Pokémon Police Force Chapter 21: Wreath City

We stayed at Ironwell Stronghold for several more hours trying to find some sort of lead but-

"Nothing," said Slowbro, "there is absolutely nothing here."

We had originally thought that all the strangeness at the stronghold was due to Zoroark illusions, but nothing has changed. Oh, we did search the stronghold from top to bottom, but still no furniture, no other Pokémon and no evidence.

"How could someone just clean this all out without no one noticing?" Asked Zangoose, running a sharp claw over the dead stone.

"We need a change of scenery," I said, "does anyone have any bright ideas?"

"Didn't you say that you met those two at the Black Market?" Asked Emerald, "we could go-"

"No," replied Sal at once, "if someone like Argyle steps in there with the Crown on his person, he'll be painting a big target on his back."

"And besides," said Snow, "they'd pick you out as an officer there right away. The only one who could possibly be inconspicuous there is Sal. At least we don't have a blockade to get through or something."

"Blockade!" Shouts Emerald at once, "that's it!"

"Wanna run that by us again, sister?" Asks Scyther.

"When Argyle hid from us in the Black Market, the Mystery City police sent Noctowl ahead of us to Wreath City," explained Emerald, "the plan was to set up a police barricade to capture you."

"I'm guessing the plan didn't work," said Sandslash.

"They completely ignored us," said Emerald, "in fact, we haven't heard anything from Noctowl since. Could we go there? Just to check it out?"

"A disappearing officer," said Zangoose, "suspicious. Team Razor Wind will assist you."

"Isn't this just a little… far from what Magnezone told us to do?" I asked.

"Do you have any leads?" Emerald responded curtly.

"Nah, I leave that up to the only one of us whose job it is to gather leads."

"Geez, get a room, you two," said Snow.

"Most of us have criminal history," said Sal, "do you think they'll just let us river dance our way in there?"

"We'll cover for you," said Scyther, "just this once."

"Sempai?"

"Fine," I responded, "we're not getting much done here anyway."

"Here," said Zangoose, handing me the same Treasure Bag I'd stolen from him not too long ago, "hide the Crown."

I took the Bag and stuffed the Crown of Plenty inside. Then, as I began walking to the vault where the Crown once was, I was held fast by Sandslash.

"Oh no you don't," said Sandslash, "control the larceny for once."

We all headed out for Wreath City, Sandslash dragging me from the vault. It was only a couple days travel along a quiet road.

When our little company drew near to the city, Argyle insisted that he and Slowbro go on ahead just in case Team PWNK was there. The rest of the company and I were sitting in the grass along the road waiting for news. When our scouting party came back, they arrived with news I'd never expected to receive.

"Well, what's happened?" Asked Zangoose.

Argyle and Slowbro looked pale. Almost ghost-like. No one said anything.

"Argyle?" I asked, placing my hands on his shoulders, "say something."

"You don't want to go up there," said Slowbro, his voice barely more than a whisper, "it was like a horror movie."

"It's gone," said Argyle, "everything is gone."

His words of caution only heightened my curiosity. What could possibly be so horrific that it shook Argyle, the toughest guy I know?

"Argyle? What did you see?"

"Zangoose, take Emerald and the others and leave," said Argyle, "I don't have the strength to move."

Scyther ignored us and flew past Argyle and Slowbro and into the city.

"Oh, Arceus, no!"

We all followed Scyther's voice into the city. I was carrying Argyle and Sal, Slowbro. When the city drew near, the scene that unfolded was just… indescribable.

Everything was destroyed. The buildings of Wreath City were broken and reduced to mere piles of rubble. Wooden beams were snapped in half, stone was cleaved in two and even steel girders were warped beyond recognition.

What will always stay with me though, was the bodies, or rather the statues. Every single citizen was turned into stone, each with a look of pure terror frozen in their faces. It appeared that each one is frozen in time in the last moment of their lives.

"My gods," was all Sal was able to say.

"I think we found a clue," said Zangoose, looking at the devastation.

"What- what happened!?"

"Argyle! Argyle! ARGYLE!" Shouted Snow.

"What? What!?" Said Argyle finally breaking out of his stupor.

"Let's look around," said Snow, "we may find survivors."

"I'll go too," said Sandslash.

Argyle, Snow and Sandslash wandered off. "Emerald, we have to find Noctowl," said Sal.

"You go ahead," I replied, "for now, the best I can do is try to gather evidence."

Zangoose placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I'll stay with you. No one should be without a friend right now."

With those words, we broke apart and began scouring the ruins. Argyle, Snow and Sandslash went to look for survivors. Scyther, Slowbro and Sal began search for Noctowl and Zangoose and I got to searching for evidence. It was quite clear after a while that Zangoose had no idea what constituted "evidence" and was just here for moral and emotional support.

We spent several hours combing over the ruins, but the only thing I found was a small, black cloth printed with a red Murkrow symbol. I pocketed the cloth as the others rejoined us.

"We found Noctowl," said Slowbro, "she didn't make it."

"How was the search for survivors?" Asked Sal.

"Not a one," said Sandslash.

"We did find something else though," said Snow, "well, Argyle did. Something way worse than this."

"How bad are we talking?" Asked Zangoose.

"Follow us," said Argyle.

We all followed Argyle to the ruins of some large building. The building was so destroyed that it was impossible to tell what purpose the building once served. Argyle led us into a surprisingly untouched cellar and to a heavily fortified and locked door. Within just a few minutes, Argyle had the door unlocked and we all entered within.

Inside was a cave filled to the brim with a pool of blood red water. In the midst of the pool stood a pillar of stone. Above the pillar was a giant hole in the ceiling. A recent hole.

"Something awoke here," explained Argyle, "probably the thing that doomed the town."

"And Noctowl flew right into it," I said, "we sent her to her death…"

"Don't blame yourself," said Scyther, "no one could possibly know."

"But where is this thing now?" Asked Zangoose.

"Don't know," said Sandslash.

Sal stooped low and was about to touch the water.

"STOP!" Screamed Snow, "DON'T TOUCH THE WATER!"

Sal jumped up and away from the water.

"What!? Why?" Asked Sal.

"Sandslash dropped an Oran Berry in the water by accident," said Snow, "the berry rotted away in only a few seconds."

"What even is this water?" Asked Slowbro, "I've never heard of any water like this."

"Whatever awoke here is more than bad, it's cataclysmic," said Argyle, "Let's get out of here."

We left the pool of death and Argyle locked the door behind us.

"What am I going to tell Magnezone?"

"So how did the search for evidence go?" Asked Snow.

"All I found was this."

I pulled the cloth with the red Murkrow out of my tail and presented it to the group.

My heart skipped a beat when I'd seen the cloth. I had to make sure it was hers.

I snatched the cloth from Emerald and began examining it closer.

"Argyle? What is it?" Asked Sal.

There it was, just like yesterday. A dark black cloth with a single bright red Murkrow emblazoned on it.

"A sign from an old, let's say friend, of mine. A red Murkrow on a black background was always her sign."

"Did your friend have anything to do with this?" Asked Zangoose.

"No. She'd never have this kind of power. I have to go."

"Why? Where?" Asked Emerald.

"To the Black Market. I'm not sure, but I may be able to get us a new ally."

"Should we come too?" Asked Snow.

"No. I'm sorry, but this is something I have to do alone. I need to face some ghosts of my past. Again."

"Well, since we have no leads, I suggest we part ways for now," said Zangoose, "Sandslash, Scyther and I will head north to Treasure Town. We may be able to get some help from Wigglytuff."

"We should head back to town," said Slowbro, "tell your sheriff what we know."

"Meet at the police station in a week?" Emerald asked.

"No. I'm still not quite ready to trust the police with this," I said, "head to Miltank's place. Order a Kelpsy Berry Whiskey on the rocks with a Qualot Berry and Clear Gummi Martini chaser. She'll know you're with me."

"I still don't see why we can't come with you," said Snow.

"Trust me. It's much safer for all of us if I go alone. Even the Black Market has a darker side."

After he spake those words, Argyle left, heading east to north east, toward the Black Market. Team Razor Wind bade us goodbye and began their journey due north. Now, our company was reduced to Slowbro, Salandra (Sal), Snow and I.

"You three probably know the Black Market better than I," I said, "will he be okay?"

"If he keeps his wits about him," said Sal, "but if it makes you feel any better, I'll keep an eye on him. I used to deal down there."

"I'm coming too," said Snow, "no arguing. He's the last family I've got. I won't lose him again."

"Well, I guess it's just you and I," said Slowbro, "just don't expect me to do all the heavy lifting."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Sal, if Argyle gets in too deep-"

"Don't worry. The Black Market is my playground," replied Sal with a wink.

With those words, she and Snow set off after Argyle.