Aftermath – The Clearing
"That is..."
Officer Jenny looked up, having just finished tying the poaching syndicate's lackeys and tossing them aside.
Ms. Gardevoir raised her slender hand. Her cool demeanor had grown even colder.
The sky—obscured by thick clouds—froze.
Five full moons appeared in the firmament above.
Milotic proudly raised her head. Brilliant blue light emanated from her throat—a diamond-like Psybeam surging forth.
The ethereal white figure's hand waved down.
A moon wheel—imbued with fluorescent blue glow, carrying snow like surging waves—crashed toward Salamence, still locked by Psychic power.
"Roar~!"
Resilient. Trained. Unstoppable until now.
But this combination—Moonblast + Psybeam—was too much. With an unwilling roar, Salamence fell.
Completely overwhelmed.
[Farm Upgrade Quest 5 – Complete] : Defeat Hunter J. Resolve the farm crisis.
[Quest Rewards] : Flower Incense (Red), Water Herb ×200
"Piplup!" "So... so amazing~!"
Dawn's eyes were wide. She pounced on Wade, suddenly eager.
"Brother Wade—how do you train your Pokémon?!"
"..."
Officer Jenny's composure cracked. Fine ripples spread in her brown eyes. Raven-like eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
She'd worried. Wade facing Hunter J alone.
Overthought.
The black-haired youth hadn't just stalled—he'd completely overwhelmed Hunter J. From beginning to end. Easily.
Hunter J. Evaded capture countless times. Survived encirclements by multiple Gym Leaders. Gave the League headaches for years.
Defeated.
Jenny tied the unconscious Hunter J with practiced efficiency. Then—she stepped forward.
Graceful. Warm.
"You worked hard, Wade." A beaming smile. "You really helped a lot this time~"
Gone was the awkward "Mister." Her clear tone had softened—inexplicably tingling, alluring.
"No need to be so polite. It was a small matter."
Wade continued checking Celebi's injuries, shaking his head with a chuckle.
His real reason? Protect the farm. Complete system tasks.
If Hunter J hadn't been so troublesome, he'd be back at the Wooden Cabin—enjoying a silver party.
Jenny didn't guess his thoughts. She only sighed softly.
"How... how humble he is..."
Her impression of him rose.
"In a few days, our station will present you with a pennant." She paused. "And issue corresponding rewards."
"Act of Valor." Alliance-printed. Hunter J's bounty? Around ten million League coins.
"Sha~"
Gardevoir tilted her head cutely.
One battle. Substantial income.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—!
Deafening explosions ripped through the forest.
"What's going on?!"
Jenny's communicator—half-raised to contact the station—froze.
Thick black smoke erupted from several corners of the forest. The crackling sound of scorching branches echoed.
"Th-that's..."
A conscious poaching group member—tied nearby—stammered under Jenny's icy gaze.
"...timed explosives. The leader placed them in the forest. In advance. "
"Besides the timed explosives..." The captured hunter stammered, "there are also several Pokémon disruptors."
"Once the explosives detonate, the disruptors activate. All Pokémon in the forest will fall into a rampage."
Hunter J's contingency.
Capture Celebi. Escape in chaos. Forest fires and wild rampages would cover their retreat.
Wade's arrival disrupted the plan. But the explosives were already set.
Inevitable.
Wade glanced at his unresponsive Pokémon. Nodded thoughtfully.
Ultrasonic waves. Induce emotional agitation.
No effect on Gardevoir and her companions. But the wild Pokémon—already terrified by fire and explosions—would lose control completely.
A ruthless contingency. Fitting for Hunter J.
"Bastard!"
Jenny's rage boiled. Hunter J's disregard for Pokémon and Trainer lives had stepped on the officer's trigger.
"This is despicable!"
"Pochama~"
Even gentle, cheerful Dawn frowned, indignation coloring her fair features.
That violent Ursaring. If the disruptors had activated earlier...
Wild Pokémon would have attacked indiscriminately.
"Is there any way to stop it?"
Jenny's voice was low. She'd reached the same conclusion.
Wade shook his head gently. Pointed forward.
Even under falling snow, Hiyori Forest erupted.
Towering flames. Multiple explosions.
Articuno patrolled above. Extinguishing the fire was only a matter of time.
But the disruptors had already activated.
Roars echoed from the forest floor.
Under dual stimulation—explosions and disruption—the Pokémon had completely lost control. Aggression peaked.
If nothing changed, the rampaging Pokémon would:
Attack the Trainers still in the forest
Charge toward Hiyori Town
Eventually reach the farm
None would be spared.