We Were Already Pokémon of This Manor

In the orchard, Raikiri rode atop a Vikavolt as it sped toward Munechika. She had no idea what was going on, but rescuing her companion came first.

She was on high alert. Against an unknown opponent, she had to be at her best. One careless mistake could cost her the fight.

She specialized in Electric-type Pokémon. Ten years ago, she had even won the Indigo League in the Kanto Region, though she lost to Elite Four member Agatha afterward. She returned home and never traveled again.

Every member of the Oni Mask Group was around the same level. Their leader, Muramasa, was even the only Trainer in Kitakami to have earned an official Champion-level rating from the Unova Region's Pokémon League!

That was why none of them had expected trouble when they learned the job was simply to steal from a child who wasn't even a Trainer. Yet somehow, it had all gone wrong...

Soon, she spotted Munechika and Ambipom hanging upside down from a tree. She waved and shouted, "Swift!"

Vikavolt opened its great jaws and fired a beam of glittering, star-shaped energy. It cut through the threads binding them, and Vikavolt caught them both as they fell.

The next moment, Ariados and the Spinarak dropped from the trees and unleashed Bug Buzz. The Dipplin perched on the branches fired Syrup Bombs at Vikavolt too.

"So these Pokémon are behind this..."

Raikiri glanced behind her, then quickly had Vikavolt dodge.

But several Flapple suddenly swooped down around them, gathering energy. Their Energy Balls struck Vikavolt's wings, sending it crashing to the ground.

Raikiri reacted quickly, bracing a hand against the ground and landing on her feet. Munechika rolled twice before finally coming to his senses. By then, Pokémon had surrounded them completely.

Raikiri stared at the scene, baffled. "These