Pokémon Return of Champion Chapter 8 Plans

Dusk had fallen, casting long shadows that slithered across the cracked concrete floor. The air was thick with tension as Drew Hayden stood, his back pressed against the cold, damp wall of the abandoned warehouse. His breathing was shallow and rapid, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He glanced around nervously, his eyes straining to pierce the approaching darkness. Every creak of the dilapidated structure sent a shiver down his spine, his heart pounding in his chest like a caged Pidgey seeking escape.

The warehouse was a monolithic relic of a bygone era, forgotten and left to decay on the outskirts of the city. Its once-proud walls were now covered in grime, ivy, and graffiti, a testament to the years of neglect. Piles of rusted machinery lay scattered haphazardly across the floor, their purpose lost to time. Shadows flicked in the dim light cast by a single, flickering light bulb that hung precariously from a frayed wire. It swung gently in the breeze that blew through the shattered windows, creating a haunting strobe effects that only served to heighten the atmosphere of secrecy and foreboding.

Drew swallowed hard, trying to quell the rising sense of unease that gnawed at him. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, but it was a risk he was willing to take. If the clandestine meeting could bring him one step closer to achieving his goal, then it was braving the darkness and uncertainty that surrounded him.

His fingers drummed impatiently against the rough brick surface behind him, and the sounds echoed through the cavernous space. Time seemed to stretch out into eternity as he waited for the person he had hired, his mind conjuring up all sorts of terrifying scenarios. What if they didn't show up? Had something gone wrong? Or worse, what if they had betrayed him? Drew shook his head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. He had come this far; there was no turning back now.

As the uneasy silence consumed him, Drew's thoughts turned to the setting he had chosen for their furtive rendezvous. The warehouse, a place of decay and disuse, seemed like an apt metaphor for the path he found himself on. Just as the once-mighty structure had crumbled under the weight of time and neglect, so too had his own moral compass been eroded by the desperate need that drove him. But it was a price he was willing to pay, a sacrifice he would make without hesitation if it meant finally achieving his heart's desire.

It was here, in the crumbling monument to decay, that Drew Hayden hoped to find the key to unlocking the future. He just needed to wait a little longer to endure the crushing darkness and oppressive silence that threatened to suffocate him. Only then would he know if the gamble had paid off or if he had merely sealed his own fate.

Drew clenched his fists, the dampness of his palms betraying the anxiety that roiled within him. He couldn't help but shake the nagging feeling that this was a mistake, but he couldn't let Aaron stand in the way of his happiness any longer. The image of May's smiling face filled his thoughts, providing an anchor to hold onto through the storms of doubt and fear.

"May deserves better," he whispered into the darkness, as if saying it aloud would make it come true. "And I'll be the one to give it to her." The own sound of his voice calmed his down somewhat, steeling his resolve.

As Drew paced back and forth, the shadows seemed to dance along the walls, twisting and contorting with each flicker of the feeble light that spilled from a solitary, grimy window. It was a cruel mockery of the life he imagined for himself and May—a life full of sunlight and laughter, unburned by the specter of Aaron.

The creak of the door hinge shattered the silence, and Drew's heart lurched into his chest. He turned towards the sound, squinting as a figure stepped into the dimly lit space. The person was tall and lean, their long legs fluidly carrying them forward with a predatory grace. A hood shrouded their face in shadow, leaving only in the glint of dark eyes visible beneath the depths.

"Finally," Drew spat, struggling to keep his nerves in check. "I thought you were never going to show."

"Your message said to be discreet," the stranger replied, their voice low and smooth like velvet. "I take my time when discretion is required." They moved closer, and Drew could make out a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Did you do it?" Drew asked, his voice cracking despite his best efforts to keep composed. "Is Aaron...?"

"Ah, I'm so eager for the news of your rival's demise." The figure mused, crossing his arms over their chest. "You must truly despise him to go to such lengths."

"It's not about hate," Drew growled, his patience wearing thin. "It's about love—my love for May. And if Aaron is out of the picture, she can finally choose me."

The stranger titled their head, considering Drew's words for a moment before they replied, "An interesting way to win someone's heart, Mr. Hayden, but I suppose love does make us do strange things."

"Enough talk," Drew snapped, desperation edging into his voice. "Tell me what happened to Aaron."

"Very well," the hooded figure said, the tone betraying just a hint of amusement. "But you might not like what you hear."

As the stranger spoke, Drew's eyes scanned them intently. There was an air of authority about them that was impossible to ignore. Despite the heavy cloak concealing their body, there was no mistaking the confident posture—shoulders squared, head held high—and a sense of menace in their every movement. Their eyes seemed to bore into Drew's very soul, as if daring to challenge them.

"Tell me what happened," Drew demanded again, his voice betraying a mix of fear and anticipation. He could not help but be both intimated and impressed by the enigmatic figure standing before him.

"Very well," The stranger said this, unfolding their arms and taking a step closer to Drew. "I did what you requested. I found Aaron and made sure that I didn't let him know who sent me."

Drew swallowed hard, his palms growing sweaty. "And?" He asked, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Unfortunately," the hired person continued, their voice cold and unfeeling. "There was a complication. May Maple arrived on the scene unexpectedly, interrupting our little exchange."

Drew's eyes widened as he felt the blood drain from his face. "May?" he choked out, shock rippling through him. "What happened to her? Is she hurt?"

"Unharmed," the stranger reassured, a hint of annoyance slipping through their tone. "I had no choice but to retreat for the time being. But rest assured, Mr. Hayden, I will finish what I started."

"Wait, you just can't go back," Drew protested, his thoughts racing. The image of May walking in on the attack haunted him, filling him with guilt and dread. What if she discovered the truth—his involvement in his twisted scheme? Yet, at the same time, he knew he couldn't allow Aaron to remain a roadblock between him and the woman he loved.

"Your payment has already been made," the stranger pointed out, their expression unreadable. "I am a professional, Mr. Hayden. And I fully intend to see this assignment through to its completion."

"Then you need to be careful," Drew warned, his voice trembling. "If May gets hurt or finds out about this, I'll make sure you pay."

"Of course," the hired person said with a chilling smile as they turned to leave. "It would be a shame if anything were to happen to your beloved, now wouldn't it?"

As the figure disappeared into the shadows, Drew was left alone with his thoughts, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. The lengths he had gone to for love weighed on him like a stone, and he couldn't help but wonder if there was any turning back from the dark path he'd chosen.

The revelation struck Drew like a lightning bolt, his stomach twisting into knots as the full weight of the situation bore down upon him. He could barely comprehend what he had done—hiring someone to get rid of Aaron—all for the sake of having a chance with May. But now, hearing that his plan has failed and May unexpectedly appeared and inadvertently stopped the attack on Aaron, Drew feels the crushing force of reality upon him.

"Damn it!" He muttered under his breath, clenching his fists by his side. His frustration boiled over like lava erupting from a volcano, scorching everything in its path. How could everything have gone so wrong?

"Are you sure it was May?" Drew asked the hired person, his voice barely concealing the tremor of anger and desperation within.

"Positive," the stranger replied, their tone icy and detached. "She came out nowhere, just in time to stop me from finishing the job."

As the word settled into the air, an image of May filled Drew's mind—her wide eyes filled with shock and fear as she stumbled on the scene. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, followed by a realization that his actions put her in danger as well.

"Unbelievable," Drew whispered, his voice cracking under the strain. He fought to keep his emotions in check, but the rage that burned inside him threatened to consume him whole.

"Your inference...your miscalculation...it could have cost May her life!" Drew seethed at the stranger, his face contorted with fury. And yet, deep down, another part of him screamed that he had only himself to blame. It was his obsession, his willingness to go to such extreme lengths, that had led him to his point.

"Rest assured, Mr. Hayden," the hired person said, their voice dripping with menace. "It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," Drew snapped, his voice a deadly whisper. Surrounded by shadows and echoes of his own making, Drew realized just how far he had been willing to go for love. But with each passionate moment, the line between love and obsession blurred further, leaving him to question whether it was truly worth the cost.

Meanwhile

Misty, Dawn, and others held a secret meeting in another abandoned warehouse, plotting their revenge on May, who had insulted them earlier as both Dawn and Misty had flirted with Aaron, plus they all held resentment towards May, as she had been the only one not to betray Ash. Well, besides Max, The abandoned warehouse loomed in darkness, its skeletal frame casting eerie shadows across the cracked pavement. Moonlight seeped through the broken windows, illuminating the secret meeting within. Dust particles danced in the air as the traitors huddled around the table in the center of the vast space. They leaned in, examining the maps and plans sprawled out before them, their expressions tense and focused.

Dawn stood resolute at the head of the table. Her determination was palpable; her jaw clenched as she traced a finger over a crucial part of the map. "This is where it's going to happen," she said firmly, her voice echoing off of the walls.

Misty, her fiery red hair a stark contrast to the dimly lit room, glared at the map with resentment boiling beneath the surface. She crossed her arms tightly across her chest, her green eyes flickering with impatience. "Fine, we'll all be here. Let's just get this over with, so we can move on."

Brock's spiky brown hair, visible in the low light, shared Misty's resentful expression. He leaned back in the chair, his fingers drumming against the table. Memories of laughter and camaraderie with Ash haunted him, gnawing at his conscience, but he pushed the thoughts away, steeling himself for the task at hand.

Clian and Iris exchanged glances, and they joined the group in the betrayal of Ash, along with Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont.

"Alright," Dawn said, taking a deep breath and looking into the group. "Let's get started."

"Enough of the silence," Dawn snapped, her blue eyes blazing with determination. "We need to talk about why we're here. We all know Ash wasn't good enough of a trainer. He lost league after league."

Misty slammed her hands down onto the table, causing the maps and plans to jump. "And let's not forget how May clings to him like a lovesick puppy, missing him, and she never left his side even when he lost."

"Exactly," Dawn agreed, her voice cold and hard. "It's time we took matters into our own hands. I say we kidnap May as payback for May's blind loyalty to him, how much she misses him, and for insulting me and Misty earlier for flirting with her new boyfriend Aaron earlier. It was just harmless fun anyway."

Brock shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his face lined with doubt. Although he didn't like May as much as Misty and Dawn, even though she was really hot, she was an ally of Ash. He still didn't know if kidnapping her would really be the best solution. "I don't know, guys... Is kidnapping really the best way to get revenge? What if we get caught?"

"Have you got any better ideas?" Misty shot back, her resentment palpable. "This is the only way to May that we won't be pushed around."

As the tension thickened in the dimly lit warehouse, each member of the group considered the next move. Dawn paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge. Misty crossed her arms defensively, her eyes burning with anger. Brock leaned back in his chair, his conscience warning of the desire for payback.

Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie remained silent, their emotions churning within them. Like Brock, they didn't like May either, but they also thought kidnapping May would really be the best solution. Serena, who still harbored feelings deep down for Ash, learned one night while getting a cup of water that Ash liked May, and it shattered her heart. She then decided to turn her back on Ash, like Ash had done to her. As she thought more about it, her hatred and anger for May grew, slowly swaying her in the direction of going along with the plan.

"Alright," Dawn said, her voice firm. "We kidnap May and make her see just how wrong she's been about Ash the whole time. Then we'll finally get the recognition and respect we deserve."

"Agreed," Misty said, her voice dripping with venom. "Let's show them both what happens when they cross us."

The air hung heavy with the smell of rust and decay, as if the abandoned warehouse itself were a reflection of their own corroded souls. Shadows danced across the walls as the flickering candles cast an eerie glow over the maps and plans strewn across the table. The group sat huddled together, each faced etched with determination and doubt.

"Alright," Dawn said, slamming her fist on the table, her eyes burning with conviction. "We need to set a date for the kidnapping. We can't risk May finding out what we're planning."

"Agreed," Misty chimed in, her tone heavy with resentment. "The sooner we act, the less time she'll have to prepare or alert Aaron."

"Three days from now," Clian suggested, his eyes darting between Bonnie and Iris. "That's enough time for us to finalize our plans and gather any supplies we might need."

"Sounds good," Iris replied, biting her lip. As she traced her finger over where May was staying at the hotel, they found out where they were staying after following May and Aaron the other night from their date.

As the group continued their discussion, the air in the warehouse seemed to grow colder, the weight of their decisions pressing down on them like an invisible shroud. They knew the path they had chosen was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but the fire of vengeance burned within them all, pushing them forward despite their fears.

Together, they would face the consequences of their choices, whether they led to redemption or ruin.

Misty eyes flickered in candlelight, casting sinister shadows across Dawn's face as she outlined the kidnapping strategy. The tap-tap-tap of Dawn's finger on the map echoed in the otherwise silent warehouse, punctuating her words with a sense of finality. Misty's gut churned, an uneasy feeling settling within her like a stone sinking into turbulent waters.

"Wait," Misty blurted out, interrupting Dawn mid-sentence. "I don't think this plan is going to work."

Dawn's eyes narrowed, her hand still on the table. "And what makes you say that, Misty?" She asked, her voice icy enough to freeze a Seel.

"Look, I just think there might be an efficient way to do this," Misty replied, nervously fidgeting with her worn jacket sleeve. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at her fellow traitors, before swallowing hard and continuing. "We could spilt up and approach from different directions. It would lessen the risk of being spotted and give us a better chance of success."

Dawn's jaws tightened as she listened to Misty's suggestion, her eyes never leaving Misty's face. She exhaled sharply through her nose, clearly irritated by the challenge to her authority. "Fine," she snapped. "Let's hear your brilliant plan then."

"Alright," Misty said, standing up and walking over to the table. She pointed to various locations on the map, explaining her reasoning as she went. "Clemont and Bonnie can take this route here, while Serena and I approach from this side. You, Iris, and Clian can circle around and come back in from the back. That way, we surround May and make our moves simultaneously."

As Misty spoke, the others leaned closer to the table, examining her proposed strategy. Whispered conversations broke out among them, weighing the pros and cons of both plans. Dawn's eyes darted between Misty and the map, her fingers tapping a rapid staccato against her leg as she considered the new approach.

"Okay," Dawn conceded, reluctantly nodding in agreement. "We'll try it your way."

"Good," Misty said, trying to keep the triumph from her voice. She knew that asserting herself could strain their already tenuous alliance, but she couldn't sit by idly when she believed there was a better way. With luck, they might even get through this whole ordeal without anyone getting hurt.

"Let's finalize our plan then," Brock interjected, attempting to ease the tension in the room. "We need to make sure everyone knows their part if this is going to work."

The group spent the next hour discussing the intricacies of their strategy, ensuring each person understood their role and the risks involved.

"Remember," Dawn said, her voice firm and determined as she looked around at the faces of her co-conspirators. "Not a word of this to anyone. We can't afford any mistakes."

With a final nod to one another, the traitors disappeared into the night, each lost in thought as they contemplated the gravity of their actions and the consequences that would surely follow.

Dawn's eyes burned with determination as she paced back and forth in the dimly lit warehouse, her footsteps echoing off the cold concrete floor. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, every fiber of her being focused on the objective. "We can't afford any screw-ups," she said, her voice a fierce whisper. "May must pay for what she's done."

Misty stood by the table, arms crossed defensively over her chest, her resentment simmering just below the surface. She couldn't help but feel a little bit of bitterness towards Dawn, who had taken command so easily, as if it were her right. The air crackled with tension, and Misty struggled to maintain her composure. "I get that," she snapped. "But I still think my approach would've been better."

"Enough," Brock interjected, leaning back in the chair, his brow furrowed in concern. He knew they all needed to be on the same page if the plan was going to work, but he could also feel that they were taking things too far.

"Look," Clian said, breaking the silence that had settled over the group. "We agreed to this plan. We need to see it through. If we start doubting ourselves now, we'll only make mistakes."

"Right," Iris chimed in. "Besides, May deserves for sticking with Ash's sides and insulting Dawn and Misty."

"Alright then," Dawn said, her resolve unwavering as she met their gazes. "We proceed as planned. No second-guessing, no turning back."

As the meeting adjourned, the traitors left the warehouse, each consumed with their own thoughts and emotions. Dawn's determination burned brighter than ever, and Misty clung to the resentment like a shield. With their actions set into motion, the group could only hope that their plan would unfold as intended and that they'd somehow find a way to justify the path they'd chosen.