AN: SORRY FOR THE DELAY. HAD TO REWRITE THE WHOLE CHAPTER. THE OLD VERSION WAS A BIT TOO UNNECESSARILY VIOLENT.

HOPE YOU ENJOY.


The lab was darkened. The only light source was in middle of the room. A metal container that is as wide as a room. The light emitted from the glass panels on the door and the the side of the said container. People clad in all white worked around the room and every few seconds some of them kept checking the computers that connects the container. Almost everyone seemed nervous. Almost as if they cannot afford messing things up. Caution, a main priority of the place it seems.

After the failure of project Mewtwo, the expensive and dangerous project, team rocket found a way. A way for the power they desired. Giovanni never been as invested in anything as he worked on taming the strongest Pokemon of the world. Mewtwo seem to have consciousness of it's own enough to differentiate life it had on a testtube and outside of it. Giovanni lost his time and money working on Mewtwo. But when he failed, team rocket lost some recognition amongst the other organisations. Team rocket was always been out there, spying on them with great effort. But gladly things have been worth it.

They were there when other similar organization gone for their own projects and all this time they've collected informations and it all lead them to this container. A machine that capable of altering genes and recreating what's lost. Team rocket is aware of such a project.

When team plasma was working on the project to create the strongest Pokemon of their own, team rocket was there secretly. To witness the recreation of an ancient beast. However that project went sideways real quick. And team rocket knew that they cannot risk failing like them.

Giovanni wants the power he was supposed to achieve with Mewtwo under his grasp. For that, they had to search for the essentials worldwide. They've pushed their luck many times and risked their own life to reach the places they speculated to be contain the so called essentials.

They took every possible transportations and for almost some months, they had nothing. But one day, they might have recovered something old and precious. Fossils of something they never seen before. A lost life that separated from their world for over 450 million years ago or beyond. They've stole the technology which Team plasma used back then and modified it and altered it with the help of the finest engineers and scientists. But during the development stage, many deaths have been reported. Over 29 engineers died due to some unknown reason and the 12 scientists that lost their lives after, only complicated the cause deaths.

Eventually team rocket found a way to slow down the death rate. Which is to wear an advanced hazmat suit that usually wore when trying to avoid the contact of radioactive energy. It mostly worked. Those deaths have been a problem, because Giovanni was losing his finest recruits. Those engineers and scientists are highly qualified geniuses. But he knows that death cannot be stopped. Only delayed.

They fully investment their budget on the machine and they cannot afford anything else to toughen up their defence. There was a rumour of an island far away from this land. Giovanni found it and immediately realised what kind of beasts roamed them lands. That's why he sent a crew to the so called black Rock. Turns out it only have weakened them a little further. They've lost contact with the crew and also the choppers. It happened a bit slow but also real quick. Most of their elites were with them and Giovanni didn't know what to do.

"Still have no information. Sir." A violent haired lady reported. "Should we search more to the south?" She asked.

Giovanni didn't say anything at first. He do realise the loss, but he cannot afford wasting anymore time and resources. "I want the search party returned for at once. Pick the experienced one of them and give them the objective I talked to you about." Giovanni ordered.

The woman raised a brow in confusion. "But sir, they're already far away. Isn't it a waste if they have returned without anything on the crew?" She asked.

Giovanni looks at her and his hands petted his Persian. "Remember our goal. Everything else should be a stepping stone. If they're dead, they died. If they've returns, they're welcome. They knew what they're getting into. The last thing I want the entire search party going down. And where are they now?" He ordered.

"Few miles away from the island." She said.

"Good. Return them. If there's something out there that caused all this problem, we'll find them as soon as we finish the project. No more men are dying in vain." He ordered.

"As you wish, boss." The lady said.

"And.." Giovanni started making her stop and look at him. "...that doesn't mean I don't want any information you may find. Even if it's just rumours." He said.

"On what? The crew or the fossils?" She asked.

"Both."

MEANWHILE...

"Who are you anyway, girl?" Jenny questioned.

"A lovely friend in need." Cassy replied with a cheeky smile.

"Which doesn't help the procedures. I asked your name young lady. I want straight answers." Jenny said irritated. The questioning have been a pain. None of the due seem to be willing to open up the information she wants.

"Cassandra Steel." Cassy said with a shrug.

Jenny looks at her and Cassy did the same. "What? You asked me my name. I said it." Cassy said and picked up an apple from the basket next to Brendan and took a mouthful.

Jenny wrote that information on her board. "Your house address?" She asked again.

Cassy points at her full mouth, saying she can't speak right now. Jenny sighed and rubbed her temples in frustration.

"Look, officer. I get it that you're here to question me. I don't think that you'll get much from asking her." Brendan said.

"You were badly injured when your Pokemon carried you here. And top of all that, you went missing a long time ago. It's my duty to interrogate everyone that's involved. And all you're doing is making things hard for me and yourself. At this rate, you're only delaying going back to your family." She said.

Brendan scoffed. "Yeah, sure." He said. He doesn't want to see them. He'll do it the hard way even if had to.

"You know, what. The foul attitude of your won't bring us nowhere. I'll give you some time. Think of the favour we're doing for you. In few hours, I'll be back." Jenny said standing up.

"That doesn't change the fact that I'll get what I want." He said hiding his intentions. Cassy looks down at him in disapproval. She knows what he's trying to do, but haven't questioned. Not yet.

"Just remember. We're trying to help you, kid. We all are. Just be relax when I get back." She said and walked out of the room.

He clenched his jaw and looks at Cassy. "Stop. Do not say anything." He said knowing her look.

Cassy shrugged and munched the apple as she glared back at him.

"I knew that look of yours. You guessed it right. I'm getting out of here. Gotta go back as soon as I could." He said. Cassy just tossed her half eaten apple and crossed her arms.

"Typical of you. But you got an opportunity now. Think about going back there. I don't want you to regret your decision later." She said in a serious tone.

She do have her reasons and he knows it. But he won't choose his own path. He chosen it a long time ago. "Which is why I'm not staying here any longer. I'll regret destroying the whole place that saved my life. But I won't think twice if they're back again to get on my nerves." Brendan said and tried to get up. His whole body ached even though his wounds and fractures are mostly healed.

Cassy pushed him back down on the bed. "Stay still. I'll get your pokemon. Introduce me your new friend I heard a lot about later." She said and walked out of the room to get his Pokemon.

Cassy knows what's best. She suggested a good point. It'll be easier to escape with his Pokemon. She'll get him his friends.

While waiting, he averted his focus back to a trashcan on the corner of the room. He's thankful that his whole outfit is covered by blood and mud. The R letter is no longer visible and that's enough to clarify his alias is still hidden.

It would've been a pain if they knew where he was all this time. If Jenny realised he is a criminal, then he would have to escape hiding from a lot of lookouts. Afterall, he ain't done something to praise him. He mostly destroyed stuff.

His mother and sister is supposed to visit him today. Another reason why he's trying to escape. It's not because he's having difficulties facing them. It' just that, he won't be able to stop himself if they come anywhere near him. They kept his abilities nullified saying he's worthless. They prevented him from figuring out his potential. And he still remember that wonderful day when he escaped. A better move from him than suicide. He grew up. Not much physically. But he's different mentally. That's a positive in his opinion. It's just became easy to avoid any negativity. All he have to do is use some force.

"Getting cozy again, aren't we?" Came her voice again, saying the exact same thing when she arrived here for the first time.

Brendan sighed. "Now we'll get out of here." He said.

"Wear this, tough guy. Don't wanna show off the dangling bits unnecessarily, because of a stupid hospital gown." She said throwing him and grey hoodie and black shorts. He looks at the clothes and then back at her.

"I didn't conveniently slipped into a room and I swear I didn't stole their outfit. Let's pretend you own them." She sheepishly said.

"Same as ever. You never changed." He replied with an amused expression.

"I wish otherwise for you. I prefer if you have changed." She said.

"I think I'm fine as I am." He said. "Now help me put this on." He said.

It's better say than done. Brendan winced and grunted everytime his body moved. Thankfully the fast paced healing the nurse talked about seem to make sense. He clearly remember him almost dying out there. And few days later he can move little by little. She helped him into the black shorts first and then the hoodie. And she definitely forgot about a pair of shoes.

Once done dressing up, Cassy handed him his six Pokéballs. "Okay, now we must plan our way out. Can't just put a hole on the wall without anyone noticing." Cassy said and thought for bit.

Brendan however had a familiar situation with a mission in the past. He did something that can be used here. "I have a plan." He said and tossed the ball next to the bed he sat.

The red glow released from the ball and when the it ceased, a blue amphibian like Pokémon. It had a scar across the left side of his fac, reaching from forehead to the lips. It's a slash wound, which healed long time ago.

The frog like Pokémon looks at him and waited for the orders. "Toxicroak, I want you to go down the power generator room. You know the drill." He ordered his aggressive and loyal partner.

Toxicroak without a second delay sprints out of the room. "Wow. Just like that?" Cassy asked.

"Yup." He said.

"I remember him being a croagunk. What a charming little guy he was." She said recalling the past.

"I taught them to being less hesitant. If not, I'll find my head across a bloody mess." He said as if it's a normal thing to say.

"Oh, now I get the loyal part. Learning from numbskulls. Now I feel bad for your Pokemon." She said.

Brendan didn't say anything. He knows what she's hinting at. But do have his views.

"So, we're waiting for what, exactly?" She asked a bit confused.

"He's my partner in crime, Cassy. When you left, we came up with our own ways." He said and as if on que, the lights are out. Everything was dark. It's almost sunset and that's why everything became dark inside the Pokemon centre.

"Just flicking lights on and off? Is that you came up with?" She teases.

"Ain't fancy. But practical and effective. To a point at least." He said and he threw another Pokéball and the dark room lit up with the red glow.

When the glow is gone, Cassy could see a familiar silhouette of the Pokemon.

"Haxorus, still hanging around with him huh?" She said to the dragon, who made a little agreeing sound.

Haxorus knew what to do and slowly picked Brendan up in a bridal style. "We'll get out of here and won't wait for anyone." He said to the dragon Pokemon who nodded. Despite being dark, the dragon Pokemon moved forward without bumping anywhere. It's prepared for any circumstances and he made sure of that.

Cassy turned on the flashlight of her phone and aimed it forward. They heard people talking. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's the talking point is.

Many trainers stumbled around panicked. Because, without power, nothing won't work in the centre. Even the life support that possibly a unfortunate fellow' Pokemon is living on. If they're quick with their escape, the power will return soon. If not Toxicroak won't let anyone near the power generator.

"Okay, we're in the third floor. Elevator won't work and I am definitely hating the ideas of the stairs." Cassy complained.

"Jump off a window. Like you usually do." Brendan said.

"I don't jump. It's all about fooling the spectator. Which means I fooled you. Guess I don't have to spend time searching for a climbable edge. I should just hide until you're out sight." She said.

"Yeah. I should've known why your legs aren't dangling at this point." He replied.

They moved fast and there were trainers at the stairs and Cassy was the one who pushed them aside, so Haxorus won't run over them. Until the second floor, everything went smoothly. But as they stopped on the second floor they heard someone.

"Hey. You there." A male police officer, points his flashlight at their way.

Haxorus stopped didn't stop and moved forward. The stairs to the first floor is to the opposite side of the officer, who is obviously saw them clearly. Even with a flashlight, the officer realised who they were.

"HEY, STOP RIGHT THERE." The officer shouted.

Brendan wasn't planning to stop. But when he heard the crackling of a wireless, he motioned Haxorus to stop.

"They're leaving the building." The man said to the walkie talkie, seemingly knowing who they are. Of course there's officers. He definitely was under the watchful eyes of Jenny's constables.

That infuriated Brendan. If things don't go smoothly as planned, he always find it annoying. A typical him.

"Where are you going? I was ordered to watch anything concerning you. Please, return to your room, immediately." The police officer said.

Brendan looks at the way of the officer. Due to the flashlight being pointed at them, Brendan cannot see the man. However he doesn't need to see the man in order to get rid of him.

"What if I said no?" Brendan said.

"I am allowed to take necessary actions." The man replied. "Now please, go back to your room." He added.

"Just blink and pretend like you never saw us. Okay, mister?" Cassy said.

"It's not a game, kids. Your case file is reopened after all this while. We cannot risk your safety. That's why I want you to go back. The power will be fixed soon." The officer said.

Brendan chuckled. "Up until now you had time to unsee us, Mister. You took the warning the wrong way." He said in a dark low voice.

Cassy looks at Brendan and she knows what he's doing. But it was too late.

"Poison Jab" Brendan ordered. The officer didn't even got any time to react. A glowing fist with a pointed stong claw, came out of nowhere and the strike connects with side of the man's throat. A sickening crunch of bones snapping was heard and the man's neck got twisted in an awkward position.

The flash light hit the ground first before the man. He landed with a sickening thud. The impact first send his few feet away before he landed like a bag of meat.

Toxicroak almost immediately appeared next to him and Cassy. "Move, now." He ordered. Haxorus did as told.

Cassy stood there for a second, looking at the lifeless body of the officer then followed Haxorus. She didn't expect that. For Brenden, it all been easy. She looks up at him and then straight forward.

"Toxicroak, get rid of any officers on the way." He ordered making Casey's eyes widen in shock. Toxicroak immediately took off. The amphibian is too fast and stealthy for anyone to see him.

"Why not just go around them? Killing them? Really?" She says.

Brendan shrugged. "Waste of time. By the way, I'm not ordering to kill anyone. It's called knocking out. Maybe Toxicroak went overboard back there." Brendan said not bothered by anything.

"I'm sure that guy's dead." She said. Her playful nature was gone now.

"Let's say, I warned him and he didn't listen. He's on our way back there." He said.

Cassy didn't say anything else. She doesn't know what to say. She followed Haxorus. They could hear how crowded the entrance area was. Probably everyone is there due to the power outage. A golden opportunity to go unnoticed by the nurse who' midst of the crowd apologizing and ensuring the safety of their Pokemon.

Cassy noticed toxicroak dragging a body through the dark part of the hall and hiding them. She's not sure if they're dead or not. Brendan however wasn't paying attention to anything except for the exit.

Just as they reached the glass doors, Haxorus stops because Brendan saw something. Two police vehicles and a motorcycle approaching fast. More officers and he grumbled under his breath. This is definitely gonna get messy.