Until now, Caleb had always seen Mewtwo as the silent and stoic type. He never imagined he'd hear such emotional words from him.
Caleb was deeply moved, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
All his thoughts eventually condensed into a simple, somewhat dry, "Thank you."
Then, Mewtwo changed the subject: >..So, I hope you will go to see it..<
"Why?" Caleb was surprised. He didn't even know that Mewtwo.
Mewtwo: >..Because... it is waiting for you too..<
Caleb was even more confused, "How is that possible? I've never even met it. Without that 'heart', I'd just be a complete stranger to it."
Faced with this doubt, Mewtwo just said softly: >..That heart tells me it is searching for a human..<
Caleb opened his inventory and looked at the heart, which appeared no different from before. Stunned, he asked, "It can do that?"
Mewtwo thought for a moment, then explained: >..No, it does not speak. I sensed it. Ever since we entered this world, that heart has become... active. It is very lost, and in pain..<
Psychic-type Pokémon naturally had keen perception, let alone a unique Pokémon like Mewtwo, who was fused with human genes. He could sense that the heart wasn't merely an inanimate object.
After hearing this, Caleb thought for a moment, then said, "Okay."
At this point, the matter of Amber deserved closure...
He glanced at the Poké Ball containing his Celebi in his inventory, wondering if this little Forest Guardian had the ability to revive the dead.
He'd already visited the Alola region before, and its landmarks were unlocked on his Warp Beacon. With a single thought, he could instantly travel there. But not right now...
Caleb looked at Caitlin beside him. She seemed to sense his gaze and instantly opened her eyes, glancing back at him with a questioning look.
Caleb gave an apologetic smile, "First time on a helicopter, I'm feeling a bit disoriented."
Caitlin nodded in understanding. She rummaged around and pulled out an orange-wrapped candy, "Eating this might help you feel better."
"Thanks." Caleb politely took it, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.
'Hmm, orange flavor...' he thought, savoring the candy.
Mewtwo suddenly remarked: >..This human has psychic aura..<
"I know," Caleb replied telepathically. Then he realized something and asked, "You don't remember her?"
Mewtwo thought carefully and answered honestly: >..No..<
In fact, aside from Caleb, all other humans seemed pretty much the same to Mewtwo.
"But we watched the anime before entering this Instance!" Caleb said.
It was the Best Wishes! arc, and they'd just seen the episode where Caitlin appeared before starting this Scenario. The two of them had even specifically discussed this human with psychic powers.
Hearing this, Mewtwo belatedly remembered. But he just gave a flat hum without much further reaction...
At that moment, Caitlin took the initiative to open up a conversation, "I heard from Cynthia that you've known each other for a long time?"
Caleb opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, she talked about me to you?"
Seeing his curious expression, Caitlin smiled and explained, "A little, but I was the one who asked. Because you're just such a... fascinating person."
'Fascinating... That sounds oddly fitting.' she mused.
Caitlin observed his expression and continued, "You went undercover in Team Rocket for a few days and then exposed the locations of all their hidden bases. Then you traveled to Sinnoh and casually took down Team Galactic…"
Caleb was surprised, "Cynthia told you all that?"
Caitlin shook her head. "No, that came from Kanto. Lance and the others think very highly of you."
'Lance said that?!' Caleb was baffled by the world's approach to undercover work.
'Shouldn't the League be protecting my identity and keeping my actions classified? I thought all my activities of that time would be locked away in the Kanto League's confidential files. So how did it everything spread all the way to Unova, which is so far from Kanto?!'
Extremely exasperated, Caleb said, "As a League investigator, I was just doing my job."
Hearing this, Caitlin smiled even more brightly, "Well then, Mr. Investigator, may I ask if your target here in Unova is the villainous organization, Team Plasma?"
Caleb replied flatly, "No. Just a routine Pokémon disappearance case."
He wasn't certain if the mastermind behind those cases was connected to Team Plasma or not.
"Is that all?" Caitlin's tone sounded quite disappointed.
"I'm just an ordinary trainer. That kind of thing is too dangerous for me," Caleb said, "Dealing with Team Rocket was only possible because of Lance's protection, and wiping out Team Galactic happened with Cynthia's help too."
Caleb's statement sounded reasonable. Caitlin considered this. The reports mentioned Caleb was impressive, but they didn't specify how.
And judging by Lance's attitude and the Kanto League's recent actions, they seemed to be quietly protecting this young man.
'If his combat skills aren't exceptional, then maybe... he is exceptionally smart?' Caitlin thought.
Caleb had no idea that Caitlin now saw him as clever but fragile and in need of protection. After his last comment, she didn't pursue the topic further...
Caleb had expected to be taken to a city where the Pokémon disappearances had occurred. He didn't expect the helicopter to take him directly to the Unova League headquarters located on the Pokémon League mountain.
Looking at the complex of buildings and the bustling League staff, Caleb was taken aback, "Am I even allowed in here?"
Though he was a Kanto League investigator, he'd never been to their headquarters. This place clearly stored sensitive Intel. As an outsider, being brought here on first contact felt improper...
Caitlin asked dryly, "Are you a Team Plasma spy?"
"Of course not."
"Then it's fine..." Caitlin explained, "All major incidents in Unova are reported here. The details of the missing Pokémon case you want to work on are here too."
"Got it." Caleb quickly understood. Thinking about it, given his current status, it was unlikely he'd do something like steal intel.
As the two entered the building and stepped into the elevator, a notification update sounded in Caleb's ear:
*Ding!*
[Main Quest Updated!]
[Quest Objective: Phase 1 - Find a way to establish cooperation with the Unova League Completed! Phase 2 unlocked!]
[Phase 2: Cooperate with the Unova League to investigate the details of the Pokémon disappearance cases! Completion unlocks the next phase...
- Time Limit: 28 days.
- Failure Penalty: Half of your points will be deducted!]