Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Welcoming Caitlin
At the port of Vermilion City, Gary stared blankly at the departing ferry.
Don't get him wrong; he wasn't late or missed his ticket.
Just ten minutes ago, as he was about to board the ferry to Celadon City, he received a call from Professor Oak.
According to Professor Oak, the Unova region had decided to send an Elite Four member to visit Kanto on short notice.
"I heard it's a young girl. At my age, I can't entertain her well. My dear grandson, you're quite good with girls, right? Please help me host her," Professor Oak casually pushed the responsibility onto Gary.
Gary felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Come on! An Elite Four member from Unova, and she's a young girl?
If all went as expected, it would be Caitlin, the SSR-level psychic trainer.
Hosting such a powerful figure could be life-threatening if he wasn't careful!
Since the establishment of the league, only two SSR-level psychic trainers had emerged: Sabrina from Saffron City and this young lady.
While Sabrina had a family training method for psychic abilities that could turn you into a toy for a couple of days if she got angry, Caitlin's psychic power could instantly topple an entire city!
"So, I'm just a pawn for you, right…" Gary nearly cried out loud.
"Hey, my handsome and charming grandson! Have a bit of confidence; no girl would want to harm such a little fresh meat like you," Professor Oak said nonchalantly.
"Just tell me what's in it for me," Gary sighed, feeling like his grandfather was treating him like a dance partner…
"Well, my Dragonite has recently matured; I wonder if you're interested in the offspring of a pseudo-legendary?" Professor Oak said, confidently taking a sip of tea.
"I also want Dragon Scale, Dragon Fang, Dragon Claw—the whole set of breeding resources! Don't say you don't have them; Dragonite changes these every year!" Gary quickly listed off his demands.
"No problem! By the way, Caitlin has already learned to control her psychic powers; she has only recently started interacting with society. So—take care of her," Professor Oak raised an eyebrow playfully.
"Grandpa…" Gary lamented. Now he understood why Professor Oak had been chased around by Ms. Agatha in his youth. Forgive him for his reckless youth…
"Hahaha, don't mind it; it's just a joke from Unova." Professor Oak waved his hand dismissively. "Caitlin's ship will dock before sunset. Make sure to welcome her properly; don't embarrass Kanto!"
Looking at the hung-up phone, Gary tilted his head back and let out a sigh as tears of despair trickled down his cheeks—offspring of pseudo-legendaries… slurp… sounds delicious~
With about half a day until sunset, Gary found a nearby bench and sat down to think.
Bang! The Poké Ball at his back opened automatically as Psyduck sat down beside him with an air of wisdom.
"Hey, buddy, I told you that if you run off again, I'll use your tail to train Eevee to bite," Gary rubbed his temples in frustration.
"Gah gah gah! My trainer! I've already communicated with Miss Eevee; she's not interested in my sexy rear or tail," Psyduck laughed while patting Gary's back. "So why are you dawdling here?"
"Hey Psyduck, do you know how to host a fourteen-year-old girl of high status who could instantly take me out?"
Psyduck's expression changed as it looked at Gary with admiration. "My trainer… you're really playing with fire…"
"Stop! You can call me Gary, just Gary. I don't know why a native Kanto duck like you speaks with an Unovan accent…" Gary couldn't help but tease.
"And also, let me ask for your advice without going off-topic…"
Psyduck shrugged its wings. "Alright then; first things first: you need to change into something more stylish."
Gary felt exasperated… This is such a hassle… Onboard the Saint Jeanne, departing from Unova, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.
The entire ship had been booked exclusively.
Caitlin, one of the Elite Four members who swept through the Unova League at just fourteen years old, sat quietly in her luxurious cabin.
On a large round bed, she swung her bare feet while playing on a handheld gaming console.
"Ugh~ This level is too difficult!" Caitlin glared in frustration at the screen displaying her failed attempt at a box-pushing game.
"I hope there will be some interesting things waiting for me in Kanto." She took a sip from the hot cocoa handed to her by Gothitelle, savoring its warmth.
"Gah gah gah! I told you I wanted my coffee with double milk!" Caitlin feigned maturity as she complained.
Gothitelle elegantly bowed and turned to add the milk.
In an effort to appear more mature, Caitlin had swapped her hot milk for hot cocoa, calling it chocolate-flavored coffee.
Gothitelle could only smile helplessly at these antics; it was quite adorable, wasn't it?
Thanks to Gothitelle and her other Pokémon companions, Caitlin had avoided becoming a twisted psychic criminal.
On the contrary, this young girl had become the pride of Unova, a beloved Elite known for her psychic prowess.
After finishing her milk-infused hot cocoa, Caitlin covered her mouth and let out a soft yawn. "Ah~ I'm a bit sleepy. Wake me up when we arrive."
After instructing Gothitelle, Caitlin flopped onto her velvet pillow and quickly fell into a deep sleep, her breathing becoming steady.
Gothitelle clapped her hands, and a round Musharna floated in. It would monitor Caitlin's dreams, devouring nightmares and leaving only pleasant dreams behind. At the Vermilion Port, the night was brightly lit as Jenny led a group of officers to clear the entire port.
Lt. Surge personally took charge, leading his team to clean up the streets. Any wild Meowth or Rattata that ran too slowly was met with a shocking Thunderbolt!
Gary wore a black short-sleeved collared shirt, light gray casual pants, and white high-top sneakers. Holding Eevee and accompanied by Psyduck, he waited at the port for Caitlin's arrival.
Initially, Psyduck had wanted Gary to wear formal attire and slick back his hair…
Psyduck thought to itself, You know what? I'm a professional duck…
But Gary kicked it away. I'm not really here to be a dance partner!
A gust of wind blew by as a plump and adorable Dragonite descended majestically from above.
After landing steadily, a man in a red cape jumped down from Dragonite's back.
"The Elite Four's Lance!" Gary exclaimed instinctively.
Lance furrowed his brow. "Are you Professor Oak's grandson?"
Gary nodded. "Cough cough, you're Mr. Lance from the Elite Four, right?"
Lance's lips twitched as he thought about how he had been labeled as the Flying-type elite by others. Damn it! I've had enough of this!
Once the merger procedures between Johto and Kanto were completed, he planned to ascend in Johto and become the champion of both regions!
"Got it? Kanto and Johto—I'll be at the top of both regions at once. That's called wisdom!"
Ignoring Lance's rich inner monologue, Gary asked, "Since you're here now, can I leave?"
Lance crossed his arms confidently and replied assertively, "No. My time is limited; I'm just here to make an appearance. After that, I'll be having a one-on-one friendly match with Caitlin at Indigo Plateau.
But before that, you'll still need to handle the arrangements for welcoming Caitlin."
Gary sighed. "Alright then; let me ask about the costs involved in hosting her…"
Lance dramatically flicked his cape and pulled out a black dragon-patterned credit card. "Just use my card!"
Gary raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll graciously accept your offer!"