Strike of Team Aero

Every trainer was glued to their televisions and radios as the previously untrusted Aero leader filled the airwaves. “On the battlefront, the four organizations have successfully acquired all of the stolen Pokemon from across the world. Now, instead of running with the Pokemon like we could, we are holding a festival in Celadon City, Kanto for all trainers. There will be Team Aqua ships to port everyone free of charge.” She announced, “I know that there is a founded reason not to trust any of the organizations, but you have my own word to the personal safety of each trainer and Pokemon.”

As the camera cleared, the Aero leader stepped off to see the rather unhappy face of the Rocket leader locking eyes with her. “It would be ill-advised to mention that we can't be trusted. This is a business.”

“This is charity.” Aria countered. “We are doing this for the public good, and if people decide that we cannot be trusted, then that is their problem.” She turned and passed directions to her admin. “And how are the preparations?”

“Going as planned, Mistress Aria.” He nodded. “We will be ready within the week.”

“Wonderful, keep up the good work.”

“As you wish...” The admin nodded before disappearing into the shadows.

Giovanni blinked. “Doesn't that ever bother you?”

“The shadow thing?” She blinked. “No, not really. You should see what my brother does.”

“What does he do?”

Outside, the militant trainer and Erika of the Celadon Gym were staring off a swarm of Beedrill. “Can you do something, as a flying trainer?”

Avery sighed. “I'm a dragon trainer, but I can do something...” Taking in the sunlight, his hair started to glow gold and he began to obtain a matching aura.

“Solar Beam isn't going to work...”

“Who said anything about that?” The gold aura warped to a pair of shining wings as he dashed through the swarm. As the light vanished, the militant brushed the dust from his hands. “That should take care of that...”

“That's...” The gym leader stuttered, “A little scary.”

With everyone busy with the preparations, the evening came quickly. With her part done, all the Aero leader had to do for the day was to check up on the work of her subordinates. “So, how is everything?”

The admin nodded, going over his charts again. “The booths are set up, and all that we are waiting for now are the Aquas to bring the carnival prizes.”

“And the Pokemon are safe?”

“Trust me, Mistress...” He smiled darkly, “They will never find them until I decide to let them.”

“Then everything is on schedule for this weekend.” She nodded. “If the work is done by tomorrow, allow everyone a break until Friday evening.”

“As you wish, Mistress.” He replied as he stepped into the shadows and disappeared.

Aria blinked. “You know, you only notice things when it's pointed out to you...”

In Saffron, the Fortree Gym Leader was staring out a window pointed to the gray city. “Can you really trust the teams?”

“It is more that Erika trusts the leader of Team Aero, and no other leader is willing to cross her.” The city's host stated. “And I have learned to trust her judgment.”

“What do you think about her?”

“As I said, I trust Erika.” She cut. “And I have no right to mention what I believe, as I was an administrator in Team Rocket until last year.”

“Oh...”

“So, why do you bring it up?”

The wind trainer blushed. “N-Nothing...”

“Sure it is...” The psychic snickered, amusing herself with the forgetfulness of her comrade. “It's certainly not that she was your childhood crush or anything...”

The wind mistress turned pure red. “W-what are you talking about? I don't have those kinds of feelings for terrorists!”

Sabrina sighed. “You forget that I can read your mind... Not that reading your expressions would tell me anything different.”

“I-I'm going for a walk!” She fumed as she stormed out.

“Like an open window...”

The wind trainer's path rambled through the entire city and somehow made her way east. As the landscape turned from yellow to gray, she became nervous. “Did I go too far off?”
“Winona!” Aria called, waving like a small child. “I thought you were staying in Saffron!”

“A-Aria!” She gasped. “...What are you doing here?”

The Aero leader sighed. “Clearing my head. I know a month's a short time for an operation, but it's been hell for me to keep the other three away from the supply, and handling the publicity...” She shook the thought from her head and smiled. “But how did the gym fare without us?”

The wind mistress had tears in her eyes... “Glacia yells at me because I don't have the reports ready...”

“Then would you like some help?”

“Could you?”

Back at Aria's base, the Aero leader was working hard to undo the mess that was the Fortree Gym's statements. “You have this as an expense instead of a liability... Here you left off this revenue... You completely forgot what was earned from the Feather Carnival...” She looked up. “Are you even trying?”

“But...”

“Okay, this might be domineering...” She warned, “But either you hire me back on, or start taking accounting.”

The wind trainer sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want you back… It’s just that you lied to me. You lied to me and did dangerous things. You’ve changed so much recently, more than just your appearance. I don’t know yet if I even like this Aria.”

The last words struck the team leader like an arrow. “That… I wasn’t prepared for…” She stumbled. “Listen, it’s a little late to get back to Saffron, so feel free to use the bed. I’m going to step out for a second to check on how the festival construction has proceeded today.”

“Aria…” Was the only thing the Gym leader could mutter as her childhood friend stepped outside of the room.

The blue-haired trainer almost roared as she marched down the street. “I haven’t changed that much, have I?” She called. “It must be that I’m a girl now, and she doesn’t want to say that straight out!”

“Is that what you think?” Her admin prodded, stepping out of the darkness. “That’s strange for our great leader.”

“If you would like, I could talk with your friend and find out the truth.” He smiled,

“No person can hide their feelings from me.”

“Do anything at all to her and I’ll make sure that your next mission will be to explore the digestive track of a Gyarados.”

“I would never dream of it, Sage Aria.” With that, he simply disappeared.

“That’s just starting to get on my nerves…”