The man in the green trench coat studied Aaron's Pokémon with undisguised interest.
He had been confident in his concealment—certain it was flawless. And yet, he'd still been found.
What he didn't realize was that Sceptile could sense the surrounding plant life, and with Sage Mode enhancing its perception, hiding nearby was pointless. As for Snorlax, its Observation Haki made its awareness even sharper.
To them, his presence had been obvious.
"Who are you?" Aaron asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
The man tilted his head, a faint smile forming.
"Me? Kid… you've heard of the Hive Organization, right?"
His tone was casual, almost teasing.
"The Hive Organization…?"
Aaron's pupils contracted as the name triggered a memory.
It was a dangerous group obsessed with Bug-type Pokémon—capturing them, modifying them, and turning them into something stronger.
That was everything he knew about them.
"Bug-types… Beedrill… the Bug Catcher from before…"
The pieces snapped together almost instantly.
Aaron's gaze sharpened.
So that was it. His Beedrill had been targeted all along—and that Bug Catcher from the contest was likely one of them. It had felt off at the time.
Now it made sense.
"Judging by that look, you've figured it out," the man said with a faint smile. "No wonder you're the top scorer. You catch on fast."
"You're here for my Beedrill?" Aaron asked, his tone calm, his expression unreadable.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The man gave a slow, approving applause.
"Sharp. Exactly what you'd expect from someone like you."
He stopped clapping, his gaze settling on Aaron.
"So… why don't you hand it over?"
"You're in the spotlight now. I wouldn't touch you—even if I wanted to. Too much attention brings trouble."
His tone remained easygoing.
He wasn't bluffing.
The moment he learned Aaron had shattered records to become the top scorer, any thought of killing him had been abandoned.
Someone like that couldn't just disappear. The fallout would be massive—far beyond what their organization could handle.
So his objective was simple.
Complete Dr. Kain's mission.
Take the Beedrill.
"My Beedrill…" Aaron's voice turned colder. "You're not taking it."
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Grub raised a brow, then let out a low chuckle.
"Heh… kid, you've got some talent—but against me, you're still out of your depth."
The mockery faded from his face, replaced by something colder.
"So what's it going to be?" he said flatly. "Hand it over… or make me take it?"
Aaron didn't move, his gaze steady.
"That depends on what you can do."
Grub's expression darkened.
He pulled out a Poké Ball, his voice turning icy.
"Your choice."
"Come out… Ariados."
A burst of light flashed.
A spider-like Pokémon landed on the field—its horn jutting forward, limbs tense and powerful, fangs gleaming under the fading light.
Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly as its data appeared before him.
[Name: Ariados]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Brave]
[Types: Bug, Poison]
[Ability: Swarm]
[Base Stats Total: 400]
[Level: Gym-Leader (Early Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Gym-Leader]
[Moves: Needle Barrage (Perfect), Agility (Mastery), Swords Dance (Mastery), Poison Sting (Mastery), Absorb (Mastery), String Shot (Proficient), Focus Energy (Proficient), Constrict (Proficient), Fell Stinger (Mastery), Venom Drench (Mastery), Scary Face (Proficient), Shadow Sneak (Proficient), Sucker Punch (Proficient), Fury Swipes (Proficient), Spider Web (Proficient), Psychic (Proficient), Poison Jab (Proficient), Cross Poison (Proficient)...]
[Description: Ariados, the Long Leg Pokémon, is the evolved form of Spinarak. It possesses extremely potent venom and web-spinning abilities. Any prey caught in its web has little chance of escape.]
...
Aaron narrowed his eyes.
Gym Leader-level.
No wonder he was so confident.
If he wanted a battle… then he'd get one.
"Gyarados… I'm counting on you."
At his call, the Gyarados circling above let out a deep, excited roar as it descended, its massive body hovering before Aaron. It fixed its gaze on Ariados and roared again, far more aggressively this time.
Ariados watched it closely.
Despite its size, the aura it gave off only reached the Elite level.
A hint of disdain flickered in its eyes.
"…That's a strange Gyarados," Grub muttered, giving it a brief look.
But there was no envy in his gaze.
Within the Hive Organization, only Bug-types mattered.
Everything else?
Even a Caterpie held more value.
"Gyarados… Dragon Dance!"
Aaron didn't hesitate. He made the first move immediately.
...