Author's Note: I'm back again! I've been itching to write and I keep having this idea about doing a Pokémon story. I hope you enjoy, and please, leave a review! It's the reviews that keep me coming back.

Not much else to say, just wanted to throw out an idea and see what sticks. This story is rated M for graphic violence, strong language, alcohol and implied sexual content.

Chapter 1 - The Verdict

"Pokémon breeding will never be the same."

Luther sipped from a glass of whiskey - no rocks - as his shadowed cohort intoned his almost threatening offer. The trial had ended days ago, and Luther promised himself he'd never get involved with his accomplice's schemes again. It had been a narrow victory - any other lawyer would have given up when presented with the litany of crimes the leader of the Rockets had racked up. Pokémon trafficking, Pokémon theft, a series of accusations regarding a certain Celadon City resort and casino. Arson. Extortion. Gang violence.

Murder. By proxy, sure, but murder all the same.

But Luther was not just any lawyer. He had represented the Silph Company when they were accused of violating Kantonese anti-trust legislation. He had been the head of the steering committee for the class-action lawsuit against the defective Carbos drug that led to the deaths of many world-renowned Pokémon League competitors. But most importantly - he could not say no. If he did, his wife and son would die.

The two sat below the dim lights in Saffron City's most exclusive club, on the top floor of 2 Devreaux Avenue, right in the heart of downtown. A sidelong glance through the club's floor-to-ceiling windows would reveal to Luther the majestic Silph Co. headquarters - a building that his accomplice had expressed criminal interest in. "A matter of time."

"Our arrangement is over, Giovanni," Luther growled, his steel blue eyes meeting the pitch black of the Rocket leader's. "You are a free man. Call off your goons."

"A deal is a deal, Mr. Roth. Your family is safe. I owe you a great debt, and this is my proposal to repay it. I am not a man to leave debts unfulfilled."

"You owe me nothing. Leave us be."

Giovanni had not taken a single sip of his gin. It sat sweating on the table before him. In the months Luther had worked with the Rocket leader, he'd noticed that Giovanni would never drink until he'd solidified a deal. Alcohol was a victory drink for him – for Luther, it just meant that it was past 5 p.m.

"But I do. I repay every debt. EVERY debt, Mr. Roth."

"You've done that and more," Luther seethed. He never wanted to get involved. He'd fought corruption since the day he'd passed the bar exam. He'd been approached by every manner of corrupt individual – politicians, pharmaceuticals. But none quite so persistent as Giovanni.

"All I ask," the Rocket boss persisted, "is to show you what I've accomplished."

Luther twisted his wedding ring. He thought of his wife, his son.

"And need I remind you, Mr. Roth. I am not the only one with dirty laundry."

"Listen here-"

As Luther felt his temper flare, his thought was cut short by the high-pitched wail of two working women, clad in only G-strings and star-shaped pasties as they slid up on either side of Giovanni in the small booth the two men were sharing. He was a regular at this establishment, and the girls knew him well. One with bright blue hair, the other red – both with athletic bodies and absolutely no modesty.

"Mr. Giovanni! You didn't say hi to us when you came in!"

Giovanni's dour demeanor gave way to a much more human response when the ladies brought their bodies close to him. Luther had never seen Giovanni in a jovial light, but the smile on Giovanni's face was sincere.

"Ladies! I want you to meet a friend of mine!" Giovanni exclaimed, the look in his eyes as he glanced at Luther betraying his deceptive intentions. "This is Luther! He's my lawyer!"

"Hiiiiii Luther!" the two woman squeaked, giggling as they did – a successful lawyer meant good money for them. Luther could not help his human reaction to the women – they were young. Attractive. And he'd been trapped in Saffron City for months.

Shooting a dirty look at Giovanni, Luther pasted on a fake, gleaming smile at the ladies. One was a porcelain goddess, her pale skin taking on the flashing colored lights of the club – the other, a darker beauty much more in line with Luther's recent desires.

"This pretty lady over here is Ruby," Giovanni explains to Luther, "And milady on the right is Sapphire,"

Sensing the women's apprehension over his dour attitude, Luther gave in. Perhaps it was the whiskey talking, or his cabin fever at having been "away on business" for so long. But for a man so invested in his work – he had cause to celebrate.

Even if Giovanni was a prick. Even if he was allegedly involved in those murders. Those thefts. Those abused animals.

With a smile, Giovanni lifted his glass and held it in the air.

"To a wonderful night, Luther."

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