This is a draft chapter in progress. It is subject to change as it is edited.
An * means that something will be written out more than it currently is, or added to/changed in some way.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Nanu didn't remember it taking so long to travel through Haina Desert when there wasn't even a sandstorm going on. The red eyed cop was reconsidering his decision to travel with Zossie, who had cheerfully enough agreed to accompany him after another Ultra Beast. Nanu thinking that's she appears to be very young, even if she is knowledgeable about the Ultra Beasts.
*Need a better way to have Zossie and Nanu come across Xurkitree than what was written in the notebook. And then it also needs to have a short battle when the two come across the Ultra Beast. Lead in to this:
Poipole was knocked backward through the air, the small purple and pink creature shivering midair as it slowly sunk to the ground. Poipole had been paralyzed by the Xurkitree, and as Zossie ran toward her partner, it put orange-haired girl in the way of Xurkitree's next attack.
"Use Protect!" Nanu called out as he sent Sableye out.
Sableye skittered over to put itself between Zossie and the Xurkitree, the gem-studded Pokemon baring its sharp fangs as it summoned forth a barrier to block a flailing corded arm of the Xurkitree.
"Krokorok! Distract the UB!" Nanu told the Pokemon as its tail lashed. "I'm going to try and get them out of the way."
Krokorok lets out a growl and stomps in the direction of the Ultra Beast as it picked up speed, kicking up some rocks from beneath the sand to draw the Xurkitree's attention.
As soon as Nanu got closer to Zossie and her Poipole, the cop called out to his Pokemon as soon as he saw the Ultra Beast's attention drawn back to the paralyzed Poipole.
"Krokorok! Use Earthquake! Sableye, Shadow Ball!"
Krokorok broke the ground beneath Xurkitree, but it only seems to anger the UB to be attacked. Especially when it was hit almost immediately after by the blast Sableye had sent right after its teammate. Krokorok braced itself as a Thunderbolt struck it, before it let out an alarmed sound as the Xurkitree turned its attention back toward Zossie.
"Krokorok!" Nanu carefully traverse the rocky terrain that had been made beneath the sandy surface of the desert, but managed to pick his way swiftly over to Zossie. At the sight of the waving limbs of the Ultra Beast as it drew closer, bolts of lightning flicking off its oddly wire-like limb, Nanu seized Zossie by the back of her suit, and tossed her out of danger a short distance out of the way.
Zossie's limbs flailed but she oriented herself mid-air in time to land on her feet, as Poipole floated after her. Zossie climbed up a large boulder that was nearby, as if hoping to get out of range, or to hide behind it.
Nanu grunted as he took a strike from the flailing cable-like arm, which threw him backward forcefully. Nanu couldn't get his footing, which sent him into a large boulder that had shattered into jagged pieces from an earlier UB attack. Nanu let out a soundless scream as he struck the boulder painfully hard with his back, the splintered rock driving the breath out of him. It didn't help that the rocky boulder had splintered so badly that some of the shards made it through his coat and shirt, piercing skin. Nanu grimaced as he awkwardly slid down into a seated position, biting back a hiss of pain over the way some of the shards had managed to draw blood.
"What the hell?" A voice shouted. "Crazy old man!"
Nanu started as a Golisopod appeared in front of him a short distance away. Nanu turned his head in time to see Guzma carefully picking his way past the torn up rocky ground, sand no longer covering it as the punk headed toward him. Nanu opened his mouth to tell the punk to leave, but the dull ache of pain ran up his back silenced him as he sagged sideways against the rocky wall behind him.
Xurkitree, unfortunately, noticed Guzma, as the punk had gotten closer to Nanu. The Ultra Beast prepared to send out another electrical attack, and began to wave of its cable-like arms wildly, building up its power.
Guzma reached Nanu's side and hunkered down next to him, the punk glaring at the Ultra Beast as he pointed toward it and yelled.
"Golisopod, get that damn thing! First Impression!"
The Xurkitree flailed as its initial attack was blocked by the large bug-type Pokemon smacking it in its facial area, before the Ultra Beast sent another out another large burst of electricity.
"Protect!"
Golisopod brought its main two-clawed limbs up.
The Xurkitree's attack struck the barrier that formed, unable to make it through.
"Krokorok! Move!" Nanu shouted out a warning to his Pokémon, but it was too late. His Pokémon was sent flying a short distance away as Xurkitree wriggled its limbs in fury. Nanu flinched as his wounded back was jostled when Guzma covered his body with his own when it looked as if the Xurkitree was going to attack again.
Nanu peered over Guzma's shoulder, and saw a flash from where Krokorok had fallen. Winced when the punk pressed him harder against the rock wall, and gasped out. "Not so hard. My nack."
"Liquidation! Then use Protect again!" Guzma called out to his Pokémon, before relinquishing his grip on the cop. "The hell happened?"
"Later." Nanu saw a red flash through the nearby rock, and couldn't help but smile grimly. He hadn't imagined what he had seen easier, then. "Krookodile, Earthquake!"
Golisopod's Protect was still in effect, and Zossie was now out of range of the dangerous electrical outbursts from the UB.
Krokodile makes an appearance and uses the attack, breaking up the ground beneath the Xurkitree, which threw the creature off balance.
"Sucker Punch!" Guzma called out, and Golisopod moved forward to sock the UB as it had with its first attack.
But even as the bug-type Pokémon struck it, the Xurkitree let loose one last dangerous bolt of electricity Guzma and Nanu's way.
"Down." Nanu urged, seizing the punk's jacket.
*Guzma doesn't move fast enough and Nanu is in too much pain to do so, but Buzzwole leapt out of its ball and took the hit. Guzma seized up briefly any way, taking a tiny clip of electrical shock that clipped his left wrist and destroyed his watch.
"Shit." Guzma cursed as he sat down hard alongside Nanu, his left arm clutched close to his body.
Krookodile used Rock Throw to trap the Ultra Beast further until it can only wiggle a little and send out weak bolts.
*Zossie was able to toss a Beast Ball, Looker having gotten to her and helped her on top of the rock as she threw the ball. (Looker arrives just as the above is happening and helps Zossie down from her perch before she throws the ball).
Xurkitree was caught.
Looker carries both Zossie and her exhausted Poipole over in the direction of Golisopod, and Krookodile, both of whom had gone to check on their respective trainers. The Poipole was still affected by the paralysis, and weakly turned over to cuddle with Zossie, who pat its head affectionately.
"Are either of you able to stand?" Looker anxiously asked, as he came to a stop alongside Nanu and Guzma.
Guzma cursing his injured left hand while Nanu seemed disinclined to move. Guzma has the Buzzwole return to its ball, the creature seeming to be injured.
"I…don't think I get back up on my own. Back. Some rock shards." Nanu winced when Guzma carefully pulled him away from the rocky wall. "Jacket caught most of the rocks." Nanu added, even if pain creased his brow.
This does not reassure either Looker or Guzma.
*Dulse makes an appearance, followed by Anabel. The former took Zossie and the latter, Poipole. (There will be brief dialogue here)
Looker retrieved the Beast Ball that had captured Xurkitree, and headed back over to Nanu. Between Looker and Guzma, they were able to help Nanu get to his feet. Guzma supported Nanu as Looker removes the jacket, and informs Nanu that the jacket was beyond repair. Face serious as he looks at Nanu's back through the shirt, and shakes his head. "Going to need to have some of those shards taken out by hand"
"I don't care how as long as they come out." Nanu said breathlessly.
Guzma was a little shaky from the bolt of lightning that had clipped him, and Golisopod ended up having to carry him. The shock had seemingly set in, the shock setting in over the thought of almost being electrocuted sets in. Guzma appeared to try to remain awake, but eventually passed out against his Pokemon.
Nanu has Sableye and Krookodile remain out to help escort the group back to the motel on route 13. They needed to regroup and lick their wounds before deciding how to proceed. Nanu hoped that Zossie's injuries weren't too serious. She was young, and reminded Nanu of Acerola. The cop could tell that Dulse was concerned, despite the man's mask of indifference.
(more of a transition between these two paragraphs?)
Back at the motel room, Nanu was urged to carefully remove his jacket and shirt. The red eyed man shook his head at the sound of many small rocks hitting the floor. Nanu gingerly stepped over to the bed and laid himself face-down on it, to allow Looker to pick out the remainder of the shards, and treat the wounds they had made.
"You're lucky none of them went too deep." Looker commented. "You could have been seriously injured. What were you and Zossie thinking, getting so close to one of those Ultra Beasts?"
"We hadn't thought it would get so close to us that quickly." Nanu murmured, his eyes closing as the little flares of pain continued. "We had not expected it to let out that powerful of electricity either."
"You are, again, very lucky, 000." Looker said, as he walked across the room before returning with medical supplies. "Only a few of these punctures need stitches, and I am capable of doing such a small area. I'll put an antibacterial salve on the rest of it, and wrap it all up with bandages, so that nothing gets infected."
Nanu let out a noncommittal grunt, already too tired to care about the state of his back other than it was painful. He only sat up when Looker announced he needed to bandage him. Nanu held as still as he could, flinching only a little as Looker wrapped the bandages around his torso, and grumbling under his breath over the sensation of a few patches that covered other not so serious wounds on his lower back, and upper left shoulder.
"When Guzma wakes up, I'm going to send him in here to keep an eye on you." Looker told the other man.
Nanu merely laid back face-down on the bed, worn out body going inert as he acted disinterested in the announcement Looker had made.
Looker knew better but didn't say anything as he left the room to allow Nanu rest.
The red-eyed cop dozed off, unaware that Guzma visited some hours later, before Looker was harassed into staying in the motel room as Guzma 'took care of something.'
-x-x-x-
Guzma arrived at Po Town with the help of a Charizard, though he made sure the fire-type Pokemon remained just inside of the broken down Pokemon Center, so that the punk could leave again within a half-hour.
The Charizard seemed reluctant, but with offerings of Pokebeans, shelter from the rain, and a few former grunts drying its scales off, the ride Pokemon seemed content to wait for Guzma.
The punk had drawn his hood up over his head, hands shoved into pockets as he walked down the long street that led up to the Shady Mansion. His 'old haunts,' as it were. And he was only there to make sure that he gave an answer sooner rather than later, after the encounter with the Xurkitree. Guzma rubbed his bandaged left wrist absently, as he briefly gave nods to other former Team Skull members.
Guzma figured he had an idea of where he would find Plumeria, and he was correct.
In her old bedroom, lecturing some punks.
*Short chat with Plumeria here. Haven't decided how long or involved the dialogue will be. But part of it will be that he does agree that he will help with patching up Po Town, though first, he has something else to take care of. And then this:
"Nanu." Plumeria stated.
"Weird-ass creatures from another world like those jellies." Guzma countered.
"And to keep an eye out for Nanu." Plumeria added.
*There is some more good-natured teasing, but Guzma doesn't deny anything. He makes tentative plans to come back, and stays only long enough for Tapu Cocoa.
Of course, this meant that by the time Guzma arrived back at the motel, via Charizard dropping him off, all was quiet. As Charizard flew away to go help other trainers around Alola, the tall punk went to the motel room, wondering if Nanu was awake or not. But when Guzma peered in, he let out an aggravated sigh at the deserted room.
Dammit.
Why the hell couldn't that cop stay put in one spot even after being injured?
It just figured that Nanu wouldn't leave behind any hint of where he might have gotten to, because when Guzma checked, the man wasn't at his home in the police station on route 17.
-x-x-x-
Nanu is sore but mostly back to normal a few days later, back at the motel while waiting for Looker to come by. Nanu had spent the past few days in an undisclosed location.
*(undecided at the moment if I am going to add in where Nanu was while he took some days for his wounds to heal up a bit).
Looker suddenly came rushing into the motel, brandishing something in his hand.
"It's done!" Looker said triumphantly.
"What is it?" Nanu asked, eyeing the object in question.
"It is a bracelet. It was made by the Ultra Recon Squad, with some help from Professor Burnet." Looker said,as he held the bracelet out to Nanu. "I want you to wear it from now on, while we continue on with the Ultra Beast situation."
"I don't need someone to keep tabs on me." Nanu said, as it clicked what the object really was. The older cop inspected the bracelet nonetheless once he had taken it out of Looker's waiting hand.
"You have had a terrible knack at ending up surrounded by those beasts, 000." Looker said with a deep frown. "What would you have done had Guzma not been there to help with the UB Lighting, when it went on a rampage like that?" Looker looked Nanu in the eyes. "That much electricity would have outright killed you, and you know it, don't you? It isn't like being shocked by a Pikachu, or a Togedemaru." Looker held up a hand to prevent an argument. "The poison of the UB Nihilego from before?"
"…I suppose it isn't like I would be going anywhere out of the ordinary." Nanu said eventually, as he considered the black bracelet. The red-eyed man sighed and decided to concede the logic Looker had provided. But Nanu didn't point out that he had only been in danger before because Guzma was a Faller, and drew the beasts to him.
Except for the Xurkitree.
For some reason, that seemed to be an abnormality Nanu felt that he wanted to discuss soon. The kahuna of Ula' Ula' Island secured the bracelet around his left wrist, above the Z-ring that was there.
"Nanu?" Looker ventured, after a few minutes of silence had passed between them.
"I'm going to pay the Dimensional Lab a visit." Nanu said quietly, staring down at his wrist.
"That may be a good idea, to learn of the bracelet's functions." Looker headed for the door. "I am going to go consult with Anabel. Dulse and Zossie as well, to find out about the UB we will be tracking down next. With the reports that we do have, we will be able to more accurately narrow down the next likely place."
"I'll join you all later." Nanu said curtly, and once Looker was gone, the officer stood and stretched. He hadn't been to Professor Burnet's lab for some time, but it wasn't like he was going there for a friendly chat.
He was going there for another tracking device for someone who didn't seem to be able to keep themselves out of trouble.
-x-x-x-
Nanu was immensely relieved that only Burnet was in the lab, everyone else out on break for whatever reason.
"Ah, Kahuna Nanu. It's been awhile." The professor greeted as she looked up from some papers on her desk. The white-haired woman appeared to be a little taken aback that the Nanu was there, but welcoming nonetheless. When Burnet saw the serious look in the cop's expression, she became all business. "What can I do for you? You look like you have something on your mind, and I think it isn't just about those Ultra Beasts."
"Is it possible to have another of these made?" Nanu indicated the plain black bracelet around his wrist. "Or is there a way for me to have the tech in hand to put it in something else?" Nanu let out a slow sigh as he ran a hand through his short hair. "There is someone that I want to have the ability to track down, after what has happened with the Ultra Beasts so far."
"Who is it?" Burnet asked, obviously interested in the idea that Nanu was outwardly admitting that he wanted to keep a close eye on someone.
"I don't want Looker or Anabel to know. Not yet, anyhow. I do not want this individual to be used as bait, even though I'm sure he would be fine with it." Nanu shook his head over the idea. "He's already had two separate species of Ultra Bests converge on him, and it was just luck that someone else was around to help him." Nanu could tell that the professor was brimming with curiously now.
"It sounds like the person you're talking about is a Faller." Burnet was burning with curiosity now. "One who isn't Anabel, since you mentioned this other person is a 'he'." At Nanu's frown, the professor shrugged. "Looker does like to go on sometimes."
"He does talk a lot." Nanu agreed with a half-smile, before his expression went neutral again. "I don't like to repeat myself, but it is important that Looker and Anabel don't know this person's identity."
"I can keep a secret." The professor said, her voice dropping as if she were conspiring with the red eyed cop. "Who is it?"
"…Guzma." Nanu said, albeit reluctantly. "He was the person who accompanied Lusamine to Ultra Space, though now it sounds like he regrets going there in the first place."
"Why be so careful about his status as a Faller?" Burnet wondered, thoughtfully eyeing and gauging Nanu's body language. "I would think that Guzma would love the idea of going after those Ultra Beasts. He is a pretty scary man when he wants to be." The professor tapped a pen on her desk. "It is a relief that Team Skull disbanded. They'd been a bit of a nuisance, stealing supplies from the lab and causing a general ruckus around Alola." Burnet looked Nanu over again carefully, before she started to smile. "...I knew there was someone who cared beneath all of that indifference."
"If it is too much of a hassle, I can always just get Looker to give me another bracelet." Nanu said with a sigh. "The Ultra Beasts aren't exactly appearing out of nowhere to jump me." The officer gave his head a little shake. "Looker is just worried about me, I guess. After one of the UB's nearby zapped me into a crisp." Nanu hunched his shoulders a little bit more over the look Burnet was giving him. "What?"
"I've heard people telling me about Guzma stealing from the police station you're living in, outside of Po Town." Burnet began, starting to list things off. "That he helped an unusual Meowth. Broke up some fights when they began to escalate in Po Town between trainers and Team Skull. Guzma even scared off people trying to break into the police station, from the sound of it. But I've heard it was more often in the past half of the year." Burnett blinked at the look of confusion the red eyed man gave her. Burnett's voice grew concerned. "Didn't you know that there were several attempted break-ins over the past few years?"
"I assume most of them would be Team Skull members doing it on a dare or something of the sort. But no, I wasn't aware." Nanu gave a casual shrug. "If it was someone else, I really haven't any idea who it would be, as any enemies I may have had in the past are all dead." Nanu caught the horrified look the professor gave him, and offered another indifferent shrug. "It's all in the past now. Alola's been good for me." Nanu let out yet another troubled sigh. "Really, if someone happened to sneak into the station to steal from me, it isn't that big of a deal to me. Even if they tried to kill me, it isn't like many people would notice the loss."
The words couldn't have been said at a worse time, as Guzma was suddenly stomping across the lab, looking pissed as hell.
"Oh, you're here." Nanu said, as if not at all surprised that he had a large scowling shadow following him around Alola.
The flippant remark didn't seem to help, as the larger pun looked angry. Likely over the idea that no one would miss the older cop, as well as the idea that someone had been attempting to break into his home.
Nanu frowned over the way Guzma seized him by his right arm, as the cop had not had enough time to evade the punk's grasp.
"I thought I told ya to knock that depressin' shit off." Guzma snapped irritably. "Bein' all doom and gloom like that is gonna put ya into an early grave, old man." Guzma grit out, his hand holding Nanu's forearm firmly, refusing to let go even in the face of those unimpressed red eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it again." Nanu freed his arm with a swift twist that had Guzma stumbling the faintest amount to regain his balance, the cop tilting his head up to glare at the punk. "Would you like to offer up any suggestions as to who might have tried to break into the station?"
"Yer damn cats would bite and scratch the shit out of any intruders tryin' to do ya in." Guzma said gruffly, bristling over the very thought of someone attempting to harm the older cop. "And as to stealing yer shit, gonna go out on a limb and say it was some of the grunts in the past. And me." Guzma shifted from foot to foot, looking as if he wanted to seize Nanu again. As though the punk wanted to shake some sense into Nanu if he continued to be so lackadaisical about potential dangers in his own home. "How the hell could you not give a damn about someone trying to sneak into your home to off?"
"No one has succeeded, if that was even this imaginary person's plan." Nanu deadpanned back.
"You gonna go back home to yer cats, geezer?" Guzma shot back.
"That was the plan." Nanu said with a shrug. The red eyed officer held in a smile as Guzma prowled off the way he had come.
"Gonna wait for you outside then. And don't use yer damn bird to fly off without me. I ain't done talking to ya, cop."
"And what else is there to talk about?" Nanu raised his voice after the retreating punk, but received no response from Guzma. Nanu turned back to Burnet, and found her smiling again. "What?"
"He likes you." Burnet said, as she glanced the way Guzma had gone.
"Why would he?" Nanu frowned at this information. "No one exactly likes me."
"Kahuna Hala does. Kahuna Olivia, too, when you aren't making snide comments to annoy her. Acerola cares about you. Kukui, even if you may find him tiring." Burnet sighed. "I worry about the idea of someone breaking into your home. The kids that stay at Aether House do like you, since they ask Acerola about you and-"
"You've made your point." Nanu cut in. "What does this have to do with Guzma.?"
"You let him touch you without getting defensive right away." The professor pointed out. "Thinking back, when there are parties you show up to, it seems like you usually don't like it when someone touches you, or even brushes up against you. You seem to…shy away."
"Huh." Nanu honestly hadn't noticed.
"Here." Burnet went through her desk, and picked something out of the drawer before standing and walking over to Nanu. She held out a bracelet that looked identical to the one the cop was currently wearing.
Nanu took the offered bracelet, and met the professor's eyes.
"You wanted Guzma to have one of these, didn't you?" Burnet asked. "It makes sense if he is a Faller, but that isn't the only reason you want one for him, is it?"
"Thanks, I guess." Nanu took the bracelet without acknowledging Burnet's question.
Burnet let him take the bracelet without argument, merely smiling at him as the cop headed for the exit.
"Don't tell Kukui about Guzma." Nanu said, as he paused on his way to the elevator. "Or he might try and find a way to keep an eye on Guzma himself."
"No promises on that, but I won't tell Looker or Anabel if they come by." Burnett said, giving Nanu a little good-bye wave.
Nanu grunted something unintelligible at that before he turned away and made his way out of the lab. When the cop emerged outside, Nanu found Guzma leaning up against a wall, waiting for him as the punk said he would.
Interesting.
"What the hell took so long?" Guzma asked impatiently, the fingers of one hand tapping a forearm.
Nanu didn't say anything as he took a few steps back over the way Guzma advanced on him, the punk having shoved away from the wall with the same scowl as earlier. Nanu flashed the barest hint of a smile at the younger man, before Honchkrow left its Pokeball and took Nanu with it into the sky.
"Hey! Dammit! I told you not to do that again!" Guzma spluttered from the street below. "You hear me, old man?"
Nanu tuned the punk's words out as he let his Pokémon take him back to the police station back on route 17. Nanu needed some time to himself to think, and to come up with a way to have Guzma hold on to the tracking device without knowing what it was. Nanu doubted that Guzma would wear the bracelet without suspicion, so Nanu needed a way to hide what was likely a small device elsewhere. Buginium Z on a cord around his neck would have worked, but again, Nanu doubted that Guzma would do as he did with his Darkinium Z.
As Honchkrow landed outside of the station on Ula' Ula', Nanu entered the building and set about his work with an idea in mind.
Guzma had lost his watch to Xurkitree, so…
Nanu worked quietly, aware that Guzma would eventually catch up to him. It would take some time for the punk to catch up due to the crossing of islands from one to another. Unless Guzma managed to get a Charizard to bring him there, which the cop was thought was unlikely to happen, given the rain, and Guzma's dislike of following the rules. Nanu finished up his idea some hours later, and hid it away for the time being, and finished just in time.
Guzma was not at all happy about being left behind when the punk finally showed up at the police station.