Pokemon Syndicate

Episode 12: No, Thank You.

"Espeon, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear. I take it your journey was successful, Zoey?"

With an exhausted chuckle, Zoroark replied sarcastically "Define 'successful'. Either way, I've touched down in a remote area of the desert swamp. Outside of any surveillance, at least for now. I'm just waiting on the others."

"That is good news. I'll have the jet return the base until you signal that you're ready for extraction. And please take care of our new recruits. They may hate to be called such, but they are still kids...and I'm wary of Toxicroak's intentions" expressed Espeon in a concerning voice.

"Huh. You've also picked up on his recent hostility. Glad it's not just me" replied Zoroark.

"Do be careful, my friend. Espy out."

Zoroark put away her communication device and guarded the landing spot near a tranquil oasis as Toxicroak and Grovyle soon touched the ground.

"Not bad, kid. Not bad at all" nodded Toxicroak to Grovyle. "You stuck the landing as well as any of my ninja gang."

"Lizards. Frogs. Same thing almost" replied Grovyle with an overly confident grin.

"Not at all, but your enthusiasm is cute, Green Boy."

Grovyle and Toxicroak couldn't decide if they wanted to be begrudging friends or sympathetic rivals. Either way, they saw each other and through each other clearly.

"So, anyway, this is Gainsay? The Desert Sandsea? It's not as hot as I thought it would be" said Grovyle surveying the area.

"That depends on what you mean by 'hot'. Yes, the weather is usually rather temperate, though" responded Zoroark.

The three agents could soon view Froakie beginning to touch down. He also stuck his landing with minimal effort, but nothing that would impress Toxicroak. The poisonous treefrog didn't even bat an eye in Froakie's direction. The young blue frog detached his parachute backpack and looked around the oasis area.

"The others should be right behind me...and Kirlia is going to hate this place."

"There won't be any room for complaints once the real work starts. But I'm sure 'LuLu' wouldn't mind carrying her on his back when needed", chimed Toxicroak.

With a frown, Froakie paused for a moment then responded, "That wasn't necessary."

"And what are you going to do about it, tadpole?"

"Guys, enough. And aren't you supposed to be mentoring the new Jiraiya prospect? Set an example."

"Why so serious all of a sudden, Zoey?" replied Toxicroak with a sinister snicker.

"Yeah, he was just teasing my buddy. I do it all the time" added Grovyle.

"And I hate when you do it, too, Grovyle."

"Well, right now, it seems like I can do whatever I want. I've evolved. I'm stronger than you."

Zoroark scratched the bridge of her nose in frustration with the frog and the lizard's childish antics. While she did appreciate a well placed joke every now and then, bullying and hazing weren't things she necessarily tolerated or cared for. But before she could step in, she heard a rustle in the nearby bushes by the oasis pond.

"Guys, cool it. Do you hear that?", she asked the other three Pokemon.

"You mean besides the rolling Bramblin and Brambleghasts? They're harmless... mostly."

"SHUT UP AND LISTEN CLOSELY" Zoroark whispered in angst.

Thankful for the attention to be off of him, Froakie could pick up on the ominous unknown presence as well.

"Something is off. You're not wrong about that, Ms. Zoroark."

"Please just call me Zoroark. Or Zoey for short, but I'm glad you're aware of your surroundings unlike those two Nutpeas in a pod."

"Fine...fine. I'll check it out" replied Grovyle. He approached the bushes with his usual overconfident stroll and shook them."

"See? Nothing. You were worried about nothing."

"I wouldn't say 'nothing', lizard boy" a voice said out of nowhere.

Suddenly, vines slowly crept around Grovyle's neck. They began to tighten, slowly cutting off his breathing.

"GUYS...HELP...!!!"

"I wonder if you taste as good as you smell, lizard boy. I think I recognize your scent. Is that..." said the mysterious Pokemon as it sniffed Grovyle's neck.

"Ahh, you have taste, indeed. Gardenia's Kiss by House of Eterna."

"Dude... you're fucking gross...let...go of me..."

"Let him go!" yelled Froakie, actually standing up for his teammate, not at all worried about his type disadvantage. "Who the hell are you anyway?"

"No, thank you. I won't be doing that. You've invaded my home. My oasis. This is the only source of clean water for miles. But to answer your question, you may call me Carnivine."