Pokémon: The Renegade Trainer

Cynthia and Harry found themselves before a big manor that screamed 'Haunted' just from its appearance.

Lying just outside the front door was a man, half-alive and out of energy.

They immediately took action and saved the poor soul and rested him somewhere safe.

"Hey, that guy is--"

"Shh. He's trying to say something" Cynthia signalled with her index on her lips.

"Maguro... Iizumi... Please... Save them--"

The man fainted mid sentence. Silence ensued between the young trainers as they processed this situation.

'It's that trainer's name again...'

Cynthia mused, but said something else. "We're gonna head to Eterna city first. Then, we will return here with reinforcements."

"There are still people inside. We can't just leave them alone." Argued Harry.

"There will be more people trapped inside if we try playing the hero. We don't even know what we're up against.

"However, we can still save this man's life and inform the league about this manor if we run to Eterna."

The scarfed trainer submitted meekly and followed Cynthia's lead.

Unknown to the group, a Gengar was eyeing them run away from the mansion. With a chuckle, it thought to itself.

'Have fun, Maguro. Ke ke ke!'

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30 minutes later...

"No way! They already left Eterna city?!"

Despite now being fully healed by nurse Joy, Ruiz was pale in disbelief.

Before him was his superior, "Yeah. And just between us, the Old Chateau has been responsible for a lot more missing cases that it's an unspoken rule to step foot in there.

"But the league hasn't taken action to exorcise the place. It's a good spot for catching Ghost types after all. Not to mention that no one has filed for a report yet."

"So, what level are the Pokémon that live there?" It was Cynthia, who is seated to the ranger's right, who asked.

"Usually Intermediate to Advanced rank and they become stronger during the night."

She frowned, "Then there clearly is an abnormality as Ruiz mentioned an encounter with Elite Rank Gengar."

"Also, the trainer named Maguro..."

"He was strong. I've never seen Pokémon grow so fast in just a battle." Ruiz turned to Cynthia,

"You guys are the same age, right? What's he like?"

"Well, he scammed me once. But he gave me a useful item the next encounter." She showed her soothe bell.

"If you're still doubtful, then know that I've already appraised this. It's a High-grade Soothe Bell without a doubt.

"Maguro is an enigma who appeared out of nowhere and took first place in the trainer's qualifiers exam. He's an unpredictable guy who rivals my talent as a trainer.

"But whoever he may be, it's important that we find him and get some answers."

"I agree. He has Iizumi with him."

The sheriff scanner through some documents, "Today, Maguro passed through the southern gate. He isn't too far away."

""Thank you sheriff!""

After expressing their gratitude, Cynthia and Ruiz walked outside the station where they met up with Harry.

"We're going to route 206 to find the truth about Ruiz. How about you?"

"Since his companions are fine, I think I'll challenge the gym for my first badge."

Cynthia nodded. "I see. Best of luck to you, Harry."

A blush was slightly visible on Harry's face as he fidgeted his fingers.

"I-I'll go on ahead now... Thanks, Cynthia."

They parted ways with the scarfed trainer darting off to the gym while Cynthia and Ruiz got on their bikes...

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Present, route 206...

"Cawww! Caw!" (I led them to route 207 as you commanded.)

"Well done, bud."

"Caw! Caww! Caw!" (We're not in the clear yet, however. We can't afford to let our guards down.)

The sun was gradually sinking when Murkrow returned to their temporary camp.

Both Maguro and Iizumi understood its words.

"Murkrow's right. We're most likely gonna have to face them since we're headed to Oreburgh city."

"Mhm."

"You two can understand Pokémon?" It was Gardenia who spoke up this time, curious about her companions.

"Yeah."

"How'd you do that?"

"We're fro--"

"It's a trick you'll learn when you eventually become a trainer."

Covering Iizumi's mouth, the boy lied to the child before whispering to the green-haired girl.

"Don't tell her that. You're gonna get us killed."

"That's what I tell everyone who asks me in my journey, they won't mind. Plus, it's Gardenia. We can trust her."

"The last time I spilled out my secrets to a kid, I almost got skinned alive by my father."

Their private conversation, or argument, went on for a bit until Gardenia snapped them out of their bantering.

"It's alright if you won't tell me the truth. You guys don't have to argue for me."

There was a tint of sadness when Gardenia said those words.

"Gardenia, wait."

She started walking away as they all fell silent, awfully so. Then, out of the blue...

A figure snatched the child from the shadows. It was so fast and had already taken its target when Maguro noticed it.

"Murkrow, after it!"

He commanded while simultaneously taking out the rest of his Pokémon. It glided swiy through the trees, using [Pursuit] to lock onto it's target.

"It's a fucking ambush! Fight back!" He shouted at Iizumi and the rest of his team.

"[Hyper beam]!"

'Shit. This is why I prefer travelling alone.' 

Maguro's eyes were brimming with frustration. If he wasn't preoccupied, he could've easily seen this attack coming.

But alas, there was nothing he could do but try to retrieve the kid now. That is, if they survived this assault.

"Mareanie, [Protect] everyone!"

Iizumi's Pokémon, Munna and Bronzor, were also quick to respond and a triangle of green shields absorbed the brunt of the high-energy beams.

Luckily, their defenses were strong enough to shield the gang until Maguro could retreat them back to their Pokéballs.

Most of his team were sitting ducks in this situation after all.

"Gyarados, get in there and [Waterfall]!"

Unfortunately for him, the enemies have already withdrawn and left the scene. There was nothing behind the foliage.

"Shit. We've been had, Murkrow..."

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Meanwhile...

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Giggled a sinister voice. Anyone would've easily mistaken this man for a mad scientist if he wore a lab coat.

"See, told ya this Murkrow's nothing if you have those Insect charms on. Though we were also lucky to not have been swarmed by Beedrill. Jeheha!"

Caught by a net was Maguro's Murkrow. A pair of Houndour stepped on both its wings.

On the side was Gardenia tied to a rope. Most of the grunts and their Pokémon were guarding the kid.

"It's time to go meet the boss!"

""Yeah!""

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[TO BE CONTINUED]