Falcon City considered deploying Ground-type Pokémon with the Dig move to explore underground, but numerous critical infrastructures beneath the city were essential for its smooth operation.
Despite the severity of the situation, Falcon City's order remained intact. Consequently, the city's higher-ups prohibited any Ground-type Pokémon from infiltrating underground for reconnaissance due to potential risks to these vital facilities.
This posed the most challenging issue, as the criminal gang exploited this restriction, continuously capturing rare Pokémon and fearlessly hiding in various subterranean locations.
"So what do we do now?" Rosa asked. With a lead already established, they needed to take action next.
Kalia pondered for a moment before responding, "It's quite tricky. Without Ground-type Pokémon proficient in the Dig move, there's no way to investigate the underground situation."
The trio brainstormed relentlessly on how to enter the depths and locate the captors, yet they struggled to find a viable entry point.
"I have an idea, but it's somewhat risky," Kalia suggested. Her plan involved luring the criminals out by using a Pokémon as bait to draw them into the open.
"What's your idea?"
"We could use one of our Pokemon as bait to lure those people out. We'll then lie in wait, ready to ambush them once they surface," Kalia suggested. This plan was highly risky, as no one wanted to endanger their own Pokemon. If it failed, another Pokemon would be lost.
Kalia certainly wouldn't risk her Treecko or Charmander, unwilling for any harm to come to either of them.
"I'll do it," Julian declared resolutely. Finding his Charmeleon was crucial; he had already lost one Pokemon, and knowing that Rosa and Kalia wouldn't take such risks, he felt compelled to step forward himself.
Kalia nodded, relieved that Julian was willing to take the chance. It was currently the only viable strategy to catch the culprits.
She couldn't imagine these individuals resisting the temptation of capturing a rare, solitary Pokemon given their evident greed—they surely wouldn't pass up such an opportunity.
Julian's second Pokemon was a Teddiursa, also a highly sought-after and promising species, making it perfect as bait.
"So, we'll use Teddiursa as bait. Where exactly did you lose your Charmeleon? That's where we'll set our trap," Kalia explained.
"It happened near the eastern street. When I went to buy Pokemon food, Charmeleon was following me, but suddenly it disappeared," Julian explained.
"For a Pokemon to vanish without any noise, I suspect Charmeleon must have fallen victim to Hypnosis, likely induced by a psychic-type move." Kalia envisioned the scene of Charmeleon's capture; unless forced into unconsciousness through Hypnosis, the Pokemon would undoubtedly resist. Given their close proximity, Julian couldn't have missed the sounds of struggle and resistance.
The trio then proceeded to the eastern street, found a suitable hiding spot, placed Teddiursa outside, and settled down quietly, waiting like snares for unsuspecting prey.
Although the plan was rudimentary, its chances of success were high. Seeing a lone Teddiursa, those individuals were unlikely to pass up the opportunity.
Lian, hidden nearby, kept his eyes fixed on Teddiursa. However, after a while, the tranquil surroundings made him drowsy.
Shaking his head, Lian fought off the sleepiness. Now was not the time to rest; no one knew when their adversaries might appear.
Time passed slowly.
Teddiursa stood nervously outside, understanding the Trainer's instructions well - it knew taking this risk was necessary to rescue Charmeleon.
Suddenly, Teddiursa sensed something approaching and became alert, scanning its surroundings. In the distance, it spotted a yellow Drowzee.
Drowzee waved its finger hypnotically, immediately captivating Teddiursa's attention, causing its eyes to gradually blur.
"Something's happening." The trio closely monitoring Teddiursa noticed its unusual behavior right away.
The bait plan had clearly succeeded. Now came the most critical part: capturing the intruder and interrogating them about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Pokemon.
Teddiursa was increasingly influenced by Drowzee's finger movements, feeling an overwhelming drowsiness that made it unsteady on its feet, eyelids growing heavier.
In the next moment, unable to resist any longer, Teddiursa closed its eyes and slumped onto the ground, falling asleep instantly.
"We're really lucky."
A figure emerged from the darkness, slowly approaching Teddiursa with Drowzee at his side.
Judging by the voice, it was a male, but his true identity remained concealed behind a mask, dressed in ordinary clothing.
As the masked man neared Teddiursa, just as he was about to take it away, Kalia and her friends swiftly appeared, blocking his path.
The man clearly didn't anticipate this to be a trap. Seeing they were just three kids around eleven or twelve years old, he smirked, picked up Teddiursa, and took a step back.
"Let go of my Teddiursa!" Julian angrily yelled, but without any Pokemon, he couldn't effectively battle against Drowzee.
"Charmander, use Ember!" Kalia decisively launched an attack. Against such individuals, immediate action was crucial; there was no time to waste. This wasn't just one person, but likely part of a larger group.
Lian, already prepared, opened his mouth and unleashed a burst of flames directly towards Drowzee.
Rosa also sent out Flaaffy, an Electric Type, and Pidgeotto, a Flying Type, giving orders for them to attack. This was not a standard battle, so no rules applied.
Unfazed, the masked man retrieved a Poké Ball and released a purple Weezing.
"Weezing, use Smokescreen."
The floating purple Weezing swiftly emitted a dense cloud of black smoke, enveloping the area immediately.
"Pidgeotto, use Gust!" Rosa promptly commanded.
With its Flying Type move, Gust dispersed the thick smoke, but as it cleared, the masked man had already fled with Teddiursa and his two Pokemon, leaving only their fading silhouette behind.
"Go after them!" Julian, most anxious among them, immediately chased ahead, fearing that if Teddiursa wasn't recovered this time, he would be left without any Pokemon.
Kalia swiftly followed suit, releasing her Treecko, which moved even faster and had a good chance of catching up to the masked man.
As an adult, the masked man's running speed far outpaced Kalia and the others; their only hope was relying on their Pokemon for pursuit.
Soon, both Treecko and Lian were rapidly closing the gap with the masked man, while Pidgeotto trailed behind. Among them, Lian was the fastest, getting closest to the target.
"Wow, Treecko and Charmander, such impressive speed!" The masked man glanced back, surprised to see Treecko and Charmander gaining ground. Initially amazed by their swiftness, his eyes then gleamed with greed.
These two Pokemon were exclusive starter species provided only by the Pokemon League. Capturing them would be a significant gain.
Noticing the three kids still chasing from afar, the masked man increased his pace further. With distance growing between him and the Trainers, their Pokemon, deprived of direct commands, became vulnerable like lambs awaiting slaughter, unable to retreat into Poké Balls.
Gradually, Kalia sensed something was amiss as Charmander and Treecko ran too swiftly, increasing the distance between them.
"Charmander, Treecko, come back quickly!" Kalia shouted anxiously, but there was no way she could catch up to the two Pokemon, who seemed oblivious to her commands.
Lian had nearly reached the masked man but noticed that Kalia hadn't kept pace, clearly due to their excessive speed.
At this moment, the masked man halted with a snicker and decisively ordered, "Drowzee, use Hypnosis on Treecko; Weezing, employ Sludge against Charmander."
Upon hearing the command, Drowzee pointed at Treecko, unleashing its Hypnosis technique.
Without guidance or reminders from their Trainer, the combat effectiveness of the Pokemon diminished significantly. Unaware, Treecko fell under Drowzee's hypnotic influence.
Simultaneously, Weezing formed a purple glob of sludge and hurled it towards Lian aggressively. However, Lian's quick reflexes allowed him to swiftly dodge with a roll, causing the sludge to splatter harmlessly onto the ground, only leaving minor stains on his clothing.
Having evaded the attack, Lian didn't rush to counter but noticed Treecko was about to succumb to Hypnosis. He promptly slapped Treecko's head, snapping it out of Drowzee's hypnotic influence.
"Impossible!" The masked man had anticipated a swift victory, but Charmander's actions took him by surprise. Not only did Charmander effortlessly evade the Sludge attack, but it also helped Treecko avoid being hypnotized.
The masked man glanced at the sky and decided to flee once more. Seeing the Pidgeotto approaching meant those three bratty Trainers were not far behind; he needed to escape first.