The drive to the airport was surprisingly quiet.
Alex sat beside Cynthia, occasionally looking out of the window as the forests of Kanto slowly gave way to highways and eventually the busy outskirts of the city. The Charizard scale Professor Oak had gifted him rested safely inside his backpack, carefully wrapped in cloth to keep it from being scratched.
Victini remained invisible as always, lying comfortably on top of Alex's head while absentmindedly playing with his hair.
Cynthia noticed the little strands of hair moving by themselves and couldn't help smiling.
"So... did Victini enjoy the camp?"
Alex reached up and gently patted the invisible Pokémon.
"I think so."
Victini happily rubbed its face against Alex's hand.
"It made a lot of new friends."
Cynthia chuckled.
"I only hope Professor Oak has recovered from getting ignored."
Alex laughed.
"I don't think Victini meant to scare him."
"I know."
Cynthia looked out the window with a smile.
"The Professor has spent his entire life researching Pokémon. Meeting a Mythical Pokémon in person... anyone in his position would've become excited."
Alex nodded in agreement.
"Professor Oak apologized immediately."
"He even made everyone feel better afterward."
Cynthia smiled proudly.
"That's exactly why people respect him."
...
Nearly an hour later, the airport finally came into view.
After checking their luggage, the pair walked toward the departure gate. Travelers bustled around them, announcements echoed overhead, and airplanes could be seen taking off one after another through the massive glass windows.
Alex leaned against the window, quietly watching one aircraft disappear into the clouds.
"I wonder how Mom and Dad are doing."
"They're probably buried in work," Cynthia replied with a small laugh.
"Your father probably found another fossil."
"And your mother is most likely trying to convince it to cooperate."
Alex couldn't help laughing at the mental image.
Just then—
Buzz... Buzz...
Cynthia's Pokégear vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
The relaxed smile on her face slowly disappeared.
Alex immediately noticed the change.
"...Aunt?"
She answered the call quietly, listening without interrupting.
"I understand."
"...I'm already in Kanto."
"...I'll head there immediately."
The call ended.
For a few seconds, she simply stood there silently.
Alex already knew what that expression meant.
"...You have a mission."
Cynthia sighed apologetically before kneeling in front of him.
"I'm sorry."
"I won't be able to go back to Kalos with you."
Alex blinked once.
"...Really?"
She nodded.
"The League needs me for an urgent investigation."
"I'll probably be in Kanto for another week... maybe longer."
Alex puffed out his cheeks dramatically.
"That's not fair."
Cynthia smiled helplessly.
"I know."
"You promised to take me for ice cream after camp."
Alex pointed an accusing finger toward her.
"You still owe me an ice cream trip."
For a moment...
The Champion of Sinnoh actually looked guilty.
Then she reached forward, gently pinching both of Alex's cheeks.
"Alright."
She stretched them slightly.
"I admit defeat."
Alex tried speaking through squished cheeks.
"Mmmph..."
She laughed.
"When I get back..."
"...I'll buy you the biggest ice cream in Lumiose City."
Alex's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
She nodded.
"I promise."
Only then did Alex finally smile.
"Deal."
She rubbed his hair affectionately before standing back up.
A sleek League aircraft slowly rolled toward a nearby private runway.
"My ride's here."
She looked at Alex one last time.
"Listen to your parents."
"Don't skip your psychic training."
"And don't stay up too late playing games."
Alex smiled sheepishly.
"I won't."
"You hesitated."
"...Maybe a little."
She laughed softly before pulling him into a quick hug.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the camp."
Alex hugged her back.
"...Me too."
A few moments later, Cynthia boarded the League aircraft.
Alex remained standing by the window, waving until the jet disappeared into the bright blue sky.
Victini quietly patted his head.
"We should go too."
...
Not long afterward, Alex boarded his own flight back to Kalos.
The cabin was peaceful.
Passengers chatted quietly while the engines hummed steadily.
Alex buckled his seatbelt before leaning back into the comfortable seat.
Victini curled up on top of his head, already beginning to doze.
Alex smiled.
"Wake me up when we get there."
"Victi..."
Within minutes...
Both of them were asleep.
...
No one noticed the first tremor.
It was so slight that it felt like ordinary turbulence.
Then...
The second one came.
The airplane shook violently.
Passengers looked around nervously.
A flight attendant tried to reassure everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain—"
Her words were drowned out.
BOOOOOOM!!
A deafening explosion ripped through the aircraft.
Alex's eyes snapped open.
For a brief moment...
He couldn't understand what he was seeing.
The roof above him...
...was gone.
Blue sky stretched endlessly overhead.
Freezing wind screamed through the shattered cabin as oxygen masks dangled uselessly from broken panels.
People screamed.
Luggage flew everywhere.
The aircraft had broken in half.
Alex's pupils contracted.
"What..."
Victini jolted awake.
"VICTIIIIII!!"
Its terrified cry echoed against the roaring wind.
Without thinking, the tiny Mythical Pokémon used Psychic to release Alex's seatbelt.
Click.
The buckle opened.
The next instant—
The violent wind hurled both of them straight out of the aircraft.
Alex instinctively reached toward Victini.
"Victini!"
The roaring wind swallowed his voice.
His body spun uncontrollably through the open sky.
Far above him...
He watched the tail section of the aircraft tumble helplessly.
Seconds later—
A blinding flash.
BOOOOOOOM!!
The explosion painted the sky with fire.
Alex felt his entire body go cold.
...I'm falling.