[Main Quest Completed!]
[Rewards will be calculated upon exiting the instance.]
Finally.
A piece of good news.
The moment the notification appeared, Armin's mood visibly improved.
He couldn't help but imagine Giovanni's expression when he opened that list of undercover agents.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't get to see it.
Once he left Kanto, he had no intention of ever going back. The moment the hidden quest was complete, he would immediately exit this infuriating instance.
Alola was far from Kanto.
Even by plane, it took six full hours.
Armin checked the time, calculating their arrival.
Outside the window, night had fallen.
The plane cruised above dark clouds, and if one tilted their head upward, a deep sapphire sky glittering with stars came into view.
"So pretty!"
Amber pressed her face against the window, her eyes sparkling like stars themselves.
Mimikyu, resting in Armin's arms, let out a long, relieved breath.
For the first time since everything began—
Trainer and Pokémon alike finally relaxed.
Armin yawned and leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes.
-----
By the time they landed in Hau'oli City, it was already nine at night.
They had slept on the plane and were surprisingly energized.
After a quick discussion, the two of them excitedly made their way straight to the ocean.
Unlike Kanto, Alola's climate was tropical and maritime.
The sea breeze was fresh and humid, carrying a faint scent of salt that made one's heart feel lighter.
Sand.
Ocean.
Palm trees.
Amber stood before the vast horizon, her light-blue hair fluttering in the wind. Moonlight washed over her pale face, giving her a soft, ethereal glow.
She looked radiant.
Like she belonged here.
Then—
She burst into laughter and ran across the sand like a delighted Krabby, feet pattering wildly.
Armin and Mimikyu stood quietly beneath a palm tree, watching.
After running in circles for a while, Amber came back, cheeks flushed, eyes shining.
"Thank you, Brother. I'm so happy. I'm really, really happy!"
At that exact moment—
The hidden quest notification appeared.
…
[Unique Hidden Quest: Amber — Progress Updated!]
Objective: Take Amber to see the ocean.
Status: Completed
Completion Rate: 100%
[Hidden Quest Complete. Rewards will be distributed upon instance settlement.]
[All player quests completed. Exit instance immediately?]
…
"No."
Armin rejected it instantly.
And at that very second—
Blood began to flow from Amber's nose and ears again.
Her small body swayed.
And collapsed into his arms.
-----
In the Dream
Amber slowly opened her eyes.
She felt so tired.
So sleepy.
But she couldn't sleep yet.
She hadn't said goodbye to Brother Armin.
She lay alone in endless darkness.
This time—
Mewtwo did not appear.
She worried for her friend—
But she didn't even have the strength to think.
Her eyelids felt unbearably heavy.
Then—
A thin beam of white light descended from above.
-----
Outside the Operating Room
The doctor stepped out, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"We've stabilized her for now," he said. "If nothing unexpected happens, she has about a week left. Prepare yourselves."
Inside the room—
Amber slowly regained consciousness.
She raised a hand to block the harsh white light.
Armin entered.
Her face was pale as paper, but she smiled.
"Brother, don't be sad. I've been really happy these past few days."
He said nothing.
"I'm tired," she continued softly. "I want to sleep."
Armin tucked the blanket around her.
"Sleep. Mimikyu and I will stay right here."
She closed her eyes.
…
The doctor said she had seven days.
Armin used every waking moment to search for beautiful places in Hau'oli City.
Day One:
He rented a yacht and took her fishing at sea.
Day Two:
They climbed a hilltop to watch the stars.
Day Three:
They spent the entire day in a countryside flower field.
"I like places full of flowers," Amber said.
Day Four:
Her body completely failed. She could no longer move.
Day Five:
Her hearing, smell, and vision faded away.
Day Six:
Amber left this world.
-----
On the sixth day—
Mewtwo finally awakened from the suppressants.
The moment it entered the psychic realm—
It saw that Amber's spiritual form had almost completely faded.
When Amber saw Mewtwo, she beamed.
"You're here! I thought I'd never see you again!"
Mewtwo's expression darkened.
"What's happening to you?"
Amber glanced down at her translucent form.
"I'm going to die. Mewtwo… you have to live well, okay?"
"No!" Mewtwo refused, panic rising in its voice.
Amber felt sad seeing her friend like this.
She remembered what the doctor had said to Armin.
So she tried to imitate it.
"Mewtwo, don't be sad. You have to… accept it."
"I've been really happy. Brother Armin took me to so many places. I saw things I'd never seen before. Have you ever seen the ocean? It's so beautiful. Even more beautiful than I imagined. You should go see it too."
Mewtwo couldn't hear the rest.
It stood there as Amber dissolved before its eyes.
An unfamiliar emotion spread through its chest.
It pressed a hand to its heart.
What did "accept it" mean?
…
Armin and Mimikyu placed a bouquet of flowers before Amber's gravestone.
Back at the hotel—
He sat on the sofa and pulled up the system panel.
[Exit instance?]
[Main and hidden quest rewards will be calculated upon exit.]
His finger hovered over "Yes."
Then—
The phone he had tossed into the corner rang.
Caller ID: Lance
Since leaving that letter behind in Kanto, Lance had not contacted him once.
Armin hesitated—
Then answered.
Lance's voice sounded tired.
"Armin. About your reward… I've secured it."
Armin straightened slightly.
Lance continued:
"There haven't been any Dratini born recently in the Dragon's Den. So you'll have to choose from the adult Dragonite currently there."
"There happens to be one available."
He paused.
"But… that Dragonite is somewhat special."
"It might not be suitable for you."
The line went quiet.
And for the first time since Amber's death—
A faint spark returned to Armin's eyes.