Ripples spread across a pool of water in the Mt. Moon range. As the ripples grew larger, a Lapras erged, its flipper-like limbs paddling swiftly toward the shore, allowing Ryuuske to step off its back safely onto dry land.
"Amazing. With a Pokémon's protection, my clothes didn't even get wet underwater."
Ryuuske ran a hand over his clothes—completely dry, despite having just been subrged while riding Lapras. It reaffird his belief that if a trainer mastered their Pokémon's abilities, they could accomplish practically anything.
Before long, the water rippled again as Misty surfaced, clinging to her Starmie. Unlike Ryuuske, she was completely drenched—she had essentially used Starmie as a diving apparatus and swum over.
Though Ryuuske could swim, his skills were nowhere near Misty's level. Plus, he disliked the uncomfortable feeling of being soaked.
After climbing ashore, Misty recalled Lapras and Starmie into their Poké Balls, stretching with a satisfied sigh. Her curves were accentuated by the motion. Perhaps due to her frequent swimming, her clothes had excellent water resistance—any hopes of catching a glimpse of sothing indecent under the reflective glow of the stalactites were dashed, much to Ryuuske's disappointnt.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing. Where to next?"
Of course, Ryuuske wasn't about to admit he'd been checking for wardrobe malfunctions. He swiftly changed the subject.
Though sporty girls weren't his preferred type, the toned physique of an athletic girl was undeniably alluring!
"The informant I've been tracking just relayed Team Rocket's location to yesterday. We'll head there first to pick up their trail. Even if they've already left, they couldn't have gone far in just a day."
As she spoke, Misty pulled out a device to confirm their position before leading the way into the cave ahead.
Ryuuske quickly caught up, scanning their surroundings. "…You're pretty familiar with this place?"
"I used to co here for training often, so yeah, I know it well."
"Is the path ahead wide enough?"
"This entire route is fairly spacious. Why—"
Before she could finish, Ryuuske flicked his wrist and tossed a Poké Ball, releasing Gabite.
"Just being cautious. If the path ahead is wide enough, Gabite will be useful in a fight."
Ryuuske shrugged, his earlier playful deanor vanishing as his expression turned serious.
In the wild—especially when a battle might break out—complacency was dangerous. Even a lion used its full strength to catch a rabbit, and Ryuuske certainly didn't consider himself the king of the savannah yet.
"You're really careful, Ryuuske."
Misty's tone wasn't mocking but admiring. Only soone like Ryuuske could survive in dangerous environnts—and survival was the first step to becoming stronger.
"Then let's have so protection too. Starmie!"
Misty summoned Starmie again. As a Water- and Psychic-type Pokémon, Starmie could float in midair and even serve as a makeshift vehicle. The mont it erged, it began spinning, emitting a bright flash from the gem at its center that instantly illuminated the entire cave.
"Starmie has an ability that attracts Pokémon, but using Flash in a cave like this actually repels wild Pokémon instead. The Pokémon here are used to darkness—sudden light will only make them wary and afraid."
With Starmie leading the way, Ryuuske exchanged a glance with Misty before nodding and moving forward swiftly alongside Gabite.
"By the way, why didn't I see your parents at your place yesterday?"
"My father and mother…"
As they approached the location provided by the informant, the two chatted casually. At the ntion of her parents, Misty sighed. "…After I inherited the Cerulean Gym, they went off traveling. They rarely co back, spending all their ti on what's basically an endless honeymoon."
She let out a displeased huff. "…My three older sisters went with them too, leaving alone to run the gym."
"You have sisters?"
"Yeah, three. But none of them wanted to be trainers, so the responsibility fell to . They used to be perforrs in Cerulean's water ballet shows—every performance was sold out. Now that they've run off with our parents, I have to participate in every Contest performance myself."
Her voice was thick with resentnt.
"That's rough. Your parents and sisters all ran off to have fun, dumping all the responsibilities on you."
Ryuuske couldn't help but smirk. "…But really, what's so interesting about Contests? I've always found them boring."
Perhaps because he wasn't a true native of this world, Ryuuske had zero interest in Pokémon Contests, despite their massive popularity. It was like how Muggles couldn't understand the appeal of Quidditch in Harry Potter.
"Listening to you, it suddenly sounds like being a Gym Leader sucks. Challengers every week, and for soone like you, even having to perform? Do you guys sell yourselves too?"
"Do you want to fight right here?"
Misty glared at him, her ears turning red with embarrassnt and anger.
"Fighting's out of the question—it'd risk exposing us. Your whole 'secret investigation' plan would be ruined. But honestly, Gym Leaders performing without selling themselves is such a letdown."
Knowing Misty couldn't retaliate here, Ryuuske brazenly continued teasing her, relishing how she gritted her teeth in frustration but couldn't do anything about it. That mocking glint in his eyes was practically begging for a punch.
Ryuuske wasn't sure what had gotten into him—back in his old world, he'd never have dared to talk to a girl like this. Maybe gaining power and confidence in this world had loosened his inhibitions, letting his true nature surface.
"Shh—do you hear that?"
Suddenly, Ryuuske stiffened, raising a finger to his lips. Misty's expression shifted as well, and she quickly had Starmie cancel Flash, plunging the cave back into darkness. However, a faint light still emanated from the passage ahead.
Moving silently, the two crept toward the source of the light, soon arriving at a massive cavern filled with stalactites. The walls were dotted with nurous tunnel entrances, and they stood at one of the higher openings, overlooking the scene below.
The cavern was illuminated by several massive lamps, their light revealing every intricate detail of the stalactite-filled cave.
Only a few Team Rocket mbers in uniform could be seen moving about, taking asurents. Among them stood a woman whose attire clearly distinguished her from the others—her posture exuded authority as she stood with her arms crossed, eyes closed. Even from a distance, Ryuuske could sense the chilling, frost-like aura of indifference radiating from her.
"That woman… is she the Saffron City Gym Leader, Sabrina?!"
A flash of admiration crossed Ryuuske's eyes—this big sister is way too pretty!
"That's right, that's Sabrina!"
Misty whispered, her voice tense, lips pressed tightly together.
At that mont, Sabrina—who had been standing motionless in the cavern—suddenly opened her mouth and spoke. But from this far away, neither Ryuuske nor Misty could make out her words.
To be continued…
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