Chapter 125 – Enhanced interrogation

"Okay guys…Come and get it."

Jimmy wheeled the trolley out from the laboratory and onto the grass. It was a routine ritual at the ranch and the Pokémon started gathering in a semi-circle around him. The trolley was loaded with silver bowls full of brightly colored Pokémon food.

"Wow that was quick," he said to himself, as the expectant Pokémon stared at him. He looked over the head of the tallest Pokémon present, which was Dragonite, to a short distance away where Ash and Cameron were continuing their sparing matches.

"Hey, can you too give me a hand here."

"What," Cameron shouted back, turning away from the battle. "Is it dinner time already"

It was Goodra versus Axew!

With Pikachu, Lucario, Hunter, Growlithe and Zoroark watching on. Most of the other Pokémon had given up their interesting in training several hours ago and wander off to spar by themselves or do their own thing.

"Whoa, whoa…Don't get distracted," Goodra shouted at his trainer. "I'm vulnerable here!"

Ash, never one to waste an advantage when it arose, ordered "now Axew, take down."

The little dragon charged at his much larger opponent and drove his head into Goodra's belly. Goodra gasped, winded, as he was thrown backward and onto his back.

"Now Dragon Claw."

Axew landed on his feet breathing heavily. The recoil taking its toll. But he didn't let that stop him, charging at Goodra again, his claws going green.

"CAMERON," squealed Goodra desperately.

His scatterbrained trainer appeared to have completely forgotten about him and the battle.

"It's dinner time for the Pokémon," said Jimmy. "If you want eat, you'll have to help me in the kitchen."

"Oh, come on man, you know we've got to train!"

The irony was not wasted on Goodra that he said this at the same time that Axew leap and struck him directly in the face with Dragon Claw. Knocking him onto his back again.

"CAMERON! Will you keep your head in the game, so I don't get mine pounded in!"

Lucario took pity on Goodra, and gently tapped his trainer on the shoulder.

"Huh."

"Car." He pointed at the battlefield when Cameron turned to him.

"Oh, shit." Cameron's eyes widened at realizing his mistake. "Sorry Goodra. Use Dragon Rush."

"Alright Axew time to show em what you got," cried Ash in response. "Use Draco Meteor, block his path!"

[Pokémon]

" Arceus damnit Cameron," Goodra seethed a few moments later, once the battle had ended and he and Hunter were helping their trainers distribute bowls of food to the waiting Pokémon. "If he hadn't got distracted, I would have won."

"Have you won a single battle today?" Hunter taunted, giving Goodra a coy grin.

Goodra glowered at him. "Not the point," he grumbled as he handed Mienfoo a bowl. "It's a trainer's job to call the plays."

"Sure, you keep telling yourself that." Hunter playfully stuck his tongue out at him. He picked up two bowls off the trolley and passing them to Totodile and Buizel.

Totodile started dancing happily at the sight of the food. "Toto Toto."

"Say, what happened between you and blade," He asked curiously, the coyness disappearing from his face. "Is he like, your ex or something. The way you were talking about him earlier."

Goodra seemed even more annoyed by that question. He folded his arms and answered, "Oh that. Let's just say he likes getting stretched."

"Is that everybody," asked Jimmy, from overhead. He scanned the Pokémon gathered around. Everybody seemed to have a bowl, but there were still five of them on the trolley. "We're a few spare."

Ash looked around and frowned. "Hey yeah. Ashachu, Thunderbolt and Charizard are missing."

"They were off training with the little ones in the forest," said Pikachu.

Ash looked to the east towards the forest. The treetops swayed in the ind. "Shouldn't they have been back by now. It's getting late."

Pikachu waved a paw dismissively. "Nah, they're with Charizard. He'll take care of them. Nobody's gonna mess with him."

"Hmm." Ash grinned. "Yeah, I suppose your right. Don't want Thunderbolt and Charichu to get hungry though."

He was distracted at that moment by a loud BANG, and the sound of breaking glass doming from somewhere at the front of the laboratory.

"What the heck was that?" exclaimed Cameron.

Their three humans ran back into the laboratory to investigate.

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile, in a secret base somewhere in the forest…

"So, shall we get started them!"

Charizard continued to struggle, his heart racing again. He had no idea what Inteleon was going to do, but from what he had said, and the way he was restrained he doubted it would be pleasant. The gag between his jaw made prevented him from biting or making sound. His jaws were starting ache. The vines did a good job of keeping him pinned to the ground, unable to move his arms, legs or tail. He couldn't even move his head very much thanks to Sobble holding the cloth over his head.

"This never fails to loosen even the toughest most unruly Pokémon's tongues. Unruly fire types especially."

Inteleon stood over Charizard and placed the tip of his long index finger on the flame Pokémon's nose. Then he fired his shot of water directly into the cloth and Charizard's face. The effect was immediate. Charizard's body stiffened, and then he started to squirm in his restraints. Sobble had to fight to keep a hold of the cloth from behind Charizard's head.

It was known as Waterboarding.

A method of torture where the captor pours water over the cloth covering the victims face blocking their breathing passages, causing an immediate gag reflex and an authentic sensation of drowning. Officially it was banned under domestic and international law. In practice, lawyers and journalist never got to see what went on inside the interrogation rooms of Interpol and the OSS. And very few judges were prepared to take the word of criminals, gangsters, and terrorists over law enforcement. And waterboarding usually left no marks.

"Z-a-r-d."

Charizard started to have a panic attack. It was like sinking into a dark black pain. He couldn't breathe. His lungs ached with the lack of oxygen and his thoughts were going fuzzy. Though he thrashed in his restrains, he could feel himself growing weaker by the second.

Sweet Arceus…He was going to die.

From what sounded like a thousand miles away, he heard Inteleon mumble, "fuck yeah."

Just as Charizard's vision started to span with asphyxiation, the cloth was removed. He breathed deeply though his nose, filling his deprived lungs. Until that moment he had never truly understood the importance of oxygen to life.

"Ready to talk yet?"

As he caught his breath, his eyes caught sight of Inteleon. Standing over him with a smug look on his face. To Charizard's horror, he caught sight of a small pink tip poking out between his legs.

'Is he…. getting off on this. Sick fuck'

Although he could not speak or even growl through his gag, he put as much hatred and anger into the glare he gave Inteleon.

"Wrong answer." Inteleon threw the cloth back over Charizard's face and pointed his finger at him. "Sobby, keep an eye on his tail flame." He sneered at his captive. "That's the great thing about the Char line. You come with a built-in life bar."

[Pokémon]

Oak's Ranch…

"Oi why don't you watch where you're driving. It was my right of way. You've destroyed my truck you have."

"I'm truly very sorry sir. I-If you'll just let me get my pen out, I'll make sure the damage is paid for."

Ash, Pikachu, Cameron, and Jimmy rushed out to the front of the laboratory where they were greeted by the sight of a black sedan, its bonnet crumpled, and its front window smashed. Beside it, a small truck with a bent fender. Two men were standing beside the wrecked vehicles, engaging in an argument. One stout and red faced, dressed in a set of overalls, and pointing angrily at the other.

"I've got three more deliveries after this one. How am I going to make them now!"

"What's going on out here," demanded Jimmy as he surveyed the scene.

Ash and Pikachu's attention was drawn to the stout man's compatriot. A tall dark haired main wearing a brown trench coat.

"Mr. Looker," he said in surprise.

"Pika Pikachu," squeak Pikachu happily, raising his paw and waving.

The man in the trench coat looked at who had spoke his name. He smiled when he caught sight of Ash.

"Well, hello Ash. Cameron. Fancy running into you here!"

"Oh, hey there," said Cameron. He waved like Pikachu, though he was having to think quite hard about what he was doing here."

"What brings you to pallet town," Ash asked conversationally. "Are you still with the international Police."

"Ah yes," replied looker. "I'm here on a case actually. I was supposed to be meeting…Err but that's not important right now. Who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is our friend Jimmy," Ash said. He turned to Jimmy and added. "This is Looker. He's a detective. I met him in the Sinnoh Region back when I had that run in with Team Galactic."

"Pleased to meet you." Jimmy walked over to offer Looker his hand.

But before Looker could accept it, the stout man in overalls tapped him the shoulder and snapped, "Hey you. What about my truck."

Looker reached into the pocket of his trench coat and pulled out a card, which he tried to give to the man. "Sir, I really am very sorry about your vehicle. If you just call the number on this card, my employer will arrange payment for you."

The stout man didn't change the card. He continued to glare at Looker. "What, you are telling me you don't have insurance?"

"I assure you it will get paid for," Looker tried to reassure him.

The man lurched towards him, seemingly raising his arms. Looker's eyes widened and he stepped backwards towards his sedan, as though expecting the man to strike him.

[Pokémon]

"So… There I was. Claws tied above my head to the tree above me. Force to stand almost on my toe claws. And Flygon's giving me the feel up. I don't care what he likes to tell anyone about dominance and teasing. He can't keep his claws off all this." Dragonite gestured to his chest and torso with a claw. His voice filled with bravado and confidence.

A coy Zoroark, hanging on to every word the dragon type said, and a red faced and embarrassed Axew, were listening on.

"Now I'd been waiting there half an hour. Bastard tied me up, started playing with my body then fucked off to take a bath in the creek leaving me high and dry."

"Hehehe. What left you standing on your toe claws," laughed Zoroark. "That must have been painful."

"Damn right," said Dragonite. "Likes to think he can break me. But now he's back and playing with me again. His claw trails all the way down to my things. And this is the part you'll remember for the rest of your lives."

"Yes, okay," squeaked Axew.

Zoroark glanced down at him and laughed the sight of his red faced. "Hehehe. Arceus you really are bashful aren't you."

"Uhh. Why don't I go get us more food," the little dragon said hurriedly. He scooped up his and Zoroark's empty Pokéchow bowls in his claws.

Dragonite held up a claw to stop and said, "Nah, I'm good," when he moved to pick up his.

"Where was I. So, his claw slides along my tail right."

Axew didn't hear what came next. He made his way through the grass as fast as his feet would carry him. Still blushing profusely. "Arceus damnit Zoroark. Why do you have to…Ugh."

He wasn't quite careful enough about where he was going.

BAM…He hit something solid, causing him to trip over and drop the bowls.

"Ouch." Came and angry voice. "Why can't you watch where you're…You!"

"I-I-I'm really sorry," Axew said apologetically as he got back to his feet. "I'll try to be more careful next…"

He recoiled when he saw who to was, he had run into. Blade was standing in front of him, his chest puffed out and his claws raised. The contents of his spilled meal laying in the grass around him. But it wasn't just a look of annoyance that the Sneasel was giving him.

It was one of absolute hatred…

[Pokémon]

Jimmy stepped in to diffuse the situation. "Hey, don't you have a delivery for us," he asked the stout man.

"Oh yes, right away." The Stout man stood up straight and walked over to the back of his truck, where he pulled out an armful of brown paper bags. "Where do you want these."

"Just threw here will do." Jimmy gestured towards the front door.

Looker turned his attention to Ash. "Listen Ash, you haven't per chance seen another kid around here. Bit older than you, gray hair?"

Ash shook his head. "Nope. Is that who you were supposed to be meeting."

Looker pulled a face then rubbed the back of his head with his hand. "Well…Anyway. Have you seen anything suspicious around here lately."

"Ummm." Ash raised his eyebrows not sure how to respond.

Pikachu frowned at the detective. "Pika."

"Can't say that we have." Cameron answered the question oblivious. "Is something going on?"

"Not really," Looker replied, a little too quickly. "Just thought you'd better know. Galarian agents are at large in these parts."

"Huh. Large agents from Galarian," said Cameron incredulously.

"I've been informed that there may be OSS agents conducting active around Pallet Town. Miss Cobell doesn't want them in the Seven Nations. It's nothing to worry about, but just be careful if you see any unfamiliar or suspicious people or Pokémon. Anyway, it's getting late. I'm afraid I have somewhere else I need to be." He suddenly sounded very distracted, causing Ash to start frowning.

"Mr. Looker," he started to Ash, but the detective had already move to get back into his car.

"Nice running into you again Ash." He waved as he opened the door and slid back into the crumpled Sedan. A moment later he was gone, leaving Ash, Cameron, and Pikachu very confused.

"Umm did anything about that seem weird to you," said Pikachu.

Ash shrugged. "Well, I suppose he is a man of mystery? What's a Galarian agent."

"What's a large Galarian Agent?" Added Cameron. Ash saw no reason to correct him.

Neither had time to contemplate the question as a set of roars came from the house, followed by a chant of "Fight, fight, fight."

Ash jumped in alarm. "Oh no, what now!"

"It's just one thing after another today," said Cameron with a shake of his head.

[Pokémon]

"What's going on here," Ash demanded as he and Cameron re-entered the yard to find most of the Pokémon gathered in a small circle.

Jimmy was still helping bring the rest of the groceries in the house.

As they approached, they saw Zoroark and Blade facing each other. Both looked extremely pissed off, snarling at the other with their claws brandished. Axew was standing in the grass behind Zoroark looking incredulous.

The chant continued. "Fight, fight, fight."

"Apologize to Axew you little creep," Zoroark snarled.

"Blade attacked Axew then Zoroark hit Blade," Geyser told Ash. Unlike many of the other Pokémon he wasn't chanting fight, and seemed to be watching on in worry, wondering whether to intervene.

"Oh seriously," grumbled Ash.

"Blade, can't you get along with anyone," cried an exasperated Cameron.

Lucario growled softly. "I thought I warned you about playing nice Blade."

Blade turned his head as he heard his name called. When he saw Cameron and Lucario he shouted angrily, "You want me to play nice, I'll play nice, with everyone but him. I'll do my best to be as civil as possible." His voice had turned high pitched, and he threw claws in the air as he spoke. He bared his teeth and gestured at Axew. "But if you ask me to go anywhere near that tusk faced chode guzzler and be nice to him, that I can't promise. Punish me if you have to, but a volcano will erupt water before I treat that cunt with anything but hate."

"What did you call my mate," barked Zoroark, taking a menacing step towards Blade. "You keep talking like that about my mate and I'll kill you where you stand. No psychotic Darkrai to protect you this time, remember. Nobody to place this Zoroark's face like a puppet."

That remark stung Blade. His eyes widened and a look of pain crossed his face as though Zoroark had stabbed him with his claws. Then he became engulfed in rage. "You know something. As bad as he was, Shadow was a better person than than sack of rancid milk." He again pointed at Axew with his claw. The Sneasel sounded almost maniacal. "He knew what he was, he didn't deny it, didn't hide it. And he certainly didn't delude himself into thinking he was a good person." Like Zoroark he stepped toward Axew, trying to get close. Zoroark moved in front of the little dragon protectively. "And he'd never betray his friends."

It wasn't clear who had snapped first, Blade or Zoroark. In a flash, they were on each other. Zoroark was faster and stronger than his Sneasel opponent. He hit Blade hard with night slash, his claws raking across Blade's face and knocking the Sneasel into the grass. He then put his claw together preparing to use Dark Pulse.

"You're going to fucking regret doing that," the illusion Pokémon growled as a ball of dark purple energy formed between his claws. "I'm done with bullies. I'm not going to let a creep like you hurt someone I love and get away with him."

"Sylveon," shouted Ash. "Do your think."

The canine like intertwining Pokémon emerged from the group. She walked up to Blade and Zoroark and stretched out her feelers, singing, "Slyvee Sylveon." A wave of pink aura spread from her feelers, covering the battlefield.

Immediately, Zoroark and Blade calmed. Their bodies relaxed and their faces mellowed. Zoroark dropped his claws, the ball of dark energy disappearing. Blade sat up in the grass and started crying uncontrollably. Fat tears fell down his cheeks and onto the grass beside him.

Zoroark turned away from Blade and knelt down beside Axew. "Are you alright my love."

"I'm. I'm fine," the little dragon whispered back. "You didn't need to do that."

Zoroark rubbed the top of Axew's head with his claws and licked his cheek.

Cameron and Lucario rounded on Blade.

"Alright Blade," Lucario growled. "What the hell was that about."

"Axew's such a sweet Pokémon. What could he possibly have done to deserve to be attacked like that," added Cameron.

"Axew knocked him over," explained Geyser from nearby. "That's what started this."

Cameron looked extremely exasperated, and Lucario angry.

"Seriously!"

"Is that really what started this."

There was an "oohing" sound from the Pokémon gathered around, but Cameron ignored it, and Lucario held up a paw to silence everyone.

Blade wiped his eyes with his claws and then jumped back to his feet. A maniacal expression had crossed his face, and he yelled, "You know. You're not as bad as Cleave, but you're a shit dad." He pointed his claw, not at Cameron but instead at Ash, taking everybody by surprise. "Never even considered Ashachu was telling the truth, even after he ran away. Ya know, guilty people normally just run away, it's the innocent who do something stupid when they're upset, like joining your worst enemy to avoid your own father shipping you off all alone. You make me sick."

"What me." Ash gestured to himself, not quite sure what Blade was saying.

Lucario grunted and rolled his eyes. "What are you on about now?"

Cameron had heard enough. He whipped out Blade's Pokéball from his belt. "Blade return." The Sneasel was sucked back inside in a beam of red light. "I think you need to take some time to calm down." He sighed and turned to Ash and Lucario. "I just can't work out what's wrong with him. Am I that bad a trainer."

"Nah you're a great trainer," Ash tried to reassure him.

"Pika Pika-pikachu," cooed Pikachu.

"I just think Blade might have some…issues." He thought about Charizard and Iris and Exacdrill. "Pokémon can be funny like that sometimes. It's the same as people, they all have different feelings." Frowning at the Pokéball in Cameron's had, he added "remember what Doctor Jamba told us. Blade formed an attachment to a Pokémon who used to rip out tongues for fun. Can't imagine that was good for his psyche."

"Plus, he came from a Sneasel pack with an abusive alpha father," added Lucario. "He probably has unresolved trauma."

Cameron looked sadly at the ball for a moment before restoring it to his belt. "Next Pokémon centre we come to; I'll ask to see if we can get Blade some proper help."

Jimmy came back out of the house. "What was all the commotion about."

"Oh nothing," said Cameron. "Just disagreements between some of the Pokémon."

"Blade again."

"Oh yeah."

Jimmy sighed then looked around at the rest of the Pokémon gathered there. "Hey, is it just me, or are we a few Pokémon short."

Ash looked around and felt a jolt in his stomach. "Hey yeah. Charizard, Ashachu and Thunderbolt still aren't back."

Jimmy bit his lip. "Listen guys. I'm starting to get a little worried. You remember what that man, Looker told us."

Cameron frowned. "About the large Galarian agents?"

Jimmy refrained from rolling his eyes and continued. "Remember a few years ago. There was that scandal involving spies from the Galar region breaking into the offices of high-level government officials."

Ash shook his head and said, "no."

Cameron scratched his head and frowned. "Rings a bell. Think dad told me something about that."

"Then there was that incident where a man was found dead in a hotel room in the Sinnoh."

Both Ash and Cameron shook their heads at that this one.

Jimmy sighed. "Seriously. You never pay attention when the evening news is on in a Pokémon Centre. Police discovered he was a leader in an organization called the Explorers which had been causing trouble for authorities in the Galar Region. That was also attributes to spies from the Galar region."

When Ash and Cameron continued to give him blank or confused looks, he added, "The point is. If there are Galarian agents active around here, they could have caused trouble for Ashachu, Charizard and the others. Especially since we thought they'd be back by now."

Ash's expression changed from blank, to apprehensive once again. "W-what are you saying."

"I think we should go and look for them," said Jimmy…

[Pokémon]

In the forest near route 1…

"Had enough yet lizard?"

The cloth was whipped off Charizard's face for what felt like the hundredth time. Poor Charizard felt like this had been going on for hours…or possibly days. Inteleon would continually hose him under the cloth with water form his paws, while Sobble held the cloth in place and kept an eye on Charizard's tail. When it looked like it was getting too low, they would give him a break.

"Ready to start telling me the truth."

Charizard stared at Inteleon. His eyes were blood shot red, and his body trembled. Any thought of defiance was long gone. He was weakened and frightened. Not a state he was used to being one. A feeling he had only really felt a few times in his life before. He whimpered, unable to speak through the ball stuck between his jaws. Inteleon promptly removed it.

"Please…I…Can't take anymore of this."

"Then tell me," Inteleon demanded. "Who are you working for. And why did they want Guzma dead."

"I-I'm not working for anyone," Charizard whimpered. His voice was several octaves higher than usual. Charizard was surprised to hear it himself. It certainly didn't sound like his own. "My-my trainer's name is Ash Ketchum. I was only out here in the forest with my mate to trainer Charichu and two other kits. A Pichu named Thunderbolt and a Dratini named Ryu. I saw that gray haired boy. Guzma. Run up the hill. That was it. I don't know anything about him, or why somebody would want him dead, I swear…Please. D-don't do that to me again."

Inteleon looked him up and down, considering him for a moment. Charizard was so frightened and exhausted that he didn't really care about Inteleon's pronounced erection. His cock was standing, tall and proud between his legs. All the excitement of watching Charizard squirm. After a moment he looked like he had come to a conclusion… And Charizard could tell at once that it was the wrong one.

"Let's try this again."

He lifted the cloth to throw it back over Charizard's face.

Charizard cried. "No…No, I can't…I can't go through that again. If you don't believe me then just kill me." He laid his head back down on the ground and shut his eyes as they filled with tears. "Slit my throat and be done with it. I won't be a threat to you then. But please. Let my whelp go. Let Charichu go free. Don't make him suffer."

"We saw him eating Guzma," said Inteleon. "That's disposing of evidence. Why was he doing that."

"Look at him," pleaded Charizard. "He's a hatchling and runt. Look at the way his scales stick to his ribs. Hell, he's blind and only half the size of most Charmander whelps. He couldn't hurt anyone. Take me. Let him go."

Inteleon click his tongue. "Let's see if you say the same after another few hours."

"Wait Tel." Squeaked Sobble, before Inteleon could do anything. "I think he's telling the truth bro."

Inteleon cocked his head. "You think. Sobby we can't be wrong about this. We know how dangerous…"

"I know," protested Sobble. He climbed onto Charizard's chest, to prevent Inteleon putting the cloth over him again. "Look at his eyes, look at his expression. He's not lying to get out of this. He's scared and he's telling you all he knows because he never wants to go through this again…And I think he's right about that Charmander."

"Let Charichu go free," Charizard said again desperately.

Inteleon thought for a moment, before looking down at his brother and smiling at him. "I trust your judgement Sobby. You know that. But if we release him and the Charmander, we'll both have to vouch to Jacqueline and the board. The board will punish both of us if we fuck this up."

"Yeah, I know," said Sobble. "But didn't we also have orders not to leave as little trace as possible. If we hurt an innocent Charizard."

There was a cracking sound from behind them. Inteleon and Sobble raised and turned their heads in time to see the ice block encasing Charichu shatter, freeing the trapped Charmander. Inteleon raised his brows, impressed.

"Whoa…He must be strong."

"Char." Charichu stood their for a moment, sniffing at the air.

"Charichu," cried Charizard, flicking his head back to try and get a view of his whelp.

"Charmander!" Upon hearing Charizard's voice, Charichu crawled on top of him. He climbed over his shoulder, knocking Sobble off of him as he did so. The little Charmander then sat himself down squarely in the middle of Charizard's chest.

"Charichu," Charizard breathed again. The feel of his small form against his scales was very comforting to Charizard. He wished he could free his arms to hug the small Charmander.

"Char Charmander!" He cooed.

Inteleon moved towards Charichu. He opened his maw to say something, but no sound ever came out. Charichu stood up to his full height (which wasn't actually that tall) on Charizard's chest, surprising even Charizard. He let out a loud roar of "CHAAAARRR!"

At the same time, the flame on the end of his tail ignited, going in an instant from a slow burn to a raging plume that reached upwards towards the ceiling. Charizard could feel the heat on his face.

"Is his rage ability Is his rage ability activating?" he wondered to himself.

But it was clearly more than that. The flames turned from red to blue as the Charmander flexed his muscles. His usually milky eyes turned bright blue as though he were a Charmander possessed. Inteleon had never seen such as thing before. And in that moment became something he wasn't usually…indecisive.

"CHARMANDER!"

Charichu attacked. He lent forward and fired a jet of blue bell flamed directly into Inteleon's chest. The water lizard was not only blasted against the wall, but right out of the secret base. The wall burst open, and he disappeared into the forest.

"TEL," screamed Sobble, covering his head with his paws and curling into a ball.

"Charichu," breathed Charizard in astonishment. He laid his head back against the floor of the secret base, breathing heavily.

However, their troubles were not over just yet. The ground beneath Charizard started to shake, then then the tree holding up the secret base collapsed. Charizard felt a lurch in his stomach, as he fell into the darkness below.