Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect-Chapter 271: A Smooth Criminal

(A/N: New Patreon DJ! The crowd goes wild... for another Chapter drop!)

At 9:13 AM, a special plane carrying the Pokemon investigators landed at the Trainer Association's headquarters in Prairie City.

John stepped off the aircraft, greeted by a familiar face.

"John!"

"Zachary!"

The two bumped fists, exchanging a quick nod.

"Welcome aboard," Zachary said, motioning for John to follow him. "I hope you're ready for this."

"Of course. I appreciate the opportunity," John replied.

"No worries. Our teacher made it clear, you'll be sticking with me from now on."

John followed Zachary into the building, with Mira trailing closely behind. As investigators, they operated under the Trainer Association's jurisdiction, but their division remained hidden from the public.

Zachary led them through the association's bustling halls before taking a turn into a secluded backyard. There, he opened a disguised door, pulling a concealed lever. The ground rumbled slightly as a passage revealed itself, descending underground.

"Now this feels like real investigator work," John muttered as they stepped inside.

Zachary chuckled. "I had the same reaction my first time here." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

John's phone buzzed with a message from Mira. He glanced at the screen.

Shiny is mine: Same here.

He shot her a look, but she simply pocketed her phone and pulled out a notebook and pen.

"Once we enter, all wireless signals are blocked," Zachary warned.

John sighed. "Figures."

The underground base was well-lit, with investigators in black tactical gear bustling about. Some adjusted their Pokemon's contest conditions, others prepped supplies, and a handful stood at attention as a commanding voice filled the hall.

"Lock on to your targets! Once we strike, we move fast and leave nothing unfinished!"

A young man was addressing a squad of twenty investigators, his sharp gaze scanning them.

"If anything seems off, report immediately! Otherwise, wait for my command! No solo actions!"

"Yes, sir!" the group responded in unison.

"Dismissed!"

As the investigators dispersed, Zachary gestured for John and Mira to follow him to the young man.

"John, meet Carter, one of the top investigators in the region. You can call him Commander Carter."

John extended a hand. "An honor, sir."

Carter shook it firmly. "I know of you, John. Your name has been all over the news lately."

His attention shifted to Mira. "And you are?"

"Mira," Zachary answered for her. "A new recruit. She'll be joining my team for this mission."

Carter nodded. "We'll go over everything at the briefing later."

With that, he turned and walked off, wasting no time in pleasantries.

"Commander Carter doesn't mince words," Zachary remarked as they proceeded to another section of the base. "He's all about efficiency. Don't waste his time."

John glanced at Mira. "That won't be a problem. She barely speaks."

Zachary led them to the war department's office, where a handful of officers worked diligently. Their arrival caused no distractions, everyone remained focused.

Finding an open table, Zachary retrieved a folder and spread out its contents. A clerk placed three cups of steaming water in front of them before leaving them to their discussion.

"Our target is the Asuka Group," Zachary began. "They specialize in looting ancient ruins under the guise of archaeology. They've pulled off multiple illegal excavations across the region, including two in the Grassland Republic and one in our own country. The most recent case here was particularly severe."

John listened intently as Zachary continued.

"Last year, they infiltrated the Forest of Abundance, posing as members of an archaeological association. They raided ruins linked to the ancient Comet Civilization and stole a legendary artifact, the Sleeping Cocoon of Jirachi, a Pokemon said to grant wishes."

John stiffened. The Sleeping Cocoon?

His heart pounded as a realization struck him, he had the Sleeping Cocoon.

Wait... does this mean the Asuka Group is after me?

He suddenly felt like the villain in his own story.

"Something wrong?" Zachary asked, noticing his expression.

John quickly composed himself. "No, just surprised. The Asuka Group really aims high."

"That's not all," Zachary said, his tone darkening. "When their cover was blown, they clashed with the real archaeologists. Two were killed, along with all of their Pokemon."

John's eyes widened. Killed?

Memories flooded back, he had encountered so-called archaeologists at the ruins, but they had seemed... off.

Could they have been Asuka members in disguise?

It made too much sense. No legitimate archaeologist would drill through walls with a giant excavation rig.

He leaned back in his chair, thinking. 'Good thing I got to the Sleeping Cocoon first. Otherwise, it'd be in their hands right now.'

Zachary pressed on. "Our mission is clear, capture the Asuka Group before they leave Draconia and recover the Sleeping Cocoon. If they resist, we're authorized to take them down."

He met their gazes. "Understood?"

"Understood," John said firmly.

Mira nodded vigorously.

"Good. Rest up for now. We move when the order comes."

Zachary's eyes flicked to John. "And get yourself into a proper investigator uniform."