Looker and Drasna were both originated from the same place, a small village lost in the mountains of Kalos. The two of them had always been close friends. Well, Looker would have preferred to be more than just a friend, but Drasna was always absorbed in the stories and legends about the legendary Pokémons of Time and Space that her grand-parents taught her. She was always in her own world, not really paying attention to boys. When Looker had confessed his love for her the first time, she was surprised. She had never thought of him as something else than a good friend, but they decided to give it a try.
But life had decided otherwise. Looker had to leave Kalos for his studies. He wanted to become a member of the International Police and couldn't stay in his small hometown, lost in the moutains. As for Drasna, she moved to Sinnoh to study History. They kept in touch with each other, but their teenager's love story didn't resist to the distance. So they returned to being just friends. They were always glad to see each other for the holydays though.
Looker had had several girlfriends, but nothing serious. He couldn't forget his childhood friend, and anyway, with his job it was hard to be in a serious relationship. He always had to leave and run all around the world, with the risk of being killed in a dangerous mission. It was the burden of being an elite inspector. Drasna was still single too, because she was too absorbed in her work to find time for a relationship. So Looker still had hopes that one day, they would be together again.
But one day, as he called Drasna to check on her, as he often did, he learnt the fateful news.
"I have a boyfriend now, isn't it wonderful ?" Drasna said on the phone, excited. Looker startled and almost let the phone fall from his hand. Oh no, a boyfriend… Drasna had a boyfriend… Looker felt all his hopes vanish as a great hole opened in his chest.
"Yes, wonderful," he lied, failing to hide the despair in his voice. Fortunately, Drasna was always a little absent-minded, so she didn't notice. "I'm so happy for you…"
"Why don't you come in Sinnoh one day ? You could meet him, and I'll be happy to see you."
"Oh hum… yes, why not," he agreed. If he couldn't be with Drasna, at least he had to meet her boyfriend and see if he was good enough for her. That was his duty as a friend, Looker thought.
So one month later, Looker and Croagunk arrived in Celestic Town, where Drasna had inherited her grand-parents' old house. Looker readjusted the collar of his trench coat, sighed, and knocked the door. When Drasna opened, she beamed and hugged him. Damn, why was her smile always so beautiful ? And her hair smelled so good. Looker blushed and patted her back affectionately.
"I'm so glad to see you !" she said, finally letting go of Looker. "And you too Croagunk," she added, bending to pat Croagunk's head.
"Gunk !" Croagunk croaked cheerfully.
"You seem to be well," Looker said awkwardly. Drasna was almost forty now, like him, but she was as beautiful as ever. Age didn't seem to reach her. Maybe that had something to do with the Pokémon of Time, Looker thought with a smile.
While Croagunk was going in the garden to play with Drasna's Altaria and a Sneasel which must belong to her boyfriend, Drasna led him inside, to the living room. A man was seated on the couch, but stood up as they entered the room. He had blue spiky hair and hard features. He was tall too, and something in his eyes was intimidating. But what hit Looker was how young he looked. He could be ten years younger than Drasna, maybe more. So that was her boyfriend ?
"Hello, I'm Cyrus," he introduced himself with a handshake. His tone was cold, and Looker couldn't find anything friendly in him. Nothing attractive too. He was sure young and muscled, but Looker couldn't see what had made Drasna fall in love with him.
"Nice to meet you, I'm… Looker. Drasna's childhood friend." For some reasons, he didn't want to tell his real name to this young man. That was stupid, but he couldn't help it. Drasna looked surprised that he was using his code name, but didn't say anything.
During the meal, Looker and Drasna chatted about everything, but Cyrus didn't take part in the conversations. He was so cold, how could a charming girl like Drasna love someone like him ? After the meal, they sat around the coffee table, Drasna nestling in Cyrus' arms. She seemed so happy, so radiant, Looker thought with disappointment. She was like a teenager again, maybe it was because Cyrus was so much younger than her. Cyrus however, didn't look so happy. He was just impassive and seemed emotionless. Suspicious… Looker decided to investigate.
"So, how did the two of you met ?" he asked, his face serious.
"Oh, we met exactly like in the movies," Drasna answered happily. "I fell on him in the Canalave Library. I mean, litteraly."
"You fell on him ? Why am I not surprised…" Looker said, shaking his head. That made Drasna laugh. Even Cyrus sketched a smile.
"You know Cynthia, don't you ?" Drasna asked. "Well, she had told me there was a new book about Dialga, so I was searching for it. Canalave Library is huge, I used to spend a lot of time there when I was studying, but that was long ago. Anyway, I used the ladder because the book was too high, and I fell… in Cyrus' arms ! And that was love at the first sight, wasn't it honey ?"
"Yes, it was," he said with a crooked smile. Drasna raised her head to kiss him. To kiss him ?! Time seemed to slow down as her lips, her soft and pink lips that Looker loved so much, approached Cyrus' rough lips and finally touched them. Eew ! Disgusting ! How could this Cyrus guy kiss his lovely Drasna ? That was unfair !
Looker coughed a little, and Drasna broke the kiss, blushing.
"So you also study History, Cyrus ?" he asked coldly.
"Oh no, I just have a personal curiosity for myths and legends. Especially the Lake Guardians of Sinnoh." His tone was even, Looker couldn't help but think he was hiding something. As a policeman, he had learnt to trust his instinct. But at least, he finally understood why Drasna was interested in the young man, if he liked old tales of legendary Pokémons.
"Okay… and what do you do for a living ?"
"Well, I recently graduated from Sunyshore University, now I work in the field of renewable energy." Again, these words sounded like a lie. Or at least an incomplete truth.
"He's too modest," Drasna laughed. "He obtained the best grade of his academic promotion ! And now he works at the Valley Windwork, near Floaroma Town !"
"Oh, impressive." Looker said flatly. "So you have a good situation ?"
"I think, yes. And may I ask what do you do for a living ?"
"Looker is…" Drasna began.
"Detective." Looker cut her. Why he didn't want Cyrus to know his name and his real job, he couldn't say exactly. He just had a bad feeling about the young man.
"Yea, detective." Drasna approved.
"Oh, that's interesting." Cyrus said, raising an eyebrow, seeming honest for the first time. Interesting ? Why ? So he really had something to hide ?
"Not that interesting," he lied. "Most of the time, I just have to deal with missing cats or cheating husbands…"
"Sure," Cyrus replied, staring intently at Looker. What was that dark look for, he wondered. Did this guy realise he was lying ?
"So, hum," Drasna said awkwardly, "who wants some coffee ?"
They spent the rest of the day talking about this and that. Looker thought he should talk to Drasna alone, tell her that she was making a mistake, that this man wasn't what he pretended to be. But he had no proof, apart from his instinct. And Drasna seemed so happy with him, how could he ruin her happiness ? Maybe he was just jealous, maybe his instinct was misguided. Cyrus seemed cold, but maybe he was just shy ? Yes, that must be that. Drasna was surely scatterbrained, but not naïve. If she loved Cyrus, then Looker had no right to doubt. So he held his tongue.
"Thanks for coming, Looker," Drasna said as he was leaving. "Come back whenever you want, you too Croagunk." Looker sighed and hugged her.
"Be careful," he whispered in her ear.
"Uh ?"
"I mean… Take care," he said, letting go of her. "I'll call you soon ! Come on Croagunk, let's go."
"Bye-bye !" Drasna said aloud as they were going, waving her hand.
When they were far enough, Looker took Croagunk in his arms and watched him in the eyes.
"So, you like this guy ?" he asked.
"Croag !" the Pokémon exclaimed, shaking his head in disapprobation.
"That's what I thought… There's something strange about this Cyrus, you saw it too, partner. But I couldn't tell Drasna. Don't you think ?" The Pokémon tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Erf, thanks for your help…"
He put Croagunk back on the floor and looked behind him, toward Celestic Town.
"Anyway, I think I'll do some research about this young man."