The interrogation room was quiet to the point of suffocation.
A faint buzzing sound came from the fluorescent lights overhead, casting a cold white glow across the narrow space. The walls were bare, painted a dull gray that made time feel heavier the longer one stayed inside. A simple metal table stood in the center, with two chairs facing each other.
Gary sat calmly on one side.
Across from him was Officer Jenny, her posture straight but her expression visibly tired. A stack of documents lay beside her, filled with written statements, timestamps, and reports from witnesses.
She pressed her fingers against her temple and let out a slow breath.
"Gary," Officer Jenny said, her tone firm but weary, "tell me the detailed sequence of events regarding how you blocked Team Galactic tonight."
Gary lifted his gaze slightly.
"Officer Jenny," he replied evenly, "you've already questioned Team Galactic's members, Ash, Brock, Dawn, and Maylene. You should already have a complete picture. Is it really necessary for me to repeat everything?"
Jenny looked at him for a moment before answering.
"According to procedure, yes," she said. "No matter how clear the situation seems, we still require your personal statement. Once you're done, you'll be free to leave and rest."
Gary paused briefly, then nodded.
"…Alright."
"The situation itself wasn't complicated," Gary began.
"Earlier tonight, Veilstone City experienced a complete communication failure. Phones, public screens, and Pokémon Center systems all went offline simultaneously. That level of disruption doesn't occur naturally."
Officer Jenny nodded while writing.
"So I suspected criminal interference and went to Meteorite Park to investigate," Gary continued. "When I arrived, I confirmed that Team Galactic was attempting to remove the meteorite using helicopters."
He spoke steadily, without exaggeration.
"Ash and the others arrived independently after noticing the same abnormal situation. During the confrontation, Team Galactic attempted to escape with the meteorite."
Gary paused briefly.
"To stop them, I ordered an attack on the helicopter. During that process, part of the meteorite was accidentally damaged."
Jenny stopped writing.
She looked up at him.
"…Accidentally damaged?"
"Yes," Gary answered calmly. "The goal was to prevent Team Galactic from removing it. Destruction was not the intent."
Officer Jenny leaned back in her chair and exhaled slowly.
"You do realize," she said, "that the meteorite has been preserved in Veilstone City for centuries? It's classified as a protected historical artifact."
"I'm aware," Gary replied. "But if we hadn't acted, Team Galactic would have successfully taken two meteorites. Between losing one to damage and losing both to a criminal organization, the choice was obvious."
Jenny fell silent.
From a law enforcement standpoint, she couldn't deny the logic.
Still, rules were rules.
After a moment, Officer Jenny reached for a form.
"Leave your contact number here," she said.
Gary filled it out neatly and signed his name.
"Am I free to go?" he asked.
"You may," Jenny replied. "But keep your phone available at all times."
Gary hesitated slightly.
"…Am I going to be held financially responsible for the meteorite?"
Jenny rubbed her forehead again.
"That hasn't been decided yet. The higher authorities will review the case."
"And until then?" Gary asked.
"You are not permitted to leave the Sinnoh Region."
Gary frowned.
"That doesn't seem reasonable. The damage occurred while stopping Team Galactic. Why am I the one being restricted?"
Jenny spread her hands.
"There's no complete surveillance footage," she said. "Until the investigation is fully concluded, this restriction is mandatory."
"And if the investigation drags on?" Gary asked.
"There's a time limit," Jenny replied. "One hundred and eighty days. If the case remains unresolved after that, the restriction will automatically be lifted."
Gary leaned back slightly.
"…Six months."
"Yes."
Gary considered it calmly.
Six months wasn't long.
Team Galactic wouldn't last that long anyway.
"Understood," he said. "Then I'll comply."
"You may leave," Jenny said.
When Gary stepped into the police station lobby, he immediately spotted familiar figures waiting nearby.
"Gary!" Ash called out the moment he saw him. "Are you okay?"
Ash, Dawn, Brock, Reggie, and Maylene were all present.
Their expressions clearly showed concern.
"I'm fine," Gary replied. "Just temporarily restricted from leaving Sinnoh for half a year."
Ash blinked.
"…That's terrible luck."
Brock adjusted his glasses. "At least you're not detained."
Dawn nodded quickly. "And you're Professor Oak's grandson. Even if compensation is required, it won't ruin you!"
Ash nodded seriously. "Yeah, worst case, it's just money."
Gary glanced at them.
"…That's not the issue."
He wasn't worried about money.
He simply disliked unnecessary loss.
The meteorite's value might not be astronomical, but even a conservative estimate placed it at over a million Pokédollars. That was enough to acquire a Pokémon with excellent potential.
If nothing valuable was inside, it was still a waste.
If something was inside…
Then the loss was far greater.
Gary didn't voice those thoughts.
He turned and walked outside.
As soon as Gary released Cyclizar, the reaction was immediate.
The sleek Pokémon unfolded its limbs smoothly and let out a low mechanical hum.
"Cyc—li—zar."
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Gary! You still haven't told me what Pokémon that is!"
Brock, Reggie, and Maylene also leaned closer, curiosity clear on their faces.
"This Pokémon is called Cyclizar," Gary explained. "It's a Normal- and Dragon-type Pokémon."
"Dragon-type?!" Ash exclaimed.
"It naturally moves like a motorcycle," Gary continued. "And it enjoys carrying humans."
Ash froze.
"…Can I ride it?"
"You can," Gary replied casually.
Ash immediately ran forward.
Cyclizar seemed to understand, lowering its posture and adjusting its body to make mounting easier.
"Oh! It's cooperating!" Ash exclaimed.
"Cyclizar is extremely friendly toward humans," Gary explained. "It likes body heat and close contact."
Ash rode Cyclizar around the street, laughing loudly.
Dawn watched with shining eyes. "Can I try too?"
Maylene nodded eagerly. "I'd like to experience it as well."
Brock raised a hand. "If possible, I'd like a turn."
Reggie smiled awkwardly. "Me too."
Gary felt a faint headache forming.
Cyclizar had become far more popular than expected.
By the time everyone finished riding, it was already late at night.
Back at the Pokémon Center, Gary returned to his room.
The moment he opened the door, he stopped.
Standing silently inside was Annihilape.
The Ghost/Fighting-type Pokémon stood upright, its white fur bristling slightly, its red eyes calm but alert. Unlike its usual ferocity, it stood quietly, as if waiting.
"Anni… niih."
"How did it go?" Gary asked calmly. "Did you find anything?"
Annihilape nodded once.
It reached into the storage space it carried and pulled out a small object.
A blue crystal.
The moment Gary saw it, his breathing slowed.
Annihilape stepped forward and placed the crystal into Gary's hand.
The crystal was smooth, translucent, and faintly glowing with an unfamiliar energy. It felt cold, yet strangely alive.
"…Why can't I see its name?" Gary muttered.
Normally, the system would immediately identify any object he touched.
But this time—
Nothing appeared.
The crystal's structure was unmistakable.
It was identical to the core of Deoxys.
And that realization sent a chill through Gary's spine.
Because the crystal core…
Was not just related to Deoxys.
It was Deoxys.