Hey Everyone, I'm back! after a two week absence.
No, I'm not a chapter behind. it's just that when I was prepping Chapter 5 for posting I implied that this chapter would be the next week. I forgot to check my posting schedule and realized too late that I set aside that Friday for Veteran's Day. Oops.
Now, On with the story.
Chapter 6: Helping
(Laverre City, Kalos.)
Mateus had gathered the rest of the group together to discuss the recent developments. "I know all of you are hard at work, so I'll make it quick briefing you guys on the latest updates. Thanks to Serena, we can confirm that we are indeed working with a kidnapping case." Said Mateus, who then reveals the Poké Ball like device Serena found earlier. "It's made of mostly graphene, one of the strongest composite materials known to man. With 200 times the tensile strength of steel, only the most powerful tools or Pokémon moves is able to break this thing. It's likely mixed in with another material to reinforce from the flexibility of regular Graphene." "It looks similar to a Poké Ball." Said Rosa. "That was likely their intention. If one were to approach it an empty one of these they would assume to think that this is a Poké Ball. While some Poké balls have a transparency option on the top, none of them are ever completely clear." Said Prof. Alva.
(The group then looks at each other in sadness for a brief moment.)
"We weren't able to get them fast enough. As soon as we started investigating the Aquatique residence, another home had reported a disappearance. To pull this off repeatedly with such proficient efficiency. It's almost gut-wrenching to hear each development. A couple of officers are investigating the other home. They'll let us know of any updates, or if they find anything. For now, let's head back and call it a night." Said Mateus. The group then head back to the Kalos Branch Headquarters and decide to stay the night.
(The Next Day)
Last night, it was confirmed that this is a kidnapping case, the Aquatique and Aérobique families were targeted and had a child reported missing. The male child was Azur Aquatique, son of Jacques and Corail Aquatique. The female child was Alouette Aérobique, daughter of Max and Ciel Aérobique. The parents are researchers who specialize in Flying Type Pokémon. They operate with greater efficiency than previously thought. I have also come to one more conclusion." Explained Mateus. "What is it, Mateus?" Asked Prof. Alva. Mateus then looks up at the door. "The six of us won't be enough to tackle this case."
(The rest of the group then turns around to see Mallow, Kiawe, Lana, Sophocles, Hau, Lillie, Clemont, Bonnie, Korrina, Goh, and Chloe entering the room.)
"I know you all have questions, so I'm going to get to the chase. Over the past few months, there has been a string of disappearances occurring all over the world. As of last night, there are 146 people missing, some as young as 6 years old, to as old as 24. The case is obviously unsettling, but due to the global scale, the stakes are extremely high. Ash personally recommended all of you to help with the case, and at this point, we really need all the help we can get." Explained Mateus. The incoming group looked shocked at Mateus' words. "146 People!" said a shocked Korrina. "From all over!" Said a Shocked Mallow. "In that age range?!" Asked a shocked Goh. "This isn't unsettling, this is nightmare fuel!" Shouted Clemont.
(Mateus then calms everyone down.)
"These people operate at a high degree of efficiency, meaning that the only way we're going to catch them is to essentially operate like them." Said Mateus. "How are we going to do that, Detective? Eon?" Asked Serena. "Given the fact that there are seventeen of us, the rest of you are going to split into groups of four. We'll have one group collecting evidence, one group analyzing the gathered evidence along with the case data, and two groups asking the parents of our missing victims. Each and every one of you have excellent talents skills that you can utilize in this case. I'll give you all an hour to deliberate and discuss what works best. I trust you all enough to make that judgement." Everyone then nods at Mateus in agreement before he leaves the room.
(One Hour Later)
So, the Collection Team is Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, and Korrina?" Asked Mateus "Yes." Said Mallow. Mateus then turns to his right. "For the Analysis Team we have, Professor Alva, Clemont, Bonnie, and Sophocles." "That is the case." Said Prof. Alva. Mateus, turning to the right again. "Who's on Information Team 1?" "Me, My sister Rosa, Hau, and Lillie." Said Hilbert. Mateus then turns to the right one last time. "Which means Ash, Serena, Goh, and Chloe are on Information Team 2?" "Correct. Eon." Said Serena.
(Mateus then sighs before looking up.)
"Alright, we're dealing with a global scale kidnapping case that, due to certain factors, is virtually unprecedented. To prevent the inciting of panic amongst the families of the victims, we are not going to refer to this as a kidnapping case." Said Mateus. "What's the plan?" Asked Hau. "The Collection Team will be staying here in Kalos for the time being, collecting any additional evidence that either we, or the other officers may have missed. Information Teams 1 and 2 will be heading to Kanto and Johto respectively to ask questions from the victims' families and gather eyewitness reports. If the pattern analyzed by the data is correct, the Analysis Team and I will be heading to Alola to get a head start in preparations. I'll notify the rest of you when to head to Alola. Your designated locations and directions on how to get there should appear soon. I wish you all the best of luck."
(Several Hours Later, Inside a Cargo Plane)
Bonnie was playing with her as well as some of the group's Pokémon, while her older brother, Clemont, looks at her with concern. "I've noticed that you've been looking at your sister for a good chunk of this flight." Said Mateus. "My sister, she's 13 right now, well within that age group. It worries me that if things went differently last night, there's a possibility she could have been one of the ones kidnapped." Said Clemont. Mateus then sighs. "It does put you on edge. My first case was also in Kalos. A call came in from Vaniville Town about a missing girl sixteen years ago, we searched for many hours, but only found her remains. Then, almost eleven years later, Me and Ash find a Hybrid. After some time, and a takedown of Team Rocket, it was discovered that the Hybrid we were keeping safe was the same girl that was missing in my first case. Those monsters took her from her home, faked her death, and performed many unethical experiments on her. Traumatizing can only begin to describe the level of horror she went through." Clemont then turns to Mateus. "Your first case was Serena's kidnapping." "You pay great attention to detail."
(Hours Later, At the Headquarters of the International Police's Alola Branch.)
"Alright, let's look at the data for the three most recent cases." Said Mateus, who then pulls up the case data. "Recent Case number one, from Sinnoh, two males, both aged 18, from Brussel Town. Nicolas Kongōseki and Nolan Tama were reported missing at around 7:30 AM two weeks ago. They were described as best friends, hanging out wherever they went. Recent Case Number Two, From Unova, Two females, both aged 24, from Nuvema Town, Hilda Sanryokagami and Bianca Lumina were reported missing last week 10:30PM last week. Hilda's mother, Kaihaku Sanryokagami, was found unconscious by her son, Hilbert. Recent Case Number Three, From Kalos, one male and one female, both aged 10, from Laverre City, Azur Aquatique and Alouette Aérobique were reported missing last week 11:00PM last night. Both of their parents are researchers, they study Water and Flying types respectively." Prof. Alva then looks at the screen. I can tell that they alternate the region and spread out the times of attack to make their kidnapping seem like random disappearances." Stated Prof. Alva. "Why?" Asked a confused Bonnie. "To make it harder for one to form a connection. If one can't form a connection between the cases…" Said Clemont. "They seem less like actual kidnappings, making it easier for the kidnappers to get away each time. Sorry." Said Sophocles, finishing Clemont's explanation. "It's alright. I would have said the same thing."
Mateus and the Analysis Team would continue analyzing the case data and make observations over the course of the night, letting the hours slip away until it was almost morning to begin falling asleep.
*End of Chapter 6*
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are being released today. I hope all those who got it have a great time. And the World Cup is (almost) finally here. What nation would you like to win it all.
All in all, I hope you all have an excellent weekend! See you all next Friday.
