Chapter 4: A Commanding Presence

Professor Laventon scanned the landscape, keeping an eye out for his wards. Beauregard grunted in annoyance.

"They've only been gone an hour," he snorted. "You don't need to constantly keep an eye out."

"I can't help it! If anything happens to them, it'll be on me. I just hope they get back soon."

"If they come back," Beauregard said, earning him a glare from Laventon.

"They will, I can feel it."

Sure enough, Akari and Kenny came up the hill, much to his relief.

"Oh, thank goodness!"

"Don't bother," Beauregard snorted. "She probably spent all the Pokeballs and failed to catch one."

Akari smirked, and let out her catches, much to everyone's shock.

"You were saying?"

"Incredible!" Laventon said with a proud smile. "I knew you could do it. Let's get you back to the village so we can report to The Captain."

"Right!"

With that, the three of them left for home, leaving Beauregard behind to fume to himself.

"Show off."

Cyllene looked over Akari's catches before nodding in approval.

"Excellent work. You've passed the trial, and are welcomed into our ranks. How fortunate, it'd be a shame to let such talent go to waste."

Akari nervously chuckled, but she could tell she wasn't joking.

"I say this calls for celebration!" Professor Laventon declared. "Lunch at The Wallflower, my treat!"

"I'm afraid your celebration will have to wait," Cyllene interrupted. "Commander Kamado wishes to meet our new recruit."

"Commander Kamado?"

"He's in charge of The Galaxy Team," Kenny clarified. "It's unusual that he wants to meet new recruits face to face, though."

"Regardless, it's best you don't keep him waiting," Cyllene said. "His office is on the top floor."

"Right, thanks."

Akari quickly climbed up the stairs, entering the big office at the top.

"Captain Kamado?"

"Enter."

Stepping through the door, she found a dark gray haired man in a kimono waiting for her.

"Ah, the newcomer. Akari, correct?"

"Y-Yes sir."

"I'm aware of your situation, having fallen from the sky. I must say, your perseverance is admirable."

Akari remained silent as he stepped out from behind his desk, staring at her for a minute in silence, but to her it felt like an eternity. At last, he took a fighting stance.

"Come at me!"

"...Excuse me?"

"I must test your fighting spirit! Show me your tenacity!"

Mentally shrugging, Akari decided she had nothing to lose, so charged at him full force. She ran right into him, bouncing right off him while barely managing to push him an inch.

"Hmm…not bad…"

Before Akari could react, he grasped her by the waist and chucked her into a wall. When she regained her bearings, she found herself upside down.

"But you have much to learn! Still, I admire your guts, and welcome you to my team."

"Thanks…glad to be here."

Kamado nodded, waving her away as he returned to his paperwork.

"You're dismissed. On your way out, could you please send Cyllene up? I have something important I need to discuss with her."

An hour later, the three researchers were sitting outside The Wallflower having lunch. Kenny's eyes went wide when Akari related her story.

"Seriously? He threw you into a wall?"

Akari nodded.

"I think I left a dent in his wall. My back certainly feels like I did."

"That's our Commander," Laventon chuckled. "He's always looking for an excuse to show off his prowess."

"Well, I wish he hadn't used me as his throwing dummy."

"Relax, it's a good sign," Kenny assured her. "Usually he leaves any newcomers to their superiors and leaves it at that. The fact that he met you in person means he sees promise in you."

Just then, Captain Cyllene walked up to their table.

"Forgive my intrusion, but The Commander has asked me to deliver some important news to you. In a few days, we'll be receiving guests from Hoenn."

"Hoenn? That's North of here, isn't it?"

"Guests? Who comes to Hisui for a vacation?"

"Royals, evidently," Cyllene said bluntly. "The crowned Prince and Princess will be arriving. Kamado believes if we can convince them to side with us, we can force the Diamond and Pearl clans into a treaty in our favor."

"Pearl and Diamond Clans?" Akari wondered aloud.

"It's a long story," Kenny answered. "Just know that they hate us, we hate them, and they hate each other, but we've managed to keep relative peace between each other."

"Regardless, he wants all available members of the team on hand to greet them when they arrive."

"We'll be there," Laventon assured her.

"Good. I'll see you all there."

With that, The Captain walked away, leaving the three to contemplate the news.

"So, royals huh?"

"Do you really think they'll help us?"

"It couldn't hurt to ask, I guess."
"What are your thoughts, Akari?"

Akari was about to answer when she felt a strange buzzing come from her back pocket. With an internal groan, she stood up.

"Sorry, I have to…you know."

"Uh, yeah, no problem."

"Don't need to tell us."

Akari quickly hurried off to her quarters, where she took out her phone. Sure enough, there was a message from Arceus.

Seek out the young royals. They will aid you in your quest, and prove key to saving Hisui.

Akari just groaned.

"Great. More mystery."

A few days later, the ship from Hoenn docked at Prelude Beach, with the entire Galaxy Team waiting to greet them. Kamado stood front and center, waiting for the visitors to disembark.

At last, the gangway was dropped, and Ash and May descended, along with their troop of guards. Kamado bowed, indicating to everyone else they should do the same.

"Prince Ash, Princess May, welcome."

The two bowed to him as well.

"You must be Commander Kamado. We appreciate your hospitality."

"The honor is all ours. Please come with us, we have much to discuss."

With a nod, the delegation followed the Commander back to the village. As they passed by her, Akari caught their glances, and swore there was a nod of acknowledgement before they continued past.

Kamado led them to his office, where he motioned for them to sit.

"I'm honored for you to visit our little region, though I must admit I'm curious. The only ones who come here are exiles from other regions, many of whom I must admit came from Hoenn."

May nodded.

"We're aware, but we do come here on official business."

"We've been made aware of the wars that have been fought here. Many of our subjects were driven from their homeland here due to it."

"Hoenn used to be in a similar situation until Rota helped us. We wish to do the same for you, if possible."

Kamado nodded.

"We appreciate your concerns, and I too wish for peace. But it's the other factions that are the problem."

"The Diamond and Pearl Clans, correct?"

"Yes. They're indigenous to the region, and didn't take too kindly to us trying to settle there. Many battles between our factions were waged, and sadly many lost their lives. Right now, we're at peace, but tensions still remain high. With your military support, we can force them to surrender to favorable terms."

Ash remained silent for a minute, before shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, but right now we can't do that."

"With all due respect, Kamado, we only have your word that they're the ones who attacked first. We want to meet with the other leaders as well before we commit to any side."

Kamado sighed, but nodded.

"I understand, but I advise you to be wary of them. They're beliefs often cloud their judgment."

"We'll keep that in mind."

"Good. You may reside in the village as long as you remain here, but we do ask that your guards help wherever possible."

"Thank you, they will."

With that, they left to get settled. But once they had left the office, they immediately began whispering among themselves.

"Did you get a bad feeling from him too?"

Ash nodded.

"His aura is dark, and clouded. We'll need to be careful around him."

"Pi."

"Excuse me, Prince Ash and Princess May?"

As they left the building, they found Akari waiting for them.

"You may not know me, but-"

"Akari, right?"

Akari was momentarily taken aback, but nodded.

"Come with me. I have a feeling we have a lot of information to share with each other."