The chapter continues right where the last one left off. Maylin, having successfully snuck aboard the S.S. Anne, moved silently through the ship's corridors. Her steps were light, her focus sharp. Eventually, she spotted a pair of Team Blitz male grunts up ahead, struggling to carry a large stack of stolen goods, a collection of jewellery, all looted from unsuspecting passengers.
The first grunt voiced his annoyance, complaining about how someone named David was making them do all the heavy lifting. The second grunt quickly hushed him, warning that if David heard that, there was no telling what he might do. Suddenly, a voice called out to the pair. They turned around sharply. Maylin stood there, holding a Poké Ball, her expression firm as she ordered them to put the bag down.
The grunts laughed, mocking the idea that a girl could boss them around. Maybe, they thought, this would be more fun than they expected. Without hesitation, the pair threw out a Grimer and a Raticate. Maylin sized them up quickly and deemed them no real threat. She threw out her Tyrouge and Drillbur. In no time, her Pokémon made quick work of the grunts' team.
The two grunts were left stunned, giving two strong male passengers the perfect chance to step in and subdue them. With the grunts restrained, Maylin began her interrogation, while the other passengers reclaimed their stolen belongings. The grunts dodged her questions, giving vague answers and smirks. Maylin, quickly growing tired of their games, sent out her Pinsir.
Feeling the tension shift and threatened by Pinsir's presence, the grunts cracked, answering everything. At the same time, elsewhere on the ship, Dango and his team moved through the halls, calm and focused. Defeated Team Blitz grunts lay scattered in their wake. From the last group he questioned, Dango learned there were nearly 60 grunts stationed across the ship, many already raiding valuables from the passengers.
But that wasn't all. The grunts revealed they had destroyed all the cellular networks around the ship, cutting off any chance to call the authorities. At the same time, Maylin learned this from the prisoners and, uncertain of what to do next, found herself wondering how Dango was holding up. The people she had saved thanked her sincerely.
As Maylin prepared to leave, a worried mother approached, breathless. She told Maylin the main lobby was under attack—her son and husband were trapped there. Maylin paused for a moment, then, without hesitation, took off running toward the chaos. The passengers watched in awe, impressed by her bravery at such a young age.
Along the way, Maylin encountered a few grunts, but they were no match for her, and she defeated them with ease. When she finally arrived at the main lobby, her eyes widened in shock. A massive group of passengers and ship staff were being held hostage, surrounded by nearly 30 Team Blitz grunts. Stunned by the sheer number, Maylin hesitated. This wasn't something she could take on alone. She turned and made a quick decision—she needed to find Dango, fast.
Meanwhile, Dango found himself standing before the bridge door. Pushing it open, he stepped inside to find four Team Blitz grunts—two of them were Lia and Kai. Kai was at the helm, piloting the S.S. Anne, while the ship's helmsman lay on the ground, knocked out with blood trickling from a head wound. The door opening immediately caught their attention. Kai snapped sharply, questioning why the door hadn't been locked.
Lia: (with a devilish grin) "Nice, the little shit is here. How's it been?"
Dango: (smirking back) "Hey, I thought we were beyond that. Bitch."
As Dango and Lia traded insults, the other two grunts, Reid and Kent, whispered among themselves, doubting Dango's strength and calling Lia and Kai incompetent. Quietly, they drew their Poké Balls, sending out a Zubat and a Poochyena. The Zubat and Poochyena lunged forward to attack, but reacting swiftly, Axew and Elekid leapt from behind Dango, intercepting with Iron Tail and Thunder Punch, knocking the attackers back.
Surprised by Dango's quick reaction, Reid and Kent switched out their Pokémon, now sending out a Sneasel and a Golbat. The new pair clashed fiercely with Dango's team, combining moves that actually pushed him back—until Staravia and Primeape joined the fight, turning the tide in Dango's favour. Seeing this, Lia sent out her Croagunk, but that wasn't enough. Kai put the ship on autopilot and stepped forward to help, releasing his Roselia.
The Pokémon blasted at each other, Axew spitting Dragon Rages, Staravia striking with precise Aerial Aces, while Roselia and Golbat countered with their own powerful attacks. Primeape and Elekid charged together, facing off against Croagunk and Sneasel. Commands flew as the battle raged. Staravia fell first, cut down by Golbat's Air Cutter, then Elekid was taken down by Roselia's rapid Razor Leaf. Now, only Primeape and Axew remained against their opponents.
Axew and Primeape tried their very best, landing solid blows that took down Reid's Golbat and Lia's Croagunk, not without taking damage. This opened a chance for Sneasel to lunge at Axew with an Ice Punch. Before the attack could land, Primeape stepped in, taking the hit, then followed with a clean Karate Chop that knocked Sneasel out. At this point, the grunt squad was shaken. It was only Roselia left. But Kai wasn't done. He noticed something. Dango's Pokémon were already beaten up.
That meant he still had a chance. Interrupting his thoughts, Kai's fellow grunts shouted a warning. Axew and Primeape were closing in fast. With no time to react, Kai's Roselia was slammed by a fierce Dual Chop, followed immediately by a powerful Cross Chop. The combo hit hard, sending Roselia crashing to the floor, defeated. They tried to flee, but Primeape grabbed the grunts and bent a nearby metal pole around them, restraining them with ease.
Dango recalled Axew, hoping to give him some rest, as the grunts began arguing, each trying to pin the blame on the other. Tired of their bickering, Dango stepped forward and asked why they were on the ship. The grunts called him stupid, saying he should be able to piece things together; they were here for the passengers' valuables. Dango cut them off; he wanted the real reason. Confused, they went silent for a moment. Lia spoke up, annoyed, wondering what he meant by that.
Dango: "Don't act dumb! I know about the Pokémon in the basement."
Surprised, the grunts grew nervous, even horrified. As Kent started to speak, Lia shouted at him to be quiet—he was listening. Dango's annoyance grew, and as he opened his mouth to speak, something clicked.
Dango: "Who's he?"
To Be Continued!