Hello! I've noticed that lately my Author's Notes are getting too long so I'm going to keep this one short.
The feedback I'm getting is outstanding and they really make feel so much more motivated to write longer chapters.
I am so sorry for the late update. I was just too busy with exams to sit down and actually write.
Also, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have been announced at E3 this year! Really excited about that one.
Anyway, please tell me your thoughts and opinions.
Reviews are always appreciated. Please tell me how I can improve upon this story.
Here's a long-ish chapter for you all!
Michael and Lindsay sauntered along Lumiose City with Jimmy following closely behind. They had been at this manhunt for months now and they still had no luck. The person responsible for stealing their documents was still out there, somewhere, and they had no idea where to find them. They were forced to dye their hair so they wouldn't have to fumble with their wigs all day. Michael now had jet black hair, Lindsay had dyed hers a bright golden colour and Jimmy went for a natural dark brown one. Their plan of bringing Serena and Lysandre together was now cancelled since Jimmy was told to help with the search. They all felt bad about leaving Serena alone in the large empty house but there was nothing they could really do.
"You know, he doesn't need to be in a relationship just to be happy," Jimmy remarked, walking faster to catch up to the two other grunts.
"It's just sort of like giving back to him for what he did for us," Michael explained walking slower now. Lindsay only nodded, conceding to what Michael said.
Jimmy shook his head, "You don't pay people back by pushing them into relationships. That's just not fair to Serena."
"All right," Lindsay began. "When you were there last time, how were they treating each other?"
"Fine. They were treating each other just fine. What's your point?" Jimmy said.
Michael and Lindsay looked at each other before laughing, "'Just fine'?" They said at the same time.
"Besides," Lindsay said. "You haven't been in Team Flare long enough to know what we're trying to do for Lysandre."
They passed the PR Studio when they heard the ring of their Holo Casters. They ceased their conversation and Lindsay whipped out her Holo Caster for everyone else. It was a message from one of the Admins.
"A mysterious group has come for reasons unknown and we advise everyone to be careful and stay away from the Power Plant until we have confirmed the group's identity," the Admin said.
The three glanced at each other before hearing their Holo Casters ring again. Lindsay played the message and a hologram of Lysandre appeared.
"Michael, Lindsay, James, I want you three to investigate the Power Plant. Try to find out just who this group is and report back to me at my home."
The grunts nodded to each other and made their way to the plant. Once they arrived there, they were approached by people dressed in white saying in firm voices that civilians weren't allowed in the area.
"Who are these people?" Jimmy asked as they walked away from the plant.
Lindsay scoffed, "Well whoever they are they look too. . . clean. It's weird."
Michael chuckled, "Yeah and their outfits are so white. How much bleach do you think it took to look like that?"
"Guys, I think we have more pressing matters here than cleanliness and uniforms," Jimmy said authoritatively.
"Pull that stick out of your ass and lighten up a bit will you," Lindsay quipped. "Come on, I know a way to get in," She said, walking to the side of the building.
Jimmy sighed. He felt Michael pat him on the back.
"She's a bit rough but she means well. You'll find her smooth parts, don't worry," Michael said not realising what he had just implied. "N-Not her 'smooth parts' literally. I mean emotionally, you know. I didn't mea-"
Jimmy laughed, "I know what you mean. No need to explain."
The two males caught up to Lindsay and hid in the bushes beside her.
"Look there," Lindsay pointed at a trap door partially hidden under some sand. "That brings us to their offices. Let's hope no-one's there."
The three grunts wiped the sand off the trap door. Jimmy lifted the hatch open. It was pitch black inside.
"Who's going in first?" Jimmy asked.
Michael and Lindsay smirked as they pushed Jimmy into the dark abyss.
"Good luck!" They yelled at the same time.
The brunet yelped in surprise. He slid down the vent. He came across a few cobwebs on the way and swatted them from his face. It seemed like he was going on forever until he saw light.
It was sudden. He felt the vent leave from under him and was replaced by a sharp pain to his behind.
"Are you still alive?" Michael's called, he could only hear him faintly.
He grunted as he stood up, "Yeah I'm fine!" He responded.
"I'll race you down there, Michael!" He heard Lindsay challenge.
Jimmy stretched backwards. His back was killing him. He noticed that there was a ladder mounted on the wall.
"Watch out!"
Lindsay collided with Jimmy and they both fell to the ground. Lindsay landed on his back and smiled apologetically. She stood and helped Jimmy up.
"Are you all right?" He asked, his hand on his aching back.
"Yeah. Sorry about that," Lindsay said.
The pair heard laughter coming from the vents. "Michael's coming!" He said through his laughter.
Michael landed on his feet, "Did you miss me?"
Lindsay snorted, "In your dreams, buddy."
"I found a ladder mounted over there," Jimmy remarked.
Lindsay nodded, "That's our ticket in."
She went ahead and climbed the ladder, the two others following closely behind. The climb up was fairly easy, at least for Michael and Lindsay. Jimmy was panting halfway through and he could feel his arms burn every time he reached.
"Almost there," Lindsay said as she climbed faster.
They finally reached the top and Lindsay tried to push the hatch open.
"It won't budge," She said grunting. "Michael help me."
Lindsay stepped to the side and let her left foot hang on the side of the ladder, Michael did the same thing but with his right foot.
"On three," She instructed, "One, two, three!"
The two grunts pushed as hard as they could and the hatch opened.
"Good work you two, now climb up. I might fall if I hang on like this any longer," Jimmy commented.
"All right, all right we're moving," Lindsay replied.
Lindsay came up first and encountered a man holding his back.
"How many more men do I have to injure today?" She asked herself. She pulled herself upward and helped Michael and Jimmy up.
The strange man stood up grasping his back, "Y-You saved me!"
"What?" The three asked at the same time.
"You saved me!" The man repeated.
Lindsay gritted her teeth, "What are you on about?"
"I was stuck and you freed me! Thank you!" The man explained, unfazed by Lindsay's menacing glare.
"Just how were you stuck?" Michael asked.
The man looked at the walls behind them as if he could find the answers there, "Well I was fixing some cable wires because of some power outage a couple of hours ago and I got stuck in this tight space here. Where you came out. I thought I was gonna be stuck here forever. I was scared too, there were people coming to and fro in the plant. I don't know who they are but I do know they're still outside this room."
Michael crossed his arms, "Power outage?"
The man nodded, "Yeah. The northern avenue at Lumiose City is closed right now."
Michael and Lindsay exchanged worried looks.
"Thank you for your help, sir. We'll investigate the plant. You stay here where you're at least relatively safe," Jimmy instructed. "Come on, Lindsay, Michael, let's go."
Michael looked back at the man as they were walking away, "We'll come back for you, don't worry."
"And try not to get stuck again," Lindsay added not sparing the man another glance.
They found Jimmy leaning with his back against the wall outside of the room. He gestured for them to stay low.
"We're going to try to sneak past them. Follow my lead," He said, making a run behind one of the mysterious grunts.
The trio ran past the grunts as quietly and as quickly as they could. They made it to the pathways leading up to the centre of the Power Plant. Suspiciously enough, there was no-one there. As soon as they approached the centre, however, a silhouette of a man came into view.
"We can sneak up on him," Michael suggested.
Lindsay and Jimmy nodded. They climbed the ramp quietly. The man didn't seem to notice them as he continued to fidget with a device of some sort. He looked to be gathering data.
"You two grab his arms, I'll do the talking," Jimmy instructed softly.
The pair nodded.
"Grab him!" Jimmy called.
Michael and Lindsay rushed over to the man, each grabbing an arm. Lindsay grabbed his right and Michael grabbed his left. They pinned him against the railing.
"What th-" The man began. He dropped the device he was fidgeting with on the ground beside Lindsay's feet.
"If you don't want to be fried to a crisp, I suggest you co-operate," Lindsay said menacingly. She pushed him towards the tower that was giving off shocks.
Michael smirked, "I think he gets it."
Jimmy picked the device up as he approached the man. He kept his head down. He liked being dramatic at times, especially when he was interrogating someone.
"What do we have here?" He asked with a smug tone in his voice. He was studying the device in his hands. It was measuring something he didn't understand. He slipped it in his pocket and decided to study it later.
He heard the man chuckle, "I never imagined we would meet again. . . well, in this circumstance at least."
Jimmy's head snapped up.
"Hello, brother," The man said. He spit the word brother out of his mouth like it was poison. "I really shouldn't call you that since you joined that good for nothing Team Flare."
Jimmy was about to respond when he saw a flash of something hit his brother and he was on the ground unconscious.
"What was that for?" He asked Lindsay.
"You were talking too much," She replied.
"But we didn't even get anything out of him yet!" He said defiantly.
Lindsay ignored him, "Send Lysandre a message, tell him were bringing someone along. Michael carry him out and don't forget to blindfold him. I'll get the guy in the room and I'll take care of the grunts outside."
"Why couldn't we have done this a while ago instead of sneaking around them?" He pressed on.
Lindsay continued to ignore him.
"She was being patient with you," Michael explained. "Lindsay's more of an 'act-recklessely-but-still-get-the-job-done' kind of person rather than the cautious kind."
Jimmy only nodded. He looked at his brother's unconscious body slumped on the ground. He couldn't believe he would see him again especially after what happened between them.
"Did you send Lysandre a holoclip yet?" Lindsay asked, annoyed.
"I'm on it," Jimmy responded as calmly as he could.
He could feel dread enter his mind as he recorded the message. He knew, he didn't know how, but he knew it wouldn't end well.
Serena tossed and turned in her bed. She couldn't get any sleep last night. She kept thinking about her talk with Lysandre and how she almost let herself go. She wanted to and she wanted to badly but her status, her friends, the professor and everyone in Kalos kept popping up in her head. What would they think if they found out? Everyone would hate her, she would be a disgrace.
She fingered the golden carvings on the music box beside her. Lysandre had let her keep it after their first talk with each other. She declined it at first but he kept on insisting, saying how he had had it for all his life and it wouldn't hurt to share it with her. She opened the music box to let the sweet melody ring out in the air.
She sighed. She rubbed her temples, "Serena, what have you gotten yourself into?"
"Serena?" Lysandre called from outside her door.
She straightened up and closed the music box gently, "Y-Yes?"
"Can I come in?" He asked.
Serena stood up to open the door herself, "Do you need anything?"
Lysandre stood at the door holding two cups of coffee, "Here I thought maybe you wanted to drink some."
She accepted the cup, "How did you know I was awake?"
"Well you're always up at this hour you know," Lysandre said as-a-matter-of-factly. "Except this time, you are still in your room."
"Oh."
Heavy silence settled on the pair. They didn't know what else to say to each other, both not knowing if they should bring up the events of last night.
"About last night," They said at the same time.
The pair chuckled nervously, "You first."
They did it again.
"You go, I'm sure whatever it is you have to say is more important anyway," Serena said.
Lysandre nodded, "I would just like to apologise for being too forward. I pushed too far and I was being selfish in not thinking about you."
Serena shook her head, "No! I mean, no. . . there's no need to apologise at all. I was just overwhelmed but I do appreciate you coming in here and saying that."
"Well, what did you have to say?" Lysandre asked.
Serena swallowed hard, "Thank you. I'd like to say thank you for telling me what happened. I know it must have been hard for you. To have all those horrible memories come rushing back."
Lysandre had nothing to say except what he felt right now. They were words that held much more meaning to him than any other, "Serena, I-"
The ring of his Holo Caster rang in the air. He sighed deeply as he played the holoclip.
It was from Jimmy. The grunt told him that they were able to infiltrate the Power Plant and that they were bringing someone along with them. He told him that they were on the way and that they should be almost to his home.
"The Power Plant?" Serena asked. "What's happening over there?"
Lysandre shrugged, "A new group has surfaced from somewhere and we are trying to find out what their purpose is."
'Well I hope they didn't come here to eradicate the whole world,' Serena thought. She was trying to stop Team Flare and having another group come and do the same would be too much.
"Wait," Serena said, "Michael, Lindsay and Jimmy are coming?"
Lysandre smiled as he nodded. He knew how attached Serena had become to his grunts and it made him feel a little better knowing that she didn't hate everything about Team Flare. Maybe even a little hopeful.
As if on cue, the sound of helicopters came howling in the distance. Serena smiled.
"Let's greet them by the door," Serena said, clearly excited. She set her coffee mug beside his on the dresser and walked down the hallway.
Lysandre chuckled, following her. If it wasn't for the affairs he was having with this new group he would definitely let them stay with her.
They navigated through the hallways quietly. He watched her walk in front of him. She had a bounce to each of her steps. She slowed down suddenly causing Lysandre to crash into her.
"Is there a problem?" He asked as he steadied both of them.
Serena shook her head, "It's just. . . Are you still mad at your father?"
It was a question that took him off guard. He did not expect her to ask that out of the blue, yet he nodded, "Yes, very much. I could never forgive him for abandoning my mother."
She looked thoughtful for a moment. She continued walking but this time she walked alongside him. She was biting her lip, a habit she had whenever she was deciding.
"Is there a reason why you asked me that question?" Lysandre said, expectantly.
"Maybe," She replied cryptically.
Lysandre cocked an eyebrow, "Are you going to tell me that reason?"
"Maybe."
"Serena. . ." He began.
Serena looked up at him, genuine concern in her expression, "Don't worry. I'll tell you soon enough. It's something you need to know anyway."
A feeling of unease started to settle inside of him. He felt anxious for what she had in her sleeve but he would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't the least bit curious.
They made it to the door just as soon as the sounds of the helicopter faded. Serena felt giddy again and swayed back and forth beside Lysandre. He gave her a questioning glance but smiled to himself anyway.
The door beeped open and in came a young woman with blonde hair wearing a black form-fitting pinstripe suit. She looked at Serena with her blue eyes and held her arms out, "Serena!"
"L-Lindsay?" Serena said. The grunt looked unrecognisable in her new appearance.
Lindsay smiled widely as she embraced Serena, "Michael missed you, you know. He's outside taking care of something."
Serena laughed knowingly, "I missed you too."
"Boss," Lindsay said, acknowledging Lysandre's presence beside Serena.
"Lindsay," He replied.
Jimmy was the next to come in. His once red hair was now brown which complimented his bright green eyes. He looked solemn yet happy as he approached them.
"It's good to see you, Serena," He said politely.
"It's good to see you too, Jimmy," She replied. "You look good."
Jimmy looked over to Lysandre and nodded.
The red-head nodded back.
Michael came in last. His jet black hair was slicked back as he carried a blindfolded man on his shoulders. The man had curly golden hair and his suit was as white as winter's snow.
"Hey, Serena!" He greeted.
Serena tilted her head to the side, "Hey, Michael. Who do you have there?"
"Is this our guest?" Lysandre inquired.
Michael laughed nervously, "Y-Yes, sir."
"Lindsay, James, keep Serena company. Michael, come with me and bring our guest," Lysandre ordered.
"Uh, sir?" Michael said.
"What is it?"
Michael came toward Lysandre and muttered a few words. Serena glanced over to Lindsay, silently asking what was happening but Lindsay kept a stoic face.
"Is that so?" Lysandre said curiously. "Well then, Michael give our guest over to Lindsay. You and James keep Serena company. Our guest and I have business to discuss."
Percy woke up to a painful yank to some strands of his hair. He felt his jaw throb in pain. He felt himself sitting and as he moved to touch his jaw he found that his arms and legs were chained tightly to the heavy steel chair he was on.
A blinding light blinded him as he opened his eyes. His eyes adjusted and the golden-haired woman from earlier came into view. He noticed that it was damp and decided that they may be somewhere underground.
"Hey, boss," She said. "It looks like he's coming to."
A tall red-headed man leaned on the table in front of him. He nodded to the woman, "Better late than never."
"Y-You. . ." Percy croaked.
The man smirked, "I take it, you know who I am."
"You," Percy muttered. "You are Lysandre, the head of Team Flare. You were the one who kidnapped Serena, our Champion. We've been looking for you."
Lysandre gave him a genuine look of surprise, "'Kidnapped'?"
The red-head laughed, "Tell me, young man, how is the professor doing?"
"How did you know about the professor?" Percy asked. Did Lysandre know about their little organisation?
Lysandre scoffed, "I feel offended that you would even ask me a question such as that." He shook his head, "Lindsay."
The woman, Lindsay, came over to where Percy sat. She bore into him. Her deep blue eyes pierced into his. He felt himself grow smaller under her gaze.
"W-What do you want from me?" Percy asked. His voice trembled.
"Your understanding," She replied. "And your full cooperation."
Percy swallowed, "Are you going to torture me?"
Lindsay cackled, "Far from it."
"We are only here to negotiate," Lysandre said.
"Negotiate?" Percy repeated.
Lindsay nodded, "If you want to get out of here unscathed, I suggest you take up our offer."
"I'll never work for you," He said defiantly.
"Work for me?" Lysandre laughed. "You think too highly about yourself, young man."
Percy felt himself growing more and more confused, "What are you offering me?"
"A chance to save a life," Lysandre replied.
"I'm sorry but you will have to be a bit more specific," Percy said. His confusion was obvious in the tone of his voice, "Whose life am I saving and what would you have me give you in return?"
Lysandre smiled darkly, "Your brother's life for information."
"Sir, I-" Lindsay said. Even she didn't think Lysandre would go that far for intel.
Lysandre raised a hand, silently telling Lindsay not to interfere.
Percy felt his heart drop but he kept a determined face, "I have no care for that traitor. Do whatever you will to him."
The red-head cocked an eyebrow, "Oh? Then you wouldn't mind if I tore your brother limb by limb right in front of you?"
"N-No," Percy replied. He tried to keep his voice as steady as he could, "Like I said, do whatever."
Lysandre smirked as he straightened up, "Well, I will give you until the morning to think about it." He nodded to Lindsay, "Lindsay, if you please."
"Yes, sir," Lindsay said. She cracked her knuckles before she let her fist fly towards Percy's face. The impact of the punch made him lose consciousness.
When she was sure Percy was unconscious, she turned to Lysandre, "Sir, are we really going to do that Jimmy?"
Lysandre shook his head, "No, of course not. I was only bluffing. Truth be told, I was bluffing about everything. I don't know what organisation he belongs to but that is what we intend to find out. The only thing we know is that they have Sycamore with them."
Lindsay let out a sigh of relief, "That was a good bluff, sir but with all due respect maybe you should have given me a heads up."
"Noted," Lysandre said, nodding. "I want you and Michael to stand guard here tonight and watch our guest. He will wake up soon enough. Do not give away our location, understand? Do not."
Lindsay gave a salute, "Yes, sir."
"And Lindsay," Lysandre added. "Do we know who stole our documents?"
She shook her head, "I apologise, sir. I'm afraid we still do not know. The description of the grunt that saw the man isn't really helping us since everyone in Team Flare wears the same thing."
"Maybe we should ask our friend here later, hm? He may know something," Lysandre suggested, ignoring the comment about the uniforms.
"I know you told me not to ask but who was that?" Serena asked. She was walking alongside Michael and Jimmy aimlessly around the large house. The grunts looked very different from the ones she had known. She had to wonder if that was how they looked like before joining Team Flare.
Jimmy shot a glare at Michael.
"Uh. . . Jimmy you take this one," Michael said.
"He's no-one. Let's change the subject," Jimmy said curtly.
Serena nodded slowly, "Oh, well, um, you look different. All three of you."
"Yeah, we've been spending a lot of our time in the cities and towns and it just makes things easier because of, you know, our status," Michael explained. "I'm sure you understand, right?"
"I guess," Serena said, unsure. "I know you told me not to ask about this too but what's keeping you guys so busy these past few weeks that you had to change your appearances?"
Jimmy nudged Michael, "You take this one."
"I'm sorry Serena, I would but I can't," Michael said apologetically.
Serena sighed, "It's fine. I get it, Team Flare stuff."
Michael gave her a small smile, "We're really sorry. How about you? How are things over here with Lysandre?"
"I. . . don't know how to answer that question, Michael," She said. "I mean, me personally I'm doing well but the latter part of your question. . ."
Michael chuckled, "I'll just ask you outright, anything new happen between the two of you? Relationship-wise?"
Serena felt her face warm up. Vivid memories of the night before flooded her mind. She wondered if she should tell Michael but ultimately decided against it. Lysandre might not appreciate her telling his grunts. She shook her head, "No, our 'relationship' is still on the same, let's say, level. We're just. . ."
'Just what?' Serena thought. Are they friends? Acquaintances? She didn't know.
"You know," Jimmy began. "You should really talk to Lysandre about that."
"Yeah," Michael said, nodding. "You two really need to work on your communication."
Serena bit her lip, "That's easier said than done."
Both grunts sighed. They knew Serena was dense when it came to things like this but they didn't know she would be this dense.
"Finally, I found you idiots!" A familiar voice called out. "Not you, Serena but seriously it took me some time to find you guys."
"Hello, Lindsay," Serena greeted.
Michael waved, "Heya, Lindsay."
"So," Lindsay said, walking towards the group. She fell in step with them, "What are we talking about?"
"Hah!" Michael exclaimed. "That is a very good question. Maybe you'd like to weigh into this conversation."
Lindsay nodded, "All right, shoot."
Michael nudged Jimmy for the second time of the day. Jimmy stumbled forward but caught himself, "R-Right, we think Serena and Lysandre should work on their communication."
Lindsay cackled, "That isn't even debatable, they definitely should. You two don't even know the current status of your relationship."
"That's exactly what we thought," Michael said. "Well," He turned to Serena, "How about it?"
Serena bit her lip again, harder this time, "I don't know."
"Well you better decided now because we are right outside his room," Lindsay said. She had a sly grin on her face.
Serena looked around her. How did she not notice where the grunts led her?
"Michael, Lindsay!" She cried out in a soft voice.
The pair winked at her, "You'll thank us later." They ran away from her with Jimmy in tow.
"I can't believe them," Serena muttered under her breath.
She stared up at large door in front of her and let out a deep sigh. She raised her fist up to knock at the door, "Here goes nothing."
