So, this should be considered a deleted scene. I didn't have a good spot for it before, so here it is.

How should I say this? She’s right. I was trying to have all my Pokémon became awesome, but none of them were getting any stronger. Then I would lose Pokémon battles because I am not skilled enough. So what’s wrong with what I have going on? I have too many Pokémon…Maybe I should change these other Pokémon into rewards.

Naw, if I did that, Esther here might find out and forever hate me. She seems attached to Pokémon…Attached? Am I not attached to my Pokémon? I am even going to release all these other Pokémon just to help me focus on some to help get them stronger. Of course I’m not attached.

I should change that…

Now back to your regularly scheduled Chapter...

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POV CHANGE

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I have never seen a guy not react to having his finger nearly bitten off. The doctor that was riding with us was surprised Cole wasn’t crying bloody murder. Even after that, all he did was calm down the Golbat. After getting out of the vehicle, his Golbat was still apprehensive, looking all over the place. Cole had gone around to the other side of the vehicle and changed into his uniform.

It was a classic grunt uniform. All black with a red R pasted on the front. Though there were some more pockets than the original. He also wore a black face mask that covered the area around his eyes. It looked like the shadow of his hat was really dark, adding a touch of mystery to him.

Although when he started posing, we left for Fumere. We ducked into an alley and made our way to our first stop. Cole pulled out a gun to which I said,

“No.”

Cole was surprised, but he complied. We went inside, but Cole began to sneak. It was so quiet, I had no idea he was even there anymore.

“Why?”

“Why am I sneaking? Isn’t this Mystic’s base?”

“Magma’s.”

“Oh.”

He stood up and walked normally beside me, his Golbat hovering over us. I had long put Baxter back, but he decided to keep his Pokémon out. Why? Was it because of what I said earlier?

We finally made it through the hallways and entered a room with a lot of light. Standing in the center was my Master, Branch Head Leotraus.

“Master.”

I welcomed Master with a bow.

“Whoa, didn’t see that coming. So she’s into older men…”

“Quiet.”

“Oops.”

Leotraus walked over, motioning me to stand. Looks like Master won’t speak in Cole’s presence. Figures. I thought Cole was untrustworthy.

“So is this where we get briefed? Where is everyone else if this is a base? Is there some catch I’m not aware of?”

He asks some good questions, though.

“Yes. Elsewhere. Probably.”

“Thanks for the insight, but if this is how I am going to be treated, I might as well go back home. If you aren’t going to treat me like an ally, I won’t treat you guys like allies.”

Master was wearing a mask, so as to keep their identity a secret. But she removed her mask to stop Cole from leaving. Why? I thought he wasn’t worthy? Is Master just shy around men? Maybe it’s an aversion.

“Woo…so this means there is still a chance with Esther? Heck, maybe I can invite this pretty lady as well.”

This jerk!

“Really?!”

“Oops again.”

Master looks flustered. It must be shyness or fear. Why didn’t I realize? Ugh, this is going to be a failure. This was when my Master, Sylva Leotraus, began to brief us and explain where we were supposed to go. It didn’t help she was too shy and stumbled over her words, darting her eyes in Cole’s direction. He didn’t help the situation by continuing to mumble his fantasies.

That was, until his Golbat flew in from wherever it was before. I didn’t even notice it was gone.

“Let’s wrap this up, some guys are approaching this building.”

All of a sudden, Darryl, another Magma operative appeared, kneeling on the floor.

“Madam! The targets are approaching!”

Master’s countenance changed as she calmed down and a smile formed on her face.

“Good. Just as planned.”

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POV CHANGE

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I told Golbat to keep an eye out, although I never guessed someone would actually show up. But Esther’s adorable Master completely underwent a strange transformation. Her previously shy self turned into a sadistic one as she tortured the poor teenage Mystic members that came to an abandoned warehouse to relieve themselves of their sexual frustration.

I get tingles just thinking about her methods. Maybe I could just…

No. let’s focus. If I do a good job, my impression will be that much more favorable. This time I summon Gastly from my device and ask her to help Golbat to keep a lookout. I switch into one of the Mystic guy’s uniform, while the other Magma grunt took the other one. Esther and her master took the girls’ clothes, but Esther’s Master seemed a little constricted with the small clothes.

I must have been staring too much because I felt some murderous intent coming from Esther.

“Sorry.”

We knocked out and tied up the four Mystic members before leaving for their base. We divided ourselves into two groups. Darryl, the Magma grunt, was with me as the two ladies kept to themselves. Darryl and I were going to acquire any data they had in their computers. Apparently, this was Darryl’s forte. I was his body guard. I had Golbat and Gastly fly around, returning to me to report any people they found while Raticate stayed near me to sniff out trouble. The other three were backups, meant for battle in case we had to fight our way out.

Esther and Sylva were going to free the Pokémon being tested on. I was pretty sure Sylva could take care of the both of them, but that made me think of how easy it was to kill Candela’s dad. Wasn’t he also strong? Why didn’t he summon his Pokémon? Was he a coward? Maybe he didn’t have his device? Which I found was called a poképal, by the way. Never knew. Then again, never cared.

Whenever we met a Mystic grunt, I would distract them while Darryl or one of his or my Pokémon incapacitated them. We would tie them up and gag them before moving on. Didn’t need to waste time, did we? It’s not like I’m some hero. I am not going to make it harder on myself by merely besting the opponent in a Pokémon battle. The only reason that ever worked was because the heroes were all kids.

Well, most of them. Wes from the Orre Region was the exception. But he used to be a Team member as well. Wonder what his story was.

Speaking of regions, maybe I can catch some Johto Pokémon. The Balktic Region was just north of both Kanto and Johto. So the further west I go, the more likely I will find dark type Pokémon!

But I couldn’t slack off. We finally made it to the laboratory located in the center of the compound under some heavy doors. Good thing Darryl is quick with his fingers. And by that I mean he can break into places. What? I’m just saying.

It was only when Darryl was hacking the computers did both Golbat and Gastly appear. We summoned our Pokémon, my six and Darryl’s four. He had a Rapidash, Flareon, Fearow, and a Heracross. Rapidash and Heracross stayed by his side while Flareon and Fearow stuck to a door each. I sent Golbat to help Fearow, and Raticate to help Rapidash. I trust those two since they were my strongest. Now I can focus on Gastly and Koffing, and Ekans and Spearow. I could have sworn I heard a strange cawing coming from down the hall Ekans and Spearow were watching. Not wanting to leave Darryl unprotected, I stayed where I was.

Then I heard noises coming from the other two doors where Raticate and Golbat were at. I pulled the gun I stole from Candela’s dad and checked to make sure it was loaded. I had bought more from the armory at Headquarters. We had an armory! It was chock full of cool stuff!

Anyways, that was when I saw some familiar faces come barreling into the room.