"The first disappearance case happened three months ago." Caitlin led Caleb smoothly through the League headquarters to a data archive room. After scanning the shelves, she placed a thick stack of documents in front of him, "The first victim lost a very rare Garchomp."
Caleb took the files and started reading through them carefully.
The Garchomp had gone missing while staying at a hotel. Before its disappearance, its Trainer had taken it to challenge the local city Gym, where it remarkably managed to defeat three opposing Pokémon in succession.
Reading this, Caleb asked, "Did you check the hotel's security footage?"
"We did. But it didn't show anyone entering the Trainer's room." Caitlin replied.
'The ability to bypass surveillance and enter a locked room undetected seems to point towards a Psychic-type Pokémon, or at the very least, a Pokémon with Psychic-type abilities.' Caleb thought for a moment, then flipped to the next page.
The second case occurred almost simultaneously with the first, though in different cities... one in Nacrene City, the other in Opelucid City.
That didn't catch Caleb's attention as much as the description of the missing Pokémon in the second case:
{..Missing Pokémon: Dragon-type, Salamence. Before its disappearance, the trainer had entered a series of arena battles in Opelucid and earned the title of Tournament Champion..}
Just then, Caitlin asked, "You noticed?"
The question was vague, but Caleb understood immediately. With a nod, he said, "All the missing Pokémon are powerful Dragon-types."
Caitlin thought for a moment and said, "Over the past three months, nearly every city in Unova has reported similar cases. According to incomplete data, a total of 782 rare and powerful Dragon-type Pokémon have gone missing."
Caleb was stunned, "Do they like Dragon-types that much?"
Caitlin gave a wry smile, "It's possible they're being stolen for trade with other regions, but that seems unlikely. Our personnel haven't found any signs of large-scale Pokémon sales at customs or ports. Besides, Pokémon aren't mindless creatures. Most are loyal to their trainers. Unless brainwashed, it's nearly impossible to make them accept a new trainer while retaining their memories."
"But..." Caitlin glanced out the window and stretched lazily, "It's getting late. Let's call it a day and get some rest. We can talk about the rest tomorrow after we're well rested."
Caleb didn't object. He'd already waited a long time in Castelia City, and after several hours on a helicopter, night had fallen.
He joined Caitlin for dinner. The Unova League's facilities were well-equipped, with separate dining areas for trainers and Pokémon.
Caitlin casually released her Pokémon from their Poké Balls and dined with them.
Caleb hesitated slightly seeing this.
Caitlin looked up, puzzled, "Not letting your Pokémon join you for dinner?"
"Oh." Caleb nodded and released Mimikyu, Celebi, Lucario, Dragonite, and Hydreigon. For various reasons, he chose not to release Mewtwo.
If Mewtwo appeared at the Unova League today, there was no doubt it would cause a huge stir. Mewtwo himself understood this.
After Caleb apologized to his companion telepathically, he sat down next to Lucario.
The attention of the other people dining in the cafeteria was immediately drawn to this spot. Driven by the excitement of seeing unfamiliar Pokémon, a group of Unova League investigators couldn't help but approach, curiously eyeing Celebi.
"What Pokémon is this?"
Someone pulled out their Pokédex and scanned Celebi, but only got
Due to the vast distance between Unova and Johto, and the fact that their regional Pokédexes aren't interconnected or fully comprehensive, data on Celebi wasn't recorded in the Unova Pokédex.
"Bi!"
Startled by the crowd, Celebi clutched a berry and hid on Caleb's shoulder. So, the investigators collectively turned their attention to Caleb.
"This little one is Celebi. It's a Pokémon from the Johto region," Caleb said succinctly.
Hearing 'Johto', a few investigators who had received prior intel shifted their focus from Celebi to the young man before them.
They exchanged glances, and one of them tentatively asked, "You... are you Caleb?"
Caleb wasn't sure what they were getting at, but he nodded anyway, "I am."
To his surprise, the group of young investigators became even more excited when they got his confirmation.
'Am I really that famous now?' Caleb wondered.
Then, a thin investigator with blue hair stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, is your purpose for coming to Unova to deal with Team Plasma?"
Caleb was speechless: 'So now everyone knows about me driving off Team Rocket and rounding up Team Galactic, huh?'
Caitlin had been quietly enjoying the scene. Seeing Caleb's exasperated expression, she finally spoke up, "Alright, that's enough. Caleb has more important matters to handle in Unova. As for Team Plasma, don't worry too much about them."
With the Elite Four speaking, the investigators backed off and returned to their seats, watching from afar.
Caitlin didn't mention Team Plasma again. Instead, she remained intrigued by Celebi. She had already finished her dinner, so she watched with keen interest as Caleb skillfully fed his Pokémon.
Caleb quietly fed Celebi and Mimikyu. The two Pokémon sat obediently on their chairs, munching away with their mouths stuffed full...
Not keeping her waiting, Caleb returned his Pokémon to their Poké Balls after they finished eating. Caitlin then led him to the room the League had prepared for him.
"We'll discuss everything else tomorrow," Caitlin said, "Get a good night's sleep. I won't disturb you further. Call me if you need anything."
As she spoke, she handed him a tag with her number. Caleb took it, then after bidding her farewell, he closed the door...
Outside, the moonlight was bright, and the night sky was full of stars.
Caleb glanced out the window and took a deep breath. Then he opened his inventory and activated the Warp Beacon.
Destination: Alola region...