The smile on Aoki's face became slightly awkward as he raised his hand in the air, wanting to high-five Phoebe but not knowing exactly where to place it. The gesture hung suspended between them for an uncomfortable moment before he decided to simply pat her head instead, his fingers gently stroking through her hair. The texture was surprisingly pleasant beneath his touch, soft strands slipping between his fingers like silk. Just as Phoebe's expression began darkening with irritation, Drake intervened smoothly, rescuing Aoki from the brewing confrontation.
"Aoki," Drake began, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "did you encounter anyone along your journey here?" At this question, Aoki's demeanor shifted noticeably, his playful expression hardening into seriousness. With deliberate movements, he withdrew Bulbasaur into its Pokeball before responding.
"Indeed," Aoki confirmed, his voice low and measured, "I encountered several individuals - none of them ordinary trainers. I managed to capture a few and... persuade them to share information." The implication of his words hung heavy in the air as Steven and Phoebe exchanged significant glances, the gravity of the situation reflected in their eyes. Having spent considerable time in this mysterious space themselves, they understood the implications all too well.
"Let's continue this discussion inside," Drake suggested, leading the group toward a recently constructed wooden building at the heart of their encampment. The structure, though clearly temporary, served as Drake's makeshift headquarters, its fresh-cut timber still releasing a faint pine scent.
Once settled inside the dimly lit interior, Aoki shared the intelligence he'd gathered through his forceful interrogations. Much of it aligned with what Drake and Steven had already pieced together through their own investigations, though they'd employed less direct methods than Aoki's brutal efficiency.
"I suspect there are significant secrets hidden within this space," Drake mused, leaning back in his creaking wooden chair, "but locating them has proven challenging." He rubbed his temples before continuing, "Moreover, coordinating against all three factions simultaneously seems impossible with our current resources."
Steven nodded in agreement, his fingers absently tracing patterns on the rough-hewn table. "It's frustrating beyond measure," he admitted. "We don't understand this space's purpose, nor the objectives of those three groups. Being trapped here with no means of escape is... demoralizing." He paused, collecting his thoughts before adding, "And they've secured the Tree of Life - I'd wager whatever secret this place holds is intimately connected to it."
Aoki's eyes gleamed with calculating intensity as he turned to Drake. "Drake," he inquired carefully, "have you engaged them in battle?"
The question seemed to catch Drake slightly off guard. His eyes narrowed momentarily before he answered, "We have clashed, yes. They field three exceptionally powerful trainers. In one-on-one combat, they wouldn't pose an insurmountable challenge, but..." His voice trailed off meaningfully. "Their combined forces present overwhelming numbers. I could hold my own, but if they deployed their full roster of Pokémon..."
The unspoken conclusion hung heavy in the air - against such numbers, most of their allied trainers wouldn't survive the encounter. Worse still, the enemy forces included several Champion-level trainers beyond just their three leaders, like the already encountered Wattson. Against such opposition, only Steven, Phoebe, and Aoki himself stood any real chance.
"Then perhaps we should evacuate the less experienced trainers," Aoki suggested. "Once they're at a safe distance from the Tree of Life, you could operate without restraint."
Steven shook his head slightly. "We've considered that, but maintaining our position here allows us to gather scattered alliance members. Without this rally point..."
Aoki countered sharply, "That strategy has its own dangers. On my approach, I encountered one of their patrols - a deliberate trap. With everyone scattered randomly upon entering this space, the odds of running into such ambushes are unacceptably high." He leaned forward, his voice intensifying. "We must seize the Tree of Life - whether to thwart their plans or simply to establish a proper base. I suspect the exit from this space lies there as well. If they find it first and destroy it behind them... or worse, send word to summon reinforcements..."
Though the alliance had established a perimeter outside the anomaly, Aoki's recent intelligence from the captured Wattson had shaken his confidence in their security measures.
"With just the four of us, we'd have far greater mobility," Aoki pressed. "And let's not pretend every 'ally' here is completely trustworthy." His meaningful glance recalled the incident with Wattson's injury - an inside job they'd all witnessed.
Drake fell into deep contemplation, weighing lives against necessity. Aoki's arguments held merit, but the stakes were unbearably high.
"I captured two Champion-level Venusaur during my journey," Aoki added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "They're fully obedient now. While not frontline fighters, they could provide escort for an evacuation."
This final point seemed to decide the matter for Drake. His palm struck the table with sudden resolution, the sharp crack echoing through the small room.
"Enough deliberation!" Drake declared. "Tonight, we evacuate all non-essential personnel from the Tree of Life perimeter and prepare our assault. After that... survival will depend on individual skill and fortune."
Left unsaid was how Drake's hands had been tied by the need to protect their less capable allies. Unencumbered, a trainer of his caliber could have whittled down the opposition through attritional warfare long before now.
His gaze swept over the group before settling. "Steven, Phoebe - you'll lead the evacuation. Aoki and I will handle the Tree of Life operation."
The implied dismissal stung. When had they become liabilities? In truth, Drake considered their positions - as rising stars of the alliance - too valuable to risk. Should he and Aoki fail, the alliance would need their leadership. Better to preserve the next generation than risk everything on a single gambit.