Kitsune glared warily as the humans walked past. First that mob of guys in the red hoods, now these blue bandanas. And they were heading for the mountain’s peak, just like the others. A small part of him hoped that they at least weren’t hurting his fellow Rokon, but a lot of him didn’t care either way. Shouldn’t have mocked me for my hobby. he thought.

“Look!” one of the bandana-wearers said. “Is that a Rokon?”

“Down here?” asked another, looking and spotting him. “Don’t they normally live on the peak?”

“He looks mad.” a third said. “Think we should steer clear?”

“Hmm… Actually, I have a better idea…” the first said, walking over to him. He growled at the human. “Hey, you don’t like humans, do you?” he asked. He shook his head before resuming his growling.

“Hey, man, what are you doing?” one of the other two said.

“Yeah, we need to get to the peak! Before Magma-Dan gets the other Orb!” scolded the other.

“Hush it.” he told them before looking back at Kitsune. “We’re Aqua-Dan, and our goal is to wipe out humankind, aside from a select few, to allow Pokémon to live in peace, without humans.”

Kitsune did not look convinced. To pick and choose who lives and who dies… Is that your right? he mentally asked. Does anyone have that right?

“We’ve got this sweet bandana for you to wear on your head.” the Aqua-Dan member said, pointing at the bandana on his own head. “We’ve also got these little… Mechanical gills, we like to call them, they extract oxygen from the water like real gills.” Tempting, but he didn’t see any real need to do any diving.

A fourth member walked over to them, having overheard. “There’s also that device. Still in its testing phase, but it disarms Monster Balls. The finished product should even work on Master Balls.” Now that piqued Kitsune’s interest. A device that disarms Monster Balls?

Where do I sign up? he telepathically asked, surprising the bandanaed men. They looked at each other before grinning.

“Come on.” the one said, motioning for him to follow as he joined the bunch heading up. He followed the group, getting odd looks from most of the human members (and getting coos of “kawaii” from some of the females) that he passed, until they neared the peak. “Magma-Dan? What are they doing here?”

“…Let’s go.” a glasses-wearing member of “Magma-Dan” said. “We have the Crimson Orb that we came for, let’s not waste any more time here.”

“What do you mean, Matsubusa!?” asked an Aqua-Dan member in a blue wetsuit as the red-clad group walked away.

“Sir!” one of the Aqua-Dan members said. “Aren’t we here for something else? Not Magma-Dan?”

“…You’re right, the Indigo Orb! Let’s go!” the apparent boss said, starting up toward the peak.

“Sir, one moment!” the Aqua-Dan member who had talked to Kitsune said. “We have a last minute recruit here?” He picked up Kitsune, who snarled and squirmed for a moment as the boss headed over.

“Oh? This is odd…” he said before laughing boisterously. “Alright, alright, I’ll bite. What’s your name?” he asked condescendingly.

Kitsune. the Rokon replied, shocking the man and several of the surrounding Underlings. Then the boss started laughing again.

“I like you, Kitsune, you’re full of surprises!” he said. “I’m Aogiri, the Leader of Aqua-Dan! Tell me, can you swim?”

Better than others of my species. he replied.

“Good, good, you’re in! Never had a Pokémon on the team that wasn’t owned by someone, this should be fun! Now, onward! Grab the Indigo Orb!”

Yes, sir! Kitsune thought, alongside the Underlings around him as the one holding him set him down.

---

At the Aqua-Dan Hideout just outside Lilycove City, Kitsune was being introduced to the Executives, now wearing an Aqua-Dan bandana and with a breathing apparatus and the symbol for Aqua-Dan joining the Everstone on his necklace. “You’ve met Ushio-san.” said the Underling doing introductions. “He’s the muscle, the pure might, of the Gang. The woman is Izumi-san, she’s the brainy one, and probably the one you’ll be working for.”

“Hey…” Izumi greeted, looking preoccupied with something.

…Something wrong? Kitsune asked the woman.

“…No, nothing to concern yourself with, Underling.” she answered.

I can read your mind. the Fire-type bluffed.

“You had better not.” she told him.

Understood. he said with a sigh. I’m just curious.

Just then, Aogiri entered the room. “Izumi-san! Time to leave for Slateport! We’ve got a submarine to abscond with!”

“Sir!” Izumi said. “Rokon, you’re coming, too. Try not to blow up the sub.”

Understood. he said, following.