It been a long time hasn't? I would like to apologize for this. The long wait was due to issues with my computer and then a three week field exercise in the middle of roughly nowhere. Also if this wasn't the story you'd hope I'd update I apologize for this as well. I usually try to work on different ones throughout the week to help from keep getting board with my own work. It was just when I started working on this chapter I found myself really enjoying it and harder and harder to work on anything else till it was done. Also it got a lot longer then what I thought this being the case I split it up into two halves. I hope you enjoy it and the length kind of makes up for the delay.
"Fucking hypocrites!" Grimm shouted as he awoke sitting bolt upright in his bed. He was instantly awake as he started to pant his body covered in a cold and clammy sweat from the nightmare he had again. With a sigh he brought his hand to his forehead and held it there as he waited for his heart to slow. "I've got to stop going to bed somber." He muttered as he threw the blanket off of his lower half. This allowing him to swing his legs over the bed. He slowly stood up dropping his feet to the carpeted floor as he stretched his back. After he worked out the kinks in his back. He raised his arms above his head as high as they would go till he felt and heard a few small pops. Grimm let his arms fall to his sides and hang there loosely as he turned to look out his bedroom window. He saw the dull blue light that spilled in through the narrow slits of the blinds. He slowly crossed the room to his nightstand and picked up his cell phone he left to charge overnight. He saw the time was 5:43 in the morning his alarm set to go off at 6. With a grunt he tossed the phone back onto the nightstand where it made a dull thump.
With a yawn he moved to his bedroom door pulled it open and stumbled groggily into hallway as he headed for the bathroom. Like every morning for as long as he could remember he had to relive himself rather badly. He opened the bathroom door wondering why it was closed in the first place but it was too early in the morning to solve that mystery. He stepped into the bathroom his feet coming in contact with cold tiled floor waking him up a little more. Grimm slowly and groggily made his way over to the shower and pulled the curtain back so he could turn on the water. As the water started to flow and patter against the floor of the shower he shut the curtain again as he let the water warm up. He then turned and squared up with the toilet the seat already raised and proceeded to relive himself sighing as he did so. Once he finished he flushed before pulling his boxers down and stepping out of them. He was now completely nude as he only slept in his underwear. He then turned to the shower and pulled the curtain open. He was about to step in one foot partially raised, but the toes not off the ground yet, when he felt the strange sensation of being watched.
With one hand still griping the curtain he turned around and that was when he saw his partner Eris. She was sitting in the corner by the bowl he had filled with water but was now empty. She sat in her trademarked statue like position looking up at him the tip of her tail lightly tapping the floor.
"Right," He sighed as he pulled the curtain close again but leaving the water running. He walked over to her and used the tips of his fingers to gently rub the top of her head for the briefest of seconds. "Morning." Grimm said as her tail moved a little faster and happily. He then bent down to pick up the bowl. "Let's get you something to eat huh?" He said as he straighten back up and walked out of the bathroom. He didn't bother getting dressed since this was his apartment and he was alone, well mostly. She followed behind him tail moving through the air as she looked up at him happy to be out of the tiny bathroom. Grimm lead her to the kitchen where he refilled the bowl and placed it on the kitchen floor. He then walked over to the refrigerator and pulled it open. The chilled air hitting his damp skin and causing him to shiver. He started to look through the various take home boxes till he spotted an untouched steak wrapped in plastic, a take home extra from one of Ramirez's bar-B-Qs. He pulled it out shutting the door and started to up wrap it. Once he had gotten the clear barrier off of it he sniffed it to ensure it hadn't turned. Before placing it on the plate and setting it next to the bowl filled with water. Eris had sat patiently as she waited for her master watching him intently.
"There you go eat," Grimm said as he stood back up. She trotted over and using her front paws to hold the steak down. She used her strong jaws to easily rip a piece of the steak off and start to chew it. "Ahh the breakfast steak the most important steak of the day." He said with a chuckle as he watched her eat for a second. She looked up at him as she chewed and would've smiled if her mouth wasn't full. She was glad that her master was a little looser and mellower in the morning. "Now don't get use to this." Grimm said as he crossed his arms across his chest. "This is just because I forgot your food in my cruiser because I didn't know you'd be staying with me. So after that steak is back to the kibble got it?" She nodded that she did before leaning down to bit off another piece of the grilled meat. "Good." Grimm said just before he walked out of the kitchen heading for the bathroom again. Once inside he looked himself away in the steam filled room. He sighed in pleasure as he stepped under the cascade of warm water. As Grimm started to wash himself Eris had just finished eating.
There was nothing left of the steak as she even licked the plate where it had sat. She then trotted over to the bowl filled with water and drank from it. Once done she looked around curious before she left the small kitchen. She was confused by her master. She feed her well and didn't keep her confined in her ball any longer then he had to. Yet she knew he didn't trust her and maybe didn't like her.
'No,' She thought. 'It's not that he doesn't like me. He doesn't like my kind.' She remembered what he had said to himself on the bridge after the shooting. She stepped on to the carpeted floor that connected the living room with the one bedroom and the bathroom. She started looking around the small apartment since she didn't get a chance to the other day. Plus she hopped she could find something that reveal something about his past to tell her why he hated her kind. She started in the living room but all that was there was a worn couch. A TV sitting on a simple stand and the small and scratched coffee table where the book on Pokémon still sat. Finding nothing in there she moved down the hallway heading towards his bedroom. Pass the closed bathroom door where she was still able to hear water running. She wandered into Grimm's bedroom, a room she had been in before but hadn't gotten a good look at. She walked pass his desk and computer. She paused only long enough to look longingly at his bed wondering what it would feel like to lie down on. However she knew better as something on the far wall caught her attention.
They were two framed pictures and they were the only two pictures in the entire apartment. Eris walked up to them and sat down in front of them looking up so she could see them clearly. The first one showed about a dozen men in a neat organized formation. The front row was kneeing on their right knee while the rest of them stood behind them. All of them were stoned faced as they stared at the camera hands behind their backs. They all wore the same uniform expect they weren't like what her master and trainer wore on duty. These were green, no that wasn't right she looked closer canting her head to the side. They were mostly green with splotches of brown and black mixed in. As she stared at the picture she was surprised to see her master standing in the back. Expect he was younger as he stared at the camera with an almost hatful glare. She turned to look at the picture hanging next to it this a close up of just her master and… She leaned in closer and tilted her head trying to make it out.
Her master was still wearing that unusual uniform and he was kneeing this time. However this time he was smiling into the camera and his eyes seemed to look brighter. 'Happier,' She thought. What had caused her to pause was he was joined by a strange creature that sat at his right side. It look a lot like her but it was all black and didn't have any kind of bands around it's body. It was like no Pokémon she had ever seen or heard about and what confused her more was that her master had placed a hand lovingly on its head. They both seemed happy as the creature's mouth was open allowing it's tongue to hang out. Seeing this only raised more questions than it answered. Plus she was a little hurt for she thought she had the distinct honor of being her master's first Pokémon.
"I see you met Shadow," A voice said suddenly, behind her. Eris quickly jerked her head around to see her master. He now had a towel around his waist and his skin was damp. He had come back into the room without alerting her and this surprised her. She turned to look back at the picture of her master and the creature that had been identified as 'Shadow'. "He was an all black German Sheppard." Grimm explained as she stared at the picture. "Back when we still used traditional canines since not that much was know about Pokémon at the time. He was a excellent dog, I trained him myself for drug and tracking. We became partners three months later." Grimm continued to explain not really sure why he was telling her all this. "I loved working with him and I think he liked working with me as well." At hearing that Eris turn to look up at her master just as he looked down at her, their eyes meeting.
'I wonder why you are still not working with him?' She thought slightly jealous at the German Sheppard know as Shadow.
"He was well trained," Grimm explained starting again suddenly looking straight ahead. "We pulled over a car on post for driving suspiciously. I asked the diver to step out he did and I thought it was going to be a routine bust. That's when Shadow started barking the sign that the driver had something on him that he wasn't supposed to. I was just starting to react when I took a right hook square to the jaw. I was knocked on my ass and my vision got blurry as I tried to figure out what the hell just happened. Next thing I know the driver took off on foot with Shadow still barking at him." Grimm paused and took a deep breath then. "That's when I fucked up. I told Shadow to sick him. He took off without a moment's hesitation and had closed the gap halfway by the time I got to my feet. I started after him myself but Shadow almost had him. I should have never sent him with me so far behind. He beat me to the suspect and acted just like how he was trained. Jumping up and biting his left wrist to pull him to the ground."
'That's how they trained me,' Eris thought happily. She was glad she had something in common with Shadow since her master held him in high regard.
"Expect he was trained too," Grimm explained his voice becoming cold. "He let Shadow bite his arm and he then lifted him up with Shadow still hanging on. Shadow wouldn't let go because he was trained not to. The suspect had stopped due to him and I was almost caught up. That's when the bastard shoved a knife into Shadow's throat like he had been trained, how to dispatch dogs. He didn't even kill Shadow it took him a whole minute to bleed out as I held him letting the suspect get away. Back up units caught him though. You want to know the best fucking part?" Grimm asked looking down to lock eyes with hers again.
'Yes,' She thought as she nodded her head a single time. She was very intrigued by her master seemingly sad tale. However he had said there was a 'best part' so maybe there was a happy ending after all.
"That reason he ran was because he had a joint on him," Grimm explained his eyes narrowing. "Less than half an ounce of pot. Still could've easily got him kicked out but it was a misdemeanor. He killed Shadow, my partner over that. Then the fucker wasn't even charged because he was the post commander's fuck up of a son. I protested saying not only did he have the joint on him but he assaulted a MP and killed a canine. They told me that he was going to be punished but off the record. You know what they gave him as 'punishment'? Two months extra duty and withheld a month of pay from him. Bastard should have been doing some hard time in Leavenworth but I digress. Around that time my contract was coming to an end and I wasn't going to re-up. I was sick of the bullshit double standards." Eris looked up at her master not really sure how to feel. His story reviled a little about his past but not what she wanted to know. It did kind of hint at his resentful nature though.
"Well let's get ready for work," Grimm said his voice taking on a lighter tone suddenly. He dropped his towel to the floor leaving it in the middle of the room. He walked to his dresser and started pulling clothes from it. A pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt. While her master changed Eris walked out to the living room easily spotting her Pokéball. She carefully picked it up in her mouth and carried it into his bedroom. Just as he finished getting dressed by pulling his shirt on. She walked up to him and gently placed the ball near his feet.
"Eager to get going are we?" Grimm asked as he couldn't help but smile at her eagerness. She just looked up at him happily and wagged her tail. "Alright then." Grimm said as he pulled his backpack on that had his hygiene kit in it. "Get in." At the command Eris nudged the ball with her nose, just before she disappeared inside in a flash of bright light. He bent down, picked it up, shrink it and placed it into his pocket. It was an uneventful walk to the station since no one else was up and out that early. Once he reached the police station Grimm changed into his uniform. Storing his cloths and bag in his locker making sure to take Eris's Pokéball with him. He took one of the few remaining open seats in the briefing room.
"Morning," Ramirez said as he sat next to Grimm. Grimm just nodded and gave him a grunt in response. "What's the matter? Not enough beauty sleep?" Ramirez teased as he lightly shoved Grimm's shoulder. "Come on man its Friday."
"Morning," Grimm said in mock disgust. "Jesus you're perky this morning. You get laid last night or what?"
"Nah just glad to be alive and serving the community," Ramirez said with a cheesy smile.
"You know there is a special place in hell for people like you," Grimm explained. "Where you drown in your own steaming bullshit."
"Ahhh," Ramirez said shoving his arm a little harder. "I missed you too. Anyway it's my son's birthday today."
"Yeah that's right," Grimm said thoughtfully. "How old is he now?"
"Sixteen," Ramirez said his chest puffing up with pride. "Anyway we're having a family bar bee que tonight. You able to make it?"
"Yeah I should be able to make that," Grimm said then realized he didn't have a gift. "I didn't get him anything."
"Don't worry about it," Ramirez said with a wave of his hand. "Since this is his 16th the age we agreed we'd let him start training Pokémon. Me and the misses got him his starter. Cost a pretty penny too."
"What'd ya get 'em?" Grimm asked. "Not that Lucario he wanted? Jesus everyone wants those things."
"Yeah," Ramirez remarked with a short snort. "They do yet they're pretty rare at least around here. So if you do find 'em they're Arceus damn expensive. No we got him a Totodile."
"Oh ok," Grimm said with a smile pretending he knew what that was.
"So yeah that itself wasn't cheap," Ramirez explained. "So he doesn't really need too many more gifts the boy's spoiled already. Just bring your own Pokémon I'm sure he'd love to see it."
"Alright," Grimm said happy that nothing really had changed between him and his former partner. "Can do."
"You got a change of clothes here?" Ramirez asked hooking a thumb in the general direction of the locker rooms.
"Yep," Grimm said with a nod.
"Good you can ride there with me after our watch and I can give you a lift back to your place," Ramirez explained.
"Morning," Captain Walker said as he walking into the briefing room. The officers just grunted different greetings as Walker strolled to stand behind the podium. "Happy Friday." Again more grunts. "In that sprite I'll keep this short. As you know this weekend is the first round of the national tournament. Meaning we are going to have a surge of out of town trainers and tourist alike staying here for the three week long tournament. The opening ceremony is tonight so you can expect the bars to be full. This means a lot of noise complaints and disturbance calls for us. Also you can expect a lot of underage drinking and probably indecent exposure as teenagers are horny little buggers. The long and short of this is: it means extra portals this weekend to increase our presence. The ones lucky enough to still get this weekend off are going to be on call. Also the officers assigned to provide security to the arena your contact will be Sergeant Richardson. Now if no one has any questions let's get to work." The officers to include Grimm stood up to start shuffling out.
"Oh one more thing," Walker said causing all the officers to stay where they were. "Any members of TRU are to stay here for a brief. Sounds like you boys have a raid this morning. Aright dismissed." Grimm and a handful of other officers sat back down into their seats. As the rest of the officers shuffled out fighting with the other TRU members as they tried to get in.
"I'll see you after work," Ramirez said patting Grimm on the shoulder.
"Alright," Grimm said as he smiled looking forward to the good food and cold beer.
"Crack some skulls," Ramirez said as he walked out. "Oh and don't go being a hero."
"Never," Grimm said with a smirk. With that Ramirez walked out as the rest of the TRU members funneled in. All 20 members of the Tactical Response Unit were sitting in the briefing room but dressed in their beat uniforms.
"Morning gentlemen," Lieutenant Savage the commander of TRU said as he took Walker's position in the room. "We have a search and seizure warrant to execute this morning. The target is a suspected Pokémon mill the location is the old abandoned Comfort Hotel off the highway." As he talked a slide show started showing pictures of the hotel. "What was once a shelter for vagrants has become the stronghold and hideout for the Red Eyes gang. Local boys that were never really too much trouble. With the occasional mugging and vandalism charge being the most routy they ever got. They got most of their funding from selling dope so they were pretty small time. Now they've taken the building over by force and have set up a Pokémon mill." Savage paused as he let his eyes sweep around the room meeting as many eyes as he could.
"We believe they were recruited as local muscle by a more organized and well funded crime syndicate," Savage explained. "As you know Pokémon especially rare or desired Pokémon are worth quite a lot. This being the case, whoever set up the mill is making a lot of money from it. We've all seen this before the bigger fish pays the smaller fish to guard their operation. The Red Eyes gang is probably sitting real good. A place to live for free and paid rather well for doing nothing. Like the other raids they will fight tooth and nail not to give up their meal ticket. This means that there will probably be some shooting. Hopefully just a strung-out crack head that'll drop his piece the moment rounds wiz by his head. If not." Savage shrugged. "You know the R.O.E.s and escalation of force procedures. Any questions so far?"
"Yeah," An officer said somewhere behind Grimm. "Do the bastards have Pokémon? I mean do they have Pokémon they can or will use against us?"
"With the amount of money the Pokémon that are a part of the mill bring in. I doubt they will be used," Savage explained. "However some gang members might have personal Pokémon they will be willing to use against us. We're not really sure though."
"R.O.E.s for dealing with the Pokémon?" The officer asked.
"Just like if they were a human," Savage said as he crossed his arms. "If they attack you defend yourselves accordingly. Anything else?" Savage swept his eyes around the room. "Alright let's get to insertion and breach." A slide showing a bird's eye view of the hotel burned to life and stayed there. "There is a bill board that once told motorist on the highway where the hotel was. It's only about a 1000 yards from the hotel itself and offers a great vantage point for the west side. Angel, Hawk you'll be up there covering Alpha team as they breach."
"Roger," Angel said nodding his head a single time. He was the team's sniper and Hawk was his spotter.
"Now lucky for us that the building is only two stories," Savage explained. "With that being said it is still rather large for our small team. Not to mention there are plenty of rooms to search. Alpha team will breach along the west side. They will position themselves on the balconies for the rooms on the second floor. One team member per room that way we can clear nine rooms at once. Don't worry about being by yourself, it's a flash and clear so you should catch 'em with their pants down. If not…well that's why we have Angel."
"I'll save your ass," Angel said to no one in particular. A few officers chuckled.
"While Alpha moves fast and hard moving from the top on down. Bravo will be stacked up right here." Savage pointed to the front entrance on the north slide. "Bravo team is going to kick the front door in and roll hard and heavy. They'll have shields and they'll be heading towards the pool area where we believe the Pokémon are being held. Any questions?" Everyone held there peace most just wanted to get it done. "All right suit up, kit out and mount up. We roll out in 10 gentlemen." With that the slide show stopped as Savage strolled out. The rest of the officers filed out heading towards the locker room. Once inside Grimm quickly stripped off his beat uniform so he could change into his T.R.U. uniform.
Navy blue cargo pants and jacket that reminded him of his other uniform from his previous job. His shoes were treaded out for black steel toe boots he tucked his pants into. He strapped on his heavy body armor and helmet again. When he wasn't on patrol they remained in his locker instead of his trunk. This time he added black elbow and knee pads along with a balaclava. Grimm also added the ear piece and head mic to his radio. The mic sat just inches from his mouth under the balaclava. That way he could hear as well as communicate to fellow officers without having to key his radio. That last thing his slipped on was a pair of gloves, with extra padding on the finger tips and plastic over the knuckles. A trip to the station's gun cage filled his vest pouches with loaded magazines along with several flashbangs. He gripped his rifle tightly as he moved into the garage where the rest of the TRU members had gathered. All dressed the same expect a few had shotguns instead of rifles. Then two members were only armed with pistols but they carried the heavy bullet proof shields. Angel was easy to spot for instead of a helmet he wore a Navy blue ball cap and carried a scoped bolt action rifle. They had gathered next to two black and white painted pick-up trucks. There were two metal benches bolted to the bed on either side in both trucks. The department didn't have enough money to spend on the armored vans like an actual SWAT team would have.
"All right mount up," Savage said as he walked into the garage. He was suited up as well but didn't wear a helmet or balaclava. He was a commander in charge of leading the men and didn't kick in doors. Although he had served his time doing that as well. Grimm climbed into the back of one of the trucks with the rest of Alpha team. He sat on the uncomfortable bench his rifle pointed down resting between his legs. Once everyone of Alpha was loaded in two members shoved what had been dubbed the 'pirate ladder' into the back of their truck. It was nothing more than a steel ladder with two large hooks at the end used to climb through windows above ground level. Once all the members were in the back of either truck they rolled out of the garage lights flashing but no siren. The ride was mostly in silence partly because no one had anything to say. Mostly due to the wind whipping by the open truck bed as they drove down the highway made it impossible to hear.
The trucks took an exit and Grimm was able to read a faded bill board that said: Comfort Hotel EXIT NOW. The trucks instead of staying on the gently curving exit ramp turn and started straight down the grassy embankment. The ride became rough as the officers were bumped and jostled as they tried to remain sitting on the benches. The ride smoothed out again as they reached a grassy field and the trucks leveled off. One of the trucks peeled off and made a bee line for the base of the bill board tower. The truck stopped and two officers got out. Though he wasn't able to see them Grimm knew it was Angel and Hawk all the same. The truck Grimm rode in meanwhile was heading towards a building that seemed to have been put up in the middle of nowhere. The only other thing there, was a parking lot that grass and weeds grew up from numerous amounts of cracks. He could also see the grime and dirt caked windows of the hotel rooms getting steadily closer. As they got closer he could see the rust on the iron railings that made up the second story balconies. As well as the just as dirty sliding glass doors that lead into the rooms themselves.
"Shark bait position," The drive's voice crackled over their radios.
"You heard him!" Sergeant Peterson, Alpha team leader, shouted. "Rack 'em and stack 'em." There was a series of metallic clicks as the officers loaded their weapons and rode bolts forward. As well as pumped breaches open then quickly close again. With his weapon loaded Grimm gripped it with one hand. As he used his other to grip the handle that had been screwed into the top lip of the truck bed. After he gripped it he vaulted over the side swinging his legs up and over. His feet slammed into the side of the truck near the wheel well before they found the thin metal bar that had been welded to the side of the truck. Grimm was now hanging on the outside of the truck his feet on a bar about the same size of his thumb. All the rest of the officers were doing the same hanging off the side of the truck. As the ground beneath them moved by in a green blur.
"10 seconds," The driver informed them over the radio. Grimm reached up letting go of his rifle letting it hang by its sling. Using his now free hand he pulled his dark tinted ballistic goggles that were on top of his helmet down over his eyes. His hand returned to his rifle as his other gripped the handle tighter. The hotel only got closer and Grimm was able to see the chipping and peeling paint. The thought that anyone actually lived there applied him. Then again he wasn't a crack addicted gang banger that'd shoot his own grandmother for another fix. In fact the run down building probably still had water running to it. The power had been shut off long ago but that was easily fixed with a generator. This was probably living the high life compared to what they were use to, Grimm thought.
"Go! Go! Go!" The driver shouted suddenly interrupting Grimm's thoughts. He felt the truck start to slow just as it started to turn to avoid running into the building. At the same time Grimm let go of the handle as he pushed off with his legs. He landed in a crouch rifle pocketed to his shoulder as he scanned the area. With the officers inserted the truck quickly pulled a U turn and hurried to get out of sight. As not to alert the people inside of their presence. They would know soon enough but they didn't want them to know before they were in position. As the truck moved away the officers quickly formed tactual columns and moved along the side of the building. Each officer covering their sector with their weapon, scanning in short arcs. They reached the first balcony and Peterson held up a fist the line of officers coming to an abrupt stop. He then used his thumb to point as the balcony directly above them. The two officers that were burdened with ladder nodded as they lifted it up and hooked it to the railing.
"Reaper this one's yours," Peterson said pointing at Grimm. Who had stiffened at the use of his nick name. He hated it one it wasn't too clever and it also made him think the only thing he was good for was pulling triggers.
"Roger," Grimm said as he threw his rifle behind him so it lay loosely on his back. He mounted the ladder and climbed it quickly. The thin ladder starting to flex once he reached the middle even with the two officers holding it. Grimm reached the top and nimbly vaulted over landing in a muted half crouch. He had just pulled his rifle so he was holding it in front of himself. When the ladder unhooked itself and he could hear boots crunching on grass. He watched as the ladder was hooked to the balcony next to his. Then another TRU member climbed it to reach the balcony. Grimm moved so he pressed his left side to the building as he stood just inches from the sliding glass door. He made sure no part of his body was in front of it as not to give himself away or present a target to anyone inside. Grimm reached into a pouch and pulled out what looked like a small wad of puddy with a wire stuck into it. He bent down and carefully stuck it to the middle of the glass door near the bottom. It was a small breaching charge and when it went off it would blow out the glass and grant him entry.
"Reaper in position," Grimm radioed. He may have hated his nick name but it was how everyone knew him. With one hand still on his rifle he used his other to pull a flashbang from his vest. Using his thumb he pulled the pin from it but kept the spoon depressed to prevent it from arming. Grimm risked a look out across his balcony and saw the last member of his team reach his balcony as the others placed their own breaching charges and armed flashbangs. His heart started to pound the way it always did right before door kick. These were the moments he lived for. Kicking in a door, assaulting and arresting a criminal putting an end to their corrupt acts. It was one of the reasons he became a cop. As the members of Alpha got into position Bravo team was already waiting. They were stacked up in front of the boarded up double door that had once held glass that lead into the hotel's lobby. Four officers were lined up in front of the right door and five in front of the left. Each line headed by a member caring a thick black shield with T.R.U. written on the front. They too had placed breaching charges on the sheets of ply wood that prevented them from seeing into the lobby.
"This is Savage to all teams," Savage radioed to his men. "All teams check in."
"Alpha team in position," Peterson radioed.
"Bravo team in position," Sergeant Anderson radioed. He was the fifth officer on the left side.
"Angel cocked, locked and ready ta rock," Angel reported.
"This is Savage to all teams," Savage's voice coming in over all their radios. "Do it. Full breach."