The news spread across Sinnoh like wildfire. Government officials had been assassinated outside the government building.
The Indigo delegation had been attacked. Gym Leader Gladion and Champion candidate Cynthia had survived an explosion that destroyed an entire mountain outpost.
And the people responsible were suspected to be military radicals. Every newspaper in Sinnoh was filled with the same story.
Every television station was discussing it. Every home, restaurant, and Pokemon Center was talking about it. Fear had begun spreading throughout the region. Some people became angry at the violence that had shattered their hope for peace.
Others became worried that the agreement between the two regions would collapse before it had even begun. Many feared that old hatreds from the Infinite Pokemon War were rising again.
Inside a warehouse on the outskirts of Veilstone City, another operation was taking place. This warehouse was one of the largest black market hubs in Sinnoh.
Illegal Pokemon trades, smuggling operations, military weapons, and stolen technology had all passed through this location. Now it was in ruins. Broken crates were scattered everywhere. Collapsed walls covered the floor. Several unconscious criminals were lying on the ground.
A massive Tyranitar stood in the middle of the ruined warehouse. The giant Pokemon looked completely unbothered by the destruction surrounding it. This was Gladion's Alpha Tyranitar, Colossus. Nearby stood another giant. A silver Metagross, Ultron whose body reflected the warehouse lights. Its red eyes glowed calmly.
Several Sinnoh officers looked around the destroyed black market and shook their heads. One of them sighed. "I honestly do not know why we even bring backup trainers anymore." Another officer laughed.
"Because apparently giant Tyranitars are not standard police Pokemon." Several officers chuckled at the comment. The mood was lighter than it should have been after such a chaotic raid.
Meanwhile, Gladion stood in front of a chair. A criminal was tied to it. The man looked terrified. Very terrified. Sweat covered his forehead. His breathing was uneven.
Partly because of the interrogation. Mostly because a giant Tyranitar was staring directly at him. The criminal swallowed nervously. He looked toward Colossus. Then toward Ultron. Then toward Gladion. Then immediately back toward Colossus. The Tyranitar was somehow less scary.
Sabrina stood beside Gladion. Her expression remained calm. An Alakazam floated nearby.
The criminal shifted uncomfortably. "I already told you everything I know."
Gladion raised an eyebrow. "No."
The man froze. "You told us everything you wanted us to know." The criminal looked away.
Gladion stepped forward. His eyes glowed faintly. "So let us try again." The man's face immediately became pale.
Psychic people were terrifying. Everyone knew that. Especially criminals. The man swallowed. "What do you want?"
Gladion folded his arms. "Where is General Alvarez?"
The criminal immediately shook his head. "I do not know."
Sabrina sighed. "He is lying."
The man froze. "You can tell?" She looked at him. "Yes."
The criminal suddenly wished he had chosen a different career.
Gladion sat down on a nearby crate. "We can do this the easy way." The man looked hopeful. "Or?" Gladion pointed toward his metagross. "The psychic way."
Ultron's eyes began glowing brighter. The criminal immediately panicked. "Wait!" Everyone paused. The man looked defeated. His shoulders slumped. His resistance completely disappeared. "I know where one of his locations is."
Gladion's eyes narrowed. "Talk."
The criminal sighed heavily. "There is an abandoned industrial complex in northern Sinnoh."
Sabrina remained focused on him. She was carefully observing every thought, every emotion, and every reaction. The criminal continued. "It was originally built decades ago." He swallowed. "Most people think it is empty. But several people connected to Alvarez have said that they been visiting the area to meet him."
The criminal looked genuinely afraid. "I do not know if he is there personally." His breathing became nervous again. "But his people use it."
Sabrina glanced at Gladion. "He believes what he is saying." The young Gym Leader nodded.
One of the Sinnoh officers stepped forward. "Do we send a task force?" Another officer nodded. "We should inform Champion Rowan immediately." Several others agreed.
It was fhe first genuine lead they had received in days. Gladion remained silent. Finally, Sabrina looked toward him. "You think it is a trap."
Gladion nodded. "Yes."
The officers looked confused. "What makes you think that?" Gladion stood up. "The last location was a trap."
He looked around the warehouse. "The radicals know we are hunting them."
Another officer frowned. "So they intentionally leaked information?"
"Possibly."
The possibility was concerning. General Alvarez had already proven himself willing to sacrifice entire bases. Setting another trap would not be surprising.
Sabrina folded her arms. "I agree." Everyone looked toward her. The psychic Gym Leader continued. "Alvarez is not acting like a normal criminal." She looked thoughtful. "He is acting like a military commander which he is."
Sabrina continued. "He constantly forces us to react. Every move he makes serves a purpose."
One officer finally spoke. "Then we should avoid the location." Several others nodded. "If it is a trap, there is no reason to walk into it." The logic was sound. Unfortunately, they were talking to Gladion.
The young Gym Leader smiled. The officers immediately felt nervous. Gladion pointed toward the marked location. "We are going."
Several officers sighed. Exactly as expected. One of them rubbed his forehead. "Of course we are."
Gladion looked at him. "What?" The officer looked tired. "You say that as if this is perfectly normal."
The young Gym Leader thought for a moment. "It seems normal to me." Several people groaned. Sabrina closed her eyes. Sometimes she genuinely wondered how this man was still alive.
The psychic Gym Leader looked toward him. "You genuinely do not care that this might be another trap."
Gladion shrugged. "I care."
Everyone blinked. "You do?"
"Of course." The officers looked hopeful. Then Gladion continued. "I simply do not care enough to stop." The hope immediately disappeared. One officer quietly muttered something about insane trainers. Another nodded in agreement.
-----Author Notes------
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