~Three years later~
Caleb and Terrence sat in the stands of the Sinnoh League, watching as Cynthia defeated yet another trainer challenging for the Champion title...
Compared to the first time Caleb had met her, Cynthia now exuded a mature charm, her demeanor and presence much closer to her anime counterpart.
Three years ago, she had won the championship with overwhelming victories, then went on to defeat the Elite Four in one go, rightfully earning her place as Sinnoh's strongest.
After the Sinnoh League concluded, Caleb and Cynthia returned together to her hometown, Celestic Town.
Sometimes, Cynthia would take Caleb with her to explore ruins all over Sinnoh, but most of the time, the two stayed in Celestic Town, raising and training their Pokémon together.
At night, they would take walks with their Pokémon in the town square, sitting on benches under the park lamplights as the evening breeze brushed against their cheeks.
Their closest friends and beloved Pokémon were always by their side. Life was peaceful, warm, and beautiful...
"Time is almost up," Terrence reminded, glancing at his quest panel. He turned to Caleb, "Are you really not going to say goodbye to Cynthia?"
Only 30 minutes remained before the three-year quest deadline.
Caleb thought for a moment, then said, "Forget it. Let's wait a little longer."
"This is depressing," Terrence sighed, "After living together for so long, we've grown attached. I finally understand why some players would rather risk being sent to a penalty dungeon than keep their situation hidden from NPCs…"
Caleb agreed.
For an Infinite Player constantly hopping between Instances, the hardest part was never the dangers or the villains they faced in the Pokémon world. It was leaving the Instance and knowing they might never see the friends or loved ones they met here again.
"At least I've got you with me, bro!" Terrence whined, rubbing his dog head against Caleb.
Caleb pushed him away in disgust. Just then, Cynthia finished her first match and stood on the battlefield, taking a sip of water.
Her gaze swept across the audience stands, quickly spotting Caleb and Terrence roughhousing. The corners of her lips curled into a gentle smile.
"By the way, where did you go the other day? I didn't see you for ages," Terrence asked.
After settling in Celestic Town, he spent less and less time inside his Poké Ball. Most days, he lounged on the grass in Cynthia's backyard, sunbathing and befriending a small, adorable Pachirisu.
"I went back to Snowpoint City," Caleb said.
Terrence gasped, "You went to battle Regigigas? Did you win?"
Caleb shook his head, "No worries, I didn't do that. Cynthia didn't come with me, and if I lost, I'd be stuck there alone. The reason I went to Snowpoint City was to check on the children at Origin Orphanage, and Grandma Isa."
He had asked Cynthia to sell the Pokéblocks and special Pokémon food from his inventory to traveling trainers passing by. Then, he donated all the League currency he earned to the orphanage.
Over these three years, Mimikyu and Lucario had both reached max level. And through constant battles with Garchomp, Dragonite had also mastered the dazzling and powerful move, Draco Meteor.
By the time Cynthia finished her matches, Caleb and Terrence were already waiting backstage.
She walked over holding three ice cream cones, handing one to Caleb and another to Smeargle, "Alright, let's go home."
Caleb didn't move.
Cynthia paused, "What's wrong?"
"We have to leave," Caleb said simply.
"Leave?" Cynthia's heart skipped a beat. Her brows furrowed slightly, but then she quickly remembered his origins, "Will I… ever see you again?"
Caleb didn't know if this Instance shared the same continuity as 'Infernal Affairs'. After a moment of thought, he said, "Probably… not."
Terrence couldn't bear to watch, so he lowered his head to stare at his feet.
Cynthia pressed her lips together, "Where will you go after leaving here? Kanto? Johto? Or Hoenn?"
Caleb hesitated, then sighed softly and shook his head, "I don't know."
He didn't know which world the next Scenario would be. He couldn't guarantee it would follow Infernal Affairs' timeline, nor could he promise the timeframes would align.
He might arrive to find Cynthia already eighty years old, or before she was even born.
"Five minutes left," Terrence coughed lightly.
"Then… goodbye?" Caleb said to Cynthia.
Even someone as composed as Cynthia was at a loss in this situation.
"You didn't tell me you were leaving today," she said.
Caleb: "…"
Truthfully, he hadn't planned to tell Cynthia at all. He'd intended to slip away quietly, just like in 'Infernal Affairs'.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
"One minute left!" Terrence reminded again, already stepping outside to give the two some privacy.
Hearing this, Cynthia sighed, crouched down, and pulled Caleb into a tight hug, "Goodbye, little liar," she whispered.
"Goodbye, Cynthia."
Caleb checked the time... only 15 seconds remained.
After a brief silence, he decided to take a chance. He pushed Cynthia back slightly, meeting her eyes as he said firmly:
"Two years from now, come find me in Celadon City, Kanto. I might be there. Remember my name... it's Caleb Chase, not Terrence!"
As the last word left his lips, the Instance timer hit zero. Along with Terrence, who had already run outside, Caleb vanished from the world.
Cynthia's hands closed around empty air. She stared blankly at the space before her, murmuring to herself, "Little liar…"
....
Darkness enveloped Caleb. The familiar Instance settlement announcement never came...
Floating in the void, he looked down at his body which was now restored to its adult form after leaving the 'Transformation and Substitution' Instance.
He glanced around. Terrence was gone.
He was alone...
Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared:
[Player 'Caleb Chase' has returned to the Infinite World in front of a native character! Violation of Instance rules confirmed! Instance has been locked!]
[Domestic Robot 'Gardevoir' has been placed in the player's Inventory!]
[If the Instance Quest fails, all of the player's Pokémon and furniture will be automatically destroyed!]
[Selecting penalty Instance…]
*Ding!*
[Instance confirmed!]
[Welcome, Player 'Caleb Chase', to the penalty Instance 'Collapsed World'!]
The surrounding darkness twisted and surged like a nightmare, swallowing Caleb whole. Unlike the usual Instance entry, this black fog clouded his mind, making it impossible to think.
He just felt… exhausted. Drained...
*Splash… Splash…*
Rain poured from the sky.
Caleb opened his eyes to find himself drenched, lying in a pile of garbage...
~~~
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