Snippet #2742057

"Fuchsia City," an all too sinister looking Krookodile growled as he overlooked the city he stated, "You better be right about this."

"Trust me," the Wobbuffet to his right said, "The Wilding Network knows what's up."

"Lead the way."

The Wobbuffet stepped outside of the treeline and onto the freshly mowed grass of the home they were standing in front. Gnash followed, moving in a straight, tactical fashion towards the building, complete with an action roll. He plastered himself against the wall and was looking left and right. After watching, the Wobbuffet slowly sauntered up.

"Dude," he said, "You realize no one cares about wildings around here, right? There's a Safari Zone for a reason."

"Maybe not to you," Gnash shot back, "But I'm not a local around these parts. I'm not failing the mission because I wasn't careful enough."

The Wobbuffet shrugged, "Your call, then."

Gnash muttered some kind of insult under his breath before venturing onward.

Fuchsia City wasn't as big or populated as it was vast. There was a lot of forest sprinkled into the civilization, already giving it a rural feel. Adding to it's size was the long roadways that separated each buildings and the ever imposing Safari Zone. Most of the buildings represented an ancient civilization vibe with classical and oriental aesthetics that the region was known for. Apart from the Pokemon Center and PokeMart that always remained updated, most estates in the area were older in architectural design, including the Pokemon Gym. Walking through this charming city, one would typically be encapsulated by it's beauty.

All Gnash noticed was how much cover he had to work with as he moved. While the Wobbuffet walked casually through the city, Gnash was diving into bushes, sneaking through tall grass, and ducking behind buildings, remaining as invisible as possible. Despite his erratic pace in comparison to his companion, he kept up. Before they knew it, they were in the Safari Zone.

"Alright, this is where you go on and I go about my business," the Wobbuffet gave Gnash a salute and took a step back.

Gnash chuckled cruelly, "Nice try, but you're coming with me."

The salute dropped, fear registering slightly on the Wobbuffet's face, "'Scuse me?"

"I need to make sure you little 'Network' isn't trying to lead me on. Unless, you have a problem with that?"

Wobbuffet tsked, "I think you worry too much."

This was met a a harsh grab as Gnash lifted the Wobbuffet off his feet, "I'm never worried. I'm careful. And I'm careful because I can't afford to not get what I'm searching for. And I'll do anything to make sure I get what I want." His claws popped out and he held them against the Wobbuffet's light blue skin menacingly, "Remember that."

The Krookodile dropped him and they continued to walk in silence.

---

Their journey through the Safari Zone was uneventful apart from an encounter with a trainer from Goldenrod City. The encounter was short lived as the young boy ended up running down the road in terror with his backpack torn to shreds and two knocked out Pokemon. Gnash made no celebration other than a satisfied grunt before venturing onward.

Not too long afterward, they exited the Safari Zone and ventured through a small patch of forest before they came to a wall. Gnash closed his fist as a signal for the Wobbuffet to stop, who did not hesitate to. Gnash turned back to him and he nodded in confirmation. This was the place.

"Stay here," the Krookodile commanded, "I'm gonna scope it out."

As the Wobbuffet stayed put behind a tree, Gnash began moving within the shadows the treeline provided, remaining out of sight and out of mind. All the while, he was examining the wall he was beside.

About ten feet tall, he noted in his brain. Made of smooth clay, from the looks of it. Seems more decorative than I figured it would be...

He glanced to the left and the right, making sure no one was around and checking for cameras before he stepped forward to get a closer look. He gently placed a finger on the smooth surface, careful not to leave a mark or easily identifiable print. He blinked at what he felt.

It's cold...

Colder than what a wall in this climate would typically feel like. Gnash raked a claw against his scaly skin and tried to think up plausible solutions. Only one came to mind. He thought for a moment, then dug his finger into the ground. He had to feel around for a minute before his finger felt something that made him jerk it back out.

Ice.

Rubbing his finger and nodding in understanding, he covered up his tracks and the tiny hole he made before diving back into the treeline and continuing to walk the perimeter. A smirk formed on his face. They are as smart as they led us to believe.

His walk continued until the corner was reached. Gnash peeked around it and spotted more of what he needed to see: Two guards stationed up front by the gate, two PokeBalls apiece. It also told him this was the front entrance and probably the only way in without scaling the wall or trying to go under...both of which had their own caveats.

Sneaking in would be a pain...

To get a better vantage point, the Krookodile dove back into the forest, found a tall tree, and climbed it. From the top, he remained relatively hidden among the leaves and gazed towards the grounds below. It was mostly open with little to no cover leading towards the big mansion and a few more guards walking around. A few clumps of vegetation sprinkled here and there, he analyzed as he took note of the two extravagant gardens in the front and back and the stone building off to the side that made him think there was more to this place than even the huge house and immense garden provided. But it made sense, at least to Gnash. With expansion upward shown and expansion outward gated, the only way to expand in secret was down.

Now he was connecting the dots.

The Krookodile made his way down the tree by leaping from branch to branch, not bothering to take the time to slowly scale back down. He had plans to make and no time could be wasted. He landed with a soft thud! and made his way back to a smirking Wobbuffet.

"So...was I right or was I right?" the Wobbuffet retained a lot of his swagger after the last time they talked.

Gnash nodded curtly, "Heavily fortified, guards all over the place, no real way under or over without getting something's attention. Yep...seems like the place all right."

"I told you man," the Wobbuffet grinned, "The Network almost never fails."

"Then we'll keep in touch," Gnash glanced back towards the wall, "You're free to go."

As the Wobbuffet sauntered off, the Krookodile reached into his knapsack and pulled out the Distance Communicator. Flipping it on and adjusting the dial so that the receivers in the nearby labor camps and strongholds would hear, he began to relay his message:

{ZZZZT!} Attention Psychic Rebellion Officers! This is Commander Gnash. I request back-up outside Fuchsia City due north of the Safari Zone. Fifty members apiece. Make your approach silent and do not enter the point of interest until I say. All Labor Camps, bring a few of your captured individuals as well. You know the procedure for transporting them. Make sure none escape or make any noise. I'll explain the purpose when you get here. Over and out! {ZZZZT!}