I called it, we were arrested.
Not that we didn't go down fighting—well Serperior didn't anyway, which probably didn't help our case.
As the other teams approached, he started unleashing all kinds of attacks, but was finally felled by a powerful Poison Jab, courtesy of Ariados.
After he fainted, Lurantis approached, disdain clouding her features. "Gwen, Skitty…I am simply appalled, have you anything to say for yourselves?" "Master Lurantis, it's not what you think! They've been lying!" Skitty says pointing to Phantump and Audino, who are holding each other and crying. "Tsk, tsk, it's such a shame, really. You had such a promising career as an explorer…but perhaps circumstance would not allow it," she says, giving me a filthy look. "I must say, I hoped your story would be a good one, but there's been nothing but trouble since your arrival. I think I've had quite enough of humans." She says with disgust.
Well lady, right now the feeling is very mutual.
We're paraded through Bedrock Town on our way to the Center for all to bask in our shame. Skitty and I walk flanked by Flittle and Clobbopus, I assume in case we try anything funny. Serperior, who's still fainted, has been slung across Scolipede's back. Seems they don't have much concern about medical care when it comes to an 'outlaw.' Whispers emerge from the crowd, but they barley register. How could it have all gone so wrong?
When we arrive at the Center, we're guided away from the main entrance, and instead brought around to the side. A trap door is barely visible amidst the gnarled roots. Tinkaton stands by it, unfastening the various locks.
"Oh Skitty, you don't know how sad I am to see you coming 'round here like this" she says. We're lead downstairs, "such a darn waste," I hear her continue as we pass. It sure is, and I can't think of a way out. Every time we tried to speak, we were quickly silenced by nasty looks from Lurantis.
We're deposited in a cell, the three of us together. They've taken my bag, but it hasn't seemed to occur to them to capture Serperior in the pokeball. Maybe after all their experience with humans, they're feeling a little weary about our technology.
It's the small victories at this point.
The other teams gave us doleful looks as they left. Lurantis hangs around long enough to stiffly let us know statements will be collected from witnesses and our cases will be reviewed; until then, we are to remain in this holding cell.
Not like we have much choice, being locked in and all.
Skitty and I sit in silence. There's nothing to do other than watch Serperior or talk, and as he's not getting any less unconscious, I eventually break the silence.
"Skitty…I'm sorry. If I had known…about any of this, I—"
"I just can't believe this."
"What?"
She turns to me, "They completely betrayed us! We've been working so hard for them, trying to do everything right, and when they walk into a situation with no context, they immediately turn against us!" She's furious, as am I; she's right, the whole thing is totally unfair, and if they'd just listen…
Then what?
The truth is we were seen in pursuit of Serperior, a wanted outlaw accused of a violent crime, and then were discovered in a hiding place with said outlaw, all appearing to have attacked the oh-so innocent Phantump and Audino.
Wait, that's not all.
Noibat was there too.
But he wasn't arrested…when we were there…Audino specifically said 'Gwen and Skitty' teamed up with Serperior, why not just "team Starburst'? After all, they walked in seeing all of us there.
Because…Noibat was with them. With Audino and Phantump.
He led them to us…the pair and the whole Center.
Oh my Arceus, have we had a little traitor in our midst the whole time?
"Gwen? Watcha thinking about, if you hold your face like that, it may stick that way," Skitty jokes, somehow keeping some of her joyful spirit amidst everything that's happened. "It's Noibat! He-he was with Phantump and Audino! This whole time…everything that's happened…right from the first police report! We've been manipulated into this situation!" "What? But…it can't be…Noibat?"
"That's right"
We look up, Phantump stands before our cell, flanked by Audino and a guilty looking Noibat.
"Noibat? Is it true? You…you were just messing with us? From the very start?" Skitty asks, voice wavering.
"I uh—" "That he did!" Phantump beams, "right from getting Dragalge's attention on you back in the Windswept Desert. Tossing some rocks their way, was it?" To his credit, Noibat looks ashamed. "It seems you wouldn't remember, Gwen, but Audino and Noibat were both pokemon of mine. Ah, but even with your memories, you wouldn't recognize me, hmm?" He teases. "Well I'm Dr. Steven Laurel, your old supervisor, and I'm sure you've heard of me during your impromptu reunion. I'm the leader of the REAL team Starburst, or rather, leader of the Starburst project." Skitty's breathing heavily next to me "Oh you nasty little—" "ah ah ah, letting tempers flare hasn't really worked for you, has it now?" He says, eyeing Serperior on the floor.
"Yes, the Starburst project…my pride and joy. With it we were to be a beacon to be called on….to spread our message of power and strength, radiating outwards, like a starburst!" He's repeating my own team-naming speech back to me, or rather, I was repeating his mission statement without realizing it. I guess that's what Serperior meant about my memories being closer than I thought.
"Shame you didn't see it my way" he continues, head tilted in my direction, "We could have done wondrous things with this place, backed by human knowledge and technology! You were on the brink of something great, with such a promising career ahead…what a waste," he spits the last sentiment, shaking his head. "I may not have my memories…but this place…these pokemon…it wasn't ours to take." I say through gritted teeth. "Hmm, yes I thought you'd say something like that again, but!" He claps his stubby little hands together, "It doesn't matter so much now, does it? Your team is neutralized, now I can get back to work in peace. Come, I think we're done here," he gestures for them to leave.
Noibat looks to us, tears pricking his eyes. "I…I'm sorry," he whispers.
"Don't be sorry!" Audino bellows, making us jump, "they would never have accepted you if they knew the real you! Or our ambitions! I can't believe through all this, you're still so weak!" This Audino is a stark contrast to the kind, almost maternal figure we had interacted with before. "Easy," Dr. Laurel says, touching her arm. "His weakness is not wholly his fault, our training had only recently begun." A dark look in his eyes, directed at Noibat. "But I think it's about time we resume, don't you? Come. We're leaving. Oh, and Gwen? Don't bother asking for a letter of recommendation at the end of all this, it would do more harm than good."
And with that, they take their leave and we're alone again. "That traitorous little….I can't believe it! He…!" Skitty sputters. She's fuming. I should be too, but…
~he was always so harsh on his team~
A memory? Now?
~he bought the noibat egg from a breeder and proudly paraded it in an incubator around the lab. "Perfectly balanced stats, guaranteed! This will make a fine addition to my team." I couldn't help but roll my eyes behind his back. Such a pretentious display, especially when there are so many adoptable pokemon out there who would love a family. When it finally hatched, his disappointment was clear—the noibat certainly did have perfectly balanced stats; they were all perfectly low. They trained, battle after battle, but he saw very little improvement. He even approached me a couple of times, "come on, a round with one of yours will teach him a thing or two!" "I…think he's a little too…young for them. Would he benefit from starting…smaller?" I had to fight to stay respectful; Noibat had only hatched a couple of months ago, whereas I'd been training with my team for years! It was far too dangerous for him. "I've tried that, but no luck! You see Gwen, I'm a busy man, I need results fast!"~
"Gwen? Gwen are you ok?" Skitty says, I see her concerned face in my refocusing vision. I'm surprised by the memory. Yes, Dr. Laurel always demanded perfection, and wasn't afraid to get down and dirty to achieve it. I tell Skitty about the memory.
"Well…I am sorry to hear that…but still, he betrayed us! I can't forgive that!" She says, looking down angrily. We're interrupted by groaning from across the room.
"Serperior!" We rush over as he starts pushing himself up. "Ugh….where? What happened? Did we escape?" He's looking pretty out of it. He regards our new quarters, the bars across the doorway, and finally the two of us, looking shaken to our core. "Evidently not…well, now what?"
They're both looking at me…why? I don't have the answers. Skitty's the team leader, and Serperior knows more about me than I do. "I…I don't know…right now I…can't see a way out…"
Skitty rubs her head against mine. "It's ok," she says. "For now, it's ok that we don't know, together."