Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, be it the idea, the creatures, or the world. Some of the characters in this story are my own while others can also be creditted back to the original owners. I take no credit for anything not mine, and thank the creators of Pokemon for giving me inspiration.

Author's Note: First and foremost, things are about to take a slightly off-track course from the standards set by the Pokemon show and games, as Team Galactic, the Sinnoh equivilant to Team Rocket, is far more "Evil Corporation" then the cartoon or game was willing to go. You'll see what I mean at the end of the chapter. Yes, this will be the theme of them throughout the story as they ARE antagonists, and I simply feel that the game didn't do them enough justice playing that role. That said, this is another rival POV chapter, and as such, expect some foreshadowing and setting up for things to come

Chapter XXV: More Then Rumors

(Sye's POV)

"And here are your Pokemon Sye, all rested and restored." Nurse Joy told me, sliding forward a tray with three Pokeballs sitting atop.

I replaced them upon my belt and offered a nod, "Thank you."

She smiled, "That must've been some gym match, given the state of your Pokemon; congratulations on your win."

She, of course, referred to how exhausted each had become, not their physical injuries. The fact was that not one of my Pokemon had actually been harmed over the course of the battle against Eterna's gym leader, but each had expended nearly all of its energy over the course of the battle. Despite my better judgment to keep a steady pace throughout my journey, this trip to the Pokemon center was simply unavoidable. "The win was ours, not simply mine, but thank you nonetheless."

With a nod of her own, the nurse gestured for me to step aside, for the line behind me was getting a tad out of hand. Fine with me, my business here was done, after all. I headed for the door, taking only a moment to check the wall clock before heading outside. "Ten thirty." I whispered, heading outside and greeting the night sky with a cold stare, "Should reach Hearthome city by morning if I hurry."

And hurry I would, for what else could stand in my way between here and there? There were no gyms along the way, and only a short route through mount Coronet to reach the city; even if I stopped to battle a few trainers along the way, I would reach Hearthome before the next evening. I stopped outside the Pokemon center and flipped open my badge case, looking over my newest acquisition; the forest badge. The gym leader's specialty had indeed been grass types, like I had thought, giving me a severe advantage; fire, flying and bug. While she had surprised me with her techniques on how to fend off fire attacks from Monferno, my newest Pokemon had more then compensated, and in the end, was the victor.

I looked on ahead, beyond the Pokemart, beyond even the gym, to my destination; the southern most route out of the city. There was a long, rugged trail that led almost down to Oreburgh, before it turned into mount Coronet. If I took the lighter path beyond the city limits, I would need a bike, but likewise could I take the stairs below the path and walk the way. Without a bicycle of my own, the latter was my only option. I took a step forward.

And immediately came to halt. Someone had caught my eye, off to the right; several people, actually. Their teal colored hair was the most noticeable of features, but the clothing followed just after; skin tight outfits composed of silver and black material. 'Team Galactic.' I mentally noted, more then recognizing the men and women for what they were, 'So they're here too?'

Eterna city was not the first place I had discovered the notorious band of men and women known as Team Galactic. They were known far and wide throughout the Sinnoh region for their… Less then admiral deeds. A veritable army in size and number, the Galatics, as they were called for short, used their Pokemon more as tools or weaponry then actual creatures. Rarely a day went by where the group wasn't apart of the news, or talked about during a broadcast; they were criminals, lowlifes, and downright thugs in the eyes of the public… And untouchable.

Because of their money, influence and, perhaps most importantly, their sheer power, no one dared to challenge Team Galactic, or force them from their cities. Rumors had even begun to circle that they had a grand scale headquarters located in Veilstone city, completely ignored by the local law enforcements and trainers alike. Even the elites of the Pokemon world let them be; but whether this was a case of fear or negligence remained to be seen. 'Whatever.' I thought, turning from the sight, and continuing along my way, 'None of my business.'

Naturally, each claim made against their activities being anything less then just was denied by the Galatics; their leader being one of much charisma and influence all on his own. Never had a galactic member been convicted of a crime – Not to my knowledge, at least, which only went as far as the news let the public know. But, in the end, as they had never set their sights on Twinleaf town, they were no concern of mine. After all; one would have to be an absolute fool to challenge…

My eyes widened as a realization struck me; Ventus! He always did have a knack for getting involved in things he shouldn't, and his sense of justice was… Well, strongly connected with his temper, to put it lightly. He had been safe in Twinleaf town, where he actually held no sort of power to oppose such a strong organization, but as a trainer, he just might do something stupid if he found out about them. "Damnit…" I murmured to myself, eyes downcast.

As much of a bothersome, burden-ridden nuisance he may have been at times, Ventus was still my friend; I couldn't let him do anything stupid. But what was I to do? Go back for him and lecture him to stay away from the Galatics? Or maybe I should've just gone ahead and got rid of them myself so he wouldn't try. 'Now I'm just being crazy…'

I could only hope that his good sense kicked in if and when he should ever encounter the group… I looked back towards the members of Team Galactic, huddled around one another talking in whispers; no one was going to stop whatever it was they were doing. Too much was at risk, after all.

The thought had crossed my mind that everything regarding them was all a lie composed by the media; after all, no one had ever actually attempted to confront them. And while it would be nice to believe it was all a misunderstanding, that the region wasn't slowly being taken over by an ever expanding army of Pokemon thugs; that was simply not the world we lived it. It may have been pessimistic to think so, but that was how I operated; think poorly and one can never be disappointed – Think too positively and you can only be let down. In my eyes, Team Galactic was nothing good. Until proven otherwise, that was how I would see it.

"Whaddya want?" One of the Galactics suddenly shouted at me, snapping me from my thoughts.

I hadn't even realized I was staring, but sure enough, more then one of the little group was now glaring in my direction. I turned my head, and continued on, casting a glance back only long enough to see if they followed. Cowardice it was not; my Pokemon had only just been healed, I simply didn't want to involve them in a scuffle so soon. Not to mention I'd have the entirety of Team Galactic out for blood if I got involved with them. One or two, or maybe even as many as that little group, I could handle. But every last Galactic? Not a chance…

Thankfully, none seemed to be following and had returned to their meeting when I chose to move on. I moved beyond the Pokemart, pausing only long enough to wonder if I needed supplies. Deciding to rely on what I already had, I continued, moving on passed the gym without a second glance; my business there was done, after all.

The battle in Oreburgh had shown me that a Pokemon could overcome type disadvantages with some careful planning and strategy, as well as utilizing techniques other then it's own specialties to overcome it's weakness. Eterna's battle had only further displayed how well some types could dominate others through sheer force; I had to wonder, what did the next gym have in store for me?

Another group, though smaller then the first, of Galactics hung out around the southern city gateway, their eyes trained on me as I approached. Not slowing my pace even the slightest, I strode onwards, content simply to pass by and go on my way, heedless of their presence. And I would have done just that… Had the nearest one not stepped up to bar my path, his eyes went immediately to my belt, "Pokemon trainer?" he asked, his voice devoid of most emotion, some faint anger in what remained.

I narrowed my own gaze, not at all liking where the conversation was going; "And if I am?"

He looked off to the others for a moment, some faint snickering coming from the group, before turning back towards me, smiling an insincere smile, "Then you've just become a contributor to our organization."

I should've known; Pokemon theft. The rumors and stories were right after all. His hand reached for my Pokemon, I slapped it away with one arm, the other plucking Monferno's ball free, "You don't want to do that." Came my cold reply.

A look of surprise washed over the lot of them, even the one confronting me… Almost as though they hadn't expected any sort of retaliation. Perhaps the ego of Team Galactic was just that big after all. But as quickly as it appeared, the surprise faded, the foremost man's anger intensifying clear upon his face; "You realize who we are?" he asked, taking a Pokeball of his own into his hand, his tone one of warning.

I cocked my head to one side for a moment, "With an outfit like that, it's rather hard to be ignorant."

The man fumed and gestured for the others to approach; footsteps from behind signaled the arrival of the previous group. This was getting bad, and all because they wanted my Pokemon. Who did they think they were anyway? 'Team Galactic… Just as rotten as I'd heard. This isn't looking good.'

The others of the group each held Pokeballs of their own, telling me in some silent way that this would be anything but a fair fight; even if I used all three of my Pokemon at once, we'd still be heavily outnumbered, by a group more then twice our size. Clearly, they wanted my Pokemon, and I had high doubts it was simply mine they wanted; this was mass theft taken step by step, I was merely the flavor of the day.

For once, a trace of emotion broke through my normally calm exterior – Something that surprised even me, momentarily. Still clutching the Pokeball in my hand, I struck forward, catching the man before me in the chin and sending him stumbling backwards into two of his friends. With a smirk of my own, I loomed over him just long enough to utter a few words; "You want'em? Come get'em."

Without wasting a moment, I bolted off, leaping over the downed Galactic and racing for the city gate, out into the fields. The bike path was certainly an option no longer; I would have to lose them if I had any chance of survival now.

A lump of air stopped in my throat as the word rang throughout my mind; survival. Yes, surely that was what this was now; there was no going back from what I had just done. I had opposed the unopposable Team Galactic, and unless I made myself scarce, there was little chance I would live to tell the tale.

Footsteps picked up behind me, followed by angry shouts and cursing; I didn't need to look back to know I was the cause of such commotion. It was almost funny in a way, how I had worried so much about Ventus getting himself in over his head with Team Galactic, when it had only taken me an instant to do the same. No doubt he would have reacted the same, or perhaps worse, then I did had he faced the same situation, for really there was no other option. No trainer could call himself that unless he was willing to risk himself for his own Pokemon; after all, they risked themselves for us, equality was the bond we had to share.

The bike path came into view up ahead; I swerved to the left and headed for the downwards trail, down below the path and back into the wilderness. Perhaps not as lush and thick as Eterna forest, but it would have to suffice. Below the path was supposed to be a cave of some sort, one explorers and trainers alike used to capture and train rock Pokemon; Wayward cave it was called, named for it's maze-like structure and winding paths. 'I can lose them in there…' I thought to myself, pushing away the fears that in doing so, I could very well lose my own way.

I leapt midway down the slope, landing hard on the ground but feeling only slightly dazed from the impact; the cave was just off to my right. "This better work…" I stared down at the Pokeball still in my hand, "Or else we're in some serious trouble…"

Taking only a moment's look back, I darted through the grass and into the cave, the shouts and curses becoming only echoes as I vanished inside.

--------------------------------------------------

Le gasp! A villianous group in Pokemon that actually has intimidating qualities? Yes, I went there.