Hard Enough

Chapter 94: Interlude - Erika Gaiden

Erika knelt in her garden. Golden light split through the trees that had been artfully arranged to allow for optimal light while keeping the clearing temperate with the chance of small gusts of wind. Shed altered her garden this season. Not a large change, merely the addition of the small bridge that rose and fell over a ditch that was currently being dug with trowels.

She was getting some heated looks for ordering it done and assigning it to a group of rather unruly girls. Theyd thought shed wilt in the face of their animosity. Some ladies forgot that Roselia had thorns. Sometimes Erika didnt give out gloves to protect the delicate hands.

Julia, Erika said to her oldest aide, I think we could do with some goldeen in the water, don't you?

Julias lips twitched as she noted the casual tone Erika had. I think that would look lovely. Perhaps we could even get some Milotic from the Cerulean sisters one day? It would make the newest feature even more pleasing.

Erika nodded her head in a slow, exaggerated fashion.

The girls who were digging stopped as they realised what was being discussed. The heated looks turned into glowers as Julia gasped in faux surprise. Why! That will mean it needs to be deeper! And wider! Girls add an extra half metre in each direction!

This is tauros dung! shouted the youngest girl Tanya on trench duty. She hurled her trowel to the side. It started as a little water feature but now were digging a damned moat! Is this so you can sit on high and be a Princess Erika! Quit trying to heap more onto us for punishment! snapped the girl.

The other nodded mutinously, but Erika met the looks calmly. She stared the girls down, and a few of them start to fidget. Tanya however, didnt flinch. She held the girls glare before inclining her head minutely. I should apologise for teasing, however Julia is not wrong.

Erika flicked her eyes up and down. This is a task I have assigned you and the other girls for a reason. Yes, it is certainly more physical than others but lately, you have all been lacking in your duties to the Gym. I enjoy having a Gym that is beautiful, that is certainly correct. But saying this is a punishment is not entirely correct. This is a task that needs to be completed for our newest pokemon. It is a task I have given to your group of girls specifically as you have slacked in other tasks and I can no longer trust you with other basic duties.

Erika swept her hand to the side where a few other girls were sitting enjoying tea.

I dont have to stand watch over those girls when I ask them to feed the pokemon. I dont have to remind them to change out the flowers at the Gyms entrance. I dont have to follow up on any of their chores. I dont have to waste mine or Julias time.

Tanya slumped, but her eyes were still defiant.

Tanya, you are being trusted with duties in my Gym as a trainer and your performance is not meeting expectations. You give jobs only half the effort you are supposed to. You never asked how deep the water feature needed to be. You merely decided to put in the least amount of effort you could from the start. You also made the task much harder than it needed to be.

Erika reached out and clasped Tanyas hand, inspecting it. You didnt go to the garden shed and get the gloves, wheelbarrows, or shovels this job needed. You simply grabbed the nearest tool. Some of the tasks here will not be spelled out. It is up to you to stop and think.

Tanya stared petulantly at the ground. I cant think cause Im tired!

You wont think because it involves effort, corrected Erika gently.

She once more indicated the girls enjoying the shade with their pokemon. If you wish to enjoy the nice things in life you will have to put in effort Tanya. I hope the rest of you girls understand that.

The girls wilted, and there was some sniffling. Julia stepped up, well used to being the much more viscous Vine Whip to Erikas soft Stun Spore. Hey! No sniffling! I dont care for Totodile tears! Stop moping and think about the job! Are you going to stand here doing nothing or start acting properly! Use whats between your ears girls!

A pair of girls hopped out of the small divot of earth theyd dug and made for the garden shed to collect the right tools. Erika nodded, pleased that some were taking the initiative. Tanya kicked some dirt and grumbled as she followed the group of girls. Erika watched her go with a fixed smile.

Why was it that with every new batch of trainers she took on, there were so many young girls like this? A high-pitched giggle made Erika turn and catch sight of the surprise that had also come with this latest batch of girls to enter her Gym.

Jo and Zoe were twin girls that were barely able to own and train pokemon, but despite that, they were delightful young girls with wonderful attitudes. They cared deeply for each of their pokemon and that showed in how both of them had strong grass types in Victreebel and Vileplume by their tenth birthdays.

It also helped that their father a single parent working as the Director of Internal Communications at Silph Co doted on them. Somehow, the girls had not ended up ruined by how he showered them with gifts.

It might have had something to do with how each weekend the girls made sure to head out to pay their respects to their mother with him. They truly kept the grave site bright with flowers. A tragedy to be sure, but one with fresh new flowers growing in the aftermath with the twins.

Both twins danced with a Lileep of their own while older girls watched on.

The flowers truly were in bloom around her. Erika let herself breathe in and take in the scents of so many petals floating about. A Fearow swept overhead, and Erika could swear she saw a body leap off it.

She shook her head. That wasnt right, surely no one would she stopped and reconsidered that. There was a trainer surge going on at the moment, wasn't there? And trainers werent known to respect her days off for Gym training and maintenance.

cant go in there! shouted a voice.

Erika wilted. Urgh! She had been right. Oh well, the girls would take care of it. They knew what to do.

Stop her! shouted another girls voice. That had been a bit closer

Jumpluff! Stun Spore! shouted Michelle. Erika could recognise her voice, making her frown and turn to where the voices were coming from only for a figure to burst into her garden at a sprint. Julia stepped in front of Erika and raised a pokeball to release her Parasect.

The form skidded to a halt and sketched a bow. Greetings from Fuchsia! I am Janine! I beg your forgiveness for the intrusion, but I must speak to Erika! I have a message from my Father! Priority Black! said the girl that was clad in dark purple cloth like a ninja.

Erika could only stare at her. There was an actual ninja in her garden? Priority Black? That was old speak for something important! She remembered this! Shed gone over it once but that had been years ago, when shed taken over the Gym for her uncle Oh dear, this was going to be like the audit, wasnt it?

Julia jutted her chin, How do we know you are who you say you are? Her challenge raised.

Erika had to concede that it was a good pointthis could be a girl dressed up as Kogas daughter. Then again, there was a very easy way to tell who it was. After all, shed appeared on a Gym Leader call behind Brock a few weeks ago. Who is Brock

Sabrina, said Janine instantly.

Erika blinked, and Janine rolled her eyes. Its obvious what you were going to ask. Everyone knows, try another question.

Knows what? asked Julia looking between Erika and Janine.

Erika smiled. You will find that it is not something widely known actually but yes, you did predict my question. She then shifted her feet back and forth before looking away. Im afraid I cant quite recall what a Priority Black entails.

Janine sighed, and her whole body slumped as tension seemed to drain out of her. She gave Erika a sad look that Erika wanted to hide from. She just knew that shed failed to live up to the other girls expectations of her somehow. She instead had to shift awkwardly, only to recall that this wasnt the time. It was obviously important. So she took a bracing breath and stood tall, like a mighty Exeggutor.

What is the message?

That had Janine straightening up. A foreign agent has been detected within one of the Kanto Gyms and subsequent interrogation has determined key sites of criminal activity that need to be locked down immediately!

Erika blinked. Around the garden, various girls that had been listening in shouted in surprise. Foreign Agents?! One of the Kanto Gyms? What does that mean? Shouldnt the police be informed?

Erika laced her hands. Its Brock isnt it?

Janine twitched. Im not at liberty to say. The investigation is ongoing

Erika nodded. That pretty much confirmed it. It seemed everything these days had something to do with Brock.

Ever since hed been challenged by Lance more and more people had been looking his way and lots of people worked up. Which wasnt really fair as Blaine had been in the news of late as well Even Cerulean had made the news recently with their increased workload and efficiency being commented on. Erika could help but pat herself on the back for that. Two of her more senior girls had reported back that theyd integrated really well into The Cerulean Gym. The Cerulean sisters were even set to send a pond of Goldeen and Seaking.

Erika shook her head, forcing herself to stay on topic. You must be here due to something else then. The criminal activity, no doubt? What do I need to do?

My father has ordered that we liaise with the local police force but move with all haste to secure the location! You will have to secure your own Gym, and bring a team with me as the site is in your city!

Erika swallowed. I-I see. She glanced at Julia her mouth opening to tell her to come with her only to pause. With the two other aides at Cerulean Julia was the best she had and person she most trusted. Julia I need you to take care of the Gym and the girls I leave here while I head out with Janine.

Julia blinked. Erika, Im honoured, but are you sure youll be alright? I know you dont like going out and arresting people or seeking out fights like this.

Erika puffed herself up, I must! As Gym Leader I need to see to the care of my city! She swallowed. You see to the Gym. She then turned to the girls that were with her and surveyed who she would take with her.

Tina, Mary, Tamia, and Lina. You will come with me. She then pointed to a few others. Mai, Kay Jo and Zoe, she said pointing at the two little girls. You will work under Julia.

Tanya, whod returned with her shovel had obviously heard enough to have an idea what was going on, leapt forward. What about me? Erika? Im one of the best trainers here! I can help out!

Erika grimace. Perhaps she had misspoken when assigning others to work with Julia She was now regretting it but she would have to push on as Janine had made it sound vital that they move as quickly as possible. Erika decided to rip the wax strip off. Yes, it would hurt but she would be better afterwards.

I am not sure I can trust your work ethic, she said firmly. Then she flicked her eyes to the poorly dug creek. Tanya shrunk back at that, and Erika wanted to reach out to soften the sting of her words.

Janine, however, coughed, cutting short any further discussion. Very well, we have our team, let us be off.

She turned and began jogging out leaving Erika to blanche and realise shed need to keep up with her geta shoes and her much longer skirt. She stumbled for a few steps before popping a pokeball. An extremely large Parasect emerged, and Erika hopped onto his mushroom back so she could sit side saddle and continue after Janine.

Once she had caught up she asked, Where are we going?

Janine flicked a look over her shoulder and then eyed the other girls that were either running to keep up, or like Erika, had started riding a pokemon capable of taking their weight.

We are going to a den of vile debauchery! A place of wicked intentions that is a parasite on any good and proper community! It grows through simple intentions and becomes something so much worse!

Lina tilted her head, riding her Dodrio alongside Erika. Like the discount beauty salon that uses cheap goods?

Janine frowned. What? No! The Games corner!

Erika blinked at that. The Games Corner? Thats a gambling She considered what Janine had said, and she considered it. You never really considered how much people paid into slot machines. They were always just there. People associated Celadon with three things, The Grass Gym, the department stores, and the Games Corner. Whos running it?

Team Rocket, they have a huge basement establishment. Janine then raised her wrist. Father, this is Janine reporting in. Oscar Mike, I have secured Erika and we are a block away from the Games Corner. Inform the police.

Erika jolted. You havent yet informed the police?

Observers are in position to watch for any that delay, waylay, or send out information about this raid, Janine responded back coolly. She then eyed the girls. None of you have done so despite having been told the target. This is good. she said, then ran backward and eyed them more seriously. But, do not think I am lax in my vigilance!

Tamia ran up with a scowl. Like! Were tots loyal to Celadon Gym and Erika! Dont disrespect us like that!

Yeah! said the others with only the other girl faltering, but that was due to tripping on a loose rock. Erika blushed at their show of loyalty but felt raised up like a Jumpluff on the wind.

Janine merely turned. We shall see! she said before raising her fist and suddenly stopping. Erika and the girls ran past her before realising that she wanted them to stop. They sheepishly moved back while Janine eyed them. She then shifted. When I hold out my fist like this, that means stop she said with what Erika thought might have been an embarrassment in her tone.

Hmmm, perhaps Janine wasnt as confident and self-assured as she showed herself to be.

Janine coughed and gestured toward the building that was just visible now. The Games Corner was itself a misnomer, as the actual building was a series of buildings that were interconnected. In reality, it took up almost an entire block, with only one small old ladys home stopping them from claiming the entire block. Erika knew Mrs Grace quite well, she had been adamant about not selling and had faced a good deal of pressure to sell out only to beat back any and all attempts.

Suddenly, those pushy lawyers had a much more sinister tone to them. She had to wonder if Mrs Grace hadnt also had some less-than-legal pressure placed on her? Erika fidgeted atop her pokemon causing him to glance back at her. Para?

Im fine Parasect, she said with a quick pat of his mushroom to calm him down. She coughed. Right! Janine! Youve informed the police and were here outside the building. What do we need to do?

We need to secure the building. The main risks are high-value targets fleeing, or risks to civilians. Some of the civilians might also be Team rocket members so we will need to detain them all. The roof will also need to be secured but anyone that we encounter there will likely have a Flying Type pokemon. Janine frowned. I should perhaps head to the roof and work my way down from there.

Erika was about to nod before Tamia spoke up, the dark-clothed girl shook her head. No need for that, If we get there first we can set up clouds of Stun Spores, Sleeping Powder and other areas that will capture anyone trying to flee via the roof. Tamia glanced at Erika. We could also just flood the Games Corner and any buildings associated with it with Sleeping Powder no?

Erika considered this before nodding. T-that would work? she said looking to Janine, despite the mess up with the raised fist the girl still seemed the more experienced in this sort of operation. Janine tilted her head.

What pokemon does this group have?

Parasect, Venusaur, Victreebel, Vileplume, Tangela, and Exeggutor. Erika rattled off.

Cacnea, Shiftry, and Ivysaur, said Tamia.

Gloom, Bellsprout, Pidgeotto, Charmeleon, said Tina.

Exeggcute, Oddish, Skiploom, Roselia, and Nidoqueen, Mary said.

Lina squirmed, Tangela, Dodrio, Hoppip, Bellossom, and Meganium.

Janine nodded her head. Those are good pokemon She rubbed her chin. Tina, can you get to the roof instead and lock it down? I would then be able to infiltrate and get as deep as possible. Tamia, I need you to come in with Erika while the others lock down the front and back.

The girls, apart from Tamia, all shifted about with Erika chewing her lip. Janine turned and looked at her. Does this sound acceptable to you? I need your team but I also need to get as deep into the Rocket base to stop any executives from escaping with pokemon.

Erika nodded. Very well, how will we remain in contact?

Janine raised her transceiver. Set them to silent and vibrate. I will message you when I am in position or I have no choice but to make a move.

Erika swallowed but nodded. V-very well, we will come in as quickly as we can! Girls, to your positions! Tina nodded and released her Pidgeotto, allowing it to carry her to the roof where Erika saw her release the rest of her pokemon. Tamia stayed with Erika. When the other girl reached out and squeezed Erikas hand. Erika stiffened before relaxing, glad for the show of support.

Hey, its going to be fine. Im here for you. Nothing is going to hurt you. Your uncle would be irate with me if that was the case.

Ah, thats not the issue, Erika said squirming like she couldnt root herself properly to the ground. This is something I should be able to handle as Gym Leader but Ive never taken part in raids before. What must it look like with Janine, someone barely two weeks into her tenure as a Gym Leader being so much better than this than me?

Not all that much considering that shes Kogas kid, said Tamia.

Erika nodded after a seconds consideration, and Tamia continued. Also, if were comparing you to other Gym leaders, you have to account for the Cerulean sisters. They dont even police their city, just run shows. Brock and Sabrina are workaholics Youre more like Falkner, hes pretty normal.

Hmmmm, Erika said feeling slightly mollified.

Tamia grinned. Anyway, Grass types are best indoors and for capture!

Erika considered that only for an urgent buzzing to make her look at her transceiver and spot that Janine had been spotted.

Janines in danger! Lets go! she said, sweeping her hand in front of herself and clicking a button to send out a distress beacon that had the other girls locking down their sides of the building. Erika pointed and Parasect surged forward. Just as they reached the door a wave of people met them and shouted in surprise at her sudden appearance.

Parasect! Sleep Powder! she cried out causing her pokemon to exhale a cloud of white dust that swept over the crowd and had them slumping over to the ground. Erika tossed out her Tangela. Protect these people, but dont let them leave until the Police detain them!

She then swept into the Games Corner atop her pokemon with Tamia releasing her Shiftry and Cacnea. They instantly saw Janine who was engaged in a one-on-three battle with what had to be Team Rocket members their pokemon against Janine. She leapt over a row of slot machines as a wave of sludge slammed into it.

Idiot! Those are expensive! Dont ruin them! said one man as he slapped the other over the back of the head.

Further conversation was cut off when a Venomoth shot above the machines and retaliated, only for a Tentacruel to follow after and smash another pokemon.

Shifty! Leaf Blade! ordered Tamia making her pokemon join the fray. Cacnea stood in front of Erika and Tamia reminding Erika she wasnt to simply watch. This wasnt a sanctioned pokemon fight but a battle.

Go Venusaur! Use Vine Whip! Her Venusaur emerged and roared before thick vine snapped out from beneath her flower. The Vines cracked as they swept through the men and pokemon knocking them down and resulting in all of them losing the chance to fight back as they had pokemon ready to put them down if given the word. Erika swallowed but held a stern expression even as she wanted to check no one was hurt.

Janine reappeared. My thanks! I noticed that the wall had a door behind it but when I tried to investigate, I discovered they had a pressure plate and a security system.

So, we need to get through the wall? Erika asked, pointing with her hand towards the wall.

Janine shook her head. One of these men should have a key Venusaurs vine snapped out, and with a bang the wall bent. In one section, it completely crumbled inward and crashed as the door was knocked off its hinges.

Tamia giggled. Thats one way to do it! Nice one Erika!

Hey! No! You can't go back there! said one of the men as he tried to stand. Janine appeared behind him and chopped at his neck, causing him to crumple to the ground.

Erika gasped. Did you just!? she could barely finish the thought let alone speak it.

Hmmm no, this is a ninja trick. She then proceeded to chop her hand into the necks of the other two men, making them slump. Janine released a Muk to loom over the men. Detain them, she commanded before gesturing to the newly revealed base. Lets go! Every second we tarry will result in more information being lost!

Erika eyed the door before returning her pokemon and hurrying after Janine. Tamia followed her with her pokemon able to walk down the stairs. When they reached the bottom there was no sign of Janine once more making Erika nervously look around.

Tamia tapped Erika on the shoulder. You should send out your pokemon once more.

Erika nodded and released her Vileplume and Victreebel before glancing around at the oddly spaced room with a number of what looked like cubicles. The floors were tiled in large ceramic slabs that were strange with how they pulsed different colours.

Where is everyone? Erika whispered.

Probably around. Theyre most likely trying to destroy evidence if they know were coming, Tamia said as they crept forward. Erika couldnt help the fear creeping up on her. She inspected each cubicle but only found a few documents and the rare still active terminal. On each of these, a code sequence was spooling out. Erika knew nothing about computer coding but it looked like they were being scrubbed of information. She sat at one and tried to stop it only for none of the actions she took to do anything! She even tried control-alt-delete!

Tamia solved the issue by unplugging the terminals which became their answer to any terminals they found still turned on.

Its still odd that we havent run into anyone Where do you think Janine went?

Probably ran off on us again, said Tamia.

Well, well, well! said an oily-sounding voice that made Erikas skin crawl. Looks like the boss lady was right! There are a few weeds in our garden!

From around a corner, a group of men stepped forward with grins. Alongside them, a host of pokemon were also present, ranging from Golbat, Arbok, and even the odd Growlithe. Erika frowned. They had pokemon that were rather well-suited to fighting her, but regardless she would fight! She had methods for dealing with such disadvantag

Before she could order her pokemon to engage, the tiles underneath everyones feet flashed, causing the men to blanche, and their pokemon to shout in surprise creating a cacophony of noise. Erika just made out one mans shout of, The security system! Someone has activated it on us!

The tiles then blinked to life and showed a number of arrows that created odd patterns. The men began to spin and were pushed around and around in a row of tiles that had them moving in a large circle with their pokemon. Erika snapped her head down and breathed a sigh of relief when she realised she wasnt standing on any such tile but that might change at a moments notice. She glanced towards what had to be a camera and frowned in thought. Then again, perhaps it wasnt a coincidence that they hadnt been targeted like the men?

Tamia laughed, Ahahaha! Those idiots got caught in their own trap!

Ahem, Jaine said as she suddenly appeared at Erikas side causing Erika to eep and leap to the side.

Janine smiled at the men. Actually you will find I activated their security system. Come, I was able to infiltrate deeply into their system. I have stopped the crash of their systems as well! Janine led them to a room with a number of computers and a large wall with lots of cables leading into it. Erika wasnt sure what it was.

Oh! A serverbank! Wow, I didnt know Koga taught you to hack things like this! Youre really good! Tamia said.

Janine blinked and nodded. The ways of a ninja are many and varied. Tamia nodded and turned to the camera feeds, missing how Janine kicked a pulled power cable out of sight. Erika bit her lips and pretended she hadnt seen.

I was just unlocking the elevator to the next floor, which should be the executive suite. I will need you for that! Come! Janine said, leading them to yet another elevator, that she produced a keycard, which she swiped.

Lets go! she said before stepping in only to have to stand and wait as the door closed. Janine fidgeted in the elevator as the doors slowly closed, all while tranquil music played in the background.

Erika bopped along to it even as Janine glared at the speakers. Tamia smirked, How come you didnt just shimmy down the elevator?

That is impractical and only suited to movies! snapped Janine.

Erika tilted her head. There werent stairs we could have taken were there?

Janine shook her head. They are criminals in every sense, including their building codes! The city will have a tough time reconciling with or ever using these facilities in the future! she said heatedly, as though the idea of Team Rocket not building safe hideouts annoyed her.

The doors dinged open, revealing a long hallway that wouldnt have looked out of place in a corporations penthouse level. Numerous doors were open and obviously pull apart with the faint smell of smoke wafting through a few rooms. Janine raced into those rooms and her Tenatcruel quickly saw to them as Erika and Tamia advanced on the last set of doors. They swept the doors open only for a pair of Rocket members to stand in front of a table with a chair. The chair was turned away from Erika but she somehow knew someone was sitting in it. Janine stiffened as the pair facing them released a Kangaskhan and a Flareon.

Sunny Day Kangaskhan! Flamethrower!

Exeggutor out and use Confusion! shouted Erika before she even knew what she was doing. Her palm tree pokemon emerged with angry looks on all of its faces. Its eyes glowed at the oncoming flamethrower only to take control of it and swept it back at the pokemon who staggered.

Boss! We need to go! shouted the woman as Tamias Shiftry entered the room. Janine darted forward only for Kangaskhan to screech, making her drop to one knee.

Very well, said a womans voice only for a finger snap to cause the room to shake as Kangaskhan stomped its feet. Shiftry and Janine were thrown off their feet and Erika had to brace herself against her Exeggutor.

Better luck next time Gym Leaders, taunted the womans voice as she and her assistants vanished in a flash of light.

NO! Dark Pulse! shouted Tamia ineffectively after they had escaped. Shiftry only just got back to his feet and pointed his arm only to wilt when he had no target.

Erika patted Tamia on the shoulder. There, there. Lets check her computer and unplug it if theres anything on there.

Janine was instantly behind the computer, nodding seriously, only to be stymied by a screen demanding a password that blanked out a moment later. Tch! Damn it! Too slow!

Tamia nodded with a sigh before reaching out and unplugging the computer. Might be something left on it?

Erika and Janine could only nod their heads sadly before making their way back out. When they reached the group of men caught in the tile trap there were police trying to fish them out. They did so with long sticks and very pinched expressions.

A group of water pokemon were waiting to wash the men that now sported brown and yellow uniforms instead of their black rocket uniforms.

The police gave the girls their space very respectfully.

Sure did a number on them! said one of the lead detectives, nodding to the Rocket men that were covered in vomit and other body fluids.

Oh, Erika said. Shed forgotten about them.

Janine puffed her chest out. Erika was instrumental in defending her city!

Erika smiled fixedly as the men around them gave her a worried look. One even muttered something about its always the quiet ones, with a carrying whisper.

Erika sighed and looked to Janine, who looked oh so proud of herself. Do we need to talk to anyone at the League? she prompted.

Janine blinked before sweeping up her transceiver to report to her father. Erika listened in as it was recommended that they make an appearance at the League headquarters to debrief. Erika bounced on the spot as they waited for a Teleport. At least you didnt find any corrupt policemen! she said happily.

Janine blinked at her and checked her transceiver. No, we found six and have detained them.

Oh, Erika wilted at the news. Janine pat her on the back but Erika ignored it. It seemed she still had areas in which she needed to improve.

"She would improve," she vowed to herself as she clenched her fists!

Janine made a funny noise and Erika blinked. Oh dear I said that out loud didnt I? she asked Tamia, who was biting her lips and shaking. Erika wilted into herself, today was turning out to be a very odd sort of day.