"Damn it, the League played us. The plan has hit a snag."
Sabrina's brow furrowed, a look of frustration crossing her face. "If we can't teleport directly into the Flame Tunnel where Moltres is, we'll be delayed for days. If the other Elite Four members return by then, we'll miss our window."
"It's alright. We can just disguise ourselves as League personnel," Feng Che said, his gaze steady and calm.
"But we don't know the League's passcodes. If teleportation is out, we need those codes to get past the checkpoints," Sabrina said, her anxiety rising.
"I have a way. When we get close to the checkpoint, don't say anything. Just watch me," Feng Che said with a confident tilt of his head.
Sabrina nodded curiously, her eyes following his movements. Feng Che released his Ditto, which slid over him like a living second skin, transforming him into a burly, middle-aged man.
"Lady Sabrina, do you have a Ditto on you?" Feng Che's voice was now deep and gravelly.
"Yes. All high-ranking Executives carry one for secret missions, especially since I'm too recognizable," she replied. She released her own Ditto, transforming into a tall, blonde woman in a standard League uniform.
"Feng Che, if we fail the passcode, we'll alert the entire mountain. If the League realizes we're here for Moltres, they'll double the guard. It'll be impossible," Sabrina whispered, her worry evident.
"Don't worry. Leave it all to me."
The Entrance to the Flame Tunnel.
Two League guards were stationed at the massive iron doors.
"So boring, Kondo. I wonder how long this shift is," a guard named Deludo grumbled. "We just started and I already want to go home."
Two Growlithe sat beside them, yawning. These small, orange-and-black striped dogs had a sense of smell so keen they could detect emotions. Even they looked bored guarding the tunnel.
"Lately, so many people have been coming through, I can't keep track of the faces," Deludo said. "And why are we relying solely on passcodes?"
"Because technology is too easy to forge," Kondo replied quietly. "Passcodes rotate daily and are generated on the spot. It's safer. Besides, there are dozens of hidden trainers inside, even a hidden Elite Four member leading them."
"A hidden Elite? I thought there were only four," Deludo asked, confused.
"He's a secret. The League's hidden trump card. I only found out by accident. Keep it down," Kondo whispered, glancing around nervously.
At that moment, two people in League Inspector uniforms and sunglasses approached. Feng Che signaled Sabrina to slow down. He used his psychic power to send a faint blue pulse toward the sleeping Growlithe.
The Growlithe snapped awake, its mind suddenly racing with hyper-activity.
[Growlithe: Another one. If they miss the code, I bite. What was today's code? Oh right, 'The Eternal Sun'. Humans pick such stupid phrases.]
"Halt! Passcode!" Kondo shouted as they approached.
"The Eternal Sun," Feng Che said instantly.
"Code correct. Proceed."
The Growlithe yawned and went back to being lazy. The guards saluted and stepped aside, allowing them into the tunnel.
"The Flame Tunnel has three layers, each with different codes. This is a huge risk," Sabrina sent a telepathic message.
"It's fine. I have my methods," Feng Che replied.
The temperature rose by over 20 degrees as they descended. Every ten steps brought another patrol, another check. Every time, Sabrina felt her temper rising, ready to blast her way through, but Feng Che's calm gaze stopped her. He aced every single code.
How does he know them? Sabrina wondered. He was a mole for a while; maybe he stole a master list? Yes, that must be it.
They reached the entrance to the third layer. Sitting cross-legged in the center of the path was a young man with crimson hair dressed in traditional samurai garb. His eyes were closed. Beside him, a Torkoal and a Magcargo were absorbing the ambient heat.
It's him, Feng Che realized.
The man was Enche (炎彻), a trainer with a fierce sense of justice. In the original lore, he would eventually sacrifice himself to save an island from Groudon's lava, burning 95% of his body and losing his ability to battle.
A respectable man, Feng Che thought. Even as enemies, he felt a twinge of pity.
The Torkoal was the size of a millstone, its shell glowing with internal heat. The Magcargo, resembling a giant snail made of cooling lava, let out a roar like a dragon.
Pokémon: Torkoal / Magcargo Potential: Yellow Level: 73 Status: Elite Level. Evaluation: Masters of the Flame. Torkoal has peak defense; Magcargo possesses dragon blood.
"They're both Elite-tier," Sabrina noted telepathically. "If we attack, the noise will bring the entire tunnel down on us. This is the bottleneck."
Feng Che nodded. Getting past a Level 73 fire specialist without making a sound was the ultimate test.