"May, the plan has changed." Behind a tree, May covered her Communicator and kept her voice low.
"Champion Lance, what's wrong? Is the volcanic eruption on Cinnabar Island out of control?"
"The volcano is the least of our problems," Lance said quietly. "A report just came in from Vermilion City. Master Lorelei fought him."
May held her breath. "I know. I was right there."
"You knew?" Lance raised his voice. "Then why didn't you report it sooner? That Charizard of his, whose origins we know nothing about, actually forced Master Lorelei's Lapras back with a single move!"
"I... I hadn't had time yet..."
"Listen, May." Lance cut her off. "The League's leadership is now split into two camps over Lin Hao. One wants him arrested immediately. The other wants to win him over."
"Then what do you think we should do?"
"I think we absolutely must not piss him off!" Lance's expression hardened. "Your mission has just been upgraded."
"Upgraded how?"
"Before, you were supposed to follow him and keep him under surveillance." A few seconds passed. "Now, I want you to stick to him as his 'traveling companion'! Keep him tied to you! Whatever it takes, make sure he stays in Kanto!"
May couldn't find a response for a long moment.
"A... a companion? Form a bond?" May asked, her voice trembling. "You mean you want me to throw myself at that lazy bum?!"
"That's an order!" Lance commanded sharply. "The League will reimburse all travel expenses. Even if you have to throw money at him, you must keep him in the Kanto region!"
"Beep... beep..." The call ended. May clutched her Communicator, her head buzzing.
I'm a Special Investigator of the mighty Kanto League, and now I've been reduced to using public funds to keep a man?!
If word gets out, how am I supposed to show my face in the League again? May steadied her breathing, forced a smile, and walked back into the backyard.
Lin Hao had his backpack on and was getting ready to slip away. "Where are you going?" May stepped in front of him.
"To Vermilion City to challenge the Gym," Lin Hao sighed. "That old man insisted I pay for his cabbages. People are finding all kinds of new ways to scam you these days."
"I'm coming with you!" May declared.
Lin Hao glanced at her. "Why would you come with me? Haven't you wrapped up the Vermilion City case? Or are you trying to spy on me again?"
"Who's spying on you?" May waved her hands repeatedly and hastily changed tack. "It's... it's a trip! Right, I think traveling with you would feel really safe. I want to be your companion!"
Lin Hao took half a step back and looked May up and down. "Nobody offers favors for nothing. You're either scheming or stealing." He covered his pocket. "Let me make this clear first: I have no money."
"I don't want your money!" May steeled herself. "I'll cover your travel expenses! Food and lodging, all of it!"
Lin Hao's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really! The League... no, I'll pay out of my own pocket!" The corner of May's mouth twitched.
"You should've said so sooner." Lin Hao immediately draped an arm around May's shoulders, his attitude changing on the spot. "Since you're so sincere, I suppose I'll reluctantly bring a deadweight like you along. Ordinary people love getting things for free."
May secretly gritted her teeth. You're the deadweight! Your whole family's deadweight!
The two left Pallet Town together and boarded a train bound for Vermilion City.
May checked the route on her tablet. "The direct cruise to Cinnabar Island has been suspended because of abnormal ocean currents." She pointed at the screen. "We have to go to Vermilion City first and transfer to an icebreaker there."
"Works for me." Lin Hao leaned back in his seat, eating the premium snacks May had bought. "While we're there, I'll beat up that arrogant prick Lt. Surge and earn back the cabbage money."
"Don't underestimate him," May warned. "Veterans like Lt. Surge don't know how to hold back."
"How vicious can he be?" Lin Hao half closed his eyes and pointed at Pikachu on his shoulder. "Can he eat as much as this one?"
"Pika!" Pikachu was busy stuffing its face with potato chips.
A few hours later, the train arrived in Vermilion City. The moment Lin Hao left the station, he noticed something was wrong.
There were plenty of Trainers on the street, but every one of them was staring at him. "That's him, right?"
"Yeah, that's the kid! I heard he started a fire in the cargo hold and even melted the steel door!"
"Terrifying. He even went head-to-head with Master Lorelei!"
The passersby's whispers kept finding their way into Lin Hao's ears. He let out a deep sigh.
"Looks like I can't hide my identity as an ordinary person anymore." Lin Hao adjusted his cap.
"When were you ever ordinary?" May added another jab from beside him.
The two followed the street all the way to the Vermilion Gym. Its front doors stood open.
But two burly Gym apprentices in camouflage uniforms stood at the entrance.
When they saw Lin Hao approaching, both apprentices stepped forward and blocked the doorway.
"Stop!" The bald apprentice on the left pointed straight at Lin Hao's nose. "You're Lin Hao?"
"I am." Lin Hao stopped. "Move aside. I'm here to challenge the Gym."
"Challenge the Gym?" The bald apprentice sneered. "Boss Lt. Surge gave the word. You burned the cruise ship under our protection, and now you want to challenge our Gym? You're not even getting through this door today!"
"Go, Electrode!" The apprentice on the right threw a Poké Ball.
Bang! A huge red-and-white Electrode landed in front of Lin Hao, electricity flashing across its body.
As it prepared to use Self-Destruct, May cried out and reached for her Poké Ball.
"Pikachu," Lin Hao said casually.
"Pika?"
"Kick it like a ball." Pikachu jumped down, its right foot glowing silver. It had applied Iron Tail directly to its foot!
Bam! Pikachu leaped up and slammed a kick into Electrode. Before it could even activate Self-Destruct, Electrode became a living cannonball and went flying.
It smashed straight through the Gym's front doors with a thunderous crash. The apprentices froze in place.
Just then, a furious roar came from inside the Gym. "Which blind idiot dared kick my damn door?!"
Before you continue