Since the higher-ups entrusted me with organizing such a tough group mission, it shows they value me—no way I can let them down!
Now, let me think... what good stuff is there in Unova?
Foongus... Ferroseed... Landorus, heh heh...
No, no! This is a team-building trip, I can't just think about myself—that's way too selfish.
Caleb turned to the Pokémon in the room.
"Anywhere in Unova you all want to visit?"
Unova?
"Chipa!"
Pachirisu was the first to react, pulling a phone out from its tail and handing it to Caleb.
Caleb took a look—it was a promotional poster.
"Calling all big eaters to Floccesy Town! Whoever can eat fifty extra-large Castelia Ice Creams the fastest will win our store's mystery grand prize!"
Castelia Ice Cream?
That's the one that looks like a swirled soft serve?
Caleb looked at Pachirisu. "You want to enter this?"
"Chipaw"
Pachirisu nodded furiously.
Castelia Ice Cream... heh heh...
"Alright, alright, anyone else got suggestions? Speak up!" Caleb said.
"Guass"
Haunter perked up immediately, reached into its mouth, and pulled out a photo book sealed in plastic wrap, handing it to Caleb.
Peeling off the sticky wrap revealed a fresh, pristine photo book.
Roxie's photobook!
Oh right, Roxie's got a fashion show coming up in Nimbasa City.
"So you wanna go see Roxie's runway show in Nimbasa?" Caleb looked at Haunter.
"Guassw~"
Haunter nodded furiously.
Roxie... heh heh...
"But I thought you liked Diantha?" Caleb flipped through the book—no wonder she's Unova's fashion queen. Nothing but legs below the neck. Tsk, tsk.
"Guass(? ???w??? ?)"
Haunter blushed bright red and scratched his head bashfully.
Diantha is a goddess. Roxie's just a hobby.
"Alright, alright—Nimbasa City, got it." Caleb closed the photo book and tucked it away.
"I'll allow the request, but this book's way too risqué for a little guy like you. I'm confiscating it until you're older."
"Guass（?o ? o?）"
Haunter froze instantly.
W-When am I considered grown up?
Caleb chuckled and patted Haunter's head. "Silly kid, in my eyes, you'll always be a little guy."
"Guass(?_?)"
Then I'll never get it back, huh? (?_?)
Caleb glanced at the others—Chansey was cleaning purple goo off the Riolu egg, Litten was on its back playing with a yarn ball, and Vulpix was curled up asleep in his arms.
Seeing no other opinions, Caleb was about to report to the group chat.
Just then, a message popped up.
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: Gym Leader Caleb, I tried your method in a battle against my little sister today.
[SunshineBoy]: Did you win?
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: Nope.
[SunshineBoy]: You lost?
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: Also nope.
Neither win nor loss? So... a draw?
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: It was a tie.
That's not right...
Caleb rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. With a Pokémon like Whimsicott—one of the most annoying stallers—and his own elite guidance, top 16 in the League should be guaranteed.
How'd it not work against a rookie girl?
Masaka...
She had a secret strategist too!
Now that's interesting. Someone matching wits with me in tactics? Honestly, Caleb was kind of eager to meet this person.
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: After the draw, my sister said she wants a rematch—this time in doubles. She's already found a partner. I didn't plan on agreeing, but she baited me into it... and I kinda accidentally mentioned you... (Whimsicott poking fingers.jpg)
[SunshineBoy]: So you want me to help you battle?
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: I'm really sorry for dragging you into this without asking. But this ranch means a lot to me. If you're willing to help, I'll agree to any condition. (Whimsicott begging.jpg)
Any condition, huh...
[SunshineBoy]: What do you think I am? (Chansey punching.jpg)
[SunshineBoy]: But... since you said any condition, I've always been kinda interested in Whimsicott. (Haunter rubbing hands.jpg)
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: No problem, the ranch just got a fresh batch of Cottonee eggs.
[SunshineBoy]: In that case, I'll help with the doubles match. But I'm headed to Unova soon, so it'll have to wait a bit.
[Ordinary Whimsicott]: What a coincidence! My family lives in Unova—our Whimsicott Farm is right next to Mistralton Airport.
[SunshineBoy]: Well then, I'll stop by tomorrow.
After ending the conversation, Caleb added another note to his itinerary.
Though honestly, he didn't need to. He was already flying into Mistralton—swinging by the nearby ranch was no trouble.
Since he'd be out tomorrow, the Gym would have to temporarily close.
Which meant Green would get another day off. Seriously, how does she always luck out?
Let's see what she's up to... Caleb had Rotom link to the security room camera.
There she was, sitting upright in the empty security room with perfect posture.
Wait a second—that's way too suspicious.
There's no way Green would obediently stay put like that. Caleb had Rotom zoom in.
The high-def camera showed Green looking all limp and floppy, like a blob of living slime. A closer look at her eyes revealed—
Beady dot eyes!
You sneaky brat—you had Ditto shapeshift into you to play hooky!
"Arrest squad, assemble!"
Caleb shouted toward the backyard. Before long, Misdreavus, Duskull, Shedinja, Banette, and Cursola all popped up in front of him.
These were all part of Caleb's specially-formed Ghost-type arrest squad, originally created to help Officer Jenny catch criminals using their stealthy Ghost skills.
But since their town rarely had any real crime...
The squad's main job turned into catching a different kind of outlaw—Green the truant.
"Go bring Green back to me!" Caleb handed them a Pokeblock and a photo of Green.
The Ghost-types grabbed the Pokeblock and the photo, then zipped off through the walls toward town.
This kind of mission—earning Pokeblocks and getting to run around? Their favorite.
Not long after, Misdreavus spotted Green at a café.
Smart as ever, it didn't act immediately. It knew it wasn't strong enough to handle Green alone, so it quietly summoned the others.
Once everything was in place, Misdreavus opened with a Sneaky Scare attack—totally caught her off guard. Then Duskull and Banette used Thief to snatch the Poké Balls from her pocket.
As Green reached to check her pockets, Shedinja hit her with Confuse Ray, throwing her into disarray. Finally, Cursola used Disable to freeze her in place.
With the plan a success, the five Ghost-types swarmed her, hoisting her up and vanishing from the café in perfect sync.
The whole operation was swift and clean—not even a ripple at the café.
Just five minutes. In only five minutes, Green was brought back to Caleb.
If Green were even half as efficient as these Ghost-types, Caleb would be over the moon.
He looked at her stubborn little face and couldn't help shaking his head.
"You know what you did wrong?"
"Tch, I only skipped work for three days this month. Is that really a big deal?"
She turned away dismissively, secretly annoyed at herself.
Should've disguised myself before going out today.
Three days!
Caleb raised an eyebrow and said loudly, "That's because... the month just started three days ago!"
He rubbed his forehead, exasperated. "Sigh. I'm heading out to Unova tomorrow. While I'm gone, you're in charge of watching the house."
"For real?!" Green was overjoyed at first—then immediately realized something was fishy. She forced herself to frown and asked cautiously, "Really?"
She quickly beat her chest and declared:
"Don't worry! While you're gone, I'll wake up on time, take care of the Gym, and keep those backyard troublemakers in check!"
Ha. How'd you say that with a straight face?
Caleb chuckled and patted her shoulder. "Good to hear. Oh, and by the way, I'll have Misdreavus and the gang supervise you. Don't even think about slacking."
"Mii~"
Misdreavus grinned ear to ear.
Awesome—more Pokeblocks incoming.