Chapter 173: The storm speaks

Chapter 173: The storm speaks

I didnt Teleport into the front entrance.

Instead, I found myself brought directly onto the roof where police were ready with their pokemon already out.

No fewer than eight Arcanine were present which was a strong showing by the police but this was only the tip of the visible iceberg. A shadowy section of the building got a mere look over as I otherwise documented all the changes.

A quick glance up allowed me to see that even with it being late afternoon there was a wide ring of pokemon flying around the League, shepherding the office workers or staff working in the League to land. From there I could see a bus terminal with various transport pokemon ferrying the grounded workers.

I glanced over the side of the roof and looked down to find that there were several security guards on the ground with fences set up to keep out what looked like a horde of reporters and their technicians.

Looks like someone kicked over a Trapinich nest, I said with how people were marching back and forth hurriedly. I could see some harried-looking staff being hounded by the media as they exited the fenced-off League entrance. They kept their heads down and still got into and out of the building before being ferried away by pokemon or a car in the rare instance.

Sabrina hummed. Ive spoken with my parents about this, they say this is nothing. It was worse for some of the capital cities during the war.

I grunted, knowing that she was likely right. If a Pokemon World War was anything comparable to my past lifes wars, there would have been even greater restrictions. I eyed the beating heart of the Indigo government. It was a flurry of activity, but at the same time, it could be worse.

This place wasnt even here back then. I pointed out.

Sabrina nodded as she indicated the reporters being held at bay. Lance has announced that they have made the biggest raid, capture, and detainment in the Leagues history. He has not released names, but there is a growing call from the media for it.

Hes holding back and trying to wrap things up neatly, sadly, said Agatha, stepping out from a shadow to the side. I merely grunted, having spotted her earlier.

Sabrina nodded to Agatha and then vanished into another Teleport, having other jobs to do rather than escort me to Surge. Her time was in high demand.

How are you handling all this? I said, glancing at the ancient woman now playing chaperone for me.

Feh! This is nothing! If you wanted to see people hard at work you should have been with me decades ago! I didnt sleep for a week straight because I needed to work with Samuel and Blaine to get the cities of Kanto to accept us! People dont ever want to give up power Brock! But we made them! We were tenacious! And we got things done! she said with a firm stamp of her cane.

I blinked having not considered how much work the literal welding of two nations into one might have required.

I considered Agatha with this new information. I rubbed my chin and cocked my head to the side. How the hell are we not in another war if it was up to you

Her cane flashed out and aimed for my kidney but I dodged her, well used to her antics.

I waved her off. Im joking! Im joking! I know youre great when you set your mind to it, I said, making sure to calm her down with some compliments.

She waved her cane at me threateningly. You and Samuel! she said before huffing and marching off without so much as a warning. Keep up! I have other, more important tasks to perform! Im not retired yet, young one! she said.

I jogged after her, surprised by how energised she was today. Has anything else happened since I departed? Any more raids? I said.

There hadnt been, at least not any that the Guardians were aware of, and with how Sabrina, Koga, Agatha, and I had been heavily involved in the entire affair it was practically guaranteed that one of us would have heard something to pass on to the others.

Koga more so than anyone else.

I glanced around out of habit. Chances were Id learned thanks to training with the Guardians that just thinking about him would sometimes see him appearing at your side.

No, there hasnt been anything serious. Merely clean up, Johto had just as many raids as Kanto. Thankfully with Olivine Citys Gym leader being one of the trainers that Sabrina is still slated to interrogate. Agatha sniffed. The fools think that she will have a rather easier time of it with how she is dating you!

Ah, they dont consider who my starter is and how that impacts things, I said conversationally.

Agatha nodded and continued to march on. Each time we reached a checkpoint or a door, her shadow would extend an arm and tap in a code, display a card with Agathas name and picture on it, or merely wave cheekily.

Its rather unique, isnt it? I asked as I stared down at her shadow, where I knew a teeming mass of Gengar were usually located.

Agatha merely cackled, resulting in the next door we made our way up towards, already being held open with the guard waving us through.

Only one person can laugh like that, he said when Id shot him an unimpressed look.

I wanted to protest but I found I couldnt.

No one laughed like Agatha. It had a tinge of something beyond the veil of life that tickled up your spine when you heard it.

It was like a sinister joke being made by a person that you knew, could, and would hurt you given the chance, despite the person doing nothing at the time. It was like a man holding a bare knife only to juggle it with several others.

You could laugh along eventually with exposure, but if it was done slowly enough, you never forgot the moment of trepidation.

Have there been any attempts at anyone being broken out? I asked.

No, Agatha said. I would have expected something from Blaine or Giovannis other subordinates, but it is very telling that nothing is amounting from them. We believe that whoever is left has formed a splinter organisation which is why information that we can access to deny them anything is so important. Weve shut down many accounts, and pokemon storage facilities and other sites, but still havent worked out how much of the pie were missing.

At my grimace, Agatha waved a hand and elaborated. Its much less than half, I believe the auditors even estimate we have as much as eighty percent of Team Rockets holdings. But what we do have is extensive.

Agatha continued to march, leading me deep into the league. I recognised a lot of the hallways we were moving along now, having come here when Daniel was being interrogated.

Are they still in Indigo? I asked, feeling like that was the next question that needed to be asked.

That is one of the questions we are trying to figure out. Were unsure where they would have gone and while we have some goodwill with Hoenn and the island nations, we still dont have any authority to act internationally.

She smirked. Yet.

Agatha frowned. Oh, and theres Fiore I suppose as well, she said in an offhand manner.

Whats up with Fiore? I asked.

Nothing honestly. Theyre just crowing to whoever will listen. They dont believe us that during the Silph Co. raid, the masterball was in fact destroyed, despite all the evidence we have provided. They are adamant that we still have one, if not the capabilities to make such a pokeball.

Agatha rolled her eyes. Meanwhile they are touting their own horn to anyone back home that will listen about how they got us to destroy the abomination that was the Masterball. Agatha shook her head. Politics at its finest; they are presenting the story in a manner that suits the needs of different people.

Huh, I said. I think I hate it.

My comment merely got a cackle of glee from Agatha. Ohoh? You will learn young one! You will learn! she spoke with the tone of one who knew my opinion far too well for my liking. Had she been the same before or when shed become an Elite Four?

I wasnt sure I liked what she foresaw in my future. My expression got another laugh out of her and I huffed at her. So, Surge? Im surprised you didnt get him to talk, I said changing the topic as we closed in on the interrogation room.

Agatha opened the door. I felt it wasnt my place, plus, while I can scare him, fear is a poor motivator for truth.

She turned and looked at me, her expression oddly soft. I learnt that sometimes, the softest touches can get people to open up. For better or worse, he is still trying to reach out to you.

I locked eyes with Agatha and clenched my jaw. Yeah, well see how that goes for him, I said.

I walked into the room and was surprised to find Looker in the waiting area with Officer Jenny from Pewter. I could tell thanks to the epaulets on her shoulder marking her as such. There was another man in the corner, with a pair of Haunter floating around the room.

The pokemons gaze swept over us as we entered and they gave Agatha respectful nods before leering at me like I was fresh meat. Not willing to let them play their games, I pulled up some dark energy and flexed it slightly.

They stiffened and found something else to do as the people in the room turned to us.

Agatha, Looker said before nodding to me. Brock, thank you for coming. His eyes searched my face, I know this is a tough situation with how Surge was a mentor for you.

Yeah, I said noncommittally while swallowing down the feeling of rising emotion. Guess he was. I stepped up to the glass and stared at Surge.

Theyd given him a chair to match his frame instead of attempting to push him into the standard chair they used. He lounged in it with his chin on his chest, asleep or at least pretending to be.

He looked carefree, like this was just another day for him. If the chair could have been kicked back hed have been leaning back and snoozing, I had no doubt.

He looked far too comfortable for a man behind bars.

His hair was still spikey despite lacking any product and he didnt have any signs that hed been mistreated.

Not that I expected Lances League to suddenly resort to physical means of interrogation.

No, they mostly had gentler methods, like Sabrina, to pry secrets from people. Which was so much more genteel. I wasnt going to ask anyone, nor spare any time wondering what would happen to the Grunts or Executives when they had pried what they could from them.

You could scour a mans mind psychically, but physically beating on him would be too much. What did that say about the League? I had to wonder.

That wasnt something I shouldnt have any say in. But that didnt mean I couldnt speak up if I didnt want to.

I just wasnt sure I wanted to.

I stared at Surge and he stirred and opened his eyes to look around, knowing with some sixth sense that he was being observed.

Hmmm? It lunch time yet? he said, looking at me unknowingly.

So, what do you want me to get him to say? I asked to the room at large.

We mainly want things tidied up. It is rather open and shut with current rulings and his being caught while supporting Team Rocket as he did. This is just to make sure there is nothing that can see him worm his way out, Agatha said quickly.

Ahem! said the man in the corner, stepping forward.

I already didnt like him just from the way he gave off airs of importance. Here was a man who delighted in crossing a t or dotting an i and making peoples livelihoods crumble.

And he called in your debt, I said leaning back.

I sighed, finding myself annoyed at myself that I could understand why Surge would do what he did. In that sort of situation, it made all too much sense.

I stared up at the ceiling for a long while and sighed again before looking down. That is entirely too believable for my liking, I said. Although thats the issue, isnt it? How can I trust anything that comes out of your mouth after what you did?

Surge worked his jaw a few times before looking down. You cant Brock I know this hits you close to home the most with how your dad

I raised and swung my hand through the air between us. It caused the air to thoom with pressure. No, I said firmly. We werent going there. Actually, seeing as hed brought it up. Youre just as bad if not worse than flint you realise? I said.

Surge reeled back like Id struck him and part of me felt good at that. Then he growled and my hair stood on end as if a storm was approaching. I am nothing like that rookie reservist! I fought in battle after battle! I had people hunting for me! I wasnt putting Visquez into the spotlight before she could handle herself, even still it might be too early for her.

Convienent, I said. It worked out for you. Did you ever try?

Surges jaw worked back and forth and I knew Id nailed another point on him. I tried to help out with money, not like with your pa and well your ma? Dont get me

He stopped talking as I left some of my dark energy loose. He watched me for a moment as I inhaled and exhaled.

You dont get to comment on that. As it is, Im not sure if your coming to help wasnt some sort of trojan hor I shook my head knowing Id said too much. I cast around for something that was like a trojan horse for this world, but the pokeworld didnt have an example that I could call to mind. The point is that I cant trust what you say. You talk a good talk but Im not buying the Ekans oil youre selling.

Brock, Im not asking for anything myself, Im asking for my daughter. She could use someone to look out for her.

Tsk, I said. I leaned forward. How come you signed over your Gym to her when you did? You must have known something was up.

Surge met my gaze unflinchingly. I had a suspicion. Old wounds started to itch again like they havent since the war, and I started looking around and finding out what was going on. I wasnt certain but I had fears, fears that turned out to be true.

Surge put his hands on the table. Brock, you know I'm as blunt as they come. A spade is spade and I know spades having spent a lot of time digging in with them, but when I give my word on a debt, which came about thanks to Giovanni helping my men and captain live? I wasnt going to let laws stop me. It was only when I realised Id be going against you that I backed up and went through the motions.

Surge grimaced. Anyone else? Lance, Lorelei on her own? Professor freaking Oak? Id have thrown down as hard as I could.

Not you and Sabrina though Youre good kids, Surge said.

I huffed and looked away.

What happened to your captain? I asked more for something to say than any actual interest.

Surge sighed. She woke up from a coma, three weeks after the battle and Well, she didnt remember me or much of the war. I figure that was good cause well, there wasnt a lot that was good about the war. By the end, it didnt feel like it was about winning or losing, just surviving. Visquez lives on Mikan Island these days with her husband and family. Her daughter picked up her skills and apparently runs a sort of Gym down there these days.

Surge smiled. You fought her husband when you made your Journey through there, he said.

I blinked, realising that I had met her. Shed come up after our match and delivered tea for us.

Sabrina had looked very confused back then about the wife but hadnt been able to explain why the woman confused her. It must have been the chip in her brain that stopped Sabrina from reading her mind casually.

Huh, small world, I said.

Aint it? said Surge with a chuckle.

I eyed him. So, what are you going to do now? Break out, or go to jail? For a moment I wondered if the shadows in the room shifted slightly when I mentioned breaking out. Surge shifted, letting me know it wasnt just me that had noticed.

Jail I reckon, Surge said seriously. But I have a few depots of old guns and such that Im licensed to handle for the League. He grinned at the mirror. Oh, whoops! I was licensed to handle! I guess I need to hand those guns, mortars, and tanks over now dont I?

I glared. I think it would be good if you complied with them going forward Surge.

Oh I intend to but I also know that these sorts of things? Well, theyre fluid. Ill have some forms put in front of me and a map I think. They know what I have to offer and Ill trade fair.

Surge smiled. But I know there aint no way I dont end up in a cell Brock.

He stood and bowed his body, uncaring of the chains that hampered the action. He kept his head down as she spoke. Can you please help my girl with the things she doesnt know she doesnt know? Theres going to be a lot of Fearow circling on her now.

I huffed. Ill think about it, I said deciding that I had done enough. I stood and departed the cell. See you around Surge, I said over my shoulder.

I hope so Brock, I hope so, Surge said with a tinge of something.

I looked back and locked eyes with Surge and he offered me another bow that seemed so strange. It was weird to see the proud man with his head bowed to me.

I stepped up and the door buzzed open for me before shutting. I glanced at the people who had been watching the drama play out. That good enough for you? I asked the room at large.

Looker nodded, his eyes darting down to a stack of papers that had black lines all through them in various points. Yes, yes I think that worked out wonderfully. We have confirmation and a high rate of accuracy. I think we can accept his rationale for his acts now.

Hmmm motive, you mean, said the League official. The courts will

Surge cant ever see a public courtroom. Any knowledge of his involvement with the Wreckers might see certain groups seeking to kill him, his family and torture information about other members out of him. International criminals like Team Aqua are one such example. Lance will accept a deal for anything else he knows, Looker said firmly.

I huffed. It was playing out precisely how Surge thought it would. Guess you cant trick an old hound like that.

I think Ill head off unless there is anything else you want from me, I said moving towards the door.

Jenny darted over to stop me, placing a hand on my shoulder. Are you alright?

I gave her a quirk of the lips. I think I will be, I said.

She nodded and let me go after giving me a quick hug.

I marched out of the hallway only to encounter Sabrina waiting for me on a couch. I heard you were here, want to go home?

I nodded. Sabrina and I vanished in a flash of light. I lay on my bed with Sabrina on my chest running through the events of the day. I was emotionally spent and just ready for this day to be done and over with.

Eventually, Sabrina stood to have a shower. I stayed where I was, tossing around what I should do.

It had been about what I expected. I wasnt overly surprised by anything, it all just Fit in a way that I hadnt known it would. It all made too much sense that Surge and Giovanni would have known each other.

It was awfully fortuitous of Giovanni to get Surge in his debt like that, but it made sense.

I sighed and raised my Xtransciever, staring at the contact details for the Vermillion Gym. I really had enough on my plate. These days even with the trainer surge having moved along.

which likely meant Visquez was in the thick of it right now.

I dialled the number and found myself annoyed despite myself. Sabrina must have detected something as a gentle pressure squeezed my arm, causing me to twitch for a moment only to relax as I realised what was going on.

Hello? Uhm this is the Vermillion Gym? said a young woman. I stared at the tanned features and noted how some of them matched Surges.

Hey, I said for lack of anything better.

Oh! Gym Leader Brock! I was hoping youd call! Dad said you might! she said with a grin that died away.

I felt a pang of sadness. She smiled like him. She rubbed the back of her head in a sheepish manner that was all too familiar to me. Sorry if he caused a big mess. He wasnt all too clear on what he was doing, just that it might go south seeing as I havent heard from him and the League is sniffing around I guess that was about right. He wouldnt tell me what was going on cause of something about plausible deniability.

She blushed. Sorry! Im babbling, she said only to break off with a yawn that ripped out of her. She yawned so wide that all of her teeth were on display. Sorry! I get this way when Im tired.

I see, I said. I was calling to check in on you. I spoke with Surge earlier.

Oh? You did? The girl squirmed. Did he talk about me at all?

A fair amount actually, I said truthfully. He asked for me to check in with you, I said neutrally.

She tilted her head at that and hummed. Oh! Right cause you run a really solid Gym and I need to look after things for him while hes away, she said and I had to frown.

I dont think hes going to be back, I said. You I considered telling her that she should have the League set up a talk with him but that would send her into the deep end for something highly emotional. It was best she heard from me what happened and then she could make up her mind.

So I laid out how things had gone down to Visquez and she remained quiet.

By the time Sabrina was done in the shower, I had hung up and Sabrina gave me a look. So? Whats she going to do?

I smirked. Shes heading up to the League to beat the hell out of Surge for being a deadbeat, I said with a chuckle.

Surge had been right, she and I were going to get along pretty well. Right now we were united in being annoyed at him

I sighed and stretched, letting myself relax. Seems like theres going to be a lot of change happening this year, I said as Sabrina slipped into bed with me.

Change is always happening, she murmured.

Aint that the kicker, I said, agreeing with her.

I shut my eyes and let sleep claim me as I relaxed.

Change might be constant but that wasnt a bad thing. Things were settled as much as they could be.

Id still be here though and Id make the most of what was to come.

For now, that meant advancing up the Ace rankings.