Shiro looked at Kabu and the robed figures that blocked the way, wondering what they were relying on.
Did they only prepare an Elite-level Pokémon? Ordinary ones wouldn't be enough to stop him.
Even if both Shae and Edgar came at him together, there was no guarantee they could keep him here.
So what could Kabu and a handful of Gym Trainers do?
The man ahead showed no expression. His voice was low and cold. "Shiro, if you want to make a deal, then kill the brat standing beside you."
A laugh escaped Shiro. "You dare to say that? Kabu, what gives you the confidence to make such demands?"
Right then, Allister tugged at his sleeve. He raised a Poké Ball in his hand, speaking in a hushed voice. "Shiro... the Poké Balls won't open."
Shiro stiffened, then quickly reached for his balls and pressed one. No matter how hard he pushed the button in the center, nothing happened.
A buzzing sound, like distorted static, echoed from all around. Yet the robed figures remained still, and Kabu made no move.
'There are... so many machines,' Unown A whispered in his head, its voice strained. 'Electromagnetic waves… and psychic energy too…'
"Devices that disrupt the functions of Poké Balls?" Shiro muttered aloud.
"Correct." Kabu gave a slight nod.
He reached inside his robe and pulled out a beige towel, dabbing sweat from his brow. The wrinkles across his face made his already severe look even harsher.
"The inside of a Poké Ball is a kind of special network. These machines interfere with that net and keep it from opening. I bought them from Kanto. Incredible, aren't they?"
A smile crept onto his lips as he went on, "A standard red-and-white ball can at best withstand Pokémon of Gym-level without breaking. You're using high-grade balls. Even if the Pokémon inside tried to help, they can't shatter the ball from within. It's impossible."
Shiro lowered his head slightly, calling silently to Unown A, Haunter, and Drakloak.
Only Unown A responded, its voice faint and broken. 'Psychic... everywhere. A prison of psychic energy. Hypnosis too... it's indiscriminate…'
Kabu saw Shiro's silence. He turned to Allister, who stood frozen in place, and sneered.
"You're not thinking calling out to your Ghosts or Psychics, are you? The Poké Ball disruptors are only the start. Of course I prepared counters for them. From Advanced-level to Champion, every Ghost and Psychic in this area is suppressed."
His expression darkened. "Unfortunately, it only covers this small patch of land. Still... it's enough."
Shiro looked at Allister, meeting the boy's eyes. None of his Pokémon could be released.
Two options remained. Delay and wait for help to arrive, or try to escape.
Breaking the Poké Balls by force was not realistic. The outer shell of a ball is tough. It is not invincible, but with an ordinary red-and-white ball in hand, a normal human could hardly smash it open.
But if reinforcements were the plan, who would come? Edgar might rush in but if he walked straight into this trap without knowing what was active, he would also suffer the same fate. The company's camera crew had no combat ability at all.
Kabu stood calm, holding the towel on his neck. His tone was steady. "You can still choose, Shiro. The deal is simple. Kill the boy."
Allister's small frame flinched at the words. His shoulders hunched, but there was nowhere to hide.
Shiro didn't answer, his mind racing.
These machines... they really were formidable. But how had Kabu made contact outside Galar to get them?
He was most likely trying to protect his gym, but did he really believe killing them would help? It might stir chaos, yet the gym wouldn't be safe either.
Why choose them of all people? Was it deliberate, or just coincidence?
And Unown A had sensed an Elite-level Pokémon nearby. Did they really need one? With just these machines, they were already trapped. Besides, wasn't that Elite-level Pokémon not affected?
He thought carefully, then asked, "You don't seem afraid of wasting time."
"Of course not," Kabu replied. "With such a good opportunity, catching you alone isn't enough. If I can grab a few more people from Macro Cosmos… wouldn't that be even better?"
He let out a cold chuckle. "Make your decision fast. Ten seconds. If you won't act, I will."
Shiro tilted his head, glancing at Allister. The boy looked like a frightened bird, head lowered, trembling, unable to move.
For the first time, Allister understood what it meant to have Pokémon at his side and yet be unable to rely on them. His mind went blank. He couldn't think of what came next.
Shiro slid his hand into his pocket, fingers curling around the short blade he always carried. His eyes swept the circle of enemies and locked with Kabu's.
"Kabu... when it comes to things like this..." He spoke calmly, then seized Allister by the collar, pulling him close. The boy shuddered.
Shiro bent low, holding him against his chest.
Kabu's brows lifted slightly. Interest glimmered in his eyes. He wanted to see how the boy would die. Would Shiro strangle him after a false show of comfort? Cut him down quickly with a tool? Or perhaps hesitate, unable to go through with it, and hand him over instead?
The forest fell silent. Only the rustle of leaves carried on the wind. Sunlight barely filtered through, touching the higher branches, while the ground remained in shadow.
Shiro narrowed his eyes. He studied the robed figures around them.
His body tensed. With one arm gripping Allister, he suddenly roared.
"Die!"
The air split with a sharp crack as he charged.
His legs coiled and released, propelling him like a spring. In a single bound he cleared nearly six meters, rushing the figure at his right. His blade flashed, slashing at the man's throat.
A harsh hum followed.
The blade bit, but the blood that spilled was an unnatural shade of blue. Still clutching Allister, Shiro plunged into the bushes.
Leaves and branches rattled loudly as he crashed through. They slowed him down, but the sound also gave him a way to sense if someone was following.
He ran a short distance before his pace began to slow. At last, he stopped.
It hadn't gone as he first imagined. His plan had been to kill one of them, break through the encirclement, then escape the machine's range during the chase. But although he had run, no one had pursued.
Kabu wasn't worried about him escaping.
And the one whose throat he had slashed hadn't died. In fact… it hadn't even been human.
Ahead, the forest grew darker. A mound covered with countless layers of leaves and branches blocked his way. Faint light slipped through the cracks, glinting off something metallic beneath.
Shiro didn't circle around. He stepped forward, reached out, and pushed the branches aside.
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