Pokémon Police Force Chapter 19: Facing the Past
"So, I never heard what happened after our… meeting at Ironwell Stronghold," I said.
Our group of eight was walking toward that long-since forgotten fortress. The group was composed of Team Razor Wind, Slowbro, Snow, Sal, Emerald and myself. Zangoose was quiet as we walked. I could only fathom what was going through his head.
"After you escaped, we went back to the Black Market. We assumed you'd come back there," said Zangoose.
"Unfortunately," continued Scyther, "the crime boss in charge of the whole place figured out our plan and things got… hairy."
"We were forced to retreat back to Mystery City," finished Sandslash, "a few weeks later, your cohorts shown up."
"It would've been a lot better there if Magnezone hadn't conveniently been at a police convention in Treasure Town at the time," said Zangoose.
"Argyle, where are we really going?" Asked Snow.
"How astute," I responded, "you're correct. We're not going to the Stronghold."
"We're going to the Narrows," said Emerald simply, "going to see her again?"
"Not this time," I responded, "we're just here to pick something up."
"Some skeletons?" Asked Sal.
"Something like that."
We passed around to the north of Ironwell Stronghold and continued on to the Narrows. After descending the stairs, Slowbro finally spake.
"This place is a dump."
I ignored him and skirted around the stairway and found the familiar claw mark.
"Slowbro, Zangoose, help me with this."
Slowbro and Zangoose helped me push the boulder aside and our group of eight walked in. I found one of the standing torches in the dark.
"Emerald, you mind?"
Emerald lit the torch and the seven of them got their first look at my hideout. I stooped down and picked up the Crown of Plenty and placed it on my head.
"The stolen money from Ironwell," I said, pointing at the loot in the pit, "the nicked Treasure Bag is in that cabinet over there. Do what you want with them."
"Argyle? What is this place?" Asked Sal.
"This is my hideout from when I was a child, when I was running from the law."
"This is your home?" Asked Snow.
"No. My old home already has new tenants."
"Argyle," said Snow, "your mom is buried here, right? I want to meet her. To see the stepmother I've never known."
"I'll take you there," I said, "everyone. We're going to my mother's grave. Wait here until we return."
"Here," said Zangoose, tossing me the Treasure Bag, "hide the crown."
"Is it really safe to just let him have the crown?" Asked Sandslash.
"That crown is our bait," answered Scyther, "but, if you see those two-"
"Don't worry," I said, "they don't know all my secrets."
I placed the Crown of Plenty into the Treasure Bag and slung it over my shoulder.
"Ready, Snow?"
"I'm ready."
I led Snow out of the cavern and through the city streets. Glancing back, I noticed Snow trying to avoid stepping in some rather rank-looking liquid.
"Try to fit in," I said, "you stick out like a sore thumb."
"I wouldn't talk, Masky!"
We walked through the town and into the outskirts. After the outskirts, we arrived at a small hill with an old, withered stump set into it.
"Here she is," I said, "I've brought someone to meet you, mom. This is your stepdaughter, Snow."
"Hello, mom."
Snow stood there looking at the stump before looking at me.
"I don't know anything about her. How should I talk to her?"
"Just speak naturally," I said, "she was never one for niceties."
I sat there and listened as Snow talked to mom's grave like she was speaking to a long-lost friend.
"I promise I will take care of Argyle," said Snow, "finally, I have a place where I feel I belong."
Snow stood back up and stared at the grave for a bit.
"You know mom. Tell me, what would she say to me?"
"Mom was a kind, caring woman. Always putting the needs of others before her own," I said, "if she were here, she'd probably pull you into a big hug and tell you how proud she is of you."
"But we've never met! The crimes I have done-!"
"Mean nothing to her. She'd just be glad we've found each other. Once all the 'glad to meet you's' were over, then she'd lecture us."
"Ouch."
"That's honestly what I miss most about her. I'd do anything to bring her back."
"Too bad that life can't be restored," said Snow.
"It can."
"Zygarde, butt out. This is private."
"As you wish."
"I don't think I want to know what that was about," said Snow.
"And who is this Zygarde?"
We both turned and glared at the new arrivals. The intruders were a Hitmonlee, a Hitmonchan and a Hitmontop.
"Buzz off!" Snapped Snow, "we're having a moment!"
"Too late. Mood is already ruined," I said, "what do you three want?"
"Lee? Doesn't that Sneasel look kind of familiar?" Asked the Hitmontop.
"I don't know. I remember a Sneasel, but not one with a mask or that weird eye," said the Hitmonlee.
"Wait just a minute!" I shouted, making Snow jump, "you are those three Tyrogue from before! The Tyrogue that tried to kill me!"
Snow was instantly at my side.
"You tried to kill my brother!? You harm him, you deal with me!"
"You're that Sneasel!?" Asked Hitmonchan in shock, "we thought you were going to-! How did you survive?"
"I'm running this quiz show! My mother died that day and you just added to the pain! As far as I'm concerned, YOU THREE ARE THE REASON SHE'S DEAD!"
"Argyle! Calm down! They're not worth using Zygarde!"
"Top! He's glowing!" Said Hitmonchan in shock.
"Flame Lash!"
With a flash of red, Hitmonlee was plowed into the dusty ground. In the dust stood a certain Salazzle.
"Sal!" I said in surprise.
"Glad I decided to follow you," said Sal, "Snow's right. Don't rely on your power here. They don't deserve it."
"You calling us weak!?" Shouted Hitmontop.
"I've got Hitmonlee," said Sal, "you two deal with the others."
"I'll handle Hitmontop," said Snow, "your speed will give you an advantage over Hitmonchan!"
"I'm not slow!" Shouted Hitmonchan.
"Slower than me," I said with a sneer.
"You'll pay for that, sweet cheeks," said Hitmonlee.
"If you're going to flirt, try harder," said Sal.
"This coming from the slut of all Pokémon?" Taunted Hitmonlee.
"He's dead," I said.
Sal tore into him with disarmingly unpredictable ferocity.
"POISON JAB!"
Hitmonlee's eyes bugged out with the unexpected blow to his gut.
"What just happened?" Asked Hitmontop in shock.
"He pushed the slut button," said Snow.
"You shouldn't have done that," said Sal in a low, sinister voice.
"And besides… Ice Fang!"
Hitmontop yelled in pain as Snow bit him.
"You're fighting me."
"MACH PUNCH!"
I caught Hitmonchan on the rebound and threw him over my shoulder and into the dirt.
"Wha-!? How did you move like that!? No Pokémon should be able to avoid Mach Punch! Your eyes! What are you!?"
"Just a Sneasel fighting for the memory of his mother. Poison Jab!"
The battle was, all in all, depressingly short. Sal, in her rage, had managed to break both of Hitmonlee's kneecaps. I didn't even know Hitmonlee's ever-expanding legs had kneecaps. Snow was outclassed in speed, at first. Her icy moves had Hitmontop's joints so stiff at the end that I bet Slowbro would easily beat him in a race. As for me, Hitmonchan couldn't land a single punch and left his back wide open as he attacked. An advantage I abused.
"Tell me why," I said, cracking my knuckles over our foes, "tell me why you decided to try to kill a grieving Sneasel that day."
"Team PWNK!" Shouted Hitmonlee, "Team PWNK sent us to teach you a lesson!"
"You say that name like it means something to us," said Snow.
"You've never heard of them? Team PWNK is an international crime conglomerate," said Hitmontop, "they said that you stole from them and that we should punish you. That's all we know, I swear!"
"By trying to kill me?"
"We weren't trying to kill you, we just-" began Hitmonchan.
A glint appeared across the trio's eyes and strangely, the town grew quiet. Well, quieter than usual. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up once more. My sixth sense for danger, activated.
I looked around for the source of the danger and found two strange Pokémon standing on a nearby ridge. They looked to be holding some strange musical instruments. When they noticed I was watching them, they climbed away and disappeared from sight.
"Did you see them too?" Asked Sal.
"Yes."
"Who were they?" Asked Snow.
"Team PWNK, most likely."
"Do we give chase?" Asked Snow.
I shook my head.
"Leave them. We've got bigger Stunfisk to fry."
"You know, in my experience, frying Stunfisk actually makes them taste worse," said Sal.
The two of us shot a glance at Sal.
"It was a joke. I do that."
"Anyway…," I said, returning to the trio, "why did you try to kill me?"
"Kill you?" Asked Hitmonchan, looking utterly perplexed, "why would we do that? We've never met."
"Don't lie to us," said Snow.
"It's not a-" began Hitmontop, "wait just a minute! Guys! Look! We've evolved!"
"We did? We really did!" Said Hitmonchan gleefully.
"What's going on?" Asked Sal.
"Aww, I wanted to be a Hitmonchan," said Hitmonlee, "ow! Ow! Ow! My kneecaps!"
"What are you three doing?" I asked.
"We fell asleep and woke up here! Evolved to boot!" Said Hitmontop joyfully.
"Did they lose their memories?" Asked Sal.
"No. I think it's something more sinister. Team PWNK was controlling them."
