Pokémon: Above the Top

Mark and Sina bickered as they made their way back, heading to regroup with Sato.

After breaking things down, their mood had recovered; after all, failing the mission wasn't their fault.

Since the Sweep Operation couldn't be completed in just a day or two, everyone had brought enough supplies and was prepared to camp overnight.

So that evening, just after Sato and his Pokémon had finished dinner, he spotted Mark and Sina rushing back under the night sky.

"Something went wrong with the mission?" Sato frowned. He was confident they couldn't have been faster than him.

"Heh… Boss, just hear us out~"

Even though they knew it wasn't their fault, Mark still got a bit nervous at Sato's frown and quickly began explaining.

A few minutes later, Mark and Sina finished their tag-team storytelling, embellishing a few parts along the way without even realizing it.

"They want me to back down… even if I did, how long do you think you could hold that position?" Sato chuckled coldly after hearing it all.

"So, Boss, what do we do next?" Mark asked with a sparkle in his eyes, waiting on Sato's word.

"Just push through. Let them wait two days. It won't make a difference," Sato replied nonchalantly.

"We're really going to Olivine City?" Mark's eyes lit up, he was never one to shy away from drama.

"Go to bed early. You two are taking point in tomorrow's Sweep Operation," Sato shot Mark a look and turned back toward his tent for rest.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, the three of them grabbed a quick bite and resumed the unfinished sweep.

When Mark and Sina saw the scouting Murkrow unit and the Houndour squads, they realized… 'Sweep Operations could be this easy?'

Drive away the ones that didn't need relocating, let the team deal with the ones that could be relocated but weren't too strong…

And only the tough ones were brought to Sato, who finished them off.

"Tsk tsk… This isn't a mission. This is a hiking trip," Mark said with envy.

"Our Leader's strength absolutely terrifying!" Sina added in awe.

"Hey, you two over there, another group of wild Pokémon is coming. Hurry up and help," Sato called from behind.

'Tch… now it was even more extreme.' They had to handle the leftovers first, and only if they couldn't deal with it would Sato step in.

But Mark wasn't weak. If even he couldn't handle it, Sato would probably have to use Mega Evolution.

So yeah… this really did feel like a vacation.

Even with both of them on board, their speed didn't increase by much. After all, the two of them together only barely matched Sato alone in terms of wild Pokémon handling.

But there was no rush, so they ended up taking three full days to clear the portion of the road within the Forest of Shadows.

"Murkrow, Houndoom, stay here with your teams and wait for us. We'll be back soon," Sato instructed at the forest entrance.

Then the three of them marched straight toward Olivine City.

---

Meanwhile, inside Olivine Gym, Tetsuya was listening to his subordinates' report with growing impatience. Three days had passed, and still no sign of Sato.

"…Didn't seem like that kid was some reckless hothead last time. So why's he playing tough now? Don't tell me I'll have to go greet him personally?" Tetsuya muttered, shaking his leg anxiously.

The League Conference was over, and the Eight-Gym Evaluation was next. Sato could afford to stall… he couldn't.

"Elias, Suzumi, are you two sure you properly relayed the message to Shadownight Gym's registered Trainers?" Tetsuya asked the two standing nearby, eyes full of suspicion.

Elias felt a wave of panic inside, but he still tried to remain composed and answered with his head lowered, "Leader, we did properly deliver the message, we invited them and Leader Sato to come visit."

"…It better be true," Tetsuya muttered, waving the two of them out; just then, someone came running in from the entrance.

"Leader, someone from Shadownight Gym has arrived!"

"Really?! Ahem… Have them wait for me in the parlor, I'll go get ready," Tetsuya almost jumped to his feet in excitement, but quickly composed himself upon realizing he was overreacting.

"Leader… they didn't come to the Gym… they're heading straight for your house," the messenger said quickly, not daring to delay.

"My house? Oh, right, it's almost dark. They must've assumed I already went home," Tetsuya suddenly realized and felt these Shadownight kids were more thoughtful than expected.

"I'll head back first!" With that, Tetsuya marched straight out of the Gym.

In a corner he didn't notice, Elias and Suzumi watched him with darkened expressions. They exchanged glances and quickly left as well.

Meanwhile, after asking around for Tetsuya's home address, the trio had arrived and knocked on the door.

Unlike Shadownight Gym's connected front and back courtyard, Sato and the others lived in the rear quarters.

Tetsuya's family was one of Olivine City's well-known local families, so their home and the Gym were completely separate.

A little girl, six or seven years old, opened the door and said sweetly, "Grandpa told me to bring you inside."

"What an adorable little lady~ How old are you? What's your name?" Mark immediately switched into big-bro mode and leaned in to ask.

"My name is Jasmine, and I'm seven," Jasmine answered politely, though a little shy.

Sato hadn't noticed at first, but hearing the girl speak made him turn his head.

The future Leader of Olivine Gym… was currently just a seven-year-old little girl.

"Hahaha, Tetsuya isn't back yet, and I didn't expect the Shadownight Gym Leader to arrive first. I've already sent someone to fetch him," a hearty voice echoed before its owner appeared.

"Grandpa!" Jasmine called out, skipping over joyfully.

"Mr. Myron, sorry for intruding so abruptly," Sato said, looking ahead at the elderly man with mostly white hair who was smiling at them.

"No trouble at all. You're one of the leading figures among our younger generation of League Trainers. Seeing youths like you gives me hope I'll live a few more years."

Myron laughed heartily, and everyone present couldn't help but smile at his words.

"Grandpa's going to live to a hundred!" Jasmine declared seriously as she snuggled up to his arm.

"I will, I will. Now, let's get our guests seated," Myron said, patting Jasmine's head and inviting them to sit.

"Please just call me Sato. These two are our Gym's registered Trainers, Mark and Sina," Sato said as the three took their seats and made introductions.

"Good kids, all of you. With Trainers like you in the League, the future will surely be bright," said Myron, the former Olivine Gym Leader and a loyal League man.

"Mr. Myron, to be honest, aside from paying our respects, we've also come to formally respond to Leader Tetsuya's request."

Sato got straight to the point and described the situation with Mark and Sina being blocked… though he made it sound like it was difficult to bring up.

.

.

.

150 PowahStones = Chap