After a brief exchange with Silas, Officer Jenny found herself admiring the young man even more. For a fleeting moment, she even thought about drawing him further into the League's fold, perhaps even investing in him.
But now wasn't the time. She moved through the camp, her sharp voice calm yet firm, bringing order to the shaken trainers and civilians. Slowly, the chaos settled into uneasy quiet.
Meanwhile, above Rusturf Tunnel, Roxanne, Gym Leader of Rustboro, gave a detailed report to the assembled League officials.
Beside her stood none other than Mr. Stone-the chairman of Devon Corporation, his formal name Steven Stone Sr., known across Hoenn as a titan of industry.
His expression was grave as he recounted the events.
"Yes. Homura of Magma and Izumi of Aqua had infiltrated our company for a long time. They stole Devon's cutting-edge research data… and even the topographical maps of Rusturf Tunnel!"
The old man's tone was filled with sorrow, as though he were nothing more than a frail elder bullied by the world. But everyone here knew better.
Even the Alliance Commander at his side shifted uncomfortably. Everyone in Hoenn knew the truth: Mr. Stone was not only the savior of Devon, but also a formidable Pokémon Trainer in his own right-a man whispered to rival the Elite Four in strength.
Roxanne, ever earnest, tilted her head. "That's strange. If their goal was to steal data, why stay behind? Why provoke a fight in the tunnel at all?"
She remembered the strange devices Izumi and Homura had tried to recover during the battle and voiced her suspicion directly.
Several officials exchanged uneasy glances. Her bluntness cut sharper than they liked.
Stone deflected smoothly, though his eyes glittered with something unspoken. "Rusturf Tunnel was once one of our family's private breeding grounds-a habitat for raising rare Pokémon hatchlings. But it has long since been abandoned. As to why those two chose to attack… I cannot say."
The Commander touched his earpiece, frowning as he listened to fresh reports. "Our scouts confirm it-Team Magma and Team Aqua acted together. It seems the two syndicates have entered into… a temporary alliance."
The words sent a ripple of unease through the officers.
Roxanne remained steadfast, but her youthful directness only deepened the contrast against the room of older, seasoned men.
"That's enough, Roxanne," one of the senior leaders said quickly. "The League Corps will handle this from here. You should return to your duty as Rustboro Gym Leader and calm the people."
Dismissed under polite pretense, Roxanne flushed, realizing her words had overstepped. Still, her thoughts drifted unwillingly-to the calm, calculating way Silas had carried himself in the battle, as if he already saw the whole board.
Suppressing her frustration, she turned and descended into the camp.
...
When she arrived, she spotted him at once. Silas was standing near the fireside, speaking quietly with Officer Jenny.
Something tightened in Roxanne's chest. Without thinking, she strode toward him.
"Silas?"
Her tone was sharper than intended.
Both turned. Jenny offered Roxanne a smile, excused herself to give orders to her unit, and left the two face-to-face.
"Miss Roxanne?" Silas inclined his head, keeping his voice calm.
Roxanne had meant to question him-to demand some explanation for why he seemed so at ease in the shadows of such chaos. But when the words rose, she faltered. Their bond was little more than student and teacher, hardly close enough for accusations.
Instead, she glanced away and murmured, "Officer Jenny is… admirable. I wonder if I could ever be like her someday."
Silas blinked, surprised. For once, he caught a glimpse of the young woman beneath the Gym Leader's title.
So he answered with steady confidence, his words pointed but sincere.
"You already are. You stood atop Steelix and drove away the commanders of Team Magma and Team Aqua. To me, you're the true guardian of Rustboro City."
Roxanne had heard countless praises in her life-most laced with politics or flattery. But when she met Silas's clear gaze, something fluttered in her chest.
They lingered together a while, speaking quietly, until at last they left Rusturf Tunnel side by side, heading back toward the city.
From a distance, Officer Jenny watched, arms folded. Her sharp eyes narrowed, thoughtful.
"So, he's close to Roxanne as well? Hmph. His information clearance will need to be raised."
.....
Back in Rustboro City, Silas and Roxanne parted ways. He wasted no time in hurrying toward the Pokémon Center.
Once inside his room, he collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I only wanted to train my Pokémon… and yet it turned into this."
Images flashed in his mind.
The bones buried deep in Rusturf Tunnel.
The betrayal of the stranger uncle.
The worth of rare Pokémon and vein-born Nector.
The intrusion of Team Aqua and Team Magma.
The League's desperate emergency recruitment.
Too much, all crammed into a few days. His body, deprived of rest, finally relaxed. Sleep claimed him almost instantly.
...
When he awoke the next morning, the Pokédex headlines blared across the screen.
[Dark Organizations Attack League Stronghold - Alliance Corps and Trainers Repel the Threat!]
Silas read the entire article. Every word exalted the League's victory and condemned Team Aqua and Team Magma as incompetent villains.
Not a single line mentioned the number of civilian trainers who had died in the conscription.
Silas snorted. "As expected." He flicked the screen away.
He opened his spatial backpack, beginning to sort through his spoils but a knock came at the door.
Instantly alert, Silas swept all evidence of his loot back into storage. Only once the room looked spotless did he move to answer.
Standing outside was Officer Jenny.
For a heartbeat, Silas hesitated. With their identical faces, he wouldn't normally be able to tell one Jenny from another. But this one bore badge number 001 on her uniform-the same Jenny who had fought beside him yesterday.
As she stepped inside, her emerald hair swaying, her eyes instinctively swept the room. Years of crime scene investigation had made the habit automatic.
Realizing, she flushed faintly. "Forgive me. It was Reflex."
Silas waved it off casually. "No offense taken."
Jenny, reassured, entered fully, her presence commanding yet unguarded. She had lived a life surrounded by respect, and it showed-she moved as though the world itself bent around her.
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(End of chapter)