27 Aura Guardians
League Headquarters in Goldenrod City bustled with activity as meetings and briefings took place to discuss the ongoing mystery at Mt. Silver. In a secluded meeting room, away from the prying eyes of the public, the Chairman of the Pokémon League and his closest confidants, subordinates, and like-minded members from the League gathered to assess the situation.
The Chairman, although seething with anger, maintained a calm facade as he addressed his team. "So there has been no word from any of our operatives within Blackthorn territory, is that correct?" His voice held an undertone of frustration, but he needed answers.
One of the Chairman's subordinates stepped forward, reporting on the dire situation. "That's correct, Chairman. All communication channels have gone dark. This includes not only our own agents but also the members of the Blackthorn family. It's as if everyone within the affected area has simply vanished without a trace."
Concern etched on his face, the Chairman pressed further. "And what about Will? He's a Champion-rank trainer; we can't afford to lose him at a time like this."
The subordinate's response revealed the depth of their predicament. "I'm afraid, Chairman, that Will has not made contact either. It's unsettling that there has been no communication from any of our operatives. Even their advanced distress beacons, which are designed for emergency situations, haven't sent out any signals. It's as if they've all vanished simultaneously, leaving no trace of their whereabouts or the nature of the threat they faced."
Sierra, the Chairman's secretary, couldn't help but voice her curiosity about the peculiar circumstances. "It's baffling, Chairman. Not only are our League agents affected, but from our sources, we can confirm that operatives of various other organizations have also gone dark. It's almost as if someone orchestrated this on a grand scale. But who could possess such power and control over these skilled trainers and agents?"
The Chairman's frustration grew as he contemplated the situation involving the Blackthorn family. "Tch, the Blackthorn family has been nothing but a scourge on our world. It's only a matter of time before we rid ourselves of them. However, if I recall correctly, a team of representatives met with them last week to discuss a potential alliance. Was there any progress on that front?"
The subordinate who had been part of the diplomatic team sent to negotiate with the Blackthorns spoke solemnly. "I regret to inform you, Mr. Chairman, that the Blackthorns have flatly rejected our proposals. They remain obstinate and are unwilling to share the resources and knowledge they've hoarded for the betterment of our rightful cause. It seems negotiations have reached an impasse. We might need to consider more drastic measures."
The Chairman's eyes glinted with a combination of anger and determination. "Those arrogant fools still believe themselves to be untouchable. Very well, what's the status of our preparations for the contingency plan?"
As the high-stakes chess game continued between the League and the Blackthorn family, the Chairman contemplated more aggressive measures, poised to protect the interests of the League even if it meant resorting to drastic actions.
"The team sent for initial preparations on Mt. Silver has been lost, and security around the Silver Ranges has significantly increased. Adding Mt. Silver to our plans may not be feasible anymore, and placing the devices on their territories is an even more impossible task. We should shift our focus to the Dragon's Den and the Blackthorn family estate as our primary targets. If they still have the Legendary Trainer on their side, we must prepare countermeasures. With the new devices from Silph Co, we have calculated a 62% probability of success. If we can secure the assistance of a Legendary-ranked Trainer, our success rate could surpass 80%."
The strategist, renowned for his meticulous planning, laid out the odds and options for the Chairman and the team. The fate of the mission depended on these numbers.
Concerned about the recent team's disappearance, the Chairman inquired, "Will there be any consequences for the recent loss? What if the Blackthorns discover that they were from the League?"
The strategist reassured the Chairman, "No, that won't be an issue. Our team disguised themselves as Team Rocket members before infiltrating Blackthorn territory. Even though the mission failed, they were explicitly instructed not to surrender, so the Blackthorns won't be able to trace it back to us."
Sierra, who had been gathering information from the league's sources, interjected with a revelation. "From our sources, I've confirmed that in the past two days, the Blackthorn family has taken aggressive actions. They've destroyed five different Team Rocket bases known to us. While they weren't major bases, the Blackthorns made sure to obliterate them completely, and no Team Rocket members were taken captive."
The room was filled with tension as the consequences of their actions and the brewing conflict with the Blackthorn family became increasingly clear. The League was moving into dangerous territory, and their decisions would have far-reaching implications.
"So when are we going to execute the plan to eradicate the Blackthorns?" the Chairman asked, seeking a specific timeline from his subordinates.
The strategist responded, "With the information provided, it will take approximately three months to prepare the necessary number of devices. However, our primary concern remains the Blackthorn family's high-end combat power. It would be more advantageous if we could intervene and gain control at the end of the operation. Subduing the Blackthorn family is a preferable outcome to their complete destruction. To achieve this, we should aim to keep the younger members away from the incident. The League's involvement must remain a well-guarded secret. We should rely on mercenaries or only our most trusted operatives. What we are planning could be considered genocide, and any hint of League involvement would trigger a violent response from other legacy families, leading to a full-blown war."
The strategist painted a grim picture of the consequences their actions could unleash on the world. His words were a stark reminder of the weight of their decisions.
The Chairman attempted to justify their course of action, saying, "You don't have to use such heavy words. We are doing this for the greater good, ensuring that humanity can prosper as a whole rather than a select few privileged individuals who possess talent."
Their discussion highlighted the moral and ethical dilemmas they faced, as well as the potential consequences of their plan for the world at large.
"I guess you are right," the Chairman conceded, acknowledging the wisdom in the strategist's approach. "Keeping the Blackthorn family within the League's sphere of influence is indeed more beneficial than their complete removal. We should develop a plan to protect the younger generation and keep them out of this situation if possible."
"How about this? It has been 50 years since the war ended, and we have recently discovered two new regions. Under the guise of promoting goodwill between these newly found territories, why not organize an event in the Hoenn region? I'm sure we can seek assistance from mega corporations to make it grand, and we can even announce the biggest auction ever conducted to attract everyone's attention. Maybe this will help us draw the attention of all the legacy families to the event. The only problem is how to get the Blackthorns and the other legacy families to participate," one of the members of the meeting suggested.
"Hmm, that sounds feasible. Honestly, it's an excellent plan, Chairman. If we make the event grand enough and the auction attractive enough, we might even be able to entice a few powerhouses from the Blackthorns to attend the event, including some of their younger generation. But as for the participation of the legacy families, there is only one person who could pull this off, and Mr. Chairman, it's up to you to convince him to host the event." The strategist calculated the feasibility of the plan and added his thoughts.
The chairman thought for a long time and finally sighed. "Well, then, I'll convince that man to host the event, but make sure our true intentions never leave this room. If even a hint of our true intentions gets out, we are all done," the chairman added with a solemn tone. Even Sierra couldn't help but unconsciously gulp at the mention of hoodwinking Oak to carry out their plans.
"Well, if we can get the Blackthorns to come to Hoenn, we might even be able to capture them and use them for a contingency plan if need be," one of the members suggested.
Most of the higher-ups in the room glared at the man, and the strategist was the first to reprimand his suggestion. "If we are planning to have Mr. Oak host the event, then you should understand that the entire event will be under the care of that organization. Messing up an event hosted by them is simply asking for death."
Most in the room were not aware of what the strategist was suggesting because capturing a small team of Blackthorns traveling to Hoenn might seem like a logical contingency plan. However, the mind of the operation denied this option outright.
It was an old man who appeared to be in his seventies, and he clarified things for everyone. He was a higher-up in the league and from a generation before that of Oak. "If Samuel Oak indeed takes the responsibility to host such an event, then, by default, he would seek the support of the Aura Guardians, of which Oak is a part. This is a mysterious organization that has been around since the end of the last great war, a millennium ago. To this day, we only know the identities of fewer than five members, and that's because they voluntarily disclosed them. Each of these five is an absolute monster who has achieved True Epic rank. So, what you are suggesting is like slapping the organization in the face while targeting the event that they are hosting."
"Fine, in that case, I need you all to refine the plan while I myself and the elder will approach Oak to host the event on the league's behalf," the chairman said, making a decision and ending the meeting.
In a grand, secluded mansion on an island reclaimed by nature, a meeting room sat ensconced in a timeless silence. The room, adorned with ancient tapestries and dimly lit chandeliers, held four imposing seats. Three of them were presently occupied, and the most prestigious seat at the head of the table belonged to Giovanni, their enigmatic leader.
"So, how bad were our losses?" Giovanni inquired, his steely gaze fixed upon his loyal subordinates, eager to grasp the extent of the recent damage inflicted upon their organization.
"We lost a total of thirteen of our bases, every single one of them razed to the ground," reported one of the participants. "The Blackthorns are thorough when it comes to violence. I sometimes even admire their efficiency."
Giovanni absorbed this information with his characteristic calm and composure. "Any idea why the retaliation was so intense? I'm sure only a few spies in their midst wouldn't have triggered such a backlash."
"We only have a probable cause," another member replied, his voice hoarse. "But the timelines don't match. It seems like a team from the league tried poking them using our name, so it might be a possible cause. Otherwise, we are blind, with all our contacts neutralized."
Their conversation paused momentarily as Giovanni received a folder from one of his associates, containing new intel from Sierra about the league's plan for the Blackthorns. He meticulously examined the documents in the folder, the only sound in the room being that of pages being turned.
"We need to coordinate our plans for the day the league acts," Giovanni finally broke the silence. "And I have a special gift for the league, now that they are willing to involve those bunch of old monsters in this. I want one of you to make a trip to this event in Hoenn."
With that, Giovanni and the other two participants began crafting plans and counterplans for the impending storm that threatened to change the current Pokemon world order.
Sinnoh Region:
Eterna Forest, nestled deep within the sinuous heart of Sinnoh, stretches out majestically beneath a verdant canopy of towering trees, an emerald realm where time itself seems to stand still. This mystical woodland, a haven of lush tranquility, invites travelers into a world where nature's grandeur unfolds in all its splendor.
The very air in Eterna Forest shimmers with an ethereal quality, whispering ancient secrets and carrying the fragrance of dew-kissed leaves and the songs of unseen creatures. Shafts of golden sunlight filter through the dense foliage, casting a soft, dappled glow upon the lush undergrowth. Every step reveals a lush tapestry of emerald mosses and wildflowers, and the forest floor yields beneath one's feet with a gentle, mossy embrace.
At the core of this enigmatic forest, the secrets of time and nature converge at the heart of an ancient temple, an enduring sentinel that has borne witness to millennia. Nestled amidst the towering trees, this temple rises with an aura of timelessness, its weathered stone walls bearing the weight of countless centuries. Covered in ivy and moss, it stands as a testament to the inexorable passage of time.
As travelers approach the temple, they are enveloped in the sacred hush that lingers among these hallowed stones. The whispered tales of generations long past seem to echo from within, a silent chorus that tells of forgotten rituals, reverence for nature's mysteries, and the eternal wisdom of the forest itself. The air here hums with an indefinable energy, as if the very soul of the ancient woodland has taken refuge within these aged walls.
In the heart of Eterna Forest, near a tranquil clearing by the ancient temple, a heartwarming scene was unfolding under the verdant canopy. Sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that danced across the forest floor.
Four young boys, around the age of five, were gathered together, and their mischievous laughter pierced the peaceful serenity. In front of them, a small, frightened Buneary cowered, clearly distressed by their rowdy antics. One of the boys, named Joey, playfully tugged on Buneary's ears while the others laughed uproariously.
Joey grinned wickedly. "Come on, guys, let's see if we can make it cry!"
As the situation grew increasingly dire for the helpless Buneary, a young girl burst onto the scene with the fiery spirit of a protector. And she was a force to be reckoned with. Her vibrant eyes blazed with determination as she stepped forward.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" The little girl's voice was fierce, and her hands were balled into tiny fists.
The boys turned to face her, and their confident smirks faltered when they saw the fiery resolve in her eyes.
Joey, the ringleader, was the first to retort, "We're just playing with this Buneary! What's it to you?"
Lila's gaze didn't waver. "Playing? This isn't playing; it's cruelty!"
An argument escalated between Lila and the boys as they exchanged heated words. The little girl's strong sense of justice clashed with their misguided notions of fun, and the confrontation grew intense, and the girl one-sidedly started pummelling the four boys.
However, the situation was soon diffused when the girl's loyal friend, a girl named Gardenia, appeared on the scene. Her voice was calm but commanding as she addressed her friend.
"Hey, Cynthia, the temple head wants to see you. He said it's important."
Cynthia paused, her fists still clenched. She looked from the defeated boys to her best friend, Gardenia, and then back to the frightened Buneary. Her fiery spirit hadn't diminished, but she understood the need to prioritize and followed her friend carrying the Pokemon.
