Chapter 2
The Plan
The atmosphere in the castle's planning room was incredibly tense when Zero and Furno walked in. The room itself, despite its size, possessed a stifling air as there were no windows or doors apart from the one the duo entered from. There were several Pokemon present, all of them standing around a large table that was placed in the middle of the room. Along the walls, there were several sconces with glowing stones set inside that illuminated the room in a soft orange light.
Before either Pokémon could address the group, Robin strode passed them, accidently (or purposefully), bumping arms with Zero as she went, nearly causing the former human to fall. Catching himself, Zero glared at the Decidueye as she skillfully weaved through the Pokémon to get around the table. From their position, Zero and Furno could see her bend down to speak to someone, but they couldn't tell who.
"Ah, it would appear we have a couple stragglers," an elderly yet jovial voice came from behind the crowd of Pokémon.
All at once, the surrounding Pokémon turned towards Zero and Furno, pinning the young Pokémon with a series of judgmental stares. Furno gave a minute flinch at the stares, but narrowed his gaze in defiance. Zero, meanwhile, had his attention drawn to the one that had just spoken.
The group of Pokémon shifted to the side, allowing Zero and Furno to clearly see three Pokémon seated on the other side of the table. On the right side was Katherine, the only surviving member of the Latios Division's tribunal. The Delphox looked the same as she did the day Lyore fell save for a long scar that ran from her right cheek down to the base of her jaw. Her once kind and warm expression was now sad and resigned, even as she tried to smile at the younger Pokémon.
Sitting on the left was another familiar face in the form of I'zer. The Electivire wore a tattered brown cloak over his right shoulder, covering his missing arm. His expression was impassive, but his eyes held a calculative glimmer, as if he was planning out several plans all at once.
Finally, sitting in the middle of the trio was a new face. They had a serpentine body with a long neck and greenish-blue skin. Despite being serpentine, it did have two clawed arms, though the white fur that draped its lower half nearly concealed them. Its eyes were completely pink with bright yellow eyebrows framing them. A mop of white hair framed the Pokémon's face and a tuft of white fur grew from its lower jaw.
The unfamiliar Pokémon smiled at Zero and Furno. "You must be our two time travelers," the middle Pokémon said with a breathy chuckle.
"Yes, sir," Zero responded with a short nod.
The Drampa gave a loud belly laugh at that. "Now, no need for such for such formalities. After all, we're allies on equal footing. You may call me Fu."
"Right," Zero murmured, glancing around at the assembled Pokémon that were still eyeing him and Furno critically.
There were a few friendly faces present, thankfully. I'zer's old team, Team Surge, were present, though they all wore grim expressions on their faces. Team Dawn Breaker was also there, to the duo's relief and chagrin.
Since Zero and Furno's disappearance, Team Dawn Breaker, as well as every surviving team, were forced to step up to keep the Resistance together. With the systematic destruction of their bases, the Resistance was left in shambles and its members were scattered, captured, or worse. It was up to the established teams to keep the ambition of the Resistance alive and help shelter those who still believed in the cause.
It wasn't easy. The group was constantly in the front lines, actively fighting against countless soldiers, even when the majority of them were still fairly young when compared to those they fought. It changed them. While they still acted like the team Zero and Furno knew, they were different. It wasn't glaringly obvious, but to Zero, it was as plain as day.
Quill, while still being a carefree jokester, had definitely mellowed out. He was far more mature and was far less impulsive than he was as a Quilladin. Dusty, who was now a Sandslash, was far less reserved and more willing to speak his mind. Even little Nieve was no longer the shivering wallflower she had been when she had first been recruited. She was now a still softspoken, yet determined Froslass. They had all grown and they'd done it without Zero or Furno being there.
Forcing down an uncomfortable ache in his chest, Zero turned his attention back to the elderly dragon who had begun to address the room. "Now then, with everyone here, we can now begin."
At once, the eyes in the room left Zero and Furno and returned to the trio sitting at the table. Off to the side, Quill gestured the duo over to him and the rest of the team, moving so that the two now smallest members of the team could see the table.
Across the expanse of the table was a large map depicting the continent of Lyore. There were several black flags with Emperor Maledic's sigil dotting over the expanse of the continent while blue flags with a gold four-pronged ring were positioned along the eastern coast of the continent with a few solitary flags situated deeper in the continent. The black flags heavily outnumbered the blue.
"Our attempts to reclaim the city of Suiverge have been remained unfruitful to say the least," Fu explained waving a furred claw over a small portion of the map that was a little way away from the coast. "As you know, the city of Suiverge was built over the confluence of the seven rivers that stretch across Lyore as well as the massive reservoir that was formed by these rivers. Since their occupation, they have built a massive dam that controls the flow of 70 percent of Lyore's clean drinking water."
Zero inhaled sharply, eyes wide at the implication. Hearing him, Fu nodded his head in Zero's direction. "I see you understand the severity of the situation. With their control over this dam, the emperor can literally choke out any resistance within Lyore by limiting that regions supply of water. It's for this reason we haven't been able to branch out past the coast. I'zer, if you would?"
With a gesture from the dragon-type, the electric-type rose to his feet. "Thank you, Fu. Once more, on behalf of the Resistance, we are grateful for you allowing us to take up refuge here."
Zero blinked. So this elderly Pokémon was the chieftain of the Isles.
The chieftain merely waved off the Electivire's words, gesturing him to continue. I'zer gave a nod and gave a soft cough into his hand. "As Fu stated, with the emperor controlling Suiverge, and subsequently that dam, they have been able to control the amount of clean drinking water that spreads across Lyore."
As he spoke, I'zer gestured to several blue lines that stemmed from the Eastern Sea, converged around Suiverge, then spread across Lyore. "With the ability to restrict drinking water, we cannot risk sending our troops to far into Lyore nor can we risk the emperor deciding to 'punish' a town for helping us. If we wish to make any headway in reclaiming Lyore from the emperor's grasp, we need to either reclaim Suiverge or destroy the dam."
A soft, uneasy murmur passed through the assembled group. Zero glanced at Furno who wore a look of contemplation on his face. Directly behind him, Quill stood stoically with a deep uncharacteristic frown marring his face.
"If our plan is to launch an attack, shouldn't we have more than just a handful of members here?" Quill asked.
"Due to the nature of the coast, transporting large amounts of Pokémon to and from Lyore is nearly impossible. As such, we are forced to send out smaller groups," I'zer explained.
"We've sent teams out to try and take Suiverge before," Quill continued, giving I'zer an unimpressed glare. "Each time we've been rebuffed. What exactly makes this time any different?"
"Quill!" Zero whispered harshly, surprised at how Quill was acting. He was going to say more when Quill's gaze drifted down to him. The looked only lasted for a moment before the grass-fighting type's gaze returned to I'zer, but the meaning behind his look was clear.
It wasn't a look of anger or disgust but one of reproach. It was a look that an adult would give a child that was starting to act up. It wasn't a look a team member should give another member let alone their leader.
"This time will be different because it won't be a direct assault," I'zer said gaining interest. "In the past, we've attempted to brute force our way through Suiverge, but the emperor, obviously knowing the strategic value of holding the reservoir, has stationed several high ranked soldiers within the town and dam. We realized after our first attempt that a direct approach would be futile, but we still chose to launch several assaults on the town."
"Wait, you knew that our efforts wouldn't work?!" a Pokémon from the group called. "What the hell?!"
"Then what have we been fighting for this entire time?!" another demanded equally heatedly.
"The casualties that we've suffered because of this effort have been substantial! How can you say that you knowingly sent our comrades to an unwinnable endeavor?!" another shouted.
While he didn't speak, Zero couldn't help but agree with what was being said. Frankly, Zero was just as horrified by the trio's decision as the rest of the group. After all, it seemed like they were willingly sending their Pokémon to fail.
"It was not without careful and meticulous thought," Katherine interjected. "Everyone who participated in the past raids new the consequences. We couldn't inform any that participated of our plan in case they were captured by the enemy."
"Plan?" Furno asked.
"We have purposefully engaged in a losing battle in hopes to cause the soldiers stationed their to lower their guard," I'zer said.
"Lower their guard? How does that make sense?!" Quill exclaimed. "We've been consistently attacking them. If anything, they'd increase their security!"
"They would," I'zer agreed with a glimmer in his eye. "At least, they would around the city. Around the dam, however, security would be lax."
Silence ensued. The Thunderbolt Pokémon made no move to fill the silence, seemingly content with allowing his words to sink in.
"That's been your plan?" It was Bogran who spoke up this time. The now Swampert's expression was eerily blank though the repeated clenching of his fists told a different story. "To sacrifice us in hopes that they'll lower their guard?"
I'zer bowed his head, his face pulled into an uncomfortable grimace. "It was the only option. Taking Suiverge is critical if we wish to make any sort of impact against the emperor. In the sacrifices we've made will be worth it in the long run so long as—"
"Worth it?" Bogran asked tightly. "It was worth the casualties on our side? It was worth the livelihood of the Pokémon of Suiverge who've been living there under the emperor's rule for years? Are you trying to say it was worth their suffering?"
For a moment, none of the three spoke. "I understand that this is distressing, especially for someone in your position," Katherine spoke directly to Bogran, her words careful and measured. Said Swampert kept his expression determinedly blank. "You must understand that this was our only option."
Katherine folded her hands over the table, her face seeming to age by several years in that moment. "The Resistance's might and influence was left in tatters after Roman's betrayal," she explained, flinching at the mere mention of her former associate. "Information regarding the other bases, names of some of our staunchest supporters, crucial information that crippled us when it was leaked. We no longer have the luxury of sending large number towards a single location, and our enemy knows this. Our best course of action is to make ourselves look weaker than we already are and strike once our enemy lowers their guard. This is our only means to gain traction."
Bogran kept the Delphox's gaze for a tense moment before looking away. A mutinous glare flashed across his features before returning to a mask of neutrality. Quill reached past Zero and placed a comforting hand on the Swampert's shoulder. Bogran turned his head from the Chesnaught but made no move to dislodge his hand.
"If there's nothing else, let's discuss the plan," I'zer said. When no one else said anything in response, the Electivire leaned over the table. "As it is, our plan is to send two groups to Lyore through the hidden coast near the Sunken Shallows."
As he spoke, I'zer pointed to a small portion on the eastern side of Lyore with a purple flag pinned to it. Zero hadn't noticed before but there appeared to be quite a few purple flags scattered across the expanse of the map.
"In groups, we'll traverse through Sunken Shallows and come out several miles here," I'zer continued, pointing to another portion of the map. "Once we reach this point, the two teams will split and head towards Suiverge. The first team will travel directly to the city while he second group will take a longer route and arrive here at the reservoir."
Once more, the Electivire tapped a spot on the map. "At an even pace, it should take an additional two days for the second team to reach the dam while the first team shall reach their destination. On the evening of the third night, we will exact our plan."
At this point, Fu took up the conversation. "The first team will be a distraction for the second. They will act as if they're attacking the city but your true goal is to direct their attention away from the dam. Once this attack has commenced, the second group will infiltrate the dam and destroy it."
"How exactly are we supposed to do that without flooding the town?" Bogran all but demanded.
Katherine's eyes flashed blue as a large sheet of parchment floated up and onto the table. "These are the schematics of the dam. After studying them extensively, we have determined by placing explosives in several key locations with cause the water held in the reservoir to spill out through the rivers rather than escape in an uncontrolled burst."
"Explosives?" Furno asked.
I'zer reached under the table and pulled out a heavy-looking back and plopped it on the table. "Blast seed clusters," he said simply. "With enough of them, we can punch a hole through that dam!"
"Don't just slam those on the table!" someone yelped. There was some furious shuffling as several Pokémon attempted to scramble away from the table.
"Relax," I'zer said with a roll of his eyes. "In case you forgot, these things are inert unless you're in a mystery dungeon. The only way to activate them outside of a dungeon is a large amount of heat."
Relief washed over the group as several members wore looks of embarrassment due to their overreaction. I'zer scoffed and muttered, "honestly", under his breath. He then spoke in a much louder voice.
"With luck, the first group's distraction will garner enough attention that the second will have little difficultly entering the dam and place the explosives. Once the clusters are in place, everyone is to vacate the dam save for a single fire type who will be tasked with detonating the seed clusters and a psychic type will be on standby to teleport them out."
"Once the explosions go off, those that are part of the distraction team will then retreat and regroup with the other team and you are to retreat back to the coast, Katherine added, making sure to stress the last part.
"We're just going to leave?" a gruff voice next to Zero questioned.
Turning to the voice, Zero recognized a new member of the team. They were a bipedal reptilian Pokémon with gray scales covering their body. Lining their arms, the Pokémon had three large plates that progressively grew larger, the largest being the ones on the back of their claws. The upper two plates were grey with gold edges while the ones on the back of their claws are red with a gold trim. They also had a yellow plate growing from their forehead.
Zero thought their name was Landon, but he'd hardly interacted with the 'mon, though not for lack of trying. Speaking of, seemingly having sensed the former human's gaze, Landon glanced at him long enough to give a glare of disgust before addressing the trio at the table. "Why aren't we staying and forcing the soldiers out? Wouldn't it be the perfect time?"
"You are believing that everyone will be able to leave this encounter unscathed?" Fu asked with a jovial chuckle that was betrayed by the hard glint in his eyes. "That's a rather bold assumption."
Landon reeled back slightly and Zero had no doubt that there was a harsh flush underneath his scales. "Of course I'm not suggesting that," he defended. "I'm just curious as to why we're not pressing our advantage and pushing them back."
Fu hummed noncommittally. "While it is true that the soldiers stationed there will no doubt be in a state of panic and disarray, there is still the chance that they will be able to recover and strike back and overcome our attempt. This is especially true should either group receive substantial injuries. No, it would be safer to have both groups retreat and recover."
"It's our hope that, once the dam is destroyed, Suiverge will lose its strategic value for the emperor and he will pull the majority of his forces, giving us the opportunity to fully release the town from his control," Katherine added.
"There is also the possibility that the emperor will double down and send more of his forces in order to repair the dam. In that eventuality, we may have to formulate a more aggressive plan," I'zer added
"If that's a possibility, then we should press out advantage!" another Pokémon cried, earning a slew of muttering.
I'zer released a tired sigh, but relented. "Should the rest of the plan go smoothly, then I will leave it up to the groups' leaders to decide whether or not reengagement is a viable option." This seemed to satisfy the majority of the Pokémon present if the murmurs were anything to go by. "Good. Now, if there's nothing else…"
"How do we know that this information is true or not?"
Everyone turned towards the new voice who spoke from the back of the room. Zero's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the speaker as well as the two Pokémon flanking them. Standing almost fully covered in the darkness that the stone torches failed to reach, was Seth, Bolt, and Liz. Three Pokémon that Zero hadn't seen hide nor hair of since he and Furno came to the future.
It was the first time he had seen any of Stride's old team since coming to the Isles. Both he and Furno had asked about the team but no one seemed to know where they were or what exactly they were doing. It was relieving to see them, but Zero couldn't help but feel worry over their appearance.
Liz still had the same kind and sincere eyes that she always did, but there was a dash of cold within her onyx orbs. The Nidoqueen's hide had several dents along her natural armor as well as a few new scars. Bolt's fur was heavily frayed, something that shouldn't be possible with all of the natural electricity Manectric give off. It was a little harder to note any difference in Seth, but Zero could feel the fatigue rolling off the Absol in waves. It was like the Absol hadn't had a decent night's sleep in months.
Seth stepped forward, tired red eyes just as intense and penetrating as they had been the last time Zero had seen them. "This entire plan rides on the fact that the dam's blueprints are correct, so how can we be sure that these plans are even accurate?" Seth asked.
"They are," yet another voice spoke up. The speaker stepped, or rather slithered, forward. They were a long serpentine Pokémon with cream-colored scales running along the vast majority of her body. The lower half of her body had a mosaic pattern of blue and pink diamonds outlines in black. At the very tip of their tail had four blue and pink fins that overlapped in a fan-like pattern. Their eyes were a deep red with pinkish antenna as well as two hair-like fins that draped down their body just above them.
"The blueprints are accurate," the speaker, a Milotic, repeated. "I can promise you that."
"Oh?" Seth said, his voice sounding rather cruel, "and how can you guarantee that?"
"She was the one that made it," Katherine interjected. "Marvel has been instrumental in supplying us with information on our enemies' movements and plans."
Seth's eyes narrowed at the Milotic before they widened in realization. "You. You're the Milotic from Ashen Woods!"
Zero gasped in surprise. He had thought the Milotic looked familiar, but he never imagined that she was the one that was part of Cortex's group. If she was here…
"Why the hell is she here?!" Seth demanded. "She one of the emperor's soldiers!"
"She's not," Katherine denied. "She was captured during your impromptu venture to Ashen Woods and was being held at the Latios Division. During the division's sacking, Marvel aided in the escape of several of our members. Since then, she has been using her status of a soldier to give us crucial information."
"A double agent?" Seth asked in disbelief. "And you're sure about that? Last time I saw her, she was part of a group that held several of our younger members hostage!"
Marvel flinched at the accusation but stared into the Absol eyes nonetheless. "I won't deny that I've done horrible things in the past. I was fully convinced that what I was doing was right, but…" She shuddered. "What we did…What I did that day was inexcusable. I know that I can't make up for what I've done, but I can at least help you overthrow that monster!"
Seth glared at the Milotic, clearly unwilling to believe the ex-soldier's words. Liz placed a hand on the Absol's shoulder. "Wake vouched for her, remember?" she said. "She helped him against that Zoroark."
Seth glared for several more moments before turning away with a scoff. "A Spinda can't change its spots," he grumbled.
"Stride did just that if I recall," Fu spoke up.
Seth's head whipped towards the elderly dragon with a scathing glare. Undeterred, the Drampa gave a short chuckle. "He was your leader, correct? It would be rather hypocritical of you to have accepted him yet not another who wishes to join, don't you think?"
Seth growled furiously, his teeth audibly grinding as the Absol struggled to not verbally tear into the normal-dragon type. After several tense moments, Seth backed down though his glare never lost its intensity. "Whatever."
Fu held the Disaster Pokémon's gaze for several moments longer before turning back to I'zer. "Anything else that we need to go over?"
"No, that's it," I'zer said, sending an uneasy glance towards Seth. "The team leaders will be chosen later this week and the mission will occur in two weeks. It would be best if you all take this time to prepare. For the Resistance!"
"For the Resistance!" everyone chorused, their shouts echoing through the chamber. With that final shout, those assembled began to exit the room.
"Two weeks, huh," Furno muttered. "We head back to Lyore in two weeks." He turned to Zero and gave him a determined grin. "Let's do our best, Zero!"
"Y-Yeah," Zero said, trying to match Furno's energy.
Beside them, Landon scoffed loudly. "Childish."
"What was that?" Furno asked, his expression pulling into a scowl.
"I said you're acting like children," Landon retorted. "In case you haven't noticed, this isn't going to be a jaunt through a dungeon to retrieve an old lady's scarf. This is a legitimate mission where all out lives are at stake."
"We're very much aware of that fact," Furno stated. "We've been on several of those types of missions before we were sent to the future."
"Right," Landon said while rolling his eyes.
Furno growled audibly at the Hakamo-o, taking a step forward to say something, but Quill intercepted. "Landon, stop antagonizing them," he chided. "Both of them are more than capable of handling a mission of this magnitude."
Landon glared at the larger Pokémon before scoffing and stomping off. Quill watched him go with an exasperated look on his face. "Sorry about him. Landon can be a little…high-strung at times," Quill said. He then grinned at Furno. "Remind you of someone?"
The Monferno in question gave an angry huff that was somewhat diminished due to the pink flush that filled his cheeks. Quill chuckled good-naturedly before giving Furno a heavy pat on the back that nearly caused the Playful Pokémon to fall flat on his face.
"Don't worry about it," Quill laughed. "We've all had our phases. What matters is that we grow and mature in the end."
As he said this, Quill gave Zero a meaningful look, a subtle jab at how he acted when they had returned from the mission. Zero flinched and looked way, an uncomfortable feeling curling in his gut. The Emanation Pokémon's gaze then fell upon Bogran, who appeared rooted on the spot.
"Bogran? Are you okay?" Zero asked.
"Huh?" the Swampert jolted in surprise. "Y-Yeah. I'm alright. Just…I'm fine."
Zero frowned, not need to sense Bogran's emotions to know that he was lying. However, before he could say anything, the Swampert had already made it to the door.
"Don't take it too personally," Quill said, coming to stand behind the former human. "This mission is…personal for him. He's from Suiverge after all."
Zero's eyes widened in horror. He remembered Bogran mentioning that his home town was under the emperor's rule, but he didn't realize it was Suiverge. Immediately guilt flooded through Zero as he cursed himself for not realizing how much this was hurting his teammate.
"Some leader I am," Zero found himself muttering under his breath. Thankfully, it appeared that no heard him.
"You two should get some rest," Quill said. "The two of you will be accompanying Team Dawn Breaker on our mission tomorrow."
"Accompanying," Zero repeated tonelessly.
"Yep," Quill replied, not noticing Zero's change in attitude. "We'll be up bright and early to grab you two. See you tomorrow." With that, the Chesnaught walked away, presumedly going to their (his) team's room.
"I guess we should head back to our room," Furno said. When Zero said nothing in response, Furno turned to him and noticed the former human staring off into space. "Zero?"
"Wh-What?" Zero asked, snapping out of his thoughts. "What's you say?"
"I said we should head back to our room," Furno said, concern filling his expression. "Are you feeling alright."
Zero said nothing for a moment, continuing to stare after the retreating backs of Team Dawn Breaker. "Yeah. I'm fine."
