Officer Jenny glanced at the poachers the same time I did.
"They'll go to the regional Pokémon Correctional Facility," she said calmly.
"It's not just a prison. They have to take mandatory rehabilitation, classes on proper care, ethics, and real bonding with Pokémon."
"If they show genuine change, they can earn supervised release. If not, they stay longer. We believe in second chances… but never if it risks Pokémon safety."
I nodded, a wave of relief washing over me. It felt right. Fair.
Then I remembered the Poké Balls I'd taken from the poachers earlier. I pulled them out and held them toward her. "Officer Jenny… These are their Pokémon."
She took the six balls from my hand, her eyes flicking to my belt for a second.
Officer Jenny took the six Poké Balls from my hand, her fingers brushing mine briefly as she accepted them.
As she glanced at his belt, she noted only two Poké Balls there. She had never seen his Pokémon in action; the green one had dashed off to fetch the police, leaving him with just one companion during the fight.
Even if someone generously counted the wild Arbok that had helped him, that made two at most.
Her brow furrowed for the briefest moment, a small flicker of surprise crossing her face.
How had a young trainer with so few Pokémon managed to overpower experienced poachers so decisively?
But she didn't voice the question.
It wasn't her place to pry, and there were more pressing matters.
Officer Jenny simply took the confiscated Poké Balls from my hand and tucked them securely into her pouch.
Then she caught the worried look on my face and paused, a tiny, knowing smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, like a parent spotting a child trying to hide something obvious.
Before I could even say anything, Officer Jenny spoke up first.
"You did a good job," she said warmly, then tilted her head just a little, a playful spark in her eyes.
"And… you're wondering what will happen to them, aren't you? That's why you asked about the poachers first… and then handed these over."
I felt my face heat up right away. I gave an embarrassed nod, rubbing the back of my neck. "Y-yeah… kind of."
It wasn't just a simple worry. Deep down, I needed to know those Pokémon would be okay.
They weren't bad, they'd only done what their trainers forced them to.
If Officer Jenny's answer hadn't felt right, if it had sounded like they'd be punished seriously… I would've had to take them myself.
Released them into the wild where they could live free, or found new trainers who would treat them with real kindness.
These ones looked strong, well-trained even.
They were probably more experienced than most wild Pokémon you'd meet on the road.
Good homes would want them.
They deserved that chance.
She let out the softest chuckle, barely more than a breath, before her expression turned gentle and reassuring.
"Those Pokémon aren't at fault," she said, echoing exactly what I'd been thinking.
"They were just following orders. We'll take them to the Center first for a full check-up and recovery."
"After that, trained evaluators will spend time with each one, seeing how they respond to kindness, play, and proper care."
"If they're healthy and seem open to it, we'll find good trainers who'll treat them right."
"Some might even end up helping with rehabilitation programs themselves. And if any of them truly long for the wild and can thrive there, we'll release them into protected reserves where they'll be safe."
"Either way, they'll get a real second chance."
That was good.
A quiet weight lifted off my chest. I hadn't even realized how tightly I'd been holding onto that worry until it was gone.
I smiled, small, but real. "Thank you, Officer Jenny."
She gave a quick nod, the amused glint still in her eyes. "Anytime, kid. Now stop looking like you just sent them to jail too."
I laughed softly despite myself, and the last bit of tension finally slipped away.
Officer Jenny smiled again, softer this time. "We're heading to Pewter City. Want a ride? It's the least we can do."
I shook my head. "Thanks, but… I want to keep going my own way."
She let out a light laugh. "A true trainer. Alright then. Stay safe, young man. Take good care."
"You too, Officer."
Soon, another officer approached me, a younger one with a clipboard and a polite smile.
He asked me to give a quick report: what I saw, how everything happened, step by step.
I answered calmly, telling him the whole story without leaving anything important out.
While I spoke, a second officer came over and asked to take a photo of me.
"Just for the official record," he said kindly.
I didn't really get why, but I nodded and agreed.
The camera flashed once.
I thought it was just normal police stuff.
Soon, the team finished checking the poachers' items.
They looked through bags, boxes, everything.
One officer glanced up in quiet surprise, all the money was still there, every item accounted for.
The boy had taken nothing.
Obviously, I would never take anything earned by hurting Pokémon.
Unless it had been something special among their items.
But there wasn't anything like that anyway.
Just basic supplies, money, cheap tools.
Nothing worth wanting.
Still, the thought alone made my stomach twist.
It just felt wrong.
Like anything I took would carry their pain with it, the fear of the captured Pokémon, the cruelty behind every coin.
I didn't want even a trace of that near me.
So I left it all exactly where it was.
Clean hands, clear heart.
That was enough.
Everything was loaded up.
The poachers were secure in the cars.
Two police officers rode the poachers' vehicles.
One by one, the red and blue lights faded into the darkening grassland, slipping between the tall, swaying blades until they vanished completely.
The wide clearing fell quiet again.
Only the soft rustle of grass in the evening breeze remained, and the first stars twinkled gently overhead.
When the last car vanished, I turned around… froze.
Meowscarada was staring at me. Her glossy pink eyes were shining in the dim night, wide and glistening with unshed tears.
Her ears drooped low, her body tense, that familiar mask hiding the small tremble in her expression.
Something heavy settled in my chest.
She looked sad… hurt… like she'd been holding everything in until now.
I didn't know why yet, but seeing her like that made my heart ache.
The quiet night wrapped around us,
and for the first time that evening, the peace didn't feel complete...