Early the next morning, Dax Jonas arrived at Auron Vale's house, bringing with him a perfectly crafted replica of the Pokémon Egg.
Auron placed Charmander's real Egg beside the fake one. The patterns were identical, the sizes nearly the same. Once the replica was set into the incubator, even he struggled to tell which was real and which was not.
"This looks way too real…" Auron breathed, staring in awe at the two Eggs side by side.
Dax tilted his chin up, smug pride written all over his face.
"Of course it does. Do you know who I had make it? His replicas are the best—half the official missions that require counterfeits come from him. So? What do you say? Want to join the officials like me? Benefits are top-notch."
Ashen Vale, standing beside the sofa where Dax lounged, grabbed his coat and gave Dax a swift kick.
"Join the officials now? Before the college entrance exams? What's your rush? And what—he joins today and suddenly he can replace you on missions?"
Dax blinked. "Oh… right."
Ashen shot him a glare, stretching lazily.
"Anyway, since you don't need me today, I'll head to the shop. I've nearly finished sorting out the evolution conditions for Milotic, and the paper's about ready to publish. I'll leave you two to it."
"Be careful out there," he reminded, ruffling Auron's hair as he passed.
"Got it." Auron answered obediently, watching his parents head out together for the store.
Once they were gone, he turned to Dax, who was chewing on an apple while staring at a celebrity on the TV.
"So… when do we head out?"
Dax, still distracted by the actress onscreen, replied lazily,
"We wait, of course. They're gathering at nine. You're not really one of them—if you show up right at nine, you'll blow your cover. For a clean sweep, we go in around ten, maybe eleven."
Auron nodded. "Alright. Anything I need to keep in mind?"
"Not much. Just send the signal once you see whoever's in charge. With Gengar watching your back, even if a Red-Robe shows up, they won't stir much trouble."
"Fine. And the signaling device?"
"Huh?"
Dax gave him a puzzled look.
"I didn't give it to you already?"
Auron's stare was flat. "What do you think?"
Dax smacked his forehead, fumbled through his pockets, and finally produced something shaped like a ring.
"Here—wear this. When the time comes, press the button on top. We'll swoop in like divine soldiers descending from the heavens."
Sliding the ring onto his index finger, Auron eyed him suspiciously.
"Why do I feel like this isn't very reliable?"
Dax gave a sheepish grin.
"Relax. It's not just me."
Auron glanced at his shadow.
"You hear that? We're not alone, so move fast when the time comes."
"Geh!" Gengar leapt out of his shadow with a loud, eager cry.
"Huh? Move fast for what?" Dax frowned.
Auron crossed his arms, utterly righteous.
"The spoils, of course."
Dax chuckled.
"Don't worry—nobody's going to fight you for loot. The officers want credit, not trinkets. After arrests are made, the cleanup team handles collection. You'll have plenty of time to grab what you want."
He paused, then added slyly,
"By the way, how about we split it fifty-fifty?"
"Nope," Auron shot back instantly. "At best, eighty-twenty. I take eighty."
He had already figured Dax out. The man was like an overgrown child—careless, brash, always joking, and constantly insisting Auron treat him like a buddy, not an elder.
Dax clapped his hands.
"Fine. Eighty-twenty it is."
As an official agent, anything Dax picked up would normally have to be surrendered anyway. Rewards from the mission itself were separate, usually better than whatever scraps they'd pick up. The police, on their part, never touched spoils; everything was seized directly.
Unofficial assistants like Auron, though, could keep what they took. It was a quiet rule, a practical show of goodwill from the officials to encourage cooperation. As long as they grabbed things before cleanup arrived, it was theirs.
Which meant even giving away twenty percent was free profit for Dax—he lost nothing.
Auron, however, narrowed his eyes at how quickly he agreed.
"You're hiding something, aren't you?"
But Dax Jonas was nothing if not practiced at feigning innocence. He put on his best righteous face.
"Me? No way. Do I look like that kind of person?"
Auron gave him one last searching look, then pulled back.
"Fine. I'll trust you this once."
As soon as the boy looked away, Dax wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
"Damn… kids these days are sharp."
By half past ten, Dax finally tore himself away from his soap opera, smacking his thigh like he'd just remembered something.
"Alright, time to go!"
"About time."
Auron was already itching to move. He slung his backpack on, cradled the fake Egg in his arms, and headed out the door with Dax.
Outside, they split paths, only to "coincidentally" board the same subway car minutes later.
When they disembarked, Auron followed the plan: standing at the gates of Pigeon Plaza, pacing back and forth like someone waiting to meet a friend.
Meanwhile, Dax slipped inside the building first.
In the surveillance room on the second basement level, Feiyan spotted Auron through the cameras at the entrance.
He lifted his walkie-talkie, beckoning over a Blue-Robe. Pointing at the monitor, he ordered coldly:
"Bring him in. And get every teacher and acolyte outside inside, now."
"Yes, sir."
The Blue-Robe hurried out. Feiyan stared at Auron's image, lips curling in a sneer.
"Heh… not one of ours, and still dares walk in? Either he's a fool, or he's scheming. Let's see which."
Soon enough, the Blue-Robes and Purple-Robes filed into the room. Feiyan jabbed a finger at the screen.
"This kid. Do any of you know him?"
Among them, one Blue-Robe leaned closer, studying the face carefully before speaking.
"I know him. He's the champion of this year's Vantora City Baby Cup—and also the top finisher at our school's battle tournament."
"Explain," Feiyan said flatly, turning his eyes on him.
"This Auron Vale has a lot of potential. We've never approached him before, but his starter is a Zubat. Personally, I think he qualifies to join us."
Feiyan's face didn't change.
"Of course he has a Crobat. You think I mistook him without noticing that? Keep talking. What about his background?"
The Blue-Robe's pulse quickened—if the head acknowledged his choice, maybe he was looking at a promotion.
"His family background is exactly why I believe he's a strong candidate. His father is Ashen Vale—the one who refused the title of Champion-level official. After that, he joined the Research Institute, then quit, moving here to Vantora. Rumor has it he clashed with the officials, even severed ties with his own father. The family's been living quietly here for years."
If Auron were present, he'd have instantly recognized the speaker: none other than the vice-director of his school year.
(End of Chapter)
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