In this world, the Celadon Gym actually had two Gym Leaders. One was the blue-haired Erika from the original anime, and the other was the black-haired woman standing before him—Rika.
Both were stunning beauties, but Rika was two years older than Erika. The two were cousins and co-managed Celadon City's largest perfume business. Erika oversaw the domestic market within Celadon City, while Rika focused on expanding its reach beyond Kanto.
Each year, Rika participated in various grand events, including regional Contests, dance festivals, and cultural exhibitions, all to enhance the reputation of Celadon Perfume. Today's event in Goldenrod City was part of her market expansion efforts.
Under the dazzling lights, Rika exuded an air of elegance and confidence. She was enchanting but never ostentatious, her movements as graceful as a rainbow's arc. A true peerless beauty.
The high-ranking officials present were all enraptured by her performance, unable to look away. In many ways, this version of Rika was even closer to the original game's depiction of the Celadon Gym Leader.
Once her performance concluded, Rika followed their prior arrangement and made her way to a serene spring garden in Goldenrod City, where she met with the one who had initiated the Elite Summoning Order—the Sandstorm Elite, Klein.
Compared to his previous rugged mountaineering attire, Klein now sported a fresh look. He had cut off his long hair, replacing it with a clean, short style. He wore a flowing white robe and a custom VR headset. If not for his reputation as an Elite Four member, he might have been mistaken for a League researcher.
Rika approached him, silently taking in his striking new appearance. Then she shook her head.
"The dark circles under your eyes are severe. Don't you know? Only by getting enough sleep can you accomplish more."
"I know," Klein replied, "but the situation is urgent. I don't have the luxury of resting yet."
Before leaving, Klein had already instructed Gary and the others to return to Cinnabar Island. The next phase of training was left in the hands of Agatha and other instructors. It was clear—until the issue with Celebi and the Kamiyama Foundation was resolved, Klein wouldn't be returning.
"Have you found any new leads on the Celebi poachers?"
Rika was well aware of the major news circulating outside. Klein's conflict with the Johto League had become a heated topic, and at the heart of it was the theft of the Celebi shrine. Since Klein no longer trusted the Johto League, it was only natural that he would invoke the Elite Summoning Order to rally Gym Leaders from Kanto instead.
"The ones responsible for capturing Celebi are high-ranking members of the Hunter's Association—individuals who also hold senior positions in Team Dim Sun, notorious in the Almia region."
As soon as Klein finished speaking, the atmosphere shifted. A figure stepped out from the shadows.
A middle-aged man with a striking resemblance to Brock calmly approached Klein.
He was Flint, Brock's father and the acting Gym Leader of Pewter Gym. He was also the second Gym Leader summoned by the Elite Summoning Order.
Compared to Brock, Flint had far more years of experience as a Gym Leader, making him an invaluable asset to Klein's current mission.
"It's been a long time, Flint."
Seeing him, Rika greeted him respectfully. However, Flint, no longer maintaining his serious demeanor, suddenly flashed heart-shaped eyes, forcing Rika to take a few steps back awkwardly.
"Haha! Rika, it's been years! You've grown even more elegant and beautiful!"
Flint let out a hearty laugh but then turned to Klein with curiosity.
"And who's the third Gym Leader you summoned?"
"It's a newly established Gym in northern Saffron City. Unlike the Psychic Gym in the south, this North Saffron Gym ranked first in this year's official Gym evaluations."
Klein placed great importance on Gym evaluations, particularly on their balance. The North Saffron Gym had perfectly upheld its duties—neither making battles too easy nor crushing the confidence of ordinary trainers. Additionally, its Leader had even developed various non-battle badge trials, earning high praise.
Hearing about this new Gym, both Rika and Flint were intrigued. At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.
A teenage boy, no older than sixteen, appeared. He wore an orange jacket and a beret—he was Komon, the Gym Leader of North Saffron Gym.
As one of Kanto's largest cities, Saffron had long housed multiple Gyms. For a young, relatively unknown trainer like Komon to establish himself so quickly in such a competitive environment was a testament to his strength—especially considering he was around the same age as Klein.
Now, with three Kanto Gym Leaders gathered, the summoning was complete.
Klein activated his VR headset, and a massive holographic projection appeared in the night sky.
"The Ruins of Alph… This is where the Kamiyama Foundation and the poachers are headed next. We have to stop them."
The Ruins of Alph lay in the central Johto region, among various other ancient relics. Unlike other sites adorned with intricate totems, this ruin had been almost entirely destroyed, leaving behind nothing but desolate rubble. As a result, few had ever paid attention to it.
But tonight, it was brightly illuminated.
At the center of the ruins, the Three Overlords of Team Dim Sun gathered.
"Celebi generates temporal energy. With it, we can briefly open the portal within these ruins."
After extensive investigation, the Kamiyama Foundation had confirmed that the Ruins of Alph held the key to their plan. To ensure no interference, aside from Team Dim Sun's executives, even the mysterious young man who had ambushed Klein in Ilex Forest had come personally.
"You understand how critical this operation is to us."
A voice, cold and commanding, echoed through the communicator.
The Kamiyama Foundation was already dangerously exposed. Between the masked Pikachu assassin and the relentless Sandstorm Elite, their activities had come under public scrutiny. With many of their operatives eliminated, the foundation was now on the verge of collapse.
The young man's expression remained unreadable as he responded.
"Don't worry. We've gathered all our forces in Johto. Even if that Elite comes after us again, I'll make sure he never leaves this place alive."
"If you fail… don't bother coming back."
The call ended, leaving the young man unfazed. He, along with the Team Dim Sun officers, stepped into the depths of the ruins.
Outside, Johto League personnel stood guard, under the pretense of an "official archaeological dig." While they had little understanding of the ruins' true significance, the assigned League officers remained dedicated to their task.
Just then, a soft floral scent drifted through the air.
The League guards, upon inhaling it, instantly relaxed into a state of bliss before collapsing into a deep sleep.
Wherever the fragrance spread, the guards slumped to the ground, temporarily unconscious.
Watching this unfold, Flint let out a hearty laugh.
"As expected of Rika! That was effortless!"
Before arriving, Klein had made sure that his allies drank an antidote to neutralize Rika's Hypnotic Floral Scent.
"It's just a minor trick, not worth mentioning."
Minor? She hadn't even sent out a Pokémon—just adjusted the blend of her perfume with another floral scent, instantly incapacitating the guards. Compared to standard sleep-inducing toxins, Rika's technique was far more refined.
And so, the Sandstorm Elite Klein, Celadon Gym Leader Rika, Pewter Gym Leader Flint, and North Saffron Gym Leader Komon—four of Kanto's finest trainers—set foot into the mysterious ruins.
(End of Chapter)