From her perch on her Honchkrow, high above the forest near Aspertia, Solstice looked down at the world beneath her. She was, satisfied that Team Night's key trainer, the one called Sarah, was probably dead.
But that wasn't enough. Even with Team Night's leader finished, the remaining members would want revenge. Revenge was something she could always play to her advantage. After all, emotions were the product of weakness and inferiority in the mind, and such flaws were not a problem for her. Only feeble-brained humans could be swayed, and Solstice was not such a person.
But that aggravating little brat! She still had the Absol! That was a slight she couldn't ignore. There was too much at stake.
Two Pokémon flew up beside her. One was Argent, and he was riding his Staravia. He looked pleased about something. The second man was a man with a long, black ponytail and dark green eyes riding a Yanmega. The rest of his face was hidden by a black scarf, which flapped behind him in the wind. He was wearing the standard tan trench coat of Silicon agents, and the classic tan fedora. It was Jet. He was easily the stealthiest of Solstice's agents, save herself of course.
It was Jet who spoke first."Boss. We've got a good chance coming. Amber will only stay in Aspertia long enough to claim a badge. If we can ambush her after her fight, her Pokémon will be weak and easy to defeat. Unfortunately, she's still with that adjunct, Gloria."
Argent looked at Jet, "If we attack before she returns to town, we can avoid attracting the attention of the Gym Leader. He might be new, but he was instrumental in the downfall of Team Plasma two years ago. We can't get the League involved. Its bad enough with those cops on our backs."
Jet looked back at Solstice, "Boss, is there an alternative? Neither of our plans have the best advantage..."
Solstice thought for a moment. "If we strike now, there's a good chance you can split them up. Argent and I will attack Gloria and any remnant Night forces. Jet, call up Granite and Sapphire. Have them cover our backs. Ferrous and you will take the point position. He's got that new Scizor, so he'll be fine. If that girl resists, take her friend hostage. She won't be stupid enough to resist that. When she and the Absol are both in custody, get rid of the excess baggage. Got it?" Jet's only response was a nod and a salute.
Argent wasn't as quiet. "What if Team Night tries to call for help?"
She was starting to lose patience. How dare he state the obvious! She glared harshly at her henchman. "Don't make me say it twice. Get rid of them! Now, go and prepare. We'll move out as soon as we regroup."
Jet nodded. "Understood. I'll gather our forces. We should be ready shortly." At that, he and Staravia dropped out of sight, swooping out towards Route 19.
Argent looked at Solstice. "Just say the word and I'll begin the ambush."
Solstice nodded. "When I give the signal, we move together." She shifted her position on Honkrow's back for a better view. She glared down at some movement below.
That idiot trainer was about to get exactly what she deserved.
Nobody makes a fool out of the Silicon Movement!
Nobody.
Leo was still trying to make sense of the two's confession. Though both girls were human-looking again, he couldn't get what happened earlier out of his mind. Gloria was the Pokémon called Illicuno, and apparently, Sara was a blue Mew. He decided to ask another question. "So, let me get this straight, you two are basically trainers, even though you're Pokémon?"
Gloria shrugged. "I'm a Pokémon when I'm a Pokémon, and I'm a human when I'm a human. What's so hard about that?"
Leo shrugged. Maybe he wasn't phrasing the question right? "I guess I'd feel a bit weird about it if I were in your place. You catch and train Pokémon even though you are Pokémon...?"
Sarah chuckled. "I know. Back in Kanto, I asked the Elite Four about the matter. Lance said that its fine, so long as I don't have more than five on my team, six if you exclude myself. Basically, no 'cheating' by using my Pokémon form when I have six on my team in League-style battles. I'm not too worried about fighting like this, just as long as Team Rocket's not part of the equation."
Amber seemed confused, again. Arceus, she could be such a ditz. "League-style?"
"Sure," said Sarah, "You know, fights against trainers and Gym Leaders in accordance with League rules. Of course, it looks like the Silicon Movement fights like Team Rocket. They don't seem afraid of breaking rules."
Leo saw Gloria staring up at something. "Now what?" He followed her stare and found two shapes descending from the sky.
"Speak of the devil..." she muttered.
"Hey, guys? We've got company again!" Leo shouted, Flare growling at his feet.
"Damn. They just don't quit do they?!" Sarah snarled. As the two shapes grew larger, it became clearer what they were: Argent and Ferrous, riding a Staravia and a Scizor respectively. The two Pokémon landed on either side of Leo, causing him to back up. He looked behind him, only to see another pair of agents. There was a man wearing a black scarf over his face and riding on a Yanmega,
The other was Solstice, astride her Honchkrow. That mask and black coat was unmistakable.
"W-what do you want? Leave us alone already!" Amber cried.
Gloria's response was calmer and a lot more annoyed. "Can't you goons take a hint?! We beat the crap out of you last time!" Solstice simply glowered at her enemies from her perch. That cocky bitch.
The newcomer snorted and jumped down, his companions doing the same. "You can't beat all of us. We are destined to win."
"Oh yeah!?" Leo blurted. He was getting pissed at the sheer arrogance here. "I'll take you down! Flare's strong against bugs. She's my ace!" The Growlithe barked and crouched in a battle-pose, smoke coming from her nostrils.
Gloria nudged Blubasaur. "It's go time!" She let Luxray out of her ball."Let's do this! Amber! It's time to go all out! Help us!"
"I-I'll try!" Amber released Fang, who screeched angrily when he saw familiar foes.
"Alright! Let's do it, Zentra!" Sarah called as she released the Dragonite again.
"What a bunch of idiots, right, Jet?" Ferrous laughed, "We got the type advantage! C'mon, Nosepass, Let's kick ass!"
Jet groaned and rolled his eyes. "You are an idiot. It's not over. Here! Magcargo!" Jet unleashed the lava Pokémon.
Leo quickly sized up the competition. Magcargo, Yanmega, Staravia, Nosepass, Honchkrow, and Scizor: formidable, but not invincible. He knew Flare would do minimal damage versus Magcargo and Nosepass. He decided his first target was-
"Scizor! Vacuum Wave!" Jet barked. The Scizor snapped its claws with such speed, Leo couldn't see what it was doing. Whatever happened, Flare yipped and fell on her haunches.
Leo was officially pissed now! That was a cheap move. "Fine then! Wanna play hardball?! Eat fire, jackass! Flare, get 'im!" The angry dog howled and blew a stream of flames at Scizor. It was a direct hit, and the bug was knocked over backwards.
"Hmph. Scizor, Reversal." The insect whirled its claw, winding up like a baseball pitcher.
"No! Flare, Double Team!" Leo's command came a moment too late. Scizor's punch was like a sledgehammer, made even more powerful by the Pokémon's injuries. Poor Flare couldn't take the full-force blow and she fell.
"Flare! C'mon, get up!" When Flare still didn't get to her feet, Leo recalled her. He had no choice but to use that cranky Pidove now. He didn't look forward to its belligerence, but it was worse to be defeated here.
"Pidove! Go!" The bird came out of its Pokéball, taking flight immediately.
"Oh yeah? Scizor! Sandstorm!" The bug flapped its wings rapidly, stirring up sand and dirt. It soon grew so thick that Leo could barely even see.
"Air Cutter!" The Pidove launched a wave of slicing wind at Scizor, hitting hard. The bug stumbled, but it stood strong. Well, it flew strong anyway.
"Now, Roost!" The Scizor landed down on the ground, folding up its huge wings.
"Take it down! Aerial Ace!" Pidove dive-bombed the Scizor hard, making the bug faint.
"Heh. Think you won? You're a fool. Yanmega and I are invincible! Behold! Flash!" The bug glowed with such a light, Leo was forced to cover his face. A screech from Pidove told him the bird didn't like that either.
A scream from behind took Leo by surprise. He spun around, and his jaw dropped. Honchkrow had grabbed Amber in its talons and was trying to take off with her! Leo cursed under his breath. The entire battle was just a distraction! Gloria's Bulbasaur was in a fight with the Nosepass, Sarah had engaged Magcargo with Dragonite, and Fang was running circles around Honchkrow, swiping and snapping with his one tusk.
Leo thought fast. "Pidove, get that bird! Don't let it get away!" He turned to Gloria. "Hey! Help me! They're attacking Amber!"
"Luxray! Volt Tackle! Don't hit Amber !" Gloria commanded. Luxray charged at Honchkrow. The cat leaped up and yowled, lightning sparking off her fur.
"Alright. Aerial Ace!" Pidove squawked and dive-bombed Honchkrow again. Bird and cat both hit Honchkrow at the same time. The angry bird hooted and shoved Amber under its foot. She screamed yet again, squirming and clawing at the ground in a panic.
"Its time to take our leave. Honchkrow, summon the flock." Solstice said.
"The flock?" Leo's confusion didn't last long. Honchkrow hooted out a series of deep, croaking caws. As if out of nowhere, twelve Murkrow came screeching and cawing out of the sky, attacking human and Pokémon alike.
"Ack! Do something, Pidove!" Leo's vision was quickly filled with black feathers, angry wings, and stabbing beaks. He could only duck and cover his head, too overwhelmed by pecking, cawing, upset Murkrow to do much else. He heard Sarah and Gloria shouting and screaming, but he was in no better shape. He yelled and swiped, striking nothing as often as not. It seemed like an endless stream of wings and beaks. This went on for what felt like forever. He started to get tired and crouched to shield himself. He could hear Pidove and Fang screeching up a storm, but he saw nothing. Just as he was starting to get desperate, the birds squabbled and took off. When the bird Pokémon dispersed, Leo spat out another curse at what he saw next.
Honckrow and Amber were gone.
None of the Silicon members remained, either. They all disappeared with the flock. They must have taken off while those damn birds were swarming.
"No fucking way...!" Leo cursed again. "They won't get away with this! Pidove! Go see where they...!" Leo cut himself off. Pidove was laying on the ground, overwhelmed by the Murkrow's attacks. He recalled Pidove and looked about for any sign of the criminals.
Sarah sighed and scratched her forehead, "I'm sorry...we couldn't protect Amber."
"Damn that Solstice!" Gloria spat, "I swear, I'm gonna make her pay for this!"
"Save some hell for me," Leo agreed. He was furious. Howdare those assholes stoop this low!
I'll never forgive these bastards!
If I find them before Team Night does, Arceus help me, I'll..!
I'll kill that Solstice bitch.
Fang was yanking on the hem of Gloria's dress and squeaking. Sarah and Gloria exchanged looks. Fang squealed and pawed at Gloria's side again, waving something around. He was holding...was that a feather? Gloria looked down and squeaked something back at him. Was she speaking Pokémon language? Gloria took the feather and a fierce, and a determined look settled on her face.
"Fang plucked this off of Honchkrow. We've got a lead."