Chapter no.54: Interrogation
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[ A Few days ago ]
[ Celadon City - 0001 Cemetery Lane ]
As Austin and Lucario made their way through the bad part of Celadon City away from the glamour and riches, they passed by a dilapidated strip mall, its sign has long ago fallen off and the stores within either boarded up or operating behind bars. Trash littered the cracked pavement of the parking lot, and the faint smell of rotting food hung in the air. In the distance, the rumble of a passing train could be heard, its mournful whistle echoing through the empty streets.
Austin followed behind the young man with a battered face, whose clothing was torn and stained with blood. His sneakers were scuffed and the laces untied, giving him a disheveled appearance.
"Is this the place?" Austin asked, his voice low.
The young man nodded, his eyes darting nervously around the empty street. "Yeah, that's it."
As they approached the mansion, the sound of loud music and shouting grew louder. The building itself was a towering edifice of cracked brick and rotting wood, its windows boarded up and its front door hanging off its hinges. Austin could hear the scurry of Rattatad and the flutter of Zubats from within.
Pikachu slept soundly in Austin's arms, oblivious to the "danger" that lay ahead. The young man led them to the entrance, his hand shaking as he reached for the door handle.
"Wait," Austin said, holding up a hand. He turned to Lucario. "You ready?"
Lucario nodded, his fists clenching at his sides.
" Why are you asking? I am not going to find with kids."
" Sure, grandpa."
Austin nodded, then kicked down the door with a loud crash. The sound echoed through the empty mansion, rattling the boarded-up windows and sending a flock of Zubats screeching into the night.
As they stepped inside, they found themselves in a dimly lit hallway, its wallpaper peeling and stained with mold. The sound of voices and music grew louder, coming from somewhere deep within the mansion.
Austin drew a deep breath and stepped forward, his boots creaking on the warped floorboards. Lucario followed close behind, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
They rounded a corner and came face to face with a group of thugs, their faces obscured by bandanas and their eyes gleaming with malice. The gang was armed with Pokémon like Muk, Typhlosion, and Machamp - and they stood ready to defend their turf.
Austin didn't flinch. He reached for his belt and released his own Pokémon - Rhyhorn and Charmeleon. The two creatures stood ready to fight, their muscles bulging and their eyes blazing.
The gang leader stepped forward, a sneer on his lips. "You think you're tough, coming in here like this? Trespassing on our turf."
Austin raised an eyebrow. "I didn't come here to fight, I just need this mansion for a few days."
The gang leader laughed. " How about you give us that strange Charmleon and I'll give you this place."
Austin stepped forward, as he lit up his cigarette.
" That wasn't a request, smooth brain. You're going to give me this mansion."
The gang leader signaled to his Pokémon, and they charged forward with a deafening roar. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the mansion, and the walls trembled with the force of their attack.
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[ Vermilion City - Verbena Hills ]
On the easternmost edge of Vermillion City, there lies a modest hamlet known as Verbena Hills. It rests atop a verdant mound that gazes wistfully toward the vast expanse of the sea. The dwellings of this haven are typically unassuming, their whitewashed facades blending harmoniously with the lush gardens that enshroud them, instilling a sense of calmness and placidity within.
Yet, amid this unassuming haven, there exists a house that stands apart from the rest.
...
[ Yellow's POV ]
As I trudged up the long, winding driveway, the grand mansion loomed before me like a dark specter from a bygone era. The once-elegant columns were now peeling, and the gardens were overgrown, choked with weeds and brambles. The windows were broken, and the roof was missing tiles, giving the mansion an aura of decay and neglect that made my skin crawl.
The air inside was thick with the musty scent of neglect, and the thick layer of dust on every surface seemed to coat my lungs. Cobwebs hung from the ornate plasterwork, like the remnants of a long-forgotten nightmare. The grand staircase was missing balusters, and the faded wallpaper peeled from the walls like diseased skin.
Despite the mansion's decay, I could still sense an aura of dark history and malevolence that hung over this place like a shroud. I couldn't help but wonder what secrets and horrors these walls held.
" Chu!" The sound of my buddy's voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I rubbed Pichu's head before pushing open the rusted doors of the mansion. The door let out a screech that seemed to echo through the halls like a piercing scream.
As I stepped inside, I felt a sense of dread settle over me like a suffocating blanket. It was as if the mansion itself was alive, watching me with malevolent eyes that I couldn't see.
Suddenly, I felt as though someone was watching me, and I looked around, but there was no one there. My eyes felt heavy like they were being weighed down by some unseen force.
"Pi, Pichu!" Chu-Chu's voice broke through the heavy silence, and I jolted awake from a deep sleep. "Ahhh," I exclaimed, rubbing my head. "That was some kind of nap. Now, where were we?"
Chu-Chu looked at me, sweat dripping from her forehead, before pointing forward.
Yellow and Chu-Chu walked into the abandoned mansion, the musty smell and thick layer of dust pressing in on them from all sides. The grand, sweeping staircase was missing several balusters, and cobwebs clung to the ornate plasterwork. The sunlight that streamed through the dirty windows cast an eerie glow over the room, as if the walls themselves were alive with secrets.
As they walked through the old rooms, taking in the faded wallpaper and outdated fixtures, they couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The once-majestic architecture now seemed to be slowly crumbling away, and they could hear the creaky old floorboards groaning under their feet.
Their curiosity drove them deeper into the abandoned mansion, and it was then that they heard a low growl emanating from one of the nearby rooms. Their hearts raced as they realized they were not alone in this desolate place. They hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, but then their curiosity got the better of them and they cautiously made their way toward the source of the sound.
As they peered into the dimly lit room, they saw a pair of glowing eyes staring back at them. They froze, unsure if they should run or try to communicate with whatever was in the room. But before they could decide, the growling intensified and they could see the shadowy outline of a large, snarling animal.
Yellow screamed out, "Chu-Chu, use flash!" as the small electric mouse released a blinding light that revealed a thin and malnourished Growlithe with a thick, matted coat and dull eyes. Its once-playful and energetic personality had been suppressed by loneliness and neglect, leaving it listless and lethargic. It had scars or injuries from scavenging for food or fighting off predators, and its paws were rough and calloused from wandering the abandoned halls of the mansion. Despite all of this, the Growlithe protected its territory, waiting for its master to return as it fired off an ember at Yellow and Chu-Chu.
With a heavy heart, Yellow released Kitty, who quickly pinned down the struggling fire type. As Yellow examined the condition that years of neglect and abandonment had left the Growlithe in, she couldn't help but feel a deep sadness. The mansion seemed to be filled with the ghosts of its past, the shadows of people and creatures long forgotten.
Yellow began to slowly brush the Growlithe's snout as she sang a small lullaby. "Don't worry," she whispered as her hand began to glow, "soon you'll get reunited with your owner."
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[ A Few Minutes Ago ]
Yellow stood in the center of the mansion, surrounded by Austin and the others.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, she gestured for them to gather around her.
"Alright everyone, listen up!" Yellow exclaimed, "We're going to make a grand entrance befitting of a villain."
Austin spoke up," This isn't a villain entrance."
Yellow pointed at the dilapidated mansion, then at Growlie's Pokeball, and then at Green.
" Yellow," Green exclaimed with innocence radiating from her face," Why did point at me ?"
" Well, you're the evilest person I know."
Austin and the others tried to not laugh at Yellow's blunt answer.
" And as villains." Yellow spoke with Austin interrupting," Still not villains."
Yellow chose to ignore Austin and exclaim," I've got a perfect idea. We're going to strike a series of poses that will cement us in their minds."
The group looked at each other skeptically while Austin facepalmed.
" Count me out," Lucario exclaimed as he tapped on Green's shoulder.
" Buy me a chocolate bar."
Green smiled and pulled out a box of chocolates," You can have all of these for free."
Lucario sensed so sinister intent behind Green's actions but he chose to ignore it and began to eat the chocolates.
Green had a wide smile as she began to write down some kind of bill Lucario glanced and saw that Green was going to charge Austin 200% for the chocolate box.
Lucario shrugged and began happily eating more while watching Yellow direct Austin and his pokemon with enthusiasm.
"Okay, Austin, you stand at the front and strike a confident pose, like you're the leader of the pack. And Scizor, you stand behind him and put your hand on his shoulder, like you're his right-hand woman."
" Sci."
" I know Scizor that you're a man but for today you're a woman."
Fearow slapped Scizor's shoulder and cackled causing the metallic bug to glare at the bird.
" And Pikachu, you stand next to Scizor and give us a smirk, like you know something we don't."
Yellow continued to give instructions, positioning everyone just so, until they were all lined up in a row. She took a step back and surveyed her handiwork, nodding in satisfaction.
"Perfect! Now, on the count of three, I want you all to strike your poses and hold them until Jessie and James come. Ready? One, two, three!"
Everyone struck their poses in unison as Lucario mockingly clapped as if he wanted to say something insulting.
" Yellow," Austin voiced causing Yellow to turn to him with sparkles in her eyes.
" Yes, Ash."
" ... " Austin's eyes shifted to Green as his eyes asked for help.
Green smiled and gestured for some cash as Austin shook his head.
Green just smiled and spoke up.
" Yellow, as the resident villain, I have a better idea."
' Bitch !' Austin screamed in his mind as Pikachu patted Austin's leg.
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[ Celadon City ]
[ James' POV ]
I couldn't believe I had to take a taxi through this part of Celadon. My destination was only a few miles away, but it was on the other side of the city, and the only way to get there was by crossing through the bad part of town.
As we drove, the buildings seemed to get seedier and the people on the streets looked rougher and rougher around the edges. I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. The driver, a burly man with a thick mustache, seemed unfazed by our surroundings. He chattered away on his radio in a language I didn't understand, occasionally glancing at me through the rearview mirror.
I tried to focus on my breathing and stay calm, but my heart was racing. I had heard stories about this part of town, about the crime and the danger that lurked around every corner. I kept my pokeball in my hand, ready to call for any trouble.
" Here's da spot." A heavy thick Johtoian accent escaped the taxi driver as I nodded.
" Thanks for the ride and here's some for your troubles."
" Be careful brat, they say some powerful man came into these parts of town a few days ago and brought every gang to their knees."
With a gulp, I asked," Do you have an image ?"
" Don't know, they say the guy wears some kind of creepy mask concealing his face and that he is some weird martial arts master. Rumors have it that he judo flipped a Rhydon."
( ~ Gulp ~ )
" I'll keep that in mind," I said as I exited the taxi which sped away.
I couldn't believe my eyes as I walked down the street. The houses on either side of me were falling apart, their windows were broken and boarded up. The lawns were overgrown with weeds, and the streets were cracked and potholed. It was like something out of a horror movie, like a place that had been abandoned and left to rot.
As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. The silence was deafening, and every so often I would hear a creak or a moan that seemed to come from the houses themselves. I quickened my pace, trying to get out of this creepy neighborhood as soon as possible.
But the more I walked, the more I realized that this wasn't just an abandoned neighborhood. It was a ghost town, haunted by the memories of the people who had once lived here. I could feel their presence all around me as if they were still trying to cling to the remnants of their former lives.
I hurried my steps, my heart pounding in my chest.
Suddenly I stopped when I heard a beep, taking out my team rocket navigator, I saw that I had arrived at my location.
0001 Cemetery Lane
I stood at the edge of the property, staring at the abandoned building in front of me. It was a creepy, dilapidated old mansion, with peeling paint and broken windows. The roof was caved in on one side, and the front door was hanging off its hinges.
I took a deep breath and stepped over the rickety fence that surrounded the property. The grass was overgrown and weeds were creeping up the sides of the building. I approached the front door, my heart racing with excitement and fear.
As I stepped inside, the musty smell of decay filled my nostrils. The floorboards creaked beneath my feet and the walls seemed to close in around me. I half-expected to see ghosts or monsters lurking in the shadows, but there was nothing there except for dust and cobwebs.
Despite the eerie atmosphere, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as I explored the abandoned building. It was like stepping back in time, into a world that had been forgotten by the rest of the world as suddenly I thought I heard a faint sound, almost like a faint hum or drone in the distance. At first, I wasn't sure what it was, but as I walked it seemed to get louder and clearer.
I stopped in my tracks and listened. The sound was music, but it wasn't like anything I had ever heard before. It was strange and ethereal, like a choir of angels singing in the distance.
I couldn't resist the urge to follow the sound. I started walking towards it, my feet moving of their own accord. The music seemed to be coming from somewhere in the distance, just beyond the halls.
As I walked, the music grew louder and more beautiful. It was like a siren's call, beckoning me closer and closer. I felt myself getting swept up in the music, my body moving to the beat as I walked.
Suddenly stopping I found myself in an empty hall where I saw multiple Pokémon from Fearow, Scizor to even a Pikachu painting on the wall, no, rather they were covering themselves in paint and then throwing themselves at the white canvas as I could see that practical happiness rolling off them.
My eyes turned towards the stereo as a boy with a hat covering his face slept on a Rhyhorn's body.
' Am I in the wrong place ?' I wondered before a voice called out to me.
" No, you are in the correct building, James rosewood." Hearing the voice call out to me, I tried to look up but found that I had lost almost all control over my body as I found myself in the air held by psychic energy.
The lad stood up while he still covered his face with the hat.
" Let's talk in a few hours."
Those were the last words I heard before everything went black.
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[ James' POV ]
I wake up to the sound of my breathing, the only source of noise in the dimly lit room. My head feels heavy and my body aches as I try to sit up, the rough texture of the floor scratching against my skin.
I look around, trying to get my bearings. The room is small and cramped, with bare walls and a low ceiling. A single window high up on one wall allows a sliver of light to filter through, casting shadows on the floor.
I can't remember how I got here. The last thing I remember was entering that old building and finding pokemon using their bodies to paint something and then black.
Panic starts to set in as I try to figure out what's going on.
I get to my feet, feeling unsteady as I make my way to the door. It's locked from the outside, and when I try to push it open, it doesn't budge.
I'm trapped.
My mind races as I try to come up with a plan.
( ~ Cling ~ )
The door suddenly opened up and I found myself face to face with a tall and lean man with flamboyant, pink feathered coat and a menacing smile. He had short blond hair and a pair of striking, bird-like eyes that glimmered with a cruel and twisted light. His facial features were sharp and angular, with a thin, pointed nose and a well-defined jawline that only served to emphasize his predatory appearance.
His attire was highly ornate and extravagant, with a pink feathered coat adorned with gold trim and a matching pair of pink pants and boots. He wore a pair of sunglasses that covered his eyes, adding to his enigmatic and ominous aura.
As he spoke, his voice was smooth and suave, but carried a hint of malice and danger that made my heart race with fear. "Fuffuffuffuffu, it's nice to meet you, my dear. You can call me Donquixote Doflamingo." His cocky and confident demeanor only reinforced the image of a man who was used to getting what he wanted, no matter the cost.
James blinked a few times as he gazed upon the man and his friendly gesture of a handshake.
James wanted to shake the man's hand but he had a gut feeling that whatever will follow next isn't something he would like.
" Fuffuffuffuffu looks like James isn't a man to shake another's hand. Hmm, no problem for me." Austin in his disguise exclaimed before his hand grabbed onto James'mouth as he threw the Periwinkle-haired man onto the table in the corner of the room with tendrils of darkness coming up and catching the man.
" Ahhhh !" James screamed out before the tendril of darkness wrapped around his mouth.
" Fuffuffuffuffu, a peace and quiet is enjoyable, wouldn't you agree ?" Austin asked as he sat down in front of James who slowly nodded.
" Well, I'll get to the point, you are here for your Growlie, right," Austin asked with James hurriedly nodding.
" But tell me, why should I give such a loyal pokemon who stayed in the same house that he was abandoned in back to someone like you," Austin asked as the tendril of darkness removed itself from James' mouth.
James looked at his own shaking hands as he registered Austin's words.
"G, Growlie stayed?!"
" Of course, he did so James tell me why should I give him to you ?"
" B, Because he is my friend." James looked up as he said those words, hoping that the mysterious man will give Growlie back.
" Oh, James, James, James, I would love to give Growlie back to you but you need to do something for me."
" I'll do anything !"
" Anything?"
" Yes, anything."
" Even betray team rocket?"
Austin's words froze James as his mind raced to give some kind of answer but as someone who had stayed in Team Rocket for so many years, he knew better than to betray it.
Seeing James' hesitation to answer, Austin sighed and stood up.
" My dear James, you still need some convincing. I'll see you in a few hours." Austin answered with the eerie laughter of the Joker of One piece that sent chills down James' spine who found his entire body frozen as a black mist began to roll into the room.
James tried his best to get away from that black mist but it was a fool's errand as the nightmare mist of Musharna engulfed the periwinkle-haired man.
Austin stumbled out of the room, his Doflamingo face eroding as he breathed heavily. Ditto lay on the floor, exhausted and sweaty. Yellow approached him, holding a glass of lemonade.
"Here," she said, offering the glass to him.
"Thanks," Austin replied, gulping down the cool beverage in one long swig. Yellow looked at him as if she had something to say.
"Just say it," Lucario called out, startling Yellow.
"Hey, don't pressure her," Green interjected, coming to Yellow's aid.
Yellow hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Can I join you in torturing Jessie and James?"
Austin blinked, taken aback. "Hey, I'm not torturing anyone," he protested.
But as if in response to his words, ear-piercing screams suddenly emanated from James' room.
"What in the sweet titty-fucking Mew did you do in there, you goddamn monster?" Abra asked, his voice laced with alarm and disbelief. "I mean, I've heard some shit in my time, but those screams sounded like something out of a fucking horror movie. Are you trying to give me a goddamn heart attack or what?"
" Don't worry, psychic man. If you do have a heart attack, I'll dig you a grave." Lucario asked
"Mew, buddy. That's some dark shit," Abra exclaimed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, I know we're talking about torturing Jessie and James here, but let's not jump straight to grave-digging, alright? We have gotta ease into it, like a nice warm bath. Maybe start with some light waterboarding or something. Baby steps, man."
" I was talking about you." Lucario
"Hey, fuck you, pal," Abra retorted, his tone playful yet slightly defensive. "I may be a twisted motherfucker, but at least I'm not the one talking about digging graves for my friends. That's some next-level psycho shit right there." He let out a low chuckle before continuing, "But seriously though, if you ever need a grave digger, you know who to call. I'll even throw in a discount for old times' sake."
" Pass," Lucario answered
"Well, suit yourself, aura man," Abra replied, his voice nonchalant. "But just so you know, I make a mean lasagna too. So if you ever change your mind about the whole grave-digging thing, hit me up and we'll have a nice little dinner party. Maybe even invite Jessie and James over for some torture and a side of garlic bread. It'll be a blast." He let out a snicker before adding, "Or not. Whatever floats your boat, man."
" I am not torturing anyone." Austin defended himself as Green pointed at James' scream.
" And, what's that ?"
" I am just coaxing James to cooperate with us."
" What did you do ?!" Green asked as she looked at most of the pokemons' expressions.
None of them was even the least bit bothered by James' screams as if they had lumped him in the same boat as Team Rocket.
People that had taken away Raticate while Green could visibly see Abra using his psychic powers to make sure Yellow didn't hear anything.
" Let's just say, I am letting James taste what I had to endure every night."
Austin responded as Green frowned at the vague answer.
'Every night?!'
"Pika pi," Pikachu exclaimed, patting Austin's back in solidarity.
"Okay, fine," Austin relented. "Yellow, try to think of me as Jessie and James. How would you get me to answer your question?"
Yellow didn't miss a beat. Slapping Austin across the face, she demanded, "What color is my underwear?"
Rubbing his cheek, Austin took a deep breath. "So, can I join you?" Yellow asked, her innocent expression belying the wicked glint in her eye.
"How about this? You practice on Green a few times while I talk to Jessie," Austin suggested hastily, before making his escape.
As he left behind a confused Yellow and a snickering Pikachu.
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As Jessie slowly opened her eyes, the darkness enveloped her like a thick, suffocating blanket. She struggled to sit up, only to realize that she was tied to a chair. Panic clawed at her chest as she frantically tried to free herself, but her attempts proved futile. She was trapped, and she had no idea where she was.
As she struggled, she heard a faint sound in the distance. It was a scream - a blood-curdling cry of terror that echoed through the darkness, sending shivers down Jessie's spine. Her heart raced with fear, and she felt dizzy and disoriented. She knew she had to keep calm and focused if she wanted to get out of this situation, but the scream continued, filling her with dread and despair.
Jessie fought to keep her thoughts under control, but worst-case scenarios flooded her mind. She tried to imagine who could be making those sounds and what they were going through. The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became.
Finally, Jessie couldn't take it anymore. She broke down into tears, her body shaking with fear and despair. She had no idea what was happening or how she was going to get out of this situation. All she could do was pray for help and try to stay strong.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a figure entered the room. It was Austin, but he was dressed in a disguise that made him look like Doflamingo. His nonchalant demeanor only added to Jessie's fear, and she tried to portray a face of confidence, but she failed as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Sorry about that," Austin said, "I had to take care of someone before I came here."
Jessie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Who was this man, and why was he doing this to her? Her mind was racing, and she had no idea what was going to happen next.
"Awe, don't worry," Austin said, his hand creeping up to brush Jessie's cheek, "I'm not going to hurt you, as long as you cooperate."
Jessie shuddered at the touch of his hand, and she knew she had to do whatever he asked if she wanted to survive.
Austin pushed a photo of a woman in front of Jessie, and she recognized her immediately.
Austin exclaimed," Miyamoto, an active team rocket member under the former boss of team rocket, Madame Boss."
Austin's words were like music to Jessie's ears as she after so many years finally got some information about her mother.
Jessie's heart leaped with hope. After all these years, she finally had some information about her mother. She looked up at Austin with tears in her eyes and asked, "Can you tell me more about my mother?"
Austin's smile turned cold and calculating, and Jessie could feel the tension in the room.
To Austin's eyes, he was seeing a fellow struggler who was desperately trying to get some answers but unlike him, she had all those answers in front of her.
Austin took a deep breath to collect his thoughts as he exclaimed in a cold voice," Miss Jessie, answers come at a price. Are you willing to pay said price for the answers you want ?"
Austin's words cut deep into Jessie's heart as she was denied information about her mother.
Jessie wanted to scream out that she was willing to pay the price but seeing the trouble that the man in front of him took for all of this, the price for her mother's information shouldn't be that easy to pay.
" What do you want ?" Jessie asked while maintaining a calm face as Austin simply replied.
" I want you to work for me to destroy Team rocket."
Jessie blinked a few times before bursting out laughing at Austin's ridiculous notion.
Destroy team rocket... pfft.
" You know taking down Giovanni and his base of operations isn't that hard." Austin simply exclaimed as Jessie's laughter froze when she realized the name of the boss of the team rocket coming from this stranger's mouth.
" Y, You," Jessie exclaimed as her eyes were as wide as marbles when she gazed upon Austin's confident look.
" How do you know that name ?"
" Miss Jessie, I have lived long enough to witness the tides of fate ebb and flow. The world is a labyrinthine maze of chaos, and yet there are patterns, patterns that can be deciphered if one has the eyes to see them. And today, my dear, I sense that fate has brought us together for a moment of reckoning." Austin exclaimed bullshiting some cryptic words as he pulled out a shiny quarter from his pocket, glistening in the dim light of the room. The metal glinted like a beacon, calling out to something deep within Jessie's psyche. She felt drawn to it, unable to tear her eyes away.
"Now, Miss Jessie," Austin continued, his voice low and steady. "Let us put this coin to the test. Heads and Team Rocket will win. Tails and they will win."
The tension in the room was palpable as Austin raised the coin into the air, his hand trembling ever so slightly. For a moment, time seemed to slow down as the coin spun, a blur of silver and copper.
Jessie held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
And then, with a resounding clink, the coin landed on its edge, perfectly balanced in the middle of the table. Jessie stared at it, her mind racing. What did this mean? Was it a sign? Or was it simply chance, a fluke of fate that had no greater meaning?
Austin's voice interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to see him smiling at her, his eyes glinting with a deep, knowing wisdom.
"Do you believe in fate, my dear?" he asked, his voice soft and enigmatic. "Or do you think this was merely a roll of the dice?"
Jessie felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into his eyes.
" Maybe the absence of signs is a sign. Don't you think so?"
Jessie's eyes widened in disbelief as Austin made his proposal. "So, you want me to betray the most powerful organization in Kanto and Johto based on something as intangible as fate?" she asked, her voice quivering with uncertainty.
Austin's eyes bore into hers, his expression was unyielding. "My dear Jessie, there is a fine line between coincidence and fate," he said, his voice low and steady. "But don't think of our meeting as just a mere coincidence. Think of it as fate, or even a sign, for a better tomorrow for yourself."
His words hung in the air like a heavy mist, enveloping Jessie in a sense of foreboding. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of fate he was referring to and what kind of sign this was supposed to be. But before she could voice her concerns, Austin pushed a small recorder toward her.
"Even if you don't believe in fate," he continued, "believe that I am the only one who can give you the answers you require. Think about it for a moment. Do you want answers or do you want to remain ignorant? It's your choice, but don't make a choice that you will regret in the future."
Jessie stared at the recorder, feeling both intrigued and apprehensive. She knew that Austin was right - she had been searching for answers for a long time, and this might be her only chance to get them. But at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something ominous about this whole situation.
As Austin left the room, his footsteps echoing in the silence, Jessie hesitated for a moment before pressing the play button on the recorder. The sound of a woman's voice filled the room, speaking in hushed tones.
"Hello, this is Miyamoto speaking," the voice said. "Boss, you won't believe this. God has children."
The words hit Jessie like a bolt of lightning, and she felt a sudden rush of adrenaline.
As Jessie listened to her mother's voice, tears started to stream down her face.
At first, she was overwhelmed with emotion. She couldn't believe that she was finally hearing her mother's voice after all these years. She felt a flood of memories wash over her, and she couldn't hold back the sobs that wracked her body.
In the small dark room, a lost child cried over the voice of a woman she could have called mom.
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[ Celadon City - Team Rocket Base ]
Executive Proton's footsteps echoed through the silence of the underground corridor that led to cells his base in Celadon City. The path was poorly lit with a few yellowish lights spaced apart, which gave the place a gloomy feel. A young agent opened the door to the locked room where they kept the marauder. Proton appeared as a dark silhouette due to the poor light of the place. He entered with a firm step and the gazes of those present turned against him, surprised by his presence.
"Everyone get out", he ordered dryly.
The three Team Rocket agents who had been trying to get information out of the man hurriedly left but not before inclining their heads towards the executive, the agent who had guided him there also left. In the place, there was a gasoline can that contained water, some work tools, and a car battery with some current connected. His soldiers had amused themselves by torturing this enemy, but without much success, for he had stood his ground without saying a word.
Proton directed his gaze toward the center of the room where there was a small metal table and a cold and dirty chair, illuminated with the white light of a spotlight that swayed above them. There was a young man who must be no more than a few years younger than him, his hands were tied behind the chair. His face was swollen from the blows and one of his eyelids ran bloodied with a large cut above the brow. Proton had his right hand in his pants pocket. He looked at him seriously noticing the wet and dirty clothes. The scent of what he recognized as the blood hit him a moment later. The team rocket executive took a few steps toward the boy who gave him a mocking smile.
"Wow, the big boss has arrived", The teasing and daring tone of voice did not go unnoticed by the impetuous boss.
Proton did not flinch, he just looked at him with his deep dark eyes studying every detail that could give him clues. He smirked and placed one of his hands on the shoulder of the young man who shuddered, feeling as if his body warned him of imminent danger. With terrifying speed Proton grabbed him by the hair and smashed his face against the cold metal, the noise was thunderous. The blood spurted from the young's face, and he let out a scream of pain feeling his front teeth split in his mouth, the salty taste of blood filled his throat and he felt like he was choking, he coughed for air when without contemplation was taken again by the hair and smashed mercilessly against the table.
The team rocket executive walked around the chair and took a knife that was on the metal table, the young's eyes danced in fear, waiting to be attacked again, so he decided to close them and wait for the next blow, but what he felt was a slight feeling of relief when noticing the release of his hands, that he astoundingly raised in front of him, to his chest.
"I'll give you a chance", Proton said in a tone that even seemed sincere.
The young man looked at him doubtfully, he ran his hands over his wrists trying to alleviate the pain he felt in them, and he stood up, looking at the man in front of him, he thought that being one against one he could defeat him and maybe get out of that garbage can. However, he soon realized that he was not in the best position. For a moment silence reigned.
Suddenly the young man began to laugh sardonically. His blood-soaked face made him look disturbed.
"If you show me your face, it's because you think I won't get out of here, right?" He spat at Proton's feet, who didn't answer. "You should be more cautious, now I know your face."
" It is an executive's job to present themselves as the face of team rocket. Knowing my face isn't going to matter that much to you. So tell me, where are the other members of Lance's lapdogs hiding ?"
" W, what ?"
" You think team rocket doesn't know, brat. I assure you we know a lot more than the league thinks. So I'll ask again, brat. Tell me what I want and you won't get hurt."
" ... "
" ( ~ Sigh ~ ) Looks like you want to do this, the hard way. Clench your teeth, because this is going to hurt " Proton said with a smile as he picked up a pair of pliers before he was interrupted by a call.
Proton sighed and picked up the phone to see the caller was from Silph co.
" Agent Alex Aarons, what do you want ?"
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[ Author Note : So for anyone who forgot, Alex Aarons is the guy that Austin met and got the TM royalties from, yep he is a part of Team Rocket. ]