Evenings in Mesagoza were divine. Spring was doing its work, shifting the days longer minute by minute, and the people of Paldea's largest city were out enjoying that time. Students streamed from Naranja Academy ready to relax after a day of studies, peddlers pushed their carts out towards the many plazas about the city, and flocks of sociable Swablu converged around the cafes in hope of charming a snack or two from the people eating there.

Hassel wanted nothing more than to join them. A soft breeze passed over him, its warmth beckoning him to spend the evening in the park listening to the waterfall and the Tadbulb singing their spring songs. But the call of his obligations, his job as a member of Paldea's Elite Four, was greater and he knew where he was to spend his evening. Still, he allowed himself a small allowance of peace and he chose to walk to the League headquarters rather than have his Dragonite ferry him there.

And it was at least a pleasant walk. A battle had been taking place in the main plaza as he walked by and though the crowd that had gathered prevented him from being able to watch (which was probably for the better if he did not wish to become too distracted) he was still able to catch a glimpse of the scintillating sparks overhead and hear the distinct, boisterous cry of a Kilowattrel. Down one street he was greeted by the savory aroma of onions being grilled to make escalivada and he had to turn around and go down a neighboring street or risk having to sit through a meeting while hungry. From a window overhead he could hear a piano being played and the joyful chirping of an Oricorio dancing to its music. How he wished he could have stayed and listen to the song play out.

As he approached the tunnel that lead towards the headquarters, he saw a young trainer at a Sugar-N-Ice ice cream cart. The boy collected two strawberry cones from the vendor and walked as quickly as he could without dropping them to a nearby bench where his partner, a Kirlia, was waiting.

"Here you go, Kirlia," he said, passing the cone over to the Pokémon.

The Kirlia smiled with a "La!" and dove into the treat without hesitation.

Hassel smiled at the sight. He could imagine Baxcalibur whining in his Pokéball for an ice cream of his own. When he had been a Frigibax, few things motivated the little Pokémon more than the promise of ice cream and few intense training sessions were completed with a scoop or two at the end. It was a love that had not diminished as the Pokémon matured and evolved. The only thing that had changed was the amount of ice cream he could eat! Silently, Hassel made a promise to himself that when this business with the mystery Pokémon was dealt with he would treat his entire team to ice cream.

On the other side of the tunnel, the League headquarters building stood. With only it and a Pokémon Center on this strip of land, it was a less traveled part of Mesagoza. As such, the grass that grew alongside the road was long and many small Pokémon made their homes in this quieter corner of the city. Several Tandemaus couples stuck their heads out of the tall grass as Hassel passed, only to scurry away again when he had noticed them.

Up the hill he walked until the massive building loomed before him. Despite the size of the building, it only housed two indoor battle courts; the primary one that was used during the Elite Test and an auxiliary one that was used for the Elite Four to train amongst themselves and if the primary court was undergoing major repairs. A third battle court was located on the roof, keeping more in line with the Paldean preference to battle outside, where the final portion of the Champion Assessment took place. The rest of the building was made of offices and conference rooms. It was to one of these rooms that Hassel went.

The other members of the Elite Four and Geeta were already seated inside. Poppy, the youngest of the four, was cheerfully engaged in conversation with Rika, talking about how she and her Copperajah had been training together. Larry sat beside them, absently nodding along whenever Poppy tried to include him in the conversation. And at the back of the room, Geeta was placing down a pot of freshly brewed coffee.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Hassel said as he entered, "thank you for coming on such short notice."

"You sounded urgent in the call," Geeta said, "I reasoned this would be important. Coffee?"

"Yes please," Hassel nodded.

"I dunno,"Rika said with a shrug, "you know how Hassel gets, all worked up and emotional over stuff."

"No way, Rika!" Poppy exclaimed, "Grandpa Hassel only gets worked up over happy good stuff! If he was worked up over something bad, it must be serious and real and really serious!"

"I know, I know," Rika responded, her usual sardonic tone kicking in, "I believe him, just wanted to give him a little grief for callin' this thing and then being the last one to arrive. So why the tardiness, Hassel? Dragonite in a mood today and refuse to fly you?"

"No, I chose to walk here. I needed a little air after the Academy, some time to clear my head."

"Sounds pleasant," Larry mumbled.

Hassel cast a quick look at the exhausted man. Though he made no verbal complaint, the expression on his face clearly read "why couldn't have this been an email?"

"It was," Hassel said, "and I plan on keeping this meeting succinct so that we can all hopefully have some time to enjoy the evening. So, I know there will be a few questions, but please hold them until the end."

The other members nodded.

"Sure thing, teach," Rika said.

Geeta brought around the coffee, placing a fresh mug before each member of the Elite Four, save for Poppy, who got hot chocolate.

"Here," Rika said, unwrapping a little chocolate she had in her pocket, "to make it extra good."

She dropped the Wooper shaped bonbon into Poppy's drink. The chocolate floated for a moment, the smiling face of the Wooper looking up with its beady little eyes, before sinking.

"Oooh," Poppy gasped, "Thanks, Rika! You're the best."

"I know," she responded.

Once everyone had fixed up their coffees to their liking, Hassel began.

True to his word, Hassel his recounting brief. He gave an abbreviated version of the dragon tamer's tale, keeping all the relevant details and stressing how quickly and ferocious the mysterious Pokémon had attacked her, before passing around his sketch of what he believed the creature to look like. Then he relayed what Clavell had revealed to him, taking care to use vague words about Sada's fate for Poppy's sake. But the adults gathered understood the meaning behind his words and each, save for Geeta, had an expression of shock pass over their faces before settling into concern.

"And that is all I know," Hassel concluded, "I wish I had more to tell but even with what little there is, I hope we can all agree that this is a matter we should attend to swiftly."

Rika was the first to speak up.

"This is the part where you would expect me to make some sarcastic quip," she said, "but no, not this time. I fully agree with Hassel. It's our job as Elites to inspire the kiddos of the next generation, right? Suppose that also means keepin' them safe."

"Yeah!" Poppy chimed up, "we've got work to do! When do we start?!"

"Well, about that," Hassel said, suddenly realizing how foolish it was that he had requested that every member of the Elite Four be called, "I don't think it would be wise for you go searching for this Pokémon."

"What!?" Poppy gasped, "What do you mean, Grandpa Hassel?"

"This Pokémon," he answered, "we don't know what it is other than it is powerful,"

"Well so are my Pokémon."

"And," he continued, "that it is willing to attack people."

"Many Pokémon chase people."

"But this one is larger than a Tyrantrum. You won't be able to outrun it if it does go after you."

"But Rajah and Tinkie,"

"Poppy, please, do not argue. None of us want to see you get hurt."

"I agree," Geeta said, "this might be too dangerous for you. Perhaps there is another way you can help out?"

"I'm not defenseless."

"I know you are a strong trainer," Hassel said, "but there are still too many unknowns."

Poppy looked between Hassel and Geeta and then up to Rika, hoping the older woman would back her up. But all Rika did was sigh and shrug her shoulders.

"Sorry squirt," she said, "but it looks like you've been out voted."

Poppy puffed out her cheeks

"It's not fair!" she protested, "I'm a super strong trainer! It's not fair!"

"You're right," Larry said with a sigh, "it isn't fair."

Everyone, surprised by his sudden words, turned to Larry.

"Life isn't always fair, Poppy," he continued, "I'm sorry but that's the truth. Like right now, it's not fair that a bunch of adults made some reckless choices and now the kids at the academy and the Treasure Hunt are now in danger. But now the adults have a chance stop this danger. It's like Rika said, we are supposed to be keeping the next generation safe, and you are part of that generation, Poppy. So please, give us a chance to make things right."

"Mr. Larry. . . " Poppy whined.

She scrunched up her face, balled her hands into fists, and held this sour expression for a moment before letting out her held breath in a long, defeated sigh.

"Okay," she said, "I'll wait but only because Mr. Larry asked so nicely."

"Thank you," Larry said, a rare smile on his face, "I appreciate you trusting us."

"Yeah," she nodded and returned the expression.

"So we are in agreement," Hassel spoke up, "we are to track down this Pokémon and try to contain it, either by catching it or luring it back to Area Zero."

Nobody objected.

"It was last seen on Glaseado Mountain. That mountain and its foothills cover a large amount of Paldea so I believe it would be best if we split up and each searched a different portion of the mountain for signs of the Pokémon. Rika,"

"Yup,"

"Could you please be the one to take Poppy home?"

"Can do. You hear that, squirt? I'm takin' you back, which means we can stop for crepes."

"Chocolate ones?" Poppy asked.

"If that's what you want."

"It is."

"Sure thing."

"And then," Hassel cut back in, "could you please check the caverns below the mountain in case it has made a den there?"

"Sending the Ground-type specialist underground, huh?" Rika said, "Sure, why not. Not like I have a Pokémon that can fly to help out with the mountain anyways."

Hassel nodded and turned to Larry.

"I would like you to search the western part of the mountain and the foothills leading towards Casseroya Lake. Of all of us, you are the most familiar with that part of Paldea."

"I can do that," Larry agreed.

"Excellent," Geeta said with a clap of her hands, "and with Medali being so close, you don't need to take a break from your Gym Leader duties either. You should still have plenty of time to search between challengers."

Larry's shoulders slumped.

"Okay."

"Which just leaves the north and the east."

Hassel paused. He knew he should take the eastern side of the mountain. With both Dragonite and Noivern, he was best suited to investigate the sharp peaks of Paldea's north eastern provinces. However, that would likely mean he would also have to deal with the many dragon tamers that trained in that area. It was not an appealing prospect, but he knew the path before him.

"Hassel," Geeta spoke up, "if it is quite alright with you, I should like to investigate the eastern side of the mountain."

"Huh?"

He blinked, taken aback by her offer. Geeta smiled and looked at him. He could see understanding reflected in her ocean deep eyes.

"Gogoat's sure footing will help me over the terrain," she said, "and I believe you will enjoy yourself more if you search the northern part of the mountain. After all, how often does Baxcalibur get to enjoy the snow?"

"Not as much as he would like to," Hassel said with a nod, "Thank you, I am sure he will be most appreciative."

"Excellent, and I will be sure to call Grusha and Ryme to inform them of the situation and make sure they know to call us if they see anything," she clapped her hands together, "Everyone, we all know what it is that we must do."

She looked around the Elite Four and saw the determination burning in each of their eyes, even Poppy's.

"So let's do our best."