The Council in Hadleigh is in stalemate. While Luke tries to find a way to bring the other councilors to a joint consensus, he is suddenly pulled into an alleyway by a very familiar reptile, who warns him of assassins in Hadleigh...

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At the third convention of the new Council, little progress had been made since the first. The captains continued to attempt to push forward their ideas of what needed to be done, causing the conversations to circle repeatedly as either side tried to make their case.

Luke and Torolf remained opposed to the motion of elevating Calhoun and his lieutenants to S-level threat, fearing that such a movement would only make things worse -though not for the same reason. Luke didn’t like the idea of putting so many Pokémon into the crosshairs of others, but Torolf’s reasoning was that elevating the conflict with Calhoun would only provoke a worse response from the Dark Blaziken, who still held the balance of power in his favour. Most of the council remained indifferent to the subject, except of course for Romulus - the one who had originally suggested the edict, and Mustaf of Team Pride, who still seemed more interested in simply ending the council so that he could leave Hadleigh and cared little about what was decided, leaving Luke -not for the first time- wondering why the Pyroar was even there.

Once again, the council was brought to a temporary recess, and once more Luke left in the company of Torolf, the two of them joining Lady Cinnia at her home. They sat opposite the wide table from the Primarina as one of her servants poured hot tea for them.

“Another day with little accomplished,” Torolf said, his disdain at the lack of progress clear. “So far we’ve only been able to keep the whole council in a stalemate, and this fixation is costing us time.”

“Keep heart, Torolf,” said Lady Cinnia as she sipped from her own cup. “These sorts of things rarely happen quickly with so many parties involved. It may not seem like it, but not all of the council is won over by Romulus’ extremes.”

“My biggest irritation at the moment is not so much Romulus, but Mustaf of Team Pride.” Luke would add, taking a sip of tea himself, feeling the warm drink help calm his nerves down after a long day of debating. “It’s almost as though he’s just wanting to come to a quick decision and be done with it. Does he not understand the ramifications of such rash actions?”

“Mustaf is simple-minded,” said Cinnia, staring into her cup lamenting. “The shortest distance between two points is a straight line and that's always the course he wants to take, even if it isn't the right one. He also cares little for the civilized side of modern society - this city makes him feel confined, and he wishes nothing more than to leave it and return to the open plains, hence his impatience to see the council finished.”

“Were it not for the respect he commands across the rural communities of this region, I would not have even invited him,” growled Torolf.

“Be that as it may, he has to understand that whatever affects the civilized cities will also affect the rural areas if a rash decision is finalized.” Luke countered firmly. “We’re all here right now because we’re the last and only line of defense against Calhoun and his forces. Cooperation is crucial for us to succeed right now and this constant in-fighting isn’t doing anything to reinforce that.” He added, clenching his free paw resting on the table firmly. “I get that we all have things we’re uncomfortable about, but for the sake of every Pokémon in the world, we have to put our differences aside.”

“Agreed,” Torolf added, leaning back and resting his massive hands on his knees. “If we can’t overcome that, the situation is only going to get worse… but how can we convince them?”

After a moment of silence, Cinnia looked at Luke. “Your friend Volcan… as I understand it, he was the first among all of you to have seen Calhoun. What would he decide, were this decision presented to him?”

At first, Luke wanted to say he was certain Volcan would oppose the verdict, but something in the back of his mind made him hesitate. After a moment or so of consideration, he spoke his thoughts aloud. “My heart wants me to say that he would be vehemently opposed to the idea of destroying Calhoun and all he stands for,” he began, then his expression saddened, and his ears flattened as he went on. “However, Calhoun destroyed Volcan's home and many of the people Volcan was sworn to protect. He and his teammates have more cause to the Dark Crusade than anyone, and I don't think his decision would be made without that in mind.

“I see,” the Primarina returned, brow furrowing. “Sometimes, the dead speak to us louder than the living.”

Torolf huffed. “I can attest to that,” he admitted, picking up his cup - which, for his large size, was in fact a soup bowl he could easily pick up with his fingers. “What we need some way to bring everyone onto the same page… they know both Romulus and I are on opposite sides here despite knowing how we both faced Calhoun once before.”

Cinnia raised her head at that. “I wonder… perhaps that is exactly the problem,” she said, earning a quizzical look from her guests.

Luke’s ears perked up a little, looking over to Lady Cinnia curiously. “What do you mean?” He queried.

Cinnia set down her teacup, folding her flippers across her lap - if one could say she had one, as her entire lower body was a fish-like tail - shutting her eyes as she considered by best to answer. “I may be reaching… but the guilds began years ago motivated by good intention, and that intention carries into most of the rescue teams, but not all, and we see that clearly with those who have gathered in this hall. Produced by their motivations and shaped by the work they have done to get here.”

She opened her eyes, looking at Torolf. “You and Romulus, more than any other team, present the highest point of achievement within the guilds. You aren’t just Gold-ranked captains. The two of you have defined the very role for others to follow, yet here your rival remains, still at odds against an enemy as great - if not greater than any you’ve both faced. Perhaps it is your own inability to reach a consensus that prevents the other captains from choosing their own.”

“So, you’re saying,” Torolf began, pondering her words for a moment. “That if we were of the same mind in this the other captains would follow our example?”

“Yes,” replied Cinnia. “If you and he were on the same page I have little doubt the decision would be unanimous for them.”

Torolf scoffed. “If it were only so simple. Romulus and I have very different methods. He relies on brute force and intimidation to keep people from turning to crime, while I respond to problems as they appear and implement preventative measures.”

“Then you must start elsewhere,” said Cinnia. “Look to the other captains -hear their side and try to decide who among them you might support. If you make it seem like you would back them in their own agendas, they may very well reciprocate and in turn support you. If Romulus sees the others support you, it may sway his decision in turn.”

Luke hummed a little in thought as he rubbed his chin. “It would seem the latter option might be the better course of action here.” He stated. “No offense to you, Torolf, but you and Romulus are like oil and water. I don’t think there’s a chance in hell you two can come to any consensus on the matter.” He said honestly.

“I’m inclined to agree,” returned the Swampert. “But where should we start? Or rather, who with?”

“Of that, I am uncertain,” replied Cinnia. “Perhaps with Meilin of Team Tao. She is the only one with no agenda in mind for this council.”

Torolf hummed as a thought occurred to him. “We learned long ago that Calhoun may have once been a warrior monk from the far north,” he said, reminding Luke of the day he had visited Torolf and found out that -rather shocking, fact. “Meilin is such a monk. If she knew where Calhoun came from, and how the shadow corruption changed him, could it affect her decision?”

“It could,” Cinnia began with slight hesitation. “On one hand, it could make her understand that even she as a master of aura is not safe from the corruption and feel the need for caution when approaching him. But on another she could see Calhoun as a direct affront to her beliefs and that could put her thoughts more in line with those of Romulus.”

Torolf huffed. “Damn…”

“It’s a risky gambit, but it might just be one we have to take.” Luke commented, coming to a decision. “I will try speaking to her.”

“Do you think you can convince her?” Torolf asked.

“She was impressed when Kage revealed I was the one that removed Calhoun’s influence from Lugia when his forces attacked Hadleigh. That might give me some leverage to try and sway her to our side.” Luke explained.

“She does respect you, at least that much is certain,” agreed Cinnia. “Torolf and I should speak to Keirrot then.”

“Why Keirrot?” Torolf asked.

“He has not come to any decisions yet either,” replied Cinnia. “We could yet convince him to take our side. “We’ll bring him here to my home. He may respond better to a more comfortable environment than the guild hall.”

“I shall seek out Meilin then,” said Luke, finishing his tea and setting the cup down. “Would either of you happen to know where I could look for her?”

“Try the Artist's Road Inn, near the eastern exit,” replied Torolf. “It's the quietest inn in Hadleigh. If she prefers a peaceful environment, that's the best one. Be sure you present your team emblem when you ask about her at the front desk, so that they know you’re a colleague.”

Luke nodded softly. “I’ll be on my way then.” He said as he stood up. “Thank you for the tea, Lady Cinnia, and for all your help.”

"Good day, Luke," the Primarina returned, giving him that heart-melting smile of hers.

He couldn’t help but smile back, blushing slightly and giving them both a wave before he turned and headed out the front door and back out onto the streets of Hadleigh. “Okay...Artist’s Road Inn.” He muttered softly to himself, looking toward the bottom of the hill and walking at a brisk pace toward his target.

Making his way out of the music district he started on the main road through the city, joining the crowd that moved along the road to the other end of the city, but was forced to take a detour when things started to get too confined for him, moving onto a smaller side road running parallel to the main.

It was then he started to get an odd feeling -like someone was watching him. He looked behind him -no one, but the passing crowds on the main street, none of whom were looking at him. He looked up, checking a nearby balcony and what rooftops he could see. Still nothing, and so he moved on, continuing down the street. Yet the feeling did not recede. He turned a corner, and it was when he passed an alley that he heard shuffling behind him. He spun around, but still he saw nothing…

Until suddenly, a clawed hand clap over his mouth and another around his middle. So caught off guard, he didn't resist as they yanked him backward. He nearly lost his balance in surprise, the figure successfully pulling him into the darkness of the alley before they ducked behind a dumpster. He felt something wrapping around his legs, holding them together. He started reaching for their arms, ready to fight before a voice gently shushed him and whispered in his ear.

"Stay still," they hissed quietly. "You are being followed."