The smoke from the funeral pyre drifted into the early morning sky, carrying with it the remains of Fuchsia's fallen leader. Koga stood still, his face unreadable, but his knuckles were white from how tightly he clenched his fists. His father had died defending their home. Now, Fuchsia needed a leader.
Samuel Oak stood beside him, arms crossed. "Your father was a strong man," he said. "Fuchsia will need someone to take his place. At the next Kanto Leaders' Assembly, I'll make sure you're named Gym Leader. There's no one better suited."
Koga gave a small nod. "I won't disappoint him."
Oak didn't doubt it. "Then Fuchsia remains in good hands."
Later that evening, Oak met with the two strangers who had helped save his children. Ariana and Petrel sat across from him, calm and composed. The so-called 'Liberation Army' had proven itself effective, but Oak needed to understand exactly what it was.
"This army of yours," Oak said, watching them carefully. "Who authorized it? The Kanto government never sanctioned such a force."
Ariana was unfazed. "It wasn't authorized. A trainer named Giovanni saw the need for a structured defense and brought trainers together."
Oak frowned. "And who is he?"
Petrel smirked. "A trainer who refuses to let Kanto fall apart."
That didn't sit well with Oak. "How did he know my children would be attacked?" he pressed.
"He suspected Johto would make a move," Ariana replied. "And he was right."
Oak leaned back, fingers tapping against the table. He had been caught off guard. If these people hadn't acted, his family could have been wiped out. The thought unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. "Maybe he did see it coming." He exhaled sharply. "Johto will answer for this."
Later, in his quarters, Oak sat across from his Alakazam, who regarded him with silent understanding. Oak sighed. "I wanted this war to end. I wanted to step down. Pursue my research. But how can I walk away now? They nearly killed my children."
Alakazam's voice echoed in his mind. You sought peace. Is that still your goal?
Oak clenched his jaw. "I don't know anymore. If I don't strike back, they'll think Kanto is weak. If I do, I might drag this war out longer."
Alakazam's eyes glowed faintly. Vengeance will not bring peace.
Oak scoffed. "Tell that to the parents who buried their children this week."
The room fell into silence. Oak ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion weighing on him. "I don't have the luxury of waiting anymore. If I don't act, more people will die."
Alakazam said nothing, but Oak knew the weight of his decision would follow him long after the war ended—if it ever did.
Outside, Koga stood alone near what remained of the pyre. The embers had cooled, but the weight on his shoulders had not. The title of Gym Leader was his now, but it didn't feel like a victory. It felt like an obligation.
A few villagers passed by, speaking in hushed tones. "Do you think Johto will come for us again?" one asked.
"I don't know," another answered. "But Koga's here. He'll protect us."
He listened but said nothing. They were counting on him now. There was no room for hesitation.
In a quieter corner of the base, Ariana and Petrel sat together after their meeting with Oak.
"You think he suspects?" Petrel asked, flicking a stray pebble with his boot.
Ariana shook her head. "Not yet. He thinks Giovanni is just some ambitious kid leading a group of trainers. It works in our favor."
Petrel chuckled. "Not every day you pull the wool over the Champion's eyes."
Ariana didn't smile. "It won't last forever. The moment he starts connecting the dots, we'll have a problem."
Petrel sighed, leaning back. "Then let's enjoy the peace while it lasts."
Neither of them believed it would last long.
Meanwhile, in Celadon City, Archer observed his target from a distance. The city was still recovering, people working tirelessly to patch wounds and rebuild. Among them, Delia Ketchum moved quickly, tending to the injured with practiced hands. She wasn't a trained medic, but she did what she could, her Bellossom using Heal Pulse to ease the worst of the pain.
Archer had been watching her for some time, blending into the background as only someone skilled in the shadows could. She was nothing remarkable at first glance—just another trainer trying to help. But then, when she thought no one was looking, she knelt beside an Oddish, gently placing her hands over its bruised body. A soft glow spread from her palms, and in moments, the Oddish stirred, its injuries gone.
It looked up at her, confused. She gave it a small smile and pressed a finger to her lips. "Stay quiet about this, okay?"
Archer's eyes narrowed slightly. That wasn't normal healing. That was something rare.
He lingered only a moment longer before slipping away into the crowd. Giovanni needed to hear about this. Soon.
As he left, he considered what he had seen. Delia wasn't like Giovanni. She wasn't like anyone he had met in this war. Maybe that was the real reason Giovanni wanted to find her.