In Saffron Gym.
This is one of the official gyms in the Kanto region. With a flash of light, an Alakazam, along with Sabrina, Archer, and Proton, appeared here.
"Phew~ Thanks, Sabrina. Otherwise, we'd have been locked up again. Huh? Archer, what's up?"
Proton twisted his wrist and sighed in relief, glancing at the marks left by the handcuffs with a grimace. He had always thought those cuffs were a bit too tight!
But midway through his sentence, he noticed something was off—Archer was surrounded by a gloomy aura.
"Haha... I'm such a failure..." Archer muttered absentmindedly, staring blankly at the floor, his voice tinged with despair.
He was one of Team Rocket's four executives, yet he had been captured twice and had to be rescued by the boss and his colleagues. If that didn't make him a failure, what did? How could he help the boss achieve his grand plans when he was like this?
Oh no, Archer was spiraling into self-doubt! Proton's mouth twitched.
Sabrina tilted her head, looking curiously at the depressed Archer. What was wrong with this guy?
"Archer! Snap out of it! You're one of the boss's top executives, and you're letting a couple of setbacks get to you?"
Proton grabbed Archer's shoulders and shook him vigorously, trying to talk some sense into him.
"What's a couple of losses? Pull yourself together! Team Rocket's mission is far from complete. How can you give up now?"
"Relax! It's not like Dylan is going to catch us a third time, right? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! From now on, we won't give him any more chances!"
Under Proton's passionate persuasion, Archer's pale face regained a bit of color, and the light slowly returned to his eyes.
That's right, Archer couldn't give up here! The boss still needed him!
"Proton!" Archer looked at his comrade with a mix of gratitude and guilt. How could he ever have thought that Proton was bad luck?
Hard times reveal true friends. When he thought about it, he and Proton had gone through two imprisonments together! Well, the second time they didn't actually make it to jail—just got handcuffed.
But close enough! Proton was his true brother!
"Archer!"
"Proton!!"
The two stared deeply into each other's eyes, their brotherhood unshakable.
"Are you two done? If you are, get out of my gym. I don't want you exposing me."
Sabrina, her scalp tingling with annoyance, snapped them back to reality with a tone full of disdain. She hated people like this, especially the kind that got all sentimental like they were in a romance.
(Ugh, gross.jpg)
...
The events in Saffron City had finally come to an end, and as expected, Giovanni had fled once again.
On the other end of the phone, Lance's voice was practically dripping with frustration. It was clear that Giovanni had likely taunted him again during their battle.
Letting the leader of Team Rocket escape from his grasp twice in a row was a blow to Lance's pride that was hard to swallow.
In the coming days, Lance would probably redouble his efforts, ruthlessly hunting down every Team Rocket base he could find.
But none of that concerned Dylan too much. He was quite satisfied with how his trip to Saffron City had gone.
Not only did he meet N, but he also managed to secure a Dreepy. According to Chairman, it should arrive by tomorrow.
And he finally got to see Clefairy in action. Keeping that Clefairy around had been worth it—it came through when it mattered.
"See you, Dylan and Lillie~"
Outside Saffron City, Dylan and Lillie were saying goodbye to Leah.
Cheerful as ever, Leah still radiated her usual vibrant energy. Even though she had avoided the frontlines due to her bird phobia, she had still witnessed the clash between Zekrom and Clefairy from a different vantage point.
And being someone who enjoyed a good spectacle, Leah felt satisfied with the outcome. Plus, she had played a role in sabotaging the cooperation between Team Rocket and Team Plasma.
"Goodbye, Leah!" Lillie waved her little hand.
"Are you sure you don't want to come back to Rota with us? We've got a Gym Judge position waiting for you," Dylan joked, smiling at Leah.
"Aww, is Dylan reluctant to part with little ol' Leah?" Leah clasped her hands behind her back and playfully winked her big, bright eyes, her clear voice delightful.
"Nope~ not now, but maybe in the future~"
Before Dylan could respond, Leah straightened up, brushed her hair back from the wind, and smiled softly, an unusual expression for her.
"If the time comes, I'll definitely come to work for our big boss from Silph."
Yes, but for now, she couldn't.
Traveling sounded carefree, but at the end of the day, it wasn't like having a stable place to rest. It was a tiring life, especially for someone who was essentially a wanderer without a home.
Those few days at Rota Gym had made her happy. Dylan had treated her with sincerity, and there were Lillie, Selene, and the other adorable girls.
But now wasn't the right time.
Leah pursed her lips. That organization was still looking for her. If she stayed at Rota Gym, she would only bring trouble to Dylan and the others.
"You're always welcome. I'll even offer you a high salary."
Dylan smiled at Leah's fair, innocent face.
"Hehe~ Thanks in advance, Dylan~"
Leah's smile was radiant as she waved her hand and strode away with light, lively steps, slowly disappearing into the distance.
"Thank you~"
Her voice floated back on the breeze, growing fainter with each step.
"Every life that crosses another creates something new..."
Dylan watched Leah's figure as she walked away, remembering that line.
It was something Cynthia had said after Ash's and Paul's battle at the Lily of the Valley Conference in the Diamond and Pearl anime. Ash and Paul had formed a bond in the end.
But what about him and Leah?
Dylan found himself pondering. His time with Leah hadn't been long, but she had left a deep impression on him.
"Let's go, Lillie. Hop in, it's time to head back." Dylan shook his head and smiled at Lillie.
"Okay~" Lillie beamed, excitedly opening the car door and hopping into the front passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt.
She had finally secured the coveted front seat beside her brother!
"Lillie, how do you feel? About living here for this time?" Dylan asked as he started the car.
"I feel great! Brother's been so kind to me, and Selene and the others too. It's completely different from when I was in Alola."
Lillie blinked her big, clear eyes as she looked at Dylan's profile.
"Watching you battle challengers is so relaxing. It feels like you don't have a care in the world, and today I got to see so many things I never imagined."
Lillie tapped her chin thoughtfully as she recalled everything she had experienced. She loved watching Dylan's battles—she hadn't missed a single one.
Especially these past two days spent out in the field with Dylan. She felt fulfilled.
Today's events, in particular, she would never forget.
She had met the Kanto Champion, Lance, and the Elite Four member, Lorelei. She had also encountered Team Rocket executives, the leader of the Unova region's Team Plasma, and even Zekrom, the legendary dragon of ideals.
These were things that even she, as the former heiress of the Aether Foundation, never dreamed of.
"Brother, you have no idea—when Zekrom appeared, my heart was racing!"
Lillie placed a hand over her heart, feeling its steady beat now, though back then, it had been pounding at an incredible rate when Zekrom descended from the sky.
The legendary dragon of ideals appearing as an enemy—her emotions had been a mix of fear, awe, excitement, and curiosity.
"Did you dislike that feeling?" Dylan asked with a smile.
It was perfectly normal for anyone to feel their heart race when faced with the overwhelming presence of a legendary Pokémon like Zekrom.
"Hmm~ I didn't hate it, and I wasn't scared afterward."
Because she knew her brother would protect her.
Lillie thought for a moment and smiled slightly, but she didn't say the latter part of her sentence, still a bit reserved.
"Don't worry, I won't let anyone harm you. It's my duty as a big brother," Dylan said warmly, smiling.
"Hehe~" Lillie's beautiful eyes sparkled with happiness, and she felt truly content.
She suddenly felt grateful for her own courage. If she hadn't been brave enough to try and sneak Nebby out of Aether Paradise back then, she might not have met such wonderful godparents and Dylan as her big brother.
Fate works in mysterious ways. She mourned her mother's change and the loss of her family's happiness, but she had also found new family and joy.
However... if only her mother could go back to the way she was before.
Lillie suddenly thought of her birth mother, Lusamine, who had become so twisted and obsessed.
Maybe... her big brother could change her mother's mind?
The idea came to Lillie suddenly. Dylan was so strong, maybe he could stop her mother?
Ordinary methods probably wouldn't be able to wake her mother up from her dangerous ideas, but Dylan was strong. He could use force to stop her mother if necessary.
But was that really the right thing to do? Lillie hesitated. Wouldn't it be unfair to trouble Dylan with this when it was really her own family matter?
"Hey? Big brother, someone mentioned you in the group."
Just then, Dylan's phone lit up, and Lillie noticed it from the corner of her eye. She reminded him.
"Can you check it for me?" Dylan didn't mind letting Lillie see.
Lillie picked up Dylan's phone, entered the password he had given her, and checked the messages. Her expression turned a bit peculiar.
"It's Gym Leader Erika who mentioned you. She said she wants to visit the Rota Gym tomorrow, and Violet, and Flint also said they'd like to come along."
Are Gym Leaders really so free these days that they can just team up to visit another Gym?
"What did Jenny say?" Dylan showed some interest.
"Officer Jenny said that Gym Leader Erika and the others should come and learn well from you," Lillie replied, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Then reply for me, saying that we'll be waiting for them tomorrow," Dylan said with a smile.
"Got it~ Gym Leader Erika said she'd like to have a sparring match with you and ask for your guidance, and she also wants a Rota Badge as a souvenir."
Lillie laughed as she relayed the message. It was the first time she had heard of a Gym Leader wanting another Gym's badge as a keepsake.
"Gym Leader Erika is quite interesting."
"Yes, Miss Erika is a nice person," Dylan nodded with a smile.
The two returned to Rota by dusk. Tomorrow was Monday, and the Gym would reopen for business.
As soon as they arrived, Lillie headed straight to the receptionist and Selene's room, eager to share the past two days' events with her friends.
After all, it had been quite the adventure, hadn't it?
Meanwhile, Dylan went to the backyard, released all of his Pokémon, and then headed to the teleportation room.
Itto had sent him two new Pokémon.
"Come out."
Two flashes of white light revealed the Pokémon before him.
The one on the left had a humanoid body, mostly black with red and orange patterns, eyes like burning flames, and a helmet-like head.
It was a Charcadet!
'Beep~ Charcadet, Fire type, the Fire Child Pokémon.
Ability: Flame Body Moves: Will-O-Wisp, Fire Spin, Clear Smog, Astonish, Destiny Bond (inherited)
Description: Its life force burns within charcoal, becoming a Pokémon. Even when facing a strong foe, it fights with fiery determination.'
Not bad at all.
Dylan was pleased with the Charcadet. It had two possible evolutions: the Fire and Psychic type Armarouge, or the Fire and Ghost type Ceruledge.
And of course, Dylan intended to evolve it into Ceruledge—it was just too cool!
But he was actually more interested in the other Pokémon.
"Cling~"
A sound like coins clinking echoed as the next Pokémon appeared, with a rather unique appearance.
It was an old, sturdy treasure chest slightly open, with a small blue figure hiding inside.
This was Gimmighoul!
"Itto did a great job finding a Gimmighoul," Dylan remarked, surprised at the rare Pokémon before him.
Gimmighoul's evolved form, Gholdengo, had a body of gold, making it as precious as any pseudo-legendary Pokémon, perhaps even rarer.
'Beep~ Gimmighoul (Chest Form), Ghost type, the Coin Chest Pokémon
Ability: Rattled Moves: Tackle, Astonish
Description: It was born in a treasure chest about 1,500 years ago. If anyone tries to steal its treasure, it drains their life force. (Chest Form)'
Its move pool was limited, but Dylan wasn't surprised. Gimmighoul was like that unless it used TMs; otherwise, it could only naturally learn these two moves.
Dylan first spent some time bonding with the two Pokémon. Thanks to his Viridian energy, they quickly warmed up to him.
"Hey little guy, can you show me how many coins you have?"
Dylan crouched down in front of Gimmighoul's chest, speaking gently.
To evolve into Gholdengo, Gimmighoul needed a special method—collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins in addition to its own one, totaling a thousand. That's likely where Gholdengo's golden body came from.
The key now was figuring out how many coins this Gimmighoul already had. Each Gimmighoul's coin count could vary.
"Cling~" Gimmighoul hesitated for a moment before opening the chest.
Dylan took a close look. Two gleaming gold coins lay at the bottom.
Just two?
Dylan's expression stiffened. Did this mean he still needed to gather 998 more coins for Gimmighoul to evolve into its golden form? This little guy sure was poor!