c123: Anomalies in Guancheng
"Chen Xiaoxiao? How did she end up in Guancheng? And what's with that condescending smirk on her face?"
Brother Hui stared at the encrypted images on his Pokédex clear surveillance captures of Chen Xiaoxiao stepping off the Maglev at Guancheng Terminal and his mind spun in turmoil.
People harboring guilt are always the first to suspect others. They see intention in every glance, every smile a classic symptom of someone entangled in the darker side of the Pokémon world.
He scoffed internally.
"Heh…"
"What is it, Brother Hui? Is something wrong?"
Seeing Brother Hui's unsettled expression, Bai Mao.his partner in their shared underground operations couldn't help but ask.
Brother Hui didn't respond immediately. His gaze narrowed, locked on Bai Mao, as if trying to measure how much he should say.
"Brother Hui… this doesn't have anything to do with our business arrangements, does it?" Bai Mao leaned forward, his tone anxious.
Wordlessly, Brother Hui flipped his Pokédex screen and handed it to Bai Mao.
"Take a look. This was sent by the contact who oversees our distribution line that runs through Guancheng's east sector."
"Chen Xiaoxiao? What would bring her to Guancheng?" Bai Mao's eyes widened as he took in the data.
"I'm not sure yet. But this isn't a random visit. According to what we've gathered, she's been operating under a second identity as a field prosecutor for the Huaxia Pokémon League Enforcement Division."
Brother Hui's voice was laced with unease.
"A prosecutor?" Bai Mao raised an eyebrow. "Maybe she's just passing through. I mean, there are plenty of cities on the regional network why assume she's here for us?"
"Passing through?" Brother Hui's irritation flared. "Guancheng isn't even a high-profile city it doesn't have any known super-class Pokémon. Why here?"
Bai Mao paused, trying to untangle the scenario.
"Still… think about it. If she really came to investigate us, would she be this overt about it? She's been on League missions before she knows how to keep a low profile. Walking into town like that would spook her targets. The League's higher-ups wouldn't sanction something so blatant. It doesn't make sense."
Brother Hui's eyes sharpened as the logic registered. He slowly nodded.
"You have a point. But still... why Guancheng? What could possibly draw her here?"
"Maybe… the Gym?"
"Gym?" both said at the same time, locking eyes with sudden realization.
They chuckled with grim synchronicity.
According to League records, Chen Xiaoxiao, now 16, had graduated top of her class from Hangzhou Advanced Pokémon School in June last year. She had skipped last year's Huaxia Alliance Regional Exhibition to focus on expedition training across Sinnoh and Unova's harsh wild zones. Now that this year's Gym circuit had opened in July, it made perfect sense that she was kicking off her badge quest.
Guancheng Gym, though not elite-tier, was a logical starting point for a rising trainer aiming for this year's championship.
Brother Hui crossed his arms, thoughtful.
"Regardless, we should proceed with caution. Suspend all underground activity for now halt the Silkstone shipments, put the Team Umbra deals on hold. Let's lie low until she's out of city limits."
Bai Mao nodded, standing up. "Understood, Brother Hui. I'll pull back my people immediately. Let's toast that drink another time."
He set down his glass, gave a short bow, and left the office.
Once the door closed, Brother Hui quickly activated the Pokédex's secure line and began issuing rapid-fire commands to his lieutenants across the city grid.
Meanwhile, in the elevator, Bai Mao was doing the same—his fingers dancing across the screen as he coordinated the strategic retreat of all operatives from known hotspots.
Because of Chen Xiaoxiao's unexpected arrival, the entire atmosphere in Guancheng shifted tense, unstable, alert.
---
Across town...
Chen Xiaoxiao stirred from her brief rest. Gardevoir, ever-attentive, extended a hand with gentle grace. Smiling faintly, Chen Xiaoxiao took her partner's hand and rose.
"You're always so considerate, Gardevoir."
She stretched, her mind already shifting gears.
"Let's move."
Gardevoir nodded silently and followed. Her emerald eyes glowed with faint psychic light as she remained alert.
"(Xiaoxiao, after we left, the observer's emotions fluctuated significantly. But he didn't follow us.)"
Gardevoir's calm telepathy echoed in Chen Xiaoxiao's mind.
"Hmm, I see. Interesting. Keep monitoring."
That the young trainer hadn't followed was unexpected. She had noticed his presence earlier at the terminal his stoic expression too rehearsed.
Ten minutes later, they neared the outskirts of Guancheng. The city was modest in scale but dotted with active trainers. It was clear Chen Xiaoxiao's reputation preceded her dozens of eyes followed her every move.
"(Xiaoxiao, the trainer to the front left is hypervigilant but feigning indifference.)"
Chen Xiaoxiao glanced subtly in that direction. The trainer was seated on a bench, seemingly engrossed in a PokéNav.
Cool-headed. Too cool.
Yet the perfect posture and precisely neutral expression betrayed his background likely former military or a graduate of the League's Field Academy.
"(Xiaoxiao, his heart rate is elevatedemotional tension detected.)"
Gardevoir's telepathic whisper confirmed her suspicion.
Chen Xiaoxiao smirked inwardly.
Give this guy an Oscar he's definitely not just a street trainer.
They walked on. The man remained motionless, not pursuing.
But Gardevoir stayed linked, picking up on scattered psychic signatures as they advanced through the inner city.
Every kilometer or so, new presences flared watchers planted with surgical care. Some on rooftops, others masked among street vendors.
Most didn't follow. Some left after she passed.
"They're spread wide... but not moving in sync," Chen Xiaoxiao murmured.
"(They remain distant, possibly relaying information, but there's no coordinated movement yet.)"
"Efficient surveillance net."
Thirty minutes passed.
"(Xiaoxiao, the first watcher is moving rapidly northward. At this pace, he'll exit my perception radius soon.)"
"North? Flying-type?"
"(No. Not Flying.)"
Chen Xiaoxiao immediately pulled up her Pokédex map.
The northern route intersected with one landmark of interest the Guancheng Gym, run by Gym Leader Yan Mo, a known specialist in Normal-type tactics and formerly part of the Kalos Exhibition Circuit.
"That's it. They're heading to the Gym. Let's go, Gardevoir."
She flagged down a passing taxi.
"Guancheng Gymnasium, please."
The driver, unfazed, nodded and drove.
"(He stopped. Approximately 20 kilometers ahead, near the Gym complex.)"
Ten minutes later, Gardevoir's voice pulsed again in her mind.
Chen Xiaoxiao zoomed into the map overlay.
"Guancheng Gym."
Her gaze narrowed.
The game had begun.
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