"What?" Cyrus asked in a disturbingly calm tone. "What do you mean they disappeared?"
"W-well, just t-that, Sir. Our recently de-petrified troops report that she fired d-directly at them, b-but they just…"
The nervous grunt shifted around nervously under the robot-like man's gaze. Standing at either of Cyrus's sides were the three Galactic Commanders, none of whom were pleased with the report either. One of them, a woman with red hair in a bizarre shape, was the first to speak.
"You fools! How could you fail Master Cyrus in such a way!?"
"That is enough, Mars," the Galactic Leader replied, massaging his temple with his hand. "You are dismissed, grunt."
"Y-yes, sir…!"
The grunt hurried out of the room quickly, and the commanders looked at their superior with great surprise.
"Sir, with all due respect," a man with curved-upwards blue hair began, "don't you think you were a bit easy on them? You normally do not tolerate failure."
"…You are right, Commander Saturn," Cyrus started again, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "However, this failure in particular matters not to me. Now we have proper confirmation that the girl and her accomplices are not simply mere humans. They have great potential, and while the girl's is manifesting at a faster than anticipated rate, she will be in our clutches well before the League can take her in. In the meantime, Jupiter! Are our units in Eterna City ready to commence the operation?"
"Yes, Master Cyrus," the Galactic Commander with purple hair responded. "Shall I ready a transport and meet them there?"
"Yes. However, I shall be joining you to ensure that our plans do not fail…"
With that, Cyrus stood from his chair and left the room, Jupiter trailing close behind.
"Ugh. What's so special about that little brat anyway?" Mars inquired irritably. "And why does SHE get to go with Master Cyrus?"
"At ease, Mars. Jupiter merely has a bit more experience in the field than you do," Saturn replied coolly. The red-haired commander huffed and exited the room in a hurry, mumbling something under her breath. Saturn payed it no mind and returned to his station, not doubting his master for even a second.
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Mira sat up from the grassy earth and groaned, holding her head. It felt like her brain was in many different areas at once. All she could remember was clutching onto her friends for dear life, not even daring to look at the evil woman about to destroy them. Just where were they? And for that matter, where was she? The first thing Mira noticed was that she seemed to be on a hill overlooking a sleepy-looking town. The place looked rather plain, making the odd, planet-like structure looming in the distance all the more jarring.
"Hey! Are you alright, little girl?"
The pink-haired girl nearly jumped out of her skin as she heard an unfamiliar voice behind her. Turning around to face the source, she could see that the voice belonged to an older blonde boy in a funny striped sweater and a scarf. He seemed to be almost vibrating in place, and the almost comically serious frown on his face made Mira start to snicker.
"HEY! What are you laughing at!? I'm trying to make sure you're not hurt and this is the thanks I get? Unbelievable! If you weren't so young, I'd fine you right off the bat!"
"I'm sorry," Mira giggled. "Where are we, anyway? And who are you?"
"I'm Barry! You know, future Champion of Sinnoh and all that? Well, looks like that dream's on hold since those space dandies came along, but I'm not giving up! Anyway, right now it looks like we're right on top of Eterna City! Sure it seems like a dull place, but… well, to be honest, it is! This place is downright boring! I don't understand how people can even visit this dump, let alone live he- "
"Wait a minute! You said this is Eterna City, right?"
"That's correct," the blonde boy stated matter-of-factly. "By the way, it's rude to interrupt people, you know!"
"Sorry," Mira apologized. "It's just… I lost my friends. We were all traveling here together before…"
"… Before?"
Mira was about to explain further when they heard a cry for help.
"Aiyeeeh! Someone, please!"
Without thinking, Barry grabbed Mira by the back of the neck and in the blink of an eye, the duo was hidden in the shadows of a nearby house. Peering from their hiding spot, the older blonde boy could see that a hooded woman was being harassed by two strange men in teal bowl cut hairstyles and space suits, looking none too pleased.
"For Arceus's sake, shut the hell up! No one is stupid enough to cross paths with us! Other than that pathetic husband of yours."
"Stay here," Barry whispered to the little girl behind him. Mira opened her mouth to protest, but was left with the whoosh of wind as he took off faster than a Rapidash. The girl peered out after him, watching to see what he'd do.
"HEY!" Barry yelled, stealing the grunts' attention away from the woman. "What's the big idea here? And what's with those dorky outfits?"
"Who the-?! Oh, it's just some kid," the other grunt grumbled. "Beat it, brat! This is official Team Galactic business we're conducting here!"
"Oh yeah? You and what conductor?"
"You wanna meet him for yourself?" the first grunt questioned threateningly.
"Not if his style is anything like yours," Barry chortled. "What is this, an eighties flick?"
"Oh, that is it! I'm calling backup on your little punkass right no-"
Before the grunt could finish his sentence, Barry felt every one of his molecules flare up with energy. His feet began to move and in the blink of an eye, the boy had already dashed up to the grunt's side and delivered a powerful punch to the man's chest. The force of such a fast and painful impact send the man flying into a nearby tree, shattering his ribs and back. The other grunt looked at Barry with wide, fearful eyes as he reached for what looked to be an electric baton.
'Not today, slowpoke.'
In a flash, Barry had already delivered a harsh uppercut to the grunt's chin, something that would have undoubtedly killed the man if not for the boy holding back. Instead, the grunt merely slumped onto the ground, unconscious. Mira, meanwhile, was in shock. What had just happened? A moment ago, two grunts were threatening them, and now they were on the ground, battered and broken. Barry turned to the woman that the grunts were hassling. Her one visible eye was wide with fear, but she did not flee.
"Ma'am, are you alright?"
"Y-yes… I th-think so. Thank you."
"Not a problem, ma'am. Now where's this husband those jerks were just talking about?"
The woman raised a shaky finger towards the large, planet-like building in the distance. Odd spikes appeared to jut from the sides, giving an ominous appearance.
"Ah, okay! I'll get him back for you, miss!"
"Y-you can't! It's too dangerous! You'll be killed for certain if they find you!"
"If they can catch me, that is," Barry winked. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. It's her I'm worried about."
The woman turned to see Mira standing behind them, still shocked at the quick skirmish.
"What... How did you...?"
"Look, kiddo," Barry began, placing a hand on Mira's shoulder. "I'm about to do something really intense. I'm not too worried about myself, but I can't just let a little kid tag along for something so dangerous! Besides, you couldn't keep up with me!"
"I could so," Mira huffed. "Besides, my friends are missing too! Maybe if we team up, we can find them faster!"
"Tch… Alright. We'll go together. But you better stay close to me at all times! And don't get in my way, or I'm fining you big time! I mean it, too!"
Mira giggled. "Deal."
"Well, looks like that's settled then. Be safe, you two," the hooded woman nodded. Barry grabbed Mira by the back of the neck and both of them were gone in an instant. Now alone, the woman removed her hood to reveal long, silky blonde hair underneath it. She pulled a strange phone-like device out of her coat and began speaking into it.
"Looker, this is Agent Cynthia. The girl is approaching the Eterna City HQ with Palmer's son. Recommended course of action?"
"Watch them from the shadows, but do not directly interfere no matter what," a hoarse voice spoke over the device. "They cannot yet know about our presence."
"Roger. Cynthia out."
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Oh my… the plot thickens! Mira and speedy new friend Barry are going to tackle Team Galactic's operations in Eterna, but where are Cheryl and Riley? What could this Cynthia character and her associates possibly want with Mira and her friends? What is Team Galactic's ultimate goal here? How can our pink-haired heroine find her beloved friends? Find out in the next chapter of Rise of the Sinnoh Saviors!