Everyone stared at Kai in disbelief.
"You want to stay here!?" Misty grabbed his wrist. "Have you lost it!? There's literally a base-destroying explosion about to happen!"
She touched his forehead instinctively no fever. Still, she looked worried.
"Let's just go!" she insisted, tugging on him.
Kai gently removed her hand, shaking his head. "I'm serious. Something feels wrong. Think about it we've barely done anything, haven't even seen the base commander. They barely put up a fight, and then—boom—self-destruct? Doesn't that seem off to you?"
Erika paused, arms folded as she processed his logic. "Maybe they knew they were completely outmatched. Or maybe the data here was too sensitive to risk falling into anyone else's hands."
"Exactly!" Misty added. "You heard the alarms! This isn't some scare tactic. They're evacuating like crazy!"
Kai looked at them both. "I'm not saying they aren't fleeing. I just think… this isn't the whole story. Something feels staged. If it gets bad, Gardevoir can teleport me out. Trust me."
Despite his calm assurance, the others still tried to convince him.
"Dude, you're risking your life!"
"This isn't worth it!"
But Kai's decision was made. His gut told him to dig deeper and he trusted it.
"Enough. I've decided. I'll be fine. Gardevoir's with me. She'll protect me if anything goes wrong."
Everyone turned to Erika, silently hoping she'd talk some sense into him.
Instead, Erika exhaled and said, "Then I'm staying too."
Misty's jaw dropped. "Erika, you're supposed to be the voice of reason!"
But Erika's tone was calm, unwavering. "He's made up his mind. I won't let him face this alone. Someone needs to watch his back."
Kai blinked, surprised. "You sure?"
Erika nodded. "If something happens, [Gardevoir] can teleport two people. We'll make it."
Misty opened her mouth to protest but Kai raised a hand.
"No. It's just the two of us. Gardevoir can't handle more than that in an emergency escape."
"Go!" Brock and Ash pulled Misty toward the exit. "We'll wait outside. Be careful!"
Misty hesitated, then looked back one last time. "Promise me you'll be safe."
Kai gave a faint smile. "Count on it."
With the others gone, the base was eerily silent. Only the persistent alarm echoed through the halls.
> "Warning. One minute until base destruction. All personnel evacuate immediately."
Kai turned deeper into the facility.
Erika, now beside him, recalled [Leafeon] to its Poké Ball just in case.
"How sure are you about this?" she asked quietly.
Kai shrugged. "I'm not. It's a guess. But if I'm right, we'll learn something big. If I'm wrong… well, we'll know soon enough."
Erika sighed. "If this place goes up in flames instantly, Gardevoir won't have time."
Kai chuckled. "Then why'd you come?"
Truthfully, she didn't know. Her heart had moved before her brain. And strangely… she didn't regret it.
Kai sensed the silence and quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, research bases usually avoid volatile materials. If an explosion happens, it'll be phased, not instantaneous. We should get a buffer window."
That was the hope, at least.
The countdown echoed around them. Gardevoir held both their hands, eyes glowing, ready to [Teleport] the instant anything went wrong.
The floor beneath them shuddered. A distant rumble echoed through the corridor.
Gardevoir's power surged but Kai stopped her.
He closed his eyes, listening.
Several more explosions rang out in the distance.
But something felt… controlled.
They weren't near. The shockwaves were weak. The power was low.
"Let's go!" Erika shouted. "It's happening! Let's leave!"
"Listen," Kai said, holding up a hand.
Even the alarm had stopped.
"…What?" Erika muttered, scanning the corridor.
It was quiet. Unnaturally quiet.
"Where's the rest of the destruction?" she asked.
"That… was the plan," he said grimly.
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