The night air in Dewford Town was cool and crisp, with only the distant sounds of the ocean and the occasional chirp of a wild Pokémon breaking the silence. Rion and Ryker, both cloaked in dark, non-descript clothing, moved stealthily through the shadows of the town. Their destination was a small, nondescript house on the edge of town—the residence of one of the Bluewater family elders.
Ryker glanced at Rion, who nodded in agreement. They had carefully planned this approach, and now it was time to see it through. The plan was to meet the elder under the guise of having discovered a valuable artifact—a training manual. They hoped this would establish their credibility and lead to a fruitful alliance.
They reached the house and knocked softly on the door. After a few tense moments, an older man with graying hair and a stern expression opened the door. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, but Ryker quickly introduced them.
“Elder Taro, I’m Ryker, and this is Rion. We have something of great interest to discuss with you. May we come in?”
Elder Taro studied them for a moment, then stepped aside to let them enter. The inside of the house was modest but neatly arranged, reflecting a sense of old-world charm. Ryker and Rion followed Taro into a small, private study, where they took seats around a low wooden table.
Taro sat opposite them, his gaze piercing. “You mentioned you have something to offer. What is it?”
Rion took a deep breath and began. “We recently explored a section of Granite Cave that opens up into an underground lake. While there, we discovered an old water-type training manual that appears to have been hidden for quite some time.”
He reached into his bag and produced a worn leather-bound book. The cover was embossed with intricate water-themed designs, and it had clearly seen better days.
Taro’s eyes widened slightly. “And what does this manual contain?”
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Ryker spoke up. “The manual details several advanced water-type evolutionary methods. For instance, it outlines the process for evolving Feebas into Milotic and the branching evolutions of Clamperl. It also includes a specialized training method for water-type trainers, allowing them to develop a bond strong enough to dive deep below the surface.”
Taro’s interest was piqued. “That is certainly intriguing. But why are you offering this to us?”
Rion glanced at Ryker before answering. “We are willing to give this manual to the Bluewater family for free, but in return, we seek your assistance. We would like the Bluewaters to use their influence to challenge and eventually oust the Ironwoods from their control of the Dewford Gym and any other positions of power they hold.”
Elder Taro considered this, his expression thoughtful. “The Ironwoods have been a dominant force for years. It would be no small feat to dislodge them. What guarantees can you offer that this manual is worth the risk?”
Rion responded with a calm confidence. “In addition to the evolutionary methods, the manual contains information about the underground lake in Granite Cave. It mentions a school of ancient Relicanth that resides there, as well as the migration pattern of Lapras, which crosses through the Hoenn region once every five years.”
Taro’s eyes lit up with interest. “The Relicanth and Lapras are both valuable to us. The ancient Relicanth could provide significant insights into our training methods, and knowledge about the Lapras migration could be crucial for research and tracking.”
Ryker nodded. “Exactly. We believe this manual could give the Bluewaters a considerable edge, not just in terms of training but also in expanding their influence.”
Taro stood and paced the room, clearly deep in thought. “I can’t make such a significant decision on my own. I need to discuss this with the rest of the Bluewater family. A council meeting will be held next week, and I’d like you both to attend. There, we will discuss the details and determine if this agreement is feasible.”
Rion and Ryker exchanged a glance of approval. This was a positive step forward.
“Thank you, Elder Taro,” Rion said. “We appreciate your willingness to consider our offer. We’ll be ready for the council meeting.”
Taro nodded. “Good. I’ll send you the details once the meeting is arranged. Until then, keep this matter confidential. We don’t want word of this getting out before we’re ready.”
With that, Taro escorted them out, and the two men left the house, their hearts filled with cautious optimism. They had made their first significant move toward reshaping Dewford's power structure. Now, they had to wait and see if the Bluewater family would take the bait.