"It doesn't feel like we are going to be of much use waiting here."

"Patience, Nova. Patience."

Siebold sipped on some warm tea opposite the makeshift stone table that his pokemon created. Both of us are sitting right at the entrance of a cave, situated at the cove of one of the four islands that made up Whirl Islands where the shadows are cast over us, shielding us from the harsh sun rays. Right in front of our eyes are the big blue sea and the sandy white beach.

All in all, we look more like we are on vacation than on lookout for Team Rocket's forces that we know will pass by the Whirl Islands when they inevitably launch a siege on Olivine. Our intel had suggested that they will take the sea route in their attempt to siege Olivine, bypassing the need to go through Ecruteak if their route of invasion was through traversing the land instead.

Not many trainers specialise in naval battles. Usually, such trainers are Water Specialists and even then, to be called an expert in naval battles is an entirely different thing from being known as a Water Specialist. To know how to train water types and to use their actual combat outside of league regulated battles are both very different matters. The latter requires a lot of practical experience in unsanctioned battles where rules don't matter.

Siebold is one such expert. This is why he is placed here on Whirl Islands, to intercept the Rocket forces that are coming through the sea. As for why I'm placed here, it's entirely Volkner's decision. A decision that nobody bothered to comment about because Volkner was the one who arranged the manpower. I had soon learnt very early on that nobody ever questions Volkner's decisions when it comes to matters like this, because he is arguably the foremost expert in crime busting.

That still didn't stop me when I learnt of the arrangement. I had asked Volkner why he placed me with Siebold, on Whirl Islands where sea is everywhere and land is scarce. His answer?

"Because you are both from Kalos."

Like, what the hell?

I can understand if he placed me with Siebold simply because we both knew each other from way back. We are indeed familiar with each other's battling habits and style. My team and I may not be as powerful as Siebold's, but I am confident that I will not be a burden to him. But even then, to place me on Whirl Islands where I have barely any land to work with the moment the Rockets sail past us is really asking too much from me.

Around us are several squads of Indigo's best trainers that hail from the STAR forces. Think of them as Indigo's version of special ops. Like me, they are here to assist Siebold and are capable of holding their own in naval battles. Not only that, they are privy to the secret which is the existence of Mega Evolution, even if only a select few are temporarily allowed to hold onto such items just for today.

"My dear sirs, are you sure you don't want to drink some tea? These are some of the finest tea leaves from Kalos, I swear upon it as a masterchef."

"Thank you, sir, but we are on duty."

Siebold shrugged wordlessly when his offer was politely rejected for the third time today. He continues to brew another batch of tea with help of his water types. The only people who are leisurely drinking tea right now are Siebold and I. If I have to be honest with myself, I am probably the only one present who dares to drink tea with the Elite Four Siebold.

I don't know what Siebold did exactly, but I do know that he had garnered himself quite a frightening reputation among the truly skilled trainers, especially among Kalos trainers. It happened shortly after we participated in our conference many years back. Whatever he had done, it is not something that is reported on the news. It is those types of things that are spread through rumours from one person to another.

I never did ask him what that was all about and neither did I go to find out more. All I know is that from then on, everybody gave Siebold quite a wide berth and it was how he attracted the attention of the Kalos League, eventually becoming a member of their Elite Four. People soon gave him the moniker of 'Tidecaller', even if Siebold hardly went by the moniker himself.

If I have to be frank, I personally find it hard to associate Siebold as a terrifying person. He's strong, yes. Powerful, definitely.

But outright terrifying?

Sorry, I could not visualise him as such a person no matter how hard I tried. I had known him for more than a decade and never once did he make me feel any form of fear towards him. To me, he is always the goofy and dramatic man-child that throws a tantrum over the smallest of things.

"Report! Spotted a large Rocket group about three kilometers southeast of here! Estimated numbers to be at around one thousand!"

"One thousand?" I cannot help but ask. One thousand Rockets would mean at least six thousand pokemon to fight against, give or take, and that is if everyone sticks to the one-person-six-pokemon estimation. If there are ten pokemon per Rocket, that would mean ten thousand pokemon to fight against. If even a tenth of the Rockets are Elite trainers, that would mean one hundred Elite trainers to go up against, which could mean that we would have to face anywhere from 600 Elite level pokemon to 1,000 of them.

Holy hell, about a hundred Team Aqua grunts were enough to bring about the Lilycove Invasion back at Hoenn where countless were killed. Now we have one thousand of them?

Of course, the difference between fellow Elite level trainers can be as huge as day to night, like how I am as compared to Siebold, but Elite level trainers are still a rarity anywhere you go and that title can only be earned. You have to possess a certain degree of skill and power to earn all eight badges and to participate in at least one conference to earn the official title of Elite trainer.

Even Siebold frowned a little at the news reported by the scout.

"Oh dear, that is certainly way more than we had expected. It seems that our intel is not entirely accurate." Siebold gave a thoughtful nod as he stood up and walked towards the sea, his water types gathering around him from where they were lounging about earlier.

"Inform Olivine about the change in development, and that we will be enacting our side of the plan now. We will intercept the Rockets the moment they are within range, just as we had discussed."

"Yes sir!'

The Indigo STAR forces got to work immediately. Siebold's new batch of tea went forgotten as we both stood on the beach of the Whirl Islands, the gentle sea breeze a stark contrast to what would happen later.

"Afraid, Nova?"

"I would be lying if I say that I'm not afraid, even a little. I am no stranger to battles and perilous situations but this is my first time participating in something like this." I admitted.

"Then don't be. Besides, I'm here."

"What are you planning to do exactly?"

"Something that is not very pleasant. Something which I would prefer that you never see me do. Just as water is the giver of life, it can take life away just as easily." Siebold answered after a moment of brief silence as his entire team of water types took to the waters with the exception of his blastoise and starmie, who remains standing beside us.

"I never did see you in action before ever since you became an Elite Four."

"I don't want you to, and I'm glad that you never probed too far."

"Is my opinion on the matter that important to you?"

"What can I say? I don't have a lot of people that I can say are my true friends, that I can trust with all of my heart. It's human nature to want to do everything in their power to let their trusted friends remain close to them, isn't it?"

"Uh, I'm flattered?"

Siebold sent me a small smile before focusing his attention to the sea ahead. Already, the Rockets are getting closer and closer to the Whirl Islands. It's just like our intel had suggested. Team Rocket is really planning to lay a siege on Olivine and they plan to reach there through the sea, which will cause them to pass by the Whirl Islands. Under ordinary circumstances such an act would definitely blindside Olivine entirely, because nobody would be expecting such a bold attack to be conducted right on Indigo National Day.

Fortunately for us, we do have a whistleblower working for our cause. It was what allowed us to make preparations for today.

"I'm going to get this show started." Siebold declared. Behind us, the STAR forces are lying in wait, waiting for Siebold to make his move before they do.

It was then that I noticed that the sea had become a lot more choppy and rough. It was then I realised that the gentle sea breeze had unknowingly got a lot more stronger and ferocious. It was then that I saw dark clouds gathering at a speed too rapid for it to be natural.

Without me knowing, Siebold's water types had already made their move.

Then, it happened.

Without any warning, an enormous tidal wave emerged right in front of the Rockets and engulfed a large portion of them, showing me how Siebold had earned himself the moniker of the Tidecaller. At almost the same time, the skies began to pour and lightning began to streak across the skies. The STAR forces moved, using their flying types to quickly get to their positions within seconds and fired lightning based attacks indiscriminately at where the Rockets are congregating.

I turned my head towards Siebold, who is simply standing by my side unmoving with an expressionless face. This is not the Siebold that I am familiar with, not the Siebold who would laugh with me, not the Siebold who will cook masterful meals for me and childishly pleading me to help him taste test his new works of art, and definitely not the Siebold whose antics would drive me up the literal wall.

This Siebold is Kalos Elite Four Siebold Bocuse, the Tidecaller of Kalos. This Siebold is the Water Specialist which the entire region holds in equal amounts of respect and fear.

The whirlpools around the Whirl Islands roared louder than I could possibly imagine. Rain began to shower down over us amidst the howling winds, beating against our faces as they responded to the power Siebold's pokemon possessed. I can only watch as the whirlpools gradually grew larger, and larger, and larger until they reached the area where the Rockets are currently at, having been forced to halt their advance thanks to the intervention from Siebold and the STAR forces that are ordered to assist him.

By now, I can understand what Siebold is trying to do. He is making use of the geographical advantage that we have, making the most out of his unique skill sets that he can bring to the table as a Water Specialist.

He is using the whirlpools surrounding the Whirl Islands to swallow our enemies whole, dragging them down to a watery grave that will never see daylight ever again.

This is why he didn't allow the Rockets to advance any further the moment they got close enough to the Whirl Islands. This is an area that anyone has to pass by if they want to reach Olivine through sea, we all have to get close to this part of the Whirl Islands to ever reach Olivine. Usually, the whirlpools nearby are not a threat as long as you keep your distance but if they were artificially enlarged with the help of water types, then it is an entirely different story.

I have no idea just how many Rockets Siebold and the STAR forces had demolished with this trap alone. What I do know is that a sizable number of Rockets have managed to make their escape regardless, either via Teleport or with their flying types. Some of them are heading towards us in their attempt to get the sea to stop raging at them.

"I'm leaving things to you, Nova."

"I got it." I replied as I signalled for my team to get ready. As long as I have land to work with, then I'm not entirely helpless. If they want to fight me on the Whirl Islands where land is abundant then there's no way they are going to defeat me anytime soon, no matter how strong they may be.

The Rockets had gotten close enough for them to start firing ranged attacks our way. Vision dutifully intercepted each and every of the attacks with masterful use of Reflect and Light Screen. Sail let loose a roaring Blizzard alongside Berg, freezing a few unfortunate Rockets who were too slow to make their escape and causing them to drop into the raging sea below. I never see them floating back up again.

Core bellowed as the earth around us erupted in a furious frenzy. Sand, rock, and mud shifted under the powers of my team as they formed a wave that did not look any smaller than the watery one Siebold's pokemon had conjured earlier. Another group of the Rockets were brought under the earth that we had moved. Those who escaped found themselves on the receiving end of a volley of sharp rocks, forcing them to stop in their tracks.

A Rock Slide from Terra nailed the rest of the Rockets that were sent to put us down. None of them managed to reach Siebold and I on their journey here.

"I see that Volkner was right to place you here."

"Still felt that I could better use my abilities at Olivine itself where land is everywhere."

"Perhaps." Siebold replied vaguely as his eyes scanned the sea. "I don't see Archer anywhere. What about you?"

"I've been keeping a lookout for him too. Never spotted him. Could he have teleported away already?"

"I was half-expecting him to come straight at me. After all, I am a huge threat with the rate I am decimating his forces. If he does decide to come after me, then it will mean that Jasmine, Steven, and Lorelei will have a much easier time at Olivine. If he decided to head for Olivine and leave me alone, then it will give me free reign to destroy the Rockets who could not escape my trap. So the question is, which choice did he make?"

"If our intel was wrong before about the number of Rockets we are expecting to face, could it also be wrong about the fact that Archer is supposed to be the one leading the siege at Olivine?"

"It's not impossible, but unlikely. Strategically, Olivine is too important to be left alone. Anyone who wants to conquer Johto will have to invest a lot of their efforts in taking down Olivine. Control Olivine and you not only control the western end of Johto's territory, you also get to control Johto's gateway to the world. At least one of Team Rocket's Executive will be leading the charge for this siege, that is for certain."

I can only nod mutely at Siebold's explanation. This is his area of expertise, not mine.

"Jasmine became Gym Leader of Olivine about eight years ago, but did you ever wonder why she was appointed as Olivine's Gym Leader even at the young age of seventeen? This is why. Olivine is too important to Johto and in the event the city were to be under attack, they would require the city to hold on for as long as possible because if Olivine falls, then the western territories of Johto will follow soon after. Not only is Jasmine a highly skilled defensive battler, she is one of the best Steel Specialists the Indigo and the world has to offer. She is the best suited candidate to be tasked with the responsibility of Olivine's defence. This is why despite the fact that there were other trainers with stronger offensive capabilities who could also be Olivine's Gym Leader back then, Jasmine was chosen to fill that role and not anyone else. Nobody could beat her in a game of defence and defence is what Olivine needs."

"I never thought that far. I've always thought that the Leagues appointed their Pillars based on the merits of their strength as a trainer."

"There is more to being a Pillar than being good at official battles, Nova. Being good in League regulated battles is the bare minimum if you want to climb to the top. To reach the top, you need to be more, to be better than everyone else in at least one unique aspect."

"And what is that aspect for you? What made you an Elite Four?"

"Does regularly quelling tsunamis around the coastal regions and getting rid of the Beryl Pirates count?"

"The Beryl Pirates?" I asked in surprise. Siebold simply nodded.

The Beryl Pirates. They are the largest pirate group that had been infesting Kalos' waters for close to a century until they suddenly mysteriously disappeared off the face of the earth. The size and scale of their activities was no laughing matter, and not only were they extremely bold in their actions, they can be very merciless in their heists. Even I had encountered them once before and I barely managed to get out with my life intact. That happened many years ago, just a few months after I finished competing in my one and only conference.

Come to think about it, the Beryl Pirates disappeared not long before Siebold became an Elite Four. The timeline would fit. So Siebold was the reason why they were wiped off the map?

I never knew.

Siebold used a finger to press onto the wireless earpiece he is wearing over one of his ears. I don't know what he heard over it, but it was enough for him to come to a decision.

"Archer is confirmed to have already reached Olivine. In that case, I will be ending this battle now, Nova." Siebold told me as he revealed the Key Stone that is embedded onto a ring he is wearing on his left index finger. Siebold's blastoise let out a reverberating roar as it began to glow, the tell-tale signs of evolution.

"Do you need Core to Mega Evolve too?"

"No, save it. There's always a chance that we might need it later. For now, blastoise and I will be enough."

Mega blastoise announced its presence with another thunderous roar. It pointed its launchers right at where the remaining Rockets are, the unlucky victims who did not manage to make their escape in time the moment Siebold sprung his trap.

I have no doubts that Siebold will not allow them to get out of here alive. The only thing waiting for these Rockets will be the sea's embrace. They will be buried right here under the vast sea for eternity.

"Water Pulse."

With that, their fates are sealed as their history comes to a close.

All that is left for them is a watery grave with nothing to remember them by.


Character and pokemon list:

Nova Labelle, Age: 26, Female, Ground Specialist, Historian, Niece of Lysandre

Pokemon on hand:

1. Mamoswine (Berg), Male

2. Golem (Crust), Female

3. Excadrill (Solid), Male

4. Golurk (Drift), Genderless

5. Garchomp (Core), Male

6. Claydol (Vision), Genderless

7. Whiscash (Seis), Male

8. Marowak (Tinen), Female

9. Torterra (Terra), Female

10. Gigalith (Mantle), Male

11. Tyrantrum (Jaws), Male

12. Aurorus (Sail), Female

13. Sandile (Rumble), Male

14. Unknown creature, self-proclaimed Zygarde (Blob), ?

Siebold Bocuse, Age: 29, Male, Water Specialist, Kalos Elite Four

Pokemon on hand:

1. Clawitzer, Male

2. Starmie, Genderless

3. Barbaracle, Male

4. Gyarados, Male

5. Blastoise, Female

6. Jellicent, Female

7. Greninja, Male

8. Gastrodon, Male