Back in Celadon City, life carried on in apparent peace.
Though Erika had been captured, the news had not yet spread. Citizens continued their days in happiness, utterly unaware of the darkness beneath their feet.
Meanwhile, Lucas and his companions were returning to their hotel.
"Lucas?"
Marnie, her slender arms looped around his, her head leaning against his shoulder, suddenly spoke.
"What is it?" he asked.
"You… you could have stopped her, couldn't you? Why didn't you? Why didn't you stop the Gym Leader from sending that message?"
Her brows furrowed slightly. She had seen it clearly with her own eyes. The instant they arrived, Erika had covertly sent her transmission to Lorelei.
And with Gardevoir's power, it would have been child's play to immobilize her before she finished.
"Marnie," Lucas said softly, a chuckle on his lips as he reached out and pinched her cheek. "Remember this: though we wear Team Rocket uniforms, we are not bound to Team Rocket. Not truly."
His eyes gleamed mischievously.
"For Team Rocket, having you join them… may very well be their greatest misfortune."
Green rolled her eyes behind the two of them, muttering softly under her breath. But the instant she heard those words, she immediately understood what Lucas was really thinking.
This fellow—he practically wished for Team Rocket and the League to clash head-on. The more chaotic the world became, the more delighted he would be.
"To me, whether it is the League or Team Rocket, neither truly matters. What I seek—what I desire—is only excitement and amusement."
The corner of Lucas's lips curved ever so slightly upward, his crimson eyes glimmering with restless light.
"If everything in life were nothing more than a stagnant pond, then wouldn't this world be unbearably dull?"
Marnie frowned faintly at his words. If it turned into a battle between Team Rocket and the League here in Celadon City… then surely the city itself would suffer destruction as collateral.
But just as quickly, Marnie's brows relaxed again. It had nothing to do with her, and she had no need to dwell on it further.
The three of them returned to their hotel. Just as they stepped into the elevator and reached to press the close button, a faint fragrance drifted in—and a figure dressed in pink also entered.
The air grew still—quiet.
"Among all the strange and wonderful things in life, none surpasses the word fate. It seems we are indeed quite fated to meet, are we not?"
Lucas smiled lightly, his gaze settling on the graceful young lady before him, and he spoke slowly.
"Miss Caitlin, don't you agree?"
Yes—the one who had entered the elevator was none other than Caitlin! Compared to half a month ago aboard the S.S. Anne, she was still dressed in her fitted pink jumpsuit, her slender waist tied with a white sash.
Her long golden hair had grown further, now almost reaching her waist. Her delicate, fair face remained just as captivating as ever.
Yet at this moment, the elegant young lady pressed her lips tightly together, her eyes complicated as she looked back at Lucas.
Green was delighted to see Caitlin, but thanks to her disguise, Caitlin clearly did not recognize her.
"…Indeed, it does seem that Mr. Lucas and I are truly bound by fate."
After a brief silence, Caitlin's voice, tinged with helplessness, finally emerged.
Should she run away? Call for help?
No—Caitlin did neither. She knew that if Lucas had harbored ill intent toward her, he would not have waited until now to act. This was already their fourth encounter…
The first had been in Michina. The second, aboard the S.S. Anne. The third, at Vermilion City's harbor.
And never had she expected that, so soon again, she would have yet another "chance meeting" with him here in Celadon…
"Mr. Lucas, you've come all the way to Celadon City. Does this mean your organization intends to carry out some operation here?"
Hesitating slightly, Caitlin's beautiful eyes flickered as she asked him softly.
Since deducing that Lucas held not only an identity within Team Rocket but also other, hidden roles, Caitlin's curiosity toward him had only deepened.
Yet it could not be denied—this man was reckless and unrestrained, a villain who acted without scruple. Encountering him here again, she could not help but think too much.
"It seems, Miss Caitlin, that the impression you hold of me is not a very pleasant one."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, feigning a tone of disappointment as he spoke leisurely.
"Please, Mr. Lucas, do not tease me so."
Caitlin's expression froze for a moment, before she forced a refined smile—the perfect smile of a lady raised in nobility.
What impression could he possibly leave her?
On the S.S. Anne, she had nearly been robbed by his subordinates! At Vermilion's harbor, he had forcibly taken away a new friend she had just met!
And now—what more impression did he intend to leave?
"What if I were to say I only came to Celadon City to visit a friend? Would Miss Caitlin believe me?"
Lucas shrugged, a smile both mocking and amused playing at his lips.
Caitlin's brows drew together, ever so slightly. Should she believe him? Although his stance had always been aligned with the side of evil, Caitlin understood that a proud man like Lucas would hardly stoop to lying to her.
"…In that case, I am relieved. It means I need not be dragged into any of this mess."
She smiled faintly, half-teasing, half-serious. In truth, she chose to believe him—and truthfully, she also had no desire to become entangled with Team Rocket's affairs.
For though Caitlin was, by nature, a kindhearted trainer, the experiences of her youth and the teachings of her aristocratic family had shaped her differently from naïve, innocent girls.
"That may not be so certain, Miss Caitlin. Celadon will soon become quite lively indeed. If you wish to leave, there is still time."
Lucas's smile deepened, his eyes locking onto hers.
Caitlin's pupils constricted slightly at his words. If even he described it as "lively," then could it be… something major was about to happen here in Celadon City?
"Mr. Lucas, did you not just say you were merely here to meet a friend…?"
"Of course. I am only here to see an old acquaintance. But whatever happens in Celadon—well, that has nothing to do with me."
He lied without even a flicker of guilt. True, he had deliberately allowed Erika to send out intelligence on Team Rocket's base here—but even without his interference, she would likely have escaped sooner or later. At least he had helped Archer recapture her afterward!
At his words, the smile slowly faded from Caitlin's exquisite features. Despite her lifelong training to maintain noble poise at all times, she could not help but want to press a hand to her forehead in frustration.
"Mr. Lucas… this truly is…"
She sighed softly. Since meeting this man, her life had been nothing but upheaval.
The ruins of Michina, where she had witnessed a legendary battle. The S.S. Anne, attacked by Team Rocket. That alone was stimulation enough.
And now—Celadon City as well?
Mr. Lucas, they say that every meeting in this world is merely a reunion after a long separation. But are you certain you are not, in truth, my harbinger of disaster?
She wanted to ask him so. For every time she met Lucas, it seemed calamity followed.
"Miss Caitlin, I doubt you truly dislike such matters, do you? A monotonous life, repeated endlessly, must be dreadfully boring."
Lucas's crimson gaze lingered on Caitlin's flawless face. Though she appeared on the surface to disapprove, he could feel it—the truth was that she did not truly despise such "lively" days.
Caitlin pressed her lips tightly together, brows knitting.
"Yes… in fact, I do not dislike this kind of life. Quite the opposite—I rather like it."
Her voice dropped low. Once, her sky had extended no further than the bounds of her family.
But after stepping beyond those walls, she discovered how vast the world truly was—and that discovery brought her joy. Especially when she beheld spectacles of great grandeur, her heart thrilled.
As Lucas had said, compared to her former life of endless monotony, such dull days were unbearable.
"But… I do not want anyone to be hurt. I cannot bear to see innocents dragged into suffering."
Her delicate face was serious, her words firm.
"What a marvelous gaze you have, Miss Caitlin. I think this time you will see Kanto in a far more complete light—what it truly is."
Lucas's smile grew deeper. Step by step, he intended to guide this young lady of Sinnoh. In the end—what would she become?
"Perhaps you truly have a chance to become one of Kanto's Elite Four. I, for one, hold you in very high regard."
The elevator reached its floor. Lucas gave a gentleman's bow to Caitlin before stepping out.
Green and Marnie followed closely after him.
"…The Elite Four of Kanto…"
Caitlin's clear eyes rippled with unease. By now she could be certain—Kanto had deep problems beneath its surface.
Back in Michina, Lucas had already hinted that Kanto was not as simple as it appeared. On the S.S. Anne, she had seen Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite Four herself—cold and unfeeling, utterly unlike the ideal she had imagined.
"Could these events here be tied to the Elite Four themselves?" she wondered quietly as she stepped from the elevator.
"In that case… perhaps I should stay, and see for myself."
-------------------------
Meanwhile, back in his own room—
"Moshi-moshi? Boss, why are you contacting me all of a sudden?"
Lucas had just taken off his coat when he received Giovanni's video call.
"Celadon is not going to be simple. Shall we dispatch additional manpower?"
Giovanni's mature features were grave. Archer had already reported—the Celadon base had been exposed. Though reluctant to abandon such a large base, it was now inevitable.
Yet the League's response was swift. And from Giovanni's own intelligence, the League was placing considerable importance on this particular base.
Fortunately, Lucas was also conveniently present in Celadon.
"So, Boss has already received inside information, I see."
"Yes. As of now, it is confirmed, Lance and Lorelei will both be taking part."
Giovanni's brows furrowed, a cold glint flashing in his deep eyes. Toward those two Elite Four members, he held no fondness whatsoever.
"My dear cousin Lance, is really coming, then~"
Lucas's lips curved in anticipation. He had long awaited this encounter.
"The Celadon base must be abandoned, but all research data must be extracted. Likely Lance and Lorelei will arrive in Celadon by tonight."
Giovanni's voice was calm. With his sources inside the League, he hardly needed special reports—he knew well how much those two despised Team Rocket. They would never allow a safe withdrawal.
No doubt the area around the Game Corner was already surrounded by Officer Jenny's forces. Even now, retreat for the Rocket members inside was exceedingly difficult.
This battle—was already unavoidable.
"Only those two?" Lucas mused aloud.
"Uncertain," Giovanni shook his head. "If it were only Lance and Lorelei, I would not be too worried. You can delay Lance, and Karen can hold Lorelei."
Giovanni knew Karen was currently in Celadon as well.
"Lucas, this time I entrust overall command to you. Your primary goal is retreat—do not be reckless. Secure the genetic fusion research data, that is all."
Giovanni saw the gleam in Lucas's eyes and reminded him firmly.
"That is not difficult. But Boss, have you never considered—what if, here in Celadon, we could keep those two Elite Four?"
Lucas chuckled softly, his tone carrying a trace of mockery.
Keep them?
Giovanni froze briefly—but quickly understood his meaning.
If they succeeded… the Kanto Elite Four, long a thorn in Rocket's side, would lose half its strength. With Lance and Lorelei gone forever, the League's pressure on Rocket would be reduced by fifty percent.
"Surely you're not that insane…"
Beside Lucas, Green and Marnie exchanged a glance. Both saw shock mirrored in the other's eyes.
To bury Kanto's Champion and Ice Master here…
If such a feat were achieved, it would shake the entire world.
"How confident are you?" Giovanni narrowed his eyes. His heart, however, was already stirred.
"If Boss were to personally come to Celadon, then seventy percent at least."
Lucas shrugged lightly. He had spoken half in jest—but Giovanni clearly entertained the thought.
And indeed, if Giovanni joined forces with him—even if Lucas went easy—the two together might well make Lance's death a reality.
"Seventy percent… but only if it is just Lance and Lorelei. The risk is still too great."
Giovanni frowned deeply. Success was far from guaranteed. Defeating Lance was one thing—capturing or killing him was entirely another.
If it were to be done, it must be done in a single, fatal strike.
(End of Chapter)