~Kanto Region, Celadon City~
Finn Harper, with the mindset of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained', walked into a local detective agency...
He rapped his knuckles on the desk and said solemnly, "I need to look into something."
The local detective nodded, all ears, "Go ahead."
Finn: "I want to know if there's an investigator named Caleb Chase in the Kanto League, as well as the current status of Team Rocket."
Hearing this, the detective raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "You're not from around here, are you?"
Finn froze, his expression turning serious. He lowered his voice and asked, "How did you know?"
The detective matched his tone conspiratorially, "Because everyone in Kanto knows Team Rocket was wiped out by the League three months ago!"
As someone in the detective business, Finn had excellent control over his expressions...
He blinked, not letting his shock show, and replied calmly, "Then look into the other matter, whether there's an investigator named Caleb Chase in the Kanto League."
The local detective immediately grew wary, "What are you trying to do? I don't sell out the League!"
Finn: "..."
He opened his mouth, organizing his words carefully before explaining, "Relax, I'm not a bad guy. I just–"
The detective muttered, "Bad guys always say they're not bad guys."
Finn: "...Seriously, I'm not lying. I just need to know if this person exists in the Kanto League. That's all. I'll pay you 10 000 Pokédollars when it's done!"
Using his established network in Kanto to check an investigator's name was child's play for the detective.
But...
He looked at the casually dressed young man before him and said gravely, "You know, investigations like these aren't easy for people in our line of work. Getting information from the League is harder than climbing to the sky..."
Finn rolled his eyes internally, 'I'm in the same profession... does this guy really think I can't recognize a shakedown when I hear one?'
"20 000 max. Not a penny more. It's just a name check, not stealing classified League intel."
'Damn it, I only have 50 000 to begin with...'
The detective immediately brightened, "Easy peasy. Leave your contact info? I'll notify you when it's done."
Finn quickly scribbled his phone number on a piece of paper and left without hesitation.
The detective sat back at his desk, gleefully counting the advance payment. He pressed the thick stack of bills to his nose, inhaling greedily the scent of money.
After a while, he finally set the cash aside and tapped into his network to dig up the information Finn wanted.
It's just an investigator's name... he had connections in the Kanto League... One phone call, and he'd have his answer!
...
~One hour later, Blackthorn City~
Lorelei hung up the phone and turned to Lance, who was sipping coffee on the couch to stay alert...
Her delicate brows furrowed as she said gravely, "Someone is investigating Caleb Chase..."
Hearing that sensitive name, Lance snapped out of his drowsiness instantly. He looked at Lorelei and asked, "Who?"
'Could it be Giovanni?' he thought.
Ever since Team Rocket's bases across Kanto were dismantled, Giovanni had vanished without a trace. Lance suspected he might have already left the region.
Lorelei shook her head, "Not sure. Seems like just an ordinary detective."
Caleb's sudden disappearance had made his name a touchy subject throughout the Kanto League...
Though none were more affected than Dragon Master Lance.
He could never forget the horrific scene of the other three investigators being blown to bloody mist before his eyes. Like a nightmare, it haunted him relentlessly.
After a moment of thought, the justice-driven and highly responsible Lance said solemnly, "I need to return to Kanto."
Lorelei wasn't surprised. Watching Lance grab his cape, she asked, "Is he really that important to you?"
Lance paused, turning back, "His three teammates are already dead. We can't let anything happen to him too."
Lorelei stood as well, then picked up her small handbag under Lance's stunned gaze.
She smiled lightly, saying, "I'm coming too. We can't let our great hero get bullied, can we? Besides, if it really is Giovanni... we have to find Caleb before he does."
....
~Celadon City~
The local detective trembled as he faced the burly men in black suits surrounding him, "W-What do you want?!"
The men didn't speak, keeping the poor detective trapped in his agency all day. By the next day, Lance and Lorelei had arrived.
Lorelei scrutinized the detective coldly, her eyes narrowing, "Who hired you to investigate Caleb Chase?" Her voice was cold and devoid of warmth.
The detective shivered. He recognized the two figures before him and hurriedly said, "I don't know his name! I only have his contact info!"
He pulled out his phone, displaying a phone number to Lorelei and Lance.
Lorelei's red lips parted. "Call him."
The detective obeyed. Soon, the call connected.
Suppressing his nerves, the detective asked, "Hey, buddy, where are you now?"
Finn was baffled. He had already gotten his intel and was preparing to leave Kanto... He replied:
<...I'm at the airport. What's up? Did you get the info wrong?..>
The detective beat around the bush, stalling, "Maybe... I might've messed up one detail."
Lorelei nodded at Lance... Lance turned and left...
Twenty minutes later, Finn, who sat in the airport waiting area, gaped as Lance appeared before him...
....
Caleb returned to the Pokémon School just before dinner...
Classes weren't over yet, and when he arrived, Class 103 was in the middle of a battle practice session.
Jinpei spotted him and brightened. Sneaking over while the teacher wasn't looking, he whispered excitedly, "So? Did you get the badge?"
Caleb didn't answer. He simply pulled the Thunder Badge from his pocket.
Jinpei couldn't hold back a gasp, "Holy smoke man! You're insane! You got the Gym Badge on your first try?!"
His voice was loud, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Coincidentally, the principal happened to be walking out of the restroom next door. Hearing the commotion, he ghosted over to Caleb in a flash, his eyes gleaming as they locked onto the Thunder Badge.
"Young man, have you ever considered collecting all eight Gym Badges?" The principal stared at the badge as if he were looking at a future League Champion.
None of that mattered though... what did was that this champion would come from his school!
When that happened, the Slateport Pokémon Academy's reputation would explode across Hoenn...
Next year, he'd enroll even more students and rake in even more textbook fees!
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01