The next day, while Silas was still busy working in the fields with the Mudsdale and the others, Officer Jenny came to the ranch.
She rode up on a military tricycle and stopped outside the ranch gate. Before she even spoke, Growlithe jumped down from the front and barked loudly to announce their arrival.
Putting down what he was doing, Silas walked over.
"Officer Jenny, is there news?"
With a serious expression, she nodded.
"Yes. Porygon managed to crack the hunters' communicator and located their hideout. It's in the middle section of Route 12."
As she spoke, she spread out a map.
"The location is right where we discovered signs of poachers last time."
"Right under our noses?" Silas raised his brows. He had not expected the enemy to set up their base so close by.
Fortunately, he had made preparations yesterday and had Cyclizar and Noivern patrol the ranch area.
"Are we moving today?"
"Yes." Officer Jenny gave her reasoning. "We intercepted their communications. More than fifty Pokémon are scheduled to be transferred tonight."
Silas understood immediately. Since this involved something happening practically at his doorstep, there was no way he would stay out of it.
He accepted the task.
The priority was to rescue the captured Pokémon. A large scale police deployment would clearly alert the enemy.
"I'll handle the road with Pyroar. Someone needs to block the sea routes too."
Silas thought of Siebold. After informing Officer Jenny to return and prepare, he mounted Cyclizar and directed it toward Shalour City.
This group of hunters, he did not intend to let a single one escape. Especially Hunter J. Under no circumstances could he allow her to slip away again.
At Cyclizar's speed, they reached Shalour City in half an hour.
He went straight to the seafood restaurant and explained his request. Siebold readily agreed.
The two of them then went together to find Gym Leader Gurkinn, to borrow a few people.
The coastline along Route 12 was not short. Siebold alone might miss someone.
Gurkinn generously lent several Gym trainers to assist. Just as they were about to leave, Korrina stepped in front of them.
"Big Brother Silas, Big Brother Siebold, Riolu and I have gotten stronger now. We want to help beat the bad guys too."
"Fighting criminals is dangerous. You could get hurt if you're not careful."
"I'm not afraid. Riolu will protect me." Korrina took out another Poké Ball. "And I also have Grandpa's Mienshao. It's really strong."
Mienshao was one of Gym Leader Gurkinn's main Pokémon and had also mastered the power of aura.
Gurkinn spoke from the side. "Let her go with you. She won't cause trouble."
Since the old master had spoken, Silas did not refuse any further.
"Korrina, you stay by my side the whole time."
"Mhm. I won't leave Big Brother Silas's sight."
"Siebold, please take them to seal off the coastline. Don't let those hunters escape by sea."
"Understood. We'll keep communications open at all times."
Siebold departed with the others and released several Water type Pokémon along the shore.
"Korrina, let's go too. We need to find Pyroar."
They mounted Cyclizar again and soon arrived in Pyroar's territory.
After explaining the plan, Pyroar readily agreed to cut off the hunters' retreat.
Ambushes were set in all directions. Silas had no intention of letting anyone slip through.
Officer Jenny brought a large number of officers and formed a tight perimeter around the cave where the hunter organization was hiding.
"What's the situation inside now?"
"Still unclear."
"Morpeko, I'll have to trouble you."
Silas lifted Morpeko down from his shoulder and asked it to carry a small camera into the cave to check on the condition of the captured Pokémon.
"Morpe~"
After swallowing the food in its mouth, the little one nodded seriously, indicating that they could leave it to him.
Small in size but swift on its short legs, Morpeko quickly slipped into the cave.
After about ten minutes, it quietly ran back out.
"Morpeko~"
(They're all locked in iron cages. They look very weak.)
"Good work." Silas rubbed Morpeko's head and turned to Officer Jenny. "Proceed as planned."
He patted Cyclizar beside him. Cyclizar stretched its body, ready for action.
"Move. Stay safe, Cyclizar."
"Cyc." Cyclizar grinned confidently and charged into the cave alongside Officer Jenny's Growlithe.
Soon, sounds of fighting and shouting echoed from within. Cyclizar and Growlithe burst back out, with several hunters and their Pokémon chasing after them.
What greeted them outside were attacks coming from all directions. The hunters' Pokémon were defeated almost instantly, and the hunters themselves were left helpless.
What followed was a crushing battle.
Silas sent out Kangaskhan and three Noivern, along with Siebold's Blastoise and Korrina's Mienshao.
Several powerful Pokémon drove straight into the heart of the enemy camp, easily breaking apart the hunters' organization and scattering them in all directions.
The gap in strength was simply too large. They could not even organize an effective counterattack.
Hunters who tried to flee toward the grasslands, forests, or sea all failed to break through the encirclement.
One after another, they were captured, fitted with silver handcuffs, and destined to enjoy government provided meals for a long time.
"Officer Jenny, was Hunter J captured?"
"No."
"She didn't escape, did she?"
Silas had gathered so many people precisely because of that dangerous individual, Hunter J. If she escaped, it would be a huge loss.
Fortunately, things soon took a turn. Under interrogation, some hunters revealed Hunter J's whereabouts.
Not long ago, they had discovered a Carbink nest nearby. Hunter J had been there all this time.
She had intended to capture the Carbink tribe and sell them for profit. Fortunately, Silas had already warned the Carbink in advance and arranged for them to relocate, so her plan was doomed to fail.
Silas, Siebold, and Korrina headed to the vicinity of the Carbink nest.
"Behind those rocks is the entrance to the nest. There's only one entrance and exit. We can just wait outside."
The three of them and their Pokémon hid in the shadows and waited quietly. They did not have to wait long.
From deep within the cave came a low dragon's roar. The rock blocking the entrance was suddenly shattered by blades of wind. A dragon Pokémon with blood red wings burst out.
"Now!" Silas said in a low voice.
Kangaskhan roared and slammed its palm against Salamence, striking its head and leaving it dizzy and stunned on the spot.
That gave Siebold and the others a perfect opening.
Blastoise adjusted its cannons and fired a powerful Hydro Pump.
Riolu and Mienshao each formed an Aura Sphere, one large and one small, and hurled them from both sides toward Salamence.
The aura energy struck its body, blasting it backward into the rock wall behind with a dull crash.
Blastoise's powerful Water attack followed up immediately, interrupting Salamence's attempt to take flight again.
Hunter J had never imagined that someone would be lying in wait outside the cave.
Their combined strength far surpassed hers, yet they still chose to ambush her.
At the very first exchange, her ace Salamence was heavily injured. Several wounds marred its body, and its fighting capability was severely reduced.
Hunter J gripped the strange shaped gun at her waist with one hand and stared coldly at them.
"Who exactly are you people?"
(End of Chapter)