The faint glow of dawn, like a thin veil, carefully seeped through the gap in the hotel room curtains, gently falling upon Chen Kai's face.
Chen Kai was deep in slumber, his tired body slightly curled on the soft bed, his even breathing echoing softly in the quiet room.
He had stayed up very late last night and had only slept for three or four hours at most; he was currently in a deep sleep.
Suddenly, a crisp knock on the door broke the silence of the room.
The knocking was unhurried but seemed to carry an irresistible force.
“Chen Kai, time to get up! We’re heading back today,” Grandma Ju’s gentle and concerned voice came from outside the door.
Chen Kai, who was still lingering in his dream, heard the voice and groggily sat up from the bed.
Although his head was still heavy and his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, his movements were not at all sluggish.
He knew in his heart that Grandma Ju had specially come to knock on his door because she was worried he would delay their journey.
He quickly threw off the covers, put his feet on the floor, slipped on his slippers, and walked a few steps to the door to open it.
As soon as the door opened, the cool morning air rushed in, making him shiver and instantly clear his mind a bit.
He looked at Grandma Ju standing outside the door, a apologetic smile on his face, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, “Grandma Ju, thank you for coming to wake me.”
Grandma Ju looked at Chen Kai, who seemed a bit haggard, and said with full concern, “Child, did you not sleep well last night? But today we need to perk up and go home. You booked a flight back to Shancheng this morning, so don’t miss it.”
Chen Kai nodded and replied, “Grandma Ju, I know. For your flight back to the Capital this afternoon, you should also take good care of yourself.”
Just as they were chatting, a flurry of footsteps came from the hallway, and a group of police officers hurried up from downstairs.
They had serious expressions and sharp eyes, and they searched rooms one by one.
Soon, the police arrived at Chen Kai’s room.
The leading police officer showed his identification, then rattled off something in French, which left Chen Kai completely bewildered and unable to understand.
Afterward, they walked directly into the room and began to search Chen Kai’s luggage.
Their movements were skilled and swift; they took out each piece of clothing and carefully shook it, not missing any corner.
They noticed Chen Kai’s orange ite, but they only assumed it was mostly glass and didn’t pay much attention to it.
Chen Kai had already put most of his valuable items, including the mega evolution stone, inside the orange ite, so he didn’t have much luggage.
Therefore, the officers finished their search in less than a minute.
At the same time, a female police officer walked up to Grandma Ju and gestured to frisk her.
Grandma Ju frowned in displeasure, but being in a foreign country, she felt it was better to avoid trouble and could only cooperate.
Grandma Ju looked at the police searching the luggage and couldn't help but ask in French, “What are you doing? We are just ordinary tourists.”
The leading officer seemed to realize that the old woman and young man in front of him were unlikely to be the people they were looking for. He looked up and said with a hint of apology, “I am very sorry, a major incident occurred in Paris last night, and now the entire city must be searched. This is our duty, and we hope you can understand.”
Chen Kai and Grandma Ju exchanged glances. Although they were somewhat displeased, they understood it was a special situation.
Chen Kai smiled helplessly and said, “Alright, we’ll cooperate, but what exactly happened? I hope it doesn’t delay our flight.”
Hearing Grandma Ju's words, the officer hesitated before leaving and still reminded them, “This is a major incident. I cannot disclose the specific details, but you can check the news. However, the entire city is under martial law now, and planes may not be able to take off or land normally. You’d best not check out of the hotel yet.”
Grandma Ju was greatly surprised, unable to believe it: “Ah?!?”
Her voice trembled slightly, her face full of anxiety, thinking how her retirement could be so tumultuous.
Chen Kai and Grandma Ju didn't bother to say anything more. They quickly packed their luggage and hurried to the airport.
All the way, Grandma Ju kept muttering, “I hope this isn’t true.”
However, when they arrived at the airport, the sight before them plunged them into complete despair.
Outside the airport, there was chaos. The large screen prominently displayed information that all flights were suspended. Passengers surrounded the staff, anxiously asking for information.
Grandma Ju looked at the scene and couldn't help but exclaim, “What on earth happened? To cause such a huge commotion!”
Chen Kai awkwardly scratched his head and exchanged glances with Miraidon, secretly wondering, “Could it be because of what I did last night?”
Miraidon looked at Chen Kai with a speechless expression, not even bothering to respond, its eyes seeming to say, “Besides you, who else could it be?”
——————
On the other side, in a hospital in Paris, the smell of disinfectant permeated the air, irritating Delacroix’s nostrils.
He sat on a plastic chair in the hospital corridor, his hands hanging limply between his knees, his suit disheveled, even torn in some places, and his knuckles still bore the scrapes from last night's battle.
The morning light streamed through the window at the end of the corridor, falling diagonally on the floor, casting a pale shadow at his feet.
The television above was broadcasting the morning news, with a reporter standing in front of the collapsed Nisus building, reporting that the incident had not resulted in any human or Pokémon deaths.
“Sir! Sir!” Urgent footsteps approached, breaking Delacroix’s silence.
He slowly raised his head and saw a young man in a security uniform running towards him, tightly clutching a crumpled hat in his hand.
“Mr. Delacroix, it really is you!” The security guard abruptly stopped in front of him, his chest heaving as he said, “Thank… thank you so much, if you hadn’t rescued me from the collapsed building, I would have died.”
Delacroix blinked a little blankly; his memory was still at the moment Togekiss landed exhausted at the hospital entrance.
“My… my Linoone…” The security guard stammered, then suddenly bowed deeply, “Thank you!”
Fragments of memory instantly pieced together.
Last night, amidst the roar of the collapsing building, Togekiss had indeed used its last bit of strength to sense signs of life near the top floor of the building—an unconscious security guard and a Linoone. Togekiss had then brought them out as well.
“No need…” Delacroix’s voice was very hoarse. He cleared his throat and asked, “Your Linoone… is it alright?”
“It’s fine now,” the security guard straightened up, his eyes slightly red, “The doctor said it’s just a little dizzy and won’t have any sequelae.”
“That’s good,” Delacroix gently patted his shoulder.
Just then, a pink-haired Nurse walked over with an Audino: “Your Pokémon are recovering well.”
The Nurse handed him a stack of examination reports and then said, “Rapidash’s frostbite has eased, and Clefable and Whimsicott’s body temperatures have returned to normal. Mawile’s injuries are the most severe, but its willpower is very strong.”
She paused slightly: “As for Ribombee…”
Delacroix’s heart tightened abruptly.
“It was very lucky,” the Nurse smiled professionally, “Most of the impact was cushioned by the pollen puff, it’s just a minor concussion. Your Pokémon will all be able to be discharged after two days of rest.”
His taut nerves suddenly relaxed, and Delacroix then realized that his hands had been trembling uncontrollably.
Last night, he didn't even dare to check Ribombee’s injuries, only mechanically handing all the Poké Balls to the Blissey in the emergency room.
“Can I see them now?” he asked softly.
“Of course,” the Nurse pointed to the end of the corridor, “But Mawile has been throwing a tantrum and refusing treatment.”
Delacroix smiled wryly; he knew his ace’s personality too well. After successive defeats, Mawile must have been seething with anger.
After nodding to the security guard, he followed the Nurse to the ward.
The moment the door opened, five pairs of eyes simultaneously turned towards him.
Rapidash lifted its head on the specially made large hospital bed, Clefable and Whimsicott huddled by the same IV stand, Ribombee’s wings were fixed with bandages, and it was delicately pecking at the berries offered by Blissey.
On the bed in the furthest corner, Mawile had its back to the door, but Delacroix saw its steel jaws move slightly.
“A bunch of troublesome fellows,” Delacroix said softly, the tremor in his voice betraying his current emotions.
Ribombee immediately chirped happily, trying to fly up, but it immediately fell onto the pillow.
Rapidash gently rubbed its nose against its trainer’s arm; the cold touch made Delacroix recall the nightmare-like battle from last night.
He walked to Mawile’s bedside and gently touched its scarred back.
“We lost,” he said calmly, “But we are all still alive.”
Mawile’s shoulders twitched slightly, and it finally slowly turned around.
Its crimson eyes no longer held their usual ferocity, only deep reluctance.
Delacroix suddenly smiled.
He stroked each Pokémon one by one, finally stopping by the window.
The morning light fell perfectly on Togekiss—it refused to lie on the hospital bed, as it was not injured, only exhausted, and was now standing quietly on the windowsill.
“Next time…” Delacroix looked out at the rising sun, whispering as if to his Pokémon, and also to himself, “Next time, we will definitely be stronger.”
Before he finished speaking, the ward door was suddenly kicked open, slamming violently against the wall with a deafening crash.
“Delacroix! What the hell are you doing?!”
A middle-aged man in a suit stormed in aggressively.
His tie was askew, his hair messy, and his eyes were bloodshot.
Before Delacroix could react, he was grabbed by the collar and lifted up.
“Mr. Tony?” Delacroix recognized the president of Nisus Company, but the frantic man before him was completely different from the always polite business Superior he remembered.
“My mega evolution stone! My keystone!” President Tony’s voice was hoarse like sandpaper rubbing, “The vault on the twentieth floor stored billions worth of treasures! Now it’s all gone!”
His spit splattered on Delacroix’s face, and the strong smell of alcohol mixed with a crazed aura assailed him.
It turned out that when the accident happened at the building yesterday, he was celebrating with his company subordinates, and he hadn’t sobered up until the morning when he learned of such a serious matter. How could he not break down?
The Pokémon in the ward, seeing the newcomer treating their trainer this way, all showed their displeasure.
Mawile’s steel jaws clattered, and Togekiss immediately spread its wings to shield its trainer.
Delacroix tried to pry open the other person’s hand and explained, “Someone attacked the building last night.”
“So what?!” President Tony violently pushed Delacroix against the wall, and the IV stand crashed to the ground. “You are a Champion! You couldn’t win?
The security guards said they didn’t see anyone else, only a strange Pokémon, and then you were the only one left in the building!
You must have conspired with someone to steal my things!”
Just then, a crisp sound of high heels echoed from the corridor.
“Enough, Mr. Tony.”
A cool female voice rang out.
Delacroix turned his head and saw a blonde woman in sportswear standing at the door, followed by a green-haired Jenny.
The woman was about thirty years old, with delicate features, but carried an undeniable authority.
“Gym Leader Emilie?” Delacroix recognized the Gym Leader of the Paris Gym with surprise.
Emilie strode into the ward, her athletic shoes thudding on the floor.
Behind her followed a Luxray, tiny Sparks of electricity flickering in its black fur, its golden pupils like two bright lamps in the corridor.
“Let him go.” Emilie’s voice was not loud, but it carried an irresistible force.
“We have already inspected the scene. The residual energy readings at the scene far exceed the level of a regular Master Pokémon. Facing such an opponent, it’s a miracle that Mr. Delacroix’s Pokémon are still alive.”
President Tony staggered back a few steps, then suddenly slumped into a chair like a deflated balloon, muttering, “But… my investment…”
Emilie’s gaze swept over the scarred Pokémon in the ward and said, “And these injuries cannot be faked. A Master Steel-type Pokémon usually isn’t hurt by ordinary moves.”
After Emilie finished saying all the unpleasant things, the Jenny then timely and kindly advised, “Mr. Tony, the government also takes this matter very seriously. We have already ordered a city-wide lockdown, allowing only entry but no exit for the next few days, and we will do our best to help you find your lost items.”
Originally, France and Longguo held an absolute advantage in mega evolution stone, items that could greatly enhance a Pokémon's combat power.
Now that Nisus Company’s evolution ites were all stolen, the high-ranking officials of France were having a headache over it.
Therefore, the French high-ranking officials, under pressure, forcibly sealed off the entire city of Paris.
However, when Jenny said this, she actually had little confidence.
She knew in her heart that the other party was likely a group of Master Pokémon experts, and ordinary searches and blockades would simply be ineffective.
President Tony naturally understood this point. If they could easily find the person, they would have already found them. Did this officer still need to comfort him here?
His voice became choked: “Those mega ites are my entire fortune! I mortgaged my house! I borrowed money! Now it’s all over! My building is gone too…”
His hands trembled incessantly, “You know… what those creditors will do to me? They will…”
Jenny could only helplessly pat Tony’s back, and then she and several police officers half-helped, half-dragged him out of the ward to let him calm down first.
Delacroix leaned against the hospital bed, watching the once arrogant business tycoon being led out of the ward, a mix of emotions in his heart.
However, Tony probably only had resentment left for him. As he left, he turned back and glared at him fiercely, his eyes filled with anger, despair, and a hint of indescribable fear.
