"Manectric! Manec!"
"Calm down, Manectric. I feel the same way."
Jin desperately wanted to charge in and rescue Sprigatito immediately. But he remembered his promise to Friede and acknowledged that they had no clear idea of how many enemies were inside. Understanding the danger of rushing in blindly, he managed to restrain his urge to act impulsively.
"Let's move out for now."
"Manec."
That didn't mean he would do nothing. It would take some time for Friede to return with the others, including Liko. In the meantime, Jin resolved to gather as much information as possible to aid in rescuing Sprigatito. With this plan in mind, he moved to a location a bit further from the facility.
"Manectric, let me know if Sprigatito's scent leaves that compound."
"Manec!"
Manectric kept a watchful nose on Sprigatito's scent to alert Jin of any movement. With the facility being the next target, the next step was to assess the number of enemies inside. Jin summoned another Pokémon from its Poké Ball.
"Come out, Gardevoir."
"Voir."
The Embrace Pokémon, Gardevoir. She was the only Psychic-type in Jin's team. With her psychic powers, she could survey the facility and determine who was inside.
"Gardevoir, I need to know what's happening inside that facility. Liko's Sprigatito should be in there."
"Voir!"
Gardevoir closed her eyes, spread her arms, and emitted an aura as she activated her psychic powers.
"How is it, Gardevoir?"
"Voir!"
"Did it work? Great! Gardevoir, show me what you saw."
"Voir!? Voir Voir!"
Gardevoir's eyes snapped open in shock, and she shook her head, refusing Jin's request.
"Please, Gardevoir. We're not going to fight; I just need to see what's inside."
"…Voir."
Reluctantly, Gardevoir agreed.
"Thank you. Manectric, keep an eye on our surroundings."
"Manec."
Gardevoir focused her mysterious power on Jin, who then closed his eyes and waited. Soon, images of the facility's interior began to form in his mind.
(This looks like a warehouse…)
///
This was the power of Gardevoir: a psychic ability that functioned like X-ray vision or clairvoyance. Additionally, Gardevoir had activated her Synchronize ability. Typically, this ability would inflict the same status condition on the opponent if Gardevoir were poisoned, paralyzed, or burned.
However, through training, Gardevoir had synchronized her mind with her Trainer, Jin, allowing them to share each other's vision. This meant Gardevoir could see what Jin saw and vice versa.
While this was a useful ability in battle, it had its drawbacks.
First, there was the duration of use. If both Gardevoir and Jin remained stationary, the ability could be sustained for a longer period. However, during intense battle movements, the ability could only be maintained for a short time. This was not due to a lack of training but rather a lack of time to master it.
Additionally, any damage Gardevoir took while using this ability would also be felt by Jin. This made it a double-edged sword, as the disadvantages were significant. Gardevoir disliked using this ability, as it was not fully under control yet.
(First, I need to pinpoint Sprigatito's exact location...)
The images in Jin's mind showed the interior of the warehouse gradually. He mentally navigated through various rooms in the warehouse, and after a few minutes, he found Sprigatito.
(Found it!)
"Meow~"
"Ohhh~ Sprigatito~!"
(...What?)
The scene that unfolded in Jin's mind was unexpected. He saw Sprigatito playing happily with a cat toy, while Onia watched in delight, completely infatuated.
(What... is this?)
Around Sprigatito were numerous toys such as yarn balls and scratching posts, all items that the Pokémon seemed to enjoy.
"Meow~"
"Oh, are you hungry? I'll get you some Pokémon food right away~"
Onia, with hearts in her eyes, continued to cater to Sprigatito's every need. This didn't look at all like a scenario involving a kidnapper and a victim.
(Well... at least Sprigatito isn't hurt... right?)
Seeing Sprigatito having fun, Jin started to feel that all the effort he had put into the search, as well as the anxiety Liko must have been feeling, seemed almost foolish.
(...I should leave this situation alone for now. I need to check if there are any other enemies.)
Deciding that there was no immediate need to worry about Sprigatito, Jin began to check if there were any other members of the Explorers in the facility. He systematically searched through the warehouse and buildings but only found Onia and Amethio.
(There are fewer enemies than I thought. I could handle this alone... but to be sure, having one more person would be ideal.)
Jin was confident in a plan where one person acted as a decoy while the other rescued Sprigatito. He believed this would likely succeed.
(Gardevoir, that's enough. You can stop now.)
The vision in his mind faded, and his sight returned to the physical world, where Gardevoir stood before him.
"Gardevoir, take a little rest. I'll need your help again soon."
"Gardevoir."
While Gardevoir took a short break, Jin contacted Friede. Considering the current situation, Friede was the only one he could rely on for backup. He planned to share all the information to secure Friede's cooperation, especially given their previous agreement.
"This is Friede."
"Friede, where are you right now?"
***
"Alright! First, let's decide on our plan of action."
After docking the Brave Olivine at the harbor, Liko and the others disembarked from the ship and began assigning roles. Friede and Murdock were tasked with searching for the Explorers, Engineer Orla was responsible for repairing the ship, and Mollie and Liko were to pick up the medicine.
"Um, have you heard from Jin?"
"Sceptile..."
Liko was aware that Jin was already searching for the Explorers in this city. She thought he might have found some clues by now. If that were the case, despite being indebted to them, she felt she needed to join the search to retrieve Sprigatito. Sceptile, too, wanted to reunite with its trainer, Jin.
"Come to think of it, we haven't heard from him."
"... I see."
"Don't be too disappointed. We'll meet up with Jin and share information..."
At that moment, Friede's Rotom Phone rang.
"Oh! Speak of the devil."
"Is it Jin?"
"Yeah, I'll put it on speaker."
Friede answered the call and put it on speaker so everyone could hear.
"This is Friede."
"Friede, where are you now?"
"We just docked at the harbor. We should meet up. Can you come here?"
"No, I'll send you my location. Please come to where I am."
"Huh? That's fine, but... don't tell me!"
"Yes, I've found the Explorers' hideout."
"!!!!"
Everyone was shocked. They had only hoped for a small clue, at best. The other members, excluding Liko, had somewhat underestimated Jin, thinking he was just a kid. They never expected him to find the hideout.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I saw two of the three who attacked us."
Liko couldn't contain herself and moved closer to Friede's phone to speak to Jin.
"Jin! Is Sprigatito there?"
"Liko, you're there... Yes, I confirmed Sprigatito's presence. It's definitely here."
"Send me the location. I'll come right away!"
"Hey! Liko."
"Liko, if you come here, there will definitely be battles. Without your Pokémon, it will be tough."
Friede and Jin tried to stop her. They both knew it was too dangerous for Liko to go.
"I understand! But Sprigatito is my Pokémon. It must be feeling so scared and lonely... I have to go... because I am Sprigatito's... trainer!"
"......"
Everyone present realized just how deeply Liko cared for Sprigatito. They understood her resolve and knew there was no stopping her.
"Is Sceptile there with you?"
"Y-Yes."
"Scep!"
"Then come here with Sceptile. The condition is that you always stay with Sceptile when you act. Got it?"
"Got it!"
Jin decided to allow this condition after some thought. If he couldn't stop her, he figured it would be better to have her where he could see her.
"Hey, you can't just decide that on your own..."
"You understand, don't you, Friede? Liko is quite stubborn, and once she's made up her mind, there's no stopping her. It's better to have her close by than letting her act recklessly on her own."
"Yeah... I know... I know. Fine, I'll come with Liko and meet you there, so wait for us."
"Understood. I'll send you the location."
With that, the call ended, and an email with Jin's location was sent to Friede's phone.
"Liko, it's fine if you come, but if it gets dangerous, you must run away."
"Okay."
"Phew... Alright, that's the plan. We'll change our plans. Liko and I will join Jin, and then we'll go rescue Sprigatito. Orla and Murdock, work on repairing the ship. We'll leave as soon as we rescue Sprigatito, so work quickly. Mollie, pick up the medicine. Once you're done, help Orla and Murdock. Alright, everyone!"
(Sprigatito, wait for me!)
Watching Friede give hand signals, Liko steeled herself. She was determined to get Sprigatito back no matter what.
＊＊＊
"Phew... what a hassle."
After ending the call with Friede and sending his location, Jin let out a sigh. Even if Liko arrived, she wouldn't be much of a help in retrieving Sprigatito. In fact, it would be more like having another person to protect. Normally, Liko would understand that, but with Sprigatito being captured, it might be hard for her to make that judgment.
"Well, I guess this means Liko has truly become a Pokémon Trainer."
A mix of pride and sadness swirled in his heart. These feelings were familiar, and as he tried to recall when he'd felt this way before, he looked at the two Pokémon in front of him and remembered.
"Gardevoir?"
"Manectric?"
His Gardevoir and Manectric looked at him quizzically.
"You've both grown so much."
Not just Gardevoir and Manectric, but all of his Pokémon had been smaller and more reliant when they first met. He'd felt a duty to protect them, but now they were strong and dependable.
"?"
"No, it's nothing."
But right now, there were more important things to focus on. Liko had taken a big step forward, and he couldn't let this mission fail. He had to be prepared.
"Gardevoir, I need you to check inside the facility again before Liko and the others arrive."
"Garde."
Gardevoir once again used her psychic power, and the familiar images appeared in Jin's mind.
(Take me to the warehouse where Sprigatito was.)
(Garde.)
The vision shifted to the room where Sprigatito was held. There, Sprigatito had bits of Pokémon food around its mouth, and Onia was watching.
'Meow!'
'Finished already? But that's all for now.'
(Still peaceful, I see...)
'Meow...'
'So cute! I'll go get more Pokémon food right away... Aah!'
Onia, who had been doting on Sprigatito, was startled when her superior, Amethio, suddenly appeared behind her, breaking her spell.
(...This is kind of funny.)
It was like watching a slapstick comedian. Despite their actions being unforgivable, Jin couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity with Onia.
'S-Sorry! It's an important hostage... I mean, Poké-hostage.'
'We're not using it as a bargaining chip.'
(...What?)
"I'm doing things my way. Our target is still that pendant. This time, I'll get it for sure!"
(Doing things your way, huh?)
Amethio's Rotom Phone rang. The caller seemed to be Zirc, who wasn't present.
'It's me... So, they came. The target, Friede, and that guy Jin? Keep watching them.'
(This is bad... They've already noticed.)
'Where will you come from, Jin... I'll settle this. I will be the one to defeat you!'
(...Fine. I'll take you on.)
The rematch between Jin and Amethio was drawing near.
---
Jin's Team
- Sceptile
- Aggron
- Salamence
- Manectric
- Gardevoir
- ???
The official content that featured my beloved Pokémon Mega Evolving was unfair!
The synchronization between Jin and Gardevoir was inspired by Ash and Greninja. As mentioned, it's still an incomplete technique and hard to use in battle. This shows that Jin still has room to grow and improve his skills.
// END