Hey Everyone, It's Friday! Time for another Chapter.

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Chapter 7: Accelerating About

(Two Days Later, At the Headquarters of the International Police's Alola Branch)

"Four days until they strike again. They have to have some sort of additional trace we can follow." Said Prof. Alva. "I think I've got it!" Exclaimed Clemont.

(Prof. Alva, Bonnie, and Sophocles then turn to Clemont, who was looking at the clear Poke Ball-esque device Serena Found in Laverre City.)

"For them to be able to deploy the Sleep Powder, they can't use a Pokémon, as that could run the risk of leaving a trace. So, they have to use these." Said Clemont. "But, how do they get the Sleep Powder in the first place?" Asked Bonnie. "It is no easy process. The gathering of Sleep Powder is a task that can very easily go wrong. One loose end is enough for a person to get a whiff of it and be knocked out in a matter of seconds, which can jeopardize the entire process. But if the process and technique is mastered, one can easily lull a person or Pokémon to sleep at any time." Explained Prof. Alva. Clemont then turns to Prof. Alva. "Exactly! Given the scale of the case, it's very likely that our perpetrators have a lot of these and a stash of Sleep Powder. Given the strength of the material, this device will not easily break. So they likely fill it with Sleep Powder before finishing the sealing process." Bonnie then turns to her brother. "So then, how does the Sleep Powder get released?" Clemont then bends down to his younger sister's height. "Do you see the center of the device over here?" "Yes." "Near the middle there's a small notch that you can twist with two fingers. Once twisted a tiny timer goes off, giving the person one minute to throw the device. Once the time is up, it releases the Sleep Powder into the air as quickly as possible." "So the device is like a super-fast incense?" Asked Sophocles. "Yes. It has a small engine inside. Powerful enough to completely empty it, but also quiet enough to not be detected by any person or Pokémon." "Excellent observation and insight." Said Mateus.

(Mateus, who was standing at the door, then enters the room.)

"And you nailed it on the explanation as well. I didn't want to steal your thunder." Said Mateus, who was praising Clemont. "Thank you, Detective Mateus." Said Clemont. Mateus then turns to the Analysis Team. "I've just finished talking with the Collection Team, and we've got a breakthrough." "What?!" Asked the Analysis Team. "I'll pull it up right now."

(Mateus then pulls up the Collection Team's recent finding.)

"It's footage from one of the security cameras of the Aérobique family's neighbors." Said Mateus. Mateus then plays the video of the footage, showing two people in all black carrying the most recent victim across her family's backyard. "I, I don't believe this!" Said a shocked and scared Prof. Alva. "I thought Team Rocket was behind bars!" Shouted Clemont. "They have to be! We helped Mateus and Ash put them there!" Said an equally shocked Sophocles. "What horrible people!" Exclaimed Bonnie. Mateus then calms everyone down. "Team Rocket IS behind bars. However, given by the lack of insignia, it's very likely that our perpetrators are very much inspired by them. I'll contact the other teams as well as Commissioner Blake to see what we should do from here on out."

(Ten Minutes Later)

"While the new piece of evidence will be disturbing to many, I think it is best to release this to the public." Said Rosa over the video screen. "I agree with Rosa." Said Ash over the video screen. "Don't you think that people can begin to worry more if they find out that these disappearances are, in reality, kidnappings?" Asked Lana over the video screen. "That is a side effect of releasing the video to the public, but it's one we'll have to deal with." Said Mateus who then sighs. "I know I gave the order to not mention it. Though it may sound like I'm contradicting myself, we will have to throw said order out the window. There are people in the public who are willing to help us in this case, however, they can't do much if either they do not know anything or if we are not as transparent. From a game I played when I was young, a wise Diglett often said 'I do not know what I do not know'. Our perpetrators do not know that this footage exists, if we let it release, it may work to our advantage." "So you think we should let the public know about the recent update." Said Blake over the video screen. "Yes, Commissioner." Blake then ponders for a moment before looking back at Mateus. "I'll release an update regarding the case to the public. It should be in the news by tonight.

(Blake then leaves the video call.)

"Make no mistake, the ramifications of this move are going to be big. I'll need you all here in Alola in a couple of days. Until then, keep doing what you can until I notify you." Said Mateus. "Roger." Said Rosa, Ash, and Lana over the video screen. Mateus then ends the video call before heading back to work.

(Several Hours Later, in an Unknown Region)

"If you know anything about these kidnappers or their whereabouts, please do not hesitate to contact your local International Police branch." Said the News Anchor on the television screen. A scientist then turns off the television. "This could pose a problem. Now has one piece of evidence that they can use against us." Said The Scientist. "This is not the time to worry. We must carry on with the plans as usual, we're almost complete." Said someone using a voice synthesizer. "Miss, I…" "I know what the International Police are capable of! It does not worry me one bit!" "I understand, Miss." "I've already located our next subjects. Tell the team to wait and stand by for further orders, and that extra precautions will need to be taken this time around." "Yes, Ma'am.

(The Next Day, In Johto)

Serena was on her Rotom Phone, talking to her mother. "Wyatt and Stella are darlings, as usual." Said Grace over the phone. Knowing that you and dad dote on the twins makes me and Ash happy. Eon." Said Serena. "How's everything with the case, dear?" "I can't give out too many details since this is still ongoing." "That's fine." "Knowing what you and dad likely had to go through when I was missing and hearing these parents fear for their children. I can't help but want to burst into tears. Eon."

(Grace then begins to cry.)

"Mom?! What's wrong?! Eon?!" Asked Serena. "I'm sorry dear, it's just that hearing what you said reminds me of what your father and I experienced over the years." Said a teary eyed Grace. "H-how so?" "Serena, over all the years you were missing, we never lost hope that you were still out there. No matter how likely or unlikely the odds were. Over the span of 12 years, the neighborhood kids and went on with their lives. While me and your father were happy for them and their families, it did break our hearts a little bit that we couldn't share those same experiences with you. But despite this, we never gave up on the hope that we would see you again. It felt like every aspect of our lives and the world went ahead, while our family life stayed in place." "As if nothing had been touched? Eon?" "Exactly. When Ash and Detective Cobalt told us that you were alive and reunified you with us, it felt as if the gears started to move again. Of course, you were now half-Sylveon and we learned of the horrible things Team Rocket did to you, but we were happy that you were in our lives once again." Serena then frowns. "But nothing will truly bring back all the time that was lost, right?" Grace then sighs over the phone. "That is true, unfortunately, but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the time we spend together now. Hearing how Ash has helped you get into society, seeing the two of you get married, and now helping you take care of our grandchildren, it brings so much joy to us." "I see. Eon." "When you were born, your father and I promised to each other and to you, that we would be the best parents that we could be. Since we couldn't fulfill that promise, we're going to be the best grandparents we can be for Wyatt and Stella." Serena couldn't help but begin to cry happy tears. "Mom. I love you." "I love you too, dear. Tell Ash I said hello." "I will. Eon." Serena then ends the call.

(Ten Minutes Later, With Ash.)

"How have you been, Sweetheart?" Asked Ash. "I had an unexpected, but well needed, heart to heart call with my mom. Eon." Said Serena. "How are the twins?" "Mom says they're okay. She and dad love them dearly." Ash then chuckles. "I can see that. Wyatt and Stella are lucky to have excellent grandparents." "That is true. Eon."

(Ash's Rotom Phone then starts ringing.)

"It's Mateus." Said Ash. Ash then takes the call. "Hello." "Hello Ash. Are you and your team finished with everything yet?" Said Mateus over the phone. "Just about. We only have a few families to ask, why?" "Alright. I'll need all of you to head to Alola tomorrow. I've notified the other teams of this as well." "Alright then. We'll be there."

*End of Chapter 7*

Keeping tabs on the World Cup, writing the story, and managing college? Not easy, but I'm pushing through.

For those who Favorited and/or are Following any part of the "Tied in Love" Trilogy: Thank you! It brings me joy to know that you enjoy reading these stories as mush as I do writing them.

Lastly, I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you all next Friday.