TO: Josh Devlin (josh.devlin@hoennleague.gov)
MISSION: "Houston, We Have a Problem"
PROTOCOL: Recovery
DANGER: ★★★★☆

We have received an alert from Mossdeep Space Center that an unidentified individual has infiltrated its Operations Center. Classified documents from Operation 99943 Meteno are stored there, and are suspected to be in the thief's hands. If not recovered, the loss of these documents could escalate into a regional security concern. Your mission is to recover and secure the classified documents for transport back to League HQ.

Your objectives are as follows:

A) Recover CCTV tape.
B) Recover and secure classified documents.

While it would be ideal for you to apprehend the thief, your priority will be to recover classified documents stored at the Space Center. We cannot authorize lethal force against the thief under any circumstance.

Per your restitution with the League, this is the eighth of ten assignments you will complete without compensation.

Good luck! We're all counting on you.

Mossdeep Law Enforcement was so shorthanded that a high crime response from Mossdeep Space Center had been thrust into the hands of Mauville Gym Leader and Elite Ranger Josh Devlin. A young, green-haired individual had broken into the Space Center in the middle of the night, a silent alarm alerting them to their presence. As it turned out, the Gym Leader happened to be in Mossdeep, and he had the authority to assist with the Law Enforcement side of peacekeeping as needed.

It was dangerous and at night. Furthermore, working in an enclosed space meant fighting from the saddle was not an option. He was certainly out of his element... but it was part of his duty as a Ranger. The sound that sage morgan would have heard was the Mauville Gym Leader and his Shiny Pyroar climbing the stairs to the Operations Center. Sidewinder, Josh's Dragapult, was silently patrolling overhead, and would spot Sage in short order if they tried to make a break for it. Nala, Kovu, and Simba, the saddled Pyroar pride Mauville Gym was famous for, secured the exits. That left Aslan and Josh to do all the dirty work.

Peering inside to make sure the coast was clear first, Josh slammed the door open. "Put your Poké Balls on the ground and your hands where I can see them!" he shouted, the gleaming lion flashing his sharp teeth.

The Elite Ranger never entertained for a moment that the situation at hand wouldn't escalate. This was far more than a petty theft; he suspected Sage had to be aware of the severity of their crime. As one who used a Greninja for land and aquatic races, he knew how nimble the amphibian was. As much as he regretted possibly causing damage to the Operations Center, he had to take advantage of one of the weaknesses of overly speedy Pokémon. There was no dodging an explosion of sound fueled by some of the most powerful lungs a Pokémon had. Bringing his hands together as though he were in prayer, the Gym Leader cupped them over his mouth, then opened them up as though he were projecting through a loudspeaker.

"Aslan, use EMPEROR'S ROYAL ROAR!!"



The Z-Pose complete, red-and-white INFINITY ENERGY flew from the Z-GLOVE over his right hand to the crystal of PYROARNIUM-Z, heralding an earsplitting bellow from the golden lion. It was so loud that the glass of old-fashioned monitors shattered, and even the bulletproof glass the windows were composed of cracked. The shockwave that washed over the Greninja may have even lifted it off the ground and pinned it against the wall. Hearing the terrifying roar from the pride leader raised the entire pride's morale, and even that of the Dragapult floating above.

EMPEROR'S ROYAL ROAR
[Normal][Special][Sonic]
After obtaining Z-Power, the user, Pyroar, looses a primal bellow that inspires allies and puts fear into the heart of foes. Those near the user have their offensive parameters increased, while those near the target will have their offensive parameters decreased.

"Put your hands where I can see them!" Josh shouted again once the noise of the reverberating roar wouldn't overpower his voice.

The primary purpose of the Z-Move was not to burst the Greninja's eardrums; it was to intimidate and quash any opportunity for retaliation. The courage, or perhaps foolhardiness, of anyone still standing and fighting afterward was immense. It showed in the strength of the Greninja's WATER PULSE. At full strength, it would have left Aslan screeching in pain. Instead, the swift lion shook his fur dry before opening his mouth wide, his fangs and claws on full display. With the speed of a racing-trained Pokémon, the big cat lunged at the water-type, looking to TAKE DOWN the aquatic dark-type and pin it.

Provided that caused the Greninja to cease blocking Josh's view of Sage, he would keep a close eye on them, as well, approaching with all due haste. "I'll give you one chance to get away from this before you wind up with a big target on your ass, got it?" he sternly asked before changing his tone to be less demeaning. More willing to... negotiate. "Do you have any idea of the severity of your crime? If convicted, you could face a very long prison sentence. Just return the documents, and I'll get you an immunity deal. Just... return the documents. Please..."

Aslan's loud growling and purring, despite the Greninja being pinned, got Josh's attention. "Aslan, hold your fire!" he ordered, seeing the big cat's red mane heat up. "On the contrary. I'm serious. I don't want you. I just want the documents. It's a matter of regional security. I'm just gonna pat you down real quick, okay? Long as you don't cause any more trouble after that, you're free to go." If Sage looked into the Elite Ranger's eyes, it would be easy for them to understand that he was telling the truth.

Provided Sage agreed, Josh would follow through with his word, closely and carefully patting them down. If Sage was hiding any more classified documents, Josh would have been able to find them, kindly asking for their return. Once all of them had been accounted for, he would secure them, then order his Pyroar to get off the Greninja and let him go. "Whoever asked you to do this, it isn't worth it. I'd try to get out from under them as soon as you can, for your own sake." Josh would lead Sage and their Greninja to the front entrance, where Simba, another Pyroar, was waiting and snarling. "Down, Simba! Everything's alright!"

It took a few passes, but Josh had at last recovered every stolen document, multiple manilla folders labeled CLASSIFIED. "I get that," Josh answered, trying to empathize with the green-headed Rocket. "I've got a Manectric that's like that. Known him since I was ten. He means the world to me. Come close to losing him several times since I came to Hoenn. No wonder no one wants to live here." It seemed the Rocket was staunchly loyal to their cause. Josh, too, had staunch loyalty to the League, perhaps to a fault. "At least give it some thought. You're not the first of your kind I've had this talk with, and I'm sure you won't be the last. You don't deserve what they put you through. I understand your resent, but at least consider. That life won't see you anything but pain."

Once everything had been accounted for and they were outside, he let Sage fly away. "Such fealty..." he mumbled as he headed up to the second floor, taking photographs of the Operations Center to file his damage report. The Space Center was publicly funded, meaning the budget to repair the place would come from Hoennian taxpayers. Elinor Anderson would be proud.

No longer under pressure, it was trivial for Josh to retrieve the security tape the League had asked for. A quick trip into the security room was all it took. With the tape in hand and the classified documents recovered, the Gym Leader whistled for his Dragapult. Climbing into Sidewinder's saddle, Josh withdrew all of his Pyroar, then made a beeline for Ever Grande. Kicking the phantom's sides, the ghost-type and rider vanished into the swiftest PHANTOM FORCE Sidewinder could muster, red contrails flowing from his wingtips.