Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter Two-hundred and seventy-one: The Pocketwatch Sector, part five
The reborn trainers recently dealt with a rather troubling event over in Celadon City, where they saw evidence of persons being driven to join Team Scorn due to having been given a raw deal over something that they in no way had any say in or had any control over. It was honestly worrying to the reborn trainers to see someone's life ruined to the point that joining an inter-regional criminal organization was the only method of escaping their ruined life that they could find. But regardless of whatever background they have, they're villains now. As such, they have to be taken and treated as serious threats. Doesn't mean their rising into a position within the ranks of Team Scorn isn't tragic, though.
Right now, the reborn trainers find themselves over on Cinnibar Island, where Blaine's gym is located. The reborn trainers came here on a whim more or less, as Dawn remembered from the anime in her previous life that Cinnibar Island was something of a tourism draw, and she figured that she, Kenny, Trip, Mina, and their Pokémon could use a rest. When the reborn trainers arrived, they saw that the time was starting to get late, and figured on checking into one of the hotels on Cinnibar Island. It was Kenny who found the group a hotel to stay at for the night, as it offered some rather appreciated discounts to trainers who were competing in the current season of the World Coronation Series.
As a matter of fact, the reborn trainers pretty much were given free room due to the fact that Dawn was in the group, and she's currently the Monarch of the World Coronation Series. The reborn trainers checked in as a group under Dawn's name, so as to give all of them free room. This was especially important for Mina, as she isn't a trainer taking part in the current season of the World Coronation Series. The Pokémon that the reborn trainers had on hand at the time also got to relax, although the larger ones were kept in their Pokéballs for obvious reasons. Once everyone was settled down for the night, Kenny decided to regale Trip and Mina with tales of what he and Dawn got up to before meeting them.
"...Leading Dawn to capturing the Rhydon that she evolved into her Rhyperior," Kenny said as he wrapped up a tale, "That was one of the last major highlights of our time in Kanto when we went through earning badges." Clapping his hands together, Kenny looked to Trip and Mina and asked, "Now then, any questions?"
Holding up a hand, Mina said, "How did one wild Rhydon give Lance, who is the Champion of the Indigo League mind you, so much trouble?"
Shrugging, Kenny replied, "Must be bad luck." Turning to look at Dawn, Kenny asked, "What do you think, dude?"
"Speaking of bad luck," Dawn said, "I saw some people working as part of Project Mew here on Cinnibar Island earlier. I even saw Quillon among them."
Kenny, Trip, and Mina all got grim looks of understanding on their faces when Dawn brought up Project Mew's presence on Cinnibar Island; the Pocketwatch Sector, the sector of Team Scorn native to the Kanto region, has a personal beef of sorts with Project Mew. They've even harassed Project Mew in most of their actions in Kanto that the reborn trainers are familiar with. Not helping things for Project Mew is that they haven't given any solid reason for Dawn and the others to trust them, with Quillon not only straight up demanding they give him one of their spare Master Balls as Professor Amaranth says he needs one, but refusing to provide any details WHY there's a need for a Master Ball.
"Do you have any idea why Project Mew is here on Cinnibar Island?" Trip asked when he turned to look at Dawn.
Gently shaking her head in the negative, Dawn replied, "No clue. All I know is that I saw some of them head towards the Pokémon Mansion."
"That run down abandoned mansion that Blaine when we were last here said was gonna get a face lift of sorts?" Kenny asked.
"I heard that said plans Blaine said have to be put on hold for budget reasons," Dawn remarked, "Meaning that the Pokémon Mansion is still an abandoned site that could serve as a habitat for wild Pokémon."
"What would the people of Project Mew want with the Pokémon Mansion, though?" Mina asked, "Unless they wanna train some of their lower ranked members by having them fight off wild Pokémon."
"And if there's a good number of guys from Project Mew," Trip began, "Then if they stay in one place for too long, Team Scorn will be inclined to come pay them a visit."
Dawn was about to speak up, but she was cut off by a knock at the door to the room she and the others had. Opening the door, Dawn was surprised to see that the hotel manager was there. "Terribly sorry about this, but word got out that you're here, Monarch Dawn," the hotel manager said, "A number of persons are outside of the front door of the hotel, begging to be let in to see you. I daresay you may be asked to sign some autographs."
Dawn let out a troubled sigh; this was yet another reason she wasn't entirely comfortable with getting the title of Monarch in the World Coronation Series, although she was surprised it didn't crop up like this until now. Figuring that she had to go get some fans to settle down, she got up and said, "I need to go see some adoring fans, it seems," in a dry and knowing tone. The other reborn trainers wished Dawn the best of luck. It wasn't until after Dawn left that Mina, with a look of sudden realization on her face, turned to look at Kenny and Trip.
"...Boys," Mina said, "If word of Dawn being here got out, then that means the Project Mew guys here on Cinnibar Island either knows already or will find out in due time."
Shrugging, Trip said, "So?"
"So what if they try pestering us for a Master Ball again?" Mina asked, "I mean, Dawn said she saw Quillon who tried demanding one from us the last time that we saw him."
"We'll just tell them what we told that guy trying to act cool," Kenny said, "That we ain't gonna give one." When Dawn came back about ten minutes later, Mina shared her worries with Dawn, who agreed that it would be worth it to at least take precautions against Project Mew, especially as Dawn has less reason than ever before to trust them in any capacity. With the game plan in mind, the reborn trainers went about going to bed, aiming to tackle things in the morning.
The following morning, the reborn trainers woke up, had a small breakfast, and made their way out of their hotel. However, the moment they did leave, they were spotted by that Lila girl who they had previously saved, being waived down by her. "Hey, it's you guys," Lila said, "I just wanted to say thanks for saving me the last time you guys and I saw one another."
"Yeah, we saved you from Team Scorn," Dawn said, "Which reminds me. I got it that members of Project Mew are here on Cinnibar Island. How many members of Project Mew are here, exactly?"
Shrugging, Lila replied, "Counting myself, at least a good few, including Professor Amaranth himself. Why do you ask?"
"Because you guys ought to be aware of it by now that Team Scorn's sector here in the Kanto region is gunning for you guys," Mina explained, "And having a big enough number of your members here might lure them in. Especially so as you just said your professor guy is here, and he's the leader of Project Mew from what I've gathered. No doubt Team Scorn's efforts here in Kanto will be interested in making a move for your leader."
Lila gently shook her head. "There's no way that Team Scorn would be foolish enough to try to make a move for Professor Amaranth. The other members of Project Mew will all swarm around to protect the professor, especially Quillon and he's the best we've got." Gesturing to the heroes, Lila went on, "Plus, you guys are here. No doubt you will lend your aid in driving off Team Scorn if and when they pop up here on Cinnibar Island."
"Speaking of," Trip said, "We got it that you guys of Project Mew are here on Cinnibar Island for something involving the Pokémon Mansion, but we have no details aside from that."
Lila gently shook her head. "I myself have no details beyond that. Professor Amaranth said that our business here will lead to learning more about the truth of the origin of Pokémon."
Dawn arched a wry eyebrow at Lila. "...Did he say how it will lead to that?"
"...Actually, no," Lila began, "He didn't say anything beyond that explanation which, now that I think about it, is kind of vague and dances around having to provide more detail."
"There's also how Quillon when we last encountered him tried to make us cough up a Master Ball on the basis that Professor Amaranth said he needed one for his research for Project Mew," Kenny said, "But we denied him. It was especially important given how, when we asked for details why a Master Ball was needed, we were not only given pretty much zero details or explanation, but were essentially told to shut up and do as demanded."
Lila looked curious and a bit surprised now. "...Quillon demanded that you guys give him a Master Ball? Why? And what does one have to do with Professor Amaranth's work in Project Mew?"
"That's what we wanna know," Dawn replied dryly. Gesturing to Lila, Dawn said, "So I take it that you're here doing work for Project Mew's business here on Cinnibar Island?"
Nodding once in the affirmative, Lila replied, "Oh yes, although all I'm doing is directing people away from the Pokémon Mansion. As per Professor Amaranth's word, we can't let anyone nearby until he and a few others are finished doing work there."
Kenny had a sneaking suspicion of something, so he pressed on with his question. "...Is anyone aside from Amaranth and some persons he handpicked allowed into the Pokémon Mansion itself? Or does everyone else have to remain outside?"
"We... all have to remain outside," Lila replied, hints of suspicion growing more and more within Lila's eyes. Gesturing to the heroes, Lila asked, "You guys seriously don't believe that the real goal of Project Mew may not be as honest as Professor Amaranth has told the rest of us it is, do you?"
"Considering how secretive he's been about finer details," Trip replied, "It does seem that Amaranth is being rather sus." To the other reborn trainers, Trip said, "Guys, I think that we ought to go pay Amaranth a visit."
"Umm, do you think you'll be let into the Pokémon Mansion?" Lila asked.
"We can come by under the guise of asking if Amaranth got the Master Ball he's jonesing for yet," Kenny remarked, "Also we can say we wanna file a complaint with amaranth about that stuck up Quillon guy."
Lila nodded in understanding, starting to see things from the point of view of the reborn trainers. There was also how Team Scorn's efforts in Kanto were going after the people of Project Mew, and Lila worried that it may have something to do with the work that Project Mew is doing. Hoping that the reborn trainers may be able to do something about it, Lila decided to lead them over to the Pokémon Mansion, figuring that they had a shot at getting intel out of Professor Amaranth, or at the very least some more specific detail on just what exactly is the true aim of Project Mew.
A short while later over at the Pokémon Mansion, Lila arrived at a perimeter that's been set up around the place by Project Mew. Lila, coming in with the reborn trainers, was stopped by Quillon who saw the heroes approach. He made his way right over to Lila and the reborn trainers, stopping them from even getting close to the zone that Project Mew members stop outsiders from crossing. "Why did you bring these guys here?" Quillon demanded more than asked as he turned his attention firmly onto Lila.
"We're here to ask Amaranth if he got that Master Ball you told us he's jonesing for yet," Kenny replied, "And if not we're prepared to work out an offer with him."
Quillon's expression relaxed a bit; not a whole lot, but enough so that Dawn could tell that they had caught Quillon's interest. "I see," Quillon said, "About damn time that you've realized that when we of Project Mew want something, we always get it and in a timely manner. Denying us is never a good idea." Quillon then stepped to the side and allowed Lila to lead the reborn trainers into the peremeter. "You can find Professor Amaranth in the main lobby on the ground floor of the Pokémon Mansion. Go in, give him a Master Ball, then get out."
Lila nodded once in understanding before gesturing for the reborn trainers to follow her. As the group made their way, Mina scowled, "The hell is with his entitled attitude that he showed just now? What, does he think he can get what he wants when he wants it simply because of who he is or is with?"
"Quillon has gotten a bit harsher in overall character ever since Professor Amaranth had announced to Project Mew as a whole that things are close to seeing Project Mew reach the goal it's been after for so long," Lila remarked, "This time before Dawn became the Monarch of the World Coronation Series, Quillon wasn't as harsh, and certainly was not entitled by any means. Maybe he's acting up because he's just that excited to see the promised results that Professor Amaranth had mentioned for the longest time."
Dawn's suspicion was raised a bit. First off, there's Quillon being more of an ass that what little Dawn could remember from the anime in her previous life. Lila here says that it's due to excitement because Amaranth claims that Project Mew's 'close to reaching the goal it's been after for so long'. Dawn had no idea what exactly that meant, but she had a few suspicions, including that Project Mew somehow found out about Forrt Loop, Dawn's named Mew. Dawn decided that she really had to check back with Professor Oak as soon as possible to make sure he's kept his word about keeping Froot Loop a secret from everyone.
Within moments, Lila led the reborn trainers into the Pokémon Mansion. Inside, they soon spotted Amaranth, talking to Danika who was basically the female equivalent of Quillon. It was Danika who first spotted Lila having brought in the reborn trainers. "Lila, you aren't supposed to be in here," Danika said, "Much less come in with a few people not even part of our efforts here. You're supposed to run security around the peremeter here to make sure no-one else gets in." Danika's tone and expression made it clear she was nowhere near as harsh and wound up as Quillon, and she seemed to be merely gently reminding Lila of her duties.
Gesturing to the reborn trainers, Lila began to explain, "These guys-"
"Are Dawn Berlitz and her companions," Amaranth finished, having realized who exactly the reborn trainers are. Giving them his full attention, Amaranth said, "I have to say, it certainly is a surprise to see trainers of such note coming here. Is there anything that I can help you with?"
"Yeah," Kenny began, "You can start by either apologizing to us for Quillon being such an ass towards us, or making Quillon himself apologize to us for being such an ass towards us."
Getting Kenny to settle down, Trip explained to Amaranth, "With all due respect, Quillon had been rather rude and demanding towards us when he tried asking us for a spare Master Ball while citing you needed it for your research as part of Project Mew. He also acted rather entitled about the whole deal."
"There's also how we haven;t gotten a clear answer as to why you need a Master Ball," Dawn said, "And all of the dancing around the subject we've seen had made us think that something is being hidden."
Amaranth let out a troubled sigh. "You guys with how you're being suspicious of things that aren't there reminds me of Atticus."
"Atticus?" Mina said questioningly.
Amaranth was about to speak up, but Danika cut in by explaining, "I heard about Atticus from Quillon. From what I was told, Atticus was bar none the best and strongest Chaser that Porject Mew ever had the pleasure of having within its ranks. Not even Quillon at his peak can measure up to how great Atticus was, and this is something that Quillon himself had admitted. However, one day Atticus resigned from Project Mew and left, disappearing without a trace, due to suspecting that Professor Amaranth here knew more than what he was letting on."
Nodding in general agreement, Amaranth said to the reborn trainers, "Yes, that pretty much nails the nail on the head. I also heard a girl looking to join Project Mew the day that Atticus left ended up following Atticus instead, having been convinced to see his side of things." Gently shaking his head, Amaranth said, "I assure you, there is nothing 'going on behind the scenes' as some would say. The true honest goal of Project Mew is to learn the truth of the origin of Pokémon."
"And how does a Master Ball play into the research to reach said goal?" Dawn asked.
"It's the ultimate model of Pokéball, guaranteed to catch any Pokémon without fail," Amaranth said, "Being able to understand how to catch any Pokémon without fail is a vital part to the research I'm doing as Project Mew's goals are within reach, when things are now reaching the end goal final steps. Project Mew is so close to reaching its true goals, we just need a few certain folks to play along and do as we ask them so we can speed things up and reach the end goal as soon as possible."
Dawn was already skeptical of Project Mew as a whole. Not helping is the fact that, back in her previous life, Dawn had died before she was able to see the conclusion of the Project Mew shenanigans in the anime, as such she has no idea how it ends meaning she has no idea if the show-runners in Project Mew truly are benevolent or if they have something hidden going on behind the scenes. Amaranth wasn't exactly helping, as he's essentially just asking folks to trust him and Project Mew wholesale and do as he asks of them without giving further detail or clarification.
Dawn decided to push. "You could still shed some light on why you need all of what you're asking for, rather than just ask for it and expect it to be handed over without giving a detailed explanation."
"I already told you," Amaranth said, "I need a Mast-"
Dawn interrupted by shaking her head. "The answer you gave is too vague and doesn't go into detail."
Amaranth let out a sigh that was a bit louder than casual, with a hint of long suffering exasperation that told Dawn that amaranth really was expecting people to just play along with what he wanted when. "There really is no deeper mea-"
*CRASH*
"AAAHHHHHH! WE'RE BEING ATTACKED BY TEAM SCORN!"
"ALRIGHT, YOU PROJECT MEW WIMPS! TIME TO COME CLEAN!"
Amaranth was cut off by the noise going on outside, noise that just kicked up. "Sounds like Team Scorn came here because of the high concentration of members of Project Mew that are here," Trip said dryly, "As the others and I figured they'd be wont to do."
Amaranth took a step back away from the direction of the Pokémon Mansion's front door, a hint of panic in his expression that only Dawn picked up on. "This is bad," said Amaranth, "We need to keep Team Scorn out of here!"
"Quillon should be outside," Danika said, "I'll go out and join him in fending off Team Scorn." Danika then took off before she could be stopped.
Turning to look at Amaranth, Kenny said, "You ought to find a place to hunker down and hide, no doubt Team Scorn if they find you will be very much interested in having a little chat with you."
Nodding in agreement, Amaranth replied, "No doubt about that!" Amaranth then turned around to go run up the stairs off to the side in the area of the Pokémon Mansion that everyone was in. Knowing that they had to go outside to help fend off the attack, Dawn and the other reborn trainers proceeded to run outside to help fight off the threat. As they left, the reborn trainers actually spotted Captain Meyer and his Captain's Assistant Inaho among the Team Scorn members who had flooded in. Seeing this, Dawn told Kenny and Mina to continue heading outside as she and Trip will fall back to search out Meyer and Inaho.
Kenny nodded in agreement, and then continued to run out with Mina to deal with the Team Scorn members outside.
After exiting the Pokémon Mansion, Kenny and Mina saw that members of Team Scorn were fighting the members of Project Mew that were on Cinnibar Island. "Alright babe," Kenny said to Mina, "We're on clean-up duty to sweep the peons out here while Dawn and her brother handle the big ones inside."
"I kind of wanted to fight someone above the level of peon," Mina said, "I mean, we've fought loads of Captains and their Assistants already. I just hope that there's at least one other Captain and their Assist-"
"You..." Danika's voice could be heard calling out, "...How could you side with Team Scorn?!"
"How could you so blindly trust a man who is so blatantly withholding details?" replied the cool, businesslike voice of a guy.
Kenny and Mina, having heard Danika call out, ran in the direction they heard Danika call out from. When they got to the scene, Kenny and Mina saw that Danika and Quillon were standing defeated against a pair of uniquely dressed Team Scorn members, one a boy with a pocketwatch on a lanyard around his neck and the other a girl with no notable items on her person. Their outfits, while having the yellow and dark blue colors of Team Scorn, looked like casual wear rather than anything fancy or very elaborate. But they still had Team Scorn insignias visible on their persons, which is all Kenny and Mina needed.
Kenny and Mina came jogging up to the scene, catching the attention of the Project Mew chasers and the two uniquely dressed Team Scorn members. "I take it that these two here are elites?" Mina asked Danika and Quillon.
Quillon scoffed bitterly. "The guy with the pocketwatch on the lanyard around his neck is Atticus, a former Chaser for Project Mew and the only Chaser who was more accomplished than me. The girl with him is Kira, who Atticus had identified as his Admin's Assistant."
Kenny and Mina immediately turned to look at the now identified Atticus and Kira. "...So you're Admin Kyubi," Kenny said to Atticus.
"I am," replied Kyubi, "I take it you and your girlfriend there plan to succeed where Quillon and Danika here failed?"
Mina turned to look at Quillon and Danika. "...Atticus and Kira beat you two."
"Yeah, both Quillon and I have been wiped completely," Danika admitted, "No wonder Quillon said that not even he can measure up to Atticus."
Turning to look at the members of Team Scorn, Kenny said, "Yeah, Mina and I will pick up the slack of Danika and her asshat of a companion here."
"Excuse me?" Quillon said, sounding mildly offended.
"You're a demanding asshat of an asshat who has serious issues with needing to learn manners and be an overall more agreeable person," Mina said, "Also you owe me, Kenny, Dawn, and Trip an apology for how you've been an asshat towards us. But we can cover that later, after Kenny and I beat Atticus and Kira for you."
"...I'd prefer you address me as Kyubi," remarked a mildly annoyed Kyubi, "And if it's a battle you want, then it's a battle you'll get. Go, Thievul!"
"Go, Sandaconda!" Kira said as she and Kyubi sent out a Sandaconda and a Thievul respectively.
Seeing as there was no choice but to battle, Kenny and Mina proceeded to face off against the leader of Team Scorn's Pocketwatch sector and his Assistant. "Go, Espeon!" Mina called out as she sent in her shiny Espeon.
"Okay, Godzilla!" Kenny said as he sent in his named Tyranitar, "Let's make it cringe!" Once all of the Pokémon were out and ready to battle, Kenny called out, "Godzilla, use Brick Break on Thievul!"
"Espeon, use Grass Knot on Sandaconda!" Mina said.
"Thievul, use Dark Pulse on Espeon!" Kyubi ordered.
"Sandaconda, use Iron Head on Tyranitar!" Kira commanded.
Espeon was the quickest, and its Grass Knot tripped up Sandaconda and knocked it out before it even got close to the named Tyranitar. Speaking of which, Godzilla got in Thievul's way of attacking Espeon and struck Thievul down with Brick Break, taking it out before Espeon ever came to harm, although Godzilla did get struck by Dark Pulse in the process, even if it's not very effective.
Kyubi and Kira were forced to call back their defeated Pokémon and send out fresh ones. "Go, Arbok!" Kira said as she sent in her Arbok.
"Go, Ninetails!" Kyubi said as he sent in an Alolan Ninetails. Gesturing forward, Kyubi called out, "Ninetails, use Moonblast on Tyranitar!"
"Arbok, use Crunch on Espeon!" Kira ordered.
"Espeon, use Psychic on Arbok!" Mina commanded.
"Godzilla, use Iron Head on Ninetails!" Kenny said.
The melee resumed anew, and Espeon once more was the first to strike, its Psychic knocking out the vulnerable Arbok before it got close enough to bite down. Godzilla, its head shining like polished metal, rushed at Ninetails, whose fairy attack was partly blocked by Iron Head. Partly but not fully, as Godzilla did feel some super effective sting.
But it wasn't enough to bring down the named Tyranitar, who continued to rush in and strike Ninetails with Iron Head, dealing times four super effective damage that knocked out the Alolan Ninetails whose ice fairy typing made it very weak to steel attacks such as Iron Head. Kyubi and Kira recalled their fainted Pokémon to send out more to continue the battle.
"Go, Seviper!" Kira said as she sent in a Seviper.
"Go, Delphox!" Kyubi called out as he sent in a Delphox.
Seeing the fully evolved starter right there, Kenny said, "Alright, time to get dangerous! Godzilla, use Crunch on Delphox!"
"Espeon, use Psychic on Seviper!" Mina ordered.
"Seviper, use Poison Tail on Espeon!" Kira commanded.
"Delphox, use Grass Knot on Tyranitar!" Kyubi called out.
Kenny's eyes widened with surprised alarm when he heard what Kyubi had called out for. As such, after Espeon took out Seviper, Godzilla was tripped up by Delphox's Grass Knot, keeping him from being able to reach Delphox. As Godzilla tried getting up, Kyubi called out, "Delphox, use Dazzling Gleam on Tyranitar!"
Delphox then unleashed a dazzling blast of concussive light that blasted right into Godzilla as it was picking itself uo, throwing it back until it landed on its back, clearly having been defeated in battle. "Fuck it, I'm going nuclear!" Kenny bellowed, enraged that he had, once again, failed to 'break the curse,' that his named Tyranitar was seemingly under.
Recalling the fainted Godzilla, Kenny sent in his next Pokémon as he called out, "Okay, Black! Let's make it cringe!" Coming out into battle was Kenny's named Giratina, making Kira and even Kyubi look a little nervous. "Use Earthquake!" Kenny bellowed, prompting the named Giratina to trigger a massive quake that rocked the entire area with seismic waves, striking even other Pokémon taking part in separate battles outside of the Pokémon Mansion.
But Kyubi's Delphox was among those struck, and it went down to the super effective power of Black's Earthquake. Kyubi recalled his Delphox as he looked at Kenny and Mina. "So you have bested me and Kira," Kyubi said, "It's no matter. Conquest wasn't the goal of my efforts here that I'm leading against Project Mew."
"Then what IS your goal here on Cinnibar Island?" Mina asked.
Kyubi was about to speak up, but got cut off when Meyer and Inaho came running over. "Sir, I've accomplished my objective!" Meyer said, "We got what we came here for!"
Kyubi nodded once in acknowledgement. "Very well, we're pulling out now." Kyubi sent word over comm devices for Team Scorn to withdraw from Cinnibar Island, with many using smoke grenades to cover their retreat. When the smoke all settled, all of Team Scorn had left Cinnibar Island. Kenny and Mina had no idea what it was that Team Scorn came to Cinnibar Island for.
After Kenny and Mina saw that Team Scorn had left, Dawn and Trip came running up. "Did you see where Meyer and Inaho went off to?" Dawn asked, "Meyer had his Politoed do something against Amaranth, but Trip and I didn't get a good look!"
"No, we failed to see what direction they fled in," Quillon said, "I was a bit distracted by Kenny using his Giratina to take out Atticus's Delphox after Kenny lost his temper when Delphox defeated his Tyranitar in battle."
"Oh really," Trip said, a smirking look of amusement on his face, "Kenny's Tyranitar was defeated by a fully evolved sta-"
*HUWHUPAP*
"Ah, my nose!" Trip cried out when Kenny punched him in the face.
Crying out to the skies above, Kenny bellowed, "I swear that Godzilla will one day break the curse!"
...
Somewhere in an undisclosed location in Kanto, Kyubi as he and Kira watched some Team Scorn medical staff treat their Pokémon was approached by Meyer and Inaho. "Given we were being chased by Dawn Berlitz and her brother, I'm surprised that I had time to have Politoed use Mind Reader on Amaranth to find out what all he knows," Meyer said.
"...As well as what all he's hiding," Kyubi said, speaking with clear suspicion in his tone.
Nodding once, Meyer said, "Hoo boy, is he ever hiding something." Meyer then leaned in and whispered something into Kyubi's left ear. The eyes of the leader of Team Scorn's Pocketwatch Sector went wide with surprised alarm. Kira, seeing the look on Kyubi's face, instantly became very worried. Kyubi didn't even look so alarmed back when Kenny sent Giratina out against them.
"...Admin Kyubi?" Kira said, sounding worried.
"Well first off, I knew it," Kyubi said, "I fucking knew it that Amaranth was hiding something. But this..." Giving a gentle shake of his head, Kyubi went on, "...I wasn't expecting the truth something this severe. We're going to need Boss's Assistant Ayane to help us shoulder some burden here, she's the strongest trainer in Team Scorn. There's no other way."
Kira became even more alarmed now. If what Meyer had whispered to Kyubi was so troubling that Kyubi said only Ayane is strong enough to help fend off the problem, then it must be really bad. And that is what has Kira equal parts worried and curious.
What did Meyer say to Kyubi?
...
Back on Cinnibar Island, the reborn trainers aside from Dawn were in their hotel room, packing up as Dawn had told them that they needed to fly back to Sinnoh as soon as possible. "Why are we going back to Sinnoh?" Kenny asked questioningly, the look of curiosity on his face obvious.
"Given how Dawn seemed urgent about the matter," Trip said, "It can't be good."
"You think someone we care about was hurt in a Team Scorn attack somewhere in Sinnoh?" Mina asked, "Also, did any of you take one of the Master Balls I got for some reason?"
Both Trip and Kenny looked to Mina in confusion. "...You think one of us took one of your Master Balls, babe?" Kenny asked.
Mina nodded in the affirmative. "I did a count and I'm one Master Ball short from what I was given back at Silph Co. And I haven't caught any Pokémon since then."
"Mina, we all have multiple Master Balls each," Trip pointed out, "If any of us needed to use one, we could just use one of the ones we respectively have."
Mina was about to speak up, but got cut off when Dawn came walking into the room; Dawn had already packed up ahead of time, so she didn't need to pack while the other reborn trainers did. "I see all of you are about ready to head out," Dawn said, "Good. We can get going to Oreburgh City back in Sinnoh."
Hearing what their destination in Sinnoh was, Kenny said, "Oreburgh City? What in the name of Artemis happened there?"
"A Team Scorn attack," Dawn said grimly, "It appeared that the local museum was the main target, but there were also minor skirmishes throughout Oreburgh City.
Gesturing to Dawn, Mina asked, "Was Roark or Maylene hurt? I know they both live in Oreburgh City."
Gently shaking her head, Dawn said, "Neither of them were hurt severely. Maylene scraped the palm of her left hand when she hit the ground while fleeing from the sight of an attack, but that's it."
"I'm surprised Maylene was able to run," Kenny said, "Because with all due respect, Maylene HAS gotten rather well fed due to ceasing her training but not her appetite."
"...Actually, according to Roark," Dawn said, "Maylene was able to get away partly because someone who failed to recognize Maylene due to her new appearance pushed her out of the way, getting hit by some falling debris that hurt them really badly instead. The guy's in the hospital, and from what I got said guy may not survive for very long."
Sucking in a cringing breath, Trip said, "Yeesh. It's like how when Team Scorn attacked the Manalo Conference back in Alola, and Paul pushed Bonnie out of the way to save her." Dawn nodded once in agreement before she said something that took the other reborn trainers by surprise, something that took the wind out of their sails.
Nodding once, Dawn said, "Well it'd appear that history is repeating itself, as it's Paul who had pushed someone out of the way and got hurt for his troubles. It's Paul who is laying in a hospital in Oreburgh City, dying as we speak."
END, CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE
Author's notes;
This chapter sees the reborn trainers on Cinnibar Island where members of Project Mew are at the Pokémon Mansion for undisclosed reasons. While trying to get details from Amaranth about what he is REALLY planning, the reborn trainers have to fight off a Team Scorn attack, which sees Admin Kyubi's Delphox take out Kenny's named Tyranitar Godzilla during the fighting.
Team Scorn is eventually repelled by the heroes, but not before Captain Meyer with his Politoed that knows Mind Reader is able to read Amaranth's mind and learns... something... that it transfers into Meyer's mind. When Team Scorn is at their base in Kanto, Meyer tells Kyubi what he learned, making the former Chaser feel validated that his suspicions were sound, also they need to get a hold of some rather serious power to fend off... whatever... it is that Meyer learned Amaranth is planning.
The reborn trainers, as they are packing to head back to Sinnoh, discover that Mina is down a Master Ball despite not having caught any Pokémon ever since she got those balls. They would of looked into the matter as well as stay in Kanto to deal with the Pocketwatch Sector, but Dawn tells them that they're heading back to Sinnoh because of a Team Scorn attack in Oreburgh City.
In said attack, Paul the former jerk-wad is hurt pushing Maylene (who Paul couldn't recognize as per what Roark told Dawn) out of the way of some falling debris, getting hurt similar to how he had saved Bonnie back in Alola. Only this time Paul's been hurt much worse, given that Dawn said he's dying as they spoke. This will continue in the next chapter, so until then take care.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Tsukune (Palkia), Odin (Arceus), Argent (male Arcanine; alpha; Hisuian), Germany (male Garchomp), Leni (female Lucario)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Cell (male Siczor; shiny), Godzilla (male Tyranitar), Jibanyan (male Skitty; shiny), Master Nyada (male Meowth; Galarian), Black (Giratina; Origin Forme)
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Myde (male Emploeon), Deelia (Dialga), Natalya (female Copperajah), Akibot 966 (Golurk), Alfred (male Marowak; Alolan; totem), Mr. Popo (male Magmortar)
Mina's Pokémon: (on hand) Scar (male Eevee; scared over one eye), Dragonite (male), Gardevoir (male), Espeon (male; shiny), Jolteon (male; shiny), Flareon (male; shiny)