Sirius walked a familiar path, making his way through the Galactic halls as he readied himself for the coming meeting. Valor had been stashed away into his Pokeball, the tiny Seedot felt fear at the mere mention of the Galactic bosses, and he couldn’t bring himself to force the little guy to stand by his side like that.

The double doors hissed and opened, and to his surprise Leland stepped out in a leisurely stroll. Strangely enough, his arm no longer had the cast, despite it only being a few days the once broken appendage looked good as new. The man looked good.

Could do without the shit-eating grin though.

“Oh no.” Leland cooed, “Whatever happened to your arm?”

“You’re looking well.” Sirius sighed. God, it was like dealing with a more annoying Pranav.

“I am looking well. Can’t say the same for you though.”

“Good. Then maybe next time you won’t lose to my brother.”

Leland’s smug face dropping instantly brought forth a wave of satisfaction. It wasn’t difficult to figure out just who Pranav fought. His ‘mission’ the other day was overseen by Leland, and the guy was semi-important, enough so that Pranav would think it productive to get close to. And what better way than a Pokémon battle in the Pokémon world? Sirius just wished he was there, he could have held him back, prevented the whole mess from happening.

“Punk.” He thought, glaring at Leland as he stepped into the room. Like before it was busy, Grunts manned various terminals, occasionally calling each other over for help or assistance for one reason or another. A few gave him quick glances, but none paid attention for too long, instead choosing to focus back on their work.

He found the familiar face of Quinn, who leaned against the central desk with his arms crossed, his finger tapping his bicep in impatience. Sirius shot the man a smile and a quick nod, stepping in beside him after the gesture was returned.

“Morning.” Sirius said

“Morning. Your arm?” Quinn gestured.

“Issue with the way they were healed.”

“Ah.”

“Is that a common problem?”

“Sometimes. I should’ve guessed you suffered a bad break.”

“It’s cool. We were both pretty much done after that night.”

“Heh. Yeah.”

They fell into a comfortable silence after that, Sirius appreciating the fact that neither needed to fill the air with any unnecessary small-talk. A few moments later another door hissed open, with Admin Saturn stepping out.

“Enter.” He motioned, letting the other two step into the room.

Inside was a well-furnished office, hell, it was even cozy looking, with gentle browns walls and burgundy carpets that stood as a stark contrast to the modern white black and blue of the rest of the building. The walls were adorned with beautiful landscape paintings–some of which he recognized–Mt.Coronet for one. Sirius blinked in surprise at the sudden drastic change, only turning his attention back when he saw just who manned the central desk.

“Welcome.” Cyrus’s cold voice crept throughout the room, “You two have had an eventful night.”

Sirius folded his hands behind his back, grabbing his wrist to stop the shaking in his hands. The Galactic Boss sat in a relaxed position, leaned back against his chair with one arm resting atop the desk. Saturn took his place next to him, standing a little ways back.

“Give us a full report, Agent Quinn.” The Admin nodded.

“Sir.” Quinn was all business as usual, “Last morning we were tasked with the retrieval of Eustice Finchley’s Pokémon from the Dragon’s Horde Casino. When we arrived however we found the place had been sacked, the Pokémon taken. Osprey Ferth and his men tried to stop them, they were…unsuccessful.”

Wiped completely, more like.

“Info on the attackers?” Cyrus asked, tapping the desk.

“Upper class 3 Pokémon, all fire types. Sir–Os’s whole establishment was ransacked, could we...?”

“It’ll be settled,” The Boss waved in dismissal, “Continue.”

“Yes sir. They had a lead on us, but no fliers. Golbat took both Sirius and I through route 215 until we caught up with them. We chose to ambush.”

“We?”

“Yes sir. There were four individuals in total. Sirius was able to sneak up and take out one of their operatives before the fight began proper. Afterwards he led another away deeper into the forest while I attempted to secure the Pokémon. During the fight they revealed themselves to be team Aurafire-”

“Aurafire?” Saturn asked incredulously. “And you managed to defeat them?”

The question caused Quinn’s shoulders to sag, he looked down as he spoke, “Unfortunately, no sir. The best we could do was escape with the package, I’m sorry.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Sirius wanted to speak up, to explain just how powerful the Aurafire Pokémon really were. He knew however, that If he spoke up now there would be a chance he’d get in the way of the report, so he kept his mouth shut, waiting for an opportunity to speak.

“Saturn, bring up the footage.” Cyrus was serious now, his mildly interested eyes now sharpened with focus. Admin Saturn was quick to his side, tapping the desk twice, revealing a holo-keyboard that sprung with a screen. A few more moments of typing later and the screen was open for viewing both ways, the briefest second of a picture showing Saturn seated alongside his Pokémon giving way to the beginnings of footage.

“Ah.” Sirius realized, “This is Saturn’s office.”

The film itself was dark and grainy, the person recording appearing on some boat. He could hear the choppy waves, but above that he could hear the sounds of battle. Shouts and commands echoed throughout the air, accompanied by the vicious war cries of Pokémon as the dark sky was lit up with energy.

People were running. People were cut down. He watched a person get clawed in two by an Ursaring, the two halves spilling into the ocean. Another was snatched up into the air, screaming and shouting as they were tossed and clawed apart in the sky, dropping to the ground in a sickening squelch. This was a full route, one side fleeing desperately to the boats, while the ones attacking did everything they could to cut down as many as possible.

Wait…not everyone was running. Two figures strode forward amongst the fleeing folk, causing some of those who began to flee to suddenly turn, throwing themselves back into the fray. Leaders perhaps? The question was answered a second later as the camera was suddenly washed with light, a bird formed of pure fire took to the scene, and with a beat of its wings caused a massive pillar of fire to roar into existence.

Sirius flinched as the pillar rose into the sky, memories of their fateful day back on earth rushing back to him. The screams–both man and Pokémon–certainly didn’t help, though he was forced out his thoughts a second later as the video suddenly paused.

“These people.” Cyrus said, pointing to the figures lit up by the pillar of fire, “Are these the ones you saw?”

“Yes–though the uniforms are a little different.” Quinn said quickly, still staring at the massive pillar of fire. “Their robes were blue instead of white, the trimmings are the same, though.”

Sirius looked closer at the still photo. The two at the front were definitely women, wearing flowing Kimonos of white, red, and gold. The men and women beside them wore much the same, albeit simpler. There was also the way the two at the front carried themselves…that confidence could only come from those who had to show other they weren't afraid, so definitely leaders. And that Pokémon….a bird of pure fire. It couldn’t be Ho-oh, the legendary Pokémon had a more rainbow motif didn’t it? Then that would leave…

“Moltres…” Sirius whispered, dumbfounded. They had Moltres? How? Weren’t they Johto? And now they were here!? Where the hell was this in the game? What happened?

Cyrus nodded at Quinn, resuming the video. The pillar of fire continued to blaze, and it only grew. Now that the sky was lit up, Sirius and Quinn watched as Aurafire turned the battle around. Using the pillar of fire as a wall they surrounded and corralled Rocket Grunts into the center of the docks.

And then…

They burned.

Every man, woman, and Pokémon bearing the Rocket insignia was burnt to a crisp. Even from the waters their screams were loud, even causing the person recording to drop their camera to throw up overboard.

“Aurafire.” Saturn began, “Was an older crime syndicate established in Johto’s early days. They were…thought to be wiped out after Rocket pushed west to avoid Kanto authorities. We were uncertain of where they went after that.”

“Cyrus.” The Admin continued, worried, “If they’re operating under Chronos…this could be-”

“Nothing will change.” Cyrus interrupted, “You. Sirius. What Pokémon did you have when you battled Aurafire?”

“None sir,” Sirius said, blinking at the sudden addressing, “My Seedot was injured from…earlier. I fought them myself when I could.”

“Why?”

“I figured if I could take the trainer out, then I could force the Pokémon back into their balls.”

Cyrus said nothing, leaning forward on his desk as he clasped his hands in front of his chin. Sirius could almost hear the gears churning in the Galactic Boss’s head as the man formulated something in his mind.

“Where is he assigned?” He asked, turning to Saturn.

“Currently under Jupiter, sir.”

“Move him under Mars, have them on standby. What are Jupiter and the scientist doing?”

“Still working on the classified assignment sir.”

“Give them more manpower, we need to rush our schedule.”

“I can move Grunt Felis there. It would be wiser to keep the brothers separate.”

“If you say that is better, do that instead.”

“Shit.” He was hoping they’d change their minds about that. “Pran could probably talk his way out of this.” But his brother wasn't here. What could he say? What would Pran say?

“If I may.” He found himself blurting out. “I feel it would be better if the two of us were together for what you have planned.”

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, Saturn made to snap at him but the boss raised a hand, silencing him. “Speak.”

“Ah shit, I’ve done it now.” He thought, clearing his throat before giving his best Pran impression, “The two of us have spent the majority of our lives watching each other’s backs. Right now you’re faced with an enemy whose capabilities you know little about. You want a card you can play that’s capable, and reliable enough to get the job done. I can do that, but I’m not perfect. My brother covers my weaknesses, we can get anything you need done.”

“Sir, in times of crisis we can’t afford to be careless.” Saturn stressed when Cyrus began to actually consider the idea, “Their loyalties are still uncertain, we only have assurances and threats keeping them in line.”

“You still need info on the Sinnoh legends.” Sirius pointed out, “We haven’t had the time to fully talk about that yet.”

“Agent Quinn.” Cyrus said suddenly, “What is your opinion of the prospect of the two working together.”

Sirius glanced at his acquaintance, whose face remained stoic despite the situation unfolding in front of him. “They are competent.” Quinn began, not bothering to glance at him. “During the night of the robbery they worked very well together, taking Leland and I out before we could even get to our Pokémon. However they seemed keen on antagonizing Galactic, uncaring of what we represented.”

Shit. Shitshitshitshit. Sirius bit back a retort, keeping his eyes lowered to the floor.

“However.” Quinn continued, “I don’t believe I could have succeeded in escaping Aurafire were it not for him. He took out two of their fighters, giving me the time and space necessary to deal with the others. In all honesty he could have easily ran away after that, he’d done enough. But he returned to the fight, taking out the remaining Aurafire Grunts in hand to hand. If it weren’t for that sir…I don’t think I would have been able to return successfully, or even return at all.”

Quinn finished his speech, nodding at Sirius, who returned the nod with a smile. That was…that felt good. It was nice to have someone back him up for once, someone that wasn’t Pranav, obviously.

“And loyalty? That appears to be Saturn’s biggest concern.”

“Felis I am uncertain of, but I do know he follows what Sirius asks him to do. And Sirius’s only concern is ensuring Felis’s continued survival.”

“Very well." Cyrus turned to his admin, "Saturn, I am reconsidering. Have them both moved under Jupiter.”

“I…yes sir.” Saturn sighed, rubbing his eyes.

“Don’t fret, my friend.” Cyrus said with a ghost of a smile, “I’ll be there as well to handle any problems.”

“That’s exactly why I worry.” Saturn took a deep breath, releasing it and letting his professionalism take control once more. “Mars is already here. She’ll want to talk to you before you leave.”

“Of course.” Cyrus chuckled, “The two of you are dismissed, you’ll receive assignment details soon enough, and you’ll be well compensated for your work.”

“Yes sir.” Sirius and Quinn echoed, stepping out of the office. Once they were finally back in the halls Sirius let out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding.

“Hey. Thanks.” He said, as the two walked side by side.

“I only spoke the truth.” Quinn replied.

“That truth let me stay with my brother, so thanks. Next time you're free let’s get a drink.”

“That…that would be nice.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I need to talk to Leland.” Quinn glanced at Sirius, “There’s something important I need to talk to him about. You?”

“Get some training in with Valor. There’s a big fight coming and I don’t want to be underprepared.”

“Do that, it will be good for you. We’ll talk soon, Sirius.”

“Yeah, later.”

Quinn split off, going down a left hall as Sirius plucked the lone Pokeball off his belt.

“Alright buddy, you and me. Let’s get you strong, yea?”

The ball shook in excitement.