Fortunately, the Magnemite didn't overthink things. It simply assumed its master was exhausted from a long journey.
"Magnemite, I need to deliver the results of this mission to Elite A-Bo," Feng Che said, perfectly mimicking Old Hali's gravelly tone. "Open the elevator for me."
Without a moment's hesitation, the Magnemite floated toward the factory's locker room. Feng Che pushed aside two heavy metal lockers, revealing a concealed iron door with a specialized Magnemite-shaped indentation. The little Pokémon pressed itself into the slot and unleashed a controlled Thunder Shock, spinning its magnets rapidly. With a heavy click, the door hissed open.
Inside was a high-tech elevator. Magnemite detached from the door and followed Feng Che inside, floating into a second identical slot to power the lift.
"Magnemite, use Thunderbolt."
As the current surged, the elevator lights flickered to life. Suddenly, a pair of laser turrets descended from the ceiling, tracking Feng Che's head. An electronic, synthesized voice echoed in the small space:
"Please provide fingerprint authorization.""Please provide ocular scan."
Feng Che placed his thumb on the liquid crystal scanner. He felt a sharp prick as a micro-needle drew a blood sample.
"Fingerprint verified. Analyzing DNA... DNA match confirmed. Please proceed with ocular scan to initiate descent."
Feng Che leaned into the infrared scanner. A red beam swept over his retina multiple times.
"Retinal scan confirmed. Welcome back, Commander Hali."
The turrets retracted, and the elevator began its deep descent into the earth with a low hum. That was close, Feng Che thought. If I hadn't been cautious enough to hide a vial of the real Hali's blood under a prosthetic skin on my thumb, I'd be a pile of ash right now.
The real Hali's memories mentioned fingerprint and eye scans, but the DNA blood-prick was a new addition. It was clear Gringey Base had heightened security—likely because someone suspected he had a Ditto capable of impersonating staff.
The Underground Garden
The elevator reached the bottom. As the doors slid open, Feng Che found himself staring down dozens of gun barrels. The primary blast door to the base was sealed tight.
"Provide the pass-phrase."
The code changed every two hours. According to Hali's "fresh" memories, it was...
"The phrase is: 'The Handsome Elite A-Bo'," Feng Che said without a hint of irony.
"Access granted. Welcome, Commander Hali."
The guns swiveled away, and the massive iron gates groaned open. Feng Che stepped through, only to be greeted by the scent of blooming flowers.
It was a massive, man-made botanical garden. Hundreds of Poison-type Pokémon lived here. Large Victreebel were positioned strategically, using Sunny Day to simulate a natural day-night cycle for the flora. To one side, a giant industrial air purifier hummed, providing a pocket of pristine air in the middle of a toxic city.
This garden is the second line of defense, Feng Che recalled. Hidden in the foliage are A-Bo's strongest Poison-types. Deep within this 'paradise' is A-Bo's personal treasure vault—his collection of rare Poison Pokémon from across the globe.
As Feng Che walked, he released a faint herbal scent from a hidden spray. Sensing the aroma, the wild Muk and Weezing in the brush instinctively moved aside, clearing a path for the "Commander."
Meeting the King
Feng Che reached the central lounge. A-Bo, the gaunt, sunken-cheeked investigator, hurried forward with a wide grin.
"Old Hali! You're finally back. Tell me, was the mission successful?"
"Investigator A-Bo, it was a grueling task," Feng Che replied, handing over a carved wooden box. "But I managed to secure the Primal Poison Gem."
A-Bo snatched the box and pried it open. A brilliant, deep-purple gemstone sat nestled in velvet. A-Bo didn't just admire it; he actually licked the surface of the stone.
"Mmm... that tingle, that numbness. Perfect," A-Bo sighed. As a "Poison Human," A-Bo was immune to toxins and actually consumed poisonous resources to strengthen his own toxic blood, which he used as a nutrient for his Pokémon.
"Now that you're here, Hali, I have a special assignment for you," A-Bo said, his eyes still glued to the gem. "Old man Damalanchi ordered me to capture the Viridian Gym Leader, Feng Che. He wants him in chains the moment he hits Gringey City."
"I was going to ignore it—too much paperwork—but I couldn't say no to the bribe."
"A bribe?" Feng Che asked, leaning into the role.
"You remember that merchant who always brings us the rare species? He's actually Sakaki Tsuna, the nephew of Team Rocket's boss. He has a blood feud with this Feng Che. He brought me an Azure-tier Dragalge egg I've been hunting for years. He promised that if I 'take care' of Feng Che, all our future trade prices drop by ten percent."
A-Bo looked up from the gem, a greedy glint in his eyes. "Tell me, Hali... doesn't that sound like a deal worth making?"
Feng Che is standing inches away from A-Bo, and he now knows Sakaki Tsuna is in the base. Should he strike now while A-Bo is distracted by the gem, or ask to see the "Dragalge egg" to confirm Tsuna's exact location first?