A Deal with the Devil [Closed]

[Remy 'Thorn' Dupris]

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

To all those that are reading this thread, just to give you a heads up, this is the beginning of a collaboration of threads between several authors. These threads will entail darker themes and activities such as violence than the usual thread, so if that type of topic upsets you I figured I'd let you know now. All writers in this thread have consented to willingly participate. That said, I hope you enjoy!

---

It was a dark night over Vester.  The sprawling metropolis was a testament to how far human civilization had come, but also a great web to snag unsuspecting Cutieflys and bog them down until their demise. It was in these back alleys that real monsters lived.  One such monster was already awaiting its prey.  The best part of this prey was that he knew it would come willingly.

<<Report in.>>

The message was telekinetic.  Electronic channels could be traced and even hacked.  No one would be able to hijack this frequency.  From above, soaring the night skies, a Honchkrow kept a watchful eye on the surroundings.

<<Nothing to see here.>>
 
From a few blocks away in a van, a Metagross was hooked into a computer monitoring system.  There were several cameras placed at various corners, buildings, and entry-ways into the alley.  He was the main observational unit and put in his report as well.

<<All cameras show no unusual activity.  I am continuing to maintain full observation awaiting the target.>>

While the Steel colossus was the main observational unit for the team, the predator couldn't ignore the possibility that all of his well-used electronic surveillance could be jammed or disabled.  After all, he had been able to do similar things himself.  It would be foolish not to be prepared, hence the eye in the sky.

<<Good.  Both of you maintain observational status and let me know immediately if the situation is changing.>>

The stage had been set.  Now all he had to do was wait for the other performer to arrive.  He was dressed from head to toe in his black mission combat gear.  His face was covered by his full face mask with voice modulator.  He had a fun little device in his pocket ready to help him even further.  Thorn knew the risks he was taking here, but if this plan went exactly as he wanted, it the rewards would pour down.  This was the only plan he had left.

---

Tags: Kai Kaitos
Theme: Thorn's Theme
Notes: The final act has begun.

[Kai Kaitos]

Now when Emeline had made some form of mention that she had needed some time alone after all that had occured within those deep crystal caves involving the gijinka girl and Diamond Crystal - even if for a time they were almost a mere side note given their focus were elsewhere, it didn't mean there hadn't been some concerns all the same - Kai were not about to stop her in any way, for he knew this were just something that the woman prefered and needed to do especially in times such as this. This were the main reason in which the Jolteon gijinka had made little to no effort to stop her and the minimal - if there had been any to begin with - contact she had made while being away wasn't anything unusual, if anything it was quite normal and he knew he would hear something eventually.

Needless to say it were more than a little normal to not hear from the ranger woman for several days in a row so naturally tended to think nothing of it more so considering that as were often the case Kai tended to be busy himself with work or other things during such times, it had only been when it had been longer than were typically without hearing from Eme that he had begun to consider such strange. To the point where it had begun to cause the yellow haired gijinka male to become somewhat edgey now that would certainly be something of an understatement to say the very least, to the point where he would have been more than willing and eager to go search for the woman.

That had been when he had been contacted by an individual of unknown origin having managed to contact him in regards to the oficially 'missing' woman that was Emeline Regnard, this detail in itself had been more than enough to chill Kai to the bone but it had been more than enough to motivate the gijinka to essentially do as he were told even though there were so many reasons why he knew this were a stupid idea. But right now all that had mattered to Kai had been getting Eme back and - hopefully - unharmed, or as much as were indeed possible under the circumstances the fact that he had been told to wait until a certain time and date before being able to meet with this supposed informant had been more than enough to get him all fidgety.

When the time would come to say that Kai would have been more than eager to get to the destination that he needed to be at would be something of an understatement to say the least, so many thoughts were passing through his mind as feet simply carried him without much thought involved and as such due to this distraction to find oneself within the vicinity of where he were supposed to be. This were all that were needed to get the gijinka male tugging his thoughts back to where they were needed before his gaze began to dart around while ears also began flicking around in his attempts to locate someone . . . . anyone. Was he even in the right place?

[Remy 'Thorn' Dupris]

Alexander's sensors alerted him as movement from one of the several cameras alerted him to the presence of a potential target.  He ran facial recognition and made his report telepathically.  

<<Camera 4-A has detected a being matching physical attributes to target at 99.999% accuracy.>>

Thorn's head picked up.  It was finally time.  The culmination of months and months of hard work and recruiting from amongst the grunts for this secret mission was about to bear fruit or blow up in his face.  He was curt, although since his message was telepathic he had no danger of being overheard. 

<<Odin.>>

The Honchkrow was neither surprised nor miffed that Alexander was first to find the target.  That was all part of the plan after all.  The Metagross was more suited for the wide area of effect sweeping vision.  Now it was his time to shine.  He was the mobile camera.  He shifted his wings and curled towards the area described by Alexander and saw him moving.

<<I've got eyes on him.  He's alone.  I'll maintain vision from a safe distance.>>

Thorn nodded.

<<Very good.>>

He waited for the officer to weave his way through the darkness.  The footsteps echoed the empty alleyway, getting closer and louder with every step.  The Half-breed walked and talked like a human, but he was anything but.  He wished there was another option than dealing with a freak; humans were what he knew and humans were what he had trained to manipulate.  However, it seemed like there was no option.  Society had deemed to trust all of their law enforcement hierarchy in the hands of monsters, and even since the massive reveal of Gijinka to the world saw no need to change that particular status quo.  Therefore, he would do what he had to do.  As soon as he saw the mark step into the light, Thorn stepped out from the shadows.

The masked man reached into his pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a voice recorder.  However, he wasn't looking to make any new type of track.  He hit play, and static white noise began to eminate from the speaker.  The Antisocial Socialite figured that there was a decent chance the man would be wearing a wire.  There was no way to stop that using this setting as their meeting place, so he figured he would use an extra layer of modulation to try and interfere with any potential microphone.  Speaking through his voice modulated mask, he addressed the officer in front of him.

"Good evening, Officer Kaitos."

---

Tags: Kai Kaitos
Notes: Uhoh
Theme: Thorn's Theme

[Kai Kaitos]

Meanwhile, to say that the yellow haired ginjinka male were getting a little more antsy and generally more fidgetty the nearer that he were to get to the supposed 'meeting' point would be something of an understatement in regards to Kai, but then again given the particular circumstances that were of little surprise was it not? Though once he would have neared and arrived at the designated spot it were probably for the best that his wait would not need to be all that long, ears near constantly twitching around before fixating upon the sounds of footsteps before the emergence of a masked individual would get both his gaze and ears fixating upon the other being before him before features creased into something of a glare.

Well; to say it was frustrating that the other man (he presumed?) had some form of mask upon his face to hide his features and when the other would speak no surprise that his voice were being disguised also - double frustration to say the least. But then again, if this had been anything other than a negative scenario then there would have been no reason for the disguise right? For it would have been made clear long before now that the situation were a joke then it would have been made clear, thus this clearly wasn't.

Not quite trusting himself to speak would the gijinka male find himself grunting in response to the greeting offered him, that was until he would scold and generally curse himself for such a things for if this were someone who despised those like himself then him behaving like that would only feed into whatever negative opinion they would have of gijinka right? "Where's Emeline? What have you done to her? And what do you want?" Very to the point, but given his current mindset was that a surprise?

[Remy 'Thorn' Dupris]

With his two eyes in the sky keeping a close watch on the periphery, Thorn felt more at ease and more confident.  Kai Kaitos, as expected, had come alone and somehow even convinced the police not to even try remove backup.  The pride of the Gijinka Family would ultimately be their downfall, however that was a different discussion for a different day.  For now, he needed these half-breeds, and Thorn was never one to waste a resource.   

"I assure you, Mr. Kaitos, that I'm not here to string you along.  As I said in my message, I've come to offer you the information on the girl that you so desperately seek.  However, that is not the only reason I am here."

The officer was direct and forceful.  Emotions were guiding his responses.  It was clear that he wasn't a thinker.  That was potentially good for Thorn, as stupid people were usually easier to manipulate.  However, another side to that coin was that these act-first, ask-questions-later types could be wild and short-fused.  It was clear that he was already on a timer, and Thorn planned on brokering a deal here before the window of opportunity shut for good.

"I was hoping we could have a bit of a discussion.  You see, we both have a common problem that I believe we can help each other with."

He had to help the young man follow the bouncing ball of the conversation.  If this devolved into a battle or worse, Thorn couldn't guarantee he would ever get another chance.  

---

Tags: Kai Kaitos
Theme: Thorn's Theme
Notes: Not much for talking is he?

[Kai Kaitos]

To say that he hadn't been in some way expecting the man that appeared before him to have essentially summoned here for no other reason that for the woman that he were here for would be a complete lie to say the least. For all throughout the trek out here that had been that small niggling feeling at the back of his mind in a dark corner that in some manner would not be surprised, all the same however it would not stop the gijinka male from narrowing his eyes in a suspicious manner as an ear twitched in what could only be described as an irritated manner as he allowed a half muttered comment to escape him.

"No of course your not stringing me along, your just resorting to kidnap and blackmail instead - just skip the easy stuff. PLease, of course you have come here for some other dammed reason why else would someone like you be doing this?" the growl that would be tinging the blond male's voice would be barely hidden but then again under the circumstances it were indeed surprising that he had not done something foolish by now too.

Though despite the current flow of emotions and the like that were moving through him and quite likely posing a risk of the gijinka literally or metaphorically blowing a fuse, there would come to be a flicker of curiosity flickering across his angry features as eyes tried - and failed - to study the other's features.

"That could be a number of things . . . . However; i assume you mean those Diamond Crystal people." Short and to the point, well what need were there in beating around the bush so to speak?

[Remy 'Thorn' Dupris]

The anger in the area was palpable.  Thorn knew that there would always be a chance that the hothead wouldn't be able to focus.  He was losing the Water-type off the hook here, so it was time to play the trump card.

"Yes.  I am speaking of the Diamond Crystals, but I can see that your mind just isn't able to focus right now."

He sighed, the breath sounding eerie through the voice modulator.  He reached his wrist up to his face and pressed a button.

"Very well.  Perhaps if I give you the answer you seek, you'll be more receptive to intelligent conversation.  Bring in the package."

The last sentence, of course, was not addressed to Kai.  Thorn could have easily brought Vallon along again for the delivery, but in order to completely shatter any hope of his opponent's control over the situation, the antisocial Socialite knew that he would need a far more impactful accomplice.  The cold mask stared down daggers as he dropped his hand and folded them in front of him, waiting for that very accomplice to arrive.  

---

Tags: Weland Kaitos
Theme: Thorn's Team Rocket Theme
Notes: Bum bum bum....

[Weland Kaitos]

The 'package'.

It was such impersonal wording. It was as if the unconscious woman he hefted over his shoulder was little more than some delivery, a thing stamped through facility after facility to reach its destination.

For Weland, however, it was best to think of her that way. For Weland, it was best to pull away from the entire ordeal, dissociate faces from memories, let himself believe there was no reason for him to be even just the slightest bit guilty.

He was nobody, and he knew no-one.
He was a tool of transport, monitored from the sky and ground, his overseers assuring him a clear path to the drop point.

And so, at the masked man's cue, Kai would see someone familiar emerge from the shadows, eyes once twinkling with mischief now cold and dead as he shifted an unconscious and tied-up Emeline in his grasp.

If he had his way, Weland wouldn't even be looking at Kai. He knew, though, or at least had convinced himself, that the only way for all of them to survive this exchange would be to take his familiar face and convince Kai that he'd changed past recognition.

The missing arm and the new scars would help.

The venom that leeched into Weland's expression, though, as his dead-eyed stare drew into a glare, was still more than necessary.

With that pointed glare, he tightened his grip on the back of Eme's shirt, hauling her off of his shoulder and holding her up so the others present would be able to confirm her identity.

Kai Kaitos, Remy 'Thorn' Dupris

[Kai Kaitos]

Alright, as much as kai would indeed hate to admit such a thing it would indeed be more than true that the other 'mans' words were true regarding he would not quite be able to focus on all too much as this particular point in time and his anger were just one aspect to such. The other being the somewhat twitchy-ness of the Jolteon gijinka where he were not quite able to keep himself still other than his gaze which would remain fixed upon the other he were addressing and being addressed by.

There were so many things that Kai would be tempted to throw, spit and hiss at the other 'man' but in truth he would really not know just where to start with all of this and it were for that reason that his nervous / angry energy would come out in other ways in the form of him fidgetting - this would only settle down when ears stiffened at the last statement the other would make and seemingly summoning forth some as yet unseen individual to come forth.

It would be when first ears then eyes would note the movement of the other person coming to join them that Kai would become still, a glare of his won forming upon his features and an animalistic growl escaping him as his attention would be drawn to the woman that were slung over the other's shoulder. Though this were not what would cause the stunned and generally shocked look that would come across his features as eventual recognition would form on Kai's face in turn.

"Weland? . . . . . Is that - really you? What are you doing here? Why you . . . . " KAi would find himself almost whispering in turn

[Remy 'Thorn' Dupris]

Thorn's modulated voice was dripping with a sarcastic cheer as he clapped his hands together.  

"There!  See, I told you I could provide information on where she was.  Now down to business."

The reaction from Kai had been absolutely perfect.  He knew Weland would be the perfect piece of the puzzle to crack this cop's cool composure and turn him into absolute putty.  Now that he had the police officer's attention, he would be able to start 'suggesting' his ideas in a much more favorable light.

"You see, the Diamond Crystals are proving to be just as dangerous to us as they are to you.  It's getting harder and harder to operate when fighting two wars: one against them and one against you.  The Crystals obviously have no problem dealing with everyone.  Therefore, the first thing I would like to suggest is a ceasefire.  Stop hunting us for a minute and let's both focus on bringing the mutual enemy down and smashing them in the dirt.  In response, I will minimize activites from our organization that are openly hostile against you and the Rangers, and focus on just maintaining our group's standing.  You don't have to worry about us, and we won't have to watch over both shoulders.  Doesn't that sound delightful?"

This was just testing the waters.  Thorn's real goals were much more grandiose, but if they couldn't come to terms on a simple armistice, then it would probably just be easier to kill these two and be done with it.

---

Tags: Weland Kaitos
Notes: See? She's fine....probably.
Theme: Thorn's Theme

[Weland Kaitos]

Is that really you?

Stupid question. Really, really stupid question, one that Weland might laugh at if it didn't hurt so badly. Instead, he just let that hollow feeling in his chest linger, carving deeper and deeper shadows beneath his glaring eyes.

Kai would not be getting an answer from him. It wasn't his turn to speak.

Instead, as Thorn continued on with his negotiations, Weland pulled Emeline back over his shoulder, having to bounce her a bit to make up for his lack of free hand to adjust her properly.

If she woke up from that, he was going to...

He wasn't sure what he was going to do, because he hadn't thought of it. He supposed he was going to do nothing, because the point here was that Kai saw his face and agree to the terms presented.

Nothing more.

Kai Kaitos, Remy 'Thorn' Dupris

[Kai Kaitos]

Now even Kai would be more than aware that his questions may have been stupid but it wouldn't have stopping him from having asked all the same as puzzled eyes continued to stare upon the brother he had once thought had been missing but had actually been closer than first thought. If nothing else the simple knowledge that his own brother had some hand in this whole situation - whether willingly or not - would be more than enough to hurt KAi as much as knowing that Emeline were in trouble, that and it would indeed be a good way to get the Jolteon gijinka male hyper focused on the situation and turning back to look upon the other 'man' involved.

Though despite sch things causing Kai to 'break' in some manner didn't mean he would lose too much focus now but would indeed instead force him to be more easily molded and convinced to do things even if it were not something he wanted to happen. The only signs of life that would come from Kai all the while that this hidden person would speak would be the faint twitching of his ears that would signifying he were listening ever so carefully and putting a great deal of thought into such things.

After all; it would make sense to work together for a short period rather than constantly against Team Rocket against Diamond Crystal did it not? To be able to have some further 'allies' even if for a short period rather than quite literally being surrounded by enemies, the only issue was would it be acceptable when he would have to report back to base in time.

"And what happens if the rest of the rangers and police don't like the idea of this? Just because I agree to it doesn't mean they will be happy." KAI would find himself reasoning warily and carefully after a time, well better to make a point of mentioning such now rather than later right?

"BUt fine, I'll do my best to get everyone convince that this is for the best, your right after all - better to not be fighting on two fronts. . . . . What do you want out of this though? You clearly want more than just police and rangers hassling you for the foreseeable future."

[Remy 'Thorn' Dupris]

Thorn chuckled from behind his mask, the autotuner giving it a rather dark and menacing sound.

"Oh, I think you will be able to convince them, Officer."

He lifted a hand and idly pointed towards the crumpled form of Emeline on Weland's shoulder.

"After all, you've seen personally how easy it is for us to get to any of you.  Make them see that this is in their best interests.  I fully stand to my end of the bargain and will limit our organizations activities but if any of my agents have the need to defend themselves, there will be dire consequences.  I can also promise you that any of MY subordinates that try to breach what we are working forward to today will die.  Plain and simple."

Kai then began to ask other questions.  He didn't need to explain all of his motivations to this half-breed freak.  He probably was too stupid to understand even a fraction of the magnitude of his schemes.  However, this abomination was like a Fidough that needed a bone, so he'd offer him some easy-to-get-truth.

"What do I want?  I thought I made it clear.  I want money, power, and prestige.  The Crystals are a serious threat to that, and look to become the dominant organization in this region.  This simply won't stand.  The old way of things before they showed up on the screen was massively in our favor, so I'll do anything to get us back to where we were.  Even work with you."

Thorn was careful not to take any further steps towards Kai, as he did not want to provoke the beast, but he gladly took the role of Mephistopheles as he continued on.

"Even the most proud of the Police and Rangers should be able to understand that fighting a two-front war will just lead to the destruction of the two weaker parties.  Only by banding together can we defeat the monstrosities that these Diamond Crystals seem to bring everywhere they go.  However, I'm a generous man.  Why don't we trade intel?  Point each other in the right direction?  Do you have any information on these strange Pokemon they use that could be helpful to talk about out here in the open?"

---

Tags: Weland Kaitos
Notes: Call me, little sunshine >:3
Theme: Thorn's Theme

[Weland Kaitos]

Right.
Good.

Kai was agreeing.

Of course, nothing was good about what was happening here, but Kai wouldn't be hurt. At least, not tonight, not when he'd be of use.

Weland wished he had a free hand to pull down the brim of his cap. Its placement curled and crushed his ears down over the top of his head, muffling the sound of the admin's modified voice as he further negotiated. His cap was the closest thing he had to plugs, and though he knew it would be good to have some idea of what this whole ordeal was even about, he would rather things just be over with.

He could still hear, though, and so he was forced to simply tune out, gaze ever-so-subtly trailing up the buildings to a darkened, shuttered window as the sound of his superior's voice droned on.

There was privacy in these back alleys, but not security.

All they were guaranteed respite from was the clear night sky.

(If he saw someone peeking, would he try to do anything about it?)
(...)
(Not his call to make.)

Kai Kaitos, Remy 'Thorn' Dupris

[Kai Kaitos]

As much as Kai would hate to at the same time be would have to concede that the other were indeed right on so many levels, after all if they had managed to get to Emeline like they had and with a certain amount of ease then what would truly be stopping them - or anyone else without Team Rocket at that - from doing such a thing again? Simple answer - nothing much really; more so given there were only so many police and rangers that would be able to keep up patrols to ensure that no one was kidnapped there were bound to be those who slipped through the net so thus better to make efforts to cooperate for the moment even if it wouldn't exactly be an ideal situation.

But it were enough of a motivation to get Kai to realise that to take the lesser of two evils would be better, now as for the terms in which would be made - such things were certainly fair on both sides, the fact that the one he were speaking with would make mention that so long as they were working together and provided the blond gijinka kept up his end of the bargain so would the other would most certainly be reassuring. "So be it, I'll make sure no one on my end interferes with you and like your own lot if any of my fellow police or rangers get needlessly harassed then they will defend themselves in turn. . . . No matter who they are." Well, better to agree to such things than not right? Even if the latter part of the comment would be very pointedly be directed towards Weland - the fact that Kai would purposefully stare at his brother for an age afterwards would further cement the point.

Now though Kai were hoping to gleam some intel from the individual he were conversing with regarding just what the other wanted it would be unsurprising that nothing would be shared ultimately, or at the very least nothing more than what would already be mentioned. Well - what else would Kai expect? For whatever intentions that the other man had to be willingly shared was too much to be expected so instead the gijinka male would just have to accept things for how they were right now.

With that would Kai just accept he were not going to get much else in that respect and rather listen to the latter comment and suggestions made regarding the potential of trading intel with each other, well better to start doing such now right rather than leaving it too long? This would be the main reason for Kai to be taking a short time to pull together his thoughts and the like regarding what were being asked of him before he would take a breath and begin to speak.

"Aside from the fact that they are just unnatural? Though mostly due to those crystals that are embedded within their bodies - almost like being fused together with another being but also has some other strange energy within it too. Something that makes them change entirely - but I have the feeling you probably already have heard about that somewhere so old news. But then everything has has down right been strange since those caverns, surprised you haven't decided to start trying to catch and experiment on those strange pokemon." Kai would find himself rambling after an age