Chapter 152 Hoop's the Culprit Part 1

Ash is now alone at the Night Club, and he finds Zero at the desk this time.

Zero: We've got a new mission on deck, and this one carries a special request for you specifically, Ash. Apparently on a recent mission, Aya and Hardy came across a couple of old artifacts. It turns out that these orbs and their likeness tend to be... uh, "volatile" is the word they used. Adrienn put in a word saying they'd like you, in particular, to help out on a mission to get these artifacts to safety. Something something, "as the champion"... Does that sound good to you?

Ash: Orbs, huh... Sure, I'll do it.

Zero: Great ...Wasn't really sure what I'd tell Mx. Adrienn if you said "No" for sure. Anyway, they asked me to meet you at Grandview Station. Head over there as soon as you can.

After Ash goes to Grandview Station, he finds Adrienn talking to the police chief.

Adrienn: Ash! My favorite champion! I'm grateful you could make it, and you're just in time. I was just discussing the particulars with the chief here.

Chief: Allow me to summarize once more. Two of your compatriots recently unearthed a couple of unique artifacts. But not too unique- they were recognized: The Red Orb and Blue Orb.

Ash widens his eyes, he was there to witness the two orbs being destroyed, how come they are back together again?

Chief: We're aware of what happened in Hoenn with these items... And I think I speak for everyone when I say that Reborn has had enough of world-ending disasters! We've put all that behind us!

Adrienn: At least, I dearly hope so...

Chief: We want none of it! So I've taken the liberty of contacting some foreign experts, and we've arranged to have the orbs safely contained elsewhere. All that's left is to ship them there.

Adrienn: That's where you come in. We think the shipment's been compromised. Some information regarding it was leaked, and- In short, it's almost certain someone is trying to steal the orbs already. We'd like you to take the train ride abroad and make sure the orbs reach their destination safely.

Chief: With the champion on board, no one will dare try anything!

Adrienn: I know playing security isn't exactly the most glamorous, but I don't think anyone wants to risk an incident with, say, Azurine Lake drying up or something... With any luck, it'll be an uneventful trip there and back. You could even think of it as a vacation!

Chief: I hate to rush, but I believe we are short on time...

Adrienn: Right- since the original shipment was compromised, the Chief arranged to sneak it on board a passenger train early.

Chief: Our hope is that the change in operation will be inconspicuous enough to escape the notice of whomever the information was leaked. And by the time they find out- too late!

Adrienn: Your ticket and boarding are already arranged as well. The Chief will be going with you as well- he'll show you to the storage car and keep an eye on the passengers during the mission.

Chief: Yes, yes! Together, we'll keep both these orbs and our region safe! But the clock is ever-ticking- let us be off at once!

Ash nods as both he and the Chief are now on the train, and the Chief shows him where the Orbs are.

Chief: Yes, just back here. The Red and Blue Orb, firmly secured for transport! This is the only entrance to the storage cart, so all you have to do is wait right here! It might not be the most interesting, but police work is like that sometimes! All for the safety of the people, am I right? Now, since we're traveling with guests, how about you go and meet them? No need to mention what you're really here for, and I'll be keeping an eye on them for most of the ride, but as long as you're here, you may as well know who's on board! Go on, have a social moment before your shift starts true!

Ash: If you say so.

Ash is still hesitating considering what the Chief has said, so he has Squishy looking after the Chief in the hidden corner, while he goes to greet the other passengers. He is surprised to find Maxwell and Julia on the train, so he greets them.

Maxwell: Ash. Funny running into you here. I was just heading out on this train for a change of pace, when I met this lovely lady across from me-

Julia: Ohstopityou~ No, I'm kidding- keep going-

Maxwell: For you, baby, I can keep going all night. But let's take things slow, how about it? Anyway, regardless of whatever history we have, I do hope you wouldn't ruin a personal outing just for the sake of some petty past drama. My boys are back at the ranch- you'll get no trouble from our gang.

Ash: So what about you, Julia? Why are you on the train?

Julia: I was invited for a trip abroad by someone, and would you believe it? I got stood up! Me! Imagine a cheerleader getting stood up! I hope the guy recently realized he was gay, or else I want an explanation! And if he did realize he's gay, then I hope he's very happy with his life choices and finds a wonderful husband! But not if the husband would've been interested in me instead! It's a pity- he seemed like such a sweet-talker, too... But no matter! I'm making the best of the situation! And I've met a fine gentleman in his absence, and we are having a lovely time, so there, -Upper! Take that!

Ash sighs as he decides to leave Julia alone, but he is also surprised to find Eustace, Orderly John, and Sandy on the train as well.

Sandy: Oh, hey Ash! Are you surprised to see me here? It's true that I decided field work wasn't for me, but... Desk jobs are just so boring! Do you know how tiring is to just sit there and organize papers all day? Waiting for the next Certified Cool Person to walk up and take the crazy jobs you're doling out? It's like- why aren't I out there doing that? But I KNOW why I'm not out there doing that- it's because a Miltank pooped on me! But am I to live my life cowering in fear from one- Heh, COW-ering ...What was I saying?

Ash doesn't know how to reply to that as well.

Sandy: Anyway, I couldn't take the pressure off mentally ping-ponging between wanting to get outside more and wanting to hide inside forever, so now I'm here on a moving train going in the opposite direction from all my problems! Funny how life works, isn't it?

Ash sighs, and on the last train, he finds Ms. Craudberry, and he doesn't want to deal with her, and since Squishy doesn't find anything weird from the chief, Ash decides to switch the positions.

Chief: Take good care of the orbs! I'll check in again in a bit- perhaps even bring you something from the snack cart! Until then!

After looking at the orbs for a while, Ash is surprised to see the lights off, and he has Pikachu quickly use Flash, but it is too late, the orbs are stolen.

Ash: The orbs! They're gone!

As he rushes forward, he finds Sandy being inspected by an officer.

Officer: I caught this one sneaking up into the storage room during the blackout! We're gonna need you to stay right here, ma'am. The chief is near the front of the train, currently investigating the disturbance.

Sandy: Please let me go! I just got lost looking for the little girl's room! Have you noticed that this train doesn't seem to have one anywhere?!

Then Ash decides to ignore them as he rushes forward to the chief, who is inspecting the broken engine.

Chief: Great galloping Golisopods... How could this have happened? (Notices Ash) Oh, Ash! I swear, you scared the daylights out of me... Tell me the orbs are safe!

Ash: They are stolen! And right under my nose!

Chief: Stolen?! Both of them!? Right under your nose?! How could this have happened... We took every preparation... Nevertheless! We must mount an investigation immediately! I already ordered everyone to stay on board as soon as the lights went out!

Conductor: Moreover, we're just a little north of Tourmaline, and there's a vicious sandstorm raging right now. Even if we wanted to leave and seek help on foot, it would be nigh impossible.

Chief: Then the culprit must still be on board! We must find them and recover the items at once! We'll begin the investigation immediately! Talk to everyone, find out everything you can, and report back to me when you've finished!

Then Ash decides to ask the Conductor first with the Wherebouts.

Conductor: We're currently a short distance north of the 1R253 Scrapyard. Technically, we've left the Reborn region, but we haven't gotten far. The area we're in is called the Greater Tourmaline Desert- it's a wasteland of sandstorms and nothingness. Traveling on foot in this area is usually impossible, unlike the inner Tourmaline area within the Reborn region. Here, the distance is too great, and the sandstorms too fierce. There's nothing for miles. They always told us about how more and more accidents happen around the Scrapyard... It seems we'll be counted among them...

Ash: What about your Status?

Conductor: I'm doing the best I can, and we at least got power restored to the cars, but I'm afraid the engine is a goner. We're completely grounded, and I suspect no repairs short of a completely new engine car are going to change that. Fortunately, the comm system is intact, and we've been able to radio for aid. A rescue train is departing from Grandview Station. We'll load up the passengers and crew, and get everyone home safely. But until it arrives, we've nothing to do but wait. For better or worse, that likely holds true for the culprit as well. They're trapped here just as much as any of us.

Ash: How about the incident?

Conductor: My attention was squarely on the controls the entire time before the incident- but I'm afraid I barely know what happened. The entire car went dark, and I heard a strange noise. It sounded like a Pokémon's attack- but not one I've ever heard before... Reflexively, I slammed on the brakes- Or more like I hit them in a panic, but good thing I did! The train came to a stop just as the engine began to make all kinds of unpleasant noises. Fearing the worst, I took cover in the back landing just in time to see shards of metal and glass fly forward with a boom. Once the train and the sounds both came to a stop, I was able to restore power quickly, and the room was as you saw it now. I'll continue searching to see if I can find out any more about the cause of the engine failure though.

Ash nods as he leaves the engine and heads back to the train to investigate the others.


I'll end the chapter right here, you can tell what kind of request this is, and I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the continuation of the investigation.