Chapter 517: Jupiter's Plan
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Canalave City – TG's Airship]
High above the steel bridges and bustling docks of Canalave City, an airship hung in the sky, its invisibility cloak shimmering with a faint, almost imperceptible distortion of light. Inside the cold, metallic belly of the vessel, the low hum of machinery provided a droning backdrop to the stark, functional interior….
Fluorescent lights cast a pale glow on the face of Team Galactic Commander Jupiter, her purple hair a defiant splash of color against the sterile backdrop. She stared intently at the holographic display in front of her…
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~Jupiter's POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Canalave City – TG's Airship]
My gaze was fixated on the holographic display hovering before me, projecting an image from Veilstone City a few days prior.
It was a grainy, yet disturbingly clear, photograph of a chaotic scene – a flash of blinding energy, a dangerous figure enveloped in a searing beam of light…
Azure Sky.
Saturn's report had been unequivocal: total cellular disruption, presumed dead. He'd even shown me the footage, the whoosh of the beam, the crackling distortion, the instantaneous disappearance.
The smirk I'd worn then had been one of satisfied vindication.
But then, yesterday. Cyrus. His voice, usually so devoid of emotion, had carried a faint tremor of… interest.
Azure Sky was alive…. Alive.
The thought still gnawed at my carefully constructed composure. I'd spent hours enhancing this image, zooming in on the fringes of the energy blast, searching for any anomaly, any clue…
*Tap-tap-tap*
My fingers danced over the console, the soft tap-tap-tap of my nails against the interface echoing in the quiet compartment. The screen whirred, and pixels sharpened, but the outcome remained the same: a flash, and then nothing.
How could anyone survive that?
It chafed at my pride. It made me question Saturn's competence, and by extension, my own judgment for believing him.
*Swooosh*
I swiped the image away, a flash of red light marking its dismissal. Another photo flickered into existence, a young woman with a determined gaze and refined features. Platinum Berlitz. I murmured, the name rolling off my tongue like a familiar tune, "The daughter of the Berlitz family…"
Saturn had been tasked with her kidnapping, a simple ransom job that had somehow devolved into a messy confrontation with Cyrus himself. The memory still soured and sweetened my mood.
The Berlitzes, renowned scholars, ancient money, father of the assistant to that old fool Professor Rowan. Currently, they were all in Canalave City, Rowan, for some conference, Berlitz presumably for cultural enrichment.
My gaze lingered on Platinum's face, then drifted to the intelligence report accompanying the photo. I scoffed, a dry, humorless sound that reverberated in the confined space, "Professional bodyguard hired to ensure the heiress's safety. Professional, indeed. If they were so professional, why is Mr. Berlitz still conducting business as usual without his darling daughter by his side? Why the lack of panic?"
It was unusual. Very unusual.
Conventional wisdom dictated that if a high-profile target's security detail went missing or was simply gone, the client would be in a frenzy. But Mr. Berlitz, according to our latest surveillance, seemed utterly undisturbed, attending conferences, meeting with associates, as if he didn't worry about the world.
It was a puzzle, a discordant note in the symphony of my otherwise meticulous planning. Perhaps…
… perhaps they'd simply vanished without a trace, leaving the Berlitz family unaware.
Or perhaps… perhaps Mr. Berlitz had underestimated us. Or perhaps, most tantalizingly, he had placed too much faith in his best bodyguard.
A slow, predatory smile stretched across my lips. I wanted to test this.
See what I could do about it. A little experiment. A little pressure.
Just to see if his composure would shatter like cheap glass. It would be an exquisite pleasure to watch it happen.
My mind began to churn, piecing together a scenario, a sequence of events. The gears of my intellect, cold and cruel, began to grind…
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~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Hearthome City]
The sun was high in the sky, painting the clouds with hues of orange and gold as Azure's group approached Hearthome City. The vibrant cityscape rose to meet them, a symphony of modern architecture and classic charm. The distant chime of the Hearthome Gym's battle arena mingled with the chatter of passersby…
*FWP*
*FWP*
With a synchronized descent that spoke of shared experience, Dragonite, Ryu, Branch, and Altaria landed gently in the designated Pokémon landing area near the city's heart. The ground beneath their feet, a mix of smooth pavement and manicured grass, felt solid and welcoming after hours in the air.
*Pop*
Azure announced, stretching his arms above his head, a faint pop echoing through his joints, "Right then, Hearthome City…!"
His eyes scanned the bustling street, a familiar and comforting sight. Azure then ordered the group, "Dia and I will handle the resupply. You two…"
He nodded towards Platinum and Pearl, adding, "… figure out the accommodations. Grand Hearthome Hotel, if they have space."
Diamond, ever-ready for a task, nodded with a slight hum and saluted, "Got it, Azure! We'll stock up on whatever you need for the journey ahead."
He patted his Munchlax, Lax, who was already eyeing a nearby street vendor with intense focus, "Munch! (Affirmative, senior chief-sama!)."
Pearl flashed a thumbs-up, happily agreed, "Consider it done! Platinum and I will find us the fanciest rooms this city has to offer. Maybe with a buffet!"
His Dragonair, Ryu, nudged him playfully, "Draaaa! (Yes! More food!)"
Platinum, adjusting herself, consulted a digital map on her Rotom Phone as she said, "I'll ensure we secure a suitable suite, Pearl. And I'll check for any available conference rooms, should we need to strategize."
Her Altaria preened its fluffy wings, enjoying the attention, "Altaaaa! (Hmph! As expected of you, my lady.)"
With their objectives clearly defined, the group split. Azure and Diamond, accompanied by their respective partners, Pikachu, Eevee, and Lax, headed towards the city's largest department store, a behemoth of glass and steel that promised every conceivable supply item they had.
They were a study in contrasts: Azure, efficient and focused, navigating the aisles with a practiced ease, and Diamond, meticulously checking every berry and potion's expiration date, occasionally getting distracted by a particularly tempting snack aisle. The low rumble of their conversation, the occasional pika-pika or eevee-eevee from their partners, was a small, unassuming sound against the backdrop of the city's hum.
Meanwhile, Platinum and Pearl made their way towards the magnificent Grand Hearthome Hotel, a towering structure that gleamed under the afternoon sun. Its polished brass doors and ornate facade spoke of luxury and prestige.
Pearl, already imagining the room service, bounced on the balls of his feet, while Platinum, ever the pragmatic planner, was already mentally budgeting for their stay, her mind running through itineraries and potential routes to Mt. Coronet.
They were a picture of contentment, completely unaware of the invisible threads of a sinister plot that were already being woven, miles away, above the industrial heart of Canalave City. They were unaware of the danger that was not just unfolding, but accelerating towards a critical point, set to erupt the very next day.
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~Jupiter's POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Next Day, Canalave City – Canalave Library]
The salty tang of the sea air, usually invigorating, did little to lift my mood. It was the next day, and I watched, concealed within the airship that hovered silently, as the first act of my little play began.
Canalave City was below, a puzzle of iron bridges and churning water. My target, Mr. Berlitz, emerged from the grand entrance of the Canalave Library, accompanied by the aging Professor Rowan.
Rowan boomed, his voice carrying clearly even from this height, thanks to our advanced audio surveillance, "Ah, a most stimulating conference, Mr. Berlitz. Perhaps some lunch at the hotel? I hear they have a delightful seafood bisque."
Mr. Berlitz, a neatly dressed man with an air of refined intellect, stopped abruptly. He gasped. A small, theatrical sound replied, "My dear Professor, I do apologize! I've quite forgotten my notes. A crucial document, I assure you. Must have left it in the main auditorium. You go ahead; I'll be but a moment."
Perfect, I thought, a thin smile gracing my lips. The bait was taken.
It was almost too easy.
*Thud*
I tracked Mr. Berlitz as he re-entered the library, the heavy oak doors closing with a dull thud. His footsteps, amplified by micro-sensors, echoed softly as he ascended the grand staircase...
*Creak-creak-creak*
Each step was a beat in my carefully orchestrated rhythm.
As he reached the landing, a shadowy figure detached itself from the gloom of an alcove. My Pokémon… Sableye.
*Wooosh*
Its eyes, usually mischievous, now glowed with an eerie, unsettling intensity in the dim light. The Pokémon held up a laminated photograph – Platinum.
A voice, synthesized and disembodied, hissed, emanating not from the Sableye, but from the air itself, carefully modulated to be just loud enough to startle, "Excuse me, sir..."
It was my voice, amplified and broadcast from my concealed position: "Is this your daughter in the photograph?"
Mr. Berlitz's brow furrowed, his composure momentarily faltering. He peered at the image, then at the Sableye, a flicker of confusion and unease crossing his features, replying, "Why, yes… she is. But… who are you? And why are you asking?"
I replied, my voice now taking on a sharper, more demanding edge, "A simple transaction, Mr. Berlitz… Your daughter has been taken into our custody. For her safe return, we require a sum of 1.5 billion dollars."
A gasp escaped Mr. Berlitz's lips, his face paling as he exclaimed, "One… one and a half billion?! This is preposterous! My daughter is protected by the finest bodyguards money can buy! I doubt anyone could break through their defenses!"
He puffed out his chest, attempting to regain his bearing, but a tremor in his voice betrayed his distress. My laughter, cold and sharp, filled the space, amplified and echoing around him: "Oh, really, Mr. Berlitz?"
I materialized then, stepping out from behind a large bookshelf, my form now visible. Sableye darted back to my side, joined by a Crobat, its leathery wings unfurling with a soft whoosh, its fangs glinting.
Mr. Berlitz was surrounded. The air grew heavy, thick with unspoken threats.
I challenged, my voice dripping with scorn, "I dare you, then, call them. Call your 'finest bodyguards.' For you see, our organization has already… taken care of them."
Mr. Berlitz's face contorted with a mixture of fear and fury. He fumbled for his Rotom Phone, his fingers trembling as he navigated to a speed dial…
*Click*
He pressed the contact, raising the device to his ear. The line rang…
*Beep-beep-beep*
And rang. No answer. A subtle click echoed through my wrist-mounted device, a faint, almost inaudible hum emanating from it.
It was a radio signal scrambler, precisely calibrated to block all outgoing and incoming calls to a specific set of frequencies – the ones registered to Mr. Berlitz's 'professional bodyguards.' His desperate calls were never going to reach their destination.
The line disconnected. Mr. Berlitz tried again, his movements more frantic now. Again, only the empty, mocking sound of a missed connection.
The color drained from his face, replaced by a sickening pallor. He whispered, his voice barely audible, "No… no, this can't be… They would never… they are loyal to my word! They would never abandon their client!"
His distress was genuine, raw, and utterly satisfying. I laughed again, a triumphant, chilling sound, "Loyalty is a fickle thing, Mr. Berlitz! Especially when faced with overwhelming power. Perhaps this will jog your memory."
*Click*
I tapped a button on my Rotom Phone, and a holographic video projected itself into the air between us. It was the footage from Veilstone City. The energy beam, the searing flash, the brilliant light enveloping Azure Sky, then the instantaneous disappearance, leaving nothing but shimmering air.
The sound was distorted, a crackling roar of raw power, followed by an unnerving silence. Mr. Berlitz's eyes widened, his jaw slackened, and the Rotom Phone slipped from his grasp, clattering to the marble floor with a sharp clink.
He stammered, his face a mask of genuine horror, "Th-that's… that's Azure!"
The man was practically shaking. He looked at me, then at the video, then back at me, his terror palpable.
He genuinely believed Azure was dead. This was excellent.
I knew Azure was alive, of course, but his clients clearly did not. He hadn't informed them. This was an unexpected, yet incredibly lucrative, opportunity…
A weapon I hadn't anticipated. The fear in Berlitz's eyes was priceless. I said, my voice smooth, almost soothing, "As you can see, Mr. Berlitz… your finest bodyguard proved to be… quite disposable. And the others? Well, let's just say they can no longer answer your calls…"
I lied with practiced ease, knowing the communication blackout was doing the heavy lifting for me, continuing, "Your daughter, however, is perfectly fine. For now. We are willing to release her, unharmed, if you comply with our request."
I extended a hand, gripping his arm with surprising strength. I repeated coldly, "Now, if you would be so kind, Mr. Berlitz, you'll come with me."
He was too stunned to resist, stumbling slightly as I began to lead him away, towards a hidden exit. He choked out, fear giving way to a desperate curiosity, "Who… who are you, people? To demand such a price? For what purpose?"
My smile returned, wider and more confident, and I muttered, "We are Team Galactic, Mr. Berlitz. And we are conducting the plans to create a new world."
The last part, the true vision of Cyrus, I kept to myself. The world for him, not for the likes of these petty humans…
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~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Next Day, Canalave City – Canalave Library]
Unaware of them, however, a figure had been walking around on patrol, a familiar presence in the industrial heart of Canalave…
*Clang-clanging*
Byron, the stalwart Gym Leader of Canalave City, strode along the steel walkways that spanned the city's canals, his heavy boots clang-clanging rhythmically against the metal. Six months ago, his son, Roark, the Gym Leader of Oreburgh, a keen observer with an almost alarming intellect, had reported a strange occurrence: mysterious figures, cloaked and murmuring, appearing and then vanishing from Canalave's shadows.
Team Galactic Grunts, though Roark hadn't known the name at the time. Byron had investigated, but the grunts eventually left without causing any overt trouble, returning to their usual nefarious activities elsewhere.
Still, Roark's sharp mind had instilled a healthy wariness in his father, and Byron, a man of routine and vigilance, had never let his guard down. He continued his patrols, a silent guardian of his city.
The salty air whipped around him, carrying the scent of seawater and steel. He was nearing the library, his route taking him past the grand building, when a faint murmur of voices caught his attention…
It wasn't the usual chatter of students or academics. Bryon's eyes hardened as he thought, 'This was… an interrogation.'
A woman's voice, sharp and commanding, followed by a man's distressed pleas. Byron slowed his pace, his large, calloused hand instinctively moving towards the Poké Ball at his belt…
He rounded a corner, his heavy footsteps muffled by a sudden hush, and saw them: Commander Jupiter, her purple hair a stark beacon, and Mr. Berlitz, pale and terrified, being led by her.
Jupiter was saying, her voice laced with triumph and a smug expression, "The money, Mr. Berlitz, will be used to construct the Galactic Bomb. You should be proud to have taken part in building a new world."
Mr. Berlitz cried, his voice cracking, "My daughter! Where is my daughter?!"
*CLANG*
Suddenly, a heavy metallic Clang! echoed the area. Just then, Byron stepped fully into view. His broad shoulders filled the corridor, his face etched with grim determination: "I thought I smelled something rotten in my city!"
Jupiter turned, her eyes narrowing. Standing at the top of the stairs was a man who looked like he was carved out of the very iron the city was famous for. Byron, the Canalave Gym Leader, stood with his signature shovel resting over one shoulder.
His cape billowed slightly in the draft of the alleyway. He rumbled, his voice like the grinding of tectonic plates, "I've been hearing rumors for months…"
*GROAN*
Byron growled, stepping forward. His heavy boots made the ground groan, "… My son Roark told me about strange characters lurking around 6 months ago. I've been keeping my eyes peeled. You…"
He pointed his shovel at Jupiter, growling in a disdainful tone, "… you're the one interrogating a guest in my city?!"
Jupiter's head snapped towards him, her triumphant expression instantly replaced by a scowl of annoyance. Her Crobat hissed, its fangs bared as she spat, "A meddling Gym Leader! How tiresome. This does not concern you, old man."
Byron retorted, his eyes narrowed, holding his shovel handle hard, "It concerns me when you threaten the citizens of my city! I demand you release Mr. Berlitz at once! Or I swear, I will fight you for your crimes!"
Before Jupiter could respond, Professor Rowan, having finished his own lunch at the hotel, returned to the library, wondering what was keeping Mr. Berlitz. He rounded the same corner, his eyes widening in surprise at the scene unfolding before him, and exclaimed, "Good heavens! Mr. Berlitz! Byron! What in the…?"
Jupiter wasted no time. A smirk, cold and fleeting, returned to her lips as she uttered, "Next time, Byron, perhaps you'll learn to mind your own business."
*Snap*
*Wooosh*
With a sharp command, her Crobat swooped low, its wings stirring a powerful gust of wind that sent dust and papers scattering across the floor. Jupiter vaulted onto its back with practiced agility.
As Crobat ascended, Jupiter reached into a pouch on her belt and hurled a small, metallic cube towards the ground. It spun through the air with a faint whizzing sound before landing with a soft thunk directly between Mr. Berlitz and Professor Rowan…
*Whirrrr-Click*
A pulse of blue light emanated from the cube, expanding rapidly into a shimmering, invisible barrier that instantly contained both men. They slammed against the unseen wall, cries of alarm escaping their lips.
Rowan demanded, slamming his fist against the energy wall, "What is this?"
*Thrummm*
The barrier didn't budge; it merely vibrated with a low-frequency hum that set their teeth on edge. Jupiter said, as Crobat grabbed her to flee, "A containment field. Designed to hold even the most stubborn of scholars. Don't worry, Mr. Berlitz. Your 1.5 billion dollars is already being processed through your family's emergency accounts. The 'kidnapping' was a necessary fiction to ensure your cooperation."
She looked back at the trapped men, her smile cold and triumphant. Jupiter declared, her voice echoing one last time, filled with victorious malice, "My mission is complete. Enjoy your new 'world,' gentlemen."
*WOOOSH*
With a final, chilling laugh that seemed to reverberate through the very foundations of the area, Crobat carried her swiftly towards an open window and disappeared into the sky, leaving behind a bewildered Gym Leader, two trapped scholars, and the unsettling hum of a newly activated force field.
The airship, a shadow even to the sharpest eyes, powered its engines invisibly, departing Canalave City with its lucrative prize…
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A/N: Hope you like the chapter!