"I was so idiotic, honestly." Caleb lifted his dull, lifeless eyes and continued, "I knew Team Rocket wouldn't just remove surveillance and let us act freely... but I never imagined they'd plant remote bombs inside our Poké Balls..."
"It's not your fault!" A female investigator couldn't help but tear up hearing this, "The ones truly responsible for all this are Team Rocket!"
"Exactly!" A bowl-cut male investigator passionately agreed, "I'm sure those three fallen seniors wouldn't want to see you like this. So, Senior Caleb, you must stay strong! You still have us, you still have everyone!"
'Too dramatic, kid...' Caleb rolled his eyes internally, but outwardly put on a moved expression, saying, "Thank you for the comforting words. I feel a little better now."
"No need to thank us! It's what we should do!" The group of young investigators actually looked a bit embarrassed.
Caleb decided it was time...
He subtly scanned the group and said, "We've been talking for so long, but I still don't know your names..."
These straightforward investigators didn't hesitate before introducing themselves.
Caleb memorized their names silently. Once he had the information he needed, he excused himself and returned to little Amber.
Amber was leaning against a church pew, listening to the priest recite scripture. Mimikyu sat obediently beside her, its beady black eyes fixed unblinkingly on Caleb.
"Onii-san, are you done with your business?" Amber asked.
Caleb nodded, "It's almost over."
He showed her his phone screen... a confirmation message from Pidgeot Airlines, "See? Our tickets are booked. The flight leaves at 4 PM. We'll be out of here soon."
....
The memorial service concluded with a mournful piano piece...
When Caleb found Lance, the Dragon Master was discussing something with the other three Elite Four members.
Seeing Caleb approach, Lance paused the conversation and turned, "What's wrong?" he asked.
The other three also looked over.
Caleb took out a letter and handed it to Lance, "Forget about the rewards we talked about earlier. I need you to do me a favor instead."
Lance frowned, "What favor?"
Caleb, "Deliver this letter to Giovanni, the Viridian City Gym Leader."
Confusion flickered in Lance's eyes as he stared at the thin envelope. Something felt off...
"As far as I know, you and Giovanni have never interacted. Why would you suddenly write him a letter?"
Caleb feigned embarrassment, "Actually... I'm a fan of his. Since he didn't show up today, I was a little worried about his health."
Lance's expression cleared in understanding.
The eight Gym Leaders of Kanto, like the Elite Four, were high-profile public figures with devoted fanbases. Rumor had it, these fans often clashed online over who was stronger.
Lance didn't press further. He tucked the letter away and said, "Don't worry, I'll make sure it reaches him personally. And about the Dragonite... I'll do my best."
Caleb nodded and left...
...
Once he was gone, Agatha, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "He wasn't telling the truth."
Lance had sensed it too. He had a strong feeling Caleb was hiding something crucial.
"Should we open it?" Lorelei glanced at the letter in Lance's hand.
Lance hesitated. As an upright man, he had never snooped through someone else's mail. Normally, he'd scoff at the idea.. but this time, he wavered...
Then, Bruno pointed at the envelope, "Look at the back! There's something written there!"
Lance flipped it over, revealing a line of small text:
<...Go ahead, read it. I left this here for you. What I'm about to say might be hard to believe: Giovanni, the Viridian Gym Leader, is actually the mastermind behind Team Rocket...>
<...Funny, isn't it? The Kanto League went to such lengths to plant spies in Team Rocket, only to be infiltrated themselves long ago...>
<...And it's not just Giovanni. There must be moles in the League's upper ranks too. Champions of justice, you'd better investigate!..>
<...P.S. Don't bother sending more undercover agents. Team Rocket is watching your every move...>
After reading, the four Elite Four members fell into stunned silence.
Bruno was the first to break the silence, "Is... is this real?"
Agatha's turned was grave, "No wonder our last operation failed... The League has been rotting from within."
Lorelei studied Lance's dazed expression, "That investigator clearly knows a lot. Why not bring him back for questioning?"
Lance snapped out of it, but by the time he rushed outside, Caleb was long gone.
"You idiot! His phone! Can't you just call him?!" Lorelei facepalmed.
....
~Saffron City, Post Office~
Caleb dropped a letter containing the list of undercover agents into the mailbox, then took Amber's hand and boarded the rented ambulance to the airport...
By the time Lance called, he was already on a flight to the Alola region...
...
"It's switched off." Lance hung up, his expression grim.
"You don't think... he went to kill himself to join his comrades, do you?" Bruno ventured a wild guess.
Lance's face darkened further.
Agatha pinched Bruno's waist from behind, shooting him a warning glare.
"Fine, fine, I'll shut up..." Bruno muttered, "But it's not impossible. If you three died, I'd probably feel life wasn't worth living either."
Agatha had heard enough. She smacked Bruno's backside, "Enough! The less you talk, the better!"
Lance pressed his lips together deep in thought, before finally speaking:
"Keep this quiet for now. Lorelei, Agatha... investigate the League's upper echelons. Bruno and I will head to Viridian City."
....
That night... An express letter arrived at the Viridian Gym.
Giovanni was puzzled.
He usually communicated with his subordinates via phone or video call, never through slow, outdated mail.
Despite his confusion, he opened it.
The letter read:
<...Hi, Giovanni. How have you been? Busy, I imagine? Shame you missed the memorial. But as a former Team Rocket member, I've gathered some intel you might find interesting...>
Giovanni's frown deepened, 'Who is this?'
He had no recollection of the sender.
Suspicious, he kept reading...
<...For instance, the undercover agents the League planted in Team Rocket. Here are their names: Xander, Leah, Matsugami, Komi, Sakeya, Gwen Carter, Lucien Fairchild, Victor Moretti, Caleb Chase...>
~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~
~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~
Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01