Captive of Magma

by Lucky-Racer

Rating: K+

Chapter 10

A/n: Oh yes! I'm not dead… and I haven't abandoned this story! I will never abandon it. I just might get a hugegiganticwowbig writer's block from time to time. Heh. I know most of you have probably given up on me by now, but I'm still sticking with this story.

Once again, I will not have "Previously on CoM" because in this chapter we're visiting Cody, to get his take on things. :D

Deep underground in a musty-smelling cell space that many Magma members referred to as 'the dungeon', Cody sat, chained to the wall. Or maybe slumped is more like it. In fact, it looked like the life force had been sucked out of him… quite literally. Besides just being underfed, which was likely, since he was an Aqua prisoner on Magma turf. But it was more than that – he looked… hollow, sort of, like his soul was at a state of unrest.

I've only just turned nineteen, Cody thought sadly. I'm too young to die!

Not only that, but one might even say his once handsome face now possessed a gaunt quality. Deep, dark circles danced under his eyes, his face looked sallow and discolored from malnutrition. Saying that team Magma treated Aqua members badly was an understatement.

Looking around the dank cell, the Aqua member grimaced. The only light source were the paper-thin shafts that looked dim, as if the rays were tired at traveling such a distance and wanted to stop before they reached Cody's cell. They leaked in through the closely spaced bars of his door, coming in from down the hallway somewhere. Not that there was much to see, anyway.

Squinting in the near-darkness, Cody spotted some moss crawling up the walls, about a foot to his left. He realized that it had grown since he had last checked on it.

He felt almost fond of the plant. Some might consider this strange, or even repulsive. But the young agent wanted to occupy his every waking moment, to fill up his mind with thoughts. Anything would be better than facing the cold reality that gnawed at his heart, the growing realization that someone close to him was a traitor. He felt like it was eating him alive.

In the dizzying web of truths and lies in the dishonest world of a thief, Cody knew that good friends were few and far between. Good friends… in Cody's book, good friends were individuals that one could trust their life with. Joren, Cody's work partner assigned by Commander Shelly, was one. Cody knew that his sister might sabotage his work sometimes, but never thought she would betray him on this scale. Little did I know. Funny how things work out, isn't it? The young man thought.

Cody tried in vain to figure out Sasha would give him away to Harlin. He replayed their last meeting over and over in his mind. As far as he knew, there were no signs of regret, sorrow or anything like that in her voice, face, or anything else. Maybe she hadn't known?

Oh, that's what you'd like to think, said the part of himself that thought everything through. That's what she wants you to think, so she wouldn't be blamed.

Squeezing his eyes shut, blocking out what little of the room he could see, Cody sighed, hoping that somehow some of his anguish could be released with his breath. Bowing his head, he wished that he could go back. Back to the beginning, when no teams separated Cody and his sister…

.:Flashback:.

It was a hot, steamy, humid morning. School was out for summer vacation, and the sun was just showing its face to a sleepy Lilycove City. Sasha was already up, sitting by the window. She always watched the sunrise, no matter how early in the morning it was. Cody heard her get up and silently padded over to the bay window, where she was sitting. He wanted to tell her that since he was turning ten the next day, Team Aqua had offered him a job, to start within the week. He wanted to… but he couldn't bring himself to. Not yet. Let them have just one more day of bliss.

Sasha watched from her seat, fascinated, as the sun rose, the first beams of light striking the mountains in the far distance. Her older brother glanced at where she was gazing. She always did like mountains. They had crisp, pleasantly cool air in contrast to the warm, bordering on hot temperature of the city.

"When we're older, Sash, I'm gonna buy you a house right there", Cody announced triumphantly. He was pointing near the base of the largest of the mountains framing the town of Lilycove City.

Sasha wasn't expecting his presence, but she wasn't surprised that she didn't hear him. She had always thought herself a stealthy mover, yet her brother disguised his movements even more than her. "But we could still visit each other and go exploring, right?" Sasha asked, trying to hide her hopefulness and failing.

Cody could only smile at his sister's eight-year-old way of thinking. They didn't think of the possibility that things might not go their way… didn't think about what would be happening down the road a couple of years. He almost frowned at the thought of not being at Aqua and not with her, but restrained himself. "Of course, Sash, of course. I'll always be here… though I think I'll have a house in the city. We can still go exploring, though."

At this the young girl's face lit up. Out of all her favorite things to do, exploring and looking for new Pokemon were both prominent. "Where do you want to go today?"

"Well… I think this is only a rumor, but I heard of a secret pond that's supposed to have a lot of rare Pokemon!"

Sasha smiled a toothy grin at him. "I love looking for Pokemon! Let's go!" Without hesitation, she started to gather her shoes.

Cody smiled back, yet his heart fluttered at the idea that this might be the last time he'd see her smile. Nonsense, He told himself. You know that Sash's gonna join Aqua.

"All right, let's go!" He called. Little did he know, Sasha had no intention whatsoever of joining Team Aqua, or joining and being overshadowed by her big brother, for that matter.

.:End Flashback:.

And so, Cody thought, that was when my misconception began. How could I possibly think that she would join Aqua?

Confused, tired, and feeling betrayed, the agent fell into a restless sleep.

Harlin grinned almost wolfishly from behind his desk, surveying the Aqua scum that was locked up in the dungeon. The young man chained up down there certainly looked soulless. Undoubtedly word had reached his pathetic agent, Sasha, by now that he had her brother locked up… then why wasn't she coming? If her own kin couldn't lure her back, then what would?

Rubbing his temples, he had had a long day, the Commander leaned back in his chair, sighing. Either the girl's memory had to be erased permanently, or she would have to join the Team again. If she hadn't already, Sasha would probably either go to the police or spill Magma's plans to Aqua. He would have to improvise the ranking system at Magma headquarters to prevent an accident like this happening. Members would have to prove their loyalty first before being allowed to even get a glimpse of the first priority stuff.

"That sounds like an excellent idea, Commander," a static-y, feminine voice rang out. The communications channels were acting up all day. Nevertheless, Harlin recognized his Secretary's alto tones.

Finally realizing that Secretary was actually responding to something he was thinking, he gaped. Or maybe he wasn't thinking it… had he said it out loud?

Quickly recovering, the Commander responded, "Of course it is… my ideas are always good!"

He could hear the grin in Secretary's voice. "Oh yes, Commander, always… Anyway, the plan doesn't seem to be working. The captive has been down there for a few weeks… you'd think Sasha would be here by now."

Silently agreeing, he didn't let it show in his voice. Adopting a somber tone, he said, "There's only one thing left to try. You know what to do."

"One thing? Would that be the one involving the giant rubber chicken or the ex-partner?"

Snorting, Harlin rolled his eyes. "The only one that has a remote chance of working."

"The ex-partner, then. I think Sasha views him as her last reliable source within Magma. I'll send him out at the crack of dawn tomorrow."

Harlin thought of one last thing. It would make this plan perfect. "Oh… and, Secretary?"

"Yes, commander?"

"Tell Sapphy to give Sasha the worst possible news. You know what I'm talking about. Tell her to make it believable, to do whatever it takes. She is a good actor, after all."

Secretary swallowed hard. The Boss must be referring to the news involving the giant Gyrados.

"Yes, Commander… I will."

A/n: Oh. Oh, oh, ohhhh boy. I really screwed up this time. I started this story with only a basic knowledge of teams Aqua and Magma. I didn't know who Archie was, or Maxie. So… do me a favor and pretend that they aren't leading teams A/M. XD Or, don't, but they're still not going to be in this story… sorry to burst your bubble if you were expecting them XDD

Also, about Commander Tabitha… is Harlin his first name? Because I know for a fact that he was called Harlin in one of the episodes… most likely in Advanced Challenge or Advanced because it was a while ago. Do any of you know?

Well I've really gotten into this story now, and I can't wait to write more. Expect an update by Friday, and I'm really serious this time. :)