Chapter 89: In Darkness and Flames
-Black smog fills the corridors ahead and behind me, screams pierce the veil.
Screw it, "Wattsons, do we have control yet?"
"Not yet," Mayor Joe sounds like he's sweating a bit. "Another three to five minutes and we'll have the system."
"Not fast enough, get the lights first priority. I want them flickering at least, play up the scare factor. Maybe they'll think it's just the loose Gengar instead of a full raid."
Senior chimes in, "Your Ace back up just teleported to the front door."
"Don't let them mess with my new Airship."
A panicked Team Ember grunt stumbles out of the gas in front of me alongside his Mightyena. Kona instantly sand tombs the wolf pokemon while I smash the butt end of my spear into his chin to send the sap sprawling unconscious.
"The new ride I loaned you not enough Kurt?" Asks Joe.
Of Course I love the big jeep.
Stepping over the grunt, "I like making an impact."
Gengar's hand suddenly stretches out of the cloud in front of me, giving me a thumbs up.
I wink before realizing he can't see my eyes. Checking my little minimap in my night goggles, "Next set of cells is through the next door."
Said door is solid metal but it's mounted in stone. "Kona, you mind knocking?"
Sand pours from the hinge mounts and the whole thing falls forward.
"They got the door open!" a voice cheers, two bodies rush forward.
Spotting the signature red hoodies, I step aside into the smog, "Salazzle… burn 'em."
A gout of purple flame spouts from beside me, right into the fleeing figures. Interestingly the hoodies seem flame retardant, still scares the shit out of them however.
Kona smothers the screaming grunts. I may need to give him a hit of Ether I've got in my pack if this keeps up. "Salazzle, Kona, take a rest for a bit."
I return them to their balls.
Cages line the four walls of a decently carved square room. In each one lies the malnourished and brutalized forms of Aggron, Camerupt, Manectric, Lucario, Swampert, Garchomp, Blaziken, that Charizard. In the center of the room a man is wrangling a Houndoom into a cage on wheels.
He glances up my way from behind shaggy green hair, "I told them this was too risky of a project, and now look. A Hero, come to save the day as usual?"
The weakly struggling hound is just skin and…more bones.
"Well, that is the job description. You look familiar by the way."
His eyes narrow, "Wouldn't know with that fancy gear you got on." He goes to kick the dog the last bit into the cage.
Senior Wattson's rushed voice, "Kurt! Those are devolved Megas!"
Houndoom's jaw clamps down on the man's leg.
"Son of a Bitch!" he pulls out a pokeball, "Fearow, Glare!"
A large condor appears on top of the cage, it pecks at the Houndoom and then stares it down. Crunching bones is all the diabolic doberman gives in response. The man attached to the shattered leg screams in pain.
It clicks, Jane's father, "Rico Thompson, I think this counts as a parole violation."
He looks at me while still struggling, "Piss off!" He pulls out another pokeball. "Tyranitar, crush this mutt with Stone edge. Fearow, Fury Attack the league bitch over there."
'Good ol' Mega T-tar,' as the morning show calls them, appears, snarling. Eight feet of green spikes and aggression. It prepares to stomp on the cage only to get face blasted by a strange ball of blue light. Tyranitar stumbles a bit while growling at its attacker.
Glados has reduced the lock on one of the cages to slag. A Lucario with extra dreadlocks is heaving heavy breaths while leaning against the open bars.
My friendly Rotom zips over to the Blaziken's cage next.
Ear piercing screeching reminds me I have a feathered problem myself. Inches from getting impaled by a lance sized beak, I drop low and parry it aside with my spear. Spinning the haft back and smashing the pommel against the big bird's head, in one fluid motion the spin finishes with a straight lunge for the feathered chest. The Fearow flaps backwards to avoid.
"Tesla, get out here and Wild Charge this bird."
A flash of red lightning and now my bobcat sized tarantula is harassing the Fearow around the room.
"Blue, help get these cages open."
My favorite little thief drops the spear form and flies to the closest cage. Inside is a Swampert that looks like it has unfinished business with the T-tar.
One by one the cages open, either by melting, picking, or sheer force of the angered and encouraged prisoners.
I sprint towards Rico who is still struggling to pry the Houndoom off his leg. Never a better moment for a superman punch to the face!
Knuckles meet the jawline so hard it sends a shiver up to my elbow. He falls to the ground as I regain footing to follow up.
Rico is dazed but still conscious, he spits blood across the cement floor, "You piece of shit!"
A croc hunter sized knife appears in his hand from behind his back. He takes a swing at my legs only to nearly drop the blade, screaming in pain as bright orange flames devour his captured leg.
When he moves to slash at the Houndoom it finally lets go, only to send a flamethrower in the man's face. The man desperately rolls across the ground trying to stop the burning pain.
Half of the cages are open, energy attacks of all manner are flying across the room. Tyranitar takes a brutal kick from the karate rooster before responding with a torrent of purple flames. Blaziken stumbles a bit trying to dodge. The Dragon Breath is cut short by another aura sphere from the Lucario now collapsing from exhaustion.
A whimper pulls me back to the Houndoom half shoved in a cart, it's hindlegs too weak to lift it upright. While Rico is still flailing about the pavement, I dig through my bag for one of my few Super Potions. The Wattsons only provided me with three syringes, which worked for traveling light but the pokemon in this room are going to need a lot more.
My dex app pulls up data on the Houndoom as it, She, lets me jab the needle in her hind leg. This poor girl was reported stolen from the Lavaridge Breeder Ranch, the lead suspect is Flannery's missing husband.
Houndoom whines and weakly stands with my help out of the cart. She gently clamps down on my jacket sleeve and begins to pull me along.
A roar draws my attention as Tyranitar takes a full bodied Heavy Slam from his Steel cousin Aggron. The Iron Armor pokemon just collapses onto T-tar, forcing a struggle to shove the unconscious behemoth aside.
Screeching wails come from the opposite side of the room where my Galvantula is practicing Thunder Fang on a webbed up big bird.
Flashes from Rico return his pokemon, his face bleeding, "I don't know who the Fuck you are but next time I see you, you're dead! Do you hear me?! Dead!"
He turns to dash for the exit only to collapse on his broken leg.
"Tesla, snag that jackass." There won't be a next time.
My lighting spider leaps forward to wrap up Jane's wayward parent. Another pokeball flash followed by more fire and Tesla has to abort any thoughts of ensnaring Rico as a six foot anteater sends an endless wave of flames across the room. Red hot pipes along its arms weave into its flesh like some future cyborg.
Houndoom positions herself to shield me from the heat and any close flares.
I quickly recall Tesla as a whip of flame from the anteater's mouth nearly snags her. Rico manages to crawl his way out of the room, his nightmare fire pokemon continuing to cover his retreat.
"Shit…," Sighing, I pull out my Carracosta's ball before continuing to be led by Houndoom, "Zilla, start spraying down the area around the door so it's safe to leave."
My big sea turtle squats down on her hind legs and glares at me before commencing her lawn sprinkler impression across the super heated portion of the room.
The devil doggo leads me to a smaller cage near some supply cabinets with a blanket thrown over it. Peeking inside I find something that ends any thoughts about chasing down more bad guys. Five small forms are lying on a towel… puppies.
After watching for a moment and confirming with the dex scan, I close my eyes. Exhaling a slow breath, "Only three are still breathing."
Anger and pain flow in a mournful howl within the room. All of the other pokemon still conscious pause and look this way, each feeling their rage giving way to sadness.
Unfortunately, type affects nature, and darkness has always been one of the strongest influencers. Houndoom takes off after Rico.
"Shit!" I scrabble to my feet and run to catch up. Returning Zilla along the way and releasing my two Murkrow and Naomi's Mienfoo, "Bonnie and Froosh, help those puppies. Clyde, look in the cabinets for any more medicine."
My birds squawk in affirmative as I round the still steaming exit and spot Houndoom's cracked bones just ahead. She's struggling to get up a flight of stairs, pure anger fighting against the approaching catastrophic failure of her overtaxed body.
With another stumble, more of the signature bone armor crumbles against the metal steps. It'd be impossible to guess this pokemon had ever mega evolved in her current state. I grab her by the waist and help guide her up the stairs. She almost bites me in reflex but has enough presence of mind to recognise my help.
Reminded of another dead puppy of all things, "Come on Miss Wick, let's find your revenge."
She growls in the affirmative but then glances back with a whine.
"Don't worry, I left a few of my team to help your pups."
Her eyes narrow but with a huff of smoke from her maw she continues up the stairs with greater determination. With every step her hind legs shake, there's probably something wrong with her spine. I've learned since coming here that despite some video game nonsense, no spray or injection can fix a misaligned or shattered bone. Same for anything missing like a severed limb.
Rico is just ahead, past a few unmoving grunts along the floor, pounding on a door, "Let me in you freaky shits!"
Gengar's smog fills the ceiling of this tunnel too, Rico is coughing blood across the window to the room he's looking in. Our menacing, neighborhood poltergeist sticks its head out of the black cloud just above Rico's anteater and gives me the 'Shhh' sign before disappearing.
I give Houndoom one more jab with a Super Potion, "Go get him girl!"
She dashes forward in a clumsy charge spilling dark flames, betting it all on a close range Overheat.
The Anteater squares up in the hallway, preparing to blast it's flamethrower arms. Gengar flickers into existence just overhead, smashing down with a massive Shadow Ball attack that flattens the enemy pokemon so hard against the steel grating that it gives way in a mess of metal and noise.
Houndoom jumps the gap but doesn't wait for the landing before erupting into a black fireball that flashburns the surrounding area. I have to dive backwards to avoid getting caught in it.
Everything smells like someone threw plastic in a campfire. There's also the hint of ozone smell as sparks light up the now dark hallway. Any remaining light is coming from the molten metal surrounding Houndoom's unconscious body lying just before a very crispy Rico.
Shouts come from somewhere behind me, "Mr. Kurt?! Is that you?"
Looking back I can see flashlight beams cutting through the smoke.
Should be the Ace team. "Ya! I'm moving forward. There's a lot of injured pokemon just down these stairs over here."
I walk forward, feeling my boots actively melting against the floor a bit. Houndoom is still breathing thankfully. Standing over the notorious poacher's smoking body, all his green hair burnt away, blisters forming on his face.
His one working eye, completely bloodshot, finds me, "What kind of 'Hero'," gasping in the smoky air, coughing a fit, "Nearly kills everyone?"
"Your Daughter's." I stomp out his lights.
Chapter 90: Afterburn
Rico's skin is charred black and red, most of his green hair has been reduced to ash. Considering Tabitha is probably already onboard the getaway train below…
"Bet they weren't thinking it would be so literal, having you take the heat on this one." I sigh, "I know, not joking time."
From my earpiece, Mayor Joe clears his throat, "You know Houndoom burns require skin cell replacement to cure? I doubt he'll be able to afford it once all the charges are processed."
Whatever, jack ass deserves it, "I'm more concerned about what I'm going to tell his daughter."
Wattson Senior speaks up, "Think about it when the job is done Kurt."
Am I not done? I feel done.
Then again, the heavily blasted door just beside me begs investigating. Looking at the locking mechanism, the latch is twisted and heat warped so much it's barely even touching the frame.
A good kick and the door opens inward, the ruined hinges twist from the weight and the whole thing collapses to the floor.
I don't think anyone here noticed my arrival however. No, the four people in lab coats are too busy hiding behind a struggling Sableye's Light Screen. Gengar laughs maniacally with each smash of his fist against the shimmering red facets of the gem shaped barrier.
Joe sounds urgent, "Those are valuable witnesses Kurt, we need them capable of testimony! It looks like Mega Sableye is about to give out."
How can you tell it's even a mega? It's Maybe a bit taller.
I walk forward past the weird blacksmith setup in this room. There's a giant forge, even an anvil with a small spherical indentation. In the opposite corner are several of the floor to ceiling tubes I spotted on camera with vague shapes floating in green liquid.
Between the freaky science lab and medieval blacksmithy is a counter lined with smaller glass cases. Each one has a stone inside, cables run to monitors above on the wall giving out some kind of readings.
"Kurt the scientists!" Joe seems to want them in one piece.
Whistling, "Gengar."
The black smog of malevolence stops smashing into the barrier and grins my way.
"We've got a train to catch."
He chuckles but I spot one of the female lab coats frantically digging into a purse. Probably going for another pokemon.
Walking over I reach right past the gem like barrier and grab Sableye by its ridiculous ears, "Move."
The light screen or whatever it was shatters like glass as I firmly pull the smaller pokemon aside without really hurting it. Grabbing the woman's arm just as a Lunatone appears with a flash.
She screeches, "Teleport now!"
That familiar pull, much weaker than last time. Lunatone tilts in confusion from its move failing.
Gengar chuckles darkly, "Gehehehe."
"Nope." The four lab coats stare at me in shock and fear.
Looking at the floating rock pokemon, "Lunatone, take Gengar and I to the train. Now please."
Wattson senior sighs, "I really doubt it'll,"
He's cut off by a silvery shimmer covering me and the angry ghost. The whole world spins around me, gravity reverses for a moment and I almost stumble before realizing I'm already in a completely different room.
People are shouting, forklifts are attempting to rapidly load what looks like a city light rail. Everyone is in some form of the same red uniform. A bump from my side reminds me that the nervous Lunatone isn't sure what to do now.
Gengar doesn't have that problem, he quietly chuckles while descending into the shadows. No one spotted our arrival.
Back to the moon rock, "Your trainer is about to do some very hard time I think. You should probably head back to meteor falls. If you ever feel like hanging out, I plan on building a lighthouse just south of Rustburo eventually."
A deep, wind chime sound is it's response as the pokemon disappears in a flash of silver.
Red light fills the cavern as a Camerupt flamethrowers the wall around the elevator, torching everything. Sparks fly and the lights flicker off for just a second.
Backup generators kick on. Lights flicker on one at a time.
A familiar figure, Tabitha grunts, "That should slow them down," a shiver, "Brrr."
The next light flicks on to reveal Mega Gengar, mouth wide like the unhinged jaw of a snake. Descending right over Tabitha's head!
"EEEEEAAAaaaa!"
His piercing shriek cut short and muffled, hands clawing at the sides of Gengar. Camerupt wants to help but it's trainer is inside the ghost pokemon. Inch by inch the mouth pulls the man in like an anaconda without a body. Muscles spasm, arms get pulled in, legs kick frantically.
Everyone else is shocked still, unsure how to help without harming their boss.
One grunt finally thinks to bring out a Hypno, hoping the psychic pokemon can pull the ghost apart.
"Nope," Pulling out two pokeballs, "Tesla, Lunge at the Hypno. Rusty, destroy the train tracks. Kurt to Mauville."
My red Galvantula crashes into the Hypno like a red comet while my Sandslash does his Silver Sonic impression across the loading platform and begins tearing up the metal in front of the train.
A bit of static in my ear, "...us Kurt?! Come in Kurt!"
"I need aces teleporting to my position now, they took out the elevator!"
Several of the bad guys finally notice my pokemon and send out various fire pokemon in an attempt to stop them. I pull Jane's special Onix ball back out, "Round two Miss Marble."
Rusty gyroballs between ember attacks and keeping ahead of several Mightyena chasing him. I click his pokeball to return just as he passes within range of the crates I'm hiding behind. At the same time the twenty food rock snake appears with a Roar.
Someone shouts, "Over there! They must be over there!"
Not that knowing does them any good! Half are still trying to take out Gengar or my Tesla as she retreats into the darkness of the cavern above the lights, shooting electro webs from the shadows.
"Rage Marble, Bulldoze, give it everything you've got and don't slow down!"
Roaring once more she starts to plow right into the attacking pokemon while I jump onto her tail for nasty moment of whiplash.
Several Mightyena and a Raticate dodge away while the trainers aren't so quick. A couple Numel and Slugma shoot embers dangerously close to hitting me. I dive off the Onix to tackle a trainer just as he releases a Koffing.
We hit the floor, he looks over my shoulder and yells at his pokemon, "Self Destr,"
"Hell No!" I manage to click the pokeball still in his hand to return Koffing before he blows us up.
The man seems shocked, "You cheater!"
"Yup." I punch him in the face and rip the belt of pokeballs off his waist as I stand up and kick him hard in the chest.
Picking up Koffing's ball and a quick glance at the remaining three on the belt. I return his Mightyena and the Golbat that was chasing Tesla. Clicking the last empty ball does nothing until Marble tail smashes a Numel that goes flying past me and in range of the return function.
A dozen more enemy trainers are taking cover or running from the Gengar. Three are even hopelessly trying to repair the elevator while some fail to notice the ruined tracks as they fire up the train.
"I can't do this one grunt at a time. Where is my back up?"
Joe responds in my ear, "The old man-"
A flash of lightning blinds everyone in the cavern! Arcs of electricity crawl along the walls and cables, zapping everything pulse as they pass by. Somehow I doubt I'm gonna be excluded.
"Tesla!" My big red spider drops down from the dark above just in time to absorb a stray arc of plasma before it can find my head.
Most of the grunts are down, spasming on the floor. Two managed to pull the same move as me with a Numel and a Geodude.
"No one moves." Wattson Senior stands in the center of the room surrounded by dozens of pokemon from the Magnemite line. A single Magnezone hovers over him directing the swarm to surround all enemy trainers.
Senior looks my way and pats the weird box hanging from his shoulder with a strap. He looks like a happy beach goer carrying a cooler of drinks. "Like my Swam Box Kurt? This is only like the second time I've ever got to bust this sucker out!"
He looks back to where Gengar is floating inches off the floor with legs hanging from his mouth and sighs. The angry ghost crosses its arms as if daring the old man to try and take its prize.
"Well," the old man glances my way before closing his eyes, "Some people have had plenty of second chances. Seems I was just a moment too late."
Gengar arches a brow and looks at me.
"He means get out of here bud, and take the body with you."
Senior turns away, "I said no such thing for the record."
Now the big ghost seems unsure as it slowly inches towards the getaway tunnel.
I laugh despite the morbidness, "It's called a dine and dash, just get going like I told ya."
With a final, spine tingling cackle, the Mega Gengar takes off into the darkness.
Wattson turns back around, "The rest of you are to place your pokeball belts or carriers on the floor here in the middle of the room. Stand behind your items with your hands on your heads. The Ace team will,"
Rocks and dirt collapse from the ceiling beside the elevator sending a cloud of dust halfway across the room.
Senior chuckles as a woman and two men step out alongside a shoulder height walking boulder, a Golem. I can't help smirking at the sight of the weird rock turtle.
The woman kicks a pebble after spotting Senior, "Aren't you supposed to be retired!" she shouts, "How many times are we going to make a super cool dramatic entrance just see you standing there with the bad guys already surrendering. You know it makes us feel like posers when the news congratulates us for showing up late?!"
He fiddles with his shirt collar, "It's not that bad Jody. You still get your bonus right?"
She snorts, "Whatever. Benny, check the area. Al, round up the grunts. Senior… please, get the elevator up and running."
A Flareon appears with a flash from one of the lads as well as a green and yellow, pinata goose from the other. A Sigilyph, according to my dex.
It's another two hours and finally I park my fancy new airship just outside of the pokemon center at the entrance to the Valley of Steel.
A trio of tired kids dash out the front door to meet me, only to skid to a stop as some even more tired pokemon land beside us. Emergency staff from the center dash out to help the pokemon found in the lab into the medical center. A couple of the big pokemon seem leery at first but relent to go with the ones who are more familiar with humans aside their captors.
Anyone would lose track of what they were going to say at the sight of a Charizard reduced to naught but skin and bones. Each rib clearly visible as it and the Blaziken support each other inside.
My team almost seems ready to barrage me with questions, a gurney exits the ship behind me. I brought one detainee back with me.
Even fried to a blackened crisp, Jane recognizes her father. "Kurt, why… What is he doing here?"
Another nurse wheels out a cart with the three surviving Houndour pups. A whine brings my attention to the devilish black dog collapsed at the entry to my ship.
Carefully I lift her up and start walking to catch up with the pups.
Sighing, "Jane… Sometimes, even when you've saved the day, caught the bad guy," I nod towards her father being wheeled into the center, "and brought everyone you could back to safety… You still feel like you lost."
Chapter 91: Morning After
Early morning in the pokemon center just outside the area of Hoenn known as the Valley of Steel. One of the more iconic zones within the areas collectively called Groudon's Fangs. Spires of rock jut up from the earth from here, clear to the northern coast.
I take a sip of coffee while petting Miss Wick, Houndoom is resting on the lobby couch with me.
"You Kurt?" asks a man with shaggy red hair and khakis, "I'm Hodge from the Lavaridge ranch."
As I stand and shake his hand a woman in overalls rushes up, "Oh Arceus, what did they do to ya girl?!" She begins checking every inch of Houndoom's body as the dog's tail gently wags. "Dear Arceus, what about the puppies?!"
Pointing towards the emergency hallway, "Three survived, critically malnourished. They're all tubed up in special isolation beds. This girl… Well, I can't judge her. At least she'll live."
Hodge runs a hand over the pokemon's shattered external bones. Looking at the woman, "What do you think Vivi?"
Vivi rubs the dog's ears and checks a handheld scanner as Wick licks her hand, "I think her days as a Mega evolved pokemon are over. She'll heal, but I think she's out of the team for worlds. My brother's gonna be heartbroken, this and the pups. At least they made it."
The rancher sighs and looks at the displays above the medical reception counter. His eyes checking the pokemon and their updated conditions, "A lot of those pokemon match partners of some of the missing persons listed on the league network for Hoenn."
Geez, "First I'm hearing of that."
Naomi speaks up as she and the other two kids walk from the cafeteria with breakfast, "That's because the league doesn't let high profile trainers going missing make headlines." They set their food on a nearby counter with stools. Citro tosses me a bagel.
Hodge carries on her point, "When someone with a known strong team disappears, the last thing the league wants is average trainers going missing as well, trying to be heroes… Flannery was investigating."
Ah, dots connect, "I didn't spot her missing husband in the mountain."
Citro speaks up with his mouth full of pancake, "They got him," he swallows, "Sorry, I heard one of the Aces talking. He said they snagged the guy trying to escape right when they teleported in."
Hodge sighs, "Well, I don't know what got into my brother. But rumor is he should be happy he made it out of that mountain alive. At least until Flannery gets to him."
Oh shit, that's right! I knew that name sounded familiar!
Jane stabs her spoon in a bowl of oats hard enough to break the ceramic, "You going to tell me what happened yet Old Man?"
Glancing at the ranch couple, I'd rather not talk about it in public but the duo look interested in hearing it. He made it sound like rumors are already floating around.
"Fine, but I'm sparing the bad details." I sit back down, "I flew in, got the drop on the airship. Tunneled past the entrance. Took out the security office. Senior told me to make straight for any captive pokemon." I point at the wall displays, "Once set loose, they fought with all their last strength. Rico was trying to get Houndoom here in a cage to run off with…"
Looking at the Ranch woman, "They had to pop a spine disk back in place, keep her off her legs if you can. Anyway," leaning back to stare at the ceiling, "Rico seemed to be in charge of the caged up pokemon. Including the dead pups. This gal used one nightmare of an Overheat to make her complaints felt."
I pause, waiting for Jane to say anything but all I hear is Vivi tearing up while hugging the dog.
"Between the rampaging megas, the ace team, and Senior showing up, it sounds like most of the loose ends got burned off."
"Fearow," Jane's voice is hoarse with a mess of emotions, "Where is the bastard's bird?"
Looking in her determined eyes hidden by messy red bangs, "I have his pokeballs still… I actually have a whole mess of 'em." Turning to the Ranch couple, "If no one comes to collect I may need your help off loading them."
Jane doesn't say anything.
After a moment Hodge responds, "It's not unusual for confiscated pokemon to reach breeder ranches. We can discuss the details when you get to Lavaridge. In fact, you can see how the pokemon you caught in Alola are doing." He turns to Naomi, "On that note, you can pick up your order Miss Watson."
Naomi practically squeals in excitement causing her teammates to wince.
Vivi puts her hands on her hips, "You better treat her like the Ponyta princess she is!"
Of course that just makes the giddy Wattson girl nearly leap out of her seat.
Well, guess that's another stop to make, "We should get going."
Our resident redhead still seems to be thinking things over as she helps Citro clean up.
"See you later Kurt," Hodge nods to the display, "We'll be here until they're all cleared to ride a truck to the ranch. Stop by before your gym battle." He smirks, "I know Flannery's boy is looking forward to stumping your stump. You should get any tips you can from the handlers at the ranch."
"I may be a rookie, But I really didn't plan on bringing a grass pokemon to a fire gym."
Houndoom whines as I step away, almost trying to hop off the couch.
Vivi calms her down a bit before looking at me, "Seems she really likes you… My brother has always worked closely with the ranch so his team is pretty flexible. Maybe he'll let you take Houndoom for a last romp in the rookie circuit once she's healed up."
Depends on how the league feels about borrowing a semi retired, high tier pokemon.
"Well, if it works out I'd be glad to have her."
After heading back to our rooms to collect our belongings, I only get three steps into the lobby when Wattson Senior calls out, "Kurt. Come over here for a minute before you race off into the valley. You kids go ahead and load the car."
Jane just stoically grabs my bag and keeps moving for the exit. Her head lost in her own angst. Citro motions at her back to me, wondering what to do.
Quietly I tell him, "Just let her think for now. Ask once we get on the road."
Naomi is scowling at her grandfather, "Don't let that old schemer trick you into anything Kurt."
"The only thing he'll get me to sign is a pay raise."
She rolls her eyes at my smirk and heads for the door.
As I sit down, "The couches are getting some mileage today."
Senior snorts, "You've never sheltered in one for a Rage event then. Imagine every trainer in the area crammed into this lobby for hours or days."
"Let's hope I keep that record." I tap the fancy little display on the coffee table, this thing doubles as a vending machine tipped over. Cracking open a can, "So what's the final say on last night's leisure flight?"
"Ha," just like his granddaughter, the man hands me a tablet.
It's my trainer profile again, I spray my coffee a bit across the table, "11 Points?!"
My new world's total is sitting at 28 out of 50 points and I still have two more seasons to keep earning!
The old man nods as a clay figure, Baltoy, appears out of nowhere to whipe the table with a rag.
"3 for the op, 2 for capture of the poacher, 2 for Flannery's ex, 4 for… removal of Tabitha. Mind you it would have been 6 if you brought them in alive." he pauses to scratch the scruff of his beard before sighing, "But they probably would have escaped again. That Mega Solrock is too powerful to keep out of wherever it wants to be."
He points to a case handcuffed to one of his security guards, "You're lucky the miniature sun didn't feel like rescuing its trainer. When we checked its ball this morning the pokemon was already gone. Satellites picked it up leaving the atmosphere."
While we're on the topic, I start unloading pokeballs from my trainer bag, "Now that we've got here let's talk about loot and what to do with all of these."
Twenty something pokeballs of all varieties roll about.
Senior nods, "Send Rico's pokemon to the Mauville Ranch until that Jane girl calls and requests otherwise. She's been granted ownership of all of Rico's property in the eyes of the law. This was his last strike… If he ever wakes up."
I refuse to feel bad for the bastard, "Coma?"
"Yes," he sighs, "Personally, I expect a Nope to be visiting him soon. The man is dead in any way that matters."
"Not to his daughter," there's a bit of heat in my voice, "She may need to speak to him to get any real closure. Him biting it to a Dream Eater won't help."
"It's fine Kurt." The red head speaks up from behind me.
Senior and I watch her walk around and grab her fathers ball belt off the table. She looks at Wattson, "I'm releasing most of them in the valley. All but the dumb bird."
Stroking his beard, "The Tyranitar might be a problem, same for the Mega Heatmor."
Jane frowns but counters, "Roxanne and Flannery can take them."
Senior nods, "That'll work for your father's team. As for the rest, we'll split them amongst the Ranches for now. Mellow the feistiness a bit before releasing any that don't find new trainers, back to the wild. Unless any caught your eye, Kurt?"
Ya, I don't have time to play rehab counselor. It's past time I really buckled down on the pokemon I have.
"I'm good with that. What else is there?"
He pulls a jagged, orange crystal the size of a golf ball from his shirt pocket, "Look familiar?"
I can see glowing energy lines like Lichtenberg burns moving around inside the crystal, "An unrefined mega stone?"
"Close enough," he takes out a few more, each a different shade, some with contrasting energy compared to their color, "They were harvesting mega stones from live pokemon and attempting to dilute or fuse them into something any pokemon can use. You see, when a mega pokemon dies, it imparts part of its will on the remaining stone. Don't ask how it works. That's like asking for a Nope visit."
So they needed the pokemon to still be breathing while they worked on the stone. "Nasty stuff."
The old man points at the patient info displays, "Most of the trainers those pokemon belong to are presumed dead. Finding some of their belongings at the base confirms it. We're at a bit of an impasse. These diluted stones might be worthless or priceless, we'll be issuing them out to gym leaders to experiment with. Want one? I'd say you eared first pick and as a certified Lab Trainer it's allowed."
He shows me a list of the tainted creations, my first instinct is to tell him hell no. I spot one name that makes me pause however. The boy would never have the resources to get his own.
"Manectric, Citro could use it."
Wattson grunts, "Not as if I don't have ten more in the vault… I'll trade you for a traditional stone."
"Sure."
"In exchange, how about," he begins, but I cut him off.
"I think that's enough for now." I stand up and stretch, "You can take the airship refurbishment costs out of my reward poke and ship it to Rustburo. I'll play with it after the current season."
The scowl could probably scare some office worker but an annoyed old fart won't phase me.
"I've got pokemon to train sir, loot and money will only take our team so far. We've got some catching up to do I'd wager."
His frown instantly turns to a feral grin, "Too right ya do. Naomi is falling behind her rivals." He sits back and points at the Trainer Network on one of the lobby TVs, "That Stone girl has five badges already and Vermilya finally stuffed her pride and got some lessons. Nidoking and the like are Not the fluffy kitties she grew up with."
I stand up, "We'll get there. See you later Big boss."
Walking away Jane steps up, "Really? No big bonus reward?"
Glancing at her, she seems far more present than she was even fifteen minutes ago. I notice the worn, old pokeball clenched in her hand. "Nah. Ever gonna tell me what the deal with that Fearow is?"
Slow coming to a stop, she looks at the ball, "You gave Lacy a Leafeon… He gave mom a derpy baby Spearow."