Pokemon: Gym Leader

Dylan was visiting someone in prison when he heard an unexpected piece of news: Charles Goodshow's grandson's Darkrai had been stolen by Team Rocket. And it happened during the infamous incident aboard the S.S. Anne.

Dylan's expression turned peculiar. Wasn't that Tobias? Tobias is Charles Goodshow's grandson?

"Wait, the president has a grandson?" Dylan asked, his tone filled with surprise. He had never heard of this before.

"Yes," Charles Goodshow admitted. "But as you know, with my position being so prominent, many eyes are constantly on me." He sighed heavily. "Especially those lawless and deranged criminal organizations. They'll stop at nothing."

He continued, looking somewhat ashamed. "So, my grandson was raised in a different region to protect him. I must confess, I've provided him with quite a bit of support over the years, guided by my own selfish desires."

Dylan nodded understandingly. "That's only natural. You're human, and a little favoritism toward family is entirely reasonable." He wasn't surprised. True selflessness is rare, and at least Charles Goodshow was honest about his partiality.

"Unfortunately," Charles Goodshow sighed again, "the boy doesn't have much talent as a Trainer. He even lost his Darkrai to Team Rocket. Such a pity…"

This time, Dylan caught a hint of disappointment, though it was clear Charles Goodshow was more regretful of having helped Tobias acquire Darkrai in the first place.

"Wow, what a coincidence! My brother has a Darkrai too!" Lillie chimed in, her innocent words slipping out before she could think twice.

Charles Goodshow perked up at this revelation. "I've heard about that. Dylan, where did you capture your Darkrai?" he asked, curious. Darkrai, after all, is a mythical Pokémon typically found in the Sinnoh region.

Dylan's expression grew odd. "Not to hide anything from you, President," he began, "but I got my Darkrai… from a Team Rocket base."

Silence.

Charles Goodshow froze, his expression stiffening. Lillie, too, was struck speechless.

It didn't take much thought to connect the dots. The Darkrai stolen from Tobias by Team Rocket—could it possibly be the same one Dylan had now?

Lillie, realizing this, blushed furiously and covered her face in embarrassment.

"So that's how it is," Charles Goodshow eventually said with a wry smile. "It seems this Darkrai has a special connection with you, Dylan."

What else could he say? Ask Dylan to return the Darkrai to Tobias? That was out of the question. Charles Goodshow wasn't shameless enough to make such a demand.

Tobias lost the Darkrai, and that was the reality. It only proved that Tobias's bond with Darkrai wasn't strong enough. Meanwhile, Dylan had reclaimed and bonded with it, making it his own.

"How's the Darkrai doing?" Charles Goodshow asked.

"It's quite talented and incredibly hardworking. It's now one of my main team members," Dylan replied with a smile. Even if Charles Goodshow had asked him to return the Darkrai, Dylan would have refused outright.

Regardless of its past, Darkrai was his Pokémon now. Dylan was confident that even if Tobias were to show up, Darkrai would still choose to stay with him.

"That's good to hear." Charles Goodshow nodded, satisfied. His grandson's lack of aptitude as a Trainer was becoming increasingly clear.

"Anyway, back to the matter at hand," Charles Goodshow said, steering the conversation away. "Dylan, I hope you can speak with Lance. His pent-up negative emotions are growing stronger, and I'm worried they might one day explode."

Dylan nodded thoughtfully. "I think I understand your concern."

The line between good and evil is never simple. When fighting evil, one risks becoming evil themselves. Charles Goodshow was perceptive enough to notice Lance's descent into obsession. But even as the respected president of the Pokémon League, his words often fell on deaf ears.

It wasn't just Lance, though. Lorelei was showing signs of a similar struggle, albeit less severe due to her calm and rational nature.

After some more discussion, Dylan and Lillie prepared to leave but decided to visit the prison where certain high-profile criminals were held.

"Hey there, Ariana! Long time no see. I came to visit you!" Dylan greeted with a smile, leaning against the iron bars.

The red-haired woman inside, who had been reading a book, turned around, her face darkening immediately.

Yes, it was Ariana, one of the four Rocket Executives.

"…Dylan." Ariana's voice was cold.

"How've you been? The League's food seems decent, and your skin looks healthier now. Honestly, you used to look so pale—like a vampire!" Dylan teased.

Snap!

The pencil in Ariana's hand broke cleanly in two.

Lillie: (—)

"Officer Jenny, I refuse to let this man visit me!" Ariana said flatly, placing the broken pencil back on the table.

Officer Jenny looked uncertainly at Dylan.

"Aw, Ariana, don't be like that. Aren't we old friends?" Dylan replied, feigning innocence.

"Old friends?" Ariana laughed dryly. "May I remind you, Dylan, that you're the one who personally threw me into that police car!"

She gritted her teeth, recalling how she had once been a prominent Rocket Executive with dozens of subordinates and the status of an Elite Trainer.

Now? She was stuck eating bland food and forced to read books every day under the guise of "self-reflection and moral rehabilitation."

"Oh, come on. It's for your own good. Being in Team Rocket was far too dangerous. Look at it this way—you've got time to read now!" Dylan said earnestly.

"Don't worry. Soon, I'll bring Archer and Proton here to keep you company. The three of you can even play cards together!" he added, patting her on the shoulder through the bars.

Ariana's dry laughter stopped abruptly as she glared at him, her frustration palpable.

"Hah, anyone can brag. If you have the guts, bring Charr here too," Ariana sneered coldly, trying to provoke him.

"Mr. Charr? It seems, Miss Ariana, that you don't get along well with Mr. Charr," Dylan mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Charr, one of Team Rocket's Three Beasts, was infamous for his short temper, cruelty, and obsession with self-destructive tactics—a notorious hot-headed dwarf.

"That idiot? Nobody in Team Rocket likes him. Dylan, if you can bring Charr in and put him in the room next to mine, I can provide you with some critical intel," Ariana stated coldly. Although her single cell was decent, she was utterly bored!

She only had two hours a day to stretch her legs, which was driving her crazy. Reading? Yeah, right. Ariana was not the type to sit and read.

Officer Jenny, who had been silently following, widened her eyes and looked at Dylan hopefully.

"What do you think?" Ariana stared at Dylan.

Ariana had no issue with Proton and Archer being captured—they were coworkers, after all. Chatting with them would pass the time. But that obnoxious little dwarf, Charr? She had endured him for far too long! If he got thrown in here, Ariana could mock him for an entire year. Just imagining his frustrated, angry face lifted her spirits significantly.

"It's not impossible. Rest assured, Miss Ariana, your colleagues will join you soon enough," Dylan replied with a faint smile.

"I'll visit you again, Miss Ariana. I won't disturb your reading anymore. Next time, I'll bring some fruit," Dylan said courteously before bowing slightly and leaving with Lillie.

"Officer Jenny," Ariana called out, grabbing the bars as she watched Dylan's figure disappear into the distance, deep in thought.

"What is it?" Officer Jenny asked, startled.

"Can you prepare some workout equipment for me? Dumbbells, sandbags, things like that."

"???" Officer Jenny looked at Ariana in utter confusion. Why the sudden interest in exercise?

"Please, I insist! I've come to understand the League's teachings deeply. I'm determined to grow stronger, starting with fitness!" Ariana said with utmost seriousness.

No, I feel like that's not what you're thinking, Officer Jenny thought skeptically. Still, providing gym equipment wasn't entirely out of the question. As a criminal at an Elite Four level, Ariana did have some special privileges. Besides, with her Pokémon confiscated and sealed, she was just an ordinary person now. Letting her exercise wouldn't cause any harm.

"Please agree! Officer Jenny, I'm begging you. This is the most earnest request I've ever made in my life!" Ariana pleaded.

"Fine, but you'll need to add an extra hour of reading each day," Officer Jenny countered, her brows furrowed.

Reading? Are you kidding me?! Ariana's face darkened. But…

"Alright! I love reading the most!" she replied through gritted teeth.

"Alright then, I'll prepare it for you," Officer Jenny said with a satisfied smile as she walked off.

Ariana clenched her teeth. What a huge sacrifice! But it didn't matter. She'd use this time to train and, when Charr and Petrel got thrown in here, she'd smack them senseless! Charr, you'll understand soon enough—the advantage of striking first! I'll make you bleed! Dylan, you'd better work hard and bring those fools in quickly so I can use them as my toys!

This was Ariana's inner voice.

Meanwhile, Dylan and Lillie were already riding on Reshiram, heading back to Rota.

"It feels like forever since we've been back," Lillie sighed as the majestic white dragon descended at the entrance to Rota. The duo dismounted gracefully.

"It's been less than a week. Don't make it sound like ages," Dylan chuckled, playfully pinching Lillie's cheek. Still, seeing the familiar bulletin board of Rota brought a sense of nostalgia.

"Dylan?" a surprised young voice called from behind as Dylan and Lillie were about to enter.

"Yo~ Mr. Gary. Long time no see," Dylan said enthusiastically, turning to spot none other than Gary. His eyes lit up as he greeted him warmly.

"..."

Gary, pushing his bike, twitched at the corner of his mouth, especially when his eyes landed on the magnificent, pure white dragon standing next to Dylan.

His gaze sharpened, turning crystal clear.

After more than a month of intense training, Gary had planned to challenge the Rota Gym for the fourth time today.

But...maybe he should come back another day?

(To be continued)