Chapter 11 - The Hit

"How the fuck do have a legendary Pokémon inside a mere Ultra Ball? That's downright impossible," Elduran exclaimed to Jabari.

"They're in there by choice," Jabari replied.

"It's incredible that even willingly, a Pokéball can contain a legendary Pokémon," Aisha marveled.

"Well, a regular Pokéball or even a Great Ball couldn't manage it, but we found that the Ultra Ball could. Still, if they wanted to break free, they could. This is the third Ultra Ball. They seem to be improving, and I think they're starting to appreciate the environment the ball creates for them," Jabari explained.

"Which Pokémon do you have in there?" Elduran inquired calmly.

"Not here," Anaya interjected. She began to walk further away from the town towards the river and a half-standing stone bridge. "Let's continue past the river, behind those huge rocks up ahead."

The others simply nodded and began to follow her. As they crossed the bridge, Anaya turned to Elduran. "How is it that you two are chasing the Watchers with just two Pokéballs, while she has four?" she asked, gesturing at Aisha.

"I've got three—one's at the Pokémon Center. I haven't been a trainer for long; I was more of a gun-and-shoot kind of guy growing up. But don't underestimate Aisha; she's a force with just those four. I notice you only have two as well, and so does Jabari," Elduran replied.

"I only have two because I don't battle with Pokémon. My profession is being an artist," Anaya explained.

"A professor and an artist—this team's shaping up to be quite the formidable force," Elduran commented sarcastically.

"You can drop the sarcasm, Elduran. Always focus on a person's strengths rather than their weaknesses, and then plan according to the team's assets," Jabari advised.

"Wow, that sounded really wise. Unfortunately, the meaning went right over my head," Elduran quipped.

Once they were behind the massive rocks, Jabari picked up both of his Ultra Balls.

"Each of these holds a legendary Pokémon," he revealed.

"Why am I not surprised?" Elduran remarked.

"Listen up: here's a word of advice—never threaten them; instead, treat them as equals. In fact, it might be wiser to regard them as your superiors. One of them, Meltan, seems weak at the moment, but don’t be fooled; they can easily break free from their confines whenever they choose. Perhaps 'weak' applies only in the context of battle. There's something inherently elusive about these mythical beings; in their digital form, they’re nearly impossible to contain. Almost as if their strength lies in their limitless potential," Jabari asserted.

"Meltan are undeniably adorable, and although it’s rare to encounter one, they are among those mythical Pokémon you can actually encounter. Still, every trainer has been warned to never attempt to imprison any of them. When 201 Meltan fuse together, they transform into an alpha Meltan which gains the power to summon all of the other Meltan to its location to become a Melmetal. Those foolish enough to hold a Meltan against its will should prepare themselves; once a Melmetal emerges, they carry the collective memories of the Meltan from which they originated," Aisha explained.

"That's spot on. But how exactly did you come by that knowledge?" Jabari inquired.

"I enjoy reading about legendary Pokémon myself," Aisha fibbed.

"Ah, I see. A clever reply, but now how about the truth?" Jabari pressed.

Aisha glanced at Elduran, who found the situation amusing. She knew he would simply urge her to confess. "Go ahead, tell them," Elduran encouraged.

"I'm so getting fired. Anyway, I work for the Kanto Intelligence Agency. I've been sent here on a covert mission by my superior, somewhat against the agency's directives. He and I firmly believe the Watcher's main base is in Tenera, a belief most agencies across various regions dismiss," Aisha revealed.

"Wow, an agent. Now I'm beginning to think that having a professor and an artist in your group might be a little foolish. Sorry, Elduran, but maybe you're right," Anaya remarked.

"Certainly more comforting than being a journalist," Jabari commented with a smile. "That does shed light on your knowledge of Meltan and Melmetal."

"I am a former APSO from Kanto. I've spent my life training to counter these powerful Pokémon, yet this is the first I'm hearing about how a Melmetal comes into existence," Elduran confessed.

"How is it possible for an APSO member to own Pokémon?" Jabari inquired.

"I resigned, that’s how," Elduran replied.

"And you opted to become a Pokémon trainer?" Anaya interjected.

"Indeed," Elduran replied with brevity.

"No more information forthcoming, is there?" Anaya pressed.

"None," Elduran confirmed.

"Very well, no need to push, my dear. He will reveal more when he's ready. Now, regarding the second Pokémon. It’s Mew," Jabari announced.

"Fuck," was all Elduran managed to utter.

"Indeed, they possess great strength. However, it is not overwhelming. I am confident that high-ranking league trainers can manage them. They aren't really combative by nature. The main concern is their ability to annihilate us all with a single psychic strike, but such is the case for any powerful Pokémon out there," remarked Jabari.

"They are assessed as a level 6 threat. Legendary Pokémon begin to appear at level 5 on the threat scale. At least, that's how APSO would categorize them," Elduran added.

"I'm not entirely knowledgeable about that, but remember this: always show respect and acknowledge their superiority. For now, I'll release only Mew. I'd prefer to share the tale of how Mew, Meltan, and I came to travel together and pursue the Watchers, with them outside their Pokéballs. Are you prepared?" Jabari inquired.

"Sure, just go ahead. I only wish I had my dang bow with some dark-infused arrows right now," Elduran remarked cautiously.

"Let them loose already," Aisha urged, her voice brimming with excitement.

Jabari lifted an Ultra Ball and pressed the button, releasing a red beam that materialized into Mew.

Mew hovered slightly above the ground, scanning the surroundings with keen interest, especially at the unfamiliar faces of Elduran and Aisha. Then, they unleashed a potent psychic blast, leaving only Elduran standing, while the other three lay sprawled on the ground. "Mew, they're not enemies; they're here to assist us. They're also targeting the Watchers," Jabari explained, dusting himself off as he rose. Mew appeared to be communicating telepathically with Jabari—much like Hatenna does with Aisha, Elduran mused. Despite Jabari's assurances, Mew's demeanor remained visibly perturbed. Undeterred, Elduran approached Mew, who regarded him with curious eyes. With audacity, he positioned himself directly in front of Mew, a mere breath away. "Elduran, are you insane? Do you want to die?" Jabari exclaimed. Elduran ignored Jabari, locking eyes with Mew. "Listen here, you piece of shit. You can pretend to be a deity among us, but frankly, I don't give a shit. I know you could unleash your psychic powers on me right now, and my final vision in this world would be of you—a grim way to leave. But, honestly, I don't care. I've faced Legendary Pokémon far mightier than you: Kyogre, Ho-Oh, Darkrai, and several others, but most notably, your counterpart, Mewtwo, and I’ve lived to tell the tale. So your grand entrance here, pretending to be some hot shit, doesn't impress me in the least. I need the Watchers eliminated, and it appears we share that objective. So cooperate, act like a responsible ally, and let’s get down to business," Elduran declared.

Mew fixated on Elduran, then gradually relaxed, beginning to circle him with a curious air, as if analyzing him. The creature seemed genuinely happier.

"What just happened?" Aisha inquired.

"Hell if I know," Anaya responded.

"I've never seen them happier," Jabari observed. "Mew actually likes him."

"I was aiming for the opposite effect," Elduran confessed.

"All right, here goes the next one," Jabari said, releasing Meltan. Upon seeing Elduran and Aisha, Meltan immediately dashed to Jabari's leg and clung tightly.

"It's okay, little one," Jabari said, lifting Meltan gently. "These are friends; they'll help us find your siblings or... other you. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure how that works."

"Help you find them?" Aisha questioned.

Anaya grinned, approaching Jabari and Meltan. Pointing to Meltan, she remarked, "Amusingly, the Watchers' attempt to gather Meltan is how we'll locate them. The challenge is this Meltan needs to reach 201 fused Meltan before theirs do."

"So this Meltan can detect where the others are?" Aisha asked.

"Not exactly, but once they're nearby, yes, they can," Jabari clarified.

"And how do you know they're not in another region?" Aisha pressed further.

"That much Meltan can sense. This Meltan, with the help of Mew, had 169 Meltans fused," Jabari said, gesturing to the little Pokémon in his lap. "The last Melmetal rusted and fell apart in Tenera, so most of the Meltan should be here. As Aisha probably knows, the rusted pieces it leaves behind, in its last years of life before completely rusting out and dying, eventually—after hundreds of years—are reborn as Meltan. And thus, the cycle continues," Jabari explained.

"Why does Mew want to help Meltan?" Aisha inquired.

"Simply because they wish to assist a fellow Pokémon. Yet, their goal extends to aiding all Pokémon who have endured mind control. For decades, Mew has been relentless in their pursuit of this understanding. They live in fear that if these formidable Pokémon decide they've had enough, they might annihilate humanity to ensure such enslavement never recurs. Imagine if they unite, unleashing their wrath upon everything in their path," Jabari said.

"That's what my agency fears the most, too," Aisha admitted.

"I’ve had enough of explanations. Okay, we’re all here to go after these bastards. We need a plan to extract some info from them, assuming they are even Watchers. As far as I understand it, if they never see us, we might get some location. Also, we need to figure out what they seek in those books," Elduran stated.

"He's right, but we need to determine where they reside first," Anaya added.

"Yeah, I got that. Since Mew can go invisible, let them fly into the room with them and stay hidden until we learn more. What do you think, Mew?" Elduran asked, looking at Mew.

"Meeeeew," Mew responded, sending emotions and images to Elduran’s mind, agreeing with him.

"Try not to hurt anyone, Mew, for one, we’re not sure they’re Watchers, and killing them without thought might bring the police after us," Jabari cautioned Mew.

"This looks like it will be a multi-day operation. I doubt they discuss their bases daily, and that assumes they even know where their bases are. Who knows, they might just be lowly grunts," Aisha speculated.

"Aisha is right. Jabari, go with Elduran and direct Mew where they live, so they can start surveillance right away. Also, we can’t keep going to the Library; we need to appear here for other reasons. Well, except for you, my love, they already know you’re here for reading," Anaya said.

"Well, Aisha and I are doing the gym challenge. I almost forgot about it. Training and battling the gym leader are good enough reasons for us to be here and gives us an excuse for staying a few days in Dirthrow," Elduran said.

"Perfect. I’ll start painting, selling art in the plaza in front of the Library and Gym," Anaya declared.

"By the way, we’re staying on the west side of town at a small hotel, cheaper even than the Pokémon Center," Jabari noted.

"We’re staying at the Pokémon Center. Elduran is a first-year trainer after all. Free room for him," Aisha smiled.

"Alright, let’s all exchange addresses and phone numbers. Then you, me, and Mew, let’s head to where these punks are staying," Jabari suggested.

Mew began flying fast, darting through the air, bombarding the surroundings with psychic blasts, looking both overly excited and threatening at the same time.

After exchanging phone numbers and addresses, they parted ways. Aisha decided to arrange a date for the gym challenge, while Anaya returned to her room to gather supplies for a painting she intended to create in the plaza in front of the Gym and Library. The artwork would beautifully capture the two buildings standing side by side. Elduran and Jabari headed to the hotel, with Mew reluctantly agreeing to return to their Poké Ball, just in case they lost control and someone saw them.

As Elduran and Jabari approached the hotel, there was an intriguing detail in the professor's peculiar tale that had gone unspoken. Elduran pondered whether this omission was intentional or simply overlooked; regardless, he knew inquiry was the sole path to enlightenment.

"So, Professor, how did you and Mew end up on that whimsical venture together?" Elduran inquired.

"Ah, you're right, I failed to mention that," Jabari acknowledged.

"Aisha believes they sought your assistance, but I find that hard to accept," Elduran remarked skeptically.

"You are mistaken in that respect," Jabari responded. "I comprehend your viewpoint—being involved with APSO, dedicating your existence to battling Legendary Pokémon, which breeds only hostility. Nonetheless, they truly sought our assistance, just as Aisha correctly foresaw."

Elduran regarded him with skepticism and asked, "So, why you? Why were you the one they chose?"

Jabari grinned and fixed his gaze firmly on Elduran's eyes. "Quite simply," he replied, "it was a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was deep in thought in Vlastisi Forest near Dasos City, musing aloud about my aspirations to protect legendary Pokémon and learn to communicate with them to become a professor specializing in their lore. It seems Mew overheard me. They approached, clearly misinterpreting my intentions. Though I never spoke of confronting the Watchers, now that I understand, even if Mew had vanished, I would still feel compelled to bring them down. , the grief they endure is immense. They suffer profoundly because of the Watchers' actions towards other Pokémon. Their agony has persisted for years."

"Talk about bad luck. Why in the world were you having a monologue in the middle of the forest?" Elduran inquired.

"Oh, that? I was examining some fascinating ruins—I believe they might be connected to Celebi," Jabari replied.

"You're hopeless, truly," Elduran remarked.

"That I am, my friend," Jabari chuckled.

"I noticed you only have two Pokéballs, so it's just Mew and Meltan? No Pokémon of your own?" Elduran asked.

"Nope. I find Pokémon battling somewhat cruel and keeping them in Pokéballs doesn't sit right with me, although I know some Pokémon enjoy it. I bear no grudge against those who choose differently, as long as the Pokémon willingly follow the trainer," Jabari explained.

"As a professor, you'd be the only one without Pokémon partners," Elduran observed.

"I'm friends with many Pokémon. I live on the outskirts of Vrachos City; they come and go as they please, and I always welcome them into my home, assuming they fit. I enjoy living in harmony with them," Jabari said.

"And how do you manage for protection?" Elduran questioned.

"Well, I've got Mew, which I believe offers quite a solid layer of protection," Jabari remarked with a grin. "Before that, I had a handgun, though I’m a dreadful shot. It’s now safely locked away, rendered useless since Mew and Meltan came into the picture; the trigger won’t even budge. It's amusing, really, how effectively they've integrated this technology. But I do agree; it certainly keeps personal power in check," Jabari continued.

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"Tell me about it," Elduran mused.

"You've been with APSO for over a decade. Last I recall, you mentioned Ho-oh—the latest Legendary Pokémon attack. That one hit Saffron, right?" Jabari inquired.

"I spent 15 years in APSO, joined as soon as I could at 16. You're right, Ho-oh was the most recent attack," Elduran replied.

"So, you'd be 31 now. Life gives me a five-year lead, I'm sure my hair will start turning white soon as I near 40," Jabari laughed. "What made you change careers after the Ho-oh attack?" he pressed.

"Honestly, I'd had my fill of being jerked around by these powerful Pokémon, always reacting to attacks instead of addressing the root of the problem. Plus, Aisha pointed out that I harbored a secret longing to be a Pokémon trainer—it was just well-buried. But still, Pokémon trainers surpass firearms in strength. It'll take time, but I must keep growing stronger," Elduran explained.

"I see. It all depends on how skilled you are in each field. I'm pretty sure you'd beat me with firearms if I faced you with a Pokémon," Jabari chuckled.

"Perhaps, who can say? Anyway, this is the spot. The dark-skinned, bald fellow is lodging in that room over there," Elduran remarked, gesturing toward a corner room on the third floor of the hotel.

"Alright, maybe Mew can turn invisible and slip through the bathroom vent. It seems big enough for them," Jabari suggested.

"True, but they’ll need to break open the vent grilles. As a psychic, I’m sure they can manage that quietly," Elduran replied.

Jabari ensured no one was watching before he released Mew. Upon emerging, Mew was promptly instructed to become invisible, which they did willingly. Jabari then continued, "Mew, look up at that vent on the third floor. We suspect the leader, a dark-skinned bald man, is there. Break through those vent grilles and slip inside—just keep it quiet," he directed.

Elduran approached the spot where Mew had been set free. Though they were hidden from view, he presumed they remained there. He was prepared to deliver his own speech, so he began, "Listen, this will require time. You can't stay inside indefinitely, but avoid harming anyone. We need locations, any piece of information really. You will have to take breaks; the downside of this approach is that we'll never obtain concrete proof. I wish we could establish some surveillance in there," Elduran remarked.

A subtle push from behind nearly sent him off balance, though Elduran managed to steady himself. The culprit was evidently a prankster, he mused. Clearly, Mew wasn’t where it had been released. Suddenly, a flood of emotions and images filled his mind—Mew was communicating with him. At that moment, Elduran recognized an intelligence comparable to that of humans. Mew comprehended everything with remarkable clarity. Moreover, it conveyed that each night, when the man retired to bed, they would return to Jabari to share any newfound information and rest, as their invisibility failed during slumber.

“That’s acceptable,” Elduran reassured them. “Jabari, they'll return to you every night,” he informed him.

“Yes, I understand. Mew was conversing with me simultaneously. With practice, you’ll discern with whom else they communicate as they speak to you. I’m unaware of any other Psychic Pokémon capable of such a feat, perhaps only the legendary ones can do that,” Jabari replied.

Elduran watched as the grilles of the vent shattered silently, then descended gracefully to the floor. Jabari picked them up swiftly. Mew was inside. It was time to make their move.

“Now that that’s taken care of, I’m finally heading over to grab some coffee from across the street. Care to join me?” Elduran inquired.

“I’ll accompany you, but I must confess, I cannot abide coffee; I’m strictly a tea drinker, my treat though” Jabari replied.

“Alright then, thanks” Elduran said.

After stepping inside and ordering a coffee for Elduran, Jabari took the cup and settled at one of the tables. They both sat down. Elduran sipped his coffee, and Jabari then began to speak.

"You know, Anaya's younger sister has remarkable skills with computers. She spent a few months in jail for hacking—perhaps you could say too remarkable. I'm sure she would come if Anaya asked; she has a soft spot for her. No matter how unruly she was, Anaya always stood by her, blaming their parents for the way she turned out. Even I don’t know all the details, but it’s clear the girls didn’t have the most loving father and mother," Jabari said.

"You mean to set up surveillance? That’s not a bad idea, Jabari. Where is she now?" Elduran inquired.

"She’s in Krion Village. That's where Anaya is from," Jabari replied.

Elduran pulled out his map to locate Krion. "Damn, it's on the other side of the region," he remarked.

"That’s not a huge deal; you forget how fast the monorail trains are. It’s a maximum travel time of a day, though she might need some extra time to prepare everything she'll need to bring here. I’ll talk with Anaya tonight and gauge how she feels about it," Jabari said.

"Alright, having someone skilled with computers would be a significant advantage. I still need to find someone with capital. This operation we’re undertaking, frankly, it requires money. At some point, we’ll run out," Elduran stated.

"That would certainly help. Since Mew and Meltan have basically taken over my life, I've been working at a pharmaceutical company in Vrachos, making healing potions for Pokémon—the same potions you find in Pokémarts for trainers. So, I don’t have huge savings either. Anaya is supporting us—she paints and sells her artwork as we go; she truly is something else," Jabari shared.

"Yes, she seems quite capable," Elduran agreed.

"Oh, she definitely is! I’m so lucky to have her," Jabari said.

"Alright, I need to retrieve my other Pokémon from the Pokémon Center and then get some training in. I also have to challenge the gym," Elduran declared.

"Okay, you handle that. I’ll head to the library and see if those goons returned the books," Jabari replied.

Elduran finished the last of his coffee, then both got up, exited the coffee shop, and went their separate ways.

***

Aisha stepped into the grand edifice of the Gym, a massive round building crafted entirely from stone. In contrast to the rest of the town, this structure appeared far more modern, nearly matching the library in height. It boasted hundreds of windows encircling its three floors. Behind a sizable front desk sat a man, who looked up and offered her a warm smile. The wall behind him gleamed with pure tungsten—a familiar sight to Aisha, as most gyms featured such walls to safeguard against Pokémon attacks. She reckoned the arena lay just beyond that formidable barrier of metal.

"Hello, are you here to observe or participate?" the man inquired.

He was a slender figure, his thick, prominent glasses being his most striking feature.

"Participate," Aisha replied.

"Alright, may I see your trainer ID, please?" he requested.

Aisha handed over her card, which he promptly scanned on the reader.

"You currently have zero badges, so it will be a two-on-two battle with one switch permitted. The gym leader, Stephanie Crock, specializes in dark-type Pokémon," he explained while typing away on his keyboard. He turned back to Aisha. "She has an opening five days from now, for the night match," he informed her.

"Night match?" Aisha queried.

"Indeed. She conducts two matches daily, one at noon and another at night. If you can afford to wait a little longer, the next available noon match is in twelve days," he replied.

"What difference does it make? Isn't it just an arena surrounded by metal?" Aisha asked.

"Oh no, miss, Ms. Crock's arena is akin to the league's finals arena. It is open above; there is no metal ceiling, just a faint green laser roof, barely detectable. It turns red if a Pokémon touches it, leading to disqualification. The standards match those of the finals arena; attacks dissipate upon contact with the laser roof. From the third floor, you can view the match directly, without needing to rely on cameras. Unlike most gyms you might know, you're not within the arena itself. Gym trainers and the gym leader issue commands from two small alcoves on the third floor. The laser roof lies just beneath your feet," the man explained.

Aisha found this impressive. This laser technology was exceptionally costly and typically reserved for championship finals, allowing spectators to watch without the aid of cameras.

"So, this structure is basically a ring. I assume, since she specializes in Dark types, her Pokémon thrive in darkness. Hence, trainers prefer the noon slot. With no roof, Pokémon benefiting from sunlight need to battle during the day," Aisha noted.

"Absolutely correct. Additionally, Ms. Crock prefers the gym to operate without any lighting, day or night. The night slot, particularly when the moon is crescent, is so dark that even trainers struggle to see the action. There are only some faint purple lights on the third floor where observers are, so don't expect any help from them," the man added.

Aisha realized she might have a significant advantage. She had spent the last month training both Clefairy and Togetic in using Moonblast. Clefairy had become nearly adept at it, and with another week of practice, Togetic would perfect the move too. The move's power increased under a full moon. Aisha pulled out her phone to check the next full moon, which was in eight days.

"Is the night spot available eight days from today?" Aisha inquired.

The man glanced at his computer and gave a nod.

"So, you wish to have that night reserved?" he asked.

"Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you," Aisha replied.

"Alright then, you're set to face Stephanie Crock eight nights from today. Good luck to you, challenger!" he announced.

"May I ask when Zanexanthos Freeks is challenging the leader?" Aisha questioned.

"Certainly, he's slated to compete against Ms. Crock two days from now, with the match starting at 23:00," the man informed her.

"How much is the admission for a match?" Aisha asked.

"One hundred cetis, the standard rate for all gyms in Tenera," the man answered.

"Thank you so much; you've been very helpful. I'll take my leave now," Aisha said.

"Take care, miss," the man replied.

Aisha stepped out of the gym, noting the growing dusk. She checked her phone—nearly eight o'clock. It was the ideal hour for training Moon Blast. Her gaze drifted to the library, where the unmistakable form of Faelan was slipping inside. Probably the start of his shift, she mused. Understanding his history now, his somber demeanor and lethargic gait all pieced together perfectly in her mind. It was evident that guilt gnawed at him. She didn't even have the chance to probe Elduran about him. An inkling urged her to go inside and inquire if he belonged to APSO, but she realized she could easily find out on her own. Since he was situated in Kanto, it would only take her five minutes.

She noticed the children with the Cubone from earlier that morning still perched at the entrance of the alleyway. She made her way toward them. To the left, the building bordering the alley appeared perilously decrepit. Aisha marveled that such a structure was permitted to remain in this condition—clearly abandoned and facing the plaza that housed the two most significant edifices in Dirthrow. Its location was prime, yet a sign hung before it, declaring it for sale at the mere price of twenty thousand crimson cetis. How was it possible, she mused, that no one sought to invest in such a valuable site? This spoke volumes about the dire state of the town’s economy. It seemed clear that only the northern part of Dirthrow received any attention, where the port, the train station, and the hub of the stone industry trade and export activities thrived. Aisha speculated that a hotel would be ideal in this spot, but then recalled the opposite side of the plaza. There lay another hotel—closed, yet its doors deliberately left ajar to arouse little curiosity. She could only assume that the economical lodgings situated further from the town’s center were enjoying more prosperous business.

As an idea dawned on her, she realized what this town truly lacked was a modern café. After wandering through much of the town, she noticed there were plenty of traditional coffee houses and just the Pokécafé on the town's southern edge for those seeking unusually automated brews. What the town needed was something in between. The building she had in mind was a square structure with two stories, capable of accommodating numerous tables. The offerings would be simple: coffee, tea, and snacks, all affordably priced. This venture could be a promising start to generating income. However, one significant concern lingered in her mind—they would have to place their trust entirely in Jabari and Anaya. Being citizens of Tenera, any investment they made together to purchase and renovate the property would be under their name. But, what other choice did they have?

"Hello, kids and hello Boney!" Aisha greeted.

Cubone responded with a happy growl.

"Oh, it's the kind lady," the little girl exclaimed as she ran and wrapped her arms around her.

"What are your names?" Aisha inquired.

"My name's Taylor," replied the older child with thick black hair. He pointed to the other boy with dark brown hair. "This one's Jake."

"My name is Tress," announced the young girl with curly black hair.

"How old are you all?" Aisha asked.

"I'm fifteen, Jake is thirteen, and Tress is eleven," Taylor responded.

"Wow, two years apart for all three of you—how cute. How about I give you kids ten cetis a day to inform me when four individuals enter and exit the library? These two are among them; I'll need to describe the other two," Aisha proposed, showing them a picture she had sent to Elduran earlier that day.

"We've seen those two numerous times. I'm pretty sure I know who the other two are; they've been frequenting the library for weeks. One is a guy with a bald head, and the other is a very skinny woman," Taylor said.

"Indeed, that's precisely correct," Aisha concurred, her focus shifting to a faint noise followed by a quick burst of light that lit up the western part of her surroundings. She speculated that perhaps some trainers had decided to duel in a Pokémon battle right there on the street.

"We can do that for you, it's quite simple," Taylor assured her.

"Alright, here are ten cetis," Aisha said, passing the money over as the raucous sounds continued to echo from the west. The kids around her seemed unfazed, likely accustomed to the sight of tipsy locals enjoying Pokémon battles.

Jake accepted it eagerly. "We can buy some broth and onions and make a big soup. Thank you, miss," he said.

"And I thank you. The information you'll provide will be valuable, especially in the coming days. Take care!" Aisha said.

"What is your name?" Tress asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"Oh, of course! My name is Aisha, little one," Aisha replied with a warm smile.

Tress wrapped her arms around Aisha once more. "Thank you, Aisha. You are truly kind to us," she said, her heart full of gratitude.

Aisha bent down to return the embrace before rising to start heading toward the southern edge of town. It was training time; she needed to sharpen her skills. Her moon blasts had to be perfect. But a text message halted her progress, prompting her to dash towards the west side of town.

***

Jabari walked past the library, glancing around the plaza but finding no sign of Anaya. She must still be in her room, preparing for that night painting of the plaza she had planned. The darkness enveloped the area, and he considered the possibility that she was busy making a meal for them. As much as he knew her culinary skills left something to be desired, he still appreciated those efforts. He was undoubtedly the better cook. Jabari intended to ask her about reaching out to her sister before he lost himself in the library for several hours. He needed to unravel the motives behind these men’s extensive reading on those legendary Pokémon.

His thoughts also lingered on Elduran—his insight into their need for capital weighed heavily on him. He had someone in mind but felt hesitant about involving her. Anaya's sister, Ashanti, had a wealthy acquaintance from her youth: the infamous Zendaya Mbeki. Always the supportive friend, Zendaya stood by Ashanti in every scheme she crafted, a steadfast ally in her quest to improve the world. While Ashanti was not a bad person, her perception of corruption was pervasive, leading her to break the law in her attempts to expose corrupt politicians and league members. Perhaps she was disillusioned, but her convictions certainly had merit.

Jabari understood that Ashanti would leap at the chance to assist if Anaya revealed their intentions to expose the watchers. However, that would mean convincing Anaya to dissuade her sister from getting entangled with the watchers should she uncover even the slightest evidence, which could place her in danger. Yet, he knew Anaya longed for something that would keep Ashanti occupied—something to prevent another reckless hack into politician’s computers that might land her behind bars once more.

On the contrary, Zendaya had endured her own tragedy, having lost both parents in a supposedly accidental collapse near the Agor docks. She had narrowly escaped that fate, thanks to her Braviary, which caught her in mid-air as she plummeted when the state-of-the-art crane her parents had purchased failed during a demonstration. Though labeled an accident, few truly believed it. It was fortunate for Zendaya that, unlike her parents, she possessed Pokémon of her own. Her family had garnered many enemies as the most affluent merchants and ship owners. Naive as she was, Zendaya had stepped up, hiring countless employees to manage her company while retreating into her heavily secured mansion. Before the tragedy, her life had revolved around traversing Tenera, forging bonds with Pokémon—a passion that consumed her.

There was a rift in the friendship between Zendaya and Ashanti, reasons unknown to Jabari and Anaya. Nevertheless, they kept in touch, and Ashanti still visited her from time to time in Agor, a journey easily accomplished in just a few hours by train from Krion. Zendaya made a point to visit Ashanti during her stints in prison, a clear indication that their bond remained strong. Jabari believed that through her friendship with Zendaya, Ashanti could provide them with both the expertise in computers they desperately needed and the capital to help carry out their plans.

A hooded figure, accompanied by a Hitmonlee and a Hitmonchan, blocked his path. The narrow walkway was rendered impassable as they stood shoulder to shoulder, forming an unyielding barrier. Jabari waited quietly, expecting the man to command his Pokémon to step aside. However, a chilling truth crept over him—this man had no intention of letting him pass. He was an assassin. Stealing a glance over his shoulder, Jabari observed a Manectric and Nosepass effectively sealing off his retreat. His lone ally was Meltan. The streets lay nearly deserted despite the daylight, rendering any plea for help useless and likely to provoke an immediate assault. There was only one course of action: with all the urgency he could summon, Jabari released Meltan.

"Meltan, I need your help—apologies, my friend," Jabari uttered hurriedly.

The hooded man was taken aback upon witnessing a Meltan emerge from the Pokéball.

"Just finish him," he commanded tersely.

Meltan emitted a growl, cloaking itself with acid as the ground trembled beneath Jabari's feet. A rock erupted from the earth, razor-sharp, accelerating toward Jabari. Meltan unleashed a pale gray beam, slicing through the Stone Edge's tip as it surged toward Nosepass, striking it squarely in the chest. Nosepass collapsed instantly.

The Flash Cannon brilliantly illuminated the entire area, the sound of severed rock unmistakable, likely audible from a considerable distance. Jabari was certain now; people knew a battle brewed.

"Watch out!" Jabari called to Meltan as a wave of electricity surged toward it. But Meltan, quick to react, mirrored the attack, sending an electric wave headlong into Menectric. The Thunder Wave versus Thunder Wave collided, creating a burst of dazzling light. Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, unfortunately, flanked Jabari, ready to strike in mere seconds, leaving Jabari without an escape. Meltan could scarcely manage the remaining three foes while safeguarding him.

Meltan darted toward Hitmonlee, ramming it while simultaneously electrocuting Hitmonchan, halting one from kicking and the other from landing a punch on Jabari. Meanwhile, Menectric charged, electricity coursing through its body toward Jabari. Yet again, Meltan performed the implausible, hurling its hexagonal nut, a part of its own head, at Menectric. The projectile struck Menectric squarely in the face, causing it to stagger into the nearby wall.

Hitmonlee unleashed a mighty kick, propelling Meltan against the wall opposite where Manectric had landed. Despite the force, Meltan did not faint, as its Acid Armor had significantly bolstered its defenses. Hitmonchan advanced to strike Jabari, but its punch halted mid-air, grappling with an invisible force. Suddenly, with overpowering might, its fist recoiled, slamming back into its own face. At the same time, Hitmonlee was flung toward the cloaked man with such vigor that Jabari heard the unsettling crack of bones. Manectric, poised to sink its Thunder Fang into Jabari, encountered Mew, who interceded by unleashing Ancient Power. Stones rained down, battering Manectric until it collapsed to the ground.

Mew then approached Meltan, channeling psychic energy into their feet and floating their hexagonal nut back into place. The two began to interact as Jabari crumpled to the ground, his legs giving way under the weight of the suspense and adrenaline. How many times had he nearly met his end today, he pondered. Mew turned its gaze toward the hooded trainer, eyes brimming with a malice Jabari had never witnessed before. The man was slumped against the wall, helpless in his seated position, unable to move his feet; either his spine lay shattered or his legs were utterly broken. Hitmonlee rose to safeguard its trainer, yet Mew employed Psychic, sending them crashing against the wall. In that tense moment, all Jabari could think was that these walls, whether dilapidated or not, showed no compassion.

Mew then fixed their focus on the man, whose struggle was palpable. Though he remained motionless, he glared at Mew, barely managing to breathe as his neck strained and his hands clenched into fists. It lasted only three seconds before Jabari heard the sickening crack— the man’s head now twisted grotesquely to face the opposite direction of his chest. Mew then shattered all four of his Poké Balls into fragments. While they inflicted no further harm on the man’s Pokémon, it was clear that the four were receiving a stern admonishment; even Nosepass, likely roused from slumber by Mew’s intervention, bowed its head and fled into the night.

Meltan darted toward Jabari, leaping onto his neck and wrapping around him with a joyful squeal. Jabari raised his hand and embraced Meltan tightly, filled with gratitude for the little one. They had saved his life that night; without them, he would surely be dead. Today, he realized that Meltan was a force to be reckoned with. The fact that they had taken one opponent down and delayed the other three for as long as they did was nothing short of remarkable.

"Thank you, little one. You did wonderfully tonight," Jabari said, squeezing Meltan a bit tighter in a show of appreciation. "Now I need to find some quality metal for you to munch on as a reward," he chuckled.

Mew floated before him, radiating joy and relief.

"You overheard them hiring a killer, didn't you?" Jabari asked.

The telepathic bond confirmed his suspicions. The bald man, Dan, had indeed ordered a hit on him.

"Please tell me you didn’t kill him," Jabari pleaded.

Mew communicated that they had not. A wave of relief washed over Jabari.

"Good. We still need to uncover their base of operations," he said, glancing at the body sprawled on the ground. "Now we must figure out how to explain this situation," he added, sending Aisha an SOS text along with his location. Remarkably, she arrived just a minute later, before the police could show up.