The Kanto League launched an operation to take down a large Team Rocket base in Celadon City, personally led by the Champion of the Elite Four, Lance.
This news quickly spread throughout the Kanto region, and there was no way to keep it under wraps. After all, the evacuation of civilians around the Game Corner caused quite a commotion.
Not to mention the noise from the battle that followed, but in the end, it was a great victory. Naturally, the Pokémon League had no intention of suppressing the spread of this event.
Especially since the last time the S.S. Anne was hijacked by Team Rocket, it had a significantly negative impact. Team Rocket's audacity was seen as a blatant disregard for the Kanto League, causing concern among the people.
But now, not long after, the Kanto League had wiped out a large Team Rocket base. This was undoubtedly the Kanto League's counterattack!
The forums under the Kanto League were buzzing with posts discussing this event, generating a lot of heat.
Back at the hotel, Dylan first took a shower, and when he came out, he noticed an unfamiliar call.
"Hello, who is this?"
Dylan sat on a chair, playing with the Poké Ball that Leah had given him, and spoke politely.
"Hehe~ Gym Leader Dylan, Lance should have mentioned me to you," a kind and elderly voice came through.
Dylan immediately recognized it.
"President Charles Goodshow?"
Charles Goodshow, the current President of the Kanto League and also the Chairman of the Pokémon League, was considered one of the greatest figures in the Pokémon League, reflecting the respect people had for him.
"Yes, it's this old man. Dylan, Lance thinks very highly of you."
Charles Goodshow teased with a smile. Lance was known for being extremely aloof, rarely giving anyone the time of day.
"I'm also very grateful for Lance's guidance," Dylan nodded. It was evident that Lance had indeed looked out for him.
However, Dylan seriously suspected that Lance was just waiting for someone like himself, who had also been recognized by the Viridian Forest, to challenge him.
And then what? He would undoubtedly lose to Lance's dragon army, allowing Lance to use his seniority to educate him that "the power of dragons is invincible!"
Well, in Lance's eyes, Dylan was just someone who used Poison-type Pokémon.
"Lance was personally brought into the Kanto League by me, and in all these years, no one has ever been treated so specially by him. He even made a request to me on your behalf."
Charles was a bit amused and a bit gratified. Lance had become increasingly cold and extreme, gradually immersing himself in his own world.
Charles was actually very worried. He even had a bad premonition that if this continued, Lance might step into an abyss from which he could not return.
But now it seemed that Lance still had some "humanity" left in him; it was just that ordinary people couldn't gain his approval.
"..." Dylan awkwardly chuckled.
Lance was a bit too straightforward; he actually made the request for him?
"Alright, Dylan, let's talk about your rewards for capturing the three high-ranking Team Rocket members and taking down their base."
Sensing Dylan's embarrassment, Charles kindly changed the subject.
"Considering your achievements, a single pseudo-legendary Pokémon might not be enough as a reward. According to Lance, you wanted a Larvitar, right?"
Charles asked with a smile.
"Yes, President. If a Bagon or Gible is available, that would be fine too. A Shiny Beldum would be even better."
"Hehe~ Dylan, you sure know how to challenge an old man like me."
Charles chuckled. Ordinary pseudo-legendary Pokémon were one thing, but Dylan was asking for one with exceptional potential, which was already hard to come by.
A Bagon or Gible with excellent potential was highly prized, even by the Hoenn and Sinnoh Leagues.
"As for a Shiny Beldum... Dylan~ even if you sold me, I wouldn't be able to get one for you, so don't even think about it."
Charles was quite humorous. It wasn't that he lacked the resources to obtain a Shiny Beldum, but it was just something that depended on luck.
Shiny Pokémon were already extremely rare, and Charles hadn't heard of any Shiny pseudo-legendaries appearing recently.
"As for Bagon or Gible, there's no problem, but do you think our Larvitar is inferior to them?"
Although he was the highly respected President of the Pokémon League, at the end of the day, he was still the President of the Kanto League. Was his region's pseudo-legendary inferior to others?
Was Tyranitar any weaker than Salamence or Garchomp?
"Not at all, President. I'm very fond of Tyranitar," Dylan quickly understood what Charles meant and responded with a smile.
"I can give you a Larvitar, and as an additional reward for your significant achievements, I can also give you a Shiny Pokémon."
"I got that little one from an old friend, and it took quite a bit of effort, so don't let it down."
Charles joked kindly. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in days trying to secure this Shiny Pokémon.
"Thank you, President!" Dylan's eyes lit up.
A Shiny Pokémon, especially one personally obtained by Charles, had to be quite rare.
And with an exceptionally talented Larvitar, this was a huge win! No wonder the Pokémon League was so wealthy!
"Hehe~ If you want to thank me, then keep working hard. The future of the League depends on young people like you."
Charless old face lit up with a bright smile. He loved seeing vibrant young people; they represented the League's bright future.
"Come visit the Indigo Plateau sometime, and give my regards to Itto. That guy really left you with a mess to deal with."
After some more small talk, Charles complained about Dylan's father, Itto.
As the largest shareholder of Silph Co., Itto had crossed paths with Charles several times.
"Haha~ But I have to thank my dad too. If he hadn't pushed me, I wouldn't have gotten stronger," Dylan laughed heartily.
"That's true~ Young people need pressure to grow. Alright then, Dylan, I'll send those two Pokémon to you tomorrow."
"Got it, President. Goodbye."
After hanging up with Charles Goodshow, Dylan was in a great mood.
He dried his hair, changed into a clean set of clothes, and headed to a nearby training ground.
"Come on out."
Looking at the two Poké Balls in his hand, Dylan decided to release the one Leah had given him first.
With a flash of white light, a small, fox-like Pokémon appeared before him.
Most of its fur was brown, with cream-colored fur around its neck and tail, and it had long, rabbit-like ears.
"Eevee?"
Dylan raised an eyebrow at the little creature.
Yes, it was indeed an Eevee.
Suddenly, Dylan remembered that in the Special manga, there was an Eevee that Team Rocket had experimented on, allowing it to evolve into Electric, Fire, and Water types at will and revert back to Eevee.
"Eevee..."
The Eevee cautiously observed its surroundings, keeping a distance from Dylan.
"Don't be afraid; we're no longer in that base. No one will ever experiment on you again."
Dylan squatted down slightly, speaking gently to Eevee, and let his Viridian power seep out, calming Eevee's anxious emotions.
"Eevee..."
The soothing effect of the Viridian power was significant, conveying Dylan's goodwill to Eevee. Its emotions gradually settled, and it didn't resist Dylan as much.
"Good girl, are you hungry?" Dylan carefully approached Eevee, offering it some Pokéblocks.
Eevee was still a bit wary, its cute nose twitching as it sniffed, its little feet fidgeting as it wanted to approach but seemed hesitant.
"Don't be afraid, this is for you. Go ahead and eat," Dylan's voice was extremely gentle, and his kind eyes gave Eevee the courage it needed.
"Eevee~"
Eevee gently licked the Pokéblock and seemed to enjoy the taste, happily nibbling on two blocks.
"Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you again."
Dylan gently patted Eevee's small head; this little one was truly adorable.
"Little one, how about wearing this? It will stop the pain."
After some thought, Dylan took out a necklace with an Everstone and gently suggested it to Eevee.
Yes, although this Eevee had the power to evolve and revert at will, the process wasn't perfect. Each evolution caused it pain.
So, in the Special manga, Red eventually evolved Eevee into an Espeon, freeing it from that pain forever.
Eevee had finished the Pokéblocks and licked its lips, its gaze curious as it tilted its head at the Everstone necklace.
"Wear this, and it won't hurt anymore." Dylan placed the necklace around Eevee's neck.
What form should it evolve into?
Watching Eevee curiously play with the Everstone, Dylan pondered.
Although Eevee could evolve into three different forms, each with its own combat style, this ability caused it too much pain.
Dylan couldn't bear to see his Pokémon suffer like that.
Aside from Water, Fire, and Electric forms, the other five types—Psychic, Dark, Grass, Ice, and Fairy—each had their merits.