Railgun
Johto trash.
Prompt 1: Undercover Investigation
Silver sits over the ledge of a building, hunched over. One foot dangles out while the other tucks beneath his thigh. His alakazam is standing alongside him, observing below.
They are at a high altitude with strong winds blowing through. Silver's hair spirals out in different directions. The red hair strands wave against the wind currents. He doesn't care, not a nuisance. Instead, his focus is on the world beneath them. Goldenrod's streets are busy during the night. The lights of moving cars go back and forth, followed by black specs crawling the sidewalks. His eyes squint to picture Goldenrod's residents passing by its financial district.
Silver closes his eyes, sighing. Lance is taking his sweet time at the building across the street. A financial center is holding a grand gala and the Indigo League's Champion is a special guest. Of course, expected. Given Lance's reputation and hailing from a prestigious dragon tamer clan, his influence is prominent in the Johto region. Why else was he invited to such a party in the first place?
It is all for the publicity, for the good image toward the public. So the media believes, and even those who host the gala.
When in truth, his presence is only a distraction.
Silver holds up binoculars. His eyes dart through the lens pointed toward the glass windows of the building. There are crowds of people well-dressed in fancy attire. Some hold drinks of wine or beer. Others laugh and dance away from the classical music playing in the background. In the picture, Silver attempts to search for a person of interest.
The are reports of this financial institution being in cahoots with Team Rocket. Thus, he and Lance kept close tabs on its president. He is the main organizer of the party and is wandering somewhere among the crowds.
Should he find him leaving the gala, the infiltration will begin.
Lance leans against the wall, staring at the wine glass in his hand. The red wine pinot noir, known for its fruity flavor is his drink for the night. He has spoken with several at the party so far but keeps his distance. He is generally reserved for occasions like these, only speaking to those of interest.
That did not deter him from receiving attention, however.
He hears high heels click in the distance, each tap chasing out the crowd noise. A young woman with her black hair tied into a bun approaches him. She wears a sparkling red dress that covers her slim flame. Her glossed red lips perk up a smile. Her emerald eyes glance at the stern man dressed in a blue blazer.
"You must be Champion Lance," she says in a sultry voice. "I hear a lot about you."
Lance doesn't speak, and drinks from his wine glass. The woman laughs. "Not a talker, are you?"
"Small talk isn't my forte," he says, chuckling.
"What made you come then? Why attend these parties if they are not to your liking? Part of the job as champion?"
"More or less, but I wouldn't want to disappoint the hosts."
"Very considerate of you, most men are selfish creatures. But you... you pique my interest, Champion."
Of course, this is all talk. There is a change in the music, another classical tune. She inches closer to him. "Care for a dance?" She is attempting to flirt, to distract him from his goal.
"Later," he says, taking another sip of his wine. The woman backs off and leaves him alone with a wink. "I'll be waiting."
Through his binoculars, Silver wants to laugh. A miserable attempt, he knows Lance is immune to seductive charm. Not the first time either, being a witness to several in the past.
His eyes spot something through the binoculars. His tunnel vision moves to the right corner, there is a short pudgy man wearing circular glasses. He is dressed in a white tuxedo, being escorted out of the party by three men in black suits. Shortly after, the same black-haired woman chases after them.
This is it, the target is right on schedule. He taps his watch to send a message, briefing Lance. The Dragon Master replies quickly and leaves his wine glass by the cocktail stand. He excuses himself, leaving the party.
There would be another round of waiting, but Silver could handle it. He stands up and nods at his alakazam to teleport inside the building. In particular, where he and Lance suspect the location of where their target would be at.
The basement is dark and quiet, with not much underground aside from boxes and crates of junk. Old office appliances and a dying washing machine. Around the corner, is a steel cabinet containing files. Old documents on financial receipts of years past.
Silver hides behind it with Alakazam. He stays quiet, hearing droplets of leaking water above the ceiling. They hit the cabinet's head, the target should be in here soon.
There are footsteps, followed by loud voices. A loud clanging of the metal door and his target enters inside.
"Business is going as usual Mr. Akuhei?" He hears a voice say in the room. The man appears young, dressed in a long trench coat, with a black fedora to cover his head. The rim of the hat covers his narrowing turquoise eyes.
Mr. Akuhei blows smoke out of his pipe. "Of course. Wouldn't want to disappoint Giovanni would we?"
Silver's hands clench into fists.
Giovanni.
His father is still running his business with criminal intent. He had thrown away his relationship with his son for the sake of greed and power. He was cold and distant, never finding time for him. Team Rocket is what he cared about. All part of his goals of becoming the strongest trainer and dominating the planet.
Silver still remembers his father's words, etched in the back of his mind.
"Pokémon are merely tools. They are to be exploited, for the sake of our benefit. You may not understand now… but you will, someday."
That is Giovanni's motto. His idea and his visions for the world are under complete and utter greed.
Laughable. Pathetic. That is all that Silver thinks of him now. So much he is now on a crusade, going against everything that old man had taught him. He would become strong with his own methods, teaming up with his own worst enemy in stopping Team Rocket.
What would his father think about him now? What would he say in choosing this righteous path to side with Lance? Perhaps being near the Dragon Master is infectious, that one beat down during the Radio Tower incident was enough to have Silver chase after him. He needed him, for the sake of his own will in becoming a strong trainer. To beat him was originally the goal, only to find himself locked toward a change of heart, with Lance guiding the way.
He has no time to think further, he listens to the nearby conversation instead.
The man in the trench coat scoffs. "Then you should know the purpose of this meeting."
His men shove Mr. Akuhei toward a group of widened storage lockers. The man has no time to react as his pipe falls out of his mouth. His eyes widen as one of them pulls out a pistol to his forehead. Its cold nuzzle touches his wrinkled and clammy skin.
"Let me make this clear." The man pulls down his fedora. The missing hat reveals turquoise hair and a devilish smirk sweeping his face. "You have been behind in offering us the finances we need in smuggling out the goods. You wouldn't want your reputation and company to fall if it were to leak out, would you?"
Akuhei chuckles nervously. "I've… just finished paying off a debt. I haven't forgotten, I promise…"
"Excuses, you said such nonsense last time. Giovanni is growing impatient, and you should know better than to keep us waiting."
"Just g – give me more time Proton… I promise I'll get the money! I – can get it in by tomorrow!"
"No, stop!" A woman runs in the hall toward the basement. She is then blocked by Proton's two other men at the entrance. "Father!"
Proton sneered. "How sweet, your daughter has come to assist."
"Stay back Ayumi," Akuhei warns.
"Please Proton, give him more time," Ayumi pleads.
"Why should we? I see earlier you were trying to coquet the region's champion. Toying with our enemy in front of our own eyes, that's a dangerous move."
"You what?!" Akuhei's eyes widen. He could not bear the disgusting thought of his daughter entrenched with the Indigo League Champion Lance romantically. After all, it would collide with his own interests, being so deep into Team Rocket's affairs.
"It… it was for the sake of our business! If we can get Champion Lance on your side then – "
"That man cannot be negotiated with," Proton mutters. "He interferes with Team Rocket's goals, foolish woman. You know what? My patience has run out. Men, make it quick. End Akuhei's life."
"No!"
Crash! The group hears an old lamp fall to the floor. The lightbulb breaks into several pieces and scrambles across the concrete. Proton looks up from the noise. "Who's there?"
"Shit!" Silver left the cabinet to hide in another corner. Unfortunately, one of the guards caught him in his eye.
"It's a kid!" Proton's lackeys use their guns to shoot out rounds of bullets. In response, Silver jumps away to hide under a desk. Luckily, the desk's material is sturdy steel. It is impenetrable by the flying bullets.
He growls as the bullets hit the desk. "Alakazam!" The psychic pokémon brings his metal spoons together, emitting a wave of psychic power. The purple light circles around further bullets, freezing them. They fall to the floor – rendering them useless.
Silver taps his watch for a brief call. "Anytime now, Lance!"
"Lance?!" Proton reaches out his poké ball in defense. He growls at the thought of Team Rocket's main enemy infiltrating this secret meeting. More so he fears he is already here. In fact, how long was Silver hanging out in the basement? Why is he here? Is he, not Giovanni's –
- no more time to think. Lance jumped out of one of the metal lockers and grabs one of Proton's men into a chokehold. He throws him down to the cold concrete. It renders the thug unconscious and his weapon rolls down the floor.
His dragonite flies out of another locker, slamming another lackey toward the wall. The immobile man slumps down, knocked out.
Silver leaps out of the desk, commanding Alakazam to use psychic. The pokémon nods, using his spoons to lift up the last thug before lounging him across the room. He crashes against nearby crates, where they topple down on him.
"Tch!" With his men knocked out, Proton finds himself outnumbered. What else to do? Escape is his only option. He hates to fall back, but only because to continue further is foolish. Giovanni would not permit it.
He chucks the capsule out and calls out his trusted golbat. The flying poison type ushers out a smoke screen. Ayumi and her father cough from the toxic smoke invading their lungs. Meanwhile, Lance guards his nose and mouth with his cape. His eyes sting from the burning of the smoke but still searches for Proton.
The smoke clears. The cruelest and most ruthless member of Team Rocket is gone. Escaped but no matter, the main culprit remains unharmed.
Lance says no word. Rather, he glares down at Akuhei, who sweats as his back is against the wall.
Silver walks through, sneering. "You dirty, shrewd bastard. How much money were you funneling to Team Rocket?"
"Language," Lance scolds.
"You want me respect to this guy? Hah! Never." Silver waves his hand as he turns back toward the exit. "Let's finish up. I'll call the guy from Interpol. I'm sure he could handle this from here out."
The next hour comes a wave of commotion from guest members at the party. The police barge in and apprehend Akuhei. In cuffs, he is sent to the back of a police van, while agents close off the building with yellow tape. Loud sirens, followed by red and blue lights shine outside the financial district, with Looker staring at the tall skyscraper. He sighs deeply. Another case of money laundering and illegal activities in the heart of Johto.
"This will make big news," says one of his coworkers. Anabel tucks back a strand of her lavender hair. "To think an important figure in Goldenrod's financial district was associated with Team Rocket."
"Well, criminals hide anywhere," Looker mutters, walking off. "It's not surprising. Anyway, the hardest part of the job has been cut out for us. We should get to work and bring Mr. Akuhei into custody."
"Do you plan to thank him?"
Looker stops, understanding what Anabel had meant. They are both aware, of who had apprehended Akuhei and stopped further plans by Team Rocket.
"I respect what he has done, but we have different ideas on the justice system. But, I won't chase after him. Let's keep it at that."
From a few meters away, Ayumi stares at her father taken into custody. Only a mere two hours ago her life was perfect, living the lavish lifestyle she had always wanted. Even if it meant her father gifting her that falsehood under nefarious practices.
Now, it crashed down. There is nothing left. She makes no restraint when Anabel places her hands behind her back and handcuffs them. She closes her eyes and recalls the last words Lance told her before he left.
"I do not dance with criminals."
That is all that remains of her. A mere criminal.
From above, Lance hovers over the ledge of the building. He stares down at her arrest as Silver walks up to him.
He snorts, not a shred of pity for her. "Saw what she tried to pull earlier. Always the lady killer, Lance. Aren't you?"
Lance moves away from the ledge. Their mission is now complete and they could rest easy for the night.
He chuckles. "Must have been the blazer. I prefer capes."
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