AUTHORS NOTES: Yay moar chapters! Tomorrow is the release of the Primal Clash Pokemon Card expansion set I am so excited! Sorry about the random nerdiness but in celebration here's a little chapter to further the story. I hope you do indeed enjoy it!
"Who did it? I-it doesn't make any sense!" I asked in disbelief.
Cyrus shook his head mournfully, "I have no idea, I'm not a detective."
"Come with me we're getting to the bottom of this" I claimed as I stomped out of the room.
Crashing down the creaky stairs it wasn't a surprise when I saw them all glaring as I entered my room. With all eyes fixed on me I observed their reactions to try and figure who had done it. However to my dismay I was only shot glances of confusion and disruption, the only way we would find out is by confession. Not knowing what to do I stared back at Cyrus for approval, his eyes as dead as always showed no emotion. Without either of us speaking we were left with a lengthy silence that began to feel chilling.
Cyrus took it upon himself to speak, "We have a major issue, someone has tampered with my machine. I've been trying to salvage anything I could, but it seems that I cannot."
Giovanni leaped from where he had been sleeping, "What!"
"I don't understand, why would anyone do that?" Vicki asked in shock.
Giovanni immediately jumped down her throat, "Likely story, who else would have done it but you or Britney?"
"What that's ridiculous!" Vicki screamed.
N piped in, "Vicki wouldn't do such a stupid thing, keep to yourself!"
Giovanni gritted his teeth, "Do you want to put your money where your mouth is you little shit!"
Before things could get worse Cyrus interrupted, "The kind of damage done to the machine was that of a planned attack. It had to be someone with knowledge with electronics. Do you have that kind of knowledge Vicki?"
"Nope!" She declared shrugging her shoulders.
"What about you Britney?" Cyrus interrogated with a cold glare.
I felt my stomach sink as all eyes were on me, "I'm good with computers in the knowledge of certain things, but definitely not anything to do with software. Honestly do I look like a scientist?"
"See Giovanni, things can be ruled out with a level head" Cyrus claimed calmly, "So then who's next? I believe the most likely candidates would be Colress, and Lysandre."
Lysandre's gaze darkened, "You have a lot of nerve to accuse me of that!"
"I agree, I am a scientist but why would I inhibit all of you from getting home?" Colress replied with a shocked expression.
The air went silent once again, the mood became tense making everyone feel stressed. I began to boil ideas in my mind, making the gears of thought grind at full capacity. It wouldn't make any sense for Giovanni to have done anything, he obviously wanted to get home; we could also rule out Vicki, Archie, and I as were were not technical in any way whatsoever. However even though Colress was intelligent he wasn't of that demeanor, he was more consumed with his own activities. I gave a moment of thought at Cyrus, but what man would sabotage his own work that he was so proud of?
Collecting myself again I began to think harder, that would leave Maxie, N, and Ghetsis. Even though I ruled out the others, I couldn't see N having any intelligence in the technical area either. With only two candidates I wasn't completely certain, I wasn't sure about Ghetsis' ability in technology but Maxie didn't seem to have a logical reason to do this. All my options were exhausted, it could be any one of them. The only way to get the true culprit was to catch them again or have them confess.
I sighed deeply, "Cyrus I thought about it, I don't think anyone is going to confess to the crime. We're going to have to just bide our time until the answer pops up. Until then is there any other thing we can do?"
"Unfortunately unless I can find a place to get more parts to replicate my design. Do you have a store that sells these perhaps?" Cyrus questioned.
Vicki piped up in excitement, "Oh, there's a hardware store. There's also plenty of electronic stores!"
"I see, however these things might come as costly I'll have to find some of your currency somehow" The tired slate haired male sighed.
My best friend retorted, "You're all going to have to get jobs, we've done enough for you."
"Not a problem, I suppose you have some sort of policy to make sure there are no illegal workers? I'll have the documents by tomorrow" Giovanni stated as if he automatically knew.
I cocked my head at him, "How did you know that exactly? How are you planning to get fake documents by tomorrow?"
He glared back at me deeply, "How do you think I got so rich? It'll take me one day to find someone, I'm good like that."
"Okay, if you really think so! I doubt you're that good!" Vicki laughed at him.
Giovanni raised to his feet, "What are you willing to bet?"
She stared back at him, "Nothing, just make sure to keep your word!"
"I'm not doing this for any of you, I'm doing it for me. I want to get back to my mansion, and my Persian" He explained with a sigh.
With that the man stormed out of the house with a loud boom that echoed down the halls. It was obvious by now that it couldn't have been Giovanni, if he was really willing to go through all the trouble of risking arrest. I took a few minutes to both awe and envy the mans street smart ways of life. He always managed to flip the tables on a bad situation, regardless of how obscene the task seemed.
Stress in my entire body I plopped myself next to Vicki who had been hanging off the couch playing Pokemon on her 3DS. Maxie was positioned on the opposite side of her observing her battle, his face in discontent as she beat his Pokemon almost every time. She seemed a little smug to his dismay, however it was hilarious seeing how frustrated and childish he became. My eyes happened to wander to Cyrus who was still standing at the staircase glaring at me with dead eyes.
Attempting to ignore the man I stared back to Vicki playing her games. She seemed so completely zoned in, battling through all sorts of enemies. It was odd that she was actually taking time to finish these games now, perhaps the men around here have influenced her to pick up the games again. More often than not it would be I who played Pokemon constantly, but lately the tables have turned as I preoccupied myself with other things such as keeping eight men a secret.
I scratched my eyes in annoyance, "I guess I'll have to order pizza for dinner, you guys practically cleaned out the fridge."
"I want cheese!" My best friend yelped at the thought of pizza.
I nodded as usual, "Yes I know, do you guys have any preferences?"
"What's pizza?" N replied cocking his head.
"You've never had pizza, well crap. I guess I'll just order pepperoni and vegetarian along with the cheese then. If I were you I would eat the vegetarian N" I replied with my head in my hand.
"Why?" He asked innocently.
Vicki tapped him on the back, "You don't want to know, we know you love animals."
"Oh... Okay..."
Vicki and I shared a worried glance, this man was certainly too innocent for any real world. I dug into my pocket quickly revealing my phone, as soon as I was about to dial once again I saw Cyrus glaring at me. I held the phone in half motion as he let out a deep cough while signalling me from the distance. Narrowing my eyes at the awkwardly deathly looking male I lowered the phone to my hips.
I whispered to Vicki, "Hey can you take the phone and order, Cyrus wants to talk to me. It might be important."
She narrowed her gaze taking the phone from me, "Okay but I don't trust him. If you need me shout Senpai."
"What? Why should I shout Senpai?" I asked with an odd expression.
"It would be funny, and I know you won't be talking to anyone else" She chuckled in response.
I rolled my eyes, "Fine, I probably won't need to anyway. I'll be back soon!"
I took off to greet him at the door of the staircase, he leaned on the side of the purple wall. His darkened eyes glared down on me as I stared at him above. Nodding his head he slowly crept up the staircase as I followed. It was beginning to get dark out as the hallways bared dark shadows from the suns disappearance. He went into the spare room once more securely closing the door behind us.
I raised an eyebrow at his awareness of his surroundings, it was as if he had a bad kept secret. Once Cyrus appeared to be sure that nobody had followed them he returned a blank stare to me. Without talking he dug up a few parts he had found scattered amongst the junk around the spare room. The lanky man threw them down in front of me and then dropped to the ground at my eye level.
"I don't trust the rest of them, we're going to build a decoy and see if someone tries to mess it up again" Cyrus explained as he organized a few fancy bits and pieces.
I gave him a skeptical glare, "How do you know they'll actually fall for a decoy?"
"Simple, we wait until Giovanni and the others make some money and buy some parts. I will work on the real one in the garage while the decoy will be built here" He explained plainly, "You're the only one I trust right now, as much as it pains me to say. I know your true nature by spending so much time with you. The others I cannot be sure, can you please agree to help me?"
"I don't get it, in the beginning you hated me, wanted me to leave you alone. Now you want my help?" I interrogated him with pure disbelief.
He sighed out of annoyance, "Is it really that difficult to believe? You owe me a favor for helping you pass your school, now I'm asking just this one miniscule thing."
"I guess you're right, it's not like I'm in a position to deny you. I'll help when the time comes, for now just relax" I sighed.
He cracked a false smile, "I'll try, I'll be down in a minute I just have to do something. Just go and do whatever it is you females do."
The remark he left annoyed me to no end, I couldn't tell if he was an asshole or just terribly socially awkward. Not wanting to waste another second in the same room as him I simply trotted back downstairs. However I was unable to finish my cycle as my mother had burst through the door along with my dad. They both were easy to recognize as the made an astounding amount of noise every time they entered the house.
In respect of having 'one' friend over they only gave me a toothy smile then left off to go watch television upstairs. It was only now I actually was happy for having lazy parents, it made it all the while easier to hide a bunch of people. With a warmed heart I continued my way to my room, I really did love my family.
The first thing I was greeted with was Ghetsis as soon as I opened the door. His towering figure scared the living daylights out of me, I immediately leaped backwards. Mid jump I let out a tiny squeak, when I realized all was alright I felt shame fall upon me. My face grew hot from embarrassment and I attempted to sneak around him but of course he wouldn't let me. The expression he gave me was one of amusement, I believe he may actually enjoy my misery.
"You scared the shit out of me Ghetsis! What do you want?" I huffed anxiously.
The tall male chuckled darkly, "I was curious as to what was taking you so long alone with Cyrus. What exactly was it you were talking about?"
"Oh you would love to know wouldn't you!" I declared sarcastically.
Lysandre called to me from the couch, "Actually I'm a bit curious myself as to what he had to say that he couldn't to us."
"None of your business, can I please get into my room?" I squeaked in frustration.
Ghetsis cornered me against the wall, "Tell us and we will."
"Stop being creepy Ghetsis!" Vicki yelled as she proceeded to play games.
Colress chimed in, "Yeah, you'll never get a life with that attitude."
Vicki shared a high five with Colress as the laughed loudly at his ways of conversing with others. The pale green haired male narrowed his eyes in their direction while allowing me to have some personal space. Almost as if complying like a guilty puppy he backed away allowing me to get around him to the couch where Vicki had been sitting. Although he followed closely as if to be some sort of stalker or guard dog, probably both.
Ghetsis grumbled, "It takes everything in me to not murder you all right now."
At his remark we all gave a half nervous laugh as we knew it was true and probably shouldn't push our luck. Not wanting to test the man more than he already had been I leaned on the corner of the black leather couch, attempting to keep as huddled away from the others as possible. However despite my efforts everyone seemed to crowd close to Vicki and I, as if we were some sort of new Pokemon. N as always was closest to Vicki like a puppy next to its owner, and I seemed to be stalked by Ghetsis sometimes. At least with Vicki the feelings were mutual, I had the utmost annoyance at Ghetsis at this point.
At least by now I have been getting accustom to his company, it was no longer as terrifying as it once was when he first began hanging around. However I much rather be in the company of Archie who had actually made me feel like a person and not a test subject. I felt these same feelings toward Colress for the most part, but he still made me feel like I was a science project of some sorts. Not wanting to dwell on those thoughts any longer I cuddled myself into a ball of blankets and began to take a human burrito nap.
******
I startled awake to what had felt like only minutes, Vicki had been poking me in the face as she hovered over me. My eyes dragged in a groggy way as I slapped her hand away in a sluggish way. However she was relentless still poking me sharp in the side of my round cheek. Unable to bare the pure annoyance I leaned from my lying position towards her.
"What is it?" I moaned in annoyance.
She gave me a plain glare, "The pizza is here, are you gunna just let him sit there outside?"
"Oh shit no, I forgot!" I yelped leaping to my feet.
The two of us ran towards the front door excitedly, pizza was always one thing everyone could agree on. The stairs creaked loudly as we stomped away towards the main floor of the house. I slipped on the hardwood tumbling forward and backward until I gained balance once again. Vicki was the first at the door and mocked my slipping in a slight way, she slammed it open greeting the delivery guy. We both paid him a fair tip along with the regular charges and galloped back downstairs.
Licking my lips I placed the boxes on the plain black coffee table I had rested against the side wall of my room. Vicki slammed my closet door open grabbing the various pop cans I saved for such situations. With our little setup of plastic cups and plates I collected a bit of pizza fro myself and Vicki.
"Alright guys, help yourselves most amazing food in the world!" I declared with a piece of vegetarian on my plastic plate.
Vicki rolled her eyes, "It's not the most amazing, but it is pretty good."
"Okay so maybe that was an exaggeration a little bit, just eat!" I explained pushing everyone to eat.
The crew was at first hesitant giving us odd and reluctant glares, but as always Colress was the first to dive into the new taking a slice of each. Following this Archie happily grabbed a piece of each. Soon Maxie had taken the same as the other two, while N and Lysandre took only slices of vegetarian as suggested. Ghetsis and Cyrus had been the last to join in, both of them taking pepperoni. I almost have expected Giovanni to be here as well, but then I was reminded he was still gone.
I gave a few thoughts of worry to the male being out at this later hour, but I was quickly reminded about how strong he was. It would be without a doubt he could handle himself against any foe that tried to attack him, considering he is partially imaginary. I found myself thinking too much as I ate my delicious pizza, I must have looked deep in thought as Vicki gave me an awkward side glare.
"The pizza is that good huh?" She chuckled at me and my absent mindedness.
I rolled my blue eyes, "Yes, it's just so amazing."
"Wow this is really good!" N declared as the rest nodded their agreement.
"I told you, pizza is great!" I replied with a smile.
We proceeded to chow down on our delectable meal, a peaceful silence had washed over everyone as they ate. Maxie after finishing his meal quickly gathered himself to the bathroom to wash up as he did after most meals. His arch nemesis Archie watched him rolling his deep blue eyes in a sarcastic way, it was crazy how glaringly different they were from one another. I let out a giggle from watching their miniscule condescending actions they always presented at each other. At least by now everyone was starting to tolerate each other, I cringed at the memory of when we had all first met. Everyone was constantly howling over each other always trying to get a word in, now we could actually have conversation.
My reminiscing however was cut to a halt as I heard a crackling screech from my bathroom. The door was whipped open by Maxie in a most terrified state and all of us directed our full attention to him. A full grown man so hysterical and for what reason? The mere thought of what terrible thing had scared him made me shiver. I hoped with all my might that he was just simply excited, but I knew that was glaringly wrong.
"I must account your attention there is a disgusting furry beast in your bathroom!" The red head hissed.
Vicki blurted exactly what I was thinking, "What? How could there be a furry beast..."
"Just please somebody tell me what it is!" He screeched in pure hysteria.
Knowing I would have to be the one to go first I hung my head and reluctantly walked into the washroom. Behind me was a gathering of men who were all curious as to what this so composed male was afraid of. I glanced around lightly and saw the 'terrifying' creature he had spoke of sprawled in the middle of the mirror. It was a cute little jumping spider with a brown fuzzy abdomen, the little guy raced around frantically on the mirror. The poor creature has probably took refuge in here because it was so cold outside.
I giggled lightly, "Is this the furry beast you were talking about?"
"Yes, it's disgusting! Is it venomous? Can it light me on fire?" Maxie questioned losing his composure.
Cupping my hand around the spider I sighed, "It's just a little jumping spider, similar to Joltik and Galvantula in your world but smaller! No it won't hurt you."
"It certainly doesn't look ANYTHING like a Joltik! It looks like a monster from another universe!" He protested anxiously.
With the little spider in hand I spoke, "Well this is an alternate reality, this little guy won't do anyone any harm he'll probably just crawl back into the wall."
Ghetsis stared as the thing scrambling in my hand, "It's rather interesting how you just hold that thing without fear or dismay, but when I just as much as talk to you, you become terrified."
"Hey well maybe that's a trend you put on people?" Colress replied sarcastically.
"Once this is over you're fired" Ghetsis hissed at him.
Colress laughed, "Okay, whatever you say! You need me."
"Wow, can I hold it?" Archie asked his eyes lit up.
I sighed letting the spider crawl away, "You better not, I'm gunna let him stay here he'll die out in the cold."
"That's very compassionate of you, as this is your domain and all" Lysandre claimed watching the arachnid crawl into the wall.
I walked away from the bathroom, "Thanks, I guess you're not all so evil after all huh?"
"Oh don't count on it little lady!" Ghetsis protested.
"Heh, okay Mr. Clingy" I teased at him.
Lysandre and Ghetsis exchanged glances of disgust at each other once I peered back at them. I couldn't tell what the reasoning for that was but I just ignored whatever tension they had searing between them. Settling ourselves once more I rested against the couch slowly slipping away back into slumber.
******
END CHAPTER