After the interrogation, Lance and Cynthia reached a unified decision.
If they waited until morning, Goldsmile would most likely vanish.
In the quiet hours of the night, a joint strike operation was launched immediately.
The city was silent. In the shadowed alleys, two Meowth crouched low, grooming their fur with calm precision.
At that moment, a wild Purugly stepped into view.
The pressure in its gaze made Meowth's fur stand on end. Their bodies stiffened instantly.
A confrontation was about to break out.
Then, faint sounds shifted the atmosphere.
Footsteps. Numerous, tightly packed footsteps.
Light, but impossible to ignore.
Both sides paused. Even the Purugly tilted its head, observing the direction of the disturbance.
Jubilife City Police Department units had already moved in under the coordination of Lance and Cynthia, closing in silently on Goldsmile's position.
The Purugly and Meowth instinctively backed away, unwilling to get involved.
. . .
Goldsmile's base was located in an abandoned alley scheduled for demolition.
The area was largely uninhabited, claimed mostly by wild Pokémon. The operation turned the stillness of the district into a tightening net of movement.
In Jubilife City, where every meter of land carried value, even neglected structures remained layered with hidden use.
At the end of the alley stood a dim two-story building.
A stale, sour odor lingered in the air.
Above the entrance, a faded sign read:
[Goldsmile Consulting Office]
No lights were on inside.
No sign of activity.
Yet everyone knew this was the target.
The officers exchanged silent signals.
According to Lance's interrogation results, Goldsmile operated through this office, receiving orders and distributing work through intermediaries
In the interrogation of one of the bikers, specifically the purple-haired one, he had learnt a bit.
[Flashback]
Lance leaned slightly forward. His presence alone compressed the air around him.
"Tell me everything you know about Goldsmile."
He had spent years alongside Dragon-type Pokémon. The presence he carried was similar in weight to Salamence or Gyarados when fully provoked.
The pressure made the suspect break instantly.
"Goldsmile… he runs both legal and illegal operations."
"Cash only. No records. No traces."
"Loans, intimidation, retaliation jobs, forced collections… anything that pays."
"He always says one thing."
The man swallowed hard.
"If money can't solve it, then break everything until it can."
Lance exhaled slowly.
He considered pointing out that criminals did not need slogans, but chose not to interrupt further.
[Flashback Ends]
The office did exist on paper, but neither the listed owner nor representative was Goldsmile.
What remained useful was the image.
Every officer received it on their devices.
A man with gold teeth, gold rings, and a constant, unnatural grin.
[Image]
No real name.
Only a label built from appearance and reputation.
Goldsmile.
Wild Pokémon gathered along rooftops and walls, watching the growing operation below.
With both Champions present and Chief Zorro coordinating support, the arrest progressed without resistance.
"Who are you?! I'm a law-abiding citizen!"
Goldsmile and his subordinates struggled as they were restrained.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Click. Click. Click.
High heels struck the concrete in a steady rhythm.
The sound carried through the building like a countdown.
Goldsmile lifted his head.
The scene before him would stay with him permanently.
Lance and Cynthia stood in the shifting shadows. Lance wore his cape, Cynthia a dark trench coat. Neither spoke at first. Their silence carried weight.
Goldsmile swallowed hard.
These were not people he could talk his way out of this time.
Lance slowly raised his League Investigator badge.
"I am Lance, Chief Investigator of the Pokémon League Alliance. Under Article 6, Chapter 3 of the League Law concerning economic crimes, and Article 2, Chapter 7 concerning organized violent criminal activity and threats to public safety, I am placing you under arrest."
Each clause landed like a seal closing shut.
Goldsmile's shoulders dropped. His earlier confidence collapsed piece by piece. He looked down, unable to meet their eyes.
No resistance came.
Lance lowered his hand slightly. "No objections. Take him."
Outside, the first light of morning broke over Jubilife City. Sunlight spread across rooftops, catching the thin layer of frost and turning it into scattered gold.
Goldsmile was led away in restraints as sirens cut through the streets. Police vehicles arrived in formation at Jubilife Headquarters, securing the scene and escorting the detainees.
The arrest of Goldsmile was only the surface layer. The structure behind him still needed to be uncovered. The buyer, the one who ordered the attack on the Breeding House, remained unknown.
. . .
7:30 AM
Austin Black had already received a message before sunrise.
Cynthia: "Check the news."
Everyone gathered in the cafeteria. Austin turned on the phone screen and switched to the broadcast.
"This is Sinnoh NOW Morning News. Last night, a joint operation was carried out in Jubilife City."
"The League, under Chief Investigator Lance and Special Investigator Cynthia, has dismantled a violent criminal organization operating within the city."
The footage showed hooded suspects being loaded into police vehicles under heavy escort.
Lance and Cynthia declined interviews. Instead, the report featured Chief Zorro of Police Headquarters, who outlined the charges and confirmed continued cooperation with international investigative units to prevent similar incidents.
No mention was made of the previous day's attempted raid on the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
The public narrative had already shifted.
Amanda exhaled slowly, tension easing from her shoulders. "At least it ended quickly."
Relief spread through the room. The damage to the breeding house had been contained, and no staff or customers were injured.
Leon leaned back in his chair. "Then we leave it in the past."
Amanda nodded. "The storm passed."
Dai Yui scratched his head. "We still have Lucario, Agni, Ryu, and the wild Pokémon to thank."
Shion clapped first, bright and unfiltered, before playfully punching him.
"And you, too!"
The others followed, applause filling the room in uneven rhythm.
Leon's phone buzzed. He answered, listened for a moment, then broke into a grin.
"The egg-hatching machine has arrived."
. . .
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