DPA: Rivals

Chapter 39: Into The Darkness, Part 2

"What do you need my help with?" Skye asked. The two had walked a few dozen feet away from the others before stopping.

"I need someone to confide in," Ero said. He glanced over Skye's shoulder at the boys, before turning his attention back to her. "Cameron is too traumatized, and I don't think Daryon would understand the severity of the situation. You're the mature one in the group, and the only one I can talk to who I believe will understand the problem we are dealing with."

"What are you talking about?" Skye asked, not sure where this is going.

"My father is a business partner with the President of the Silph Company, a company in Kanto that works in the Pokéball manufacturing industry. Recently, the Silph Company's headquarters in Saffron City had been completely overrun by a criminal organization. One particular item, the prototype of a new type of Pokéball called the Master Ball, worth millions upon millions of yen, was stolen in the process."

"That's terrible," Skye said. "But what does that have to do with any of us?"

"After the incident, investigators interviewed all of the employees who had been present and held against their will," Ero continued. "Six different employees mentioned hearing someone saying the name 'Mewtwo' during conversation."

"So, this might be related to a gang?" Skye asked, beginning to understand.

"Not just a gang." Ero's voice cracked a bit. "Team Rocket."

Goosebumps arose on the back of Skye's neck. Memories of a horde of Zubat swarming over Pewter City rushed through her head. Brock, Daryon, Evan and Cameron on the ground, injured. Fainted Pokemon lying all over the ground. April standing over the boys in that black and red uniform, a smug grin on her face, triumphant. Skye remembered witnessing all the chaos, as she could only watch from afar, doing everything she possibly could to keep Max safe.

"What does this mean?" Skye asked, pushing the panic deep down.

"A dangerous criminal syndicate wouldn't steal a state-of-the-art, multi-million yen Pokéball to capture a Jigglypuff," Ero said. "A device like this is designed for Pokémon with immense power. If Team Rocket wants Mewtwo, and they believe Cameron could lead them to it, Cameron is in danger."

Skye looked back at Cameron, who was chatting with Daryon, smiling, clearly in a better space. She turned back to Ero before Cameron could see her fear.

"Do we tell him?" Skye asked.

"Not right now," Ero replied. "There's nothing that we can do about it at the moment, and if we dropped this additional heap of problem onto Cameron's plate, it will ruin any chance he has at winning any more Gym battles. It wouldn't be right to do that to him right now."

Skye sighed. She knew Ero was absolutely right. She knew that telling Cameron wouldn't change anything for the better. But it didn't feel right lying to her friend. Still, she couldn't deny Ero's logic.

"Okay," Skye finally said. "We keep it to ourselves."