A small, green Pokémon floated before them, its round body supported by stubby, toeless feet and three-fingered hands. Its head was also round, with two curved antennae that ended in blue tips. Pale blue eyes sat beneath thick, dark rings, giving it a distinctive appearance.
It was the mythical Pokémon, Celebi—a guardian of the forest and a traveler through time, known to bring life and prosperity to the places it visited. Legends spoke of its ability to revive fallen Pokémon and purify corruption.
Celebi was a pacifist by nature, preferring to mediate conflicts rather than engage in them. It often roamed across different time periods, and wherever it appeared, the land would flourish with vibrant trees and blooming flowers.
Yet, the Celebi before them looked panicked. Deep gashes marred its small body, as though it had narrowly escaped a terrible fate.
Blue and the others weren't the only ones to notice it. Beside him, Brooke's eyes widened. "That's Celebi! But why is it injured? Could it be hunters?"
Celebi, being a rare and legendary Pokémon, was seldom pursued by trainers. Capturing one could disrupt natural ecosystems. However, certain poachers coveted such rare Pokémon, risking everything to trap them.
As if sensing a greater threat, Celebi's frantic gaze darted around. With a shimmering green glow, its body became a streak of light, vanishing from sight at astonishing speed.
"You guys go back and notify Officer Jenny. I'll check ahead," Blue instructed.
Just as he was about to take action, Brooke stepped in front of him. "Oh no, you don't, Mr. Big Shot Trainer! You think you'll get Celebi's favor if you swoop in and save it?"
Brooke's tone was laced with suspicion. In his eyes, Blue had ulterior motives—he assumed Blue planned to take advantage of Celebi's weakened state and capture it for himself.
"I'm not interested in catching it." Blue's voice remained calm. "Arcanine, let's go."
Without wasting another second arguing, Blue called forth his Arcanine, leaped onto its back, and in a burst of flames, disappeared into the forest.
"Damn it! Pidgeot!"
A large Pidgeot appeared, and Brooke quickly mounted it. Turning to the two other trainers with him, he barked, "What are you waiting for? That rich brat is trying to capture Celebi—we have to stop him!"
"Uh… but he didn't really seem like he was—"
"Shut up! You don't understand how these rich kids think," Brooke snapped. "They catch rare Pokémon just because they can, then release them when they get bored. They're all the same—entitled scum."
Brooke had spent years immersed in internet forums, consuming posts and stories exposing the worst of trainers from wealthy backgrounds. His deep-seated resentment toward Blue blinded him to reason.
With exasperated sighs, his companions released their Pidgeot and Rhyhorn, following him into the forest.
—
Meanwhile, in Olivine City, Johto
Having arrived in Olivine, Klein sat in his temporary base, studying the files on the new Pikachu-masked killer. As he scanned the crime scene photos, his expression darkened.
A force deliberately targeting the Kamiyama Foundation… Could this be Team Rocket's doing?
No. If this were Giovanni's work, he wouldn't be so reckless.
So who was behind it?
"This was the location of the second murder," an investigator briefed Klein. "The victim was the CEO of Crimson Pharma."
Although League officers had already conducted an initial investigation, information remained scarce. With the Kamiyama Foundation involved, Klein was determined to uncover the truth.
Crimson Pharma specialized in traditional Johto herbal medicine. Their products were significantly pricier than Silph Co.'s but were sought after for their unique aroma and potent effects.
Traditional medicine…?
Stepping into a local herbal shop, Klein purchased a sample of their signature potion. He uncorked the bottle and took a whiff—his brows furrowed instantly.
This scent is far too strong. Something isn't right.
"Natu, Delphox."
With a flash of light, both his Psychic-type Pokémon appeared. Delphox elegantly floated into the air, its wooden staff crackling with eerie violet flames. Meanwhile, Natu's gaze sharpened, preparing to assist.
Purple embers flickered and spread across Olivine City, weaving into an intricate psychic network.
Klein's work didn't go unnoticed. From a distance, Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, observed with a frown. Though she disliked unnecessary disruptions, she recognized that Klein, as an Elite Four member, was conducting an official investigation. She chose not to interfere.
"I think Will is training nearby."
Beyond the city limits, deep in meditation, Will—Johto's Psychic-type Elite Four—felt Klein's power ripple through the area.
"A Sandstorm specialist… with such mastery over Psychic-types?" he mused. "Impressive."
Delphox possessed exceptional foresight and sensory abilities, while Natu's mental strength made it an ideal support. Together, their psychic fields expanded, intertwining into an enormous web that blanketed all of Olivine City.
A sudden surge of energy pulsed through the link. Klein tightened his grip on the flames floating in his palm.
For a fleeting moment, his mind soared above Olivine, his consciousness merging with the violet embers.
From this vantage point, he saw everything.
Within seconds, he pinpointed his target—an ancient temple at the city's edge.
The flames in his hands blazed fiercely, and with a decisive step, Klein and his Pokémon vanished, reappearing at the temple's entrance.
—
"Elite Four Klein?"
Two guards at the entrance stiffened in shock at his sudden arrival.
Delphox flicked its staff, binding them in psychic restraints. Klein stepped forward, his gaze cold and unreadable.
"So this is what you call traditional medicine?"
His voice was sharp as ice.
Approaching from behind, Jasmine and Officer Jenny entered the temple, only to gasp in horror at the sight before them.
Dozens of Bug- and Rock-type Shuckle lay inside, their crimson shells shattered.
Their cracked shells and leaking berry juices had been collected and mixed into what was being packaged as medicinal extracts.
Shuckle, a Pokémon resembling a small turtle, had a soft yellow body hidden within a tough red shell dotted with holes. It was known for fermenting berries inside its shell, turning them into powerful restorative juices.
But these Pokémon had been subjected to brutal abuse. Their shells were crushed, forcing them to release their fermented liquids. Since Shuckle could regenerate their shells over time, they were repeatedly harvested, enduring relentless agony until they perished.
"You are an Elite Four of Kanto," the temple's head priest finally spoke, his voice trembling under Klein's icy glare. "You have no jurisdiction over an Olivine temple."
Jasmine and Officer Jenny barely had time to react before a powerful psychic force erupted, sending the priest flying.
Stepping into the temple, Will approached with a dark expression. His normally calm demeanor was gone, replaced by cold fury.
"He may not have jurisdiction," Will said, his voice dangerously quiet.
"But I do."
(Chapter End)