Chapter 137: The day after

Chapter 137: The day after

A mocking laugh had me turning to find Will standing on a ridgeline. His hand was raised in front of his face in the most prissy manner I could imagine, and he cackled at me. I frowned. What was I doing here? I was standing in the midst of a broken landscape that No. Not just any broken landscape; this was the battlefield after our match.

I glanced further around and felt a weight settle on me, with a crowd of faces leering down from the stands. Judging me as a cold voice announced Wills victory. I glanced around for my pokemon only to not see them. I ran my hand along my pokebelt only for nothing to be there.

I reached for Titans Greatball only to find nothing.

A cold sweat broke out over me.

Will opened his mouth and an alarm tone blared out of it.

I shot into an upright position, sleep abandoned, as I lashed out with a rock-empowered fist.

The alarm clock squawked once more and fizzled before falling silent. I sighed and rubbed at my forehead.

Wow, way to go me. You sure showed that alarm, I said. What if that had been one of my little brothers or sisters? Was I going to swat them as well? I felt an ache run through me. Urgh, I was apparently a bit sore from overusing my aura yesterday. Hmmm, that was a fun discovery.

Brock? said a voice. I glanced back and found Sabrina blinking blearily behind me.

Hey, morning, I said wondering if I could hide the broken alarm clock before she noticed.

Her eyes flicked over to it and nodded. Good you got to it before I could, she said without a hint of shame in her tone.

Her eyes returned to me. You look unwell you told everyone that you were fine yesterday. She wet her lips. Do you want to talk about it?

Just more of yesterday and a stupid dream. I said with a sigh, falling back into bed. Sabrina lifted herself up telekinetically and repositioned my arm so that she was curled into my side with my arm around her without any input from her. She lay her head on my shoulder and looked up at me.

I played with her hair and enjoyed the warmth that bled from her into me.

Its alright to be bothered by this. Remember, weve spoken of handling losses. This is just a draw. Youre very good at letting the small things wash over you.

Doesnt feel small, what if my lo I stopped that line of thought as I felt Sabrina frown at me. Draw, I bit out. What if my draw lets that dirtbag Will get enough recognition to do as he wants? Claim a spot on the Elite Four? I said knowing that, according to some canon references, thats what hed achieve.

There are still quite a few hurdles ahead of him. While the Cerulean sisters Sabrina made a face. Well, Surge will be a strong match, I have no doubt. And you shouldnt discount Erika either. And Brock, if he tries to pull off a Psychic terrain against me? Ill make him regret it.

Yeah, he wont be able to use the same tricks, but I think thats part of the trouble I got into. I underestimated him and what he was willing to do to win.

Sabrina nodded. Thats fair. Would you change anything if you could have?

Maybe If I had my entire team, things might be a bit different Selene, Bertha, Don, Sanchez I wouldnt have been able to use all of them but still

They fought very well against that Moltres, and none of them are permanently injured. In fact, I think most of them are now back to full health, no?

Yeah, yeah they are. Sorry for backsliding like this, I said rubbing a hand over my face.

Dont apologise, Sabrina said smiling up at me. Feelings are important things.

I chuckled. Its silly I guess now that Ive said it aloud I toyed with her hair. It was nice having everyone come out to talk with me like they did after the match theyre good people, I said.

Indeed they are, Sabrina said. She shifted. What will you do today? I know the press are champing at the bit to interview you.

I grimaced. I could just imagine how that was going to go. Urgh, so many smug reporters. Would they be accusing me of failing or pitying me?

Yesterday hadnt seen me having much energy after the match. Id passed out from over using my aura for most of the afternoon, only to wake up for dinner. I ate, spent some time with my family, checked in with my pokemon, and then tried to settle down, only to find myself restless.

Sabrina had helped keep my mind off yesterday rather marvelously and tired me out enough to keep me in bed. I lifted the sheet and saw that we were still naked.

Down, Sabrina said as she saw where I was looking. I grumbled and settled for a stretch while squeezing her shoulder.

I was thankful that today was a Sunday. It would probably be a slow news day if I did the press conference. Some of them might be snippy about having to wait an entire day, but I needed the time to recover and check in with my pokemon.

So, are what are your thoughts about yesterday? Sabrina said probingly.

I think I handled that as well as I could have I suppose, all things considered I glanced over at the wrecked clock. Urgh Ill need a new alarm clock as well.

Its alright, Sabrina said.

Its Id rather not lash out like that but I had a nightmare and lashed out. I said, feeling annoyed at myself.

It happens, she replied easily. I huffed at her but she tapped me on the chest. Also, you wouldnt do that, Sabrina said. I shot her an unamused look.

She met my gaze easily. Do you remember? I was much the same initially. What did you say when I got startled and broke that tree?

That it was alright and you could control yourself I replied, recalling the incident in question.

Sabrina tapped my nose. Correct, and the same will apply here. You will control yourself and not hurt those you care for. Also, that alarm was annoying.

I chuckled. I mean, it was supposed to wake me up; its not supposed to be to quiet.

You can find better ways to get up.

Oh yeah? I said yawning. It worked pretty well. You have a better idea? I said teasingly.

Sabrina shot me a smirk and leaned up to kiss me on the lips. She then leaned close to my ear. Brock, time to get up, she whispered into my ear.

She was right. That was a much better way to wake up.

[/hr]

After the morning's activities, I had a shower and freshened up. I gave Sabrina a kiss before I headed out.

Im glad that got you feeling better, she said sardonically from in front of the mirror as she ran a few combs through her hair all at once.

Ah yeah, that certainly helped. You coming out with me today? I asked, jerking my head towards the reserve.

Sabrina started to nod, before a thoughtful expression took over her features. In a little while. I think Im going to look into a few things first. Ill meet up with you again later.

She pulled me in for another kiss and smiled. Dont get too caught up in your draw, please? she asked.

I nodded. Ill try, I said. She let me go then, but her eyes continued to search my face. I departed, feeling rather upbeat.

I got all the way to the kitchen before my mood went up in smoke when Flint stepped forward. I watched him like one would watch a stray Growlithe you werent sure about.

Brock, I'm sorry about your match yesterday. That match was the most rotten affair Ive seen in years.

Ah, I said intelligently. I cast around for what to say to him. Thanks? I ended up settling on. He shifted, and I flicked my eyes around.

I thought you were incredible out there, he said. All of the family were really proud of you.

Yeah thanks for that, Flint, I said. Im gonna go and check in with my pokemon.

Ah yeah, you should do that if you want to talk Im always here for you, he offered with an open hand.

I I considered him for a moment. The way he was looking so hopeful. A part of me wanted to lash out at him for approaching me while I was down in the dumps, but I knew that wasnt what hed been trying to do.

I decided to try a little for the family. I know that youre always there to talk, and I appreciate the gesture, I told him. I considered telling him that I had others that I would rather talk to, but that would just come from a petty part of me. A part that wasnt wrong, but it wasnt a part that needed to be spoken aloud.

I edged my way out of the kitchen, nabbing a piece of fruit as I did so. Im gonna go check in with my pokemon. I ignored how his smile dropped a fraction and his shoulder slumped a little. Instead, I got out of there and made my way past the garden of Lileep.

Haha! I knew camping out would lead me to catch you unawares! shouted a trainer that sprang out of the bushes.

I raised the piece of fruit and was about to toss it at them, only for Nanny Grav to walk around the corner with a small watering can in her hand. Without breaking stride, she grabbed the trainer in one arm and tucked him under her arm like an errant child which he pretty much was.

She walked away after giving me a polite nod. I blinked in surprise before relaxing and taking a bite of fruit.

Huh, so that hasnt stopped yet I said to myself as I kept walking. When I got into the reserve I nodded to a number of the Gym trainers who were already up, feeding and working with a few pokemon.

Greta was leading a small pack of Aron around with one hand on a link of chain while her other held onto her pokedex to document the game.

I went deeper and found a number of my Elite pokemon sitting around talking with each other. They looked like they were having a pretty deep discussion. I walked past Tit I paused when I realised I wasnt just walking past Titan but in fact his mother, Empress.

Oh, hey there, Empress, morning, I said, carefully judging her mood.

She stared down at me before looming in to sniff me. She locked eyes with me, and I held her stare, but not in a way that would cause her to feel like she needed to fight. It felt more like she was feeling me out.

She nodded once. Then she grinned and leaned closer to swipe my bit of fruit. She swallowed it and then smirked. I got the impression she was teasing me, which was a novel experience. I snorted in amusement at her antics. Without really thinking about it, I reached out and rubbed her snout.

Good to see youre feeling better, Empress. I decided to leave while the going was good and she was confused. She touched her nose where Id rubbed her in bewilderment, shooting me a confused look.

Hey gang, I said, causing my pokemon to perk up. Sanchez bounced onto his feet and waved both arms ecstatically. Bertha smiled widely. Titan nodded stoically, and the others trumpeted their own names. I moved around and hopped up onto a segment of Jormungandrs body.

I looked them all over. Nurse Joy and Chansey had done well to get them all back to fighting fitness, and while they were sore, I knew that wouldnt be enough to hamper them.

I locked eyes with all of them and noted that there was a glint in each of their eyes. A feeling that was just waiting to be tapped into.

So, I said, shifting my gaze, assessing my pokemon and considering them and myself. That match sucked.

My pokemon nodded. Some slumped. Others growled in annoyance.

Yeah, that had to be one of the most annoying matches around. We did a lot of prep work for it and then had some of the worst buildup to it with having to fight one of the strongest pokemon around.

I continued to shift my gaze. But we held them off despite having to defend pokemon and people that were injured. Not an ideal situation for us; otherwise, I think we might have plucked that flaming chicken, I said, not holding back.

I gave Bertha a huge grin. You nailed that feather duster, Bertha, and then I saw some great work from others both defending and blocking hits that would have seen a lot more injuries if we hadnt been so on the ball. I nodded to Hypnotoad, and she puffed up.

We didnt go into Wills match with all our options, but we still had a very solid team with the pokemon I picked. Gawain, your debut is stealing the hearts and minds of a lot of people; you stood up and really demonstrated your skills and grit. Knight, Tide, they had to use some seriously underhanded techniques to take you both out as you were solid powerhouses during that match.

Shrek, you traded hard in a matchup that you were hugely disadvantaged against. I bowed my head towards him. You then held the line with the final trade of blows despite how spent you were.

Shrek nodded his head before marching up to me. He put a huge hand on my shoulder. And squeezed it. Swampert, he said with a nod.

I nodded back, feeling a bit lighter.

Titan, you took some serious abuse with them dropping the biggest cheap shot of the match into your face, but despite that, you still drew a lot of attention and forced things back into our control. Titan raised a claw in a thumbs up.

Jormungandr, I said patting the segment of his body I was sitting on. You did amazing, you were holding them off and able to grow during that match to get way, way stronger. You surprised everyone with your endurance and your versatility.

I looked at all six of the pokemon I selected. Id be hard-pressed to pick six pokemon better to have faced Will if I had my entire roster. You all stood up and did great.

The positive energy had them all perked up and smiling. I let my own smile drop away. In the end we drew.

This might just be Team Rocket setting up against me and making the most of Will, I said, voicing a thought I didnt trust. I couldnt and wouldnt trust Team Rocket to leave things well enough alone.

Theyd escalated.

Worse theyd escalated in a way I wasnt sure how to answer without calling Giovanni out. I doubted that would end well for anyone.

Doesnt matter, Flint said unknowingly mirroring my thoughts on the subject of Will. We need to keep it from happening. He sighed. I really wish your mother was here.

I twitched in annoyance. I very much did not want her here of all people. What will your friends do? I asked, changing the topic.

Ill have them hang around the kids' schools with the schools awareness, he shot me an amused look. Dont want any more incidents like when Dennis was monitoring them.

I huffed in surprise. You heard about that, did you? I sat in front of a computer nd started typing up a message to one of the security companies Id contracted to work on the gym.

During a Parents and Teachers night, yes.

I missed that? I asked, pausing in my message.

Flint nodded. I took over; youre busy enough, and I wanted to do that.

I decided to leave that alone and settle for just a nod. It was normal and good to have him taking on that role. It was what he was supposed to do.

It only irked me a little.

Youd best see if any of them have kids themselves if theyre going to be watching over little ones. Tommy and Tilly like to explore after all, I said.

Flint merely nodded. He turned to me and indicated the video that was repeating of Titan thrashing Alakazam back and forth. Hmmm I might get a videoclip of that made. Make it one of this world's first memes.

I wondered about that at the time. Hes far too strong for an Alakazam to escape in the manner it did.

I tried to repress the smile, but it still came through. Thanks, it still ended up costing me. I sighed as the cynical part of me reared its head. I waved a hand at the video. Shame this is all a bit too circumstantial It casts doubt but doesnt definitively prove anything.

It might still be worth mentioning to people. They already know Will is a sneak with how he fought. But not how big of a sneak he truly is.

I nodded and brought out my transceiver to make some calls starting with Lawrence. Then I might call Lance. Flint stood. Ill go check the houses emitters, and Brock?

I glanced up. Yeah Flint?

Something I learnt during the war? Dont trade blows with your opponent. Ghost them where you can without letting them hit you back. When you get the chance to land a blow make sure it's a good one they cant recover from. Hammer them until theyre well and truly down and out or running with their tails between their legs, he said this with his eyes cast down.

It took a moment for me to realise he wasnt proud to give me this information. It revealed a side of Flint Id never considered. Flint was a war veteran. One that must have seen combat.

Thanks, thats good advice, I said. I waved a hand at the armoured arm on display. Sadly Team Rocket arent going to make it easy for me to hit them back.

Yeah, some fights are like that. He nodded and left.

I watched him go, suddenly much more curious about what hed been through, before returning to sending off some messages and making some calls. I wasnt sure it was a talk Flint would be interested in ever having. I wouldt push.

Lawrence was quick to bustle up to the Gym and look over what Id found. His grimace didnt fill me with any hope.

Well document it all and have a technician look it over. Get signed reports on all of this along with testimony. I can build a case on this but it's circumstantial Lawrence sighed his hand running through his mohawk. Will can just cry foul that he was a victim as there isnt a solid link. Its certainly beneficial to him but he can pretend to be a target of a smear campaign if he even talks with a half way decent lawyer.

Those exist? Jeff snarked from around a mug of coffee.

Lawrence, rather than getting offended, smirked and winked playfully. He then indicated hed like a cup himself. Jeff happily set about doing so as Lawrence turned back to me to keep talking.

Also, its not something that usually even the League will handle after the event. If it is caught during, theyd back you, but afterwards, it becomes much more iffy. Also, it was a draw so nothing eventuated from it. Lawrence drummed his fingers on the table. There is also the risk that Will, or Team Rocket might have demanded an investigation into the match if youd won. Then theyd be able to claim the interference wasnt in fact beneficial.

I snarled at that, and Lawrence nodded. Yeah it would be dirty but it would cast doubt, and is a play they could make with your dark emitters being blown out.

Lawrence sighed and accepted a mug of coffee from Jeff. The rules about discovering interference are usually something handled with the referee there hasnt been a high-profile case and no-one has successfully pulled off interference like this Lawrence chewed his lip. That we know of

Well it seems Will is bringing a whole host of League shortcomings to light, I said knowing full well Lawrence was right that this level of interference was unprecedented. That or it was occurring and just not being caught out until now. How many people had state of the art Gym facilities with dark emitters, a high-stakes match, and security surrounding their gym.

My transceiver buzzed and I raised it up to find Lance calling me.

Champion, I said in greeting.

Gym Leader, he said back with a nod. He then relaxed. That match was rough Brock. Thank you for sending through that information. I will be having one of my G-men collect a copy. The information is Im sorry to say

Its too circumstantial? I said cutting over Lance.

He nodded, his lips tight.

I sighed. Lawrence just said the same thing, I said indicating my lawyer.

He is correct, Lance said. He then laced his fingers together. That does not mean we arent going to act on this new information. It is clear there is some link between Will and Team Rocket. This will not be an official League operation but one that I turn over to the G-men. Will is going to be monitored as closely as possible for any and all links. If we find something, we are going to act on it, and Will is going to be detained.

I shut my eyes, relieved despite it not being the answer Id hoped for. Lance was going to do somethingpossibly even the smartest thing. Good, thats good., I said simply.

Lance nodded. Im pleased to hear that Brock. Youve done well all told. Ill take it from here with the G-men. Well let Will have enough rope to hang himself, and then well take him into custody.

I hummed. Some of those people hes going to be facing are my friends, I said. Im not going to just stand by. Ill be watching him I toyed with my idea. Maybe I might also make some moves of my own

Lance looked troubled, so I told him my idea. He smiled, but I noted he also had a slight pinching in his lips like he was worried about something for a moment. The expression didnt last and vanished after a moment, so I decided it was nothing.

I decided to voice another thought. Any chance you could just take him in for an interview now? I said.

Lance shook his head. As a Psychic specialist, he would be resistant to any invasive methods, and there would be an uproar. He has made himself high profile with how he challenged you. He also does have Mayor Jonathans open support. For all that the public disapprove of how he fought they would not simply accept him being taken into custody. It would be too much of an over-correction. Let him wander for now. Well be watching and well catch him out, I have no doubt.

I huffed. Shame, I said, thinking I would like to have Will to myself in an interrogation room. I might even invite Surge. I shook those dark thoughts off and nodded to him. Thanks for listening to me, I said.

I trust you Brock, thank you for this information. He signed off after that.

Lawrence tapped away at the keyboard next to me, enhancing the armoured limb. Hmmm I hadn't considered the public perspective, Lance was right. He shot me a look. What are you going to do?

I think Im going to hold a press conference, I said.

Hmmmm, Rachel will be happy to hear that, Lawrence said. He straightened and stretched. At least youre not like Surge, or Blaine If they suspected Will did this against them Lawrence mimed an explosion. I gave a snort but nodded.

I cant say that Im not going to seek out some fights of my own, but I think Im going to have to be smart about them. I have some gaps to shore up as well that Ive been dragging my feet on.

Less pleasing to hear, Lawrence pointed out. What gaps are you thinking of shoring up?

I toggled the information I'd had for a while but not used. Old Jenny the former police officers profile, shot up. I glanced it over and hummed thoughtfully as I made the call.

Gym Leader Brock? said a woman who looked, and sounded like the Officer Jenny that I was used to. Only this wasnt my Jenny. This Jenny was sitting in a wheelchair and where mine had a fresh eagerness of youth, this woman had lines where age and hardship had worn her down.

Jenny, Ive been meaning to reach out to you for a while but I just noticed something about your current employment. You breed and raise security Growlithe?

Its not hard, Growlithe have it in their PNA but yes I have a select breeding facility.

Could I purchase some? I asked innocently.

Sure thing! How many of them you need? she said bringing out a notepad. I have a selection of twenty pups right now.

I smiled. Ill take the lot.

She blinked at me. All of them?

All of them, and a moment of your time if youd please? I said pleased when she gaped at me.

I can do that? she said. Want me to bring them around?

Please, meet me out the front of the Gym in a few hours? Also, dont worry, the gym is wheelchair accessible.

She nodded mutely at that, and I hung up, amused at her reactions.

Twenty Growlithe? Lawrence said with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded. Its a starting point, I said as I put together a message for Bianca, our resident Breeding specialist.

It's time to nail a flock of pidgeys with a single rock. After that I called Rachel. Can you get the media informed that were going to hold that press conference? I said.

On it boss! she said in a chipper tone.

I hummed and tapped the table. Alright, those were set up. I just needed to find someone

u and everyone else are Brock simps these days. Wah wah wah! Brock had some questionable tactics used against him. So what! said a voice into the quiet.

I glanced up and found Jeff nervously turning the volume down on a television show that had been playing in the corner.

What is that? I asked.

Jeff nervously shuffled his feet back and forth. Just a rerun show from yesterday that I have off to the side while I work. Its just background noise I swear! Things get a bit too quiet in here during my shift!

I waved a hand. Im not worried about that. Its fine as long as youre not drifting off. Im curious about the show, I said.

Oh, said Jeff before turning back up the volume.

s strength right there, said one of the hosts.

The big man from earlier sniffed derisively, and I noticed he had a very punchable face. Hed had his pokemon use Autotomize. That means it wouldnt have weighed as much.

I sat and listened in silence. When he got into a fight with the female anchor, I hummed and looked up his trainer's profile. Gavin Glady, ranked forty in the Ace Circuit currently.

Noted for his contentious takes on Battlecast.

I hummed and watched a bit more of the show. I listened to him spew bile. Jeff and Lawrence shared a look when I didnt react at first.

Eventually, I surprised them by smiling so wide a Sharpedo would have been nervous approaching me.

Oh, hes perfect! I said a dark feeling of glee fill me up as I started to inspect his pokemon team.

I headed out to the press conference with a worried Lawrence flanking me.

This Gavin fellow was just the perfect recipient of some age-old wisdom from the schoolyard.

Talk shit, get hit.