Well, he didn't have to tell me twice. I nodded and backed onto the boat. Paul immediately stepped next to me, just in case. As the men drew closer, the three officers stepped in their way. It was clear that the men didn't know the officers were undercover. The man in the glasses grinned and looked at the boat.
He whistled and then said, "That's a pretty mighty fine boat you got there. Got any room for a few more on it?"
"No, there is no more room on this boat. You cannot get on," Officer Pressly stated.
"This is a private ride, and this young man is the only one allowed on it," Officer Uzumaki agreed.
"Hehe, I'm just kidding with you. We really don't wanna go on the boat," the ponytail man stated.
The man in the baseball cap pointed at me and said, "We actually need to talk to that young man in private about some important business. If he can just step off the boat for a minute and come with us-"
Not an option. I was not getting off that boat for them. Important business, my foot. They would just haul me away somewhere, maybe to Mr. Pepperridge, where he would steal Buizel and Poochyena and leave me hurt and beaten. My life and my Pokémon's lives were in danger if we stepped off.
"Sorry," Officer Jenny apologized, "but you see, this young man is sick."
"Sick?" the cap man said.
"Yes," Officer Pressly answered, "Apparently, this young man ate a food that went bad without his knowledge. It has affected him in a horrible way, that his stomach is not digesting properly."
"If that's the case, why are you making him go across the ocean instead of going to Kilyla City hospital?" the ponytail man asked.
"We already tried that," Principal Vicar said, "but there was nothing that they could do to help him. It was their advice that we take him across the ocean to Hoenn to get a cure."
With that, the two men nodded. Yes! It was sold. I thought for sure that would work. I began to smile when suddenly the scarred man started laughing.
"Yeah, right! You think that's gonna fool us?" he screamed, "First off, if the kid is sick, then traveling on the ocean would only make him more nauseous. And even if the hospital really made that decision, they would use an official hospital boat, not some trashy boat that is for fishing!"
"Hey! You leave my boat alone and git outta here!" Paul yelled.
"Uh-oh, it looks like we've got a confrontation on our hands, boys," the ponytail smirked and said, making the officers extra cautious.
Principal Vicar and Paul stayed right next to my side. My heart pounded as I held the Luxury Balls in my sweatshirt pocket. No. I wasn't going back. Those three can't make me.
"I really didn't want it to come to this…" the cap man muttered.
"See, kid? Looks like you're trouble than you're worth," the scarred man said to me in an irritated and quiet-mocking tone of voice, "So, why don't you come with us quietly and we won't cause such a fuss."
His voice… the way he talked down to me… I wanted to punch him in the face so hard. He slowly and annoying moved his pointer finger, signaling for me to come to them. But no. He wasn't getting his way. I wouldn't fall for that.
"Come on…" he said as he kept signaling me to come.
Principal Vicar and Paul stayed close to my side as I shook in anger. The officers kept blocking the way as they and the three men stood off. I had had enough that I decided to set them straight.
The scarred man spoke again, "Today, kid-"
"BEAT IT!" I interrupted him, startling all three of them, "You three boneheads think you're so tough and mysterious, trying to come here and get me to come with you! I know for a fact now that Mr. Pepperridge had hired you three losers to get me to stay on this island, so he can steal my Pokémon one way or another! I don't care how much he paid you or how tough of a big-shot you think you are, but you are NOT getting me off this boat. PERIOD."
"Furthermore," I was shocked to hear Principal Vicar add, stopping the scarred man from speaking when he was gonna yell back, "You're trespassing on Thomas' private property. No one is allowed here without his permission. And considering how he just talked to you, I believe that you're not welcome here. That means you're breaking the law."
"Yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?" the scarred man said as he walked closer.
It was then Officer Uzumaki cut him off and stood in front of him. The scarred man flinched in surprise and backed off.
"Hey, outta my way, loser," he ordered.
Officer Uzumaki then said, "Sir, I'd recommend you and your buddies put your hands up where we can see them before things get ugly."
The other two widened their eyes and immediately knew who the three officers were. They stayed silent and hoped for the best, praying their buddy wouldn't do something stupid. However, being in a fit of annoyance, the man crossed the line.
"Who the hell do you think you are? What are you, cops!?" he yelled.
"Actually…. Yes, we are," Officer Pressly answered.
As the scarred man widened his eyes in dread, the three officers threw three Pokéballs up in the air. They sent out three flashes, and then an Arcanine, Luxray, and Mightyena appeared, growling at them. Then, the officers removed their clothes to show their uniforms underneath (with the exception of the shades of Pressly and the scarf of Uzumaki).
"We're Officers Jenny, Pressly, and Uzumaki," Officer Jenny declared, "and you three are under arrest for the attempted kidnapping and trespassing on the private property of Thomas Oliver Gungsten. Stand down or we'll be forced to let our Pokémon take you down."
The Ponytail man sighed in regret and then man in the cap turned to the scarred man, who was still in shock, and said, "You and your big mouth, Hareta…"
The scarred man looked down in defeat as all three of them raised their hands in the air. Haha! That outta shut his big mouth for a long time and make him remember that. I watched the three officers restrain them and handcuff them.
As they were about to take them away, Principal Vicar spoke, "Wait."
The officers looked at him as he walked over and said, "Check to see if they have any cell phones or trackers. We don't want them getting even one chance of communicating with Mr. Pepperridge."
With that, the three officers asked their Pokémon to see if they had anything on them. The three Pokémon sniffed all over them and when they found something, directed their noses to it. Once the confiscation was all done, there were three cell phones and a hand-held GPS. Principal Vicar took possession of them.
"This is more than enough evidence to prove Thomas is innocent. Thank you for all your help," he said to the officers.
"It was our honor," Officer Uzumaki assured with a nod.
"Now, let's get these three to the department. Mr. Pepperridge is gonna have a big surprise waiting for him there," Officer Pressly said.
Officer Jenny winked at me and said, "Thomas, I wish you good luck out there and a safe journey there and home again once all things are cleared up. Goodbye."
I said good-bye too as I waved. Thus, the officers took the three men into the woods and disappeared. Principal Vicar stood from his spot, but called to Paul.
"That's all, Paul. Go ahead and start getting him out of here. And thanks again!" he called.
"No prob, buddy!" Paul called back, "Once I finish droppin' him off today, I'll com' back tomorrow and visit you!"
"I'll look forward to that. And Thomas," the principal said with a smile, catching my attention, "Godspeed to you. Good luck out there and do the best you can. And also, say a good-bye for me to Buizel and Poochyena."
"I will. Thank you for everything you've done. I'm in your debt! See you in the future!" I called out with a wave.
He waved back to me, and then a few seconds later, disappeared by walking back into the woods to his job at the school. I smiled and watched him leave. It was then Paul laughed a hearty laugh.
"OHO! So you have a Buizel and Poochyena, do ya?" he smiled warmly at me, "Well, old Paul here doesn't mind 'em bein' out on th' boat now. Feel free to have 'em be out, but just keep 'em in your sights at all times, ya hear?"
I nodded and replied with a smile, "Yes, sir. Thank you for helping me."
"Ah, now don't call me sir, now," he joked with a laugh, "That makes me feel old."
We both laughed as he went to the steering wheel of the boat. I pulled out my Luxury Balls and sent out Buizel and Poochyena. Both of them soon appeared wagging their tails as they looked around. Suddenly, they realized the plan was a success and celebrated by running up to me and hugging my legs. I grinned as I knelt down and picked them up in my arms.
They cheered as I laughed, "We did it, guys! We're free!"
"All right! We're shovin' off! Next stop: Hoenn!" Paul yelled happily to us as the boat slowly left the shoreline and into the ocean.
Buizel, Poochyena, and I watched as the island of Kilyla City get smaller and smaller. Sure, we missed all our friends that we made a bond with. But, we knew that one day we would come back again and be there to stay. I watched it disappear as my Pokémon and I then turned to look at the vast blue sky and the beautiful sparkling ocean that stood between us and the greatest adventure in our lives.
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