Hey y'all, it's gothchic6 back with Silver's Skater Girl: Chapter 27: Too Good To Be True!
Sorry for being absent since July 2023, my life has been in shambles for a while, and my old computer wasn't capable of doing what I needed to be able to write and post. But I got a new laptop for xmas, so I am now up and running! I am also working on some more artwork for this story, which I post on Deviantart under the same username.
Thank you to am0461164 and RtSp for favoriting or following since my last update! I always appreciate knowing that people are reading and enjoying my story, so thank you.
Disclaimer: gothchic does not own Pokémon, she only owns her OCs.
Silver's Skater Girl Chapter 27: Too Good To Be True:
Calypso's POV; Ecruteak City; 11:00am*
After Tina leaves for Cianwood City, I decide to set my Pokémon up outside with fresh food and water so they can eat, play, and relax. I know we've been going kinda hard on our training lately, and I don't want to push them too hard. I also take the time to make sure all of them look healthy, taking a brush to all of them, and making sure their coats look shiny.
After I take care of the Pokémon, I decide to do the same for myself, wanting to relax and indulge in some self-care. I start a kettle of hot water on the stove to make a hot cup of chai tea for myself. I like mine with just a little bit of sugar, and a decent amount of cream. I also start making a hasty, but easy brunch of a few scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese and bacon bits thrown in. Once I'm done, I sit down with my food and drink, and let my thoughts from earlier take over.
I kinda feel bad for leaving Tina in the dark about the Lyra thing for so long, but I really needed to think about it first myself before I talked it over with anyone else. Between Lyra and Silver, I have way too much going on in my love life, and it's hard to think about right now, even after telling Tina. I figure the right thing to do if I'm so unsure is to remove myself from the situation, and focus on myself. That's what I'm trying to tell myself, but the situation always tends to find me in some way, and that's what I'm afraid of.
After I'm done eating, I clean up in the kitchen before recalling the Pokémon inside so they can all take a nice nap. They've been working so hard lately, they deserve some rest. While my team rests up from all their effort and hardwork in my room, I decide to set myself up in the living room so I don't disturb them while I practice my psychic training.
I start my training by entering the frame of mind I need to be able to meditate. Once I am fully calm, I am able to empty my mind of all those pesky thoughts that have been haunting me lately, and I am finally able to find some mental peace. I meditate for at least fifteen minutes before I feel comfortable actually starting the more advanced part of my training.
Since Tina isn't here and all of the Pokémon in the house are asleep, I can't really practice my telepathy right now, but I am contemplating trying a new technique that I read about in the psychic reference book Morty gave me to study with until our next lesson. It's an advanced telepathy technique that allows you to scan for peoples' thoughts within a certain area. It even has instructions for how to perform the technique, and I can't help myself from trying it out.
I go into my meditative state, and then instead of trying to mentally focus on a specific person around me, I project my focus as far as I can, trying to scan for random peoples' thoughts. It takes me a few minutes to gather the strength to scan far enough, but I know I'm successful when I start telepathically hearing random peoples' voices,
'Why is it so difficult to come up with ideas for meals for the week? I swear every time I go to meal plan, I forget every food I've ever enjoyed.'
This voice sounds like a young woman, maybe a new housewife or mom who might be one of my neighbors. Silently rejoicing at my success, I continue on, pressing my focus further out, when I pick up this gem,
'Ugh, my cousin's Dunsparce won't listen to me because he's Level 25 and I have no Gym Badges! Now he's digging tunnels through the floor into the earth, and I don't know what I'm going to tell my cousin when he gets back! I am so fucked!'
Poor dude who I guess is also one of my neighbors. I try to scan further, but it's too much mental strain, and I break the chain of focus in order to rest. I'm glad I learned this, it could be useful for future situations. I'm hoping I can train it more to scan farther than that.
After a few minutes of rest, I re-enter my meditative state in order to practice telekinesis. I start by floating the pencil that Morty gave me, throwing it a few times before picking it back up.
Satisfied with my progress, I try to float something heavier, like my notebook on the coffee table in front of me. It wobbles quite a bit, but I manage to float it for a good twenty seconds before it drops back onto the table abruptly.
For my final test, I use my mind to open the notebook so a fresh page is open in front of me. I then proceed to float the pencil to the page, where I messily, but successfully write my name in the notebook telekinetically. I cheer at the messy script, proud of how far I've come in just a day or two.
Exhausted by the huge amount of mental energy I just used during my training, I join my Pokémon in my room to enjoy a nice nap, hoping that everything is going well with Tina and her journey to Cianwood City.
Joyce Hutchinson's POV; Goldenrod City; 12:00pm*
I'm getting prepared for my next interview at 12:15 with Goldenrod City Gym Leader Whitney to discuss Monica Blodvek, one of her former Gym Trainers.
Apparently Monica Blodvek has worked for Whitney as a Gym Trainer for the last year or so, and before that, she had worked at the Goldenrod City Department Store as a clothing and product model for the year prior to that. And now she's been working as the accomplice of a highly dangerous criminal who also happens to be one of my former colleagues.
I still haven't managed to figure out where Monica is originally from since none of her family are in the Johto Judicial System, so I'm guessing they're from another region. I'm hoping that this testimony I get from Whitney will help me find out more about Monica as a person, and help me to figure out what the trio's next move as a group will be.
I pack up my briefcase and audio recorder before making my way on foot to the Goldenrod City Gym for the interview. My workplace is relatively close to the Gym, so it only takes me ten minutes to get there. When I arrive, one of the Gym Trainers, a Beauty, opens the Gym door and invites me in cordially.
She leads me to the back of the Gym, where a slightly older girl with pink pigtails welcomes me, introducing herself as the Goldenrod City Gym Leader, Whitney. She invites me to sit down in the chair across from her, which I do, and I turn on the audio recorder to start the interview.
"Thank you for having me here, Whitney," I start the interview, "I am here to talk to you about Monica Blodvek, one of your former Gym Trainers. She has been involved in a series of crimes as one of two accomplices of a dangerous criminal who is currently running from the police. The purpose of this interview is to gather information on this accomplice, Monica Blodvek, in order to get closer to catching her and her two partners in crime. Does this sound agreeable to you?"
"I really don't want to see Monica get arrested herself, but yes, I suppose it's agreeable if it'll put a dangerous criminal in prison," Whitney says hesitantly.
"I'm going to start by asking a few questions," I continue on, "Do you know anything about Monica's background or family?"
"Well, Monica didn't really talk about her family much," Whitney muses, "She really never seemed that close to them. From what I know, she moved here two years ago from Lilycove City, Hoenn. I'm pretty sure that's where her family is from. Her parents are extremely wealthy and influential in Hoenn as co-owners of the Lilycove Department Store. Her only sibling is her older sister, Winona, who is the Gym Leader of Fortree City Gym in Hoenn.
From what little Monica talked about them, Monica's parents consistently favored her older sister, Winona, and always showed it in really messed up ways. Apparently back in Hoenn, Monica was a regionally famous Contest Star, and was close to becoming a Contest Master, which is when someone wins all five types Master Contests. She had just won her fourth Master Contest around two years ago, but her sister had just become the Leader of the Fortree City Gym around the same time, and her parents completely ignored her to fawn over Winona.
That was the last straw in a long line of constant disrespect from her parents and sister that made Monica snap. She completely cut off her family, swore off performing in contests all together, and moved here to Goldenrod City. She worked as a model for the Goldenrod Department Store for about a year before I invited her to be a Gym Trainer after witnessing her battle and defeat a random thief that had tried to rob the Goldenrod Department Store. She has worked in my Gym as a Gym Trainer for the last year before this whole Calypso incident went down. That's what I know about her background."
"Thank you for your testimony, Miss Whitney, this is going to help a lot with my case," I thank her, "How would you describe Monica's performance as one of your Gym Trainers in the last year?"
"Monica has always been a pretty solid Trainer," Whitney states matter of factly, "She was second in line in terms of strength behind me. Her sister may be a famously strong Pokémon Trainer, but Monica is no pushover. She has stronger Pokémon than what she battles with in this Gym, but she left them home with her grandparents back in Hoenn. She wanted a new start with a new Pokémon team in Johto.
As for her attitude, Monica has always been kind to me, but she has had altercations with other Gym Trainers before, mostly when she's been provoked. She tends to act bitchy to cover up the fact that she's heavily insecure about her family situation and that she has trauma, which she sees as a weakness. But I try to see beyond that, and I consider her one of my closest friends. I'm really concerned about her being in the middle of all this drama."
"Beautifully said," I reply, "Do you know of the circumstances of Monica coming into contact with Calypso for the first time, or the circumstances behind her joining the criminal trio she's running from the law with now?"
"I know a little bit about that, actually. It was around a little over a week ago when Monica went on a small vacation in Cherrygrove City, she and Calypso stayed in the same Pokémon Center. From what Monica told me, Calypso threatened her with a knife for no reason, relentlessly pranked her just to be a bitch, and stole a Misdreavus that her grandma had given her previously.
Honestly, there's probably a lot of context that I'm missing with these situations that might put Monica more at fault, but she made Calypso out to be a complete asshole. And I believed her until I read the Johto Journal about Calypso's case, and met Calypso in person myself when she won her Gym Badge against me. She's not the worst person ever, and a pretty talented trainer too.
Monica met the other two members of the trio after her 20th birthday party four days ago. Apparently Calypso did something to piss off the other guy in the group, so both he and Monica together worked to get Calypso's grandma out on bail so they all could plan their revenge against her. That's all I've heard about them since Monica's run off with them a few days ago. I haven't heard from her since after her birthday party."
"All right, Whitney, thank you for your cooperation so far, I only have one more question for you. According to everyone I've spoken with about the case, Monica could be facing some serious criminal charges including attempted kidnapping, assault, evading the police, and much more. Did you ever think someone so close to you was ever capable of such crimes?"
"If you're trying to get me to say that I think she's a bad person, it's not going to happen. Monica is one of my closest friends, and I consider her like a sister. She might not be making the best decisions right now, but she never did wrong by me, and I refuse to do so by her. I'm not saying I defend her actions, but I refuse to condemn her as a person either. That's all I'm going to say about it," Whitney ends sharply, sending me a glare that lets me know that this interview is over.
"Thank you, Miss Whitney, this interview is sure to help my case. I hope you have a good day," I say as briskly as she did to me, heightening the tension between us before the Beauty shows back up to escort me back out of the confusing Gym.
Every interview I've had today has ended in a sour way so far. But now I know where Monica's family lives. Hopefully if I can get into contact with them, I can interview them for more information.
I retire back to my office for a quick thirty minute lunch where I eat a prepared salad from the deli across the street at my desk before returning to my work researching the case.
Tina's POV; Cianwood City; 12:30pm*
After I received the panicked phone call from Paul about the Kimono Girls' Pokémon getting sick, I hightailed it in a Flight Taxi of two Noctowls to get to Cianwood City to get the Secret Potion from the dude Calypso calls Pharmacy Guy.
It's taken me around an hour and a half of flying, but I've finally arrived here in Cianwood City. Normally I would take the time to sightsee a little, but those Pokémon aren't doing well, and I need to get that medicine for them as soon as possible. Even as tempting as it is to try to see the ashy remains of Ruth's house.
I find the right building using the directions Calypso gave me to find the Cianwood Pharmacy. Upon walking in the door, a little bell chimes, alerting the Pharmacy Guy of my presence.
"Welcome to the Cianwood Pharmacy," a heavy set man in his late thirties welcomes me, "Is there anything you're looking for in particular today? I'm having a half off sale on Super Potions right now if you're interested."
"That's a really good deal," I comment fairly, while meeting his gaze from behind the thick glass of his square framed glasses, "but I'm actually after something else. I'm the director of the Ecruteak City Dance Theater, and all of the Kimono Girls' Pokémon have fallen ill with a serious mystery ailment. Nothing from Potions to Full Restores to Pokémon Centers have been able to do anything for them. I'm looking for the strongest medicine you have for a total of five Pokémon."
"The only thing I can recommend for something like that is a medicine of my own creation, called Secret Potion. I never charge for it because I always only prescribe it for emergencies, which seem to be happening a lot recently. I just had to give a dose to someone else yesterday to heal the Ampharos that lights up the Olivine Lighthouse. Let me make sure I have enough doses for all of your Pokémon," Pharmacy Guy explains as he turns and ducks down to look for the medicine for me.
"Thank you so much, I'm glad Calypso recommended you to me! I don't know what I would've done if I couldn't have gotten access to this medicine," I express in relief.
"Oh, Calypso recommended me to you, did she? Are you one of her Trainer friends that she's made on her journey," he asks me as he shuffles through all the boxes of medication looking for the Secret Potion.
"Oh no, I'm Tina Platinum, Calypso's new legal guardian after Ruth was arrested. It's really nice to meet you for the first time… Oh my, I haven't gotten your name because Calypso just calls you Pharmacy Guy," I exclaim in embarrassment.
Pharmacy Guy rises back up with a hearty chuckle and a bag of five doses of Secret Potion, rumbling back amusedly, "My name is Phil, and it's amazing to finally meet the famous Tina. Don't worry about not knowing my name, Calypso was an absent minded teenager in a dangerous situation at the time she met me, and she probably never realized it enough to ever ask me formally for my name."
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for Calypso and I throughout the years. She told me how you supported her when she was stuck with Ruth her entire childhood and had no one," I communicate gratefully to him, "Are you sure you won't let me pay you for the medicine?"
I see a light blush cover his face before a sly grin replaces it, and he smoothly replies, "You don't need to pay me for a basic life necessity for your friends' Pokémon, although I wouldn't mind if at some point you would join me for a cup of coffee sometime."
This proposal makes me smile uncontrollably, and as I look him over more closely, I realize how adorable he is with his curly light brown hair and light green eyes. I haven't actually been interested in actually dating anyone for years, and this is the first time I've felt my heart flutter since my polyamorous relationship with Akira and Dan. Maybe I should give him a chance? After all, after me, he is the closest Calypso has to an actual good parental figure that's alive, so I know how good of a person he is already.
"I accept your offer," I respond flirtatiously, "Whatever time is best for you works for me."
"My next day off is tomorrow," Phil states happily, "I usually have my nephew take over for me for at least one or two days a week so I can get some rest in. We could go to Olivine City around noon and have coffee and brunch at their famous Seaside Cafe."
"That sounds wonderful, Phil, thank you for asking me. And thank you for the medicine. It was amazing meeting you, and I'll see you tomorrow around maybe noon-ish in Olivine City," I hold in my excitement as I bid Phil goodbye and head back towards Ecruteak City with the medicine I need and something interesting to tell to Calypso.
Third Person POV; Violet City; 1:00pm*
Joy Cameron sleeps in until around 12:45, waking with her girlfriend's Growlithe plushie firmly wrapped in her arms. Realizing that Jenny Paige is missing from their bed, Joy slowly awakens enough to get up and investigate Jenny Charlotte's house further.
The house is bright and alit with sunshine, but startlingly quiet, and Joy realizes no one is home when she spots a note on the kitchen counter:
"Hey Babe, I left with Jenny Charlotte to do some legal paperwork regarding my changing my address and former job, along with some errands Jenny Charlotte needs to do. We left around noon, and we should be back around 3. There is breakfast for you in a red lidded container in the fridge that you can heat up, and if you get bored, feel free to watch TV, play with the Pokémon, or take a walk outside on the grounds. Have a good afternoon, and I'll see you later!" -Jenny Paige.
Jenny Charlotte's house is so brightly colored and cheerful that Joy can't help but feel a little bit better from just being here. 'Yellow must be Jenny Charlotte's favorite color,' Joy muses to herself as she notices a coffee maker and all the supplies to make coffee on the counter and in the fridge. She starts making the coffee, adding an extra scoop to make it stronger, hoping Jenny Charlotte doesn't mind if she uses more than usual because she needs the extra boost right now.
While the coffee brews, Joy opens the fridge to reveal the cream she needs for her coffee along with the breakfast leftovers that the Jenny sisters left for her. She opens the lid to reveal scrambled eggs, sausage links, and hashbrowns. She heats up her food in the microwave, and adds sugar and cream to her coffee before feeling like something is missing. Looking in the fridge again, she notices a bottle of maple syrup, grabbing it and drizzling a little over her sausage links for a burst of sweet flavor to combat the saltiness of the rest of the meal.
Joy can feel a bit of her color return after she starts eating. Feeling so empty inside has done a number on her appearance, and her skin was starting to turn a greyish hue from the stress of the whole situation. She's had to numb her mind so her intrusive, traumatizing thoughts don't come back and cause her to have another mental breakdown. After finishing her food and coffee, she feels a little more like herself.
Joy returns to her and Jenny Paige's room, trying to find clean clothes to change into. She finds a drawer already filled with her clothes, and she selects a long, slate turtleneck sweater and a pair of blue jeans to change into.
Without either of the Jennies around to talk to, Joy feels a strange sense of loneliness that makes her feel scared. She tries to watch TV to get the feeling off of her mind, but trying to focus on something else only makes her more anxious about everything. She's close to bursting out crying when she realizes she hasn't called Calypso in a while, and she could honestly use the younger girl's sense of humor and friendship right now.
Looking up Calypso's number in her PokéGear, Joy dials her number, hoping her friend picks up…
Calypso's POV; Ecruteak City; 1:15pm*
I am in the middle of my afternoon nap when a sudden ringing of my PokéGear wakes me from my slumber. I awaken only to see it's JC calling me! JC hasn't called me in a few days, and I've been wondering how she's been doing.
I pick up the phone, exclaiming lively, "Hey, JC, what's been going on? I haven't heard from you much lately, how have you been doin—"
I am interrupted and startled by JC's unexpectedly loud voice on the other end bawling, "OH, CALYPSO!"
JC continues her sobbing, and I am shocked because I've never heard her cry before. Not quite used to consoling people, I awkwardly try to comfort JC over the phone, asking her what happened.
"The most vile, disgusting man tried to violate me yesterday, and now I can't get his face out of my mind! My brain is so screwed up after it all that I can't even be home alone without Jenny Paige without feeling scared! I don't know what to do, Calypso! I feel so messed up," she confesses to me.
"I'm so sorry, JC! Do you want me to stab him to death," I offer helpfully, "Anyone who can do that to a person deserves to bleed to death, and me and my grandpa's army knife will assist if you'd like. Holy Distortion World, he'll look like a Banette after we're done!"
When I hear JC laugh on the other line, I know I'm successful at calming her down a little with my sense of humor.
"Thanks, Calypso, I really needed a friend. I'm hoping the Johto Judicial System will take care of him appropriately, but if they don't, you can join JP on the manhunt," JC says, sounding a bit more cheerful than a few minutes ago.
So JC and I share stories of everything else that has happened to us since we've spoken last, including my most recent interactions with both Silver and Lyra, the gym battles I've won, JC and JP's relationship, JC's assault and even JP quitting her police officer career and them both moving to Violet City because of it!
"No wonder it's been so long since we've spoken, there's been so much stuff that's been going on! Sorry if I haven't kept up with you," JC apologizes to me.
"JC, there's no need to apologize! We've both been living our lives, and there's no need to feel bad for being busy," I reply, hoping to soothe her anxiety.
"Thanks, Calypso, I'm so glad to have you as a friend! You really helped me feel better," JC reports cheerily, "Now that I don't feel so anxious, I think I'm going to watch a movie with all of my Pokémon and chill out for a bit before JP comes home. Good to talk to you, Calypso, you have a great day!"
"Thanks, JC, you too. See ya," I reply before we both hang up the phone.
I see that all my Pokémon have been woken up by my loud conversation with JC, and they all look well rested, and ready to go to Mahogany Town to try and win our seventh gym badge.
Walking out of my room, the odd silence of the house tells me that Tina still isn't home. Deciding to leave anyways, I write Tina a note before I grab my team's Poké Balls, my bag, and the house keys so I can lock up before I leave for Mahogany Town.
Since I've already been to Mahogany Town, it only takes Spirit and I twenty minutes to fly there from where we are in Ecruteak City. When we arrive, we immediately head towards the Gym, but a random guy is blocking the door. When he sees I'm here to challenge Pryce, he tells me that Pryce is up at the Lake of Rage investigating the suspicious forced evolution of the Magikarp into Gyarados.
Knowing that I won't be able to challenge the Gym without first investigating the Lake of Rage, I head up there through Route 43. I use a Super Repel to avoid all the annoying wild Pokémon while riding my skateboard throughout the route. I've already beaten all of the Trainers when I was here last time, so no one disturbs me as I quickly skate my way to the Lake of Rage…
Silver's POV; Mahogany Town; 1:45pm*
Some asshole has been blocking the way to the Mahogany Gym, claiming that "The Gym Leader is investigating an extremely important problem at the Lake of Rage, and he won't return until it's solved." What a fucking prick. I'm so tired of these damn Gym Leaders and their fucking "obligations" that get in the way of my mission. Pryce needs to get his ancient ass down here so I can obliterate his gym and get on with my damn life!
I've been here waiting to challenge the gym since yesterday evening, after my awkward encounter with Tina. Arceus, that was mortifying. I told her some deep shit I've never told anyone before, and I'm trying not to think about it because the memory of it is stressing me out and making me feel nauseous. But it just comes back to the surface anyways.
I'm also feeling all of these weird emotions I've never had a use for before, and I have no idea what the fuck to do with them. As much as I fucking hate the prick, Morty was correct in his assessment of my emotions. I've always been on my own since my scumbag father abandoned me, and even before then, I never actually had anyone who I could just spill my guts to like that. I'll admit, while what I said to Tina about Calypso was sappy and embarrassing as fuck, one hundred percent of it is true. I guess I felt that I could trust her in some odd way, and I haven't felt that in a long time. Opening up to her felt terrifying but satisfying at the same time. And it's kind of leaving me wanting more.
A familiarly loud female voice interrupts my introspection, and when I realize it's Calypso walking in my direction from the Pokémon Center, I jump behind the two trees to the left of the Gym so she doesn't notice me.
She looks different today, a certain edge behind her outfit that reminds me of Tina, her guardian. I'm guessing Calypso borrowed some of her clothes, and I gotta say, they look great on her. I'm especially pleased by the length of the shirt she's wearing, heavily exposing her midriff. I can even see the edge of a lacy black bra underneath…
Her Honchcrow is flying right behind her, and I see her talk to the asshole blocking the Gym before she gets a disappointed look on her face, and heads north towards Route 43. I'm guessing she wants to challenge the Gym as well, and she's heading up to the Lake of Rage to figure out what's going on. Well, I'll just follow behind, and watch her do my dirty work of retrieving Pryce's elderly ass back to his gym…
Third Person POV; Lake of Rage; 2:00pm*
Calypso skateboards up to Lake of Rage, a stealthy Silver following behind, as if he were her shadow. Calypso is so focused on the task at hand that she doesn't even notice Silver sneakily trailing behind; she's more focused on the annoying torrential downpour, and the raging shiny red Gyarados wreaking havoc in the middle of the lake.
Calypso spots a group of onlookers, specifically noting a tall man with spiky red hair in a dark outfit with a cape. Ignoring him momentarily to deal with the problem at hand, Calypso surfs up to the rampaging Gyarados on her Floatzel, Zellie.
Everyone looks on as she and her Ampharos, Baab, battle the Gyarados. To everyone's surprise, she tries catching the Gyarados, weakening it with attacks and paralyzing it. Gyarados isn't really receptive to being caught, though, bursting out of several Great Balls, a few Poké Balls, and even an Ultra Ball!
Both Silver and Lance are impressed by her battle and capture techniques, watching as she holds her own against the Gyarados before it finally accepts defeat, being captured in a Great Ball. In its place, it leaves one of its Red Scales, which Calypso pockets. When she returns to shore, the entirety of the onlookers cheer for her, happy that they can finally resume their fishing activities.
Silver notices the man in the cape staring at Calypso, silently cursing out the man to stay away from her. To his frustration, the man walks up to talk to her, and Silver curses quietly to himself, being too far away to hear their conversation. They chat for an agonizing minute or two, and to Silver's horror, both the man and Calypso hop on their Pokémon and fly back down towards Mahogany Town. Silver hightails it after them on his Golbat, not wanting to miss a second of the action…
Donald's POV; Blackthorn City; 2:00pm*
This entire morning and afternoon has been so tense since the Ruth incident last night. None of us have really talked to each other all together like we normally would, and we very much feel fragmented as a group; Monica and I versus Ruth. After last night, she's not Gran to me anymore. We haven't gotten any chance to talk to Autumn without Ruth around, so I don't know what we're going to do yet, but all I know is that I don't want her anywhere near us after that.
Since we met with the executives around ten and earned our contract with Drago Records, we've been with Ronda in scheduling to plan out our time in the recording studio. Then, Autumn came back to give us a tour of the recording studios and to tell us that she got us a surprise gig tonight at the Cherrygrove City Fury Attack Festival.
Autumn shows us the thirty minute slot we have to play tonight between 7 and 7:30. She tells us to start creating a setlist of songs including our original single, and to account for things like water breaks when making our setlist. Then she sends us back to the apartment to collaborate.
Ruth goes into her room, announcing she's going to take a nap while we figure out our setlist. Knowing that's a trap for her to listen to us talk, I whisper to Monica not to say anything out loud about Ruth just in case she is overhearing everything.
"Are there any songs you want to cover in particular," Monica asks me curiously, "Obviously we'll be playing 'I Ain't Your Chikorita,' but we'll need some covers to fill it out."
"Do you know the song, 'Don't Fall Asleep On Me' by Jiggles and the Puff? They have two vocalists, and I figured we could do a metal cover of it with you doing the main female vocals while I turn the male vocals into screaming vocals," I propose.
"Oh my Arceus, yes! I love that song; it played at my birthday party that Calypso ruined! I know all the words, we should totally do it," Monica exclaims happily back.
"Sweet, we have two songs already," I reply contentedly, "Are there any you wanted to cover, Monica?"
"What about 'Super Effective' by Steelix McFearless? It already has some screamy parts in it, and I know the rap to it by heart," Monica suggests to me.
I raise my eyebrow at her, teasing her, "Does someone have a crush on Steelix McFearless?"
Monica turns red and growls before responding gruffly, "Shut up, geek. Do you want to do the damn song or not?"
"Sure," I say, "I had no idea you could rap."
"Yeah, I learned on Steelix McFearless. He's my favorite," Monica confesses.
"Also never thought you'd be into metal," I provoke her purposely, and she plays along, spitting back, "You should know not to judge a book by its cover, nerdo."
"All right, all right, I'll quit fucking around. What do you think of a soulful ballad duet of 'Tragedy Of Ecruteak' by the Legendaries? It would really showcase that we can sing, and it would be a relieving slow song in the middle of an energetic set," I propose to her.
"Honestly, I really love that idea. It's such a sad, eerie song, and I think we can do it justice," Monica confirms, "That's four songs, anything else you're thinking about?"
"I'd really like to do 'CURSE' by Gengar and the Gastly Gang, it's an essential nu metal track that is one of my favorites," I suggest.
"I don't know that one, but that's fine as long as we can do my covers of 'Future Sight' by Na Tu Xa and 'Infatuation' by Destiny Knot," Monica says.
"All right, so all of these songs are at least three minutes long, so we should stop here, and start organizing the tracks in the order we want to play them," I say satisfiedly, pulling out the clipboard to write them down.
The setlist is as follows:
"CURSE" by Gengar and the Gastly Gang (Cover)
"Future Sight" by Na Tu Xa (Cover)
"Don't Fall Asleep On Me" by Jiggles and the Puff (Cover)
"Tragedy of Ecruteak" by the Legendaries (Cover)
"Infatuation" by Destiny Knot (Cover)
"Super Effective" by Steelix McFearless (Cover)
"I Ain't Your Chikorita" by Beauty and the Beast (Original)
Now that we have our setlist written, Monica and I need to get to our rehearsal room to go practice for our performance. Monica and I glance nervously at each other, knowing we have to check if Ruth is really asleep, and tell her that we're going to go practice.
I whisper to Monica to go grab the broom and the largest kitchen knife from the kitchen just in case Ruth decides to try and get violent again. I'm not taking any chances at this point, I will stab her ass if she tries to attack us again. And I won't feel bad at all.
Sneaking up closer to her bedroom door, Monica, laden with weapons, follows behind me silently. Creaking open the door a smidgen, I peek into her room to check if she's awake. She's laying on the bed, rolled over on her left side, so I can't see her face. I hear deep, even breathing from her, so it's likely she's asleep, but I want to make sure.
"Gran," I whisper aloud, "Just wanted to let you know that Monica and I are going to go practice for tonight's performance, we'll be back in a while. See you later."
I want to believe she's asleep when she doesn't move an inch, lying still as a statue. I know this is possibly one of our only chances to escape this nightmare, so I turn back to Monica, gesturing to her to bring the knife and follow me out of the apartment to the rehearsal room.
"Come on, we need to call Autumn," I say as I pull out my PokéGear when we arrive at the rehearsal room, "This could be our only chance to get out of this fucking mess."
I instruct Monica to lock the doors, so Ruth can't just walk in on us randomly while talking to Autumn. Finally feeling safe enough to call, I dial her number, waiting for her to pick up.
"This is Drago Records agent, Autumn Bridges, how can I help you," her familiarly soothing voice answers, and I'm so relieved she answered.
"Hey, Autumn, it's Ricky Specter from 'Beauty and the Beast'. Candy and I are trying to practice in our rehearsal, but we need to talk to you about the setlist first. Could you meet us here in the rehearsal room," I ask her hopefully.
"Of course, I'll be there to help in a few minutes," she responds pleasantly, and I thank her before hanging up the phone, and turning back to Monica.
"We only have a few minutes before she gets here. That's enough time for Ruth to wake up and come to massacre us. Keep the doors locked until you're sure it's Autumn on the other side, and if you think Ruth is coming or is here, say 'Jigglypuff' as the code word," I tell Monica the plan.
"I pray to Arceus this plan doesn't backfire on us," I whisper aloud, "I can't take this shit anymore."
Jenny Charlotte's POV; Violet City; 3:00pm*
I'm so happy I am able to help Joy Cameron in her and my sister's time of need. Joy Cameron was a close friend of mine back in the Officer Academy, when we were in the same graduating year, and now that she's dating my sister, I consider her family. So of course I would help her.
I feel so horrible for what happened to her. What kind of sick human being does something that is so disgusting to someone else? She sat so long in the shower last night, I thought she was trying to scald her skin off, and who could blame her? I would've done the same thing if that happened to me.
Jenny Paige and I finally return from our several hour errand trip to Goldenrod City. When we walk into the house, we find Joy Cameron and all of her Pokémon sitting adorably on the couch watching a movie. She greets us when we come in the door, looking a lot more cheerful than last night.
Jenny Paige seems relieved that her girlfriend is feeling better, and she asks Joy to pause the movie to come to the kitchen to see the flower and berry seeds that we got from the Goldenrod City Flower Shop. We got the usual ten packs of the most common and versatile berries: Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst, Aspear, Leppa, Oran, Persim, Lum, and Sitrus. Joy is also overjoyed when we reveal that we got some rarer berry seeds, including a six pack containing Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato berries. We also got a brand new gardening kit that includes so many different tools.
I tell Jenny Paige and Joy that I'm going to prepare a nice picnic lunch for us and the Pokémon to enjoy while they tour the grounds to figure out where they want to start their first garden plot. I start making a refreshing lunch of salad and sandwiches with strawberry iced tea, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
A half hour later, I bring out the picnic box and a blanket to sit on. I also set up the food for us and the Pokémon, and then call everyone over to eat together. We sit in the Leppa Orchard, where the pink flowers are blooming cutely, and smell amazing.
Everyone starts eating happily, and when we're all done, Jenny Paige and Joy help me clean up before taking me out to the area where they want to start their orchards. They start digging up the area with hoes, leaving little holes for the seeds. Planting all of the seeds in neat, even rows, they water all of them lovingly before leaving them to the care of the sun.
"I'm really satisfied with our progress so far, Jenny," Joy expresses delightedly, and I'm glad to see that she seems to be doing better than last night. Jenny Paige seems to be happy about it as well, throwing Joy and I a beaming smile, responding heartily, "I'm so glad, babe. I really wanted to be able to do this one day, and I'm really happy that I get to do it with you!"
I'm glad that the gardening therapy is helping with Joy's depression and possible PTSD. Maybe having a common goal to work on will keep both Joy Cameron and Jenny Paige mentally occupied so they don't have to think about and worry about the icky thing that led them to this…
Calypso's POV; Rocket Base, Mahogany Town; 2:45pm*
After I defeated and caught the red Gyarados, that weird redheaded guy approached me, introducing himself as Lance. What is it about redheads, man? They just can't stay away from me.
We talked about how messed up it is that the Magikarp are being forced to evolve, and Lance told me that he believes that the radio signal causing the forced evolution lies within a hidden Team Rocket base in the middle of Mahogany Town. He invited me to go investigate the matter, complimenting me on my Gyarados capture and battle technique. Deciding that any chance to train my Pokémon and fuck up Team Rocket's plans is worth taking, I accept his offer.
It's when he summoned a large Dragonite to fly him down to Mahogany that I realized he was no ordinary trainer. He certainly never seemed ordinary, especially with his ridiculous get-up, completed by a long cape. But this just confirmed it, and I couldn't help but be a bit curious about him. Where in the Distortion World did he come from?
So I'm now outside the door to the suspected base, having just flown down here with Spirit's help and healed the team at the Pokémon Center. I'm about to open the door when I hear shuffling from the trees behind the house I'm about to go into. Having an inkling about what's causing the rustling, but not really caring right now, I ignore the feeling of being watched to go inside.
The first thing I notice once inside is Lance and his giant ass Dragonite threatening the shop owner, easily pushing past him to Hyper Beam his way past the second Rocket member and his Pokémon. Lance discovers a hidden staircase, beckoning me to follow him downstairs. I do so, the Rocket Grunts glaring at me as I do, which I return with double the intensity.
Once downstairs, Lance and his Dragonite are nowhere to be seen, so I have to traverse this floor with just my team by my side. The hallways of this base are dark and narrow, much like Team Rocket itself. Along with creepy. Very creepy.
I walk past a suspicious looking Persian statue on my right, when its eyes suddenly light up red, and I hear a loud beeping! I guess I must have triggered some kind of trap. I'm proven right when a Rocket Grunt appears.
He is no match for the team and I, but another quickly follows him, telling me once I defeat him that the Grunts will appear everytime I walk in front of a Persian statue unless I can find the switch to turn it off. Wanting to quickly follow after Lance, I decide to try to find a way to shut off the security system.
I can choose two ways to go, straight ahead, or a sharp left turn. Going straight puts me in sight of another Persian statue, so I decide to go left. Down that hallway, there is another choice of paths once again, one of them being within sight of a Persian statue. I once again choose to avoid the Rocket Grunts, preferring to keep my team's energy reserved for the more challenging opponents that are undoubtedly up ahead.
Walking down the Persian-less hallway, I take a sharp left only to end up in a dead end hallway with a Scientist, an item, and a computer that I suspect might have something to do with the Persian statues that are hooked up to the security system.
There's no point in trying to sneak past the Scientist, who immediately figures out that I'm an intruder and challenges me when we make eye contact. Cyndi has no problem wasting his three Level 20 Magnemites, and he pays me 640 Poké, grumbling under his breath the entire time.
I move past him to try and understand how to turn off the security system. Thankfully there's no password to the computer, and finding the program to mess around with the system is relatively easy. After disarming the system, I go back around to the original path, going down the other hallway, past all the disarmed Persian statues whose red eyes have now turned a less alarming blue color. Passing by the last disarmed statue on the right, I finally find the stairs to go down to the next floor.
Going down to the next floor, I continue down a hallway until I can see Lance up ahead. When he notices me, he flashes me a sly grin, and applauds me for getting this far. To my surprise, he also fully heals my team, something I'm extremely grateful for.
He tells me his plan for continuing on, noting the big locked doors to a room with a large machine that multiple Electrodes are hooked up to as the cause of the forced evolution of the Pokémon of the Lake of Rage. Then he proceeds to go further ahead until I can't see him anymore.
I pass by a Rocket Grunt that was apparently too scared to challenge Lance, but thought I would be easier to battle. Zellie and I prove him wrong, one shotting his three Pokémon easily.
I go down the hallway to the right, walking fast enough to catch Lance and Dragonite going down the next staircase leading to the next floor. I go to swiftly follow, but another Rocket Grunt stops me, challenging me with his Level 18 Golbat. Baab and his Thunderpunch attack make quick work of the Golbat, the Grunt growling under his breath as he pays me.
I take a second to breathe before going down to the next floor, anxious for the battles ahead…
Silver's POV; Rocket HQ, Mahogany Town; 3:30pm*
I'm still trailing silently behind Calypso and that creepy guy who keeps talking to her. Every time he talks to her, it makes my blood boil. That creepy old fucker needs to stay away from her, just like Morty. Why does Calypso attract all these weird older guys? I swear to Arceus I'm sick of this shit.
Calypso seems completely oblivious to the fact that I'm sneaking behind her, and if she does notice, she's pretending that she hasn't, which is in my best interest. Every time she stops to talk to him, I grit my teeth in frustration.
I suspect he has noticed my presence, his eye flashing backwards in my direction occasionally. He obviously thinks he's such hot shit with his stupid fucking cape and huge Dragonite. That Pokémon I stole back in Cianwood City would annihilate his stupid orange dragon in one move. I'm waiting for the right moment to confront him and crush him like the Caterpie he is.
Following them down to the third basement level, I luck out when Weirdo and Calypso finally split up for an extended period to defeat and interrogate Team Rocket members for passwords to the evolution machine room. I watch Calypso do my dirty work, her Pokémon team effortlessly tearing through all of the Grunts' Pokémon.
When Weirdo goes up a floor to clear more Grunts, I take the opportunity to follow him while Calypso is still occupied on B3. He fights his way through the Grunts like they're nothing, showing the same lack of mercy to them as I do, like they're nothing but scum. The pure brutality of his display should intimidate me, but the only thing I see is a challenge. He made his bed when he brought Calypso into this, and I'm going to make sure he lies in it.
When I start to sneak behind him to gain the upper hand, all of a sudden, he stops in place, finally turning around to face me. I slip behind the nearest corner, but I know he saw me. Fuck. So much for my surprise attack idea. An irritated expression overtakes his sharp features, and he shakes his head wearily before speaking condescending,
"You can stop sneaking around, kid. I've known you've been tailing Calypso and I all the way here from the Lake of Rage. I've heard you muttering your angry, swear filled ramblings. Come out and face me like the man you think you are."
His arrogant challenge prompts me to slither out of the shadows, a snide sneer sliding onto my face. He responds with a stony expression of his own, his indifference and annoyance with the situation unnerving me. How dare he treat me as if I'm beneath him! I'm going to make him regret ever messing with Calypso and I!
"You think you're such hot shit with your cape and your dragons, don't you, you freak," I growl to him aggressively, "I'm sick of all you older guys creeping on Calypso. Stay the fuck away from her if you know what's good for you."
His eyebrow upturns for a second, the irritation falling from his face, only to be replaced with a smug smile that I hate even more. Then he starts laughing, and the sound of it makes me want to grab my switchblade and shank him in the face. But I maintain my composure, staring him down stoically.
"Just as I thought, this is what this is about. Calm yourself, I have no romantic feelings for such a young girl. I was merely teaming up with her to bring down these criminals for the greater good. Her being an exceptional trainer interests me, and I wanted to see how she grows as a trainer, because she shows an extreme amount of potential. That is all," he explains, but that's not good enough for me.
"And what if I don't believe you," I snarl at him threateningly. I know he has to be the one who gave Calypso that second hickey. I give him my worst death glare, but my attempt to intimidate him falls flat. He shakes his head again in disbelief, replying,
"You are clearly trying to take out your anger on me looking for a fight like you are. I don't know what your problem is, but if you want a fight, I'll oblige you."
Sending out the Sneasel that I stole from that guy in Cianwood, my plan to rip this guy apart falters when he one shots my Sneasel with his Dragonite's Flamethrower. My blood runs cold as he proceeds to annihilate my entire team one by one with that one Dragonite, that smug smirk on his face burning this nightmare into my memory.
With my last Pokémon down, he stares down at me, disgust and pity in his eyes. "Kid, you need to slow down and stop driving your Pokémon so hard. You treat them like dirt, and to you, they are nothing but servants. Your attitude about Pokémon disgusts me. You'll never be a great trainer if you don't have good bonds with your Pokémon.
Your attitude towards your feelings towards your crush is no better. Most girls don't like insecure, controlling guys. Staying on this path will not work, you need to start showing that you care more about her than about ousting people from her life. Start caring about her as a person, and showing it."
His sharp criticism and advice filled analysis stuns me into silence, the statements he made ricocheting inside my mind chaotically. Is it true? Is love really stronger than hate? Is that really why Calypso and everyone else always surpass me in skill? Do I dare allow love into my heart to try and figure this out so I can chase after my dream? This is all too much to think about…
I hold my head in my hands as I contemplate my entire upbringing and existence. "I hate you…," I grunt out to him hostilely. I have such a fucking headache from all this.
Asshole throws some Revives and Hyper Potions at me. "Take these and heal up, kid. Get up, and try to do better for Calypso, your Pokémon, and even for yourself. Keep going," he finishes as he sashays down the hallway and out of sight.
Now that he's effectively mind fucked me, the only other question I have besides the rearranging of all my main beliefs and convictions is, "Who the fuck gave Calypso that other fucking hickey if it wasn't this Lance guy or Morty?!"
Monica's POV; Beauty and the Beast Rehearsal Room; Blackthorn City; 2:15pm*
As soon as we call Autumn Bridges to the room to rat out Ruth, I get a creeping feeling of dread in my stomach, knowing the rage Ruth is capable of. Donald and I stand by the door, keeping it locked until we know it's Autumn outside. A few agonizing minutes later, we hear someone knock on the door.
"Who is it," Donald questions, making sure Ruth hasn't come around to investigate our practice session.
"It's Autumn, you can let me in," Autumn's smooth voice assures us. Donald opens the door for her to come in, and then immediately closes and locks it behind her.
"So, guys, what did you need to talk to me about," Autumn asks politely.
"Autumn, we have a confession. Please hear us out," I start, "We're not really who we said we were."
Donald chimes in after me, "Our identities are a lie, we aren't really named Candy Miller and Ricky Specter. Our real names are Donald Kimble and Monica Blodvek. We are the accomplices of the wanted criminal, Ruth Marken. She is posing as our band manager, Sandra Simpson, in order to disguise herself to avoid getting caught by the police."
"We're really sorry we never told you, but we were too scared of Ruth to try and reveal the truth to anybody until now," I explain, "And we're hoping you can help us get her arrested, and get her away from us."
Donald finishes explaining, "She threatened to hurt us last night, and we knew that if we didn't tell someone soon, she'd make good on her threats. I know we're also accomplices, but we'd be willing to testify against her if it comes down to it."
Autumn looks extremely shocked by this revelation, but she regains her composure almost immediately. She looks us over, and replies slowly,
"I'm glad you guys told me early, while we can still do something about this, and not have it hurt the band legally. I can completely take over as the band manager so that we can make Ruth 'go away.' I think that you both are extremely talented musicians, and I don't want your careers in this industry to be sidelined by this. It sounds like you are two genuinely talented people who are stuck in an actively dangerous situation here, and I'm willing to try and help you out if it."
Donald and I breathe a sigh of relief at hearing that Autumn still believes in us, and is willing to help us get rid of Ruth.
"Thank you so much," I express gratefully, "Ruth scares me, Autumn! She would've tried to kill us last night if we hadn't barricaded our door! She's legit insane and crazy violent."
"Yeah, she's dangerous," Donald continues, "especially with her Pokémon team behind her, not to mention that she's physically stronger than Monica and I combined! It's going to take a large group of officers to take her down," Donald warns Autumn.
"Thank you for the warning, Donald. Now if you two will follow me down to our legal department, I'm going to explain your situation to one of our attorneys while they call the police to come pick up Ruth. I am going to recommend that they send the strongest Officers possible to capture her," Autumn says as she leads them out of the rehearsal room, out of the apartment complex, and down to the Drago Records building.
When they get to the legal department, Autumn signals for the department to go under lockdown, so that there's no possible way Ruth can try to get Donald or I in revenge if she happens to escape the grasp of the police squad. Autumn explains what's going on to the head attorney, instructing them to send a squad of the strongest Officer Jennies to capture and arrest Ruth.
"She was either sleeping or pretending to sleep when we were last there, so there's a chance that she'll be unaware of what's going to go on," Donald explains to the attorney who's calling the police for them.
"So, look," Autumn starts, "I talked to the head attorney. You and Donald's list of criminal charges are so miniscule in comparison to Ruth's that if you testify against her, there's a chance to get you guys a plea deal that will drop almost all of your charges. If that works, you'll get at most, a hefty fine, and be sentenced to do community service, which is a lot better than getting sent to prison.
We'll take out the attorneys' fees and fines out of the cash advance we gave to Ruth. Any money left over from that will be split between the two of you. As long as you two don't end up getting charged with anything particularly heavy, we here at Drago Records will still stand by you, and represent you legally," Autumn explains to us.
"Question," Donald interjects, "How can we keep our legal names and stage names separated so we don't legally hurt our reputations? I honestly hate my original name, and I wouldn't mind legally changing my name to Ricky Specter after all this goes down. I don't want any connection to Ruth or my parents, and I'm thinking it would be a good way to keep our band seen in a good light."
"You will be tried with your legal names, and if you'd both like a legal name change afterwards, that would be fine. It would keep your stage names disassociated from your legal names, and keep your professional reputations intact," Autumn replies.
"I'd like to do that too," I respond to both of them, "I have no real connection to my legal name either. When all of this is done, I'd like to change it."
"Okay, guys, the squad of officers is heading to your apartment right now," the head attorney says to us. They show us the police's body cams, where the squad of officers are about to storm our apartment and try to capture Ruth.
1, 2, and… 3! The police squad bursts in, managing to take a sleeping Ruth by surprise. Ruth roars at them, trying to reach for her Pokémon to fight the squad, but an officer grabs them out of her reach. Another couple officers, with a very high level Arcanine accompanying them, struggle but manage to overpower Ruth in order to cuff her. Ruth stops fighting them when the Arcanine bares his teeth at her.
"What in the Distortion World is going on," Ruth shouts to whoever can hear her.
"Ruth Marken, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Lyra Heart, illegal international air travel, aggravated threats, and violating the terms of your bail! I will now read you your rights…," one of the officers proceeds to say.
"Donald, Monica, you traitors! I should've known you'd betray me like this! You are worthless scum, just like Calypso! I hope you're enjoying yourselves now, kids, because when I get my hands on you, you won't be laughing about it," Ruth threatens us through the screen. Thankfully she can't see us, and she has no idea where we are. But that doesn't make it any less terrifying to see her rage.
She continues to scream and shout about how we're devil children just like Calypso, and we deserve to rot in the Distortion World. I honestly think it's her projecting onto us because she's the one who is a devil of a person, and honestly deserves to rot in the Distortion World for what she's done to me, Donald, and even Calypso. Watching her struggle to escape the police pathetically makes me feel better about our decision to betray her. Honestly, fuck her after what she tried to do to us.
The police force Ruth out of the apartment complex kicking and screaming, all of the other residents popping out their doors to see what the racket is. Donald and I watch in awe and terror as she continues to struggle and shriek her grievances the entire way to the Police Flight Taxi that they proceed to shove her into. As the Flight Taxi goes to take off, Ruth throws her death glare at the security camera before shrieking like a banshee one last time. And then she's gone.
"They're sending her straight to the Indigo Plateau Federal Prison," Autumn starts explaining, "It's unlikely that she's going to receive an opportunity for bail, but if she does, it will be a ridiculous amount of money this time. Nothing that she can afford."
"Oh my Arceus, I can't believe that just happened. Thank you, Autumn. I feel so much better now," Donald thanks her gratefully.
"Yes, thank you so much, Autumn. I feel a lot safer with her gone. I'm so sorry that we deceived you guys," I add.
"You're welcome. I have also let the executives know of your situation, and they back you fully. They have worked with people with dysfunctional pasts before, and they are sympathetic to your situation. They understand that even though you did bad things, you were being coerced by a hardened criminal, and didn't have much of a choice. They wanted to let you know that Drago Records backs its artists fully," Autumn continues,
"You still have your spot to perform at the Cherrygrove City Fury Attack Festival tonight at 7pm, and then afterwards, the executives would like to meet with you to discuss this situation. I suggest that you two go back to the apartment and relax a little bit before going back and rehearsing for the show tonight. I'll come to grab you guys around 5:00pm to load your instruments into the Flight Taxi and get you guys into wardrobe and makeup. Then we'll leave for the festival," she finishes before sending us on our way back to the apartment.
Donald and I walk silently back to the apartment, in happy disbelief that Ruth just got arrested, and that Drago Records is still backing us.
"We might get a second chance, Donald," I whisper joyfully, "I can't believe this is happening. We should be heading to prison right now with Ruth, but she's gone, and we still have this opportunity of a lifetime, despite all the shit we did!"
"You're telling me," Donald replies, "This feels too good to be true. I feel like I'm in a dream, and I'm going to wake up at any moment."
"Let's just go with it," I propose, opening the door to our Ruth free apartment. It seems like the housecleaners got here before we did, because everything is spotless. There's nothing here that would lead you to believe any altercation had happened before we got back here.
Both Donald and I are feeling fidgety because of everything that's happened, so I say, "Hey, I'm going to go take a bubble bath to relax. I'll see you in a half hour."
"That's fine," Donald replies, "I'm going to go murder a bunch of people in one of my games to let off some steam. I'll see you in a half hour, so we can start rehearsing for our show tonight."
Soon enough, I hear the piercing screams of Donald's video game victims as I draw myself a bath. Sliding into the hot water, I melt into relaxation, finally able to enjoy myself for the first time in a while.
Third Person POV; Goldenrod City; 4:00pm*
Joyce Hutchinson starts packing her things for an international trip to Fortree City, Hoenn, for her next interview with Monica Blodvek's sister, and Foretree's Gym Leader, Winona. It's scheduled for tomorrow, at 1:00pm in the Fortree Gym, while her Flight Taxi leaves at 6:00pm tonight at the Magnet Train Station. Being the punctual person she is, she's getting things done early, her personal items already packed in a suitcase, and wrapping everything up in her office before she leaves.
As she goes to leave, however, Head Prosecutor Emma Fields tracks her down in order to give her urgent news about the case.
"Joyce! I have great news! Ruth was captured in Blackthorn City today! She's being sent to the Indigo Plateau Federal Prison as we speak," Emma Fields spreads the good news.
"Oh my Arceus, Emma, are you kidding? That's the best news that's happened for the case in a while! What were the circumstances," Joyce celebrates Ruth's capture.
"Okay, so Ruth and her accomplices had the idea to disguise themselves as a pop metal band named Beauty and the Beast while in Saffron City, with her two accomplices being the musicians, and Ruth posing as the band manager. They are apparently a real band, and very talented, because they got signed to Drago Records in Blackthorn City.
So Ruth turned on her two accomplices, and threatened to harm them in a drunken rage. That made them scared enough to rat out Ruth to the record company and the police. And now the accomplices are saying that they were coerced the entire time.
They are being represented by the Drago Records Legal Team, and are looking for a plea deal for minimal to no charges in exchange for testifying against Ruth," Emma explains everything to me, "It's up to you whether you still want to go after the accomplices for their part in Ruth's schemes, or whether you'd like to get their testimony in order to nail Ruth down for good."
Joyce's face goes stony at this decision, but it takes her no time to decide.
"Knowing what she's like, I can believe what the accomplices are claiming. The most important thing to me is that Ruth pays for her crimes, especially against her granddaughter. If I have to let off the accomplices to do so, then I'm fine with that. I have nothing against them, and I believe they were fully coerced.
I'll send Drago Records a plea deal offering full immunity and acquittal of charges for the accomplices in exchange for their testimony against Ruth. I'm not letting her get away with her abhorrent behavior anymore. She can't bully her way out of this one like she used to all the time. I won't allow it," Joyce states determinedly.
"Well, since you no longer need testimony against either Monica Blodvek or Donald Kimble, you can cancel your interview with the Fortree City Gym Leader. However, since the tickets to Fortree City are non refundable, I implore you to still go on your trip to Hoenn, but as a vacation day trip. You have been working yourself almost to death on this case, and I can tell that you desperately need some self care. Please go and treat yourself," Emma implores her,
"Just make sure you write up that plea deal and send it to the shipping department before you leave. Oh, and don't forget to call Tina Platinum to let her and Calypso know that Ruth's got arrested, if you would. I'm sure it would make them feel better."
"Thank you, Head Prosecutor Fields! I will write that out, send it, and then call Tina Platinum before I leave. I appreciate you still sending me on the trip. I'm really looking forward to it," Joyce thanks her.
Emma Fields leaves for the day, leaving Joyce to write and send out the plea deal. After that's done, she calls Tina Platinum, who is ecstatic to hear about Ruth's arrest. Tina promises to let Calypso know when she gets back from training.
She also contacts Winona, explaining that she no longer needs the information about Monica, but to her surprise, Winona still wants to meet with her! Winona proposes that they have dinner tomorrow at Winona's house around 6pm, which Joyce agrees to. Joyce has no idea why Winona still wants to meet her, but she isn't going to reject a Hoenn celebrities' dinner offer. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and Joyce won't say no to having friends in high places.
Finally in the Flight Taxi on her way to Fortree City around 6pm, Joyce takes the opportunity to lounge and relax for the first time in a while. As she starts to fall asleep, she still can't help but wonder what Winona wants from her…
Calypso's POV; Rocket Hideout, B3, Mahogany Town; 3:45pm*
My team and I are currently sweeping every Team Rocket Grunt on B3, searching for the two passwords to gain access to the office, where we suspect the password to the main room awaits us. Lance went back up to the other side of B2 to make sure he got all the Grunts up there.
The first password I get is from a sassy female grunt, her Level 18 Ekans and Gloom putting up a fight. Spirit takes out the Ekans, growing to Level 36, while Dusk takes care of the Gloom, growing to Level 35. She finally relents and tells us the first password, "Slowpoke Tail."
Continuing to fight through the Grunts, I rotate my team in their training. Forest and Zellie both grow a level, Level 34 and 33 respectively. We finally get to the last Grunt, whose voice sounds like he's constantly hiccuping. A Level 19 Raticate and a few hyuck hyuck hyucks later, Baab grows to Level 33, and we gain the second password, "Raticate Tail."
Now that I finally have both passwords, I start finding my way up to B2 and find the right staircase down to reach the B3 Office area. But as I go to give the passwords to the locked door, I notice a familiar flash of bright red behind me.
Oh, Arceus, no. Not right now. Anything but Silver right now. Lord Arceus, help me.
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter. As always, I enjoy playing with perspectives, and I think I did a good job with most of the characters, though I do sometimes worry about Silver being too OOC. But I still really liked this final product, and I hope you guys do too.
I'll be back with Chapter 28 as soon as life allows, glad to be back posting again!
-gothchic6