Chapter 658: Jail Break
~Azure S. POV~
[Unova Region, Later, Nimbasa City]
As White headed toward the Musical Theater, I turned toward the nearest Pokémon Center. A familiar weight settled on my shoulder as Pikachu shifted, his ears twitching. Inside my jacket, I felt Mew's small, warm presence, still cleverly disguised as a Pichu. Invisible to the world, Victini and Meloetta hovered near my head.
Meloetta's voice drifted into my mind, laced with her characteristic disdain: 'This place is too loud. The music in the air... it lacks soul. It's all synthetic. Hmph. I suppose I shouldn't expect much from a city that runs on batteries.'
Zorua's telepathic voice chimed in, full of mischief, and said excitedly, 'Oh, lighten up, Melly! Think of all the people we can prank! I could turn into a lamppost and watch them try to lean on me!'
I thought back firmly, though a smile played on my lips, 'Don't you dare!'
*Pshh*
Inside the Pokémon Center, the sliding doors hissed open. The interior was a sanctuary of calm compared to the bustling streets. I walked over to the PC terminal, drawing a Poké Ball from my belt. It was the Poké Ball containing my Tyranitar.
I muttered, placing the ball on the transfer pad, "You did good, big guy. Rest up back in Kanto. I'll see you soon."
*Whirrr-beep*
The machine processed the transfer, sending the Armor Pokémon back to the familiar hills of my home base. He had been a godsend in the desert sandstorms, but for the urban jungle of Nimbasa, I needed a different tactical edge. Black asked, his foot tapping a frantic rhythm on the floor, "Ready, Azure? Gym time? Gym time!"
I agreed, "Gym time."
Exiting the Pokémon Center me and Black took the chance to look around. The Nimbasa Gym was a marvel of modern architecture, a sprawling complex that doubled as a fashion runway and a high-voltage arena.
*BANG*
As we approached the entrance, the sheer scale of the place seemed to embolden Black. He threw the doors open with a dramatic BANG. Black then shouted, "Elesa! I, Black of Nuvema Town, challenge you to a—"
He stopped mid-sentence. The lobby was quiet. There was no thunderous applause, no flashing cameras, and no sign of the supermodel Gym Leader. Only a lone Gym Trainer sat behind a sleek, minimalist desk.
The trainer said, sounding a bit weary, "Welcome to the Nimbasa Gym. If you're here for a battle or a reservation, I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Black's face fell, his jaw dropping so low I thought it might hit the floor. He asked in a tone of disbelief with a surprised expression, "Bad... bad news? Is the Gym closed? Is she sick? Did a blackout happen?"
The trainer shook his head as he explained, "Nothing like that. Gym Leader Elesa is currently occupied. She's been commissioned to assist with the grand opening of the new Nimbasa Musical. Between the rehearsals, the costume fittings, and the stage lighting, her schedule is completely booked for the next few days."
Black groaned, his energy deflating like a popped Drifloon. He slumped against a decorative pillar. He said in a stressed tone, "But... but my badge! I've been dreaming about this match since we left Castelia! My research says she uses Emolga and Zebstrika! I had a whole strategy! A whole strategy!"
I stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. I eased the rookie in a casual tone, "Relax, Black. It's not like she's retired. She's just helping White. Think about it—if Elesa is involved in the Musical, that means White's event is going to be huge. We'll get our chance once the curtain falls."
Gengar had partially phased her head out of my shadow, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. She said in a raspy whisper near my ear, "Kekeke! Look at his face. He looks like he just ate a Tamato Berry by mistake."
I whispered under my breath, "Go back to sleep, Gengar."
The Gym Trainer added apologetically with a neutral expression, "Your friend is right, young man. Once the inaugural performance is over, Elesa will return to her duties here. In the meantime, why not enjoy the city? The Big Stadium and Small Court have matches today, and the Ferris wheel is a local favorite."
Black sighed, the sound long and mournful, but he eventually nodded. Shaking his head, he exclaimed in a motivated tone, "Fine. Sightseeing it is... But the second she steps back on that runway, I'm the first in line!"
As we exited the Gym, the bright lights of the city seemed to mock Black's disappointment. But for me, the delay was a curious thing.
Nimbasa was the heart of Unova's culture, yet beneath the glitter, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation—the kind that usually preceded a storm.
/////
~Third POV~
[Unova Region, Meanwhile, Castelia City – Interpol Temporary Base]
While Nimbasa glowed with neon, the atmosphere in Castelia City was several shades darker. Deep within a nondescript warehouse that served as a temporary Interpol base, the air was thick with the smell of stale coffee and the hum of high-end servers.
Looker stood outside an interrogation room, his brow furrowed as he adjusted his rumpled trench coat. Beside him stood Green, her eyes sharp and her arms crossed. Her Shiny Metagross, Metia, hovered like a silver sentinel behind her, its four brains processing data at a rate that would make a Supercomputer jealous.
*THUD*
The door to the interrogation room opened with a heavy Thud, and Lance stepped out. The Elite Four looked more like a judge delivering a death sentence than a trainer. His cape trailed behind him, and his face was set in a mask of pure, cold disgust.
Green asked, her voice tight, "Well? What did the Sage have to say?"
Lance let out a sharp, cynical breath. He began to explain, "Ryuko is quite talkative when he thinks he's preaching. The 'liberation' Team Plasma speaks of is exactly what we feared—a farce. They want to disarm the world so only they hold the power. But it goes deeper than a few fanatics in robes."
Looker pulled out a notepad. He asked firmly, "Deeper how?"
Lance stated, his voice dropping in a serious tone, "They have friends in high places. Ryuko boasted about 'enlightened' individuals within the Unova League itself. Officials, high-ranking scientists, even certain Ace Trainers and Rangers. They've spent years weaving themselves into the fabric of this region. They aren't just an organization; they're a parasite."
Green's eyes narrowed as she muttered, "So they have moles. That explains how they've been dodging Interpol for so long."
Lance continued in a serious tone and expression to match, "It's worse. While Ghetsis talks about philosophy, the lower ranks are filled with the dregs of the criminal world. Thugs and cowards use the 'Plasma' name as a shield to steal Pokémon for profit. They don't care about liberation; they care about the black market."
*Hummm*
Lance placed a hand on his forehead, his eyes glowing with a faint, green light—the Mark of the Viridian Force. He continued speaking in a serious tone, "I used my connection to Ryuko's Pokémon to see their memories. I've caught glimpses of their base... a castle of some sort, hidden by sophisticated cloaking technology. I was almost able to pinpoint the coordinates when—"
*BOOM*
The entire building shuddered. A deafening explosion ripped through the front wall of the warehouse, sending concrete fragments and glass flying like shrapnel. Looker shouted, his hand flying to his belt, "Intruders! Croagunk, center stage!"
*POP—CLANG*
The blue toxic frog Pokémon leaped forward, his palms glowing as he threw up a shimmering Protect barrier just as a second blast rocked the room. Green commanded, releasing her Blastoise, "Blasty, help him!"
*POP—Whump*
The massive turtle landed with a heavy Whump, his cannons immediately swiveling toward the smoke-filled breach. Through the haze, a phalanx of Team Plasma Grunts charged in. But these weren't the bumbling fools we had encountered before.
They moved with military precision, and the Pokémon they released—Watchog, Bisharp, Pawniards, and Magmortar—radiated a level of power that suggested they were the organization's elite.
One of the Grunts screamed, charging in, "Return our Sage! Liberate the truth from these oppressors!"
Lance's voice was like a whip crack. Lance said sternly, "Oppressors? You dare speak of oppression while you attack a house of law?"
He didn't even reach for a Poké Ball. His Dragonite was already there, manifesting from the shadows behind him like a vengeful god.
Lance commanded coldly, "Dragonite, Hyper Beam. Sweep the line."
"ROOOOAR!!"
The Dragonite let out a roar that vibrated in the very marrow of my bones. A core of pure, white energy gathered in its maw before erupting in a horizontal beam that tore through the Grunts' front line. The sheer pressure of the attack sent Pokémon and trainers alike flying backward.
On the other side of the room, Green was a whirlwind of calculated destruction. She commanded, "Metia, Meteor Mash! Blasty, Hydro Cannon!"
*CLANG—SPLASH*
The Shiny Metagross Metia turned into a silver blur, its metallic fist slamming into a Bisharp with the force of a falling star. Simultaneously, Blasty unleashed two high-pressure torrents of water that pinned three Grunts against the far wall, the force of the water cracking the bricks behind them.
Looker wasn't idle either. He tossed another Poké Ball, barking, "Growlithe, use Flamethrower to create a perimeter! Don't let them flank us!"
*POP—HISSSS*
The small fire dog barked fiercely, "Woof! Woof!" unleashing a wall of flame that forced a group of Grunts to retreat. The battle was brief but incredibly violent. Despite the Grunts' high-level Pokémon, they were facing two of the strongest trainers in the world and a veteran Interpol agent.
*POP*
One by one, the Plasma Grunts Pokémon fell, their trainers paling as they realized the gulf in power. Lance's Tyranitar emerged next, its presence alone inducing a Sandstream that filled the room with stinging grit. With a single Earthquake, the remaining Grunts were brought to their knees.
Lance commanded, his Cape billowing in the artificial wind, "Surrender! You have nowhere to go."
The lead Grunt looked up, a bloody smirk on his face. He muttered, "We don't need to go anywhere. We've already won."
Looker gasped, "What?"
Suddenly, a series of bright flashes illuminated the room…
*Vrrr-zing*
The Grunts, their fainted Pokémon, and even those pinned by the debris vanished in a synchronized Teleport. Green yelled, swinging her fist through the air where a Grunt had been standing a second ago, "Cowards!"
Looker's Growlithe suddenly began to bark frantically, "Woof! Bark!"
Growlithe tugged at the edge of Looker's trench coat. He was pointing his snout toward the interrogation room.
Looker's eyes widened in horror as he shouted, "The Sage!"
They rushed to the door and flung it open. The room was empty. The chair where Ryuko had been shackled was tipped over, the heavy-duty power-dampening cuffs lying on the floor, neatly severed as if by a laser.
Lance said, his voice deathly quiet, "They didn't come here to win a battle. The attack was a diversion. They used the chaos to extract their leader."
*SMACK*
Looker slammed his fist against the metal doorframe as he shouted, "DAMN IT! We had him! We were so close!"
Green looked around the ruined base, her expression grim as she said, "Looker... how did they know he was here? This was a secure, temporary location. Only a handful of people in Interpol and the Unova League knew we brought Ryuko here."
The realization hung in the air like a poisonous fog. Looker gritted his teeth, his face contorting in a mixture of rage and betrayal. Looker whispered, "A mole… We have a traitor in our midst. Someone sold us out."
Moments later, their backup arrived as soon as possible. Looker stood amidst the rubble, watching the forensic teams sweep the area. Lance and Green were off to the side, speaking in hushed, urgent tones.
Looker reached into his pocket and pulled out a crushed cigarette he never intended to light. He stared at the empty interrogation room, the bitterness in his mouth stronger than the dust in the air.
He didn't know who had betrayed them. He didn't know how deep the rot went. But as he looked at the cold, precision-cut shackles on the floor, he knew one thing for certain. Looker whispered to himself, "We're going to find you. And when we do... there won't be enough Teleport symbols in the world to save you."
*Crackle-pop*
A stray spark from a severed wire danced across the floor, the only answer to his vow. Looker took a deep breath and exhaled with a stern expression, his fist clenched tightly, ensuring to keep this image in his mind…
/////
~Azure S. POV~
[Unova Region, Later, Nimbasa City]
Black and I were currently sitting at a cafe overlooking the central plaza.
Black was nursing a large soda, looking slightly better after seeing a few matches at the Big Stadium. Black admitted, leaning back, "I guess sightseeing isn't so bad. Did you see that Ace Trainer's Darmanitan? That Zen Mode transition was incredible. I need to figure out how Nite can counter that kind of bulk."
Rotom interjected from the table, stating his opinion, "Bzzzt! Analysis: Darmanitan's defense increases by 100% in Zen Mode! Suggestion: Hit it hard before it switches! Or just use a Water-type, duh!"
I laughed, taking a sip of my coffee. I replied casually, "See? Even Rotom thinks you're overthinking it."
Meloetta appeared on the chair next to me, still invisible to everyone else, 'I am not overthinking!'
She reached out and swiped a small piece of my croissant as she added, 'I am merely observing that your friend has the mental capacity of a Magikarp. All he thinks about is 'battle, battle, battle.' It's exhausting.'
Zorua countered, hanging upside down from the umbrella above our table in a smug tone, 'Hey, Magikarp can be strong if they evolve! And Black's dreams taste interesting. They're like... very loud popcorn.'
*Beep*
I shook my head, glancing at my Arc Phone. I had a message from Green as I read it to myself: 'Base compromised. Sage escaped. We leak. Be careful, Azure. They're more organized than we thought. I love you.'
My grip tightened on the device. My thumb hovered over the screen as I typed a quick reply to Green: 'I'm okay. I'm in Nimbasa. Stay safe. I'll keep my eyes open. Love you too.'
Black asked, noticing my change in mood, "Everything okay?"
I said, forcing a smile as I tucked the phone away, "Yeah. Just checking in with Green. She says things are getting... complicated in Castelia."
Black stood up, his eyes reigniting with that familiar fire as he said in a loud tone, "Everything's complicated lately. But we've got a job to do, right? We're going to win the League, stop Team Plasma, and make sure White's agency becomes the best in the world."
He pumped a fist into the air, declaring, "I don't care if there are moles or Sages or whatever. Nobody stops the dream!"
I looked at him—so earnest, so loud, and so undeniably certain. In a world of shadows and traitors, Black's simplicity was almost refreshing. I said, standing up to join him, "You're right. Nobody stops the dream."
But as I looked up at the towering Ferris wheel, I couldn't shake the feeling that the lights of Nimbasa were casting very long shadows. Somewhere in this city, Elesa was working with White. Somewhere, Team Plasma was planning their next move. And somewhere, a traitor was watching us.
We set off into the neon glow through the city as our day came to an end. Hopefully White has the hotel ready.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!