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Arriving at the stone forest.
Even more cats and some non-feline Pokémon were gathered here, but without exception, they were all members of the Iron Cats Gang.
"Quite a variety."
Incineroar glanced around and noticed that aside from its own species, almost all types of feline Pokémon were present here.
Scattered about, they occupied a large area, playing and roughhousing, creating quite a lively scene.
Of course, some were also provoking the rival Savage Hounds Gang.
"They're really gone, huh. Those guys probably went back."
Riolu looked toward the Savage Hounds Gang's area. There were Houndoom and Arcanine, but clearly not Abigail's two.
Weavile and Honchkrow were also missing.
"Looks like there are still three hours until morning training. No sleep for us now." Greninja was more concerned about its sleep.
"You can sleep now. I'll wake you when we leave."
Riolu suggested.
"Really? That's great!"
Upon hearing this, Greninja didn't hesitate at all. It turned and went to find a tree to sleep under.
Since there was no fighting, listening to these cats chatter wasn't interesting anyway.
Riolu called out from behind, "Remember to turn off your Concealment!"
"Got it!" Greninja responded.
Meanwhile, Luxray led Incineroar to the center, the gathering spot for the group's officers.
"Please, sit."
It said, then roared toward the back, "Bring out the refreshments!"
Some cats acknowledged, and soon several gray-furred Alolan Meowth and regular Meowth came running over, carrying piles of Berries, plants, and other items.
"Hey! You guys have catnip lollipops too?"
Incineroar spotted a stick-like object on the ground, its eyes lighting up as it picked it up.
"Please help yourself."
Luxray gestured very human-like with its paw.
But Incineroar didn't eat it. Li Xiang didn't allow it to eat things randomly. It put the lollipop down and glanced at Riolu, who was standing amidst the crowd of cats, frowning and unsure whether to approach.
"Hey, shorty! Get over here! What are you waiting for?"
Incineroar shouted.
Riolu then walked over and sat down next to Incineroar, forcing itself to ignore the surrounding scrutinizing gazes.
"Apologies. They're used to fighting with the Savage Hounds; it's subconscious." Unlike other cats, Luxray didn't hold grudges against all dogs and even managed to smile at Riolu.
"It's fine. No, thank you."
Riolu shook its head, declining a Berry offered by a nearby Zangoose.
"You two are probably Pokémon belonging to students from the neighboring school, right?"
Luxray looked at the cat and dog, proactively explaining, "You both carry a very strong scent of human society."
Incineroar had initially wanted to hide this, but upon hearing this, it sniffed its own scent.
Having never lived in the wild since childhood, how could it understand what was a human scent and what wasn't?
Riolu, however, could tell, so they admitted it.
"So, what exactly is this Iron Cats Gang? A hidden Pokémon mafia in the city? I heard you have a lot of influence and often get into gang fights?"
Incineroar scanned the area, noticing two Glameow batting their eyelashes at it, and it twitched its mouth.
'Sis, I'm still a kid, not in my growth period. No matter how much you blink, it's useless.'
"Mafia? No, no, no. How could you think that... your information source must be incorrect."
Luxray was stunned upon hearing the term and promptly denied it. "We are a legitimate organization under the Mist City Conservation Base, uniformly managed by the Director Grandpa, responsible for regulating and restraining wild Pokémon inside and outside the city!"
Legitimate organization?
Incineroar was slightly taken aback. "What about the Savage Hounds then?"
"Although I hate to admit it, they are the same. Both are legitimate organizations." Luxray replied.
"Legitimate organizations with names like 'Gang,' 'Group,' and 'Faction'! Are you messing with me?"
Incineroar felt something was off and dissatisfiedly slapped the ground. "And a dozen legitimate organizations? You guys were brawling before!"
Luxray forced a smile and said, "Relax, relax. I think you've misunderstood something. Isn't it normal for Pokémon to brawl? Humans fight all the time too. People are fighting over there right now. It's just the difference between one-on-one and group fights."
"Then what's the deal with you having eight or nine different organizations?"
"Having multiple organizations is even more normal. We're not all the same species. How can we work together without a sense of belonging? Plus, there are so many of us. Splitting into smaller groups makes management easier."
Luxray argued with conviction.
But Incineroar had a sense of déjà vu, as if a street gang had transformed into a legitimate security company, even receiving government support.
Its already far-fetched dreams shattered completely.
Beside it, Riolu's corner of its mouth twitched uncontrollably, unable to suppress the smile on its face.
It knew that a certain big cat's wish to become a mafia godfather was completely gone, never to return.
"Is your 'Director Grandpa' the head of the conservation base?"
The dog didn't pay attention to Incineroar's gloomy expression and proactively asked.
"Oh? How did you know?"
Luxray looked over. "Do you know him? Have you heard of him?"
"Something like that."
Riolu was vague, not revealing Li Xiang's information.
They asked a few more questions, basically figuring out the situation with these "gangs."
To put it simply, these Pokémon were "civil servants" or "city management" who received a "salary" from the conservation base and worked to manage wild Pokémon, ensuring urban harmony.
They had nothing to do with the imagined gangs that divided territory, collected protection fees, and fought from one street to another every day.
Although there were occasional frictions, those were internal conflicts among Pokémon. They usually didn't escalate too much and were resolved within this arena.
The last large-scale brawl was already a very major incident.
The price paid was severe enough. After all, the leaders and main members were captured and had to do hard labor every day.
"Our Iron Cats Gang has several decades of history. From the founding of the Mist City Conservation Base, the initial leader, now an elder, led its continuous growth."
Luxray narrated the history of the Iron Cats Gang.
Why was it called the Iron Cats Gang?
Because initially, the members were a group of Galarian Meowth imported and then heartlessly abandoned, forced to live on the streets.
They were bullied by local Meowth, living a miserable life.
Fortunately, the now-elderly Director, who was young at the time, appeared. He brought conservation officers to rescue them, providing food and shelter.
To repay the Director, the Galarian Meowth, along with the Director's Mightyena, respectively founded the Iron Cats Gang and the Savage Hounds Gang—the two earliest wild Pokémon management organizations.
Later, after years of effort and recruitment, coupled with the continuous work of humans and Pokémon, the then chaotic city of Mist, where wild Pokémon ran rampant, was regulated to its current state.
It could be said that Mist City's prosperity today was definitely not the achievement of humans or Pokémon alone.
It was a mutually beneficial, win-win situation.
"The current leader is the fourth-generation leader, the grandson of the first leader. The old-timers have already retired."
Luxray's voice held a tinge of melancholy. "Director Grandpa is also getting old, his health gradually declining. He probably won't last much longer and will step down sooner or later."
Incineroar and Riolu exchanged glances, inexplicably sensing an impending storm.
After all, it was just mentioned that Director Grandpa unified the management.
If Director Grandpa steps down, who knows who will replace him.
"And over at the Savage Hounds Gang, the current leader, Zoroark, is an ambitious fellow. It wants to unify the entire wild Pokémon circle in Mist City, becoming the king of kings."
Luxray's voice gradually lowered. "Over the years, it has also been constantly recruiting followers.
"You also know that Houndoom and Arcanine from earlier. They're strong, its capable lieutenants.
"More importantly, it has support from conservation officers."
'Support from conservation officers!'
Riolu couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying that the previous brawl was actually sanctioned?"
"Pretty much."
Luxray nodded its large head, its cute round ears twitching. "That person is Director Grandpa's grandson, named Li Mingxuan.
"He seems very dissatisfied with the current fragmented environment. He wants to merge us into a single entity and has argued with Director Grandpa many times. The Savage Hounds Gang's arrogance is backed by him."
'Huh? Li Xiang's family name?'
'And, are we watching some melodramatic family drama?'
"So, are you going to keep fighting?"
Incineroar couldn't help but say, "From what you're saying, the Savage Hounds Gang's wicked intentions won't die."
"They certainly won't give up. But barring any accidents, large-scale conflicts probably won't happen again."
Luxray shook its head, then extended its cat paw, pointing toward the constantly rumbling platform in the distance where Pokémon were battling. "They'll probably use that to settle grievances. Resolving feuds in the arena has been a set rule for decades."
Humans have human rules; Pokémon have Pokémon rules.
"Sorry, I rambled on about irrelevant things."
Luxray seemed to realize it had said some unnecessary things and shyly licked its paw. "Please eat, have more. We're truly grateful you brought our companion back."
It pushed the food on the ground toward them.
"Oh, what should we call you two? Do you have personal nicknames?"
"I'm Incineroar. As for it, you can call it dog, shorty, or Coach Riolu. Our trainer always calls it that."
Incineroar lifted its head, looking around. "There's also Greninja... where is it? Ah, never mind."
Riolu didn't get angry about gaining an inappropriate nickname and asked, "Do you know the background of that Houndoom and Arcanine from earlier? Or anything related to them?"
"Background?"
Luxray thought for a moment. "Oh, they come from the same place as you. I know that much.
"Actually, quite a few Pokémon from the schools wander into our area. But ones like them... it's a first."
In its explanation, the cat and dog gradually learned the story about Houndoom and the others.
Strictly speaking, that group suddenly appeared by Zoroark's side two and a half years ago.
The specific circumstances weren't clear to Luxray.
It only knew that Houndoom and the others rose to officer positions in a very short time and were extremely powerful, defeating many of their companions in the arena.
Fortunately, the Iron Cats Gang had substantial strength and counterattacked in time, suppressing these rising stars.
As for telling the adults? The Iron Cats Gang wouldn't do something so cheap.
"Suppressed? Are you guys strong?"
Incineroar suddenly asked with great interest. It had thought the Iron Cats Gang was a bit weak earlier.
"Strong?"
Luxray couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. "That word is too weak."
It stood up, raising its head, electricity crackling on its body. "Our Iron Cats Gang commands thousands upon thousands of cats. Who dares disobey besides the Savage Hounds Gang?
"The Iron Cats Gang has survived today as a top group in Mist City not by seniority, not by reputation, but by fighting with our fists and feet! By risking our lives!"
As it spoke, the nearby Pangoro and Zangoose chuckled proudly, expressions of pride on their faces.
'Damn, your tone? You're really not a gang?'
Incineroar felt its brain was about to short-circuit. The Iron Cats Gang seemed to be dancing back and forth between black and white!
Just as they were talking, a large group of Pokémon retreated in the distance.
"That's the Water Gang, a bunch of mysterious guys. At this time every day, they return to Mist Lake."
The Zangoose next to Riolu preemptively solved this curiosity.
The so-called 'Water Gang' was a group composed of amphibious Pokémon that could come ashore.
From Zangoose's words, they seemed to come from the vast Mist Lake?
Riolu muttered, "Mist Lake... what's actually in there?"
"Mist Lake is under their management. They manage it well. It's been a long time since there was an incident of Pokémon attacking human boats. But few know what the inside of Mist Lake is like. I hear these guys only live on the outskirts."
Luxray watched the distant group of Pokémon. "Very interested? Our leader probably knows. But you can't ask it now. Wait a month. I'll introduce you then."
'The secret of Mist Lake!'
Incineroar and Riolu grew increasingly excited.
They both knew this was a mystery Li Xiang一had always wanted to solve.
'Hahaha! After searching high and low, you find it without any effort!
Looks like we can help Li Xiang a little too!'
The cat and dog couldn't help but smirk.
"Time's almost up. We should head back." Riolu glanced at the sky, though dark, it was time to return.
Over at Incineroar's side, two lively little Meowth, upon learning it was leaving, showed reluctant expressions.
"Do you really have to leave?"
"Don't go~"
Seeing this, Luxray smiled. "Come back tomorrow. Things usually start around 11 PM here and end around 3 AM. It's fine to come play. No one will expose your secret. I'll introduce you to more members."
Since they said that, wouldn't not coming be disrespectful?
Honestly, Incineroar was a bit tempted. For its rather boring life, the Iron Cats Gang's affairs were really interesting, even if it didn't match its expectations.
Seeing its interest, Luxray gave another reason.
"Look, so many Pokémon are battling on the arena. You're trained Pokémon. You need strength, right? Fighting all sorts of opponents is beneficial, isn't it?"
This statement hit straight at Incineroar's heart.
It couldn't help but look at Riolu beside it. "Shorty..."
"You've called me that three times today. Do you want to die?" Riolu had a vein throbbing on its forehead.
"Hahaha." Incineroar, however, showed delight.
Because it knew Riolu had agreed.
In its excitement, it picked up Riolu and gave it a big kiss on the cheek. "You're the best! Doggo!"
"You, you, you—what are you doing!"
Riolu's indignant voice echoed through the stone forest.