The checkpoint appeared without warning, orange cones funneling two lanes into one, portable barriers blocking the left side of Route 2. Sasuke eased off the accelerator as flashing lights became visible ahead. Not an accident. Official League presence, marked by the distinctive blue uniforms and patrol vehicles.
"That's odd," Miyuki said, straightening in her seat. "Checkpoints aren't standard on Route 2. I've studied the maps extensively, there's no permanent station here."
Sasuke guided the Mobile Home into the queue behind a pickup truck hauling camping equipment. Three vehicles ahead of them, each being waved through after brief inspections. Except they weren't brief. Officers circled each vehicle with handheld scanners, peering into windows, opening doors.
"They're searching everything," Kiyomi observed from behind Sasuke's seat. Her camera hung around her neck, but she made no move to photograph the scene. "Look at the officer with that sedan, he's checking the trunk, under seats, even the engine compartment."
Kasumi appeared beside Kiyomi, hands gripping the seat backs. "What are they looking for?"
"We'll find out," Sasuke said.
Victini had woken from its nap, flames flickering uneasily. It sensed the tension, or perhaps picked up on Sasuke's own wariness. Something felt wrong about this. Too much personnel, too thorough. The League didn't deploy this kind of security for routine traffic checks.
The line moved. One vehicle cleared, then another. The pickup ahead of them pulled forward to the inspection point where four officers waited, two with scanners, one with a tablet, and a woman in a Jenny uniform directing operations. Sasuke recognized the distinctive blue hair and cap that marked the widespread Jenny family.
Five minutes passed. The pickup's driver produced documentation, opened the truck bed, even let an officer climb inside to inspect the camping gear. Finally, a wave through. The vehicle pulled away, engine grumbling.
Officer Jenny gestured. Sasuke drove forward, stopped at the painted line, and killed the engine.
The officer approached his window, expression professionally neutral. Up close, she looked young, maybe mid-twenties, though the Jenny family genetics made aging hard to gauge. Her badge read: JENNY MATSUDA - VIRIDIAN DIVISION.
"License and registration, please." Her tone was courteous but firm.
Sasuke handed over his Trainer's License. Miyuki passed him the Mobile Home's registration documents from the glove box. Officer Jenny examined both, eyes flicking between the photo on his license and his face.
"Sasuke Uchiha." She said it without particular emphasis, but something shifted in her posture, recognition, maybe. "Itachi's brother."
"That's right."
She returned his license, kept the registration. "I'll need to see everyone's identification and have a look inside your vehicle. Standard security screening."
"What's this about?" Miyuki asked, leaning forward so the officer could see her. "We weren't informed of any checkpoints."
"Established yesterday evening, ma'am." Jenny's professional mask didn't slip. "We've had reports of Pokemon smuggling along this route. All vehicles traveling to Pewter City are subject to search."
Sasuke's instincts, already humming with unease, sharpened into something harder. Pokemon smuggling. The Aether Foundation's cargo hold on the SS Dragonair had contained caged Pokemon. Coincidence felt unlikely.
"We'll cooperate fully," he said.
Officer Jenny nodded, stepped back. "Everyone out of the vehicle, please. Leave your Pokemon inside unless specifically requested otherwise. My team will conduct the inspection."
They filed out, Miyuki graceful, Kasumi curious, Kiyomi analytical. Sasuke came last, Victini still on his shoulder despite the instructions. The Fire-type refused to enter its Pokeball when Sasuke was tense, some instinct telling it to stay alert.
Officer Jenny noticed but said nothing. She gestured toward a waiting area, portable chairs and a canopy set up beside the road. "Please wait there while we search."
Two officers approached the Mobile Home with scanners. A third climbed inside, disappearing through the door. Jenny remained with them, tablet in hand, asking routine questions. How long had they been traveling? Where were they coming from? Destination? Purpose of travel?
Sasuke answered truthfully. Gym challenge circuit, traveling together, left Viridian City this morning. Miyuki provided their Pokemon Center check-in records from Pallet Town when requested. Kasumi mentioned her Contest participation, had Jenny seen the Snorlax video that went viral? The officer's expression softened slightly at that, a brief crack in the professional facade.
"That was you? Clever solution. Better than the idiots who try to fight Snorlax with Fire moves." Jenny made notes on her tablet. "Coordinator and Gym challenger traveling together, unusual combination."
"We're childhood friends," Miyuki said. "Our mothers traveled together, so we're doing the same."
Jenny's eyes moved to Kiyomi. "And you?"
"Researcher," Kiyomi said simply. "Archaeological focus. Pokemon civilizations and ancient bonding methods."
Something flickered across Jenny's face, interest, maybe concern. She made another note, then looked up as one of her officers emerged from the Mobile Home. He gave a slight headshake. Nothing found.
"Clean, ma'am. Standard living quarters, no hidden compartments. Pokemon in Pokeballs all accounted for." The officer rattled off the inventory: "Shaymin, Shelgon, Relicanth registered to Miyuki Senju. Gardevoir, Butterfree, Espeon, Togekiss, Glaceon registered to Kasumi Uzumaki. Alolan Ninetales registered to Kiyomi Kurama. Latios, Raikou, Zekrom, Tyranitar, Galarian Moltres, Landorus, Venusaur, Blastoise, Groudon registered to Sasuke Uchiha, plus the Victini currently present."
Jenny's eyebrows rose slightly at the list of Sasuke's Pokemon, multiple Legendaries registered to a rookie trainer raised flags, but she simply nodded. "Victini's the one everyone's heard about. Victory Pokemon from the Tree of Beginning."
"It chose me when I was eight," Sasuke said.
"Lucky." Jenny turned her tablet screen toward him. "I need to ask, have you encountered anyone asking unusual questions about your Pokemon? Particularly about Legendary species?"
The question hit like ice water. Sasuke kept his expression neutral. "Why?"
"We've had reports from multiple checkpoints. People claiming to be Pokemon researchers, asking travelers about rare Pokemon sightings. Specifically targeting trainers with notable teams." Jenny's professional mask cracked further, revealing genuine concern underneath. "They're very interested in Legendary Pokemon. One trainer reported them offering cash for information about Legendary locations."
"Who are these researchers?" Kiyomi asked, tone sharp.
Jenny hesitated, then seemed to decide they deserved to know. "They claim affiliation with the Aether Foundation. Scientific research into rare Pokemon species, conservation efforts, that kind of thing. Very official-looking credentials, proper permits from League bureaucracy."
Kasumi and Miyuki exchanged glances. Kiyomi's jaw tightened. Sasuke felt Victini's flames heat slightly against his neck, the Fire-type picking up on his anger.
"Have they approached this checkpoint?" Sasuke asked carefully.
"Yesterday. Two individuals in white lab coats, showed me League-authorized passes to question travelers." Jenny's expression had gone hard. "Asked specifically about the 'Four Supernovas', whether any of you had passed through. They seemed particularly interested in your group, Sasuke."
"What did you tell them?"
"That I don't discuss travelers with anyone lacking proper law enforcement credentials, League authorization or not." Jenny pocketed her tablet. "I don't trust them. Too smooth, too prepared. They had answers for everything, but something felt rehearsed."
Sasuke studied her. Officer Jenny of the Viridian Division, suspicious of the same organization they'd been tracking since the SS Dragonair. An ally, potentially. Or at least someone paying attention.
"The smuggling reports," Miyuki said quietly. "The Aether Foundation claims Pokemon were stolen from them?"
"That's their official statement. Filed yesterday with the Viridian League Office, several rare research specimens stolen from their transport vehicles en route to Pewter City." Jenny glanced at her officers, then lowered her voice. "Between us? I think they're full of shit. The 'stolen' Pokemon list matches species commonly found in Mount Moon caves. Clefairy, Clefable, Zubat variants. If they were legitimate research specimens, why transport them through public routes instead of secured League channels?"
"Sounds like they lost Pokemon they weren't supposed to have," Kiyomi said.
"That's my read too." Jenny straightened, professional mask sliding back into place as another vehicle pulled up to the checkpoint. "You're cleared to proceed. I've got your contact information if I need to follow up. And Sasuke, be careful. If they're asking about you specifically, they might try direct contact."
"Thanks for the warning."
Jenny handed back the registration documents. "Good luck with your gym challenge. And keep an eye out, if you see anything suspicious, report it. I've got friends at the Pewter City station. Ask for Officer Jenny Ishida if you need help."
They returned to the Mobile Home. Sasuke started the engine, pulled away from the checkpoint. In the mirror, he watched Officer Jenny direct another vehicle forward, her movements efficient and professional. But her eyes tracked their RV until they rounded the curve and disappeared from view.
Nobody spoke for several kilometers.
Finally, Kasumi broke the silence. "The Aether Foundation is following us."
"They're following the Supernovas," Kiyomi corrected. "All four groups. They want to know who has Legendary Pokemon."
"And they already know Sasuke does," Miyuki added. "The ship manifest from the SS Dragonair would've listed our Pokemon registrations."
Sasuke kept his eyes on the road, hands steady on the wheel despite the anger building in his chest. The afternoon sun slanted through the windshield, painting everything gold, but he barely noticed. His mind had gone tactical, Crown Tundra training kicking in, father's voice in his memory: Assess threats, identify resources, plan contingencies.
"We need to camp early tonight," he said. "Somewhere off-route, away from main roads. I want to talk this through properly."
Miyuki checked the map. "There's a secondary access road eight kilometers ahead. Leads to a forest service area, campground for rangers, but it's open to the public. Remote, but safe."
"That works."
The kilometers passed in tense silence. Victini had curled against Sasuke's neck, flames barely visible, offering what comfort it could. The terrain continued its alpine ascent, more trees now, pine and spruce replacing the sparse scrub. Snow appeared on northern slopes, patches of white among green.
The secondary road appeared: unpaved, narrow, a wooden sign marking it as FS-217. Sasuke turned off Route 2, felt the pavement give way to gravel. The Mobile Home handled it without complaint, suspension absorbing the rougher surface. Trees closed in on both sides, branches creating a tunnel of shadow.
Three kilometers in, the forest opened to a clearing, flat ground, fire ring, picnic table, and a hand-pump well. Basic facilities, but clean. Empty except for a family of Stantler grazing at the far edge. The Normal-types watched their approach with mild curiosity, then returned to eating grass.
Sasuke parked, killed the engine. The sudden quiet felt heavier than usual.
"Everyone out," Kiyomi said. "We're talking about this now."
They gathered at the picnic table, weathered wood worn smooth by years of use. Sasuke sat across from the three of them, Victini hopping down to perch beside him. Late afternoon sun filtered through pine branches, dappling everything in shifting light and shadow.
"The Aether Foundation has been watching us since the ship," Miyuki began. She'd pulled out her tablet, stylus moving across the screen as she organized information. "We know they had stolen Pokemon on the SS Dragonair. We know they asked about Trainers with Legendary Pokemon at that checkpoint. We know they're claiming their own Pokemon were stolen."
"Classic disinformation," Kiyomi said. "Accuse others of the crime you're committing. Creates confusion, makes investigations harder." She had her research notes out, papers from Viridian City's library. "I found references to this tactic in historical accounts of criminal organizations. Team Rocket used it extensively forty years ago."
Kasumi leaned forward, elbows on the table. "But why target us specifically? I mean, I get that Sasuke has multiple Legendaries, but lots of strong trainers exist. Why the Four Supernovas?"
"Because we're visible," Sasuke said. "Rookie trainers with incredibly powerful teams, all traveling openly on the gym circuit. We're not hiding. They know where we'll be, every gym city, every major route. We're predictable."
Miyuki nodded, still writing. "And young. Easier targets than established Champions or Elite Four members who have security and political protection."
"They want our Pokemon," Kiyomi stated flatly. "Or they want to study them. Either way, they see us as resources to exploit."
Victini made a low sound, not quite a growl, but angry. Flames flickered briefly, bright enough to cast orange light across the table. Sasuke reached over, stroked its head until the fire settled.
"So what do we do?" Kasumi asked. "Report them? We don't have proof of anything illegal, just suspicions and one incident on a ship."
"Officer Jenny didn't trust them either," Miyuki pointed out. "That's something. If League officers are suspicious, maybe the organization isn't as protected as they think."
Kiyomi tapped her papers. "I'll keep researching. There has to be historical documentation, corporate filings, League authorizations, personnel records. Every organization leaves paper trails."
"I'll talk to Itachi," Sasuke said. "He needs to know they're specifically asking about me. As Champion, he might have access to information we don't."
"And we stay alert," Miyuki added. "No splitting up in unfamiliar places. If anyone approaches us claiming to be from Aether Foundation, we don't engage without witnesses present."
Kasumi pulled out her phone. "I'll tell Naruto's group too. If they're targeting all four Supernovas, everyone needs to know."
They sat in silence for a moment, processing the weight of it. The journey that had started with excitement and possibility now had a shadow attached, people watching, tracking, possibly planning. Sasuke felt the responsibility settle on his shoulders like physical weight. His team included some of the rarest Pokemon alive. Of course criminals would take notice.
"We're not changing our plans," he said firmly. "We're still collecting gym badges, competing in Contests, doing research. We're not letting these people dictate our journey."
"Agreed," Miyuki said.
"Hell yes," Kasumi added.
Kiyomi smiled, sharp and dangerous. "Let them watch. They might not like what they see."
The sun had dropped lower, painting the clearing in amber and red. Sasuke stood, stretched, and walked to the fire ring. Starting a campfire gave him something to do with his hands, kept his mind from spiraling into tactical paranoia. He gathered wood from the tree line, dead branches, dry tinder, and built the fire structure his father had taught him. Efficient, stable, easy to maintain.
Miyuki joined him, carried an armful of stones to ring the fire pit properly. Kasumi filled a pot from the hand pump, started preparing rice. Kiyomi spread her research papers on the picnic table, lost in documentation and cross-referencing.
The campfire caught quickly, flames bright in the gathering dusk. Sasuke cooked dinner, nothing fancy tonight, just hearty stew with vegetables and dried meat. Comfort food for an unsettling day. They ate in companionable silence, the fire crackling between them and the darkness beyond.
Overhead, stars appeared one by one. The Stantler family had bedded down at the clearing's edge, their antlers glowing faintly with psychic energy. Night sounds emerged, distant Hoothoot calls, the rustle of Sentret in the underbrush. Nature continuing its routine, indifferent to human concerns.
"We should set watches," Kiyomi said eventually. "Rotating shifts. Just to be safe."
"Two-hour rotations," Sasuke agreed. "I'll take first watch."
Nobody argued. They finished eating, cleaned up, and retreated to the Mobile Home. Lights went on inside, warm squares of yellow against the dark. Through the windows, Sasuke could see them settling into evening routines. Miyuki checking on Shelgon in its Pokeball. Kasumi organizing berry samples. Kiyomi still reading, always reading.
Sasuke stayed outside with Victini and the fire. The Victory Pokemon curled in his lap, warm and solid and real. Around them, the forest breathed. Wind through pine branches. Small Pokemon moving through the dark. The world continuing as it always had.
But something had changed. They were being watched, tracked, evaluated. The Aether Foundation wanted something from them, their Pokemon, their knowledge, their youth and predictability. Wanted to exploit them somehow.
Sasuke fed another branch to the fire, watched sparks spiral upward into the night.
Let them watch, he thought. Let them plan.
They'd find out soon enough that the Four Supernovas weren't easy targets.