The Council's progress against the crisis progresses slowly. Meanwhile Luke, while upholding his position as a councilman, must also continue his search for the mole. Calhoun, however, has made his next move, setting loose a monster of pure embodied rage upon the city of Hadleigh.

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“The Dark Crusade,” Romulus read aloud.

His words snapped Luke out of his momentary trance. The Lucario had been lost in his head until the Houndoom had spoken up, bringing him back to attention. He had been lost in reminiscence, thinking back to the council's progress. The shift in opinions had finally put the new council into motion, ending the weeklong stalemate between Romulus and Torolf, and finally the council was taking action against the current crisis. Warnings were being written and sent to all registered Rescue Teams across the land, notifying them of Calhoun and his known affiliates. The warnings included sketches of the renegades provided by the unknown benefactor known as 'Ana' who still wished to remain anonymous.

The benefactor, none other than Jora, had given Aerendyl a detailed description of all of Calhoun's lieutenants – every one she had met in person. Aerendyl gave the list to Luke, and Luke gave it to the council. Many remained skeptical about the mysterious benefactor, but Luke insisted it was for her own safety. Romulus had still not told the other councilmen about the possible mole in their midst, and he understood Luke's reasoning for keeping Jora's identity secret. She was a traitor to the Dark Crusade, and if the mole knew where to find her, word might get back to Calhoun as well.

“This is what they are calling themselves,” said Romulus. “A crusade, against the gods themselves and grind the world beneath their heel. This is Calhoun's end goal. It is more than just the work of a fanatic or any other criminal, but the designs of a truly twisted mind.”

He read off a list of the crimes committed by the Crusade. A long list, not the least of which included the number of the inhabited landmasses in the West Islands – or, Equatorial Islands as some at the table also called them – which included Arc. But it had not been the only one. Six other island colonies had been raised, every one of them with a statue honouring one of the gods. Based on the time stamps, Calhoun had targeted Arc Island first, out of the hundreds of islands that covered the region, including several between the fortress island – which, according to the report, had not been unoccupied even before Calhoun had moved in, indicating that the previous inhabitants might have been yet more victims of the Crusade.

“This is an outrage!” Mustaf, ever the loudest of the group, exploded. “How can he have caused so much damage - how did we not hear about these atrocities before now?!”

Keirrot nervously rose from his seat, clearing his throat to get the council’s attention. “I was informed by my… my guild’s late leader, that we were witholding news of the atrocities. We thought it would prevent the spread of panic or discord, while we gathered more intelligence and determined how best to-”

“The guilds withheld this information, from their own teams?!” Cedaris interjected, slamming his hoof on the table. “If we had known about all of this when it began, we could have put an end to it from the start! By now, Calhoun has grown too powerful to be stopped!”

“If that were true, Cedaris, than Calhoun would have already won,” Torolf returned. “He has made attempts to push his campaign forward and he has an army of followers, but as demonstrated at his own stronghold in the islands, and his failed attack on Hadleigh, he can be stopped, and we will stop him.”

“Indeed, Calhoun has been repelled before,” Valorin added. “No enemy is truly insurmountable.”

“But we do not even know the extent of his resources,” Sorana reminded. “While his ship, the Oppression, lays in ruins outside this city, how do we know he does not have another conducting similar raids in the west, or in the south? Or even the islands - can we be sure it is the same ship that raided the islands and not another one?”

“Intelligence of that nature is being brought to us by the day,” Torolf reminded them.

“Along with Pokemon who are missing, some even presumed dead,” Cedaris cut in. “Gaining intelligence is only half the battle. We need manpower enough to combat this threat. We should start bringing rescue teams together, forming our own special response team. I can think of no better place to start than here at this table.”

Mustaf snarled at the Sawsbuck. “My team will not face conscription without my say so, plant horn.”

“I did not mean to imply they would have no say in the matter,” Cedaris returned in as calming a tone he could muster.

With so many voices speaking up, Luke found it hard for any opportunity to put in his own opinion on the matter. To him, it felt like they were back to square one again, albeit to a lesser extent. But he could sense that discord amongst the guild members was looming over them once more, and the stress was starting to make him feel agitated. A couple times he did try to speak up, but his voice was ultimately drowned out by the others arguing about the new topic at hand, and he dared not lash out in a fit of annoyance. For now, all he could do was wait for his opportunity to speak up...whenever it decided to present itself.

Romulus struck the table with his paw a few times until the arguing died down. “Fellow councillors, we will get nowhere if we keep doing this. This overwhelming need to have each of our voices heard over each other has gone on long enough. We have made progress these past days. I encourage us to keep progressing. I did not read this report to you all to cause more bickering, only to make you understand how widespread this crisis truly is.”

Cinnia, at her usual place between Torolf and Romulus, was watching the Houndoom with a stoic face, one that seemed so alien on the beautiful features of the Primarina. Of all the times Luke had met her, even when she disliked the present company she never, ever allowed it to show. Yet it seemed that was becoming a battle in and of itself for the singer. He saw movement under the table, and her gaze drifted to Torolf, the two staring at each other as though having a conversation, though neither spoke.

“For now, this report confirms our message has been sent,” Romulus went on. “We have done everything that can be done to spread the word to the rest of the world, giving people time to prepare. The previous guildmasters did what they thought was right, wanting more information before acting, as we are. But, we will make the same mistake if we cannot reach a consensus. I propose a recess - let us all take time to cool our tempers, perhaps grab a bite to eat, and return here within the hour.”

The decision was unanimous, with only Meilin and Torolf voting against ending the meeting, though they were outnumbered. The hall soon cleared, until only Luke, Kage, Cinnia and Torolf remained.

The Swampert slumped back in his seat. “Well… we’ve made some headway, but I know we could do more,” he stated. “If we keep having to recess whenever we have disagreements we will get nowhere.”

“But we will continue to be at a stalemate if everyone cannot keep their heads together,” Cinnia added, sighing. “Why is it so hard for them to see this?”

“It’s probably because of the damage that’s already been done. Perhaps some still think it’s beyond repair and have already given up inwardly.” Luke proposed. “Everyone has their own subjective personal opinions, and sometimes those opinions blind them from the truth at hand.”

“Maybe Cedaris has a point though,” Torolf began. “Perhaps we can organize a response, create a strike force dedicated to stopping this ‘Dark Crusade’. A team of specialists to carry out a special mission. Our teams are more than capable.”

Cinnia’s skepticism was apparent “Even if that idea were to work, who would lead this team? And if you build it from the teams of the captains assembled here, they would be forced to work with their own rivals - you need look no further than this room to see how that would fare at first. They would need time.”

“And time is a luxury we don’t have a lot of.” Luke added, humming in thought as he tried to come up with a solution. “If we were to go through with this suggestion though, we would most likely need Pokémon accustomed working from the shadows while behind enemy lines. Either that, or we try the double agent approach.”

“I fear a double agent would put too much risk in the agent being turned against us,” Cinnia replied. “You told us of the dormant shadow essence in your friend, the one you call 'Ana'. What is to say that Calhoun does not place that within everyone who serves him?”

“Agreed. Infiltration may not be an option,” returned Torolf. “I would propose the greatest fighters we have on our teams - sans the leaders if they fit that role, and teach them to work together.”

“As Luke and I said, Torolf, that requires time,” Cinnia reminded. “It isn’t a bad idea by any means, but I am not sure we should pick our candidates from groups who already have so much friction between them.”

Torolf let out a defeated sigh. “Yes, of course you are right. I need to speak with Leon about this, and see what he thinks.” He stood up from his chair, dropping to all fours before turning to Luke. “Take this time to refresh yourself, Luke. Out of everyone here, you’ve kept a level head - I’d like you to hold onto that, for as long as you can,” he said as he started to leave, making his way to the exit.

Luke let out an exasperated sigh. “With everything that’s been happening, even my patience will eventually run out. But I’ll hold on as long as I can.” He assured Torolf, watching as the Swampert left before sliding out of his chair, joined by Kage as he too started to make his exit.

“Luke,” Cinnia spoke up. “Would you mind accompanying me to my home? There was something I wanted to discuss with you. I can offer you and your friend some refreshment there as well.”

“Oh, uh sure. I’d appreciate that.” Luke returned, then looked toward Kage. “Coming?”

“I politely decline…” he returned stoically. “Someone has to keep watch over the streets while you’re sorting out political affairs.” he added.

Luke groaned audibly. “Would it kill you to lighten up a bit?” He stated to Greninja in protest. “Besides, Team Plainsrunner is already patrolling the streets as we speak. For once in your life, just relax and take a break before you blow a gasket!”

Kage rolled his eyes slightly, but he could see the logic in Luke’s statement. “Fine.” He relented.

“Thank you!” Luke said before sighing heavily once more.

Cinnia pulled herself out of her seat, and started for the door, pulling herself along with her arms and doing her best to keep pace with Luke and Kage as they headed outside, where her cart waited. “I can tell how stressed you are, Luke,” she commented. “I don’t believe I have ever heard you talk like that to anyone.”

“I just…” Luke trailed off for a moment, choosing his words carefully before proceeding. “I just miss Volcan so damn much... I haven’t been apart from him this long before and it’s slowly eating me up internally.”

They reached Cinnia’s cart, climbing aboard where Kage sat at the seat normally reserved for a driver, while Luke and Cinnia sat together in the back as the Tauros pulling it began to trot, starting their trek back to her home.

“I am sure he misses you dearly as well,” returned Cinnia, reaching out a flipper to rest on his back comfortingly. “You will see him again, soon. This council will find its way. It must.”

“I know it will.” Luke returned softly, looking over to Cinnia as she comforted him. “Because I don’t know what I’m going to do if it doesn’t.” He added.