The real danger was not a thief striking once.
It was knowing they had marked you as a target.
Neither the Protector nor Cresselia could remain beside Aaron at all times. Worse still, if news spread that Hualis possessed a newly hatched Legendary Pokémon, Aaron would not be the only one placed in danger.
The entire country could become a target.
A young Legendary Pokémon represented the highest level of power a nation could hope to possess in the future. Whoever controlled one would eventually earn a place among the world's greatest powers.
Fewer than ten countries were currently protected by Legendary Pokémon.
Those nations stood at the top of the international order. Those without such protection were forced to survive beneath them, constantly pressured, exploited, or stripped of resources by stronger powers.
That was how much influence a Legendary Pokémon carried.
In an age when such beings had largely withdrawn from human affairs, possessing one meant possessing the strength to demand respect.
...
Aaron nodded solemnly.
"I understand. Don't worry, Protector. I'll be careful."
"Good."
The old man's stern expression eased.
"Then I can leave with some peace of mind."
He gave Aaron one final, measuring look.
"That settles matters here. I should be going."
His voice grew more serious.
"Keep training, Aaron. Hualis may one day need you to shoulder responsibilities far greater than you currently imagine."
"Grow strong enough to face them when that day comes."
Prismatic light suddenly flooded the dimension.
Aaron instinctively closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he was standing inside his hotel room.
The Protector and Cresselia were gone.
Greninja remained beside him, quietly surveying their surroundings.
"That space must be some kind of domain created by Cresselia."
Aaron rubbed his chin.
"Creating an entire dimension like that is ridiculous."
Then another thought occurred to him.
"I wonder whether Flying Thunder God would still work inside a Legendary Pokémon's domain."
If it did, Greninja could still teleport him to safety.
But if it did not...
"Then getting dragged into one by a hostile Legendary would be a death sentence."
Aaron stared into space for a few seconds before deciding that this was a problem for another day.
He exhaled and dropped backward onto the bed.
"Forget it. I'm exhausted."
He pulled the blanket over himself.
"Frog Boss, could you turn off the light?"
"Grenin."
Click.
The room went dark.
Within minutes, Aaron's breathing settled into a steady rhythm.
...
That night, he dreamed he had returned to Earth.
He was back in his original world, standing inside his family home and seeing his parents again. For a brief moment, it felt as though he had finally been given the chance to make up for everything he had left behind.
Then his mother looked at him with an unbearably awkward expression.
"Aaron... there's something you should probably know."
His stomach immediately tightened.
"What?"
"After you disappeared, your father, your brother, and several relatives opened the door to your apartment."
She hesitated.
"You were completely naked, and your hand was still... well, you know."
Aaron went pale.
His mother continued mercilessly.
"Your brother said you must have crossed into another world mid-stroke."
Aaron's face turned scarlet.
The humiliation was so overwhelming that he wished the ground would swallow him.
Instead, the entire planet split apart beneath his feet and exploded.
...
"What the hell?!"
Aaron bolted upright the following morning, drenched in sweat.
For several seconds, he sat frozen beneath the blankets, staring blankly ahead.
"Don't tell me that's actually how I died."
He covered his face with both hands.
"I got struck by lightning while jerking off?"
If he ever returned to Earth, how was he supposed to look his family in the eye?
"My reputation is finished."
Aaron groaned and collapsed back against the headboard.
Then he remembered how difficult returning home would be in the first place.
"Whatever. I'm nowhere near collecting all eighteen Plates yet."
Public humiliation could wait until after he had solved interdimensional travel.
He pushed the nightmare aside and checked the time.
It was already past nine.
Aaron immediately threw off the blanket.
"Crap. My flight leaves at ten."
He quickly washed up, packed his belongings, checked out of the hotel, and ordered a ride to the airport.
He had already told Liora, Braveon, and Blaze not to come see him off. There was no reason to drag all three of them across the city when he could manage on his own.
Greninja could have taken him home instantly with Flying Thunder God.
But Aaron had never traveled by plane before.
After everything he had experienced, taking a normal commercial flight almost felt more novel than teleportation.
He wanted to try it at least once.
...
Crown City Airport
It was Aaron's first time flying, and Crown City Airport was enormous.
He nearly got lost trying to find the correct terminal. After circling the same concourse more than once and repeatedly checking the signs, he finally reached his gate and boarded without missing the flight.
His ticket was for economy class—the standard and cheapest option.
Business and first class offered more space and better service, but their prices were considerably higher.
Aaron saw no reason to waste the money.
Growing up in a struggling family had made thrift second nature to him. Even now that he had money to spare, his first instinct was still to choose the cheaper option.
He found his seat beside the window.
A woman wearing a mask and dark sunglasses occupied the aisle seat. Most of her face was hidden, but from what little he could see, she was probably quite attractive.
"Excuse me. That's my seat by the window."
The woman glanced at him, then stood and stepped into the aisle.
"Thank you."
Aaron slipped past her, sat down, and fastened his seat belt.
He immediately turned toward the window.
Aircraft moved slowly across the runway outside, while luggage carts and airport workers hurried between them. To someone who had never flown before, even the ordinary preparations were fascinating.
The woman beside him noticed his barely concealed excitement but said nothing.
A moment later, a calm voice sounded over the cabin speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be departing shortly. Please fasten your seat belts, return your seats and tray tables to their upright positions, and ensure all electronic devices are set to flight mode."
Aaron gripped the armrests a little more tightly.
The aircraft began taxiing toward the runway.
Its engines grew steadily louder.
Then came a sudden surge of acceleration.
Aaron felt himself pressed back into his seat as the plane raced forward, lifted from the runway, and climbed into the open sky.