Team Nova - Episode 13: Rebirth

Austin sighed, looking off in a random direction.

Tons of thinfs were in fact. He was thinking of tjat day on Mt. Coronet, and of Nelson, that time he spent in the Distortion World, and his lost companion Barry, his fleeting encounter with the Pokemon Ranger Keith, of Professor Fennel and how she'd done so much for him, and of course, of Jacquelyn and the limited time he'd spent with her. And about what she'd left him.

He looked up at Janus, studying him for no particular reason. After another moment he replied,"Nothing impoetant."

"Well, the communicator in your bag is pre-set to contact me, and I will be in direct contact with Saturn for the foreseeable future. If you ever want to see how we're doing here with Jacquelyn, or for anything else, give me a call."

Honestly though, Janus hated electronic communication since it lacked that telepathic element. Anyways, a green light on one of the teleport bays pinged on.

"This one here." Janus said, directing Austin towards it. "I suggest putting on your badge so they don't shoot you on sight. Or stab you. Stabbing more likely, if what I've heard is correct."

"In any case, good luck Agent Loneos."

---

Location: Realgam tower

Later that night, just before 2300 hours, Molly sat next to a still sedated Eusine.

Blue was on his way. Probably ensuring secure transport. She had told him that they might have reinforcements. He wasn't exactly happy with that, but he figures that it's better that anyone who does know about them come with.

She wasn't sure any of them would come. It's not like she came off especially well to anyone, or so she was thinking anyways.

As Austin pops out at Mt. Pyre, he finds himself surrounded by graves and a few people.  A pair of beefy men with submachine guns and big smirking grins.  A middle-aged guy who looks friendly enough.  A young, anxious-looking man around 20.  A serious-looking woman cleaning a shotgun is off to one side.  Micah's probably skulking around somewhere.  A serious-looking man with glasses is speaking into a radio.

"The package has arrived on target.  Over and out."

He turns off the radio and glances at Austin.  Just past him, actually.  He's frowning with a slight annoyance.

Corva hovers behind Austin.  Upside-down.  Floating uncomfortably close.  Patiently.  Smiling.  Waiting.

You only get to make one first impression.

"Oh okay then, I look forward to it then,". "You know your really the first group of people I met where I felt like I belonged,". "Ever since I went on a journey to train my self and strengthen my bond with my pokemon,". "Well umm I dont know how to say it but I am glad I met you guys,". "Just know I will do whatever it takes to help you out however I can," Clair tells Jude and gives him a quick hug.

---

"Well then time to gather the others then,". "Oh really you two I don't get why they insist on trying to mess with Mr. Vern," Yuzu sighed. Yuzu used Physic on the bubbles that were floating towards her and Vern. Yuzu then popped the bubbles so they splashed all over Brock and Pika.

"Pika Pika Pika," Pika let out in protest.

"Phishhhhhhh Cor," Brock said also.

"Oh hush now you two deserve it after that little stunt,". "Well then help me get the others," Yuzu said flying off towards Ashley and Greninja.

"Pika?" Pika asked Brock.

"Phish Phish," Brock told Pika as they made there way towards the ship.

Pikachu and Brock spotted Cassy inside of the ship and waved towards her.

Austin jumps internally, but manages to contain his surprise.

Austin turns around to look at the woman. She's not ugly, but something about her gives him a sense of dread. Still, he maintains his poker face.

He looks her directly in the eye, and with the hint of a smug smile, he sayd, "Do you worst Chief."

"Aw, he's so cute!" Corva blurts out excitedly.  "But not very smart...  Hmmm...  OK!  Got it.  Lilycove's on really high alert right now, so I'll drop you off-"

"No," Dragon cuts in.

Corva rolls her eyes.  "Fine, then-"

Steel holds up his hand.  "We need him alive for this mission.  Next."

Corva pouts.  "Fi-i-i-i-ine!  Corva forgot some of her souvenirs in our old hideout.  I'll take him nearby, let him sneak in past any patrols, and get back.  Easy.  And I'll be around if something goes wrong."

Fairy and Ground make an annoyed groaning noise in perfect synchronicity.

"It's fi-i-i-i-ine!"  Corva assures them.  "Oh, but!  Before we go!  I got some questions for you!  OK, so...  Three questions!  What's your na-a-a-ame?  And what's your favorite type of Pokemon?  And how much do you hate Nova!?"

---

"Oh, dinner?  Great, I was getting pretty hungry..." Cass pats her stomach, then points towards the ship.  "Carly said something that made Jude... Jude, so I shoved her on top of him and closed them together in his room.  With how long they've been in there, they've either made up or killed each other."

"Okay thanks Cass," Yuzu said flying towards the ship.

"Hello Ms. Carlene, Mr. Jude if you two are still alive dinner is ready," Yuzu called from the other side of the door.

"Piiiiikkkkkaaaa, Pika Pika Pikachu," Pika said.

"Corphish Cor, Corrrrrrr Phish Phish Phish Phish, Corrrrrrrrr," Brock called out.

Jude looks at Carla, then the door, then back to Carla.  "Well, I'm alive."  He takes her wrist and holds it for a moment.  "And she has a pulse.  So I guess we're fine," he calls through the door.

He lowers his voice so only Carla can hear.  "If we're alive?  What are they talking about?"

---

"Oh!  A Ghost!"  Corva grabs Austin and turns him to face Micah.  "That's your new besty, Ghost!  Ghost, meet Flying!  ...No, that name's awful.  We'll figure out a name when he gets back.  Unless he dies!  Speaking of which, be right back!"

Corva wraps around Austin and drops through a portal.  They re-appear inside a familiar bush in a dim forest.  Corva waits a moment to make sure nothing's around.  "O!  K!  This is gonna be easy.  Our old secret base is ju-u-u-u-ust about a half-mile that-a-way.  In a cave.  Corva couldn't carry all the bedding and stuff.  Corva could just go get it herself super-easy, but you wanted a challenge.  So-o-o-o, you're gonna go get it and bring it back.  Then we can go back and you can be be-e-e-est friends with Ghost and then Corva won't have to find him a girlfriend!  Oh, yeah.  And Nova's probably here in force searching for us 'cause Dragon and I ki-i-i-inda leveled one of their smaller research facilities earlier, so there's probably a few patrols.  You can kill them.  Or not.  Your choice!"

"And... that's about the gist of it."

Yancy gulped, her hands clutching her knees in thought. "I thought that Hugh could've been keeping himself busy somehow, but I never once expected...that."

Sitting side-by-side on the side of the bed, Joshua filled her in on the general gist of what developed during his mission and his meeting with Mewtwo. He felt guilty at her very disapproving look when he got to the point where he decided to try to infiltrate the building when presented with the opportunity, and especially so when he got to the scuffle with the other girl, even despite glossing over as many details about it as possible.

"At least he's alive," Yancy said. "I just hope he doesn't rush headfirst into something that will spell doom for him. Especially since AZ's weapon is involved..."

Joshua reach downward to put a hand over Yancy's. "He seemed pretty sure in what he said, and that he can take care of himself well enough. I'm just worried that if he is working for a Team Flare scientist, that Hugh may not be aware and that the scientist may be manipulating him. Or, maybe he turned over a new leaf and has genuine intentions."

"If only there was some way to contact him." Yancy sighed, absentmindedly rubbing her thumb over the back of Joshua's hand. "Just another thing to stress over. As if we don't have enough of those already."

Joshua nodded, then thought for a minute. "...Hey, when do you go back to work?"

"Hmm? Tomorrow night, I think. Assuming I'm not called for emergencies."

"Tell you what, then." Joshua smiled as he squeezed her hand. "Tonight, if we're both free, let's go out on a date. An actual one, outside of Realgam. Do you recommend any good restaurants?"

"Huh?!" Yancy was taken aback. "W-Well, I've heard good things about the Krabby Club in Gateon Port, but... Would it really be alright if we go while there's so much to do?"

"It's like you said, we have too many things to stress over these days," Joshua said. "You especially have been quite the workaholic ever since your leg recovered from Sevii. We need a short moment to unwind, forget about our troubles for a short while, and take a chance to rejuvenate our spirits. What do you say?"

Yancy pursed her lips. "I... guess one night out isn't asking for too much..." She looked up at him and smiled. "Okay. If we're lucky enough to have the time, let's do it!"

Joshua smirked. "Glad to hear it." He reluctantly let go of her hand as he stood up from the bed. "But for now, I have a few more duties that need my attention. Like checking in on my men, and getting a replacement communicator."

"Let me know, so that I can update my contacts," Yancy said.

"I might need your help in getting numbers, too," he said, slipping his gloves on. "Anyway, I have to go. Bye."

"Bye..."

Yancy watched Joshua slip out the door. Yancy fell backward on the bed.

A date... I don't expect that we'll both be lucky enough to be uninterrupted, but that does sound really nice. I should think about a present, too. I've always wanted to get him something, but with work... Work...

"Oh no! I almost forgot!"

Yancy sprang back up, reaching for a Pokeball and sending Ursaring out.

"Sit down so that I can see your foot!" Yancy said, walking briskly to her handbag and rummaging through it in search of a Potion. "You got stabbed by glass because of me!"

"It was a dire moment. What kind of warrior would I be to fret about it? Do not blame yourself," the bear said. "...Truth be told, it was a minor wound. I don't even feel pain."

"Still, at least let me see it!" she protested.

Ursaring obeyed, sitting with its foot outstretched. Yancy knelt down with medicine in hand and looked for the injury. She looked puzzled.

"Ursaring, is this the right foot?"

"No, that would be the left one."

"Umm... I meant the correct foot. The injured one?"

"Yes... Why?"

"But..." Yancy ran her fingers over the foot. If she squinted, she could make out some faded red splotches where blood must have fallen, but... "It looks completely healthy. No wound, no scars, nothing."

---

"Got what you need, Marley?" Riley asked.

"Yes." Marley pointed to her backpack as they walked down the hallway. "I didn't know what to expect, so I got potions, my Pokemon, my Cosmic Drive, water, a Gracidea flower, and a few flashbangs."

"...No guns?" Riley asked.

"I don't like guns," she said. "...Do you use guns, Riley?"

"Sometimes," Riley admitted. "I generally prefer not to, though."

The two of them entered the medical wing.

"Mira wanted to come with me, but I managed to convince her otherwise," Marley said. "But now that I think about it, I neglected to tell her what to do if she needs to call us. I don't know if we'll have signal..."

"I told Cheryl that if we're needed, to tell Mewtwo that we're going to egg Roark's house," Riley said. "Better to try to make this quick, though."

"...Is Roark still alive?" Marley asked.

"I think so," Riley said. "Haven't spoken to him in years, though."

They reached cot where Eusine laid, Riley pulling back on the curtains. He looked over the sedated patient.

Huh... The duct tape is new.

"Is it time?" Marley asked Molly.

---

Micah's expression remained flat, but he did blink a few times in confusion. "...I presume that Corva's taking him out for a test?"