Upon learning that the Pokémon Hunters were inside Granite Cave, and that their target was the Aron group, Sato couldn't help but feel a bit amused.
After all, the first time he went in there, he'd been chased out by the Aron themselves.
However, the fact that they could severely injure an Onix at High Pseudo-Elite Four level meant that this group of Pokémon Hunters was extremely dangerous.
Sato wasn't exactly a good guy, but if he ran into them, he certainly wouldn't mind treating them as a real-time sparring session.
Still, preparation was key; Onix had already taught them that lesson.
---
Soon after, the three of them, along with… "Dewford Island's Totem Pokémon: Shiny Onix". Began a tedious but necessary discussion and planning session.
That very night, Sato and the others had already arrived at Granite Cave. However, instead of entering through the main entrance, they circled around to a side closer to the island's interior.
Rustle...
After a rustling sound in the dirt, several Sandslash and Sandshrew teamed up to slowly open a tunnel in the ground.
The leading Sandslash trotted up to Joseph and gave a "polite" nod, indicating that the tunnel was ready.
"Alright, let's go in," Joseph said, gently patting Sandslash's head before jumping directly into the tunnel.
"Voo!"
Once all three of them were underground, a pair of Volbeat appeared before them, their antennae glowing to light the way.
Sato and Joseph exchanged glances. This entire elaborate arrangement had been organized by Onix.
During the day's planning, all they had asked was to be brought as close as possible without alerting anyone.
But Onix had even thought of lighting and sent Volbeat to help them see.
It was... very considerate.
---
The three of them walked down the smooth tunnel for about half an hour before a Diglett popped up to inform them they were getting close.
"Gengar, your turn." Though they'd had wild Pokémon guiding them all the way, when it came to critical moments, Sato still trusted his own strength and judgment the most.
From Sato's shadow, a dark figure suddenly sprang out, revealing a row of sharp white teeth in the darkness before silently melting back into the ground.
Not long after, Sato sensed Gengar's presence returning. Gengar gave a slight nod, indicating their target was directly above.
In a dimly lit corner, a Dugtrio suddenly shot up, glanced around briefly, and then dove back into the ground, leaving the tunnel entrance intact.
Two small hands suddenly emerged from the tunnel, gripping its edge and pushing upward as Sato jumped out from within.
Crouching on the ground, Sato reached back into the tunnel and pulled out Joseph and Mark one by one.
The Dugtrio reappeared, gave Joseph a quick look, nodded slightly, and then disappeared along with the tunnel entrance.
"Gengar, scout ahead. Be careful not to get spotted. If anything happens, come back immediately. Don't act on your own," Sato whispered while lightly tapping the ground with his foot.
"Gengeng~"
In the dim cave, only Gengar's mischievous laugh echoed; his figure already gone. Sato wasn't fazed in the slightest, he simply motioned silently to Joseph and Mark and began moving forward.
As stated, Sato had asked Onix to get them as close as possible, and now, less than two minutes after moving forward, Gengar had already returned and blocked their way.
Clearly, they were very close to the Pokémon Hunters.
According to the intel provided by the wild Pokémon, only two members of this group of hunters had Pokémon at Pseudo-Elite Four level.
The reason Onix had suffered such severe injuries was because the Pokémon Hunters had used firearms; in other words, they themselves weren't particularly strong.
So now, the priority was to locate all five of them and subdue them first to prevent the use of guns.
Sato was concerned that the Pokémon Hunters might have specialized detection methods against Ghost-type Pokémon, so he didn't dare let Gengar get too close.
At that moment, however, Ralts volunteered to go and scout out the exact positions of the Pokémon Hunters.
"You sure?" Sato raised an eyebrow curiously. 'Could Ralts really have a just and righteous side?'
"Her Majesty's Telepathy isn't just for communication," Ralts said calmly, crossing its… arms just like Sato.
"…" 'Majesty?'
Then, without waiting for Sato to hesitate, Ralts leapt out of the backpack and stood before the three of them. It raised its tiny hands, and an invisible energy began to spread outward from its body.
Sato clearly felt the energy wave, but when he glanced over, he noticed that Mark and Joseph showed no reaction; they were simply watching Ralts in curiosity.
Bzzzt!
Suddenly, Sato felt that invisible energy pierce straight into his brain. Recognizing Ralts's presence, he didn't resist. Soon, a flat map of the cave appeared in his mind.
Five small dots on the map flashed with red light. Clearly indicating the positions of the Pokémon Hunters.
'Mobile GPS?'
"Heh" Sato chuckled. Still, this made him feel much more at ease; now that they knew the locations of the Hunters, they could better plan their ambush.
"Ralts, can you do this... this... and then that?"
After Sato gave a rather complicated explanation, Ralts bit its finger(?) and pondered for a moment.
Then, in Sato's mental map, three new colored dots appeared: green, yellow, and blue. Representing Sato, Joseph, and Mark, respectively.
"Can you sync this to all three of our minds in real time?" Sato asked further.
Ralts pouted, feeling like Sato's demands were growing by the second. Still, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
But if it performed well now, there'd definitely be lots and lots of Sweet Milk to drink later.
'NO!' It had to make Sato promise right now… five bottles... ten bottles... an entire crate of Sweet Milk to drink to its heart's content!
"Ralt~"
Sato stared blankly at the mental image in his head: five bottles turning into ten, then into an entire crate of Sweet Milk… and could only nod at Ralts in resignation.
…He understood now.
Ralts wasn't really interested in punishing "bad guys"; it just wanted to drink Sweet Milk.
Seeing Sato agree to its terms, Ralts beamed happily. With a wave of its little hand, Joseph and Mark both froze, staring in disbelief at the sudden visuals appearing in their minds.
After Sato offered a quick explanation, even Joseph and Mark were shocked by Ralts's abilities.
"I'll keep this simple. The plan for this ambush is: our top priority is to subdue the Pokémon Hunters to prevent them from using firearms.
Joseph, you'll take the two on the left. Mark, you take the two on the right. I'll deal with the one in the center as quickly as possible. If any Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon appear, signal immediately and I'll provide support. Ralts, signal transmission is up to you."
The two of them -and one Pokémon- nodded seriously.
The operation had officially begun!