Guzma glowered the entire way to Aether House with the ghost type Trial Captain hanging onto his jacket. The only time Guzma didn't have Acerola hanging onto his clothing was when they were ferried across the water on a Lapras.
"It's much brighter here, isn't it?" Acerola asked cheerfully from atop the seat.
The punk grunted some indifferent response to the blue skies, being more used to the dreary weather of Po Town and the police station nearby. Guzma scowled some more as an eerie Mimikyu floated into view toward the Lapras, a small pink flower tucked near the outfit's right ear. The Mimikyu's disguise was a paler color than a regular one, apart from the right corner that looked sewn in with a darker yellow than the pale yellow, almost white of the rest of its outfit.
"The hell is that?" Guzma said, as the Mimikyu began to float around his head. Guzma held still as it came to a rest on his knee.
Why was there no weight to the Pokémon? And why could he...he see through it?
"Is that an actual ghost? Is that why I can't feel it? How in the fu-" Guzma bit off the curse, as he didn't want that conversation with Nanu about being a 'bad influence' on trainers younger than himself. Guzma considered the thought and then decided the cop probably wouldn't give a damn, and would only have a problem about it when it came to Acerola.
"Mimi is a ghost of a Mimikyu." Acerola confirmed. "She likes to hang around people, though Mimi tends to just follow me around."
"But how in the fu-" Guzma growled as he cut himself off again. "How is that even possible for a ghost-type Pokémon to be...dead? Is it dead dead?" Guzma froze as Mimi went through his nearest waving arm to float near Acerola. "Holy shit, that was cold."
"She likes you." Acerola said with a smile, as a ghostly clawed paw reached out from beneath the tattered Pikachu costume, to rest on Guzma's shoulder. "Aww, Mimi wants to be by both of us."
Guzma had no words for how fucking cold the paw on his shoulder was, even through his clothes, and did not, for one second, think the dead Pokémon liked him. The punk saw a flash in those little eye holes beneath the neck of the costume.
It was a warning.
Great.
So even a dead Pokémon was wary of him. Or was it because it was Acerola, and Guzma looked like a delinquent that might harass the Trial Captain and-
Oh.
Guzma supposed that the former Team Skull grunts had harassed Aether House and stolen that Yungoos. The punk sighed and settled against Lapras' shell he was on, and jerked his head at Mimi to let it know he picked up on what it was trying to say to him.
"Oh, Guzma?" Acerola half turned.
"Hmm?" The punk grunted.
"You can say 'fuck' around me." Acerola said cheerfully. "I've already heard those Team Skull guys yelling it at each other before, when they hung around Aether House."
Guzma gaped at the purple haired girl, before he let out an indignant gasp as Mimi somehow managed to boot his ass of the Lapras and into the water. Guzma surfaced with several expletives as Golisopod came out of its ball and let its trainer cling to its back as it swam after Acerola.
"Are you all right?" Acerola asked as she peered over the side of Lapras' back from the saddle.
"...m'fine." Guzma said, before noticing that Mimi making a rude gesture at him with one of its shadowy see-through paws. Out of Acerola's sight, of course. The punk narrowed his eyes as he held tight to Golisopod's back plates. "Any chance you can hit a dead Pokémon in the face with water?"
Golisopod let out a long whirl and a click that sounded suspiciously like a laugh, even as it used one of its large, two-clawed paws to launch a line of water at the floating Mimikyu.
The line of water droplets went straight through Mimi but it had the desired effect. The actual ghost Pokémon thought that it had been attacked.
Guzma laughed his ass off the rest of the way to shore as Mimi tried in vain to use its attacks. They never landed and only left behind a cool tingling sensation. The punk soon shut up, however, and slumped against his Pokémon when Mimi decided to land on him to make him shiver the rest of the way.
Acerola seemed to be blissfully unaware of the proceedings until she got to shore and saw Golisopod leaning over its trainer and prodding Guzma sprawled our on sand.
Mimi sat perched proudly on the punk's chest, shadowy paws out from beneath its disguise where they were curled up in victory.
"Mimi, you'll need to get off of Guzma so he can come help us."
Golisopod whirled its amusement at its trainer's plight and helped Guzma up once Mimi finally floated off of him and followed along after Acerola.
"Fuckin' real ghosts harassin' me." Guzma grumbled as he got to his feet and brushed sand off his clothes. "Would grab the little bastard and beat it down myself if I could...shit!" Guzma cursed as Mimi went directly through his chest, leaving a very cold sensation behind. The punk swayed before collapsing on the sand amid Golisopod's alarmed hiss.
"Mimi!" Acerola came over and looked down at Guzma to check him over before wagging a finger at the Mimikyu floating about. "You shouldn't do that purposefully to hurt anyone."
Mimi flew around Acerola's head several times, kicking up a fuss.
Guzma feigned having fallen asleep as he let his Golisopod pick him up and carry him. The punk was not up for dealing with a tiny ghost wearing an equally small outfit that had decided to have an issue with him.
That, and it was embarrassing to be taken down by something already dead.
-x-x-x-
Guzma thought he might have hated being there at Aether House. But once he'd woken up in a room with Golisopod and Acerola explained what she could use help with, Guzma decided that it wasn't too bad. The tall punk didn't complain much about being there, with the exception of Mimi was floating around and appearing to have a vendetta against his very presence.
The chores that needed doing weren't too bad. Just tidying up the rooms and restocking supplies from the back with the help of the Oranguru that hung out at the front desk of the building.
But soon the children that were in the building became more of a concern then Mimi, as they seemed to be interested in the taller punk, and followed him around.
Guzma had to dissuade many of the children from trying to climb him like he was a tree to play on. The weight didn't bother him because the kids weren't all that heavy. But them kicking or kneeing him in the crotch wasn't a fun experience, no matter how baggy his pants were, so Guzma stuck to cleaning just to avoid them and their nippy Pokémon companions.
Guzma luckily found a bit of a distraction to spend the remainder of his time at Aether House on.
An adorable little Wimpod that watched Guzma work, before it skittered out and began to follow him around.
Guzma checked to make sure no one was going to come into the next room before he began to cuddle with the Wimpod. Any other chores or duties to help with were abandoned in favor of petting and cooing over the small bug Pokémon.
"Hey." The punk laughed as all of his Pokémon came out of their Pokéballs to crowd him for attention.
Golisopod the most needy compared to Scizor, Masquerain and Ariados because of the Wimpod that was chittering excitedly over the other Pokémon's presence.
Apparently the little bug Pokémon wasn't as fearful as most of them might be.
Golisopod shoved its head against Guzma's chest, making accusatory clicks even as it nibbled the punk's shirt.
"C'mon, you know I like these little shits when I come across them." Guzma wrapped an arm around his Pokémon's head and hugged it to him. "Don't worry, you're the best one of the Wimpod 'cause of you bein' evolved and all from it."
Golisopod nuzzled into its trainer's chest with a pleased whirl.
Guzma spent the next hour petting and paying attention to all of his Pokémon, whom he hadn't realized had needed the attention.
Maybe he ought to get into battling again to give his team something to do.
Guzma might have hidden out in that room for longer surrounded by bug Pokémon until he was discovered by some of the kids, who began to pester him and his Pokémon.
The Pokémon seemed fine with the attention but Guzma, after having another kid near strangle him around the neck to get carried around, he was done for the day.
Guzma made his escape four hours after arriving at Aether House, able to slip out when attention was diverted from him. The punk decided, as before, that he was going to get Nanu for this.
"Damn old cop, hookin' me into cleaning and sortin' when I coulda been beating up those Ultra Beasts." Guzma muttered mutinously under his breath. The former Team Skull leader allowed his legs to automatically carry him in the direction of the motel. The one that Acerola had mentioned to Nanu, and where Guzma planned to confront the older cop.
When Guzma got to route 13 and passed by the path that led to the Haina Desert, he actually began to pay better attention as he reached those trailers. Past those homes, Guzma knew that he would find the motel.
Would he...would he run across former Team Skull punks here, or maybe Plumeria?
Guzma glanced around as he walked. Would they be here, elsewhere, or still hanging out in Po Town for whatever reason? Before Guzma could even think about what he could possibly say, should he see any of his former teammates, the tall punk came up short.
A large shadow had just passed over head.
What was-
A large red and orange Pokémon-like creature landed in front of him. A creature whose aura shown bright, similar to Totem Pokémon, the creature's eyes almost seeming to glow.
Guzma held his ground as his eyes swept over the being in front of him.
Or…or was this thing an Ultra Beast?
It looked like a large mosquito, with its long proboscis and wings. It was also weirdly buff, with liquids seemingly bubbling within its arms and three legs.
Guzma thought over the notes he'd nicked from the cop while the man had been asleep some days ago. Guzma warily took a slow step back as he eyed the Pokémon. From what had been written on the paper he had read…this had to be an Ultra Beast.
Buzzwole.
That was the name that Guzma had seen. The creature before him buzzed its wings angrily as it flexed its arms, before it launched an attack. Guzma threw himself to the sandy ground, but before he could think of what his next move could possibly even be, someone joined him by his side.
Dulse.
"Poipole, Venoshock!"
Guzma saw that the attack from the small purple creature didn't do much other than distract the angry Buzzwole, but the poisonous attack did at least take the UB's attention off of Guzma.
A woman with purple hair joined in the battle as Guzma sat up.
Anabel.
Guzma recalled that that was her name, from when she and Looker had treated Nanu for Nihilego poisoning.
An Alakazam came out of its Pokéball and used a psychic attack at its trainer's direction, by raising the spoons it held and directing the beam toward the Buzzwole.
The Ultra Beast reeled backward with an angry chitter before swinging a large fist at the Psychic Pokémon.
Alakazam dodged the attack by teleporting out of the way, before catching and breiy holding the Buzzwole in place with another, stronger psychic attack.
"Salamenace! Use Flamethrower!" Anabel called out to the dragon Pokémon that she had just sent out.
Salamenace breathed a jet of flame directly at the immobilized Ultra Beast, Buzzwole buzzing furiously over the painful fire.
"Ariel Ace!" Anabel shouted to Salamenace, before turning to her left. "Get ready to throw that Beast Ball, Dulse!"
Guzma hadn't noticed that the red haired man from the Ultra Recon Squad get closer to him during the brief battle. Guzma watched as Dulse took out an odd-looking net-like pattern of a blue Pokéball with yellow markings raised on top of it.
The dragon Pokémon followed its trainer's order, and swerved itself up into the air and then sharply down, sweeping by the UB with a snap of its wings, and connected directly with the Buzzwole.
Alakazam released the psychic hold it had had on the Ultra Beast, making room for Dulse to throw a Beast Ball at the Buzzwole that had collapsed to the grass beneath it after.
The Beast Ball hit the ground and shook, before it went still, the light going out on the button.
The Buzzwole has been successfully captured.
Guzma stared down at the motionless Beast Ball, shaken over how close he had been to another Ultra Beast. He was not, however, in as deep of a fear as he had been when all of those Nihilego had converged on hm. Guzma shoved himself to his feet, and took a few steps toward the motel, only to freeze up when another Buzzwole appeared.
This particular UB didn't seem to be as hostile as the first of its kind. It came a little closer to Guzma, almost appearing to swagger.
The Buzzwole tilted its head from one side to another, as if assessing the punk. Apparently satisfied with whatever it saw, the Buzzwole began to flex and chitter before it stopped. The UB looked at Guzma, as if expecting something from him, before the Ultra Beast flexed again. The Buzzwole did this several times before the punk caught on.
"Oh? Think you can out-flex yer boy here?" Guzma shook himself out of the frozen up stance he had been in and flexed back at the Ultra Beast in a similar fashion. The punk started hesitantly at first before Guzma grew more confident as he grinned and struck a pose mid-flex. "Heh. Check this out, huh? I can do that too."
The Buzzwole tilted its head again, wings fluttering briefly as if in contemplation, before it flexed one large, bulbous arm and waited.
Guzma mimicked the Ultra Beast through a series of flexes.
The Buzzwole chittered, seemingly pleased about its movements being mimicked.
Dulse approached Guzma slowly, keeping an eye on the Ultra Beast flexing, and discreetly passed a Beast Ball to Guzma.
"Catch this UB as soon as you have an opening." The Recon Squad member quietly said, white eyes behind a visor fixed warily on the Buzzwole. "It does not appear to be as aggressive as the first."
Guzma held the Beast Ball tightly in his right hand as he waited for the Buzzwole to be occupied with posturing. The moment the Ultra Beast flexed, Guzma threw the Beast Ball.
Buzzwole was still in mid-flex as it went into the Beast Ball, where it then dropped and began to shake in the sand beneath it.
Guzma and Dulse waited with bared breath, to see if the beast would be captured.
Moments later, the Beast Ball stopped shaking.
Both men visibly relaxed at the sight.
"I will release the hostile Buzzwole back to its home." Dulse indicated the Beast Ball he currently held, that he had caught earlier. White eyes assessed Guzma briefly. "Will you keep that one?" The red-haired man indicated the Beast Ball rearing on the sand. "It seemed to have taken a liking to you."
"Yeah, I can hold onto it for a while." Guzma agreed, if a little reluctantly. The Buzzwole hadn't attacked him, after all. It had just begun a flexing match with him, and seemed amused with Guzma copying its poses. The punk moved forward a few steps and then crouched down to pick up the ball.
"I must go converse with my partner before I bring this Buzzwole back to its home." Dulse informed Guzma, before he turned away and began to head off...somewhere.
Guzma stood back up after retrieving the Beast Ball, and stared down at it. He should insist that Dulse take it back as well, but at the same time...who else got the chance to catch a creepy, inter-dimensional bug-like creature? Guzma briefly considered going back to Aether House, what with the whole Ultra Beast confrontation, before-
"Guzma!"
The punk nearly cringed at the sound of Nanu's upset tone, but stood his ground. Guzma even straightened up and out of his slouch while Nanu walked over to him. It was interesting to see the indifference that was usually Nanu's default expression be overtaken by something akin to worry.
"I thought I told you not to get involved." Nanu said in a taunt voice as he stopped within inches of the punk. "What were you thinking, standing so close to one of those Ultra Beasts?"
"I wasn't actually intendin' to be getting into a face-off against one of those things. I was just goin' stir crazy in Aether House." Guzma maintained eye contact with Nanu. "Acerola is too damn happy, I think her dead as fuck Mimikyu wants to kill me, and those damn kids were starting to get on my nerves. So I went to go find ya."
"Dulse is having you keep an Ultra Beast?" Nanu asked, eying the Beast Ball in Guzma's hand warily, as if it were going to leap out and attack.
"Seemed to think it'd be okay. It was just gettin' into a flexin' contest with me, without trying to attack me." Guzma rolled his shoulder in a shrug as he pocketed the Beast Ball before offering a smile. "By the way, old man...did you enjoy the show? Yer boy here's pretty good, huh?"
"That UB outweighs and out-muscles you." Nanu deadpanned, brow still creased with concern. "It could have crushed you into the ground and killed you."
"But it didn't. So don't avoid the question. How did I do, you know, for a human...?" Guzma pressed, still grinning while Nanu sighed.
"I suppose it was an all right sight." Nanu offered his half-smirk. "The Masked Royal would probably wipe the floor with you though."
"Careful there, old man, or I might be tempted to get into a fist fight with Kukui to prove you wrong." Guzma sniped back, crossing his arms with a scowl.
"Why are you here, apart from trying to find me?" Nanu asked tiredly. "When I have told you several times to not get involved."
"I got nothing better to do, so I thought I'd eavesdrop on you and that trench-coat wearing bastard." Guzma couldn't quite figure out the expression that crossed Nanu's face. "But as I've told you several times before, I can take care of myself. You don't get to decide what I can or can't do." Guzma snorted over the way the red eyed kahuna seized him by the arm. But Guzma didn't overly protest as Nanu led him in the direction of the motel. "Is this a yes to eavesdropping?"
"It is a no." Nanu said. "And as a cop and a kahuna of an island, you would be surprised over just how much power I do have, especially over civilians getting involved in dangerous situations."
"Yer no fun, cop." Guzma said with a groan. "And would you actually arrest me to keep me outta the way? I would think that'd be too much work for you to bother with." Guzma was a little confused over the lack of a response from Nanu as the older cop opened up a motel door. The punk let Nanu tug him inside, and shut the door when Nanu motioned at it. Guzma had a split second to realize that no one was in the motel room before the punk found himself shoved up against the door, his back against it.
"I wanted you to stay out of this whole Ultra Beast situation, because you are in more danger than most, being a Faller." Nanu had pressed himself to Guzma's front, face against the punk's shoulder. "I don't think I would be able to handle seeing someone be hurt or killed by an Ultra Beast again."
"Hey, Nanu?" Guzma felt a faint tremor run through the older cop's frame. Guzma carefully reached up to pat Nanu's back. "I'm all right, aren't I?"
"You got lucky." Nanu said in return. "Don't count on it happening all the time."
Guzma snorted, but he remained in place as he watched Nanu stepped away. The punk rolled his eyes at a tug on his right wrist but allowed the cop to lead him over to the bed.
"I thought you said you were too old you get it up until tonight?" Guzma taunted, while he grinned at the irritable look Nanu shot him. The punk settled comfortably on the bed with a grin. "What now, old man? You wanna get off after all or what?"
"Just lie down." Nanu said, sounding like he was suffering.
Guzma snorted at the dramatics, but he removed his jacket and tossed it across the room to land on a chair. Guzma plucked his sunglasses off his head and dropped them on the bedside table. Guzma shoved the sheets down as he kicked his shoes off before he cocooned himself beneath them, hand reaching out to grab Nanu's.
The older cop gave the punk another hard stare, first to the hand holding his own, and then to Guzma's face.
"C'mon, you sure you don't wanna play with yer boy here?" Guzma laughed a little over the long exhale that emitted from the red eyed cop.
"You're terrible." Nanu gave a shake of his head but joined the punk beneath the sheets nonetheless. "Turn over."
Guzma grumbled a little at the demand, but turned away because he did want the other man to be nearby. Was he going to try to spoon him or something? Guzma could feel Nanu moving around a little more than was necessary before the punk could have sworn that he heard Nanu mumble 'sorry.' Guzma grunted as the cop suddenly shoved him the rest of the way over onto his stomach, and seized an arm. Guzma jerked at that, but was too late to reclaim his arm before the punk felt metal cinch around his wrist.
"What the hell!" Guzma made several futile attempts to shake Nanu off of him, but the cop merely waited until Guzma tired himself out. "Dammit, old man. You and yer damn handcuffs." Guzma grumbled hotly as his other arm was twisted behind his back, the second cuff closing around his wrist. Guzma felt Nanu's weight leave him, the punk cursing as the cop restricted his movement further by tucking in the sheets around him. Guzma swore some more. "What the fuck are you doing, old man? I can handle myself in a fight just fine!"
"Like right now?" Nanu asked wryly, patting a trapped shoulder. "Seems like I took you down pretty quick."
"I didn't think ya were gonna jump me like that." Guzma admitted, his tone a bit mutinous. The former Team Skull boss turned to the side a little in order to look over his shoulder and met Nanu's gaze. Guzma didn't like seeing such a resigned look in the other man's eyes. "What's goin' on?"
"Before I went out after Dulse to see what was going on, Looker had brought news to us of another UB sighting apart from Buzzwole." Nanu said reluctantly. "Anabel was going to head off and get people out of the area we just got word of."
"Take the damn handcuffs off of me!" Guzma struggled to get the sheets off of him. "I don't need you to protect me, dammit! I can take care of myself! Why the hell do you not want me to help? I don't give a shit that I'm a Faller!" Guzma went completely still, startled when Nanu was suddenly there, cupping his cheeks.
"I already told you why." Nanu leaned in closer and kissed Guzma.
Guzma squeezed his eyes shut, thinking about whether he wanted to fight some more but ultimately decided not to. He returned the kiss instead, aware of the way Nanu absently ran fingers along his cheeks. The punk was almost disappointed when the kiss ended, and Nanu's touch left him.
The two made eye contact again.
Nanu's expression was calm again. But while he may have appeared disinterested, the older cop's voice held more emotion in it than Guzma had ever thought he would hear out of the other man.
"I'm not going to risk you getting hurt as a Faller. I won't lose someone to those beasts again, when there is no need for you to involve yourself in these matters." Nanu looked away. "If I don't come back from this encounter, I'll make sure that someone knows to take the handcuffs off later."
"Stop with the depressing statements." Guzma drawled, even though what he really wanted to do was tear the handcuffs apart and drag Nanu back to bed to keep the cop from going after the Ultra Beasts. "You can take the damn cuffs off now."
"I'm not going to risk it." Nanu reiterated as he went over to the other side of the room. He stood there for a moment, before Nanu headed toward the door. The cop's hand reached out to rest on the doorknob as Nanu half turned back to study Guzma carefully. The older man hesitated like he was going to say something else, but ultimately didn't as Nanu opened up the door and left through it like a shadow, leaving the punk behind.
Guzma frantically began to try and free himself, hoping that Nanu didn't realize that he knew how to free himself from handcuffs. Well, provided he could find something to pick them with inside of this room.
It took a few seconds more for the punk to realize that Nanu hadn't left empty-handed.
Guzma was finally able to get out of the bed, and was trying to open up his crumpled jacket when he felt it fall and not make a sound.
Nanu didn't...
Oh, Guzma was going to give that damn bastard a beat-down.
"You fuckin' cop!" Guzma rammed the door with his shoulder as soon as he managed to get back to his feet. Guzma slammed into the door again. "Give my Pokémon back!"
-x-x-x-
Nanu went to the motel room next door, having trouble ignoring Guzma demanding his Pokémon back. Nanu didn't want to take them but he also didn't want them to assist Guzma out of the hotel room so easily. Nanu shoved the door open to the other motel room, where Looker was waiting to speak with him and give him whatever information he had about the next Ultra Beast that had been spotted.
Xurkitree.
"It appears that this particular Ultra Beast is made up of cables, and it can absorb and discharge an alarming amount of electrical power all at once. It can be a fatal amount of electricity." Looker explained to Nanu. "The sightings I've received from multiple sources confirm that it is a Xurkitree that has shown up." Looker twitched on his chair over the sound of the wall to his right shuddering with an impact.
It was as if someone had kicked it.
"What was that?" Looker wondered aloud, as he turned his head to frown at the wall.
"Don't worry about it." Nanu said, his lips twitching to hold back a smile. "I just wanted to ensure that Guzma wasn't going to get himself into trouble again."
"Why is that?" Looked asked as he turned back to Nanu and fixed a frown on the red-eyed man.
"I thought we were talking about the Ultra Beasts?" Nanu returned with a shrug, one dark brow raising.
"If you say it is so, Nanu, than I will ignore the...disturbance that is next door to us." Looker appeared to be at a loss for a moment, even as he jumped again at Guzma presumably ramming himself heavily into the wall with muffled curses. But since Nanu had told him to ignore the sound, Looker continued on with his report. "Anabel has gone out to secure the local areas, and discourage people and their Pokémon to avoid the area. Wild Pokémon will likely already know to keep their distance. I can accompany you to the last known location of the UB known as Xurkitree and-"
"No." Nanu interrupted the other man. "I will go check things out with an Ultra Recon Squad member. Whichever one is available." Nanu pointedly ignored Guzma threatening him over taking his Pokémon. "They have a small Ultra Beast that may be prove helpful in a fight. Dulse used one against one of those Buzzwole, didn't he? And I have my Pokémon to help me." Nanu waved a hand to prevent Looker from arguing with him. "You do not have a Pokémon with you, Looker. Besides, someone needs to stay behind in case one of my contacts stops by or sends word about another Ultra Beast."
"It seems you have your mind set." Looker didn't particularly seem happy to remain behind. "Sightings for UB 04, Lighting, or Xurkitree, as it is also known, have last been reported in the Haina Desert near this motel." Gray eyes reflected worry. "Be careful, 000...Nanu. It seems that these Ultra Beasts…with every report I receive, the more dangerous they seem to be."
"I will be as careful as the situation allows." Nanu said, before he produced a few Pokéballs and set them on the table in front of Looker. "These are Guzma's Pokemon. If he happens to get out of that room, give them back to him."
"Stealing other people's Pokémon?" Looker questioned with a twitch of his lips.
"Did you really want Guzma breathing down your neck during our conversation?" Nanu asked in return.
"I do not see why not." Looker shook his head. "Would he not be a strong trainer against those Ultra Beasts?"
"You don't usually question my methods, or my decision to keep civilians out of these situations." Nanu pointed out as he rose from the chair, a few of his joints popping and cracking in protest.
Lovely.
Of course the sound drew a worried look from Looker.
"It's not that, it's just...you seem to be very intent to keep the former leader of Team Skull out of this Ultra Beast situation." Looked said, wisely not bringing up the shape Nanu's body was in.
"I have my reasons for trying to keep him out of the way." Nanu gave a weary shake of his head before Looker could insist on an explanation or insist on tagging along. "I will be fine out there. I'm familiar with the desert. The Island Guardian's shrine is within it, if you recall from the map I showed you yesterday? Tapu Bulu's?" Nanu offered a half-smirk. "If anything bad were to happen, I assume they would show up."
"Are you sure this Tapu Bulu would intervene if you or another were in danger?" Looker asked dubiously.
"Hmm, can't be sure." Nanu said in an indifferent tone. "Either they will or they won't. And if Tapu Bulu doesn't, well, they would be responsible for finding another kahuna for Ula' Ula' Island." Nanu wore a wry smile. "Tapu Bulu is as lazy as I am, but I doubt they are lazy enough to let me die without at least trying to help me."
"...please do not say such things. If you think it is going to be too dangerous, don't leave yet. Wait until there are more of us to go together too handle the situation." Looker said, his voice now incredibly concerned over the other man's words. "I'll send Anabel to join you, and Dulse, once they get back."
Nanu inclined his head before leaving the motel room, just in case Looker thought to try and stop him. The red eyed cop left for the desert that Looker had indicated the Xurkitree may be, and took Zossie along, as soon as Nanu came across her. The younger Ultra Recon Squad member had remained behind in Alola while Dulse had gone to let the more violent Buzzwole free in its own home.
Unfortunately, Nanu was not as prepared as he had hoped he would be for this confrontation with the UB. Both Nanu and his Pokémon did not fare well against the Ultra Beast, Xurkitree, especially after it had cornered Zossie and her Poipole.
-x-x-x-
Guzma inwardly cursed as he continued to attempt to free himself from the handcuffs.
He had gotten loose from the sheets within a minute. The punk had then immediately gone to his jacket to try and retrieve his Pokémon, only to find out Nanu had taken them with him. Guzma's next step was to holler threats through the door at the cop, and then at the wall that met the other room.
None of his threats were met with a response.
Dammit.
After a fruitless search for something to pick the handcuffs with, Guzma proceeded to ram his shoulder into the wall, after he had realized that Nanu had jammed something into the door frame of the motel room.
An hour later, and a sore right shoulder, Guzma sunk onto the bed, worn out.
Why the hell Nanu had done this to him?
Why didn't he want his help?
The more Guzma thought about it, the more the punk realized that it was because Nanu actually did seem to give a shit about what happened to him. That the older cop didn't want to see Guzma be hurt. Guzma kind of liked the idea that someone actually cared, even if he wouldn't admit it aloud. The punk was still irritated as hell that Nanu had made the decision to keep him it of the way for his own good.
Another hour went by in silence before Guzma perked up at the sound of scraping at the door.
"Hey! Get in here and get these fucking handcuffs off of me!" Guzma was surprised to see the door open to reveal Plumeria. "Oh, hey Plumes."
Plumeria stood there, no longer dressed as she had been while in Team Skull. There was a bandana over the top of her head reminiscent of poison-type colors, and more causal clothing. The punk and yellow haired woman stared at Guzma and the way he was cuffed and turned as if to leave.
"Hey! I ain't doin' anythin' weird." Guzma scowled at her back. "Nanu was just being an idiot, handcuffing me."
"And why would he do that?" Plumeria asked as she turned back and entered the room. "Were you caught doing something wrong?"
"More like I'm tryin' to make myself useful," Guzma grumped at the former Team Skull admin. "Tryin' to help out with capturing those weird creatures that kind of look like Pokémon. Like the ones I saw in Ultra Space." Guzma's jaw set, unhappily adding an admission. "S'not like I have anythin' better to do."
"I guess it would make sense that you'd want to do something. You've been stir crazy since Team Skull..." Plumeria quieted as she approached the bed. "But...does it bother you that these...Ultra Beasts, you said?" At a nod, Plumeria continued. "Aren't they...similar to those things that you mentioned you saw in Ultra Space? With Sun and Moon?"
Guzma was quiet for a moment.
"The one I saw recently was nothing like those things." Guzma met Plumeria's eyes. "I wanna go find Nanu and tell that old man to stop tryin' to keep me outta of the way."
"Why not let him handle things? He is a kahuna, and an officer." Plumeria questioned. She stared at Guzma for a bit longer, before a curious expression crossed her face. "Is that who you've been staying with after you disbanded Team Skull?"
"Only recently." Guzma hedged. "Old man doesn't seem to mind. Told him I wasn't gonna go home. That I'd rather sleep in a ditch, then go…" Guzma broke off, looking away with a bitter smile at the alternative. "He told me I could stay in the station, since I was more likely to get sick or somethin' if I stayed out in the rain." Guzma held still as Plumeria picked at the handcuffs, and bristled at her quiet laugh. "What's so funny, huh?"
"Do you like him?" Plumeria asked, as she got open one cuff. "Before, some of the grunts told me that you'd go to the station."
"How d'you know that I didn't just give the old bastard a beat down?" Guzma hissed at being prodded sharply in the side before the other handcuff was removed.
"Because you were almost always in a better mood when you came back from the station." Plumeria swatted Guzma's shoulder playfully. "You were really crabby when Nanu was busy and even more so when you had Team Skull start to help Lusamine."
"Guess I was..." Guzma went quiet again, neither confirming nor denying Plumeria's words as he absently rubbed his freed wrists. "Why are you here?"
"I and many of the former grunts from Team Skull were thinking of fixing up Po Town." Plumeria responded. "Properly this time. Maybe we could even get the Pokémon Center up and running, to a point." Plumeria met Guzma's eyes and kept her gaze steady. "I was wondering if you would come to help, or at the very least, visit. It would boost morale. Those punks still think very highly of you, Guzma." She shook her head at Guzma struggling to form words. "You don't have to give an answer now. Just something to think about. You clearly have other things on your mind that you need to take care of first. I and the others can wait."
Guzma gave a faint jerk of his head in acknowledgement and wen to retrieve his clothes, getting ready to leave the motel room.
Where the hell had his shoes gotten to anyway?
Guzma came back out of a crouch once he found his shoes, and reached up to catch his jacket, as well as the sun glasses, that Plumeria tossed to him. Once everything was in place, Guzma straightened up, and went for the door.
"I'll be staying in Po Town for awhile, so that's where you'll find me." Plumeria said.
Guzma nodded to that, and barged out of the room he'd been trapped in and immediately went into the motel room next door. Guzma made a direct beeline for Looker, ready to corner the gray eyed man and shake the information he wanted out of him if need be. Guzma caught sight of his Pokémon's Pokéballs on the table but instead of going for them, the punk went for Looker instead.
Looker was clearly not as intimidated by the punk this time, and did not take Guzma's crap.
"Where the fuck is-shit!"
Looker took the startled punk face-down to the floor in a series of swift movements. One of Looker's hands grasped Guzma's captured wrist firmly, while keeping the limb pinned behind Guzma's back. One of Looker's knees dug into the punks' back, preventing him from easily resisting or even getting up.
The sudden take down without a chance to retaliate was so startling to Guzma that he ended up going limp immediately. His Pokémon didn't come out to his aid, so it was clear that Looker was merely taking control of the situation.
"Nanu always thought I should have Pokémon by my side, but as you can see, I can do just fine on my own. Normally, when going after criminals, the International Police do not always have Pokémon on hand. I have my reasons...for no longer having one of my own accompany me." Looked held Guzma's wrist, sensing the other man try to move. "Many of the arrogant criminals we go after believe they can win a Pokémon battle against anyone. None of them give thought to the possibility that someone could go directly to them, and take them down without a Pokémon battle. I have trained in restraining criminals that I go after, but the finesse for it, I do not have. Not like Nanu once had."
"Where is he?" Guzma demanded from where he was still pinned to the floor. He might not be able to get up, but that didn't mean he was going to give up figuring out where the hell Nanu had wandered off to. "He ain't keepin' me outta a fight if I want in."
"Confronting these Ultra Beasts, you are fine with this?" Looker asked, even as he kept the punk against the ground.
"It's my choice, isn't it?" Guzma demanded, clenching a fist. "Nanu ain't making the decision for me, even if he'd tryin' to keep me out of danger that he's walking right in to without givin' a shit whether he makes it out or not. Gonna give him hell for that bullshit."
"Haina Desert, outside of Route 13." Looker said after a brief moment of silence, relinquishing his hold on the punk soon after and stepping back.
Guzma got to his feet and shook out his arm, stretching out his back with a grimace. Damn. Between Nanu and Looker throwing him to the floor like that, he was going to be sore all of the time. Grumbling, Guzma went to retrieve his Pokémon, before racing straight out the door.
The desert.
It would fucking figure that Tapu Bulu was too damn lazy to deal with an Ultra Beast near their shrine when someone else could deal with it for them.
"Wait!"
Guzma growled his annoyance and shot a glare over his shoulder at Looker.
"Let me leave a letter for the others." Looker's expression grew grim. "I will accompany you. I, too, need to let Nanu know I do not wish to hear himself speak so ill of his own safety."
"Then hurry the fuck up." Guzma did, crossing his arms. "I ain't gonna wait much longer."
"I will make it quick." Looker said.
A few minutes later, both Guzma and Looker were making their way to the Haina Desert.
Guzma was unaware of the fact that Looker had come with him because Nanu had expressed his intentions to keep Guzma out of the fight whether he liked it or not.
Looker now had not one but two people to watch out for; one of whom seemed determined to beat the shit out of the Ultra Beasts, while the other one was still fighting with the demons of the past.
Guzma was unaware of the turmoil in the other man, the punk's thoughts firmly centered on Nanu and what he was going to say to him when he found him. Guzma hadn't been prepared for a scare that day, but should have known better by now.
They were dealing with Ultra Beasts, which were much more unpredictable and violent than most Pokémon would ever be.