"All Arcanine–Protect!"
A commanding female voice rang out. Dozens of Arcanine leapt from the treeline, flames rippling from their manes as shimmering shields snapped up before the battered trainers.
BOOOOM!!!
Overhead, Roxanne's Probopass glowed silver, condensing a massive beam of light before firing-FLASH CANNON! The silver cannon tore across the battlefield, hammering Camerupt into the dirt.
The fight was over.
Cheers erupted from the surviving Alliance trainers, their relief pouring out in ragged voices. Around them, Officer Jenny's forces moved with crisp efficiency, cuffing the captured Aqua and Magma grunts and dragging them toward waiting police trucks.
Their fate was certain: interrogation, torture, and perhaps then silence forever.
.....
Silas leaned against a jagged reef of stone, silent amidst the aftermath. Like the others, he waited for the Alliance to finish its sweep.
But unlike the others, eyes lingered on him with quiet awe.
They remembered the blur of his Sharpedo tearing through enemy lines, Like blue lightning crashing again and again. They remembered his Crawdaunt, ripping apart Aqua and Magma elites in brutal succession.
Silas had shone like a blade in the dark.
Yet, when the Alliance claimed all captured Pokémon as spoils, his jaw tightened. He had downed multiple opponents above level 30, and not a single prize remained in his hands.
"Tch. If my Alliance Points payout isn't worth it, then…" His eyes narrowed, he mutter hidden under his breath.
His fingers brushed a Poké Ball hidden against his chest. Silas's expression smoothed, concealing the spark of greed beneath his calm facade.
An egoist like him? He'd never walk away empty-handed.
During the chaos, he'd quietly claimed one prize. A Mightyena-high-leveled, clearly a trump card meant for escape. Its trainer had never used it. Silas suspected it had been saved for a retreat.
A pity. The man had been consumed by Arcanine fire before he could call it out.
Silas glanced at the scorched battlefield. Blackened soil still smoldered, twisted into unnatural colors by the inferno. Even he felt a flicker of dread at the Arcanine pack's destruction.
....
He looked at the other trainers. Naïve faces, shaken but eager for praise, clung together like children.
Pathetic. League trainers,especially rookies who'd barely traveled-still clung to illusions. They'd never walked the shadows. Never seen the world's uglier truths.
The cunning ones though-the few who had quietly pocketed their own trophies-met Silas's eyes. A knowing smile passed between them.
Enough said.
Silas crouched, cradling his Sharpedo, fingers brushing its scarred hide. He pulled out a small medicine spray, treating each of his Pokémon personally. He always preferred his own hands for recovery.
"Lucky~~~"
Chansey waddled forward, cooing softly. From her pouch, she drew a milky-white egg, offering it with gentle care to Crawdaunt.
Chansey waddled forward, cooing softly. From her pouch, she drew a milky-white egg, offering it with gentle care to Crawdaunt.
"Craw?"
The lobster glanced back at Silas, hesitant. At his nod, it accepted. The shell cracked, fragments slipping between its serrated jaws.
Instantly, its wounds closed, pink motes of healing energy knitting the armor smooth until a brand-new gleam shone across its carapace.
"Craww–daunt!"
Crawdaunt clacked its pincers proudly, star crest glinting on its head.
...
"Officer Jenny! Thank you for your service!"
"Officer Jenny, you worked so hard!"
The crowd stirred as Officer Jenny approached, heels clicking against stone, emerald-green hair gleaming under the moonlight. Trainers rose to greet her-even the wounded straightened despite their pain.
Such was her presence.
"Thank you, everyone!" Jenny's voice carried, strong and sure. "The League's medical units are on route. On behalf of the Alliance Police, I thank you for your courage."
"The people of Rustboro City will not forget your contributions. The police will not forget. The Alliance will not forget!"
Her words struck deep. She knew how to command hearts. Born of noble lineage, trained in public duty, Jenny's speeches stilled the crowd, turning exhaustion into pride.
"Long live the Alliance!" voices roared.
The dead and broken were forgotten, their sacrifices buried under chants of loyalty. All that mattered now was compensation, the promised reward.
.....
Jenny's heels clicked closer, long legs carrying her to Silas. Eyes followed, envy rising like a tide.
"He's about to soar," someone whispered.
Jenny stopped before Silas. For a moment, her sharp eyes softened, reflecting admiration. His Crawdaunt, his Sharpedo, his commanding presence in battle-she was certain now. Inviting him had been the right choice.
"Trainer Silas. Thank you for your service."
She straightened, saluting crisply, her uniform clinging as her body drew every eye in the camp.
Silas feigned fatigue, leaning against stone, lifting his trembling hand to return the salute.
Jenny's lips pressed thin, heart twinging at the sight.
"Officer Jenny, this is my duty. As Alliance trainers, it is our responsibility to fight evil and punish the lawless!"
His voice carried-just loud enough for all to hear.
Murmurs spread through the camp.
"Young and promising."
"A true genius."
"A rising star of the League."
Jenny's eyes widened slightly, then sparkled. She swiftly noted the words in her book—future lines for speeches at the commendation ceremony.
Her gaze lingered on Silas. At first, she had dismissed him as a pampered heir, a greenhouse flower surviving on privilege. But his deeds, his words-he was a practical fighter, honed by the wild.
"Trainer Silas," she said softly, "the Alliance is lucky to have you."
Silas looked up at the Alliance flag, whipping in the wind. His lips twitched, a smirk barely buried.
Outwardly, he stood tall, voice righteous.
"It is my honor to serve the Alliance."
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(End of chapter)