Feiyan stroked the stubble on his chin, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"So, his father might also be pulled into the Church? Tsk, tsk… a Champion, is it?"
The Blue-Robe bowed respectfully.
"Yes."
Feiyan's eyes flickered, unreadable.
"Keep digging into their background. I want to know exactly why he fell out with the officials."
"Yes, sir."
—
Outside, the Blue-Robe who had gone to summon people earlier drifted inconspicuously close to Auron Vale. He leaned down and asked in a low voice:
"You here looking for someone?"
Noticing the uniform—entirely blue—Auron knew he was dealing with a Church member. Immediately, he pulled on a mask of nervous unease.
"Uh, yeah… I ran into him yesterday. He told me to come here today and find him."
"Alright. Follow me."
The Blue-Robe gave a quick glance around, saw nothing suspicious, then led Auron inside.
Neither spoke along the way. They passed through the parking lot and reached an elevator, where the Blue-Robe pressed on a hidden panel, revealing a concealed door.
Behind it was a narrow staircase.
When they emerged, it opened into a broad space. Scattered across it were figures in pure white uniforms, some sitting, some standing—White-Robe followers.
"Come with me to the back."
The Blue-Robe patted Auron on the shoulder, then walked ahead to lead the way.
They passed several doors before stopping at the final one in the corridor. The Blue-Robe knocked. From inside came a curt, "Enter."
Only then did he push the door open, bringing Auron in.
The room resembled an office. Aside from the desk in front of Feiyan, there was only a sofa and a coffee table.
Auron let out a quiet breath of relief. No Pokémon here. Good. He discreetly pressed the ring on his finger, sending a signal to Dax Jonas to mark his position.
He had already dispatched Gengar back at the stairwell to sniff out their storage area. For now, his safety rested entirely on Lucario's shoulders. The sooner backup arrived, the better.
Feiyan's eyes glinted with amusement as he looked him over.
"You don't look like one of us. So why would you walk in carrying a Pokémon Egg, instead of running off with it?"
Auron straightened, putting on an exaggerated, almost theatrical air.
"After yesterday, I went back and learned about your Church. And I realized—I was born for this. Born to overthrow the world. I want to join you. I want to become the master of this world."
Feiyan leaned back in his chair, disdain flashing in his gaze though his lips still smiled.
"So, you want to join us, is that it?"
Auron scratched the back of his head.
"Uh, yeah. You said if I brought the Egg here, I'd get promoted two ranks, didn't you?"
Feiyan chuckled.
"Of course. No problem. Once you join, you'll be a Green-Robe Instructor. Any other questions?"
Auron grinned, feigning simple-minded eagerness.
"Uh… yeah. What's the pay like for a Green-Robe Instructor?"
"The pay? There's a base salary each month—not much, but we're a proper organization. The rest depends on your own ability. For example, expeditions into secret realms. That Egg in your hands—it's from a Secret Realm Lord. You could exchange it for a huge number of points. Those points buy you items, Pokéblock recipes, you name it."
He leaned forward.
"Now, hand me the Egg. How long are you planning to clutch it for?"
"Oh, oh—right."
Auron gave a clumsy nod, hugging the Egg as he shuffled forward.
Feiyan barely paid him attention, continuing to rattle off the Church's supposed benefits.
The instant Auron set the Egg on the desk, his hand slipped to Lucario's Poké Ball at his waist.
The moment Feiyan eagerly scooped the Egg up, Auron's finger pressed down—Lucario burst forth in a flash of light.
"Bone Rush!"
Aura gathered into a glowing staff in Lucario's hand. Before Feiyan could react, the staff cracked forward, driving straight toward the space between his brows.
Auron had acted the instant his ring gave the faintest tremor—Dax Jonas's signal that everything outside was ready.
Feiyan flew back, crashing across the floor, Poké Balls spilling from his belt.
Lucario was quicker still—one sweeping arc of his aura-bone smashed every release switch, rendering them useless.
"You dare!"
The lone Blue-Robe in the room, slow to grasp what had happened, roared and hurled a Poké Ball.
From it burst an Arbok, rearing up with a guttural hiss. Its ability Intimidate flared, dropping Lucario's Attack by one stage.
Lucario didn't even look at it. A reverse flick of his hand sent an Aura Sphere slamming into the cobra, flattening it against the floor.
Auron reached for Snorlax and Crobat's Poké Balls, ready to pin the Blue-Robe down—
But the door exploded inward with a deafening kick.
The Blue-Robe jumped, startled; even Auron flinched, nearly fumbling his Poké Balls.
"Auron! You alright?"
It was Dax Jonas.
Auron blinked at him in shock.
"I'm fine. But how are you here so fast?"
He had only pressed the button a second time—signaling them to attack—when Lucario appeared. Lucario had barely finished clearing the office, and already Dax had smashed his way inside?
Dax gave the room a quick once-over. Feiyan lay unconscious, the Blue-Robe frozen stiff with Lucario's bone pressed to his throat. Relief washed over his features.
"Just making sure you weren't in danger. They're still sweeping outside—mostly weaklings, not even mid-tier trainers. As soon as they saw the cops, they dropped to the floor. I came straight in."
"Fair enough. Just keep Feiyan restrained. His Poké Balls are useless now. The rest's your show."
Dax clamped a pair of cuffs on Feiyan's wrists, then chuckled when he noticed the ruined Poké Balls on the ground.
"Wild battle-tactics training, huh? Isn't that supposed to be a college course? You picked that up already? Not bad, kid."
Auron scratched his head. "I… saw it online."
Dax grinned, releasing Aggron. The steel giant lumbered forward, hoisted the unconscious Feiyan with one hand, and followed Dax toward the exit.
"I'll take these two out. Stay put for a bit—don't rush off yet. Credit for capturing an Orange-Robe leader is yours."
Auron flopped onto the sofa. Of course he wouldn't leave—he still had to wait for Gengar to return.
"Alright, no problem."
Dax left, Aggron stomping behind him. The Pokémon clearly misjudged the doorway—its horn smashed through the concrete wall with a crunch.
Watching the beast continue without pause, Auron smacked his lips.
"Damn. Gotta be Rock Head."
Moments later, Gengar shimmered into view from thin air, stubby hands flashing an "OK" gesture.
Auron's grin split wide.
"Beautiful work, Gengar. You'll get an extra box of Poké Puffs when we're back."
The ghost bobbed its head eagerly, mouth stretching in a massive grin.
Lucario padded over, voice echoing in Auron's mind.
"Uh, Auron…"
Auron looked up at him.
"Relax. You'll get an extra box too. I'm not stingy."
A bead of sweat traced down Lucario's temple.
"Not that. I mean—can I go help them outside?"
Auron peeked out the shattered door.
Most of the White-Robes were already huddled on the ground, subdued. But Blue-Robes and Purple-Robes were still fighting desperately.
More importantly—he spotted Bisharp, struggling under the assault of three or four opponents at once.
Auron clapped Lucario's shoulder, smiling like a proud parent.
"No problem. Go on. Gengar's here with me. Show them what you've got."
Lucario caught the hint behind his words. Embarrassed, but resolute, he darted out at once.
(End of Chapter)