Time to test the theory about Carmen's real nature for our agents, and to undego a strage recruitment.
Interpol's results about what happened in this mysterious lab had arrived. As Julia thought, it had been recent, and some pokémon hair had been found in the cages room, mainly Eevees. However, all datas had been deleted, nothing could be restored because of the arson. Video surveyance had been spared, the oldest ones exactly, and from what the service could see miss Sandiego never set a foot in here before. Miss Argent's theory would be true : she went there to put an end to this. The agent delivering the file to Devineaux said it was horrible to practice such things on pokémon. How Carmen got wind of this place was a mystery, why would she intervene as well. She was supposed to focus on stealing, not science. Unless she went there to steal some technology first. But it had been established that nothing was stolen. What about the missing pokémon then ? Was this her loot ?
That would represent quite an amount of pokéballs, and he didn't spot anything of the sort when they battled. Pokéballs could be shrunk, hidden in her long coat maybe. Providing Eevees were considered as valuables for such a thief. Chase grabbed Carmen's file. He listed all the things she took. Always objects, never a living creature. So it was certainly plausible that she didn't keep the pokémon, and simply released them. A good point for her then. The inspector considered next what Argent said : Carmen took already stolen artifacts. That didn't mean she was a Robin Hood, nothing proved right now that she didn't keep the loot. Rivalry between thieves wasn't uncommon after all. So for now, he would reserve his judgement. Looking at the clock, he noticed it was time to leave.
" Did you read the report about that lab, sir ?" questioned Julia.
" Did so. You appeared to be right about her saving the pokémon." he simply said.
" Though the reason of her presence here is still a conundrum. What is her source ? Why a thief would care about such a thing, what about the objects in that manor …"
Chase frowned and held back a sigh. Oh lord, couldn't she said something he didn't know ? He grabbed his trusty mints.
" You should be careful with this, this quantity isn't healthy." made Argent.
He widened his eyes. Now that was too much ! That she'd been right all along was a thing, but telling him what to do was out of the question ! He roughly wished her goodnight. Julia advised him to check his fuel level. Really ?!
" Nooow !"
Julia frowned then got away. She released her pokémon on the way. Petting her Scorbunny had always calmed her down. Her fingers in his snowy fur, she reckoned that questioning a senior inspector habits might be offending. Then, she simply spotted the low level when they left for their mission, and wanted to avoid him a problem. Alright, next time she'll keep quiet about the mints, that was his problem after all, and would just mention something important. While she was musing, Chase noticed that his tank was indeed empty. He'd also need to fix his hood, and to reprimand his Boltund for that. Well then, filling his tank was first. Once he got out, a movement caught his look : a woman brandished what looked like a gun to his face. Before he could react, a cloud spread on his face.
Some minutes later, he came back to his senses. His vision was blurred for an instant. He was … tied to a chair ? In a room guarded by two people. There was also two pokémon : a Houndoom and … a monkey. Without his pokédex Chase couldn't tell. He was all black, huge, with red eyes and green vines around the wrists. Both pokémon were surrounding the woman who put him asleep. Devineaux had to react : if he could activate the signal for his pokémon, they would rescue him. It was located in his watch : an ultrasound. All he had to do was some specific moves of the wrist. The woman before him took a few steps, grabbing something in her pocket at the same time. Devineaux shivered : would he be killed here ? Quick, his pokémon. However at his surprise, the woman simply dropped a pen. That stopped Chase, especially when a hologram flashed.
Another woman, who greeted him. She immediately reassured him : no harm would be done. As a proof, his handcuffs were opened. This done, she introduced herself : she was Chief. Wow amazing, thought Chase ironically. She was leading an organization specialized in tracking another mysterious society. VILE. Those people were international thieves : rare artifacts and pokémon were their targets, like the Zarude behind. He'd been poached in the jungle, and rescued by ACME when he was a baby. The group he belonged too had been killed and pieces of their bodies sold here and there.
Then, Chief addressed another topic : Carmen Sandiego. And the reason of his presence here. Since he had been in close contact with her, he was presently recruited to help arrest her. Chief wanted intel about VILE, and the crimson shadow seemed well aware about it. This data tended to confirm miss Argent's idea : Carmen wasn't what she appeared to be. All this was planting doubt in his mind too. However, he needn't that ACME to pursue the red thief.
" You don't have a choice in the matter, inspector. Arrangements had been made with your superior."
HUH ?!
" You're aware that you just kidnapped me ?" questioned Devineaux.
" This interview was quite outside of the box, I grant you that. But we must remain invisible." simply answered Chief.
Those nerves, thought Chase. The woman with white hair tended him a key card. At that moment, Julia interrupted. Zari's Houndoom growled. His trainer calmed it. Julia was allowed to come in, and was recruited as well. Chief ended the interview by announcing them they'll soon be sent on a mission. The agents disappeared.
" Do you think we can trust them ?" wondered Julia.
" People who recruit by kidnapping others ? Not sure." retorted Chase.
Julia's thoughts exactly. She said she'll check if they could refuse this weird offer. Chase sighed. Oh right, he was in to fill his tank. The man exited his Dragonite's pokéball.
" Need you for an errand, buddy."
The dragon agreed, letting his trainer climbing on his back. The man went to fill two jerricans of gasoline. While doing this, he mused on what happened. He saw again the face of that woman, that so-called Chief. Being part of a secret agency, thus being a secret agent sounded cool and great, however there was still distrust from his part. When he came back near his car, Julia called him. Apparently, they couldn't refuse to be recruited by ACME.
" Fine, thank you miss Argent. We'll see how this go, and find the truth about Carmen Sandiego. We'll act accordingly." he said.
" Agreed."
The agents parted on that.
On Carmen's side, she was currently in Mumbai, India, hearing Player's intel about that country. The young lady was here to protect copies of the Magna Carta, on display here for the first time. She'll make another visit to check the place. Rox was following her as usual. Pokémon weren't allowed on the museum so she was compelled to make him return his pokéball. Carmen would love to visit that place without any pressure, peacefully as any normal tourist. Perhaps one day, when VILE would be done. Part of her often wonders how long it would take. She knew she already stole them quite an amount of money, lowering their resources. But as long as the Faculty was free, it would never end. Carmen sighed then ended her visit. She'll be back at night.
Rox followed his trainer on the roofs, silently. Carmen spotted an origami planted in a camera. Paper Star. Since this caper was involving papers, she could have guessed it. Well then, let's enter the stage. Carmen soon heard that irritating tune Paper Star kept singing when she was on a move. The operative destroyed all cameras. Before cutting Carmen's grapnel rope.
" I see you haven't lost your touch." commented Carmen.
" And you chose your colour wisely. But enough chit chat, I want to challenge you since a while." replied Paper Star.
She threw a pokéball.
" A Mightyena." said Carmen.
" Of course. This kind of pokémon only obey to the most talented trainer. And I am, a talented trainer. So let's do this : your Thievul against my Origami, and me VS you."
Carmen wasn't thrilled at the idea of her Rox facing that Mightyena and its sharp fangs. But Paper Star didn't let her any choice : she sent her some paper shuriken, while ordering her pokémon to use Rock Smash. Carmen had to dodge the weapons, which was already requiring lots of attention, but also focus on her pokémon's fight. She had to trust Rox, he'll obey her perfectly well. Sandiego ordered Protect first, then Agility and Dark Pulse. All this should grant her some time. Origami was hit, then replied with Payback and Toxik. Hearing that, Carmen shivered. Her Rox could be severely injured with that attack. She immediately ordered that he dodged. However, the poor fox couldn't avoid the next hit : Throat chop. Paper Star ordered Thunder fangs. Rox was in a pinch : he was still suffering from the previous attacks. Would he be able to dodge that one ?
" Rox ! Hyper Beam !"
Carmen decided to buy him some time while he'll prepare the attack. Inspector Devineaux was right : they weren't on an arena. Carmen had been too used to play by the rules. It almost cost her pokémon's life and her freedom. VILE would never fight fairly, she knew that. So let's play dirty as well. Sandiego managed to get closer while dodging the origamis, punching Paper Star on the way once she got out of ammo, then threw an irritating bomb to her Mightyena.
" Hey !" protested Paper Star.
Rox had finished preparing the Hyper Beam. He hit his opponent, defeating it for good. Paper Star called it back. Forcing Carmen to shield, she fled.
" Rox ! You okay my dear ?"
He wasn't feeling so fine, but didn't want to worry his trainer. They had a mission ongoing.
" That's okay, you did great as always. Take some rest." she said, lifting his pokéball.
Now, to stop that crazy girl. Paper Star managed to trap her and avenged her pokémon. She stole the Magna Carta and left triggering the alarm. Carmen lost sight of her outside. Too bad. She decided to cure her Thievul before all.
The following day, Carmen was walking near a river. Player was tracking her target, or trying to :
" What is that ruckus ?" wondered Sandiego.
" That's my other pokémon, moaned Player. I had the wonderful idea of catching a Morpeko. That thing has a dark hole for a stomach. I'm compelled to keep it in a cage, otherwise it'll eat all of our food plus my Pikachu's one."
Carmen had a little smile. Finally, her friend pinned Paper Star. She was on her way to Agra city, by train. The young lady got on board, then sat not too far from the operative. Not so far was inspector Devineaux. So they met again. She escaped last time in that manor, where she used a teammate to trick him. It was that ginger haired girl, she lost her wig on the way. He looked at her a moment, before slowing down his snowmobile. The man came and sat before the woman. Him again, thought Carmen. She tensed.
" Carmen Sandiego I presume." he said.
" Inspector Devineaux. Aren't you out of your jurisdiction here ?" replied Carmen.
" Let's say it just increased recently. But I have some questions for you. Important ones."
Carmen also had one that had been tormenting her. So she decided to let him speak for the moment. Without forgetting to check on Paper Star from time to time.
" Last time we met you were exiting a special place. It was a lab, with pokémon being experimented on. What were you doing here ?" began Chase.
" I wasn't leading that. I put an end to those awful experiences."
Well, she immediately responded, without hesitation. He stared at her. Chase saw lots of criminals in his career, of all kinds. From the one really looking like one, to the most innocent looking like. But they all had the same gleam in the eyes : a dark hue. More or less visible. But Carmen … her eyes were surprisingly clear for a thief.
" Did you really keep the loot you took for each of you capers ?" resumed Chase, not letting any thought on his face.
" I just take what I need for a mission."
The Vermeer paintings had been returned, as the experts said. At first, he didn't want to believe it, since it made absolutely no sense for him. He never saw any thief returning a loot. So why her ? What was her true goal ? Miss Sandiego replied instantly to his questions, confirming what he began to think after that lab incident. Doubt was growing even more in him. Carmen thought it was her turn to question him, when Paper Star decided to leave the wagon. Damn. Would he let her go ? Devineaux had noticed the frequent glances behind him.
" You didn't steal the Magna Carta, didn't you ?" he simply said.
" No."
Chase looked through the window. He was letting her go. Carmen stood up with caution. The man continued watching the landscape. Carmen left. He was allowing her to resume her mission. Sandiego didn't know what to think of that, and didn't have time to reflect on it either. Chase thought it would be a good new that such a beautiful woman wasn't a real criminal. She followed her target. Carmen spotted Devineaux's partner, but didn't sit near her. The inspector's behaviour was a test, she was sure of it. Speaking with his partner might ruin it. Once Paper Star ended her meal, Carmen went after her. The operative felt her presence and attacked. On the meantime, Chase had called his Serperior and ordered it to follow Sandiego. He texted Julia to stay put. Then, he got up. His pokémon went to him, and lifted his head, looking at the ceiling.
" She's on the roofs ?" he asked.
" Serperior !"
Chase patted his snake, then exited. He climbed on the wagon. There she was, fighting with a girl over a tube. The Magna Carta. Oh crap, she was about to fall from the roof … Chase ran when Carmen bounced. He grabbed her wrist.
" You ?" she said, quite surprised.
" What ? I like a little breeze in my hair." he replied.
He lifted her, while she couldn't hold a grin. His Serperior hissed to Paper Star. Seeing that almost 10 feet snake coming to her, she called her other pokémon, Morgrem. Her Mightyena hadn't recover from its previous fight. Serperior straightened, crashing the pokémon under his look. That one used his favourite technique and bowed.
" Toxic and Dragon tail !" shouted Chase, still helping Carmen to stand up.
The two attacks came very fast. Paper Star called her pokémon back when that one fell from the train. Carmen got on her feet. Paper Star was about to get away. The thief ran. She and Paper Star fought for a while again, before the Japanese managed to leap and seize bars under a bridge. Carmen grabbed a lid on the way. She cut the tube straps and collected it. This done, she walked to Chase and gave him the tube.
" You're … giving this to me ?" he asked.
" Well yes. Or aren't you law enforcement anymore ?" she said.
Chase took the tube without a word. He opened it : there really was the Magna Carta in it. So … she wasn't an ordinary thief then. Carmen left the roof. Serperior didn't make a move when she passed near. He joined his trainer who praised it and returned its pokéball. Down there, Julia was wondering what the heck was going on. She spotted her colleague opening the wagon door, a tube in hand. He went to sit near her. After ordering something, Devineaux started to narrate it all. Julia said they'll have to report that.
" Of course we will. Just hope that Chief will see things our way now." replied Chase.
" Yes."
Julia ordered a plate too. Then, shortly before arrival they called their boss for a report. Devineaux showed the Magna Carta, and explained in details what happened.
" You're telling me that she willingly gave that to you ?" repeated Chief.
" Well yes. Miss Sandiego could have decided for a fight, or leave with her glider."
" And you didn't arrest her while she was at your reach ?!"
Chief didn't seem very pleased. Chase and Julia had a move of surprise.
" But Chief, there was no need. She isn't the one who stole it, and remember the Vermeer paintings case : all of them were returned. She isn't our ordinary thief." intervened Julia.
" I'll judge that. Our objective, your objective, is to bring her to me so I can question her about VILE, and herself. Don't forget that. You might have retrieved those precious documents, but this isn't a full success."
Chief disappeared on that. Chase's face darkened as Julia picked her pen.
" Crap. This will cause some trouble from now on." he commented.
" I fail to see why Chief reacted like that. The Magna Carta is safe and we certainly have an ally against that VILE thing." added Julia, turning to him.
" My thoughts exactly. And I don't like that she isn't believing us, it means she isn't trusting our skills. No wonder I distrust her as well."
" And what should we do now ?" questioned Julia.
" What do you think ? Apart from trying to convince Chief ?"
" We'll need evidences, naturally. But if miss Sandiego is really on the good side, I also suggest that we disclose intel to her."
" Fine. Let's wait and see."
Carmen got out of the train. She had pickpocketed Devineaux, eager to know more about this opponent. She narrated her meeting with him to Player.
" So he just let you go." summarized the hacker.
" Correct. I think he tested me."
" And you certainly passed. Perhaps you have an ally now." ventured Player.
" I don't know about that. Each time I saw him, I remember how he threatened Rox. I see this Boltund's jaws getting close to his neck, I hear its growling." confided Carmen.
Player understood, but what if it had been a bluff ? He destabilized her, and he almost caught her because of that. This time, he not only let her go, but also rescued her and protected her from Paper Star. Sandiego mused on that. Yeah … true. Anyway, she still need to know more. But as she searched her pocket, she realized that the key card was gone. Oops. This wasn't good. Paper Star. Should Carmen worry about it ? But there wasn't anything she could do for now. She sighed.
Back to his hotel, Chase let his pokémon get out and enjoy the outside. They were well educated, he trusted them to behave. He simply recommended them to be careful, as always. They nodded, rubbed against the man in affection, before running away. He leaned on his window, thoughtful. Today … he let a criminal go. Worse, he rescued and helped her. Chase never, ever did that before. Not even with that woman who fooled him. Well, he had no idea who she was back then, but when it came to act he didn't hesitated. Here, he decided based on simple assumptions.
" Not entirely. There was the paintings case before."
But what decided him first was that lab. Who could be sick enough to do that ? The image of those poor creatures flashed before his eyes. The pain, the suffering they went through … this wasn't in order to understand them better. Scientists who studied pokémon were doing this respectfully. Carmen had her idea on this, he felt it. So letting her free was certainly the best thing to do to stop that. Chief remained impassive when they reported about that lab. He saw Zari wincing, her hand going on her Zarude's head. Did this didn't affect their boss ? How come ? Or wasn't it the first time she was confronted to this ? In any case, she simply reminded them to focus, back in the train.
Very well, they'll focus alright. Let's just hope he wouldn't regret it for now. Chase straightened. He'll let his window open for his pokémon, while he'll grab a bite. Miss Argent had the same idea. So they went together at the restaurant. Chase casually asked about her partners. They too, were allowed some freedom. While dining, Julia decided to interrogate her human partner, to know him better. Devineaux decided that why not, after all now that they had a common objective and that she wasn't a rule addict, they might well tighten their relation. Chase had his first personal pokémon, Tara, at 27 years old. Before her, police provided him a Herdier. Julia noticed how dark his eyes suddenly became.
" Wha… what happened to it ?" she dared to ask.
" It died. Poisoned in retaliation."
That caused him great pain, as this type of pokémon were very loyal to their trainer. The ones who did that paid dearly for that, however it took him a long time to accept another pokémon. He met Tara on a windy day of winter, she had caught his scarf and naturally brought it back to him. He noticed the pokémon on several occasions after that, searching the garbage. He ended catching her after rescuing her from a pack of Rockruff, offering her a better life. Then, he had Boltund two years later, offered as a thanks by somebody he solved the case. Dragonite followed, that he delivered from a trafficker. The dragon didn't want to leave him, after Chase conducted it to a center for healing. Last one was Serperior, the only one who gradually evolved.
" I see. Well, my Scorbunny is my first one. My parents each had several pokémon, and are running a Scorbunny breeding. They naturally proposed one to me. It helped me capturing Espeon, which is really useful in law enforcement. I never thought about getting others, Scorbunny is enough work on his own." told Julia.
So that was her story.
" I guess that entering Interpol with that type of pokémon hadn't been easy, am I right ?" said Chase with a little smile.
" Indeed, I was looked down because of my Scorbunny. Dogs are the majority in police, they all thought a rabbit was too weak. But he showed them what he was made of, and mockeries stopped."
Devineaux stared at her. Knowing people he doubted that.
" Really ?" he let escape.
" In fact, it got replaced by jealousy. Espeon defended us, by inflicting mental pain, which actually caused more problems. People started to believed I couldn't educate him properly, and if so then I'll have to do something about it." explained Julia, with a bit of sadness.
Now that was more what he expected from humans.
" Like getting rid of it I presume."
" Exactly."
" Ha. I'm not surprised, pokémon training is strict in Interpol and law enforcement. They're also another mean of competition, as if we didn't have better things to do." he hissed.
Which made him think.
" I must confess you something. I … I also thought at first that a Scorbunny wasn't fit for our job. I'm sorry about that, I should know better than to judge a colleague through its pokémon. After all, it wasn't like you possessed a Snorlax."
" Sure ! I forgive you, you simply thought that, didn't express it which is better. And more importantly, you changed your mind." she grinned.
" Indeed, it did great when you assisted me in trying to catch Carmen and her team."
Now that this was clear between them, they continued on funny moments they lived with pokémon, the training with Interpol, missions they had. All things considered, Chase began to think that having a human partner wasn't so bad. They ended their meal satisfied, just in time to welcome their pokémon who came back together and greeted them affectionately.
" Hey. Did you get acquainted as well ?" asked Chase, his hands on his dogs' fur, while Dragonite hugged them all.
Serperior waited his turn with dignity. Scorbunny was enthusiastically telling about their hang out. Their trainers went back to their respective rooms. The following day would be the departure day.