The soft wind of the mountains whistled around them as the tension from the battle faded away. Geeta approached Kai once again, a grateful smile on her face.
"Thank you, Kai," she said earnestly. "And... I apologize for the inconvenience. None of us expected the situation to be this serious. Without you, things could have gone much worse."
Kai gave a small, humble shrug, his expression calm. "It's fine," he said quietly. "But..." He paused, his gaze serious now as he looked at Geeta and the gathered Elite Four. "Please don't reveal anything about today. About my strength, my team, or who I am."
The Elite Four — Rika, Larry, Poppy, and Hassel — all exchanged glances but nodded respectfully. Geeta held Kai's gaze firmly, understanding the weight behind his words.
"You have my word," Geeta said solemnly. "Nothing will leave this mountain."
Kai gave a slight nod, satisfied.
Geeta then smiled, her tone lightening a little. "Even so, there's something we'd prepared to offer to the one who solved this problem. A token of thanks. It was actually Professor Oak's idea."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "I don't need a reward," he said flatly.
Geeta chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Think of it more as a gift from someone who cares about you."
Before Kai could argue further, she reached into her coat and pulled out a small, specially marked case. Opening it carefully, she revealed two Poké Balls, each one gleaming slightly under the cold mountain light.
Kai leaned in slightly, curious despite himself.
"Inside," Geeta said with a gentle smile, "are two very special Charcadet. Rare ones, with strong potential — a fitting gift, we thought, for someone who protects both people and Pokémon so fiercely."
Kai hesitated, looking at the Poké Balls for a long moment. He could feel the quiet strength radiating from them — these weren't ordinary Charcadet. They had potential far beyond the norm.
"They're yours," Geeta added. "Please accept them. Professor Oak insisted."
Finally, Kai reached out, accepting the two Poké Balls with a quiet nod of thanks. He tucked them carefully onto his belt, his expression thoughtful.
"I'll take good care of them," he said simply.
Geeta smiled warmly. "I know you will."
The group stood there for a moment longer, the chill of the mountains swirling around them, but the air between them was warm with understanding and respect.
Kai glanced up at the sky, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly from his shoulders. Three new companions had joined his journey — and the path ahead, he knew, was only beginning to open wider.