August 17, 13 AL

3:06 PM

"You have failed, Sydney," intoned Drake. Echoes reverberated around the half-lit Hall of Champions, "And why did you not call sooner?"

"Drake, I'm sorry, but my phone fried when I tried to use it in Mt. Pyre. If we start searching now, we can find them."

"No, you were too slow. The Elite Guard has already found them. The doctors showed up at the Hoenn television company, but the Elite Guard was guarding it. Unfortunately, they lost the trainer who brought them there. He flew away as soon as he saw he would be overpowered. I just cannot understand how the doctors managed to get out. Would you be kind of enough to explain how they did this?"

Sydney replied, "They did not escape on their own. I was dealing with a pair of kids who must have tunneled in. I only saw them after they tried to save Alexander. I defeated them easily, but they…ah… had an Abra and teleported away."

Glacia walked in and told Drake, "The Kanto Elite Four have heard some bad rumors." Then she saw Sydney, "Oh, am I interrupting something?"

Drake answered, "Stay here, we'll be through in just a minute. I'm just learning of another problem Sydney had." He paused, thinking he had seen someone through the doorway, but no one entered.

Glacia paid him no mind, but questioned Sydney, "Did you lose the Champions too or something? What else is there to screw up?"

"No, I finished off the champions and made Alexander pay for sending his message, but I was seen by some kids. The cowards teleported away."

Drake returned his concentration and started giving orders, "Sydney, I will give you one more chance. Find these trainers and bring them here; we must learn how they found the champions. Glacia, the Kanto Elite Four have heard stories about what we are doing from the wrong sources. You must return there and assure them that what we are doing is necessary."

"Go back? I left because they are idiots. I refused their offer for an Elite Four position, and they would not let up. They don't know when to stop. You should go out and do it; I can take care of things here."

"I am an outsider. You were almost one of them. I am sure you can get over this ridiculous feud."

"But… fine, Drake. I will do it your way." Glacia slowly walked away.

After she left, Drake continued, "Sydney, I need you to watch her and Phoebe. I fear that one of them may have questioned what we are doing and betrayed us. Go and find your witnesses before someone else does."

Later, he would tell the same to Glacia and Pheobe. Their loyalty would be only to him as they watched each other.

Glacia was waiting for Sydney outside the door, "I thought we were a team of equals, not Drake and his worthless pawns."

"He is a paranoid control freak. I'm not sure how long I can put up with it," answered Sydney. They became silent again as they walked out.

After they had gone, there was still someone left by the door.

Agatha huddled in the shadows. She shuddered, crying silently. They lied. He killed the champions.