Hey Everyone, It's time for another chapter. Hope you all having an excellent start to the New Year.

If you'd like to write one, feel free to leave some constructive criticism and/or ask a question in your review.

Now, on with the story.


Chapter 11: Omitted Ally (Part 2)

(Flashback, One Hour Ago, At the Headquarters of the International Police's Alola Branch)

The twins are fine, but, Amelia is missing! Eon!" Said a horrified Serena.

(Everyone then looks at each other in worry, while Mateus' facial expression turns to look as if he's about to blow a gasket.)

"Oh! For fuck's sake!" Yelled Mateus in absolute anger.

(Flashback Ends, Outside the Kukui-Burnet Residence)

All Mateus could do was ponder about his reaction on the back of his mind while investigating the home of his dear friends, Professors Kukui and Burnet. Dismayed, but also shocked that their daughter, Amelia was kidnapped. He could see the Collection Team search the place feverishly for any trace and Information Team No. 2 getting information from Charles and Grace while also comforting them from their guilt. Knowing that Professors Kukui and Burnet were away for a conference at the Aether Paradise, it would only be a matter of time before they got the news.

(Meanwhile, with Information Team No. 2.)

"So you're saying that Amelia forgot her notebook at Ash and Serena's house, and that when you went to return it, she was gone, with the door unlocked. Am I correct?" Asked Goh. "Yes. If only I had arrived a little earlier, I could have prevented this." Said Charles. "What's done is done. There's no use in dramatically restating our mistakes. All we can do now, is to do everything we can to bring Amelia and all the others home safely." Said Mateus. Charles could only look down in shame while the others looked in pity. Serena and Ash were comforting Grace while also tending to their children. The group was finishing up their questioning when Chloe felt something lightly tapping her foot. "Huh? Yamper?" Said Chloe.

(Chloe then looks down and sees her Yamper holding something in his mouth.)

"Yamper, what is that you're holding?" Asked Chloe. Yamper then drops what he was holding, which is revealed to be a pair of keys. Chloe then turns to her Yamper. "How do you get these keys?" "Wait a minute! Eon!" Said Serena. Serena and Ash then come in holding Stella and Wyatt respectively. Using one of her Feelers Serena picks up the pair of keys, which she and Ash immediately recognize. "Those are Amelia's keys!" Said Ash. Serena turns to Ash in concern. "Ash-kun can you hold Stella for a bit?" "Of course, Sweetheart." Serena then hands Stella to Ash before lowering herself to Yamper's height. "Yamper, can you explain where you found Amelia's keys? Eon?" "Yam! Yam Per Yamper Yam Per Yam Per. Yam Per Yam Yam Per. (Yes! I found them near then front porch. They were on the grass.)" Cried Yamper. Serena then rises up. "Yamper said he found them on the grass near the front porch." "Amelia must have dropped them as she was being kidnapped and they may have been kicked aside, either by her or our perpetrators." Said Mateus. "Check the front of the house!" Exclaimed Ash.

(Mateus and the group then head to the front of the house.)

Mateus then scans the front porch of the house. When he looks up something catches his eye. "Aha! I figured this had to be here." Said Ash. "What?" Asked Mateus. "Ash then turns to Mateus and points to a well-hidden security camera. "Professor Kukui and Burnet also conduct most of their research here. They have this security camera installed in case if anyone tries to break in." "Smart. Do you know when the video data can be accessed?" "Downstairs, in Professor Kukui's computer. However, I don't know how to access it." Mateus then places his hand on his chin. "It's likely Kukui has it protected with a password." "Ash. Detective. Eon." Said Serena while carrying both twins.

(Mateus and Ash then see Profs. Kukui and Burnet, along with the Analysis Team and Information Team No. 1.)

"Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, I…" Said Mateus before being cut off. "I Know. Charles told us of Amelia's kidnapping and Clemont and the others filled us in on the details." Said a worried Prof. Kukui. "Is it alright if we gain access to your computer to view the security footage?" "Of course Mateus."

(Inside Prof. Kukui and Burnet's Lab.)

"There! That's when she enters." Said Ash. "She's unlocking the door. Why'd she stop?" Asked Prof. Kukui. "The device. She had to have noticed the sound of it landing." Said Mateus. Prof. Kukui then looks back to the computer screen, which shows his daughter unlocking the door. "She unlocks the door." The video then shows a stream of Sleep Powder being released and Amelia falling asleep from its effects. Ash then turns to Mateus. "Why didn't the device go off after a minute?" Mateus then turns to Ash. "It did. They probably timed their throw accordingly. It takes 7 to 10 seconds, at minimum, to unlock a door with a key." The video then shows two perpetrators appear in front of an unconscious Amelia, with them lifting her off the ground before being teleported. Ash then turns and looks at Mateus with a shocked look in his eyes. "Was that…?" "No wonder they were able to bypass the patrols they used a method that couldn't patrolled through normal means. To use a Psychic Type, an Alakazam no less, is actually pretty ingenious of them. They just so forgot about the possibility of a camera." Prof. Kukui was shocked looking at the computer screen in disbelief, causing Mateus to turn to him. "Professor, we'll do everything in our power to bring Amelia home safely. You have my word."

(One Hour Later, At the Headquarters of the International Police's Alola Branch)

"I know today ended in failure, but the evidence acquired brings us one step closer to catching these monstrous fools. Tomorrow morning you'll be heading to Galar. Take the rest of the night to pack and get some sleep. Especially you, Detective Cobalt." Said Commissioner Blake over a video screen. "We will, and don't worry about me." Said Mateus. "Very well. Good Night." Commissioner Blake then ends the call. "Ricardo is probably saying 'I told you so' right now." Thought Mateus to himself. The entire group then quickly packed up for Galar and went to sleep for the night.

(Several Hours Later, Inside an Unknown Region)

"The International Police have found out about our recent events." Said someone using a voice synthesizer over a computer. "Isn't that expected?" Said a Male Figure. "Yes, but not in this way!" A news report covering Amelia's kidnapping is then pulled up. "You've gotten more reckless with your assignments recently, and it's requiring more and more precautions! This operation is close to being finished! Don't do anything that can fuck it up going forward." The Male and Female Figures then lower themselves in a bowing-like manner. "Yes, Ma'am." Said the two. "Good. I'll be back in a few days with your final targets." The voice then disconnects.

(The Next Day, At Melemele Airport)

Mateus was sitting down on an airport bench waiting for the group flight to board while holding a coffee with his hands, still processing the events from last night. Hilbert then sits down next to Mateus. "Serena told me that you lashed out when she informed the group that Amelia was the one who was kidnapped." Said Hilbert. "That's the truth. I probably scared everyone in the room. I let my emotions run high and pretty much reached the breaking point. Not my highest point in professionalism, that's for sure." Said Mateus, who then took a sip out of his coffee. The case is now somewhat personal for you, isn't it?" Mateus then turns to Hilbert. "In a way, yes. Professors Kukui and Burnet are great friends and excellent parents. No good parent ever deserves to worry about their child going missing." "That's the truth." Mateus then looks into the windows of the airport. "Also, looking back, it's ironic." "What?" "You were the one who asked me to call you out in the case you went overboard with your emotions, and yet, it wound up being me who lashed out."

(Mateus and Hilbert then turn their eyes to Ash and Serena, who were talking with Charles and Grace while looking after their twins.)

"What a happy family." Said Hilbert. "Indeed they are. Having extended family is a luxury for some." Said Mateus. Hilbert then turns his eyes to Mateus. "Life is never easy or simple, it's always complex and difficult." *Ding* "Galarian Airways Flight Number 2019 to Wyndon will begin boarding soon at Gate 9S. Thank you for flying Galarian Airways, we hope you enjoy your flight." Said the flight attendant over the loudspeaker. "Time to get ready." Thought Mateus to himself.

(Meanwhile, At Castelia City Hospital, Unova)

Professor Alva was sitting next to his wife, who was lying in a hospital bed recovering from her injuries. "I still can't believe that this happened to Hilda and Bianca." Said Kaihaku. "I can imagine the worry you have now was similar to when I went missing. I still feel sorry for placing you in the burden of having to raise three children by yourself." Said Prof. Alva. Kaihaku then places her hand on Prof. Alva's arm. "Alva, you were kidnapped and forced to work against your will. I was initially horrified, as you're not the type of person to leave so suddenly, but we made it work. I don't blame you for this, as this wasn't your fault. All we can do now is hope for the best." Alva then looks up. "That is true, my love."

*End of Chapter 11*


For those who Favorited and/or are Following any part of the "Tied in Love" Trilogy: Thank you! It brings me joy to know that you enjoy reading these stories as mush as I do writing them.

I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you all next Friday.