Feng Che and Mewtwo had spent the past few hours scouting every corridor, growing intimately familiar with the prison's rhythm.
"The common prisoners here are no different from the walking dead," Feng Che noted grimly. "Even if we release them, they lack the spirit to harbor true resentment against the League. The key to breaking this place lies in the High-Security Ward—that's where the real monsters are kept."
"First, I need to recover their Pokémon. Then, I'll create enough chaos to slip into the depths where the Heart of Steel is hidden. I'm taking that heart, and every scrap of rare ore it has birthed."
Feng Che had observed the guards daily transporting refined ingots to the deeper levels. There was a high-efficiency smelting plant down there, turning raw ore into high-purity Drained-Iron and Dark-Iron before moving them to the central vault. Of course, that vault was now empty; Mewtwo had already swept every ingot into its subspace dimension.
Aside from the heavy guard presence at the deep cells, the Warden's private residence was the most heavily scrutinized area.
"If I'm right, the elevator to the Heart of Steel is hidden right under the Warden's office," Feng Che whispered to Mewtwo. "Can you teleport us directly into the mantle?"
[Mewtwo: No. The spatial fabric down there is being warped by a massive concentration of magnetic and metallic energy. I can't lock onto a stable coordinate.]
"Then we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way. Let's kidnap the Warden and see how he likes being a guest in his own 'Hive'." A playful, dangerous smirk crossed Feng Che's face.
[Mewtwo: That sounds like fun. Hehe.] Despite its power, Mewtwo still possessed a streak of childlike curiosity and mischief.
"We still haven't seen the 'Shadow Elite' Surge mentioned," Feng Che mused. "Where would a Steel-type specialist hide?"
[Mewtwo: Guarding the source?]
"Exactly. If he's who I think he is—Hagen, the Shield of the League—his Pokémon will have peerless physical and special defense. He's known as the League's ultimate shield. It'll be the perfect test for Incineroar and Greninja."
The Warden's Office
Warden Dorus hummed a tawdry tune as he walked into his opulent suite. This was his sanctuary, filled with treasures he had extorted or stolen from prisoners over the years. Every night, he basked in the glow of his hoard to wash away the day's stress.
"Who are you?!"
Dorus froze. A youth in tattered prisoner rags was reclining in his high-backed leather chair, casually tossing a priceless gemstone into the air and catching it.
"You've got a lot of nerve, brat, sneaking in here," Dorus roared, his face purpling.
"Don't get worked up, Warden. I've been waiting for you. I just want one thing," Feng Che said calmly.
"You'll get a grave!" Dorus reached for his belt, but suddenly his body stiffened. He felt as if the air had turned to lead. He couldn't move a finger, his face turning a dark shade of red as he gasped for breath.
After a moment of silent terror, Feng Che released the psychic grip. Dorus collapsed, clutching his throat and heaving.
"Your attitude is lacking," Feng Che said. "As punishment, I'll be taking these." He snapped his fingers. The reinforced glass display cases shattered simultaneously. The gold, jewels, and relics floated into the air before vanishing into Feng Che's storage ring.
"H-how?! Everyone wears Drained-Iron! You should be powerless!" Dorus stammered, his heart aching more for his lost gold than his own safety. He cursed his guards silently—how had they let a Psychic through?
But seeing the casual display of power, Dorus quickly donned a greasy, submissive smile. "Whatever you want, young master! Money? Gems? I can give you anything!"
"I want the Heart of Steel. Take me there. Now," Feng Che commanded coldly.
Fine, I'll lead him there, Dorus thought frantically. I'll lure him to Hagen, then he's dead meat.
"Don't try to be clever," Feng Che said, reading the man's posture. "One wrong move and my partner will liquefy your brain. I doubt you'd enjoy being the Warden of a padded cell."
Dorus shuddered, his teeth chattering. "R-right away. Please, follow me."
As they walked out, two guards passed them in the hall with their Electivire. Dorus began blinking furiously, trying to signal them, only to find the guards looked right through him, continuing their conversation as if the hallway were empty.
"I've made us invisible, Warden. Stop the theatrics," Feng Che sighed.
Fine... wait until we get to the core, Dorus fumed internally. Hagen already caught one Rocket Elite—that Augustus fellow. His Pokémon are still in my secret vault. I was going to auction them off when I retired...
Feng Che paused. Mewtwo, using its own form of telepathy, relayed the Warden's thoughts.
Augustus's Pokémon are still here? That's better than I hoped.
Mewtwo, find that vault. Empty it. Distribute the Poké Balls back to their original owners in the High-Security Ward. Tonight, we liberate the Hive.
[Mewtwo: Understood.]
Using Teleport and Role Swap, Mewtwo siphoned the contents of the Warden's secret vault. In a flash, Poké Balls began appearing in the laps of the most dangerous men in Kanto.
High-Security Ward: Augustus's Cell
Augustus and Feng Lu were speaking in low tones when six Poké Balls suddenly fell from the ceiling. Feraligatr, Nidoking, Talonflame, Breloom, Seviper, and Drifblim burst forth.
"What in the...?" Augustus stared in shock.
"Don't just stand there! Feraligatr, use Slash! Get these chains off me!"
The alligator's claws glowed with white light, shearing through the Drained-Iron links like paper. Augustus's communicator, which had also appeared on the floor, chirped with a priority message:
Boss Giovanni: Reclaim the prison. Create a diversion that the League cannot ignore. All prisoner Pokémon have been returned. Tonight is the Night of Riots. Augustus, lead the High-Security Ward. Strike hard.
"So, the Boss sent someone after all," Augustus grinned, his eyes burning with a vengeful fire. "A little chaos? I think I can manage that."