Work Text:
"Ah, the woman of the hour," Sirius says under his breath as Lin walks in, her eyes narrowing as she surveys the damage. She looks at Sirius questioningly, prompting him to speak.
"These two vermin," Sirius nods his head towards Charlotte as he pulls Fern forward, "raided the base while I was gone and destroyed the PULSE. I was just about to dispose of this one permanently." Fern stiffens at the words, weakly trying to struggle away from Sirius' grip as Lin's empty gaze lands on him. She briefly watches him try to pull away, before suddenly speaking.
"Let him go, Sirius."
There is a pause as Fern feels the Meteor admin's grip tighten, probably in anger, before suddenly letting go. Fern scrambles over to Charlotte, looking back to watch the confrontation between the Sirius and Lin.
The two are silent, before Lin speaks again. "You are a bad liar, Sirius."
"What?" Sirius bristles, his voice rising, "how dare-"
Lin raises her hand to silence him, only making Sirius' anger rise. "I don't want to hear any more lies from you, nor do I want to hear another lecture on our difference in rank. You have made it clear to Team Meteor that your own petty goals are more important than the team as a whole."
Sirius frantically points at the destroyed PULSE machine. "This was your plan!"
"Yet you decided to involve him," Lin's voice drips with venom as she gestures to Sigmund, who seems surprised to be acknowledged, "and place his desires over what is truly important."
"He has helped us obtain one of the crystal keys," Sirius spits out, his voice strained as though he is trying to compose himself, "and has been crucial in-"
"One? Only one of the keys?" Lin cuts him off, her monotone voice lilting slightly higher in questioning. "I thought you had gotten two."
Sirius stares blankly at Lin for a moment before his eyes widen. "You- you were the one who set up the explosive!"
"Now now, Sirius." Lin face doesn't move, but her tone is clearly mocking. "You wouldn't dare to accuse me of being a traitor, would you? Right after you caused this failure? After all-" Lin stands taller, grabbing one of her Poke Balls from her belt, "we are now of equal rank."
Sirius sputters, barely suppressed rage threatening to spill over. Sigmund watches Lin with curiosity, while ZEL stands awkwardly by the PULSE.
"You two, leave." Lin gestures at Fern and Charlotte without looking at them. "I have greater problems to deal with."
Charlotte goes to argue, but Fern grabs her by the arm and shakes his head. Charlotte glares at him but then sighs, running out of the room. Fern goes to run after her, but glances back at the last moment, meeting Lin's dead gaze. He feels dread.