Under Felix's guidance, the group of players toured the Bell Tower that had once been home to Ho-Oh.
Though Felix hadn't been a particularly competent Bug Catcher, he proved to be an exceptionally reliable tour guide.
As he led the way, he recounted the history and legends surrounding the towering structure to the group.
The dozen or so players listened half-heartedly. When it came to knowledge of the Pokémon world's myths, if they claimed second place, no one would dare claim first, not even the native inhabitants of the Pokémon world.
But none of them dared leave early, as following the tour guide NPC to explore the Bell Tower was a mandatory part of their main quest...
...
While Caleb was touring the Bell Tower, Cynthia, who had traveled from a distant region, set foot in the land of Johto...
A year ago, she had followed the clues Caleb left behind and gone to Celadon City in search of him. But upon arriving, she was met with news that 'Kanto League Investigator Caleb' had gone missing.
From the locals, she learned of her younger brother's heroic deeds involving Team Rocket... How he had infiltrated the organization as an undercover agent, feeding intelligence to the Kanto League.
In retaliation, Team Rocket had implanted micro-bombs in all undercover investigators' Poké Balls and publicly detonated them.
When Cynthia saw the news report, her heart clenched in fear.
Even knowing her brother was no ordinary person, she couldn't fathom how a boy of just four/five years old had accomplished such things.
That trip to Kanto yielded no trace of Caleb.
The second time she heard the name 'Caleb' was at a Pokéblock exchange event in Hoenn.
From the local trainers, she learned of yet another feat her brother had achieved... He had deciphered the formula for mass-producing Pokéblocks, revolutionizing what had once been a difficult and specialized craft.
He was later affectionately dubbed the 'Father of Pokéblocks' by Hoenn's trainers.
But by the time Cynthia finished her business and rushed to Hoenn, she was met with the news that Caleb had already died.
Standing before his grave, staring at the familiar yet unfamiliar face on the tombstone, her heart plummeted into despair.
Even though the black-and-white photo showed a face different from the one in her memories, Cynthia recognized him instantly.
Over the following year, she traveled across multiple regions, gathering myths and legends related to time travel, dimensional shifts, and soul transmigration.
From Sinnoh to Hoenn, then to the distant Kalos and Unova regions.
Johto was the final stop on her journey...
....
~Blackthorn City~
Lance walked in with a deep frown...
He had just received word that Team Rocket had gained another high-ranking member, an unknown trainer with Elite-level strength.
While Kanto had stabilized, the situation in Johto was growing increasingly volatile.
Especially over the past year, Team Rocket's operations had grown bolder.
Stealing rare Pokémon from trainers no longer satisfied them; now, they had begun targeting human children.
Recently, multiple child abduction cases had been reported across Johto, with orphanages in major cities being the primary targets.
"Any progress?" Lorelei stood up and asked, "Have you uncovered the mastermind behind Team Rocket?"
Lance's thick brows furrowed, "No. Whoever it is, they're deeply hidden. But based on current intel, it doesn't seem to be Giovanni."
Ever since Team Rocket's collapse in Kanto, Giovanni had vanished without a trace.
And it was around that time that this 'new' Team Rocket had emerged in Johto.
"What if we send in another undercover agent?" Bruno suggested, his muscular frame tense.
At the mention of undercover operatives, Lance was reminded of the young investigator who had died a year prior.
He glanced at Bruno and shook his head, "No. This Team Rocket is too vigilant."
Lorelei gave a noncommittal hum, asking, "Need my help?"
Lance met her gaze and said, "I'd appreciate it."
Lorelei sighed helplessly, "You… I was just being polite. Don't forget, I'm only a Kanto Elite Four member! If I recall correctly, Johto has its own Elite Four, doesn't it?"
Indeed, Johto had its own Elite Four:
Bruno, the Fighting-type specialist... Will, the Psychic master... Koga, the Poison expert... and Karen, the Dark-type trainer...
Bruno coughed awkwardly, avoiding eye contact, "You know I'm not good at this kind of work…"
Lorelei: "…"
Bruno: "Kanto and Johto are one family! Keeping the peace is everyone's responsibility!"
Lance: "…"
Ignoring Bruno, Lorelei turned back and asked, "Should we notify Karen and the others?"
Lance thought for a moment, then shook his head, "I don't trust them."
The League had already been infiltrated by Team Rocket. Even after a year of purging the ranks, a few high-ranking moles remained.
Aside from Lorelei, Bruno, and Agatha... comrades he had fought alongside for years... Lance didn't dare trust anyone else lightly.
Lorelei paused, then smiled wryly, "Alright. Understood. I'll handle it."
....
By the time Caleb finished touring the Bell Tower, his quest updated...
[Quest Objective Updated!]
[New Objective: Return to your lodgings and await the next day.]
"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone should head back and rest!" Felix announced to the group.
The travel agency had pre-booked a hotel for them. The group returned to the hotel, each player retiring to their assigned rooms.
But with the sky still bright and plenty of time to spare, it wasn't long before players began slipping out to explore Ecruteak City, hoping to uncover clues about the main quest or the Mythical Pokémon.
Caleb's door remained shut.
The moment he stepped inside, he activated the Warp Beacon and left Johto, warping to the unlocked location of Celestic Town...
...
Nestled at the base of Mt. Coronet, the town was centered around an ancient shrine. Stepping into it felt like walking into a living relic, steeped in history.
The air carried a faint scent of incense, burned by the elderly residents in reverence to the shrine.
The sun was beginning to set, casting the entire town in a golden haze that made it seem as if it were suspended in time.
Having lived here for three years, Caleb was intimately familiar with every detail. Overall, little had changed since he'd last left.
Following the cobblestone path from memory, he soon arrived at Cynthia's ancestral home.
It was an aged two-story house with a small courtyard, inside which stood a towering tree.
In the past, Caleb had often lounged on its branches with Mimikyu, gazing up at the stars...
~~~
Stones and Reviews, please...