Chapter 8, Interlude: The Runaway
A tape recorder is placed on a thin metal table.
"Can you tell me your name?"
"..."
"Ethan…Ethan Bolter."
"Alright Ethan. You're going to start from the beginning. How you ended up behind that house on the night in question, and who pushed you to keep quiet about the truth behind the sentencing of Adam Stonehide."
"Yes…A-and you'll guarantee my safety right? I'll tell you anything as long as you promise he won't be able to find me…or go after Adam either."
"...Indeed. You have my word, you'll be kept safe if you cooperate and give me the information I need."
"A-Alright. I remember that night clearly…"
(The night of Adam's arrest)
Ethan was running. Running in a way he was all too familiar with.
He had just been caught about to sneak into someone's house by his boyfriend Adam, before the police arrived and arrested his lover as a suspect.
He reached the meeting spot for his getaway and crumpled to his knees.
Why? … Adam why were you there? You were never supposed to... Fuck!
He slams his fist into the ground in frustration at the thought of the love of his life being taken by the police, a small bit of electricity fizzling out of his hand. Ethan was beyond exasperated from how the situation spiraled out of control in a matter of minutes. He was never meant to be caught…nor could he afford to be, but he also didn't want his boyfriend to be the one to take the blame for his crimes. He silently cursed himself for running away instead of staying and letting himself be arrested with Adam. At least then he could tell the police that Adam had nothing to do with any of it, and he could go free.
Dammit Adam…
He sits there for a moment before his ride pulls up. A sleek black car stops next to him, and the window rolls down, revealing a Persian.
"There you are…where are the goods?"
Ethan looks up at the Persian, Isaac Tantail, aka…Duper the Persian. Instead of his police uniform, he was wearing a black turtleneck sweater.
"I failed. Place is swarming with police."
Isaac looks around cautiously.
"You weren't followed were you? You know what'd happen if my cover got blown."
Ethan shakes his head 'no'.
"Mmm-mmm. My…Adam was there. They were so focused on him that they didn't notice me, and I got away while they were arresting him."
Isaac gives him a look of surprise before smiling and starting the car.
"Adam, your boyfriend? …Perfect, now we have a scapegoat. Lucky you!"
Ethan silently growls.
I would never want that… how am I lucky you asshole…
He unlocks the car door, and gestures for Ethan to get in, and he climbs into the passenger seat. Isaac begins driving.
"Still…you oughta tread lightly. The boss won't be happy that you failed an assignment."
They take a short drive to the outskirts of Mauville City, where there's an abandoned power plant underneath the high road bridge that used to be for cyclists. His Boss and his cohorts use it as a base, and where he often goes to get information about his next job.
They take a secret path through the trees to reach the entrance, park, and head inside.
In the farthest room is his boss's office where an Obstagoon, named Gooner Stanze, sits. Very few know his real name, with Ethan being one of them. He views learning his name the same way someone would view giving away a valuable piece of information. Only those he trusts completely know it, but they're still required to call him "Boss" when addressing him.
Their nameless group is bound by one thing, which is the fact that they were cast away somehow. Boss took them in and gave them a place to belong, and a chance to earn some money, in any way possible. Anyone could do it, the dirtier the job the more money you earned, but he recognized that some people weren't fit for that kind of work, and had small little odd jobs for them to do as well. Regardless, they made the money.
Ethan was taken in as a teenager. He had just run away from his home in Slateport, trying to escape his abusive father. Boss had found him hiding underneath the high road bridge trying to escape the rain. At first he was thought to be someone trying to sneak in and expose them all, but Boss realized he was homeless and starving, and offered to let him stay and have a meal.
After that, he began working his shady deliveries. He didn't mind, he had no idea what he was delivering and he dared not ask.
However, things changed when he met Adam. It was about six years after Boss found him and gave him his start up. Aside from working odd jobs at night, Ethan was allowed to have a normal life outside of it all. He saved up for a small apartment for himself so he didn't have to live in the hideout and worked at a Cafe in Mauville City. Things were fine for him, until one day that little adorable and bright Lycanroc walked in the door of his job. Ethan had seen all kinds of people by that point, but Adam was different. He greeted him with a smile, and ordered his coffee while actually attempting to converse with him in a friendly manner, on top of being cute.
Ethan learned a decent amount about the Lycanroc through those short talks. His name was Adam, he had just moved to town from Lavaridge to attend school in Mauville University, which Ethan might have fibbed about attending night classes at, and he was 22 years old.
Eventually, Ethan suggested they talk more when he's not working, and Adam accepted. They talked about their classes or "classes" in Ethan's case, where they moved from, and eventually exchanged phone numbers.
After that, they hit it off. They would meet up to play video games, hang out around town, until eventually Ethan worked up the courage to ask Adam to go out with him. Adam happily agreed, and everything went up from there.
Though one problem they faced was how they were both often strapped for cash. Despite them both working, and Ethan technically having two jobs, Ethan's apartment and Adam's various payments(like food, transportation, etc.) for college were constantly eating away at their funds. So they decided to get an apartment together, after having dated for six months.
But one problem remained. Ethan was just barely making enough to support himself, he didn't want to have to make Adam pay more than his fair share just for the two of them to live normally.
So Ethan did the one thing he shouldn't have. He asked the Boss for a favor. He told him about Adam, who he'd kept a secret from him up until that point for their own safety, and what he wanted to do.
Surprisingly, he was touched, and agreed to loan him the money, calling it a favor he would need to return one day.
"You know Ethan, you're the closest thing I've ever had to a son. As such, it makes me glad you've found someone to call your own. I don't even care if it's another guy, love is love as they say. I hope you guys find yourselves a nice apartment."
Ethan was elated. He could live comfortably with the one he had grown to love.
They got the apartment, and the two of them grew even closer. However, not even a month had passed after they began renting their new home, before Ethan was called on by Boss to return the favor he owed.
However, rather than paying back the money directly in installments, he would run a very risky job with his new partner, Isaac. Ethan disliked Isaac immediately, he had a devious air around him, and didn't appear trustworthy. But he was the one who brought forth their plan.
Isaac would pose as a police officer to get information from the Mauville Residency center, about the residents of Mauville, as well as their respective incomes, and Ethan would steal their valuables and bring them to the hideout to be sold and delivered on the underground market.
This all relied heavily on the fact that Isaac knew the move Hypnosis, as well as other mesmerizing tactics so he could do that while also being their man on the inside.
Ethan wasn't comfortable with this job the slightest, but he had no choice but to comply, since his boss was cashing in the favor he owed.
They ran that job with no issues for almost a year, save for one time where Ethan just barely escaped from a wealthy Zoroark's manor, before Ethan ran into a severe problem. Someone faster than he was. His role was to use his speed to escape with the goods to the meeting spot with Isaac before returning to the hideout. But he had entered the home of someone, who apparently hadn't had their partner registered as living with them. Their partner in question, was a Greninja, who Ethan couldn't outrun. He hastily alerted Isaac, who eventually found him cornered and pinned in an alley. He was about to call the Police, when Isaac snuck up behind him and slashed him in the side with Night Slash, killing him instantly.
Ethan was horrified. He hadn't wanted that to happen, but Isaac deemed it necessary since the Greninja had seen his face. After that, things weren't the same. His boss let him lay low until the news died down about the murder, but it still ate away at Ethan, even though he wasn't the one that did it. The main reason was because Adam always teased his guilt.
"It just doesn't feel safe around here anymore…who knows if that killer will come here next… But…I feel like things will be okay as long as we're together."
Those words reverberated in the back of his mind as he walked into the Boss's office, shaken after Adam's arrest.
Boss was sitting at his desk as per usual, and greets Ethan and Isaac when they walk in.
"Ethan! Isaac! My favorite duo. How was the hit today eh? Another success?"
Isaac gestures for Ethan to speak up, pushing his back so he steps forward, and Ethan fearfully shuffles in place.
"Um..actually…no… It wasn't….there was an unexpected issue causing me…to fail today."
Boss goes silent, and leans back on his desk while crossing his arms. He raises a brow.
"Normally I'd punch someone in the gut immediately for failure, but seeing as I like you Ethan, I'll let you explain first before I decide if I'm still going to."
He raises a paw, gesturing for Ethan to speak up.
"Well…you know my partner…Adam, right?"
Boss nods, and looks up in thought.
"Yes, the Lycanroc, I remember. Continue."
Ethan gulps and looks down, filled with sadness.
"He showed up tonight. Apparently he followed us, and someone caught sight of him and called the Police, and they took him. I wasn't followed after that, but we couldn't get back to the house because cops were all over the place."
Boss's head hung low, and he sighed.
"I see. That's very unfortunate Ethan. It genuinely pains me that this has happened."
Ethan gulped, he was hoping he could at least convince his boss to get him out. He would explain everything to Adam, and hope to earn his forgiveness and regain his trust.
"Y-yes. But the real problem is that he knows I was there! He could tell them everything, and that'd make me a suspect. I think we should try to get him o-"
"That won't be necessary."
Ethan looked back at Isaac, who had finally decided to chime in.
"I know this sucks for little Ethan, but think about it Boss. We can turn this whole situation around."
Boss turns his attention to Isaac.
"Elaborate."
Isaac steps in front of Ethan with a smirk. Ethan felt his heart begin to race.
"Well, it's just like Ethan said. Having someone who knows Ethan in custody would be a problem. But I can make him into the perfect scapegoat. That way, the police will be off of our asses, and we can conduct our business while the police are left scratching their heads. I can plant some false evidence in their apartment when they inevitably go to search it, sabotaging the camera footage and taking care of any witnesses. I can gather testimony, and even make it so the force doesn't offer him a trial. We can lay low until he's fully believed to be the criminal they were searching for."
Ethan was devastated. The last thing he wanted was for Adam to get involved in his secret life, let alone take the blame for his crimes.
"W-wait, if you can do all that can't you just set him free? Why does he have to take the blame for all this, we can find someone else….we can-"
Isaac snarls, and pushes Ethan back against the wall.
"Even if I did that, they'd still be looking for him! They already have clear memories of arresting a Lycanroc, and by this time they have his name and information already set in the system. There can be no replacement. Not only that, but where would he go? He'd have to stay here, and become one of us. Do you think he'd be happy to be with you after you essentially ruined his life?"
He looks at Boss, as if he were trying to appeal to him as well. Ethan couldn't come up with a counterargument.
"This is the only chance we have to take some heat off of us for a while. I can get it done in no time."
Boss thinks, before looking at Ethan, who was on the verge of tears.
"Ethan, I've always told you that you were like a son to me, you know that. But…and this breaks my heart to even say it, I think Isaac is right. It's very saddening that it has to be him, but I don't think we'll get another chance like this. We'll go along with Isaac's plan."
Ethan crumpled to the ground silently, and Boss walked up to him before putting a claw on his shoulder.
"I can't let you go and risk getting yourself arrested doing some crazy plan or trying to free him, so you'll stay here for the time being. I still need you. I'll even let you take some time off to help you feel better. Now come on, pick yourself up."
He helps Ethan stand, and Ethan silently leaves.
Boss gestures Isaac over with a claw, and Isaac walks over to him.
"Make sure you or someone else keeps a close eye on him. We don't want any problems to arise out of this."
Isaac nods, and leaves as well.
Ethan quietly drifts to his old room here. It was closer to the back, so it didn't take him long, and he ignored any greetings or onlookers who saw him pass by. He unlocks it quickly, and slams the door shut.
He didn't know what to do with himself, and paced back and forth quickly. His heart was racing, and he felt himself angrily crying. He didn't have much in his room, but he felt like breaking something. He grabbed a nearby chair, and threw it against the wall, before getting ahold of his shelf and slamming it against the ground. He flipped his little table over, and with nothing else to break, he fell to his knees before sobbing quietly.
He pulled out his phone, and looked at the picture he had of the two of them at the Park on top of Mauville Complex. He had it as his screensaver and wallpaper.
Oh Adam…I'm so sorry… I hope you're at least okay.
He holds his phone close to his chest, and lays still on the floor, feeling completely hopeless.
(7 months later)
It'd been over half a year since that night. Ethan stopped seeing articles and broadcasts about Adam's arrest in the local news after a couple months, but he still felt the bitterness in his chest.
He did as he was told, and stayed at the hideout, despite not having a choice in the matter, since it was likely that someone was assigned to watch him. Boss wouldn't want him sneaking out and turning himself in, not only because he still had use for him, but also because he would reveal their whole scheme and location.
But at this point, Ethan didn't care. He didn't care about any of this anymore. His Boss had long since made him go back to doing odd jobs, even if they weren't theft like before, but he was distancing himself from everyone there. The only difference is that he no longer worked with Isaac. He learned that Isaac had been committing armed robbery in his place, since there was no one who could take his place as a runner.
His Boss liked to talk with him and see how he was feeling, but he would always give a quick response and leave.
Boss knew that he was starting to resent him for locking away the person he loved, but he also knew there was nothing Ethan could do about it.
So Ethan waited. He waited until the right time, when he knew Boss wouldn't be at the hideout. There were rare moments where he would conduct business in other cities, or secure dealing routes while finding more work to be done.
And finally, after seven months, Boss left to do that exact thing. The night he left, Ethan was going to go right after him, but shortly after exiting the hideout, he heard a voice from behind him.
"Tsk tsk tsk. And where might you be going at this time of night? Boss didn't give you a job today."
Ethan turns around to see Isaac standing in the entrance behind him. He knew he could just make a run for it, since there was no way Isaac could catch him, but he knew Boss would be alerted immediately. He merely glaring at the feline.
"None of your business, fuckface."
Isaac feigns hurt, clutching his chest in response, before smirking and regaining his composure.
"Ouch Ethan, wow. You must really hate me huh. That's understandable, considering I did frame your precious boyfriend. But oh well, you're clearly over that right? That was months ago after all. But I digress… Surely you weren't going to turn yourself in the moment Boss's back was turned were you?"
Ethan felt his blood boiling. He didn't trust Isaac from the beginning, and after what he did, he went from mistrusting him to outright hating him. He felt electricity crackling around his fingers. If the cat said one more word about Adam he would lunge at him. Ethan turns to the side.
"I always hated the idea of Adam rotting in a cell in my place. I should've been the one to get caught, not him. He probably hates me for running away that night, but as long as he gets to be free, I'm fine with that. And I won't let you stop me."
Isaac playfully waggles a claw in the air.
"Ah but you know what Boss does to those who might be ratting us out. He'll find you, and then it'll be all over."
Ethan tones down a little, knowing full well what the Boss would do if he found out Ethan might be spilling secrets. But he shakes his head. He wasn't worried about that.
I'm letting him get to me.
"I won't mention anything about us. I just wanna tell them Adam is innocent. Everything will be fine. Are we done here?"
Isaac smiles and stands back in the entrance.
"And you can say for certain that they don't have ways of making you tell them everything?"
Ethan growls.
"It doesn't matter. Even if I did, I'd be in prison. The Boss wouldn't be able to do anything to me in there, and even if he could, I don't care. It doesn't make a difference what happens to me as long as he's free."
Isaac merely smirked and circled around him.
"Oh? Are you going to stake your lives on it? You know the Boss is especially careful with those who know his name. You'd go to Hoenn Prison, but then…Adam would be vulnerable."
Ethan's breath hitches, and he stops for a moment. He hadn't thought about that. Isaac notices the change in his demeanor and keeps circling the Boltund.
"Yes. You'd be in jail out of the Boss's reach, but your boyfriend would be ripe for the picking. Even if the Boss can't reach you, he knows ways of hurting you, and even keeping you quiet little Ethan. If I were you, I wouldn't want to put Adam in more danger than he's already in. Right?"
Ethan stops completely. He hates to admit it, but Isaac had a point. Boss knows who Adam is, and where they lived, on top of being able to find him easily. Ethan knows Adam is strong, but he wouldn't be able to fight off an entire gang on his own, and Ethan wouldn't want to put him in that position in the first place.
Ethan huffs in frustration, and walks back towards the entrance to their hideout.
"Exactly. I'll keep quiet about this for now, but next time, remember who you're dealing with here."
Ethan knows that Isaac was pretending to care about his and Adam's well being. He knows the Boss told him to watch him, and if Ethan had gotten out and exposed them, he'd be dead too. Not only that, he's also got more at stake, since he's impersonating an officer of the law, on top of a murder on his hands.
Adam…I'll get you out one day. I promise.
About two weeks later, Ethan was summoned. He assumed it was because Isaac told the Boss about his escape attempt, but instead, it was because he had another important job.
"Ethan, I know you've had it rough these last few months or so. You've been quiet, have only gone outside for your jobs or for food, and you look exhausted. I still do feel guilty about what happened with your previous lover…"
Ethan felt his left eye twitch a bit at how he addressed Adam. His previous lover. He didn't want to think about Adam as his ex partner, even if that may be the case from Adam's perspective. He still had hope that he would at least get to see Adam one more time.
"But, with this next job, I'll consider us…even."
Ethan's eyes widened. It's very rare for anyone to be even with the Boss. He listened intently.
"You know what that means don't you? All previous debts would be erased, and you'd be free to either go and live your life elsewhere, or work with me as an associate rather than an underling. Regardless, you won't owe me anything anymore if this job is a success. That being said, it comes with great risk. Isaac?"
Isaac enters the room, making Ethan scowl.
"Things had gone smoothly at the Police station until a certain Detective wanted to get himself involved with the case for a certain Lycanroc. He is one of the few people who've resisted my Hypnosis, and has been a consistent thorn in my side since the beginning. But like the others, I can't just silently remove him from the picture, as he's likely strong enough to overpower and capture me or anyone else who tries instead.
Not only has he gotten some leads on you Ethan, but he's developed a plan to catch you. It involves a shipment of priceless gems being sent in from Kalos via Slateport Harbor."
Boss hands Isaac some files, and Isaac places them on the table. He pulls out a picture of a warehouse, a picture of a Glaceon wearing glasses, and a picture of Gems of all different colors.
"He plans to use the Gems to lure you out, and have you surrounded by Police and preventing your escape at all costs. He took volunteers during the meeting and has been preparing everything for about a week now. What he doesn't know is that the "volunteers" were actually myself, and all of my hypnotized puppets. So instead of trapping you, he'll only be trapping himself. This way, we can get the gems, and take out the last obstacle for us in the police force. If we take him down, we'll practically own Mauville City."
Boss claps his hands together.
"Yes, and that's exactly why this job is so important. You'll go in as bait, Isaac and his cohorts will eliminate the detective, we'll obtain the priceless gems, and Mauville will be our territory."
Ethan is disgusted, but does his best not to show it.
I remember when Boss was just worried about keeping the people close to him safe, and protecting those who couldn't protect themselves, or taking in the ostracized. Now he wants to take dominion over Mauville City and run it from the shadows? This has to be stopped, and I think I have a way to do it…
Ethan goes along with their plan, accepting his role as bait. He intends to somehow warn the detective about Isaac's plan. If he's as strong as they say, he should be able to incapacitate Isaac, ending his Hypnosis control over the other officers. The only chance he had would be when
the Detective revealed himself as he was about to "take" the gems, right before Isaac made a move. It would be slim, but it's the only chance he had. He could try to find the Detective beforehand, but he couldn't leave and make the others suspicious of him, and if he revealed himself too soon, he'll miss his chance to help the Detective catch Isaac as well. If Ethan was going down then so was he, someone like him needs to be behind bars.
The next evening, Ethan is stationed on the outskirts of the harbor. He had to wait for nightfall before acting. He would go in at the obvious time so that this arrival would be expected.
He felt his heart beating quickly as he waited for the sun to finally set. For the first time, he felt nervous before a job.
Once it finally turned night, he sprinted to the building. His blinding speed let him reach the location the gems were in in mere minutes. The building and surrounding area were unusually empty, making the scene unnerving. Usually there were guards of some sorts.
If I didn't already know there was a trap that would've been a huge red flag.
He jumps on top of some shipping containers, and eventually reaches an open window in the building. He hops in, and lands carefully on the ground. Normally he'd be sneaky, but he didn't bother since he knew no one else was there that didn't know he was. He walked up to where the Gems were being held and used Spark on the lock, opening the case. He picked up a few of the jewels and looked them over to make his act as convincing as possible. He had to admit, they did look really nice.
In another reality, I would've bought Adam one of these as a gift.
He keeps sifting through the gems, until finally, he hears a voice behind him.
"Stop right there."
He turns to see the Glaceon he assumed was the Detective, and several other police officers. Only a few of them were holding weapons, while others were preparing ranged attacks. He spots Isaac behind the Detective, getting ready to make a move.
"Put your hands where I can see them. Make this easy and cooperate."
Ethan does as he's told, and puts his paws in the air. He watches as Isaac inches closer, preparing to enact his kill command.
"Detective behi-"
"Freeze Dry!"
Before Ethan could finish warning him, an icy aura surrounds the Detective before barreling towards Isaac and the other officers. The aura surrounds Isaac, freezing him on the spot, leaving only his face free. The other officers only have their feet frozen in place to prevent them from moving. Detective Vega walks up to Isaac, and adjusts his glasses.
"Just like I thought, you'd use this moment to try to eliminate me, Duper. Or should I call you, Isaac Tantail? Whatever your true name is, the game is over. Release your hypnotized puppets."
Isaac glares at the Detective alongside a sinister smirk.
"Heh, the only way that'll happen is if you take me out Vega. And we both know you can't do that."
Vega fixed his sleeves, and matched the tan feline's glare.
"Don't try to fool me. I know you can release them on your own, or if you're knocked out. So, rather than asking once more, I'll say see you again once you thaw out in your cell."
Vega places his paw on the frozen core, and closes his eyes.
"Blizzard."
A maelstrom of ice swirls around the already partially frozen Persian, before he is encased in ice completely, and effectively knocked out.
His fellow officers suddenly snap out of their supposed trances, and grab their heads. While they get themselves together, Vega turns around to see Ethan standing in the same spot, arms up, and wide eyed.
"Huh, I'm genuinely shocked that you didn't try to escape during that. Not only that, but you tried to warn me before I was attacked just now. What's your goal, Ethan?"
Ethan looks down, and sighs.
"I just…I just want to do the right thing. I want to pay for my crimes, and hopefully Adam can go free. I'll tell you whatever you ask, just take me with you…"
Ethan breaks down and falls to his knees while keeping his hands in the air. Vega eyes him curiously, before handcuffing him, and returning to his fellow officers.
Ethan sighs in relief.
It's finally over…
(Present Day)
"And here we are. I've told you everything I knew, just like I promised."
Victor leans back in his chair.
"I see. So you had made attempts to come clean and turn yourself in, but refrained from doing so out of fear for Adam's safety?"
Ethan nods and looks to the side.
"It was already my fault he got arrested, I'd never forgive myself if something else happened to him because of my choices."
Victor crosses his arms, suddenly very pensive. He had felt mild malice and resentment for the Boltund at the thought of him leaving his partner to pay for his crimes, but after hearing his story, he felt a desire to ease his mind. He was truly a victim of circumstance. He would still be going to prison, but he would at least ensure this "Boss" person wouldn't be able to find him, or hurt Adam, or anyone else for that matter. Victor decided to see to it that he at least gets a lighter sentence.
"Alright then. I have no further questions. I'll keep my promise and have you sent to the Mossdeep Correctional Facility rather than Hoenn Prison. After your sentence is served, you'll be placed under a protection program, to make sure this Boss of yours never reaches you."
Ethan clutched his paws together.
"Thank you…thank you…but what about Adam? Will he be safe here?"
Victor stands up, and heads toward the door. Something told him it wouldn't do the Boltund any good if he learned that Adam had been living in a manor, at the mercy of a high society citizen for the last seven, almost eight, months. Ethan had been worried sick this entire time, he didn't want him to think it was all for nothing.
"I'll personally see to it that nothing happens to him. I'll also apprehend "Gooner Stanze" while I'm at it, and root out any of his cohorts in Mauville City. And don't worry, I'll deliver your letter to Adam as well. Once you write it."
Ethan rests his head on the metal table. After months of feeling nothing but guilt, worry, and regret, he finally feels the weight lift off of his shoulders. He'd still be going to prison for his crimes, serving for two years of burglary, plus probation while living in Mossdeep. But he was fine with that.
The fact that he might never get to see Adam again did sadden him deeply, but if it meant that Adam's life wouldn't be in danger, he was more than willing to accept it. All that was left for him was to write a letter to Adam, apologizing and explaining everything. He didn't expect to be forgiven.
But I want to at least communicate with him somehow…before I leave him forever.
After Victor leaves Ethan in his interrogation room, he walks down the hall, to one of the other rooms. This one in particular, was holding a blindfolded Persian, who was handcuffed to the table.
It took Victor a lot of work to uncover his scheme. He performed background checks on all of his fellow officers, Chief Hogan included. As it turns out, Isaac was among the "transfers", who moved from one branch, be it from a town in Hoenn or another region entirely, to the Mauville Branch. However, when he contacted the Branch Duper was transferred from, the Lilycove Branch, they had no records of him, bringing into question where he actually came from, since him being transferred means he never went through the standard procedures to be stationed at Mauville.
Next, Duper was the one who strong-armed Adam's case. To those who weren't under his Hypnosis, they claimed he seemed passionate about bringing him to justice, and it didn't seem suspicious at all. He was the one in charge of gathering testimony from Adam's neighbors while they collected the evidence found in his apartment. Victor learned from Adam that both he and Ethan had a good relationship with their neighbors from what he'd witnessed personally, and he found it odd that they had such negative things to say about either of them. When he went to question them again, they all stated the same thing. That they were approached by a Persian, and that they had no recollection of ever saying anything like what Duper had reported, and even spoke positively about Adam and Ethan. Additionally, they allowed Victor to collect voice recordings of their testimony.
Finally, there was the Chief himself. The Chief always made sure everything proceeded smoothly, no matter what. So for him to allow someone to be sent to prison with no trial was a concern as well. It also brought into question why Warden Vardenfell was allowed to influence his Hypnosis, and have Adam be released with bail into Seth's custody. He believed Duper…or Isaac may have allowed it to happen since Vardenfell is an authority figure and he can't influence her decisions from afar.
Victor had to assume that the Chief was under some sort of influence when making such decisions. He wasn't yet sure who was pulling the strings, but with all the Pokemon tactics that can be used to manipulate someone, all of them have one flaw. The effects wear off when the victim faints via a Pokemon move. So not only was he taking a big risk when he decided to track the Chief down after hours in order to faint him with Freeze-Dry, he very well could have been putting himself in a vulnerable position. Apparently the Chief had been under Isaac's control the entire time Adam was detained, and remained under his control until Adam was out of everyone's heads, and even a few periods of time after he was sent away for community service. So he had no memory of a large margin of events, including the decision to send Adam right to prison, handing him over for community service, with the rest of his memory being spotty.
Victor sits down in front of the chair across from Isaac.
"Isaac Tantail. Age 24, male. I'd say this our…second time officially meeting?"
Isaac smirks and tilts his head to the side.
"How'd you manage to get my age right? What are you gonna tell me about my BMI next? And can you really call it a meeting if I'm blindfolded?"
Victor only stares emotionlessly as a response.
"I did my research. Regardless, neither of us are here for small talk. You're going to tell me everything you know. This isn't a request, and there will be no negotiation. This is the only time I'll go about this tactfully."
Isaac snickers before laughing outright.
"Oh you're threatening me? What are you gonna do? I know you people aren't allowed to act rashly with anyone, it's against your code of law. So I'm not telling you shit!"
Victor sighs. He puts on a pair of black gloves, before opening up the door, and letting in Chief Hogan. Chief Hogan had Mega Evolved, making himself twice as big, so it took him a bit to get inside. Victor spoke as he watched the Swampert try to maneuver through the door. As he speaks, the room gets colder.
"Well normally yes. But we've received special permission when it comes to how to deal with you. Let me tell you something. As of right now, you've been classified as a dangerous individual, a special classification meant for those who have committed crimes of influence with the potential to tear apart civic order with little to no effort. And after hearing that you'd already Hypnotized our dear Chief. Well, Lady Vardenfell wasn't too happy about all the paperwork you're making her do as a result. Not only that, but Chief Hogan isn't exactly pleased with you at the moment. You did quite literally mess with his head, after all."
The Chief finally gets in the door, and approaches Isaac, effortlessly casting a shadow over him, unbeknownst to the feline. Victor approaches from the other side, the coldness of the room becoming more bitter by the second.
"If I were you. I wouldn't want to put myself in more danger than I'm already in."
(End Chapter)