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It's so funny, almost comical really, how life can change so quickly. One moment Serena was drifting day by day, the next she's having the showdown of her life with Elite Four member Katherine Fairburne. The culmination of all the hate and spite she'd been holding onto for years. Just for her to be saved by the very woman she despised. [break][break]

Serena Malcolm was dead. [break][break]

At least, that's what Rocket would believe. In the wake of her death she was leaving behind precious relationships with those she had grown to love. But what she no longer loved, was the prison Rocket itself. It was time for her to move on, she'd long since repaid Rocket for their hand in saving her career all those years ago. She had no loyalties left in her heart anymore. [break][break]

The former Rocket Beast was aware of the plan, so being cooped up in this prison unfazed her. Besides, she fit right in with the rest of the criminals here. If anything, she enjoyed interacting with the rest of the inmates in this maximum security prison. Everyone thought they were a hard ass until the came face to face with a woman who had nothing to lose. It was fun.[break][break]

But as much fun as she was having with the prisoners, it would be nothing compared to this shake down interrogation. The door to the room opened and Serena kept her head hung low. She wondered who she would be dealing with today. "Serena Malcolm," came the cold voice of her interrogator. Sharp sanguine eyes slowly rose to reveal a woman with an amused expression and soft smirk playing on her lips. [break][break]

It wasn't just his tone that was cold, but his eyes looked like he was ready to leap over the steel table and pounce on her. And no, not in the fun way. Serena's smirk widened as she reclined back in her seat. This was going to be good. "I'm Agent Graves and I have some questions for you. If you cooperate, this will be quick."[break][break]

A low chuckle finally escaped her lips before it began to bubble forth from her chest in light hearted laughter. "Ahaha, sorry sorry." she said as she wiped a small tear from her eye with her cuffed hands. "It's just..." she continued trying her best to stifle her laughter. "This is all so...cinematic. You'll have to forgive me." she said as she chuckled again. [break][break]

"Right, right. This is serious. Pull yourself together." she said as she gave a mockingly good stern expression before her lips quivered again, threatening another laughing fit. "Anyway, how can I help you, Mr. Pretty Boy?"
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It seemed Mr. Graves wasn't pleased with Serena's antics. That was fine by her though. She already had an idea what kind of guy he was already. She was the one stuck here so she'd be damn if she didn't have fun while she was at it. She watched as he slammed the file shut and stood up.[break][break]

"Listen. You came to us asking for mercy. We agreed to take you in instead of outright killing you," he snapped as he leaned over the table. Serena gasped as she looked around. "Oh no! You're right! Please don't kill me! I'll do anything!" she exclaimed as she held her cuffed hands together. Her expression was a pleading one and for a moment it seemed like she truly was scared, just for it to all melt away the next second as another chuckle escaped her lips. "Please." she scoffed.[break][break]

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life in chains? Or do you want freedom?" Serena rolled her eyes as she leaned forward against the table holding eye contact with the Agent. "Listen Hot Shot, I don't really care either way." she said with a grin. "You and I both know why I'm here and we also know that you guys need me and what I've got."[break][break]

She said as she reclined back in her seat. "So go ahead, vent your frustrations out on me till you're blue in the face. I already know you're one of those types." she says as she stares back at him with twinkling eyes. "Once you're finished with this bad cop ruse we can have an actual conversation."
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It was fun watching him squirm. If looks could kill, Serena would be dead by now with how Agent Graves was glaring daggers at her. It was just too easy dealing with people like him. They all ended up responding just about the same but there was always that one outlier that could prove themselves worth Serena's time. [break][break]

It was clear this guy was doing everything in his power to remain professional here despite Serena antics. With a huff he took his seat again and attempted to resume the interrogation. "Tell me about why you joined Team Rocket," Serena kept her eyes on him as a slight pout formed as she puffed her cheeks out. [break][break]

"Aww, no dice? It's not healthy to keep those feelings bottled up y'know." she said as she leaned forward once more. "How about we have some fun hmm? No hard feelings?" she said as she flashed him an innocent look. "Just a little game." she says as grins before brushing her hair over her shoulder.[break][break]

"Why'd I join Rocket?" Serena said as she pondered how she should answer. She was just dragging things out, she never planned to lie in the first place. "The first or second time?" she asked with a smile as she tilted her head to the side. "The easy is because they saved my ass when my career was about to go up in flames." she said as she pointed to the file in his hands. [break][break]

"I'm sure it's written there, but back then when I first started out streaming as was steadily gaining popularity but I ended up getting caught in a scandal thanks to my ignorance. If it wasn't dealt with properly I would've lost everything. That's when Rocket came knocking with an offer I couldn't refuse."[break][break]

Satisfied with how she answered she continued. "Now, my turn. Tell me Mr. Graves, I'm awfully curious. You hold a grudge against Rockets don't you?" Some things were just obvious to pick up on. From the moment the man entered the room, from how he regarded Serena with intense hatred despite the fact she'd never met this man before in her life. It was like so many other encounters she'd had with League officials before. It wasn't Rocket Science. (No pun intended.)
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The most surprising part about all of this was how Agent Graves agreed to play along with her little game. Like she had mentioned before. Sometimes there could be outliers that proved to make all of this teasing and probing worthwhile. It was Serena's lucky day, the fish had taken the bait. [break][break]

Though it might be unfortunate for the agent, Serena would surely enjoy herself. Guys like him were the same. Their grudge consumed them and eventually would threaten to take over their personality. It was a way to cope with the inadequacy they inevitably felt for being unable to change the horrible past they had been dealt. So their natural response was to lash out at any and everything they deemed to be the enemy, even if that person had never wronged them in the first place.[break][break]

As if on cue, Agent Gunner responded. "I do. You've wronged me, like you've wronged a lot of people." Serena couldn't help but bellow out with laughter. "Me?" she said as she placed a hand on her chest. "You're right, I've certainly wronged plenty of people but sir, I don't even know who you are." she said with a tilt of her head.[break][break]

"But, I think I've got an idea of how you work." she said as she leaned forward once more, this time holding his gaze even if he was still glaring at her. "Hmmm, let me guess..." she hummed as she studied him. "The trauma must be bad yes? I mean to confuse me as a contributor to your woes, mmmm yeah, it must be heavy." she nodded as she continued to wrack her brain for the answer to this little puzzle.[break][break]

"What was it? Rocket steal something from you? Hmm, not quite. That wouldn't be strong enough....unless" she paused as she tapped a finger against her chin. "What if what they stole wasn't monetary but....perhaps a life?" Her eyes carefully rested on him as she continued to poke and prod searching and waiting to see how he would react. "Yeah. You know what, that just might be it. So, who'd they kill? Your Mother? Father? No close relatives? Oh, how about a lover?!" Serena snaps. As soon as she says it, things seem to fall into place. "Ha, I'm right aren't I?" she asked with clear excitement, clearly proud of her deducing skills.
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"If you're so confident in your deduction, I don't think it matters if I answer," Agent Graves replied through gritted teeth. Serena waved him off. "You're right, no need to answer. That was answer enough." she said as she smugly recline back in her seat. Now that she had him all figured out she wondered how she should play with her food next.[break][break]

"My condolences on your loss though." Serena said as she stared back over the table at Agent Graves. "I know how you feel." while she might be particularly choosing her words to egg this man on, this wasn't a lie. The same way the man in front of him felt he had been robbed someone special in his life, Serena too had felt that way for the longest time.[break][break]

The League wasn't free of it's nutcases and coldblooded killers. The sides of right and wrong weren't so black and white as she used to believe. It wasn't until recently that she was finally ready to accept that sometimes this shit is just gray. "But hating people that aren't involved, that's not gonna fill that void." Serena continued, knowing she was pushing her limits with this guy. [break][break]

"If anything, it'll just highlight the inadequacies and frustrations that you have towards your own incapability's. Take it from someone that's been there." she said as she flashed him a knowing wink. "Now, your turn. Next question?" She asked, still wearing that annoying smile of her's of course.
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Oh he was really mad now. It was so clearly written on his face. The balled fists, the flared nostrils, the clenched jaw. It was taking every inch of power to keep this man seated across from her instead of lunging across the table. It would seem she struck a nerve. It was just too easy at this point though.[break][break]

"I didn't ask you for advice," Agent Graves snapped. "I indulged you that one answer, but don't think I'm interested in playing your little game." Serena feigned fear as she continued to mock him. "Oh no! He's angry. Shit, I'm so scared!" Serena chuckled as she rolled her eyes. "All you League dogs are the same. Both in your bark..." she said as she looked him up and down, "...and your bite."[break][break]

"What crimes did Rocket order you to commit?" Agent Graves continued after collecting himself. "Ah, finally getting back to it are we?" she says as she picks at her nails. "Oh you know, the usual. Burglary, Arson, Assault, Smuggling of illegal substances, Money laundering..." she paused as she smirked back at the officer. "Murder."
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Within good reason some might question why Serena was so willing to give up information on Rocket when there were still people within it that she loved; like her brother and Gavin. It was simple, because Serena didn't plan to truly give much. It was all a bluff really. Serena was a former Beast, meaning that she got to see and experience some things that most grunts didn't.[break][break]

She also was an asset because of her close relations to the higher ups in Rocket. Serena was trusted to handle bigger and better missions because she produced results. That's the angle Serena planned to work. Of course they would want as much information from her as possible but she was no fool.[break][break]

Even if she gave them everything she had, what was the guarantee she would get something out of this relationship worth her while? No, she needed contractual security and protection. Then she'd gladly be their little scape goat. She'd do all the dirty work for them if they so desired. Being a blood hound was her specialty and because of her nature she could easily handle the morally gray missions that other's would be hesitant to accept.[break][break]

After all, she'd sold her soul long ago.[break][break]

"All that to pay off a debt?" he asked as he gave her a skeptical glance. "Not exactly." she quipped. "Or were there other motivations behind your loyalties?" he pressed her further. "Like I said, this wasn't the first time I'd joined Rocket." she said with a yawn. "Some unfortunate circumstances lead to another and I was forced to serve within Rocket's capacity back in Kanto." she said with a shrug of her shoulders. "When they found me again I decided since it would seem I couldn't escape the life I would just commit."[break][break]

She paused before the amusement fell from her features and for a brief moment her gaze darkened. Almost as if she was looking into the past. "And after Katherine killed someone important to me...well...I just had nothing to lose anymore." Her crimson gaze was empty, devoid of emotion yet she offered a smile to Agent Graves anyway.
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