A/N: Hello darkness my old friend . . . (can't say I didn't warn you). Very action-packed chapter with A LOT of content, but I tried to be purposeful as to not overwhelm. Please feel free to leave feedback - I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)
The taste of metal was the first thing Brie became aware of as she came to, and it made her stomach feel nauseous. As she blinked, she tried to make out where she was, but the darkness around her obscured her line of sight, leading her to feel uneasy. The last thing she remembered before passing out was struggling against someone who had ambushed her in the Game Corner. Abrielle bit down on her bottom lip harshly as she suppressed the urge to cry. She didn't have a moment to spare, and giving in to feelings like this would only weaken her. Suddenly aware of the fact that her hands and feet were bound together, rope having been tightly knotted to thoroughly secure her, Brie felt her heart begin to race. Her satchel was missing, which meant she didn't have her pokémon on her.
Shit.
Attempting to inch her way across the floor like a caterpie or a weedle, Brie carefully lowered herself and began to move. She didn't get that far before the lights illuminated the room, which spurred feelings of relief, followed by panic a moment later upon realizing it had been from the motion sensors giving away her activity.
The door to the room opened, revealing two Rocket grunts who seemed amused to find Abrielle in the precarious position on the floor. One of them gave a swift blow to her side with his foot, causing her to yelp in pain and recoil slightly while the other laughed. Brie prayed the acute sensation she felt would bruise rather than break a rib. That was the last thing she needed on top of everything else happening.
"Where do you think you're going, runt?" The attacker taunted as his teammate spat in Brie's direction.
Not about to give them the courtesy of an acknowledgment, she began to search the room with her eyes, looking for any belongings that had been confiscated from her.
"Looking for this?" The other grunt finally spoke, dangling Brie's satchel with one hand and sort of swinging it in the air, poking fun at her as she kept the bag just out of reach. "You won't be getting it back anytime soon. You've got a decent sum of cash, let alone some powerful pokémon. They'll make for great additions to our cause."
Brie's eyes narrowed in challenge, piercing through her attackers with dagger-like intensity that made them shift somewhat uncomfortably in their spots a few feet away from her. They realized suddenly that her demeanor seemed different from before – what little fear had been flickering through her icy blue eyes had been overshadowed by anger. Abrielle's scrutinizing gaze looked almost dangerous, and they kept their distance as they continued their onslaught of derogatory remarks.
"How foolish do you have to be to sneak into Team Rocket's hideout and think that you won't get caught?" One of the grunts finally asked, breaking the silence. "You're a sucker for punishment, aren't you?"
"Mm, then maybe we should punish her." The other agreed, a devious smile forming as he sauntered over toward her, feeling suddenly emboldened enough to kneel down in front of Brie upon hearing her release an audible sound of disgust. "What should we do first?"
"I have a few ideas . . ."
Just as the Team Rocket grunt was about to reach for her a familiar sounding voice interrupted, causing both grunts to flinch and cease their advance.
"What's going on in here?" The man inquired brusquely while taking a few steps toward Brie, who was still somewhat incapacitated as she lay against the cold floor, her body still aching from the blow she had endured moments ago. She tasted blood in her mouth and it made her feel sick, but she mustered as much resolve as she could as she gazed up at the speaker.
She recognized the man as the one who had commanded the Rocket squadron in the Pokémon Tower, his voice unmistakably cold and cryptic, causing her blood to run cold as he stared down at her.
"A-Archer, sir." The one grunt addressed him while bowing his head.
"We saw the light and decided to come investigate." The other added while moving out of the Rocket Executive's way. "We believe she was trying to escape."
"Oh?" He mused, quite disinterested in what his two subordinates had to say.
The way he studied Abrielle's face, as if taking in every detail and committing it to memory, unnerved her greatly. It was as if the man was consumed by some sort of morbid fascination with her, having scrutinized her in a similar fashion upon meeting her before. Kneeling down and carefully inspecting the rope that bound her hands and feet he shook his head.
"I doubt she would have gotten far." The man who had been referred to as Archer started once more. "These knots are excessively tight." Cocking his head slightly as he stared at her, his lips curled into a smile. "They hurt, don't they?"
Brie grimaced slightly as he tugged at the rope around her hands as if to prove the point in question.
"You are both excused." He offered suddenly while coming to a stand once more.
"Sir?"
"I said, you are excused."
Not needing any more clarification, the executive's tone of voice doing little to mask the irritation he was feeling, both grunts turned on their heels and left the room.
"Hold on!" Abrielle called out angrily as they closed the door behind them. "You still have my-!"
"Satchel?" Archer asked. "You won't be getting that back anytime soon." He hummed while retrieving a pocket knife and unsheathing it.
Brie swallowed hard, her mind conjuring images of cruel, unspeakable things the man standing before might be capable of doing if provoked. She tried to squirm away as he returned to her, and tensed upon feeling the cool metal poke against the skin of her wrist. Needless to say she was surprised to see the man was cutting the rope from around her hands and feet.
"Is that better?" He smirked knowingly while gesturing for her to take a seat at the table.
Not feeling she had much of a choice Brie complied, feeling a bit unsteady as she proceeded to stand up. Archer seated himself across from her, hands clasped tightly below his chin, teal eyes cold and calculating.
"I would say I'm surprised to see you again so soon, but that would be a lie." He stated flatly.
Brie's hands balled into fists as they rested on her lap – it was taking every ounce of self-control NOT to throw herself across the table and strangle the man with her bare hands. Her mind still recalled the cubone and marowak skulls and the restless spirits of the pokémon they had belonged to not so long ago. Bile rose up from her stomach and burned her throat. A sharp twinge of pain in her side as she inhaled a deep breath was a physical reminder of her weakness moments ago.
"I knew you would seek me out after our run-in at the Pokémon Tower, regardless of whether or not that old fool passed along my message to you."
Abrielle quirked an eyebrow suddenly, not sure what the man was referring to.
"Well, it doesn't matter." His voice was soft, but not in a comforting manner. If she had to compare it to something, it would be the near-silent hiss of an ekans or arbok slithering through the grass, waiting to pounce. "You're here all the same, and we have some unfinished business to settle."
"You're right." She finally offered, her eyes challenging him dangerously, leading the Rocket employee to quirk an eyebrow.
"Hm, that's a new look for you." Archer almost sneered. "Not a big fan, to be perfectly honest. I much prefer the terrified glimmer I saw before."
"I'm not afraid of you." Brie countered suddenly, leading him to flash her a venomous smile. "What you saw was disgust, not fear. I hate you and everything you stand for with ever fiber of my being, and I'll spend every day for the rest of my life taking you and the rest of team Rocket down."
Hardly a beat passed between them before Archer's insidious chuckle filled the room. "Is that so?"
Brie felt her stomach twist into a knot in response to his reaction. The man seemed genuinely amused by promise she had just made, and it irritated her greatly.
"You find your demise humorous?"
Regaining his composure, the Rocket Executive combed his teal strands away from his face. "Your unwavering sense of justice in the face of adversity is admirable, albeit rather amusing, as well." Archer noted with a snicker. "You truly are the spitting image of your father."
Brie felt time come to a standstill as her brain attempted to process what he had just said, confusion and pain melding into one another as her eyes widened and her body tensed.
"There it is." Archer's voice was a much lower register that made her skin crawl, and he was smiling in a self-satisfied manner, like the persian that had ate the pidgey. "That's the look I was referring to a moment ago, the expression that jogged my memory in Lavender Town."
Abrielle felt her heart threatening to burst from her chest as her balled fists trembled on her lap.
"I would never forget a look like that." He continued while relishing in her subdued silence. "It's the same one your father gave me . . . before I killed him."
All at once she felt it – an incomprehensible hurt, the sensation of something shattering inside of her, a rush of cold overtaking her entire body, leaving her unable to form words or act in any way. This acute pain was followed by an unmistakable numbness that seemed to paralyze her, all the while her heart continued to break with every beat.
She still couldn't understand it, and she honestly didn't want to comprehend how someone could do something so atrocious and feel a sense of pride in it.
Somehow she had ended up seated across the table from her parents' killer, the one person she wanted to destroy more than anyone in the world, and a gripping sadness plagued her upon realizing she had no way to execute her goal.
"It's a shame, too."
Despite his words, Archer seemed positively thrilled to be causing her this anguish by forcing her to relive her darkest moment, like a true sadist. He reasoned that it made sense why he was promoted to a position of higher authority – he was certainly vindictive enough to assume such a responsibility and was a fitting image for a criminal syndicate like the Rockets.
"He was brilliant, and would have made a fine addition to our R&D team. But in the end, it was his own audacity to stop us that cost him his life. I warned him not to interfere, but he refused to comply." Tracing a finger against the metallic table he added casually, "So I suppose you have a decision to make."
Unfeeling teal eyes gazed into Brie's harrowed expression from across the opposite end of the table.
"Are you going to repeat your father's mistake? Orare you going to comply?"
Brie felt her mouth go dry. Her own words eluded her as Archer's continued to echo and reverberate through every bone in her body.
It's the same [look] your father gave me . . . before I killed him.
. . . your father
. . . I killed him.
The sudden sound of screams and exclamations of panic erupting outside the room prompted Archer to stand up from his seat and investigate the matter. Peering out into the hallway, the Rocket Executive was suddenly face to face with Brie's Scyther, which was lunging toward him as it sped down the hall.
"What the hell is going on?" Archer spoke angrily into his communication device clipped to the collar of his uniform as he forcefully shut the door and locked it.
"Sir, the girl's pokémon seem to have escaped from their constraints. We don't know how it happened, but we're unable to contain them! They're headed toward the storage room."
"No shit." He growled. "It's inexcusable! Subdue them or consider yourselves fired."
Brie's eyes drifted toward the door, though she still seemed immobilized in her chair. Archer sighed in frustration and retrieved a pokéball from the belt secured around his waist.
"As usual, I'll have to take care of things myself." Turning his head slightly to address her he added, "Don't even think of going anywhere. I'm not done with you."
The sound of a loud THUD hitting against the door jarred Brie out of her dazed stupor and she realized that her team mates were literally fighting their way through the subterranean hideout to rescue her. They had sensed her distress and forced their way back to her.
"Scyther!" She called out suddenly while rising from her seat, her body filled with renewed determination as she saw the door starting to give way. "Growlithe! Pidgeotto! Cubone! I'm here!"
The sudden forceful sting of Archer's hand across her cheek sent her spiraling toward the ground, causing her to land awkwardly and hurt her hand, which had broken her fall.
"Shut up!" The Rocket Executive hissed while releasing his Golbat and ordering it to silence her.
Just as it was about to land a bite attack, the sudden SMACK of a bone club against the dual poison/flying type sent it flailing backward toward the floor. Cubone extended its hand outward as it caught the bonemerang with precision. A flurry of sharp blades and talons battered the Rocket Executive's pokémon, rendering it incapable of battling. Archer cursed under his breath before calling out his wheezing.
"Smokescreen!" He barked, but Pidgeotto had anticipated this and used its powerful wings to generate gusts of wind capable of dissipating the haze that had filled the room. A few powerful embers from Growlithe brought the poison pokémon to the ground, eliciting a sound of frustration from Archer as he realized he wouldn't be able to defeat all four members of Brie's team simultaneously.
"This isn't over." The Rocket Executive exclaimed while making a break for the door.
Oh no you don't.
"Fire spin!" Brie shouted, causing the puppy pokémon to create a wall of flames that surrounded the perimeter, making an escape more difficult.
Archer gasped, realizing that the balance of power was no longer in his favor. He wasn't about to surrender, but he needed to find a way out of there and regroup, gather some more grunts, and use stronger pokémon if he had any chance of defeating her. The man wasn't foolish enough to presume he could take her on and win in his current state.
"I suppose you have a decision to make." Brie stated, her eyes fixed on Archer's face. "Are you going to comply and turn yourself into the police? Or . . ."
Gesturing toward her partners, which had him surrounded and were poised to attack, she continued "Are you going to make the same mistake as others have – underestimating me and my pokémon?"
Before he could answer the ground beneath them started to rumble. Brie gasped as the floor opened up, revealing a gigantic onix that bellowed loudly before flooding the room with a flurry of sizable rocks. Acting fast, Growlithe and Pidgeotto deflected and destroyed the projectiles with flames and wind as Scyther and Cubone parried off the remaining debris that flew too close to Brie. The commotion managed to create an escape for Archer, who had leapt into the hole and rode the dual rock/ground-type to safety.
Brie released an cry of frustration as she proceeded to follow him, but was stopped promptly by her Growlithe, which was tugging at her pant leg with its teeth.
"Let go!" She cried, but the fire-type wouldn't abate. Soon enough her entire team had created a barrier between her and the tunnel, concern for their trainer's safety their top priority at the moment. Brie couldn't allow Archer to get away – she needed retribution for all the pain he and his organization had caused her and her family, and countless others. Still, as the adrenaline started to wear off, Brie became acutely aware of the pain in her body. She knew it was best to have someone check her injuries, regroup and come back on her own terms, and that is what she decided to do. At the very least, she needed to have her team checked at the Pokémon Center. The sudden realization that she still did not have her satchel sent a shock of panic through her, but the feeling was quickly alleviated as Pidgeotto flew up to her with the bag's strap tightly clenched between its beak.
"Thank you." Brie sighed while extending her hand out to pet each member of her team. "All of you."
Sneaking out of the game corner hadn't been all that difficult as her team had made an impromptu exit or sorts – the powerful combination of flames and sharp blades making quick work of the walls of the hideout. Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy had done a quick physical exam and concluded that, despite some superficial scrapes and bruises, Abrielle was okay. Her pokémon were all healthy, much to her relief. When questioned regarding the nature of her injuries, Abrielle lied, not wanting to compromise her investigation or leak anything that would jeopardize her incognito mission. Erika had asked her to investigate, so clearly she felt that it wasn't something the local police department had been overly successful in executing. Brie just hoped that the grass-type gym leader's faith in her hadn't been misplaced.
When the moon was high in the night sky Abrielle decided to sneak back into the Game Corner. Garbed in all black, she hoped she would be able to sneak through the area mostly undetected, although she wasn't foolish enough to think the Rockets wouldn't be on high alert looking for her. She knew fleeing had been a last resort for Archer, who hadn't intended to allow her an escape. She would use this to her advantage to draw him out from hiding, if necessary. Though she was confident he would appear of his own volition, wanting to finish what he started.
Brie had her Pokémon assist her in breaking into the Game Corner, cutting locks and wires without triggering any alarms. When she reached the poster she took a moment to thoroughly examine it. The sensation of a hard piece of plastic beneath it captured her interest, and without a second thought she pressed against it. A passageway appeared down the hallway as she imagined.
So that's how they move around.
Spotting a lone grunt standing near the entrance, she gestured to her Cubone to knock the girl unconscious. Without a moment of hesitation, she dragged the female into the women's bathroom and removed her outfit. Luck had been on Abrielle's side – the uniform fit, though it was a bit snug in some places more than others. She gave herself a quick once over in the mirror and shook her head in disgust, grateful she had opted to wear leggings beneath the mini-skirt that was part of the female Rocket's outfit.
Whatever. It would have to do.
Making sure she had tucked her platinum blonde strands of hair completely beneath the black beret, she nodded and proceeded to enter the hideout.
Her appearance didn't seem to trigger any red flags from the other grunts. She figured that the girl she had assumed the role of was a newbie or someone of the lowest rank, because her presence seemed unimportant as she traversed the hallways as casually as possible.
Luck ran out, however, when one of the Rockets did seem interested in her aimless wandering.
"What are you doing?" The gruff voice came from behind her, causing Brie to flinch slightly.
"I was told to report to Mr. Archer." She lied easily enough, hoping it sounded convincing.
"Really?" He inquired dubiously. "Why would a grunt of your status be requested by Executive Archer?"
Brie swallowed hard, trying to think of a possible reason. She settled on the only one that seemed believable for her apparently low rank.
"Disciplinary action." She muttered, feigning shame. "I was partly responsible for the incident earlier, and he requested that I pay him a visit to go over the consequences of my failure."
This answer seemed more than satisfactory as the man's eyes widened slightly and he fell silent for a moment.
"Damn, you're cruising for a bruising, kid." He stated. "Archer is going to rip you a new one."
Brie averted her gaze, trying to convey a false sense of concern.
"Whatever he decides, just take it with as much grace as you can muster." The Rocket grunt said while turning on his heel. "The more you show your weakness, the harsher the punishment. Or so I've heard."
"R-Right." She grimaced slightly, holding in a scoff until the man disappeared from view, leaving her to continue her wandering.
The further she descended into the subterranean hideout, the more overwhelming her undertaking felt. While her disguise provided her with a slight sense of assurance, the level of security present throughout surprised her. Certain rooms were off limits without a card key, and she imagined those were the areas that provoked further investigation. In addition to this obstacle, the second and third levels of the basement headquarters were littered with spin tiles that sent her sliding in different directions, making it difficult for her to traverse the hallways.
"What the hell . . .?" One grunt thought aloud upon seeing Brie forcefully spun around, sending her flying toward a wall, where she promptly steadied herself by pushing against it with her flattened palms. "Quit messing around and return to your post, grunt!"
"I'm sorry." She groaned, hoping she was still somewhat convincing. "I need to report to Mr. Archer, but I lost my card key and I can't seem to stop stepping on these tiles."
"Damn rookies." The older Rocket mumbled under his breath just loud enough for Brie to hear while retrieving his own from inside his pant pocket. "They're more trouble than they're worth."
Abrielle smiled internally, pleased to see her facade had worked. As the man proceeded to slide his card key into the reader next to the elevator she made her move, giving him a swift blow to the stomach with her knee while stepping down hard on his foot. With a yelp he dropped the card and staggered backward, giving Brie her opening to thoroughly trounce him. Cubone forced itself out of its pokéball and landed a powerful WHACK with its bone club, knocking the man unconscious. Abrielle gasped slightly, surprised at how fierce the tiny ground-type pokémon had become since it had departed from Lavender Town with her. Smiling appreciatively, she gestured for it to return until she needed it once more, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself, but thankful for its support all the same.
The moment the elevator door opened and sounded with a DING Abrielle stepped inside. She had been able to explore three floors thus far, but hadn't located Archer, which meant that there was likely another floor she hadn't been able to access. The display revealed a button labeled BF4, and she knew immediately that her hunch had been correct. Pressing it firmly, she exhaled deeply as it descended and did her best to calm her nerves. As the elevator slowed and came to a halt, the DING was like an alarm sounding in her ears.
This was it.
Stepping out with as much composure and resolve as she could muster, Brie looked around. There were several grunts standing guard on the way to what she assumed was the room where Archer was waiting for her. Hearing his voice as he spoke with someone else confirmed her suspicions and she narrowed her eyes.
Taking a few steps toward the room, she wasn't surprised by the fact the grunts standing guard seemed suspicious of her. As she reiterated the same story she had shared previously, some of the Rockets seemed convinced, but others remained dubious.
"Hold on a second." One of them addressed her while gesturing for her to wait there while he checked in with Archer himself. Disappearing behind the door leading into the office, Brie shifted her weight on her feet, trying to act casual. When the man reappeared he cleared his throat.
"Follow me."
Brie did as she was instructed and had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself grounded. Rage was boiling beneath the surface, and more than anything, she wanted to release her pokémon and tell them to have at it, destroying everyone and everything in their way. She wanted every last Team Rocket operative gone, and while she knew she had to be methodical about the way she proceeded, it became increasingly difficult to rein in her desire to thoroughly destroy them when she was once again face to face with her parents' killer.
And he wasn't alone.
There was another man sitting on the couch who had been speaking to him, hands clasped together neatly as he leaned forward in his seat and eyed Brie curiously. Something was very unsettling about him, and she reminded herself that the main target was the teal-haired monster quirking an eyebrow as she entered – the other man would be collateral damage.
"This had better be important for you to interrupt us." Archer practically hissed in annoyance. "As you can see, I'm in the middle of an important meeting . . ."
Before the Rocket Executive could finish his sentence Brie threw a pokéball into the air, releasing her Scyther. Quirking an eyebrow in surprise, Archer quickly made the connection and smirked.
"My, my . . . you never disappoint." He seethed while crossing his arms in front of his chest. "You truly are a sucker for punishment."
"Did you honestly think I would let you escape?" Brie spat angrily as her Scyther sharpened its bladed appendages. "As you mentioned earlier, we have unfinished business. And I refuse to step foot out of here until you've been thoroughly defeated."
The man sitting on the couch looked on in silence as if gauging the situation. He seemed completely unfazed by Abrielle's fervid desire to engage in a battle with his subordinate, and watched the scene ensuing with anticipation.
A dark chuckle passed between Archer's lips as he looked on tauntingly, releasing his golbat once more. "Now, now Abrielle don't get too audacious. You wouldn't want to repeat your father's mistake, now would you?"
"SHUT UP!" She exclaimed, causing the other man's eyes to widen slightly in response to this outburst. He expression seemed calculating, but he was in fact trying to make sense of the situation as he continued to look on in silence.
"Hmph, fine." The Rocket Executive acquiesced, thoroughly pleased with himself to have gotten under her skin so easily. "We'll let our pokémon do the talking. Golbat, use bite!"
"Scyther, dodge and use fury cutter!"
The dual bug/flying type was fast and fierce as it attacked in frantic, but precise waves. Each successive hit was harder than the previous, and the golbat – despite its aerodynamic movements – was quickly defeated. At this Archer grunted in annoyance before releasing his next pokémon, which was one Brie didn't recognize. It's body was shades of red and orange, and bright flames seemed to be igniting on its tail and head. It exhaled a brief flame from its mouth as it eyed Scyther.
What the hell is that? She thought while promptly retrieving her Pokédex from her satchel.
"Magmar, the spitfire pokémon. In battle, Magmar blows out intensely hot flames from all over its body to intimidate its opponent. This Pokémon's fiery bursts create heat waves that ignite grass and trees in its surroundings."
That doesn't sound good.
"Scyther, return!" Brie called to her partner, but much to her surprise, her usually obedient pokémon jumped away from the oncoming red light from the pokéball clenched in her hand. "I said, return!" She tried again, rewarded with the same result as before.
What are you doing? She thought in a panic, feeling shaken up by the foreboding chuckle passing between Archer's lips.
"Oh my, it seems your scyther refuses to be controlled." Cupping his chin in his hand he added, "It seems that your brazen spirit has rubbed off onto it. This will be an easy victory for me."
"Scyther . . ." Abrielle breathed, unsure as to why her strongest teammate ignored her commands until she saw it lunge toward the Rocket Executive and landed a direct hit, slashing at the sleeve of his uniform. Within seconds he fell to his knees as he released a groan, a dark crimson starting to spread through the white clothing. Brie was speechless as she stared on with wide eyes, shock paralyzing her.
It attacked him directly . . .
"You . . . !" Archer hissed while returning to a stand. "I'll reduce you to a scorched carcass! Magmar, flamethrower – NOW!"
The fire-type Pokémon released a cry as blazing flames shot across the field.
"Scyther, dodge!" Brie shouted, but it seemed too late as her partner disappeared behind a wall of red and orange.
Damn it!
"Scyther!"
Suddenly, the flames began to spin into a funnel-like shape, whipping around Archer's magmar like a ring of fire. Brie stared on in awe as her Scyther seemed to be deflecting the flames from around using what appeared to be swords dance.
Incredible . . .
"How is this possible?" Archer gawked, losing his composure as he continued to clutch his injured arm with his hand. "Magmar, break through and use fire punch!"
"Scyther, evade and use double-edge!"
The dual bug/flying-type did as it was instructed, easily leaping out of range and spiraling toward Archer's magmar with substantial speed and force. The fire pokémon recoiled a bit from the impact and seemed to stagger a bit as it took a few steps away.
"For fuck's sake, FINISH IT!" The Rocket Executive roared. "Fire blast, now!"
"Double team!" Brie shouted while keeping the pressure going, sensing Archer's unease. "Then follow up with take down!"
Scyther's speed allowed it to practically dance circles around the magmar. Type advantages aside, it became clear almost instantly which pokémon had the upper hand. The man on the couch watched on with amusement and surprise, completely unfazed by his subordinate's weakness. When Archer's fire-type finally collapsed, Brie clenched her fists and tried to still her heart, which was threatening to burst through her chest.
"Shit." The Rocket Executive hissed as he returned his magmar. "Don't think for even a minute that you've won. I'm prepared this time." He smirked while erupting into a cryptic laughter while releasing his electrode. "I don't care if I have to blow up everything within a 25 mile radius, I will bring you to your knees!" Gesturing for his electric-type to launch an attack, which she imagined was either explosion or self-destruct based on his wording, she ordered Scyther to brace itself. It turned out that she hadn't needed to concern herself with Archer's words – in an instant they had become little more than an empty threat.
"Enough." The man seated on the couch finally spoke, his voice resolute and sharp like the crack of a whip, causing both his subordinate and Abrielle to flinch slightly. Standing up and proceeding over toward his employee with a disapproving grimace, he sighed. "Your performance was utter blasphemy, Archer. I expected much better out of someone appointed to a position such as yours." Shaking his head in disgust he added, "How embarrassing. You've made a mockery out of Team Rocket, and by extension . . . me."
Brie felt her stomach do a flip flop inside as a shudder rippled through her body. She had no idea that the man Archer had been talking to was his boss. She imagined it was a business partner or something. Was this man standing before her truly the leader of the entire Rocket organization?
As if reading her mind the man in question stepped past his soon to be demoted executive and stopped once he was merely a few feet away, acutely aware of the defensive stance Brie's Scyther had taken in front of her. He merely smirked knowingly.
"That's quite an impressive pokémon you have there."
Abrielle offered no verbal reply, but continued to stare the man down with as much resolve as she could muster, anger fighting off the weakness in her knees as the adrenaline from the battle started to wear off just in time for more to take its place.
"You must have a lot of promise to run circles around my grunts, let alone Archer." Placing his hands in the pockets of his dress slacks he smirked. "I heard how you forced them out of Lavender Town, and even bounced back from being poisoned rather quickly. That's quite a feat for someone as young as yourself."
"Who are you?" Brie finally asked, eyes narrowing intensely as she clenched her teeth and found her voice.
Quirking an eyebrow curiously he replied rather curtly. "Is that a rhetorical question? I imagine it's rather obvious to someone as shrewd as yourself."
"I need to hear it." She retorted while releasing her remaining Pokémon, readying all of them to launch a powerful simultaneous attack. "Tell me!"
The leader of Team Rocket combed back his dark hair as he sighed tiredly. "Such petulance." He hummed as if bothered, but truthfully he was rather amused. This entire conversation had been an unexpected, but welcomed one, it seemed, and Abrielle couldn't begin to understand why the man was talking to her with such a pleasant demeanor. "My name is Giovanni, and I am the leader of Team Rocket."
"That's all I needed to hear . . ." She breathed, steadying herself before ordering for her pokémon to attack him all at once.
Almost instantly a flurry of light and smoke surrounded him as the barrage of attacks made contact with him . . . or so it appeared. As the clouds dissipated, Brie could make out a large winding silhouette looming around him, groaning lowly as it seemed to unaffected from the onslaught of hits it had jut endured.
An onix . . .
Brie immediately made the connection, recalling how the massive tunnel had appeared in the room where Archer had been interrogating her, enabling him to make his getaway.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, it would be unwise to cross me as you are now." He leered while gesturing to his behemoth rock snake pokémon. "Despite Archer's former status placing him directly below me, it would be an insult to assume his skills in battle come anywhere close to mine."
Abrielle saw the now demoted Rocket slunk down further to the floor, his pride wounded and sense of worth essentially shattered. She felt herself begin to tremble slightly at the apparent strength of this man named Giovanni. She refused to back down, though.
"How could you do this to innocent people?" At this he raised an eyebrow, face no longer smug as if he was truly considering her words. "To me and my family?"
Hardly a beat passed between them before Giovanni offered a response, his tone devoid of any sentiment, though the look he wore seemed to imply remorse.
"It was nothing personal, I assure you." He stated flatly. "Your parents just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyone who stands in our way is dealt with swiftly, regardless of who they are, although I will say that I did not order Archer or any of my grunts to deliberately kill anyone. Your family, along with many others, were unfortunate collateral damage in the grand scheme of things."
At that moment, Brie felt the bile rise up into her throat and burn her. Nothing the man said made her hate him any less. If anything, the callous, indifferent manner in which he addressed her loss only infuriated her even more.
"It was personal to me." She shot back. "And to everyone else whose lives you ruined. What are you even hoping to accomplish by doing this? What could you possibly see as a worthy enterprise at the expense of so many lives, people and pokémon alike?"
At this the Team Rocket boss began to chuckle, a low rumble in his chest that sounded menacing. "A mere child, even one as bright as yourself, could never hope to comprehend the magnitude of the vision I have for the world." He countered brusquely. "But if you must know, I'll tell you. Put simply, I seek power. Lots of it. Enough to take over the world and remake it in my image."
"You're a mad man." Brie breathed, struggling to keep her composure. "Absolutely mad."
Giovanni shook his head dismissively. "Power is something all humans want, but only a select few attain. Life is the embodiment of the mantra 'survival of the fittest.' All pokémon exist for the benefit of man, and I plan to assemble a legion of the strongest pokémon in existence. No one will oppose me."
"I will." She exclaimed while gesturing for her team to launch another attack at him, which was easily blocked by the sturdy rock wall created by his onix's tail shielding him from the hits. "I'll never stop fighting. No matter how long it takes, I will defeat you!"
The leader of Team Rocket no longer appeared amused as his eyes narrowed and his jawline tensed. "Is that a threat?" Raising his hand into the air, he signaled for his Onix to ready itself to go on the offensive.
"It's a promise."
"Hmph, foolish child. I'll show you what happens when you get in our way. Prepare to feel the true power of Team Rocket!" Without a moment's hesitation he added, "Onix, use rage!"
"Everyone, dodge quickly!"
The speed at which the gigantic dual rock/ground-type moved had perplexed Brie and her pokémon, causing many of them to take the hit and recoil slightly.
Shit.
"Pidgeotto, sand attack! Growlithe, use fire spin! Cubone, bonemerang! Scyther, get ready to use fury cutter!"
While Brie did well to coordinate her attacks, the Onix was far stronger and higher leveled, making it difficult to land effective hits while constantly dodging attacks like rock throw and rage, which were being used almost simultaneously.
"Time to finish this . . ." Giovanni mused while smirking at Brie's exhausted team trying to hold their ground.
Just then Archer, who had been silent since his defeat at her hands, heard a panicking voice speak into the walkie talkie. Retrieving it, he held it up to his ear and listened for a moment before his eyes widened slightly and he spoke up.
"Master Giovanni, the local authorities have somehow become aware of our location." He grunted while eyeing Brie suspiciously before returning his attention to his boss. "They've started making their way through the hideout, sir. What shall I tell the grunts? They won't be able to hold them off indefinitely."
The fearsome leader of Team Rocket seemed calculating as he studied Brie, although his mind was occupied elsewhere upon hearing the news. "How unfortunate . . . for me." He offered finally while returning his onix, a small insidious smirk tugging at his lips as he shot Brie a look that made her skin crawl. "It would appear that luck is in your favor this time. I suggest you don't take it for granted . . . Abrielle, was it?"
Brie grimaced as he turned on his heel, about to yell at him to stay and finish the battle but froze upon hearing his chilling final words.
"I advise you to rethink your overzealous quest to stand in the way of Team Rocket. Should we cross paths again, you won't be afforded a second chance to walk away. I will assume you have seriously considered all possible outcomes brought about by your actions. You're an intelligent child, I'm sure you can ascertain what will happen if you continue down this path of idealistic vengeance upon me. You may find yourself reuniting with your family sooner than you expect."
And with that, he proceeded to leave the office, Archer trailing behind him.
"Wait!" Brie called out while attempting to pursue both of them, but sensing the fatigue from her pokémon and not wanting to force them to endure anymore from an opponent that, as much as she hated to admit it, was clearly much stronger than her, she let go of the possibility of stopping them at that moment. Anger and pain aside, she needed to be clear-headed rather than allow her emotions to cloud her judgment, as difficult as it was to do so.
Recalling her pokémon, she prayed that the police had managed to apprehend some of them, but she wasn't foolish enough to think that they had captured Giovanni or Archer. She was positive those monsters had found a way to escape, and it grated on her every nerve.
I'll find them. She swore to herself as she made her way through the hideout, only to be found by Officer Jenny and several other cops who initially thought she was a rocket until proven otherwise, the footage within the hideout revealing how she had disguised herself and attempted to infiltrate the lair. When Brie questioned how they knew about the Game Corner Officer Jenny smiled knowingly.
Having been notified by Erika that she had enlisted the help of a strong pokémon trainer to investigate the supposed source of suspicious activity that had been going on recently, she had formed a small squadron and decided to verify the status of the trainer, which they learned quickly was Brie. Needless to say they were surprised and relieved to see she appeared okay, but urged her to report to the local Pokémon Center for a quick check. When Brie told them she had already been checked, Officer Jenny shook her head indignantly. Not having the energy to argue the matter, she complied.
Once again, Nurse Joy checked over her and her pokémon. Despite the minor injuries she had incurred in her affairs, the true pain was knowing she wasn't strong enough yet.
I have to get stronger if I have any chance at destroying Team Rocket. Her mind screamed as Nurse Joy gestured for her to come closer to do a quick exam, checking her vitals and such while Chansey retrieved her pokéballs and led them to the restoration machine. Remembering the criminal syndicate leader's words led her to close her eyes to keep the tears from spilling out.
"I seek power."
Power is something all humans want . . .
I plan to assemble a legion of the strongest pokémon in existence.
Her hands clenching at the fabric of her leggings started to tremble slightly, and she could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
Failure isn't an option – I have to stop them, no matter the cost.
Sleep did not come easily to Abrielle, despite the physical and mental exhaustion she was experiencing from the trials of the day. She felt shaken by her inability to stop the Rockets, angry at herself for not being strong enough to defeat their leader, and heartbroken by the great lengths her pokémon had gone to ensure her safety when he do the same. If they weren't strong enough to take down Giovanni's onix then it was her fault, not theirs, and she briefly wondered if perhaps she wasn't as capable as others had painted her to be.
Suddenly, Growlithe popped out of its pokéball and curled itself against her in a reassuring manner. Brie spooned the puppy pokémon and closed her eyes in an effort to keep her tears from spilling down her cheeks. The fire-type remained silent and calm as it hoped to soothe its trainer. Its eyes wandered around the room aimlessly and settled on the small glimmer of orange and yellow peeking out of from inside of the satchel. It stared knowingly until Brie's breathing became deeper before finally closing its eyes and falling asleep beside her.
