Disclaimer: Welcome to the wonderful world that is Pokémon. Of course everything related to Pokémon is owned and licensed by Nintendo, and I'm sure the author of this story will do his best to treat Nintendo and Pokémon with as much respect as possible. Now, the characters in this story are all original except for professor Oak, Ash, Gary, Misty, Brock, several Jenny's and Joy's and some other weirdo's that wander around in the game and/or series and of course, the Pokémon.

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Chapter 14 – Closure

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The phone woke me up, so before I answered I checked my watch. Fuck, eight thirty already. I overslept. Well, that's not really a surprise since I didn't sleep much after I cut my vacation short and with all that excitement in Cherrygrove.

"Hello?" I yawned as I answered the phone.

"I heard you made the news yesterday," a familiar voice at the other side of the line said, "congratulations."

"How did you get this number?" I asked, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

"Please, Tony," the voice chuckled, "don't forget who you're dealing with. It's not like you're hiding this time. And of course, you were easier to locate thanks to your two friends."

"So, now what happens?"

"Oh, nothing. But if you ever have a problem, you may always contact me. I'm sure you'll find a way. In the mean time, I have send you something that might help you in the future. And because of that Heckburn situation, that might be the near future."

"What are you talking about? Heckburn's in jail."

"It's good to know more than others. He's not."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Goodbye Tony, I really hope we'll meet again one day. After all, it would be very rude of you if we didn't."

"Wait! Answer me! Hello?"

Fuck. Lost connection. And apparently Heckburn was out. But how? Duh, his old man of course. I had forgotten I was up to a father-son team. Ah, it's nice if you can get along with your old man. Well, fuck 'em.

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I got up and took a quick shower. I got dressed and went downstairs, hoping I still had some cereal. I was too tired and too hungry to go for bread. After a short breakfast (in which I resolved I would still go looking for a better breakfast) I entered my office to open the door. Much to my surprise I already had a visitor.

"Ah, Mr. Hunter? You sure open late, I must say. I see punctuality isn't your strong point."

The thin old man leaned forward a bit to get a better look at me. His grey hair was cut in a stylish coup so no one would notice too much he was going bald.

"It is, but I didn't know I had an appointment." I retorted as I sat behind my desk, "and who might you be, coming in here unannounced while my office is still closed?"

Well, I hoped it was still closed. I was still embarrassed about that time I forgot to lock up. Good thing Turtle was home so nothing got robbed. Well, I say good thing, but I felt really sorry for those guys so I didn't press charges against them. I later heard their wounds healed nicely (although apparently one of them does need viagra now), but they're still nervous when they're around Squirtles.

"I am Theodore Heckburn," the man said, "I believe you have met my son."

"I have," I nodded, "and maybe you could tell me why he's not in prison as we speak?"

Heckburn raised an eyebrow. He clearly didn't think I would be that well informed.

"I… know my son has done some bad things…" he started.

"That real estate scam was a start, but what really pushed me over the edge, was that attempt on my life." I interrupted.

"Yes, I know he can be quite impulsive. But he was right about the Ruins."

"That it could fill up your bank account nicely?"

"No, Mr. Hunter. Must you really be so cynical?"

"Job requirement."

"Those birds had to leave at the Ruins. Recent developments following your… little adventure there, have shown that those psychic pokémon share some sort of unified mind and can control people."

"I know, I've experienced it first hand," I groaned, "but your son wasn't concerned about the danger that those Natu posed, but more with the land itself."

"That… is true," Heckburn had to admit, "but in light of this new development, I tend to be lenient. Therefore I have arranged his release from prison early this morning. He promised me he would leave Johto and leave you alone. Frankly I'm surprised you know of he's not detained anymore."

"You'd be surprised what I know. It's good to know more than others."

Heckburne let out a little smile.

"I'm sorry, that reminds me of an old… friend who used to say that. A friend who could crush you if you would decide to go after my son."

A knock on the door made us look up and I went to open the door. I wasn't really surprised to see Tom and David, dressed casual (David had found another black raincoat along the way after I ripped his off last year).

"This is for you." Tom said as they entered.

I opened the small box and grinned.

"So, this… friend," I asked Heckburn, "is this a good friend? Or more of an old enemy?"

"More of an old enemy to be honest," Heckburn chuckled, "the things we do are peanuts compared to that guy."

"Oh really? And what is that?" I asked as I slipped on a ring.

"But I should warn you, although we used to compete a long time ago, I can still ask some favours. And I should warn you he's head of Team Rocket."

"You mean…" I feigned surprise, "what's his name…"

"Giovanni Vermoné."

"Wow, you know Giovanni personally! Imagine that. Did you know he had a son?" I asked, seemingly out of the blue.

"Little Anthony, yes." Heckburn nodded.

"Little, my ass," I grinned and held out my fist, showing him my brand new seal ring.

"What…" he started but paled when he saw the two golden letters A V in relief on my ring.

"If you would go crying to Giovanni," I grinned, "who would he crush? An old competitor or his son?"

"This… you're…you can't…"

"Oh he is," David nodded, "believe me he is."

"I think you should better tell your son that, if he crosses me again, I will crush him, and you. And you better believe, that is not an empty threat."

Heckburn slowly rose from his chair.

"Very well," he whispered, "I will tell him."

He passed Tom and David and then turned at the door.

"But may I ask? Why Hunter? Why not stick to your given name?"

"The name Vermoné is known," I replied, "I couldn't do the things I did and still do with that name."

Okay, it was a complete lie, but like any lie, it had some truth in it. It just wasn't the truth why I had changed names, but I didn't have to tell him that. Heckburn seemed satisfied with this answer and left.

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"So, you've made up with your father?" Tom asked.

"No," I sighed and looked at my ring, "but in the end, family is still family, I guess."

"So you're not returning to Team Rocket for the moment." David grinned.

"After all your work to get out? Yeah, as if! How's that going anyway?"

"This was supposed to be our last mission, but something big came up, mobilizing all troops."

"What is it?" I asked.

"No idea," David sighed, "it's on a need to know basis…"

"And you don't need to know," I nodded, "typical."

"But what we do know," Tom said, "is that it involves Jaeger."

"That son of a bitch? Let me know if you find something interesting."

"Will do," Tom nodded, "take care, okay?"

I assured them and thought for a moment before I reached for the phone.

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"Mr. Hunter?"

"Professor Calcium? Sorry if I interrupt anything, but I would like to ask you something."

"Not at all, not at all," the good professor said from the other side of the line, "how may I help you?"

"I was wondering about those Natu. I heard there was some news about them."

"Yes, there is. It appears that a whole flock of them can combine their powers to control people. That's why the pokéleague has decided to find new breeding grounds for them to control their population and their powers. They don't allow more than twenty psychic pokémon of the same type in the same place, although they're not able of influencing people unless they are with at least fifty."

"And how many birds were there at the Ruins?"

"About two hundred if I'm not mistaken. We've finally been able to break their control by bringing in Kadabra's with our teams."

"Thank you, that's all I needed to know."

"Very well," Calcium said, "glad to be of assistance. I hope to hear from you again in better circumstances. Maybe you could help with the relocations?"

"No thanks, one night camping with those birds was more than enough. Goodbye professor."

I hung up the phone and sat silent for a moment. If anyone was going to try to attack me on my little "episode" at the Alpha Ruins, I could back up my version with this report. This cleared me, so finally something was going good in my life for a change. I wondered how long it was gonna last.

I

AN: This should wrap up the Heckburn story arc (I honestly didn't have any other idea how to stop this, so sorry if it's a bit crappy, but I promise some good stuff in the future). Next chapter: another "friend" of Tony's past comes to play along, so catch you on the flip side (cause it's gonna get freaky and I do mean totally fucked up).