Chapter Text
So, by the time I got back to the hotel last night, Brendan and May were asleep in their rooms. No biggie, it gave me time to plan my next moves, the day of the tournament. I didn't know who the League would be sending here, or if they'd make it in time.
That left me with two choices. Do nothing, be smart. Let Team Magma do their thing and simply do my work at the tunnel(which would be starting later in the day today(accomodating for the tournament since some of the people there that were taking part were also on Contract)or...I do something.
To be blunt, this was breaking my personal code entirely. Meddling in something I wasn't supposed too. But the thing is, they threatened me. I didn't like that, none of my Pokemon liked that. And we had our theories, our ideas.
But the most prominent one was the Tournament.
And thus I was planning. Discussing this with my Travel Companions in my hotel room. They deserved to know, after all.
"So... you're gonna sneak into the building?" Brendan asked, illiciting a nod from me and Cloud, my partner for this "mission". The others were in their Pokeballs, ready to come out at a moments notice.
"Wearing a mask, of course... I didn't just do nothing on my travels before Mauvile," I reached into my bag and pulled out a mask. It was a simple mask I got from some dude in Rustboro a long time ago. This along with a hoodie would keep my identity hidden. "I intend on finding out if this Blaise guy is the guy I think he is or not."
"You want us to help? We're gonna be there too so we can probably do something," May pumped a fist into the air. "Just think about it! Us three, opposing Team Magma-"
"No. It's too dangerous to directly piss them off... They'd ignore you if it was a minor offense, or a one time thing that only mildly inconveniences them," I placed my mask back in my bag before shaking my hand. "I pissed them off directly. I don't want to bring you both into it."
"Well, we're already traveling with you. Isn't that enough for them?" May retorted, slamming her hand into her palm. "We can take them on! All of us! Plus wouldn't it be more dangerous for you to go in there alone?"
"She's got a point, Jack," Brendan nodded along. "We're also both already going to be there. Perfectly allowed. Sneaking around a bit probably would be fine for us to do. Not you." It was sound logic. But Cloud shook her head, letting out a caw. "What?"
"She said that whilst she agreed, she also thought it'd be best if you both remained... an ace. If we need help, you'll be there. Always close by. But you being seen with me would get you both kicked out of the tournament at bare minimum," I grinned and scratched Cloud's jaw. "Good bird."
"Swel! Swel!"
"Still..." Brendan frowned, gripping the blankets below him . "We know they're after you. And even with a mask, they'll figure it out quickly."
"Yeah! And again, what if we're too slow?" May asked, also gripping the blankets. "You're a good trainer. But who knows how many people are here? And no offense, but Larry isn't fully evolved! And apart from a handful of exceptions, a fully evolved Fire Type will generally overpower a first stage Water Type."
Larry's Pokeball shook, but I placed a hand on it and my smile turned softer. "You'll evolve soon, buddy. Don't worry. Even then, you don't need to do it if you wanna kick ass," I turned my gaze back at May and Brendan. "We will be fine. I have complete trust in my team and they have complete trust in me."
Brendan and May shared worried glances. Buuuuuuuuuuuut-
"And here we are folks! It is I, your host Blaise! Although, you cannot see me. For I want to remain anonymous," A figure in the middle of the warehouse shrouded in smoke spoke up, holding a Microphone. "I won't bore you with the details. So how about we begin, no? Who's up first!"
It was just about everything I expected it to be and more. Blaise was the man that had threatened me. 'Well well well...' Of course, that didn't matter. I had already suspected it. But now, I had to find out why he was here.
The Warehouse wasn't just a big open space. There were rooms. And thus, I soon found myself in one of them as a battle began to play out. I didn't particularly care about the tournament itself, but what I cared about was what I'd find.
The room I was in was a small, cozy room with a few cubicles, nice spaces which one could use for work. Naturally, Cloud flew around, darting around before coming back to me. No one was in here. Good. I nodded at my Pokemon who nodded back.
I then began going from cubicle to cubicle, looking for something- There was a single laptop which was password protected. I decided to leave it alone, at least for now. 'Another door.' Thus, another room. I moved, heading toward that door and knocking once-
"Huh?" I heard from across the door. Then footsteps. I gave a peace sign to Cloud, just as the door opened. Now looking at me was a Team Magma member, uniform and all. Before they could say anything, I rolled my arm back and sucker punched them, right in the head. Right on que, Cloud rushed into the room before swiftly coming back, nodding at me.
The door was closed and I dragged the knocked out Magma member into the room with me, reaching into my hoodie's pocket and grabbing the cheapest way to tie someone up... "Duct tape... can't believe I'm doing this..."
In two very unfortunate minutes for the Team Magma member, they were awake, stuck to a chair, and their Pokeballs were not in a position to be used. Plus, their mouth was covered.
"Well, this moved quicker than I expected... Yep, definitely a crime," I shook my head as Cloud pat me on the back, standing on the desk behind me. "Alright, so this is how we're gonna do this. I want you to tell me everything."
"Mmm?" The Magma Grunt tried to speak, but again. Tape over mouth. But the question was clear enough in my head.
"Yes, everything about why you and your people are here in Lavaridge," I reached up to their face, grabbing the tape. "If you scream, my dear Swellow here will peck at your eyes. And trust me when I say it's not fun for either side." I chuckled at that and the Magma grunt looked at me, horrified.
'Good 'ol intimidation tactics.'
I slowly took the tape off, making sure it didn't hurt all too much. "Why are you here?"
The grunt looked around for a moment, his mouth opening. "I like my eyesight..." He muttered before sighing. "Recruitment. A lot of us aren't really the best trainers, so we wanna get more strong trainers to help us."
'...Shit.'
Okay... okay.
"What do you plan to do to the people who decline?" That was question two of... three. I didn't need much from this dude, thankfully. Just enough to know what's what and if there's anyone else in particular who I needed to punch at this current moment.
"Uh... Well, we'll be really persistent about it?" The grunt gulped, looking away as Cloud began flapping her wings and grinning as menacingly as she could. "Okay! Okay! We'd let them go, but keep an eye on them."
Alright, no death threats. Good, good.
"At ease my Feathered Friend," I held my hand out and Cloud stopped moving, simply nodding before I looked back at the Grunt once again. "Now... tell me, is there anyone else here I should know about besides the Blaise guy?"
"Uh... Her?"
I turned my head. Only to see- "Oh... Uh... We're on the same side so please don't arrest me?"
"Pfft- HA!"
It was time for Brendan's fight. After that, May would be next. Her and Marshtomp...
'Jack, you better be okay.' So far, they had heard nothing back. And the mysterious host hadn't moved yet, he was still there. Watching. Announcing. Calling out the fights with vague interest unless something truly exciting happened.
"And Trainer Brendan sends out a Grovyle! Interesting! Rare, too. What about Trainer Ky- Ooh! Trainer Kyle sends out a Kadabra! I've heard Abra are pretty hard to catch, so this is interesting!"
It was interesting.
"Good luck," May said, nodding at Brendan. Although he couldn't hear her, he still nodded back. And that's when the fight began, Grovyle using Leaf Blade as a Psybeam was launched at him. The two attacks clashed, the Leaf Blade breaking apart and the Psybeam otherwise doing no damage.
'We better be ready.' If something happened, and that wasn't a very strong if, then they would have to be ready to fight Team Magma... or potentially watch Jack get arrested if this whole thing wasn't a Team Magma thing.
Which- it was a possibilty, but one that seemed to be fairly small all thigns considered. Like! This Blaise guy was covered in smoke. He clearly didn't want anyone to see him. At least, not yet. And that was the most obvious evil team stuff ever.
Suddenly, the crackle of electricity could be heard and May moved behind a large crate which was nearby, peaking her head above to see Grovyle and Kadabra's fists connecting. One crackled with Electricity. The other? Ice.
"Ooh! Trainer Brendan's Grovyle goes in for a Thunder Punch! AND KADABRA COUNTERS WITH AN ELEMENTAL PUNCH OF ITS OWN! WHAT A FIGHT!" Blaise's arms were raised and the man leaned forward as Kyle's Kadabra knocked Grovyle back. "IT BROKE THROUGH! UH OH FOR BRENDAN AND GROVYLE! WHAT WILL THEY DO TO COME BACK!"
Suddenly, Grovly moved forward in a burst of speed, going through a psychic barrier coated in Bug energy. Before putting its arms up in an X-Shape.
Then he slashed.
"X-SCISSOR?" Kadabra stumbled back, bleeding. Then it fell on its back. "AND IT LOOKS LIKE KYLE'S KADABRA IS OUT FOR THE COUNT! You can take your Kadabra in the back- We'll have someone with a few potions that'll help you."
This whole thing just seemed... too well ran for a civilian Tournament. May had been in a few when she was a kid, before she became an official trainer. The type that parents ran so their kids could get a taste of what it was like.
And sure, they were very different in terms of location, scale, and overall the type of people running it. But normal, everyday civilians wouldn't offer a TM and Evolution stone as a reward. Which... would be really nice to have!
But at the same time- Team Magma!
'No- you're getting off topic...'
She had to focus for now. And when a break came along, then they could make sure Jack was okay.
"Will Trainer May and Trainer Mai step into the middle next?"
So, the good news is... I wasn't gonna get turned in for vigilantism! The bad news is? Well, the person that showed up was Flannery. Because of course, why not?
Again though-
"I'm normally not a very punchy person, y'know," As she said that, she punched the Team Magma member I had captured. "But I hear that these fucks are here in my city, when I'm still settling in? Well, it pisses me off!"
"I get that..." The poor guy was punched one more time before Flannery stopped. "We'll just have to force them out then."
"Yeah- Yeah! We will... I'm thinking we wait for the tournament to wrap up before we get that Blaise guy," Flannery moved over to the door which the Magma member came from before opening it. "But that means we'll have time to kill! So, there's gotta be more Magma assholes here!"
The situations I find myself in continue to be befuddling to me.
"Swel!" Cloud was happy about it, though. Probably since we weren't in danger of law enforcement- some Gym Leaders were different about that.
You see, there was actual Law Enforcement in the Region. But Gym Leaders were kind of an "Authority". They were kind of... not Mayors, there were Mayors here. But like- Kind of also Mayors?
Basically, they had actual power.
So, if they gave you permission to do something, then you could do it... within reason. Obviously like, the really bad crimes weren't gonna be ignored. Or like, robbing a bank. But like, having a specifc move, getting an item, or acting outside of the law could be ignored if the Gym Leader saw it fit to do so.
"Pfft- HA!" Flannery laughed immediately, setting me on edge. "I'm just happy someone else is doing something too- I assume you're the dude who called the league?"
Still though, the way she brushed it off was new.
"You coming?" Flannery called from inside the room. And I quickly began running.
"Right- sorry," I, along with Cloud, entered the room. It was... "Huh... It's surprisingly bare," There was another door, which Flannery walked toward before reaching for the handle. "Wa-" And... no trap. "I watch too many movies..."
"Expected there to be a trap? I kinda did too, not gonna lie," Flannery poked her head into the room before turning back to me with a grin. "Hey Mystery Dude! There's a few here! Think you can keep up?"
Leaf's Pokeball shook. Cloud looked at me before diving toward my belt and- "Damni-" Cloud went back in, Leaf went out. "Crazy bastards... Welp," I smiled back. "Leaf sure as hell is."
"MOVE MOVE MOVE EVERYONE! CAMERUPTS, SLUGMA, EVERYONE! GO GO GO!"
"BLAZIKEN! FEATHER DANCE INTO BLAZE KICK!"
"OH TO HELL WITH IT! MACH PUNCH! AIR SLASH!"
As the second to last battle wrapped up, there began to be... well, noises. Combat noises in the back. Like, moves, fire, screaming. And May was pretty sure she heard Jack's voice just then screaming Mach Punch.
Which, if it wasn't then it could have fooled her.
"Jack loves Mach Punch..." Brendan muttered from beside her, laughing to himself as the announcer, even through the smoke, looked panicked. "Think he's alright?" For a moment, May considered the question.
"He's doing good enough to scream Mach Punch... I think he and Leaf are taking care of themselves," May nodded, glancing down at Marshtomp's Pokeball. "Should we..?"
"Not yet," Brendan was looking directly at Blaise. The man himself was looking around before sighing, his shoulders slumping. "He's about to say there's technical difficulties. Watch."
"Yep..." One of the other trainers deflated. "We're not getting that TM, aren't we?"
"Alright everyone! It seems like we're experiencing technical difficulties!" Brendan snorted before being hit by someone else on the shoulder. "I'll be back in... let's say 20 minutes. Use this time to rest, yeah? Yeah."
With that, he disappeared, the smoke veil vanishing and showing just a Microphone where he once stood.
"Ooh boy..." Brendan muttered, reaching for a Pokeball. "It's gonna be one hell of an incident, right? I think now we should go," Now that definitely sounded like a good idea.
"Alright. I'll lead the way," May began slinking behind a crate, Brendan beginning to follow in just a second. The two of them knew that Jack could very well be in huge danger, facing off against anyone from Team Magma. Plus, the entire reason they were traveling with Jack was to make sure he didn't get himself killed.
And this was probably a situation where he'd get himself killed because he was A) Playing hero. B) Acting like an idiot. Or C) A combination of the above. Or that was at least what most people would think.
May knew that she and Brendan also would probably immensely anger Team Magma, if given the chance. So she really couldn't fault Jack for interfering. Although, his reasons were less noble than theirs would be.
Something something, he was threatened. Which- fair. But still.
Didn't matter, he was their friend and he probably needed their help! So, they'd help him now. And he'd help them if/when they needed help.
"We're coming Jack... just don't die..." Brendan muttered- just before two Magma members entered their line of sight, guarding a door. "Great... Great... May, let's jump..." They saw the two immediately. "Welp."
"Stop right there!" One of the Grunts reached for his bag, pulling out a Pokeball. "In the name of Team Magma, you are not allowed to cross this door. Boss Blai-" His partner hit him on the head. "Boss told us to not let anyone past!"
'Exactly!" The other member held out a Pokeball as well. "Mess with us and face the consequences of it!"
Brendan and May glanced at each other, a smile slowly blooming on their faces.
"Go, Marshtomp!"
"Wailmer, Go!"
Hell broke loose. Pokemon moved into the area, twelve in all. Larry released himself from his Pokeball as Leaf and Flannery's Blaziken went on a tear. Flamethrowers, Overheats, and more were launched, but smoke was created as Larry released a Water Gun.
This caused me to do something very stupid and slip through the smoke, going into the back room, right in the room full of Magma grunts before releasing Cloud. "RIP AND TEAR!"
"CAMERUPT, COME BACK!" One of the Grunts shouted as an Air Slash hit him in the side. Meanwhile, two other grunts moved in and- "OH YOU GOT 'EM!" Two of the Magma grunts grabbed my arms, whilst a third began punching me in the gut.
Cloud was occupied pecking a man in the head before being thrown to the ground
"BRE-LOOM!" Lightning crackled, likely hitting some poor Slugma. And I took that as reassurance as I felt a blunt dull pain in my gut before a mop of red flew past my vision, kicking the grunt in the head and allowing me to twist, breaking free from one of the grunts hold to smash a fist into the others face.
"Don't go in on your own!" A pair of Flannery's Pokemon entered and only then, did I realize something. I was fucking outclassed by a mile. Why? It was a Houndoom and a Torkoal. Two other fully evolved Pokemon. "You good?"
Right- Can't be off in la la land forever.
"I am. I du-" I heard a caw from Cloud as she used Air Slash again, hitting the grunt attacking her before. The grunt hissed in pain before being knocked out by a Thunder Fang to the leg from the Houndoom. Then Flannery's Torkoal used Smokescreen before the crackle of Electricity was heard again. I felt movement behind me, Cloud moved, and then I was thrown out of the room.
Somehow, I landed on my feet and saw several Pokemon downed. Larry and Leaf were on the verge of being knocked out, but Flannery's? Perfectly fine. Cloud flew next to me then, landing on my Shoulder- "Ow- don't do that so suddenly!"
"Swel Swel!" Cloud responded, indignantly. I sighed. Not the time- "Swel!" A Mightyena began sprinting, jumping into the air where its mouth began glowing with pure flame. Only for Leaf to suddenly appear and Mach Punch the Mightyena, knocking it out cold.
"Sick..." I grinned under my mask, giggling as Leaf held out his hand for a fistbump. "Great job guys."
"Welp, That just leaves the big guy, I hope," Flannery dusted off her hands as she walked out of the smoke filled room. Then she grabbed Blaziken's Pokeball. "Good work, Blaziken. We'll probably have to do some more later."
"Blaze!" Blaziken saluted before going back to their Pokeball.
For my part, I returned Larry and Leaf. "You guys are done for now... We'll take care of the rest," I took off my mask and sighed- she had already seen three fourths of my team and already knew who I was anyways. "Well, that was something."
"Barely even a challenge if you ask me. But your guys did pretty well. These guys weren't half bad for grunts," Flannery shrugged as she saw my dejected look. "We still have one more. Put that mask back on, buddy."
"No use. Leaf and Larry are tired, so that leaves Vi and Cloud. They'll know 'em anyways so might as well not hide them," I began walking, ignoring the pain in my gut- god those guys hit hard. "This Blaise guy seems like he'll be a lot of danger, though."
"If he's high up, then probably. But, assuming it's not the leader or an admin, this should wrap up nice and easily," Flannery pounded her fist into her open palm, still grinning. "I'll crush him myself though. You've done good enough for a guy with three badges. Rest."
"You know what..." I stumbled and moved to the side, resting on a wall. "I think I will."
Fuck it, I had a long day of work ahead of me in like... two hours. I earned this.
"Probably for the best you don't get in the way, anyways. Good to see you again though, Jack. Should have figured..." The unmistakable voice of Blaise said, sighing. "I really didn't wanna fight a Gym Leader today. But I guess it can't be helped."
"Ah, an Admin," Flannery grinned, reaching for a Pokeball though her smile promised nothing but bad intentions. "Blaise, isn't it?"
"Yep," Blaise grinned, throwing out a Rhyperior. "Now, let's get this show on the road, yeah?"
Flannery sent out her Houndoom.
'This... this is gonna be something.'