Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 55: Route 212, The Pokemon Mansion

"Part of being in the family business means running deliveries for my uncles sometimes. When I was working on the ranches in the summer it was usually just a trip over to the next town—or a quick day trip a few towns over using the train. But, now that I was travelling around the Sinnoh Region, my job was to deliver Pokémon to other locales and places where my uncles couldn't get to as quickly. This time it was delivering a batch of 'Baby Pokémon' to a man named Mr. Backlot at his mansion on Route 212. Just south of Hearthome City, and north of the rainy, swampy marshes of Southern Sinnoh, Mr. Backlot was known for two things—his beautiful gardens filled with Pokémon sold by the Accardi Sinnoh Ranch, and his generosity at allowing travellers and Trainers to catch these otherwise rare Pokémon for themselves if they could prove their kindness to him."

The radio hummed and whirred as Alyssandra tried to tune it in to some music. She was thoroughly surprised however when a warning beep blared through the speakers.

It was the sound of an emergency update from the Pokémon League—everyone in Sinnoh knew it.

"This is the Sinnoh Emergency Broadcast System. This is not a drill. Please stay tuned for further information. This is not a drill."

The Sinnoh Emergency Broadcast System, or SEBS for short, was the sole property of the Pokémon League, and was usually followed by a live speech, or broadcast, from the Champion. That meant Valentina was going to be on the air soon, talking about something important.

"Hello my fellow Sinnohans. I am Champion Valentina, as some of you may know. Sadly...I come before you today, not with good news, but with a warning."

Sam and Alyssandra looked at each other as Sam took a corner, hands firmly on the wheel.

"Unfortunately, it seems the Black Claw Gang has made its way to Sinnoh. These infamous group of criminals and Pokémon Poachers, who have the audacity to call themselves 'businessmen', think they can come to our Region and do what they please with our people, and our Pokémon."

There was a pause for effect.

"I am here to warn them, if they are listening, that they are sorely wrong. We will not back down—we will not let you harm the Pokémon of this region. We will stop you, even if we have to fight to the bitter end!"

Cheers from the live crowd that Valentina was likely addressing.

"We will find where you are hiding, and we will fight you wherever you may appear. We will push you from our island, and we will never surrender!"

More cheering followed, louder and longer this time.

"Too long have you abused Pokémon for profit. Other regions have tried to stop you and bring you down—with no results. But I warn you, Black Claw Gang, the people of Sinnoh are hardened and tough. We will be the ones to crush you!"

Valentina paused again.

"I am pleased to announce to you all today, that we have started up an official taskforce. The Anti-Black Claw Coalition, consisting of members of Interpol, and the Sinnoh Police Department, as well as the Sinnoh League, and is funded by the Accardi Pokémon Ranch in Sinnoh, and the Pokémon League. Myself, alongside our former Champion, Cynthia, and Luciano Accardi himself, will head this Coalition. Our hope, is that with time, we can add the ranks of other regions to our Coalition of justice, and together we can end the Black Claw threat once and for all!"

The people cheered again.

"In the meantime, there is something you all can do as people of Sinnoh, to assist in our fight against the Black Claw Gang. The Pokémon League will be offering cash rewards to any and all people who bring forward substantial information about the Black Claw Gang, their whereabouts, or activities. Any information that leads to arrests will be given double the reward. You can report suspicious activities to your local Police Force, or to your local Gym Leader."