Author's note:

I know this one's short- but I'm feeling bad because I posted really long chapters as of late. Sooo here's a short one.

Take care!

Chapter 10: Outplayed

"What're you trying to pull?" Marie asked the two hooded men standing in front of her. "Let's say I do tell you where Quinton is. Then what will you do? Talk to him to have him join our side?"

"What we do afterwards is none of your concern." Aiden said. "Just tell us where he is, and no one gets hurt."

"...I've got a better idea," Marie said, brandishing her Pokeball and dropping it beside her to release her Pichu. Pichu jumped onto all fours as electricity bounced from its red cheeks. Marie glared at the two men as she activated her Invoker and cracked her knuckles as she approached. "Instead of telling you where Quinton is, how about I kick both of your butts and make you tell me?"

Aiden grit his teeth as his partner took several steps back.

"Uh- Uh..!" Zennon looked ready to panic.

"You don't want to do that," Aiden said. "Your friend could be in danger. We have her, remember?"

Marie cracked her neck.

"I'll have you tell me where she is in five minutes," Marie said. "Ten, tops."

"Tch-.." Aiden said.

"We only have a Abra with us..!" Zennon cried. "Did the boss really expect us to threaten Marie with just an Abra..!?"

"No. I didn't."

Everyone in the area nearly gasped once a fourth voice entered the picture. A balding old man with white hair, a wrinkled face and a creased brow stole everyone's attention. He wore a white suit jacket without a shirt- only his bare chest was visible past it. He wore a white suit pants and white leather shoes.

"B-Boss?!" Zennon cried.

"So you're the one behind all of this!" Marie cried. The boss placed one hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

"Hello. I am Leonard Aldrich. You may call me Aldrich. You must be Marie." The man said. Marie felt a chill run down her spine.

"Where's Anastasia?!" Marie roared.

"All will be told in due time," Aldrich said. "First, you will tell me Quinton's whereabouts."

"Why do you want him!?" Marie cried. The old man's lips curved into a wide smile. He extended his arms in an embrace.

"I wish to become god," Aldrich said, "And pass my power to Quinton once I've found him."

"What?!" Marie cried. "Why!?"

"Ever since his beginning, I have watched him. He won battles without effort, without care. He is, without a doubt, the king of this world. The king that this world deserves!" The man's eyes widened as though he were speaking to a god that descended upon him as he stared up at the sky. "He is omnipotence given form! He is the god of this world! His skill is unparalleled! He will descend and smite the world with his excellence! With his greatness, he will twist this world into new form!" Aldrich slowly lowered his head and arms. He brought his hands into his pockets and smiled. "That is why I want him." He concluded.

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble," Marie said. "But I'm not telling you where he is! Besides, I'm certain he'll say no to your offer anyway!"

"No?!" Aldrich said. "That's so ludicrous that I could laugh! Quinton wouldn't do that. We both know he desires power! And I am the one who will give it to him!" He shot his finger at Marie. "You will tell me where Quinton is, or I will force the information from you! That, or I will personally torture that girl!"

"You'll do no such thing...!" Marie cried. She entered a battle stance, and Aldrich narrowed his eyes.

"You're making a grave mistake," The old man said. "Tell me where Quinton is, and I bring you the girl. Simple."

"No! Just shut up!" Marie cried. She knew it would be easier to just tell him where Quinton was- but something in her mind was telling her- no, screaming at her not to do it.

Because there was a chance Quinton could say yes and go back to his old ways. This would stop right here, right now.

"H-Hey.. Boss…" Zennon said. "You're not really considering-"

"Step back. Both of you." Aldrich said. "This won't take long." He pulled his suit jacket sleeve to reveal his Invoker, which was shaped as a watch. He pressed the symbol on the watch, and his entire body shone with an intense light. Both of the man's henchmen gasped once Aldrich's armor engaged.

"Le-Let's get out of here!" Zennon cried.

"Yeah- for once I agree with you..!" Aiden and Zennon hurriedly ran off.

"Come! Roserade!" Aldrich threw his Pokéball, and Roserade came out with a battle cry. Aldrich's armor gleamed with a purple and green light, indicating its synchronization with his Pokémon.

"Let's go!" Marie went on all fours along with Pichu. The both of them burst with electricity before sending themselves after Aldrich. Both of their bodies slowly transformed into lightning as they merged together into a larger bolt of lightning. The lightning stream began circling the old circle began to enclose on Aldrich and his Roserade, but despite this, he remained calm. The man's eyes shot back and forth, watching the electricity carefully. Then, suddenly, he thrust his hand at the lightning stream, and somehow, managed to grab Marie by the neck and lift her off her feet. Pichu flew away as though he were knocked back. His paws and feet dragged across the floor as he noticed his trainer was in danger.

"Ugh..!" Marie tried hard to break his grasp and squirmed about.

"Time for me to use Toxic.." Aldrich said. An explosion of toxic energy rose around Marie as though it were an aura, and her entire body stiffened. The blonde could feel the poison in her body.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Pichu should have been poisoned instead of her.

"You..! How..!?" Marie cried."How did you manage… to poison me!?"

"You're a former champion of Houen- I thought you knew what Poison is."

"But...! I'm wearing invoker armor; I shouldn't be poisoned! The armor's supposed to prevent poisoning!"

"I have technology that ignores your invoker armor," Aldrich said. "Any damage I inflict goes to you, instead of your Pokémon."

"Piiichu!" Pichu roared as he darted over to save his trainer. At that moment, Roserade leapt and kicked Pichu away. As Pichu caught itself in midair, he glared furiously at Roserade, who stood in his way.

Aldrich shoved Marie's body into the ground. The crash was strong enough to leave behind a crater. Marie's body trembled as purple spots appeared on her skin. Despite the poison seeping into her veins, she glared furiously at the old man who had her by the neck.

"Now, let's continue from where we left off," Aldrich spoke as though they were having a normal conversation. "Where is Quinton?"

"I'll… never tell you..!"

"I wonder what will fade first..?" Aldrich said. A sickening, sadistic grin came to his face. "Your strength, or your will, after I use Venoshock..!?" Aldrich's fingers dug deeper into Marie's throat as the poison worsened. Marie cried out in pain as the veins on her body became visible and very purple. She tried helplessly to strike the old man, but her punches were growing very weak.

"PICHU!" Pichu tried leaping to save Marie once again, only for Roserade to leap after him and smack him back onto the ground.

"Tell me… where Quinton is…" Aldrich said. He started snickering a bit, as though he were enjoying himself.

"...Fine..!" Marie cried. "Fine..! He- He's in jail..! Back in Sinnoh..!"

Aldrich smiled with satisfaction. He then released Marie, turned and walked away. Pichu and Roserade were still going at it- The electric type lunged after Roserade only for the grass type to dodge. Pichu's attacks were just out of reach every time, and Roserade was snickering to itself. As Pichu closed in for an attack, Roserade was returned to its Pokéball, and Pichu's attack missed. Pichu quickly spun to his downed trainer and ran to her.

Aldrich approached his two henchmen. Aiden's eyes were squarely on his boss, while Zennon's eyes were watching Marie with worry.

"I will be sure to give you both a promotion," Aldrich said.

"Y-Yes sir..!" Aiden said.

"Hey- What about Marie!?" Zennon cried. "We can't just leave her there!"

"Why not?" Aldrich said. "She is worthless to me now. It matters not to me what happens to her. Let us be on our way." The boss began walking away.

"Ugh..!" Marie said, coughing loudly and violently. Her eyes were closed. Pichu watched in helplessness, for he had no idea how to help his trainer, and he was starting to cry. Aiden gave one last glance to Marie before leaving. Zennon looked at the champion in worry and rushed to her side. Pichu spun around once he came near and glared furiously at him. Electricity sparked from his cheeks as he went on all fours, ready to strike.

"Hey- Hey!" Zennon cried. "I'm here to help! I promise!" Pichu hesitated, and Zennon used that moment of hesitation to run past the Pokémon. He quickly crouched and pulled out an antidote from his pocket and sprayed it on Marie. Soon, the purple spots and her visible purple veins began to fade away. Marie groaned as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Huh..?" Marie turned her head to Zennon.

"Oh- thank goodness, you're okay!" He cried. He sighed a breath of relief.

"Why… are you helping me..?" Marie asked. Zennon's face became red as he suddenly panicked.

"Er- Well, that's because...!" Zennon shook his head quickly and adjusted his glasses as he looked away. "That's because the boss was a little too rough on you, you know? I uh… felt a little bad."

"Where's Anastasia...?" Marie asked. "Where are you keeping her?"

"I…" Zennon lowered his head. After a brief silence, he sighed. "...I'm not supposed to let her out without the boss's permission. But- I swear, if he doesn't let her out by tomorrow morning, I'll personally break her out and bring her to you."

"Really...?" Marie asked.

"Y-Yeah.." Zennon said. "Ugh.. I'm risking my neck for this… but yeah- really. I promise."

"...Okay." Marie said. "It's not like I have any other choice but to take your word for it... Ugh!" Marie attempted to get up, and both Zennon and Pichu raised their hands in worry.

"Hey- stop!" Zennon cried.

"Pi-..! Pichu!" Pichu shouted.

"...It's going to be a while until I can get up again..." Marie said. "Hey… what's your name again?"

"My name? Uh- It's Zennon."

"Zennon…I don't know if you're telling the truth or not… but if you are… it's very sweet of you."

Zennon froze up.

"Y-Yeah!" He cried. "Uh- Anyway- Uh, I'm… I'll get out of here, for now, okay? I'll- I'll be back by tomorrow if the boss doesn't let her out! I promise, okay?! We'll meet right here, same place!"

"Okay.." Marie said. "I'm… going to lay down for a while.."

"Okay. You're going to be fine. A little rest won't hurt you. Uh- Pichu, I know it's not my place to really ask, but, take care of her, okay?"

"Pichu!" Pichu nodded swiftly. Zennon took a few steps back without turning away.

"I'll be… uh... Bye!" Zennon then spun around to run off. Marie groaned again.

Was it really the right thing to do to tell them where Quinton was?