Aoki changed back into his League attire, summoned Slowking, and used Teleport to vanish instantly.
He reappeared in an unfamiliar forest, then summoned his Flygon and flew toward Lumiose City.
Having spent an entire day at Team Flare's base, most of his ti had been dedicated to their computer systems. The system contained all their data, including an installed subsystem. This information alone would take the system considerable ti to process fully.
Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center in Lumiose City, Aoki found Lance waiting for him.
"Didn't you say it would take two days? You're early," Lance remarked, surprised.
"Were you worried about waiting too long?" Aoki chuckled, patting his shoulder.
The two submitted several previously accepted investigation missions at the Pokémon Center. Lance also specifically requested a difficulty upgrade for their mission involving the protection of the Shalour City Tower of Mastery. Though both were still senior investigators, they had faced Champion-level opponents—a threat typically reserved for chief investigators. Increasing the mission's difficulty would yield greater reward points.
Aoki agreed readily. The League's exchange list included valuable items he needed: Aura materials for repairing Riolu's egg and rare TMs like Swords Dance and Hyper Beam. While scarce on the market, the League maintained ample stock—but accessing them required sufficient clearance.
"That's everything. Once we finish the last mission, we can return," Lance said, closing his laptop and leaning back in his chair.
Aoki mirrored his posture. "No rest for us. Let's handle it tonight—it'll be easier under cover of darkness."
Their final task was investigating the Lysandre Labs. The mission didn't demand exhaustive scrutiny but required a risk assessnt for the League. In truth, the League monitored all regional underground factions, assigning danger ratings to prioritize threats.
"My preliminary investigation is done. A few areas were blocked before, but with your help, we should get through," Lance said, standing. "Overall, the lab's research appears within legal bounds, but their ties to Team Rocket warrant scrutiny. Tonight will confirm the rest."
Aoki sighed. "Then let's move."
From Team Flare's data, Aoki had learned they possessed several ga Stones for research—but these weren't stored on-site. Lysandre kept them personally, having discovered an unidentified energy within the stones. Harnessing it had beco his focus, aning Aoki wouldn't find the stones at the lab.
Still, he hadn't yet tested the two ga Stones obtained from the Tower of Mastery. Their compatibility remained a mystery—one he'd solve upon returning to Hoenn. Even if his Pokémon could ga Evolve now, revealing it prematurely was unwise; it would remain a hidden trump card.
Donning stealth gear, they infiltrated Lysandre Labs. Lance moved with practiced precision, suggesting frequent experience in such operations. Their combined skills let them breach secured zones swiftly—though not without force.
Lance summoned his Charizard, while Aoki sent out Drapion. Neither could risk using their signature Pokémon, as recognition would compromise the mission. Despite its shadowy dealings, Lysandre Labs was still a League-sanctioned facility. Exposure would damage the League's reputation, especially with their foothold in Kalos still tenuous.
As their Pokémon took positions, alarms blared through the lab. Aoki's system tracked communicator signals, confirming Lysandre's absence—he was at Team Flare's hidden base, watching their invasion via live feed.
Ironically, Aoki was also observing his own live feed through the system. The surreal experience of watching himself, oblivious to the surveillance, bordered on absurd.
The system silently activated the base's security caras, recording audio from the feed Team Flare viewed. It was eavesdropping in reverse—a counter-surveillance feat.
"Sir, is this really acceptable? Letting them ransack the lab?" The voice belonged to Celosia, her tone sharp with concern.
"If we don't let them 'discover' sothing, the League will intensify scrutiny. Feeding them controlled intel reduces future surveillance," Lysandre replied calmly.
"Understood."
Their conversation clarified everything: tonight's obstacles would be minimal, if any. Any resistance would be performative. The mission could be completed without escalation.
True to form, their progress faced only token interference. Lab personnel engaged them halfheartedly, easily dispatched by Lance and Aoki. They reached the central server room unimpeded.
"This was too easy," Lance muttered, eyeing the consoles. "Last ti, two Champion-tier trainers and a small army blocked . Today? Nothing. Sothing's off."
As a seasoned investigator, Lance had completed hundreds of missions. His instincts scread caution.
anwhile, in Team Flare's war room:
"Don't overthink it, Aliana. You're up." Lysandre spoke into his comm.
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