Chapter 9: Echoes of a Life Unknown

Holly sat beside the unconscious ranger, fingers drumming against her knee as she waited. The forest around her was eerily quiet now, as if holding its breath.

Talbot had barely managed to open his eyes when she shook him awake. His voice was hoarse, weak.

"Who—?"

"Holly Ketchum," she had said quickly, not wanting to waste time. "You're hurt. I need to contact your headquarters. Do you have a way?"

Talbot's unfocused gaze darted around until, with a shaky hand, he reached for his belt, unclipping a Poké Ball. A moment later, a Pidgeotto materialized, its sharp eyes immediately locking onto its trainer with clear distress.

Holly didn't have time for a grieving Pokémon. "We need to send for help. Can it get a message back to your outpost?"

Talbot gave a weak nod. "Pidgeotto… smart bird… knows the way."

Holly scribbled a quick message on the back of an old map she found in his gear, detailing their exact coordinates, the number of Rocket grunts, the condition of the stolen Pokémon, and Talbot's injuries.

"Take this to the Rangers," she told Pidgeotto, tying the note to its leg. "Use the flare markers on the cliff to guide them."

Pidgeotto ruffled its feathers anxiously, its talons tightening around Talbot's wrist for a moment before, with a sharp cry, it took off into the sky.

Talbot's eyelids fluttered, and he let out a slow, painful breath. His body went limp, slipping back into unconsciousness.

Holly sat back, exhaling. Now she waited.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she finally heard it—the rustling of approaching figures, the distinct thud of boots against the forest floor.

She didn't move, but Sakumo growled lowly beside her. Holly raised a hand, silently signaling him to stand down but stay alert.

A group of Rangers emerged from the treeline, their uniforms crisp, their eyes scanning the scene with trained efficiency. At the front was an older man with short silver-streaked hair, his sharp gaze locking onto her immediately.

Behind him, an Ace Trainer followed closely—a tall man with an athletic build, tousled dark brown hair, and a confident stance. His gaze, however, wasn't dismissive like the others. He studied her with quiet curiosity.

An Officer Jenny was also among them, her uniform immaculate as she pushed through the Rangers to assess the situation.

The older Ranger—likely the commanding officer—stepped forward. "I'm Axel Wallen, head of this sector. Pidgeotto delivered your message. Are you Holly Ketchum?"

Holly stood, brushing dirt off her clothes. "Yeah. Talbot's over here—still breathing, but out cold."

Axel gave a sharp nod, already signaling his team to move.

As the Rangers attended to Talbot, Officer Jenny turned her attention to Holly. "You gave a very detailed account in your note," she said, crossing her arms. "But I'd like to hear it from you directly."

Holly took a steady breath. She had been preparing for this, knowing full well she'd have to explain what had happened.

"I was out tracking Pokémon when I found Talbot unconscious," she started. "I noticed signs of a struggle, followed them, and discovered Team Rocket's operation. I waited for the right moment to act—set a fire as a distraction, cleared out as many Pokémon as I could, and took out several grunts before escaping."

Axel raised an eyebrow. "You took them out?"

Holly nodded. "Their own energy guns helped. I also had Sakumo engaging them in hit-and-run attacks using Flare Blitz and Agility."

The Ace Trainer, Axel's second-in-command, chuckled softly. "Guerrilla warfare. Smart."

Jenny frowned. "And the stolen Pokémon?"

Holly tapped the side of her Silph Co. bag. "Right here. I got as many as I could before things got too chaotic."

That earned her a few startled looks.

"You fit all of them in that?" Axel asked, giving the bag an appraising look.

"High-end storage compression," she said simply.

Jenny nodded, impressed but still skeptical. "You're aware that engaging criminals is dangerous, right? You're just a trainer."

Holly's lips twitched. Just a trainer.

"Team Rocket didn't give me a choice," she replied coolly. "It was either do something or let them keep those Pokémon."

The déjà vu hit her hard then—so sharp, so sudden, that she had to grip the strap of her bag to stay grounded.

She had been in this kind of situation before.

Not just in this life. In another.

She had stood in front of figures of authority before, giving reports, explaining strategies, recounting battles.

Her head pounded, the ache searing through her temples. Flashes of movement. Tactical discussions. Running in the dark. Gunfire.

Gunfire?

Her breath hitched.

This didn't belong to Holly Ketchum. This was something else.

Something before.

"You alright?"

She snapped back to reality, her eyes locking onto Axel's second-in-command—the Ace Trainer who had been watching her the whole time.

She nodded, clearing her throat. "Just… tired."

Axel studied her for a moment before nodding. "We'll escort you back to base. You can rest there while we process everything."

Holly wanted to refuse. Wanted to keep moving. But her headache wasn't letting up.

"…Fine."

Sakumo nudged her leg, sensing her unease, and she ran her fingers through his fur for comfort.

She didn't know what that flash of memory was, but one thing was certain.

This wasn't just a second life. There was something more.