Chapter 47: Rescue
Victor rode on Dragonite, leading the way. At this moment, they soared high in the sky, avoiding a direct route over the sea.
Since the poachers had chosen the sea as their escape route, there were only three possible means of movement: by air, on the water, or underwater.
Ahead lay the boundary waters between the United Alliance and the Zephyria Kingdom Alliance. Based on Victor's analysis, it was unlikely that the poachers would opt for an aerial route. Escaping with stolen Pokémon would make them conspicuous, and crossing the border in such an overt manner would draw too much attention.
Instead, the poachers would likely choose the water route. To hide the presence of the rare Pokémon, they would probably disguise themselves as fishing boats or merchant ships.
The oceans of this world were teeming with Pokémon, many of them extremely powerful. Because of this, the enforcement of maritime borders between nations had weakened compared to the pre-transmigration era, making it easier for poachers to slip across unseen.
To avoid alerting the poachers and risking harm to the captured Pokémon, Victor decided to approach from high altitude. Gardevoir and Alakazam would then lead the infiltration of the area where the Pokémon were held.
Following the direction indicated by the imprint at full speed, they soon reached the location. Victor felt the resonance of the imprint directly below them.
He directed Dragonite to descend, stopping at an altitude low enough to sense the presence of the poachers using Aura, but high enough to avoid detection. Closing his eyes, Victor focused, extending his Aura to survey the area below.
There were two people on the boat below, both dressed as fishermen—one short and the other burly, both men.
Victor couldn't detect any guard Pokémon in the area, but he couldn't rule out the possibility of invisible Ghost-type Pokémon. However, it seemed more likely that the two hadn't released their Pokémon to maintain their disguise as fishermen.
"In that case..." After completing his investigation, Victor opened his eyes and began devising a rescue plan.
Alakazam would teleport him directly into the empty cabin. Meanwhile, Gardevoir would conceal itself and keep watch from above, ready to relay information.
As for Dragonite, Salamence, and Garchomp, they would remain on standby at high altitude. Once Victor gave the signal, they would descend and overpower the two poachers.
With the plan finalized, Victor quickly explained the details to his five Pokémon.
"Alright, Alakazam, it's up to you now. Teleport us!" Victor instructed.
He jumped off Dragonite's back, but before he could experience the sensation of free fall, Alakazam's psychic energy enveloped him, stabilizing his descent.
As they reached the designated position, Alakazam's psychic power distorted space, and in the blink of an eye, they teleported.
Victor's vision adjusted as he took in the musty smell of damp wood. They had arrived inside the cabin.
Scanning the area, Victor moved cautiously to a corner. The cabin appeared to be stocked with various seafood, reinforcing the illusion of a legitimate fishing boat heading to the Zephyria Kingdom Alliance for trade. However, Victor knew this was merely a facade.
Using his Aura, Victor detected another layer of space beneath the cabin. A concealed passageway lay hidden in the corner ahead.
Victor extended his Aura and combined it with Alakazam's psychic abilities to investigate further.
Under their joint probing, he quickly discovered a hidden switch embedded in the cabin wall. He directed Alakazam to use its psychic power to gently remove the panel, revealing a red, old-fashioned push-button switch.
Judging by its design, the switch likely lacked alarm or communication functions.
With a faint unlocking sound, a secret hatch opened in the floor, just large enough for an adult to pass through.
Victor didn't descend immediately. He scanned the lower area with his Aura again to ensure there were no hidden guards. Once certain it was clear, he prepared to head down.
Before descending, Victor instructed Alakazam to remain in the cabin and keep watch in case the poachers returned unexpectedly.
Climbing down the ladder, Victor found himself in a narrow mezzanine. Using his Aura, he could sense several young Pokémon nearby.
Switching on a light, Victor saw seven Pokémon locked inside an iron cage that occupied most of the space. But one of the Pokémon caught his attention—it looked oddly familiar.
Victor's gaze locked onto a Feebas. Could it be the same one he had encountered in the cave during that rainy day with carbink and Incineroar?
Curious, Victor opened the system panel. Sure enough, the Aura matched perfectly—it was the same Feebas.
Besides the Feebas, the cage also held a Dratini, Bagon, Gible, Abra, Ralts, and Hatenna.
Even including the Feebas, all the Pokémon in the cage were rare and had full potential.
Combined with the group captured earlier by Latios and Latias, Victor was certain these incidents were linked to the evil criminal organization his father had mentioned.
Victor's heart ached as he looked at the young Pokémon huddled together in fear. At their age, they should have been carefree, playing under their parents' care. Instead, they were locked in a dark, cramped space, facing the terror of the unknown.
He gently released waves of goodwill through his Aura, hoping to calm them and earn their trust.
Among the seven Pokémon, the Feebas had the strongest reaction. Lying flat in the cage like a lifeless fish, it suddenly sprang up, its dull eyes lighting up with recognition.
"Isn't this the human from the cave where I hid from the rain?!"
"Feebas, I was asked by Latios and Latias to rescue you," Victor said sincerely, crouching to meet the Pokémon's eyes.
From what he understood, the Pokémon cared for by Latios and Latias were likely Feebas and the offspring of other Pokémon from the island.
"I can sense the presence of my siblings in you," Feebas replied, its eyes filled with trust.
Victor seized the moment to reassure Feebas and ask for its help in calming the other Pokémon.
An idea formed in Victor's mind for safely getting the Pokémon out. He retrieved a Luxury Ball and released Carbink from it. Turning to Feebas, he explained, "This is a tool called a Poké Ball. It can keep you safe inside."
Victor carefully detailed the Poké Ball's purpose and function. After his explanation, Feebas understood the plan: enter the Poké Ball, escape the ship with Alakazam's teleportation, and finally subdue the poachers outside.
With Feebas' cooperation, the frightened young Pokémon, though timid, were willing to follow Victor's instructions.
"Carbink, cut an opening in the cage so they can get out—but do it quietly."
"Na na!" [Got it!]
Carbink controlled its rocky energy, forming a sharp blade. With one swift stroke, it sliced through the iron bars, creating a silent opening large enough for the Pokémon to pass.
Victor placed seven Poké Balls on the ground and motioned for the young Pokémon to enter. One by one, the Dratini, Bagon, Gible, Abra, Ralts, and Hatenna willingly entered the Poké Balls.
Finally, Victor turned to Feebas, still lying in the cage.
"Don't forget me!" Feebas signaled, though its aquatic nature made it unable to move freely on land.
Victor walked over, crouched by the cage, and gently placed the Poké Ball on Feebas' head. A flash of red light enveloped it, and Feebas disappeared into the Poké Ball.
With the young Pokémon safely secured, Victor felt a wave of relief. Now, it was time to deal with the poachers outside.