[attr="class","spiral"]“I wish.”

Fernando does not entertain her joke but he doesn’t disparage her for it either. That would require putting more attention into something so miniscule that it would be pointless. Others may waste their time with such trivialities but he can’t afford to. Not in the face of certain defeat.

When people grow, they change. Their hopes, dreams, habits, tragedies, fears. All of these evolves as the person discovers who they really are. For Fernando, his fear has always been the same: being unprepared. Since the advent of Mossdeep, his greatest challenge has been being able to scramble a means to handle these ‘Ultra Beasts’. Through the years, he’s learned more about them, and he no longer worries about the Blacephalon that Katherine has, or even the Guzzlords they encountered in Mauville.

No.

Those can fall. It’s the Guzzlord and Celesteela from Mossdeep. The Nihilego that surfaced in Evergrande. And now this; all apex predators able to combat their best and crushing hundreds in the ensuing battle.

That’s what makes all this so frustrating. He can handle people, even Pokemon to a degree. Ignore the recent supernatural tragedies that have happened in Hoenn. Who sits at the top of the food chain? Who has more power, wealth, and stamina to step toe-to-toe with Fernando Silph? One, two, four people max? He should be the apex of this world, gifted by nature, honed by nurture. But he’s not, not with these strange abstract pieces that ignore the rules of his chessboard.

And that’s what distresses him the most.

“I’m going to get help.”

This isn’t something he can stand against alone. There’s no training, engineering, or creating something strong enough to handles these in mass.

It’s time to break out the big guns. Even if he has to beg.

[attr="class","spiral"]"Trainer?"

Fernando scoffs inwardly, offended. As if. Who in their right mind could be that much better than kyle lopez or Bailey Cooper? No one. Well, no one human, anyway.

His intention is left to the imagination as he gives no other outright clue. He still doesn't trust Katherine that much, her own allegiance unquestionable but murky enough to remain suspicious, and rather keep things to himself. It's easier to manage that way.

The first pit stop that comes to mind is to find the only other person who knows about Ultra Space. Unlike the other war front, Fernando's team had done what the others couldn't: bag a Megalopolan. Questioning her may prove difficult but if he can get Katherine of all people to crack, then he'll have an easier time against someone who can't fight back.

As for the rest, it's about time they rose from their slumber.

"Think outside the box and then think again."

Fernando moves to his desk to pull open a drawer. Within it, is the latest version of the Silph Scope. He tucks the guard over his ear as the device comes to life, projecting several screen as he tidies up the rest of his desk for an impromptu departure.

"I don't assume you have a plan for handling this either, do you?"