Ring, ring, ring!
After the third ring, Lorelei answered the phone.
As one of the Elite Four, Lorelei knew more about the tournament than Professor Oak did.
"You want to become one of the young Trainer representatives for the regional exchange tournament? That's no easy task!"
Lorelei explained in her usual gentle voice, "The young Trainer representatives are chosen from Trainers twenty or younger who have exceptional strength and talent. You certainly qualify! Among Trainers your age, you're already outstanding."
"But you only received your starter Pokémon and became a Trainer this year. The others have already been traveling for two or even three years, so their Pokémon have been training for two or three times as long as yours. Some of them are prodigies, too."
Lorelei sounded worried. "Compared with Trainers your age, you have an overwhelming advantage. But compared with older Trainers, I'm afraid you're still a little short on experience and strength."
Lorelei knew of at least one serious contender. Aya, the daughter of Fuchsia Gym Leader Koga, was also expected to enter.
The League had already decided that Koga would join the Johto Elite Four next year. Aya would take over as Fuchsia Gym Leader.
Koga had taught Aya how to raise Poison-type Pokémon. She was young, but strong.
But she had never traveled or challenged a League Conference, so she had few public victories to her name. A strong result in the regional exchange tournament would help prove she deserved to inherit the Gym.
Aya wasn't the only competition. Several top Trainers from previous years were also eligible.
Caster had talent, but he was much younger and had far less experience.
"Miss Lorelei, don't worry about my strength. Just give me a chance to participate."
Caster didn't hesitate. "I'll prove myself with my results!"
Lorelei thought for a moment. "In that case, first earn a place on the podium at this year's Indigo League Conference!"
A top-three finish at the Indigo League Conference would at least put Caster in contention for a representative spot.
"The top three? Got it!"
Caster relaxed and smiled.
Before obtaining his Key Stone, Caster's goal had been to secure a place in the top eight, fight for the top four, and hope for a top-three finish.
But now that Gyarados could Mega Evolve, he knew he could reach the podium.
With Lugia's feather, he no longer had to worry about Gyarados losing control and going berserk.
"I'll try to win the championship! If I do, becoming one of this year's young Trainer representatives for the regional exchange tournament should be a sure thing!"
Caster hung up in a much better mood and started humming.
"Mudkip, are you full?"
Mudkip's belly was round and plump. Caster had already started thinking of it as his Pokémon. He smiled. "If you're still hungry, have a few more bites. Don't be shy. Oh, you're full? If you want more next time, come find me."
"Mudkip~"
Mudkip looked up, gave Caster a light pat, and seemed pleased with him.
You're actually pretty nice!
"Mudkip~"
Mudkip leaped back into the water and drove itself downward with its tail.
The clear pond water soon turned murky, and Mudkip vanished.
"Looks like the little guy ate its fill."
Professor Oak peered into the pond and chuckled. "Mudkip's favorite way to rest is to bury its body in the silt at the bottom of a river."
"That little guy is fast!"
Caster pouted. He had wanted to use an Energy Orb to win Mudkip over before it left.
On second thought, there was no rush.
Mudkip lived in Professor Oak's yard. It couldn't get away!
Caster went back to fishing.
Professor Oak's pond was small, but it held many species of Water-type Pokémon.
Most had been raised by Trainers and were stronger than wild Pokémon. That meant better rewards with every catch, and Caster couldn't stop smiling.
"You can really tell that Caster loves fishing!"
Gary knew nothing about the rewards. He thought Caster just loved fishing.
Just then, Caster's float sank again.
"Another fish is on the hook!"
Caster jerked the rod up and reeled in a cute Pokémon with a light-blue body enclosed in a hard shell. The shell was brown on the back and pale yellow underneath. It had large purplish-red eyes, three toes on each foot, and a small, wavy tail.
"It's Squirtle!"
Caster's eyes lit up.
Mudkip appealed to him more, but Squirtle was one of Kanto's starter Pokémon and fit a rain team well.
[Caught "Squirtle." Reward: 1 Water Spout TM.]
[First time catching "Squirtle." Bonus reward: 1 Squirtle-family bait.]
The reward notifications appeared. Squirtle's status panel followed.
[Pokémon: Squirtle]
[Type: Water]
[Ability: Rain Dish (Gradually restores HP in rain)]
[Moves: Water Gun, Tackle, Withdraw, Rapid Spin]
"A Squirtle with Rain Dish!"
Caster blinked in surprise.
Torrent was more common, but Rain Dish suited a rain team much better.
In rain, Squirtle would recover HP steadily. Once it evolved, Blastoise's high defenses and moves like Aqua Ring and Life Dew could turn it into a massive wall with a huge health pool.
Against some opponents, it would heal faster than they could damage it.
Water Spout would also give Blastoise crushing offensive power. Blastoise would be hard to hurt and would hit just as hard in return.
Water Spout was a special move whose power increased with the user's remaining HP.
And Caster had just received the Water Spout TM from this very Squirtle.
This had to be fate!
"Gary, this Squirtle doesn't have a Trainer yet either, right?"
Caster licked his lips. His intentions were obvious.
Catching both Mudkip and Squirtle in Professor Oak's yard would be an incredible haul.
Caster grinned and slipped a hand into his pocket. He was ready to throw a Poké Ball.
"Caster, forget about this Squirtle."
Gary flinched.
"After the Indigo League Conference, a group of new Trainers will come to claim their starter Pokémon.
This Squirtle is being kept for them. Besides, the League assigned it to my grandfather's care. It isn't Grandpa's personal property, so even if he wanted to give it to you, he couldn't."
"I see."
Caster pouted and watched the bald little turtle walk away.
Then Caster checked the other reward.
[Squirtle-family bait: Specially made Pokémon bait that is extremely tempting to Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise, but other Pokémon have no interest in it.]