This chapter was hard to write, let me know if you find any mistakes! If you see something wrong with the story, let me know in the review section!

Darryl’s really cool. I have never seen a guy so adequate at his job. I bet there’s no way Sylva will let him work for me. Speaking of which, they were all surprised to hear that I was the leader of my own branch. Of course, my Murkrow helps a lot, being over 5,000 CP, after all. Crazy, right? But I decided not to battle any more gyms for right now. I don’t want to make myself known right now.

Partly because I suck at regular battle, but mostly because I hate dealing with people. I tried walking around outside, but Valor flunkies kept chasing me. I really need that Golbat mask!

After the radio group got set up and all the things that needed to be changed were changed, I met with their director. Apparently, their office back in Tilpin Town was bought by a strange company. It was there they heard the rumor of a new office building being free to purchase.

Those assholes. They’re obviously Team Rocket. So they set up a new base in Tilpin already? They work quickly. Either that or maybe they are doing the same thing they did to me. I guess I’ll keep an eye and an ear out.

Hehehe, I have access to the security cameras! Free peeping!

Not.

They took out the cameras on the 2F. Pisses me off. But I rewired the cameras and set up new ones down in the B1 and B2 floors. I haven’t got any complaints about Team Rocket propaganda or any new recruits, so maybe no one has found it yet.

I’m bored…I guess I will call Esther.

*Ring*

*Ring*

*Click*

“Hello? What is it this time?”

“I just wanted to talk…”

*Click*

Shit.

Now what? I am practically being forced outside! There’s nothing going on here, yet! The radio company is still getting their roots here and I want something to do! Why can’t I be lazy all the time?

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POV CHANGE

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Huhh…Yesterday was Father’s funeral. All of Team Valor in the city appeared and payed their respect. Even some people from outside our city came. The Rangers came by and questioned me and Bernard again, but no one could find this Cole Fellman anywhere. Recently, some of our guys spotted him, but he would always disappear leaving bodies in his wake. There was nothing tying him to the crimes, but we all knew.

And now that I know what we really do, I can understand why the Rangers don’t always make a speedy appearance for us. I had a lot to think about from what that guy said. Come to find out, Father thought he was a member of Team Rocket and wanted to interrogate him. But Father thought he had made a mistake and was forced to eliminate Cole so no one would know what we do.

Who would have expected he was actually from Team Rocket? They checked his pockets, shoes and even underwear, but found nothing. No one decided to check his shirt. How dumb we were. And it cost us close to 11 men. The last guy is still recuperating in the hospital.

I thought he was just a normal guy. Yeah, I didn’t select him to join us, but we weren’t supposed to. We had already selected the people we wanted. That’s the way it works every time. Of course, this was the first time we had the poképals.

Cole is a really strong person. He can easily catch Pokémon, he has a knack for finding his enemies’ weaknesses, and he doesn’t quit. I could see that from his tenacity. He is also not a guy to anger. Who knows how he’ll flip out?

About a week ago, we heard about one of Team Mystic’s bases getting destroyed by some monster. Now they’re under heat for this. But they are claiming they were under attack from Team Rocket. I was reminded of Cole, but how could he have waged war on team Mystic? From what I heard, there were only four intruders. They didn’t describe the monster, but just said that it wiped out the entire complex, although there were no casualties and their Pokémon all made it out safely.

I wish this cake would taste better. I wanted to come here to the opening of my favorite restaurant chain with Father. Maybe Bernie, but he is obsessed with Cole. He even bought a gun for himself to use on Cole. But it wasn’t his fault, even if Father said so.

It was ours. We treated him poorly, we harassed him and threatened him. I questioned the others and found out what happened. Even the Battle Trio had kidnapped him for no reason other than to question him. What if he were just a normal guy? We would have killed an innocent person! And now they were dead! It’s even worse! They kidnapped a murderer!

I had no idea what we did was wrong. I think I am going to leave Team Valor…

“Hey, how’s it hanging, Candela? You still look beautiful!”

No…it’s him! He’s wearing some stupid children’s Golbat mask, but it’s definitely him. Who else is so round?! What do I do?! I…I don’t know!

I can feel my heartbeat quicken and sweat start falling!

“Calm down, I still don’t know how you guys figure out it’s me, but I just wanted to walk around.”

Why is he sitting there? Doesn’t he know that there are other people near here? What? Where is everyone? I want to leave, but I can’t move! I’m scared!

“Hmm, oops. Forgot to turn my Swagger off. Hah! It’s not really Swagger, it’s a joke.”

Suddenly, I can move again. I don’t know what that was about, but Cole is more dangerous than he was before! Even if he pretends to be embarrassed.

“What do you want?”

“Some cake.”

Then he uses the very same fork I used to eat some of my cake.

“Eh…it’s lemon…not really fond of lemon. How about some ice cream cake? What’s your favorite flavor? I’ll pay.”

“…”

“Chocolate? Vanilla? Cookies and cream?”

I guess I will play along. Some people should be here soon enough. Oh Arceus, is this how Cole felt strapped to that chair? It doesn’t feel good. Yet he could act the way that he did with no problems. Who is he?!

“Cookies and cream it is. My mom likes that flavor. Haven’t spoken to her in a while, but she should still like it. My brother likes rocky road. Me? I like regular old fashioned vanilla. I am a plain kind of guy. Waiter! I want a slice of pound cake with a scoop of vanilla and a slice of whichever cake goes well with cookies and cream.”

“Y…Yes sir…”

What is he doing?

“It must be a slow day, huh? Not very many people.”

“Uhh, yeah. I guess so…”

“Hmmm…I caught a Murkrow recently. He’s really strong. I bet he could take on several gyms by himself.”

“Oh yeah?”

Oh please let me go…

“Yeah. And he gives off this warm feeling. Calms me right down. Maybe I should show you. Come on out, Murkrow!”

“Oh please, no.”

There it is again, that terrible feeling. It’s even worse than before! I can’t move, I hear the people behind the counter drop stuff and I hear people outside screaming.

“Hmm? What’s wrong? Are you okay?!”

He actually rushed over to my side. How can he handle this? Is he perhaps a monster?

Wait, a monster?

“Oh shit, I didn’t realize this energy was bad for you. Quick, Murkrow, calm down.”

You mean to tell me you were…telling the truth…

No…

That’s right. He told me he stays true to his words. Well, mostly. He can insinuate something else with the way he says things, but he doesn’t lie on purpose. This energy Murkrow gives off must actually feel good to him.

“Cole, did you…attack the Mystic base in Fumere…?”

His face shows his surprise when I said his name, and it only gets more so when I ask him about the attack. He grimaces while recalling his Murkrow, leaving me held in his arms as I try to push him away. I eventually get back up, but I can’t stand. I sit back down in my seat as the waiter brings the food. I must say, it really looks delicious. But I can’t even stomach anything right now.

“I…can’t say. I’m sure you understand.”

Yes, I understand. That you’re a monster that tells the truth and causes problems wherever you go. I think I am crying. I feel a wetness on my cheeks as small patter sounds can be heard from my tears hitting the table. Cole picks up his napkin and goes to wipe my tears off. I move away, but almost fall over again.

He catches me before I can fall, but I just want to get away from him. He bitterly smiles and leaves the napkin in my hand. He takes his food over to the counter and gets it boxed up and leaves. Not long after, some people from Valor show up. Only to see me crying and holding on to myself with a plate of untouched food before me.