c133: Arrival
"What's wrong, Xiaoxiao?"
Curator Lin noticed Chen Xiaoxiao's sudden change in expression and asked, puzzled.
Chen Xiaoxiao's heart tensed.
"Does Master Lin know? Should I question him directly? Or investigate in secret?"
The thought gnawed at her.
Illegal operations within Guancheng whether Lin was oblivious or complicit remained uncertain.
The suspicious man earlier had relaxed upon arriving at the gym. Was it because he assumed she had come only to challenge the gym, or because he believed the gym was offering them cover?
Either scenario was plausible.
After all, while Lin himself didn't seem involved, Pokémon Adventures had shown several Gym Leaders (like Lt. Surge and Sabrina in the Kanto arc) operating within Team Rocket's hierarchy.
"Xiaoxiao?"
Lin called again, noticing her continued silence and distant stare.
"Ask directly. If anything's off, I'll have Admiral Ma act immediately and report it to the Pokémon League."
Chen Xiaoxiao made up her mind.
She exchanged a glance with Gardevoir, signaling telepathically to read Lin's emotional state.
Once Gardevoir confirmed readiness, Chen Xiaoxiao spoke.
"Master Lin, do you know anything about a facility in the northern outskirts of Guancheng approximately 100 kilometers from here? A basement facility?"
"A basement? I'm not sure I follow. What kind of facility are you talking about?"
Lin furrowed his brow in confusion. His gaze briefly shifted toward Gardevoir, as if piecing something together.
"(His emotions show confusion, slight irritation, but no signs of deliberate concealment.)"
Gardevoir relayed calmly to Chen Xiaoxiao through telepathy.
"Master Lin, are you aware that poaching operations may be active in Guancheng specifically targeting rare or endangered Pokémon?"
Chen Xiaoxiao was more direct this time.
"What?! You're saying Pokémon poachers are operating in our region?"
Lin's eyes widened as the implication sank in. A moment later, realization dawned he now understood why Gardevoir had returned from outside rather than being called from a Poké Ball.
Still, he found it strange that Chen Xiaoxiao had time for a gym challenge in the midst of such a serious issue.
"(Emotionally shocked. Rage is genuine. No signs of deception.)"
Gardevoir added.
"Phew... I'm sorry, Master Lin. The matter is critical, so I had to handle it with care."
Chen Xiaoxiao exhaled and apologized.
"I understand. Still, it's a serious oversight on our part if such criminal activity went unnoticed in Guancheng."
Lin nodded, visibly remorseful.
"Gardevoir tracked them just now. The group numbers over ten individuals. Their battle strength is still unknown. Please, Master Lin, help organize a team quietly. We must avoid alerting them they may relocate if they suspect we're coming."
Chen Xiaoxiao summarized what she knew and offered caution.
Lin nodded, grasping the urgency. Without involving city authorities, he summoned trusted mid-level personnel from the gym.
It was already nearing 5:00 PM closing time. No further challenges were scheduled. The acting Gym Leaders were called in, and minimal staff remained at the gym.
Chen Xiaoxiao observed the assembled group: over ten personnel, including Mina, the gym aide responsible for healing Lin's Pokémon.
"All set, Xiaoxiao. Please take the lead."
Lin turned to her, entrusting her with the next steps.
While the gym staff looked confused, none questioned the command well-trained discipline held firm.
"Gardevoir, take us there."
Chen Xiaoxiao instructed.
Gardevoir nodded and, using multiple Teleports, transported the team including Chen Xiaoxiao, Lin, and the gym staff to a rooftop near the suspected underground base.
The gym staff remained silent but their expressions showed shock and curiosity.
"(Xiaoxiao, it's directly below us.)"
Gardevoir pointed out the position telepathically.
"Master Lin, it's underground beneath that property."
Chen Xiaoxiao passed the message.
Simultaneously, she had Gardevoir scan the emotional signatures and intentions of each gym member present.
Once Gardevoir confirmed their trustworthiness, she instructed it to continue monitoring the area for any suspicious movement or attempted escapes during the operation.
Lin surveyed the structure below,it was a luxury villa with expansive land. He pulled up the Pokédex and accessed city records.
Within seconds, he identified the property owner. The villa had been purchased over three years ago. The listed owner had a criminal history gang-related offenses before acquiring the estate.
In the Pokémon world, due to the unpredictability of sudden wealth through high-value items like Nuggets or evolutionary stones, authorities often overlook minor prior records provided the financial source is traceable.
But as Lin cross-checked the ownership with utility records specifically the villa's astronomical electricity consumption he knew something was wrong.
He couldn't confirm if the owner was truly part of the operation, a puppet, or if the name was a front.
Forgery of identity in this world was no trivial matter many security systems were tied to Pokédex biometric verification.
Lin's thoughts darkened. He had only come to Guancheng after his father retired as League Champion two years ago. Was there a connection between the poachers and the previous Gym Leader?
"(Xiaoxiao, they're preparing to move. All the captured Pokémon are being gathered. It looks like they're preparing to flee.)"
Gardevoir warned.
Fleeing? That made no sense unless
Chen Xiaoxiao relayed the intel to Lin.
"There's a suspected poaching ring underneath that villa. Mina prepare to jam all signals in this vicinity. Xiaotian—coordinate the staff to surround the perimeter. If anyone tries to escape, neutralize immediately if needed."
Lin's voice was crisp and calm, issuing clear orders.
After a rapid summary of the situation, Lin handed his Pokédex to Mina the only woman on the team and likely his operations assistant.
In this world, unlike the traditional anime, Gym Leaders wield considerable power especially within their respective cities. Through secure League channels, a Gym Leader could commandeer certain city systems for emergencies and later file an incident report.
"Yes, Master Lin!"
The gym team responded in unison.
Their faces showed the weight of the moment. No one had expected the mission to involve criminal activity.
Mina began issuing signal blackout protocols via Lin's Pokédex. She handled it with practiced precision.
Meanwhile, acting Gym Leader Xiaotian swiftly organized the staff into designated formations to encircle the property.
Each of them summoned Flying-type Pokémon and took to the sky completing a wide, arcing approach toward the villa, ready to strike.
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