When it's time, it's the time. VILE had been fun for operatives while it lasted.
Julia had received a call from Interpol this morning. They were launching an attack on VILE's hideout. It has only been two days since Roundabout's capture. A team had already been sent to arrest The Troll. Player managed to pinpoint him during the London heist. The two agents were to participate to the final act. This is what miss Argent announced to the team. Ultimeevee requested to be part of it. Chase asked Carmen with a chin gesture : it was known that the thief was considered as the pokémon's trainer. Ulti herself said so. Carmen accepted : Ultimeevee's power was an undeniable asset, one she couldn't refuse Interpol. Especially if she was to protect Chase, something she'll ask the pokémon. The rest of the team would remain in HQ. Those details settled, the agents went to pack.
" Ulti." called Carmen.
The pokémon turned to her trainer.
" I'd like you to protect both of them, please." said the scarlet lady.
" Why in hell wouldn't I ?" replied Ultimeevee, tilting her head.
Carmen smiled. Ulti left the living-room with the thief. That one was to pack some food for her pokémon, and check her care kit. Everything was ready, Ulti reintegrated her pokéball after her trainer wished her good luck. Carmen brought it to Devineaux.
" There. I think she'll be of great use."
" Yeah. I'll take good care of her."
Chase collected the purple ball. He made it turn in his hands, hesitating. Carmen frowned a brow.
" Say … when this is over … think we could go hum … have a drink or something ?"
Carmen mid opened her mouth. That sounded like a date. She blushed.
" Y-yes. I wodve it. I mean I'd love it." replied Carmen.
" Very well, it's a given."
Carmen lifted her fist in victory while he turned his back. The team accompanied the duo to the airport. Just a few steps away from the others, Carmen recapitulated what she knew of the Faculty's pokémon, plus the ones who will certainly stand guard. Chase thanked her for that … before leaning and dropping a quick kiss on her forehead that petrified her on the spot. Now, he could leave in peace.
" Are you going to confess her your feelings ?" questioned Julia on the way to the plane.
" Wow Julia, I thought you'd be less direct. But yes, once we'll get back." answered the inspector.
Though she certainly had quite a good idea by now. Carmen never learnt flamenco, but right now she felt she could do wonders. However, as she was watching the plane taking off this excitement got replaced by worry. She put a hand on the glass before her. The thief was trying to reassure herself : he won't be alone, was a talented trainer, his pokémon were strong, the strongest pokémon in the world was with him, VILE had been weakened … it should be fine.
" So. You never told me about you and Devineaux." said Shadowsan, arms crossed.
" We're not officially inn a relationship yet, and I've realized my feelings only recently. He … took me aback there."
Shadowsan sighed. He had mixed feelings about this : glad she found someone able to take care of her, that she was happy and that he could bring her happiness, not so thrilled that a man stole his adoptive daughter, she grew up too fast, he was getting old too fast … not to mention that he might not be ready for that yet, as I could make a whole page about his feelings. Anyway. There was nothing he could do, right ? Despite his tongue itching with a thousand questions. Thought made, there was one thing Shadowsan could do : comforting her.
" It will be okay, Carmen. He has strong pokémon , and is capable himself. VILE don't know what's coming to them."
She turned to him.
" That's what I think."
Carmen sighed : better go back home now.
At VILE's HQ, the situation was dramatic. Roundabout's failure and arrestation had reached them. Maelstrom said that if he was in their enemies' place, he would attack now. So he took measures : henchmen were called in number here, dispatched all around the place, patrolling with their pokémon. Pokémon alone were placed in some points, as alarms. Cleo was watching this from her window. She was somehow mute since their colleague's fall. All was crumbling around her. She thought them untouchable, unstoppable. Even when Carmen defected, when she turned against them Cleo still believed VILE could overcome this. Now reality has hit hard, and a happy ending was less and less possible.
She kept wondering how could this happen. Why Carmen, the girl they raised and taught, decided to betray them and take them down ? She was supposed to be their best thief, she could have bring a great future to VILE. Then, Shadowsan followed. Same astonishment. Bellum was killed by her creation, but this was a different story. At least she wouldn't see their demise. Several operatives were arrested, Coach and the Cleaners included, by ACME then Interpol. Roundabout was the last one. What kind of nightmare was this ? Cleo sighed again. Being send to jail was terrifying her : the treatment she'd got there, no mean of pampering herself … the rest of their operatives were aware of the situation too. And desertion was now a common topic among them.
Unbeknown to everyone, one was rather satisfied of what was happening. Antonio saw with delight the Faculty's fall. Now his Phanpy had been avenged. As predicted, Carmen made good use of what he transmitted. The end was near, it was just a matter of time. There he was, when Gunnar's voice resonated. He invited all operatives to fight for what was theirs, and to defend their home. He recalled their situation before VILE, the level they had now thanks to them of course. If VILE was to fall, they would either be jailed or return to their previous situation. Choice was theirs. Antonio snorted. Indeed, it was theirs. He heard La Chèvre saying he'd like to make the responsible pay. Tigress wondered if it wasn't time to leave the boat before it sinks : she had been fine before VILE, and could manage on her own. To what El Topo simply stood up.
" I'm leaving." he announced.
Stupefaction around him.
" You mean … you're quitting ?" asked La Chèvre.
" Yes. VILE has nothing to offer me anymore. Are you coming with me ?"
Jean-Paul looked at him mouth opened. He would have never thought that him of all operatives, would desert. But he wasn't the same ever since his pokémon had been killed.
" You can't really think that we'll leave just like that ?!" questioned Jean-Paul.
" Yes, I can. Maelstrom said that before VILE we were nothing. Well, they provided us all the needed tools to continue without them. And they're wrong anyway : we were chosen because we had potential. It's the Faculty who's nothing without us : we're the ones doing the jobs and taking all the risks. Without thieves, they're gone. Coach used to say we're family, but who are we kidding ? Look what they did to us when we failed in Brazil ! Partially because they couldn't keep their own lab and experiment under control. So I am leaving before it's too late." developed El Topo.
The rest of the operatives exchanged glances. Their colleague had points here. What Gunnar said was only to manipulate them, and use them in their battle. They had strong pokémon, couldn't they defend their own home and employees ? Someone said that now that law enforcement was sure of their existence, it would be impossible to return to anonymity, even if they won this battle. While by leaving before police barges in, they had a chance. Another one added that once the Faculty behind bars, they would have much more trouble to punish them. Tigress and La Chèvre stared at each other. What would be their position into all this ? Was this really the end ? They never thought about such a possibility. VILE always appeared so powerful and untouchable.
The operatives had all been trained to leave no tracks, to be undetectable, uncatchable. The capers they did were amazing, clearly out of their range before being recruited. Somebody said that too, out loud, adding that they should remain loyal as a thanks for this incredible adventure. What would they accomplish alone ? Low heists ?
" Do as you wish. But others created an empire without being part of VILE. They're not all in the world. We can live the life we want and decide." concluded El Topo.
Him for his part, was definitely done with that. He had grown up poor like most of the operatives. No more family to return to, or that he desired to return. He left the room.
" This is a nightmare." commented Tigress.
" And there's only two ways of getting out of it : fighting as asked, or quitting." sighed La Chèvre.
" Then you should go. If anyone deserve to get out of this, it's you two. Plus, I have a feeling that if you stay, you'll lose him for good." replied Tigress, looking at him straight in the eyes.
Jean-Paul blushed, before lowering eyes. Then, before he completely realized what he was doing, he stood up and caught up with El Topo. That one looked at him uncertain, waiting to see if he was going to stop him. But no. He was leaving, and with Antonio. El Topo smiled, with the impression that the future was already brighter. Then, Tigress sighed too.
" Well then guys. It was fun while it lasted. I don't intend to be arrested, and I'm not cannon fodder as well. El Topo is right : I can manage on my own." she announced while standing up.
This questioned the rest of the operatives even more. Tigress was one of those who had the strongest reputation around here. If even she was leaving … little by little, other operatives stood up too. The boat was sinking, better be safe than sorry. Tigress smiled when she found her friends taking as much money as they could in the vault. What was left of VILE treasure. She too, grabbed some pocket money. And guess what : all the operatives who were defecting came to take their severance pay. There was a lot more than Tigress expected, by the by. Even the one who pleaded in favour of loyalty arrived when they were leaving. To her interrogative look, he replied that he tried, but he wasn't crazy enough to fight all alone.
The operatives managed to leave right when Interpol was in sight. El Topo had dug an escape tunnel for everyone with his pokémon. But he ordered it to plug it once all the operatives inside. They had a last look at the castle.
" Good luck everyone for your new life." said Tigress.
" Same to you ! Good to have known you !" replied El Topo.
They separated on those words, running as fast as they could. In the castle, Gunnar went to brief his troops. What wasn't his surprise to find no one apart the henchmen. He asked in an imperious tone where the hell were they, but none of them had seen anyone. He had an awful hunch : he ran to the vault. The door was broken. The vault … empty. Maelstrom roared. They dared to quit. And to steal from their masters. His speech has been useless. He gulped, before returning to where Cleo was. She understood as soon as she saw him. He wondered if she would run away too. Cleo asked herself that too. Interpol was getting closer.
" Fine." he said.
He ordered the henchmen to stand their position. He named one to be charge of the riposte. Then, while the promoted one who started to give orders, he slowly backed away. On the meantime, Chase had opened the car roof he was in, and launched a pokéball.
Dragonite caught his trainer, and they raised in the air. He flew above the castle, spotting the enemy's position. However, as the transmitted to Julia, they all looked like small fry.
" Small fry or not, let some for the rest of us okay ?" retorted Julia.
" Then be faster. First arrived, first served."
The first pokémon from VILE launched an attack. Espeon blocked as much as he could. Chase exited Ultimeevee's ball. He threw it on a roof.
" Go help Julia and the others, please." he said.
" What about you ? " asked Ulti.
" I'll go see if the heads thinking aren't running away."
" Carmen asked me to keep an eye on you." resumed the pokémon.
" I have four pokémon, I should be fine. Please Ulti, you're the strongest one, it should be a breeze for you." insisted Devineaux.
He didn't let her time to think about it. Ultimeevee sighed. Then, she took off. A first wind attack dispersed the henchmen. Then, she created a portal allowing Interpol to directly arrive in the middle of the castle.
" Now that's practical." commented miss Argent.
Ultimeevee sent a powerful ice attack that froze lots of pokémon. She mentally stopped stones, fire, electricity and leaves coming to the Interpol agents. Julia rushed out of the car, launching her pokéballs. Ultimeevee used a fairy type attack before landing to join Julia. The brunette asked her where Chase was off to. Once the pokémon answered, she asked her to come find him. Ulti made her levitating near her. Chase had found Gunnar running away. Tara and Boltund had sniffed his track. Dragonite was the best way to catch up with the car's speed. Then, the inspector launched his Boltund from his dragon's back.
" Hi there !" barked Boltund, landing on the hood.
He sent electricity on the motor, which toasted all the equipment inside in addition to damages to the motor. The dog jumped when Gunnar tried to throw him over the car. Chase landed. Gunnar exited too. He looked at the French, then threw his pokéball.
" Come, Darkrai !"
" Oh bonne mère*, what is that thing ?" said Chase.
Grabbing his phone, he activated his pokédex.
" Darkrai, use Focus Blast !"
Dragonite interposed himself. He was less sensitive to combat type attacks. However, this was supposed to lower his special defense.
" Dragonite, use Hurricane !"
" Darkrai, Feint attack !"
But with the power of the winds, the pokémon didn't hear his trainer. What Chase expected, in addition of destabilizing him. Chase said to his pokémon that his opponent was sensitive to fighting attacks. So Dragonite used Dragon Dance. To let him some time, Boltund covered his partner with Wild Charge. Dragonite used Focus Blast too, giving severe damages to Darkrai. He didn't let him time to retaliate and ended it with Dynamic Punch. Gunnar groaned. Cleo intervened and used her Sableye. This balanced the fight a little. Chase tightened jaws before the damages caused to his pokémon. As he was reflecting on a tactic, Ultimeevee arrived. Julia informed her about what kind of attack using. She fell on Sableye and gave him a Draining kiss. After what, she ended him with Moonblast. Ultimeevee straightened, facing VILE Faculty. She tended a paw. Her psychic powers compressed the car completely.
" Surrender, or I will turn you into that car garbage." warned the pokémon.
But they replied by launching all of their pokémon in the battle. Salazzle rushed to bite Ulti, while Weavile used Ice shard. Dragonite used Hydro tail on Salazzle and Bubble beam. The lizard squeaked in horror, rolling like a dice on the floor. Cleo called her back. She had no more pokémon. Gunnar called the ones Bellum left behind : essentially electric and steel ones. Ulti used ground type attack on the herd of Magnemites, Magnetons, Magnezones and Rotoms. The ground opened, engulfing them before she closed it on the pokémon. Of course, Ulti didn't crash them under rocks, just ensured they couldn't get out for a while. Cleo tended to her pokémon before sending them back to fight. Ulti swept them with a sharp gesture and appropriated attacks. Maelstrom used his Darkrai again added with his Weavile and Gobalt, but tried to flee while his pokémon were occupying the enemy.
" Abandoning your pokémon ? Coward !"
" Serperior, Tara ! Catch him !" commanded Chase.
Tara rapidly blocked the Faculty's way, growling and flames exiting her mouth. Serperior launched vines that immobilized the criminals. He dragged them on the floor. Gunnar struggled, while Cleo seemed to accept her fate. Devineaux handcuffed them.
" Permission to inflict them a little punishment ?" asked Ulti, only for Chase to be able to " hear" that.
She mentally transmitted what she had in mind to the man. That one reflected : well, if they couldn't threaten Carmen anymore … He'll say that it happened during the battle. An accident, is all. So he muttered his agreement. Ulti approached the prisoners. Her eyes glowed an instant. Gunnar and Cleo shouted under the pain, before collapsing, an absentminded expression on their face. There. No more mind, no more problems. Julia arrived. The henchmen had all been made prisoners, too. Argent asked what happened to Gunnar and Cleo.
" I might overdid it when fighting. My bad." confessed Ulti.
Julia stared at her an instant. Then, she shrugged. Oh well, she said.
" Anyway, we have a problem. ACME is here and they're claiming our prisoners. All of them." announced Julia.
" What ?! Now, they got some nerves !" exclaimed Chase.
He stomped until where all those people were waiting like hunting dogs for a slaughter. Chief was here, in the flesh for once. Chase spotted her pokémon, a Liepard, a Torracat and a Persian. He and Julia planted themselves in front of her.
" You. Somehow I should have expecting that." she said as a greeting.
" And we should have known you'd try to claim all our work for yourself." hissed Julia.
" I have priority on them, since 20 years." reminded Chief.
" For lame results. To think you were incapable of just localizing their hideout, while we did. Twice, on top of that." retorted Chase.
Chief winced at that.
" Interpol won't back down this time. If you really wanted to achieve your goal, then you should have trusted agent Devineaux and I." resumed miss Argent.
" We'll see about that." continued Fraser.
" It's all seen already. You'll have to fight us first, so I hope you're ready for a pokémon battle." warned Chase.
Everyone lifted a pokéball.
" What is that thing ?" questioned Zari, spotting Ultimeevee.
" That thing has a name, to begin with. It's Ultimeevee and it already belong to a trainer." answered Julia.
" I see, it's the result of this pokémon experiment. That creature is an evidence, thus it can't belong to you." guessed Fraser.
" Get lost ! It had already been classified by Interpol, and her guard had been entrusted to someone." said Devineaux.
He took the precaution to discuss the matter with his superiors while Carmen trained Ultimeevee. He had made copies of his file about Bellum's case, out of distrust toward ACME. Though they were wary of her power, they acknowledged that her education was crucial to control the pokémon, and ensure everyone's safety. Ulti didn't have time to hurt anybody, and her lack of experience helped to plead her cause.
" We told you to leave. You're far from having the power to restrain me, and I strongly advise you to not have a try." intervened Ulti.
The fact that she could talk surprised the ACME. She might have interesting things to reveal about VILE, Tamara couldn't let this chance pass. But officially attacking Interpol might not be the wisest choice, not to mention they were a bit outnumbered.
" Ulti wasn't in contact with VILE for long, and had no valuable intel. So last warning : get the hell out of here, or we'll attack." mentioned Devineaux, after seeing his former boss process of thinking through her face.
His pokémon, Ulti and Julia's growled. Chase lifted an arm toward Ulti. She questioned him telepathically. If she of all pokémon were to attack first, that could be bad for her. Interpol was keeping an eye on her. The pokémon understood. She made a step back, placing herself behind Devineaux as a proof of pacifism. She'd still be capable to create a shield should things escalated again. A chopper arrived at that instant. Julia grinned : she warned Interpol higher ups in case of need. The engine landed, without anyone paying attention to it. The woman that exited it presented her as a very high ranked member. One of the rarest with more influence than Chief. Chase had a wry smile : there's always someone above you. Chief had no other choice but to give up. She left with an angry step. Julia and Chase high fived : that was their revenge.
Then, the Interpol leader approached them. She praised them for their good work, and no need to tell that inspectors Devineaux and Argent would be promoted. She asked an agent to report the situation. This done, she stared at Ulti, still behind the French.
" Hmmm, so that's the famous created pokémon. I can see that she's behaving like any other pokémon. I was told that she perfectly obeyed you in a tensed situation. As expected from a well-trained pokémon. This is a good point in her case. Keep up the good work with her, inspector Devineaux."
" Thank you for the praise, but her trainer did all the work and Ulti herself was able to seize the situation."
" Perfect. Your demand concerning miss Sandiego's rehabilitation should be answered within the day. I'll inform you personally when it's done."
Chase nodded. He asked all charges clearance for Carmen. Julia and him constituted a file with all the good deeds she did. Ultimeevee was still a concerning point, but this should be of great help. Everyone was leaving the place.
" Good job on your attitude here, Ulti." said Chase.
" As you mentioned, I had good teachers. All of you. And I can only praise myself for my choice of trainer." said the pokémon in a pleased tone.
All the pokémon reintegrated their pokéballs. Chase was eager to meet Carmen and to know if she could live a normal life, in plain view. Back in San Diego, Carmen went to meet the agents. Julia conveniently hastened to get inside, pretexting the hot temperature. Chase smiled warmly to her. He announced that they had been successful in arresting VILE. He detailed Ultimeevee's precious help, and good behaviour.
" I also have a good new for you."
" Oh ?"
" Yes. With the help of Julia I transmitted a demand for clearing you of all charges. I received a reply during our way back : you're officially free and innocent."
Carmen mid-opened her mouth, before thanking him a ton.
" You're welcome. Interpol will provide you all documents needed, they just wait to know what kind of name you'll adopt." he added.
" I think I'll pick up both names. Carmen is an important part of my life, the symbol of my life choice, of freedom, of my new life. I'd like to continue with her." she announced.
" Very well. I'll text them in that case."
Carmen went back to her home with the sensation that a new life will begin. VILE was over, her mom had been found, she had been rehabilitated … and to top it all, Chase asked her if she was still okay for a date. They crossed fingers before entering the place. Now that this adventure was coming to an end, it was time for each one epilogue. The Bostonians finally decided to return to the races. They settled their debt with Shark Head Eddie, with the money belonging to VILE that Carmen had given them. Shadowsan went back to Japan to reunite with his brother, now aware of his true allegiance since Venice. Carmen went to meet her mother with her now boyfriend, Chase. It went well, and she stayed longer than him to properly reconnect. However, as the track of the remaining operatives was launched by Interpol, she enlisted along Chase and Julia.
Ultimeevee was growing up among their pokémon, learning about the world, about good and evil and all its complexity. She was stable thanks to the humans she chose, and her pokémon family who helped her dealing with life. That was what allowed Antonio a chance escaping jail when her team found him running a pokémon accessories store with La Chèvre. They were offered to cooperate in exchange of clearance. The duo actively participated the track for a while, before being rendered to a civilian life. They appeased their relation with Carmen after tasting a peaceful and legal life and being on the same side again. To their surprise, they had little to no remorse tracking their former fellow thieves. Tigress was the only one they willingly let escape, though Carmen was a bit suspicious. But she let this pass, they'll catch that one later without the duo.
ACME was disappearing after their failure at stopping VILE. Interpol transferred all agents to its own services, including Chief who came back as a simple detective, like before creating her organisation. Chase and Julia already had their revenge on her, and decided to simply ignore her or treat like any other agents when the occasion showed. Tamara had a hard blow when losing it all. Even Zari was being distant after working with Devineaux, Argent and Carmen : they were praising each of their teammates, genuinely and not formally if not coldly like Chief. A good atmosphere was reigning with them, it was feeling like being in a family. Something that didn't help Fraser's feelings. She resolved to keep away from them in the hope of recovering. The former Carmen team remained in touch, reuniting at least once a month for a meal, or paying a visit to each other.