[ESCAPE ROUTE] The Woods

Theia waited patiently for the trainers to respond to her generous offer. It was rare for her to even suggest a compromise. On a regular day, she would have them killed on the spot for disobeying Ariadne's authority. But, Theia was in a good mood. After all, what could a bunch of novice trainers do against the might of Team Galactic? Theia observed the trainers' faces, finding in each a weakness to exploit: Obsession, Cowardice, Indecision, and Dependency. Through Galactic's vision and Ariadne's guidance, the world will soon be cleansed of these unsightly follies. Theia anticipated their surrender. She imagined them groveling at her feet as they begged for mercy. It amused her, filling her with the same satisfaction one gets from a job well done. And yet, she never expected them to actually fight back. 

Theia was so focused on the idea of them surrendering, that she didn't have time to react to the empowered Aqua Jets heading straight for Umbreon. The second Taemin commanded his pokemon to attack, the grunts were about to respond with their own. In that split second, the Golbats started to emit a high-pitched supersonic to knock the trainers unconscious, but their counterattack was interrupted by a Thunder Wave. Paralyzed, the Golbats fell to the ground. The grunts' attention was split between Rotom and the paralyzed Golbats, but they each turned their heads as the Aqua Jets zoomed past them with a powerful tailwind. Darcy had just enough time to enhance the attacks with Vacumn Wave.

Theia's pale visage froze over as she watched everything happen. She lowered her hands and glanced over at the Aqua Jets in her peripheral as they passed by. The attacks slammed into Umbreon, sending it off the dome and into a tree with a loud thud. Leaves rustled and branches snapped against the force of Umbreon's body, which slid down the tree's trunk into a curled up position at its base. The burnt remains of a razor leaf landed beside it. She then saw a Scyther fly toward the vines and start cutting them to free the unconscious girl. She even heard the girl call out another attack. But, honestly, none of it was of any concern to Theia. She wasn't surprised, just disappointed.

"An unwise decision," Theia said, looking at the trainers but seeming as if she was looking past them. "Lunatone, psychic."

Before Darcy's Scyther could connect its attack, Lunatone spun around and grabbed hold of Scyther with its telekinetic energy. It tightened its grip, practically strangling the pokemon as it struggled against the invisible force. Lunatone then threw Scyther straight at Darcy, letting out an angry grunt.

"Cheap tricks like that won't work on me," Theia said, her eyes glowing in unison with Lunatone's. "You can have that sad excuse for a pokemon back and take your friend too. I don't keep hostages."

Theia allowed Taemin to safely retrieve his friend. One of the more experienced grunts with long, red hair and goggles was about to launch an attack while he had his back turned, but Theia shook her head, signaling her to stand down. She would handle this herself, especially after witnessing how incompetent her squad was. 

"Umbreon, GET UP," she commanded. The pokemon struggled to its feet, visibly injured but willing to do anything for its trainer. It almost collapsed trying to stand, but it let out a defiant howl and composed itself. 

"So that's your answer?" Theia asked. "To die...struggling in vain? Why do you fight? To protect this school? Even after your headmistress abandoned you? She could've returned months ago and prevented this, but she just watched. You're nothing to her. But so be it." 

"Rejoice. I will put an end to all of this," Theia said, raising her hand. Lunatone swirled around her forearm and started charging energy for a devastating attack: Moonblast. It hovered above the palm of her hand and began chanting to psyche itself up. Meanwhile, the Golbats started to recover from their paralysis and the grunts got back in position. Even if she didn't want their help, they were determined to defend Theia while Lunatone charged the attack.

"Don't let a single one of them get close; it's time to bring out the big guns!" the red-haired grunt said. "GO GO GO!" Each of the grunts sent out a pokeball, releasing a Minior. Seven Minior scattered about the forest and moved erratically, making it difficult to avoid them. They blocked the path to Theia, making both physical and special attacks risky unless properly coordinated. It was a literal minefield.