Chapter 38

Wotter's alarm clock started screaming at five-thirty. He hit the snooze button and stood up. He felt groggy, tired. Frustration and anger swirled in his head, bouncing around the neurons of his brain like a pinball. The Discipline Pokémon forced himself up. His muscles ached from last night's misadventure. Mission, Wotter thought. It was called a mission. He stretched out his arms and touched his toes, then flexed his arm and back muscles. Wotter took a deep breath. Somehow he felt good. His body was toned. His muscles tuned for endurance. The pain soon faded, such thoughts made pain were non-existent. He opened up his refrigerator and drank down an entire bottle of water. Being a water-type Pokémon, he couldn't afford to be dehydrated, especially before a morning run. Wotter tossed the plastic bottle in the trash can, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before stepping out of the bedroom.

. . .

Smugleaf was in a worse state. She groaned as pain rocketed through her back. Sleeping on the roof of a bunker was clearly not ideal. Everything hurt from the top of her head down to her tail. Smugleaf sat up. The sun was not yet up. The night was black, dank, and cold. Smugleaf shivered, not only was she getting cramps but the cold amplified the pain. The Grass Snake Pokémon got to her feet and stretched her nimble legs. Sometimes being a serpent with limbs is difficult. She could slither and flex her spine to the point where she could touch the back of her forehead with her tail, yet she was clumsy with arms and legs. Despite so, Smugleaf didn't wish to evolve. The world requires hands to manipulate it. The Snivy's later evolutions eventually phase out limbs. Yes, the Serperior is strong and can withstand heavy punishment. But Smugleaf never really valued strength. She valued perseverance. She didn't wanna be strong. She didn't wanna fight. Smugleaf just wanna live, and enjoy life no matter what challenge comes her way.

The muscle cramps were soon forgotten when she heard the back door opened. Smugleaf went prone and crawled to the edge of the bunker. She saw Wotter stepping out into the night. He yawned, having just got up. Wotter flexed his muscles and pumped his fist. His daily run was about to begin.

Smugleaf watched Wotter walk off toward the East gate. He didn't bother fiddling with the lock, he simply climbed up on the gate and jumped down at the other side. Wotter rolled and bounced back on his feet. Smugleaf smiled, the Discipline Pokémon was quite mobile. He was strong and had an iron will. Smugleaf knew that was fool's gold. All of it was fool's gold. The Dewott was motivated by power, authority over others. He had abused it as long as she had knew him.

Time to put that strength to the test.

When Wotter jogged out of sight, Smugleaf jumped off the bunker. She hit the ground and rolled. Smugleaf scrambled on her feet and dashed toward the warehouse. Smugleaf nearly lost her balance. She wasn't much of a runner like Wotter, she had no chance in competing against him in a marathon. However, she was always great at ambushing, and she knows the spot to do it. Smugleaf approached the warehouse door and pulled the garage door ajar. She squeezed underneath the gap and closed it. The Grass Snake Pokémon scanned the workshop for Woody. His cot was empty. Smugleaf placed her hand in its center, the cot was cold as a bone. She then made her way through the darkness of the warehouse. Smugleaf moved fast, but not too fast where she would trip and hurt herself. Smugleaf couldn't afford an injury. Not now. She needed to be healthy when facing Wotter.

Smugleaf made it to the back door and opened it. The darkness of the forest greeted her. Smugleaf held her breath and listened. Nothing but still air. She closed the door behind her and crept along the wall of the warehouse. Smugleaf found her spot. A corner of the warehouse shielded with debris, filled with a pocket of darkness. Not a single ray of ambient light could penetrate it. Smugleaf stepped into the pocket. It was ridiculously cold, but she loved it. She felt hidden, part of the shadows. Smugleaf drew her knife and sniffed the blade. It was already warm. Smugleaf squeezed the handle and extended both her vines, then got into position.

Any moment now.

. . .

Wotter jogged the around the fort's natural curb. He passed the derelict trenches and fallen debris. The Discipline Pokémon scanned the edges of the fence. He saw no signs of a breach. Everything was in tip-top shape as it should be. Wotter smiled, even though the Swoobats were crippled he still felt pretty safe in Fort Wernher. The PRA had an army, with special abilities, supported with military-grade firearms. They don't need to rehearse a defense drill. No one is getting in arm's reach of the fence, Wotter was sure of that.

The Discipline Pokémon soon came around the west side of the fort. The forest to his left, the base to his right. The path around this part of Fort Wernher narrowed down to a point where Wotter could touch the forest and the fence with both hands. The part around the warehouse was slightly better. Obviously it was stronger than the fence. It was more heavily fortified, nothing should get in the warehouse from outside the base.

One thing Wotter hadn't anticipated was something coming out from the inside.

He jogged up to the warehouse and curved around the pile of garbage sitting next to the wall. Without warning something struck him in the side of his neck. Wotter was thrown into the forest. He tumbled and crashed into a tree. Pressure built up in his head, getting ready to explode out his eyes and ears. A second later, the pressure plummeted. Wotter felt drowsy, he struggled to get back up to his feet when a green vine coiled around his neck. Wotter's eyes went big. He clawed at the vine, struggling to breathe. The vine then slammed his head against the tree, and the world turned into fog.

The vine uncurled and Wotter gasped in a gulp of air. Suddenly something placed its mouth over his, and a fork-like tongue brush against the roof of his jaw. Wotter knew that tongue well. He had tasted it once before.

Smugleaf.

He peered through the fog and just able to make out her features. She then got on top of him, both vines curled themselves around his torso and neck. Wotter couldn't move his arms. He tried to reach for his scalchops, only to find Smugleaf had kicked them aside.

Before Wotter could figure out what to do next, his brain stopped recording and everything went numb.

. . .

It was all over within half an hour. Smugleaf felt good, really good. She dragged the unconscious Dewott back to the warehouse. The Grass Snake Pokémon forced him into the shadow pocket. Wotter moaned, he stopped struggling and went limb. Smugleaf relaxed her grip. She didn't wanna kill him, not yet anyways. Smugleaf grabbed both of Wotter's legs and spread them apart, then pinned them down with her feet.

All the times Wotter had personally violated almost every Pokémon in the PRA and ruined their lives had come to this point. The tables had turned. Smugleaf had her personal fun, but she was not yet done. The Snivy gripped her knife with both hands and held it over the Dewott's groin. She glanced at Wotter's face. He looked peaceful, cute even. The Discipline Pokémon seemed unconscious enough, hopefully the adrenaline from his run wouldn't ruin things.

Smugleaf took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then called the knife down.

. . .

Rex woke up roughly around seven. His chest and abdomen hurt, it felt like there was a huge weight crushing down on him. Rex made a face, his hand was just about to rub his chest when it was stopped by a thick mass of fur. He opened his eyes and found that Sara was lying face-down on top of him. No wonder he had trouble breathing for part of the night. Sara was suffocating him. Rex placed both hands on the Raichu and slid her off to the side. She whined, waving her hands in the air like she was trying to grab something. Rex found Volts tucked underneath the other pillow. His head was sticking out, his face buried under an arm. Rex pulled him out and placed him in Sara's arms. The Raichu smiled as she cuddled the familiar shape of her child, then relaxed.

Rex sat up and stretched his arms, then lifted his pillow. His gun was still there, as it should be. Rex wondered if he would eventually use it in a home invasion. He slept so well last night that he might have no chance to react. Rex took the gun and walked into the bathroom. He sat it on the toilet, then started up the shower. He ran the water on cold. Rex felt his skin seize up, he simply lathered his hair in shampoo. After that, he shut off the shower in less than two minutes. He then dried himself off and slipped his boxers back on, then brushed his teeth. Rex heard the TV turn on in the next room. Sara and Volts have probably woken up. Rex spat out the fluoride paste and sat his toothbrush aside, then grabbed his gun and stepped back into the hotel room.

Sara and Volts had gotten out the ice cream he had bought from last night and were now eating it. They both barely acknowledged him. Both Pokémon sat on the edge of the bed, focused on the TV. Rex stuck his gun back into his backpack and pulled out a clean shirt out of his suit case. He slipped it on, then took a look at the TV. It was tuned to the local news, apparently something big happened last night.

Rex couldn't believe his eyes.

POLICE CHIEF OF SOHO DEAD AFTER HOME INVASION, read the headlines. PRA TO BLAME.

"Sh*t," murmured Rex.

He turned to Sara and Volts. Their faces were covered with chocolate and dried ice cream, they had just finished eating the cones and were proceeding to lick the ice cream off each other's faces. Their marble eyes constantly glance at the TV, they seemed to be having a mixed reaction about the news.

Rex walked back into the bathroom and soaked a small towel, then came back out and sat next to his Pokémon. Both Pokémon stopped licking and glanced up at him. Rex could tell they wanted to do it, not him. He simply gave Sara the towel. She took the towel, smiled, then proceed to wipe Volts face with it. Once his face was clean, Sara wiped her face then handed the towel back to Rex. He took it back to the bathroom and washed it out in the sink, then just left it there for the maid to find.

He then put his pants and jacket on, then slipped on his shoes. Sara brushed against his side, cooing under her breath.

Rex grabbed the remote and turned off the TV, then said, "We'll need to head to the Pokémon Center. That Swoobat might know something about this."

Chances are he might not. The Swoobat was probably just flying around, unaware that such event had taken place. Tesla had said that Chief Hattricks had told him to kill Nobark. Now Hattricks is dead, and Tesla's fate was still unknown. Rex grabbed his dirty clothes and packed them into the suitcase, he then zipped it up and stuck it in the closet. He scooped up his backpack and put it on. Sara and Volts stayed close, they weren't about to leave his side.

Rex stepped out of the hotel room and closed the door. The Do Not Disturb sign was still there, untampered with. Rex left it there and headed back to the Pokémon Center. Breakfast wasn't on his mind. He wasn't hungry, but he needed to eat anyway. He might spend hours with the Swoobat, or around five minutes. Officer Jenny might be there to question him as well.

He stopped mid-thought. Rex had forgotten about her. If she finds the gun in his backpack, she would arrest him. But does she have the right to search him? Did she need a warrant? Rex had no idea what the Unova laws were, but clearly federal oversight made sure all Officer Jennies in all regions and islands alike must have a search warrant.

He turned to Sara and said, "If I get arrested, stay at the Pokémon Center. Give Nurse Joy mom's phone number, in case you guys need a ride home."

Sara shook her head. "Chu!"

"This isn't for you to decide, Sara. There isn't much I could do for myself or for you guys if the law comes knocking," Rex looked up at the sky and sighed. "I hope it doesn't come to that point."

Rex resumed walking. The Pokémon Center was just up ahead. Rex scanned the parking lot for Officer Jenny's motorcycle. He saw none. No official squad car, unmarked or otherwise. Nurse Joy might have not called the police just yet. Rex wasn't sure if it means anything.

When he walked inside, he froze.

Sitting in the lobby was an Officer Jenny, but her uniform wasn't Unova. Instead it was a navy blue. She had long pants, and black boots. Her badges and insignias were embroidered, nothing made of metal whatsoever. She wore no police hat, but her hair was trimmed to her ears and well-combed. Her back was facing toward him as she was drinking a bottled of water, her eyes glued to the TV. Rex read the label on her back.

INTERPOL

The International Police.

Before Rex could step out, the automatic doors closed behind him with a soft punt. Officer Jenny showed no reaction, nor did she turned around. She simply sat there and said, "You're Rex Anderson?"

Rex said nothing, his voice seized up in his lungs. He glanced at Sara and Volts, both Pokémon wrapped their arms around him as if they were saying goodbye.

"Let me rephrase that, are you Dr. Rex Anderson? Former Staff Sergeant Medic in the army? Honorably discharged?"

Rex gulped. "Uh, yes, Officer."

"That's Agent for you."

Agent Jenny stood up and turned to face him. She was just like any other Jenny in law enforcement, but was more serious and less friendly. She was definitely pissed, but Rex couldn't tell if that was either her character or her reaction from the current situation.

"Nurse Jenny called the Unova Regional Police HQ last night," said Agent Jenny. "Which they called Interpol. I'm sent here to investigate the PRA and possible political corruption of the Soho PD."

Rex nodded, but said nothing.

"The Swoobat was grazed by a bullet wound, what looked like a .38 Police Special round, fired from a revolver. You brought the Courting Pokémon in. I've already gone over the videotapes of this place and have an exact time stamp on when you arrived and left."

Rex said nothing.

"According to gun registration of your file, you own a Smith & Wesson Model 10 that holds .38 caliber rounds. It was passed on to you by your father. Nurse Joy showed me the evidence presented on the Swoobat, which suggest it was a blind wild shot."

She had done her research. Agent Jenny had pulled his file and reviewed his record from cover to cover. Rex said nothing, in fact there was nothing for him to say. No point in lying, and no way to twist the story. He was caught with his pants down to his ankles.

Agent Jenny said, "You've dealt with authorities before, haven't you."

"The best and the worst of all kinds," said Rex.

"How about Interpol?"

"That question is beyond my pay grade."

Agent Jenny smiled, "I see we understand each other." Then her smile dropped and she asked, "Was it you who shot the Swoobat?"

Sara tightened her hug around his legs.

"Yes, I shot the Swoobat."

"Why?"

"I was in a place where I should not supposed to be, and death was waiting around every corner."

Agent Jenny asked, "Fort Wernher?"

"Yes, that would be it."

"How stupid of you."

Rex then said, "Agent Jenny, with all do respect. I was trained for night ops. I've seen combat, killed armed combatants, been injured in combat myself." He unrolled his sleeve and showed her the grotesque wound. "This still hurts just as bad as it did when I first received it. I had a nasty fall and a piece of rebar impaled me like a spike."

He pointed out the window toward Soho and said, "My friends, both human and Pokémon, are trapped within Fort Wernher's walls, either taken hostage by the PRA or killed. I went in there in the middle of the night with nothing but a revolver and a knife because I am their only hope. I cannot rely on the police around here. I've seen who they really are. You're right about the corruption, but you don't know half of it."

Rex sighed, "I went out there knowing that I would probably get killed or captured for my feeble stunt. I'm out of options here, and I don't even know what is going on anymore."

Agent Jenny nodded, then said, "Alright, start from the beginning. Bring me up to speed on what had happened."

It took almost an hour for Rex to tell Agent Jenny the entire story. They both sat down on the lobby couch while Rex went over the details as best he could. He first told about how he learned of a superweapon from Tesla Westinghouse and decided to go track it down. He told how he wound up getting a job in Soho and experienced police brutality. He then told her how he met Tesla Westinghouse and how they decided to work together in bringing Nobark down. Finally he put together the events that happened in the past few days. It was by far confusing and some parts didn't make any sense. Agent Jenny listened to it all, acknowledged key parts, but said nothing.

When Rex was done, he sat back and placed his hands on his head. "Am I under arrest?"

"No," said Agent Jenny. "Shooting the Swoobat is against Unova law, not federal law. I'm not here to enforce local laws, I'm here to combat a potential global terrorist organization."

Sara and Volts breathed a sigh of relief, but Rex was sure he was not out of the woods yet. He said, "The Swoobat may or may not be PRA, however our only Pokémon who could translate him is missing at the moment. Had you went over him yet?"

Agent Jenny shook her head, "Whatever you did to that Swoobat set him on edge, the mere presence of a police officer would set him off. Seeing a federal agent might send him into a meltdown. The Nurse Joy had advised me not to interrogate the Swoobat and I am going to heed it."

"Perhaps I send my own Pokémon to talk to him."

Agent Jenny glanced at Sara and Volts, then turned back to Rex and said, "Sure, they would understand what he's saying but we won't get the message."

"Point taken, but we can't wait on this forever. Time is running out."

There was a moment of silence. Rex glanced at the TV. It was muted, the anchor heads talked to the audience in silence. Rex could somewhat lip-read what they were saying. Agent Jenny raised the remote toward the TV and pressed a button. The screen went black. "I can't go to Interpol and simply ask for a Hostage Search and Rescue Squad," she said. "The world government is hesitant on raiding compounds, as the occupants tend to self-destruct. Since we're dealing with Pokémon terrorists, things would be, should I say, a lot more difficult."

"So what can you do?" Rex asked.

Agent Jenny simply turned to him, and said, "Whatever you can do."

"I'm not sure how to respond to that."

"Neither do I, cause we're in the same boat. I'm not in Carbondale to make arrests, Rex. You don't simply arrest Pokémon and charge them with human laws. Before I left, my boss gave me authorization to euthanize any Pokémon related to this debacle. That includes that Swoobat, Nobark, Tesla, and any Pokémon owned by any trainer whose associated with this mess."

Rex glanced at Sara and Volts, they were both terrified again.

"Relax," said Agent Jenny. "I'm a federal agent, not a poacher."

That did little to calm their nerves.

Agent Jenny turned to Rex and said, "How long have they been dealing with this?"

"Months," said Rex. "They had too many close calls already."

"I have seen Pokémon in this state, cause I've rescued such Pokémon before. They are often terrified and hesitant to trust us. We give them Valium to calm their nerves, since these Pokémon tend to slip into shock."

Rex nodded, "I had asked the Nurse Joy in Soho if there were any Valium, she told me it all got used up. Every time they get a new batch, the stash is gone within three days because of all the Pokémon trainers living or visiting in Soho use it all."

"What about here?" Agent Jenny asked.

"I didn't ask. Why should I? I'm out of that town, my Pokémon don't need to be worried of being oppressed."

"They're obviously scared right now."

"That's because they fear you're going to arrest me."

Agent Jenny nodded, "That must be a tough bond, Pokémon often go mad when such a bond is broken. I know this because I've seen the aftermath. Case after case of trainers either dying or going rogue. Nasty stuff. Often these Pokémon commit suicide, either by hanging themselves, jumping off of buildings. I heard one case where a fire-type Pokémon killed themselves with carbon monoxide by setting a house on fire. The necropsy of the charred husk revealed it died from asphyxiation before the fire got him."

Rex said nothing.

"For the Pokémon that hadn't commit suicide, they wound up running off into the wild. The Pokémon Resistance Army had sucked up these ferals and chiseled their horrible experience to their ideology. I'm no Pokémon theologist, but few Pokémon understood what ideology is. These Pokémon are often the leaders of such group. Clearly the Scrafty understood ideology pretty well."

"He's mentally ill," said Rex. "Multiple personality disorder, Parkinson's disease, Arceus knows what else is going on with his health."

Nurse Joy suddenly came in. When she saw Rex, her eyes widened. She blinked, then said, "I didn't know they would send Interpol, Rex."

"She's not here to enforce local laws," said Rex. "She's here to investigate the PRA. How's the Swoobat doing?"

"He's stable," said Swoobat. "He talked to my Audino for some time, my Audino then wrote down that the Swoobat needs to talk to you."

Rex blinked, "He wants to talk to me?"

"He says he was flying around the night looking for you, he said Tesla sent him."

Tesla's still alive? Rex thought. Excitement rushed through him. There was still some hope for Ash and his friends. Nobark hadn't killed Tesla as he feared, but there was no telling what had happened to him within Fort Wernher. Rex placed his hands on his head and said, "Oh I forgot that Pokémon Center Audinos were taught literacy, this changes everything. Bring him out here and give him something to eat. Before we ask any question, we need him to unload what he has to say."

. . .

So this is what it feels like, Smugleaf thought.

The Grass Snake Pokémon lay on the floor of the warehouse's workshop. Blood covered her mouth and chest. Her knife, also stained with blood, was still clasped to her hand. A warm fuzzy feeling flutter around Smugleaf's belly. She was stoned. How come hadn't she done this years ago? Wotter proved to be a cruel nuisance who didn't know when to quit. He won't be a problem anymore, Smugleaf guaranteed it. No more harassments. No more complaints. No more bullsh*t from that Dewott.

Smugleaf lay there for another five minutes, then sat up. She had to tell Bubbles the news, tell her that justice was serve, and that she didn't have to worry about Wotter anymore. But first, the Snivy must clean up. Smugleaf looked underneath Woody's cot and found an unopened bottle of water. She grabbed it and took it outside. The sun was up, bright as ever. Smugleaf opened the bottle and washed her face and chest, then cleaned off most of the blood off her knife as best she could. She licked her lips and drank down the rest of the water. Smugleaf turned to the command bunker. Sunlight gleamed off its whitewashed walls. Smugleaf stuck the cap back on and sat the bottle near the door, she then holstered her knife before marching over to the command bunker.

Smugleaf stepped into the den. Strangely enough Tesla was sleeping with Mark's Pokémon. The old fart was curled up with his great-granddaughter. Were they having a relationship? Maybe so. Tesla was a family mouse, and he does have his comforts. Smugleaf turned to Bubbles. She slept on her back, her face peaceful as ever. Mark's Emolga slept next to her. The Sky Squirrel's fur was matted, smeared with her own drool. Smugleaf smiled. Silly Emolga being her silly little self. Sooner or later she would need a bath. Well, all of Mark's Pokémon would need a bath. Maybe a bottle of rubbing alcohol was needed to kill off the mold that their fur had collected in the past week.

The Grass Snake Pokémon extend her vines and carefully scooped up Bubbles. The Sea Otter Pokémon mumbled under her breath, but said nothing. Smugleaf carefully wrapped her arms around her, cradling her head. The Grass Snake Pokémon then carefully stepped out of the den and walked outside. She put an arm around Bubbles's eyes to shield them from the sun. She didn't want her to wake up, not just yet.

Smugleaf carried her back to the elite bunker. She stepped inside her room and sat Bubbles on the bed. Satisfied, Smugleaf then locked her door, then braced it with a door jam.

A wave of forbidden urges rushed through her veins. Smugleaf couldn't stop smiling, she wanted to celebrate her achievement. She carefully got up on the bed, then sat on top of Bubbles.

The pink Oshawott's eyes flickered open, she let on a yawn before settling her black pearl eyes over Smugleaf. At first she was confused, but Smugleaf casually said, "Morning, Bubbles."

"What happened," she asked. "Why are you on top of me?"

Smugleaf laid down on top of Bubbles, their noses nearly touching. "I took care of Wotter, he won't hurt you anymore."

Bubbles blinked, still confused. "What did you do to him?"

"I've done something I should have done long ago. Maybe Gloria would still be alive. Who knows? What's important right now is that he's taken care of, and we should celebrate right here, right now."

Bubbles stared at her for a moment, trying to process what she was saying. "Your breath smells like copper."

"True," said Smugleaf.

Bubbles digested the thought, then changed the subject. "Tesla made me said those words. He coaxed me into it, I didn't really want to."

"He was trying to help you, Bubbles," said Smugleaf. "We're all are, except there is going to be competition."

Bubbles then asked, "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to feel good."

That was when Smugleaf pulled out her vines. Bubbles eyes crossed, unaware what she was about to experience.

TO BE CONTINUED…