Caleb suddenly realized something after listening to Professor Elm.
Wasn't this the exact plot of the movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew?
Every detail — from the town of Solaceon to the Tree of Beginning — lined up perfectly.
Right now, Ash was challenging the Sinnoh League, and the movie took place in Hoenn, back when he was still traveling with May and Max.
If that's the case, then Sir Aaron and his Lucario must have already met their end.
Thinking of this, Caleb couldn't help but feel a wave of regret.
Still, who would've thought Riolu originated from there?
Hmm... Could there be some connection between Riolu and either Sir Aaron or Lucario?
Caleb looked down at Riolu, who was gazing up at him with a similarly puzzled expression.
Seeing Riolu's adorably blank face, Caleb burst out laughing. "Hahaha, nah, probably not, right?"
As he spoke, he patted Riolu's dog-like head.
Compared to some vague idea of reincarnation or rebirth, Caleb was more willing to believe Riolu was just a pup raised by Mew.
After all, someone who's lived that long is bound to have a few quirky hobbies.
Professor Elm saw through Caleb's thoughts and smiled. "If you're that curious, you could always go check out the Tree of Beginning yourself — it's in Kanto."
"Alright, Professor, I will," Caleb replied.
If Riolu really was Mew's child, then maybe they could, you know... re-establish the family connection.
And while they're at it... heh heh...
After wrapping up his call with Professor Elm, Caleb remembered the real issue at hand.
He had to find Green — that girl had actually handed the gym over to someone else while he was away!
Good thing she was a girl. If she were a guy...
"Arrest squad, assemble!"
In an instant, a troop of Ghost-type Pokémon led by Misdreavus emerged from the shadows.
Each of them drooped their heads, not daring to meet Caleb's eyes.
Even without them saying anything, it was obvious what had happened.
Caleb could practically picture Green bribing them with Pokéblocks.
Totally something she'd do.
But Caleb didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled warmly at them and said,
"Now, I'm not an unreasonable trainer. If you all can bring Green here within the next three hours, I'll forget the whole thing ever happened. Sound fair?"
Upon hearing this, the ghost Pokémon, who had been hanging their heads, perked up and looked at him as if asking,
Really?
Caleb nodded with a bright smile and said confidently, "Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you guys?"
Misdreavus: "..."
Gastly: "..."
Other Ghost-types: "..."
Despite Caleb's solemn promise, none of them rushed to agree. Instead, they all fell into deep thought.
"Hey, hey, hey, thinking any harder and it's just rude!" Caleb quickly interrupted.
Seeing that they still didn't believe him, he had no choice but to use his ultimate move. He raised his right hand, held up four fingers, and said with a serious expression:
"I swear on my character—"
Before he could finish, all the ghost Pokémon turned to look at him in unison.
With so many ghostly eyes locked onto him, a cold chill ran down Caleb's spine as a cold draft crept up his neck.
Huh?
Startled, he whipped around — only to come face-to-face with Haunter.
Without hesitation, Caleb socked Haunter right in the forehead and shouted, "No blowing air into my ear ever again!"
"Gwaaah ( ?_?)"
Haunter clutched his head, looking utterly wronged.
But Caleb wasn't in the mood to care. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he said again:
"Alright, alright, this time I swear on my old man's future — if I'm lying, may my entire family go bankrupt and my dad end up a beggar. That good enough for you?"
"Gwaaah ( o_o)"
Damn, that's one savage oath!
All the ghost Pokémon were visibly shocked. Swearing on your dad? Guess we really did misunderstand our trainer...
Now they just felt guilty. The trainer was being so generous, and they'd doubted him — shame on them as ghosts!
This time, they'd definitely capture that suspect Green and bring her to justice!
"Now that's the spirit!"
Caleb watched them enthusiastically vanish back into the shadows and couldn't help but marvel at their energy.
Just as he was about to kick back in his lounge chair and scroll through some videos, Misdreavus suddenly returned.
"Did you forget something?"
"Mii~"
"What? You found her already?" Caleb shot to his feet.
That was fast — maybe they really did have a future in law enforcement.
"Mii~"
"You're saying Green was hiding just outside the gym and you ran into her by chance?"
...Looks like she misjudged when I'd be back.
Caleb walked into the main hall and immediately saw Green — tightly bound.
"Well, if it isn't Lady Green herself. What brings you here today, so lavishly dressed? Truly, this humble gym is honored by your presence," Caleb said sarcastically as he dismissed the Ghost-types.
Green looked up with difficulty. Her expression was a mix of awkwardness and resignation.
"Um... I was just out for a walk. Really. Just a walk. I was coming back to work right after, I swear."
Caleb sneered and crossed his arms, speaking slowly:
"Oh? Is that so? A five-day-long walk? You really live the high life. I guess this little gym just isn't worthy of someone like you."
"Come on, can't we talk like normal people? There's a reason for this — I can explain," Green pleaded.
Caleb raised a brow and smirked. "Sure, I'd love to hear what kind of story you're about to spin."
"I was training Hitmonchan at a Fighting Dojo these past few days," Green said, taking a deep breath.
Ugh, using a Pokémon as an excuse again? Caleb sighed. He'd hoped to hear something like Mewtwo trying to destroy the world and Green heroically stepping in to save the day.
"It's true!" Green insisted. "The Fighting-type Experts Tournament is coming up soon. Bruno himself will be there to host it. Hitmonchan's a descendant of one of Bruno's main Pokémon, so of course he has to compete!"
The Fighting-type Experts Tournament... Isn't that the one Ali mentioned?
Caleb thought for a moment, then asked, "What day is the tournament?"
"January 1st. Wednesday."
"Which dojo?"
"The Mahogany Dojo in Johto."
"Who's the gym leader there?"
"Pryce, Blue's mentor."
"What are Cynthia's measurements?"
"Wha—how the heck would I know that?!" Green cried.
Caleb bombarded her with questions, and she answered each one without hesitation. Looked like she really wasn't lying.
"But then, how do you explain leaving the gym to a complete stranger?"
Caleb suddenly asked.
"Paul isn't a stranger!" Green shot back.
"You know Paul?" Caleb asked, puzzled.
"I met him when he was a kid. He was with his older brother Reggie at the 9th Indigo Plateau Conference," Green recalled. "Blue even complimented his brother's skills back then."
"Reggie... he participated in the 9th Indigo Conference?" Caleb asked.
"Yeah, though he only made it to the top 32," Green nodded.
Hearing that, Caleb couldn't help but admire the achievement. "Top 32? That's actually really impressive."
After all, look at who competed in that tournament — Red the Battler, Blue the Breeder, the first Champion Professor Oak, and even Green herself. Making it that far was no small feat.
After untying her, Green leaned in and said, "Caleb, I think you should try entering the Fighting-type Experts Tournament too! I saw that battle video where you had Riolu fight — with that kind of strength, top 8 would be a breeze!"
Then, lowering her voice mysteriously, she added, "Plus, the prizes are amazing this time. The cash reward alone is five million!"
Five million?
Hearing that, Caleb scoffed disdainfully. "Hmph, a measly five mil? Who are they trying to impress?"
But even as he said that, his right eye twitched uncontrollably.