The dawn broke clear and crisp over the farm, the air still thick with anticipation. Ashwin knew that finding the exact location of the smuggler den was the key to a successful raid. Without it, their efforts would be wasted, and the hidden Pokémon would remain trapped.
Ashwin called together his trusted scouts — the Pokémon trained for stealth, tracking, and reconnaissance.
"Linoone, Vespiquen, and Zigzagoon — you're on survey duty," Ashwin instructed. "I need you to comb through the forest edges, caves, and any suspicious clearings. Use all your senses."
The three Pokémon responded with eager nods and chirps, understanding the gravity of their mission.
[System Notification: Recon Team Activated — Linoone, Vespiquen, Zigzagoon. Survey effectiveness increased by 20%.]
Before setting off, Ashwin spent time with Gogoat and the newly recruited Pokémon from the field boss cave — a nimble Woobat and a watchful Zubat who had adapted well to the farm environment.
"These two will help with perimeter checks and air reconnaissance," Ashwin said, stroking Woobat's soft fur.
[System Notification: Woobat and Zubat assigned to aerial surveillance. Detection radius increased by 15%.]
The team set out, moving silently through the dense foliage. Linoone led with his exceptional stealth, scouting ahead and slipping unnoticed through underbrush. Zigzagoon sniffed out faint scents, trailing strange odors — faint smoke, discarded scraps, and traces of unnatural disturbance.
Vespiquen flew overhead, her keen eyesight scanning for unusual movement or unnatural structures.
Hours passed as they spread out, communicating silently through trained signals and calls.
Zigzagoon's nose twitched violently near a rocky outcrop.
"Here!" Ashwin whispered, kneeling beside a patch of disturbed earth littered with discarded food wrappers and broken Poké Balls — clear signs of illicit activity.
Linoone padded around the area, his sharp eyes spotting a faint trail leading deeper into a tangled thicket.
Vespiquen swooped down, her antennae twitching as she detected electromagnetic disturbances — likely from hidden electronic devices used by smugglers.
Amid the debris, Ashwin carefully collected several items — a partially intact Healing Potion, a few berries with preserved freshness, and a small pouch containing mysterious metal shards.
[System Notification: Item Acquired — Healing Potion x1, Oran Berries x5, Metal Shards x3. Items added to inventory for future use.]
Knowing the importance of thoroughness, Ashwin released more Pokémon with strong tracking and sensing abilities.
He called upon his quiet Skwovet to scour dense bushes, while his keen-eyed Turtwig investigated the riverbanks.
"Everyone, keep communication steady. Report any findings immediately," Ashwin reminded.
[System Notification: Additional Scouts Activated — Skwovet, Turtwig. Tracking efficiency increased by 10%.]
Back at the farm, Ashwin compiled the data collected. The signs pointed toward a hidden cave complex deep in the nearby mountains — a perfect smuggler hideout with limited access points.
Using his newly acquired map skills and aided by the Pokémon's markings, Ashwin plotted the most probable entrances and exits.
In the process, he found other useful items picked up by the team: several Poké Balls of various types, a few rare berries, and fragments of smuggler documents.
[System Notification: Item Acquired — Great Ball x2, Sitrus Berries x3, Smuggler Documents Fragment x1.]
[System Notification: Smuggler Den Location Confirmed. Preparations for Raid can proceed.]
Ashwin didn't stop at locating the den — he intensified training sessions specifically tailored to the recon team.
Linoone practiced silent movement and swift evasive maneuvers.
Vespiquen honed her command signals to coordinate team surveillance during the raid.
Zigzagoon trained on quick retrieval and distraction tactics.
The aerial duo, Woobat and Zubat, focused on rapid reconnaissance flights and alerting the team instantly of threats.
[System Notification: Recon Team Training — Stealth +10%, Coordination +12%, Agility +8%.]
As the sun dipped low, Ashwin felt a rising sense of readiness. The shadows that concealed the smugglers' lair were no longer impenetrable. Soon, he and his team would strike — and give the captive Pokémon a chance at freedom.