Slowpoke had been gifted and strong since birth.
After training under Sabrina for over a month, its control and understanding of psychic power had risen another level, and it had learned many of the Saffron Gym's secret techniques.
If it went through combined evolution with Shellder now, its strength would clearly surge again. It might even surpass Gyarados.
Caster took a deep breath to calm himself, then asked, "So have you decided? Do you want to evolve into Slowbro or Slowking?"
Caster could not stand how sluggish a normal Slowbro was, so his original plan was simple. He wanted Slowking, not the same dazed Slowbro.
But his Slowpoke was an exception. It was naturally smart, so that was never a problem.
On the other hand, if it evolved into Slowbro, it could go on to Mega Evolve in the future. That would leave far more room to grow.
After watching Gyarados Mega Evolve, Slowpoke had started leaning toward Slowbro.
Either Slowbro or Slowking was fine with Caster, so he would respect his Pokemon's choice.
"I will still evolve into Slowking!"
Slowpoke stated its choice, then explained, "Ms. Sabrina said the special toxin Shellder injects into the head stimulates my brain and unlocks my psychic potential. That matters a lot to me!"
Slowpoke had been a dual Water and Psychic type Pokemon, but after training under Sabrina, it had gradually come to treat Psychic as its main type.
This was a choice Slowpoke had thought through.
Because Caster was a rain trainer, Water types were bound to make up most of his planned team.
If Slowpoke crowded onto the Water path too, for Caster it would only be icing on the cake.
Most importantly, Slowpoke did not need to work hard on the Water path at all. Caster would solve everything through fishing.
So it preferred to extend toward Psychic. That was something Caster could not gain through fishing, and it was exactly what Caster lacked right now. There it could make a bigger difference.
"Are you sure?"
"I am sure!"
Slowpoke nodded solemnly.
Hearing that, Caster nodded as well, then released Shellder to tell it the result.
"Shellder!"
The pink-tongued Shellder looked struck by lightning, as if the sky had fallen.
It had followed Caster for Slowpoke's tail.
Now he told it to bite the head instead? Did he think it was a zombie?
"Shellder! Shellder!"
Shellder protested loudly.
Slowpoke glanced at it and said coldly, "If it does not want to, then we can use a different Shellder."
With one sentence, Slowpoke settled it.
"Shellder!"
Shellder caved instantly and hurried to apologize with a fawning grin.
"Sorry, I spoke too loudly just now. Please forgive me!"
Caster covered his face and shook his head. "A simp will always be a simp. That will probably never change."
Luckily it had him as a trainer to keep things under control. At least this simp would not end up with nothing.
"Trainer, the King's Rock!"
After Shellder gave in, Slowpoke asked for the King's Rock. It was clearly ready to evolve right now.
But Caster shook his head. "There is no rush to evolve in the next day or two. Wait until we reach Indigo Plateau."
"Why?"
Slowpoke looked puzzled.
"Because even counting Rotom, I only have six Pokemon."
Caster smiled bitterly. "If you and Shellder combine and evolve, I will be down to five. That might stand out when I register for the Indigo League Conference."
"Also, I plan to keep your evolved form as a secret weapon for the later full battles."
As he spoke, Caster looked gently at Shellder. "For the early qualifiers, let Shellder enjoy one last run of battles!"
"Shellder!"
Shellder looked delighted.
Beating rookies was its favorite thing!
Slowpoke heard that and its expression turned serious.
Because it knew that under normal circumstances, once Shellder combined and evolved with it, Shellder would become part of its body.
After that, it would be hard for Shellder to go off and do anything alone.
This was its last chance to run wild!
After thanking Sabrina, Caster rested a few more days in Saffron City, then brought all of his Pokemon to Indigo Plateau.
The Indigo League Conference was the Pokemon League tournament held by the Kanto Indigo League. It took place at Indigo Plateau, with the main venue at Indigo Stadium.
Indigo Plateau lay in the west of Kanto, home to both the Indigo League and the Johto League.
In the games, a player could only reach Indigo Plateau after passing through Champion's Road.
But in reality, while the tournament was being held, anyone could come here freely, whether to compete or to watch and cheer for friends and family.
When Caster arrived at Indigo Plateau on Dragonair, three figures suddenly flew past him, wailing, "What a disgusting feeling!"
"Huh?"
Caster froze and stared after them as they vanished into the sky. "Was that the Team Rocket trio just now?"
Then, in the distance, Caster spotted Ash on the ground, along with a short old man with a white beard, white hair, and a cap. The old man pulled a flame from his robe and relit the torch in Ash's hand.
"Is that Mr. Goodshow? And is that flame from Moltres?"
Caster recognized the old man.
As president of the League competition committee, Mr. Goodshow guarded the sacred flame. He regularly took charge of Pokemon League tournaments, so people often saw him at regional competitions.
Regional tournaments also usually had a torch lighting ceremony. The sacred flame would keep burning through the competition as a prayer that the competing trainers and Pokemon would stay safe.
The Indigo League Conference's sacred flame was said to come from Moltres.
By the time of the Silver Conference, the flame was a tier higher. It was said to be Ho-Oh's flame.
"The flame is still being relayed, so I am not too late."
Caster smiled and directed Dragonair down toward the competitors village.
With the Indigo League Conference about to open, all of Indigo Plateau was decorated for the occasion.
Crowds had poured into Indigo Plateau, leaving both the venue and the competitors village packed and loud.
"Wow, a Dragonair!"
"So cool! Who is that guy, with such a rare and handsome Pokemon?"
"Wait, that is... that big streamer, Fishing Dreamer!"
"Old Fish, I am your fan! Give me an autograph!"
Caster had just landed and already caused a stir.
At first everyone was drawn by Dragonair, but soon many of Caster's fans gathered around him, asking for autographs and photos.
Others sized him up.
They all knew Caster had cleared the Trainer Tower in the Sevii Islands. He was a very strong trainer, and possibly an opponent they would face.