Demon laughed, watching the Magikarp leap around the pool. The one who delighted in ramming her in the gut she called Moe. Moe, on seeing the black shape rippling on the surface, launched his attacks. Each time he heard the thing said 'Harder.' Moe understood the word; it meant his attack was not strong enough so he did it again, powering his tail fin down to gain more momentum and speed.
'That's it you're doing much better Moe.' Demon said approvingly.
'Who's Moe?'
Demon turned around to see two Rockets watching her with puzzled faces, but the voice came from near her feet.
A Meowth standing on two legs and talking?
Demon blinked in astonishment. The Pokémon frowned at her lack of response and spoke again:
'Meowth got your tongue? Or was it that prissy Persian that Meowth saw you talking to, kid?' it purred.
Demon hesitated to reply and the cat got cross. He span around hitting her in the leg with his tail.
'Give me an answer kid; stop acting like da rest of the bunch. They call me a freak or just gawp- I'm a real conversationalist...so give me something.'
Demon found herself just gawping before she slapped herself and offering a hand but the pokemon shook his head and gestured for her to talk.
Demon pondered on her first question not wanting to offend the pokemon, he frowned and began to tap his foot quickly growing tired of her lack of voice. A loud ringing laugh made Demon look up to see two humans, two Rockets in fact. The two Rockets smirked. The women laughed behind her hand, and then asked a question.
'Are you the Boss's new recruit? Is that why he likes you, because you're mute?'
Demon snarled, ticked off at their lack of respect. She slammed her hand on to the nearby table, cracking along the whole length. They stepped back a few paces holding on to each other for support.
'You should not be here. This is my solitary domain.' She hissed through clenched teeth.
Meowth jumped on to the table (minding the crack) and offered a paw.
'Name's Meowth. This is Jessie and James: my humans.' They both offered protests but Demon took his paw and shook it solemnly.
'Sorry for the silence, I was considering questions to ask. My first is did you learn to talk or were you a participant in the Underground too?'
Meowth's fur rose on end and she saw the female Rocket cursed loudly forcing her partner to grab her sharply straining to hold her back.
'Jess, cool it. The kid doesn't know that de Underground is a name for the hell pit we're threatened with if we fail. It's a bad place kid. One big glorified torture room.'
He licked a paw rubbing his fur back seeing Demon was starting to accept he really could talk. It was no scientific lab pokemon, which stood on the table before her.
'Kid, I learnt like you did. Reputation and enunciaten da words til I got it.'
'I-'
The Magikarp leapt out again and Demon pivoted on her heel to block its tackle. The force knocked her into the table, upsetting Meowth.
Demon laughed at Moe's improved power. The water began to glow a white magnesium colour, causing Demon to shield herself and Meowth from the light. They all gasped on seeing a blue Gyarados rearing out of the pool with its tail hanging out the other end.
'Moe, you did it!' Demon cried out flinging herself around Moe's neck. Moe cried in happiness along with her, whilst bobbing his head up and down. This shook Demon around whilst she cried with laughter feeling her first deserved joy with pokemon was better than she'd hoped.
Meowth froze, along with Jessie and then James, when they saw the Persian. They quickly made to leave but were stopped by a voice they had heard and knew well.
'You three are forbidden to be here. I believe I told you to stay clear Meowth.'
Demon was flung off when Moe gave a particularly large swing of his head. She hit the wall next to Giovanni, who ducked sharply with a curse.
On seeing the Boss behave, well, Un-Boss-Like the trio managed to scarper off throwing looks of deep fear and apology towards their Boss hoping in vain he would not cut their pay again.
Demon, with her legs akimbo, glanced up at Giovanni's face, which was tightly controlled; she waited for a second and then pulled a face.
His jaw twitched but he did not laugh. Silently promising herself to get him laughing, even if it was suppressed laughter, she brushed herself off.
'I told you to feed them, not evolve them.' He snapped all warmth in his voice gone.
Demon lowered her eyes, feeling stung. She thought this would please him.
'Fortunately this one can be used for an upcoming mission. So, it is not a total loss. Dinner is in ten minutes and I suggest you go and dine with the rest. You still have three months and a half left; I hope you have not forgotten our wager?' he added slyly.
'No Sir.'
He made an amused sound.
'Then fight back Kai, all I see is you rolling over for me. I'll wait for the chance to tickle you, after you call me Boss of course.' He walked away leaving Demon confused. Why did he use her real name? What he did mean by implying she was rolling over?
He wanted her to fight, good time for a food fight then...
Demon returned to her room with Giovanni in the lead, he did not ask questions nor attempt to engage in conversation. She walked quietly just behind him out of respect but felt like his gaze wandered back to her at times.
'Nothing to ask me Demon?' Giovanni smiled charmingly hand in his pocket casually walking.
'Sir?' Kai sped up her walk to match him still trying to act calm.
'You seem very relaxed, not long along it was much different with you.'
'Well, I-'
'Speak Demon. There is nothing to fear from me, as long as you are honest to your Boss.' Kai caught a cheeky look in his eye and grinned back at him tauntingly swaying her hips.
'I'm just glad to meet fellow pokemon trainers.'
Giovanni chuckled amused, his trainers were far from simple beginners and they did not play nice. He glanced back at her seeing a glow of hope in her eyes and behind that, the pain she hid.
'I wish I could share your optimism Kai.'
Kai sighed, that was not a lie and it was not the complete truth either.
It was the voice, she knew this other project had something to do about why Harrison and to some extent Giovanni wanted her.
'What is the island Sir. They mentioned it in the- when I was recovering.'
'Demon, never ask about that again.'
Demon caught the edge in his voice and nodded.
Giovanni smirked seeing Petrel ahead; his new pair were behaving very astute in their duties. He did like this one's attitude although sometimes he really roused him in dangerous ways.
'Petrel good, Archer sent you? Excellent. Kai this is Petrel, he and his cousin are budding executives. Very clever men. Learn from them.'
Giovanni walked away with his hands behind his back, at ease with the developments of late.
Demon glanced at the tall man, his looks suited him, as did his uniform as his top jacket was black not white but had silver thread down the main body. It stood out as if he had consciously forgotten his suit jacket.
His eyes intrigued her most.
They were unlike any Rocket she had seen, they were open and friendly with warmth that put her at ease with him. Good-natured eyes like his reminded her of former colleagues in her old jobs.
'Nice to meet you Kai, we had best go now. The other Rockets will gladly eat your food as well.'
'Mine? You don't eat with the rest? Or have you eaten already? What's with the um...is that your uniform. It looks different.'
'You caught me.' he raised his hands placing his arms behind his head grinning. 'I am able to alter my look to whatever I want. As for the questions, no to both. So, shall we head up, I do want to eat today.'
Demon nodded saluting until Petrel held her arms gently.
'Please, you don't need to do that when we're alone. I'm a nice guy. It does not bother me.'
Demon smiled at him, Petrel let go smiling back slightly flushing before beckoning her to follow him.
Demon stood patiently in the queue, ignoring and being ignored by the other Rockets. After obtaining her food and a rice pudding, she glanced quickly around to see the layout of where everyone sat.
She noticed far above them in the rafters there were electronic displays advertising the latest tech made by the company and this was being viewed by suits in glass walkways in the levels above. They could not see the Rockets and yet cleverly Demon saw the Rockets got a good look at the suited men with their woman guide dressed in a beautiful coral blue suit. Easy to see targets and so close to the outside business should, Demon guessed, they need to have them vanish for a purpose.
Not wanting to be tripped over or have food eaten by anyone but herself, she noticed the staircase to the second level had an arch within reach. Perfect.
She caught sight of Wolf and his crew who were discussing something important. She almost went over to them, but then why should they want her? She had got them in trouble, stealing another glance above her she watched with fascination as the suits did not even glance down.
Therefore, Demon climbed up the stairwell with the food stray. Whilst sitting within the arch she tucked in, without realising everyone else was watching her. Wolf spied her and called to her in greeting, Demon noticed most of them wore ordinary clothing over their uniform or simple black slacks- ah, easily mistaken for workers on break time or low rank company muscle if seen.
'Demon, good to see you! Come on, have a seat.' He patted the bench near him but saw her wink. He was not sure what she was doing, and soon everyone went back to the important business of food. Some with slightly bigger piles of it now and had to defend against angry fellows.
Seth had just collected his food eyes twinkling at the extra helping of pie, it paid off flirting and attending to the kitchen staff occasionally, not that anyone knew. He spotted Demon and scowled – he wanted to punish his ex-student.
He would have to join the line as a tall dark shape moved in his view.
'Get down you idiot.'
People glanced up interested, Proton, the youngest of the Executives, was a loose cannon when provoked – this should be good. He glared up at Demon, who simply ate and disregarded his noise.
'Sounds like a Growlithe barking at a Persian doesn't he?' People whispered with snickers. Proton sensed his authority slipping so he calmly drew out a notebook, which he used as a threat to present to Giovanni. That and he could use his pen very well and he saw the other Rockets get nervous with wary looks at Demon who was oblivious to it all.
'Shame I must write a name so soon.' He purred.
Seth found himself in a rage. How dare Proton punish her first, he had his own method of dealing with disobedient Rockets. He could show her a different game played between two people in private.
What neither noticed was Demon dropping her rice pudding in their area. People watched it feeling it was almost in slow motion. Some hoped the cameras got a good shot so they could replay it for the best laugh of this week. The young blood was already proving to be one of the boys.
The rice pudding landed on Seth's head but the explosion did not catch Proton who side stepped away. Seth cried in outrage before tearing off the bowl and slamming in on a table.
Seeing he was unable to reach her, Seth stormed off outside to vent his heat. Proton, however, demanded she should get down. Demon leapt down, landing on Proton's left hand side.
'Nice moves dear, I hope you have better tricks though.'
Proton held her close grinning, the Rocket froze, and they watched him draw a black line across her cheek with the fine tip of the pen pressing the skin hard enough to leave a red mark with the ink.
They knew what it meant.
'I enjoy the beauty of weapon fare. The art of bloodshed.'
Demon smiled cheerily back, shame she had no weapon, as she could have shown him her moves.
'A ninja does not fear. They are one with their surroundings. Both enemy and fellow ninja are part of the event to be, Proton.' She lent closer to him, his eyes narrowed, 'I am not afraid.'
Proton flashed a grin and Demon heard female giggles, she caught glares from other woman who watched her enviously. Proton had quite the following and Demon smirked, what a player.
'Cousin, leave her alone. She is not worth your trouble. The Boss wants a word.'
Proton let her go smirking and adjusting his cap to sit just so upon his head.
'Duty calls, not that you can say much, pen-marked lab rat.'
Proton ascends the stairway; goaded by the whispers and taunts Demon picked up the pen he had dropped hurling at his face.
Proton span trapping it between two fingers with a look of malice in his eyes.
'Never do that again bitch.' He growled through his teeth advancing down two steps at Demon who cracked her knuckles picking up a knife twirling it ready eyeing his larger blade apprehensively.
'COUSIN'
Petrel knew Archer or even Giovanni might come out if only to stop Proton mauling another Rocket. He had to keep a lid on his anger or even sweet promises would not save him from exile or death. Rockets that did not follow the law paid a heavy price; they had a chance now and one that was not offered so quickly after training for years. Proton must not throw it again for some bitch.
'Get here now.' 'Stop being a grumpy Gyarados.'
Demon heard Viper and Wolf call her half-standing from the bench gesturing to her.
She nodded politely and sat opposite Wolf on reaching his table releasing her death grip of the knife that clattered across the table. Chatter resumed and a few people still watched Demon with suspicious looks, no one dared to rile Proton, even the veterans recognised him for a budding promotion and gave him space.
Proton walked away moodily as Archer stepped out on to the platform overhead, watching them all. Archer and the other high-ranking Rockets held dinner in a private suit on the next level. The Boss would dine with them at times, on the rare occasion he surprised the others by sitting with them. Mostly Giovanni dined alone or on business with invited guests in a separate building to the west of the grounds in the private part of the complex as no Rocket had clearance to dine up the levels without leave or prior arrangement via The Boss or his secretary.
Archer sensed something had happened; he was not sure what but he would find out.
Archer grinned to see Demon had neglected her food. He picked up the tray and made off with it, calling back so she could hear.
'No food for you then Demon, I guess training is too much isn't it?'
Demon rose growling, ready to fight. She turned and locked eyes, piercing his with a challenge he could not ignore… but she had no Pokémon, shame. He wanted to pay her back.
Viper stared at her until she stopped watching Archer; she sat sedately down disappointed and hungry. Wolf leant over, pushing his pudding towards her, and others put berries on top. She blinked away tears of gratitude.
'Can't let Archer hurt our new member, plus the boys seemed to like you. Giving that snob Seth pudding will be talked about – nice one.' Don chuckled.
Demon noticed Meowth signalling to her, he kept pointing to her neck and shaking his head. He then gestured to Seth. She frowned, bending over her food nearly drooling.
Wolf patted his mouth down feeling satisfied with his now full stomach, seeing Demon equally pleased made him think of their previous encounter.
'What was the cash for Demon?'
Demon raised her head with a spoon by her lips; she shrugged engulfing the spoon and sucking the contents off loudly ignoring the question. Wolf nudged her and Don mournfully felt his empty pockets reminding himself of the loss.
'They have it ready should you last the training. A small extra flow of cash.'
'I- It's worthless now. Don you should have kept it.'
Don made a low griping sound clearly wishing he had not handed it over as protocol demanded.
'It was a considerable amount, similar to a bribe- know what I mean boys?'
The crew muttered in agreement pushing Demon for an answer; she stood up in the middle of her meal deciding the food was not worth the questions. They could not find out about the research.
'I wanted to get into the Plateau, happy now? I needed to get a signature.'
Squirtle chuckled pulling the bowl over to his corner swiftly cleaning up the food before he wiped his mouth slovenly and stretched.
'A fan girl of Lance? Who would have thought it eh Wolf? Out of your league mate.'
After the meal, each of the crews moved out to train, study or to relax in the leisure centre, Wolf whisper to Don moving slightly behind the others who flex their muscles eager for time in the gym.
Don nodded and clapped his leader's shoulder
'I'll see what CJ has dug up, Petrel might know. I'll play it cool.'
Demon waved good-bye to Wolf's crew before pacing alone down the B block towards the stairs. Her room was in the lower levels so she wanted to see how the other Magikarp were.
'Afternoon.'
Demon span around to see Seth smiling at her: it was not pleasant and very uncomfortable. Seth drifted on his feet towards her and Demon backed off. She was not used to the close proximity of him: he now had her trapped against the wall.
'I forgive you for the trick,' he said, running a hand through her hair. Demon clenched her jaw on feeling a prick on her neck. It was a sharp sensation and she clapped her hand to the point
'What?'
A hot burning spread through her body: it pooled around her thighs, confusing her mind by clouding her thoughts of rational methodology with desire. She drew in a shaky breath while Seth leant in taking her by the arm and guided her into a secluded room.
'Seth?' she whispered, wary of his intention: realising it was not friendly or wanted.
Seth pressed against her eagerly, observing her eyes and twitching muscles. He ran his hand along her arm suggestively, slowly curling his fingers teasing her hot skin.
'I'll wait for you to feel ready, no one will disturb us.' he buried his face in her hair, pulling her against him. 'I will make you call my name so much you'll want more,' he added huskily, he tugged his shirt open to show his well-developed torso taking her hand running it around his chest.
Demon knew why, he was trying to get the aphrodisiac working and this horrified her as this had...other had done this shit. He bent his head nuzzling her neck as his hand wandered over her buttocks rubbing around her most sensitive place. Kai nearly shouted, in training with the ninja they had treated her like a male as she asked but this had repercussions especially when it came to romantic encounters, the few she had taught her men were not as emotionally attached. They thrive off physical encounters and hungered for them like no one's business intending to use them for either selfish gain or genuine affection.
She feigned another wave of desire and Seth bent his head to kiss her. She held herself still and he paused, savouring his chance seeing her mouth wedged open in expectation.
'Relax, it won't hurt you. You might even need more than once.'
Demon gave him a head butt to his temple as her Sensei had taught her, and he would have been proud. Her forehead collided with his nose breaking it in a spurt of blood and cracking sound.
Seth collapsed in a heap. She fled the corridor and the room, staggering down the stairs into C block to seek some empty door. This was the normal rank and file, the officers in the higher levels of this block in the complex would only do what Seth had attempted.
Needing a place to hide until the drug wore off she pulled at each door not caring who heard darting her head about seeking another escape or hidden enemy.
She halted dead to see someone in the corridor.
'Jessie...'
Demon fell to her knees panting with the effort of fighting the drug. Jessie walked past her and Demon lowered her head in defeat.
