"Ash! Serena! My office, now!" The two scurried from their obstacle course running to Boa's requested location. The door already open the two nearly tripped over each other to get inside. Hearing the door shut behind them they stood as rigid as possible wondering what they did to earn his wrath.
"Sir!" Boa seeing them in person checked their time for coming here. They didn't slack off in their physical conditioning not panting or sweating despite having run the course earlier.
The two took on the classes and lessons with an attention he considered unnatural. Serena despite knowing she had feeling for her partner was cut out of the same mold absorbing the needs to be a good agent in rapid pace. It seems that the more good they are they more evil and loyal they'd become after the Ally Switch treatment.
"Stand at ease." The tone in his voice changing the two suspected whatever happened they weren't the cause of his anger. They lowered their arms next to their side. This being their resting position in front of a higher up they waited for their commander to calm down until he spoke up.
"Both of you will be send on a training assignment. There's a wild Drowsee on this island I want you to catch. Blend in back in society on the island and get it." Boa giving them a small mission to test their abilities since he felt comfortable enough to let the two out of the compound and perform a job for him.
"Understood sir!"
Keeping their salute until Boa dismissed them this left Ash and Serena alone who went back to their rooms and dressed in the clothes they had discarded when changing them for their academy uniforms. Now dressed in their civilian clothes again they already started to miss the feeling of their Team Rocket uniforms. Wanting to get this over and done with so they can slip back into it they collected their Pokémon and headed to the forest where supposedly the Pokémon Boa told them to catch is located.
"Where can it be?" Serena looking over the whole place willing to own that Pokémon as soon as possible. Pointing her Pokedex in every type of bush for a clue of the Psychic type nothing came up. Blaming her non success on failing technology she wished she had a state of the art Rocket dex with her.
"Serena. I need your help." Ash saying something Serena wasn't in the mood.
"Can this wait?" Serena annoyed thinking that he should know better. This was unnecessary communication during the assignment which she didn't need.
"It's crucial."
"What Ash?" Stomping her boot down she turned around frowning at him. Seeing the look on his face spelled trouble. He looked sad for some reason and she couldn't figure out why.
"I want to leave." He said which she forgot her current assignment altogether.
"You what?" Her voice low and emotionless she felt a bit hurt.
"I want to leave Team Rocket." She started to stare at him. A frown coming over her usually happy face Serena started to question his motives filled with detest.
"You're betraying the boss? You know what happens to deserters." Trying to get through to her he pleaded.
"Serena. This isn't you. Remember our journey through Kalos. All the Showcases and Contests you competed in, the friends you made. Just help me get Pikachu and the others back. Then we can escape and rescue Iris too."
"Escape?" Hollowing out with laughter it might scare away the Pokémon she was send to catch away but she could care less at this moment. It seemed her partner fell back into old habits and she wasn't going to stand for it.
"Are you crazy? Even if you do escape they will not do a thing you say! They belong to Team Rocket! You handed them over just like I did! Get it through your head twerp!"
Her training and devotion speaking for her, Serena did not suffer under his words of betrayal. Ash paid the price the moment he stopped heir plans for domination and he got chosen for recruitment like herself. Together with Iris and her upcoming partner they were supposed to be the blueprint for the next generation of elite agents serving the boss his will. Him giving it up to return to his old life was something she could not fathom after being educated properly.
"What about our friends? Clemont, Bonnie? This isn't us!"
"They mean nothing to me. And neither do you anymore."
"Even that kiss at the airport? I know you love me."
At his words she started staring at the ground. Figuring it was a ploy she slowly walked to him closing the distance between them. Ash opening his arms to let her in for a hug she looked up and smirked to him. Snatching it from his waist she jumped back a few feet with all his Pokémon were now out of reach for him making him an easy target to dispose off.
"My belt!" Reaching out she already created enough distance.
"The Ash I love would never turn his back on me! And have you forgotten a part of the motto? To denounce the evil of truth and love. For betraying Team Rocket I denounce you Ash Ketchum!"
Protocol claimed that all traitors will be brought back for processing at the facility so that Boa can give suitable punishments. Taking a Pokeball from his belt she was going to enjoy dishing out a little punishment herself before her teacher could start. Releasing Pikachu from its Pokeball the Electric type had a dark look on its face. Serena smiled while Ash was trying to reason with it. All reason left Pikachu when Ash pushed and abused it to be as emotionless as possible like the tool he's changed into.
"Since you love your Pikachu so much I'm giving you a goodbye gift to remember him by."
"Don't!" He pleaded again but with a smirk on her face dissolved the partnership.
"Use Thunder!" Firing an electric shock that wasn't holding any mercy Ash screamed in pain. Falling over like a lump of bricks losing the ability to stand Serena could see that his clothes were singed and smoking. She walked over to him and put a boot on his back in superiority having him under her heel.
"You should've known your place twerp." The feeling of imposing your will on others satisfying greatly she now got what the appeal of power and control really is. No wonder the boss was so ambitious to get more of it. Maybe if she performed her missions better she could bask in his glory.
Tying up the boy who's supposed to be her partner Serena felt nothing for him at that point. He chose to escape from the academy after the weeks of training they did together promising that they would be some of the boss his best agents. With that idea ruined now she'd take pleasure into handing him over so the higher ups can punish him accordingly.
She called out her Walrein which she caught during her journey through Hoenn and tied a rope which she carried used it to tie her former partner up to one of its tusks. With him secured tightly with no way out she started to give him the treatment he deserved for defecting.
"Drag him through the mud."
The giant Ice type started walking dragging the boy started to wake up and protest trying to break through her mental training for a clue of the old Serena.
"Serena. Let go off me! They brainwashed you! I broke out! I know you can do…MMPH!"
Removing one of her gloves she stuffed in the boys mouth getting weary of his constant whining. With the grades he has in the academy he should know better. Looking down on his filthy clothes she found him a disgrace that he got to carry the R on his chest. The symbol tainted by this do-gooder she wanted to silence him. The only upside to it was he wasn't wearing it or his outfit might be used for someone more deserving of his spot. If not she'd burn it personally to remove the scent of him on it and erase any presence of him entirely.
"Shut it Ash! You know the punishment for defying the boss! You brought this on yourself!" Ordering her Walrein to freeze the boy's mouth shut gagged with her glove in his mouth. He still made sounds trying to get through to her but Serena claimed she wasn't going to be a criminal but a Performer.
Repeating her earlier statements that she belonged to him now and that nobody is going to stop her from being any use to Giovanni Ash stopped his struggling and just seemed to accept his faith. Serena finally feeling pleased with herself hoped that bringing in a traitor will put a nice shine on her when the boss asked Boa for her progress. Feelings or not no one will stand up against Team Rocket without suffering for it.
Serena and her Walrein arrived at the HQ. Still dragging the boy all other grunts looked at the two strangely. Serena requesting a grunt to get Boa for her wanted to hand over Ash herself. Storming past the grunts he saw the partners having had a fight with the girl coming out on top. Serena not wearing her uniform yet stood straight and saluted him.
"What is the meaning of this!?"
"Sir! Excuse me for failing my mission but I encountered this traitor. He planned to defect from Team Rocket and expose our hideout here. I neutralized him so he can be punished accordingly."
Boa looking over Ash all beat up and out of shape he couldn't be more pleased with Serena's actions.
"Well done recruit. Follow me with your prisoner. I shall punish him accordingly." Turning around he had another message for the rest of the people in the compound.
"For the rest of you grunts this is what happens to traitors and slackers! Back to work!" All of the lesser grunts hurrying back to any duty they laid down to see the girl drag her partner back having fear of the same fate that awaited slackers. While dragging the boy inside Boa had to know something.
"You don't feel remorse for selling out your friend?"
"There are no friends. Just allies and enemies." Serena telling Boa there's only two sides to her now.
"And people you can exploit to get what you want." She said as well fully endorsing the Team Rocket mindset still eager to prove she belonged here. Seemingly pleased with her answer Boa gave her a minor order which she gladly would fulfill.
"Serena. Return into your uniform while I'll take him aside."
"Understood sir." Serena left Boa alone with Ash. Going back to her room she changed out of her normal clothes back into the blue academy uniform. Checking her presence in the mirror her outfit was presentable.
"Serena?"
Seeing Iris in her red uniform she was back from her way of the department technology and gadgets. Being raised more as an outdoor girl Iris needed extra hours to develop a knack for robotics and any type of machinery presentable to all Team Rocket members. If a gadget jammed during a mission she should be able to repair it to a degree that it's useable again.
"What did I hear? Did Ash betray us?" Not being present at the entrance because she worked on mechanics Iris asked if the story is true.
"He did. He desired desertion." Serena telling the events in the forest Iris took it all in herself.
"Once a kid, always a kid."
"Are you coming with me to see how Boa is going to punish him?" Serena anticipating and imagining what the teacher is up too right now. Maybe some electrical therapy with Pikachu or a couple of burn marks courtesy of one of his Fire types. Whatever it is Ash deserved all of it.
"I love too. But Boa asked me to accompany the units that are responsible for enlistment. He wants me there when my partner is recruited so we can get to know each other there and then so we immediately can get started on our return here."
"Who is it?"
"That information is classified." Serena dropped the subject immediately knowing Iris will not speak any further. She get to meet him when the Dragon type trainer completed her mission.
"Understood. Good luck with your assignment."
"Be extra rough on the twerp ok?"
The girls saluted each other and went on their way to their destinations. The door to Boa's office opened and Serena saw Ash standing up across Boa's desk untied until with his Pokeballs back around his waist. Serena already reaching for her Pokeballs just in case Ash did something stupid and dare to attack Boa she was going to protect the instructor at all cost.
"Sir! Get away!" Boa raised his hand gesturing her to stand down.
"You sure know how to tie a good knot." Ash praising her for bringing him in Serena was at a loss for words. Seeing the stunned look on her face Boa explained the situation.
"This was a test of loyalty for you. I'm well aware of your emotions to him. Ash told it himself." Seeing the blank stare on his face Ash did not move a muscle himself not regretting his actions in telling her biggest secret.
"Your feelings for him could get in the way of your missions. That's why we created a scenario in which it seems your partner defected from our organization. Your job is more important than your feelings and you've proven yourself both able to prioritize the correct one."
"Steal Pokémon. Exploit Pokémon. All Pokémon exist for the glory of Team Rocket! All hail Team Rocket! All hail Giovanni!"
Ash saying the team's motivation the way she's used too from him she eased a bit. Now with Ash still on her side she didn't feel bad about hurting him. He knew the penalty for desertion and took the risk himself volunteering for this mission. If he really deserted he would've experienced worse at the hands of the instructor.
"Proceed to the medical bay to treat your injuries and clear up any misunderstanding. Proceed with your training the day after your medical check up barring any complications in your condition. Dismissed!"
"Yes sir!" Both saying it with the same vigor Ash went to the medical bay with Serena next to him. The walk between them was quiet since they had nothing to discuss which Ash made no excuses for what he did to her.
"I don't regret what I did. Orders are orders."
"Correct. Orders are orders."
Serena telling him it's understandable what he did. Anything that compromises the mission's success should be eradicated. Luckily Ash did not receive any major injuries but still the doctor advised him to take the day off which he ignored and went to work on less psychical tasks like disguises and acting together with a person he knows is as committed as he is.
Still working on other stuff but here's another to keep you guys happy.
Later.