Night had fallen.
Su Feng had turned off his livestream and set up his tent at the border between the two territories. He'd spent the past two days here, occasionally educating curious wild Pokémon that wandered by. With Blaziken, Growlithe, and the others keeping him company, he never felt bored.
Notably, during this time, Ralts had quickly accepted its future with Su Feng. True to Gardevoir's words, it was an adorably well-behaved child—no tears, no fuss. Thanks to its budding psychic abilities, Ralts seemed particularly fond of Su Feng, often climbing up his legs to cling to him.
But with his left arm cradling Growlithe and his right holding Alolan Vulpix, Ralts had no choice but to perch on his head or shoulders. Su Feng felt like a full-time Pokémon babysitter.
After tucking the trio into sleep, Su Feng slipped out of the tent. He'd summoned the leaders of both factions and two Blissey overseeing the Chansey herds for a critical meeting. They should be arriving soon.
"Sona~? (Dragonite?)"
"Urgh? (Gardevoir?)"
The two faction leaders and the Blissey blinked at each other, surprised to cross paths here. Since the peace accord, they'd been swamped with integration efforts, barely finding time to rest. Only Dragonite and Gardevoir's immense stamina kept them going—any lesser Pokémon would've collapsed by now.
"You're here." Su Feng waved them over to the log stools around the campfire.
"Sona~ (Mr. Su Feng, what brings us here so late?)" Gardevoir asked, exhaustion tingeing her voice.
"Hmm." Su Feng scratched his head. Asking for their people outright felt awkward, but he cut to the chase. "I'd like a Blissey and a few Chansey to leave the secret realm with me. They'd help establish a Pokémon Center as lead physicians, treating injured Pokémon."
Silence followed.
"Of course, I respect your wishes," Su Feng added quickly. "Even if they decline, that's fine. I won't leverage my role in the peace deal to pressure anyone. But… this is crucial to me."
A Pokémon Center's heart was its healers. A Center without a Blissey was like the 3D zone without Tifa—unthinkable.
Dragonite broke the tension with a laugh. "Urgh~! (Hah! Knew you had an ulterior motive for pushing peace!)"
Su Feng winced. "Not just that. I genuinely wanted harmony."
Gardevoir nodded—she sensed his sincerity.
"Urgh~ (Then why drag us here?)" Dragonite slapped his knee. "Urgh! (Just ask the Blissey directly!)"
The two Blissey exchanged glances. The one familiar with Su Feng from the Dragon Clan tugged his sleeve.
"Lucky~? (Are… many Pokémon hurt outside?)"
"Countless," Su Feng replied gravely. Integration with human society had brought accidents, battles, neglect—and human doctors were clueless about Pokémon biology. A Band-Aid on a broken wing wasn't enough.
"Lucky~! (Then my group will join you!)" The Blissey turned to her sister. "Lucky~! (Sis, take care of the Dragon Clan!)"
The elder Blissey patted her head fondly. "Lucky~ (Go. I'll manage here.)" She fixed Su Feng with a stern look. "Lucky~! (But protect them.)"
"With my life," Su Feng vowed.
"Lucky~! (We'll gather our herd and meet you at dawn!)" The younger Blissey hurried off, Dragonite trailing her.
"Urgh. (You actually pulled it off,)" Dragonite grumbled, though he had no authority over the Blissey's choice. As the duo flew away, Su Feng gaped.
"Wait—you can fly smoothly!?"
Gardevoir stood to leave with her Blissey. "Sona~ (We'll take our leave—)"
"Wait!" Su Feng called. "Aren't you… saying goodbye to Ralts?"
Gardevoir paused. "Sona~ (No. It'll only hurt more.)" In a flash of green light, she vanished.
Su Feng sighed at the empty space. "Hurts more, huh…"
Dawn, Next Morning
The Blissey herd arrived as promised, Chansey waddling behind with egg-shaped med kits. The younger Blissey vibrated with urgency—countless Pokémon needed her.
As Su Feng prepared to depart, a voice rang out:
"Roar!! (Wait! Take me too!!)"
Gible barreled toward them, eyes blazing. Its claws clutched a hastily packed berry sack.
Su Feng blinked. "You… want to join?"
"Roar! (I'll be the best Dragon-type partner! Teach me to fight like you!!)"
The plea echoed across the clearing. Somewhere in the forest, a certain Gardevoir smiled faintly, her hand resting on a sleeping Ralts' head.
The secret realm's story was ending—but Su Feng's journey had just begun.