"Sorry, but the patient's injuries were too severe."
Stepping out of the emergency room, the doctor turned to Ron and Bruno with an apologetic expression.
"Is Lily still alive?"
Fixing his gaze on the doctor, Ron asked the question that weighed most heavily on his heart.
If this were his previous life, where medical technology had limitations, there might have been incurable conditions. But in the Pokémon world, the existence of Pokémon brought miraculous possibilities.
As long as she was still breathing, Ron firmly believed that somewhere in this world, there was a Pokémon that could heal Lily.
"The patient's life is not in danger, but… she will likely remain in a vegetative state from now on."
With that, the doctor turned to arrange for Lily's transfer from the emergency ward.
Though Ron had somewhat anticipated such an outcome, he couldn't suppress the waves of fury surging within him.
"Elite Four Bruno, please come with me."
After ensuring Lily was settled, Ron turned and walked out of the ward. Bruno followed closely behind.
Once they reached a secluded corner, Ron faced Bruno directly and recounted everything that had happened from start to finish.
Of course, while he mentioned his breakthrough into the Elite Four level, he deliberately omitted Sabrina's involvement. Instead, he fabricated a story about attracting a wild Elite Four-level Pokémon, which aided him in taking down Franz and the other assassin.
With the battlefield as chaotic as it was, even if the League sent investigators, it would be difficult for them to uncover the truth.
"I understand. Conspiring with outsiders to assassinate League Rangers and Forest Hunters—there's no way they're getting away with this."
"However, Ron, you must promise me that the real cause of this incident must not be made public."
"We'll say that this was an act of revenge by Pokémon Hunters following our recent crackdown. That will be the official story."
Hearing Bruno's prearranged explanation, the rage within Ron only burned hotter.
"I know you're furious right now, but we have to handle it this way. If we don't, the League will be thrown into turmoil, and more Rangers will die as a result."
Bruno firmly grasped Ron's shoulders, speaking with conviction.
Yet, it was precisely this steadfast expression that made Ron's anger boil over. But he had to endure. Now was not the time to openly oppose the League.
"I understand, Elite Four Bruno."
"If there's nothing else, I'd like to go see Lily."
Seeing Ron completely immersed in grief, Bruno had no words of comfort. He simply nodded silently.
From that moment, Bruno took over handling the situation. As expected, his cover story gained widespread acceptance and even ignited a wave of public outrage in Kanto against Pokémon Hunters.
Later, Lily's parents arrived. As they gazed at their daughter lying unconscious in the hospital bed, their wails of despair echoed in Ron's ears.
He wanted to say something—but in the face of their sorrow, no words seemed adequate.
Even though he had resolved to do whatever it took to heal Lily, he didn't offer any promises. He feared that if he failed, it would only deal them another devastating blow.
Leaving behind a significant amount of League coins, Ron chose to slip away quietly.
Keeping the truth from them was, in a way, an act of mercy. For the sake of the League's stability, neither the Five Great Families nor Bruno would allow the truth to be exposed.
Just like how he withheld a promise to heal Lily, Ron didn't want to make them grieve twice.
"Elite Four Bruno, I'd like to take a six-month leave."
As soon as Bruno answered the phone, Ron got straight to the point.
Hearing Ron's low voice, Bruno—who had just successfully resolved the crisis—found himself at a loss for words. In the end, he simply responded, "Alright."
Bruno then informed Ron about the aftermath. The Nyland family, being directly involved, had suffered a heavy blow. Meanwhile, the Elite Four had managed to secure even more influence.
Had it not been for their control over the Psychic Division, the Nyland family would have plummeted from the ranks of the top-tier families due to this scandal.
Even so, things weren't looking good for them. With Klaus Nyland growing older and their younger generation failing to live up to expectations, the family's future was uncertain—especially with Preus Ellestad and Mathias Agdestein waiting to capitalize on their downfall.
Aside from that, there were the inevitable "compensation" payments—the kind better described as hush money.
Ron originally wanted to give his entire share of the hush money to Lily's parents, but Bruno refused, stating that the League would be providing compensation for them as well.
Seeing this, Ron didn't argue further. He simply hoped that one day, when he had fully grown in strength by using the League's resources, Bruno wouldn't come to regret his choices.
Afterward, Ron checked in with Shadow to see if there were any tasks that required his assistance. Surprisingly, Shadow declined, advising Ron to focus on training the Pokémon he had been secretly raising outside the League's knowledge. When the time was right, he could act under a second identity to protect his cover as a double agent.
Ron did not refuse this request. Instead, he immediately boarded a ship bound for the Hoenn region, intending to train his Gengar and the others in a new environment to strengthen them.
Before departing, Ron made a special effort to evolve his Haunter into Gengar.
He also took the time to send messages to those who cared about him—Lugo, Matthew, and even Professor Oak.
Through his conversation with Professor Oak, Ron learned that, coincidentally, on the very day of his departure, both Gary and Ash would also be setting out on their journeys.
Originally, Ron had planned to see the legendary Ho-Oh when Ash began his journey, but now it seemed that would no longer be possible.
Ron hadn't forgotten about Lars Flavian and Amon either. He first introduced them to each other, then instructed them to keep a low profile and develop quietly until he returned in six months.
He also ensured that they wouldn't lack the necessary resources. According to Lars, at the current pace, the breeding house would likely start turning a profit within a year.
As for Amon, he had already reached the Low Elite level and was preparing to break through to Mid Elite.
At this rate, it was even possible that Amon could attempt to reach High Elite within a year—but that was a matter for the future.
Once aboard the ship, Ron headed straight to his cabin.
...
Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu faced their first crisis: an attack from a flock of Spearow.
"Pikachu, get inside! Get inside the Poké Ball, hurry!"
As the swarm of Spearow charged at them, Ash shouted anxiously to his partner, who lay battered and bruised on the ground.
Pikachu, injured and exhausted, gazed at Ash, who stood protectively in front of him, as the aggressive Spearow closed in.
Suddenly, dazzling electricity crackled across the stormy sky, illuminating both Ash and the Spearow preparing to strike.
Without hesitation, Pikachu pushed through the pain, mustering his remaining strength. He stepped onto Ash's back and leaped into the air.
"Pika…CHUUU!!"
Pikachu's furious cry echoed through the downpour as an immense orange-yellow bolt of electricity erupted into the sky, forming a towering pillar of lightning.
The storm clouds were torn apart by the surge, vanishing under its overwhelming force. The Spearow flock was completely scattered by Pikachu's attack.
As warm sunlight broke through the clouds, a radiant, bird-like Pokémon soared toward the distant rainbow.
At that moment, Ash's Pokédex beeped.
"This Pokémon is not in the database. There are still Pokémon in this world yet to be discovered by humans."
Watching the mysterious bird Pokémon disappear into the horizon, Ash pushed himself up from the ground. He gently lifted his wounded Pikachu and, without hesitation, began making his way toward the nearest town.
From this moment on, the journey of Ash Ketchum, the Master of Type Countering, had officially begun.
...
Back in his cabin aboard the ship, Ron released his Machamp.
As one of the Pokémon that had accompanied him from the very beginning, Machamp had faced no obstacles in breaking through to the Elite Four level.
Unfortunately, Ron had been too busy to properly assess Machamp's newfound strength, having rushed to meet Franz right after the breakthrough.
Now that he had some downtime, it was finally time to put Machamp's new power to the test.
As the ship set sail, it slowly advanced toward the Hoenn region.
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