The damp air of the tunnel clung to Ashwin's skin as he crept along the winding path, deeper into the smuggler's den. His breath was slow, measured—every step calculated. Behind him, Galarian Zigzagoon moved like a whisper, its body low, nose twitching as it searched for signs of danger.
To the left, Woobat hovered silently, eyes glowing faintly as it mapped out the passage with echolocation.
Ashwin reached a bend and signaled a halt. Before him, the path split—one direction reeking of chemicals and damp fur, the other silent but colder.
He tapped the wall once, whispering, "Which one, buddy?"
Zigzagoon's ears perked. The striped rodent crept toward the left path and sniffed. Then, it turned to Ashwin and gave a nod-like motion—there were Pokémon up ahead.
Ashwin gripped his gloved hands together and whispered, "Time to do what we came here for."
[System Notice – Sub-Quest: Smuggled Pokémon Rescue (Phase 2)]
Status: ActiveObjectives:• Locate and Rescue Minimum 5 Pokémon [In Progress: 1/5]• Remain Undetected• Optional: Gather Intelligence on Smuggler Boss• Optional: Extract Additional Supplies or Intel
Emergency Escape Enabled – Breeder's Grotto [Hidden Sanctuary]
Condition: 3 seconds of direct contact with Target Pokémon while Ashwin is conscious.Result: Instant System Recall to Safe Zone.Limitations: Pokémon Only – No Objects or People.
Ashwin's boots pressed against the stone carefully as he rounded the corner. A soft glow lit the room ahead—lanterns and energy monitors blinked against the walls, casting long shadows on the cages and containment pods.
He crouched behind a crate. His heart sank.
Over a dozen Pokémon were here—each locked away or sedated. The crates weren't standard Pokéball storage either; these were heavily reinforced, likely stolen tech from black market dealers.
He took in each of them:
A frightened Ralts, trying to remain invisible in the corner of a cage.
A bruised Snubbull, chained with a suppression collar.
A limp Axew, unconscious in a pod.
A Growlithe (Hisuian), clearly sedated, but its fiery pelt shimmered even under the dim lights.
And three regional starters—Chikorita, Torchic, and Froakie, all injured and in stasis bubbles.
"Monsters…" Ashwin whispered, fingers tightening into fists.
But there was no time for anger. Action was needed.
He reached toward the Growlithe's pod and pressed his hand gently on the metal surface.
[Teleportation Lock Initiated – Growlithe (Hisuian)]
Countdown: 3… 2… 1…Transfer Successful!Pokémon safely stored in Breeder's Grotto Recovery Chamber.
A soft pulse of blue light shimmered around the pod before it blinked out of existence. In the secret sanctuary beneath Ashwin's farmhouse, the Growlithe was now resting within the moss-lined chamber, surrounded by healing crystals and calming incense.
Ashwin exhaled slowly. One down.
Zigzagoon gave a quiet warning growl—someone was coming.
Ashwin ducked back and pressed against the crates, barely breathing.
Two smugglers passed through the far side of the chamber, laughing quietly to themselves.
"Boss says we offload the batch by the end of the week," one grunted.
"The league doesn't know crap. These rarities? We'll be rich."
They disappeared into another hall, unaware of the silent threat now within their base.
Ashwin nodded to himself and whispered to his Pokémon, "Let's keep going. One by one. We're getting them out."
Rescue Operation Timeline – Partial Log
→ Snubbull: Transferred→ Ralts: Transferred→ Torchic: Transferred→ Axew: Attempted – System Blocked [Health Critical – Requires Stabilization First]→ Froakie: Transferred→ Chikorita: Transferred
Each transfer was intense—3 seconds of exposure, then a silent shimmer as the Pokémon vanished into the safety of the Grotto. Ashwin's back ached from the crawling and crouching, but his spirit surged stronger with every life saved.
And yet, with every step deeper into the den, the pressure rose.
Because he hadn't yet reached the Boss.
In a final chamber, guarded by dense vines and sealed doors, he sensed it.
Something more… sinister.
A pulsing red light, a strange hum, and what seemed like dozens of dark silhouettes chained in the shadows.
He retreated for now. It was too risky to push further without a plan.
[System Alert – Optional Objective Complete]
Minimum Pokémon RescuedSmuggler Den Map: 75% SurveyedBoss Area Identified – Access Level: DangerousNew Questline Unlocked: "Break the Chain – Liberate All"
As Ashwin and his team slinked out the way they came, unseen and unheard, a soft ping echoed in his mind.
They were safe. The Pokémon were safe.
But war was coming.
Ashwin had struck the hornet's nest.
And next time, he wouldn't be sneaking.
He'd be leading.