Chapter 437

"Quid Pro Quo"

Since the destruction of the school, the Swords camp had become quiet. Patches of grass, a crater of dirt marking the spot of the explosion and stacks of brick and rubble littered the soil.

Seth, who'd been assigned sentry duty, took a glance at his two prisoners, Donald Trump, who would not stop trying to bribe him and Steve Harvey who continued to attempt to crack jokes to soften the atmosphere.

Eva Marie stood on the far-side of the crater surrounded by the dozens of children. Orphaned into the strange new land of Atlantis with only her presence to guide them.

"Miss Eva, can we play? Please!" One child yanked on her arm.

Eva glanced around, unsure of what game the children could play. Suddenly, she had an idea, "The pokemon could use some time out of their balls," holding up her pokeballs. The pokemon could also help keep an eye on the children.

Eva flung her pokeballs into the air. Her Kingdra, Rapiddash and Bellosom appeared before the eyes of the children. The three pokemon were battle-hardened through her training with Prince and her time on Killing Moon. They stood, awaiting her command.

"Relax," Eva smiled, "Let's just play with the kids, okay."

The pokemon all cheered softly and orbited the soil, entertaining and occupying the minds and imaginations of the restless children.

"That takes care of that." Eva muttered.

"Hey," Seth called from the other side, "You've been on here a bit longer than me. Do you think they'll be long?"

Eva admitted, "The school was all I've seen really. So I wouldn't know."

"Damn," Seth groaned, already tiring of his guard duty.

"Ya know," Trump started again, "You could just let us go, it's not like we could go anywhere or has any clue which direction to go in."

"Because as much you'd love to do that, there has to be a reason Sasha wants us here." Steve Harvey smiled.

Seth turned to them, "Ya see maybe that's where you're not thinking or seeing the angles of it all. You're so focused on what Sasha and The Swords want. Maybe you should ask yourself what The Shield wants. Maybe there's a reason I, the architect, want you here."

Trump blinked, "What do you mean?"

"Let's say," Seth offered, "You did somehow miraculously escape from here…"

Trump smiled, "So," he cleared his throat, "What's in it for you?"

"You have something that I want." Seth pointed to the pokeballs on Trump's belt. "As president, you got your hands on some very rare pokemon. Very powerful legendary pokemon but you can't control them because you have no experience as a trainer."

Trump did not decline or refute anything Seth said. It was all true.

Seth turned, watching Eva who was occupied with the children. "I want two of them. Two of those pokemon and when the time is right, I'll get you out of here."

Trump smiled, "What better time than now while they're off chasing the towers?"

"And Eva's pokemon are roaming free and can attack at any moment?" Seth questioned. "No, now isn't the time."

"Then," Trump positioned, "When the time is right, you'll set me free."

"Hey, boss," Steve Harvey smiled, "Don't you mean us?"

Trump glared at Steve Harvey but said nothing. "I'll give you two pokemon of your choosing, okay." Trump agreed. "Shake on it."

"No." Seth shook his head, "Can't be idiots and be seen cooperating," he whispered. "I'll free you when the time is right. You'll just have to trust me."

"Like how Sasha trusted you to guard me?" Trump questioned.

"Yes," Seth nodded, "Just like that."