Pokémon Police Force Chapter 18: The Silent Abyss

If there's one thing I can't stand here, it's the smell. I've been committed into this prison for well over a month now, with no end in sight. Knowing Argyle, he probably escaped prison by now and, if he's smart, is laying low until things cool down.

Meanwhile, I'm stuck in prison. Every day, I do what I'm told without complaint, but they've yet to break me. I plan on keeping it that way.

The cell itself was made of some high-grade metal. Titanium probably. The only windows here were made of tempered, pressurized glass and only served to separate the cell from the corridor without.

Nowhere in the prison was there any place to look outside. So, I hadn't a clue where I was. Luckily, they let me keep my stick, but whenever I tried to gaze into the future, all I seen was the prison.

"I guess one more time couldn't hurt."

I withdrew the stick from my tail, igniting the tip. Gazing into the flame, I began thinking of Argyle.

(Please, just let me know if he's alive.)

The vision I was shown had nothing at all to do with Argyle. All I was shown was the warden's office. Then, in my mind's eye, I walked the corridors to an elevator. Finally, the vision ended.

"Well, that was pointless."

"On your feet, Wurmple!"

I did as I was told as three guards barged into my cell. Thinking fast, I returned the stick to my tail before they could confiscate it. The guards were a Poliwrath, an Alolan Persian and a Prinplup.

"The warden wants to see you," said Prinplup.

"Move," said Poliwrath.

I silently left with the three guards and taken to warden Carracosta's office. There, beside the warden was a smaller Pokémon dressed in a black cloak and a black mask that covered both eyes but left its nose and mouth uncovered. Whoever the Pokémon was, they had dark fur and was about my height.

While physically smaller than Carracosta, there was something about this visitor that made me believe it was much stronger than everyone in the room put together.

"This the one?" Asked the mystery Pokémon.

That voice was clearly masculine. Why did it feel so familiar?

"Yes. Let me introduce-," began warden Carracosta.

"No need for formalities," said the unknown Pokémon, "Agent Black, of the UDC."

"UDC?" I asked.

"The United Department of Corrections," said warden Carracosta.

"We oversee all prisons. Which effectively makes me the warden's boss."

"Am I in trouble?"

"No. Quite the opposite. I know who you are Lieutenant Emerald of the Mystery City Police Force."

"I thought she was a-!" Began the Alolan Persian.

"A thief by the name of Sapphire? Yeah, did that to keep myself safe from the other inmates."

"That is precisely why I'm here."

The masked Pokémon was impossible to read. His appearance was so alien to me, I might as well have been talking to a Beeheeyem.

"You're getting transferred to a safer prison," he said, "most everyone here was arrested by you personally."

"I noticed."

"If a certain someone would've let us know about your interment in this facility earlier-"

"I told you that we-!" Began warden Carracosta.

A sharp jab from the unknown Pokémon cut off the warden.

"And I believe that I told you about all the egregious security flaws in your prison! It would be all too easy for a thief to sneak in and orchestrate a prison break."

"What kind of an idiot would break into a-"

With surprising strength, the masked Pokémon lifted the warden up and slammed him against the wall.

"Shut up, you idiot!"

The enigmatic Pokémon pointed at Prinplup.

"You. You're the warden now. Carracosta, you're fired!"

"But! But! But!"

"No buts! Prinplup what's your first order of business?"

"Ejecting the former warden and upgrading security," answered the new warden, Prinplup, "guards!"

After Carracosta was forcefully ejected from the prison, there was an uncomfortable silence in the warden's office. Now it was just the masked Pokémon, the new warden and myself in the room.

"What just happened?" I asked.

Without warning, the Pokémon grabbed my arm.

"Come with me. And warden, get fresh milk. The one you have in the fridge is expired."

"R-right!" Stuttered Prinplup.

I got led through the prison corridors to a familiar elevator. The elevator from my vision! I made nary a sound as the Pokémon pushed me into the elevator. He got in behind me and pressed a button. With a metallic groan, the elevator began ascending. The prison was underground? No wonder there were no windows. The enigmatic Pokémon eventually pressed his hand against his ear.

"Sal, how are things going on your end?"

I heard a muffled response. There must be a headset within that mask.

"Good."

The unknown Pokémon stood facing me and removed his hood. The mask followed, landing onto the ground with a hollow thud.

The Pokémon that was facing me made my heart skip a beat. He was a small, black, weasel-like Pokémon with a red right eye and an emerald green left eye. The entire left side of his face was decorated in a brilliant hexagonal pattern of corruption in the same green as his eye.

"A-A-Argyle!?" I stuttered, not quite believing my eyes.

"Hello, Emerald," he said, dropping the fake voice.

Overcome with emotions, I ran to Argyle, embraced him and drew him into a big kiss.

I wasn't sure how long we walked, but we eventually arrived at our destination, Mystery City. The city looked more like the scene of a forest fire than a town. Charred stumps of great trees and ashes lay scatted all over the place with just a single concrete building still standing. The 46th precinct appeared untouched by the flames.

"I didn't want to believe you," said the Salazzle beside me, "but this-"

"I wish I was lying, Sal," I said.

"How could anyone do this!?" Shouted Snow, "first my ship, and now-!"

Slowbro didn't say anything, instead, he walked into the town and began poking inside the charred remains of the homes.

I slammed my fist on the ground.

"Why!? Pyra! Danté! Why did you have to do this!?"

"BZZT! SO, YOU'VE RETURNED. BZZT!"

Sheriff Magnezone levitated up to our little group, followed by his two Magnemite deputies.

"BZZT! CARE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE? BZZT!"

I don't know how long I kept up the kiss, but I eventually broke away once I realized what I just did.

"Sorry about that!" I apologized.

"Don't worry about it, Emerald," said Argyle, "though if being a hero gets you kisses from attractive women, I might have to do it more often."

"Oh, stop it, you!"

We both shared a laugh at that.

"How did you find me?"

"Magnezone told me."

"You met Sheriff Magnezone!?"

"Yep. He's in on this little prison break."

Sheriff Magnezone supports breaking the law like this!? Argyle wordlessly put the mask back on and pulled his hood back up.

"Our ride is almost over," said Argyle, "be a good little prisoner."

"Right."

The elevator arrives at the top. With a ding, the elevator doors opened. Without the elevator, was a heavily guarded platform, surrounded on all sides by water. The prison was in the middle of the ocean! At the far end of the platform, there was an unknown ship. It looked rickety, yet sturdy.

"Get in, prisoner," said Argyle.

I walked up the gangplank and onto the deck of the ship, followed by Argyle. The crew was, predictably more pirate-like in appearance than UDC-like.

"Emerald, do you trust me?" Asked Argyle.

"What?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes?"

"Good."

Argyle smothered my face with some strange-smelling cloth. Then, everything went black.

I had begun relaying my story to Sheriff Magnezone, when several surviving townspeople walked up and I had to start over. Among the survivors were Milly, the Miltank, Skarmory, from Macovoy Manor, Ivory the Meowstic and Watchog, the two lawyers from my trial and about half the townspeople and lawmen. Team Razor Wind was here too, having fully recovered from the ordeal.

"I never, ever believed that Sheriashuu was capable of this," said Ivory.

"Forget about her," I said, "she's beyond my reach. She and my… friends."

"BZZT! NO MATTER THE REASON, SHERIASHUU MAND AN ILLEGAL ARREST. SHE MUST BE MADE TO ANSWER FOR THAT AND… THIS. BZZT!" Said Sheriff Magnezone.

"But there's one person I can reach," I said, "Emerald. I'm breaking her out of prison."

Milly walked over to me.

"Argyle, honey."

"Magnezone, tell me where Emerald is held. I'll bring her back. Myself, if I have to."

"Argyle, do you even hear yourself?" Asked Snow, "you are never alone. Never again."

"Snow…"

"You saved my life before," said Slowbro, "I will repay that debt."

"I haven't been with you long, but let's go save your girlfriend," said Sal.

"She's not my-"

"Whatever."

"BZZT! I DO NOT CODONE BREAKING THE LAW, BUT THE INNOCENT SHOULD NEVER BE PUNISHED. BZZT!"

Everyone present, even Skarmory, showed their support for me and what I stood to do.

"You guys, thanks. But if we're going to do this, I want it done right."

"You sound like you have a plan," said Ivory.

I was feeling rather groggy as I awoke. As I slowly opened my eyes, I was being hoisted onto a Pokémon's shoulder. It looked like… Slowbro? Shaking the sleepiness from my eyes, I was finally able to take in the scene.

Slowbro was carrying me from one ship onto another. It seemed like every Pokémon was transferring ship. Slowbro set me down next to Argyle. I steadied myself with the railing as Argyle spake.

"Sleep well?"

"What was that? Why'd you drug me?"

"Chloroform, watered down, but still effective," said a Salazzle, "Argyle had to do that to draw attention away from us."

"Standard prison protocol. The prisoners cannot know where each prison is," explained Argyle.

"So, what's with the boat exchange?"

"We're going to blow the ship to kingdom come!" Said Slowbro gleefully.

"Soon everyone will know how an entire crew of UDC agents and their prisoner were killed during a pirate raid," said the Salazzle.

"Wait, you're faking my death!?"

"Disappearance, actually," said Argyle.

The ship pulled away from the "rental" ship. When we were far enough away, Slowbro issued the command.

"FIRE!"

With the sound of cannon fire and the sound of crunching wood, the ship was sent to Davey Jones' Locker.

I stood on the deck, staring at the wreckage before the Salazzle grabbed my paw.

"We haven't met, Salandra. Call me Sal," the Salazzle said, "Argyle told me all about you."

I looked from her and back to Argyle. Knowing what I do about Salazzle, I had to ask.

"He's not… you know… is he?"

"Naw, he's not my puppet," said Sal, "we helped each other escape prison."

"Our first order of business was saving you," explained Slowbro.

"Is this your sister's ship?" I asked, "where is she?"

"She's back on shore," Argyle said, "it's just the three of us, and all of them."

"I thought she'd be with her crew."

"She, along with everyone else is working on a little surprise for you," Argyle said, "you'll have to wait until we get to our destination to see it."

"Where are we heading?"

"Mystery City."

I gulped. Never did I ever want to go back there and see that carnage. However, once we made landfall and arrived, I was shocked by what I'd seen, pleasantly so.

The townspeople were rebuilding the city. Scaffolding, tools and building supplies were everywhere. Looks like they called in Conkeldurr's Construction Corps to help out. The Conkeldurr in charge was commanding the many Gurdurr, Timburr and other Pokémon under his command with military-like precision.

"How do you like it?" Asked Argyle.

"I might have to kiss you again," I said.

"I might have to let you," said Argyle.

Without further ado, I kissed Argyle once more.

"And you say you aren't dating," said Sal.

"Oh, shut it already!" Snapped Argyle.

A Miltank came running up from the village to Argyle.

"Argyle, you're back! Did you find- oh!"

"Hello, Miltank!" I said, "glad to see you're well."

"Hale and hearty! Hold on."

"HEY, EVERYBODY!" Shouted Miltank over the town, "OFFICER EMERALD IS BACK!"

There was a loud rumble from the town. Before I knew what was happening, Argyle and the others had vanished and I was tackled by all the surviving townspeople. Everyone was talking over each other, so it was impossible to make out what they were saying.

"COOL OFF FOR A SEC!"

The crowd gave me breathing room, finally. Turns out it was Glacier, the Glaceon that shouted over everyone.

"Are you okay?" Asked Glacier.

"Now that I'm out of prison, I feel amazing."

Ivory and Magnezone joined us followed once more by Argyle, Slowbro and Sal.

"Argyle thought you might like to see this," said Ivory, the Meowstic and Argyle's former lawyer.

"And this time," said Conkeldurr, "the town is being built with fireproofing in mind. Speaking of which, get back to work, you slackers! This concrete isn't going to pour itself!"

"Couldn't you make it pour itself?" Asked a Timburr, "that would make this so much quicker."

Conkeldurr punched him.

"Quit talking. Start working."

"On it, boss!"

Conkeldurr and the rest of his construction team wandered off, followed by most of the townsfolk.

"How did things go with the other little surprise?" Asked Argyle.

"Oh, right!" Said Ivory, "done and done."

"Huh?"

"I used my underworld connections and Ivory and Magnezone used their legal expertise to completely clean your record," said Argyle.

"You mean-?"

"BZZY! THAT IS CORRECT. YOU MAY REJOIN THE POLICE. YOU'LL HAVE TO WORK YOUR WAY UP TO LIEUTENANT AGAIN, SINCE WE ALSO ERASED YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FORCE, ACCIDENTALLY, BUT STILL…"

"Argyle…! This is… the best gift you could've ever given me!"

I gave him a big hug and was about to kiss him once more, but I stopped myself.

"I just remembered!" I said, "I got a gift for you too. In prison, I found someone who knew how to smuggle things inside. I got him to give me this."

Emerald reached into her tail and pulled out a small, claw-like ornament from her tail. The claw was attached to a light cord that could easily be worn around the neck.

"It's a Razor Claw," said Emerald, handing the trinket to me, "it is the item you need to evolve."

"A Razor Claw?" I asked, examining it, "I won't turn it down, but why'd you have it?"

Emerald turned her head down, and stared at the ground.

"It was you," she said, "the thought of you free from prison doing whatever it took to make things right. It gave me hope. With that hope, they never broke me."

"You're so cute together," said Sal.

"Shut up!"

"Well, that ruined the moment," said Emerald.

I took the Razor Claw and tied it about my neck.

"It looks good on you," said Snow.

"BZZT! WE HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU AS WELL, ARGYLE. BZZT!" Said Magnemite.

The two Magnemite deputies took out my wanted poster and before my eyes, tore it in two.

"BZZT! WE CLEANED YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD AS WELL. BZZT!" Said Magnezone.

"It's a thank-you for everything you've done for us recently," said Ivory.

"You didn't have to do that."

"But we have a request," said Ivory, "find the trio that did this."

"BZZT! THE FIVE OF YOU ARE NOW OFFICIALLY DEPUTIZED. FIND SHERIASHUU AND THE OTHER TWO AND ARREST THEM. BZZT!" Said Magnezone.

I took the Razor Claw in my hand and walked a short distance away.

"Danté… Pyra…"

"If you don't mind," began Zangoose.

That's right! Team Razor Wind was still here!

"We would like to travel with you. To bring those three to justice," said Zangoose.

"You do what you want," I said, "but if you would like to accompany me, I have a little errand I'd like to run."

"Something illegal?" Asked Scyther.

"Quite the opposite. It involves a certain… bait for my… friends…"

"I'm down," said Sandslash.

"So, what are you going to do now, Magnezone?" Asked Emerald.

"BZZT! I HAVE TO REPORT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SINCE THIS HAPPENED ON MY WATCH, I'LL BE DEMOTED… IF I'M LUCKY. BZZT!"

"That's right!" I said, just remembering something important.

I looked over at Snow.

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Go ahead."

"Argyle? Glacier? What's going on?" Asked Emerald.

"I've actually found one of my relatives," said Argyle.

"I'm Snow, Argyle's half-sister. Pleasure to re-make your acquaintance."

"Wait, what!?"