Pokémon Police Force Chapter 12: Glacial Meltwater

I awoke to the feeling of the ground moving. When I opened my eyes, I found myself tied with web onto the back of a big red Bug Pokémon. Looking around, I noticed Emerald the Braixen, Sheriashuu the Mienshao and Slowbro all in the same position. We were being carried somewhere on the back of Ariados.

"Emerald, what happened?"

"It was a trap. We rushed in to save you, but…"

"Red waves?"

"Yeah. This is exactly like them," said Slowbro, "ambushes and-"

Slowbro got slapped by a Wartortle.

"Quiet!"

Only now did I notice all the pirates surrounding us. We were being taken prisoner under heavy guard, but where were they leading us.

Okay Argyle, think. Emerald, Slowbro and Sheriashuu are all tied up and immobile. There is one Ariados for each of us and two others in the back of the convoy. As for the guards, there are a Poliwrath, Mankey, the aforementioned Wartortle and a Honedge. If I manage to free myself, I'll have to deal with 10 Pokémon all alone. Normally my speed would see me through, but that Honedge probably has the No Guard Ability. I do not like these chances.

I looked at my companions and started considering their chances. Slowbro is (of course) our slowest member. If he still had his Shellder cannon, he could melt himself out with poison. He has Psychic powers of course, but I don't know exactly strong they are.

Sheriashuu has many great attacks, but they all require physical contact which is impossible right now. Emerald has Psychic and Fire type moves, but they all require the stick in her tail, which she can't reach.

That stick could be our way out. It ignites when she pulls it out. That's it! Need to let Slowbro know the plan. I'm a Dark type, so telepathy is probably out of the question. I have only one Move that can help. It's risky, but I have to do it.

"Icy Wind," I whispered.

I aimed an intentionally weak version of the Move at Ariados's back. For far too long, nothing happened. Finally, Ariados sneezed.

"Think I caught a cold," said the Ariados I was riding on.

As we kept walking, I kept up the Move. Eventually, I could feel its body growing colder. Ariados's core temperature was dropping. It began falling further back in line and was starting to shiver.

"Oi! You're falling behind!" Said Poliwrath.

"So… so cold…"

Ariados fell to the ground, taking me with it.

"Ariados!" Yelled the pirates.

Mankey touched its face.

"This is bad! He's freezing!" Mankey said.

I ended the move and pretended to be caught off-guard.

"Does anyone know Fire type moves?" Asked Honedge.

I looked at Slowbro and motioned with my head towards Emerald. He looked at her and then back to me and winked. Slowbro's brow furrowed and his eyes closed.

The stick in Emerald's tail was removed and rocketed toward the Ariados carrying me. With a scream, Ariados was ignited in flame. I got burned as well, but I had the presence of mind to grab the stick and run to Sheriashuu's side in the confusion. I burned her webs and freed her.

"Thanks for that," she said.

"No problem," I responded, "keep them busy while I free the others."

Not saying another word, Sheriashuu began beating up the pirates.

"Wow," I said in amazement, "she did not like bondage. I- I should free the others."

I freed Slowbro and finally Emerald, returning the stick to the latter. As we all squared off to fight the pirates, we were all surrounded in mere moments. Vines appeared from out of nowhere and bound us so tightly that a second escape was impossible. We were then lifted into the air.

"Nice of you to finally show up, Tangrowth," said Honedge.

A huge mass of vines walked into view with clear eyes arms and feet.

"I was held up," he said as one of his vines wrestled the stick from Emerald's grasp.

To us, Tangrowth spake.

"If even one of you thinks about escaping again and I'll break all your necks."

After some Ariados first aid, we were drug onto a ship by Tangrowth. The other pirates filtered in and we set off. They never bothered to lock us in the brig. Tangrowth insisted on keeping us in his sight.

Emerald was fighting against the vines, trying to wiggle free. Slowbro looked to be deep in thought. Sheriashuu was shouting out a never-ending river of curses. Curses so great that for the more sensitive reader, I will leave unmentioned. Just imagine cursing that would make even a sailor blush.

Eventually, we sailed through a graveyard of sorts. Sharp, rocky spires jutted through the waters here and everywhere you looked, wreckage of past vessels and skeletons littered the spires. We were sailing through a ship graveyard.

"Shipwreck Cove!" I said, as Meloetta's words flooded my mind.

"What's that?" Asked Emerald.

"That's what the Oracle said," I replied, "your destiny awaits you in Shipwreck Cove."

"This is not a destiny that you should be looking forward to, lad," said Tangrowth.

We continued sailing in near total silence, the sound of the ship captain barking orders was the only think that broke the silence. We eventually arrived at our goal, Shipwreck Cove.

Shipwreck Cove, as I found out, was an island built from the wreckage of past ships. The island was so perfectly formed that it would've looked natural at first. As we docked, I noticed that the only feature on the island was a cave that led into the depths. Tangrowth made a motion once we disembarked from the ship. With a lurch, the ship turned and sailed away, abandoning us. Finally, Tangrowth set us down.

"Either do as we say, or resist and be torn apart by the Red Waves," said Poliwrath.

Tangrowth returned Emerald's stick.

"Walk," he ordered.

Emerald looked at me and I nodded. She put the stick back in her tail. We began walking into the cave right after. Poliwrath trailed me, making sure I walk at the front of the pack.

Inside the cave was a set of stairs that led down. The Red Waves forced us down them.

As we walked, I kept my eyes peeled for any secret passages or escape routes, but found none. It was just a staircase.

The stairs ended in a long hallway with a line of doors on each side. They led us straight through the hallway, following it to the end, a real cave cut into real stone. I wondered how far underwater we were as we stepped through.

Inside, we found a command center of sorts. Tables, chairs, barrels and crates were littered all around, covered in maritime charts and supplies. In the middle was a large, strangely vacant table with chairs all around. On the walls, were banners with a single red wave on each.

Each of the tables were crowded by pirates arguing over each chart. Your escort led us to a particular table at the far corner of the room, where Two Bewear and a Bearctic were arguing.

"What you are suggesting is suicide!" Said the first Bewear.

"I wasn't saying it wasn't," said the second Bewear, "but it is probably our best chance at-"

All eyes fell upon our little entourage.

"Tangrowth, why are you interrupting?" Asked Bearctic.

"Apologies," replied Tangrowth, pushing me forward, "found that Sneasel you were looking for, boss."

I looked at the Bearctic. Bearctic was clearly the leader, his aura just overflowed with power. Pirates love power almost as much as money.

"Is that so?"

Someone jumped onto the table, someone whom I never noticed before next to the three bigger, more vocal Pokémon. The small Pokémon was a fox, both figuratively and literally. Her pale blue body was covered in darker diamond patterns. Her long tail ended in a triangular point and her long ears looked like a diamond as well. She had icy blue fur on her forehead that looked like bangs. Her ears and tail were covered in gold piercings, but what really drew my gaze was her piercing blue eyes, so pure that it was as if looking at freshly fallen snowflakes. The boss of the Red Waves was a Glaceon!

Uncaring about the charts underneath her she walked on the table right to me. Her gait was the most feminine I've ever seen, even among the more feminine Pokémon, like Lopunny. The way she looks at me, I'd probably be swooning if she wasn't the boss of a band of pirates.

She stopped a few feet away and spoke to the first Bewear.

"Poster. Now."

Bewear set a paper on the table in front of her. I was a little shocked to see my wanted poster here.

"Half a million Poké. Most Pokémon would kill their own mothers for cash like that. Who'd you kill for a mark like that?"

"No one," I replied, "I don't kill."

Mankey pushed Sheriashuu forward.

"What should we do with them, boss?" Mankey asked.

I became suddenly aware as to our situation. If they find out we have two lawmen with us, it will be bad.

"Wait!" I shouted.

Once I did so, I could feel every eye in the room turn on me.

"What?" Asked the Glaceon.

"Well… um… uh…"

"Glacier," said Glaceon.

So that's her name. I thought she could be my sister, but I guess not.

"Glacier, please spare their lives!" I said, "I'll take on all their punishments myself! Just spare them!"

The room went silent. Glacier's face was hard to read.

"You-"

"Argyle."

"Argyle, do you have any idea what you're asking?"

"Yes. And I don't care about the consequences. I just don't want them to die."

"You're an interesting one."

"So are you. Says a lot about you for a Glaceon to be able to lead pirates so effectively."

"You like what you see?"

"I'm impressed."

"Is that so…?"

Glaceon looked at Honedge.

"Take the prisoners to the brig."

Our escorts began to lead us away until Glacier spake again.

"All except for Argyle."

Our group stopped and then Bearctic grabbed my arm, right where it was bound, making me wince in pain.

"What do you want done to him?"

"Bring him to my chambers."

Without a further word, Bearctic took me to a hidden door at the back of the room and pulled me through.

As this happened, I heard an exchange from the rest of the group.

Wartortle shoved Emerald forward and they began walking again.

"What's going to happen to Argyle?" Emerald asked.

"For your sakes, you'd better hope he knows how to plow," said Wartortle.

"How can you do any gardening down here?" Asked Slowbro.

Sheriashuu slapped Slowbro in the back of the head at that last question.

I was led through a smaller hallway and to a heavy metal door. Bearctic releases me and fiddles with a lock. The door unlocks with a heavy clang and he unlatches the door. Pulling the door open, Bearctic motions me inside.

"In with you."

I entered the room and Bearctic closes the door behind me. Glacier's room wasn't anything like I expected from a pirate captain. The two words to best describe this room would be blue and lace. There was fancy-looking light blue furniture everywhere. Each dresser and table were covered in neat little arrays of gold jewelry and cosmetics.

The only stool sat behind a blue dresser with a large mirror sitting atop it. On the ground was a plush, icy white carpet with snowflakes decorating it. The walls and ceiling were covered in giant ribbons of white lace, each leading to the room's central focal point, the bed.

The bed was a large canopy bed draped with the same lace. This Glacier had an actual bed! The bed had white sheets and pillows and were covered in a large, icy blue blanket.

"Does she think she's a princess or something?"

Right on cue, the door opened again and Glacier stepped through. I stepped back to let her in. The door closed behind her with a loud thud. Apparently, Bearctic was still outside.

"This doesn't look like an execution," I said.

"Is that how you greet a woman after she invites you into her bedroom?"

"So why am I here?"

"Are you really so dense?"

Glacier stepped closer to me, almost close enough to kiss.

"A 500,000 Poké bounty. How does a common thief rack up a price like that?"

"When you steal something they'd kill for."

"Ah, yes," Glacier said as she began to walk circles around me, "there are many things someone would kill for. This included."

She intentionally brushed her tail under my chin on the word 'this'.

"I wish to know the man behind the mask."

She brushed her tail across my mask.

"What makes him tick. What makes his gears grind? What causes his skin to prickle?"

Arceus, this woman knows how to flirt.

"There must be some reason they want to take you alive."

She began running her tail somewhere inappropriate quite suggestively. She then gets close and whispers into my uncovered right ear.

"Get on the bed."

Meanwhile in the lowest parts of the Cove. We were all dumped into a small, claustrophobic room of the cave. Tangrowth closed the heavy iron door after us and locked it shut.

"Well, this is a fine mess," said Sheriashuu, uselessly kicking the door once more.

"Sheriashuu, stop," I told the Mienshao, "it's pointless."

Sheriashuu punched the door.

"What's going to happen to us?" Asked Slowbro, "why did Master Jedi do that?"

"Stop calling him that," said Sheriashuu, "Solar Skirmishes wasn't that great anyway."

"Well, what do you suggest I call my boss?"

"Godfather," said Sheriashuu sarcastically.

"I'll do that then!"

"Oh my Xerneas," Said Sheriashuu, "I can't be stuck here forever with you."

"Anyway… our fate lies with Argyle now," I said, "our survival depends solely on how well he… performs."

"How did this even make it past censorship?" Asked Sheriashuu, "I need to have words with the author. Violent words."

"That Glaceon is one convoluted gardener."

"Oh my Landorus, just kill me now," said Sheriashuu.

Later, I lay on the bed panting, completely spent. Glacier lay next to me smiling with an adorably innocent grin.

"You okay, handsome?" Glacier asked.

"Yeah," I panted, "never thought my destiny would involve that."

"Take what you want," she replied, "you should be familiar with that mantra."

I didn't answer, I knew I had to change the subject before she dragged me into another session.

"So, how did I do?"

(Seriously? 'How did I do?' That's the best you could up with Argyle!?)

"Really well," she said, "it's rare to find a man that can keep up."

"That's… good," was all I was able to say.

I closed my eyes softly for a little while before opening them again. When I opened my eyes, strangely everything was in a cast of green. After seeing that, I blinked a few more times, but it didn't go away.

I got suddenly up from the bed and walked to the mirror.

"Argyle?"

In my reflection, I seen that both of my eyes were green. How did my eye change color like that? I violently shook my head and, to my relief, that took care of the problem.

That was weird.

"You keep talking about your destiny," said Glacier, bringing me back to the present, "did you meet the Oracle?"

"Yeah. She told me my destiny awaits at Shipwreck Cove."

Glacier got off the bed and joined me at the mirror.

"She gave you more than that. I know it."

Did Glacier visit Meloetta once before too?

"Yeah. She told me to seek after the Terror of the Seas."

"The Terror of the Seas? Why on Pokéarth would you ever seek after such a beast?"

"I'm trying to find clues about my sister," I said, "a sister I never knew I had."

"What would you do if you met the Terror of the Seas?"

"I don't know. I haven't got that far yet. If I have to fight, I will. Even if it kills me."

"All this for a sister who you might not even have?"

"I know it seems foolish, but I must do it to find the truth."

"HA! I knew I liked more about you than your skill in bed!"

"Please don't bring that up."

"To tell you the truth, I've been looking for an excuse to go after that thing."

"You'd really go there? To the Devil's Gauntlet? I thought every sailor was afraid of going there."

"We have a score to settle. It almost killed me once."

"So, you'll take me there, to see this 'Terror'?"

"Yes. We'll leave once preparations are ready."

"Great. But first I have one, maybe two requests."

"Let's hear them."

"Get up. The captain wants to see you lot."

A Prinplup stood at the open cell door.

"Are we in trouble?" Asked Slowbro.

"She didn't say."

We were led back into the command room under the watchful guard of Prinplup and Carracosta. The room seemed less full than when we were there before. As we arrived, I witnessed Glacier and Argyle sitting at the long table in the center of the room.

"Sit," commanded Glacier.

We did as commanded and sat in the chairs provided.

"Now, first, you are not in any trouble. Argyle made sure of that. They were long and hard negotiations, but he really hammered the point home," said Glacier.

"Could you stop that already?" Argyle asked, looking very annoyed.

"The godfather's gardening saved us," said Slowbro.

"You two," said Argyle, "wait, godfather?"

"I told him to stop with the 'master jedis'," said Sheriashuu.

"Why does he only listen to you?"

"Anyway…," I said, "why have you called us here?"

"We're going after the Terror of the Seas," Glacier said plainly.

"We're going- what?" I asked, "the Terror of the Seas? What is that?"

"You can't be serious," said Slowbro, "you're sailing to your own death."

"What is the Terror of the Seas?" Asked Sheriashuu.

"A monster living in a dangerous stretch of water," Argyle said, "the Oracle said to go after it."

"Are you mad!?" Asked Slowbro in anger, "going after that thing, it's suicide!"

"That is why I called you here," said Glacier.

"Your help would increase our chances at survival," said Argyle, "join if you want to, but if you refuse, I made Glacier promise to return you to the mainland unharmed."

"You'd really let us go?" Asked Sheriashuu.

"I would and will," said Glacier, "but the choice is yours. Go or stay."

"I'm following the godfather," said Slowbro.

"I give up," said Argyle.

"Argyle saved my life once before, so I'm going to return the favor," said Slowbro, "hook or no."

"I'm going with you, Argyle," I said.

"You're seriously going to side with the Sneasel!?" Asked Sheriashuu, "did you forget what we came here to-?"

"Of course, I remember. Even then, I'm not letting Argyle die on my watch."

"You little-! Fine! Go on your little date! And when you come back, I'm going to let Magnezone know all about how you abandoned your duty!"

The angry Mienshao stormed out of the room. Glacier made a motion and Tangrowth followed her.

"Don't worry about her," I said, "she'll come around."

"We need to formulate a plan for a possible sea battle," said Glacier, "Barbacle will show you two to your quarters. As for you, Slowbro, follow Bewear to visit our forge master. The 'godfather' arranged a gift for you."

Slowbro followed Bewear with a skip in his step and Glacier left to draw up plans, leaving me and Argyle at the table.

"So how did it go? You know, in the bed?" I asked.

"I'm still trying to figure out how we managed to have sex despite our lack of genitals," said Argyle.

"Wait, what?"