The Rift 5: The Coming Storm by AnonEmis
The Rift
5: The Coming Storm
By AnonEmis
Unspecified Office Building, Castelia City
"You know what the price of failure is right, Dominick?"
The speaker, a man of sixty years and a bit, stared coldly at the unfortunate employee with impassive eyes. He spoke perfect English, his South African accent barely distinguishable due to years of smoking. He sat behind a grand desk of oak, carved illegally from national parks, which was furnished with many elaborate and priceless statuettes. A bottle of vintage wine was always set close at hand and a crystal goblet, rimmed with silver, was next to it. An advanced intercom system was set into the wood, along with a sleek new laptop. The price of all of these trinkets and gadgets were worth well over the income of many small countries. It befitted his reputation; the head and CEO of a powerful and influential paramilitary company spread all over Unova. His appearance was fitting as well, a jet-black suit hand-tailored specifically for him; made of the finest Galvantula silk. Everything about him was measured and exact; the time when he woke up, right down to the angle of which his neat, white hair was swept and combed. From behind the massive bureau, the elderly man looked far more intimidating than his slim frame would suggest. His eyes were especially scary. They were a steel gray colour, cold and hard, just like his heart.
Unfortunately for Dominick, the intimidation effect was working. Fear wormed its way into his knees, threatening to buckle them. Dominick took a shaky breath to calm his rattling nerves. If there was one thing the man in front of him hated more than failure, it was weakness. Sweat began to break out under the bandage wrapped around his brow. He stared past his superior and looked at his own reflection in the expansive mirrors behind the desk.
His boss hated the idea of looking out at the world; to even cast his eyes on the lower masses. Even worse, for those masses to look in and see him. As far as he was concerned, he was above all of them and he was certainly above this thug who got beaten up by a nineteen year old. The CEO huffed in frustration, glaring the hapless man standing in front of him. His brow furrowed.
"You do realise that I am still waiting for your answer, Dominick." The CEO whispered through clenched teeth.
The thug jerkily nodded, unconsciously wrinkling his broken nose.
"Y-yes sir. I promise that I won't fail you again, Mr. Messias."
The man smirked and reached into his pocket.
"Oh fuck..." Dominick fearfully whispered to himself, thinking the CEO would pull out a gun. Many a time had the cleaning crew had to dispose of a body shot down by Mr. Messias. All of the victims died on the very spot where Dominick was currently standing.
However, the older man pulled out a pack of cigars, Marlboro inscribed on the front in gold text. He set the pack on the desk-top and produced an antique tin lighter. In a swift yet meticulous motion, he withdrew a cigar and placed it between his lips. He then single-handedly ignited the lighter and lit the tip of the cigar. He took a long draft and gently exhaled. The choking fumes wafted into Dominick's nostrils and he gagged on the putrid smoke.
"Promises mean nothing to me, you have already failed twice. Your botched attempt at controlling Thundurus to do your dirty work for you was far too brusque; it's been a miracle that the trail hadn't led to us yet. You made an international incident and destroyed a foreign vessel."
"Hey!" Dominick cried out indignantly, "At least we killed the Typhlosion, that's one down!"
The CEO frowned. He took another drag from the cigar and closed his eyes.
"I will excuse your interruption. Do not speak when spoken to, am I clear?"
Dominick flinched, Mr. Messias never raised his voice; the venom lacing his voice was enough to scare the life out of anyone that crossed him. Dominick bowed his head in apology.
"I am terribly sorry, sir."
"I would imagine so. Our target were the two trainers; not the Pokémon. The objective was to send a message to all trainers that imprisoning these magnificent creatures in tiny capsules is a monstrosity. To kill one would be detrimental to our thesis."
Messias paused, his steel-grey eyes digging a gouge into his subordinate's courage.
"Also, your second attempt to redeem yourself had been an utter farce at best." He continued, "If the police records are correct, you beat one of the champion's Pokémon to find his location. When the champion found you, he easily defeated you. He even killed your partner. Mr. Sabre apparently died of internal bleeding on the ambulance ride to the hospital while Han escaped."
Dominick clenched his fist. Han, the idiot champion of Johto. Dominick owed that brat for the broken nose and the concussion. He snarled; he would get revenge on Han.
"That was a fluke, I had him in a choke hold! I would have easily snapped his neck if-"
"If a Pokémon: another Typhlosion hadn't stepped in and threw you into a brick wall. The bottom line is, you have failed yet again. It cost me thousands of dollars to cover up you and your partner's involvement from the police. Because of that, we have lost track of the two champions. The only thing my agents have gathered is that they are on a private jet, flying somewhere in Unova."
Dominick reached the end of his temper.
"I can easily find them, just give me the chance! I'll kill Han, I'll the bitch with him, all you have to do is to give me-"
Mr. Messias held up a wrinkled hand, instantly silencing the irate man. Messias' eyes became dull, cold, and unfeeling. His voice became soft, almost soothing.
"I am sorry, Dominick." He reached into a drawer of his desk. "You have shown me time and time again that I cannot rely on you. I am afraid that I must let you go."
The thug's eyes widened. He turned on his heel and began a mad dash for the door, for his very survival. He never made it. Like a cobra striking, Mr. Messias stood and drew his weapon. A gold-plated revolver, handmade and one of the only two ever crafted by the creator. The weapon itself was a testament to Messias' vanity, arrogance, and ruthlessness. The pistol bucked in his hands a split second sooner than the boom of the discharge. The bullet entered the back of Dominick's head at supersonic speeds. It exited through his forehead only a fraction slower. Dominick's life-less body crumpled to the ground without a sound; a marionette with its strings cut.
Calmly as ever, Mr. Messias sat back down in his leather chair, the cigar still clamped between his lips. He showed no signs of remorse or pity. The executive's pulse was normal and his hands still as steady as ever. Early on, when he was in the military, he had shown an innate talent for killing. Couple that with a fierce ambition and a remorseless soul, it was only a short time before he became very powerful. He was now a king of the black market, killing anyone in his way. He set the gun reverently back into its place in the oak desk and the CEO then flicked the cigar stub into an ashtray. He reached for the intercom and pressed the button for his secretary. A British, feminine voice answered him five seconds later.
"How may I be of assistance, Mr. Messias?"
"I require a clean-up crew in my office, another "dead branch" had to be trimmed.
"Of course sir."
"And please send me a list of all private jets in Unova airspace, I want departures and arrivals. I would like them on my desk in 24 hours."
"I will get right on that sir."
The man pressed the end button on the intercom and leaned back in his chair. He savored the smoky residue of the cigar on his tongue, licking his lips. He was on the verge of a revolution, and he would not be held down by incompetent fools like Dominick and Sabre. Soon he would take the Pokémon world by storm, in the resulting chaos; he would be the sole voice of order, a torrent of ideals that would forever change the entire world. He would abolish the Pokémon League and the very concept of a Pokémon Trainer. He would rule Unova, protecting Pokémon from the cruel and inhumane people who abused and fought them for simple entertainment.
"Libertatem A Oppressio"
Mr. Messias repeated the phrase in his mind. The Latin sentence was his mantra; the guiding principle in his life and the motto of his company.
Messias smirked. "Libertatem A Oppresio": "Freedom from oppression." That is the ideal that will guide the Soweto Corporation and Pokémon to their rightful place above the human masses. But, to do that, they needed to send a message. And what better recipients than the Pokémon League Champions?
The old man spun around in his chair; imagining a plane flying with the champions Han and Cynthia in it. Messias reached out a fist; catching and crumpling the imaginary plane. He allowed himself a rare smile. Running a huge corporation left him little to feel happy about. However, that was all about to change.
"I hope your stay in Unova will be memorable, Champions." Messias spoke sinisterly to the empty room. "It certainly will be for everyone one else..."
.................................
Han silently stared out the window of the private jet, watching Castelia City slowly shrink to a mere smudge of light in the twilight. He was glad to finally be out of that city; he had far too many bad memories clinging on to him from the place. The most hurtful of all, was Ty's death. The trainer tightly shut his eyes, trying to physically block out the pain from coming. However, the pain was more than skin-deep; the image of Ty pinned to the deck by a steel girder, Han embracing his lover for the last time, and most painful of all: the explosion; the fiery blast of flames and smoke that had claimed Ty's life.
Han shook his head, trying to dislodge the images from his head. He didn't know where Cynthia was taking him and his friends, nor did he care. Every part of him; every cell yearned to be as far away from Castelia City as humanly possible. The only thing he knew was that Cynthia had a friend living at their destination; one who could keep them hidden until all the chaos died down, give them some much-needed peace.
It had been a week now since the incident. Still way too soon for the wounds to heal. Despair and angst was the only thing Han felt right now, their emotional spears only slightly dulled by the Oxycontin pills Han had stolen from his hospital room. He had been overcompensating. The drugs and even Jack; another Typhlosion he had met at one of Castelia's brothels. If Cynthia or any of his Pokémon found out...
Luckily, Cynthia had not pressed for details when Han and Togekiss had shown up battered and bruised at their room in the Pokecenter. The Champion of Sinnoh had simply grabbed Han in a tight hug, before breaking down crying. She was now at the cockpit of the plane, helping the pilot on his way to their destination.
Han looked back and saw his Pokémon gathered neat the back of the plane; they appeared to be deep in discussion. A part of him wanted to join them, but a larger part, fueled by guilt would not let him face his companions. After what happened, Han felt completely responsible for everything. He had failed to save Ty, and nearly failed to save himself and Togekiss. As far as he was concerned, he was a failure. Han leaned his head back against the headrest, trying to find fall asleep and find some small shelter from the emotional storm currently ripping his life apart.
He felt a nudge on his arm. The trainer slowly turned his head and saw Leafeon had leapt up on the seat next him. The eeveelution stared up at him with wide, forlorn eyes. He was only a child, he did not deserve to go through what Han and his other companions were experiencing; the loss of a family member. Han took his PokeTranslator from his pocket and fitted the compact earpiece in so he could understand his Pokémon.
"You alright, Leafeon?"
Leafeon looked down and pawed at the leather seating, his tail swishing side to side.
"I'm OK, Han. I was just worried about Ty..."
Han let out a heavy breath. He picked up the Verdant Pokémon and cradled it in his arms, gently rocking it like a mother with her baby.
Leafeon purred softly before looking up at Han, staring at his trainer's black eyes. He continued.
"When me and the other Pokémon went to look for Ty at the ship, we couldn't find him. Then while you were gone, I saw a newspaper with Ty on it and when I tried to read it, Togekiss snatched it away from me. Is Ty OK?"
Han's only response was to hug Leafeon tighter and gently stroke the grass-type's fur. The trainer took a deep breath before speaking, his voice strained and hoarse.
"Ty... Left to go somewhere, he won't be back for a while."
"Oh, is he on vacation?"
Han smiled sadly at Leafeon's innocence.
"Yeah." Han said, "He's gone somewhere nice and happy."
Leafeon tilted his head to the side, puzzled.
"But we're already on vacation. Why would he leave without us?"
Han was silent. The trainer averted his eyes and looked out the window.
"And," Leafeon added, "Why would he leave without you? You and Ty were going to be together forever!"
Han's arms jerked convulsively and accidently squished the eeveelution against his chest.
"Ouch! Hey, that hurt..." The grass-type squeaked.
"Sorry, Lee" Han said, using Leafeon's nickname. He let go of Leafeon and let the cat-like Pokémon sit curled on his lap.
"Together forever?" Han huskily asked, looking curiously at the eeveelution.
"Yeah, Togii kept singing that after we saw you and Ty first kiss at our house." The Leafeon cheerfully remarked. "It was gross though, kissing and stuff; don't you get cooties?" He made a face, sticking his tongue out.
Han chuckled, lightly tapping the Leafeon's head with his open palm.
"Heh, don't worry Lee, we got our cootie shots."
"That's good. You looked too happy to get sick." Lee's expression then became nervous. "You... and Ty are still together right? Even though Ty went away?"
The trainer closed his eyes and his head drooped forward. For a moment, Leafeon thought Han had fallen asleep. But after a moment, Han opened his eyes, they were red-rimmed and watering.
"Han?" Leafeon worriedly whimpered. The Verdant Pokémon reached with his long ears and gently brushed the tears from his trainer's eyes.
Han patted Leafeon's head and looked out the window once more.
"Me and Ty will always be together. Nothing will ever, ever, change that." The young man quietly said.
"Together forever?" Leafeon asked.
"Together forever." Han firmly stated. However, inside, Han wasn't so sure.
.................................
"What did Han do to deserve this?" Togekiss looked sadly at Han and Leafeon from the plane's lounge, the duo had appeared to have fallen asleep. Togekiss was glad Han could find some sleep, he needed it the most. Everyone was on edge, and the constant drone of the engine did little to soothe their nerves. The jet had a large, carpeted area in the back to accommodate larger Pokémon passengers. It was where Togekiss, Salamence, Alakazam, and Swampert were gathered. The mood had been subdued and gloomy. It had been that way ever since the cruise ship had been sunk.
"What does it matter!? This entire damn region is cursed." Salamence snarled angrily. The dragon had been in a murderous mood since the incident. He became constantly aggressive and refused to talk to anyone, preferring to fly off alone into the city. Not that anyone could blame the Pokémon; Ty's death had affected everyone and casted a choking veil of depression over Han, Cynthia, and the Pokémon.
Swampert nodded in agreement. "It's been a disaster ever since we even got close to Unova's dock. Ty's dead, Han was in emergency care, Togekiss even got attacked!" Swampert threw his hands up in anger and frustration.
"Speaking of which," Salamence suspiciously mused, "Togekiss, you never really told us what exactly happened that day, all we knew was that you and Han were attacked." His eyes narrowed. "What aren't you telling us?"
Togekiss rustled her wings uncomfortably before speaking. "Well, when I woke up that morning, I saw that Han was gone. There was a note saying he went somewhere to think and to meet with you guys at the Pokémon Center."
Togekiss unconsciously rubbed the bruise on her flank from the thug attack.
"Then, while I was flying to the center, I saw Han stumbling through the streets. I flew down to him but then someone grabbed me. A couple of humans were trying to capture me. They pinned me to the ground; kicked me."
"Bastards..." Swampert muttered in disbelief.
"I called out for Han, and he came running. He tackled the first one to the ground and stomped on his face when he hit the ground. The other man tried to stab Han, but Han took him out easily; it looked like he had knocked the man unconscious."
"Well, that'll teach them not to fuck with our trainer." Swampert said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"It would be better if you would not interrupt, Swampert." Alakazam icily said, the Psy Pokémon had been listening intently to Togekiss' story, her arms crossed across her chest.
Swampert also crossed his brawny arms and rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, ice queen..." He huffed but shut his mouth.
"Anyways," Togekiss quietly continued her story, "I saw the first man get back up, I tried to warn him, but the man grabbed Han from behind. He..."
Togekiss shuddered at the violent memory but she continued on.
"... Began to strangle Han." She choked out in a pained voice.
"What!? Why didn't you do anything? You are a Champion's Pokémon, aren't you?" Salamence cried in disbelief.
"That's not fair, I tried to-" Togekiss retorted, but Alakazam cut them both off.
"Enough. I imagine the thug was using Han as a human shield, so Togii couldn't attack the man."
Togekiss sadly nodded. "That's right. If Han hadn't been held hostage, you bet I would have launched that thug straight into the air."
"No doubt, but what happened next?" Swampert asked in his baritone voice.
"The man was killing Han, and I could not do a thing. But then, a Typhlosion came out of nowhere and threw the thug off of Han and straight into a brick wall."
"Wait, a Typhlosion? You mean Ty's still alive?" Swampert interrupted.
Togekiss shook her feathered head. "No, this one was different, he had an Irish accent and was wearing an apron. I think it read "Café Plaisir."
"Well, it looks like Han already forgot about Ty if he was seeing a whore." Salamence scornfully sneered.
The other Pokémon looked at Salamence, shocked.
"Just what are you saying?" Togekiss had gone shock-still, her voice hushed.
"Café Plaisir is a brothel. I saw a billboard advertising it when I was flying around the city. It seems Han wouldn't really give a shit if one of us died, he'd just look for a replacement." The Dragon Pokémon said.
There was a long, drawn out silence as the other three Pokémon tried to process this information. Finally Togii spoke, although her reaction would not be what Salamence would expect.
"Oh Arceus, how could you be so damn ignorant!?" Togekiss hissed, the normally motherly and kind Pokémon was staring daggers at the draconic Pokémon.
Salamence was taken aback by Togekiss' angry reply. The dragon-type began to feel the familiar rush of anger that plagued his species whenever they were confronted.
"What did you just call me?" He rumbled, about to go into a frenzy. He flared his crimson wings and plumage.
"You ungrateful little... Han always put us first. He saved your life when he met you, even when you attacked him at first. He then helped you evolve, just to show how much he cares." Togekiss angrily fumed.
Salamence fell silent, the truth behind Togekiss' words began to disintegrate his anger.
"Plus," Swampert added, "Ty was important to all of us, but he was Han's partner and lover. If I lost someone that important, I would do anything just to trick myself into denial. I bet Han thinks it's all his fault too."
Sufficiently cowed, Salamence looked down at the ground, ashamed. He let his crest and wings droop.
"I..." Salamence murmured.
"You are angry and sad." Alakazam said placidly. "That is understandable. We're all in pain, Sal, but it's times like this where family must stick together, not argue amongst themselves. Han went through a lot, so we must be there for him as he was for all of us."
"Han always put us first..." Salamence quietly said, his anger gone.
"He did. And I don't think we can let him continue to suffer like this." Swampert grimly said, "Han's condition and Togekiss getting attacked are just two more reasons whoever destroyed the ship and killed Ty needs to pay."
Swampert's words struck a chord with all the Pokémon present. They all knew inside that what happened on the ship was not an accident. They had all felt the feeling of foreboding while on the ship. They all saw the cloud that destroyed the ship along with Ty. They also knew that it was a Pokemon responsible for the attack.
"Whoever that was, I'm gonna make them pay." Salamence growled, his fighting spirit slowly coming back.
Togekiss sighed heavily, but her eyes sparked with determination. "I don't like it, but you're right, I don't believe the two events were just coincidences. But for now I think we need to be there for Han. We'll bring up the subject when he's ready."
However, all of Han's Pokémon were having the same unsettling thought; it would be a long time before Han would be back to full speed. If ever.
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Thanks for taking the time to read the chapter! ^-^ Comments, votes, and faves are very much appreciated; they let me know how I'm doing as a writer and they let you give your opinion too.
-Anon