Since the target of the arrest was the notorious Team Rocket, Mason didn't have to wait long before the familiar sound of sirens echoed through the forest. Upon hearing it, the Rocket grunts sighed in resignation, finally accepting their fate.
Only Yakawa, who had just been promoted to squadron leader, gnashed his teeth in frustration. However, the anger he felt was directed more at Mason than at the police.
"Thank you for your contribution to the Pokémon League!" Officer Jenny said warmly, extending her hand to Mason. Seeing this, Mason silently extended his own hand and shook hers.
"By the way," she continued with a smile, "you and your brother are truly Rookie Trainers with a strong sense of justice. I've also heard about Ash from Officer Jenny back in Viridian City!"
"This is simply the responsibility of every Pokémon Trainer," Mason replied modestly, glancing away with slight embarrassment.
Thinking back to that morning, Mason felt a little awkward. When he had woken up and looked out the window, the Pokémon Center had been reduced to ruins—thanks to the impressive but chaotic efforts of Ash and his Pikachu.
"It's the Flash Pokémon!" several officers exclaimed, noticing Scyther. They hadn't witnessed Beedrill's overwhelming strength, so their attention naturally fell on the gleaming, cyan-colored Scyther. Scyther, proud and indifferent, paid them no mind, considering their praise hollow and unnecessary.
To avoid creating further commotion, Mason had already recalled his giant Onix into its Poké Ball. The sheer size of the Pokémon might have terrified the officers otherwise.
"Just wait—Sakaki... the boss won't let you get away with this!" Yakawa shouted in anger, but he was quickly silenced by the other officers.
Fortunately for Yakawa, he hadn't finished speaking Giovanni's full name. Had he done so, he might have been assassinated by Rocket operatives before even reaching Alliance Prison.
After the Viridian Forest incident, Mason left in the police car, comfortably seated in the front passenger seat per his insistence. He didn't want passersby mistaking him for a criminal. The soft scent of Officer Jenny's perfume drifted through the car, and Mason soon closed his eyes, resting on the journey toward Nibi City.
He arrived before he knew it. Riding in a vehicle was certainly faster than hiking—and allowed him to enjoy the scenery along the way. Still, Mason reminded himself that relying too much on transportation would take away from the true spirit of a Trainer's journey. He mentally criticized Gary, his overly proud classmate, for being too reliant on conveniences, ignoring even Professor Oak's advice. Some lessons, Mason thought, could only be learned through failure.
Upon reaching Nibi City, Mason first made his way to the Pokémon Center. There, he handed his Poké Balls to Nurse Joy for treatment. Though Mason possessed the healing power of Evergreen, the medical equipment at the Pokémon Center was still superior.
Besides, excessive use of Evergreen's power could strain Mason's body—a risk he didn't want to take lightly.
As always when reaching a new city, Mason called home. Delia was relieved to hear he was safe and offered a few words of advice, which Mason agreed to silently. After that, he placed a call to Professor Oak to inquire about the mysterious experimental fluid he had encountered.
"This experimental fluid is undoubtedly the work of Professor Xiemu," Professor Oak said grimly. "He's a rogue researcher who disappeared years ago."
Mason could hear the disdain in Oak's voice. To him, anyone who manipulated Pokémon in such a cruel way was unworthy of the title "Professor."
"The liquid acts like a stimulant," Oak continued, "but it's been corrupted. Pokémon injected with it become vicious fighting machines. The League banned it long ago. I can't believe that man still managed to create such horrors."
Mason then recounted his encounter with Eevee, whom Team Rocket referred to as "Subject No. 2"—an Eevee that could evolve into Electric, Fire, or Water types without the need for evolution stones.
"I didn't see it evolve into a water type," Mason admitted, "but the red, blue, and yellow markings between its brows suggest that it has the ability to transform into any of the three."
"What madness!" Professor Oak exclaimed. "To think there are more victims than just that Gyarados..."
Oak shook his head bitterly. Team Rocket's cruelty knew no bounds.
"Regarding the fluid in Gyarados' body, I'll develop an antidote," Oak assured him. "By the time you reach Cerulean City, the Pokémon Center there should have a recovery potion ready."
"I just wonder what will happen to that Eevee," Mason murmured. "After all that Team Rocket has done to it, I doubt it will ever trust humans again."
Mason's mind wandered back to Viridian Forest, to the look of fear and despair on Eevee's face when they first met. At the time, Eevee had mistaken Mason for another Rocket agent. Only after Mason defeated Team Rocket did Eevee dare to trust him—if only a little.
"By the way," Oak said, pulling Mason from his thoughts, "where's Ash? Why isn't he traveling with you?"
"Ash has his own path to follow," Mason replied. "Besides, with his impulsive nature and my cautious approach, traveling together might do more harm than good."
Professor Oak nodded in agreement. Everyone had their own journey, and it was better for Ash and Mason to each walk their own paths.
"Still," Oak said seriously, "even if you're focusing on building an elite team, you need to catch more Pokémon. You can't expect to win the League Conference with just six!"
He explained that with only a small roster, Mason would risk overworking his Pokémon and would be easier to counter by strategic opponents. Flexibility would be crucial later in the tournament.
"Don't worry, Professor," Mason said confidently. "I'm not limiting myself. I'm sure I'll encounter many remarkable Pokémon on my journey!"
Just then, Nurse Joy's voice called out over the intercom, announcing that Mason's Pokémon had been fully healed. After a few more words with Oak, Mason hung up and went to retrieve his team.
As he stepped out of the Pokémon Center, a middle-aged man with stubble immediately rushed up to him, trying to sell him a handful of broken stones.
"Don't walk away, kid! These stones can be brewed into tea or mixed with vegetables!" the man pleaded, holding up the stones with a desperate grin.
Mason recognized him instantly—Flint, the absent father of Brock (Xiaogang), the Gym Leader of Nibi City.
When Mason continued walking toward the Gym without buying anything, Flint changed tactics.
"You're going to challenge Gym Leader Brock, aren't you?" he asked seriously. "Let me be honest—most Rookie Trainers don't stand a chance against him."
"Hmm? What are you implying?" Mason asked, intrigued.
Flint sighed deeply, then revealed the story: "Brock's strength isn't just talent. He once had big dreams of traveling the world, but because of an irresponsible father who left home chasing the fantasy of becoming a Pokémon Master, Brock was forced to stay behind. His mother eventually left too, tired of waiting. Brock was left to raise his younger siblings alone—and he had to take over the Gym as well."
The regret in Flint's voice was unmistakable. He hated himself for his arrogance and ambition, for leaving his family behind and failing so utterly.
"In my opinion," Mason said quietly, "children don't need a father who's great. They need a father who's there."
Without waiting for a reply, Mason gave Flint a brief nod and continued on toward the Nibi Gym.
Flint watched him go, a complicated expression on his face. He realized Mason wasn't an ordinary Trainer. With growing curiosity, Flint decided he would stay and watch Mason's Gym challenge in person.
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