Chapter 70: Causing More Trouble
"Dylan~ Huh?"
Ilene arrived at the backyard, only to find that, unlike usual, Dylan wasn't the first thing she noticed.
But he should be in the backyard, right?
Ilene looked around in confusion. Drapion and the others were all engaged in their regular training.
Then Ilene spotted Meowscarada sitting on the ground, leaning its forehead against a tree in a dejected manner.
"Meow-ha?"
"Meow~ Meow! Meow Meow!!"
Hearing Ilene's voice, Meowscarada snapped out of its daze and rushed over to her, meowing excitedly.
Ilene tilted her head slightly, nodding as she smiled softly.
"Meow Meow~"
Seeing this, Meowscarada's gem-like pupils filled with anticipation. Did this woman agree? That's great! That smug bird is done for! As long as I make a small move...
"Emmm... Meow-ha, I can't understand what you're saying, though."
Ilene spoke with a gentle smile.
"??"
Meowscarada froze, then mechanically turned around and returned to its spot under the tree, leaning its forehead against it again, falling back into a state of despair.
Please don't disturb me.jpg
"Emmm..." Ilene curiously watched Meowscarada.
"Yiao~"
A clear, melodious cry suddenly rang out, catching Ilene's attention.
A graceful blue figure slowly appeared in her line of sight, its body shimmering with a faint, beautiful glow, and its long, flowing tail feathers swayed elegantly in the wind.
"What's that?"
Ilene's eyes widened slightly. Could it be the legendary Articuno?!
There was no mistaking it. Because of Dylan, Ilene had seen the national Pokédex many times, and the legendary bird Pokémon was indeed one of Kanto's legends.
She had even watched some videos of Articuno, captured by travelers who had encountered it by chance.
But doesn't Articuno usually appear only in snowy environments or places like snow-covered mountains?
Meowscarada also snapped its head around, its cat-like pupils becoming razor-sharp!
Articuno's figure drew closer, finally circling above the backyard twice before gracefully landing.
"Dylan?!!"
At this point, Ilene clearly saw Dylan on Articuno's back, her face lighting up with surprise and delight.
"Ilene, you're here." Dylan jumped down from Articuno, smiling as he looked at her.
"Sorry, this little one insisted on taking me for a flight."
Dylan gently stroked Articuno's smooth, cool feathers, clearly satisfied with his first experience of riding a Pokémon.
Although sitting on Articuno was a bit chilly, overall, it was a great experience—Articuno's flight was very stable.
Articuno affectionately nuzzled Dylan's cheek.
Meowscarada gazed gloomily at the pure-hearted Articuno. That smug bird!
"This Articuno is...?"
Ilene curiously approached Articuno, wow!! It really is Articuno!
"I caught it last night. Beautiful, isn't it?" Dylan asked with a grin.
"Amazing~ Dylan, you're incredible!! Articuno has such an ethereal aura."
Ilene was in awe, never expecting her childhood friend to have captured a legendary bird Pokémon.
"Yiao~"
Articuno also understood that the human female in front of it was complimenting it, so it gracefully lifted its head, puffed out its chest, and let out a soft cry.
"This little one says it appreciates your compliment," Dylan translated.
"Wow~ So polite! Can I touch it?" Ilene's eyes lit up.
"Yiya~"
"Sure, but it says not to touch its tail feathers."
"Okay~ Ooh, it feels a bit cold. The Pokédex says Articuno can make it snow just by flying, is that true?"
"If Articuno wants to, it can."
Dylan replied with a smile, earning another round of amazement from Ilene.
As she watched the harmonious scene of the two humans and Articuno, Meowscarada felt a sense of melancholy, as if a heavy weight was pressing down on its head.
Beep~ Beep~
Suddenly, Dylan's phone rang. He glanced at it in surprise but answered it nonetheless.
"Hello?"
"Hello~ Hero Gym Leader, what are you up to?"
A playful, lively voice came through, full of teasing.
"Just thinking about where to go next. Why did you suddenly call me, Miss Leah?"
Dylan raised an eyebrow. Although they hadn't seen each other for six days, Leah's energetic voice was exactly the same.
"Hmm~ Hehe~ Because Miss Leah misses the Hero Gym Leader!" Leah giggled.
"If you're just talking nonsense, I'll hang up now," Dylan said with a chuckle.
"Huh? No way! How can you hang up on a beautiful girl's call? We have a friendship forged through life and death!"
Miss Leah protested.
"So, what's the real reason you called, Miss Leah? And don't say it's because you're bored."
Dylan rolled his eyes. He could tell with his toes that Leah had a reason for calling him.
Although they occasionally communicated via text, Leah only called when there was something important.
"Tch~ I found a Team Rocket base."
"For that, you should contact the League and Officer Jenny."
Dylan thought for a moment and replied to Leah.
"Aren't you part of the League?" Leah retorted.
Dylan was momentarily speechless. She was right—he was a legal Gym Leader in Kanto's League, a part of the League.
"Of all the League higher-ups I know, you're the only one, Dylan." Leah was straightforward.
"Where is it? What's the scale?" Dylan pondered.
"I'm in Celadon City right now. I've infiltrated this base; it's huge! Much larger than any other Team Rocket base I've seen before." Leah's tone grew serious.
Celadon City's Team Rocket base? That should be the one under the Game Corner, a significant base indeed.
Dylan mused.
"And guess who I saw, Dylan? Our old friend Archer is here too."
"Though I don't know what kind of base this is, I'm sure it's not simple. Archer seems to have brought something very valuable, locked in a safe."
"This Team Rocket base has at least three Executives!"
Leah lowered her voice, speaking to Dylan in a hushed tone.
A base with three Executives? Who knows what they're up to in there?
That's why Leah immediately thought of Dylan and Red—their big-league allies. She really hated Team Rocket!
The reason she didn't anonymously report the base was that Leah knew Celadon City's police force alone couldn't possibly take it down.
They might even alert the Team Rocket members and let them escape.
"You know, Dylan, you're my best friend. I'm telling you this first, so you can be a hero again!"
"This isn't a small matter, Leah. Be careful and don't act rashly." Dylan cautioned Leah.
"Hmm~ Don't worry. I've been wandering the world for so long; I know what I'm doing." Leah hummed.
"Alright, I'll be in Celadon City soon. We'll talk when we meet."
It was Saturday, a day Dylan had scheduled as a day off.
After hanging up, Dylan looked at Lance's contact in his phone, debating whether to call him.
Actually, after six days of growth simulation, Dylan's strength had greatly improved. Even with three Team Rocket Executives, he was confident in defeating them all.
But notifying Lance might be a good idea to arrange for Officer Jenny in Celadon City to assist.
"Is something wrong?" Ilene had overheard some of the conversation.
"Yeah, Leah discovered a large Team Rocket base, and I'm planning to go check it out." Dylan nodded.
At that moment, there was an @Everyone notification in the Gym Leader group chat.
Celadon Gym—Erika: @Everyone, oh my gosh! I discovered a Team Rocket base in Celadon City!
Celadon Gym—Erika: I'm about to infiltrate the base! For the League and Celadon City!!!
Officer Jenny: Team Rocket base??? Erika, calm down! Don't act alone—contact the local Officer Jennys and discuss it with them. Don't be impulsive.
Officer Jenny: @Erika, where are you? You didn't go in already, did you? Are you serious? (Frustrated.jpg)
Vermillion Gym—Surge: Whoa~ As expected of Erika! I, Surge, salute you! (Awesome.jpg)
Cerulean Gym—Daisy: Erika is the best!!
Fuchsia Gym—Koga: If I may be blunt, Erika is being reckless.
Pewter Gym—Brock: Though it's a bit rash, young people nowadays really are full of spirit. Cinnabar Gym—Blaine: She's a passionate kid, for sure.
Saffron Gym—Sabrina: (Tilting Head in Confusion.jpg)
Viridian Gym—Giovanni: Indeed, courage is priceless. The future of our Pokémon League is bright~ (Gratified.jpg)
Rota Gym—Dylan: Wow
Officer Jenny: Aaaaah! Erika, you idiot! Do you think Team Rocket bases are that simple? She's going to drive me crazy!!!
Dylan looked at the group chat on his phone with a complex expression.
Leah had infiltrated the Team Rocket base. Why was Erika causing more trouble?