Release That Pokémon!

{T/N: We're 3 more Reviews short for this Fic to finally get a rating...}

...

"Oh? It seems I remembered wrong." Caleb sighed, "Alas, time flies so fast."

Lorelei pursed her lips, neither confirming nor denying. She glanced at the phone beside Caleb and asked, "What happened to your old number? Why aren't you using it anymore?"

"I wanted to leave the past behind and experience an ordinary life for a change." Caleb spun lies effortlessly.

"That's good." Lorelei nodded slightly and fell silent.

She pondered for a long time but ultimately didn't voice the questions in her heart. She had a vague sense that even if she asked, the answers she'd get would still be lies...

No one spoke, and the atmosphere grew quiet.

Caleb tapped his cup lightly with a finger, then looked up at Lorelei, "How is Kanto doing lately?" he asked.

Lorelei: "Everything is moving in a positive direction. Team Rocket's bases (big and small) have basically been wiped out. The remaining stragglers were arrested, and those who escaped have fled the region."

Caleb was surprised. He hadn't expected the Kanto League to act so decisively this time.

Lorelei studied him, then asked, "Want to go back and see? I think Lance would be relieved to hear you're safe."

Caleb shook his head, "Not yet. I still have some things to take care of here. What about you? Why did you come looking for me?"

Lorelei's expression turned serious.

"Giovanni's current whereabouts are unknown. We can't track him. Lance was worried he might come after you for revenge, so he sent me to bring you back to Kanto."

Caleb appreciated Lance's concern, but he couldn't return to Kanto yet. This Instance was centered around Hoenn.

With nine months left until the mission's completion, that was enough time to visit every city in the Hoenn Region and maximize his exploration progress for the final rewards...

Though Caleb didn't say anything, Lorelei had already guessed his decision: "Guess I'll have to sacrifice my vacation time to stay with you in Hoenn for a while then."

Caleb raised an eyebrow, "That's not necessary, is it?"

Lorelei's red lips curved slightly, "No refusing. It's settled. Until Giovanni resurfaces, I'll be sticking to you like glue."

'Fine. Whatever makes you happy...'

Caleb didn't know what to say.

Having Kanto's Ice-type Elite Four as his bodyguard... that was pretty impressive, actually.

Lorelei stood up, her high heels clicking as she strode over to pay the bill with an air of regal authority.

Caleb called Lily back, and the three left the café...

"Where to next?" Lorelei zipped up her wallet and asked.

Caleb looked toward the Rustboro Gym which stood beside the Devon Corporation building, "To get a badge." he said.

Lorelei followed his gaze... surprised, she asked, "You're preparing for the Hoenn Region's Ever Grande Conference?"

"Just joining in for fun." Having finally arrived in the Pokémon world, how could he not participate in a League Championship?

Lorelei: "Don't tell me the reason you won't return to Kanto is because of the Ever Grande Conference…"

As a native of Kanto, Lorelei felt inexplicably dissatisfied.

Kanto had its own large-scale tournaments... and they were much grander than Hoenn's!

Caleb didn't notice her expression and nodded, "Yeah, I've already got two badges. It'd be a shame to quit halfway."

With things put this way, what else could Lorelei say? She followed him to the Rustboro Gym's entrance, "Fine. Do your best then..."

...

Inside the gym, Roxanne who had been reading looked up at the sound of the door opening...

She recognized Caleb instantly, and her expression shifted dramatically.

"Here for a Gym Challenge?" she asked, though the answer was obvious.

Caleb nodded and walked to the challenger's side of the battlefield.

Roxanne sighed inwardly, 'This moment has finally come...'

But at least she was fully prepared. Whether it was Dragonite or Mimikyu, she had perfect countermeasures ready.

Roxanne stepped onto the battlefield and explained the rules: "The Rustboro Gym's challenge is 2v2. Each trainer may use only two Pokémon. The battle ends when both Pokémon on one side are unable to continue."

For Lorelei, Gym Challenges and Pokémon journeys were memories from years ago. Sitting in the spectator area with little Lily, she watched the battle with a touch of nostalgia.

For the first round, Roxanne sent out a Geodude.

Caleb chose Mimikyu.

Looking at the spirited Geodude, he recalled the information he had read about Roxanne before entering this instance:

~...Roxanne, the Rustboro Gym Leader. Known as the "Rock-Loving Honors Student," she specializes in Rock-type Pokémon and uses her knowledge to maximize the potential of unevolved Pokémon...~

Having seen Mimikyu's battle before, Roxanne was well aware of its ability to withstand one free hit...

She pointed at Mimikyu and commanded: "Go, Geodude! Use Rollout!"

- Rollout: A Rock-type move that involves continuous rolling attacks...

It was a perfect move for breaking through Mimikyu's annoying ability...

Geodude curled into a ball and began rolling rapidly across the ground.

Seeing this, Caleb immediately abandoned plans for a Swords Dance, "Use Double Team to disrupt its aim!"

Mimikyu's small form flickered, instantly creating dozens of clones that mirrored its movements perfectly.

Geodude's Rollout was fast, crushing one clone after another before skidding to a halt, turning, and charging again.

When the first strike missed Mimikyu's real body, Caleb seized the opportunity, "Now, Swords Dance!" he instructed.

The remaining clones began performing the fierce dance in unison.

Mimikyu's aura surged sharply. Roxanne frowned and shouted, "Don't let it finish! Use Earthquake!"

Geodude abruptly stopped rolling and dropped from midair, its rocky fists slamming into the ground with tremendous force.

*BOOM!*

Violent tremors radiated outward. Mimikyu lost its footing, interrupting Swords Dance.

*CRACK!*

*CRACK!*

Spiderweb-like fissures split the battlefield's surface. The cracks widened rapidly, and dark seams spread in all directions.

The shockwave dispelled all of Mimikyu's clones, leaving only the real one, which was launched into the air by a suddenly upturned slab of earth.

"Now's our chance!" Roxanne had trained Geodude specifically to counter Mimikyu.

This was the moment she'd been waiting for, "Use Stone Edge!"