Pokemon: Resurgence Chapter 69

Hi all, 

Here’s the next chapter. Lucas discovers another enemy, and Bree is closing in on Malva.

Chapter 69

Cassidy's finger hovered over her mobile, trembling. This was one call she didn’t want to make, but she didn’t have much choice in the matter.

Across the desk, Bree perched on a stack of budget reports, her porcelain face eerily still. Her button eyes reflected pinpricks of light, black and bottomless as wells.

"Make the call." Bree's voice sliced through the silence.

Cassidy seized the whisky tumbler, ice cubes clinking as her hand shook. The liquid burned down her throat, warmth spreading through her chest. Her thumb jabbed Giovanni's number before courage deserted her.

One ring echoed in her ear. Two rings. Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat a countdown to disaster.

"This had better be news of Lucas Walker's death," Giovanni said.

Bree's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent. 

"Sir, we have bigger problems," Cassidy said. "Team Magma's moving in on Eastern Kanto."

The silence stretched, thick as tar. Papers rustled in the background of Giovanni's line. "Explain."

"Malva from the Kalos Elite Four paid me a visit." Sweat beaded on Cassidy's forehead despite the office's chill. "She knows who I am and what I do for you. She threatened to expose everything if I got in her way. I am almost certain that she is working for Team Magma."

"And what makes you think she's Team Magma?" 

"When I asked her, she didn’t try hard to deny it. Plus, it makes sense that another criminal organisation is aiming for Eastern Kanto. You pulled out, leaving a power vacuum behind. She's planning something big in Viridian City."

Static crackled across the line with Giovanni's measured breathing. "You're certain?" 

"She's not subtle about throwing her weight around." Cassidy's free hand drummed against her desk. "I've got plans to deal with her, but I don’t know what other operators she's brought in. It could take me a while to clear Team Magma out.”

More silence. Cassidy could imagine what her boss was thinking. The man lived in paranoia, so it wasn’t hard to convince him that someone else was moving in on his territory.

"Ignore Walker," Giovanni growled, his tone promising violence. "Focus on Malva. Whatever it takes—get rid of her."

"Yes, sir."

The line went dead with a click.

Cassidy slumped in her leather chair. "Bloody hell, I need another drink." 

"He bought it." Bree hopped down from her perch. "Hook, line, and sinker. Now he'll be too busy chasing Team Magma phantoms to worry about Lucas."

"What now?" Cassidy knocked back the fresh measure, welcoming the burn.

"We confirm Malva's hiding place in the sewers." Bree waddled to the edge of the desk, her stitched dress swishing. "See exactly what we're dealing with."

Cassidy's nose wrinkled. "You're really going down there?"

"I need to see these infected Pokemon myself. Plan the best way to make her regret targeting what's mine." Bree's stitched mouth curved into a smile that sent ice crawling down Cassidy's spine. 

"We could just deal with her now—"

"No." Bree interrupted. "I want her to suffer. To understand the magnitude of her mistake. This takes time and careful planning."

Cassidy shuddered. "What exactly have I gotten myself mixed up in?"

Bree's laugh echoed through the office. "Better me than her, wouldn't you say? Now, about those sewer blueprints..."

Cassidy pulled open her desk drawer. She tried to ignore how Bree's button eyes seemed to glow in the lengthening shadows, black holes promising something worse than death.

The doll might be protecting her for now, but she couldn't shake the feeling she'd traded one monster for another. Her fingers brushed the rolled blueprints, paper crackling beneath her touch.

At least this monster was on her side. For now.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Lucas stood in the chamber of the Tree of Beginning, surrounded by towering crystal formations. The massive central crystal pulsed with a steady rhythm, like a colossal heart beating in time with his own.

Raw energy thrummed through his body. His skin tingled as if touched by static electricity, and each breath drew in air charged with ancient power. 

"Focus," he muttered, closing his eyes.

He reached for his aura, finding it response

ive in ways he'd never experienced before. Instead of having to coax and shape it like reluctant clay, it flowed like water, eager to be directed. His previous attempts at Aura Projection had felt like trying to paint with his non-dominant hand—clumsy, imprecise. Here, in this chamber, the technique came naturally.

A shimmer appeared in the air before him. Unlike his earlier attempts, where the illusion had wavered like a mirage, this one held steady. The ethereal form solidified, details emerging with startling clarity—his windswept hair, the scuff marks on his boots, even the slight shadow under his eyes from lack of sleep.

Lucas circled his duplicate, studying it from every angle. The projection mimicked his movements perfectly, down to the slight hesitation in his left step—a remnant of an old injury.

"Bloody brilliant," he breathed.

For the next three hours, he pushed himself harder, testing the limits of his newfound control. He learned to maintain the illusion while moving, to adjust its opacity, to make it interact convincingly with its surroundings. Each success built upon the last, his confidence growing with every attempt.

Finally, exhaustion forced him to take a break. He slumped against one of the smaller crystals, its smooth surface cool against his back. 

"Time to see if it works in the real world," he said to the empty chamber.

The carriage dropped him back on the outskirts of Rota City. He kept his hood pulled up to obscure his face to avoid any awkward questions. 

His projection walked about twenty metres ahead, moving with natural, fluid motions through the crowded streets. Although there were a few hairy moments when his projection got stuck in a congestion of people that would have given him away. 

A flash of movement caught Lucas's eye. A hooded figure emerged from an alley, moving with unnatural speed. Before Lucas could react, the assailant plunged a knife into his projection's side.

The illusion dissolved like smoke. Lucas froze, unable to believe what he was witnessing.

The attacker also froze briefly before fleeing. Their movements and speed betrayed them as an aura user.

Screams erupted from the crowd. People scattered, scared and confused by the scene they had witnessed. 

Lucas's heart hammered against his ribs as he slipped away from the scene. He needed to get back to the castle.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Someone tried to kill me." Lucas paced Queen Ilene's study. "Or thought they were killing me, at least."

Sabrina perched on the edge of an armchair, her face tight with concern. Queen Ilene stood by the window, her usual composure cracked.

"I already have a suspect," Queen Ilene said, her voice heavy. "A group called Team Aura. They consider themselves protectors of the kingdom and hardline loyalists wary of other regions. They'll do anything to preserve our isolation—including sabotaging potential alliances." 

"Team Aura?" Sabrina snorted. "They sound like criminals to me. What's with criminal organisations and that naming convention?"

Queen Ilene winced. “I never said they were smart.”

Lucas stopped pacing. "Why does this Team Aura have beef with me?"

"Think about it," Sabrina said. "If the Prime Minister's niece's boyfriend was murdered here, any chance of cooperation between our regions would likely die with you. I don’t think it’s personal."

Lucas grimaced. "Bloody hell."

"I should have anticipated this." Queen Ilene rubbed her temples. "This is just suspicion, but they may have been emboldened when Zapdos appeared in the city. In their minds, a legendary Pokemon attacking the castle is related to your visit."

The knot in Lucas's stomach tightened as realisation hit. Team Aura's assessment cut straight to the bone. A legendary Pokemon had tracked him across regions, shattering any illusion of secrecy. 

The implications chilled him. Mew's psychic shield should have masked his presence from other legendaries unless they were practically on top of him. Yet Zapdos had zeroed in on his location with terrifying precision. The only explanation that made sense was the egg—a permanent tether linking him to its parent.

If the egg created a connection that bypassed Mew's protection, he'd never truly be hidden from Zapdos. The legendary could find him anywhere, at any time. No distance would be great enough, no shelter secure enough to break that primal bond. The weight of that knowledge pressed down on his shoulders. He'd accepted responsibility for the egg, but he hadn't grasped the full implications. 

Queen Ilene continued. “If you plan to stay longer, you'll need a security detail."

Lucas frowned but didn’t immediately dismiss the offer. "I'd still like to learn more about your Aura Guardians. See what other abilities are possible."

“Isn’t that too much of a risk?” Sabrina asked.

“There’s no guarantee that I would be any safer back home,” Lucas replied.

Queen Ilene hesitated. "May I ask an impertinent question?"

"Go ahead. Doesn't mean I'll answer."

"What is the nature of your aura ability? Do you have one or multiple abilities?"

Lucas glanced at Sabrina. She shrugged, leaving the decision to him.

"The latter," he said. "Three abilities at present."

Queen Ilene's eyebrows rose. "Multiple abilities are rare. Most Guardians discover their powers gradually, usually starting with Aura Sight."

Lucas nodded but offered nothing more.

"I won't pry further," Queen Ilene said. "Knowing two of your abilities is enough. Perhaps one day you'll trust me enough to share more."

Silence settled over the room, broken only by the crackling fire. Lucas resumed his pacing, mind racing. The attempt on his life—or rather, his projection's life—had shaken him more than he cared to admit. Someone in this seemingly peaceful kingdom wanted him dead.

"These Team Aura members," he said finally. "They're all trained Aura Guardians?"

Queen Ilene nodded. "Some of our most skilled. Which makes them incredibly dangerous. They went underground several years ago, but they still make their presence known on occasion."

"They sound like they would be difficult to catch," Sabrina commented.

"Indeed." Queen Ilene's expression darkened. "They operate in shadows, leaving no trace. Today's attack was unusually bold."

Lucas rubbed his chin. "They must be desperate to stop this alliance."

Sabrina nodded. "They couldn't have known about your projection ability. But now they are going to up their game."

"Either way," Queen Ilene said, "you'll need protection. I'll assign my most trusted guards—"

"No." Lucas shook his head. "That might make me more of a target. Better to keep my movements unpredictable."

Sabrina stood, her eyes flashing. "You're not going anywhere alone."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Lucas managed a weak smile. "Team Aura isn't going to give up after one failed attempt. I will spend most of my time between the castle and the Tree of Beginning and give them little opportunity to attack me."

Queen Ilene moved to her desk and pulled out a thick folder. "These are all the suspected members we've identified. Study them. Learn their faces."

Lucas took the folder. "How many are we talking about?"

"At least twelve confirmed members," Queen Ilene said. "Possibly more."

"Brilliant," Lucas muttered. "A whole organisation of trained killers after my head."

Sabrina squeezed his arm. "This is not the only organisation out for your blood. We'll handle this. We always do."

“That’s a funny way of reassuring me.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The training yard echoed with grunts and the thud of bodies hitting mats. Crisp mountain air carried the scent of crushed grass and sweat as two dozen students pushed through their morning exercises. Their grey uniforms, trimmed with blue to mark them as first-years, darkened with exertion despite the cool temperature.

"Physical conditioning is mandatory," their escort, Master Chen, explained. His weathered face bore the marks of decades of training, scars, and laugh lines competing for space. He watched his students with the sharp eyes of a seasoned instructor. "Research shows a direct correlation between physical fitness and aura control. A weak body cannot channel strong aura."

Lucas nodded, guilt pricking at his conscience. He'd neglected his own training routine lately, focusing on his new abilities instead of maintaining his fitness. 

Three students in particular drew his attention. A tall girl with close-cropped blonde hair created spheres of concentrated gravity. Training dummies rose and fell at her command, crashing into the packed earth with bone-jarring force. Her face screwed up in concentration as she manipulated multiple fields at once, sweat beading on her forehead.

Nearby, a freckled boy with gangly limbs manipulated threads of pure aura energy. The gossamer-thin strands glowed with an ethereal blue light as he wove them into complex patterns. He used them like spider silk, swinging between practice posts with remarkable agility. Each thread seemed capable of supporting enormous weight despite its delicate appearance.

Against the far wall, a slim teenager with gentle eyes projected waves of calming energy. Frustrated students struggling with difficult techniques found their anger melting away, replaced by renewed determination. The emotional manipulator worked subtly, his influence so natural that most recipients probably didn't realise they were being affected.

"Amazing," Lucas muttered. 

Could he develop similar abilities? With enough control, it may be possible. The system provided a framework, but perhaps its boundaries were more flexible. He could already sense that he could evolve his barrier if he worked on it, but that was different from creating something entirely new. 

His thoughts were disrupted when he saw something flying towards him. Lucas' barrier snapped up instinctively, deflecting an aura projectile that would have struck his chest. The attack dissipated in a shower of azure sparks, revealing a dark-haired student in an advanced class uniform turning away without acknowledgement.

"Are all of your students this rude?" The attack hadn't been particularly powerful, but the lack of apology rankled.

Master Chen's expression soured, new wrinkles forming around his mouth. "That's Xavier. Third-year, top of his class in offensive techniques." He lowered his voice. "I'd discipline him, but his father sits on the kingdom's high council. I'd lose my position before the boy faced any real consequences."

Sabrina's eyes narrowed. "I'd be happy to teach him some manners. His father's influence means nothing to me."

"Steady on," Lucas wrapped an arm around her waist. "No need to escalate one incident." He studied her tense posture. "You've been on edge since yesterday. Want to talk about it?"

Master Chen tactfully moved away, directing students through their exercises.

Sabrina leaned into Lucas's embrace. "I've been thinking about Uxie's offer. With everything that's happening, maybe I need my powers back. To keep us safe."

"That's not necessary," Lucas said gently. "Bree's powerful enough. Forget about protecting us for a moment. Do you want your powers back? Do you miss them? Or are you just avoiding the memories Bree erased?"

"Probably the latter." Sabrina pressed closer. "But I can't run forever. Those memories might hold answers about my parents' deaths."

"Shido still won't confess to killing them?"

Sabrina shook her head. "He was just the weapon. Giovanni gave the order; I'm sure of it."

"Then maybe it's time we dealt with Giovanni properly." Lucas kissed her temple. "But that's not today's problem. If you want your powers back, I'll support you. But only if it's for the right reasons."

"You're no help at all." Sabrina huffed. "Now I'm more confused than ever."

"I never said I was Dr Phil."

"Who?"

"Never mind."

A commotion caught his attention. Xavier stood arguing with Master Chen, his voice carrying across the yard. It seemed like the teacher had gained some courage.

"My father will hear about this treatment!"

"Some things never change," Sabrina muttered. "There's always one entitled brat."

Lucas squeezed her shoulder. "Let's finish the tour. I want to see what other abilities they're teaching here."

"Just promise me one thing?"

"Hmm?"

"If that kid throws another aura blast at you, let me handle it."

Lucas chuckled. "I will hold him down while you beat him senseless."

“A lady doesn’t use her fists. I have a much more painful method in mind.”

“I see where Bree gets it from.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 

Stagnant water sloshed around Cassidy's ankles, each step releasing clouds of noxious gases that made her eyes water. The sewers beneath Viridian City stretched endlessly—a labyrinth of crumbling concrete and rusted pipes. Water dripped from century-old brickwork, the steady plink-plink echoing through tunnels slick with phosphorescent algae.

Cassidy and Bree had entered the sewers, with Salem floating by their side. The Pokemon had finally returned from whatever mysterious adventure it had been on, and so Bree decided to bring him along for some added protection. Thanks to her alert system, she knew Malva had entered the sewers earlier this evening.

"Three thousand pokedollars," Cassidy muttered, lifting the hem of her grey Woolx skirt. The designer fabric dragged in the filthy water despite her efforts. "The shoes alone cost more than most people make in a week."

"Keep complaining and I'll drop you into the channel headfirst," Bree said, from her position in Salem’s arms.

Cassidy muttered something under her breath and fell silent. But her silence didn’t last long.

“Why can’t I summon my Pokemon?” Cassidy grumbled. “I'm feeling very vulnerable here.”

“Because I don’t want to risk them making noise and alerting Malva,” Bree said. “How many times do I have to explain it to you?”

“You do know that she’s an Elite Four member?” Cassidy grumbled. “I doubt Salem would be able to take on her full team.”

“Relax,” Bree said. "With how cramped this space is, I doubt she has more than one or two Pokemon out right now, and I will not allow her to summon any more." 

A high-pitched squeal pierced the tunnel, followed by violent thrashing. The sound bounced off the curved walls, multiplying until it seemed to come from every direction. Cassidy swung her torch towards the loudest source.

Red eyes reflected the light, glowing with unnatural intensity. Yellowed fangs flashed, too large for the creature's distorted jaw. The infected Rattata crouched on a broken pipe, rivulets of foam dripping from its muzzle into the fetid water below.

"Don't. Move." Bree's whisper carried an edge of excitement rather than fear.

The Rattata's muscles bulged beneath patchy fur, pulsing with viral corruption. It launched itself through the air, claws extended towards Cassidy's face. The mayor's scream caught in her throat.

Mid-leap, the creature stopped. It hung suspended, thrashing against invisible bonds. Bree raised her mittened hand, directing her telekinetic grip with delicate movements.

"Now this is fascinating." Bree turned the Rattata slowly, examining the horror of its mutations. Raw patches of skin showed through missing fur, revealing a network of black veins that writhed beneath the surface. 

The creature snapped at the air with elongated fangs. Spittle flew from its mouth, carrying a sickly-sweet odour that made Cassidy gag.

"Kill it," she pleaded, pressing her back against the slimy wall. 

"Oh no, I need it for something." Bree lowered the Rattata into the water but maintained her psychic hold. The creature thrashed harder, its movements growing more frenzied. Its bones crackled as muscles strained against their anchors. "How many did our pink-haired friend bring down here?"

Cassidy's fingers whitened around the torch, her manicured nails digging into her palm. "She never specified. But it would have been easy to infect many Pokemon with a single contagious Rattata.”

More squeals echoed through the tunnels, closer now. The sound of claws scraping against concrete multiplied, creating a symphony of approaching horror. Cassidy grabbed a pokeball from her belt with trembling fingers.

"We need to leave. Now."

"Not until we capture Malva." Bree released her hold on the Rattata. It splashed into the water, sending waves of filth against Cassidy's legs. “I’m not letting that woman get away.”

"You're completely mad."

"Obviously." Bree hopped down from Salem’s hands. "But I'm also right. Follow our little friend. He's heading home."

They tracked the Rattata through the maze of tunnels, matching its splashing retreat. The sounds of movement grew louder with each turn, multiplying until the air vibrated with squeaks and growls. The stench of decay intensified, mixing with an odd chemical smell that burned the back of their throats.

The tunnel opened into a junction chamber twenty feet across. Ancient maintenance platforms hung from rusted chains, creaking in air currents that shouldn't exist this deep underground. Cassidy's torch revealed dozens of red eyes peering from holes gouged into the crumbling walls. Nests of shredded debris lined the ledges above the waterline, many containing ominous dark shapes.

A massive shape emerged onto a ledge. This Rattata dwarfed its brethren, muscles rippling beneath patches of blood-matted fur. Its jaw had split to accommodate oversized fangs, creating a permanent snarl. The smaller Rattata shrank back as it passed, pressing themselves into their burrows.

"It’s an alpha." Bree's voice carried a note of appreciation. "They've developed a hierarchical social structure. Fascinating."

The alpha's head snapped towards them with mechanical precision. Vertebrae crackled as it turned, realigning into impossible angles. It launched from its perch with explosive force, leading a wave of smaller infected rodents.

"Run!" Cassidy spun and bolted down the tunnel, splashing through knee-deep water in her ruined designer heels.

"Pathetic." Bree's power flared, tinting the air purple. A wall of psychic force slammed into the swarm, scattering the smaller Rattata like bowling pins. The alpha smashed through the barrier, barely slowing.

Salem materialised between Bree and the infected Rattata, his zipper mouth stretching into a predatory grin. The alpha lunged, jaws snapping—but Salem's claws raked through its corrupted form with surgical precision. The massive rodent collapsed without a sound, blood seeping into the filthy water.

Bree's power flared, snatching the remaining Rattata mid-leap. They writhed in her psychic grip, suspended in a violet sphere above her porcelain head. Their squeals echoed off the tunnel walls, a discordant symphony of rage and confusion.

"You can come back now," Bree called out. "The nasty rats won't bite."

Cassidy emerged from around the corner, her designer outfit ruined beyond salvage. She shot the floating Rattata a nervous glance. "What are you going to do with them?"

"Why ruin the surprise?" Bree waddled forward, the sphere of trapped rodents drifting after her like a macabre balloon. "Now, let's find our friend."

They pressed deeper into the sewers, following the increasing signs of habitation. The tunnel opened into a makeshift laboratory. Harsh fluorescent lights cast sharp shadows across metal tables laden with equipment. Cages lined the walls, filled with Pokemon—not just Rattata, but Pidgey, Caterpie, and other common species. Their mutations twisted familiar forms into nightmarish shapes.

Malva stood at a workbench, her pink hair tied back in a practical bun. She spun at their approach, eyes widening behind her glasses. A Chandelure hovered beside her, its flames casting dancing shadows.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Malva hissed.

Bree's power lashed out, invisible fingers plucking pokeballs from Malva's belt. They floated to Cassidy, who caught them with trembling hands.

"We're stopping your dastardly plan, that's what." Bree's voice dripped with mock sweetness.

Malva stared at the living doll, her composed facade cracking. "What are you?"

"Your worst nightmare."

"Chandelure, attack!"

"Salem, go!" Bree ordered calmly.

The ghost-types clashed in a fury of supernatural energy. Chandelure's flames roared blue-white, superheating the air until metal tables glowed red. Salem darted through the inferno, his cloth body blackening but refusing to ignite. Shadow Balls erupted from his zippered mouth in rapid succession, forcing Chandelure into a desperate spiral dodge that scattered papers in its wake.

Chandelure retaliated with precise Will-o-Wisp strikes, each one aimed to cripple and burn. Salem phase-shifted between dimensions, the ghostly flames passing harmlessly through the space he'd occupied milliseconds before. He emerged above, raking ethereal claws across Chandelure's crystalline body. Sparks showered the laboratory floor as supernatural energies collided.

The chandelier Pokemon spun like a dervish, its flames intensifying into a spiralling Heat Wave. The attack filled the chamber with fire hot enough to melt concrete. Equipment warped and bubbled, glass containers exploding from thermal shock. Salem countered by sinking into his own shadow, using Phantom Force to strike from impossible angles. Each hit made Chandelure's flames sputter and dim.

They danced a deadly waltz through the lab's wreckage. Chandelure launched waves of purple fire that painted bizarre shadows on the walls. Salem weaved between them, his cloth form rippling as he unleashed slashing Night Shade beams that cut through reality itself. The air crackled with competing supernatural energies, making human hair stand on end.

Salem's claws found purchase on Chandelure's central core, drawing a shower of crystalline sparks. The fire-ghost whirled, smashing Salem into a bank of monitors with its metallic arms. Electricity arced as equipment shattered, but Salem emerged unscathed, his zippered grin wider than ever.

The battle reached its climax as both Pokemon charged their ultimate attacks. Chandelure's body blazed supernova-bright as it summoned a devastating Inferno. The flames twisted into shapes from nightmare realms, howling with voices that belonged in no earthly throat. Salem gathered shadows into a condensed sphere of pure darkness, reality warping around the concentrated void.

Their attacks collided with an apocalyptic force. Ghost-fire met absolute darkness in a cataclysmic explosion. The shockwave shattered every remaining piece of glass, turned metal to slag, and carved deep gouges in the concrete walls.

When the smoke cleared, Salem stood over his fallen opponent. Chandelure's once-brilliant flames had dimmed to guttering candlelight, its crystalline body webbed with hairline cracks. Salem's cloth form was scorched and torn, but his button eyes gleamed with triumph as his opponent finally slipped into unconsciousness.

The silence that followed felt deafening after such savage combat. Only the drip of water and crackle of dying embers remained to mark the passage of two creatures that had briefly turned a sewer lab into their private hell.

Malva staggered up from behind an upturned table, her face draining of colour as she surveyed the devastation. The caged Pokemon lay unconscious, overwhelmed by the battle's ferocity.

"Do you think you have defeated me?" Malva's hand crept towards her pocket. "I still have one—"

Bree released her psychic hold on the infected Rattata. A translucent barrier shimmered into existence, trapping Malva with the mutated rodents while keeping Bree, Salem, and Cassidy safely separated. Malva's fingers fumbled at her pocket, but the Rattata were faster. They swarmed her in a tide of matted fur and yellowed fangs.

Her screams echoed off concrete walls as diseased claws and teeth found purchase. Cassidy watched in horror as Malva writhed on the floor, desperate to get away from the Rattata. Her stomach lurched, and she could feel bile rising in her throat. Regardless of the woman's threats, she wouldn’t wish this fate on her worst enemy. 

"Did you think I was stupid?" Bree's porcelain face remained impassive. "Never give your enemy a chance to reverse their fortunes. There is nothing I wanted to hear from you anyway, other than your delightful screams."

Cassidy doubled over, emptying her stomach onto the floor. 

The screaming stopped abruptly, leaving only the wet sounds of feeding.

Bree turned to the trembling mayor. "Take care of the mess here. Burn their bodies to and destroy the lab. I need to search the sewers to see if there are any more contagious Pokemon remaining."

Cassidy watched her leave, feeling another wave of nausea come on. Bree was a monster, and she never wanted to interact with her ever again. 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Lucas and Sabrina stepped into their living room after their return from Rota, freezing at the surreal scene before them. Daisy perched on the edge of the sofa while Bree sat primly in her lap. Cassidy was hunched in an armchair, face drawn with the haunted look of someone who'd seen too much.

"Never a boring day," Lucas said, breaking the tense silence.

"Would you like to explain what's going on?" Sabrina's voice cracked like a whip across the room. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

"It's a long story." Daisy shifted uncomfortably under Bree's weight. "Why don't you sit down while I explain my part? I have a feeling they don't want me here for the rest of it."

Daisy's voice shook as she recounted discovering Bree on the stairs and their subsequent visit to Cassidy. After she scurried out of the living room, Cassidy took over. Her fingers twisted in her lap as she confessed her ties to Team Rocket and described Malva's gruesome end in the sewers. Each word seemed dragged from her unwilling throat.

Lucas crossed the room and scooped up Bree, settling her on his lap as he sank into the sofa. "You had to deal with a lot while we were away."

Bree shrugged her tiny shoulders. "I handled it."

Cassidy bolted to her feet, her heels catching on the carpet as she mumbled hasty excuses and fled through the front door.

"Is it okay to let her go?" Lucas asked, studying Bree's impassive button eyes.

"She's fine," Bree said, smoothing her dress. "She wants nothing more to do with Team Rocket. But I'll watch her, just in case. We still have to deal with Giovanni at some point, anyway."

"I've had enough!" Sabrina's outburst shattered the air like breaking glass. Her face flushed with anger and determination. "I've decided! I'm taking Uxie's offer!"

Bree's head snapped up so fast her ribbons fluttered. "What's she talking about?"

"She's having a legendary Pokemon restore her psychic powers."

For once, Bree seemed lost for words. Her stitched mouth opened and closed several times, no sound emerging. "Anything else you'd like to share?"

"I bonded with a legendary Pokemon egg and made enemies with another criminal organisation."

"Is it too late for Sabrina to find another boyfriend?"

“I think so. She may be pregnant.”

“I’m going to kill you.”

Lucas raised his hands defensively. “I was only kidding.”

“I’m still going to kill you.”

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Sabrina gets her psychic powers back, and the church is expelled from Kanto. 

Thanks for reading.