Sage made her way to the elevator as she stepped inside and pressed a button as the elevator began moving towards the seventh floor as Sage was nervous as she wondered how long it will take until Team Rocket finds out her true identity.
The elevator stopped on the seventh floor as the door opened as Sage got out cautiously as she looked around and saw the hallway was eerily quiet with no grunts in sight.
She kept her head low as she moved swiftly and silently as the sound of her footsteps muffled on the carpeted floor as she made sure to keep a low profile and act like a grunt as she checked all the empty rooms until she came upon a room with a cage that contained all the hostages.
The group of people inside the cage were huddled together as they looked disheveled and fearful and as soon as they saw her, their eyes narrowed and they snarled as they slowly backed away from her.
Sage's heart clenched but she didn't let the panic show on her face as she had to remain calm.
I'm not a team rocket grunt, I'm undercover and I'm here to help all of you so trust me" Sage said as her words seemed to resonate with the hostages as they began to relax a little.
Sage could see the uncertainty in their eyes—they had no reason to trust her, especially since she was dressed Team Rocket the very same people who looked them up.
Sage spotted the card reader on the cage door and before she could make her move, she heard the sound of quick footsteps approaching from behind as her instincts kicked in and she whirled around as she was ready for whatever was coming.
To her surprise, it was Pikachu and Shadebark as Shadebark held the card key tightly in its mouth and he looked especially proud while Pikachu proudly carried something else.
Sage's eyes widened when she saw what Pikachu was holding: a TM.
Her Rotom Phone buzzed to life and scanned the TM as the screen displayed Dragon Claw which was a powerful Dragon-type move that would work well with Charizard.
Good job, you two" Sage whispered with her voice filled with gratitude as she knelt down to take the card key from Shadebark's mouth and grabbed the TM from Pikachu.
Shadebark and Pikachu exchanged a brief, pleased glance before Sage recalled them back into their Pokéballs.
Sage felt the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders—things were progressing but she had to stay focused as every second counted.
With the card key in hand, Sage moved toward the cage and slid it into the reader as there was a soft click as the cage door unlocked as the hostages inside looked at her with a mix of surprise and hope but Sage didn't have time to linger as she gestured for them to leave quickly.
Take the fire exit and make sure to remain hidden until this whole thing blows over" Sage said as the hostages nodded as they began making their way to the fire exit.
Sage watched them go as a sense of relief washing over her as she had freed them but her mission wasn't over yet.
As the last hostage disappeared through the door, Sage's Rotom Phone buzzed again as she pulled it out as she was eager to see the new message as she saw it was from Leaf.
Me and Blue managed to take care of the Team Rocket grunts so we are coming to help you.
Sage couldn't help but smile as with her friends coming to help her, she felt more safe but there was something she needed to do before she could progress further.
Sage glanced at her surroundings as she made sure no one was around as she took off her disguise and slipped on her regular clothes as she knew it was only a matter of time before Team Rocket finds out her true identity.
Sage took a deep breath and adjusted her jacket as it was time to get moving before the situation escalated further.
The mission wasn't over but the end was in sight.
