However, Giovanni's sudden disappearance suggested that he was secretly planning some kind of covert action, and Lorelei's first thought was Ash.
Professor Oak had mentioned that she should keep a close eye on Ash, as he was now a prime target for Giovanni. If Giovanni had any schemes, they would most likely be aimed at Ash. Therefore, Lorelei was the first to track Ash's whereabouts and positioned herself at the Cerulean Gym in advance.
The battle not only aimed to clear Ash's name from online rumors but also served as a warning to Giovanni lurking in the shadows.
I've already arrived by Ash's side. If you dare to make a move against him, you'd better weigh the power of a Champion Trainer—by Lorelei.
"Miss Lorelei, where are you planning to go next?" After chatting for a while, Ash inquired about Lorelei's subsequent plans.
They wouldn't stay long at the Cerulean Gym and were about to leave soon, continuing their journey to Viridian City.
Lorelei lightly tapped her chin with her jade-like finger, her pretty face showing a thoughtful expression. After a moment, she slowly answered, "I guess I'll head to Viridian City next. There's someone over there that I need to keep an eye on. Previously, he managed to escape, but now I reckon he should be back."
Someone to keep an eye on? Escape?
Who could possibly require the Elite Four of Kanto to monitor, and more importantly, even manage to escape under their watch? This person must be really extraordinary.
Misty and Brock were both pondering who it might be, but Ash already had a vague idea of the answer.
Who else could slip away under the surveillance of the Elite Four, be located in Viridian City, and be such a big deal besides Giovanni, the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym?
As for why Lorelei needed to monitor Giovanni, Ash couldn't figure that out, but it didn't affect their shared destination!
"Since we're all heading to Viridian City, why don't we travel together?" Ash proposed.
"Sure, I'm free anyway, and I'd like to experience the feeling of traveling as I did when I was younger~" Lorelei replied with a smiling face, as if she had already prepared that answer.
Perhaps even if Ash hadn't invited her, she would have found another excuse to go with them.
Next to them, Brock's eyes turned into hearts upon hearing Lorelei agree to travel with Ash: "Ah~~ to have the chance to travel with Master Lorelei, I could die without regrets!"
"Then go and die!!" Misty couldn't take it anymore and gave Brock a whack on the head. She was losing face with her companion acting so foolishly in front of her idol.
Ash and Pikachu were already used to this scene and simply twitched at the corners of their mouths, while Lorelei covered her mouth and laughed lightly. The backstage area of the Cerulean Gym was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
...
In the afternoon, as the surroundings of the Cerulean Gym gradually calmed down, and even the fervent fans dispersed, Ash and his friends finally left the gym.
If their group attracted too much attention, it would likely cause chaos in all of Cerulean City again, so even when leaving, they had to do so quietly.
"Safe travels!"
"Remember to visit the Cerulean Gym often!"
"Next time, bring Lorelei for another match~~"
Each Sakura Sister said their piece, almost bombarding Ash and the others with their enthusiasm.
This showdown with the Elite had filled their coffers handsomely, ensuring the Cerulean Gym wouldn't have to worry about funding for at least half a year. With money not being a concern, Sayo could properly fulfill her duties as the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym.
Among the three sisters, Sayo's talent was second only to Misty's, but the lack of proper training resources and guidance left her far behind Misty.
However, in these few months, Misty's absence had allowed Sayo to grow significantly. Although she couldn't yet be called a mature Gym Leader, she was at least a competent one now.
She hoped to hand over a renowned Cerulean Gym to Misty upon her return!
Lorelei waved goodbye to the Sakura Sisters with a smile, indicating that she would return for a performance battle if she had the opportunity.
Then, the group set off on their journey to Viridian City.
Seven days later—
At the entrance to Viridian City, Ash and his companions arrived neatly in formation. Returning to Viridian City, Ash couldn't help but feel emotional. This was the first city he had reached back then, when he was just a little shrimp with no Advanced Level Pokemon.
Now, he had grown into a formidable Trainer capable of standing up to Elite Level Trainers!
It was also here that he first encountered Team Rocket, forming an entangled fate with them that persisted to this day.
A few days ago, they had even encountered the Team Rocket trio, who, upon recognizing Lorelei, dared to say they would capture her Pokemon to offer to their leader.
At the time, Ash didn't even have the heart to let Pikachu electrocute them. How absurd is that to covet Lorelei's Pokemon? Even their leader wouldn't dare lay a hand on Lorelei's Pokemon.
The outcome was predictable; the Team Rocket trio was blasted off again. Lorelei was amazed when she heard from Ash and his friends that the Team Rocket trio had been blasted off at least a dozen times before.
It's incredible that there are such miraculous people in the world. And they're part of Team Rocket, no less. If they weren't with Team Rocket and were merely regular goons, Lorelei might consider recruiting them into the alliance.
The alliance currently lacked talented individuals of all sorts.
Unfortunately, they were still part of Team Rocket. To recruit them, Team Rocket would have to be defeated first.
Giving credit where it's due, Team Rocket's cohesion is strong, even more so than some within the alliance itself, who aren't as loyal to their organization.
After all, speaking of organizations, the alliance too is an organization.
Thinking about Team Rocket, Ash suddenly recalled a peculiar location in Viridian City: the time when the Team Rocket trio invaded the Pokemon Center in Viridian City, attempting to steal the Pokemon inside to present to their boss.
Now he knew that the boss of Team Rocket was Giovanni. This raised a question... In terms of strategic importance, Viridian City should be considered Team Rocket's stronghold, as their boss is the Gym Leader here.
So did the trio just randomly decide to invade their own stronghold to steal Pokemon from the center? If that was an order from Giovanni, he must be unbelievably foolish.
Most likely, it was just those three idiots acting on their own initiative.
One wonders if Giovanni was bemused or furious beyond words when he learned of the incident.
"Hey, Ash, what are you thinking about? Snap out of it, Lorelei is talking to you!" Brock waved his hand in front of Ash's eyes, bringing Ash back to reality from his random thoughts, and he looked at Lorelei with a puzzled expression. Had Lorelei been talking to him? He hadn't heard.
"Hehe, it's alright. Ash must be reminded of when he first set out from Viridian City... I was just saying, thank you all for looking after me during this time. From here we part ways, and you're going to challenge Viridian Gym, right?"
Ash nodded, "Yes, we're planning to challenge the Viridian Gym. Miss Lorelei, are you heading to..."
"I'm going to a friend's place. Take this with you when you challenge the Viridian Gym," Lorelei said as she handed Ash a small dot.
Taking it, Ash looked at it with some confusion, unable to discern what it was.
"It's a mobile pinhole camera. It uses the latest league technology, embedding spatial power within it to fit a power source, transmitter, and other components into such a tiny camera. Clip it to your collar, and I'll be able to see everything happening inside the Viridian Gym through my display," Lorelei explained, surprising Misty and Brock with the implication of her words.