Tia and Aidan sat in a secluded area of the Ecruteak Inn, waiting for Aidan’s contact to meet up with them.
Tia looked around at the hustle and bustle around them. It was a busy night at the inn, with tourists and locals alike walking around and sitting at tables. It provided a good cover, considering much of what she and Aidan would talk about with the contact was not meant to be overheard.
“Are you sure this guy will show up?” Tia asked, looking up at a clock mounted on the wall. “He said to meet here at 8 pm...”
“Just give him a few minutes,” Aidan said, “He’ll show.”
After a few more minutes, a voice spoke up behind Aidan.
“So we meet again.”
Aidan turned around to see a blond-haired man, dressed in a purple suit and white cape. His blue eyes flashed and he wore a serious expression on his face.
“Eusine!” Aidan said, getting up and shaking his hand. “Nice to see you again.”
Eusine nodded and sat down across from them. “Let’s get to business,” he said, “What information do you need to know?”
Aidan looked at Tia. “This is Tia,” he said, introducing her, “She’ll explain more.”
Tia nodded. “We’re working on a very special project, involving the Legendary Pokemon of Kanto and Johto. To conduct research on these Pokemon by battling and capturing them, and if need be, releasing them back into the wild.”
Eusine listened carefully, giving Tia an intense stare.
Tia swallowed nervously, and continued her pitch. “This research is to complete the latest version of the Pokedex, as well as to provide field testing for Silph’s newest Poke Ball.”
Eusine closed his eyes in thought. “And the reason you approached me is…”
“Well, since we’re researching Kanto and Johto’s Legendary Pokemon,” Tia continued carefully, “one of our targets is Suicune.”
Eusine opened his eyes and nodded. “Naturally.”
Tia glanced at Aidan, then back to Eusine. “And according to Aidan, you are the foremost authority on Suicune and its movements.”
“Hmm.”
“Long story short,” Aidan put in, “We’ll need you to lead us to Suicune’s nest.”
Eusine was silent for a moment, then spoke up. “And if I refuse?”
Tia and Aidan looked at each other.
“I’ve chased Suicune for 10 years,” Eusine continued, “And every time I come close to a proper encounter with it, something… or someone… gets in the way.” He stared back at them with a piercing glare. “How do I know this isn’t one of those times?”
Tia took a deep breath. “We’d like to make a deal with you,” she said, “Take us to Suicune’s nesting ground, and we’ll step back and let you battle Suicune fair and square.”
She paused to let the statement sink in, then continued. “We have only one condition.” She pulled out a Legend Ball prototype and handed it to Eusine. “Use this Poke Ball to capture Suicune, and allow us to extract the data from it. Afterward, you can choose whether to release Suicune or not.”
Eusine scoffed. “It’s Suicune’s choice whether it wants to be with a Trainer or not.” He continued to stare sternly at the two of them. After a few moments, with Tia sure he would refuse, he surprised her with a crooked smile. “Deal.”