Just as Silas and every other trainer inside Rusturf Tunnel had received the Alliance's urgent summons, events outside were already escalating.
Outside the tunnel's stone-gambling market, sirens wailed as police cruisers screeched to a halt. A cordon of uniformed officers surrounded the district with grim faces, their formation tight and professional.
At their head stood a striking figure: Officer Jenny.
From atop a heavy off-road police vehicle, megaphone in hand, her commanding voice rang out over the crowd:
"Attention! Citizens and trainers-listen carefully! Intelligence suggests members of a dark underground syndicate have infiltrated your ranks. Remain calm, obey League Police instructions. Your safety will be ensured!"
Her words repeated again and again, firm but steady, an attempt to soothe frayed nerves. And yet, despite the guarantee, panic still rippled among the gathered people.
Passing the megaphone to an aide, Jenny turned to a technician. "Status?"
"Captain, the emergency mission announcement has been forced through to every Pokédex in Rusturf Tunnel."
Jenny exhaled slightly. Good.
She resumed issuing sharp orders: dispersing the crowds, splitting civilians from potential threats, and pressing for backup from the nearest League patrols.
...
Within the tunnel, Silas hadn't lingered. The moment the emergency alert flashed across his Pokédex, he had recalled his team and raced for the exit, Murkrow clearing the way through lingering mist.
But no sooner had he emerged than he was swept up with others, corralled by officers for screening. He stood quietly, Crawdaunt looming at his side.
Jenny's sharp eyes scanned the crowd—then locked on him. Suspicion flickered.
More than a few captured syndicate members tonight had fielded Crawdaunt or Corphish. For this organization, they were signature Pokémon.
"You. Name?"
"Silas."
"Identification."
Pulled aside for questioning, Silas presented his League ID without protest. Jenny swiped it across the reader-then blinked at the results.
"…I see."
Her expression shifted, suspicion fading into something else entirely.
"My apologies, Trainer Silas. These are urgent circumstances,So I ask for your understanding."
She snapped into a formal salute, posture crisp, legs pressed together, apology delivered with all the Jenny family's characteristic discipline.
Silas inclined his head faintly, turning to go. But Jenny stepped forward, stopping him once more.
"Trainer Silas," she said, softer now, "you've received the summons. This is a Level 1 emergency mission. While not compulsory, as a member of the Alliance, we hope for your aid."
Her gaze flicked briefly to Crawdaunt. Its evolved form marked Silas as no novice. She feared he might refuse-so she added quickly, "Support us, and the League will see you rewarded."
Her tone was gentle… unusually so. For ordinary civilian trainers, there would have been no invitation-only orders.
Silas lowered his eyes, thinking. He had no true need to risk himself. His crafted Pokéblocks alone earned him steady Alliance pay.
"…Can the reward be exchanged for Alliance Points?"
Jenny hesitated. Alliance Points were far more valuable than coins-currency within the League's own exchange system. With enough points, one could redeem treasures, rare Pokémon eggs, even specialized manuals from the great houses.
She considered his ID again: second-tier authority. A rarity.
"…Very well," she said at last. "On behalf of the League Police, I agree."
Yet resentment lingered, faint and unspoken. Few ever bargained with the Jennys. Fewer still succeeded.
Jenny's eyes lingered on him as he rejoined the trainers. She memorized his face.
.....
The other trainers whispered as Silas returned to the group. Everyone had seen it: Jenny herself inviting him. And the Crawdaunt at his side left no doubt of his strength. Many edged closer, hoping safety lay in numbers.
But before conversation could deepen—
BOOOOOM!!!
A thunderous explosion ripped through Rusturf Tunnel. The ground quaked, flames roared skyward, and half the tunnel mouth collapsed.
"On guard!" Jenny barked, recalling Arcanine to her side.
Three Pokémon burst from the smoke.
"Camerupt, Flamethrower!"
"Sharpedo, bypass them-Water Gun, strike the girl directly!"
Two figures-one in red, one in blue-bellowed commands. The torrent of fire and water crashed into the defenders, their sheer force driving trainers and even Jenny's Arcanine backward. Its barrier flickered, barely holding.
Then
GROOOOAR!!!
A Steelix rose from the rubble, its silver body gleaming like a mountain of living iron. Dozens of meters tall, it reared against the sunlight, blinding in brilliance.
Upon its head stood a young woman, her expression sharp with fury.
"Probopass, Zap Cannon-target Sharpedo! Rhydon, Earthquake against Camerupt!"
BOOOOOM!!!
A ball of electromagnetic energy streaked across the sky, slamming into Sharpedo with crushing force. The ground heaved as Rhydon's quake ripped through the battlefield.
Calm, collected, the girl commanded with precision, her team hammering the enemy back step by step.
Below, ordinary officers and trainers clashed with syndicate grunts in red and blue. Yet time and again their gazes lifted upward-to the true battlefield.
The sheer power there… the shockwaves alone were enough to knock lesser Pokémon unconscious.
Jenny stared, lips parted. "Is this… the might of an Gym-Leader Roxanne's Pokemon?"
Her legs trembled despite herself.
Silas's eyes widened, recognition flaring.
"Rox– Miss Roxanne?!"
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(End of chapter)