"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Jessica tapped into her internal channels, sifting through encrypted logs for clues regarding the poachers. "I've bundled all the data I could find into an email for you. Take a look." She smothered another yawn.
"Thanks. I'll check it out—get some rest," Feng Che replied.
Opening the file, Feng Che's eyes scanned the documents. A cold, cynical smirk gradually crept onto his face.
"So, these 'poachers' are actually members of the Great Families," he muttered. "They're openly snatching rare Pokémon in Viridian Forest. If I intervene, I offend the Families. If I don't, I offend the League."
"Team Rocket is staying quiet because they don't want to start a war with the aristocracy either. Fine. I'll handle this... by the book."
With a nod to Mewtwo, he vanished from the cliffs.
League Headquarters
Agatha stared at the mission President Goodshow had assigned to Feng Che.
"I see. The young master of the Sasaki family is 'hunting' in Viridian, and Feng Che is sent to investigate. It's a blatant attempt to force a confrontation between the Sasakis and the new Gym Leader."
Agatha chuckled, setting her communicator down. "Interesting. Let's see how he navigates this minefield."
She leaned back, her mind drifting to her own power plays. "Goodshow keeps hinting that I should hand over the Pokémon Corps to his unified command. Little does he know, the Dragon Corps has already been reclaimed by the Blackthorn Clan. Lorelei has hidden the Ice elites at the Seafoam Islands. I carry the Ghost elites with me, and Bruno has the Fighting elites."
"Even if he tries to seize the 'corps' I've scattered in the forests, he'll find nothing but a disorganized mess. The old fox will end up with empty hands."
Rocket Headquarters
Giovanni stood before a massive stasis tank, watching the cybernetic form of the Paleozoic hunter, Genesect, take shape.
"Leader Giovanni, once we finalize the indestructible metallic armor, the Extinction Bug will descend upon this world," Dr. Fuji said with absolute confidence.
"Excellent work, Fuji. Team Rocket rewards merit," Giovanni replied.
"Regarding the armor... I'd like Feng Che to help with the design," Fuji suggested. "Did you see that Scizor of his during the Gym exam? Its shell was virtually impenetrable. I want that level of craftsmanship for Genesect."
Giovanni narrowed his eyes. "Feng Che is busy rebuilding the Viridian Gym and is under heavy League surveillance. Goodshow is waiting for him to slip up. For now, you handle the base design. We'll bring Feng Che in once the heat dies down."
Deep Within Viridian Forest
A silver-haired boy, barely ten years old, huddled inside a hollow tree trunk, trembling violently.
Nearby, a man in a black cloak stalked through the brush, a Houndoom sniffing the air beside him.
"Sasaki Tenshi, the direct grandson of the great Taro Sasaki," the man, Skee, muttered greedily. "What a prize. Finding him ensures I never have to work again."
"Using the Sasaki name as cover for our poaching was a stroke of genius. The League and Rocket are too scared of the family name to even peek into the forest. Who would suspect that the young master was actually betrayed by his own kin?"
Skee laughed, kicking aside a bush. "Family means nothing compared to that inheritance. Come out, little prince! Your bodyguards were bought, your servants turned. Don't make this harder than it has to be."
Inside the tree, Tenshi bit his hand to keep from sobbing.
[Are you afraid?] A voice echoed directly in his mind. Tenshi jumped, looking around wildly.
[I am someone who can save you, but I do not save cowards. You must find your courage, or the next time you face danger, you won't be so lucky. Don't leave your fate in the hands of others. If you are willing to stand up and fight for your escape, raise your left hand.]
Feng Che, watching from the shadows of the canopy, had spent days tracking this "poaching" lead only to find a kidnapping plot. Tenshi's own relatives wanted him gone to clear the path for the family fortune.
The Sasaki family is richer than some nations, Feng Che thought. If I save him and earn his loyalty, I can use his family's reach to convert my hoarded treasures into usable resources.
Tenshi's hand shook, but he slowly raised it. I hate being weak, he thought fiercely. I've forgiven them so many times, and they just keep coming back for more. This time, I'll take my fate into my own hands!
Suddenly, two Poké Balls appeared in his lap.
[Open them. Choose your destiny. These two are your shield. I have imprinted their moves into your mind. Become a trainer, boy.]
Knowledge of Pokémon battle theory flooded Tenshi's brain. He wiped his tears, his legs still wobbling as he crawled out of the hollow.
"Found you!" Skee shouted, his Houndoom growling. "Gave up on hiding? Ready to die?"
"Houndoom, Flamethrower! End it!"
As the fire built in the dog's throat, Tenshi stood tall. An aura of sheer intensity radiated from the small boy. For a moment, Skee felt as if he were facing a veteran Master. He instinctively took a step back.
"I am the master of my own fate!" Tenshi roared. "Come out! Help me!"
He threw the balls. A massive Kleavor and a fierce Feraligatr materialized.
"Kleavor? And a Feraligatr?!" Skee's eyes bugged out. "Your family told me they took all your Pokémon! Where did these come from? No matter—they'll fetch a fortune on the black market! Go, Ursaring! Help Houndoom!"
"Kleavor, Stone Axe! Feraligatr, Hydro Pump!" Tenshi commanded with startling clarity.
Kleavor slammed its jagged obsidian axes into the earth. Shards of rock erupted, swirling into a storm that pelted Houndoom. The dog whimpered, backing away as blood dripped from its flank. It had lost its nerve.
"Great job, Kleavor!" Tenshi cheered, his youthful spirit finally returning.
Feraligatr lunged, a high-pressure jet of water blasting from its jaws. The impact sent the Ursaring tumbling backward. Enraged, the bear scrambled up, its mouth glowing with the golden light of a Hyper Beam.
The beam tore through the air, aimed straight for the Feraligatr—and the boy behind it.