As General Alvarez reached the border where he was supposed to leave Sinnoh with the help of Team Magma, he finally allowed himself to relax.
For the first time in days, the heavy pressure weighing on his shoulders eased slightly. Everything had gone according to Madame Boss's plan.
He would be the first to leave Sinnoh. Madame Boss would follow the next day, while the rest of their men would cross the border in small groups over the following days. It was the safest way to disappear without attracting the attention of either the League or the International Police.
General Alvarez looked back one last time at the distant mountains of Sinnoh.
"So this is how it ends," he muttered quietly. "We leave today, regroup in Hoenn, and one day we will return stronger than before."
A small group of Team Magma members was already waiting near the agreed meeting point. They stood confidently, clearly expecting no trouble. One of them stepped forward with a welcoming smile.
"General Alvarez," the man said respectfully. "We have been waiting for you. Everything has already been prepared. Once we cross the border, you will be escorted directly to one of our safe houses in Hoenn. You will remain hidden there until the rest of your people arrive."
General Alvarez gave a satisfied nod.
"Excellent. We should leave immediately. Every extra minute we remain here increases the risk of someone discovering us."
The Team Magma member smiled confidently. "I completely agree. The route has already been secured. No one should know we are here."
Before anyone could take another step...
A calm voice echoed across the quiet border. "I am afraid that will not be happening today."
General Alvarez froze. His heartbeat stopped for a brief moment. Slowly, almost unwillingly, he turned toward the voice.
Standing a short distance away was Gladion of Indigo.
Latios floated silently above him while the rest of his powerful team stood beside their trainer. Ultron's crimson eyes glowed faintly. Colossus stood like an immovable fortress. Guy casually cracked his knuckles with an eager grin. Their mere presence filled the entire area with overwhelming pressure.
General Alvarez's face immediately turned pale.
"No..."
The Team Magma members reacted first.
"Attack!" one of them shouted.
Several Poké Balls flew into the air as Team Magma released their Pokémon all at once.
The battlefield instantly erupted into chaos.
Latios shot forward like a streak of blue lightning, overwhelming multiple opponents before they even understood what had happened.
Ultron's Psychic spread across the battlefield, freezing several attacking Pokémon in midair before effortlessly throwing them aside.
Colossus charged straight through the enemy formation like an unstoppable force, sending Pokémon and their trainers crashing across the ground with overwhelming physical strength.
Guy laughed loudly as he rushed into battle.
[Now this is the kind of warm welcome I was hoping for! YOUTH!]
His fists blurred with incredible speed as one Team Magma Pokémon after another was knocked out before they could launch a proper attack.
The entire battle lasted only a few moments.
The Team Magma members had expected to escort a guest. Instead, they had walked directly into an ambush.
One after another, their Pokémon fell. Soon, not a single one remained standing. Silence returned to the border.
The only sounds left were the groans of the defeated trainers and the wind blowing across the empty road.
Gladion slowly walked toward General Alvarez.
A faint smile rested on his face, though his eyes remained completely calm. "I have been looking forward to meeting you, General Alvarez."
He stopped only a few meters away. "You certainly gave me quite a few surprises during my visit to Sinnoh."
His smile widened ever so slightly. "First came the snipers trying to shoot me from afar."
"Then came the explosions you prepared."
"And finally, you decided to wake one of the strongest Legendary Pokémon in existence and throw it at me."
He folded his arms casually. "I think it is only fair that I return the favor, don't you?"
General Alvarez stared at him in disbelief.
For several long seconds, he could not even find the words to speak.
Finally, he forced out a question. "How...?"
"How did you find me? This route was known only to a handful of people."
Gladion chuckled softly. Oh, that part was surprisingly easy."
He shrugged as though the answer were obvious. "It seems you managed to make another enemy while carrying out your little schemes."
"Someone decided to inform us that you planned to escape through this border and seek refuge in another region."
General Alvarez's eyes widened. His mind immediately raced through every possibility.
Then one name surfaced. His expression twisted with rage. "That bitch..."
At that moment, everything became clear.
He had not been discovered through investigation. He had been betrayed.
---
Elsewhere...
Madame Boss quietly listened as one of her new subordinates finished delivering the latest report.
The man lowered his head respectfully.
"Madame Boss... General Alvarez has been captured."
The room became completely silent.
Several officers exchanged nervous glances, unsure how she would react.
Then... a small smirk slowly appeared on Madame Boss's face.
"So... it finally happened."
She slowly stood from her chair and looked at the gathered officers who had once served directly under General Alvarez.
"General Alvarez has been captured."
Her calm voice echoed throughout the room. "I know many of you respected him, and some of you even considered him your leader."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"But there is no reason to panic."
She clasped her hands behind her back. "I will take command from this point onward."
Her sharp eyes swept across every face in the room. "I also intend to fulfill General Alvarez's ambitions. His dream of reigniting the conflict will not disappear simply because he has fallen."
"Our plans will not end because one man has been captured."
"They will continue under my leadership, and I expect every one of you to carry out your duties with the same loyalty you showed him."
The officers looked at one another.
After a brief moment of hesitation, they slowly nodded. One after another, they accepted her authority.
Madame Boss smiled faintly. Everything had unfolded exactly as she expected.
General Alvarez had served his purpose.
Now it was her turn to move the pieces across the board.
And just like that, Madame Boss once again found herself surrounded by loyal subordinates ready to carry out her orders.
A new organization was beginning to take shape. One that would now answer to only a single leader.
Madame Boss.
-----Author Notes------
Thankyou Jonathan Solis for supporting me!
Y'all can read 22 extra chapters on my pat*reon.
https://pat reon.com/mrmime24
[No Space in pat*reon]
Thankyou for your support!