Chapter 239

Chapter 239: Chapter 239

Officer Jenny arrived at Mike’s location on her motorcycle before long.

After confirming that the situation was under control, she instructed her subordinates to secure the Pokémon poacher and his Glalie inside their transport vehicle, then approached Mike and gave him a formal salute.

"Thank you for your assistance, Professor Mike. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Mike was a little taken aback by how seriously she was treating him and hurriedly waved his hand.

"Just call me Mike. And you didn’t keep me waiting at all. You actually got here pretty quickly. I thought it would take you a while longer."

"That’s because my assigned jurisdiction is Rondo Town, just a short distance down the mountain," Officer Jenny explained.

"We headed out as soon as we received your call."

’Rondo Town?’

Mike searched his memory but couldn’t recall ever hearing of the place.

"Well, thanks for coming all this way," he said.

"There’s no need to thank us, Professor. This is our responsibility."

Officer Jenny straightened her posture as she answered, looking every bit the dedicated police officer.

Mike studied her for a moment, growing increasingly puzzled.

’That’s strange. Why is the Officer Jenny from Rondo Town being so ridiculously polite to me?’

He wasn’t particularly bothered by it, but her attitude was noticeably different from that of the other Officer Jennys he’d met.

’Does she need me to help her with something?’

"Um, Professor Mike?"

Seeing that Mike had fallen silent, Officer Jenny remembered what she had been hoping to ask him.

She hesitated before addressing him again in a quieter voice.

"Huh? Yeah, what’s up?"

Officer Jenny blinked her bright eyes and looked at him hopefully.

"Would you like to come back to Rondo Town with us and rest for a while?"

"Rondo Town?"

Mike was genuinely tempted.

The weather on Mount Coronet was absolutely freezing, and the prospect of spending the night somewhere warm sounded wonderful.

After considering it, however, he shook his head.

"Thanks, but I’d rather not. If I go all the way down the mountain, I’ll just have to climb back up again."

"We could give you a ride back up!"

Mike looked at her more closely.

"Officer Jenny, is there something you need my help with?"

She froze.

After standing awkwardly for a moment, she pressed her lips together and finally admitted what was on her mind.

"Well, you see, today is actually my first day serving as Rondo Town’s Officer Jenny."

She took a breath before continuing.

"A while ago, I saw the promotional videos you made for Eterna City and Jubilife City. I thought they were wonderful, so I was wondering... if you’d be willing to make one for us too?"

"Oh, well..."

"Of course, I’m not asking for a promotional video!" she hurriedly clarified. "What I really want is a public safety video."

Officer Jenny grew more serious as she explained her idea.

"As you know, Mount Coronet is much more dangerous than most places. The higher you climb, the worse the weather becomes. Someone who isn’t properly prepared could easily develop hypothermia, collapse in the snow, and never make it back down."

"And that’s before considering the Pokémon living on the mountain. Many of them are much more dangerous and aggressive than the Pokémon people normally encounter around towns and cities."

She looked directly at Mike.

"That’s why I’d like to ask you to help us film a video explaining these dangers and reminding everyone to take proper precautions before going up the mountain."

After finishing her explanation, Officer Jenny bowed deeply.

Mike looked at her and fell into thought.

She certainly wasn’t exaggerating about the dangers of Mount Coronet.

He had experienced them firsthand.

Take Froslass, for example.

A single Pokémon had been capable of summoning a blizzard powerful enough to cover an enormous section of the mountain and make travel practically impossible.

An ability like that wasn’t much different from a natural disaster.

Pokémon capable of controlling the weather could cause destruction on a similar scale to some of nature’s worst catastrophes.

Kyogre was an obvious example.

Whenever that enormous blue fish appeared, the seas could rise into devastating waves, and entire areas could be swallowed by floodwaters.

Mike glanced toward Froslass standing nearby, then nodded.

"Sure."

"Of course, we could also arrange—huh?!"

Officer Jenny had already been preparing to negotiate when she realized what he’d just said.

She stared at him in surprise.

"You mean...?"

"I mean I’ll help you film the video," Mike explained with a smile. "Although I think I have a better way to approach it than a conventional safety announcement."

He considered his idea for a moment.

"I’ll probably need some cooperation from your side, though."

Officer Jenny immediately straightened.

"Yes, Professor Mike! Please tell me what you have in mind!"

Mike briefly outlined his idea.

By the time he finished, Officer Jenny was looking at him with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"Wouldn’t that put you in danger?"

Mike smiled and shook his head.

"Don’t worry. Even if I weren’t making this safety video for Rondo Town, I’d still need to gather footage for The Wide World of Pokémon. I’d be explaining the dangers of Mount Coronet in that series anyway."

He gestured toward the snowy mountain around them.

"The only difference is that I’ll be covering them in your educational video first."

Officer Jenny looked relieved.

"In that case, thank you very much, Professor Mike. If you need any assistance from us, please don’t hesitate to ask."

Her response was crisp and professional, and Mike could practically feel her enthusiasm for the job.

He suspected she had only recently graduated from the police academy.

She still had that unmistakable eagerness of someone beginning a career and wanting to do everything properly.

Looking at her reminded Mike of the Officer Jennys he’d encountered in Twinleaf Town, Jubilife City, and Eterna City.

Especially the one from Twinleaf Town.

Whenever she had an opportunity to slack off, she took it.

She was practically another Lucian!

’Speaking of Lucian, I wonder whether he’s working today.’

Mike considered sending him a message later to find out.

"Well, I won’t take up any more of your time," Officer Jenny said, drawing him out of his thoughts.

She straightened and saluted him again.

Mike hesitated for a moment before awkwardly returning the salute.

That earned him a bright smile.

Officer Jenny climbed onto her motorcycle, started the engine, and left with her subordinates and the captured poacher.

Once they were gone, Mike let out a breath and slipped his hands into his pockets.

Glameow had finally reached her limit with the freezing weather and returned to her Poké Ball, leaving Mike’s arms free for the first time in quite a while.

He turned toward Froslass who was floating beside Snorunt.

"Well, Froslass, we found Snorunt."

Froslass looked at him and gently nodded.

"Fross—"

[Thank you.]

"You’re welcome." Mike waved off her gratitude. "But I hope that if you need someone’s help again, you’ll try asking nicely instead of kidnapping their Pokémon or friends and threatening them."

Froslass nodded, showing that she understood.

"And be careful around humans, too. Not everyone you meet is going to be a good person."

She nodded again.

Mike looked at her for a moment before making one final request.

"And if you ever find a human collapsed somewhere in the snow, could you help them if you’re able to?"

Froslass met his eyes and nodded without hesitation.

Only after Mike had finished speaking did she give another quiet cry.

"Fross—"

[Let me guide you out of here.]

Mike accepted her offer, and the group followed Froslass and Snorunt through the snow until they finally reached the Pokémon Center on the mountainside.

...

By then, night had completely fallen.

Snowflakes were drifting down from the dark sky again, settling on Mike’s hair, scarf, and shoulders.

He tilted his head upward and caught a snowflake in his outstretched palm before turning toward Froslass.

She was hovering beside Snorunt and seemed to understand exactly what he was wondering.

Froslass shook her head.

"Fross."

[This time, it wasn’t me.]

Mike blinked.

’So this is natural snowfall?’

’Snow in August, huh?’

While he was watching the snow, Froslass began leading Snorunt back into the swirling white landscape.

Their figures were gradually disappearing when Mike suddenly called after her.

"Froslass!"

She stopped and looked back through the falling snow, curious about what else he wanted.

"I’ll come find you tomorrow."

"Fross?"

Mike smiled.

"I helped you find Snorunt, so how about returning the favor by helping me with something?"

"Fross?"

He raised the camera hanging from his neck.

"Nothing complicated. I’d just like you to help us film something."

Froslass looked at Mike’s warm smile, then at the camera in his hand.

She seemed to think about his request for quite some time before finally giving a slow nod.

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Gar—!"

Gengar floated beside Mike and pressed his palms together in gratitude.

With nothing else to discuss, Froslass took Snorunt and disappeared into the snowy mountainside, heading back toward their cave.

Mike watched them leave before adjusting the camera around his neck and rubbing his hands together.

After breathing warm air into his palms, he finally pushed open the doors of the Pokémon Center.

...

"Welcome to the Pokémon Center! How may I help you?"

A gentle voice greeted him the moment he stepped inside.

The first thing Mike saw was a pink reception counter, with Nurse Joy standing behind it.

Nearby, a Blissey was pushing an injured Pokémon out of the treatment room and toward the recovery ward.

The warm interior and Nurse Joy’s soothing voice felt wonderfully welcoming after the freezing wind outside.

Mike approached the counter and handed over Glameow’s Poké Ball before gesturing toward Gengar and the others.

"Nurse Joy, could you help my Pokémon recover their energy?"

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

Her voice was warm and gentle, a striking contrast to the harsh environment surrounding the Pokémon Center.

Nurse Joy accepted Glameow’s Poké Ball, but when she noticed the snow covering Mike’s clothes, she paused.

"Would you like some hot water?"

Mike looked at her hopefully.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course! Pokémon Centers are here to help everyone. Please make yourself comfortable while you wait."

With that, Nurse Joy took Glameow’s Poké Ball and led Gengar and the others toward the recovery room.

Mike found an empty seat and settled down, taking the opportunity to examine the building.

There were quite a few people inside, and most looked as though they had only recently come down from the mountain.

Their clothes were travel-worn, and several still carried equipment dusted with snow.

Mike suspected many of them were simply stopping to recover before continuing their journeys.

"Blissey~"

A sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.

Mike looked up and found Blissey standing in front of him with a warm smile, offering a cup of hot water in both pink hands.

The sight immediately reminded him of the Blissey at the Pokémon Center in Sandgem Town.

Every time Mike brought that Blissey something delicious, she complained that his food was going to make her gain weight.

And every single time, she proceeded to eat every last bite.

Mike wondered how she was doing now.

’When I get back, I should find some time to visit her and Nurse Joy.’

He accepted the cup and thanked Blissey, who responded with another gentle smile before returning to her duties.

Mike took a sip of the hot water.

The warmth seemed to spread through his entire body, gradually driving away the chill that had settled into his bones after spending so long in the snow.

Once he had finished the cup, he took out his phone and opened the fan group.

As it happened, Lucian and several others were discussing Mount Coronet.

[IDontWantOvertime: Sigh... Accidents in the wilderness have decreased quite a bit in other places, but incidents on Mount Coronet have been increasing again.]

[Professor Purple: That’s easy to deal with. Why not ask Mike to make an educational video about Mount Coronet?]

[IDontWantOvertime: Good point. The problem is that nobody’s seen him for days. He doesn’t reply to messages, and he hasn’t uploaded anything either.]

[hector lyng: Don’t tell me...]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: ???]

[Mitchell Standage: HOLY SHIT, HE’S ALIVE!]

[ApeLion: HOLY SHIT, HE’S ALIVE!]

Mike stared at the screen.

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: ...]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: I’m on Mount Coronet filming right now. Keep talking like that and I’m never uploading another video.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: [Snowy Mountain.jpg]]

{System Notice: hector lyng has been muted for thirty minutes by administrator IDontWantOvertime.}

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: LOL]

[IDontWantOvertime: Mike, do me a favor.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Officer Jenny from Rondo Town already contacted me. The safety video should be ready in a few days.]

[IDontWantOvertime: Thanks.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: No problem. Just remember to transfer the money to my account.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: By the way, why are you all so sure a video from me will be more effective than a safety announcement released by League headquarters?]

[IDontWantOvertime: ...]

[Mad Silence: ...]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: Do you seriously not realize how influential you are now?]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: What influence?]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: You’re one of the youngest Pokémon Professors, a researcher who discovered Hisuian Pokémon, the person behind the Wyrdeer restoration project, and the creator of The Wide World of Pokémon. Isn’t that impressive enough?!]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: As far as I know, your Wide World of Pokémon videos have already been added to introductory Trainer courses at academies here in Paldea.]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: I heard about it when the director of Naranja Academy in Mesagoza came to discuss a partnership with our company.]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: Apparently, Blueberry Academy in Unova is also preparing to include the series in its basic Trainer curriculum.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: !!!]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: But it’s just an educational video series! I made it so people could see how Pokémon actually live in the wild, understand their behavior, and learn about the dangers they might encounter.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Does that really need to become part of a school curriculum?]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: JUST an educational series?]

[GholdengoIsNumberOne: Do you have any idea how... You know what, forget it. With your nerves of steel, I suppose even something like this feels completely normal to you.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Hehe.]

...

Cynthia happened to be away on League business when she saw the conversation.

She read GholdengoIsNumberOne’s messages about Naranja Academy and Blueberry Academy adopting The Wide World of Pokémon as introductory course material.

After considering the matter, she tapped her phone a few times and tagged Lucian.

[ReallyWantIceCream: @IDontWantOvertime Would the approach Naranja Academy and Blueberry Academy are taking work for Sinnoh too?]

Back in his office, Lucian stared at Cynthia’s message.

He remained motionless for several moments before slowly sighing and pushing his glasses up his nose.

Then he began typing.

[IDontWantOvertime: Understood. I’ll contact the people responsible, discuss the details with them, and develop a plan to introduce something similar in Sinnoh.]

Cynthia didn’t respond.

Apparently, she had put her phone away immediately after issuing another assignment.

Mike read the exchange and burst out laughing.

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: HAHAHA! Oh, Lucian! You really can’t escape overtime, can you?]

Lucian stared at the message, suddenly feeling an overwhelming urge to mute Mike on the spot.

He was already moving to do exactly that when another thought occurred to him.

After a moment’s consideration, he opened Mike’s private messages instead.

[IDontWantOvertime: Mike, I need another favor.]

Mike opened the notification.

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: ???]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Didn’t I already agree to film the safety video?]

[IDontWantOvertime: It’s not about that.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Then what is it?]

[IDontWantOvertime: Mind lending me Oleana for a while?]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: !!!]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: YOU HORNDOG! WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO WITH HER?! DON’T MAKE ME TELL THE BOSS LADY!]

[IDontWantOvertime: ...]

[IDontWantOvertime: ?!]

[IDontWantOvertime: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?! I mean I want her to help organize the introduction of The Wide World of Pokémon into basic courses for Trainers and Breeders!]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Ohhh, THAT’S what you meant.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Man, why didn’t you just say so? You made me misunderstand.]

[IDontWantOvertime: ...]

[IDontWantOvertime: [Smiling.jpg]]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Wait, why Breeders too? I thought we were only talking about Trainers.]

[IDontWantOvertime: You think Breeders don’t need this information? They travel too, you know.]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: Fair point...]

[IDontWantOvertime: So, can she help?]

[GengarStoleMyDrumstick: I don’t have a problem with it, but you’ll have to ask Oleana herself. She’s still supervising construction of the research institute. If she agrees and has time, that’s fine with me.]

[IDontWantOvertime: Okay. Thanks.]

Lucian closed Mike’s conversation and immediately opened his chat with Oleana.

[IDontWantOvertime: Oleana, are you available right now?]