Ripples spread across the surface of a pool deep within the Mt. Moon cave system. As they grew in size, a Lapras rose gently from the water. With two swift strokes of its fin-like legs, it glided smoothly to the shore, allowing Logan to step down safely onto solid ground.
"Truly amazing… Not even a drop of water on my clothes," Logan muttered as he patted his outfit, which was bone dry despite having just traveled underwater on Lapras's back. It only reaffirmed his belief that, in the hands of a skilled Trainer, Pokémon could accomplish nearly anything.
Moments later, the pool rippled again. This time, Misty surfaced, gripping her Starmie. Unlike Logan, she was completely soaked—having swum across while riding her Pokémon like a makeshift submarine.
Logan, although he could swim, was nowhere near Misty's level. He also didn't particularly enjoy the feeling of being drenched.
Misty climbed up onto the bank and returned both her Lapras and Starmie to their Poké Balls. Stretching her arms in satisfaction, her figure was fully revealed against the shimmering light reflected off the cave's stalactites. Perhaps due to constant training and swimming, her athletic body was undeniably attractive. Her waterproof clothing clung tightly but was clearly designed to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions—much to Logan's disappointment.
"What are you staring at?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing. So, where to next?" Logan deflected smoothly, absolutely not going to admit he was checking her out for any wardrobe slips.
While Misty's sporty girl aesthetic wasn't quite his favorite, he had to admit—an athletic girl's toned body was plenty tempting on its own.
"We received intelligence yesterday from one of our trackers about Team Rocket's location. We'll head there first. Even if they've already moved, there's no way they've gone far in just a day."
Misty pulled out a handheld device, checking their current position before leading the way deeper into the cave.
Logan followed closely behind, glancing around at the cave's layout. "You seem awfully familiar with this place."
"I used to come here often for training. I know it like the back of my hand."
"Are the caves ahead wide enough?"
"They are. Why—"
She didn't finish the sentence. Logan had already tossed out a Poké Ball. A Gabite emerged in a flash of light.
"Just to be safe. If the caves are this wide, Gabite's a great choice for combat," Logan said, his tone suddenly all business. Gone was the easygoing joker; what stood here was a vigilant, calculating Trainer.
In the wild—especially in potentially hostile zones—letting your guard down was a good way to get killed. Even lions hunt rabbits with full force. And Logan didn't consider himself a lion… not yet.
"You really are cautious, aren't you, Logan?" Misty said, genuinely impressed. It wasn't sarcasm. She respected it. People like Logan, who could keep their heads down and stay sharp, were the ones who survived—and eventually grew strong.
"Then I'll bring out my partner too. Go, Starmie!"
Her Starmie appeared again, floating slightly above the ground thanks to its psychic abilities. It spun once, and a beam of light radiated from the gem at its center, brightly illuminating the cave around them.
"Starmie has an ability that draws wild Pokémon in. But in caves like this, using Flash has the opposite effect—wild Pokémon here are used to the dark. Sudden light just scares them off."
With Starmie lighting the way ahead, Logan nodded and moved forward with Gabite at his side.
"So… I didn't see your parents at your house yesterday."
"My mom and dad?" Misty sighed. "Ever since I inherited the Cerulean Gym, they've been off on some never-ending honeymoon. I barely see them all year."
Her tone grew bitter. "Even my three older sisters ran off with them. They just dumped the entire gym on me."
"You have sisters?"
"Yeah. Three of them. But they didn't want to be Trainers. They were water ballet performers here in Cerulean City—super popular. Full houses every show. Now they're off traveling the world with my parents. Every time there's a Pokémon Contest showcase, I have to take part."
Her voice was thick with frustration.
"Well, you've got it rough. Your whole family went on vacation and left you to run everything," Logan said with a smirk. "But seriously, what's the appeal of those contests anyway? They're so boring."
Maybe it was because Logan wasn't a true native of this world, but he had zero interest in the Pokémon Contest circuits that the public adored. Sort of like how some muggles just never got the appeal of Quidditch.
"And from the sound of it, Gym Leaders really get the short end of the stick. Weekly challenges, performances… Next thing you know, you're saying you sell your bodies too!"
"Do you want me to punch you right now?" Misty growled, face turning crimson.
"Come on, no need for violence. If we start fighting here, we'll blow our cover. And I'd hate to ruin your sneaky little investigation." Logan grinned devilishly. "Still, it's disappointing—Gym Leaders sell shows, not their dignity."
He knew she wouldn't actually attack him, which gave him room to keep teasing. Misty gritted her teeth in silent fury, the glare in her eyes practically begging to throw a punch at him.
Logan didn't know what had gotten into him lately. Maybe it was the power he'd gained since crossing into this world, or maybe it was just that he no longer felt the need to hold back. The real him was starting to shine through.
"Shh—did you hear that?" he whispered suddenly, freezing mid-step.
Misty tensed. Logan made a quiet gesture for silence. She immediately signaled Starmie to cancel its Flash. Darkness swallowed the tunnel again—but light could still be seen flickering from up ahead.
Creeping toward the glow, they soon reached the mouth of a large cavern. The sight that greeted them was breathtaking.
A massive stalactite-filled chamber, walls riddled with tunnels, lit by several mounted floodlights. A small team of uniformed Rocket Grunts moved back and forth across the cave floor, measuring and inspecting things. Standing at the center was a woman—not in the typical Rocket uniform, but something different. Commanding. Her arms were folded, eyes closed, face emotionless. Even from this distance, Logan could feel the chill she emanated—like standing in a snowstorm of silent fury.
"That's the Gym Leader of Saffron City… Sabrina?!"
Logan's eyes gleamed. Damn, she was stunning.
"Yeah. That's her," Misty replied, voice tense, lips pursed tight.
At that moment, the woman below opened her eyes and began to speak. But from this far away, neither Logan nor Misty could make out a single word.
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