"This guy, still so full of himself..."
Ash rubbed his nose and slowly got up from the ground. The burns and nerve paralysis from earlier had mostly been treated with medicine. Though the injuries couldn't heal this quickly, at least they wouldn't worsen. Seeing Caitlin still standing there, gazing at the distant sky like a stone statue waiting for her husband, Ash hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "...Miss Caitlin?"
"Hmm? Oh... Thank you so much for your help earlier, Mr. Ash."
Caitlin seemed to snap out of her daze. She smiled gracefully at Ash and gave a slight bow.
"Ahaha, no need for thanks! That was the result of fighting together with Ryuuske."
Ash scratched his head and laughed sheepishly. Truth be told, he wasn't very good at dealing with girls.
"How are your injuries, Mr. Ash? If you'd like, I can lend you my villa in the Johto region to recuperate until you're fully healed."
"No, no, it's nothing serious. Once we reach the supply island up ahead, I'll figure out a way back to Kanto. I won't be heading to Johto for now."
Ash quickly waved his hands in refusal. Just like Ryuuske, he didn't want to waste time here. Ryuuske had already left riding his Dragonair, and Gary had departed from Vermilion City long ago. Ash had always seen the two as his rivals and didn't want to fall too far behind.
However, the Pokémon he currently had were in an awkward spot—none could fly or swim long distances. Though Poliwrath was a Water-type, it wasn't suited for crossing vast oceans; it could only manage rivers.
So, he had no choice but to rely on human transportation to return to Kanto.
"In that case, I won't disturb you any further, Mr. Ash."
Caitlin gave Ash a polite smile, bowed slightly, and then took her leave.
"That's weird. How did Ryuuske get along with her so well?"
Ash shook his head in confusion. Though Caitlin's manners were impeccable, her personality seemed like that of a cold, aloof noble lady. He couldn't understand how she had been so animated earlier.
Unable to figure it out, Ash decided not to dwell on it. As soon as he could move, he recalled Bulbasaur and hurried to the S.S. Anne's medical bay. Among his and Ryuuske's Pokémon, his Poliwrath had been injured the most severely and needed urgent treatment.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side, Caitlin's butler, Garach, had joined the efforts to save the S.S. Anne. Once the luxury liner was no longer in danger of capsizing, the passengers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Though the S.S. Anne wouldn't sink, both its main and auxiliary engines had been destroyed, making it impossible to continue sailing. It would have to be towed back to the shipyard for repairs. Fortunately, the main structure was intact, and it would likely take about a year to fully restore.
As for the repair costs, none of the passengers bothered worrying—such ships were always insured, and any company underwriting the S.S. Anne would surely be financially robust. Even if they took a massive hit, bankruptcy was unlikely. If anyone wanted to seek compensation from the culprits, they'd have to go after Team Rocket.
"Miss Caitlin!"
As Caitlin walked toward the cabin, she spotted Garach. She stopped and waited for him to approach before suddenly declaring, "...Garach, you're fired."
"Huh?"
Garach looked at Caitlin in surprise, not understanding why she'd say such a thing out of the blue.
Caitlin smiled gracefully and said softly, "...I've decided to follow through with my family's request. Once I return to Sinnoh and gather my things, I'll head to the Unova region. I'll travel there as a true Pokémon Trainer. As for you, Garach, please go and pursue your own goals."
"...These past two years have truly been hard on you. I've always known you were an outstanding Trainer, yet you wasted two years taking care of a willful girl like me."
The young lady bowed deeply, her expression solemn as she conveyed her gratitude to her hired butler.
Garach accepted her gesture. Looking at the younger girl before him, he adjusted his glasses and said warmly, "...You've finally grown up, Miss Caitlin. That boy must have had quite the impact on you. To think he only spent three days with you, while I've been by your side for two years—it's almost frustrating in comparison."
He said it as a joke, and Caitlin's cheeks flushed slightly, though she quickly composed herself.
"Time is tight. I can't afford to take slow transportation like ships anymore. I need to return to Sinnoh as quickly as possible, then set off for Unova."
Caitlin clenched her fists.
She had already fallen behind others, so she had to seize every moment to close that gap. Even if it meant enduring more hardship and sacrifice, she was willing to accept it.
"Will you take a plane? I'll book a flight to Johto right away."
"No, planes are still too slow."
Caitlin hesitated before continuing, "...Though it might trouble Cynthia, I'll have her fly me back to Sinnoh on her Garchomp. After that, I might even have to ask her to take me to Unova."
She lowered her head, slightly embarrassed. Even though she and Cynthia were close, she still felt a little bad about imposing like this.
But Garach just smiled. "...You don't need to feel guilty, Miss Caitlin. If it's Cynthia, she won't mind at all. That's just the kind of person she is, isn't it?"
"Well, now that you mention it... Cynthia really is that kind and gentle. She's someone I truly admire."
Caitlin looked up, almost as if praying. "...I hope one day, I can become as strong as Cynthia."
"You will, Miss Caitlin."
"So I've decided—once I reach Unova, I'll aim to become its Champion. Cynthia is the Sinnoh Champion, and Lord Ryuuske's goal is to become the Kanto Champion. I can't afford to fall too far behind!"
"Miss Caitlin, the Champion systems in each region are undergoing reforms. Becoming a Champion in the future will be far more difficult. While it might not reach the level of the rumored 'Supreme Champion,' it'll likely be on par with the 'Elite Four Challenge.'"
Though he hated to say it, Garach felt it was better to be honest now than let her face disappointment later.
"Then if I can't become Champion, I'll settle for being one of Unova's Elite Four!"
Caitlin replied without hesitation.
Garach gave a wry smile. Even after maturing so much, the young lady was still as headstrong as ever.
Champions and Elite Four members weren't just anyone—they were the pinnacle of strength, capable of dominating an entire region.
Still, it was good that she had such confidence and ambition. There was no need to say anything more to discourage her.
At the same time, as the two looked out, a fleet of rescue ships appeared on the horizon.
---
Cynthia, having received the request, was a woman of action. A Garchomp from Sinnoh shot through the skies toward Johto like a fighter jet, flying at speeds surpassing Mach.
To be continued…
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