#theinterceptorofteamxen

[pokefangamebrainrot]

HELLO EVERYONE BIG NEWS!!

the interceptor of team xen is now live on AO3!!

go check it out!! all chapters are currently available to read!!

[pokefangamebrainrot]

The Interceptor of Team Xen

CHAPTER 6

Characters Featured: Venam, Belial, Ren (speaking), Neved, Nancy, Nastasia (mentioned)

Usually, night-time was a time of respite for Belial. Moonlight fluttering through gaps in curtains always seemed to calm them, acting as sweet protection from the harshness and horrors of day and the people that came with it. But not tonight.

Neved still hadn’t come back to his office, though the moon was high in the sky by this point. Anxiety and confusion coursed through Belial’s veins, and they’d been pacing back and forth for the last half an hour, debating whether to go and find their friends themselves and explain the situation. But… what would they even explain? That the months of confusion and pain had finally gotten to them? That, despite their actions, the kindness that Neved and Nastasia had shown was enough to make Belial fold and accept a new life?

They could almost see the look of disappointment and disgust on Venam’s face.

Still, it was the least they could do to make sure the two of them were alright. Resolving to at least observe the two from afar, Belial opened the door slowly and looked down the sprawling corridors, checking no one was there. Thankfully, it seemed that most Xen personnel had retired for the night, and thus, they stalked through the castle without much resistance.

Despite their worry for their friends, Belial felt a pit of guilt begin to form in their stomach. Was this betraying Neved’s trust? Of course, they could reason that they were roaming the castle halls in an effort to look for him, which was partially true…

Stopping in their tracks, they saw two Xen grunts, talking in low voices, flashlights at their sides. Taking a deep breath, they composed themself, and coughed, making their way towards the two men confidently.

“Comrades,” They began, giving a salute- was that what they were supposed to do? Their confidence was crumbling by the second- “I’ve been given orders by the Warden to interrogate our two new prisoners.”

Their words were met by an expression of bafflement, but the younger of the two men just shrugged and yawned, “Whatever. Neved’s down by the docks if you need backup.”

Belial quickly nodded and, after another clumsy salute, quickly walked past them, trying to conceal their shaking hands. Shadows seemed to crawl along with them on the wall, almost breathing down their neck as the sound of their shoes echoed along the corridor. The dungeons were located on the bottom floor of the castle, but would Neved have put Venam and Ren with the others…?

As Belial considered their options, they heard shouting from afar. Stalking through the darkness, they could make out Venam’s shrill voice, demanding to know what was going on. They poked their head out from the corridor, watching her kick against the bars of her cell while Ren sat on one of the beds, silently. In a quiet voice, Belial called out,

“Venam?”

Immediately, her eyes darted over to Belial, and she quickly beckoned them over, talking quickly and in hushed tones. “Belial! Get us out of here, we can help fight our way out of the castle- you have a water type, right?- then we can surf out, and-”

“Venam-” Belial whispered, trying to interrupt, but she steamrollered over them, manically trying to explain her escape plan.

“After we surf out, we go to Terajuma Island, Melia was friends with the head ranger, and-”

“N-no!” Loudly, Belial interrupted, Venam’s manic energy causing them to panic a little. Their voice returned to their quiet state as they repeated, “no…”

At their interruption, Venam looked almost affronted and asked, in an incredulous tone, “No? What do you mean no?”

Trying not to stutter over their words too much, they began to explain: “Team Xen didn’t want Melia dead… they’re not all bad people, and trying to resist will only hurt more in the long run-”

“What are you saying? Have you… joined them?”

The look of disgust Belial had pictured earlier was perfectly mirrored in Venam’s face. It was all they could do to stop tears welling up in their eyes as that familiar lava-flow of shame cascaded down their shoulders and deep into their heart. Looking for any kind of reassurance, they tried to catch Ren’s eyes, but he was still staring down at the floor, ashen-faced. As they looked back at Venam, they saw the vindictiveness in her eyes as she opened her mouth to say, quietly,

“Belial, they’ve got your mother here too.”

Upon hearing those words, Belial’s heart stopped. They must have asked where she was, but everything was too blurry to even make out their own voice. In response, Venam told them that she was being held in a secret room, and that Emma-

That was all they needed to hear. Fleeing the dungeon, they could barely make out Venam’s cries of confusion as they racked their brains, trying to figure out where Emma might be. Just as soon as the thought had formed in their brain, the same voice that they’d heard in the dining hall rang out in their brain, a soft whisper and yet a deafening roar.

The prestige room. Find Emma. Quickly.

Reading the signs as best they could in the dark, blood pounded in Belial’s ears as they stumbled up the stairs. The room- marked with an ornate mahogany door and sign- had no guards, and they pushed it open with a gasp, only to find-

Emma, standing behind a vibrant purple Zoroark, looking at Belial with wide, guilty grey eyes. She looked like she was going to scream, but Belial quickly put a finger to their mouth, their gaze pleading with her not to make a sound. Suspiciously, she nodded, gesturing for Belial to lock the door, and after they did so, she grabbed them by the shoulders, looking at them with worried and confused eyes.

“Are you out of it now?” She asked, holding them tightly. In response, Belial stuttered, but she just shook her head impatiently and returned to examining the bookshelf. After pulling out an embossed, leather-bound volume, the shelf swung back to reveal a door.

With a quick nod to her Zoroark, who immediately transformed into her with an uncanny likeness, Emma took Belial by the hand and led them into a darkened room filled mostly by a massive computer. Wires of all shapes and colours pulsated with a glowing energy, and numbers flashed on the pitch-dark screen with seemingly no pattern or coherency. From off, they could hear a melancholic song being hummed by an all too familiar voice.

The whole world seemed to fall away, their feet moving without instruction, as they approached a cell situated next to the gargantuan machine. There- dishevelled, dirty, and scared, but very much alive, sat-

“...Mom?”

[pokefangamebrainrot]

The Interceptor of Team Xen

CHAPTER 5.5

Characters Featured: Nastasia, Madame X (speaking)

Bumbling over the rocky floors of the cave, Nastasia rubbed her arms, watching her breath come out in icy-cold puffs. The Floria region wasn’t usually this chilly, but something was clearly influencing the atmosphere, and while the Madame didn’t seem too bothered by it, all Nastasia could think about was a fluffy blanket and a nice cup of coffee in Kyugearan’s various cafes. Hearing her chattering teeth and mumbled curses, Madame X turned around, planting her sword in the ground.

“Cold?” She asked, unsympathetically. “You should have worn something more practical.”

Biting back a retort, Nastasia nodded in agreement, and walked over to her leader, staring down into the abyss below them.

Madame X answered her unspoken question. “We’re here.”

“And how are we supposed to get down there without breaking several bones?!” Nastasia snapped, adding “Madame.” in a softer tone to circumvent her anger.

“Simple.” Bringing out an Ultra Ball, Madame X threw it into the abyss to have, a few seconds later, a Honchkrow fly up with a loud cry.

Biting the inside of her cheek, Nastasia admitted, “Madame- I don’t have any flying-types.”

Behind the mask, Nastasia thought she could almost see eyes twinkling as the Madame grabbed onto her arm and, on the back of the bird, plunged down into the depths.

“Then let’s hope you can hold on!” She yelled, with a childish glee, as Nastasia fought back screams, eyes screwed shut, until the descent slowed and her feel touched solid ground.

Looking around, alert, Nastasia could see what appeared to be an abandoned city. All whites and greys, it looked to be in pristine condition despite the ringing silence filling her ears. Quickly, she moved to catch up to Madame X, who had already pushed open the door to a towering structure almost resembling GDC’s central building.

“Just as I expected…” The Madame’s voice had that icy edge that made Nastasia tense, and she instinctively took a step back. “Someone has been here before us.”

“Who else even knows this place exists?” Nastasia asked, confused.

“No-one.” She replied shortly, gripping the hilt of her sword in anger. Seemingly without a care, she stepped over cards and letters scattered around the floor, making her way towards the elevator. Everything about her demeanour told Nastasia she would only accept solitude, and so she waited patiently, looking down at the cards on the floor.

Curiosity had always been her defining sin, and so, after looking around to make sure nobody was watching, she began to read. The lettering was slightly strange, seeming to be a typed-up version of ancient Garufan. Silently, she- for the first time- thanked her mother for forcing her to learn a dead language, and she narrowed her eyes, translating as she went. The first one read:

My name is Lunala. I am from Bridgeport’s 3rd District. I undertook the Archetype today for the very first time. It rejected me. I am losing light fast… My body could not handle its immense power. I am sorry to my mother. I could not become a success. Tell Leo I will miss him. This is the end for me.

For life. Long Live Garufa Incorporated.

Archetype… just hearing the word turned Nastasia’s neutral expression into a scowl. That damn power had caused too many deaths, too much hurt, to be worth anything anymore. So this was where it had originated from… she made a mental note to come back and investigate it later. As the elevator sounded, she turned around to see Madame X, a triumphant smile almost visible underneath her mask.

“I’ve got what I came here for.” She announced, walking past Nastasia with a box in hand, practically filled to bursting with sterile, stainless tech. Her voice trembled with excitement at a newfound power. “A way to make Interceptors.”

Nastasia almost choked. Running up to the Madame, she put her hand on her arm and, in a raised, panicked voice, asked, “What? Why the hell would you want to do that?!”

Slowly, Madame X turned around. Her voice was quiet, and carried a cruel edge to it as she asked mockingly,

“Oh? You’re displeased?

I would have thought you’d like to see Variya again.”

[pokefangamebrainrot]

The Interceptor of Team Xen

CHAPTER 4.5

Characters Featured: Nastasia, Madame X (Speaking), Belial (mentioned)

Keep calm.

“How COULD you?!” Madame X screamed, storming into Nastasia’s office. Staring at the floor, Nastasia tried not to react- she’d eventually get bored if she didn’t take the bait.

Don’t speak unless absolutely necessary.

“You LIED to me, Anna!” One of Nastasia’s books hit the wall as Madame X trembled in either rage or hurt- it was hard to tell which.

Seizing the front of Nastasia’s dress, Madame X pulled her forward and asked, “Do you have anything to say for yourself?!”

“Ma’am…” Nastasia took a deep breath and looked Madame X straight into where she assumed her eyes would be. “Belial is the Interceptor.”

For a moment, everything was silent. Madame X’s shaking frame went totally still, and with a long sigh, she flopped into one of Nastasia’s chairs, throwing her cloak over the back. With a breath of relief, Nastasia sat down as well, re-organising her notes as Madame X poured herself a glass of brandy.

“I need a drink.”

Obediently, Nastasia turned away, making sure she couldn’t see her leader’s face when she took off the mask. She had always been curious, but her curiosity wasn’t worth her life. Only when she heard the click of the mask re-attaching to her helmet did she turn back around.

“Have you told them?” Madame X asked.

Shaking her head, Nastasia replied, “Not yet. I was going to tomorrow, but, well… we’ve evacuated them.”

“Why did you hide it from me?” This time, her voice sounded less angry and more curious, as she played around with some marbles in a bowl next to Nastasia’s computer.

“I don’t know what you want from Belial, but they’re clearly related to Crescent in some way, and as the Interceptor? Not only would they be hard to kill, but their life is too valuable.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Madame X scoffed, throwing a marble in the air and catching it with ease.

“Of course you do, ma’am. But you do tend to have some… tunnel vision. I wanted to confirm my suspicions and bring them to you first.” Nastasia’s heart felt tight in her chest, worried at what might be done to her if she said the wrong thing.

Casually, Madame X stood and shrugged. “You’re forgiven. Where are they?”

“Oh, um-” Clambering to her feet and standing to attention, Nastasia replied, “Blacksteeple castle. But- I’d advise waiting a bit before going. Kid’s been through enough, and at least they’ll be safe with Neved.”

“That’s perfect.” From underneath the mask, Nastasia could hear a smile. “Because there’s something I want you to do with me.”

[pokefangamebrainrot]

oops accidentally posted chapter 3 before chapter 2.5