"Is it over?"
Blue collapsed softly to the ground, hugging her arms, her body still trembling uncontrollably.
Her childhood experiences had left her with a severe ornithophobia, and being able to face the three Legendary Birds in battle until now was already a remarkable feat.
"It's over."
Ace spent five mission points to begin healing himself, and before his eyes, the system's text appeared.
"Main Quest (Team Rocket's Downfall) completed. Quest Evaluation: S! Quest Reward: 10,000 gold, fifty mission points, a spatial backpack (shape customizable), one Pinap Berry, one Pokémon aptitude enhancement."
"Gift package stored, can be opened at any time."
Ace casually found a rock to sit on, while recalling all his Pokémon. The healing effect of the Healing Aura began, slowly restoring the injured Pokémon within their Poké Balls.
Ash and Gary went to find Professor Oak, and Blue, after a glance at Ace, immediately fled Saffron City.
Having stolen Squirtle, she still dared not face Professor Oak, so she ran off.
Ace remained to recover his stamina. Soon, Misty, Brock, and Erika, who had suppressed the remaining Team Rocket members, also arrived in Saffron City.
"Ace, are you okay?"
Misty saw Ace resting and immediately asked, "Where are Ash and Gary?"
"I'm not dying. Ash and Gary went to find Professor Oak. I'm a bit exhausted, so I'm resting first."
Just as in the plot, the three Gym Leaders blocked the three exits of Saffron City. The only remaining exit led directly to a fishing paradise.
Giovanni and his subordinates likely slipped away through that opening, but this was all part of Ace's plan.
Looking at the newly appeared main quest, Ace knew his decision was correct.
"Main Quest (Elite Four's Revenge): Team Rocket's downfall is not the end, but the beginning. Challenge the Elite Four and defeat them all, while also disrupting Lance's plan. Quest Reward: 50,000 gold, one small Pokémon Transfer Device set, one random item, one Pokémon aptitude enhancement, mission points based on quest completion evaluation. If quest evaluation is below C-rank, it will be considered a quest failure. Penalty: All Pokémon held by host will be erased, body condition enhancements reset to zero."
As expected, the subsequent main quest directly pointed to the Pokémon Adventures: Yellow arc. The penalties were also more severe, forcing Ace to complete this main quest.
However, Ace wasn't too concerned. If he remembered correctly, there were more than two years until the start of the Yellow arc.
Two years was enough time for him to slowly grow stronger.
As Ace thought, he stood up and walked towards Professor Oak, who was being supported by Ash and Gary.
"Sorry, I made you all worry."
Professor Oak was a bit embarrassed. After all, he was the first champion of the Indigo League, yet he had been kidnapped this time, completely losing face.
However, Ace didn't see anything wrong with it.
Giovanni had only been neglecting his training for six years; his strength was probably far from his peak.
Not to mention Professor Oak, the first champion, who had been out of practice for over twenty years. His current strength, Ace estimated, would be questionable even against Ash and Gary.
"Everything ended perfectly, Ace. Here's your stuff back."
Ash grinned, then prepared to take off his gloves.
"No need, they're yours. I don't need these things."
Ace waved his hand, generously giving away the items.
Ash was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded, accepting Ace's kindness.
The items Ace gave them were actually tools to help them deal with the three executives.
Ash received insulating gloves and a T-shirt; his previous opponent was Surge, who possessed Zapdos.
Gary received a cold-weather cloak and some antidotes to resist extremely cold temperatures; his opponent was Koga, who possessed Articuno.
Blue received a pair of glasses that could protect her from Janine's illusions. However, considering Blue's ornithophobia, Ace didn't give her anything else, as she would faint as soon as Moltres appeared.
"You all handle the rest. I'm leaving first."
Ace released Crobat. Aerodactyl was still recovering, so for now, his primary mode of transportation had to be switched to Crobat.
Ash and the others originally wanted to ask him to stay, but Professor Oak stopped them, looking at Ace and saying, "Do you remember that saying?"
Ace nodded. He knew Professor Oak was referring to the phrase on the Pokédex.
"Then you go ahead. We'll handle the mess here."
Professor Oak nodded. He knew Ace was very smart, so when talking to smart people, sometimes there was no need to be overly explicit.
They all understood the general meaning in their hearts.
Ace glanced at Professor Oak, gave him a "V" sign, then Crobat grabbed Ace's shoulder. Its two pairs of wings flapped alternately, slowly lifting Ace into the air.
"Crobat, it looks like I'll have to train you in weighted flight now."
Ace noticed Crobat's flying speed decreasing and couldn't help but look up at Crobat.
Crobat grinned, nodded at Ace. It never refused training.
Ace waved goodbye to the people below, then Crobat carried Ace, flying southeast.
Professor Oak and the others watched Ace depart, and Professor Oak softly murmured, "Then, see you in two months."
Crobat carried Ace away from Saffron City, finally landing in a forest far to the southeast of the city.
Ace temporarily recalled Crobat and brought up the system panel to select the shape of his spatial backpack.
"System, what about that legitimate property? Are there any requirements?"
While choosing his preferred backpack, Ace asked the system another crucial question.
"Host can freely designate a 700 square meter plot of land. Then, based on the geographical location, the system will provide construction services to build a suitable structure within the designated area."
"Any geographical location?"
"Yes. Please do not underestimate the functions of this system, Host."
"What's the fastest it can be built?"
"Depends on the location chosen by the Host."
After hearing the system's explanation, Ace pondered, then selected his spatial backpack.
It was a black waist bag, only about the size of two palms.
Ace took it out of his current backpack, then wrapped its clasp around his waist, with the bag portion resting on his back.
His trench coat covered the waist bag, and unless one looked closely, it would be impossible to tell Ace was wearing one.
"Good, very discreet."
Ace nodded in satisfaction, then directly leaned his large travel bag against the waist bag.
Instantly, the huge backpack vanished without a trace. At the same time, Ace could clearly feel that the items inside the large backpack were being neatly sorted into various small pockets on the waist bag.
With a thought, Ace could instantly retrieve whatever he wanted.