Chapter 10 – Staying Undercover

Wearing simple slacks and a navy-blue sweater, a man walked into the room to see two others already here awaiting him along with a backwards facing high-backed chair. He was powerfully built and stood just over six feet. His face was tanned and lined from years of exposure to the elements. This man had been all over and seen almost all that this world had to offer. Now he was being paid extremely well to help do what he did best of all. Catch Pokemon.

Also in the room was a man in his mid thirties. This younger man wasn't one for the outdoors, more at home in a laboratory. His tie was askew as were his glasses slightly. While the older man's hair was salt and peppery and kept short, the researcher's hair was black and much longer, just past his ears and was extremely untidy. Last was a beautiful young woman holding a computerized tablet. She gave a small smile towards the adventurer. Her lips were full and cherry red. But other than that, her face lacked much makeup. At first the older man did not think she would be able to handle any outdoor trekking, but she had proven herself quite capable on their last outing. When she was dressed in a skirt only covering part of her shapely legs and a tight blouse showing just the barest hint of cleavage, one could easily mistake her for just a girly-girl. The last man was hidden behind a taller chair facing out over the glistening ocean waters.

"Were you successful Mr. Rivers?" his employer asked in a clear yet soft spoken voice. The man behind the chair was only just hitting his fifties but was extremely wealthy. Very few people knew what his true goals were however.

"There are signs of them being here, meaning they've likely been released, but they haven't settled yet. Some of your men did come across some indication that lead me to believe one of them has returned to Seafoam, but I haven't had the time to thoroughly explore those islands yet." Rivers voice was deep and gravelly but in control.

"And what about the power plant?"

"I'm uncertain about that area."

"Why? It roosted there three years ago" the researcher interjected. The explorer shifted his gaze towards the younger man. The deep hazel eyes bored into the seafoam green ones.

"That was because three years ago the plant was abandoned. Now that new manager has resurrected it and there's far more human activity there now."

"But what about the extra electrical energy output? Wouldn't that be an attractant?"

"Possibly but we're not dealing with Pokemon that are so easily caught."

"Mr. Rivers is right Caleb. The human aspect may be enough of a deterrent. Very well, please keep searching. Where will you head next?"

"I'm curious about the third of the trio. Before it could be found on Victory road but there are no traces of it anywhere now."

"I may have a lead on that" Caleb said. The older man Rivers turned his gaze once more on the young researcher. "I've been doing some research about Mount Silver. Apparently, there are some internal magma chambers in the lower areas."

"Ones that would still require access from the interior of the mountain I take it?"

"I believe so yes." The older man looked down thinking.

"As much as I would like to send you there Mr. Rivers, I do not believe that would be the wisest course to us at this moment" his employer said.

"I've been following some rumours about the old champion of this region, Red. People think he may have retired to that mountain for training" the woman explained speaking for the first time.

"You don't want him getting involved?"

"I would rather not risk it. I do not yet know his state of mind. The fewer who are aware of this the better." All three employees nodded. "Instead there is one last rumour I would like you to follow up on. Kimberly?"

"One of our agents in Ecruteak have informed us that some interesting Pokemon have turned up at the Burned tower" the young woman Kimberly informed. "We have an aircraft ready to leave when you are ready."

"Caleb I would like for you to travel with Mr. Rivers."

"Yes sir."

"Would you like us to pursue or simply observe?" the man named Rivers asked.

"Just observe for the time being. I do not entirely trust the old energies of Ecruteak and I will not be set back now."


Karen was still pacing around her room back at the Plateau when Koga came in. It had been days since she had found out that some of her old tormentors were still around and not only that but rather high up in the business and political world. This new information had set her on edge and not in a good way. Her trusted Houndoom knew something was wrong but anything he did didn't seem to have an impact on his master.

"Karen sit down" the Poison-type master said. His voice which was usually hard as steel was more a soothing balm to Karen's frantic mind right now. She did as he bid, seating herself on her couch.

"I'm sorry Koga I just can't seem to stay still" she all but whispered. Koga took a seat beside her.

"I know this must be difficult for you Karen, but you aren't the same little girl that Team Rocket took all those years ago. You have grown into a strong and confident young woman. And you know we won't let anything happen to you."

"I know I just can't help but worry. I mean what if Giovanni is at the head of all this again?"

"He isn't." Koga's confidence in his reply caught Karen off guard and she momentarily forgot about her worry.

"What do you mean? How could you know?"

"Because his meetings with Red changed him. He became fallible and that is something that Giovanni cannot abide by."

"How do you know what Giovanni thought about all of this?" Even Karen knew of the old mob bosses strength and belief in his cause, a not easily shaken resolve.

"You're forgetting what a difference three years can have. What was I before I accepted the offer to become one of the Elite Four?" Then it hit her. Koga would have known Giovanni because they both used to be gym leaders. Of course, Koga would know more about the illusive leader of Team Rocket than most others.

"I forgot. I'm sorry Koga." Koga placed a hand over Karen's.

"There is no need for you to apologize. There is also no need to you to be scared any longer. We know the players now. And while we may not know the plan just yet, we will. Then you can show them just how strong you have become." Karen looked down at her faithful partner Houndoom. He seemed to agree with what Koga had just said and all at once, Karen found herself remembering the past couple of years and the strides she had made, and how much stronger she had become. What new kind of woman she had become.

Koga watched as the Karen he knew, the young woman who reminded him so much of his own daughter straightened her posture and had her confidence slowly begin to return.


Kurt and Lyra were finally able to join Arthur and Sabrina along with the local authorities and medics. Lyra had made sure Kurt was alright then had called for reinforcements to come. While they were reluctant, Kurt's shouting that they were already in the well convinced them to come and check out what was happening finally. The Rocket grunts who had been knocked unconscious during their fight with Sabrina were being rounded up. One of the officers was speaking with Arthur and Sabrina taking the details of what exactly was happening down in the well. Some of the nurses from the local Pokemon centre were also on hand, rounding up some of the injured Slowpoke so they could be treated. Kurt was dismayed at the treatment of the poor Pokemon. Blood could be seen pooled at various areas of the floor, along with some carcasses of some of the Slowpoke who hadn't made it. The young girl beside him was almost in tears at the scene.

"I can't thank you two enough for stopping these monsters" Kurt said as soon as he reached the two trainers.

"Kurt what are you doing walking around?" Arthur exclaimed.

"I'll be fine. It's just a strained back." The younger man didn't look convinced but did not pursue it. "So, was it really Team Rocket?"

"Apparently. The executive I battled with got away though and these guys say they were just a part of this operation."

"This is just horrible" Lyra whispered. Both Arthur and Sabrina nodded.

"We need to leave" Sabrina said after a minute in a quiet yet stern voice.

"Come with me. I'll make you some dinner. You all look like you need a hot meal in your stomachs" Kurt said. As the younger trainers started leaving, Kurt held back taking one last look around as a tear rolled down his face.


"Hello?" Will answered the call on his phone.

"Will." The chilly voice on the other end of the line could only be the one other psychic master in the region. A girl with far more psychic ability than Will himself.

"Sabrina. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I'm calling to inform you about the problem at the Slowpoke Well."

"Ah this issue that Bugsy was attempting to get me to solve? You ought to know Sabrina I have other problems to handle as well..." Sabrina cut him off.

"This was a major problem. Team Rocket was here, cutting off their tails. I'm assuming they were selling them, but I don't know where." Will's face drained of blood causing both of his Zatu to look over questioningly.

"I'll be right there."

"It's already been handled."

"Did you..."

"I had help. But the league needed to know, and I want to know why you weren't here to help. You're the Elite Four member remember?" Her voice was growing colder by the second. Sabrina did not fault Will for being chosen nor did she want his position however, because he was the current psychic master, he should have been able to stop this much sooner.

"I'm sorry Sabrina but we're currently dealing with other matters here." Sabrina could tell that he was holding something back but decided not to press it. This wasn't her problem and she wasn't a fan of interacting with others who she believed were beneath her.

"Well I would inform the other leaders before something else happens." Will looked down at his phone as the line died. Then he dialed another number.

"Hey Lance, we've got a problem."


"Let me track the little shits down. I'll make sure they never raise a hand against us again."

"They beat you once Proton, what's to stop them from beating you again?" the woman's voice asked through the speakerphone in a slightly mocking tone.

"Don't you mock me woman!"

"Enough!" Archer's voice cut through the two of them instantly. "Proton we have other responsibilities for you."

"Fuck... Fine what now?"

"Olivine or Cianwood. We will need another distraction. And this time do not harm the gym leaders."

"Wouldn't have had to touch bug-boy if he wasn't so fucking nosey."

"I do not care how nosey they are, you are not to get caught and I do not need the authorities swarming all over the place because gym leaders are getting attacked. Now leave" Archer said his voice uncharacteristically coloured with anger. Proton turned on his heel and marched out.

"As charming as ever" Ariana said. Archer just grunted. "The machine is coming around. The scientists you sent us from Silph seemed to have made some breakthroughs. In a couple more weeks we should have a running prototype."

"Good, see to it that it happens. Now I must leave."

"A good senators work is never done is it?" she teased.

"Not if we do not wish to be exposed" Archer replied walking from the room.