"I told you, they attacked the Valley Windworks !" Looker shouted in the phone. "Isn't that suspicious enough ?!"
"Gunk !" Croagunk exclaimed, panicked, and caught Looker's arm.
"Ahhh !" Looker screamed and turned hard the steering wheel. The old truck roared and narrowly avoided a tree. Phoning while driving was always a bad idea, but Looker didn't have time to waste. And those idiots of the Sinnoh police didn't want to listen to him !
"Without a proof, I can't do anything," the captain said, stubborn.
"But some of your men went there, they saw that the power plant had been attacked !" Why did he have to deal with such a fool ?!
"Oh I know that, inspector. What I need is a proof that it's the Team Galactic itself who attacked the Valley Windworks. Without it, I'm afraid I can't do anything."
"Are you stupid ?! Didn't you read the reports ? There was a message written on the computers, signed by the Team Galactic ! Plus, there are many witnesses, all the Valley Windworks workers and a young boy named Lucas. And even me ! I'm an elite of the International Police, don't you think I'm reliable enough ?!" he shouted. Damn, why was the local police so incompetent ? He tried to calm down. "Listen, I'm heading to Eterna City. I plan on investing their building, I need a strikeforce !"
"The message could have been written by anyone, it's not a proof. And as a policeman, you know well that oral testimonies should not be trusted. I'm very sorry, inspector Looker, but I won't lend you a single man until you have indubitable proofs !" The captain hung up without waiting for an answer. What on earth was wrong with him ?! He wouldn't even start to investigate on the Team Galactic, let alone sending a strikeforce to help Looker. And Looker couldn't ask for help from the International Police, it would take days ! He was alone…
He frowned, his left hand clenched on the phone. He hadn't even realized he was driving way too fast.
"Croaa..." Croagunk moaned, looking at his partner with anxious eyes. Looker glanced at him, and his face softened. He sighted and slowed down the truck.
"We're alone in this, Croagunk. We'll have to change the plan… Any idea ?"
"Croa… gunk," the Pokémon said, thinking.
"We won't be able to stop the Team Galactic today. What we need is a proof… Hum… Looks like we're going to have to disguise ourselves !"
"Gunk !" Croagunk agreed, determined.
Looker parked the truck outside the city. Unfortunately, he didn't have a Team Galactic outfit, so he would have to find one. That wouldn't be a problem, though, he had a plan. Croagunk and him hid behind a tree, near the exit of the city, and waited.
Soon, what they were waiting for happened. Someone from the Team Galactic was walking casually, whistling to himself. He looked totally innocent. Looker smirked.
"Croagunk, poison sting," he whispered.
The Pokémon obeyed and projected a poisonous sting at the Team Galactic man.
"What the… ?" he said, startling. But before he could even finish his sentence, he passed out and fell on the ground.
"Good job, partner !" Looker whispered. He dragged the numb body of his target behind the trees on the side of the route. Then he proceeded to remove the man's clothes. The poison wasn't strong enough to kill him, but he would stay like that for a few hours. For more security, Looker took a rope in the truck and tied up the Team Galactic man to a tree.
Good, now he had a Team Galactic outfit, and a blue wig. Of course, most of the Team Galactic's employees didn't want to dye their hair and preferred wearing wigs. It was one of the few things Looker had learned on their secret forum.
He put on the spacesuit. It fitted almost perfectly. However, the boots were hurting him since they were a little bit too small. But he couldn't let that stop him. Now that he was disguised, like a true spy, he needed to investigate.
"The bringer of contentment… your target is the Pokémon statue of Eterna City." Looker thought. Who the bringer of contentment could possibly be, he had no idea. But whoever they were, they were interested in the Pokémon statue. Therefore, Looker needed to find this statue quickly.
He didn't have any difficulty finding it, though. Apparently, the ancient statue was a local curiosity, installed on a little hill at the East of the City to attract tourists. The statue was still there, so at least the Team Galactic hadn't stolen it. Good news.
"Phew, what an impressive statue !" Looker said, admiring. The statue, apparently made of bronze, represented a huge unkown Pokémon. What kind of Pokémon could it be ? And why the Team Galactic was interested in it ? He asked a passerby. "Sir, do you know which Pokémon this statue is supposed to represent ?"
"Why of course, it's Palkia ! The Pokémon of space !" the man answered. "Or… Maybe Dialga, the Pokémon of time…"
"Is it Palkia or Dialga ?" Looker asked, annoyed.
"Dialga ! No I mean… Palkia ! I'm absolutely sure that it's one of them. Or maybe both…"
"Okay… Thanks for your help…" Looker replied, wondering if the man had drunk too much.
"Well, you can read the plate if you want to know," the passerby said, before going away.
Looker searched for the plate but there was none. However, on the pedestal of the statue, there was a zone where the stone was less gray, and four holes at each corner of the zone. And there was something on the ground… what was that ? He picked it up. A screw.
"Hum… There's only one conclusion, Croagunk," Looker said, thoughtful. "Someone has removed the plate. Recently."
"Croag," the Pokémon agreed.
"But why ? 'Your target is the Pokémon statue of Eterna City'… What if the target wasn't the statue itself but… the plate !" Yes, that was the only reasonable conclusion. The plate probably contained some information that the Team Galactic wanted to obtain.
"Let's summarize. The Team Galactic steals Pokémons. They stole a great amount of power. And now they stole a plate containing legends about Dialga or Palkia ? What are they trying to do ? None of that makes sense !"
"Croagunk !" Croagunk swore, hitting the stone pedestal of the statue with his paw.
"Don't be angry Croagunk, we'll find out everything sooner or later. Don't forget that I'm an elite of the International Police," he said. "Well, we have no choice then. Let's risk our lives and investigate directly in the Team Galactic building. Oh… I'm sorry Croagunk, you know I hate doing this, but since I'm in disguise, you should return to your pokéball…"
"Gunk…" the Pokémon complained, his eyes sad. Croagunk didn't like being in a pokéball, and Looker didn't like to force him. He considered Croagunk more like his partner than his Pokémon. But sometimes, he didn't have a choice.
"Don't give me that look ! You know what will happen if they unmask us. It won't be long, don't worry. Come on," Looker said, taking out the pokéball. Croagunk sighed but returned in the pokéball nonetheless.
Looker turned his head toward the statue. Maybe Drasna knew if it was Dialga or Palkia. Yes, she probably knew. Unfortunately, he hadn't time to call her. He checked his outfit one last time. The sleeves were a few centimeters too short, but nobody would notice it. The wig was still in place. Everything was okay. He took a deep breath and headed toward the Team Galactic building.
On the way, he caught sight of someone familiar. A boy with a red beret was entering the city. Lucas ! Of course, the young boy should be here to challenge Gardenia. He was a trainer, after all. Looker wanted to go meet him, but he was in disguise, Lucas would be scared, for sure.
While he was thinking that, Lucas was hit by someone running.
"Luuuucaaaaas !" the newcomer yelled, throwing his arms around Lucas' neck. The newcomer was a blond teenager, Looker recognized him as the boy who was in a hurry, the last time in Jubilife City. What was his name again ? Garry ? No, Barry. That's it, Barry, Lucas and Dawn's friend.
"You came to see the Pokémon statue, right ?" Barry continued happily before Lucas even had time to open his mouth. "I'll take you there !" He caught Lucas by the hand and pulled him toward the statue, almost running, and they were gone.
"What a strange child…" Looker thought. Barry seemed to always be in a hurry. Lucas on the other hand, seemed quieter. Well, he hoped Barry would stop talking long enough for Lucas to tell him to be careful about the Team Galactic.
Anyway, Looker didn't have time to lose anymore. He went straight up to the Team Galactic's building. On the front of the building was a sign.
'Team Galactic Eterna Building
We want your Pokémons !'
Well, that was quite explicit. Apparently, the Team Galactic wasn't hiding its criminal activities anymore. They probably decided to stop hiding since the Valley Windworks attack. That was bad. That meant that they were ready for action, to put their plan into operation. Looker wondered if this sign would be a proof indubitable enough for the captain of the Sinnoh police… He discreetly took a picture of it before entering the building.
The inside was crowded with Team Galactic employees. In front of the entrance was a desk. The receptionist was absentmindedly drawing circles on a notebook. He greeted Looker with a lazy 'Hi…' without even looking at him. On the left were some tables were Team Galactic employees were discussing or eating. Nobody paid attention to him. This was going to be a piece of cake !
On the right side were two staircases. One of them should be a trap, Looker thought. But which one… He tried to examine the two staircases without looking suspicious.
As he was examining the left staircase, someone went down from it.
"Hey you, you're lost ?" the man said. He was wearing the standard uniform, like Looker. He was probably not a commander. But still, that was a dangerous situation. If the answer wasn't satisfying, Looker would be unmasked !
"Oh… Hum… No ?" he said, sweating. He felt his cheeks becoming red. Damn, what a stupid answer !
"Ahaha ! Don't worry buddy, it happens to me every time too !"
"Really ?!" Looker asked, shocked. So the people working here were always getting lost ? There were only two staircase, how could it be so difficult ? He wanted to laugh, but refrained himself. This was a serious mission.
"Yea, ahah, and then, commander Jupiter always gets mad at me," the man laughed.
"Jupiter ?" Looker whispered to himself. But the other man had heard.
"Uh ? You don't know commander Jupiter ? You must be new here."
"Yes, I'm new !" Looker exclaimed, jumping on the occasion.
"Ahaha, it's okay, welcome aboard then ! Well, I guess you'll find out who commander Jupiter is soon enough. You'd better not make her angry ahaha, or she'll get pretty scary !"
"Well, thanks for the advice," he said, thoughtful. "… buddy," he added in extremis.
"Ahaha you're welcome, buddy ! Well, I gotta go now. The right staircase is… the right staircase ! Ahaha hilarious, isn't it ? I don't know why I always forget !"
"Ahaha, hilarious, indeed !" Looker said with a fake laugh. "Thank you for telling me. We won't create a better world if we get lost in the stairs, right ?" he added through inspiration.
"Yea, ahaha, you're a funny guy ! Well, bye !" The man laughed and walked out of the building. Looker let out a sigh of relief, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Thanks to is perfect acting, he had managed to get out of this tricky situation. But that had been close ! He had been lucky to come across such a moron.
Anyway, now he knew which staircase was a trap and which one was the right one. He went to the right staircase. Indeed, there was a message on a sign. 'The path you chose leads to glory'. That was pretty obvious that this was the right staircase. How could the other guy always be wrong ?
Looker went upstairs and went through several rooms. Some people were working behind desks. All of them were wearing the Team Galactic uniform, but some of them had laboratory coats as well. This building seemed to be one of the Team Galactic's HQ. He was sure to find something useful here.
He installed himself behind a desk, after making sure nobody was looking at him suspiciously.
"Here we are," he thought. The computer was already turned on, that was very imprudent of them ! But they probably didn't think that someone could infiltrate their own building. He spent some time looking for something interesting in the files. Ah ! This should be interesting ! A list of the personnel.
This one was more precise that what he had found on the web. Four names figured at the top of the page. Mars was referred as 'commander Mars, communication manager' and Jupiter was referred as 'commander Jupiter, human resources manager'. Charon was also listed as a commander, but his title wasn't different from what Looker already knew, that is 'head scientist'. The first name of the page, the one Looker wanted to check the most, was Saturn's name. But next to his name were only these three letters, 'CEO'.
How disappointing, he had learnt nothing new… Well, at least now he was sure that Saturn was the boss of the Team Galactic that everyone in the organization considered like a living god. But something was bugging Looker. There were supposed to be four commanders and a boss in this team. If Saturn was the boss and Mars, Charon and Jupiter were commanders, then who was the fourth commander ?
He looked at the fifth name of the list. The name was 'Karubo'. He had never heard of this guy. And it wasn't a planet name, which was rather strange. Plus, he wasn't referred as a 'commander'. But since his title was 'IT manager', he must be the fourth commander Looker was looking for.
He printed the document, folded it and hid it under his outfit. Then, he searched for any other useful stuff. Most of these things were useless. Annual budget, communication strategy, administrative papers, purchase orders, etc. Wait, what ? There was something that caught his eyes on the last paper. He read it more closely. It was a purchase order for solar panels. Nothing interesting. But what caught Looker's eyes was that a check had been addressed to… Cyrus ?! What was Cyrus' name doing on a Team Galactic document ? Cyrus was working for the Team Galactic ? Ahhh, how he wanted it to be true ! But the document stated that the Team Galactic had bought solar panels from Cyrus, not that he was actually working for them. Disappointing. Anyway, Looker needed to have a conversation with Drasna. The Team Galactic was like a sect. If Cyrus got too close to them and fell in their clutches, there was a possibility that Drasna was threatened too. Looker hated Cyrus, but to protect Drasna, he wanted Cyrus to stay away from the Team Galactic.
As soon as he went out of this building, he would call her, he decided.
But Looker still hadn't found what he was looking for, an indubitable proof that the Team Galactic was stealing Pokémons. There must be a list somewhere ! A big organization like the Team Galactic, which worked like a company, they must have a record somewhere, so that they wouldn't rob the same person twice. He continued his researches, on the computer, in the drawers of the desk, and finally he found it. The list of stolen Pokémons ! A gold mine for him, and a indubitable proof for the captain of the Sinnoh police ! He couldn't believe his luck ! Out of curiosity, he read the last name on the list. Rad Rickshaw. The stolen Pokémon was a Clefairy.
With this document in hand, Looker should hurry out before someone unmask him. He would have like to find more information about the Pokémon statue and why they were interested in it, and also who was Jupiter, but the longer he stayed here, the higher the risk of being unmasked. He went downstairs, trying not to hurry too much. That would be stupid to draw the attention on him now. But as he reached the door, someone entered. Lucas ! The boy had a determined look on his face and his right hand was clenched around a pokéball. He seemed ready for battle. The boy had proven his strength at the Valley Windworks, Looker had no worries letting him investigate on his own in the building. But he decided to give him a clue.
"Hello !" he whispered in Lucas' ear. The young boy startled and almost dropped his pokéball.
"It's me ! Me !" Looker added, discreetly raising his wig to show his true appearance. Lucas sighed in relief.
"Oh inspector, it's only you… Don't scare me like that !"
"Hahaha ! I have startled you, yes ? I am, after all, an officer of the International Police. It is only natural that I am a master of disguise."
"Sure," Lucas replied, not paying attention. He was frowning and watching the other people in the room, ready to fight.
"What are you doing here, my friend ? Investigating on your own ?" Looker asked.
"I'm here to rescue some Pokémons."
"Let me guess… A Clefairy ? Rad Rickshaw's Pokémon ?" Looker said with a smile.
"Uh ? How did you know ?!" Lucas asked, truly impressed.
"Why, I am an elite inspector, don't forget that. Incidentally, you're a first-rate trainer. Of that, I'm very aware. I therefore think you will be okay, but I must warn you to be careful anyway. There seems to be a commander in this building, even though I didn't see her myself."
"It's okay, my Pokémons and I will take care of her. We've just defeated Gardenia." Lucas said, confident. It seemed that the boy shared a strong bond with his Pokémons, and that made him a good trainer. Looker at the feeling that someday, this young boy would be able to challenge Cynthia.
"Very well !" he said. "Also, a word of advice. This building, as you see it has two stairs. One of them is a trap. But the crooks of Team Galactic, they do not appear… how shall I say… smart. There should be an easy way to tell the stairs apart !" Looker wanted Lucas to sharpen his investigation senses, so he wouldn't tell him which one the right staircase was. But he gave him the clue nonetheless, because he didn't want him to end in a dangerous situation.
"Okay, thanks inspector."
"Oh, and by the way, did you tell Barry to be careful about the Team Galactic ?"
"Yes, yes, I told him."
"Good ! Then good bye my friend !"
"Bye inspector."
Looker went back to the old truck he had parked outside the city and could finally remove these painful boots ! He sighed in relief. Ahh, what a painful job, being a hero ! He removed his spacesuit and put on his usual clothes. So much comfortable ! Then he released Croagunk from his pokéball.
"Gunk !" the Pokémon exclaimed unhappily.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. But look at that, I found it ! The indubitable proof," Looker said while showing the list of stolen Pokémons to Croagunk. "With that, I can call back the Sinnoh police, and they will definitely help us. But before, I have to call Drasna."
He dialed her number and waited.
"Come on, Drasna, pick up," he thought, impatient. After a few rings, Drasna answered.
"Hello ?"
"Drasna !" Looker almost shouted, relieved to be able to join her this time.
"Looker ? Is there a problem ? Are you alright ?" she asked, her lovely voice worried.
"Yes, yes, don't worry ! I'm fine ! Everything's fine." he quickly reassured her. It was good to hear her voice. He wanted to talk a bit with her before bringing up the important matter. "I just wanted to have some news. How are you ?"
"Oh, you scared me ! Well, I'm fine, thank you. I was writing an article from the notes I took when I went to Lake Verity with Prof. Rowan."
"Really ? So it was useful after all. I'm looking forward to reading it !" Looker said eagerly.
"Ahaha, okay, if you want. But you know it's a scientific article, it's quite boring !"
"I don't care, I'll read it anyway since it's you who writes it."
"Well, thanks, that's really nice of you," she said, and Looker could imagine her smile. He blushed.
"So… Apart from that, what's new ?" he said awkwardly.
"Oh nothing much, but I'm really considering going to live with Cyrus in Sunyshore City."
"Don't !" he yelled, feeling his heart miss a beat. Oh no, Drasna, no ! If she moved with him, it would really become official.
"Uh ?"
"I mean… Are you really sure about that ? Don't you have a lot of memories in this house ? It was your grandparents' house, we spend every summer there when we were children, don't you remember ?"
"Oh of course I remember… But I don't plan on selling it. I'll just move with Cyrus, but I'll keep the house so we can use whenever we want."
"Oh, okay…" Looker said. How could he dissuade her to move with Cyrus ? "But, didn't you say that Celestic Town was the perfect place for your studies of legendary Pokémons ?"
"Well yes, it's true, but I talked with Lance, the champion of the Indigo League. Cynthia told him about me, so he tried to convince me to become a champion. I think I should give it a try, so I won't have much time to continue my studies for the moment."
"Well, that's… cool, I guess," Looker answered. "You should definitively become a champion ! I wonder what Lance has said to convince you…"
"Who knows ?" she replied mysteriously and Looker laughed.
"Anyway, actually I'm calling you for a specific reason. May I ask you a question ?" he said.
"Yes, of course."
"Is Cyrus still working at the Valley Windworks ?" he tried to sound casual, even if he already knew the answer.
"Oh no, didn't I tell you ? He left a few weeks ago. Now he works as an engineer for different companies."
"Really ? Interesting…" So the worker at the Valley Windwords had told him the truth. And if Cyrus worked as a freelance engineer, it wasn't suspicious that he had worked for the Team Galactic. Not suspicious, but still dangerous.
"Drasna, there's something I need to tell you. The Team Galactic, they're actually a criminal organization ! They steal Pokémons, and they recently attacked the Valley Windworks."
"Oh my ! That's awful ! But you're investigating on them right now, aren't you ? Please be careful !" Drasna was worrying about him, that was so cute !
"Don't worry for me Drasna, I'm a tough guy," he said, showing off. "I'm an elite of the International Police. But that's not what I called you for. Today I was infiltrating the Team Galactic building, and I found a purchase order and a check with Cyrus' name !"
"Well that's possible, since he works for many companies," she answered with a more serious voice, almost accusing. "Don't say that you are suspecting him ! He's a lovely man, he wouldn't hurt a Butterfree !"
"No no, I don't suspect him ! But you need to know one thing. The Team Galactic is like a sect ! They're dangerous. And if Cyrus becomes too close to them, he might fall in their clutches. And if he does, you would be at risk too ! You see, I just want to protect you !"
"I'm sure it's nothing. He just worked with them once, he won't get too close to them. I'll talk to him, alright ?"
"Well, alright. But be careful."
"I will. And be careful too, I don't want you to get hurt."
"Nah, don't worry. I'll have the help of the local police, nothing will happen to me."
"You promise ?"
"I promise," he answered.
After telling her good bye, he untied the Team Galactic man whose clothes he had borrowed. The man was still unconscious. He redressed him with the spacesuit and put the wig back on his head. Then he drove back to Jubilife City to return to his small hotel room. That had been a tiring mission. After such a day, he could allow himself to rest a little. He lied down on the sofa and decided to take a nap.
Before he fell asleep, his conversation with Drasna came back in his mind. She was actually worried about him getting hurt. How cute. But what would happen if he got hurt ?
"Oh my ! What an awful wound !" Drasna would say, her hands on her cheeks in a horrified expression.
"Just a scratch, ma'am," Looker would say, hiding his suffering. Suddenly, Drasna would be dressed like a nurse. A sexy nurse with big dragon fangs around her neck. She would examine his wound, her delicate fingers lightly brushing his skin.
"Let me look at that. My goodness, such a wound should have killed any other man. But you inspector, you're so strong, so brave."
"It doesn't hurt at all, ma'am. I've seen worse."
"What a tough man !" she would say, bitting her lower lip. "It's a man like you that I need, not this sissy Cyrus."
And Drasna would climb on his lap and begin kissing him languorously, and Looker fell asleep, continuing his fantasies in his dreams.