John's Team
Tyrant - Slaking
Vordt - Ursaluna
Smough - Snorlax
Klee - Blissey
Port - Mantine
Zephyr - Pidgeot
Klaus - Wyrdeer
Luna - Clefable
Pixel - Porygon2
Euphie - Sylveon
Ornstein - Obstagoon
Wraith - H-Zoroark
The New Normal – 11-4 – A Rematch
It was already the evening when the two of us arrived in Celestic Town, so Drake made the executive decision to rest for the remainder of the day because of how tired he was. So finding myself alone, I spent the evening catching up with a few people that I remembered from my time here and asking about how they were doing.
More specifically, I was hoping to scope out how they felt for Cynthia and her new ascension as Champion, as well as my newly announced relationship with her.
"To be honest sir, most of us expected to see it." One of the scientists told me while we ate dinner in the canteen, "I think it was pretty clear that you guys were being more than friendly with each other."
"Yeah, we've known Cynthia for quite a while – I myself have worked here for over a decade, so we could tell she was acting differently around you." Another said to me, "I don't think you were surprising anyone with that announcement. Not here at least."
"So you guys have no thoughts or comments at all…?" I asked.
"Eh, we're probably not the best group to ask – biased as we are toward Cynthia, but we know you aren't the type to take advantage of a relationship or forget your duties because of it." They waved me off, "And besides, Cynthia has proven time and time again that she has the strength to become Champion. That's all that mattered in the end."
I nodded. In such a strength-based society, where showing that you had the martial might to hold your position was a very important factor for your popularity, many things could indeed be overlooked so long as you possessed the strength to back yourself up.
"And how has she been handling things in your opinion?" I continued to ask, "I just wanted to hear the changes she's implemented from you guys."
"I think she represents, in a good way, the change and reform that Sinnoh is currently going through." One of them answered, "She's tearing down a lot of the old policies that created the stagnancy that the traditionalists loved to enforce. And I don't think anyone here really blames her for the breakout of crime. That's clearly a problem that remained from the old administration, and her response to it proves that she's alert and on top of things."
"I believe that this is going to be her first major test." Another responded, "Since she's now working with many international actors to deal with this domestic threat, many people are going to be watching carefully to see just how she can handle all that has suddenly fallen on her lap. Will she be able to curb the criminal threat before it gets any worse? Will she fumble with international relations and set back all of the progress Sinnoh has made in recent times? Those are the questions that her critics will be looking to answer."
I nodded understandingly. Cynthia had momentum on her side with her clean victory over the Elite Four, and I believed her showing in the Tournament would have drawn no criticism either, but she was still very new to her position. Doing well here would solidify her reputation for the years to come, and floundering would only empower her critics.
That didn't mean that there were no second chances available – she was still very new and her personal strength couldn't be contested, but it would just make things much harder for her.
I was confident it wouldn't come to that, but I vowed to help her when and where I could.
"Anyways, John, how's your new Zoroark treating you?" A scientist asked me, changing the topic, "You know that we never managed to find that weird Sneasel evolution that escaped us that last time."
"Yeah, Cynthia did mention that to me." I replied, "Sorry to hear that. I would have loved to have caught it at the time."
"And speaking of my Zoroark, did you not see his performance against Agatha?" I smirked, " He did his team proud with that trick." That got a few chuckles from the group.
"Don't worry about it, we appreciated that you prioritized getting us out of there over some discovery." He said easily, "And besides, now that both Drake and you are both here again, maybe we can have the strength to make it further down? We've been told that he was interested in joining us."
"I certainly hope so." I grinned, "I've been itching for a good cave dive ever since I left Sinnoh. It's really an exciting thing."
"Speaking of which, Cynthia said you were planning on going on another big expedition soon." I mentioned, "Has it already been planned?"
"That's correct." The same man replied, "We've scheduled it to place a few days from now, since we wanted to work around when you'd arrive. We are doing all the last minute preparations now."
"That does mean that we'll have to get Drake some practice runs first." Another pointed out, "It'd be dangerous and unwise for us to bring him so far down when he has yet to adapt to the cave systems of Sinnoh. Even for a trainer as experienced as him, it IS a dangerous place and not for the uninitiated."
I nodded, "That's a good point, I'll make sure to bring it up with him so he can get some practice in. Though I wouldn't worry too much about Drake – despite his old age, he's quite adept at throwing himself into danger and getting out in one piece. I'm sure he'll do just fine."
"We'll have someone ready to escort and teach him the basics tomorrow." One confirmed, "I assume you have your own duties, so just let us know when he's free and we'll be happy to assist."
I thanked him for his help and our conversation continued like that into the night, before we eventually had to wrap things up as I went to bed early to get a good night's rest.
Early the next morning, I decided my itinerary for the day with Drake. We both agreed that it would be important for us to 'wave the flag', so we would both be showing up at the Sinnoh League as a display of support as well as to offer our help if they needed it.
I was also hoping to see if I could 'nudge' the analysts into looking in the right direction so that I could potentially save them some time.
After that, if they didn't need us for anything else, then Drake was going to be cave diving to get used to things ahead of our large expedition. I offered to go with him, but Drake said that he'd just head down with an escort as to not waste my time. I knew better than to try to argue against Drake's stubbornness, so I just told him to have fun. I had other plans that I could potentially handle. Chief among them was Pryce's request to catch an Ice type for Lorelei.
It wouldn't be impossible for Lorelei to catch her own Ice type now that she was here in Sinnoh as well, so I wanted to make sure whatever I got would be rare enough to satisfy Pryce. Just catching some random Snover wouldn't do, as it was likely something .0that she could easily catch her own.
I'd have to see if I could stumble into something truly rare.
Of course, after we finished off our breakfasts and began making our way to the Sinnoh League building, that was when I was hit by something that almost made me stood up while I was flying on Port.
My sister had sent me a message with a picture, showing herself and Sabrina standing next to a pair of Firagaraf.
"Look at what we discovered together! It's called a Farigiraf!" She had texted.
As soon as I saw the text message, my first thought was one of utter bewilderment – how the fuck did they manage that? Even though I had hinted towards this in the past, I didn't expect them to actually manage to discover the evolution so quickly. I thought it would take much longer than that, especially since I didn't actually know the specific method that would allow a Girafarig to evolve into a Farigiraf. Perhaps the mutual synergy between Sabrina and Whitney was more potent than I expected.
Well, I wasn't going to complain. And I immediately focused on what was more important. Which was on congratulating my sister.
"Congrats, sis! When did you manage this?" I asked her.
"Just yesterday. Sabie and I were both really surprised! We had NO idea it was going to happen!" She said.
"Did you already reveal the discovery to the public?" That was the most important question. I was obviously happy for her – this discovery was huge for the both of them. But at the same time, I was worried about the undue attention she might receive if she had. Luckily, her next text resolved my worries.
"No, Sabie's mom told us to wait for a moment while we confirm everything. She said not to rush through things." She replied, and I inwardly let out a sigh of relief. Thank Arceus that Katrina was there to step in.
"Did she tell you what to do next? And what you should expect when you publish this?" I texted back.
"Mhm. She warned us that the attention we get is not going to be all good. Also, because I'm just some Gym Trainer, they'll think that Sabrina did most of the work and I only coincidentally helped out." My sister said, "Also, she said that we might get many very stubborn scientists that will try to bother us just to get a better look at our new Pokémon."
"But don't worry bro, I'm safe while I'm at the Gym!" She continued, "We're just going to wait for Gym Leader Samson to return before making the announcement so that we can make a proper announcement about it. Then they'll keep out any nosy reporters from the Gym afterwards so I'll be safe."
I nodded. That was about how I would handle it too. I saw no problems with the way that they'll be announcing the new evolutions, and I said as much to my sister.
Still, I couldn't help but think of the consequences about this evolution, both good and bad. Ultimately, I was proud of Whitney and Sabrina for making this discovery. For all the undue attention they might get, this was undoubtedly a large feather in their cap that would really help them establish a proper reputation for themselves.
Coupled with their already impressive achievement of earning all 8-badges at such a young age, and their own connections, this gave them a solid foundation for them to really kick off their careers in the future.
I had to put that thought aside for the time being as we arrived at the Sinnoh League building, and Drake and I dismounted to the flashing of cameras from the group of reporters that had been waiting around the building. Evidently they had figured out that our arrival meant that something was happening, and wanted to get good shots for their headlines.
We quickly made our way into the building and were escorted to a large meeting room. Inside, there were a few members of the International Police and a few investigators from Sinnoh all working together. Lorelei and Lucian stood by to supervise them, though they both greeted us with small nods as we entered.
"How's everything going?" I asked the two of them, "Need any help from us?"
"Not at the moment." Lorelei shook her head, "We just had a briefing earlier this morning where we got a rundown of our duties and what we need to be investigating. We're going to be working together with the Sinnoh League to avoid any authority issues from cropping up."
"And we're deeply appreciative of the extra manpower." Lucian added, "It will save us a lot of valuable time to have extra eyes taking a look at everything. Especially with the very real threat of spies within our midst, having a 'neutral' third party is very helpful."
"Bah, I'm not good at all this numbers stuff." Drake scoffed, "Just point me at a threat and I'll take care of it. Isn't that right, John? It'd just be like old times."
I chuckled, "Yes, it will be. But this time, they won't get away from us." Things were going to end here in Sinnoh. I vowed that this would be the end of the line for them.
"Damn straight." Drake growled.
I turned back to Lorelei, "So are you all investigating the bigger businesses right now?" I asked.
"Yes, since we've narrowed them down to be the most likely culprits." Lorelei confirmed.
"We're starting from the top, mainly because the larger companies have the most paperwork to look at." Lucian said, gesturing to the paperwork scattered around the table and my eyes followed after him.
"…Is this the Galactic Company's paperwork?" I questioned.
"Yes, we've decided to start with them first." Lucian nodded, "There's been some public pressure from the big companies who are claiming that this audit is an overreach of our authority, so another reason we're starting from the top is to clear the names of the big companies first before they make a bigger fuss."
"Hmph. Corporations and their fucking greed." Drake grumbled, "Good on you for not bowing to public pressure. Damn them and their interference. We know there's a threat there, so they should be dealt with."
Well that was just perfect. I didn't even need to say anything and they were already on the right track, "Then I wish you all the best of luck."
Drake and I moved to leave the base, but that was when both of our phones started ringing in sync. We picked up and saw it was Aaron.
"Drake, John. Do you have a moment?" He quickly asked.
"What's the matter, son?" Drake answered, "We have time."
"Our recent arrests have just revealed that the terrorists have a small base of operations located in Floaroma Town, near Valley Windworks." He revealed, "Cynthia asked me to call you to see if you'd like to join in. It would be a good PR move to have a 'big success' just as you arrived, especially with the Sinnoh Conference running concurrently."
"So we're going to be puppets on a stage eh?" Drake replied, then grinned, "Not that I mind. I'll give your Champion her headline. Are you coming, John?"
"Absolutely. Just point us where to go." I nodded.
"Good. Then I'll meet up you guys there." Aaron said, "And remember, try to minimize collateral damage. We want this to be as clean as possible."
I shot Drake a look. It wasn't me that he had to worry about.
(Galactic Grunt POV)
She slammed down the phone in a rush as she shot out of her seat. Their brave informants had just informed them that the unenlightened were on their way here to disrupt their important duties.
Didn't they understand? They needed to be here to be able to obtain the vast sums of electricity from Valley Windworks in order for them to save the world. She didn't know which traitor ratted them out to the unenlightened, but she would do her duty to see the traitor punished for betraying the formation of a true utopia.
That was for later though, as she yelled out to her fellow members that a raid was imminent. Ever since the foul corruptors had begun ambushing their fellow members, it had caused further delays that was hindering their ability to create the utopia that the world deserved. With their loyal members being captured, they were all sent new orders to be ready in case of a raid.
Once a raid was imminent, they were to burn and destroy everything before the unenlightened could get their blasphemous hands on them. They would not allow the unenlightened to undo all of their hard work due to their ignorance and blindness.
That was why she was in the basement, making sure to destroy all of the files they had about their plans for Valley Windworks.
However, there was also an additional order. One that they all initially struggled to accept but bowed to the necessity of it for the greater good. In the case of a raid, their priority was not to escape. Unfortunately, their leaders had wisely realized that the chance of a successful escape was low, and the risk of an escapee accidentally revealing further hideouts was a real risk.
Therefore, they were instead ordered to create as much chaos as possible to discredit the reputation of the Sinnoh police as far as possible.
Their leaders had deemed the new Champion to be a willful participant of the stagnation and corruption that had infested their current world, and a woman stubborn enough to not be able to see the truth – to deny the paradise that they all deserved to enjoy. The public must be shown that the Sinnoh police were not to be trusted; they were merely the tools of the oppressors that blindly and ignorantly held them back from creating a perfect utopia.
The sound of a door being ripped off its henges brought her out of her thoughts, and she was immediately bombarded by the screaming sounds of battle echoing around her. Realizing that there was no more time to waste, she had her Pokémon speed up the destruction of files so that there would be nothing for the unenlightened to find.
After a few more seconds, and seeing that there was nothing left in the room but ash, she ran up to where the battle was taking place.
As she ran up the stairs, she prayed to their boss. If she were to fall here, then she prayed that her life would have purpose – that her sacrifice would be used to create another footstep for the creation of their paradise.
Her purpose now fortified, her Skuntank rushed into the fight, ambushing a Luxray that had been distracted with her colleagues' Purugly. A surprise Night Slash from her Skuntank staggered the Luxray just long enough for Purugly to hit it with a powerful Body Slam, sending the Luxray out of the fight.
That was when a Scizor suddenly dove in like a blur and slammed the Purugly into the ground, dragging the Normal type across the ground as it flew. She tried to move in to assist, but an Ice Beam from a Kingdra froze her Skuntank in its tracks, just in time for a Slaking to come barreling into the fight like a wrecking ball and crashed into her Skuntank with dismissive ease, barely even acknowledging it as it was knocked aside.
"SLAKINGG!" The Slaking roared, and her Toxicroak instinctively tried to charge towards it and pummel it with its deadly poisons, only to find itself flying through the air a second later as it took a painful uppercut in the jaw that likely shattered its chin. A different Purugly sent a Body Slam into it – only for the Slaking to barely move an inch before it bashed Purugly into the ground with its fists, literally burying it so that only its head remained above ground.
Recognition flashed in her eyes as she saw the Slaking. Slaking were rare enough Pokémon, and there was only one trainer that was in the spotlight for using one.
John was here. And considering that there was a Kingdra, that meant that Drake was here too. She had seen the news, and knew they were both currently in Sinnoh.
The archenemy had arrived.
From what her fellow members that were in Hoenn had described, Drake and John were the ones most responsible for setting them back in creating the utopia that they so desired. If it wasn't for their despotic strength, then the unenlightened would have never been able to drive them out of Hoenn.
It angered her greatly to see someone misuse their strength like this. What was the point of Arceus granting you the ability to train up such strong Pokémon if you're going to use it to oppress those that just want to better the world?
She could imagine what she would do if she would have that kind of strength. She would ensure that it would never be misused like John and Drake were doing – and would solely dedicate that strength for a true cause, instead of the corruption and hedonism that those two indulged in.
That was when she saw him. The old man was standing by himself with a satisfied smile on his face, as if seeing the destruction of the faithful was somehow pleasing to him. He continued to walk into the battle without his Kingdra, arrogant enough to think that he was safe despite his Pokémon no longer being next to him as he continued to bark out orders.
And those orders led to devastating consequences for their Pokémon. His Kingdra took centre stage in their battle, ripping through an entire line of Skuntank with a single Dragon Pulse, before his Blastoise did the same as it froze over an entire group of Golbat that had been trying to flank around the unenlightened. She watched as his eyes blazed with evil as he tore through their loyal forces like a one man army.
And in this moment, she could see why the others had labelled Drake as the archenemy. The unenlightened had already outnumbered them, but the sheer malice that burned in Drake's eyes as he reaped a trail of destruction through their Pokémon was an affront to everything she believed in. She knew that she had to avenge her comrades that had fallen to this beast.
He deserved to be brought low for all that he had done to hinder their righteous cause.
So she snuck around, uncaring of the battle raging around her. Uncaring of the fallen and pained cries of her Pokémon and her comrades. Their sacrifices would all be worthwhile if she could end Drake, right here and now.
Then, having snuck close enough, she broke out into a sprint as she brandished a letter opener, her eyes were locked onto the back of his neck as she charged towards him.
Her feet brought her closer, and closer, and she was moments away from becoming a hero before she found the letter opener ripped out of her hand and a pained gasp to escape her lungs as she felt something strike her hard in the gut.
Then she was slammed into the ground with an arm clutched around her neck. She forced her eyes open to see what kind of Pokémon had caught her off-guard, only to be shocked to find not a Pokémon staring down at her.
But Drake himself.
"Did you think you could sneak up on me?" The monster growled at her, keeping her pinned down with his cursed strength, "Fucking lunatics. As if I would be brought down by a mere grunt with a letter opener."
He spat in her face, "Try harder next time."
Then a Clefable appeared over his shoulder, and with a flash of blue in its eyes, she saw only darkness as her head lolled back onto the ground.
A.N. And John and Drake get stuck into the midst of things once again. I thought it would be interesting to briefly explore the perspective of a Team Galactic grunt, which is so wholly different when compared to the POV of the likes of the Team Rocket grunt and Proton. They're insane, and I hope I showed that. Also yes, Drake can throw hands. Just look at the man's portrait!
Also, apologies for forgetting to name this Arc. Yes, this is Arc 11 – "The New Dawn". Hope you enjoyed!
And to anyone who wants to support me, please check out my p atreon at CartecTNN where you can read 8 advanced chapters! Thanks to those who have supported me already!