Pokemon: The Gathering The Plan of Three

Silence, the slumbering peace and quiet, was all Officer Jenny wanted right now, but that was a fleeting wish as she stared at the folders across her desk. Her eyes shifted over to a note on her computer, forcing a forlorn sigh from her mouth as she read the message. 

“Galar-Twenty Trainers, Twenty Pokemon”
“Johto-Five Trainers, Ten Pokemon”
“Sinnoh-Fifteen Trainers, One Gym Leader Thirty Pokemon”
“Unova-Eighteen Trainers Forty Pokemon”
“Kalos-Twenty Five Trainers, Fifty Pokemon”

“Is everything alright, Jenny?” a female police officer asked, entering the office.

Jenny shook her. “No of this alright. Multiple disappearances and no leads. The people are calling for answers since I haven’t found Gardenia yet.”

“We’ve expanded the search area, but what more can we do?” the officer asked. 

Jenny pondered the question as she slumped into her chair, her pair of Growlithes wagging their tails as they tried to comfort their Trainer. “With my sisters informing me that this isn’t an isolated case, who knows how many other regions are at risk.”

“Isn’t there someone you can call on, like Cynthia or Lance?”

“Lance is in Galar training at the Hammerlocke Gym, and Cynthia is on vacation in the Orange Islands. I did contact Steven, and he’s on his way down, but this requires ....” Jenny began, breaking off as thought struck her. “That could work.”

“What could?”

“A few years back, an incident in Kalos worried many other regions, and the Gym Leaders and Elite Four approached me and my sisters for a countermeasure. We researched for anyone that would be a good fit for this Pokemon Avengers, as my Kanto sister dubbed it.”

“And you can activate it,” the officer stated.

“Indeed, Gemma. I can call upon a couple to aid in this trying time. Let’s see. Cilan would be great for local Unova knowledge. Gladion and Lillie have strength and smarts in them, and maybe we can bring Professor Cerise into the mix and who else.”

“What about that boy and his Pikachu?” 

“He’d be perfect for sure. I’ll get those protocols activated and summon them here. Please inform me when they arrive.” Jenny tapped a few keys on her keyboard.

“Understood Ma’am!”

Deep underground in a labyrinth of silver and blue metal rooms and hallways, grunts and scientists in white and black uniforms work away, studying capturing Pokemon in various cages whilst machines whirred and flashed around sealed Pokeballs. A woman toyed with a black tulip as she sat on a white chair made of cubes.

“Commander Domino,” two females greeted, bowing before the figure in the chair.

“Annie and Oakley. I’m pleased that I managed to bag you. These missions need a competent hand for success,” Domino stated, “Thankfully, we haven’t got those rejects that failed to even acquire a freaking Pikachu, of all things.”

“We are happy to serve and further Giovanni’s goals.”

Oakley nodded, cocking her hip as she toyed with her locks. “What my sister said. We’ll do what needs to be done.”

“Excellent. The plot is already in motion, and soon Roxanne will fall into the trap, but we must keep the police away at all costs. So, Annie, you'll lead Ghost Squad to attack trainers across the routes surrounding Rustboro City.”

“Sure thing, Commander.”

“And Oakley, you will target the Devon Corporation with Dark Squad. We need more tech and Pokeballs but also blueprints for their fossil machines,” Domino continued, “Use any force and Pokemon you require for this?”

“Can I use DNA solutions?”

“Yeah,” Annie added, “If we have it, why not use it?”

Domino shook her head. “And reveal our ace this early on? Not a chance we need to be strategic and plan out who we will transform into our army.”

“Understood,” the sisters agreed. 

They turned and walked away to gather their grunts as Domino pressed a thumb into the arm of her chair, a faint light scanning her print before opening a small storage hole in the chair's arm. She took out a small vial filled with a red and brown liquid. “I choose you! She muttered darkly, loading the vial into the metal stem of a black tulip. 

Within the Rustboro City Gym, Roxanne passed the trainers who challenged others who entered it to see how they performed before they got to her. She flashed a smile and thumbs their way as a sign of a good day’s work. 

Roxanne stretched as she exited the Gym, the burst of sunset painting the sky in a painting of beautiful oranges and purples as a flock of Pidgey flew overhead. She was looking forward to a nice hot meal and a cool drink to refresh her before she studied and prepared herself for tomorrow. Her mind was about to think about treats to reward her Pokemon when a voice called out her name rapidly.

Roxanne turned to see Officer Jenny and her Manectric hurrying up to her. “Officer Jenny. Is everything alright?”

Jenny panted, taking a moment to catch her breath. “Not really. We were investigating rumours of a trainer going missing around Route 116, and we came across this next to a rollerblade.” She presented Roxanne with the tulip and the note. “The note is addressed to you.”

Roxanne raised an eyebrow, taking the note and trying to figure out who it could be from. Her answer was an extensive R emblem stamped onto the paper as she unfolded the note. “Team Rocket.”

“Those crooks. I’ve heard of them causing problems in Kanto from my sister. “What do they want?” Jenny asked. 

“Dear Roxanne. I have a challenge for you. I have kidnapped a Trainer named Sadie and am holding her hostage until you prove yourself a worthy Gym Leader. I have attached a code that will show you the location in your Pokedex to come to. Come alone if you want Sadie to leave in one piece. Yours, The Black Tulip.” 

Roxanne lowered the note, dismay crossing her face. Jenny clenched a fist, standing straight with determination in her eyes.

“If they want to cause trouble in my region, they’ll learn a hard lesson. Give me the location, and I will see to the Trainer’s safety,” Jenny stated. 

Roxanne shook her head. “I won’t allow Sadie to be harmed. I must go.”

“But you're a Gym Leader, and I can’t risk your safety.”

“But as a Gym Leader, I have a responsibility to the Trainers and my city,” Roxanne said defiantly.

Jenny went to reply when her radio crackled to life. “Officer Jenny, please respond!”

“Receiving.” 

“We’re getting reports of Team Rocket attacking Trainers and Pokemon on Routes 115 and 104. We’re deploying forces, but we’re caught short as some of our forces are engaged at the Devon Corporation.”

“Understood, I’ll make way over now,” Jenny replied, eyeing Roxanne closely. She sighed, having to admit defeat for now, knowing that a Trainer like those out on the routes was at risk and needed help fast. “Now, Roxanne. If it gets too dangerous, please withdraw and wait for me.”

“I’ll be fine,” Roxanne said reassuringly. “I didn’t get this far being careless.”

Roxanne walked towards the city's edge, bringing up her world map on her Pokedex and tapping in the coordinates, which brought up a section of the forested countryside just off Route 116. “Don’t worry, Sadie. I’m coming.”

It took only a few minutes to reach the nearby route; she scanned the area and followed the Pokedex into an empty part of the forested area. “Not even any wild Pokemon around.” She glanced around, taking in the nearby Trainers preparing to have a battle with their Pokemon, seeing no signs of Team Rocket or Black Tulip. A loud clang sounded around her, a hole snapping open beneath her feet, the ground seemingly swallowing her up. 

Cool steel brushed against her as she slid down a long winding tunnel, her screams echoing. She grunted, landing roughly in a small, boxy room. “Had worse landings,” she muttered, rubbing her back. She shivered at the coldness of the space, standing up and taking in the bleakness of the room.

“Hello? Black Tulip? I’m here for Sadie!” Roxanne called out with growing confidence.

A section of the wall slid back, letting in a circulation of warm air that stung her arms and face. Cautiously, she stepped forward, pocketing her Pokedex. She rested a hand near her Pokeballs; the sound of machines whirring and beeping drifted across the air, working away like a heart, beating within the vast room as she entered it. 

“Welcome, Roxanne. Nice to finally meet you!” Domino’s voice called as her face appeared on the screens surrounding a few control panels. 

Roxanne narrowed her eyes, moving up to the panels. “Black Tulip, I assume?” she asked, spying the black tulip hairpin in the woman's blonde hair.

“Indeed I am. Now you are wondering about Sadie, yes? Well, why don’t we get down to your challenge,” Domino’s voice crackled through the speakers as the images played out a record of Domino releasing Sadie from a Pokeball into a large cell.

“That’s impossible; you can’t capture people with Pokeballs,” Roxanne muttered. 

Domino couldn’t help but laugh at the statement. “Welcome to the future. We’re breaking some serious science here!” She paused, allowing the image to shift to a new recording, showing Sadie frantically pleading to be let go. 

The footage zoomed to focus on Sadie’s back as an angular tail grew out of her lower back, becoming engulfed in blue fur, whilst her dark blonde hair thickened and lengthened, becoming more yellow in appearance as it solidified upwards into a long mane surrounded by two shorter ones. Matching tufts of spiky yellow hair blossomed on the outer portions of her hunches whilst blue hairs grew out of her legs and arms.

“What have you done to her? What trickery is this?” Roxanne pondered, “Is this Zorua’s trickery or maybe Ditto?”

“Honestly, they did give us the idea, but this is the magic of science. Surely someone as smart as you would understand that anything can be possible with science.” Domino explained. “It’s as simple as introducing a mutated gene into the DNA sequence and providing a push to kick start the cloning and adaptation of the gene.”

Lights flickered on the floor as a door opened; Roxanne glanced briefly at the screen, watching the unfolding horror assailing Sadie as the young Trainer cried out for help and mercy. 

“Now, if you want to save her, just follow the path and good luck!”

Roxanne clenched her fist, gritting her teeth. “I swear to you, Black Tulip, whatever is going on. I’ll stop you!”

The Gym Leader hurried down the corridor as she turned, and a female grunt smirked with her Wurmple. 

“Geodude, come out and use Rock Throw!” Roxanne cried out, hurling her Pokeball. Geodude cried out, leaping from its Pokeball, hurling rocks at the Wurmple, stunning the grunt and fainting the Wurmple. “Great job!” Roxanne praised, recalling her partner.

She carried on, hurrying as fast as her legs could carry her. Her frustration grew as she ran into grunt after grunt, waiting for her with Bug Types that were quickly swept aside by her Rock Types, a little too easy. She began to get suspicious, her gut telling her she was getting deeper into a trap, but her mind kept pushing her forward, her sense of responsibility and duty clouding her better judgement.

After what felt like an eternity, Roxanne reached a large door; smoke hissed from the hinges as a faint whirring echoed around the doors, slowly sliding open. A short, sharp gasp escaped her mouth with a stunned look crossing her face; the room she was walking in wasn’t a prison but something far worse.

Large glass cylinders bubbled away with unusual coloured liquids flowing to and fro within steel pipes as machines whirred loudly, processing different samples. Roxanne's eyes fell upon the cage that housed Sadie, the Trainer looking up with pleading eyes as her face pushed outwards into the long, thick muzzle of a Manectric.

Roxanne froze at the horrifying display of the body popping and cracking into alignment; nothing, barring the clothing, resembled the Trainer. A beam fired out of the wall behind Sadie, striking the back of her head and burrowing deeply into her brain.

“Sorry, Roxanne. Looks like you failed!” Domino called from the rafters, leaning against a railing. “Truly, you had no chance, and I didn’t want you to rescue her.”

“I’m taking you in. I’ll fix this. I know I can,” Roxanne called, advancing towards the cell.

Domino chuckled under her breath. “I don’t think so. She’s a Manectric now and forever.”

She leapt from the rafters, parkouring across the cables and equipment to safely reach the ground floor. The cell door was deactivated at the same time as the beam. Roxanne moved towards the cell, extending a hand towards the Manectric.

“It’s okay, Sadie. I can fix this,” she calmly stated.

The Manectric growled, fury filling its eyes as it unleashed a Thunderbolt move towards Roxanne, forcing the Gym Leader to jump out of the way.

“Seems my new partner doesn’t like you. Can’t blame her, really; you're just not evil enough,” Domino stated.

Roxanne stepped away from the Manectric, the Pokemon growling and snarling even as Domino’s gloved hand petted its mane. The Gym Leader gritted her teeth; she had to get through to Sadie to get the Trainer to cooperate with her so she could stand a chance to turn her back.

“Sadie, you need to work with me. Leave her side, and we can take you back to Rustboro and fix this.”

Domino laughed heartily. “If only Giovanni had thought of this plan before. Imagine the army we can raise. Ain’t that right, Manectric?”

“Mane Mane!” the Pokemon replied. 

“This won’t continue. I’ll stop you and fix this!”

Roxanne’s statement prompted a second hearty laugh from Domino as she toyed with a black tulip, its silver stem glistening in the lab lights. Roxanne glanced at the white belt, counting eight Rocket Balls attached to it, way too many for her trio of Rock types to deal with, especially if she had any Steel or Water Types. 

“I have to get back to the Gym and get help,” she thought, edging towards the stairs.

“Naturally, if this was as simple as distracting you to get at the Devon Corporation, I’d let you go after a battle; however, things have changed.” Domino paused, aiming the tulip towards Roxanne. “This will be a new world, and you have no place in it!”

Crackling green energy shot from between the metal petals, grouping together into a single beam that struck Roxanne in the back as she turned to run, the energy-burning a hole through her dress and shirt. The young Gym Leader fell forward, crashing into the top few steps as green lights shot around, following the path of her veins whilst it stopped firing from the tulip.

Domino blew out the smoke wafting from the metal flower. “A nice piece of kit made by Team Galactic. Definitely my style.” She clicked a small button on the stem, ejecting a small empty vial from the bottom.

Roxanne groaned, her body aching, spasming from energy, assailing her muscles with her legs weakening, preventing her from applying weight to them so she could get up and run. Domino smirked, bubbling with excitement, awaiting the transformation.

“If it’s any consolation, I did pick your new form based on my encounters in Alola.”

Pain swelled within Roxanne’s head, her eyes welling with tears and her ears ringing loudly. Her opened wide, a garbled, strangled cry escaping her mouth as her teeth sharpened into points. Pangs of pain assailed her ears, the skin tightening and bristling with dark brown fur as they widened, lengthening upwards.

“What’s…ARGHH..happening?!” Roxanne exclaimed, clutching at her head. 

Her skull shifted against the taut skin, her nostrils shrinking with the bone-crunching as it retracted, reshaping into a small triangle, the skin becoming a glossy lightish pink. Dark brown hairs push through the pores of her skin, steadily engulfing her face while her ears lengthen, the tips folding over, taking on a button ear style with a dark pink inner portion. Tears stained the thickening hair, short tufts of hair blossoming out from her cheeks, all the while her mouth and nose pushed outwards into a dainty snout. Small cracks emitted from her skull, pain continuing across it as it took on more of a canine shape.

Roxanne’s heart raced, pounding like a drum as she spied her nose protruding out before her eyes, a sinking feeling enveloping her scalp as her own dark locks slowly receded through her fur into her head. “What’s happened to my face?” she whined, her hands padding against the soft feeling of the coat.

She turned, falling onto her back as pain surged into her spine, eyeing Dominio, grinning like a mischievous Gengar. Her assailant stepped forward, reaching into a small pouch attached to her belt.

“Keep away!” Roxanne shrieked, holding her hands up.

Domino continued her advance, unfolding a mirror and holding it up before the Gym Leader revealed the horror growing upon her head. Roxanne squeaked a scream, shaking her head in denial at the head of a Rockruff staring back at her.

“This can’t be real. This can’t happen…it’s impossible,” Roxanne thought, panic overtaking her rational mind even as she stared over at the calm Manectric watching her. She recalled the security footage from the control centre and the sight that had unfolded right before her as Sadie’s human form was consumed and twisted into the very Manectric staring at her. 

Her neck began to itch as white hairs began to sprout out, the skin steadily thickening into a tufty mane branching upwards and downwards whilst rocky dark brown pebbles formed in a straight, evenly spaced outline amongst the centre of the fur. Roxanne frantically scratched her neck and face, tugging at her collar occasionally until she popped the buttons open. However, the more she scratched, the less effective her fingers became. Cramps spread through her fingers as her nails retracted back into fingers alongside her thumbs, and little fingers receded into her hands.

She gaped in horror as she brought her hands up before her eyes, catching the final glimpse of her thumbs. Fine dark brown hairs sprouted out of the pores of her remaining fingers with a thin strip running up the centre of her hands; her eyes winced repeatedly as the cramps and crunching increased in her hands, the fingers that were left behind swelled and shortened, pulling closer together as her hand shortened slightly.

The cramps spread up her arms, infiltrating her muscles and assailing her nerves and bones, causing wild spasms. “Okay. You’ve made your point, but do you honestly think you’ll get away with attacking a Gym Leader, let alone trainers. If you stop this and reverse it before it's too late, I can help get you a shorter sentence if you cooperate with me.” Roxanne looked up at Domino, hoping that the Team Rocket member would be thinking over her offer, but to her dismay, only a sinister, cold expression sat upon Domino’s face.

“It’s already too late for you.” Domino cocked her hip, twirling the tulip around. “Once the DNA of the test subject has been altered, there’s no going back. Trust me, the lab boys at the various sites spent months of trial and error trying to find the right solutions to a problem that kept making so much mess in the cages.”

Roxanne blinked; she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This woman wasn't accepting the offer and was keen on seeing her suffering through this nightmare. “But…”

“But nothing. Our boss wants strong Pokemon, and stealing them was never working out, so why not kill two Murkrow with two Rock Tombs by removing threats and making them into strong Pokemon. Can’t say I understand the group he aligned with, but whatever Giovanni wants, he gets.” Domino interrupted

The pain cut Roxanne off before she could reply as her arms shortened, flailing uselessly at her sides. Her front paws drew closer to the cuffs of her shirt sleeves, the itch of hairs sprouting out of her back and chest developed under her clothes, making her whine as she desperately wanted to scratch at them to relieve them. A dull ache grew in her lower back, the popping of her spine twisting within her body, pushing her forwards more until her spine was arching, and Roxanne was positioned awkwardly on her front paws, with her butt rearing towards the sky. 

The fabric of her dress and shirt bulged around a length of stiff bone and flesh stretching from her back. The new growth curled towards her back, thickening as the faint tear of her shirt drifted into her ears. Her dress followed shortly, jagged tearing against the thick tufts of white fur erupting from the tail and tip, with the blossoming end curling inwards.

A sharp, strangled cry escaped Roxanne's mouth as her shoulders and hips violently cracked in unison with her spine. Her eyes widened with horror as the reality of being trapped on all fours dawned upon her mind, alongside the knowledge of controlling her tail as the pangs of new nerves and muscles grew within it. Domino chuckled, watching Roxanne frantically trying to push herself to two legs even as her legs shortened. 

“Come on, Roxanne! You can do this. You’re stronger than this!” the Gym Leader stated, feeling the pain swelling in her legs.

She could clearly picture her big and little toes retracting back into her thickening feet, the loud thudding of her shoes dropping down the stairs, making her jump, drowning out the cracking, pops of the definition of her knees disappearing amongst her partially thickening legs. Her tights grew looser by the second until they fell off her stumpy paws and legs.

Her chest barreled slightly outwards, with a small pocket of pudgy fat forming along her underbelly. A startled yelp escaped her mouth as a black and white two-tone Pokeball struck her snout, snapping open like a yawning maw that spat out a red light that engulfed her. A loud howl echoed as the clothing fell onto the ground, discarded by the Rockruff being sealed into the Pokeball. 

The ball clattered down the stairs, rocking back and forth. Meanwhile, within the ball, Roxanne frantically looked around, feeling the rocking of the ball; her mind trying to claw through the confused mess of Rockruff and human thoughts as she tried to focus on escape much like every Pokemon could when a Trainer attempted to catch a wild Pokemon. With a sharp tingle and a loud click, the ball stopped rocking, and her thoughts of escape dispersed into a low sense of loyalty.

“That’s one captured. Now your turn,” Domino stated, tossing a ball at the Manectric.

The Pokemon bowed its head, accepting the red light that engulfed it, patiently waiting within the ball until it was successfully captured. 

“Commander Domino,” a grunt called, walking up to her. 

“Excellent timing. Take these two Pokemon down to the lab. Tell them to install obedience and TMs into the Rockruff and TMs into the Manectric whilst I contact Giovanni,” Domino stated. 

“That’s why I came to find you. Giovanni is awaiting you in the command centre.”

Domino gave a sly smile. “Best to not keep him waiting.”

She walked over, ascending multiple flights of stairs until she reached a small boxy room with several screens angled so that Giovanni’s face was towering over Domino in a godly manner. 

“Domino. What news from the Hoenn region?”

“Success, sir. I’ve recently completed the capture and transformation of the Rock-type Gym Leader Roxanne and a pathetic rookie Trainer who will be integrated into our army shortly.” Domino explained. “Oakley should be back with the Pokeballs and tech from the Devon Corporation.”

“Excellent. Ensure that the tech is dispatched to Paldea without delay, though that task must fall to Annie and Oakley themselves, as I have a new task for you.”

“How may I serve you?”

“Our enemies are moving forward and wish to stand against The Gathering. Reports have stated that the Pokemon Avengers Protocol has been activated, which could spell trouble for us should former allies work with them. You will return to Kanto under the guise of a Gym Trainer, work towards Sabrina, and eliminate her in any way you see fit.”

“And what of Lieutenant Surge?”

“He’s not a bother. I have arranged for an accident to occur after you’ve left his Gym.”

“Understood. I will leave as soon as I debrief Annie and Oakley.”

“Don’t fail me, Domino. The success of The Gathering depends on all units being successful, though I have high doubts about the Kalos Operations under Mars. Until the next report, Commander.” 

“If she fails, I’m sure she’ll make a fine addition to the Pokemon Army,” Domino muttered as the screens transitioned to static. 

Across the region in Sinnoh, Jenny looked out across the large chamber filled with desks and chalkboards at two Trainers standing around an oval table. She recognised one with green hair and smart attire as Cilan, a Gym Leader from Unova and the fifteenth member of the Protocols.

“Officer Jenny!” a male voice cried out with such glee that it made Jenny jump. A hand spun her around till her eyes met the young, tall Trainer with a yearning love glistening in his eyes. “My heart was beating for you every  second till the day we were reunited, and here we are in our fated reunion, bonded by destiny and our devotion to protect the world of Pokemon!”

“Latios, save me,” Jenny sighed.

Brock cried out in pain, his body going stiff before collapsing onto the ground whilst his Croagunk chuckled at its glowing limb. “Every time. Why must you hurt my heart like this Croagunk?!”

It was expecting Ash. I never summoned you,” Jenny retorted. 

“The Avenger Protocol was rerouted to Professor Oak as Ash wasn’t available, so I chose to come instead,” Brock replied, pain crackling in his voice as he stumbled to his feet.

“Okay then. Let’s join the others and Croagunk….” Jenny paused, petting the Pokemon’s head. “Top-tier work as always.”

Croagunk nodded approvingly before assisting Brock down the stairs towards the table as Jenny led the way.

“Cilan, thank you for coming,” Jenny stated.

Cilan smiled. “Your colleagues clarified the importance of the Pokemon Avenger Protocols when I was recruited, so I couldn’t say no.”

“Indeed, and I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure,” Jenny said, turning towards the small, young Trainer beside Cilan.

“My name is Chloe. My father received your notification but was too occupied with Legendary sightings to attend, so he sent me to his place. Almost like a liaison.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Brock interjected, “Both of you. I am Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader in Kanto.”

“Now we’re just missing two.”

“Sorry we’re late,” a frantic female voice called.

“Lillie,” Brock called, eyeing the blonde-haired female hurrying up to the table with a blonde-haired boy strolling behind her. “And this must be your brother Gladion.”

“I don’t we’ve had the pleasure?” Gladion stated. 

“This is Brock. He’s an amazing breeder,” Lillie said, cuddling the Alolan Vulpix close to her chest.”

“It’s good to see you again, Snowy.” Brock moved closer to pet the Vulpix. “Has Lillie been taking care of you?”

“VULP!” the Pokemon replied excitedly.

“I must apologise again for being late. Our flight was delayed landing,” Lillie stated.

Jenny nodded. “You’re here now, and that’s the most important thing. Now, let’s get down to business.”

“ I assume this has something to do with the regional disappearances?” Cilan pondered.

“Indeed. The numbers keep increasing, and whilst the Gym Leaders and Elite Four are working with the police to uncover the truth, there is a concern we’re not enough,” Jenny began. 

“So you’re bringing us in to help as an outsider's eye can spot even the most elusive trial.”

“Correct Brock. All of you have two things in common. Ash Ketchum and being involved in near-disastrous events. Some of you have ever faced the worst human beings out there. Team Rocket, for instance.” Jenny finished.

“How can we help Officer?” Gladion asked, “I’ll help out where I can.”

“Me too!” Lillie added, “I remember when my mother was kidnapped by an Ultra Beast, so I can relate to the family’s suffering.”

Gladion sighed heavily, recalling the battle in the Ultra Beast's dimension.

“There’s one other thing. Not known to the public since everyone has been keeping it buried,” Jenny said mournfully. “Eighteen months ago, there were mass breakouts at prisons worldwide. Members from Teams Rocket, Aqua, Magma, Galactic, Plasma and Flare have escaped; it’s unknown if any of them are linked to the disappearances, so I’m advising you to be careful whilst investigating.”

“I can understand hiding it from the public, but sooner or later, secrets will slip out and cause a worse panic,” Brock stated, stroking his chin.

Cilan nodded thoughtfully. “We need information. If we can link the two and offer evidence, it may help ease the public’s reaction, but nothing is certain about human behaviour.”

“I agree, but for now, here’s the play,” Jenny said, “Brock and Chloe, you’ll be heading to Kalos with an upcoming Performance Exhibition. There are concerns it may be a target. If this is the case, you’ll be in a position to catch the culprits.”

“Understood,” Brock replied, lowering his head as he noticed a nervous look on Chloe’s face. “Don’t worry. Stick with me, and you’ll be okay.”

“Lillie and Cilan, Unova for you. Cilan’s local knowledge will be critical there, and the Elite Four have requested aid in following up leads regarding the disappearances of Trainers and Pokemon.”

“Roger!” Cilan and Lillie replied in unison.

Gladion glanced over at his sister, trying to hide his concern. He knew Lillie had come a long way from being petrified of Pokemon, but he couldn’t help but worry about his sister’s safety. 

“Are you okay, Gladion?” Lillie asked

“Just be careful out there.”

“Don’t worry. You have my word as a Trainer and a gentleman I’ll watch her back,” Cilan stated. 

Gladion scoffed. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“As for you, Gladion, I’ve arranged for someone to meet you in Galar to pick up the investigations there,” Jenny finished, “In the meantime, the other regions will be looked after by local forces and Gym Leaders.”

“We haven’t got a moment to waste. Let’s get to work!” Brock said with a fiery confidence.