TPH was a society of some of the region's top agents. They did everything from investigating mysterious leads to "extinguishing" problematic items. They kept a low profile; however, they did have connections where connections were needed. TPH had allies in the police forces of all the major regions, to name an example.
Cory pulled his car into a parking space by the side of FundGen Tower and stepped out. "Employees Only," read the sign. Not like it'd matter; he only planned on being there a few minutes.
If these were ordinary guards, he knew the type of Pokémon they'd have: Electric. They wanted to stun intruders, not kill them. Cory removed a Pokéball from his pocket and pressed the button. Shedinja came out in a flash of light, and Cory pocketed the ball. Only the naïve ones would laugh at Cory's using of a Shedinja; he had taught it many unique and powerful moves, and Wonder Guard would save his ass in a pinch. Since Shedinja didn't have a weakness to Electric-type attacks, it wouldn't be hit by them. Unless they used Thunder Wave, but he figured that they wouldn't use that. Grunts usually were sadistic, maiming while stunning. However, just to be safe—
"Shedinja, Double Team," Cory muttered to it.
A shimmer of light passed over Shedinja to indicate that it had performed the move. Evasiveness went up, lessening the chance that it would be hit by any attack.
Cory walked to the doors and opened them. The door had a sign pasted: "Doors lock at midnight." They weren't locked: it was only eleven-thirty. He walked in, and headed for the elevators, only to be stopped by an elderly guard.
"What's your business?" the guard asked, eyeing Cory and the Shedinja hovering motionlessly in the air beside him. It was obvious that this was just a simple guard, doing his job; no malicious intent was meant.
Cory flashed a police identification card and a printed warrant. Both were fake, but TPH had state-of-the-art equipment: both looked official. "Official police business. We have reason to suspect that there may be suspicious activity going on. Mind if I investigate?" He would have entered anyway, but the guard agreed.
"Well, can't argue with a warrant. Go ahead. I hope you find what you're looking for. Or don't, depending on what you're looking for." The guard stepped out of the way and allowed Cory access to the elevator.
"Thank you." Cory entered the elevator and pressed the button for the 28th floor (where the call had come from), three floors below the top floor. He waited, the elevator dinging with every floor reached.
Finally, the elevator made it to the 28th floor and opened the door. Cory paused for a second: dead silence. He took a step out. Nothing. He took a second step. Immediately, he came under fire of various Pokémon attacks from all sides.
"Shit!"
He sent out Arbok. "Cover me!" he commanded as he ran. Arbok spread its head to its full length and started absorbing attacks. He directed Shedinja to Shadow Ball any enemy it saw.
Ahead, he saw a girl. She was using a table as cover from attacks as her Meowth attempted to Pay Day anyone who got too close. He called to her.
"Hey, I'm here to save your ass! Cory Russet, TPH. Come here, take cover under Arbok and let's get out of here!"
She ran to him, her Meowth following behind. "Thanks. Laura Fleet, freelance agent for Top Johto Police Force."
"We'll discuss introductions later!" Taking a capsule from his pocket, he hurled it up at the ceiling, where it stuck. He grabbed her hand and ran back to the elevator. Pressing the button for the ground floor, he recalled Arbok. After the door closed, he sighed.
"That was too easy, almost like they let us go."
Laura nodded. "They cut down on the attack when you came. Almost like they knew you or something."
"Either that, or they didn't want to strike someone of their own. There's probably a meeting going on later tonight; hopefully, the bug I dropped will pick up something useful."
The elevator opened at the ground floor. Cory walked out, his Shedinja, Laura, and her Meowth following. Cory thanked the guard again as he walked out the doors, the guard looking over the group curiously.
They ran to Laura's car. She checked the tires; they had been slashed.
"Damn it!" she muttered. "Can I go with you?"
Cory rolled his eyes and led her to his car. He clicked the unlock button on his keyremote twice. Laura looked at the car.
"It's a few years old. Not exactly luxury, is it?"
"Six years old, and I opted for it. It doesn't draw suspicion. Are you going to get in before someone decides to come after us?" Cory got in the car.
Laura followed suit. Once on the road, Cory rolled down the window to let the cool night air ruffle his short, blond hair.
"So," he asked, "how exactly are you a 'freelance' agent for the TJPF?"
Laura ran a hand through her black hair and laughed. "It means that I don't exactly work for them, but I gain info for them and they'll bail me out if I happen to get in trouble doing my 'job'."
"So you're a spy."
Laura laughed again. "That's one way of putting it, I suppose."
Cory glanced at her and returned his eyes to the road. "What are you, seventeen?"
"Very funny. I'm twenty-two. People always tell me I look young for my age."
"That's a blessing and a curse."
"Tell me about it. What about you?"
"Twenty-four."
"Really. I would have guessed at least thirty."
"This job takes its toll."
"I bet you're one of those people who obsesses with his job, and can't even have fun outside of his job."
"I don't have 'fun'."
"Oh, my God. You are, aren't you?"
"And for the record, I don't 'obsess'. Unless you define such as being painfully loyal to my job."
"Well, it sounds like it." She looked out the window as she took out a cell phone and dialed a number.
"Yeah, they caught me. Oh, I don't expect my car to be there tomorrow, they slashed the tires and I had to leave it." She paused for a moment, listening, then burst out in anger. "What do you mean, you won't pay for it? I was getting info for you!" Pause. "Look—what—wait—now, hold on!" She closed the phone. "Damn it."
"Problems?" Cory asked unsympathetically.
"To say the least. Basically, since I didn't get anything useful, and I had" (particular emphasis on "had") " a very good car, they won't pay for it. Which means I'm stuck in this region until I find a way out. Then they hung up on me."
"Sounds like a personal problem."
Laura was annoyed. "You're quite the ladies man, aren't you? Here I am, stuck in an unfamiliar region, and you're being quite rude."
"Hey, I'm giving you a ride, aren't I?"
"That you are. Thank you. How far to…wherever you're going?"
"TPH HQ, and here we are." He pulled in front of an inconspicuous building. "Follow me. If anyone stops you, drop the name 'Russet', and no one will ask questions."
"Right." She followed Cory in. Cory stopped at Mike's office and knocked. Mike opened the door.
"Russet! Who's this?"
"This…is Laura Fleet, freelance 'agent' for the TJPF. Though, from the sounds of things, it doesn't sound like she's on good terms with them right now."
"Well, come in."
Cory and Laura entered the room, allowing Mike to shut the door. "Now, Mrs. Fleet—"
"—Miss."
"Okay then. We may be able to help you, since we did get your call. But you have to tell us what went on."
Laura began. "Okay, TJPF gave me some leads on FundGen. I had a suspicion that this mysterious Team Intrinsic was in on whatever was happening too. So, I broke into FundGen Tower to get information, but they caught up to me. When I called Johto about it, they refused to help me since I didn't get anything they could use."
"So you linked FundGen and Intrinsic also. Well, here's the thing. Since you're on the case as well, if you help us crack it, we'll help you out with whatever you need. Sound good?"
"That would be great, thank you."
"And since you're helping us, we can make you a temporary agent for TPH."
"Thank you."
"Let me get you some hotel reservations." He picked up the phone and dialed the Pomegranate Hotel. "What? No vacancy...okay, thanks." He hung up the phone. "Well, thanks to some event FundGen has planned, Pomegranate Hotel is booked. Next closest hotel is in Cherry Town, and that's a good hour off. Russet, may I speak with you?"
Mike took Russet into a corner and lowered his voice. "How about you let Miss Fleet stay with you tonight?"
"Why can't you? You know I hate having visitors."
"Because…" Mike trailed off.
"Ah, problems with the wife?"
"Shut up. Better than you, you're too antisocial to find anyone."
"Hey, you want my help or not?"
"So you'll let her stay at your place until this is solved?"
"Hey, wait a minute! I thought it was just the night!"
"Well, may as well make it a package deal."
"…fine. But, you owe me, you know."
"I trust you'll maintain utmost formality around her?"
"And then some." Cory turned to Laura. "You're staying at my house tonight."
Laura was surprised. "That's okay? I hope I'm not intruding. I hate to be a bother."
"It's…no bother," Cory said with some hesitation.
"Since you're stuck here with basically nothing," Mike chimed in, "Cory can take you to the store tomorrow and let you pick up some clothes and other necessary items."
"Thank you, Mike," Cory said under his breath.
"Thank you," Laura repeated. She met Cory at the door.
"Have fun," Mike said as he smiled and opened the door for the two.
"I don't have 'fun'," Cory grumbled.