Go north along the Peace River Forest, through the lush greenery, and follow the endlessly rushing Peace River until you reach the junction of South Riverland City and North Riverland City.
In a hidden valley, a wooden house stands impressively, surrounded by towering mountain walls that form a natural protective barrier.
"Is everyone here?"
Inside the large wooden house, a tall man sat on a stool, quietly observing the ten people in front of him with dark, piercing eyes.
Everyone wore dark red uniforms, their heads bowed, standing in silence.
"Report, sir. No. 7 hasn't returned yet," the leading member said abruptly.
Hearing this, the chief officer glanced at his watch and said softly, "There are still ten minutes."
He scanned the others once more and commented, "It seems you failed to find that Ralts."
His tone was calm, but everyone sensed the turbulent ange hidden under his words.
"This subordinate is at fault, sir. Give us a bit more time, and we will definitely find it," the leading member said, lowering his head in fear.
"Hmph."
The officer snorted, his dark eyes flashing with fierce intent. "A bunch of useless fools! A whole day, and you couldn't catch a rookie-level Ralts? What's the point of any of you?" His tone suddenly rose, echoing throughout the wooden house.
Meanwhile, Gardevoir, trapped in an iron cage nearby, heaved a sigh of relief as the officer's attention shifted. Its anxious expression softened a little.
But just then, the officer turned sharply to Gardevoir and said coldly, "Don't worry. You two will reunite by tomorrow."
Gardevoir's face contorted with anger upon hearing this, its eyes flashing a dazzling blue light. It focused its energy, sending a psychic beam straight toward the cage!
However, the moment Gardevoir's power touched the iron bars, it vanished like a stone sinking in water, without leaving a trace.
"Don't waste your energy. This cage is made from special materials that completely block Psychic abilities," the officer sneered.
Gardevoir stopped struggling, letting its skirt-like hem sway as it stood quietly in the cage, eyes closed, hands clasped as if in a mysterious prayer.
Ignoring Gardevoir, the officer looked out the window at the vast night sky and muttered, "Time's almost up."
He checked his watch again, saying in a deep voice, "One minute left."
Just then, there was a rhythmic "knock, knock, knock" at the door.
"Open it," the officer commanded, his face expressionless as he resumed his seat.
"Yes." The lead member stepped forward and reached for the door. The moment he opened it, his eyes went wide open and his body froze in shock.
Slowly, he raised his hands, a look of confusion on his face.
The officer noticed the change in his expression and immediately yelled, "Prepare for battle!"
Before he finished speaking, the lead member backed into the room,pointed a black pistol at his forehead. Everyone in the room froze upon seeing the pistol, halting any plans to resist.
Then, the door was kicked open, and five men with pistols entered, each aiming directly at the hunters.
"Don't move!"
"Hands up!"
A sound of shouting exploded in the ear, and every Pokémon hunter squatted on the ground very carefully, holding their head with their hands.
A trace of doubt flashed across the officer's brow,But under the threat of the guns, he too squatted and raised his hands.
"How… how did they find us? This place is extremely hidden!" he thought desperately. "And I stationed several Pokémon outside as guards. How did they get in undetected?"
He realized that these men had to be something beyond ordinary law enforcement.
"Detectives!" he muttered, his mind racing.
Just then, Hugh Smith, followed by Lukas and Aron, entered the room slowly.
"That was too easy..." Aron sighed softly, looking at the subdued hunters.
Hugh's team was impressive; they'd neutralized the guards outside without a sound and subdued the hunters in seconds. Aron hadn't even needed to lift a finger.
The officer's eyes widened as he recognized Hugh. "King Hugh Smith!" he gasped, looking ahead in horror. "I'm just a lowly Pokémon hunter—why would King Hugh Smith come after me?" He knew all too well that the name Hugh Smith was a nightmare for criminals, a legend of relentless justice.
He was just Unlucky to meet King Hugh Smith .
As the officer sat frozen, Gardevoir, noticing the activity around it, opened its eyes and spotted Ralts in Aron's arms. Its eyes brightened, and it called out eagerly.
Ralts, seeing Gardevoir in the cage, leapt down and ran over.
The two Pokémon looked at each other through the iron bars.
[Pokémon: Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy)
Ability: Trace
Rank: semi-Elite
Level: Lv42(semi-Gym)]
Although powerful, this semi-Gym level Gardevoir couldn't quite overpower the hunters to escape. A higher-level Gardevoir might have been able to toy with them and escape easily.
"Ralts, Ralts!"
"Gardevoir~"
The two Pokémon communicated quietly, happy to be reunited.
Hugh Smith glanced over. "Open the cage."
"Yes, sir." A middle-aged man walked over and unlocked it.
At the same time, Hugh approached the officer. "You have a chance to redeem yourself," he said coolly.
The officer hesitated, then said in a hoarse voice, "King Hugh Smith, tell me what to do."
He realized escape was futile, but perhaps there was a way to lessen his punishment.
"Take us to your base," Hugh ordered.
The night was perfect for ending this poaching ring once and for all.
Outside, after the man unlocked the cage with a "click," Gardevoir stepped out and embraced Ralts, its eyes are filled with tears.
Aron,crossed his arms and watched their reunion with a satisfied smile. "That's wonderful."
They may part, but someday they will always meet again .
"Ralts!"
Ralts pointed to Aron, chattering excitedly about how Aron had protected it.
"Gardevoir~"
After a moment, Gardevoir approached Aron, holding Ralts in its arms, and bowed slightly in gratitude.
"It's nothing. I like this little guy, so it was only natural to help," Aron said with a smile, waving it off.
Meanwhile, the other hunters were escorted out of the cabin.
Hugh Smith approached Aron. "We still have business to attend to. Aron, do you want to head home, or would you prefer to stay?"
Aron understood and replied, "I'll stay. My training plan isn't complete yet."
"Very well," Hugh nodded, and left the cabin.
"I'll go with your grandfather then," Lukas said, patting Aron on the shoulder. "Stay safe."
"Don't worry," Aron replied with a grin.
Outside, the officer winced as he saw his Pokémon guards lying unconscious, neutralized so effortlessly.
He followed Hugh onto the helicopter, where he spotted a familiar face—Pokémon Hunter No. 7, who'd been missing.
No. 7 looked up at him, grinning widely, and the officer looked away in discomfort.
The woman supervising No. 7 spoke up. "Alright, get down. Since you cooperated, you'll get off lightly." No. 7 nodded, exited the helicopter, and willingly tied himself to a tree alongside the other captured hunters.
The helicopter lifted off toward the poacher's base.
Back in the cabin, Aron crouched down in front of Ralts and Gardevoir. "You're finally reunited. Stay safe and try to avoid danger in the future."
"Gardevoir~" Gardevoir nodded solemnly.
"Ralts!" Ralts then tugged at Aron's shirt and pointed at Gardevoir.
"Huh?"
"Ralts!" Ralts nodded firmly, looking back at Gardevoir.
After a long, silent gaze, Gardevoir finally nodded in approval.
Aron watched, confused, but soon noticed Ralts pointing to the Poké Ball at his waist, then to itself.
"So,you want to come with me?" Aron asked, squatting down to look Ralts in the eye.
"Ralts!" Ralts nodded confidently.
"Alright."
Without further hesitation, Aron pressed the button on the Poké Ball, sending a red light that captured Ralts inside.
Gardevoir looked at the Poké Ball for a long moment, a complex expression in its eyes. Finally, it nodded to Aron and disappeared with a Teleport.
Aron looked at the Poké Ball in his hand with a soft expression on his face.