Angel reached above her head, and gasped in a mix of pain and satisfaction as her back finally popped. Arms still above her head, she paused to watch a group of Wingull in the sky, fighting over what appeared to be a Goldeen. From this distance, it almost seemed as if they were squawking the word "Mine". The thought was ludicrous, but it still made her laugh.
"Angie! Darling!"
At the sound of the captain's voice, Angel brought her hands to her sides and directed her gaze to her friend, who quickly closed the distance between them. Maya's warm hands wrapped around hers. "Yet again, I have to thank you for the marvelous stories you share. Your imagination is a truly wonderful thing." Maya squeezed Angel's hands gently. "Remember. If you ever have the call, I'd be honored to share your Journey with you. The Swanna is only here for a few days. I do hope you to be the one to take you back home."
She pulled her hands out of the grip, and wrapped them around Maya's, tempted to tell her friend that those stories weren't from her imagination, but, as usual when the urge hit her, she chose not to speak. People like Maya were a precious gift. There wasn't anything wrong with being an Agent of Team Rocket, but she knew what most people thought of them. Perhaps if she ever left the organization, she would be brave enough to speak. Until then, the fear of losing those few she cared about kept her silent.
"My business might take me a while. But if time permits, I'll stick around for a few extra days just so you can take me home." Angel gently squeezed her friend's hands and began to pull away, only to find herself pulled into a tight embrace. How did she hate being hugged so badly, but feel like melting—in a good way—when it was from someone she trusted. When Maya finally pulled away a minute later, Angel whimpered softly. Thankfully, Maya was already several feet away, skipping back to her cabin, happy as a Ribombee.
Once Maya closed the door behind her, Angel turned and headed down the landing bridge onto the docks of Vermilion City. The layout of the city came back to her so easily that it took her about ten feet to realize she'd started heading towards the Pokémon Center.
But she wasn't going to see or stay with Nurse Joy this time. Not after the last time, where she was made to feel like she was only allowed around because of how good she was with understanding Pokémon. Many Trainers could connect to and speak with their own Pokémon after some time of being together. It was a special few who were able to quickly form bonds with any. She'd gladly use her gift to help Pokémon, just not when she felt like that was the only reason someone wanted her around.
So, this time, Angel had arranged to stay at her friend Ally's house. Who lived…Angel spun around in circles a few times, looking down each of the four intersecting streets. After the fourth spin, she nodded and pointed down the path that looked the most familiar.
Her mind began to wander as she walked, paying just enough attention to her surroundings to warn her of impending danger. She thought of how tomorrow, she'd be a the Silph Company in Saffron City. Her father would be so jealous! Too bad she couldn't tell him. He was under the impression her disappearances were due to her wandering out somewhere on the island and meditating or otherwise getting closer to nature.
The change in the sound of her footsteps was enough to bring her out of her reverie. In the distance, she could hear the sound of an approaching motorcycle. A quick glance around revealed that she was in a rundown part of town. She frowned, wondering how she got here when it was at least two streets out of the way. Looking behind her, she exhaled in relief when she established the oncoming motorcycle belonged to Officer Jenny, who pulled onto the side of the road near her.
Not expecting herself to be the target, Angel got her bearings and took a step in the direction that would bring her to her destination. She didn't get very far before a hand tightly gripped her left wrist. Jumping, her free hand reached into her pouch for her Cheri spray, only to yet again breathe a sigh of relief. "Jenny! You gave me a fright!"
Officer Jenny didn't immediately answer, which was a strangeness in and of itself. Night had fallen during her meandering, and the moon barely provided enough light to see Jenny's face. Tight lips. Anger filled eyes. What happened? Anxiety filled her, and she tried to pull her hand away, but Jenny only tightened the grip. Had her ties to Team Rocket finally been discovered?
Finally, Jenny spoke. "Angel Flamel. You are under arrest for the destruction of The Swanna. Speak wisely, as anything you say goes into the records. You have the right to a representative. If you don't have one, we will assign one to you. Do you understand what I've said?"
For a while, Angel stared at Jenny, mouth agape as she tried to process the words just spoken. Thoughts of Maya filled her head, and she made a mental note to check on her friend before returning home. Without thinking, she tried to pull her hand free again. This time, Jenny brought out a pokéball that was sure to hold a Mightyena. "Look…I don't know what you're talking about. I arrived at the Port and left instantly. It took me" Angel looked up at the sky, then back, "over half an hour to get this far. I guarantee that you have the wrong person."
"Please don't lie to me. We have an Eye Witness who says otherwise. That they saw someone matching your description flee from the port as the boat caught fire."
"You know me. And you know that Maya's a dear friend. Of which, I have so very few. I would never do anything to harm you, Maya, or Ally. Ever. I know I'm probably currently the only young'un with silvery hair in the city right now, but the witness had to be mistaken. There's no way. And you know it."
The grip truly lessened, but Jenny didn't release her hold. "I—" Eyes closed, and she took a deep breath in. When her eyes opened, Angel could see tears welling up within. "I'm sorry. I'm just doing my job. Please don't make this harder on us. Just come with me for questioning."
"I've already given you my story! Isn't my word enough?" Angel didn't give her time to respond. "Well, make a mental note of this. I arrived. I instantly left. It took me half an hour to get here. Even you know that you have the wrong person. So why waste our time?" Angel's hand came free with ease. She spun and began to walk at a brisk pace.
"If you walk away from me, I won't protect you any longer," Curiosity caused Angel to pause and turn around, and Jenny continued to speak. "I—I know your secret. Have for a few years now. Why, Feathers? Why would you align yourself with the likes of them? Your skills could be put to much better use elsewhere."
Feathers. Now there was a name she hadn't heard since she was young. All because she had climbed a tree to see a bunch of newly hatched Taillow. The Swellow hadn't much cared for her presence, and chased her through the forest. When she arrived back at town, she was covered in mud and feathers. The story had quickly gotten around, earning her that nickname.
Angel shook her head, trying to make herself focus on the problem at hand. "You've put me in a difficult position. I have important business to attend to, and—"
Before speaking next, Jenny crossed her arms. "Is it something to do with them? Because if so, it's not more important than our friendship."
"Our friendship?" Angel scoffed. "You're the one wanting to arrest me for something you know that I didn't do. I don't want you to lose your job, and I really don't want our friendship to end. But I can't, and won't, suffer for things I didn't do. I've done enough of that in my lifetime already."
Jenny sighed, and shook her head. Some of the tears in her eyes flew outward. "You're not the one in a difficult position. I have to let my best friend go because I know she didn't commit a crime. Or take her in and let it become public knowledge that she has willingly aided and abetted a criminal organization multiple times."
"Enough!" Angel swung her right arm through the air forcefully. "I'm so sick and tired of hearing about how evil they are. They have good intentions. I know it. It's not their fault some of their members have made grave mistakes and poor judgment calls. I truly believe they're just misguided and misunderstood."
"Oh, you poor naïve soul. Come to your senses! Why must you always see and expect the good in people? As much of a heroic trait as that is, it is also a serious flaw. Your blind and undeserving trust in people is going to one day be your downfall. Please, for the love of Arceus! Come to the Light and fix this mistake before it becomes a regret."
"Shouldn't you love that about me? That after everything I've been through, I still manage to see the good in people? I allow myself to be hurt time and again because I just can't accept the fact that there are individuals out there who thrive on the pain they inflict on others." Angel squeezed her eyes shut, hoping it would prevent the tears falling from her eyes. It didn't. She felt her fingers tremble, but forced her arms to remain at her hips. It took several deep breaths before she trusted herself to speak. "Tell you what. If I ever discover that I was wrong, I will turn myself in and accept responsibility for everything I did while with Team Rocket."
"That…That's not going to alter my decision. Ever since that day, every time something happened while you were in town, I covered for you as best as I could. If you walk away from me now, I won't cover for you anymore. I'm not going to let myself go down just to protect someone who is incapable of seeing the truth. Even though it angers me to know that you would make a mockery of everything I've sacrificed for you."
"You mean to tell me you automatically assumed that I was behind every problem that occurred while I was in town? How dare you stand there and lecture me on friendship when you're the one acting like a jerk. Goodbye, Officer Jenny." The two of them fell into silence, uncertain of what to say or do next. After what seemed like an eternity, Angel ran off, unable to handle being in her now ex-friend's presence any longer.