"Warning! Warning! Intruder! Intruder! Defense mechanisms activated!"
A piercing alarm suddenly rang out in the study of Ace's villa. The ceiling opened up, and a dozen mechanical arms mixed with electric currents swung toward Ace and the others.
"Rotom, it's me! Deactivate the defense mechanisms!"
Seeing the defense mechanisms activated, Ace helplessly called out to stop Rotom.
Hearing Ace's voice, Rotom stopped controlling the mechanical arms. The mechanical arms then slowly retracted, and the ceiling closed again.
"...Your house is really something out of science fiction."
Looking at the scene before them, the startled group gave Ace an odd look.
Ace rolled his eyes, then walked over to the fully stocked bookshelf, pulled out the book Secrets of the Earth, and handed it to Silver.
"Sigh, I was originally planning to make a trip to the Meteor Falls, but now I have to rush again."
Ace looked at the people in the study, then glanced at the dragon scale armor he was wearing, which had been pierced through. He couldn't repair it himself and had to make a trip to the Meteor Falls to ask Dragon Elder to fix it.
"Alright, the matter is concluded. Let's head out first."
Ace clapped his hands, then shooed the group out of the study and led them to the living room.
The group curiously looked around Ace's villa, silently commenting on what a "nouveau riche" he was.
Soon, some Chansey who managed the house brought in snacks and drinks. Ace had them put everything down, sat on the sofa, and spoke to the group: "Although it was a false alarm, everyone has been teleported to Kanto. I'll have someone send you back later."
"No rush, no rush."
Sapphire pressed her entire face against the living room's floor-to-ceiling window. She turned back to Ace, pointing outside, and asked: "It's all fruit trees out there, Senior Ace, do you grow Berries too?"
"That's inventory for sale."
Ace said helplessly. Seeing the sparkling eyes of Sapphire and Ruby, he instantly knew that they had no intention of leaving anytime soon.
Ash sat down casually and said to Ace: "The matter is over, and we probably have a long vacation. How about we spend a holiday here with you for a while?"
The others nodded. They were all curious about the villa and Ace, thinking they should stay a little longer to look around and also get some rest.
"No way!"
Ace refused outright, first pointing at Blue: "Blue, you've found your parents, shouldn't you be going home for a reunion now?"
"Heh heh, my parents are researchers. They're tied up with a special project right now, so the real reunion won't be until a week later."
Blue smiled sweetly at Ace: "So, I'm not in a hurry."
Ace was momentarily speechless, then shifted his focus to Crystal: "Crystal, you've inherited Professor Oak's research lab, regarding research..."
"The research can be put on hold. I just saw a lot of Pokémon books on your bookshelf that I haven't read. Could you lend them to me?"
Before Ace could finish his sentence, Crystal's eyes lit up as she looked at Ace. It was clear she had set her sights on Ace's remaining collection.
"Silver..."
A frustrated Ace turned his gaze to Silver. Silver recalled everything Ace had done for him, and was about to speak up for Ace, but Blue tugged his shirt. Silver instantly switched sides and said to Ace: "I'll listen to Big Sister Blue."
Ace: ...
After a few rounds, everyone found an excuse and insisted on staying at Ace's house. Ace finally admitted defeat and reluctantly threw up his hands: "Fine, have it your way, but let me warn you, I really have something important to do. I have to return to Hoenn in three days at the most."
Hearing Ace concede, the group laughed. Gold even egged them on, suggesting that since all the Pokédex Holders were finally gathered, Ace, the big spender, should cough up some cash.
Ace rolled his eyes but didn't refuse, instead silently leaving to prepare.
Stepping out of the villa, Ace looked back at it.
The previously cold and quiet villa was now bustling and filled with a warmth of life.
"This feeling... isn't bad either."
Ace murmured softly, then went to prepare ingredients.
...
The sun was setting. In the courtyard of the villa, smoke curled up from the grill.
Ace stood by the barbecue pit, intently grilling meat.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Red and the others, along with their Pokémon, filled the entire space.
"Here."
As Ace focused on grilling, Green brought over a platter and handed Ace a skewer of grilled meat.
"You're giving me back the meat I grilled for myself?"
Ace glanced at Green, then couldn't help but laugh.
Green set the platter on a nearby table, leaned against it with her hands resting on the surface, and watched the lively scene unfold. She spoke, "Ace, I still have to say thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
Ace took a bite of the meat skewer, chewing as he asked Green.
Green looked up at the sky and said: "Thank you for being able to encourage and guide Silver."
"It was nothing intentional."
"But I'm still very grateful."
Green turned to look at Ace and said: "After Silver and I escaped, I silently swore three things. First, to take good care of Silver. Second, to get justice from the Masked Man. Third, to find my own parents."
"Well, congratulations, you've achieved all three."
"Yes, I know."
Green continued: "But I also know that throughout this process, you helped me a lot, whether it was providing information about the Masked Man, helping us deal with him, or comforting Silver and preventing him from sinking further. I keep all of your help in my heart."
"It's nothing, just things I was capable of doing."
Ace finished the skewer in a couple of bites and flipped the meat on the grill to prevent it from burning.
"My life started in darkness. I'm fortunate to have had you all the way."
Green leaned sideways, resting her head on Ace's shoulder.
Green had never once shown weakness to fate on her journey. Anything she set her mind to do, she would thoroughly investigate, formulate a battle plan, execute it flawlessly, and be ready to improvise.
Her life had been quite tragic, yet she never begged for sympathy or even help from others.
Green didn't know when she started to trust Ace so completely.
Whenever he was around, Green felt she could finally set down the burdens on her shoulders, relax a little, and be more feminine.
Ace didn't speak. Faced with words that were practically a confession from Green, his heart was in turmoil...
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