"The organization has grown to this point… For my plan to succeed, it's time to find a base."
The Pokémon leading the group slowly closed its eyes in thought. Its body was covered in white fur, and it waved a fan made of leaves and its own body hair. This was Oranguru, a Pokémon known for its intelligence.
The "organization" it spoke of was the infamous Pokémon gang of Galar—a band of cunning Pokémon thieves.
They operated in cities and towns across the region, stealing food and valuables, causing destruction, all while adhering to a strict code. Because of this, they rarely failed.
Whenever merchants spotted a Honchkrow-Meowth duo, they immediately became wary. Local police stations were frequently bombarded with reports, but there was little they could do—the gang was simply too clever.
To humans, this gang appeared to be a group of unruly criminals. But in reality, these Pokémon didn't lack food. To them, the things humans valued were just shiny objects with little meaning.
Their real goal was revenge.
Hated by humans. Abandoned by humans. Hurt by humans.
Oranguru had gathered these Pokémon together, merging its Honchkrow army and Meowth gang into what was now the Pokémon underworld of Galar.
It knew humans well—far too well. That's why its operations were designed to cause only minor trouble. Nothing major enough for humans to truly act against them.
Over time, the gang's name spread across Pokémon communities, and more outcasts joined their ranks.
And when the time was right, Oranguru would enact its true plan—a targeted strike against those who had harmed Pokémon.
But it understood the risks. If they went too far, humans would take real action against them. So, before that day came, it needed a stronghold.
A hidden, food-rich, and easily defensible sanctuary where they could vanish if necessary.
"Hooh!"
Oranguru swung its fan, signaling to its trusted lieutenant—Honchkrow.
It had been rescued by Oranguru when it was still a Murkrow, after a group of children had pelted it with stones, simply because they believed its black feathers were bad luck.
Oranguru had nursed it back to health, and even schemed to acquire a Dusk Stone for its evolution. The methods of commanding an airborne gang were also taught by Oranguru itself.
Honchkrow was, without a doubt, Oranguru's most loyal follower.
"Krah?"
Loyal as it was, Honchkrow still had its own thoughts. It tilted its head and questioned its leader—why not simply invade the forest and drive out the Pokémon living there?
"Meow!"
Beside them, Perrserker shared the same opinion. It had once been the ruthless leader of a town's Meowth gang, drawn to Oranguru's intelligence and its shared disdain for humans.
The violent nature in its blood was urging it to strike first and claim the forest as their own.
"Hooh…" Oranguru shook its head.
"Do not underestimate my intelligence network. There is a Corviknight in that forest. If my guess is correct, it is the ruler of this place."
"Krah." Honchkrow nodded. Corviknight were formidable opponents.
"Hooh, and more importantly—can't you feel the strange aura in this forest? It must be the reason why food is so abundant here."
"The Pokémon living there will not leave willingly. We need information. We are fighting on foreign ground—this is not our city."
"The forest is the forest. The city is the city. Two completely different battlefields!"
Honchkrow was convinced. It let out a sharp cry, commanding its Murkrow army. Hundreds of them took to the sky, swarming into Sunset Forest like shadows.
Their small size and keen eyesight made them perfect scouts.
"Meow?"
Watching the Murkrow fly off, Perrserker turned to Oranguru—what now? Were they just going to sit and wait?
Oranguru smirked.
"There's a small town near this forest, isn't there? Take some of our men and conduct our 'usual activities' there."
"Don't worry about revealing our future base—after all, the most dangerous place is sometimes the safest."
"Meowhaha~!"
Perrserker didn't need to be told twice. It waved a claw, summoning a group of followers.
"Alright, boys! Time for some payback!"
A portion of the gang followed Perrserker toward Spikewood Town. The rest stayed behind with Oranguru and Honchkrow, awaiting the Murkrow scouts' return.
"Krah…"
Honchkrow sighed. Perrserker was always too eager for violence.
Oranguru, however, remained composed, waving its fan leisurely.
"Let him be. In the meantime, I'll take a nap. Keep watch for me, Honchkrow."
Finding a comfortable tree, Oranguru sat down, crossing its arms. Within moments, it was asleep.
Honchkrow's sharp eyes remained alert. Its leader rarely got the chance to rest. It would make sure no one disturbed this moment of peace.
—
An hour later, the first Murkrow returned.
Honchkrow's eyes narrowed in irritation. The scouts were late.
"Krah!"
Finally waking, Oranguru opened one eye, a calm smile on its face.
"Patience. It is better for them to be thorough. Now, tell us—what did you see?"
"Krah! Boss, I saw a forest completely covered in snow!"
"...Krah?!"
Honchkrow glared at the scout.
"Are you out of your mind?! It's the middle of summer! Where the hell did you see snow?! One more lie, and I'll pluck every last feather off you!"
The Murkrow flinched. "I swear it's true! I saw it with my own eyes!"
Before it could say more, another group of Murkrow returned, each bringing different reports.
One claimed the forest was a pitch-black labyrinth filled with glowing mushrooms.
Honchkrow smacked it with its wing.
"You moron! That's Glimwood Tangle, not this forest! Are you high on spores?!"
The other Murkrow hesitated. They, too, had seen bizarre sights.
Encouraged by Oranguru's patience, they continued:
One spoke of a mist-covered lake.
Another described a sweltering rainforest.
One even claimed to see a tree crackling with electricity.
Honchkrow's wings twitched.
"What kind of drugs did you idiots take before scouting?! Are you ALL insane?!"
Finally, the last Murkrow stepped forward.
It had seen a vast field of flowers.
And in that field—a breathtakingly beautiful bird Pokémon.
Honchkrow's eyes widened.
"You saw what?! Why didn't you say so sooner?!"
Oranguru, meanwhile, was frowning.
So many conflicting reports… Something was wrong.
It decided to wait for the rest of the scouts before drawing a conclusion.
But half an hour passed.
Only one more Murkrow returned.
Its report?
"A normal wooden house."
Oranguru's expression darkened.
Even the most foolish Pokémon would realize what had happened—this forest's ruler had let these scouts return.
It was a warning.
A show of power.
Oranguru's fan clenched tighter.
"Corviknight… You clever bastard…"
Then, it paused.
"A house…?"
Could it be… a human lived here?
No.
Oranguru's intelligence network had confirmed this place was empty.
Something was wrong.
Fine.
If diplomacy wouldn't work—then Perrserker's method would.
Oranguru stood, its eyes flashing with cold resolve.
"Prepare for battle."