you want some water?"
Amber shook her head and curiously examined her surroundings.
Caleb explained, "This is a hospital. We got away safely."
Mimikyu seized the moment and hopped onto the bed with a plump Pecha Berry in its paws, and offered it to Amber...
"Thank you!" Amber reached out and patted Mimikyu's head before taking the berry.
She took a small bite, the sweet juice spreading in her mouth. The hydration and glucose brought a faint flush back to her pale cheeks.
Seeing that Amber seemed stable for now, Caleb relaxed slightly. He left Mimikyu to keep her company while he stepped out to buy food...
...
Below the hospital was a bustling food street where both human and Pokémon cuisine were available, albeit at inflated prices...
Caleb bought himself a serving of mango sticky rice, while for Mimikyu, he picked up a dish that looked suspiciously like a culinary abomination... a murky stew that the vendor claimed was "beloved by all Ghost-types" and impossible for any spectral Pokémon to resist.
As someone not from this region, Caleb suspected the vendor was swindling him, an out-of-towner.
But without proof, he could only take the packaged meals and head back.
However, the moment he stepped out of the food street, he spotted a familiar figure... Officer Jenny...
Jenny had been patrolling the streets with her Growlithe. Her sharp eyes, which always scored perfect 20/20 vision on tests, instantly locked onto the young man carrying takeout bags in the middle of the road.
Caleb could only watch as the Growlithe bounded toward him like an overexcited Husky, followed closely by Jenny, who was already dialing a number on her phone.
Jenny skidded to a stop in front of him, panting, and glared saying, "I've already informed Lance! Don't even think about sneaking away this time!"
Caleb: "...."
Why did he suddenly feel like a wanted criminal?
...
~Thirty minutes later~
Officer Jenny, the Dragon Master Lance, and Caleb sat in the hospital room, staring at each other in silence...
Lance had been about to leave Celadon City to report the recent events to the League headquarters. But the moment he boarded his flight, Jenny called, claiming the sole surviving undercover agent had been found.
So he jumped off the plane mid-boarding, summoned his Dragonite, and rushed over at top speed...
Caleb listened to Lance's explanation, then asked with a strange expression, "So... you're planning to hold a memorial for the fallen agents?"
Lance nodded solemnly, "As the saying goes, 'Some people may die, but their courageous spirit lives on forever...' We can't let their sacrifices be in vain. This is the least we, the living, can do for them!"
Caleb: "...."
He couldn't help but wonder what expressions Gwen, Lucien, and Victor would make if they heard this news...
Lance studied Caleb's face, then continued, "Not just them, you too. You've contributed so much to the League, risking your life to infiltrate enemy lines and gather intelligence. So tell me, what reward would you like? We'll do our best to fulfill your request!"
"Really?" Caleb paused mid-bite and looked up.
"Of course! Do you want money? Or a promotion?" Lance offered.
Caleb actually considered it seriously.
Money and items from the instance/scenario couldn't be taken with him, so neither of Lance's offers were useful.
That left only one real option... a Pokémon.
Caleb shook his head and met Lance's gaze, "I don't want either of those."
Lance's impression of him soared, 'A brave, righteous, intelligent agent who isn't swayed by wealth or status? This guy is a true comrade in arms!'
In high spirits, Lance grinned, "Then what do you want? A private jet? A yacht? If the League won't pay for it, I'll buy it for you myself!"
Caleb: "I want a Dragonite."