"We need to prepare more Water-type Pokémon. Only then will they provide enough energy for us to contact my lord while we're out at sea."
After a brief pause, Archie continued, "Also, contact Red Devil, who's still carrying out the search mission in the sea. I expect you to identify everyone in the team who's been deceiving the Sea God before Red Devil reports back."
"Yes, sir!"
Amber gave a respectful nod before leaving the special water chamber.
As soon as he stepped into the hallway, he picked up his communicator and ordered in a deep voice, "All Team Aqua members at every base, gather in the central hall immediately!"
With the order given, he strode toward the elevator.
For Team Aqua now, their greatest enemy wasn't the League. It was their longtime rival, Team Magma.
* * *
"Damn it. Someone should organize an anything-goes fighting tournament, throw every Team Aqua and Team Magma member into it, and not let them out until they beat each other to death…"
In the northeastern part of Lilycove City's department store district, Sidney cursed under his breath as he sped through the streets on the back of a Mightyena with sleek, glossy fur.
"Mighty!"
Mightyena nodded as if it agreed. Its body turned into a black blur as it shot past an oncoming car.
The driver only caught sight of a streak of black flashing by. Confused, he slammed on the brakes and rolled down the window to look back, but there was nothing there.
"Elite Sidney, Team Aqua members have been spotted on East Road No. 5 of the department store district… Fighting has already broken out… Fighting has already broken out!"
The communicator kept buzzing. On the other end, the League trainer's report came in short bursts. Heavy footsteps and ragged breathing made it clear they were running at full speed.
Sidney didn't answer. His expression only grew darker.
Back at the Hoenn League headquarters in Ever Grande City, they had told him this mission was only to investigate Team Aqua's movements. Yet before he had even arrived, he was already receiving reports of active combat.
Based on past experience, these Team Aqua grunts usually traveled in groups, stole Pokémon, and left. They were extremely disciplined. The moment they spotted a Gym-level League trainer, they retreated without hesitation.
Many citizens had even gotten used to it. As soon as Team Aqua appeared, they would immediately hand over their Water-type Pokémon. Team Aqua wanted nothing else, and as long as people cooperated, they wouldn't be hurt.
The unwillingness of so many residents to resist had become a major embarrassment for the Hoenn League.
Sidney felt his frustration rising. 'If I mess this up and let Team Aqua escape again, old man Drake is definitely going to nag me for days.'
Mightyena picked up speed.
The scenery rushed past as the crowds gradually thinned. More League trainers could be seen hurrying through the area.
Ahead, several blue and white police motorcycles were parked carelessly along the roadside. Three police cars blocked the middle of the street.
Nearby, a short blue-haired Officer Jenny was stretching red warning tape across the road. She pulled on a white glove with her teeth while grabbing her communicator and quickly announcing, "All League trainers, if you encounter danger, withdraw immediately. Don't risk your Pokémon or your lives just for contribution points. Stay safe. Stay safe..."
If everything went as usual, Team Aqua would retreat in an orderly manner after a few dozen minutes, and today's mission would be over.
For Lilycove City, which had suffered countless Team Aqua robberies, Officer Jenny had long since stopped thinking about protecting every bit of civilian property or arresting every criminal.
Many residents in the northeastern district had already moved away. The once-busy shopping street had grown quiet. In a few months, it would probably turn into an abandoned slum.
Smack!
A hand suddenly shot over and knocked the communicator out of her grasp.
"What exactly are you saying?!" Sidney roared in anger. "You're just going to let Team Aqua get away? Aren't you Lilycove City's Pokémon police officer?"
Officer Jenny frowned as she looked at him, but her expression quickly relaxed. She calmly picked up the communicator to check whether it had been damaged before replying, "Sorry. I'm not capable of capturing an entire group of Pokémon thieves, and it's not my duty to do so."
"But I can guarantee that no one here will die."
Sidney's face twitched. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "Don't let them get away!"
The moment he finished speaking, he rode Mightyena straight through the freshly placed red barrier tape and leaped over the tops of the police cars.
Behind him, Officer Jenny quickly gave another order, "The Elite Four member sent by League headquarters has arrived. All personnel, withdraw immediately! I'll repeat that. All personnel, withdraw immediately! Don't risk your lives or your Pokémon's safety!"
Her responsibility, or rather the responsibility of every local Pokémon police officer, was to make sure there were as few civilian casualties and injured battle Pokémon as possible.
After all, if civilians died or battle Pokémon were injured, the League would have to provide compensation.
Her job was to keep everyone safe.
As soon as the order was broadcast, visible commotion spread through the district. It wasn't caused by Team Aqua. It was simply because too many people were trying to leave at once.
Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert, and more than a dozen Hoenn starter Pokémon carried their trainers out through the streets.
Swellow flew overhead carrying people away, while Voltorb rolled off into the distance with bursts of electricity speeding it along.
Roars and cheers mixed together.
"What the hell is everyone running for?"
"Time to go! Mission complete!"
"Man, I'm exhausted."
The instant the withdrawal order was given, the League trainers turned around and ran. Their mission officially ended the moment Officer Jenny confirmed it. Without exception, every one of those trainers' Pokémon was no stronger than Advanced-level.
Meanwhile, a handful of trainers still hesitated and chose to remain.
They weren't League trainers, but they wanted to become League trainers.
More specifically, they wanted to become officially registered trainers within the League.
To qualify, they first had to register as auxiliary personnel. There was no salary, but there was a contribution point system. Once they earned enough contribution points, they could exchange them for official trainer registration.
Rumor had it that if you earned enough contribution points, even Chairman Goodshow himself would personally polish your Poké Balls.
Of course, becoming an officially registered trainer didn't actually require that many points. One hundred contribution points were enough.
For a mission like this, League trainers who simply participated would receive a guaranteed one contribution point. Auxiliary personnel who failed to make any meaningful contribution naturally received nothing.
However, capturing one member of an evil organization earned ten contribution points.
Defeating an enemy Pokémon awarded points based on its strength, while killing one member of an evil organization earned at least five points.
On the now-empty street, several auxiliary trainers tightened their grip on their Poké Balls. They were all just a little over ten points away from earning official registration.
With an Elite Four member here, they were bound to earn a few points.
"Elite Sidney! We're here to help you!"
**
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