My eyes fluttered open slowly.
Meowscarada was curled tightly against my left side, her head resting on my chest, still fast asleep. Her breathing was soft and even, eyes closed.
Lopunny slept soundly on my right, one long ear draped over my shoulder like a warm blanket. Her paw rested gently over my hand, fingers interlaced with mine.
I blinked, heart swelling at the sight of them both so peaceful, so close.
A small, grateful smile tugged at my lips.
I stayed still, not wanting to wake them yet.
Their quiet purrs and soft breaths filled the room, steady and comforting.
Later, they stirred awake on their own. Meowscarada stretched with a sleepy "Nyaa~", nuzzling my cheek. Lopunny yawned cutely, squeezing my hand before pressing a gentle kiss to my shoulder.
After some more playful teasing and lazy touches under the sheets, soft giggles, wandering paws, and warm purrs, we finally got up.
We headed outside for some light exercise: stretching, short runs, basic training to shake off the stiffness.
Just as we were about to start, Nurse Joy stepped out from the Pokémon Center.
"Ryan," she called gently. "You have a call from Viridian City."
My stomach flipped.
A call? From Viridian?
I wondered who it could be.
Meowscarada and Lopunny followed close behind me as I walked back inside.
I stepped up to the video phone booth, the familiar red machine with its glowing screen.
I lifted the receiver.
The screen flickered to life.
Mom's face filled it instantly, eyes narrowed, cheeks puffed.
"Ryan!"
Her voice was sharp, loud enough that both my Pokémon flinched slightly behind me.
"You have some nerve, young man! You didn't even call your mother once? Not a single message? Do you know how worried we've been?!"
I froze.
"M-Mom… I… I forgot…"
I rubbed the back of my neck, cheeks burning.
She leaned closer to the screen, face filling it completely.
"I thought you were doing serious research! And look what I found on the front page of the Viridian Times!"
She held up a newspaper.
The headline screamed in bold letters:
"Teen Prodigy Researcher Captures FOUR Poachers: Hero of the Day!"
Below it was a photo of me standing in the cave, Meowscarada and Lopunny at my sides.
My jaw dropped.
I never expected them to publish it like this.
"I didn't do it alone, Mom,"
"Then who was with you?" she cut in immediately.
I opened my mouth to say Arbok, but stopped.
Mom wouldn't believe a wild Arbok helped me.
Mom wouldn't believe a wild Arbok helped me. She'd think I was making excuses, or worse, she'd worry even more about what kind of dangerous things I was really doing out here.
So I just… kept quiet for a second.
Mom's eyes softened slightly, but her voice cracked.
"Do you know how worried we've been? You're still so young, Ryan. You need to think about your parents too. We're proud of you, but… please, be careful."
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
I swallowed hard.
"I know, Mom. Next time I'll call. I promise. I'm sorry."
She sniffed, wiping her cheek.
"Yes, you better."
Then her gaze shifted past me.
She spotted Meowscarada and Lopunny peeking around my shoulders.
"And you two… I hope you'll make sure Ryan doesn't do anything reckless next time, okay?"
Meowscarada nodded quickly. "Nyaa!"
Lopunny bobbed her head. "Lopuu!"
Mom smiled a little, watery but warm.
"Good. Take care of my boy."
She looked back at me.
"I love you, Ryan. Call soon."
"I love you too, Mom."
The screen went dark.
I exhaled hard.
"Fuuu…"
My shoulders sagged.
Good thing Officer Jenny had kept everything about Team Rocket out of the public report.
If Mom found out I was tangled up with an evil organization…
It would be a disaster.
I was still young, after all.
Even with memories from another life, people grow up slowly here.
Maybe that's why Ash stayed ten forever.
Or maybe not.
Who knows.
After that, I finally did some proper exercise.
When I returned to the Center, I was drenched in sweat, muscles burning pleasantly.
So I headed for another good bath.
This time it wasn't as wild as the night before.
After the bath, we stepped out of the room fully prepared to leave. Meowscarada and Lopunny walked close on either side of me, tails swishing with quiet energy.
Nurse Joy looked up from the counter as we approached. Her gentle smile widened when she saw me.
"You seem much cheerier this morning, Ryan," she said softly. "I'm glad."
I rubbed the back of my neck, a small grin tugging at my lips. "Yeah… nothing special. My Pokémon just cheered me up, that's all."
Meowscarada gave a proud "Nyaa~" while Lopunny nodded with a soft "Lopuu~", both pressing closer as if to confirm it.
Nurse Joy nodded warmly. She reached under the counter and handed me a small bag of supplies, then placed a sleek, shimmering ball in my palm.
"This is for Ralts," she explained. "It's a special Dream Ball designed for Psychic-type Pokémon. Since Ralts is in that dream-like state, it's not only easier to catch, but the ball will also provide comfort and stability during travel. It'll keep its mind calm until you reach Saffron City."
I stared at the ball, feeling a weight lift slightly from my chest. "Thank you, Nurse Joy. Really."
She smiled again. "Take care of yourselves. And call if you need anything."
We stepped outside into the fresh morning air.
I glanced at the card Dr. Seymour had given me yesterday. It had his address in Pewter City. He'd mentioned staying at his house for a while to record the data he'd already collected from Mt. Moon.
Ralts was safe for now.
So I decided to make a visit, telling him the situation with Ralts before leaving for Saffron City.