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-three: King of the scorned in Sinnoh, part two

The reborn trainers had just gotten off some serious business over in Oreburgh City where they had learned, among other things, that Team Scorn is responsible for the cave-in at Oreburgh Mine that occurred a while ago. Said cave-in saw to a total of twenty deaths; eight humans and twelve Pokémon, one of which was Maylene's first Lucario. Those twenty deaths were in truth the fault of Team Scorn, and NOT an accident triggered by Roark's dad Byron being reckless when he tried to dig something out.

Speaking of Byron, he was actually the main target of Team Scorn's scheme in causing the cave-in at Oreburgh Mine. The reborn trainers had learned that Byron is basically an unavoidable and insurmountable obstacle for Team Scorn that is in their way of doing some manner of special job over on Iron Island; the only way Team Scorn can do their job over on Iron Island is if Byron more or less wasn't around period. As such, the infamous multi-regional criminal organization had sought to eliminate Byron.

However, Byron was able to escape, and while no-one was any the wiser as to what Team Scorn was cooking up. As such, for the longest time the cave-in at Oreburgh Mine was publicly believed to have been nothing more than a random natural accident, while the reborn trainers, Roark, and Byron was thought it was Byron's fault because of his recklessness in trying to dig something out of the mine. The reborn trainers had just arrived in Canalave City, aiming to find Byron to both bring him up to speed and to warn him.

The reborn trainers wondered how Byron would take the news that not only was the cave-in at Oreburgh Mine in truth actually NOT his fault, but also that it was Team Scorn's doing with a bomb, and because Team Scorn wanted to kill him in order to get him out of the way so as to get to work on some job they want to do over on Iron Island. The reborn trainers also wondered how Byron will react to learn he wasn't really at fault for an incident he was blackmailed over into paying for both the wedding and honeymoon of Roark and Maylene.

The reborn trainers figured that they could learn it later when they actually found Byron so that they could warn him that Team Scorn wanted him dead. They first went to the local Pokémon Center, where Dawn asked the Nurse Joy there if she heard where Byron was at. "Oh, he's preparing to set off to Iron Island with a crew of men to do some mining at a vein of precious metal that was found over there in recent events," Nurse Joy explained, "They're gathering outside of the Canalave City gym to prep to head out."

"Excellent," Dawn replied with a nod, "Hopefully we won't miss them." After they thanked Nurse Joy for her time, the reborn trainers took off to the local gym to meet up with Byron and the crew that he was going to take with him to Iron Island.

"Hey," Mina began as she and the others made their way over to the local gym, "Byron and his crew are heading off to Iron Island, which is where Team Scorn wants to do their work they want to get Byron out of the way for. Byron and his crew also plan to do work on the vein of precious metal that was found over there, which was a reason that was come up with to explain why Team Scorn wants to do work over on Iron Island."

"Team Scorn aren't the only ones to find value in precious metal," Trip remarked, "But then again it is called precious metal for a reason."

"Well I think it's safe to say that it'd be more preferable for Byron and other good guys to get profit out of that precious metal vein than Team Scorn getting the profit," Kenny remarked.

Dawn nodded in agreement with Kenny, as did both Trip and Mina. "Yeah, we don't wanna see Team Scorn find any success if we can help it," Dawn remarked, "Because Team Scorn finding any amount of success in anything they do usually translates to something bad happening to someone else who doesn't have anything bad coming."

"But there's also a chance that Team Scorn is after something else entirely over on Iron Island," Trip pointed out, "There have been incidents in the past where Team Scorn gave up or straight up didn't even bother with a potential paycheck move in favor of a true goal with far less cash value." Dawn nodded in agreement to Trip's point; Team Scorn doesn't always go for the goal one would expect of them to go after.

Team Scorn's first known act that Dawn and Kenny interfered with, the gathering of Kurt's special apricorn Pokéballs over in Azalea Town, Johto, while ignoring the potential cash cow of harvesting the tails of the Slowpokes at Slowpoke Well, comes to mind. Hell, even though some Team Scorn members DID go after the Slowpokes and did end up getting away with a few Slowpoke tails, that was actually supposed to distract the people of Azalea Town so the true goal of the attack, getting the apricorn Pokéballs, could be carried out.

For all that Dawn and the other reborn trainers knew, the precious metal vein over on Iron Island could be exploited by Team Scorn to serve to distract people outside of Team Scorn, so that some esoteric scheme that Team Scorn actually cares about could be carried out no problem. But if that is even the case is something that the heroes will have to learn for themselves when they get over to Iron Island to help prevent Team Scorn's scheme as well as protect Byron.

When the reborn trainers met up with Byron and the crew that he was going to take with him to Iron Island outside of Byron's gym, they explained the situation to him. Byron, surprised to learn that Team Scorn was after his head, gracefully accepted the help. "I'm also surprised to learn that Team Scorn was the true reason for the cave-in at Oreburgh Mine," Byron said, "But either way the incident was a wake-up call to remind miners to be more careful."

"So you aren't mad at Roark holding things over your head," Kenny said.

Byron looked around, was relieved to see that none of the workers that he was bringing with him had heard what Kenny had said just now, as they were all busy gearing up to head out to Iron Island. "Yeah, and for the time being, let's keep that business between the lot of us," Byron said as he gestured to himself and the reborn trainers, who all nodded in agreement. Byron let out a sigh of relief at the cover being kept, but seconds later his expression relented into one of somber surprise. "So, that Paul boy kicked it, huh?"

"He died due to complications from injuries sustained when he pushed Roark's wife out of the way of some falling debris during a Team Scorn attack in Oreburgh City prior to the gang here and I arriving over there," Dawn explained, "He had been working hard on trying to better himself, both as a trainer and as a person, ever since he was set straight by Ash Ketchum after losing to him in a battle a while ago at Lake Acuity."

"Speaking of Ash," Trip said, "He's on his way to Sinnoh after having fought his way into the Masters Eight of the current season of the World Coronation Series. Paul's older brother Reggie informed Ash of what had happened, along with informing him of Paul's wish for Ash to inherited custody of his shiny Nidoqueen."

"A shiny Nidoqueen, you say," Byron remarked, "There's rumor going around that a shiny Steelix can be found in the wild over on Iron Island. There's a lot more wild Steelix over on Iron Island as of late for reasons that escape local researchers here."

The bit of info that Byron had just shared with the reborn trainers got their attention. "There's been a report of an over abundance of wild Steelix over on Iron Island?" Mina asked.

"And one's supposedly a shiny?" Kenny asked, "Hey, Ash owns a shiny Steelix. It evolved from a shiny Onix he caught while we traveled through the Unova region."

Dawn had a sudden look of suspicious concern on her face. "The wild Steelix won't be a problem for the people heading over to work on the recently discovered vein of precious metal, will they?"

Byron had a curious look of wonder on his face as he gave the notion some thought. "That... may be a problem, now that you bring it up. And now that I think about it, the crew heading over would have been woefully under-prepared to deal with a bunch of wild Steelix, at least until you kids showed up to ask to come along. You all are beyond strong as trainers, you'd make for excellent protection for the men who will work that precious metal vein!"

"We... actually showed up to offer to be protection for you, Byron-senpai," Trip said, "At least until we figure out why exactly Team Scorn wants to off you. When we learn the reason for that, we can work out a solution to eliminate Team Scorn's reason for wanting your head."

Folding her arms over her chest, Dawn went on, "But protecting the men who will work that precious metal vein might also be a valid idea, as one of our theories as to why Team Scorn wants to kill you is to remove you as an obstacle that's in the way of accessing that precious metal vein. What is the metal in that precious metal vein, by the way?"

"Gold," Byron replied, "Not as exciting as finding a new fossil to excavated, but it does have at least some purpose."

"Gold?" Kenny said, "Over on Iron Island? Gee, no wonder there's rumor of a wild shiny Steelix over there, shiny Steelix are golden in color."

"Well the vein of gold is confirmed to be real, and the shiny Steelix rumor is still just that, a rumor," Byron remarked, "And as for Team Scorn trying to claim my head, I'd like to see them try! Like hell Team Scorn can scare me off! They ain't scary, unlike my son's wife!"

"...You're scared of Maylene?" Kenny asked, finding it hard to believe Bryon is scared of Maylene. The girl is roughly the same height as the reborn trainers, maybe an inch or two taller, whereas Byron towers over all of them. The idea that a girl who is very easily dwarfed by a towering man can cow said towering man is a bit surprising. Not to mention funny on some level.

Gulping nervously, Byron said, "Yeah, I made the mistake of suggesting that Roark and his wife could have their Pokémon help out with clearing what's left of the fallen rocks in Oreburgh Mine, there's not much left but there's still a bit to clear out of the mine. Roark's wife gave me a dry and very unamused look that sent shivers down my spine."

"Well considering the fact that Maylene's first Lucario died during the cave-in at Oreburgh Mine, can you blame her for getting mad at you for suggesting she have Pokémon she owns help with doing work over at the mine?" Mina asked.

Byron, a look of realization on his face, said, "Oh, that explains why she got upset! Not to mention the look of mild disappointment I got out of Roark. Yeah, I sort of forgot that a Pokémon she owned had died in that cave-in."

Gesturing to Byron, Trip said, "You're dropping the ball, Byron-senpai."

"So when does the boat heading out to Iron Island ship out?" Dawn asked.

"As soon as all of the men heading over to work the previous metal vein are ready," Bryon replied. It took a few moments, but soon all of the men were ready. With that, everyone got on board of the boat heading on over to Iron Island, where the reborn trainers were expecting Team Scorn to get up to their discount dastardly deed-doing as per usual.

Later over on Iron Island, the reborn trainers arrived with Byron and his crew. "Okay men, here's the deal," Byron began as he addressed his mining crew that was going to help him work the vein of gold that was on Iron Island, "While us men dig at the gold vein here on the island, Dawn Berlitz and her crew will cover us by fighting off any wild Pokémon that wander over with hostile intent."

"Does that include the large horde of wild Steelix that was reported to have cropped up here on the island as of late?" asked one worker when he raised his hand.

Nodding once in a commending manner, Byron while pointing at the miner in question remarked, "Yes, exactly."

"Steelix are on average larger than Gyarados which are known to be tough and aggressive," said another worker, "And Steelix are harder to hurt due to their metallic hides. Are you sure that a group of four young trainers is going to be enough to protect us while we work?"

Nodding once a second time, Byron replied, "Though kids they may be, Dawn and her group are more than capable of contending with the best of them. Keep in mind that the four of them have fought of members of Team Scorn many times before. Also the boys and Dawn are competing in the current season of the World Coronation Series, with the boys high in the Ultra Class and Dawn even being the current Monarch! There's no denying that they are strong!"

Reassured of the strength that the reborn trainers boast, the workers with Byron all relaxed, then everyone proceeded to follow Byron over to where the gold vein was located on the island. Once the group had arrived, the men got to work while the reborn trainers hung back to keep an eye out for wild Pokémon that may wander over, particularly Steelix. They also wanted to keep an eye out for any Team Scorn activity that may crop up.

Part way through the work of the workers, Byron took a break to speak with the reborn trainers. "Did you kids see any of those wild Steelix yet?" Byron asked.

Dawn gently shook her head in the negative. "Nope, none of us have seen any wild Pokémon period."

"How... about any members of Team Scorn?" Byron asked, a hint more concern in both his tone and expression.

"No Team Scorn activity either, Byron-senpai," Trip replied, "You know, you'd figure that Team Scorn if they were here on Iron Island would have come over here by now, given that both the gold vein and you who is a target they want to eliminate permanently are in this area. But we haven't seen hide or hair of even a Team Scorn peon."

"Maybe they found their true aim that they wanna sequester Iron Island for and are focusing on it," Kenny offered, "And it's just in a totally different area of Iron Island far away from where we're at."

Mina was about to speak up, but she got cut off by a Pokémon's cry calling out from above where everyone was at. Looking up, Mina and the others saw a Fearow flying overhead, cawwing out as it spotted the humans while flying overhead in a circle before trailing off and heading away. "...Quick question," Mina began, a hint of suspicion in her tone, "Are Fearow native to Iron Island?"

Bryon gently shook his head in the negative. "No, Iron Island isn't a suitable habitat for avian Pokémon such as Fearow. You occasionally see members of the Zubat line in caves here on Iron Island, but that's it as far as I'm aware." Byron's expression instantly became grim. "You figure that Fearow may belong to someone who ain't supposed to be here."

Mina was about to speak up, but she got cut off when a bunch of Team Scorn members came rushing in over the hill overseeing the area the workers were working in; the reborn trainers all stood between the workers and Team Scorn, so the workers had at least some time to ready themselves to fight if need be. The reborn trainers also saw the Fearow from moments before flying down and staying by the side of a uniquely dressed female Team Scorn member.

Said female member of Team Scorn was tall, had white long hair in a ponytail, was fair skinned, and for some odd reason her outfit was a pallet swap of the male student uniform used by students at Blackthorn City Academy over in Blackthorn City, Johto. The outfit had a yellow blazer, dark blue undershirt with yellow tie, dark blue pants, and dark blue shoes. She wore her Team Scorn insignia, a dark blue heater shield shape with a yellow Team Scorn 'S', as a patch over her left breast.

It was breast because this lady was admittedly rather... well-endowed. Standing next to the lady was a male grunt who, aside from being dressed like how male Team Scorn grunts typically dress, also had long and somewhat bushy black hair, bound in a single men's ponytail, going down over his back. He also looked to have a fairly long nose as his gaiter mask he wore over the lower half of his face stuck out more than those masks usually do.

"Aha, so you finally show your faces, Team Scorn," Kenny said as he looked right at the members of Team Scorn who showed up just now, "Let me guess, you're here to carry out whatever evil plan that you have cooking for Iron Island, and came over when you saw that we were here!"

Pointing right at Kenny, the long nosed male grunt said, "You sorry would-be heroes best be yielding to us now!" The long nosed male grunt jerked his right thumb at himself and, although he wore his gaiter mask up, the reborn trainers could tell that he was smirking in amusement. "For you sorry lot stand in the presence of I, Kappei the Boss of Team Scorn!"

Dawn's expression immediately became dry and unamused, her gaze narrowing at the now identified Kappei. "...There is no way you're really the Boss of Team Scorn."

"I do not blame you for not being able to comprehend the true power and commanding presence that I exude," Kappei said, "Truly you are unable to think straight because of how frightened you and your companions are! But I am-"

*chop*

Kappei was cut off by a chop the the back of his head by the woman with white long hair in a high ponytail. "Sorry about Kappei, he likes to tell tall tales to make himself sound more awesome than he really is," said the woman, "He's nothing more than my Captain's Assistant."

Kenny turned his attention to the Captain. "So you're the head honcho here. Who are you, who wears an outfit that's a pallet swap of the boys Blackthorn City Academy uniform?"

Smirking in amusement, the woman said, "I'm surprised that you don't recognize me! I'm Katsuku Badorigo!"

"...There is no way you're Ideku's older brother," Dawn said dryly, "Katsuku being dead aside, you are very clearly female whereas Katsuku is male."

Sighing, Kappei said, "Now you'll have to excuse my Captain here. Her real name is Hayami. She wants to identify as that Katsuku boy who died in a botched effort back in Alola because he had, as per what Captain Hayami said, tried to own up for past screw ups."

"He knew he screwed up but tried to make up for it!" the now identified Hayami said, looking like she was gonna shout angrily, "He's loads better than the sorry sack of shit that is my old man! I wanna be a good person like how Katsuku Badorigo was, so part of that includes me identifying as him!"

"Also I'm pretty sure that Katsuku would never join Team Scorn," Trip added, "And what would Ideku say if his older brother not only was alive but joined Team Scorn?"

Shrugging, Hayami replied, "I bet that I could convince my younger brother Ideku to join Team Scorn."

"You ain't Ideku's... brother," Mina said, catching herself before saying sister instead of brother, "And we'll be putting a stop to whatever madness it is that you Team Scorn losers have planned here on Iron Island!"

Looking around at the number of Team Scorn members on Iron Island with Hayami and Kappei, Dawn asked Byron, "Can the workers help fight off the grunts while you and Kenny take the Captain and her Assistant?"

"Some of them are trainers and have Pokémon on hand," Byron replied, "But five of them can't fight back and will need to be covered."

Dawn did some quick math and realized that twenty-five percent of the workers (five out of twenty, Byron brought twenty workers) will be useless and need protection. Looking at the present members of Team Scorn, Dawn figured that if Kenny and Byron kept Hayami and Kappei busy, then it still shouldn't be a problem. "...We can manage that," Dawn said to Byron. Dawn then left Kenny and Byron to fight Hayami and Kappei while Dawn herself plus Trip and Mina rallied as many of the workers as possible to help them fight the grunts.

Looking right to Hayami and Kappei, Kenny said, "It's time to knock some sense out of you lie-using idiots! Okay, Android 21! Let's make it cringe!"

"I love Bastiodon!" Bryon called out as he sent in his Bastiodon while Kenny sent out his named shiny Weavile.

"Go, Fearow!" Hayami called out as she sent in her Fearow who she never recalled after it landed next to her.

"Go, Nuzleaf!" Kappei said as he sent out a Nuzleaf. Pointing forward, Kappei said, "Nuzleaf, use Fake Out on Bastiodon!"

"Fearow, use Drill Run on Bastiodon!" Hayami called out.

"Bastiodon, use Iron Head on Nuzleaf!" Byron ordered.

"Android 21, use Ice Punch on Fearow!" Kenny commanded.

Nuzleaf, due to using that most annoying and cheat of priority moves, got to move first, rushing in and dealing a startling hit to Bastiodon which, although it didn't do much, still made Bastiodon flinch. Kenny's named shiny Weavile then rushed at Fearow and slugged it in the side with Ice Punch as it flew in a spinning drill like manner at Bastiodon. Fearow took the hit, but it was able to tough it out for just long enough to strike Bastiodon with Drill Run, dealing a massive hit.

In fact, so strong was the hit from Hayami's Fearow that it actually knocked Bastiodon out, although it should be noted that Drill Run is a ground type move thus it's times four super effective on the dual rock steel Bastiodon, also Bastiodon DID take a hit before getting stricken by Fearow's Drill Run. But the effort to take out Bastiodon also took out Fearow, as it was beyond hurt and exhausted by Android 21's Ice Punch.

Due to both losing a Pokémon, Byron and Hayami recalled their respective fainted Pokémon and sent out a fresh Pokémon each. "I love Bronzor!" Byron called out as he sent in his Bronzor. "

"Go, Umbreon!" Hayami called out as she sent in an Umbreon.

Kenny took note of the fact that Hayami has so far been shown to own both a Fearow and an Umbreon. "...Fearow and Umbreon are both Pokémon that Katsuku had."

"Well that's because I AM Katsuku!" Hayami declared, jerking a thumb at her chest, "But we can get to discussing that later! Umbreon, use Crunch on Bronzor!"

"Nuzleaf, use Sucker Punch on Bronzor!" Kappei called out.

"Bronzor, use Flash Cannon on Nuzleaf!" Byron ordered.

"Android 21, use Brick Break on Umbreon!" Kenny commanded.

Once more, Nuzleaf got priority in attacking due to using a damn fucking annoying attack to be on the receiving end of, striking Byron's Bronzor with Sucker Punch. It hit successfully as Bronzor was preparing to use an attacking move. Android 21 was then able to strike Umbreon with Brick Break, but despite how it was super effective it didn't knock Umbreon out. Umbreon being generally fairly tanky aside, Android 21 doesn't get STAB for using Brick Break.

As a result, Hayami's Umbreon was able to get in and use Crunch on Byron's Bronzor, doing enough damage to knock it out. Byron was forced to recall Bronzor and send his Steelix out, with Steelix being his last Pokémon. Hayami gave Byron's Steelix an assessing look. "...So you caught one of the wild Steelix reported to have spawned here on Iron Island as well," Hayami said.

Bryon looked surprised by what Hayami said, as well as Kenny also looking surprised. "He... actually had his Steelix for quite some time," Kenny explained, "What made you think that Byron caught one of the ones reported to be here, by which I assume you're talking about the recent outbreak."

"According to Captain Hayami," Kappei began, "We got orders from the higher ups in Team Scorn to capture as many of the Steelix that have been reported to have appeared here on Iron Island in the outbreak. I don't know exactly what's planned for all of the Steelix, but given that they're a bunch of metal plated giant serpentine Pokémon all bigger than Gyarados, I figure they can be used as brute force muscle for a major move."

Kenny and Byron were surprised to learn that Team Scorn's true aim was the Steelix outbreak on Iron Island, as opposed to the gold vein that was discovered. "...And why would Byron here be an obstacle in getting to capture the Steelix?" Kenny asked.

"Because we got it that no transport can go to and from the place without Byron knowing of it one way or the other," Hayami said, "If he knew we were here, it'd blow the lid on our operation. So it was decided that he'd be silenced to be kept from blabbing."

"Like hell you villains will ever succeed in getting away with your injustice!" Byron yelled, "Steelix, use Iron Head on Nuzleaf!"

"Nuzleaf, use Sucker Punch on Steelix!" Kappei called out.

"Umbreon, use Dark Pulse on Steelix!" Hayami ordered.

"Android 21, use Ice Punch on Nuzleaf!" Kenny commanded.

Nuzleaf once more got priority due to spamming cheap moves to be on the receiving end of, striking Steelix with Sucker Punch and doing a mild amount of damage. Nuzleaf was then struck by Android 21 and knocked out by her Ice Punch. Umbreon was then able to hit Steelix with its Dark Pulse, and it actually made Steelix flinch, keeping it from attacking for the turn. Kappei was forced to recall his fainted Nuzleaf, and he sent a Heracross out in its place.

Pointing forward, Kappei said, "Heracross, use Brick Break on Steelix!"

"Android 21, use Aerial Ace on Heracross!" Kenny called out.

"Steelix, use Iron Head on Umbreon!" Byron ordered.

"Umbreon, use Dark Pulse on Steelix!" Hayami commanded.

With no cheat priority moves being used, Android 21 was able to attack first. The named shiny Weavile rushed in and struck at Heracross with a pin point accurate slashing strike, knocking it out before it even got close to Steelix. Kenny was mildly worried Heracross might have struck Android 21 with a powerful bug or (especially) fighting type move, but he relaxed when he heard that Kappei was having Heracross attack Steelix.

...In fact, Kenny just came to realize that Hayami and Kappei were focusing exclusively on taking out Byron's Pokémon. Looking over, Kenny saw it as Byron's Steelix flinched again due to being hit by Umbreon's Dark Pulse. "Sorry Captain," Kappei said as he recalled his fainted Heracross, "I just ran out of Pokémon that can fight."

"So the burden falls to me," Hayami said, "Very well. Umbreon, use Dark Pulse on Steelix!"

"Steelix, use Iron Head on Umbreon!" Byron called out.

"Android 21, use Brick Break on Umbreon!" Kenny ordered.

Although Android 21 was the quickest Pokémon currently in the battle, Hayami's Umbreon had the advantage of using a ranged special attack, allowing it to attack at a distance. Its Dark Pulse ended up blasting into Steelix right as Umbreon was struck by Android 21's Brick Break. Umbreon ended up getting knocked out, but the Dark Pulse it fired scored a critical hit that resulted in Steelix also getting knocked out.

Recalling his fainted Steelix, Byron said, "Sorry Kenny, but I've just been wiped by these criminals." Remembering what was said about Team Scorn wanting to claim Byron's head, Kenny was actually worried what might of happened to Byron here if it weren't for Kenny himself and the other reborn trainers coming along. It might be safe to say that this might have been Byron's final battle if he had to go it alone.

As for Hayami, she recalled her fainted Umbreon and sent out a Jumpluff. Kenny noted it as another Pokémon that Ideku's late older brother Katsuku had used in life. Kenny didn't know what exactly to make of a Team Scorn member parading around while identifying as a deceased late teens boy, but it at least wasn't sitting right with him. Kenny wanted to end the battle as soon as he could, and was hoping that Jumpluff was Hayami's last Pokémon.

Pointing forward, Kenny called out, "Android 21, use Ice Punch!"

"Jumpluff, use Acrobatics!" Hayami ordered.

Both Pokémon had to rush one another to strike at each other. But Android 21 was just a shade faster, much to Kenny's relief. The named shiny Weavile struck her opponent with Ice Punch, dealing a times four super effective hit that got STAB. As what can be reasonably expected, Jumpluff ended up being knocked out, never having been able to strike at Android 21. When Hayami recalled her fainted Jumpluff and admitted she was out of Pokémon that could fight, Kenny was more relieved than elated to have won the battle.

After Hayami put away the Pokéball her Jumpluff was in, she looked to where Kenny and Byron stood. "With you sorry villains bested, you won't be able to carry out your discount dastardly deeds that would see to Byron's head being claimed!" Kenny proclaimed.

As Hayami scowled bitterly, everyone perked up when a male voice called out, "Oi, Hayami!" Hayami, Kappei, Kenny, and even Byron turned to look and see two uniquely dressed members of Team Scorn, both male, standing there. Right away, Hayami recognized them. "Admin Pirate!" Hayami said, "Admin's Assistant Kazuya! What are you sirs doing here?"

"We got word that you ran into a bit of trouble here on Iron Island during your mission to lead the capturing of as many of the wild Steelix that appeared here in an outbreak as possible," said the Team Scorn guy wearing a straw hat with a yellow band around the base. Kenny recognized the voice of that guy as the one who called out.

"I wasn't expecting there to be any troublesome trainers, Admin Pirate," Hayami said apologetically to the hat wearing Team Scorn member, identifying him as Admin Pirate which by deduction meant the other guy is Admin's Assistant Kazuya. "I am so sorry," Hayami went on.

Pirate gave a quick look to Kenny before returning his attention to Hayami. "We got an elite the likes of Kenny Harris here," Pirate said, "Your failure to beat back the opposition here cannot be laid upon your shoulders for you to bear the burden of."

Kenny scoffed bitterly. "Well at least you're merciful to your underlings."

"We look out for our own in Team Scorn," Kazuya said to Kenny. Turning to Hayami, Kazuya went on, "Anyway Hayami, we came here to rally the troops to leave as all of the Steelix from the outbreak have been caught. The real mission is a success, so we got no reason to twiddle our thumbs here."

Kenny scowled again. "Like hell you villains will escape!" Turning to Byron, Kenny said, "Come on, Byron! We've got to-"

"You're Dee."

Kenny stopped short when Byron, a look of surprised shock on his face, the kind of surprised shock that comes solely from seeing something or someone that one wasn't expecting, looked right up at where Pirate stood on a rocky mound overseeing the area with Kazuya. Pointing at Pirate, Byron went on, "You're Dee, the younger brother of that fire Pokémon using fellow who long ago had been the Veilstone City gym leader."

Pirate's eyes didn't narrow as he gazed murderously at Byron, but Pirate's brows did furrow, his upper face area took on a shadowed hue that helped to point out and highlight that Pirate was very unamused with Byron. "...And you're one of the four ass-fucks who condemned Ace," Pirate replied, nothing but cold venom dripping from his words, "Who had voted to ruin him solely because he was doing his job properly."

"Hey, he was found guilty of cheating and removed as a gym leader by a fair trial run by the then Commissioner for the Sinnoh Pokémon League," Byron said.

"With said Commissioner being the uncle of a spoiled brat who lost three times in a row to Ace," Pirate said, "Even though the kid was bringing grass and bug types to challenge a gym that used fire type Pokémon. What, are gym leaders in Sinnoh expected to just roll over if they're challenged by someone related to the big wigs that run the Sinnoh Pokémon League?"

Byron was about to speak up, but was cut off by Pirate leaping down, rushing him, moving behind him, and putting his hands and arms around Byron's head and neck. "You're the last voter who had been blindly led by that spoiled brat's pompous uncle," Pirate said coolly, "The commissioner is the next one on the chopping block after you."

*KAKERSNAP*

"Oh shit!" Kenny exclaimed as he saw Pirate quickly and savagely twist Byron's head until his neck snapped, then allowed the freshly deceased gym leader to drop lifelessly to the ground on Iron Island. Kenny tried to rush Pirate, but he and Android 21 were cut off when Kazuya sent out some dark armored Pokémon Kenny couldn't identify; it was slender and humanoid, wearing dark armor, and it had fiery blades for arms.

As Kenny and Android 21 hung back due to Kazuya's mysterious Pokémon being in the way, Pirate sent out a signal that alerted all members of Team Scorn on Iron Island to vacate. Many smoke grenades were used to mask the mass exodus, and when the smoke settled the remaining persons saw that Team Scorn had all fled. Although the gold vein wasn't touched by Team Scorn, the whole of the Steelix outbreak was caught.

Additionally, when Dawn, Trip, and Mina came upon Byron's corpse laying on the ground near Kenny, he had to tell them what happened, including the mysterious Pokémon that Kazuya sent out to keep him from rushing Pirate; Kazuya recalled his mysterious Pokémon before he and Pirate left as they took Hayami and Kappei with them to safety. Not only was the mission to foil Team Scorn's mission on Iron Island a failure, but Byron's been killed as well.

The burden of explaining to Byron's family what happened had to be pushed to the side as Kenny said he had some new info on what the Straw-hat Sector's overall mission is, that being getting revenge for Pirate's brother who apparently had his life ruined because a spoiled brat didn't like how he lost to Pirate multiple times in a row. There was also how Kazuya used a Pokémon that Kenny wasn't able to identify; a new species from Paldea, perhaps?

Questions for later, as there was clean-up to do and people to warn.

END, CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE

Author's notes;

This chapter sees the reborn trainers go to Canalave City to warn Byron that Team Scorn has it out for him, and also to tell him the truth behind the cave in at Oreburgh Mine that he thought he was responsible for. The reborn trainers go with Byron and a crew of workers to Iron Island, as a vein of gold was found over there and the workers need protection from the Steelix outbreak that was over there at the time.

They also needed protection from Team Scorn if they showed up which they did. Although they were expecting Team Scorn to be after the gold, the reborn trainers still suspected Team Scorn to have an alternative scheme, which turned out to be the case as Team Scorn was after all of the wild Steelix that appeared in the outbreak. Kenny and Byron even defeated a Captain who was claiming to be the late Katsuku Badorigo and a Captain's Assistant claiming to be the Boss of Team Scorn.

However, Admin Pirate and Admin's Assistant Kazuya pop up to bail the Captain and her Assistant out, also Pirate rushes in and snaps Byron's neck to kill him, dropping a hint as to why he REALLY wanted the steel loving gym leader dead. Things here will continue in the next chapter where Pirate has his backstory explored in more detail. 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), Android 21 (female Weavile; shiny), 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)