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"Old man, are you alright?"
After Scyther finished cutting down the last of the black-clad poachers, Liam checked to make sure they were all unconscious before ordering Scyther to free the trapped Slowpoke. Meanwhile, ever the paragon of virtue (or perhaps just reckless), Liam went to help the "old man" on the ground.
"Cough! Damn brutes! No respect for the Sacred Slowpoke! And they had the nerve to hit me too! Serves them right!"
The "old man" grumbled as Liam untied his ropes. Rubbing his bruised face, the old man eyed Liam suspiciously and sneered.
"Hey, kid. You're not exactly innocent either, sneaking around in the middle of the night dressed like that. Doubt you're some upstanding citizen!"
Truth be told, Liam felt like punching the "old man" right then and there, but fortunately, he restrained himself.
"Ahem. Let's just say my business is my own. But I'm not one of them, that much I can promise."
He glanced at the unconscious poachers and narrowed his eyes.
"As for these guys — they're from an organization called the Hunter Group, who make their living by capturing Pokémon everywhere. I've been at odds with them for a long time. This time, I stumbled upon their trail, so I came here, and happened to rescue you in the process."
Nearby, Scyther finished slicing open the cages, dragging the dazed Slowpoke out one by one.
"Hmph. Fine, I'll take your word for it."
The "old man" snorted, clearly not convinced.
"Well, since everything's settled here, you should report this to the police. I'll leave that to you—I'd rather not stick around. So, farewell."
Sensing the old man's perfunctory tone, Liam didn't push further and turned to leave.
"Hold it!"
The "old man" suddenly grabbed Liam's cloak.
"You're not leaving me here alone! What if these thugs wake up? No way. I'm coming with you."
Liam sighed.
"...Fine. I'll take you to the surface, then I'm gone."
On their way back to the well, Liam had already recalled Scyther. When they reached the bottom, Liam grabbed the rope to climb up—only to be yanked back down.
"Kid, don't bother with that. You think I climb up and down every time? Pfft. Ledian, out!"
With a flick of his wrist, the "old man" released a Ledian, which promptly grabbed his clothes and carried him effortlessly up the well.
Liam stared, mouth slightly open, "If you had a Pokémon this whole time... why the hell were you captured?!"
Left alone in the well, Liam waited for Ledian to come back for him.
And waited.
And waited.
"You've gotta be kidding me. Did that old bastard just ditch me?! Ugh, never trust a stubborn geezer. Guess I'm climbing."
Grumbling, Liam hauled himself up the rope, panting by the time he neared the top.
"Whew... Didn't realize how deep this damn well was—"
"Tsk tsk tsk. Well, well. Look who decided to attack our Hunter Group. Been a while, hasn't it? Almost nostalgic~"
A blinding spotlight suddenly flooded the well, followed by a sickly sweet, all-too-familiar voice.
Liam squinted through his mask—right at the massive aircraft parked nearby, its lights trained on him. Below it stood Kyra, surrounded by her lackeys, smirking like she'd already won.
"Shit."
Liam loosened his grip, ready to drop back down.
"Hey, Vortex… or should I say… Liam? Haha~ impressive! First place at the Kanto League Conference! Though, that's quite a strange name… I suggest you don't jump back down. That old guy's probably connected to you, right? If you go, I can't guarantee his safety."
Kyra, seeing his intention, waved her hand. Her subordinates stepped aside, revealing several people pushing the gagged "old man" and Ledyba forward. They removed the gag, letting him speak.
"Pftt! What kind of cloth is this? It tastes awful!"
True to his "old" nature, the old man's first act wasn't to plead for help, but to complain about the taste.
"Cut the crap, old man! Tell that guy to come out and surrender, or I won't be polite!"
Kyra nearly choked in frustration, her face flushing red as she shouted at him.
"Heh, are you sure you've got the right person? I only met that guy in the well today. I don't even know his name. Do you think he'd listen to me?"
The "old man" smirked and shot her a contemptuous glance.
"That's not my concern. I suggest you try anyway — maybe he's a softhearted fool. Don't worry, once we catch him, I'll let you go. How about that?"
Her words made the old man pause. In the spirit of "better him than me," he agreed to give it a shot.
"Hey kid, you heard what she said. So I'll just tell you one thing — listen carefully…"
The "old man" took a deep breath and suddenly bellowed:
"KID! WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T COME OUT!!"
His voice rang so loud that the area fell silent for a moment.
Liam was the first to react — a faint smile curved his lips, and he instantly let go of the well's edge, dropping back down.
"You! You—!" Kyra, red with fury, could only point at the old man, lost for words.
"Heh, guess you were right. The kid really does listen."
The "old man" kept smiling smugly.
"Hmph! Everyone! Get down there and catch him! He's an important figure from an enemy organization! Don't let him escape!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
With her order, Hunter Group members rushed to the well, PokéBalls in hand.
"As for you… heh. Come out, Zangoose! I told you you'd pay for this! Zangoose, use Slash!"
"Zangoo!!"
Kyra released her Zangoose, and at her command, it lunged forward, claws glowing white with a cruel glint in its eyes, charging straight at the still-smiling "old man."
But in that instant of crisis….
"GARCHOMP! MEGA EVOLVE!!"
A deafening roar erupted from the well as Garchomp's form erupted in light, shaking the very ground beneath them!