Soon, leveraging his "inside mole," Feng Che successfully captured four more Swoobat. He then commanded these bats to intentionally reveal themselves, creating a pattern of suspicious activity that would act as a flare for the poachers.
The Dragon God Mercenaries
"Lord Kaiser, our scouts have reported a highly unusual peak. It's crawling with an abnormal concentration of Swoobat," Ryuhime reported, rushing to Kaiser's side.
Kaiser was currently cross-referencing a map with the coordinates his Xatu had psychically pinpointed. "Does this peak align with Xatu's prediction?"
Ryuhime checked the map and nodded immediately. "Exactly, Lord Kaiser. How did you know?"
"Xatu's Future Sight predicted the Hydreigon's most likely fallback point. This peak is almost certainly the nest," Kaiser said gravely. "However, such an anomaly won't stay hidden for long. We must reach the summit before the news spreads and seize the advantage."
"Understood. I've heard the leaders of the three major mercenary groups are already moving. We need to be fast," Ryuhime added.
The Mountainside
Feng Che and Caitlin remained hidden behind a psychic barrier maintained by their captive Swoobat. Feng Che watched as a two-meter-tall, white-bearded muscle man brandishing a massive machete appeared nearby. Standing beside him was a formidable Kommo-o.
"Daughter, my Dragon-type resonance tells me that Hydreigon is right at the top of this rock," Zinzolin said to his Kommo-o. "It's a steep climb, but nothing your old man can't handle. But we have to move quietly. Plasma intelligence says every poacher in the area is converging here. We'll slip in, let them do the heavy lifting, and then swoop in like the oriole behind the mantis. Our goal is the Deino—and the hoard of Dragon-type treasures that mother has surely collected."
So the Team Plasma representative is Sage Zinzolin, Caitlin transmitted, her voice tinged with surprise.
"Is he anyone special?" Feng Che asked. The games hadn't gone into much detail about the Seven Sages' combat prowess.
"Team Plasma is governed by King N and the Seven Sages," Caitlin explained. "While Ghetsis is the High Sage, Zinzolin—the Sage of Dragons—is widely considered the most powerful combatant among them, essentially the second-in-command. He's a total eccentric, fiercely independent, and follows only his own rules. He views Dragon-types as his children and is an Elite-level trainer. My family actually had a good relationship with him before he joined Plasma; he even owes us a favor."
Feng Che watched as Zinzolin and Kommo-o found a concealed spot to hunker down.
[Zinzolin: Heh, I'll just sit here and let the mercenaries clear the path. I know this mountain is a death trap of wild Pokémon. Your old man isn't going to do the grunt work for you lot.]
The Foot of the Mountain
Kaiser arrived at the base only to find the three major mercenary groups already waiting. They had formed a loose circle, seemingly expecting his arrival.
A girl in a kimono, heavily made up and smoking a water pipe, stepped forward. This was Rose, leader of the Rose Mercenaries. "Kaiser, you certainly took your time. I thought you'd be the first one here once the word got out."
A massive man chewing on a chicken leg grunted. This was Joia, leader of the Falcon Mercenaries. "We've been waiting. We thought the 'General' would be leading the charge."
A middle-aged man with a black eye patch stepped forward—Caine, leader of the Lion Mercenaries. "Let's discuss the split. No need for us to kill each other while Team Plasma is lurking in the shadows. I don't want anyone 'picking the peaches' from our tree."
Kaiser's face darkened. His "secret" Xatu prediction felt a lot less special now.
"How did you all get here so fast?" Kaiser spat.
"Our scouts are everywhere in the Den," Rose said smugly. "The moment this peak showed activity, we moved. When we saw your mercenaries heading this way, it confirmed our suspicions. We know you borrowed Glacia's Xatu, Kaiser. We've been watching your every move."
Kaiser realized he was outplayed. "Fine. We split the mountain into four sectors. Whoever secures the Deino egg holds a private auction—highest bidder wins. The rest of the Dragon resources are split equally. Agreed?"
"I can live with that," Rose nodded. "Agreed," Joia said, pulling out another chicken leg. "Agreed," Caine said shortly.
Kaiser watched them depart to their starting positions, a cold sneer forming on his lips. Idiots. You think a postnatal Hydreigon is easy? Go ahead, be the 'first birds' and get shot. I'll let you grind down her defenses while I keep my best men fresh. If I didn't want to preserve my strength, I'd have wiped you all out years ago.
The Silent Sentinel
Unbeknownst to the four leaders, a Liepard sat nearby, watching the human armies mobilize. This was the same Liepard Feng Che had encountered earlier.
[Liepard: Look at the humans scurry. Lord Hydreigon's plan is working perfectly.][Liepard: I can't wait to see their faces when they fight all the way to the top only to find an empty nest.][Liepard: Lord Hydreigon is wise. She knows humans focus on the obvious. Let them stare at the peak while she recovers her strength in the hidden cavern at the base of the mountain.][Liepard: Foolish humans... you'll never touch her child.]
Feng Che, hidden just meters away, heard the cat's thoughts clearly. He looked at the Liepard, then at the steep climb ahead of the mercenaries, and finally at the rocky base of the mountain.
"Change of plans, Caitlin," Feng Che whispered. "The party isn't at the top. It's right under our feet."