Pokémon Police Force Chapter 44: The Truth Behind the Murder
I knew exactly what was going on. The Dune Bandits had crashed the trial, looking for me. They came right through the windows and used Pelipper to track me down.
"You're slipping in your old age," said Sceptile.
"And you're just as ugly as ever," I retorted.
Emerald jumped out of the stands and right between us, followed by Sheriashuu and the other officers.
"Who are you?" Asked Ampharos, "how dare you interfere with my court!"
"They're the Dune Bandits," I explained, "or you may know them by another name: the forty thieves."
"The forty-!" Began Lampent.
"Shove it!" Said a Dusk Lycanroc, "Sceptile, let's just kill this upstart and be done with it! I'm tired of chasing this guy around."
"At least I have no problem being an upstart," I said, "last I checked, you couldn't get it up at all."
"THAT DOES IT!"
Dawn Lycanroc lunged at me, but a strong burst of psychic energy knocked him back.
"Sorry Fido, but I've got a gang all my own now."
"Should've known he'd fall in with the police," said Throh, "those are the same ones we met on the ship!"
"You're all gonna pay for lying to us," said Dawn Lycanroc.
"I don't know how you hid from us, but that matters not," said Sceptile, "Dune Bandits! Kill everyone, but capture Argyle alive! Our leader has something very special in mind for you."
"You see, you need to learn some new tricks," I said, "you learned the smoke bomb thing from me. As for myself…"
I swiped the bag of Cerebelomotion Seeds and strapped it to me. Then, I grasped a seed.
"How about this? I have two seeds, one in each hand. One is a Cerebelomotion Seed, the other, a Blast Seed. Pick one. The other one, I eat."
I held out my fists.
"Choose wisely."
(WHAT IS ARGLYE DOING!?)
That thought screamed in my mind over and over again.
(Wait a minute, Blast Seed? I have his bag, as well as all of his Blast Seeds.)
"What's going on?" Asked Throh in confusion.
"I love Bouffalant Roulette," said Sceptile, "especially when I'm not the one playing. Right!"
Argyle opened his left hand. He smirked.
"You're lucky," he said before swallowing it in one gulp.
"No… Argyle…" said Meloetta.
"Cor blimey!" Shouted Snow in surprise.
Then, Argyle spat up something. It shot out of his mouth and hit Dawn Lycanroc in the eye. Then, it erupted in a thick cloud of smoke, much thicker than the smoke bombs the Dune Bandits used.
(A smoke bomb. Typical Argyle.)
I smirked to myself. At that moment, I had to admit to myself that Argyle's constant smoke bomb antics were kind of attractive.
I was already halfway across town before they even realized what had happened. The town's layout may have changed, but there was one constant that remained my good friend: the city sewers.
"Sewers, I don't care what Slowbro says, you're my best friend."
In the three years that I've smelled nothing but the stale musk of mildew and whatever else existed in a frozen tower, I had forgotten the smell of raw sewage. It was not a smell I missed.
"Oh boy, that's rank! I hope Miltank's place is still hooked up to the sewers."
I kept my left eye open as I trudged through the water and whatever else. It was all I could do to not think about what I was wading through.
(Okay, I think I've got my bearings. Just take a left here, then a right and then another right.)
Through my green eye, I'd seen a ladder drawing near, leading up out of the sewer.
(That should lead me to Miltank. That is if her bar- er… café hasn't moved.)
I climbed the ladder and moved the trap door at the top. What greeted me was nothing like I expected. It was a large bathhouse with many Pokémon already in it.
(Okay, don't panic. They haven't noticed you yet. Just clean off the sewage and then act like you belong. Why is there even an easy access to the sewer here?)
I slipped away to an ignored corner of the large bath and cleaned myself as best I could. Good thing there was soap aplenty here.
The bathhouse was a great example of ancient Roman architecture. Stone pillars rose high and brilliant marble statues of various feminine Pokémon. Brazen incense burners decorated the pillars and gave the place a strong lavender scent.
(Strange… I've been exploring the town ever since I came here, but I don't remember any bathhouse.)
After my fur was sufficiently clean, I waded into the crowd of bathers. Oddly enough, every Pokémon here seemed to be female. I was getting more uncomfortable by the second, growing ever the more conscious by my lack of a large feather on my left ear. Oh, and the mask.
Then, I was pulled under the water by something. It was a fellow Sneasel, and judging by the feather, a female one. She covered my mouth with her claw and pressed her finger to her own mouth in a "shush" motion. Finally, she let go of me and motioned for me to swim after her.
I did so, as Sneasel led me through a hidden waterway underneath the bathhouse. Through a narrow passage we swam. Since I was dragged down without warning, I didn't have much time to take a breath. So, when we reached the end, I almost ran out of breath. The waterway eventually ended at a small pool in another building. Well, when I say building, I actually mean a set of steps in a long hallway leading down into the water.
"Finally, out of there!" I said as I spat the water out.
"You swim pretty well for a Sneasel," said Sneasel.
"I would've swam better had you given me some warning!" I said, "who are you anyway?"
"You mean you don't recognize me? I was dancing at the Octagon!"
"So… you're with Team PWNK?"
"Formerly with Team PWNK. Meloetta offered me a chance to join her group. I accepted."
"Her… group?"
"Yeah, Meloetta wants to pursue the singing thing professionally. We don't have a name yet, but I'm thinking Spellbound."
"So… why are you here?"
Sneasel surprised me by grabbing me and shoving me against a wall.
"You've been asking for this ever since the Octagon."
She then kissed me, or rather punched my mouth with her lips.
"Okay, that's enough."
Sneasel released me as the newcomer walked in. It was Weavile.
"That your girlfriend?" Asked Sneasel.
"Aunt, actually," said Weavile.
"Well, I leave you two alone," said Sneasel before kissing me again.
"I'll be back for that later," said Sneasel before she walked out of sight.
"She acts like you," said Weavile.
"Why are you here? Why was she here? Why are all these women fawning over me? AM I SECRETLY A MALE SALAZZLE!?"
"Argyle, do me a solid and calm down."
I eventually simmered down and Weavile continued.
"Miltank told us you'd be here," she said, "she owns the bathhouse."
"She owns the place? What about the café?"
"That too. I hear she'd quite the shrewd business woman. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up owning everything in the city in a few years."
"So, what happened with the you-know-who?"
"As soon as you disappeared, they left. They spent some time turning the city over before they left town all together. I don't know where they went."
"So, what's the plan?"
"We are all going to the Narrows. Then, Emerald and Sheriashuu will probably go hunting down the Dune Bandits. We'll be going to the Harvest Temple."
I looked to the place that Sneasel once was.
"Let's go get Jessie first," I said, "I'd feel much better if I knew she was safe. I'm quite sure they know about my relationship with her."
"Of course, but I thought Emerald was your girlfriend."
"Jessie is my ex. We may be apart, but I still care for her."
"Okay, now the apparent love triangle makes a lot more sense. Well, whichever girl you choose, you would make quite the adorable couple."
"Um… thanks?"
I looked away from her.
"Out of curiosity, which one would mom approve of?"
"Either or," replied Weavile, "as long as you were happy. But she would approve of Emerald more. You need someone to help ground you and someone who would take care of you. Plus, she was always a sucker for the whole yin and yang thing."
Weavile began walking toward the exit.
"Come on, everyone's waiting."
"Wait, what about the trial?"
"Trial was postponed. No one wants to talk while under attack."
"Good point."
"We all agreed to meet up at Fort Ironwell," explained Weavile, "your friends told me that the place was recently abandoned."
"Yeah, funny story about that."
"So, you're all meeting here?"
"Yeah," said Snow, "honestly, I'm surprised you decided to look for us here, Jessie."
"Call it instinct," said the Mawile, "I've been with Argyle for so long, I kind of have an 'Argyle warning system' now."
Jessie looked from one face to the other.
"Where's Meloetta?"
"She's starting a band," I explained, "so, naturally, she chose Neo City as the place where she'll get her start."
"With all the excitement recently, the civilians could use a bit of recreation," said Sheriashuu.
"I'd wager Argyle will want to take a detour to make sure you're safe," said Keldeo, "that Sneasel is nothing if not loyal."
"Don't say that," said Jessie, "I'm already regretting dumping him."
"Look alive," said Drapion, "someone's coming."
True to Drapion's word, a Pokémon did come up the stairs to meet us on the battlements. Two Pokémon.
"Hey ladies," said Argyle, "and Keldeo."
"Hey!" Yelled Slowbro, Arbok and Drapion at the same time.
"Hope you weren't waiting long," said Weavile.
"Nah, we stopped to pick something up first," said Keldeo.
Before I knew it, I was embraced in a giant Bewear hug by none other than Jessie.
"Jessie, you're okay!"
"Of course, I am! Snow filled me in on what had happened. Though, even if she hadn't, the Dune Bandits never would've been able to penetrate the Black Market."
"Danté and Pyra did."
"Okay, you've a point there. But… security there has increased tenfold. I made sure of that."
Jessie released me and turned to Snow.
"Thank you again for coming to get me," she said.
"Anytime," replied Snow.
"So, now what?" Asked Arbok.
"Go get Team Razor Wind," replied Weavile.
"Team Razor Wind is here too?"
"Yeah, Weavile insisted that Zangoose had to be here," said Sheriashuu, "she wouldn't say why though."
Snow looked away and chose to stare at a piece of rubble.
"Snow? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Well, something. I don't know. You'll find out later."
(What could be troubling this ex-pirate so?)
I found my answer in the Narrows. The malnourished, desperate Pokémon, the stench of poverty.
(Yep, just like I left it.)
Weavile wasted no time, leading us through the maze of scrap huts to the place I once lived. Way on the outskirts of "town" but familiar all the same. Everyone else started to head in, but I hung back.
"Argyle? What's the matter?" Asked Sandslash.
"I haven't been here since that day," I said, "coming back here… just the thought scares me."
Snow came back to be and gave me the best hug she could, being a quadruped and all.
"I can't go in. I just know I'll be seeing my mother's corpse again."
Weavile walked over to me and placed an arm around me.
"I know how hard this is. Believe me, I don't want to go in either," she said, "but you need to be strong."
Weavile and Snow half-pushed and half-dragged me inside. The interior was just like I left it years ago. Dusty dirt floor, a cupboard shoved against the wall and a dirty cloth that we used as a bed. There was just barely enough room in here for all of us, but Arbok and Drapion insisted on standing guard outside so that there would be more room.
"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you were dirt poor," said Sal.
"Emphasis on the dirt," replied Keldeo.
"I'm sure dirt was richer than we were," I said.
"Argyle, could you show me where you found my sister's corpse?"
I walked to the center of the building and pointed to an empty spot a couple of feet away.
"Right there."
Weavile stooped down and ran her claws through the dirt.
"I think it's time you learned the truth of what really happened that fateful day."
"Not to interrupt, but why do I have to be here again?" Asked Zangoose.
"Tell me, does this house look familiar to you?" Asked Weavile.
"Now that you mention it, I'm getting a weird case of deja vu," said Zangoose, "but the strange part is that I've never been anywhere near here before."
"Weavile, leave it," said Snow, "it won't work. I've tried."
"What are you talking about?" Asked Scyther.
There was an exchange of looks between Snow and Weavile.
"Very well, let's begin."
"How're you doing, sis?"
"Oh, never better."
Two Weaviles sat on the dusty old floor of the house. They were sharing a couple of drinks.
"You could just come with me, you know. I found some work in Treasure Town."
"You know I can't. I left that life. Besides, I have a more important responsibility now."
Just then a little Sneasel ran into the house, panting.
"Dear, what's the matter?"
"Almost got caught," panted the Sneasel.
"You shouldn't do this, you know," said the mother, "stealing is wrong. What if the guards catch you?"
"Not guards this time, just some Mienfoo," replied the Sneasel.
"This Sneasel, was Argyle?" Asked Emerald.
"Yeah, but I didn't know his name at the time," explained Weavile, "this was the first time we met."
"I don't remember this," I said.
"You were two."
Argyle handed his mother an apple and had another one for himself.
"Mommy, you never told me you had company," said Argyle, "I would've brought something for them too."
"Don't worry about it," said Weavile, "your mom and I were just talking. I'll eat later."
"Dear, go on and play," said Argyle's mom.
"Okay!"
Argyle left, presumably to head into his cave, but he came back just a few minutes later.
"Mom, someone out here is looking for you," said Argyle, "is he a friend of yours?"
Argyle's mom and Weavile looked at each other.
"Who is it?"
"Don't know, but he looks kind of scary. Like a big monkey."
"He's here," said Argyle's mom.
"Apparently you're not as safe as we thought," said Weavile.
"Dear, come here," said Argyle's mom, "we need to go."
"Where are we going?"
"Anywhere but here," said Weavile.
"Oh, don't get up on my account."
The newcomer stood in the doorway, leaning against a bit of scrap metal. It was a black baboon with vines wrapped around his forearms.
"Zarude!" Spat Sheriashuu.
"That's right," said Weavile, "though I didn't connect the dots until the Octagon."
"You're telling me I led Zarude straight to mom?" I asked in disbelief, "I killed my mom!?"
"Don't beat yourself up," said Slowbro, "you had no way of knowing."
Zarude walked into the house.
"Honey, go hide," said Argyle's mom, "don't come out until I come for you."
Argyle nodded and ran right between Zarude's legs and out of the house.
"Nice place you got here," said Zarude, "have you thought my offer through?"
"Never in a million years!" Snapped Argyle's mom, "I will never join you!"
"Ma'am, if you'd take a moment to reconsider-"
"I don't care! I know what you and your little team are up to! I'd never throw my lot in with you! Get out of here! You're not welcome here!"
"Weavile!"
Weavile stepped in front of Argyle's mom, claws drawn.
"She said no. Get lost!"
"Fine. I didn't want to do this, but you leave me with no choice."
Zarude shot out his vines in and instant. The vines wrapped around Argyle's mom. Then, Zarude pulled her close to him and made her swallow something.
Weavile was quick on the rebound, slashing Zarude away from her sister. Weavile then began performing the Heimlich maneuver.
"Don't waste your time," said Zarude, "the Cerebelomotion Seed will never come out that way."
Zarude walked out of the house without another word. Weavile finally decided to go for the more direct approach. Like Slowbro, she reached into her sister's throat and pulled out the seed.
"You know how the rest of the story goes," said Weavile, "I offered to take you away after we realized there was nothing we could do. Your mom said that she would devote the rest of her life to raising you and your sister."
"My sister? Mom knew about Snow?"
"Yeah, I'm your older sister," said Snow, "as for the next part, I'll fill in the blanks."
Snow took her place beside Weavile.
"Dad was informed about what happened. He was mad at both Zarude and Argyle," said Snow, "he took me away and together we scoured the continent, trying to find a cure."
Snow took a deep breath.
"One day, dad decided to leave me behind. Said he was going to check out a place called Foggy Forest."
"Then what happened?" Asked Zangoose.
"Not sure, when I saw him again, he didn't recognize me nor did he remember his wife or any of his other relatives."
"That sounds…" said Zangoose before his train of thought became a mumble.
"I came back to the Narrows once in a while to check on her," said Weavile, "until one day. I couldn't find any trace of my sister… or my nephew. At that moment, I knew what had happened. I looked all over for you, Argyle, but I couldn't find you. Then I ran into my future team and…"
"You eventually forgot all about Argyle," summarized Sandslash.
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," I said, "but I think I should finish the story. I found my mother dead on that very spot. I ran away and cried, then I was beat within an inch of my life. That's when Zygarde and I fused. I returned home and buried mom myself."
"No wonder I couldn't find her," said Weavile.
"You were beaten!?" Asked Scyther in shock, "who could do that to a kid? Who are they? I'll kill them!"
"It wouldn't do any good," Sal said, "they were being controlled by Team PWNK."
"To do that…," said Sandslash, "we need Zarude thrown into the toughest prison we got!"
"That would be Megamax Complex," said Sheriashuu, "though, its location is so secret that only the international police know where it is."
"Weavile, why did you bring me here to tell me this?" I asked, "we could've talked in town."
Weavile smirked.
"Your mom wanted me to show you something when you got old enough," she said, "I think the time is now."
Weavile stood up and walked over to the old cupboard. She then began closely examining the far side of it.
"Knowing my sister, she should've left the latch right around here…"
Weavile removed part of the side of the cupboard. She then reached her arm in and pulled a hidden lever. The dirt in front of where Snow sat parted and revealed a narrow, hidden staircase.
"Wait, what?" Said Keldeo.
"I never knew this was here," I said.
"Only myself and your mother knew. Snow, come with us. I think sis would've wanted you to see this too."
Sandslash approached the lone staircase and looked down.
"That looks way too narrow for me," he said.
"Get back here," said Zangoose, "this is a family matter."
Sandslash slunk back at Zangoose's command as the three of us squeezed our way down the stairway. Down and down, we went until we could no longer hear Emerald and the others and even lower still.
What sat at the bottom was a small room made of wooden planks and scaffolding made to keep it from collapsing in on itself. Inside was a straw bed, a wooden desk and an empty pantry. It reminded me of my cave hideaway just outside of town.
"Over here," said Weavile.
Weavile led us to the desk. The desk was littered with several old, crumpled newspapers.
"Read one," she said, "careful, the paper is brittle."
I laid hold of the closest paper and with the lightest touch, opened it up to the front page.
Moonlight Escapade
The shocking story of an impossible robbery.
I opened up the paper to the full article and began reading aloud.
Treasure Town was in an uproar yesterday because of a robbery that happened at the Moonlight Theater late at night. No one was around to stop the thieves from making off with more than 2,000 Poké worth of stolen goods.
One witness recalls seeing what he believed to be two Sneasels fleeing from the scene. This means that the theater was just the latest target for the infamous Sneasel sisters, Femme Fatale.
"Two Sneasels?" Asked Snow, "does that mean-?"
"Yes, your mother and I weren't just sisters, we were partners in crime. Literally."
I picked up some more newspapers. Each one had an article dedicated to the two Sneasel outlaws.
"So, mom was-?" I began.
"A thief and a good one at that. Why do you think that she didn't like you stealing and yet never stopped you?"
Weavile looked me dead in the eye.
"She wanted a better life for you. Better than she ever had."
Weavile paused.
"She once told me that she had a dream about you."
"A dream?" Asked Snow.
"Yeah, except he was all grown up in this dream," said Weavile, "in this dream, you gave your life to help every Pokémon in the world. Though it was a dream, she wanted you to be that selfless and heroic. That's why she hid her past away in this room."
"I had no idea," I said.
Weavile opened a drawer in the table and took a small leather satchel out of it. She peeked inside it before handing it to me.
"Sis wanted you to have this."
I opened up the bag and beheld the most beautiful necklace in the world. Solid gold and studded with large diamonds.
"Weavile, how did she afford something like that?" Asked Snow, "that's got to be worth some of the treasure I've plundered."
"She didn't buy it," answered Weavile, "it was given to her by her husband when he proposed."
"That's dad's necklace!?" Asked Snow in shock, "he's never been that rich!"
"Snow, who is our dad?"
Snow stared at me in shock. She looked as if she just dropped the only cure for cancer.
"I suppose there's no harm in telling you," said Snow, "you've already met him. He has his own Exploration Team. They're right upstairs."
Now it was my turn to be shocked.
"No. Way."
