Chapter 92: Planning the offensive

Chapter 92: Planning the offensive

Brock Sabrina stared at the rock that I had laid out on my table. With how she was staring at it in open wonder I knew this had to be resonating with her. It had to be a psychic-type pokemon megastone.

And the first psychic type to come to mind would be

At her hip a pokeball opened and Alakazam appeared in the room. He nodded in greeting to me before leaning forward to inspect the rock with Sabrina.

I think that clinches it as Alakazamite.

Alakazamite, Sabrina said, her fingers gently rubbing over the edges. She tapped at where a small marble like gem was set. There are two resonances?

I nodded. I think these types of stones grow in pairs. It helps to link the trainer and the pokemon that it is attributed to.

Sabrina nodded long, still entranced by the stone. Where did you find such a thing?

I rubbed my cheek. I didnt. Flint found it and thought it would be useful for me to have.

I watched her. But I actually think that you might be a better person for this.

Sabrina didnt say anything so I tapped her hand. So? Do you want it?

Sabrina snapped her head upwards. "Youre going to give this to me?!

Sure, I dont have an Alakazam and you this would be amazing for you.

Sabrina shifted from foot to foot and I tilted my head. She was that uncomfortable with it?

Brock, you do realise that Lance got his Megastone due to you defeating him during your friendly match?

I blinked. No I hadnt made that connection. Did Did Lance feel threatened by me? That, kind of made sense actually.

Sabrina nodded. Usually Lance has a disciplined mind. During the meeting we had in the aftermath of the Rocket raid Lance noticed you had seen his bracelet. He thought about you noticing it specifically and thought you might understand that it was a new trump card.

Oh, I said. Everything shed said It made perfect sense. I scratched the back of my head. I kind of felt bad that Lance was obviously feeling threatened by me. I hadnt meant to do that. Well not back then

Brock, why are you smirking? she said with a tilt of her head.

I coughed No reason! I said. Okay, so I found it a bit amusing! It was kind of a compliment.

Youre still smiling, she said.

Yeah lets not worry about that! I said defensively.

Sabrina huffed at me but she obviously thought it was amusing. Her lips were twitching as well after all. I tapped the rock. How does it work?

I grinned. Well well need to get a jeweler to work the stones out without damaging them. Then well fit a bracelet for you or a necklace that you can use to link up with Alakazam. I then tapped Alakazam on the shoulder. Alakazam will get a slightly larger gem that he will have to carry with him. From what little I know, there will be a synchronisation period for you both but eventually, you will be able to mega-evolve your pokemon.

What about a rin Alakazams eyes glowed and Sabrina stopped talking, turning her head to her pokemon as he stroked his moustache. Sabrina nodded grimaced at him before gesturing towards him, Alakazam wants to know what Mega-evolution is.

Its a temporary empowerment that boosts every trait a pokemon has. In some cases it even changes the typing of the pokemon, I said, thinking of Charizard and Gyarados as merely two examples.

Do you know how many pokemon can mega-evolve? Sabrina said after conferring with her pokemon once more.

Uhmm. I started counting them off to myself and Sabrina's eyebrows shot up in surprise. I decided to just give a best guess. I think theres at least thirty mega evolutions? I had no idea if that was still true.

Alakazam stared at me as his eyes glowed. What Pokemon do you know of that can Mega-evolve?

Alakazam obviously, I said before leaning back. Venusaur, Blastoise, Charizard, Gengar, Gyarados, Aerodacytl, Tyrantiar, Steelix, Aggron, Swampert, and others like Beedrill.

Sabrina stared at me. I cant help but notice that your own team happens to have alot of pokemon capable of mega-evolution.

I scratched the back of my head. Well I think that has more to do with rock types and Mega stones but yeah I got lucky like that I suppose. She continued to stare. I know you have Alakazam, Slowbro, Metagross, Gallade, Gardevoir, and Medicham as possible mega evolutions for psychic types though, you now have three of those potentially. I stared at her. Isnt that going to be a good portion of your team?

Sabrina sniffed. I only learned about Mega evolutions now. You? she tilted her head.

I keep my ears to the ground pretty well, I like to think. Steven Stone is big into investigating mega stones as aggressively as he can get away with, or so I hear. Among corporate espionage, apparently.

Sabrina tilted her head. Where did you hear that?

I waved a hand back and forth. The radio, the television I grimaced. Not great sources of information I have to admit as it will be skewed, so Im not really sure about Steven Stone.

I shrugged. Apparently, Blaine sued him. I havent heard how thats been going on but apparently Steven Stone is in Kanto because of it.

Hmmm, I see. Sabrina nodded her head. What are we going to do about Team Rocket and Team Magma?

I leaned past her and plucked the holopad that I used to talk with the Guardians. I prepared the record section and got ready to send out a message.

I took my seat and Sabrina came and leaned on the chair. I rolled my eyes but she merely shot me an amused look as she tapped the record function forcing me to begin talking.

Team Rocket sent a spy into my gym. We were able to learn some surprising facts about him. Apparently, he wasn't just an agent for Team Rocket but also for a foreign team from Hoenn known as Team Magma. I want his cell as secured as possible. Officer Jenny is currently holding him at the gym. This makes three attempts at my gym now by Team Rocket. Im going to act on the intelligence of Team Rockets bases before they have a chance to escape those sites.

I stopped recording and sent the message off. As it was sent it played back for me and I realised that with Sabrina lounging next to me and with the room not lit I looked a bit like a mob boss calling for a hit to be made.

I didnt have time to linger on that however as a videocall from Agatha came in.

Brock, she said in greeting before she turned her eyes to Sabrina. Young Sabrina we still havent performed your initiation test.

I think with the circumstances that can wait Agatha. I trust Sabrina more than anyone. Sabrina psychically squeezed my shoulder and I shot her a small smile.

Hmmm, how quaint, Agatha said.

A moment later another screen popped out and Koga appeared sitting on a leather couch while Janine stood behind him.

Agatha sniffed I see even you have given up on tradition Koga!

Koga merely shrugged. I merely agree with Brocks idea. We should not wait. I will point out that I find it rather amusing that the Rock wielder is the one to be the most proactive of us though.

Janine shot her father a look like she couldnt believe hed just made a joke. Agatha merely huffed only for another screen to appear and Karen to appear with tousled hair. Yeesh! Marking your territory much girl? Karen said.

Sabrina merely hummed. I glanced at her positioning and realised that it was a bit of a power-move wasnt it? I decided I should probably double down. Sabrina was the one I trusted the most after all. I patted her hand and she shot me a smile while Karens eyes narrowed. Janine merely tilted her head.

Agatha scoffed. Urgh! Children! she said before slamming her cane on the ground. Moving on, I agree with Brock that securing his prisoner just became top priority. Daniel of Gringey City became a person of extreme interest. Im glad you had the good sense to not let him be carted off to the police station. We shall take custody.

I considered that. Perhaps it would serve our purposes best if the League were to take custody of him officially.

Yes, then lose him in the bureaucracy of Agatha began, only for me to shake my head.

NoI was thinking more along the lines of using this to boost Kogas strength and allow him greater sway on Lances dream of forming an international police force.

Koga nodded but Karen and Agatha both looked uninterested. While this is going on we could lead raids on the Rocket bases that Sabrina was able to glean from Daniel. Team Rocket will eventually learn of Daniels traitor status and this will be a gigantic hit to them. Karen perked up at that but Agatha merely sniffed.

I considered her. I didnt really need to win her over but I could play the game and keep everyone happy. So why not keep her on her good side. I was obviously already ruffling her feathers with how I was going about accelerating Sabrina and subsequently Janines inclusion into the Guardians Leadership meetings.

Why should we settle for one objective when we can have it all Agatha? We can weaken Team Rocket. Empower our agents within the League. Truly get Koga a seat at the table if not the first seat at the table of international policing. And what does it cost us? The dubious control of a foreign agent that were already going to get information from? Sabrina is already the strongest psychic in Kanto. They cant overlook her.

Karen hummed. Heard a rumour~! Some little boy is trying to claim otherwise!

Koga and Janine huffed with Koga even shaking his head. Those claims are trumped up paid rumours at best! Janines agents have said as much!

I tilted my head. Janines agents? Did Janine leave a spy network in my wait! Did he mean the grannies!? I shot Janine a look and she refused to meet my gaze. Janine! What was going on here!?

Agatha shook her head and stabbed it forward. Urgh Karen! I thought I taught you better than this. To think the next generation will be led by that flaky boys son! " she grumbled but I got the impression it was more for the sake of it rather than any true objection. I was proven right when she grinned.

If I hadnt spent so long interacting with her, and if this was the first time Id met her, I would have believed her act of innocent old woman. I had to wonder who she was putting on a show for. Bethany apparently knew her in ways I didnt want to think about. I glanced at Alexa and found her smiling warmly at the Elite Four member.

I wasnt sure what to make of that and so instead I played my part and invited her in to help with the transfer of Daniel to the Plateau. Alexa blinked in surprise.

Eh?! Daniel has been detained?! she said.

I nodded, my face set in stone. Yeah, turns out he was a plant from Team Rocket. Keep that to yourself. Hes got a lot of questions to answer and I dont want it getting out.

Bethany nodded seriously and glanced at Agatha. We wont say a word in fact perhaps well depart now instead of finishing up that paperwork Was there anything else you required from us Gym Leader?

You rescheduled tomorrows matches? I said.

Yes most of them were your new sponsored trainers and very understanding! said Alexa. I grimaced at that.

Urgh I might have to break my no fights on days off rule to get them through in a timely manner I sighed. Ill deal with that later though. I waved Alexa and Bethany off and led Agatha into the gym.

I guided her to a room that I was surprised to find an Arcanine sitting in front of. He dropped into a guard position and his growl was low and menacing.

Agatha actually stopped and assessed him rather than marching forward like I sort of expected from the old woman. The door opened, and Jenny peeked out with her arm raised. I noted the active transceiver.

This is Officer Jenny reporting that it appears to be Gym Leaders Brock and Sabrina escorting Elite Four member Agatha to the prisoner. Please advise!

The voice on the other side said something quickly that I couldnt catch. Jenny continued to watch us carefully. She then nodded.

Gym Leader Brock! Identify using your trainer ID number and answering a personal question!

I rattled off my number and tilted my head. Whats the personal question?

During a birthday party I attended with my cousin, what action figurine did you give me? she said seriously.

I huffed. You were randomly given a Selene, but then you learnt that other parents got more than one and came back to ask for a Quirinna and a Sanchez figurine.

Jenny nodded her head, the faintest blush appearing as she turned to Sabrina. Sabrina sniffed. I teleported you onto a Snorlax toy because you tried to steal a kiss.

Jenny stiffened. I knew it was you! She then stiffened and coughed. I mean! Alright you pass. Did you perform a check on Aga

From the depths of Agathas shadow, three Gengar emerged. The Arcanine yelped and took a step back. Jenny lost all the colour shed gained and she swallowed. Yeah yeah, thatll work as identification.

I approached as she urged Arcanine back. I just caught her muttering to herself and Arcanine, Who the hell keeps three Gengar in their shadows! Crazy old woman!

I shot Sabrina a smile but she was eyeballing Agathas shadow. I paused in the entrance and let Agatha go through while the three Gengar floated through the walls. Then her shadow winked at me.

Damn, she really was crazy.

When I entered the room I found Jenny blushing once more. Uhm sorry for the method of detaining I didnt have more than my rope and cuffs on me so I improvised

I stared at Daniel as he glowered back at us. Hed been duct taped to the wall in a spread-eagle fashion. It made me think of my past life where this would occur after a wild night of drinking.

Agatha merely nodded. Excellent improvisation! Jenny, you, Daniel, and I shall be going to Indigo headquarters. There we will conduct an interrogation with Gym Leader Sabrinas assistance.

I know my rights! screamed Daniel.

Agatha tutted and shook her head side to side. No, clearly you dont young man otherwise you would know how monumentally bad an idea it is to infiltrate a Gym. Gym Leader Brock is correct in the charges that you can face and the rights that you have voided. We will get the information we want. For now though, she raised up and squeezed into his shoulder with her thumb. Sleep!

I felt a spike of something shadowy and cold pulse out of Agatha. A moment later, Daniels eyes rolled into the back of his skull, and he flopped down, unconscious once more.

Jenny whistled. Id heard rumours that you knew how to do that damn thats cool I mean! Sorry, Lady Agatha!

Agatha waved her off. Not a worry, not a worry. Now Gym Leader Sabrina, care to teleport us?

Jenny frowned. But Brock has an anti-tel her words died off as Alakazam, whod spent the last twenty minutes studying the megastone in a corner of my office, appeared in a flash of light before nodding once at me and flashing away with Jenny, Agatha, Daniel and Sabrina.

I hummed. Alright, that leaves me at loose ends I could join Janine and Erika in raiding the Games Corner I chewed my lip. Vermillion having a Rocket base worried me. It hadnt been a priority target but Id noticed it perhaps more than any of the others bar the Games Corner.

I gave the gym a sweep and checked in with Forrest only to find him sitting in the kitchen with Flint who Actually looked different with how he assessed me as I walked into the room.

Gift I gave you? he said firmly.

Forrest blinked and shot him a confused look. I startled, realising that he was mimicking Jennys identification call response method. A rare stone. A mega stone.

Flint blinked in surprise. Is that what it is called?

I nodded. I kind of forgot that youd be here.

Flint frowned before opening and then shutting his mouth. What happened?

One of the Gym trainers, Daniel, I said at Forrest's curious look, was a spy for Team Rocket.

Hnnn, thats one of the reasons I never took Gym Trainers on. Too many people are mucking things up and making it chaotic. Didnt need that, didnt want it! he said while staring at the bench. Forrest glanced between me and Flint quickly, a worried look on his face.

I shook my head. The gyms different now Flint. I need the support and they bring a lot to the table. They also just happen to have some risks associated with it. Ill have to be more careful in the future. I huffed. That being said we learnt some things from him and I need to go talk with Surge.

Surge? Why do you need to talk to that maniac?

I frowned. When you left he was one of the only gym leaders to approach and check that I had any idea what I was doing. I I was about to say I didnt need his help but that wasnt completely true. He helped me out a lot more than people realise. Now I think theres some trouble coming his way and I want to help him out.

I looked at Flint and Forrest. Can you hold down the fort here for the night and possibly tomorrow?

Flint nodded. Yeah, I can do that. There going to be any matches tomorrow I need to step in for?

I shook my head. No. I cancelled those. This is more important. Forrest stared at me and I tilted my head. What?

Just You never cancel matches if you can help it. he swallowed. Guess its really serious.

I snorted. If anything Im underselling it. Keep the family close. Keep Sanchez out. Im taking the others with me.

With that done I marched out the door. I was about to release Zephyr and take wing to Vermillion but then I considered the distances. I could do it with Selene but then shed be exhausted I sheepishly sent a message to Sabrina and she appeared a moment later in a flash of light.

She put a hand on me. Then we vanished and reappeared on the road leading up to the Vermillion gym. I need to go back to deal with the League officials. Agatha is having to threaten people to get through the red tape. Lance is on his way and Koga has reached the Plateau. Should I tell Agatha youre here?

I shrugged. Sure thing. She vanished and I lifted my transceiver.

It dialed up and after five rings it clicked as Surge answered. Blugh! What the? Brock? Whats happening?

Hey Surge we need to talk, Im outside.

On the screen Surge narrowed his eyes at me and tried to look over my shoulder. Are there a gaggle of women behind you? Cause I swear I aint dealing with no ex-girlfriends! Dont be suckered into their sob stories! I broke up with them fair and honest in a cafe and everything so they could throw water in my face!

I chuckled and shook my head. Not what I wanted to talk to you about actually. Its about Team Rocket.

Surge went still. Oh? Well Im all ears, Ill be out in a second.

I hummed and got ready to deal with an irate Surge. As the doors opened I remembered Id need to enlist the local police. I shot Jenny a message to see if she could do just that while I spoke to Surge.

I suspected Id have no trouble getting him pointed at the Rocket base.

If there would be anything left of it when Surge was through with it would be another matter. One Id probably need the police for more than actually helping take down the Team Rocket members.

I was strong but Surge was a big guy that I had no doubt I wouldnt be able to stop if he went too far.

I messaged Jenny again, urging her to send them around without giving the game away too soon. I took a deep breath before heading inside, I was going to have to control Surge in the meantime, and that would be half the battle.