The Coveted Aurora

"Relax, Alice. Let me have a look. I must be able to do something about the current situation," I reassured her with confidence. The knowledge from my future experiences gave me an edge, and my special perk ensured that I remembered every piece of information without any gaps.

Lance, however, couldn't contain his frustration. "No fair, Aron! How is it that only you are allowed to call the old crow by name?" He complained, momentarily forgetting that the woman he referred to as the "old crow" was standing right next to us.

Alice's sharp response to Lance was swift. "Stay quiet, you little runt. I'll straighten you out once I sort out the current predicament that we're in." Her focus was undivided, and the urgency of the situation demanded all of her attention.

I couldn't help but chuckle at my cousin's little bout of misfortune. You see, I knew Alice well, and she was someone who always kept her word.

"Forget about the brat," Alice said to me with a wry smile. "Here, Aron, this is the medical report created by our medical and research team. They've been working tirelessly to counter the poison, but their efforts have yet to produce any results."

Alice passed a copy of the report to me, her expression a mix of hope and concern. She gave me all the relevant details and led me outside the infirmary, guiding me toward a clean room that had been specially prepared for my convenience. Alice, knowing the importance of my work, personally raised a psychic barrier around the room to ensure that I wouldn't be disturbed.

Inside the clean room, I meticulously conducted a series of experiments, working with focus and precision. The process was painstaking, requiring a combination of psychic and aura energy manipulation to create the reagent needed to counter the poison. It took me a full four hours to complete the task, and I had to create two strains of the reagent: one for humans and another for their Pokémon. In total, I used 43 different ingredients, some of which were rare, but the Blackthorn family had them in reserve for such dire situations.

After successfully creating the counter reagent, I emerged from the room where Alice was waiting for the results, her expression reflecting her anxious anticipation. I knew that this was a pivotal moment, and the lives of the expeditionary team members hung in the balance.

"Aron, how is it? Were you able to come up with a solution? Please tell me you have something," Alice implored, her eyes filled with hope and anticipation.

I nodded and presented her with the counteragents for both the strains affecting trainers and Pokémon. "Yes, Alice, here is the counter reagent for both the strains of trainers and Pokémon. Just so you know, the poison was a rather brilliant feat, if I should say so myself. It's probably time we conducted a thorough cleaning within our family ranks. It seems like we have a few roaches amidst us."

As I shared my conclusion, it became evident that this was not a random incident but an ingenious plot carefully crafted by a brilliant mind. The amount of effort and resources invested in executing this plan must have been monumental.

Alice's reaction mirrored her anger at this realization. Unconsciously, she released the aura of a level 7 Aura Grandmaster, and it took only an instant to shatter the psychic field I had erected as a defense. Alice quickly recognized the situation and reeled in her overflowing aura.

Aron, what did you mean when you mentioned that someone had a hand in this incident? And what led you to this conclusion?" Her tone was eager, reflecting her determination to get to the bottom of this.

I leaned forward, making our conversation more interactive. "To be honest, Alice, it appears that we were fortunate in a way. Based on the information gathered from the expedition team, the initial assault by the wild Pokémon was specifically targeted at James, the Master Class Trainer who led the expedition. He was the only one with Pokémon strong enough to contend with a (peak) Aurora stage Pokémon. Fortunately, the sneak attack was intercepted by the Champion Class Trainer, who sacrificed himself to buy enough time for the entire team to react."

I maintained eye contact with Alice, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "This level of coordination and precision indicates that it wasn't a random occurrence but a carefully planned act. The poison's unique resistance to known antidotes further suggests that this wasn't the work of an ordinary adversary. We're dealing with someone or something formidable, and we should prepare accordingly."

Alice's expression grew even more serious as she absorbed the implications of my words. "A coordinated attack targeting James specifically?" She leaned in, her voice dropping lower. "Aron, this goes beyond a mere wild Pokémon encounter. We need to consider the possibility of foul play, perhaps even sabotage."

I nodded, acknowledging her concerns. "Exactly, Alice. The incident and the poison's resistance to our standard treatments indicate that we're dealing with an adversary who possesses a deep understanding of Pokémon and advanced tactics. This isn't something we can take lightly."

Alice's aura flared briefly, reflecting her rising determination. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Aron, and make sure those responsible face the consequences. Our family's reputation and the safety of our trainers are at stake."

As she spoke, I could sense her fierce resolve to protect the Blackthorn family's interests. Together, we would embark on a journey to unravel the mystery behind the poison and those who had orchestrated this dangerous attack.

"Hmm, now that you mention it," Alice pondered, her brows furrowed in deep thought, "it does seem like there was a calculated effort to cripple our forces. And the fact that the poison used was so elusive, combined with the strange psychic influence on James, raises even more concerns."

I leaned in, wanting to make sure Alice grasped the full extent of the danger. "Just picture, for a moment, if James hadn't been able to react as he did, if he'd been incapacitated or worse. The entire expedition team would have been at the mercy of that wild Pokémon, buried deep in the wilderness, and none of us would have been the wiser about the true nature of the poison."

The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, and I could see the anger and determination growing in Alice's eyes. She understood that this wasn't just an unfortunate incident; it was an orchestrated act of sabotage against the Blackthorn family, and it needed to be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

I nodded as Alice connected the dots, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "Indeed, Alice, it's fortunate that James managed to react in time despite the psychic attack. The consequences could have been far more catastrophic. It's clear that the initial aim of the attack was to disable our most capable trainer and ensure the rest of the expedition team was left defenseless."

I continued, painting a vivid picture of the potential disaster that had been averted. "Without James' intervention, the expedition team might have been wiped out, their talents wasted, and the true nature of this insidious poison could have remained hidden. We need to be vigilant, investigate further, and uncover who could be behind this orchestrated assault."

As I spoke, I could see the weight of the situation sinking in for Alice, intensifying her determination to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice.

As Alice contemplated the situation, her anger simmered just beneath the surface. She was on the brink of losing a significant part of her well-trained forces, and that was something she took to heart. Her voice brimming with determination, she spoke, "I will make sure to convey all this information to the family elders and ask them to start a family-wide hunt for all the traitors and spies among our ranks."

Her resolve was clear, and she intended to root out those responsible for this calculated act of sabotage. It was evident she would stop at nothing to protect her family and its legacy.

Alice's words shifted to a more appreciative tone, and she turned her gaze towards me. "You have done great, Aron. I know you don't usually like when I say such things, but this time around, I genuinely owe you a favor. I'll make sure to see that your efforts were not in vain."

With the immediate crisis resolved, Alice remembered the valuable resources brought back by the expedition team. She mentioned, "Oh, I completely forgot, Aron, the team did bring back a lot of unidentified Pokémon eggs and natural treasures. They've also captured a significant number of wild Pokémon. You can have your pick if something among the pile piques your interest."

As Alice offered this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about the powerful (peak) Aurora stage Pokémon that had nearly decimated the expedition team. "Now that you mention it, myself and Lance would like to see the (peak) Aurora stage Pokémon that took an entire team from a master-class trainer to subdue. It must have been one remarkable Pokémon to perform such a feat."

My inner conflict about capturing wild Pokémon and taking eggs from the wilderness still gnawed at me, but I understood the necessity in a world where strength was paramount. Despite this, I was determined to ensure that the Pokémon were treated with respect and care, even if they were obtained through less than ideal means.

Alice nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. "I'll ensure that the expedition team's findings are shared with you and Lance so that you can take your pick. But, as you've pointed out, we must remain vigilant. The threat we face may not be over, and we need to be prepared for any eventuality."

Her words underscored the seriousness of the situation, and we both knew that unraveling the mystery behind the poison and those responsible was just the beginning of a much larger challenge. The safety and reputation of the Blackthorn family were at stake, and together, we were determined to protect both.

As we stepped out of the room, I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw a comical scene. Lance was sprawled out on the lounge couch, snoring lightly, and drooling, fast asleep. It seemed he had fallen into a deep slumber while waiting for me for hours. I couldn't resist making a playful comment, "Dumb brat," before turning my attention back to Alice.

Alice simply used her psychic powers to lift Lance gently from the couch, making sure not to disturb his peaceful sleep. With a wry smile, she moved gracefully towards the area where the resources collected from the expedition were kept. The area was heavily guarded by the best of the best Blackthorn family guards, as it was one of the core areas where all the resources were temporarily stored, sorted, and sent to their respective destinations.

The seriousness of the situation hadn't completely erased the lighter moments, and it was a testament to the bonds that held us together as a family. The temporary vault building compound of the Blackthorn family was an impressive structure, reflecting the family's wealth, influence, and commitment to safeguarding their valuable resources. It stood at the heart of the family estate, well-fortified and protected by advanced security measures to ensure the safety of the collected treasures and data.

The capture of a (peak) Aurora stage Pokémon had sent shockwaves through both the main and branch families of the Blackthorn clan. This kind of Pokémon was the stuff of legends, a pinnacle of strength and power in the Pokémon world. The news of its capture had ignited a spark of ambition in every family member, each harboring the desire to claim the mighty creature for their personal team. It was, however, their collective underestimation of the difficulty in taming such a creature that fueled their audacious aspirations.

Taming a fully mature, wild Pokémon, especially one at the (peak) Aurora stage, was a Herculean task, known to only a select few within the Blackthorn family who possessed the knowledge and experience to do so. The difficulty lay not only in the Pokémon's overwhelming power but also in its wild and untamed nature. To form a bond with such a creature required more than just skill and knowledge; it demanded patience, trust-building, and an unwavering commitment to mutual respect.

But the allure of possessing a (peak) Aurora stage Pokémon was too great to resist. Everyone yearned to bolster their personal power with the addition of this legendary creature. They envisioned themselves as unbeatable trainers with such a Pokémon by their side. The fact that taming such a Pokémon was akin to taming a force of nature seemed to escape their judgment, blinded as they were by their eagerness.

I stood witness to this overconfidence with a heavy heart. It was crucial to address this behavior within the family, lest it grew into a glaring weakness. In normal circumstances, the family members would have respected the resources collected by Alice's expedition team, recognizing the immense effort and sacrifices involved. However, with the team's plight following the poisoning, it seemed to have triggered a reckless arrogance among those who sought to challenge Alice's authority.

These family members were unaware that the entire expedition team had been saved through the reagent I had provided. Their misguided challenge and unfounded aspirations were destined to be met with a harsh reality. As I contemplated their fate, I couldn't help but sigh to myself. Their actions were not only putting their own ambitions at risk but also jeopardizing the unity and strength of the Blackthorn family, and it was imperative to convey the news of the team's safety to prevent a greater divide from forming.