The engine's low hum filled the cramped transport plane. The military seats were hard boards, about as comfortable as an iron bench covered in thin cloth. Pikachu rolled over on Lin Hao's lap, found a more comfortable position, and kept sleeping.
Across from him, May was already fast asleep. She had mastered the art of falling asleep the moment she lay down. Red sat beside Lin Hao, his cap pulled low, resting with his eyes closed. He wasn't asleep; the Pikachu on his shoulder had its ears standing straight up. Lin Hao called to him, "Red."
"Yeah."
"Why did you come along?"
The engines roared inside the cabin. After a moment, Red spoke. "Twelve years ago." Lin Hao turned to look at him. "I climbed Mt. Coronet alone, ran into a blizzard, and nearly died halfway up."
"And then?"
"I made it to the top."
"That's it?"
"I climbed alone," Red stressed. "No help, no backup." Lin Hao waited for him to continue. Red lifted his cap brim and looked at him. "It's been twelve years. I don't want to watch someone else charge toward the summit alone."
Lin Hao fell silent. "I'm not alone." He tapped Pikachu on his lap, then tipped his chin toward May across from them. "I've got them, too."
"Not enough."
"There are over a hundred more in System Space."
"It's not about numbers," Red interrupted, his voice steady. "You need comrades who can fight beside you. You can't rely on Poké Balls alone." Lin Hao watched as Red took a Poké Ball from his pocket. It wasn't one of his usual ones. Its surface was worn, with a long, thin scratch across it.
"This was my first Poké Ball. Professor Oak gave it to me fifteen years ago." He set it on the armrest