Day 2 & 3 Report
Detectives-zzt.
What kind of audacious move was it to inform us once we arrived here that Wicke was the lead? Bzzzt. That kind of behavior, or lack thereof, has already caused one too many verbal altercations with me and my assignee.
But I digress.
These reports are not to scold you, but to tell you about our progress and about Agent Moon.
The new agent has proven herself in a matter of days to be resourceful and is as skilled as you have observed in her training. Smart, productive, charismatic. Moon has found the best way to maneuver the Foundation.
But there is one problem.
You see, while I respect the Agent's hard work, and notice her skills to be vital in these beginning operations - due to the fact that we as an agency weren't given much to begin with - I cannot disregard how absolutely INFURIATING she is.
She's quick to react both positively and negatively. And even under guise she makes decisions that are ultimately questionable.
SHE IS VERY WELL A RISK TO SOCIETY, THE ORGANIZATION, AND EVERYTHING WE KNOW IF HER RASH DECISIONS CONTINUE.
THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT.
Rotom.
P.S. I already reprimanded her, but don't be surprised if I decide if Moon should be let off the case.
Gnawing in the back of Moon's mind was the purpose of this meeting. Was her cover blown? Was she going to lose her job? Was she going to be kidnapped and sacrificed to the Ultra Beasts? Obviously she was jumping to conclusions.
When they step inside, however, Moons thoughts pause.
Baren.
That was the best word Moon could use to describe the space. And even though empty, the fact that the room screamed 'uptight perfectionist' made Moon wonder if this was really Gladion's office; the contrast too stark from impression she got the previous night.
Gladion walks towards one end of the room while Wicke gestures for Moon to sit in front of the President's desk. She obliges.
"Miss Moon, you are indeed talented in your field," Wicke begins. "Master Gladion informed me that you helped nurture Type: Null back to health. Is this true?"
Her eyes naturally drift to the President. He wasn't paying attention the conversation as he stood by the window.
"Yes, Maam," her voice wavering ever so slightly. There was now solid confirmation that that Pokemon was Type: Null.
Wicke taps a pen against her clipboard. "Although I am happy that you were able to handle the situation, you cannot be working into the wee hours of the night. Your contract states you are paid hourly."
Moon blinks.
"I'm sorry?
Wicke gives her a disapproving look. "You as an employee of Aether cannot be working overtime without prior approval from your supervisors."
"T-this is an HR meeting?" Moon stammers out as Wicke looks at her curiously.
"Why of course, what else would it be about?"
"I thought I was going to lose my job or something," Moon waves her hand around, brushing away the thought. Hoping that Wicke picked up on which job she was worried about.
"Someone who can calm down a Pokemon such as Type: Null, and treat it too boot, is clearly someone we want to keep on our team." Wicke says with a laugh as her smiling eyes stare at Moon. "And trust me. I will use my power to make sure we won't be letting you go anytime soon."
Wicke's words were comforting and if anything a sign of her true involvement with Moon's mission. "Now, with this being said. I will allow you two to discuss certain matters. Master Gladion, you have your first board meeting today, don't be late."
"Understood, thank you Wicke" he replies as she exits the room, but when the door shuts he coldly stares at Moon.
"Wicke seems to be favorable of you," he says sharply from across the room. Moon bites her tongue, aware that this was a supervisor she could not sass.
"I suppose so."
He scoffs.
"The attitude you have in this space is quite different from last night, isn't it?"
Moon clenches her hands on her pants; restraint not being her strong suit, as Gladion sits at the desk Moon was in front of. "When did you start working here?"
"Officially yesterday"
"And you're already breaking rules?" Gladion crosses his arms.
Moon takes a deep breath in. Restraint. Restraint. Restraint.
"I was only trying to be prepared for my next day of work until you showed up with a hurt Pokemon!"
So much for restraint.
Moon pauses realizing her phrasing. "What happened last night won't happen again, I promise." Moon adds, quieter this time around.
"It can't happen again," Gladion says with more conviction. "Everything you saw yesterday stays between you, me, and technically Wicke. Do you understand?"
Moon opens her mouth to agree, before stopping. This was her chance to turn things around in her favor. Gladion lifts an eyebrow curiously at her hesitation.
"You have to let me check up on your Pokemon"
"Excuse me?
Moon stares at him with her wide gray eyes. No uncertainty evident. "In exchange for my silence, you have to let me check up on Type: Null."
"And why would I agree to that? I am your supervisor, who do you think you're talking to?" He was annoyed, and clearly wasn't used to being backed into a corner.
"You said your Pokemon doesn't trust others, so why put him under more stress by finding a new doctor?" Moon retorts.
"Tsk. What happens to my Pokemon shouldn't be your concern."
"It's my job to be concerned for the well-being of Pokemon, especially when they're in my vicinity."
Gladion stares right at Moon. The point was made and he watches a smirk grow on her face as she adds. "I'm doing this as a favor to you," a pause.
"Or do you want the world to know about the new President's night activities?"
It was a bluff, but Gladion wouldn't know that. New to the position? Harboring a dangerous Pokemon?
Moon honestly could be on to something.
Gladion slams a hand on the table. "Null is not an easy Pokemon to care for."
Moon gets up from her seat and leans over the desk, clearly acknowledging the way this conversation was going. "I'm a professional."
"And all check-ups must be done under strict conditions."
Moon extends her hand towards the President. A small victorious smile present. He shakes her hand with great reluctance.
"Deal."
Their hands drop.
"I can take a look at Type: Null right now if it makes it easier for you," Moon offers, figuring that his schedule must be more jam packed than hers. Gladion glances at his watch, shakes his head, denying the offer.
"I can't leave Null on his own with someone so unfamiliar." His voice was apprehensive and clearly suspicious of Moon, but she took no offense to it.
She found him just as suspicious.
Gladion pulls out his phone and begins scrolling. "I can come by your office post meeting, I have a gap between that and the next."
"Perfect, I'll schedule it in, Mister President."
And with that Moon leaves the room and walks down the hall with a brand new surge of pride. She finally did something right and she was not going to slip up.
"Agent, good job back there bzzt," Rotom speaks into her earpiece. Moon only gives a small 'mhm' in response, not wanting to run another risk of being overheard.
But now she was certain that President Gladion was involved with the Ultra Beasts, she just needed to prove how.
Saying that the board meeting was rough was an understatement. Members were calling out Gladion's lack of experience, his young age, and his overall persona as inappropriate for the position. Wicke tried to come to his defense. Faba wholeheartedly agreed with everyone else (and even said he should get the position). And Gladion just sat there and took it all in. If he fought back they would harbor more negative thoughts, if he stayed quiet and say he would improve they would at least shut their mouths. He couldn't blame them for their concerns, he agreed for the most part, since this wasn't something he necessarily signed up for.
A sigh escapes him as he makes his way to the observation floor; a floor that once was filled with visitors on tours, now stood abandoned as of two weeks ago. It was a good spot to get some peace and quiet, and Arceus knew he needed it. He needed to get away from people constantly bombarding him with questions of how he's going to save Aether.
He honestly didn't know, and after today he didn't know if he even wanted to.
But what he did know was that this organization, in essence, was good, but the actions of one person put the lives of many Pokemon and now trainers on the line.
It pissed him off.
He already had ideas of how he could go around capturing Ultra Beast, or finding Lusamine, but they were all risky. Too risky and he learned of those risks first hand last night.
This wasn't even in his job description.
He rubs a hand against his face in frustration as he leans his frame against the metal railings. He looks towards the conservation sites. From his position he had a clear view of the different habitats. Aether, even through all the recent revelations, still had some dedicated members that weren't part of Lusamine's schemes.
They were the real heart and soul of the organization. A small blessing in the mess all around him. And it reminded him that he needed to meet up with one in particular.
The new one.
The one who yelled at him the night before. The one who seemed anxious at the thought of losing her job. The one who couldn't bite her tongue and expressed her concerns loudly and albeit rudely. She did try to hold back, he could give her that.
But when it ended with a threat he found himself at a loss. Something was strange about her. How she was so willing to help a stranger out. How she wasn't surprised at Type: Null's form. How she continued to show concern for it. And how she, according to Wicke, had left a very prestigious job and moved from another Region to work at a failing company.
The pieces didn't seem to line up.
He glances around for a sign of Moon. Staff was scurrying around, like always. But one head was moving slowly around the Grimer enclosure. Moon was taking notes and the Alolan Grimer seemed all too happy to have a new caretaker as they followed her on her heels.
With a dejected sigh Gladion goes towards to get their 'meeting' over with. But as he gets closer to Moon he finds himself stopping in his tracks.
"Hmm, it seems like the crystals are starting to form, huh Grimer?" Moon asks sweetly.
"Grimeee," the Pokemon responds with a wide grin, showing off the two rocks that had formed in its mouth. A tiny squeal comes out of Moon as she quickly writes something else down. "This is good. It means your toxin levels are starting to balance out. You'll be going home in no time, isn't that great?"
The Grimer only smiles wider and gets closer to Moon.
Gladion watches the interaction, expecting Moon to back away like anyone else would, but to his surprise she lets the Pokemon have its way. Grimer envelops Moon in a hug and all she does is laugh in response. Her hand petting the Pokemon playfully.
"Okay Grimer, it's time to let go. I have to go check in on the others."
The sentence only prompts protest as it hold on tighter. Moon shakes her head with a small laugh before giving Grimer one last pat, but before she could try to pry off its hands she sees Grimer look behind her and let go. She turns around only to see Gladion standing there; a look of stupor written all over his face.
"What are you doing here?" Moon asks as her regular bite returns to her voice. The two, in a matter of hours, had a strained relationship and she didn't expect him to approach her for any reason. If anything she thought that their arrangements for Type: Null would be more low-key.
"No one lets the poison Pokemon get that close to them," Gladion mutters as he sees her head tilt in confusion.
"Why not? They're precious."
An endearing response that almost made him forget about their prior interactions. And almost made him think that this girl was sweeter than she displayed. But he sees her arms cross around her torso as her eyes roll; waiting for him to announce why he was there, forcing him to cast aside all the almost thoughts.
"My next meeting isn't until an hour from now," he begins, but Moon catches on immediately.
"Oh, of course."
Gladion doesn't speak a word as Moon leads the way to her office.
And while there was no doubt her mind was racing at 100 miles about him, she couldn't help but to wonder if it was the same with him. His cold demeanor, his gruff responses. There was no doubt that they were suspicious of each other, but being enemies with him was a role she didn't want to play. She needed to pretend she was on his side and that started by being civil.
Moon offers the President a chair when they step inside. A truce But when he declines she bites her tongue and lets out a huff of air. So stubborn.
"So as you may or may not know the deep stitches will be dissolving in a matter of weeks."
Gladion nods.
"And around that time I'll have to remove some of the smaller ones at the top of the wound."
"Will it hurt him?"
Moon stares at him for a second, taken aback by the concern in his voice. Was the aggression an act from last night an act? Or was it a reaction to the whole situation and her own pushiness? "It's a simple procedure with very little pain. Instead of putting him under, a local anesthetic will be applied this time." Moon shuffles through cabinets looking for gloves, having rearranged everything from the night before.
"These coming check-ups are to make sure nothing gets infected and that your Pokemon is okay to walk. The wound was deep after all," Moon finds what she was looking for and turns to face Gladion. "Today should only take a few minutes, then you can be on your way."
He unlatches the Pokeball from his belt, releasing Type: Null as the Pokemon glances around the room again.
"You better have not battled with him in the past 18 hours," Moon says pointedly as she approaches the Pokemon with ease.
"After last night? Of course no-" he trails off as he sees his Pokemon lean down to lick Moon's hand. She giggles as she feeds Null a berry.
Gladion's eyes widen at the sight.
"I know you said your Pokemon is cautious, but he really doesn't seem that way."
"It's-" Gladion stutters, "it's surprising to me, he won't even go near Wicke."
Moon hums in response, getting to work without announcing it to the President. And true to her word, she finishes in about 15 minutes with no complaints out of Null.
"We're done, you can call him in," Moon says as Gladion swiftly clicks the Pokeball.
"Type: Null is taking stitches well. No battling, and limited walking. Okay?" She tosses her gloves and reaches for a tiny bag on the counter and hands it over.
"Medicine for any pain he may feel."
Gladion stares at her in disbelief. "How did you get this? You shouldn't have-,"
"Pharmaceutical access?" Moon finishes with a quirk of an eyebrow. "I was a pharmacist before this, one of the reasons why Faba hired me. A kill two birds with one stone type of thing," Moon says with a shrug.
Gladion backs down from his defenses and clips the Pokeball back onto his belt.
"Remember your end of the deal."
Moon nods her head as he places his hand on the doorknob. "On that note, please report for work later than usual tomorrow. You had overtime yesterday so it has to balance out somewhere."
"But what abo-"
"Your caseload will be fine. You don't want to deal with HR again, because after Wicke is Faba."
He opens the door, stepping out, but looking over his shoulder.
"Thank you for taking care of Null. I-" He pauses as if mulling over his next phrase. "I appreciate it."
Moon's trip back to her room was a quiet one. Earlier today she was certain; 100% confident that Gladion was involved with Lusamine. He had a engineered Pokemon made to hunt the Ultra Beasts. How could he not be involved?
But seeing his reaction to Type: Null being cared for pulled at her heartstrings.
"Rotom, hear me out."
"What is it Agent?"
"Is it bad to have opposing opinions on someone?," she asks as she pushes the door to her room open. He continues to float nearby as his own screen's face twists into thought.
"In our line of work, it is important to know who is on what side-krzzt. It's best to have one solid opinion, but an informed one."
Moon bites her bottom lip as she sits down on her bed. Knowing she was deep in thought Rotom doesn't bother asking any questions.
"The President. He seemed a bit defensive did he not? A little secretive, more reserved?"
"Humans are strange creatures my dear girl-bzzt."
Moon throws her hands up in frustration. "All signs point to his involvement with Lusamine, but now I'm seconding guessing. No one who cares that much can be evil."
"But also no one is in the clear except Wicke, Agent," Rotom states. "Just promise me you won't jump to conclusions. We've had enough of your rash decision making to last a lifetime. Bzzt" Rotom sighs, clearly tired of everything that went wrong the previous days.
Moon nervously chuckles as a comfortable silence surrounds the two.
"Rotom, what information does headquarters even have on him?"
"Given Lusamine's disappearance two weeks ago? I would say little to none. He's new and I'm only just going to mention him to the Detectives today," Rotom states.
"We're on the same boat then."
A question mark screen appears. "He's the President of an organization on our radar and you're a new agent of the International Police. Tell me what boat are you two on? Bzzt."
The 'I don't really know what I'm doing' one," she sighs, "I saw Anabel and Looker's reply. They weren't very pleased with your report."
"It is my duty to report the truth on all matters-krzzt."
She reaches forward and pulls Rotom towards her. The Pokemon squirming to try to get out of her clasp. "I know I messed up, but cut me some slack next time. You called me infuriating and a risk to society!"
"Prove me wrong then, Agent!" Rotom demands as Moon releases him; a cheeky smile plastered on her face as she stares at his annoyed one.
"Your natural talents can't make up for your actions."
She reaches forward and taps Rotom's screen, her eyes now sparkling with determination. "Fine, let's go over all that we know about the employees and the mysterious Pokemon I now get to study up close and personal."