The first on that list was the vice president of the Initial Pokémon Association.
With that level of infiltration, it wasn't surprising that Juan's expression looked so grim.
However, Juan still appreciated Cain's direct and efficient way of handling things.
Though more than admiration... it was astonishment.
But upon seeing that list, he simply couldn't feel happy.
The others didn't dare say much either.
Finally, the meeting ended under that heavy atmosphere.
Jhon was taken away by security, just like Gordon had been before.
However, from this moment on, the battle between the League and the Hunter Guild had officially begun.
But that no longer had much to do with Cain.
The League first needed to completely root out the Hunter Guild's infiltrators within its ranks, and then assess its losses.
After the meeting, Cain left directly.
...
One day later.
Cain, Steven, and Phoebe returned together to Leafy Town.
Once there, Cain and Steven, with Phoebe as witness, held a full Pokémon battle.
Only the three of them knew the final result.
Who won and who lost was never revealed.
All that was known was that when they left Cain's house, they all had satisfied expressions.
After that, Steven departed back to Rustboro City, to the Stone family.
Although this incident was dangerous, it had also brought great benefits.
The Stone family was very concerned about Steven, so he couldn't stay long in Leafy Town.
Before leaving, he made another agreement with Cain: once his Tyranitar had grown enough, they would battle again.
Phoebe, like Steven, went to the League headquarters.
This incident had made her mature considerably; she no longer looked as innocent as before.
Probably, after this, Juan wouldn't impose many restrictions on her.
After all, if she had survived such a dangerous situation, few things could top it.
A young falcon's flight always involves facing adversity.
After saying goodbye to both, Cain returned to his backyard.
Upon seeing its ruined state, he couldn't help but shake his head with resignation.
He had lost the battle against Steven.
But there wasn't much to be done: his Honchkrow and Weavile couldn't participate, his Gengar couldn't mega evolve... and even though he had three Elite-level Pokémon, that only made four at that level.
Neither Mismagius nor Altaria participated in the battle. The ones who did were Blaziken and Tyranitar.
Both Pokémon experienced firsthand the difference between themselves and Elite-level Pokémon.
That would motivate them to train even harder.
Neither used Mega Evolution; if they had, Cain might've had a chance.
In the end, Steven's Aerodactyl defeated Blaziken.
But the Pokémon weren't discouraged by the loss.
They had already noticed how much they had progressed; all that was left was to keep pushing forward.
Cain summoned his Pokémon to repair and restore the garden.
Ever since his private island had started operating, that backyard had been practically abandoned.
The only thing he still cared about were the wild Carbink in the back mountain.
Even the mother Absol and her cubs had been sent to the island to guard it.
Absol had the ability to predict disasters to some extent, and her presence would make the island much safer.
Once the work was done, Cain sat on the grass with his Pokémon.
To his left was his 3.2-meter Tyranitar; to his right, his 3-meter Aggron.
Two true guardians, like protective deities by his side.
Also present were Slowking, Gengar, Florges, Drapion, Blaziken...
He had many Pokémon with him. Thanks to the portable teleport system, he could summon them at any moment.
A moment of rest was rare and precious.
The Pokémon enjoyed spending quiet time with Cain, sharing that moment of peace.
But sometimes, things don't go the way one wishes.
Barely half an hour later, the most hidden communicator on Cain's body began to vibrate.
He felt the vibration deep within his clothes, and his expression changed.
Team Rocket!
Upon pulling out the communicator and seeing the number, his face became even more serious.
Giovanni!
Giovanni was contacting him directly.
Without hesitation, Cain pressed the answer button.
"Leader," he said respectfully.
"I heard about the Hunter Guild," Giovanni replied in a calm voice.
Upon hearing him mention the Hunter Guild, Cain's heart tensed.
"Don't worry. The Hunter Guild is the Hunter Guild. It has nothing to do with our Team Rocket. I'm not going to punish our own for what others do," Giovanni said with a slight amused tone.
Cain didn't fully understand what he meant.
Giovanni then spoke more seriously: "In three days, come to the Viridian City base."
He didn't say why, but it was enough.
"Yes, sir," Cain replied without hesitation.
Once the call ended, his expression turned thoughtful.
Knowing Giovanni, he never spoke of useless things.
So why emphasize that the Hunter Guild was unrelated?
That raised questions, and he didn't know what would happen in three days either.
However, if Giovanni said he wouldn't blame him for the Hunter Guild issue, then he wouldn't.
Giovanni was known for keeping his word to the letter.
If he couldn't understand it, then there was no need to force it.
He would know when the time came.
For some reason, Cain had a hunch that all this might be related to Mew.
He began to prepare his things...
Just as he finished, Gengar emerged from his shadow, holding a Pokémon egg incubator.
Inside was the Riolu egg.
But now, the egg was emitting an intense blue light.
"Wasn't it supposed to hatch in a week? Why is it today?" Cain wondered.
He quickly took the egg from Gengar's hands with great care.
The Pokémon around him showed expectant expressions.
A new companion was about to arrive.
Upon opening the incubator and removing the barrier, the egg seemed unable to hold back any longer and began to crack.
A great amount of aura began to emanate from within.
The cracks grew larger and larger.
Crack... crack...
Fragments of the egg began to fall little by little.
And then, a very small Pokémon was revealed inside.
With a blue and black body, resembling a small canine, it remained crouched within the shell, arms wrapped around its knees, eyes closed.
(End of chapter)