After treating a severely burned Teddiursa, Lorelei said, "Let's take a break."
Caleb nodded and asked, "Has a new Safari Zone been chosen for relocation?"
The ecological balance of Ilex Forest had been completely disrupted. The wildfire had not only destroyed the Pokémon's natural habitat, but also wiped out their food sources...
If these Pokémon continued to live here, they would face severe shortages of water and food.
Hearing this, Lorelei fell silent.
The League had initially planned to relocate these Pokémon to the Safari Zone near New Bark Town.
But when the League proposed this plan to the Safari Zone authorities, they were met with a firm refusal.
"A sudden influx of foreign Pokémon would disrupt the ecological balance of the Safari Zone, potentially triggering territorial conflicts that could affect all Pokémon inside," Lorelei explained, looking at Caleb, "That's what they said."
And that was the last outcome anyone wanted.
But if not there, where else could these injured Pokémon go?
Caleb stood up and climbed onto the roof of an ambulance to survey the charred remains of Ilex Forest in the distance.
The once-lush, endless expanse of dense greenery had been reduced to blackened, skeletal tree trunks. The wildfire had raged for a full day and night, leaving behind thick layers of ash on the ground.
It was already late autumn, the leaves had long begun to yellow and dry, falling to the ground in preparation for winter. Once the fire had spread, extinguishing it had been nearly impossible.
When the disaster first broke out, the Johto League had immediately dispatched firefighters and Water-type Pokémon to combat the flames. Combined with Suicune's Rain Dance, they had managed to prevent the wildfire from consuming the entire forest.
But even so, the damage was incalculable. After all, these were Ho-Oh's flames.
Caleb asked, "What about Mt. Silver?"
Lorelei: "The Pokémon in Mt. Silver are even more territorial. They won't allow outsiders into their domain."
Mt. Silver, located in western Johto, was an immense, towering peak. The terrain there was treacherous, the weather unpredictable, and its depths were home to countless powerful wild Pokémon; such as the desert tyrant, Tyranitar.
Though many trainers ventured there every year to train themselves and their Pokémon, they only stayed on the outskirts. Few dared to enter the true heart of Mt. Silver.
"Do you have any ideas?" Lorelei asked, her thoughts tinged with pessimism. If this dragged on, this large population of wild Pokémon might not survive much longer.
But even as she asked, she didn't actually expect Caleb to have a solution.
Where else could they possibly go?
"Never mind, I'll go ask Lance if he has any ideas." Lorelei sighed softly and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Caleb stopped her, "I do have a way."
Lorelei froze, "What?"
Caleb thought for a moment, then said, "There's a large open space in my home. It has rivers, trees, grasslands, and plenty of food for Pokémon. It's a perfect place for them to live, and no Pokémon will fight them over territory."
"I can take them there."
He was referring to his Pokémon Paradise, the special facility he had purchased for 500 points.
The space inside was vast, almost like the pocket dimensions found in fantasy novels where protagonists could house entire worlds.
Hearing this, Lorelei's first thought was of Caleb's unique nature, and Lance's description of him: "A guy with the ability to navigate between different dimensions."
If it had been anyone else, Lorelei might have refused outright. But then she recalled everything Caleb had done.
He had infiltrated Team Rocket at great personal risk, providing the League with critical intelligence despite the danger. He had taken care of a little girl he barely knew; cooking for her, braiding her hair, even taking her to school.
And just moments ago, he had exhausted his Viridian ability to heal injured Pokémon.
What kind of person would do all these things?
The answer was obvious: someone kind, brave, and deeply principled.
His soul shone brightly even in darkness, unbroken by suffering or death. He loved this world and the Pokémon living in it.
Caleb studied Lorelei's expression and added, "If it's not possible, then never mind."
After all, in a way, these wild Pokémon were considered Johto's 'resources'...
Originally, he had planned to take them back with him. Because aside from providing simulated opponents for training, the Paradise also came with a built-in healing function.
Any Pokémon belonging to Caleb, no matter how severe their injuries, would instantly recover to peak condition inside.
Lorelei remained silent for a long time, deep in thought, before finally asking, "Can you tell me where your home is?"
Caleb shook his head. That, he couldn't explain.
Of course, if he ever saved up enough points to permanently settle in the Pokémon world, the Paradise would follow him there.
Seeing his refusal, Lorelei didn't press further. Instead, she turned to look at the injured Pokémon around them and asked one last question, "You really have a way to save them?"
Caleb nodded firmly.
Lorelei met his eyes, then relaxed, "I understand. In that case, I'll leave it to you."
Caleb was almost taken aback, "You're just… letting me take them away that easily?"
Lorelei: "Why not? Caleb, you're a good person. We all know how much you love Pokémon. I trust you won't hurt them, or exploit them."
Caleb opened his mouth. What he really wanted to ask was whether the Johto League would object, given that these Pokémon were technically their resources.
He didn't voice it, but Lorelei seemed to read his mind. She chuckled lightly and said, "It's not that serious. Sure, some people might see Pokémon as nothing more than tools or resources. But I promise you, as long as Lance and I are here, the Johto and Kanto Leagues will never become like that."
"Mm."
"So… what do we do now?" Lorelei's previously serious expression shifted back to her usual demeanor.
Caleb: "We'll need to catch them in Poké Balls. That's the only way I can take them away."
Lorelei: "Wow, that's going to be a lot of work!"
With that, she turned to contact shops in Azalea Town and nearby cities, as well as Poké Ball factories.
No trainer carried that many Poké Balls on them.
Besides, a single Poké Ball cost 200 Pokédollars... Caleb was currently broke and couldn't even afford one.
Lily was still in the early stages of her business venture, and everything required money. Even after liquidating Team Rocket's assets, the funds would only last so long.
Before leaving, Caleb had given her his last few hundred dollars, telling her to buy some snacks...