"Ekans, blow up the water with Iron Tail!" Jessie said, chopping her hand straight down.
The water exploded upwards when Ekans' tail impacted it, causing the Seaking they'd been struggling against to shoot up into the air, astonished by the turn of events."Sludge Bomb!" screamed Jessie causing the Seaking to be nailed and hurled out of the water.It flopped uselessly before laying still as it went still to preserve itself. A beam of pokeball light impacted it, and it was withdrawn.Flags shot up, and the referee, a grizzled old man, growled. "Lily's Seaking is unable to battle and has been withdrawn! The victor for this singles battle is therefore Jessadia from Viridian City."Lily bounced on the spot. "Like! Great battle! With that, you more than earned your Cascade badge! Congratulations!" The girl skipped over to her and handed her the badge.The old man coughed, and Lily rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright! In future, you should uhm… think about evolving your pokemon and making it stronger?" She shot the old man a look and he nodded before indicating he had something to say.Lily bobbed her head up and down, and the man stepped forward. "Don't be afraid to have your Ekans enter the water. Ekans are naturally adept at hunting in water and would have been a perfect pokemon to engage with some of the pokemon Lily used." He then glanced towards Meowth who was being blow-dried. "Also, think about training your Meowth to shut up. It wastes a lot of its energy gas bagging like it does.""Hmmm," Jessie said before shrugging. "I like him just the way he is." She gave them both a nod and gestured for James and Meowth to follow her out of the Gym.When they were outside, Jessie tilted her Cascade badge back and forth, watching as it caught the light. "I really don't understand how we can have so much success in some things but fail miserably when we set our sights on something as simple as stealing pokemon?"James rubbed his chin. "Perhaps our methodology is flawed?""The results do sorta speak for themselves," Meowth said as he started brushing out his fur. "Good call with dodging that Water Gun by the way, I only got a bit wet instead of ending up in the drink!"Jessie shot Meowth a smile. She hadn't expected him to step up again, but he'd surprised her and offered to go first. He turned his head away. "Don't expect me to bail you out again or nothing next time, though! You hear?""I'd never take your assistance for granted, Meowth," Jessie said, reaching out and patting her friend's head. "Would you like the prize money? After all, you did most of the work. Ekans barely needed to mop up Lily's Seaking."Meowth glanced at her suspiciously before nodding his head slowly. "Thanks… shame we lost our Rocket expenses card… but this Trainer gig is sure working out for us."She handed over the money without any concern. He'd spend it on his shampoo and conditioner, which, really, was a team expense. She shared a knowing look with James as they both flicked their hair and enjoyed the way it shimmered in the afternoon light.She then returned to inspecting the Cascade badge. "What do you think about our methodology is flawed?""Well we don't plan for your pokemon battles at the Gym but we plan lots for trying to steal pokemon. Perhaps that's the difference? We just wing it next time and see where it ends up?" James said with a one-two snap of his fingers.Meowth snorted. "Jail, that's where it ends up. Jessie don't let it bother you that you're… okay as a pokemon trainer and have therefore been winning some badges. Things will be tougher soon, and you'll need to buckle down. Also, you're comparing Rawst berries to Oran Berries, they just aren't the same thing!"James tilted his head "But they both grow on trees, are blue, and are fairly cheap?"Meowth glared at James. "That's not the point I'm making!"James raised his hands. "I'm just pointing out you can compare them… rather easily in fact…"Meowth ran his paws down his face. "I had my pick of Teams with the Rocket organisation and I chose you two… urgh!"James shot Jessie a wink, and she rolled her eyes at his antics. She changed the topic. "We should probably check in with our division manager… hopefully they won't be too mad at us dropping out of communication for the last…" She tilted her head. "How long has it been since we last checked in?"Meowth and Jame shot each other a look. James stuck his tongue out. "Carry the three… almost a month?" Meowth nodded, and Jessie huffed."So we're very late in reporting; better do that then."James and Meowth grimaced but followed her to a private area where they could observe anyone approaching them. Jessie swallowed and dialled up the number, only for it to not go through. She tried again, only to get no result. "That's strange…"Meowth scratched his ear. "Perhaps they're on holiday?"James nodded his head. "Crime is a full-time job with benefits, after all."Meowth opened his mouth before closing it and shaking his head, muttering again about having his pick of the teams. Jessie scrolled down to another number and dialled it, only to get the same result.She selected a third and a fourth number, only for none of them to connect. "This is odd. All of them on holiday?" She licked her lips at the last number on the list. "Guess we'll contact the boss?"James stiffened. "Now, now! Is there really a need to talk to him?"Meowth nodded his head quickly. "Yeah! Yeah! He's gonna be busy! I'm sure of it!"Jessie adopted a professional stance and rang the number. This time, it connected. The boss' shadowy figure appeared, and he was shown to look them over. "Jessie, James, and Meowth? Team Rocket White? Excellent! Good to see you were able to lay low and avoid the raids! Excellent initiative! After your silence, I had thought you might have been arrested. Good work!"Jessie, James, and Meowth all shared a look, having no idea what their boss was talking about but glad for the praise. "Yes sir! Thank you, sir!" Jessie spoke before the others could open their mouths and ruin it."Good to see you're still in the field. I'll send you a new list of tasks to be on the lookout for! Until then, evade the police and the League! And stay away from the Rocket Academy! People are sniffing around for it!" With that said and done, the boss signed off.Jessie, James, and Meowth all shared a look. Meowth rubbed his chin. "Sounds like someone really messed up! Glad it wasn't us!"Giovanni laced his fingers together. His eyes turned to a computer screen, indicating the team he'd just been talking with and their success rating.Team Rocket White… Their academy scores and initial missions had been…frankly terrible.Jessie had been a natural leader, and her addition to the team of James and Meowth during their time at the Rocket Academy had seen them rivalling the top scorers in Butch and Cassidy. From there, they had been… sporadic with their successes. It always seemed to depend on the type of mission they were given. Jessie herself was a legacy Agent, and that afforded her a certain leeway that Giovanni was happy to see she'd never had to use. The girl did her mother proud. Her team was a useful card to call upon in certain situations.They were incredibly independent and were often able to self-fund any missions without having to draw from Rocket expense accounts. A trait that had allowed them to escape unnoticed from the various raids Lance had been leading.Giovanni would even almost call them self-starters.Butch and Cassidy, Team Black —Team White's direct rivals— meanwhile, had to lead the police on a fierce chase during the whole blitz of Team Rocket's assets.So far, Team Rocket White had been performing well. He tapped a few keys and signed a commendation on their file. It was trainers like this that would help keep Team Rocket afloat in Kanto.Not that Kanto was the only area of influence they now had. These days, Johto was much the same as Kanto. The Orange and Sevii islands were soon to be the same. Orre was the new goal, and with resources being funnelled there, it became the safest area for Team Rocket to escape persecution.With Lance's idea of creating an international Police force or, G-men, it would be important to establish Team Rocket in Orre well and truly before anyone on the international scene even knew to look there.Still, the raid had hurt. The best money laundering facility in the Indigo region had been taken from them in the Games Corner. The radio shack in Vermillion had been both a monitoring station of Surge, a known warrior from the war, and an information relay point. The storage point in Chrysanthemum Island had seen millions practically go up in smoke. The recruiting facilities in Hollywood had been minor.Giovanni knew it wasn't over either. The League had taken a large bite out of Team Rocket's interests, and now it was having to swallow what they'd bitten into. Giovanni had clogged their system with so much information that was both false and true that they'd started choking on their prize.Giovanni still smiled at how one enterprising Rocket Grunt had led League agents through Pokemon Land, causing huge amounts of damage that Giovanni had been able to sternly demand recompense for. After all, being in hot pursuit did not allow the League's agents to get away with wanton destruction. They'd destroyed so much more than just the theme park with how they'd ravaged it but also a number of incriminating data terminals.Grunt Proton was due for a promotion when he was jailbroken.Giovanni frowned as he considered the next task he had to follow up on. He punched a number on his phone and glared at the Executive that answered. "Report on Operation Chatot Silencing!""We're still observing the potential person of interest, sir! He does not at this point appear to be the target in question but with possible surgery…""Is he allowed freedom of movement without at least three watchers on him at all times?""No sir! He is allowed to move about with minimal security on his person!" The executive said."Hmmm so he is possibly a person the League has put into protective custody... but not our target. Mark him, take a few photos, and pull out." Giovanni intensified his glare. "Do not be observed!""Sir! The next target will be in Blackthorn!" The Executive saluted. "Extreme care will be taken!""Double your preparations. Bearding the dragon, if they do host our singing Chatot will be no mean feat!" This got another nod before Giovanni hung up on him. He glared. It was bad enough to learn that their agent had been captured, but to then learn that their agent had been a double agent? For Team Magma of all people?Giovanni lit his cigar and took a long draw to settle his nerves. He'd never faced Major Maxie of Hoenn. He'd tangled with Commodore Archie when the man had led a raid on Cinnabar. It was surprising how many organisations sprang up after the war that had roots in the military services.Not that such was the case for Team Rocket. Team Rocket had been established prior to the War. It had made good use of the war to advance Kanto and Team Rocket interests. His mother—Giovanni's door opened, and his head snapped around to growl, "I said I wasn't to be disturbed!"The very woman he'd been thinking about sauntered in without a by your leave. Giovanni glared at the door. He'd had the locks changed. Digitised even. It seemed he was going to have to steal a security tactic from young Brock and use a Porygon in his office.Perhaps that might even stop any further intrusions from his mother. It might reveal a few more tricks she liked to always claim she had up her sleeve.But then again, sometimes it was worth letting her play her games. He held his scowl and prepared to play the usual little game that they'd developed since he'd taken over as leader of Team Rocket."Darling," she said, speaking as if she hadn't just broken into his room."Madame," he replied, maintaining the professional space. He barely wanted to acknowledge her as his mother. She'd use it for her own means. It was best to keep things clearly drawn. She pouted, and he took a moment to draw on his cigar, ignoring her attempt to browbeat him."Gio darling, I couldn't help but notice that a rather large portion of my organisation has been… liquated…""Indeed," he said, turning his attention back to the work he had to do.She tapped her fingernails, one after another, as was her habit when she wanted to drag him into speaking. She knew it irritated him. Or it had when he was a child. She'd cultivated certain behaviours in him that she used to help control him. He understood that now. Their relationship was like that.She'd created him to be an heir but had found methods of extending her life that made it touchy for her to 'release' her control over the organisation she'd built. Perhaps she'd always known she'd have trouble and had thought to make herself into a puppet master, allowing him to do the day-to-day tasks, but she'd pull some strings, and like a Spinarak, she'd create results and profits for herself.The steady click-clack of her nails made a vein throb in his temple, despite knowing what she was doing. Part of him respected her for what she'd done. Since he'd been five, she'd groomed him in so many ways to take over.Giovanni had to applaud her for thinking so long-term.Sadly, much of her methodology was outdated. She ran Team Rocket like a business. It could be more, so much more."Your profits are down," she said finally, when it was clear, twenty minutes later, that he wasn't going to break.Giovanni repressed a smirk. He'd included her agents in the talks about the finances. They were skilled but also served to keep the Madame informed and directed toward things that were 'big issues' for her. She'd look at the profits and losses and consider that the most important aspect.She would see what the money 'on the books' had been poured into.She didn't know of the facilities in Orange, Sevii, or Orre.She did not know about Project Mewtwo.And if Giovanni had his way, she never would."Yes, there is a need to cut our losses with those facilities. This year's outcome will be grim, but we have other methods of recouping our losses.""Good to know that you're not putting all your eggs in one basket."Giovanni decided to take the bait. "You taught me as much." And there it was, a twitch of the lips and a small crinkling of the eyes. Yes, he'd said what she'd wanted him to say."Do you have a response?" Madame Bossue said, leaning forward intently. Giovanni tilted his head."Currently, we're making the League chase shadows while our actual businesses and interests are being explored in other areas. Expansion is continuing. Setbacks are part and parcel with business, Madame; you should understand this.""Hmmm, I see that I might have been mistaken in getting you a commission into the Quartermaster's office back then. It's caused you to not understand that sometimes the profits need to be set aside and you need to give your troops a victory. Something to rally around, something to make your enemies more wary about approaching you."Giovanni held in a smile. Ah, she'd come to propose something. Excellent, it could be co-opted and repurposed. "You have a suggestion?" he offered, eager to see what she had. For all that she caused him a great deal of annoyance, she often demonstrated her worth when she wasn't trying to wrest control of Team Rocket from him.Today she was playing nice, but he'd need to defang certain aspects of her plan, he had no doubt."I have a two-fold plan. You need someone at the top. Someone… equal to you in prestige that you can use to wield and direct the League if needed." She raised a folder with the picture of a dark-haired man in a mask. "Someone that's been looking for a little more support, in fact, and could be tied to our interests."Giovanni hummed. "I see you're reviving an older proposal for your purposes," he said, letting her know what she was about to say was known to him."It wasn't worth consideration back then, but with the League acting as it has and the direction it's currently going?" She tsked and shook her head back and forth. "It needs a course change." She dropped the portfolio on his desk in front of him. "You'll need to help him of course, when it comes time for him to challenge yourself and Blaine, you'll need to take a dive… but then again, the bookies can make a field day off that."A.k.a Team Rocket. Or rather, the legitimate side of Team Rocket. The gambling industry was a wellspring of funding and their control of certain fights allowed for match-fixing in the Ace circuit. Even with only three of the top twenty in the Ace circuit controlled by them, they made huge profits."Blaine will need to be placated," he said. He wouldn't mind taking a dive. He could even see the sense in it. He tapped the young man's file. "Why this one? We already have people at the top of the Ace circuit that we can promote.""He's rather arrogant, and before certain events of late, he had thought himself above seeking more aid. Now? He's coming to us.""Ah," Giovanni said, raising an open hand for the file. Will… Will of the Elite Four? Hmm, it sounded reasonable. "He'll need more training to defeat Agatha," he pointed out."Something can be arranged," the Madame said. Then she shrugged. "Or we can set Lorelei up for a fall. Lance already dislikes her and wants her gone. Doesn't like having her around. Can't stand having a threat to his power linger so close."Giovanni flicked his eyes up. That was the closest he'd ever heard her talk about their own situation. Had she just… praised him for allowing her to stay close? Or was he being chastised? She delighted in making it difficult to discern.He nodded over the form. "We'll set something up.""I'll make the arrangements," the Madame said, smiling widely. Giovanni decided not to question how she'd choose to approach the asset. Will was a handsome sort, as he supposed. He merely grunted. "Make sure he gets wrapped up tight. If we're going with this, I don't want him even trying to slip our leash.""I'll have him barking on command, don't you worry." Giovanni considered taking over the project… but then again, perhaps a degree of separation would be best. No one knew that Madame Bossue was his mother after all."Very well," he said, drumming his own fingers on the table. "What else did you have to propose?""How about we escalate?" Madam Bossue said, her smile starting to show some teeth.Giovanni eyed her carefully. "I'm listening?"She raised another folder and laid it before him. "I call this operation Burning Mountain."Giovanni sat and listened.It was daring. It was loud. It was aggressive.And it had high chances of working out for them and netting them a lot of assets while weakening their foes.He signed off on it and then took complete control of it. This, along with Operation Big Shot, would have a serious impact. It would need to be big though. Thankfully, as his mother had taught him, he knew how to set his goals and then achieve them.Giovanni and Team Rocket might have taken some hits, but they were still in this fight. And he was planning on winning.Sabrina lounged on the couch.Her head was laying in Brock's lap while he showed Suzie how to braid hair. Sabrina could feel Flint watching on, a hunger to join in mingled with his trepidation to approach her lingered about him. She usually had to ignore him lest his feelings of inadequacy taint her otherwise pleasant times with Brock's family.Instead, she focused on how Ralts tried to ambush Terra with a tackle from above, only for the much lighter Ralts to fail miserably in her attempt. Terra merely hugged the young Ralts back, her mind tingling with joy at the perceived 'hug' from her playmate. Sadly, she tripped and began crushing Ralts, but a light application of telekinetic power saw Ralts spared any bruises.The boys bounced around the room or stared at Samurai Furret as it glared at this episode's villain. One Count Farfetch'd that had stolen an entire village's leek supplies in the attempt to evolve into what it assumed would be the 'ultimate' Farfetch'd. Sabrina found herself enjoying the wit on display with how the writers had subtly included a number of meal recipes in the way the villain was testing the various leeks. Beyond the simple humour, there was an adult level that made it more enjoyable.She was beginning to enjoy these nuanced jokes. Still, the childish ones were rather good, and getting to feel the raw, unfiltered glee of the children at the simple jokes was always a treat. It made the jokes somewhat funnier, especially when Tommy snorted his milk. Billy and Tilly then copied him.This caused the rest of the family to laugh at the silliness of the scene. Thankfully, before Brock could stand and deprive her of his lap, Nanny Grav entered with a cloth and wiped everything up. A feeling of satisfaction bloomed from a job well done and a family member well looked after by the Graveler.Munchlax joined Ralts and Terra with Eevee at his side, creating a small game that Ralts was much more able to play than the play wrestling. After a while of playing that, they grew bored and Ralts showed them how to play patty cake.Brock carefully threaded her hair into a princess braid, and Sabrina drew back into herself, enjoying the feel of his firm fingers deftly weaving through her hair. It would be the work of a moment to use her own powers to braid her and the rest of the girls' hair, but that wasn't the point.It felt nice.Sabrina allowed herself the moment to relax.It was a simple pleasure, but sometimes those were the best.It was a rather pleasant turn of events, especially with how overcharged she'd been after training with Alakazam.She was sad because she knew it wasn't going to last. The psychic power had caused her to have a burst of unconstrained clairvoyance. She'd had a rather strong one thanks to the built-up energies from working with Alakazam on his Mega-evolution… and then Brock had touched her… Unlike Ralts, her powers had latched on and shot her sight into the future.She tried to ignore the premonitions she was getting.They didn't belong in the now. They were a future concern, something vague and nebulous that if she looked for would always be on the horizon. She'd told Brock about them, and he'd taken them seriously. Sadly she hadn't been able to give him anything concrete. Just that they were in for some tough times.She didn't like the way these dark tidings felt closer to home for her.Then again, her premonitions hadn't always been right.Especially not with Brock… She smiled up at him and hoped the darkness creeping his way would be something he could once again evade.If not, she made sure to stay close. She'd be there to help, just in case.Hiker Frank warmed his hands over the fire. It had been a chilly evening but then again nights on top of a mountain usually were. He thumbed through the pictures of his family and sighed. He'd sent some money through to his wife but he still just… he couldn't find it in him to settle down. Each job he took he swore would be the last but then he'd be off again. And she'd just get this look in her eyes.The kids understood. They must by this point in their lives. They'd gone on their journey and seen what it was like. They were always happy when he was home.It probably helped that he sent back big fat paychecks each week.It paid well to be a security guard for a Gym Leader's secret diamond cave.Not that he could tell anyone that. Not with all the NDA's he'd signed. Not even his own family could be told. They knew he did something secretive that paid well and never asked beyond making sure it was legal. Which it was. Plenty of folks did it.Frank stood and stretched, only for the sound of feet on stone to make him turn and adopt a huge smile."Why hello there!" he said as a rather… well, dapper-looking man marched into view. The man had grey hair, and his entire demeanour screamed wealthy. But there was also an itch in Frank's mind. His instinct flared up warning him that this guy… he was strong.It was an instinct you got after fighting enough people. You sort of had to earn it, the ability to just look at someone and know, if they were weak or strong. He was also doing something. Frank bit his lip and the feeling abated.Frank wasn't sure what to make of this situation. He licked his lips and lowered his hand out of sight to his pokebelt. Hopefully, the guy would keep walking."Morning," said the man, pausing and looking around. "Nice view you have here," he said reasonably. Only to pause on the small trail leading down to the cave with the diamonds in it.The man stepped towards it, and Frank felt his gut sink even as he stepped into the man's path. The man stopped and assessed Frank. "Oh, I'm sorry. Do you have a claim? Can I not go that way?" he said all affable-like.Frank shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't answer that. That's private property."That pulled the man up. "Who owns it?"The feeling came back, and Frank almost blurted out Brock's name. He bit his lip again, and the man tilted his head before speaking up. "So, there is obviously something important down there…" The man reached down, and Frank pulled his pokeball out only to pause when the man pulled out a chequebook. "Tell you what. You let me down there, and I pay for your silence. No questions asked, our little secret."Frank shook his head. "I ain't being bought!"The man put the chequebook away and reached for a pokeball. "I could do it another way."Frank grimaced. His instincts were blaring warning him that he wouldn't win this fight. So instead of releasing his trusty Machoke he pushed a button on his transceiver. "That won't work neither now," he said as an emergency message was sent informing his company and Brock that someone was sniffing around."What do you think that will do?" said the man."Call up someone that might have a better chance at putting you in your place. I recognise you now fella!"The man merely raised an eyebrow. "That would be amusing, but I can see that you're serious. In the interest of not damaging whatever is in that cave, tell whoever owns his land that Steven Stone is interested in talking. I had suspicions prior to today, and your presence is enough confirmation for me." The man flicked a business card at Frank, and he caught it.Frank merely grunted, feeling his guts flutter at how close he'd come to fighting a Regional Champion.The Champion of Hoenn marched back down the way he'd come, leaving Frank feeling like perhaps it was time to cash in on his holiday hours and spend some time at home.He'd leave Brock to handle tangling with a Champion.He'd done it before; maybe he could do it again?
113
The foundry region of Pewter city was mostly on the northern side of the city. This was due to the main entrances being through the south, with the north being the closest side to all the mountains and mines.Salvadore, along with, Missy, Greta, Yolanda, Rachel, and Stephen, all trudged along with me as we made our way."—and thanks to the fake attempts by the council in their rejected claims for part of the Viridian forest, they were later awarded greater control of the mountainous region surrounding Pewter to the north," said Salvadore as he walked along with his book on the history of Pewter held in front of him. A few times I had to nudge him to the side to make him avoid stepping into something.Stephen rubbed his chin. "That would have been a long-sighted idea on their part as the region is still considered rich in mineral resources, no?"I nodded. Yeah, it is." Then I flicked a glance at Salvadore, who was pouting. The girls giggled at him, but I offered a smile. "Sorry, go on reading, you're doing a great job! This is interesting stuff!"Salvadore nodded. "The mountain range north of Pewter then proved to be highly rich in resources, that led to a large economic boom. In the early days, gold nuggets and silver were mined, causing a rush of people into the city. The Rangers eventually stepped in after too much ecological damage had occurred and the numbers of rampaging pokemon increased with reports of a giant Golem being sighted. The Rangers introduced an environmental legisation to the government of Kanto at the time, to create safe, sustainable practices that meant miners needed licenses and the ability to restore the land depending on the amount of land they would be processing. Large companies have to draw up long-term plans for various stages of mining with the impact on the land being kept as small as possible."Salvadore turned a page, and I poked him to the side to stop him from walking into a pole. "Since those restrictions were set in place no major pokemon rampages have been reported while industry in Pewter has continued, albeit at a controlled rate.""What do they have to do to restore the land?" Yolanda asked.Salvadore furiously flipped through his book. "Uhm… I'm not sure?"Stephen coughed. "They need to control the tunnels they cut, or fill in any open-cut mines they make. They also need to be mindful of any water flow that could be disrupted due to their mining, and create plans to ensure no waste is going into the water. Otherwise, there might be an increase in the number of Muks, Koffings, or even some pokemon like Gastly, if they're too damaging to the environment. There are lots of eyes on those businesses, but they're still very lucrative, so it's worth going up there."He indicated his thumb. "A nugget of gold this size can be enough to keep you and a full pokemon team fed and housed for a month. It's why so many hikers just happen to carry pickaxes with them. As a single trainer hiking through the mountains, if they just happen to run across any exposed minerals, such as gold or metal, they can dig it out and sell it. All without the need for licenses. If they set up a sustained digsite, then they might run the risk of being fined or arrested, but it all depends on how greedy or how much risk they want to take on."Missy leaned forward and grinned at Stephen. "Sounds like you know a thing or two about hiking!"Stephen grinned. "It's my hobby, and while I've never been so lucky to stumble upon a vein of something precious, I have talked with others. Some of them… were very cagey about how they found their gold on routes I know I've trekked across many, many times in the past.""Ah," said Missy."Alright gang, it looks like we're here!" I said when we reached the foundry that I'd been in discussions with for a few weeks now. "Time to talk with the foreman. Make sure to follow their advice alright? No wandering off!" I said to Salvadore and Yolanda. Yolanda gave me a bemused look before turning to Salvadore, who was tucking away his book.Stephen surprisingly shifted from foot to foot. "I'll try my best!" he said. Yolanda shot the larger man a look before biting her lips to stop herself from giggling."Gym Leader Brock and party?" said a growly voice. I turned to find a tall, powerfully built man in overalls standing at the gate. His salt and pepper hair was topped by a hard hat and his eyes had wraparound safety glasses. He flicked his eyes around my group and frowned slightly. "You waiting on two more?" he asked.I coughed. I'd originally planned to bring Forrest along, but… "Two couldn't make it," I said simply.Salvadore shifted. "Shame Dad had to look after the others. He'd like this."I hummed noncommittally, and Yolanda shot me a look before sighing and shaking her head. "Crystal is also sick," she said to the man.He nodded slowly. "Riiiiight," he said, searching me before shrugging. "Well, their loss! I'm Foreman Hendricks! I run this here foundry! Brock here has been in contact with us for a while about evolving one of his Onix into a Steelix!"Salvadore and Stephen perked up only for Foreman Hendricks to raise a hand. "Please keep your questions until after we get through the safety briefing! I need all of you to wear the following hard hats, glasses, and gloves…" He glanced over at us and hummed. "You ladies, I'm going to have to ask you to change into some full-body clothing that is flame retardant and tie up your hair," he said to Rachel and Missy. They both nodded their heads and did as asked.A few minutes later, we were assembled once more, listening as he explained where to walk, and what we were allowed to touch or not touch.He clapped me on the shoulder. "Brock here will be separate from you for the main event as it's his pokemon but you'll all be on a railing overlooking the evolution vats we keep around. Now, any more questions?"Salvadore's hand shot out. "Yes! So many!" he said, beating Stephen to the punch.Hendrick's smiled. "Well, ask away!"Salvadore opened a notepad. "What sort of pokemon are used in the foundry? How do you determine what metal is useful for a metal coat for pokemon such as Scyther, or for Onix? What does this facility mostly smelt? How long has it been operational? Why do it this way at all? How long have you been working here?""Hmmm," said Hendricks. "All right then, got an academic or two in the crowd, it seems. Going to be a future pokemon professor?""I hope to sir!" Salvadore said earnestly."Hmmm, good! We need more smart people like you around! If pokemon professoring doesn't work out consider metallurgy, which pays well!"He then rubbed his jaw in thought. "Hmmm, to answer your questions, we mostly use Machoke around here thanks to their ability to hold heavy loads and their ability to learn moves that make them safer against the molten metals. We still clothe them in gear much like yourselves but also apply an oil that keeps them from dying of heat exposure while making them less flammable."Salvadore wrote that down before opening his mouth only to cough and write something else.Hendricks leaned against the wall, realising he needed to get comfortable. "We also employ a lot of water pokemon such as Blastoise, Starmie, or even Kingler. Kingler are good at handling heavy loads with their bigger claw, and again, they're fire resistant. Lots of fire types otherwise! Magcargo, Camerupt, Arcanine, Rapidash, and pokemon like Flareon are useful around here!" he said with a smile."As to how we determine useability for a pokemon? A lot of that depends on what the trainer wants. You shouldn't use the same metal coat for an Onix as you do a Scyther. Scyther needs a lighter metal that can keep an edge while also still have a high abrasion resistance score."He grinned. "That means the score of how good a metal is at resisting abrasion, friction, or damage. Something that comes up for pokemon. To 'heal' that sort of damage a trainer will typically feed their pokemon a small drink of metal each weak or sprinkle metal flakes into their meals. The good ones will, at least," Hendricks said in an offhand manner.He reached to the side and plucked a metal bar he had sitting to the side. "This is the alloy that we will have made up for Brock's Onix. It's got a great abrasion resistance, so it will be able to handle longer-term abuse from pokemon battles. Now it isn't too heavy, but it will also have some benefits by making Brock's Onix slightly less weak to Ground-type moves. This will be thanks to the evolution creating metal networks internally for Steelix that will absorb the impact slightly better." He then leveled a stern look at me."That is, if you have been feeding your Onix the metal, as we planned out for the last week?"I nodded firmly. "I fed him the precise amounts and kept up weighing him. He's been a bit slower in his movements and slightly more lethargic in the mornings.""Good. Means he's at the threshold of naturally evolving from devouring the metals. The reason we're going to tip him over is that we can control the layering of the metal coat instead of just letting nature take its course. As you might recognise all fo this costs a pretty pokepenny which is one of the only real downsides," Hendricks said to group before turning back to Salvadore. "What were your other questions?"Salvadore repeated them only to tack on another at the end. "— and what is the oil made of that you apply to the Machoke?"Hendricks laughed. "Last question? No idea beyond Rawst and Occa Berries in the mixture." He gestured to the foundry. "We've been operating for over a hundred years. The foundry itself took a lot of damage that made us need to rebuild… a few years back really… but uh… that's not really important!" he said quickly. Salvadore frowned but nodded when the man lightly shook his head.I held in a sigh. The world's method of dealing with the war by sticking their head in the sand sometimes resulted in situations where you couldn't help but trip over it."We mostly make steel for buildings that we ship to construction sites. There's a lot of work going on in Vermillion at the moment, and they're always looking to replate ships traveling on the oceans, so we have plenty of work to do! As for me? I've been here for roughly thirty years!" he said proudly. I mentally marked that down as meaning that he'd probably been here during the war then. I eyed some of the scars on his arms and wondered then which were from working here during those times.As a metal foundry, this place would have had some tactical significance, especially if it held the ability to evolve pokemon such as Scyther or Onix.Stephen coughed and raised his own notepad. "What is the alloy that we will be seeing applied today?""Ain't really got a name… got a complicated series of numbers." Hendricks rattled it off quickly before tilting his head. "Oh! Also, Brock has a few diamonds thrown into the mix that Onix will be laying in. Not sure why that was part of the request."All eyes turned towards me, and I smiled. "Oh, just something I want to test out," I said simply. I rocked on my heels and didn't say anything else. I knew what they were for When Steelix Mega evolved. During those moments, he would have certain growths of jewels out the sides.Stephen tilted his head but made a note of it, while Hendricks merely scoffed. "Diamonds don't add strength. They're pretty, but they're only strong in one plane of force." I merely nodded. The diamonds wouldn't ever be exposed, and I honestly expected them to be crushed into fine pieces. They'd only emerge during mega-evolutions as crystalline growths.Hendricks sighed and shook his head before glancing around to see if any more questions would be asked.Greta raised her hand. "How did people work out that metal coating needed to be applied for Onix to evolve?"Hendricks nodded his head. "Ah that! See, they don't really need a metal coating. The metal coating is to give them a stronger body. This is something we worked out only …fifty years ago? Until then Onix would just devour a store of metals and go from there. But some blacksmith thought that like a tool, you needed metal internally and externally. He did that and found that his Steelix and Scizor were stronger… if a bit heavier"Hendricks rubbed his chin. "First discovery of metals being used in evolution, though, was around here. One of the warehouses that store the metals before they get shipped off got raided. The workers found a number of Steelix passed out from gorging themselves. Back then? They had no idea what those pokemon were! Wouldn't have been hard to see that the metal had been eaten, and then add two and two to get four!"Everyone imagined the expressions of people back then discovering new evolutions by accident. Greta giggled and nodded her head. "Thanks!"Rachel surprisingly raised her hand. "Will photography be allowed? Onix evolving for Brock will be a pretty important moment!"Hendricks nodded. "Knock yourself out! Just be aware that the molten metals will put off a lot of light themselves so have a camera that can handle that otherwise you'll get lots of smudgy photos!"Rachel reached into her bag and withdrew a professional-looking camera and a few other pieces of equipment before she turned and smiled at Missy and Stephen. "You're being recruited!" she said shamelessly as she gave them both bits to hold.Hendricks merely grunted and led us out into the factory floor, moving along specially marked walkways with red warning over a number of points and signs. Immediately we say what he had been talking about with a large number of oiled up, hard hat-wearing Machoke sauntering around. Blastoise and other water-type pokemon were also positioned in key areas with men and women overseeing the movement or manipulation of molten or red-hot metals.Rachel started taking photos immediately, and even with the flash on, it didn't disrupt or cause any problems as she documented our walk through the foundry. When we reached a side factory, we entered quickly, with Hendricks unlocking the front door.Hendricks pointed to a raised walkway that the others went up while he pointed to a spot for me to stand. "There shouldn't be any splash from the metals! If there is we have some barriers set up but we'll control the pouring. You release your pokemon and have it lay in the vat we're going to use!"I did that, and Jormungandr appeared with a loud call of his name. He looked around before leaning down and sniffing the vat."Time to evolve Jorm! You ready?" He nodded and I had him lay down so he was as straight as he could be. I then offered Hendricks a small sack of diamonds which he sprinkled around Jormungandr's body. When a few landed near his face, Onix opened his mouth and munched on a few making me sigh and shake my head.When Hendricks returned to me, he fidgeted and rubbed at a scar on his neck. "Word of warning Gym Leader?" he said, suddenly eyeing the walkway for anyone that might notice him talking with me.I glanced at him and he rubbed his scar. "During the war, there was a captain that had a Steelix… he did something during a really hard fight that I've never seen before. It had these jewels coming out of it… this was under intense fire you see… Think he'd gotten hurt, and we were getting pushed hard. He did something then… some last ditch effort that I or any of the lads that survived that fight hadn't seen before." His eyes were distant as memories took hold."His Steelix, it grew—bigger, meaner, and way stronger. It rampaged something fierce against the enemy, but when they pulled back, it also hurt our lines. The captain had to take it out after the fleeing men and pokemon."He shook his head. "I don't know what happened with the captain, but after that battle, we never saw him or his Steelix again." He locked his eyes with me. "Be careful with whatever you're planning, Gym Leader."I nodded, surprised that there had been another trainer with a Steelix they could megaevolve. Then again, it didn't surprise me to learn that some trainers had been able to mega-evolve during the war. That would have made things harder. With what Hendricks had told me though… Perhaps they hadn't been able to stablise the bond yet? I could recall a few episodes of a Lucario rampaging when it first Mega-evolvedI shifted still holding his gaze. "I have a solid idea of what I'm doing. Can't claim I know everything, though, so I'll be careful. I know what you're talking about, though, and I will take it very slowly should I ever get the chance to do what you're talking about."Hendricks just nodded. "Good." He then shook himself. "As long as you understand the risks. You've so far shown to have a good head on you."He turned away and grabbed a large control panel. "Alright! Time to get this show on the road! ALL CLEAR!!" he bellowed before hitting a red button that sent warning lights flashing as two suspended vats that had been sitting close to a roaring flame that a trio of Flareon had been breathing fire on.A Blastoise wandered in with a set of shades around his eyes. He nodded seriously at me before watching the glowing metals move above Onix's position."LAST CALL SAFETY CHECKS!" he said before pointing at a few other men and women positioned around the area. They all shot back thumbs up. Blastoise did so as well, and then Hendricks looked at me. I glanced at Jormungandr, who nodded before closing his eyes and laying still.I gave the thumbs up, and Hendricks hit another button that caused the molten metal vat to tip on an axis and pour slowly over Onix. The mechanism holding the vat moved slowly to allow it to evenly pour over my Onix as the two vats made a slow loop."ONIX! TRY TO HOLD OFF AS LONG AS YOU CAN SO YOU GET AN EVEN SPREAD OF METAL! DON'T STOP THE EVOLUTION BUT JUST SLOW IT DOWN! STRONGER BODY NEEDS A STRONGER SPREAD!" Hendricks shouted.Jormungandr groaned from where he was as the metal that was poured hardened about him like a shell. When the vats reached his nose and tail, respectively, his body began to glow."He's evolving!" shouted Salvadore. I heard Rachel's camera wildly firing away.The glow continued until the vats had looped his body. Hendricks hit another button and shouted. "GO AHEAD NOW ONIX! DON'T RE—"Onix's body rose out of the molten metal. He was covered from nose to tail, and he roared as the white glow of evolution overtook his form. His body thickened, and large protrusions emerged randomly throughout his body. When the glow ended, he slithered out of the vat."Steeeeeelix!" he groaned loudly, causing the factory to boom at his call.I glanced at Hendricks, and he held out a hand as Blastoise sprayed down the vat he'd emerged from as the overhead buckets moved out of the way.After Blastoise was done, Hendricks nodded, and I released Chansey. She moved close to Steelix and started checking him over while I approached. His body still radiated heat and I could only touch him for a little before I had to withdraw my hand."How you feeling?" I asked.Steelix grinned at me. "STEEEEEEL!" he cried out. I grinned, thinking in my head that he had said 'strong'. Chansey nodded her head and moved back to my side. We then weighed Steelix and noted that he was going to be much heavier than the normal Steelix."Gonna need to train him to be able to move around with that extra mass on his frame," Hendricks said while rubbing his chin.I merely smiled. "We're not afraid of a little hard work, are we?" Steelix grinned.I nodded. "Now you're a true serpent of the world Jormungandr? Hey?."He roared his approval, and we moved away from the foundry and headed back to the Gym. For the first task for my Gym's break, I considered this a pretty big success.When we got home, Jormungandr was instantly swarmed by my family. Even Flint was impressed when he inspected him."I know I should stop asking but… are you sure you can…" he shook his head as he rubbed on a particularly shiny spot on Steelix's flank where a diamond had been laying during the metal pouring.I merely grinned. "This circuit's successful Ace matches alone have helped pay for this cost. Most of the money is the upfront cost really."Flint shot me a look. "Steelix can live just as long as humans can Brock. It's the constant cost that is the real factor, not the initial. Times are good now.""I've got this," I said with a sigh, sick of hearing this issue being raised. "You stick to helping out around the house, yeah? Worry about that."Flint nodded his head slowly and turned back to chuckle as Timmy stood on top of Jorm's head. "I'm the king of the castle!"That had everyone perk up and surge to knock him to the ground. Jormungandr kept his head on the ground, thankfully, so the fall wasn't that bad. Timmy was scrambling up a few moments later, trying to knock off Tommy. I glanced around, expecting to see Forrest in turn knocking off Tommy, only to remember that he wasn't here.I grimaced and shook the feeling off. "Damn, still catches me out that he's gone," I said to myself.Flint glanced at me, having apparently heard what I said. "Kids going on their journeys can be like that…" he said while smiling at me.I huffed and watched Munchlax claim the King of the Hill spot. A cape around his shoulders as he puffed his gut out heroically. Tommy ended up tossing him off due to said cape."Kids are done playing Dragonslayer Munchalx?" I asked Flint."They're onto Hero Munchlax these days… Something about a superhero that could shoot ice beams, had super strength, and could fly?" he said with a smile towards me. I coughed, recalling that I'd cribbed together a basic Superman story for the kids to enjoy. They loved all the superpowers that the 'Hero' had, and of course this must have resulted in Munchlax getting a new outfit.I hummed and considered joining in only for my transceiver to buzz in a way I hadn't heard before. I frowned and glanced down at it only to curse."I need to go," I said. "Someone's threatening one of the—" Flint raised his hands."You don't need to explain it to me." He glanced at Jormungandr. "Going to take him?""He's not used to his body. Needs to get used to it." I tossed him Jorm's pokeball before darting into the house. I was about to grab up my Elite Team's complete set of pokeballs only to pause as another message came through.'Steven Stone has left… he wants to talk.' I read with a frown.I frowned and retreated to my office. He wanted to talk after being caught sniffing around my diamond cave did he? Urgh, I felt like a meowth that had been rubbed the wrong way. I sat and considered things before shaking myself. I clapped my hands and exhaled, held the pose, and then inhaled to reset myself.Alright, so he'd gone sniffing around. It seemed he'd stopped before anything serious had happened. I fired off a message to the guard on duty asking for more details and was pleased to learn a fight hadn't even broken out. Steven had tried to bribe the man however. That struck me as very sketchy.I drummed my fingers on my table and considered whether I could just ignore this. It felt like something I'd regret, however, so instead I reached for my office's transceiver and dialled.A musical tone played out and I raised my eyebrows when a receptionist answered the phone. "Hello! This is Steven Stone's office. How may I help you?"I stared at the woman on the screen. He'd… given me a number to his office? That seemed a bit…"It's Brock from the Pewter City Gym. Steven was just sniffing around something of mine," I said with a growl. "If he wants to talk then—""One moment! I'll have to ask you to hold!" said the woman as I was put on hold. I blinked."What?" I said, nonplussed at how this was developing. Before I could get mad, the line reconnected, and a suave-looking man smiled back at me.His hair was perfectly combed, despite obviously being atop a mountain range. He nodded amiably at me and raised the cup of tea he had in his hands. "Ah Brock! Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!"I blinked before narrowing my eyes. "I think your actions rather required a response from me.""Oh! Don't worry about that! I had done a geological survey of the Mt Moon region and this was one site that I had identified as having some potential for having rare minerals! It seems I was proven right, but I'm a little late with you having already secured the cave." He nodded at me before tilting his head. "How much do you want for it?"I blinked. "Nothing. I'm not selling it."Steven blinked back at me. "You're not selling it? Brock you do realise that diamonds are crucial in a lot of manufacturing processes? They're not just used for jewelry! I'm offering top pokedollar that no one will be able to match!""I'm not looking to sell.""Brock," he said with a sigh. "What do you want? Name a price, and I'll buy it! Everything has a price""I don't want money," I said firmly, feeling more than a little annoyed at how he was barreling along with this conversation.Steven pursed his lips and assessed me. "You don't want money? Do you want shares in my company then?" I snorted, and he continued to observe me while thinking. I must have seemed an odd person to him, but money wasn't something that was an issue for me.He tilted his head. "I don't often suggest such an exchange but… You're a rock-type specialist, so perhaps you can see the value in this trade more than most."I tilted my head, curious as to what he was alluding to. He smiled more confidently now. "Certain pokemon have the ability to harness energy from themselves and their trainer once they create a certain bond with each other. This isn't well understood and is in fact extremely rare. I know of only a few trainers that can pull this off but the effects of this—""You're talking about Mega-evolution?" I asked.Steven blinked. "Ah? You know of it then? Lance I could understand with the Blackthorn records, but you…" He considered me much more closely now, like I was a surprising geode that had a depth he hadn't expected."So, would you be interested in a Megastone?" Steven said with a thoughtful expression. "That's rather canny of you.""It has nothing to do with being canny; I'm just not selling.""Brock, you just haven't heard a price you'd be willing to sell for. That's the truth of the matter. I applaud your forethought in grabbing the land. Now I'd like to make a deal. Thanks to my company's mining rights I have a number of stones. Here is my current collection for sale." He tapped something on his transceiver, and a long list sprouted up in front of me before my transceiver readjusted so the list was displayed alongside Steven's face.Without meaning to, I glanced at it and was surprised at how long it was. He had Gardevoirite, Ampharosite, Charizadite, Blastoisinite, Blazikenite, Houndoominite, Mawhilite, Metagrossite, Sharpedonite, Steelixite, Slowbronite, Salamnecite, and Beedrillite.I blinked before huffing. "What no, Tyranitarite?" In fact, there was only one good option on here for me specifically.Steven finished taking a sip of his tea. He tilted his head at me. " I wasn't aware Tyranitar could Megaevolve… but I suppose that fits with what I've learnt so far of which pokemon could do so."He pursed his lips in thought. "I have found that these stones typically occur around areas that the pokemon live in abundance…" He steepled his fingers. "Mining or scouring a mountain with Tyranitar upon it is not something that is currently feasible. The sites that these Tyranitar are known to frequent are considered nature preserves."I frowned. Something about the way he said, nature preserves felt like he was more saying 'areas I can't profit from' or perhaps I was misreading him? I considered him and watched him as he glanced around, watching something flit around near him.I considered the potential future of the site. A possible mythical pokemon… versus a Mega evolution. I was about to suggest something when I remembered I had promised I'd try and get one for my little sister.That made me feel a sudden gut punch. I shook it off and huffed, she'd understand… I frowned. Did I even need a Mega stone right now? Most of my pokemon at the Elite level could easily throw down with Lance, of all people. How much stronger did I need to get? I'd said I wouldn't chase power once to Janine, and this felt almost, but not quite, the same. No, I didn't need or especially want to sell my diamond cave for this. I shook my head."I'm afraid I can't accept this."Steven tilted his head. "I'd be willing to sell you two Mega stones."I flicked my eyes to the list, and possibilities played out. I did just get a Steelix didn't I?There was also the potential of gifting another stone to Sabrina. If she had Slowbronite, or Gardevourite, she'd have a lot of potential for her pokemon.The others. Meh.Really, it came down to future potential with the caves being more than just mines. I frowned as something else occurred to me. "You do realise that getting access to the cave would require a lot of change to the Mt Moon area don't you?""Not a problem. Devon Corp is used to creating plans that will work with whatever regulations are in place. A decade of mining, and then we re-establish the native plants and pokemon into the region."I again tilted my head at his choice of wording. It didn't sound like… I hummed. "I'm afraid that won't work for Mt Moon. It's a nature preserve itself." I shook my head, "But that's beside the point. I don't think I really want to sell out the cave for a mega stone, or two."He considered me before shrugging. "Well I won't be selling it for three, that would be rather too much for one trainer," he said. I frowned and glanced at the list he'd sent me. If this was what he was willing to sell… Did that mean he had others that he wasn't willing to sell? Or others he was controlling?"Seems a bit hypocritical," I pointed out."Well these are mine to sell," he said with a smile I imagine others would call charming. "If you find any of your own, you'll find you might not want to sell them just as I do. They are, after all, not simple stones.""Hmmm," I said, not all that impressed with his argument. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your match against Karen?""I have it well in hand, my team are more than ready," he said.He watched me for a while before sighing. "Well, I see you won't be accepting my deal today, Brock. Keep me in mind for selling though won't you." He shrugged. "Ah well, think nothing of it, it was a whim on my part," he said with a simple shrug that I didn't really believe. "Now, if you don't mind I have much to do and see! I look forward to seeing you again soon!" he said.I barely grunted out a goodbye as the transceiver disconnected.I put my hand under my chin and considered what had been shared. I worked my jaw a bit before making a decision. I called Georgina, my accountant."Hello? Brock? Is something the matter, I'm at home today looking after Crystal, remember?""Ah no worries, I just wanted to ask if I had the funds to purchase some more land around Mt Moon from my personal funds?"She snorted in an unladylike manner. "Easily, that land is cheap as anything, as people can't do anything with it. There isn't thought to be much worth.""Hmmm, well I just thought it might be a good idea for the pokemon preserve to take any available land off the table. Can I manage that?""Hmmmm, it'd be tight, but with the amount of Ace trainers coming your way you shouldn't feel too much of a pinch. You just won't be able to make any big bets safely.""Hmmm alright then. I'll put in—""I'll get it sorted out and email you the forms. I can do it from home and bill you!" Georgina said merrily.I snorted. "Alright, tell Crystal we missed her today and that Rachel took a lot of photos of Steelix evolving. Bye for now," I said.I hung up and stretched. Hopefully, I'd beat Steven to the punch of snapping up any other land around. I didn't like the idea of him mining Mt Moon. Sure, there were old tunnels, but the place didn't need to be strip-mined. Maybe that's not what he intended, but he rubbed me the wrong way.So fuck that guy.I headed back out to find my family balancing and playing a sort of hopscotch game on Steelix's back. Flint raised a brow at me."Everything alright?""Yeah, I reckon it is now," I said as I smiled at Suzie as she successfully completed a loop of Steelix.Right then and there, I knew I should never sell the cave of diamonds.Suzie's smile was huge as she turned it towards me, and that was just for a simple little game. There was something you should never try to put a price on. If things ever worked out and I got my hands on some Carbink… maybe, just maybe, my theory might pan out for Suzie. That'd put a smile money couldn't value properly on Suzie.Not that it stopped people like Steven Stone from trying such things. I rubbed my chin and considered the coming week. Steven versus Karen of Lavender Town was already being billed as the match of the week, to be held at the plateau's Indigo Arena.That would see him at the League at the end of the week.I hummed, but he still expected to see me soon? I turned that thought over before the answer came to mind. I had been advertising the sale of the Lileep…Somehow, I don't think Steven Stone was going to ignore that.Looks like I was going to be seeing him very soon indeed.114I tapped on the favourites button on my transceiver and gave a giant smile when Celia answered on the first ringtone. "Celia! Good to see you!""Brock! I'm in Verdanturf town!" Celia said, grinning back at me."Good to know! How has your journey been so far?""Great! I was abe to capture a Tropius that likes to be called Tropo! And I also made friends with a feisty little Trapinch that I call Nipper! I have also sent the stable part of the Gym a Skitty that I haven't got a name for, and a Nosepass that I call Sneezer! ""Oh wow! I'm going to have to look into those pokemon. I hadn't seen them come through!" I said in surprise, turning to my computer to see that they'd only just been caught the day before. I blinked and tilted my head. "You only caught them last night?"Celia coughed and I narrowed my eyes at her. "Celia, what have you been doing for the last three weeks?""Oh, seeing the sights! Wandering the routes! I got three of my badges for this circuit so far!"I hummed and clicked onto her trainer profile. "It says here that you only got your third badge yesterday as well…" I laced my fingers and watched her pointedly, not saying a word. She fidgeted and twitched before slumping."I went to the Hoenn desert to find some fossils for you!" she confessed.I sighed. "Celia, that was something I gave you that wasn't meant to be rushed towards. It otherwise ruins the journey. Take your time going places." I gave her a look. "You didn't rush to Fallabor Town as well did you? I remember mentioning that to you.""I was… thinking of working my way around to there via Rustboro… But I was also sorta toying with the idea of learning to fly with Tropo. He's big enough to carry me after all."I hummed. "Well, that sounds alright. Take your time with these things. The Hoenn desert is otherwise a gruelling place. I assume you took the necessary precautions.""I took lots of water and mostly only moved around in the evenings. I set Lizzie and Stomper to guard duty during the day." She perked up as she remembered something. "Oh! I was able to get Stomper to evolve! He did it when he was wrestling a pair of graveler and they took a tumble down a large hill near the Hoenn Desert! He emerged the winner and then he evolved.""Huh," I said, impressed. "Did you set him up for that, cause rememebr that's how I—""Yeah! You told me that's how they evolve in the wild! Well it worked and… not really actually. I hadn't been trying for it and it's one of the reasons I stopped searching around the desert. I realised I needed to give him some time. Brock I was thinking of sending back Trumpet and Nipper for a little bit. I want my Skitty and Hime to compete in the local contest that will be happening in the next few days."That got a more heartfelt smile from me. "Sounds good!"She grinned. "I'll have them holding some things, oh! And check what my Skitty has as well! You'll be amazed!" she wiggled on screen as I brought up her pokemon on screen before having it transported from storage to my office through an internal porting system. It appeared with a flash in the small pokeball receptacle and I held up the pokeball with a cute picture of a kitty cat with whiskers on the front.Celia coughed "I don't have any stickers for a skitty!" she said defensively.I moved to a small button on the side of the main pokemon that integrated an item for certain pokemon to 'hold' through an energy mechanism I barely understood but that worked much like the games. By pressing on it I signalled I wanted to retrieve the held item. A ping appeared on Celia's transceiver, and the video feed shifted as she pressed some buttons to allow the item to be released."Oops! Sorry, need to register you as a party that can take and give things to my pokemon!" She did so and a second later a large stone appeared on the desk. I picked it up and was about to ask the obvious question only to pause when I spotted the claw that was embedded into it."This is a fossil? You found one?" I asked in surprise."Yup! Praise me! I found that fossil and a few others!""Really? How many did you find?" I said looking up from her fossil to Celia who was puffing her chest out and rubbing her nose.She wilted a little. "Only four of them…""Four is very impressive! I didn't find any in the Hoenn desert! I've only ever found three. Also, the only fossils I've found have been in Mt Moon, and that's with the help of the local pokemon.""Urgh! The Hoenn desert pokemon were mostly Trapinich and only Nipper was nice! The rest were soooooooo annoying!"I chuckled, "What fossils did you find?"She reached into her bag and drew out the other three she had on her. "I have one that looks like… an orb?""That's a skull," I said, causing her to shriek and push the skull fossil to the side. She wiped her hands and shuddered before grabbing another up."I also have this one that looks like a plant," she said, showing me another root fossil. I nodded and out of sight, I crossed my fingers. There was a very specific pokemon fossil that I would love to have but that shouldn't be found until Kalos but surely with ancient fossils that wouldn't hold true. Come on, jaw fossil!"And this one that looks like a shell!" said Celia.I carefully kept my expression happy, and didn't showcase any of my disappointment. Honestly, Celia's discovery was huge. "Great work Ceila! That's a Cover fossil," I said. On second thought, with my current team, I was best set up for a Tirtouga, as the water type would slot in well. That along with Anorith and Cranidos would be amazing pokemon to have.Then I pinched myself. "Did you want the pokemon that will be resurrected from the fossils?" I said. It was only right that she, having been the one to find the fossils, should get the first call on them."Oh… don't you want them?" she said.I chuckled. "No, I want them quite a lot. With these pokemon I will have a fairly diverse menagerie of pokemon that are Ancient. Perhaps even the most around…" I said to myself before smirking. "Speaking of which how would you like to train one of the newest ancient pokemon we have? Crowley, my fossil guy, has been very successful with the root fossil and one fossil like you have there can typically create twenty pokemon at least. Want a Lileep on your team?""Sure, I guess?" she said. "What are they like?""Surprisingly strong, they have a really diverse set of moves, but try your hand at it and we'll see how you go. I'm thinking of training one up for my Elite team." That had her eyes widening and her head nodding a second later."Oh, then yeah! If you think they have that much—""Any pokemon has the potential if they have the drive, remember?" I said, making her nod contritely. I offered my hand up on the video call. "So, did you want any of the fossils for your team?"Celia chewed her lip before shaking her head. "No, that was something I did as a Trainer of the Pewter City Gym!" I could hear the capitalisation of the words which just said how proud she was of being a trainer representing the gym, didn't it?"Heh, you're easily my favourite trainer that I've taken on," I said, which made her practically gain wings as she lifted off the ground in pride."Hehe! I'm so telling Jackson you said that!""Go right ahead, but if you mention it to this year's crop of trainers they might take it as a taunt. Mia is very passionate.""And the other full sponsorship trainer?""Humphrey? He's a very insightful trainer, and I think he's made a lot of connections on how to raise and put together a strong team. He has a Nuzleaf on his team now along with his Aron and he's sought out a Magikarp as well," I said, pointing out the stand out pokemon on his team. "I think I'll need to mention some other options for pokemon that have utility such as a flying type, for later but then again, most people make do."There was a lull for a moment before I turned to the other topic I should check in on. It wasn't just her growth as a trainer that I needed to check in on. "How are things going in Hoenn, making friends?""Feh! There are mostly only little kids or older trainers running around. A lot of the kids my age are apparently over in Kanto! … There have been a few girls but they got a bit snooty with me when I mentioned I've never taken part in a pokemon contest before.""Well they sound like…" I rethought what I wanted to say and sighed. "Well, you're probably better off without those girls. Don't let their words sour you to something new, or that Hoenn people are all like that. Some can be the friendliest around.""I spoke with a nice Ranger team during my stay in the desert. They were super surprised that I wanted to stay in the desert and that I had my campsite so well put together!" she said with a huge smile.I chuckled and settled in to listen to everything that she'd experienced. Due to most of her time being spent in the desert it was a fairly short retelling.When it was my turn to share what I'd been up to I sighed and gestured for her to sit down. "Well, a lot has happened since you've been gone," I said to start things off. I relayed everything that had been going on, and she was quick to snarl when she learnt that Daniel had been a plant.When she calmed down, I hummed. "Celia, I can't say a lot, but it turns out that he wasn't just a plant for me. He was from an organisation in your neck of the woods, so you need to be careful if a criminal element approaches you. There are two groups in Hoenn, Team Magma, and Team Aqua. From the research I've been able to do, they are people that were part of the old war for various divisions that formed their own splinter groups rather than disbanding.""Oh, alright." She nodded easily. "I'll make sure to be extra careful with anyone that seems shifty.""Alright, I wish I could say you can just relax, but I thought I better mention it to you while I have you on the line. I'm glad to hear from you. What're you up to for the rest of the day?"She rattled off her itinerary, and I nodded. When she asked the same question of me I smiled."I've got an auction to run," I replied. And I was expecting a lot of people to show up with what was on offer."Welcome!" boomed Rachel through the speaker system."Today, we've added a number of pokemon to the Pewter Gym auction beyond the usual fare! In these last two months a number of these pokemon have seen a lot more combat than typical so expect stronger pokemon than usual up for grabs!" Rachel expertly twirled a cane around like a true showman while waving to the crowd sitting in the stands.I'd had the arena itself closed off to make it level with the seating and placed a small platform up so that we could stand in front of the crowd to perform the auction.Rachel was acting as the frontwoman, hyping up the crowd while teasing some of the pokemon that we would be releasing to the public. "Today we have a wonderful line up of pokemon such as the typical Geodude line with Graveler, and a single Golem! We also have a single variant of the electric typing up for sale today! Look forward to that!"In truth, a few had already been allocated towards the Rangers with three Alolan Geodude being sent off at a set rate. The police also had a trio of Aron that were more suited to other duties than battling right now.Jackson had made a quick trip down to the Orange islands and returned empty-handed sadly with the Onix in the crystal caves not laying any eggs. Bianca had gone with him and made a lot of recommendations, along with lots of photos. She had gained a lot of insight into the crystal Onix's habitat from staying for a few days in the caverns. She was going to go back soon with some other adjustments and supplements to improve the odds of more Crystal Onix being bred.I was disappointed that I didn't have another Crystal Onix for sale, but wasn't too bothered by it. I had other options.I glanced over the crowd from the trainer area at the back. The entire crowd, albeit a much larger group than usual, was watching Rachel praise various pokemon and upsell how they'd make great pokemon for any team.Greta, Missy, and Dennis were all on stage in Gym uniforms, with a number of pokeballs laid out and clearly marked. Alexa was off to the side, handling payments for those that won the bidding on a pokemon."—next pokemon is an Onix with an interesting pool of moves! This Onix was used to showcase a number of Pewter's newest Gym trainers how to teach moves, marking it as highly intelligent." A pokeball was popped and Onix appeared with a roar before it settled down at Missy's smile.Rachel beamed at the crowd. "This Onix knows the moves Dragon Breath, Rock Throw, Iron Tail, and Rock Polish as its most powerful moves. It of course knows Dig and Bide having trained at the Pewter Gym as well!""One point four thousand!" said one man, raising his paddle to show his number. A few officials we'd hired for this auction dutifully noted down the number, and from there, Onix's bidding began.One of the staff members that we'd hired stepped up to a podium and pointed. When he spoke he did so with rapidfire mashing of words that made every rush into the crowd's ears and had them leaning forward in anticipation "Onepointfour, I hear onepointfour going once!""One seven!" cried another voice and a true battle was on as two trainers locked eyes with paddles in hand.Eventually, Onix sold for six thousand, two hundred pokedollars, with the winning bidder happily claiming his prize."Hahaha! Prepare to suck it Lt. Surge!" he shouted as he transferred the money and claimed his pokeball. He then lifted the pokeball with a wild look in his eyes, as though to release Onix right then and there. I got the mental image that he was going to ride Onix to Vermillion to smash in Surge's doors and demand a fight.Alexa coughed politely and gestured to a sign that the auction staff had set up earlier. The first point read;Please keep your auction prize in its pokeball inside the facility. You may release it outside! Thank you for your understanding!The man laughed sheepishly before darting outside to continue his plan of riding Onix into the sunset.Another pokemon was raised up, and Rachel described it before the auctioneer took over.When we reached the alolan geodude, the only one that would be on sale at today's auction, a new voice announced itself."Ten thousand," said a familiar voice.I looked down and sure enough, Steven Stone had entered and claimed a seat. There was a sizable gap around him while some people moved. Had he had an entourage claim the seats for him in advance, or had he paid off the people sitting around him? I'd probably have to watch the security playback to work out what he'd done. No one seemed put out, so there wasn't any need to talk with him.The auctioneer expertly handled Steven Stone's appearance and restarted the bidding."Tenthousand, do I hear an eleven—""Eleven thousand! Gary Oak is in the building!" shouted Gary as he kicked open my doors. I shot him a less than amused look and he ducked his head and moved into a section of seating with Mia of all people. She waved and ran up to me."Hi Brock! I made a friend and thought I'd double back around for a little bit! I bumped into Gary in Celadon after I got my third Gym badge and he and his… girlfriends," she said with a roll of her eyes, "offered to drive me and Silly Mouse back."How is Silly Mouse?" I asked looking around for her Raticate. I'd been surprised to learn about her friendship/rivalry with Gary of all people, but it made a lot of sense that they'd bond. Gary, if you could see through his first impressions, had good intentions, and was actually a good friend to have."Rati!" said Silly Mouse from behind me with a smug wiggle of his whiskers."Nice work sneaking up here," I said, amused at their antics. Ever since they'd gone to Janine for their third badge, they'd been trying to sneak up on things. It would make for an interesting show to have Sabrina, Erika, and the others as their fourth or greater badges, but I didn't doubt that Mia would be able to handle the pressure they'd send her way.The bidding continued, with Gary and Steven Stone trading back and forth for a while before Steven Stone huffed. "Eighty thousand pokedollars!" he said with an air of finality.I whistled. The previous bid had only been thirty-six thousand so for him to double it was a pretty big flex.The auctioneer looked to Gary who was grimacing and checking his transceiver. "I'd like to remind bidders that this is a rare opportunity for anyone looking to claim a rare variant geodude! This Geodude comes from a line of pokemon who's sire was able to knock out champion level pokemon and lay the groundwork for Brock's victory! This is what you're bidding for!"Gary's expression hardened. "Eighty five—""One hundred!" barked Steven before Gary could get the words out fully. The auctioneer did a quick one two from Gary to Steven before raising the bid.I hummed. "Bad luck Gary," I said.Mia rolled her eyes. "Nah, Steven Stone just challenged him. I think he's going to try and show off now.""One hundred and sixty!" Gary shouted, standing to raise his paddle."He's such a dumb rich kid," said Mia with a giggle."There is a difference between a rich child and one of the richest men in the world, however," said Sabrina as she teleported to my side with her Ralts sitting in her lap. It nuzzled into her and glanced over at me before huddling further into Sabrina. A single eye smugly stared out at me. I wanted to chuckle at the childish display Ralts was putting on."I'm surprised he's even here, bidding honestly," I said. "I would have thought he would have had someone else do it for him, or he would have tried to cut a deal."Mia tilted her head. "He can do that?" she said as she scratched Silly Mouse under the chin."Nothing against it, he could have just nominated a representative."Sabrina considered the man, and for a moment Steven Stone faltered as he raised the bid, he glanced up at us and nodded once in our direction before returning to bidding."He has an impressive mind. He has a not inconsiderable degree of psychic power, but I believe that is due to his starter being Metagross… and potentially more," she said, alluding to Steven's documented mega-evolution.Mia tilted her head, unsure of what we were referencing. I shook my head. "Not something you need to worry about at this stage. I'll address it in a few months' time."Steven looked like he was about to wrap things up when the doors banged open once more and a trio of trainers barged in."I raise!" shouted one girl who I instantly recognised. How could I not recognise Roxanne when I'd marked her profile as one to watch. Especially when she arrived with Flannery, and Brawly."The bid is now four hundred thousand and one!" announced the Auctioneer.Flannery shot straight upright. "SAY WHAT?! ROXANNE?! WHAT DID YOU DO?"Roxanne herself looked a bit startled, and I chuckled as she realised how late into the bidding war she'd entered. She coughed and set her stance however. "What's done is done!""We've got your back Roxy!" said Brawly, putting a hand on her shoulder and nodding.Flannery whipped her head around. "The Slugma shit we do!?"Roxanne's smile got a little waxy, and her face paled as the auctioneer reached the second call and it was apparent she was sweating bullets.Gary chuckled, "I can see the Lady needs a hand, and I think I can do just that!" Four-fifty!" he said with a fake smile.Roxanne exhaled in relief, and Brawly gave Gary a quick nod before they claimed a section of seating. Gary turned and laced his fingers. I could just make out that he was bouncing his knee and that he was sweating. Hmmm, so he'd saved her to show off, but really, really shouldn't have?Oh Gary, you're so young. His cheer squad raised their pom poms and made a cheer for him, which only made him lean into his pose more. I could just see him thinking. 'This is fine! This is fine… oh biscuits, Gramps is going to be mad at me!'Steven must have gotten annoyed with the cheer girls loudly proclaiming Gary the most heroic, or he hated losing a bid like this. "Five hundred thousand!!" he announced, and there was a stir from the crowd.The auctioneer happily ran through the three calls before glancing pointedly at the doorways. The crowd turned in their seats apparently expecting another late save. Steven huffed in annoyance before the auctioneer shrugged and slammed the gavel down."AND SOLD TO THE GENTLEMAN HERE! Please come claim your pokemon!"Instead of going himself, a man in a black suit, tie, and glasses arose from the mass that surrounded Steven to acquire the pokeball in question. The man handed the Geodude's pokeball to Steven who turned it over in his hands before pocketing it, a pleased look on his face.He then offered Gary and Roxanne stiff nods.The return to the more normal pokemon was almost lacklustre in comparison with much lower numbers being bid. Interestingly Gary made sure to keep his pokedex out and assess each pokemon that was put on display. He ended up bidding on a Rhyhorn, only for Mia to enter the bidding with a cheeky smile. Gary shot her a look only to up the bid and for her to wave off, finding the bid too rich for her. And with that, Gary was the proud owner of a Rhyhorn.Then it came to the final part of the event, and the auctioneer grinned, only for Rachel to claim the microphone. She must have been getting jealous of the time that he was getting, as she quickly announced the final draw."And to wrap things up today, ladies and gentlemen, we have an exciting, first-off auction! If you've been paying any attention to the Pewter Gym matches on the pokenet you will know! A new Ancient pokemon is now being featured! Today I have the pleasure, nah! The PRIVILEGE! Of announcing that we have not one, not two, but three newly resurrected Lileep up for grabs!"The auctioneer wrestled the microphone back. "WE will now begin bidding at—""Five hundred thousand," Steven Stone said before the man could finish. The crowd gasped and the auctioneer used Rachel's shock to bump her to the side and claim the entire podium for himself."An outstanding first bid from our—""Seven hundred," said a soft voice that had me blinking in surprise."Erika's here?" I said. "Why didn't she come and say hello?"Sabrina raised a hand and waved with just her fingers to the now-revealed Erika who was standing from a group of ladies that had been happily enjoying themselves. They all looked highly interested in the outcome of this auction.Erika turned and bowed politely to Steven, but she made sure to maintain eye contact.I chuckled. "Is she…?" I said in shock."Yes," Sabrina said simply. "She is going to fight Steven for the Lileep.""But I already gave her eight to establish a breeding group with?" I said quietly.Sabrina nodded, and her eyes glowed. I was about to ask what she thought she was doing before Erika jolted and glanced around, only to look up towards us and give Sabrina a bemused expression. Sabrina repeated her finger wiggle, and Erika mirrored it, but then she raised her kimono sleeve to her mouth.Sabrina tilted her head. "She's buying for herself and for the girls… they are all putting in money and it will be something they earn.""They're pooling their money? Oh, that's—""A substantial sum. They are all the daughters and nieces or granddaughters of various CEO's, CFO's or wealthy capitalists themselves through inheritance. It is also not the only option they have for themselves."I blinked. "Oh." I so often forgot that Erika was the best connected of any of us, possibly even beyond Giovanni.Steven sat back. "One million," he said easily."One point two," Erika said without missing a beat, the crowd had just barely gotten a chance to gasp in shock before, were now shouting in surprise.Steven sat up and turned, acknowledging Erika properly. He rubbed his chin in thought before raising his paddle again. "One point five.""One point seven." Erika held his gaze, suddenly she was like the oak, immovable and ancient.Steven considered her again and nodded, content to sit this out. The auctioneer checked the others in the crowd, and while Roxanne looked conflicted, she didn't raise her paddle.When one of the Celadon lasses skipped up to claim the lileep's pokeball there was some applause with Erika bowing to everyone. Then she locked eyes with Steven again and he narrowed his."She's going after all of them?" I asked incredulously.Sabrina nodded and patted Ralts' head causing her to trill happily. "She is, yes."I watched in shock as Erika led the next auction with a one million bid out of the gates. This time Steven forced her to two million. When she didn't bat an eye at this he settled with a defiant look in his eyes for the last bid.Rachel body-checked the auctioneer to get the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen! This is our last pokemon up for auction today! I'd like to thank you all for your patience! This Lileep was given a little extra training with the investment of some TM's to let it learn Sunny Day, Solar Beam, Sandstorm! It also knows Ancient Power! This is the last pokemon up for auction! Good luck!" She then hopped to the side as the auctioneer made a move to claim his spot back only for her movement to make him overcommit and almost stumble.He ducked into a bow and gathered himself well. "Thank you for this experience!" he said with a charming smile while a few people that had obviously been paying attention to his and Rachel's antics tittered and clapped as though it were a comedy."Let's start the bidding!""One point seven!" shouted Roxanne out of nowhere.Both Erika and Steven gave her a short, unimpressed look, which she wilted away from. Flannery grabbed her friend by the collar and dragged her down before furiously whispering into her ear, which had Roxanne curling up.Erika and Steven returned to eyeing each other.One of the girls in Erika's group stood up and sauntered over to Steven's group. Two men in suits rose and raised their hands to her but she merely started talking with them in a friendly way.I quickly lost interest in her as Steven set the bidding at two million out of the gates. Erika made a show of thinking it over. The crowd leaned in, and I found myself watching her for any tells.I never would have thought to see Erika, the usually most flappable of my friends, so in control of herself. She gave Steven an amused smile. "Two point five," she said before sitting down and turning to another girl to talk with her.I frowned. I could almost feel the palpable confusion rippling through the crowd at Erika sitting down and not staring Steven down. It almost went against the plot that had been developing.My eyes swiveled to Steven only to find him sitting with a neutral expression as the girl from earlier cuddled up into his arm."Wait! How did she get through his guard detail?!" Mia said in shock, giving voice to what everyone was thinking.Sabrina hummed. "She gave the guards her father's business card and then told Steven who she was. She said she'd talk with her daddy if Steven didn't be a gentleman and treat her properly."I blinked and Mia turned to gape at Sabrina. "What?""That is what the girl said," Sabrina explained. I nodded slowly, still weirded out by Sabrina so candidly talk about someone's daddy in her flat neutral tone. Mia still looked confused."Who's her father?" I asked."He owns the mining rights to the eastern mountains above Cerulean cape that has since been discovered to lead into Fiore.""Where?" Mia said, confused by all this information.Sabrina turned her head. "Forget I said that."Silly Mouse and Mia stiffened in fear but I coughed. I reached over and put a hand on top of Sabrina's. "She's joking," I said happily. But then gave a serious expression, saying, "It's going to be announced soon, so keep it to yourself though."Silly Mouse and Mia nodded quickly, and I hummed in amusement as Ralts leaned down and tried to bite me. It was like a baby's attack, with her soft gums merely nuzzling my flesh. I pulled in my dark energy so she didn't hurt herself and booped her on the nose."Going, going! GONE!" shouted the auctioneer as he pointed his gavel at Erika who received a huge round of applause. Steven joined in and bowed to her magnanimously before raising the girl next to him to stand. He kissed her hand and gestured for her to head back to her group which she did after taking a selfie with Steven."Well, Erika sure played for keeps," I said as her group cheered and raised the three Lileep pokeballs up before they paraded off. Erika offered me a wave. She made a gesture that I couldn't decipher."She needs to make sure they don't get into trouble and make their way home now. She won't be able to stay and talk," Sabrina said, supplying the answer. She then nodded her head. "And yes, Erika will, when she feels the need she plays to win."Rachel, on the main stage, reclaimed the microphone. "Thank you one and all for attending today's event! This marks the end of the auction and I'd like to thank everyone that took part. Today's event will go towards the stabling and care of a great number of pokemon that the Pewter Gym cares for. However! More importantly, fifty percent of today's earnings will be deposited in an even split towards the hospital and orphans of Pewter city!"Another round of applause rang out as a very large number appeared on the screens around the gym. I whistled. "That's going to go a long way!"Mia nodded her head happily, a huge smile stretching her face. She turned and hugged me. "I never knew," she said into my chest.I pat her on the head. "It was a lot more this year than previous years, but I do try," I said, feeling a warm glow that I usually only got from hugging my own family surge up.Mia broke the hug and wiped her eyes furiously. She then trotted down to nudge Gary and congratulate him on his bid. He eyed her, and his eyes flicked from the number on the screen to me before he nodded his head and said something before shoving her with a cocky smile. She punched his shoulder and laughed.The applause died away, only for a solo man to keep clapping. People turned to look, and a few looked like they might pick the applause back up only for Steven Stone to stop clapping and raise his hands."Thank you all for a wonderful event! I must confess I find auctions such as this a pleasure to attend! I must beg your forgiveness, for I am an audacious fellow and only arrived late to the show. I didn't know about the charity portion of this auction." He turned and smiled at me and it looked heartfelt."Truly, I am glad to attend. I would like to match that number," he said staring straight into my eyes and the crowd broke into thunderous applause.I chuckled and nodded to Steven Stone. I tapped Sabrina, "Can you ask Brawly and his friends to stick around along with Gary and Mia? I'd like to talk with them."Sabrina tilted her head. Then she turned her attention back to Steven before considering me, she nodded. "I will approach them, how long will you be?"I eyed Steven Stone. "Oh, probably a while." It wasn't like I couldn't talk with a man that just casually dropped close to four million pokedollars on my designated charities.As methods of getting my attention went, this was certainly one of them.