NOTE: Please review my works {It gives me more motivation to write} and read Chapter 30 author's notes.
Chapter 32: Mission One
Rain was running back to the mobile HQ.
[If Frost wants me to come back ASAP then it must be pretty serious.] she thought as she kept her pace even when wearing heels.
As she reached the Mobile HQ in the Hotel's ground it was bustling with activity as usual keeping the security of the Hotel tight for the period of time the Champion's were residing there.
Rain saw the figure of Frost sitting near one of the computers with Ninetales nowhere in sight.
"What happened?" she asked Frost while still gasping for air.
"Just look at this." Frost replied as he turned the monitor around for Rain to be able to see it properly.
It was a receipt of a shipment contract but that wasn't the only thing.
"These are the parts of the bomb we found yesterday, how did it enter the city premise so easily?"
"They were shipped under the guise of being scientific research materials for the academy here in Lumious.
"Who's the buyer?" she asked.
"Unknown, but there are more shipments similar to it at a warehouse in the industrial district of Lumious. They contained things like computer server parts, Surveillance equipment, cables and even furniture." Frost replied while reading the list in his hand.
"And everything was legal?"
"Everything except the bombs." replied Frost.
"Naturally." Rain concluded.
"Rain think carefully doesn't this look like someone setting up a base in Lumious."
Rain looked at the list of materials in Frost's hand and thought for a few seconds before replying
"You're right this does look like that, but that would mean…."
"Lumious is compromised." he replied not wasting his breath.
Rain absorbed the information and soon composed herself
"Well our sleeper was of Galactic so should we presume they are also behind this?" she asked.
"Probably but there is something bothering me about that theory?"
"What?"
"After their leader Cyrus died all of a sudden they haven't made a serious move in years so why now?" Frost asked Rain with doubt in his eyes.
"Whatever it is we need to figure this out fast, they are smuggling goods into Lumious under our noses for months now and the Kalos branch didn't catch them." Rain replied with concern visible in her eyes.
Frost thought about what Rain just said for a few seconds before shrugging it off as being paranoid.
"Alright the plan is that you and me go to the warehouse where they have been delivering these goods and Leaf,Ember and Stone pay a visit to the shipping company ."
"What about Spark?"
"He will be I.T support to both groups." Frost answered.
"I'll call the others." Rain said as she pulled her Pokegear out but was stopped by Frost.
"Rain go to your room and freshen up we won't be leaving until after Lunch." Frost said as he stood up ready to leave.
Rain stopped dialing Stone's number and asked
"Where are you going then?"
"I am going to meet Cynthia." he replied.
"Why miss her already?" teased Rain while suddenly shifting the room's serious atmosphere.
Frost smiled wryly at her [She hasn't changed at all…] before replying.
"No it's to get more information on Cyrus and Team Galactic from her."
"Why are you going to meet her didn't our records have enough."
"It's because our records also said that she was there the day Cyrus disappeared or died."
Rain looked at Frost in surprise as she said
"That Champion is everywhere how does she manage herself so well."
Frost ignored her comment and simply waved her goodbye as he left to visit Cynthia.
Back in Cynthia's suite she was taking a long shower just to ease her tired body.
"I should have slept early yesterday." she complained to no one in particular as Glaceon slipped in through the door and jumped in the shower and started cleaning herself.
"If you wanted a bath you could have just asked." Cynthia told the eeveelution while scrubing it's back with a brush.
"Glaceooon." the Pokemon coed in delight.
After cleaning both Glaceon and herself Cynthia let the cold water run for a little while longer to free her body of any sleep before drying herself.
Wrapped in a bathrobe Cynthia walked out of the shower with her hair still slightly wet. Glaceon had already perched herself on the couch and was licking her fur.
Instead of getting dressed immediately Cynthia decided to read the newspaper to catch up and was surprised to see that the front page stated a report of a high speed chase that resulted in a van crash yesterday. After seeing the picture of the white van on it's side immediately made Cynthia recall how effortlessly Frost jumped onto the moving van to deal with the grunts. But thinking about Frost made her recall Rain's statement about her being interested in him. It wasn't wrong she was intrigued by his character and was grateful of him to save her on the plane, nonetheless it made her cheeks slightly red.
[It was reckless of him to jump, doesn't he value his own life.] she justified internally before closing the paper.
She stood up and went to the wardrobe to get some clothes and while changing it made her remember all the scars that were on Frost's body. She couldn't forget something like that all those injuries should have crippled most people, hell as she said herself more than half of them were lethal especially that cut that ran on his neck.
[He also said he and the other Rangers have killed before.] she thought as she wore her bra.
That was the other thing, although Cynthia wasn't a fan of the whole killing other people aspect of the Ranger's. She wasn't surprised by it because back on the plane when Frost interrogated the grunt he held a knife on his neck which was a hint to the true nature of the Rangers.
Cynthia recalled the scene and immediately said
"His face, it was cold back then….."
The glare of his eyes his angry expression and even his overall composure all made sense now for a person who had seen death before obviously would be able to remain cool during a hijacking. Cynthia cursed herself for not realizing it sooner.
Maybe it was the stress Cynthia was I during the hijack that she didn't pay close enough attention to it or she was just oblivious she didn't know how she missed an important detail like this.
[I can't drop my guard around them but…..] she contemplated but she realized that she couldn't keep her guard up against Frost for some unknown reason the tea making incident yesterday was just an example.
"I should be myself it's better that way." Cynthia concluded as she wore a casual turquoise top and and a white bottom.
As she was making her way to the shoe rack she heard a knock.
"Who is it?" she asked making sure it was not Steven although after the meeting she knew he would probably be sleeping right now but why risk it.
"It's me Cynthia, I need to talk." came a familiar voice of Frost which Cynthia recognized with ease.
She opened the door revealing a formally dressed Frost.
"Where did your tie go?" She asked as she noticed the lack of the neck accessory.
"I didn't where it today because it's warm why does it look bad." He said while fixing his open collar.
Cynthia eyed his neck and saw the faintly visible scar and said
"Nope it actually suits you."
"Thanks, can I come in." he said as he realized the conversation was taking place in the hall.
"Ofcourse." she said while preventing a stutter and allowed him in.
Frost entered and settled down on one of the couches being followed by Cynthia.
"So what did you wanna talk about?" she asked.
"Actually I need you to tell me everything you know about the Leader of Team Galactic Cyrus, I thought since you have dealt with him before you could provide insight."
"Insight for what?" Cynthia demanded.
Frost sighed as he knew Cynthia won't speak until he tells her about the situation. He thought about lying but then didn't since from now on the Champion's were supposed to work together with the Ranger's to some extent that is.
"Cynthia we believe Lumious is under attack by team Galactic and they have probably set up a base inside the city." he told the complete truth.
"What! Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes completely that is why I need your help since Cyrus isn't alive anymore to run the team I need to know who can pull such a stunt?"
"Cyrus isn't dead Frost." Cynthia spoke as the expression of her face somewhat stiffened.
Frost just stared at Cynthia as he took what she said in.
"But the file said he did and you were there when it happened."
"Yes I was there but Cyrus didn't die at that day."
"What happened there Cynthia?"
"He tried to use Dialga and Palkia's power to create a perfect world but failed….." Cynthia stopped to take a breath and continued "because Giratini stopped him and took him along with him to his dimension."
Frost was dumbfounded by this although he knew that such a thing could be possible because Giratini is a Legendary Pokemon but still.
"So is it possible for him to return because if yes we have a issue." Frost composed himself to ask this.
Cynthia shook her head sideways and said "No I researched about this and there is no way for him to return unless Giratini allows and there has been no sightings of that Pokemon ever since that day Cynthia concluded with a visibly part angry part sad expression although Frost noticed it he didn't ask her about it instead he focused on the task at hand.
"So if not Cyrus then who?"
"The person you are looking for is someone named Saturn he was his commander back in the day, only he has the pull to reunite Galactic." she concluded.
With the information gathered Frost was starting to leave before he was stopped by Cynthia.
"Frost are you going on a mission today?"
"Yes we are and No.. I am not taking you with me my job is to protect you not put you in Danger." he said sternly.
"I didn't even ask yet?" Cynthia pouted.
"But you were about to weren't you." Frost said with a cheeky smile.
"Alright but I need a fair chance to go so lets play a game if I win you take me along today and if you win I'll stay back." She said with a smug face.
Frost doubted it but agreed nonetheless.
"So I'll tell you something about you that I noticed today and you have to tell me if it's true or not."
"Sounds simple." he replied.
"It is and don't lie alright."
"Fine."
"Today you didn't wear a tie not because it's warm you ditched it because you no longer needed to hide the scar on your neck from me since I already saw it yesterday." she said confidently.
The wry smile on Frost face dropped as Cynthia saw his composure break which he regained very soon after as he turned to the door and said
"We will be leaving just after Lunch meet me at the reception." he said but was stopped again.
"Wait since I was so amazing I need a reward?" she asked boldly.
Frost smiled warmly at her playfulness as he replied
"Alright your majesty what do you want?"
"Lunch." she replied.
"Huh!" the answer caught him off guard.
"Take me to lunch I like talking with you." she said somewhat shyly.
Frost's smile didn't fade as he replied
"Sure."
He sent his contact details to Cynthia and told her to call him at 1 PM and left.
As the door shut Cynthia realized what she just said and blushed a deep shade of red.
[I like talking with you….. what was I thinking.]
It wasn't a lie but still it was an embarrassing thing to say.
Little did she know Frost had also been surprised to hear that. He still couldn't put a finger on this new feeling but it didn't feel wrong this was proven by the fact that he walked back to his room with a genuine smile plastered on his face.
Author's Notes:
Some of Cynthia's character development was done in this chapter. Again I am still taking suggestions for the Pokemon for Spark, Ember and Stone's Main Pokemon, I mentioned this in Chapter 30 author notes so read that. Follow the story if you are enjoying this and feel free to review your views are always appreciated. If you have any questions for the story you can PM me and I will answer them to the best of my abilities. Until next time.
PEACE.