Chapter 15 – The Offer

Jabari awoke to a quiet house. Anaya lay next to him, still in the embrace of slumber, and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before rising and dressing. The door to Aisha's room remained firmly shut; he suspected it would stay that way for a good while, given that she and Faelan stayed up late last night. The children's room, across from Aisha's, was also closed. He felt the need for a cup of tea. Of course, Elduran's door stood wide open. By now, Elduran was likely deep into his training routine, which always began at five in the morning. Jabari glanced at his watch—it was seven. He contemplated a visit to the library to wait for everyone to awaken, but decided against it, just in case they were up sooner than he expected.

Elduran had instructed everyone to gather at his usual training grounds upon waking; he had important news to share. Though his tone was calm, Jabari sensed a weight behind his words. Yet, he knew that even if Elduran were delivering news of his own imminent demise, he would likely do so with the same nonchalance as ordering a coffee.

Descending the stairs, Jabari was struck by the transformation that had taken place. It was the first time he'd seen the ground floor in daylight with all the additional windows installed. The difference was stark—flooded with light, the space felt vast and open, with only four posts remaining where walls used to stand. The day’s task for the construction crew was to work on the wall around the kitchen and the stairs. Despite Faelan's insistence that he had done nothing, his choice of construction crew seemed pivotal; their efficiency was remarkable. Jabari hoped their efforts would pay off, not only for their operation but also as a financial venture. From tomorrow, he, Anaya, and Ashanti would co-own the building with Faelan. Anaya’s sister had agreed to the plan without hesitation, assuring them she had the funds—a claim she made so swiftly that her confidence felt unshakable. When pressed about the source of her money, she simply told them not to worry. Jabari wished she would spin a tale, something plausible enough to ease Anaya's concerns.

A few minutes later, with tea in hand, Taylor, the oldest of the three children, came downstairs with Cubone.

"Good morning, Taylor, and good morning to you too, Boney!" Jabari greeted.

"Good morning, Mr. Jabari," Taylor replied.

"Cuuu," Cubone added, yawning.

"Taylor, do me a favor and drop the 'mister.' I feel old enough already. Just call me Jabari, will you?" Jabari suggested.

"Alright, no problem. I was just trying to be polite," Taylor explained.

"I know, and all I’m trying to do is hide my age… from myself," Jabari chuckled, and Taylor joined in. Cubone joined too, but Jabari doubted the little creature understood why.

"Try not to hide your age too much, or I just might leave you," Anaya remarked as she descended the stairs. "I’m kind of attracted to older folks," she teased.

"Oh, you’ll get plenty of that, my dear. There’s hot water in the pot. Feel free to make yourself some tea," Jabari said with a smile.

"Hey Taylor, make sure you, Jake, and Tress guard the place this morning. We have a meeting to attend, alright?" Anaya instructed while she dropped a tea bag into a cup of steaming water.

"Yes, Ma’am," Taylor responded.

"What, you’re not going to stop him from calling you Ma’am?" Jabari asked.

"Unlike you, I embrace my age. Plus, it’s good for them to get used to 'Ma’am,' 'sir,' 'mister.' If they’re going to work here, we need polite workers. Don’t you agree, Taylor?" Anaya inquired.

"Yes, Ma’am," Taylor confirmed.

"Are you brainwashing the kids, honey?" Jabari asked, smiling.

"The problem with you is that you're too polite," Anaya teased him with a grin.

Footsteps sounded again on the stairs as Aisha and Faelan came down.

"Either you two were too excited to sleep, or I don’t know what’s wrong with you—waking up so early? First nights mean late wake-ups," Anaya noted.

"First nights? What do you mean?" Taylor asked, curious.

"Aren’t you fifteen?" Anaya asked.

Taylor looked as if he was thinking hard, glanced at Aisha and Faelan, and then back to Anaya.

"Oh, now I get it. They fucked," Taylor concluded.

"Taylor, don’t you dare use that word again," Aisha admonished him with a stern look, though Faelan didn’t seem to mind.

Anaya couldn’t suppress her laughter, while Jabari approached her.

"My love, I think you should be stricter with these kids, or they might pick up bad habits," Jabari suggested quietly enough so only she could hear.

Anaya looked into his eyes, her expression softened, and her smile faded. It was clear she knew he was right.

"Taylor! Don’t use that word again… in that way," Anaya instructed.

"But you were just laughing," Taylor protested.

"Just because I found it amusing doesn’t mean you weren’t wrong," Anaya replied, giving him a stern look.

"Alright, my bad. I’m sorry, Aisha, for speaking out of turn," Taylor apologized.

"I forgive you," Aisha said.

Taylor glanced at Aisha, who stood still on the last step of the staircase, and at Faelan, who was making coffee by the stove. "So, you two are a couple?" he asked.

"Yes, we are," Aisha confirmed.

Taylor seemed a bit downcast as he gestured to Cubone, and they both headed upstairs, trying to conceal his disappointment. Jabari knew that Aisha noticed and sighed, shaking her head.

"Well, this just got more complicated. Can you really blame the lad? You took them out of the street, provided food, shelter, and a future. He’s fifteen—it’s natural for him to have a crush on you. But trust me, he’ll get over it. Kids move on from their early crushes quickly," Jabari assured her.

"Taylor likes Aisha? Faelan, seems you have some competition," Anaya said, smiling.

"Why is it a competition? If Aisha prefers Taylor, she’s free to choose. She’s not my prisoner," Faelan responded.

"Oh boy, I’m doomed. Faelan, Taylor is a kid and… you know what, forget it. I’m already breaking my promise. Damn," Aisha said as she approached Faelan and quickly kissed him.

"I must admit, I’m having a hard time understanding any of this," Anaya commented.

Jabari took her by the arm and nudged her towards the front door. "Leave them be, my love. Their relationship will have its own unique commitments that might not look normal to those accustomed to traditional relationships," Jabari explained.

"You call that only...unique?" Anaya questioned.

"Yes, I do. Let’s walk ahead. Let them have breakfast in peace. Let's head to the meeting. Guys, see you soon—we’re off to Elduran," Jabari announced.

"Alright, we’ll meet you there shortly," Aisha replied.

A few minutes later, Jabari and Anaya arrived at the spot where Elduran was engaged in training with Vivillon, Heracross, and Cyndaquil. All four were drenched in sweat. Jabari observed Heracross expertly executing a flawless Swords Dance. It seemed Elduran was prepared to confront fire with fire. Meanwhile, Vivillon was training alongside Cyndaquil, employing a Bug Buzz—a formidable sound-based move initiated by the powerful flapping of wings. This attack traveled in a cylindrical pattern towards its target, with the strength of the Pokémon dictating the move's diameter. Jabari estimated it at roughly a foot, perhaps slightly more; there was still potential for growth. Cyndaquil was deftly dodging the attack while enveloped in flames. The last time Jabari inquired about Cyndaquil's progress, he had mentioned learning rollout, with flame charge as his next milestone. To Jabari's eyes, it appeared perfected. Unsurprisingly, Cyndaquil, still being a young Pokémon, showed swift learning; his time would eventually come when mastering new moves would take months. Nonetheless, Jabari doubted Vivillon could ever land a hit on him. Cyndaquil was virtually a red blur, gaining speed with each flame charge utilized. Were it not for the flames, he might have been nearly invisible to the naked eye by now.

Elduran was taking a water break, so Jabari found the opportunity to get closer to him.

"Good morning—or is it afternoon for you?" Jabari asked.

"Feels like afternoon," Elduran replied.

"Could you put your shirt back on, soldier boy? We wouldn't want my dear fiancée feeling threatened, thinking I might run off with you," Anaya quipped.

"It's quite obvious your fiancée is the best among us. If you run away with me, it would only prove he didn't choose the best woman to be his wife. We'd be doing him a favor, saving him from a future with wedding bands," Elduran retorted.

"There are moments when I believe there might actually be wisdom in that head of yours," Jabari chuckled.

"You're calling him wise? Ha! Just wait until you hear what he has to say today," Anaya teased.

"You already know what he'll say?" Jabari asked.

"You didn't tell him?" Elduran inquired.

"You told me not to tell him," Anaya responded.

"I told you not to mention anything to Aisha or Faelan—so Aisha wouldn't be distracted during her gym battle, and Faelan, because I figured he'd spill the beans to her anyway," Elduran remarked.

"I assumed you meant everyone, so why didn't you specify if I should tell Jabari to make sure he doesn't blab to Aisha?" Anaya questioned.

"Because your future husband is clever enough to keep it from Aisha without being told, unlike you," Elduran replied.

"It's fine. Anaya, I understand you didn't say anything because you thought Elduran instructed you not to. It's alright," Jabari assured.

"Here they come. Faelan looks exactly the same, but Aisha—she seems livelier. Too bad that won't last once she hears what I have to say," Elduran commented.

"Now I'm starting to feel anxious," Jabari admitted.

"Nothing to worry about, it's all good news—mostly," Elduran said.

"Yeah, mostly," Anaya echoed with a sigh.

Aisha and Faelan joined the group, greeting everyone.

"Are we really doing this under this blazing sun? Not all of us can strip off our shirts like you," Aisha said.

"Why can't you? Who's stopping you?" Elduran teased.

"I need to stop falling for his stupid tricks," Aisha muttered.

"So, word is Elduran and Faelan have something to share with us," Anaya announced.

"Well, I already told Aisha last night," Faelan began, "I was out for a walk-in town late yesterday morning when I passed by the hotel where those thugs are staying. I spotted Mew—or rather, Mew spotted me. He cautioned me that Dan was leaving town, so we tailed him to the train station. With Mew's help, we managed to plant a tracking device on him as he boarded the train. According to the app on my phone," he continued, displaying the screen to everyone, revealing a map with a blinking red dot, "he's currently located somewhere northeast of Dasos along route 114."

"Dammit. So, my revelation makes this more complicated—Faelan's scouting would have been much more credible if I hadn't infiltrated Audrey's home," Elduran admitted.

"Audrey? The hotel front desk clerk? Why did you break into her place?" Aisha questioned.

"To gather intel on those four thugs, obviously," Elduran replied.

"When you say 'gather intel,' surely you mean you snuck in to check documents, hidden notes, that sort of thing, right? You weren't reckless enough to be there while she was at home, especially not foolish enough to actually engage her, right?" Aisha pressed.

"Are you serious, Aisha? Of course, he talked to her—he even gave her a beating with Blue," Anaya chimed in, laughing.

"What? Please tell me she's joking," Aisha pleaded.

"She is not lying. She told me that Dave was planning to meet the mayor of Dirthrow somewhere along Route 114, nearer to Dasos than to Dirthrow, to overturn the ban preventing him and Keesh from entering the library. I also found out the other two are named Jake and Sue," Elduran stated.

"That was incredibly risky, what you did, Elduran," Jabari remarked.

"Risky? Are you joking? It was sheer foolishness. He could have wound up in jail as the best-case scenario, and now he's likely being targeted, just like you were. Plus, he assaulted a woman for what reason? She might be innocent, and we already knew their names. If you’d paid attention during our meetings, you would have known them. Mew identified them on the first day of scouting," Aisha replied.

"Oh, she’s not innocent. That beautiful house on the west side of the plaza? That’s hers. Six months ago, it was a wreck, as bad as Faelan’s house. I asked around to confirm what Elduran told me. Even if she isn't a Watcher, she should realize she's overpaid for sitting behind a desk at a hotel closed for renovation. My sister also needs to find a way to place some surveillance on the mayor. We need to discover whether he merely collaborates with them or is one of them," Anaya added.

"Alright, has everyone concluded their argument? From where I stand, Elduran's actions lend greater credence to what I uncovered yesterday. Elduran, in what ways do your actions further entangle matters?" asked Faelan.

"If this is a trap, they've flawlessly executed everything she described; it's all too conveniently suspicious, leading us to believe we have two sources to rely upon," Elduran replied.

"Right, you have a point," Faelan conceded.

"We shouldn't pursue this lead," Elduran insisted.

"Nonsense, of course, we pursue it. What if it's not a trap?" countered Anaya.

"My dear, listen to Elduran; he's experienced in these matters," Jabari suggested.

"He's experienced in combat, not strategizing deployments," Anaya retorted.

"Reluctantly, I agree with Anaya," Aisha began. "We can't ignore this lead; we must at least investigate its validity," Aisha asserted.

"Little Light Bulb, think clearly! You're being too eager and impatient. This is a trap. I have learned to trust my instincts, and they're urging caution," Elduran warned.

"Aisha, I'd recommend trusting him. His instincts have saved numerous lives during missions," Faelan added.

"I apologize, but I simply can't resist seeing if there's anything at those coordinates of yours. We don't need to rush; we can take a few days to prepare. If he was meeting the Mayor of Dirthrow, that meeting would have concluded by now anyway. We need to at least check if they have a base there," Aisha remarked.

"I'm going too. No way are we missing this opportunity," Anaya insisted.

"Anaya, what are you thinking? I know Brush and Ink can handle themselves better than you give them credit for, but we're dealing with the Watchers here. What's gotten into you?" Jabari questioned.

"I want this over with, so we can return to our normal lives. Is that too much to ask?" Anaya responded.

"No, it's not," Jabari admitted.

"Then Aisha and I, along with anyone brave enough, will go. Otherwise, it's just the two of us," Anaya declared.

"Well, if that's the case, then count me in too," Jabari decided.

"Don't be foolish, Jabari. You need to stay here in case it's a trap. Your research is actually more crucial than anything the rest of us are doing," Anaya cautioned.

"She's right," Aisha agreed.

"There's no way we're splitting up, my love," Jabari said firmly.

"You two girls are being extremely reckless right now," Elduran scolded.

"Look who's talking—recklessness personified," Aisha retorted.

"You're staying here, Jabari. I'll be back before you know it," Anaya promised.

"If you're going, then I'm going too," Faelan voiced to Aisha.

"No, you are not, Faelan," Elduran began, "At least Anaya and Aisha had the sense to suggest that Jabari remain here to continue his research, which is the most vital work any of us are engaged in. On that point, they're correct; good thing they laid it out plainly enough for the rest of us dumb fucks to grasp. Faelan, you will stay here with Jabari to ensure his protection. I will accompany them," Elduran declared.

"He is right, Faelan. We will be fine. Please stay and protect Jabari, and remember to leave your job when we depart," Aisha insisted.

"I trust your judgment, Aisha. I will do as you ask," Faelan replied.

"Anaya, if anything happens to you, I..." Jabari began, but his voice was interrupted.

"Nothing will happen to me, Jabari. I promise I will be careful," Anaya assured.

"You've never been careful, don’t give me that," Jabari retorted.

"Jabari, for the record, I find this mission utterly foolish, but I assure you, I will do my utmost to safeguard her. Faelan, that includes you; even though Aisha scarcely needs any protection, I shall endeavor to keep her highness safe," Elduran vowed.

"I appreciate that, Elduran. Anaya, why do you truly desire to go there?" Jabari inquired of his fiancée.

"Because I feel useless here. Besides, I could earn some money for the group. I crave new vistas to paint; it’s becoming monotonous here," Anaya replied.

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"You are far from useless, just by the support you provide—" Jabari began, only to be interrupted by Anaya once more.

"I don’t want to merely be support. I'm going, and that's final," Anaya asserted.

Jabari sighed, his expression softening, "Very well, my love, I apologize. I will be wishing for your safe return," he conceded.

"To be honest, I trust you in this, Elduran, more than I trust myself. If only one of us were to go, I'd prefer it to be you protecting Aisha over me," Faelan admitted.

"That's not the usual response one would expect from a man about another man guarding her girl, but coming from you, Faelan, I'll take it," Elduran replied.

Aisha gazed at Faelan in awe, but her expression soon softened and a smile graced her face. Jabari realized she finally understood the point Faelan was making—he was choosing Elduran's protection skills over his own because the woman he cared for had a better chance of returning alive if he didn't accompany her. It was a lesson Jabari needed to learn from the young man; his presence would likely complicate matters, adding an extra person for Elduran to protect, especially since Mew likely wouldn't follow. Their words were cryptic last night, but it seemed that Keesh was a better target to spy on, as she conversed more openly with Jake and Sue, unlike Dan. Jabari was already aware of much of what Faelan had to disclose today, thanks to Mew's revelations about the previous day's events, largely centered around scouting Keesh. When he had inquired about Dan, he finally discovered the truth.

"There are three conditions in all of this," Elduran began. "First, Ashanti is arriving tomorrow, and we shall assist her in setting up surveillance throughout their rooms—ideally, the mayor's as well, should she need our support. The second condition concerns our departure, set after my gym battle in three days, which means we leave four days from now. Lastly, we must adhere to the third condition: we shall walk there," Elduran stated.

"I can agree to the first two, but why walk when the train is much quicker?" Aisha inquired.

"Because if it’s a trap, they’ll expect us to arrive in Dasos City by train, allowing the ambush to be set elsewhere than the location Faelan marked on the map. But given what I’ve observed, that site is two-thirds of the way to Dasos City, so we only lose a day. We’ll leave Dirthrow in the middle of the night to avoid prying eyes," Elduran explained.

"Alright, sounds reasonable," Anaya agreed.

"You present a valid argument," Aisha conceded.

"Now, let's return to the house. I need to move my bed to the small linen closet," Elduran remarked, recalling his exhausted Pokémon, who were sprawled on the floor.

"And why is that?" Aisha queried.

"Because you two need your privacy," Elduran said. "Move in with Faelan and give Ashanti her own room."

Aisha was left speechless, unable to raise any objections. Her eyes fixed on him, filled with disbelief. Jabari could see, without a doubt, that guilt weighed on her. Throughout the meeting, she had done nothing but criticize Elduran. Yet again, he had absorbed her harsh words without retaliating. Now, he was set to accompany her, ensuring her safety on a journey he deemed unwise. On top of that, he had just offered his room to her and Faelan for their privacy. Aisha might have thought Elduran was more spirit than flesh, navigating his path intuitively, but today, Jabari was haunted by the notion that perhaps they should follow that spirit and intuition over logic, intelligence, and common sense.

***

The next morning, Jabari and Anaya stood at the train station. Jabari observed how Anaya buzzed with excitement—she truly adored her sister. The train had already come to a standstill, leaving Anaya scanning the crowd eagerly to find her. The moment she spotted Ashanti, she sprinted towards her, enveloping her in a hug, unbothered by the people she jostled along the way, unapologetic and unreserved. Despite being in her mid-thirties, Anaya occasionally behaved like a teenager, much like Ashanti did.

Jabari couldn't help but notice the changes in Ashanti over the past nine months. It was astonishing that Anaya had managed to keep away from her sister for so long. Something had changed in Ashanti besides her looks, though Jabari couldn't quite pinpoint it. Perhaps she had matured? No, that seemed unlikely, definitely not Ashanti—maybe the opposite—yet there was something different. An air of cockiness perhaps, a confidence in her stride saying, "present a problem, and I'll solve it." He was unsure whether this was a positive trait; if forced to wager, he'd bet it wasn't.

Ashanti appeared more feminine than the last time he saw her. Gone were her baggy, hole-ridden jeans; now she wore authentic skinny jeans. Instead of oversized T-shirts, she now sported a fitted pink sleeveless top that actually matched her size. What a transformation. She still favored sneakers, but these weren’t the skateboard-friendly ones she previously wore; they were sleek, almost elegant, with a high, light pink sole.

The most striking change, however, was her hair. She had dyed it dark red, straightened to perfection, and it hung just above her shoulders, complementing her red glasses. Despite Ashanti's striking transformation, Jabari couldn't help but admire Anaya's natural beauty more. Anaya, four years Ashanti's senior—making Ashanti about thirty—possessed effortless beauty. Clad in jogger pants and a plain white T-shirt, with her hair naturally fluffy and wavy, she exuded a charm that needed no embellishment. It was a curious coupling, Jabari always thought, given how he considered his own qualities the opposite of hers. However, to be fair to Ashanti, beyond her exponentially lighter skin than Anaya's, which was a deeper shade similar to his, Ashanti was probably fifteen pounds underweight. If she were at her optimal weight, she might truly rival Anaya's beauty.

After finishing her embrace with Anaya, Ashanti moved directly towards him. He enveloped her in a warm, tight hug.

"It's good to see you again. How was your journey, Ashanti?" Jabari inquired.

"It’s lovely to see you both as well. The journey seemed prolonged due to all the stops; I had to switch trains at Agor and Asven. In fact, speaking of Asven, I arrived there last night and spent the night at a hotel near the station. For how budget-friendly the rooms were, they were quite pleasant and tidy. By the way, I go by Tia now. Didn’t Anaya mention anything?" Ashanti inquired, presenting her ID with a slight flourish.

"No, she didn’t. What’s the story?" Jabari asked, intrigued.

"I decided to adopt a name that carries fond memories, one my grandmother always used: Tia. To this day, I’m not entirely sure why she called me that, but I associate it with happy times. In contrast, all I recall from my parents are scoldings and lectures. I’m done with the name they chose for me," Tia explained.

"It’s a bit strange, I’ll admit, but I didn’t realize you’d gone so far as to change your official documents. Regardless, I’ll respect your decision, sis. So, what’s with this transformation? Have you found a boyfriend?" Anaya teased with a playful smile.

"Why do I need to find a boyfriend just to change my appearance?" Tia retorted.

"You’ve got a point," Anaya admitted.

"Well, my opinion might not hold much weight, but aside from the hair, I approve of your new look," Jabari commented.

"Yeah, the hair is kind of unusual," Anaya noted as she began walking.

"I absolutely love it," Tia said, trailing after Anaya.

"If you like it, then you should keep it just as it is. That's all that matters," Jabari assured, following close behind the two.

"Thanks, Jabari. So, are we really going to be living in the abandoned building you mentioned a few days ago?" Tia asked.

"Actually, it's gradually transforming into a home, and the company certainly makes it feel cozier than it actually is," Anaya responded.

"Wow, didn’t expect to hear that from you," Jabari remarked with surprise.

"Hey, I can like people sometimes," Anaya said with a shrug.

"You, liking someone besides Jabari? I wonder where my sister’s gone," Tia joked, turning to Jabari.

"I'm pondering the same thing," he replied with a laugh, which Tia joined in.

"You two can laugh it up. Oh, by the way, you have your own room now. Aisha and Faelan started seeing each other, so Elduran left the room to give them privacy. He moved his bed to a small closet, and it barely fits," Anaya explained with a grin.

"Privacy, opposite sexes, and all that nonsense—he can move his bed into my room. I really don't mind," Tia shrugged.

"I'm not sure how I feel about that," Anaya said cautiously.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. And even if it did, I'm a grown woman. Why should it concern you?" Tia asked.

"I might not have stressed enough how... odd he is. You’ll see soon. Honestly, apart from Jabari, all of us are pretty quirky, but Elduran—he's like a different species," Anaya explained.

"It doesn't change my stance; we can share a room. How much further now?" Tia asked.

"In just under ten minutes, we’ll arrive. Be ready for Elduran to attempt to put you straight to work; just don’t let him," Anaya advised.

"Good, because I'm eager to get started. No reason to hold him back," Tia said optimistically.

"My, my, everyone seems so eager these days—ready to leap into challenges. It worries me a bit. But anyhow, tonight we're throwing a surprise party for Aisha. She turned twenty-one today. So, whatever you and Elduran end up doing, ensure you remind him about the party," Jabari instructed.

"Alright, you have my word; I'll make sure to do that," Tia promised.

Upon arriving at the house, everyone was present, even Elduran, having returned from his training, likely to discuss possible courses of action with Tia. They introduced themselves to one another and, crucially, updated Tia on the situation.

"Let me be perfectly clear," Tia began looking at Aisha, "I'm not your biggest fan. You may not be from Tenera, but you're still part of a government—the worst part, intelligence. I despise any arm of the government that conceals the truth from its citizens."

"That, Ashanti, is the nature of intelligence... I apologize, Tia. Sometimes concealing the truth is in the best interest of your people. If the civilians know everything, so do the rival regions. How old are you again?" Aisha inquired.

"Oh no, this will be an endless debate. We don't have time for this. Tia, or whatever you're fucking calling yourself today, arguing with Aisha is pointless. Whether she's right or wrong, she'll emerge victorious. That doesn’t mean she’s correct, but trust me, work with her, and let go of your disdain for what she stands for. She is a good girl when you get to know her, just a little annoying from time to time," Elduran advised Tia.

"Whatever. From what you described, putting surveillance on those goons is easy as pie. The Mayor, on the other hand, that's more complicated," Tia said, pulling her laptop from her backpack. She released a Porygon from it's Pokéball with a small smirk. "This is Pogo, everyone," she announced as she powered on her laptop.

"Aren't Porygon illegal to own in Tenera?" Elduran asked, a frown crossing his face.

"Not gonna lie, I'm wondering that too," Aisha added.

"They are indeed illegal. How do you even have one, Ashanti?" Anaya inquired.

"It's Tia, Anaya, please," Tia corrected. "I caught it with a hacked Pokéball that registers as ownerless. No trace of Porygon leads back to me."

Elduran grabbed a chair, sitting directly across from Tia, meeting her gaze. "I won't ask how you did it since I probably wouldn’t understand a thing, no matter how long you explained. My question is, how did you come across a Porygon? They're not in the wild, and apart from the agencies you despise, the only other sources are criminals. I'm clear about my stance on bad guys, just as you are about agencies," he steeled his gaze.

"Actually, I stole it...from a criminal. Or more accurately, I took it after Porygon killed him," Tia confessed.

"What the hell, Tia? What kind of jobs are you taking on lately? You think just because you took the Porygon from some lowlife, it’s acceptable?" Anaya challenged.

"I'm okay with it," Elduran said with a stretch, unfazed.

"Elduran shut up! Tia, what circles are you running in?" Anaya pressed.

"I'm working as a private investigator...for Zendaya," Tia revealed.

"You're back in contact?" Anaya seemed surprised.

"We never stopped being close, not really," Tia said, a flicker of sadness crossing her features.

"You barely spoke these past years. Even though she visited you in prison, I thought that drift was real," Anaya pondered.

"What sort of work are you doing for Zendaya?" Jabari asked, making a concerted effort to refrain from probing why she seemed to wilt at the mention of her friendship with Zendaya.

"I'm trying to find her parents' killers," Tia answered.

"That’s incredibly dangerous. What were you thinking?" Anaya exclaimed.

"And yet asking me to work against the Watchers isn't? Talk about being hypocritical," Tia countered.

"She's right, you know. There's nothing more daring than challenging the Watchers," Elduran remarked, rising to his feet. As he neared Jabari, he murmured softly, "Suggest that Anaya step outside for a moment, clear her mind. Her overprotectiveness isn't needed; her sister is an adult now."

Elduran was right, and Anaya had no grounds to speak with Tia about making perilous decisions. She and Aisha had chosen to endanger their lives in what Elduran clearly believed was a trap; moreover, they were also putting Elduran himself in jeopardy, for he would refuse to let them face the threat alone.

"My dear, step outside for a moment, gather your thoughts," Jabari suggested, gently guiding Anaya to the door. She seemed lost in thought, not even responding to him. Once outside, Jabari joined the others again.

"Why did Porygon kill its owner? And why not use his Pokéball? If it was hacked, it could’ve been useful," Aisha probed.

"Him hacking a Pokéball? Please. That fool never even had Porygon in one. It languished in an underground lair he brazenly called home," Tia reminisced. "He was assigned to address a defect in a crane my friend's parents purchased. Naturally, he never fulfilled the task; he was incentivized to neglect it. I impersonated a fellow collaborator, claiming to have a fresh opportunity for him from the same employer, which wasn't challenging to orchestrate with a few crafted fake emails, hoping he'd divulge something. He did, granting me access to his den in the sewers, so it somewhat succeeded. I infiltrated his computer using my laptop while feigning note-taking. Found nothing. He was probably rewarded generously for that solitary job, but it was all through anonymous means, and they never contacted him again. To eliminate him, my Misdreavus and Kecleon weren't required. I communicated directly with Porygon, inquiring about its trainer. It detested him. Thus, I breached its confinement and liberated it; the rest, as they say, is history."

"That's resourceful. I like your style," Elduran said approvingly.

"You're terrifying," muttered Aisha.

"I don't care what you think, Aisha. But here, show me where those goons are exactly," Tia instructed, turning her laptop around to display a map of Dirthrow.

Jabari mused that Tia needed to ease up a bit concerning Aisha. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a touch of pride at how competent his future sister-in-law appeared.

Elduran pointed out the spot on the map, describing each room's occupants.

"Alright, give me a moment... There are four computers on site: one on the first floor, three on the third," Tia analyzed.

"Dan's probably still away, so those are the computers of the three. The last one's likely Audrey’s, the desk clerk. Focus on the ones on the third floor," Aisha advised.

"Alright, if we add the mayor to our surveillance list, the fewer the better; but three should be manageable." Tia nodded at Porygon, who closed its eyes. Tia began typing furiously, Porygon aiding her in some unseen way. Jabari never really grasped hacking or the workings of a Porygon. They were like living computers, equipped with artificial intelligence.

"Are we heading there to plant something? We're wasting time," Elduran urged.

"There, done. Plant what? These guys have next to no security. As long as their laptops have any battery left, I'm recording every sound in their rooms, even if they turn off the screen. If they're active, I have access through their webcam," Tia explained.

"Damn, you're impressive. Where have you been all this time?" Elduran inquired.

"This is pretty basic stuff. With a Porygon, this is amateur hour," Tia said with a shrug.

"I should try getting a Porygon myself," Elduran mused.

"Elduran, even with a Porygon, you’d struggle to find the power button in any laptop," Aisha teased, yet Elduran only grinned.

"Now, as for the mayor, let's locate him online," Tia said.

Jabari felt somewhat sidelined, tempted to step outside like Anaya had. Yet, observing Elduran’s infectious zeal, despite his equal lack of utility in the present circumstances, reminded him of their collective mission. His responsibility to unravel the enigma of Yveltal and the other legendary Pokémon was vital. Not everyone could be of use at all times.

"It won't be as straightforward to hack the mayor from here, right?" Faelan surmised.

"I'm scanning his estate now. Let's see... too many firewalls, and they have their own Porygon. Pogo, did they detect you?" Tia asked.

Porygon emitted a digital hiss, seemingly pleased.

"Good. This will be tougher. We'll need to place something with no wireless connection at all, not even to us; otherwise, their Porygon will detect it in minutes," Tia reasoned.

"If we can't see or hear him, what's the point?" Elduran asked.

"It means we need to recover it after a few days and see what it recorded, right?" Faelan guessed.

"Is Aisha really the smart one here? Faelan, you’re absolutely right. It’s our only option. Mew’s not viable, either. The place is crawling with dark-types, and they’d easily sense Mew," Tia explained.

It was clear Aisha felt irritation brewing towards Anaya's sister. Those two needed to find common ground soon; otherwise, the team risked serious division.

"I can't see a way to infiltrate his office. The town hall has more security than the police department. If this guy isn't a Watcher, then I don't know who is," Tia remarked.

"Well... I can get in," Faelan replied.

"You can?" Aisha queried.

"Yes, even though I work as a security guard, I'm basically police by Dirthrow logistics. Remember, the library is a public building. I chose to be a security guard on purpose—tired of the killing, the pressure, the tension. They're always pestering me to step up to homicide detective, impressed more by my battle metrics than my mind solving murder cases. I can enter quite a few places civilians can't, especially the transfer department. I could pretend I need to request a transfer. But I've also got a way into the mayor's office, assuming he's there and not absent like Dan. Mayor Steven Collins himself asked me twice to visit his office. I declined both times, but he always sent letters saying I could come whenever I wanted. Always found that odd," Faelan explained.

"Good thing you've been refusing to quit your job no matter how much I nag. You just saved the day," Aisha said, hugging and kissing him passionately.

"I'm pretty sure there's a bed upstairs for such displays?" Tia asked.

"Ah, let them have their moment. No need to be a spoilsport. I still don't see how Faelan can plant the tracking device with Collins watching him. What kind of device are we talking about anyway?" Elduran chimed in.

Tia bent down to search her backpack, then straightened up with a pen in her hand. "This is it," she said.

"A pen?" Elduran asked, puzzled.

"It looks like the most common pen in Tenera. But what if Collins doesn't have these pens in his office?" Jabari inquired.

"I don't know, but if not, you can hide it somewhere—behind a picture frame, in a drawer, anywhere it won't be easily found. It works as a regular pen too, so even if he discovers it, he'll likely think an employee left it or he did himself," Tia replied.

Aisha released her hold on Faelan, appearing skeptical. "If they discard the pen, how do we find it later?" she asked.

"Simple, with this gadget," Tia said, showing a metal disc no thicker than a coin. "It vibrates stronger as you get closer to the pen, even if the pen's battery is drained."

"How does that work? Why can't Porygon trace it?" Aisha questioned.

"They can't. Do I have to explain everything? It's exhausting. Can we focus on how to plant it in Collins' office?" Tia asked, exasperated.

"Tia!" Jabari's voice boomed.

Tia turned to him, confused. "Yes?" she asked.

"Enough!" Jabari asserted, his voice firm. "You're being downright disrespectful. Regardless of Aisha's role in the government, she is a fundamentally good person. She's here in Tenera on an undercover mission, even from her own agency, and she merits your respect. You’re behaving like a petulant child. She's a full decade your junior, yet I would hardly guess it by your actions. It's time to wake up!"

Everyone in the room froze, staring at Jabari, while Elduran leaned back, grinning.

"You don't need to defend me, Jabari, but thank you," Aisha said, moving toward the door. She paused but before leaving, she turned to Faelan. "Stay and help them with the pen in Collins' office. Your government position doesn't seem to bother her, at least," she added, stepping out.

"It's her birthday for Arceus' sake. Can you stop resenting the world for a day? We're planning a surprise party for her tonight, as your sister and I reminded you. What's wrong with you?" Jabari demanded.

Elduran continued to smile, clearly intrigued by the unfolding drama.

Tia was on the verge of tears. The situation was escalating. Faelan approached her; she braced herself, expecting the worst.

"How do we activate this device?" Faelan inquired, extending his hand for the pen.

Tia, rendered speechless, demonstrated instead; she clicked the pen, retracting and extending the tip until it hummed with vibration, and then silently returned it to him. Faelan accepted it and made his way to the door. Jabari watched in awe at Faelan's remarkable self-control. That boy possessed an intelligence often overlooked.

***

"The mayor is in his office at the moment; let me inform him of your arrival," the woman behind the desk said.

She picked up the phone and spoke briefly. After merely ten seconds, she hung up and motioned Faelan to proceed to Collins' office. Faelan didn't hesitate; as the secretary opened the door, he stepped inside.

The office was sizable but far from lavish. It appeared as if the mayor had quite an obsession with plants, with numerous flowers and cacti adorning the room. A massive bookcase, brimming with books, stood close to his desk—a perfect hiding spot for the pen, Faelan speculated. The most striking feature, however, was the multitude of picture frames lining the walls, all conveying the same message: A world without Pokémon. Scenes of cities and natural vistas showed roads, settlements, and numerous humans, yet Pokémon were conspicuously absent even from the landscapes. Each painting bore a symbol—a scythe—the symbol of the Reapers society. This group regarded Pokémon as a blight on the land. Though not overtly aggressive, they were widely disliked. His involvement with them or even aligning with their ideals would be scandalous enough to prevent him from winning any election, indicating this was a secret. It also begged the question of why he would allow someone like Faelan to witness this. Then realization struck Faelan. He had lost his family to a Pokémon attack and, unlike many in Dirthrow's police force, he wielded firearms. The mayor likely presumed Faelan would resonate with the Reapers' sentiments, if not wholeheartedly, then at least in principle. The desk of the mayor, as well as the man himself, was positioned directly across from the door, in front of expansive windows that stretched across the entire rear wall. All the pens in his holder were of the luxurious kind, Faelan observed, realizing he could not leave the pen there; it would be far too conspicuous.

Steven Collins, a man with olive skin, was in his late fifties. He appeared to take care of himself; his physique suggested strength beneath his clothes. Tall, though not as tall as Faelan, with short black hair combed back, clean-shaven, and dressed in a dark gray suit. He smiled at Faelan as he rose to greet him with a handshake.

"Finally, you're here. I've been waiting for you," Steven said.

"I know, and I apologize for the delay," Faelan replied.

"Nah, it's fine. You're here now. I see you've noticed my art around the room. What do you think?" Steven inquired.

"That you appreciate what the Reapers believe, their vision?" Faelan responded.

"Indeed, more than you might realize," Steven admitted.

"Isn't it risky to admit that so openly?" Faelan asked.

"To you? Come on, surely you don't expect me to believe you don't respect the Reapers' ideals yourself," Steven pressed.

While Faelan didn't share these beliefs, he needed to buy some time and chose his words carefully.

"I wouldn't claim to fully align with them, yet imagining a world where Pokémon might naturally fade into extinction, with no fault of humans, yes, I can perceive that as a beautiful outcome," Faelan remarked, with a hint of truth.

"That's an unusual way to view it; you're essentially asking for the impossible," Steven expressed, dissatisfaction apparent, though Faelan's ambiguous response seemed sufficient to reassure him that Faelan wouldn't expose his Reaper affiliation.

"I'm here to discuss my job," Faelan stated.

"Ah, yes. I've been meaning to talk to you about an ideal position," Steven said.

The notion of being considered for homicide detective amused Faelan.

"Unfortunately, I have no interest in becoming a detective of any kind," Faelan countered.

"If I intended you to be a detective, I wouldn’t need to call you here," Steven remarked with a smile.

Faelan was about to announce his intention to resign and open a café, but curiosity piqued him.

"And what did you have in mind?" he asked.

"Jay Ketcher, the president of Tenera, wants to establish a secret special ops group focused on discovering Legendary Pokémon in Tenera—not to eliminate them, but solely to uncover them. This won't be APSO. It promises a steady income with the possibility of working just once or twice annually. We'd fabricate a story about you being unfit to continue in the police due to past trauma, enabling you to receive a pension. So, each mission departure would seem like a vacation. However, there's a condition: he insists you lead the group," Steven explained.

Faelan was astounded, unable to think clearly. He considered refusing, but he suspected Aisha would never forgive him. He could always agree and later back out, unless Aisha had other plans. On the other hand, could he refuse? It was a government offer, after all. Then again, it was also a secret. He nearly forgot his initial purpose for being there.

"This is unexpected; may I have a glass of water?" Faelan asked, an uncontrollable cough overtaking him. Steven moved toward his desk, possibly to call for assistance, but seeing Faelan's distress, he quickly headed towards the door to fetch water himself. Faelan would be alone soon, but his cough was genuine. He felt cold sweat trickling down his body—was he having a panic attack? Despite the coughing, he reminded himself he had a mission. As Steven left, he quickly scanned the bookshelf, spotting a bright green book that appeared untouched—a low-risk hiding spot for the pen. He discreetly placed it behind the book. Steven returned shortly with a glass of water, which Faelan downed in one gulp, feeling immediate relief.

"Are you okay, Faelan?" Steven asked.

"I think I just had a panic attack from the anxiety. A whole region relying on me—it’s overwhelming," Faelan confessed. The anxiety stemmed not from the region's expectations, but from leading a team, entering the heart of danger, and ensuring their safe return. Faelan readied himself for the words that would change everything: "Tell Jay Ketcher that I'm in."