The day after receiving Light's message, officers were sent to Fortree City to both man the base and keep Genma in line. However, still seriously injured, it was another week before Light was able to limp back to Mauville and meet with his comrades. After a quick overview of their respective battles, the leaders of the NAA set a meeting for the following day to discuss their plans for the future.
"Let's call this meeting to order!" Light began, sitting uncomfortably with a brace still around his back. "First I would like to congratulate you all on your successful liberation of Mauville."
"Yeah we really showed those guys what we're made of!" Grunt replied happily
"The rest of us would also like to congratulate you on single-handedly liberating Fortree." Momo said.
"I wish I could say that I did it alone, but not even I am able to defeat an enemy commander without some help."
"About that," Nate broke in, "Why'd ya team up with Genma of all people? Surely there must have been another way."
"There wasn't another way." Light explained. "Even if I had been able to defeat Mach alone, Genma would have stepped in and defeated me. Rather than try to defeat two foes, I enticed Genma to our side."
"Don't worry about him Nate." Momo replied. "Based on what Light has told us and what I've found out on my own, Genma has nowhere else to go. He can't return home and he's a laughingstock in the Pokemon military. We were his only option as well."
"OK, on to our second order of business." Light said. "How is our recruitment process progressing? With two new bases to occupy, we're in desperate need of troops."
"Even with our recent successes, we're running a skeleton crew at each one of our occupied town." Momo answered. "Recruitment has increased the last couple of weeks but training them will still take quite some time."
"Give Scarlett free reign over any recruits she thinks may be worthwhile teachers." Light declared. "We need as many troops as we can as quick as possible."
"Are you planning another attack?" Nate asked.
"Another offensive is imminent. However, we need to deal with the problems we face inside our sphere of influence before we can go and extend it further."
The topic of internal issues brought back Tara's parting words to Momo's mind. After listening to Light and Nate debate ways to increase the efficiency of their training regimen, she spoke up.
"I'd like to address another internal issue that I feel has gone overlooked."
"Very well Momo." Light responded. "What is the issue you wish to discuss?"
"Trust."
"Hmm?" Light hummed inquisitively.
"The entire New Age Alliance trusts you with their lives and yet some feel that trust doesn't go both ways." Momo explained.
"Is this because of what that chick Tara said?" Grunt broke in.
"You shouldn't listen to everything the enemy says." Light replied. "There is no doubt that I trust everyone with my life as well."
"If you trust us, then it shouldn't be a problem for you to tell us your name."
"I told you the moment we met that names are unimportant. It's one's actions that matter."
"That's fine." Momo replied "If you don't want to tell us your name, at least tell us something about your past, anything!"
"OK. I tore down my past self so that I could be rebuilt into something that could effectively lead a resistance against the major powers." Light answered
"That's not what I meant!" Momo cried in frustration. "Entrust us with your past before you tore it away."
Sighing, Light shifted his position in the chair and replied with sorrow. "I was a nobody. There is nothing To tell you."
"Momo, lay off the guy." Nate said, feeling sorry for Light. "He's done what none of us could and led a successful rebellion. When he's ready, he'll open up to us."
Unsure as to whether Light was telling the truth or had simply backed her into a corner she sat back down and simply thought to herself. I hope your right Nate, for all our sake.
"Boss, where are we attackin' next?" Grunt asked.
"Eager for the next battle are we?" Light replied. "I don't suspect we'll be launching an attack for a while but when we do, I think we need a target that will give us access to the sea."
"So Verdanturfs out." Nate said. "But why are we going to the sea?"
"For commerce, of course."
"What?!" Momo cried. "We're in the middle of a war and you want to start trade?!"
"I'm sorry. I guess I phrased that poorly. What I meant is that we can receive supplies from overseas." Light explained. "By opening up a passage to the sea, we will be able to receive refugees from other regions, some of which will be willing to fight with us, along with supplies and other materials essential to the war effort."
"If you're looking for a port, Slateport is the city to attack." Momo replied. "Lilycove was burned to ashes in the early part of the war and has been abandoned ever since."
"While it is true that Slateport would be the logical target to pursue if we wanted to open trade quickly, I believe there is another option."
"What other option is there?" Nate asked. "The only two active ports in Hoenn are the ones in Slateport and Verdanturf, controlled by the Pokemon and humans respectively."
"They may be the only active ports but there are other cities that border the sea." Light responded. "If we are willing to put in a little extra work, I think we can gain two ports for the price of one."
"Lay it on us." Grunt broke in excitedly. "What's the play boss?"
"I believe that our next target should be Mt. Pyre." Light responded bluntly.
"How will taking Mt. Pyre give us two ports?" Momo asked, still uncertain of Light's plan.
"It's quite simple actually." Light began. "As of now we control Mauville, one city that is connected to the sea. With a little work, we can create a port here in Mauville."
"But that new port wouldn't be viable unless we captured Mt. Pyre since they're located such that they could easily attack any incoming ships."
"Very perceptive Nate." Light replied. "Yes. The presence of Mt. Pyre as a human military base is essentially a blockade to any port we might create here in Mauville, which is why we should make it our priority to take that base."
"Then Mt. Pyre is the second port, right?" Grunt asked.
"Not quite." Light replied. "Even more work would have to be done in this case but I believe that the NAA could revitalize Lilycove and return it to its former economic glory."
"Those are some lofty goals." Momo said. "Do you really think we're capable of doing it?"
"It wasn't too long ago that a successful campaign against the major powers was considered impossible as well." Light responded, a smirk forming on his face, "If we can accomplish that, the task of revitalizing a city will be child's play."
"Yeah!" Grunt yelled happily. "When's the attack boss?"
"As we went over before, our manpower is quite low right now, so we need some time before lauching an attack of this scale. Not to mention that I'm not exactly in perfect fighting condition either." Light replied, referring to the brace on his back. "For now I think we should all split up and aid in the training of new troops in each of our new cities. Grunt, since Mauville has the largest capacity of Knights, you will remain here."
"Got it boss."
"Nate, the air space above Mt. Chimney would be perfect for training new AK pilots, you should report there."
"Roger that!"
"Momo, the forest around Fortree would be most beneficial to your Energy Manipulation ability. You could both train new Pokemon and keep a close eye on Genma."
"Sure thing Light, but what about you?"
"I will travel north to Fallarbor Town and do what I can to aid the training of new recruits there. In two months, all four of us should reconvene here and begin our assault on Mt. Pyre. Does that sound like an acceptable timetable?"
"Sounds good!" All three responded in unison.
"I'll see you all in two months then. Meeting adjourned."
Elsewhere, in an undisclosed location
In a dark room, hiding each of their faces, three men discuss the state of affairs of the war.
"I'll get right down to business. A new player has appeared in this struggle for supremacy." Said a tall, lanky gentleman (He will be referred to as Person 1). "The New Age Alliance."
"This is interesting." Replied a second man, who was much shorter and stockier than his counterpart (He will be referred to as Person 2) "Haven't we been trying to introduce a third player for quite some time? Who was able to accomplish this feat?"
"It was apparently a Pokemon going by the name of Light." Answered the third man, who was of medium height, wearing glasses (He will be referred to as Person 3).
"Light? Is that even a name?" Person 2 replied.
"It isn't. No one knows his real name or his past. He simply appeared out of nowhere nearly a month ago and has taken the Hoenn Region by storm." Person 3 responded.
"Thank you for bringing up Light." Person 1 cut in, "While his efforts have played into our hands, is he a threat to the system?"
"Those under him appear to believe he can work miracles, though I'm more inclined to believe it's more theatrics." Person 3 explained smugly, straightening his glasses.
"Perhaps we should put him under surveillance?" Person 2 suggested. "We can have an agent monitor his activity and report information back to us. Once we have more information, we can make a proper decision as to whether he is a threat to the system."
"Quite a cunning plan there, I will support it." Person 1 replied. "But who do we send to monitor him?"
"How about we send Her?" Person 3 suggested, adjusting his glasses so that the light reflected off of them.
"Her?!" Person 2 exclaimed, instantly knowing who Person 3 was referring to. "She couldn't even handle her last job properly."
"She now knows that we will not tolerate failure." Person 3 responded calmly, showing the other two a picture of a silver Eevee being viciously attacked by a Machamp.
"So its settled." Person 1 exclaimed. "Silver will be sent to monitor the New Age Alliance and report any information back to us. All that remains is how she will make contact."
"I have some ideas…" Person 3 said, as each of them turned to the image of the Eevee, Silver, being beaten and began to laugh.
AN: Hiya everybody! Its been a while since we had a filler Chapter but this was really needed to set some things into motion for later in the Arc. Big thanks to PsychicEevee0103 for submitting another OC for Pokemon New Age: Silver the Eevee. What are Persons 1,2,3 planning, where will Silver make contact with the NAA? Leave a review as to your guess!
PS: Character Submissions are still ongoing. As of now only Character 1 has been filled (Silver). All of the other spots are still up for grabs! See Chapter 18 for details.