The New Normal – 10-4 – Interlude – Proton
Idling around did not suit a man like himself.
Proton had initially thought that they could have made use of the current political instability of Sinnoh to start getting things done, but he was unanimously shot down by everyone he had suggested the idea with.
He didn't know why he expected anything different. Those weird freaks with Cyrus were obviously going to only listen to his own commands, and Matt and the other two Team Magma fools were still only listening to their boss.
He smirked inwardly at the thought of his 'boss'. Ever since their move to Sinnoh, Maxie and Archie had practically fallen out of power entirely. If Cyrus wanted to, he could have removed them from their leadership positions without much issue. The only reason his bosses were still called as such was because Cyrus saw no reason to depose them from their positions. But Proton knew that they were merely puppets.
Everyone knew who was in charge.
Not only was Cyrus providing the funding, but his team was also responsible for a majority of the research. For all of his boss' fanatical goals, he was no scientist. Having Archie try to figure out how to invent a creation that could control a Legendary would be the equivalent of getting a Mankey to write a joke. An impossibility.
Unfortunately, his old bosses' newfound lack of power did not benefit him in any way. Cyrus was even more cowardly and over-cautious as they were, and completely and utterly refused to allow Proton to 'expose more of our actions', as he described them. Cyrus repeatedly told him that the preparations weren't in place yet, and that more patience was necessary.
So Proton was forced to do nothing but wait, spending most of his time training up his team and 'enforcing order' amongst the grunts that he was saddled with. He was supposed to be training them, and there was no better training than getting the shit beat out of you.
That was how most of his time was spent. Idling about while the scientists supposedly did all the real work. He thought his days would be spent in mind-numbing boredom.
Until Sinnoh got a new Champion.
When he first heard that the new Champion was apparently some blonde bitch, he was interested, if only because she was easy on the eyes. He dismissed how strong her team was; he never saw the Sinnoh Elite Four as anything else other than up-jumped trainers with titles that they didn't deserve.
He remembered that he had a good laugh at the very thought that this blonde thought she could somehow pull Sinnoh out of the turmoil that it found itself in. She didn't think the bitch could get any sort of respect after the old fuck of a Champion left this backward region in such shambles.
Only – that was exactly what she was doing. And Proton wasn't laughing now. Nor were his bosses.
That was why Proton had been summoned to attend an emergency meeting with the bosses to discuss what changes they could make in the face of this new Champion. Cyrus' face was as blank and as unfeeling as usual, but the worried looks on his subordinates told Proton everything he needed to know.
"I come bearing grave news." Cyrus began, "It appears that our new Champion has been moving with significant haste. She seems to be far more active than her predecessor."
"I thought she was busy with that open challenge of hers?" Archie asked, "When would she have time to do all that on top of those battles she's doing?"
Maxie smirked, "People can multitask, unlike you, Archie. Though perhaps it could be a skill that you could eventually come to learn–"
"Regardless, her movements are a concern." Cyrus interrupted those two before they could begin their signature squabbling, "I don't know why she's become insistent on doing this, but I have heard from our sources that she plans to undergo a full financial sweep through all of the businesses of Sinnoh. Ours included."
"Would that be a problem?" Maxie asked, fully serious now.
"Less than it would have been had we not gotten prior warning, but yes." Cyrus admitted, "Unfortunately, due to the high expenditure required for our research, as well as the vast amounts of resources that were lost both in Hoenn and Indigo, we've had to make up for the shortfall using our funds from our legitimate business."
"So this audit risks exposing where those funds went." Archie finished, and at this point Proton was also alarmed. Was this really how they would get exposed? All of his idling about and being 'patient' wasted because of a fucking audit?!
Fortunately, Cyrus shook his head, "That won't happen. Especially with the prior warning we received, we'll be shuffling around funds to make sure that nothing is at risk of being exposed. We have further agents that will help us conceal our underground activities. However, this does mean we're going to have to tighten our belts in order to conceal our activities. Many projects, teams, and even equipment might have to be cut down as a result."
"Then why can't we earn that money back some other way?!" Proton couldn't resist but shout out, causing everyone in the room to shoot him angry looks, "You had us sit on our asses all this time, and now you're telling us that we have to cut down even further on funding!? Then why don't we just go out there and get that extra money back!? How hard would it be?!"
Cyrus' eyes immediately shot to his, and Proton found himself staring at the two empty voids that Cyrus called eyes. Despite lacking any sort of identifiable emotion, they somehow burned with a terrifying intensity that dared Proton to disobey him.
Proton tensed unconsciously; the lingering threat for disobedience hung in the air.
"…Proton, it seems your impatience is getting the better of you." Cyrus said, not breaking his stare, "I find it difficult to believe that you seem so eager to repeat what happened in Indigo and Hoenn once more."
"I would suggest reflecting on the consequences of your rash past actions, and improve upon them." Proton bristled at his words, but the reminder of Cyrus' implicit threat kept him docile, "Remind yourself of our true goal. Do you wish to have the power of Legendaries in your hands?"
"…Yes." He bit out, no longer able to meet his boss' gaze.
"Then you would do well to remind yourself that the cost for such power would be to exercise a bit of patience." Cyrus continued with an almost lecturing tone, showing no sign that he was even bothered by Proton's insult, "This is merely a minor setback, nothing more. We will begin full operations in time. We just need to wait for an opportunity."
Then a smile plastered itself on Cyrus' face, though Proton didn't see how anyone could think that it was real, "All of you should focus on training up your teams. This setback is merely another test for us to overcome, and we have already overcome all the challenges that have been placed before us so far, growing stronger for each challenge we surpass! This shall be no different!"
"Our dream is growing ever closer to being achieved, and once the opportunity is made available to us, we will be going out in full force. Your very best will be required, because creating a utopia like ours is going to require every last bit of our dedication and effort to create!"
Cyrus' weird fanatics all cheered at his words, while his old bosses gave more subdued, but approving nods. He just rolled his eyes at their actions.
Still, Cyrus' words placated his rage a bit. With his rationality returning, he acknowledged that to go out right now would be suicidal, and would be a one-way trip to getting a life sentence. As much as he hated waiting, his rationality won out this time around.
And he had no illusions that Cyrus intended to use him as a blunt and violent instrument. But that was perfectly fine with him; he would relish in the opportunity when he was finally allowed to let loose.
However, as he leaned back against his chair, he began to wonder how much of Cyrus' actions were actually truthful.
Were they really not in trouble if they began to tighten their belts? Would their finances actually be fine if they were cut off by the financial investigation? His boss seemed as calm as ever, but how much of that was just because he was an emotionless corpse? Fuck, he hated thinking of shit like this.
Who knew this fucking bitch of a Champion would be so damn annoying?
A.N. Cyrus is hard to write, but I hope you liked this chapter as a catch-up for what the criminals have been doing. I wanted to show a bit of how the criminals have been reacting to the changes in Sinnoh, and their progress with their plans.
Unsurprisingly, having an actually competent Champion like Cynthia at the helm is going to cause problems for them.
And to anyone who wants to support me, please check out my p atreon at CartecTNN where you can read 8 advanced chapters! Thanks to those who have supported me already!