Hey Everyone, it's time for another chapter!

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Sorry for the later than usual update. I'll reveal more information about it at the end of the chapter.

Now, on with the story.


Chapter 14: Response

(The Next Day, Headquarters of the International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar)

Mateus was overlooking a table containing a paper map of the Galar Region, with the entire group by his side. "Let's go over the plan one last time. Counting everyone in the group, Me, Ash, Serena, Hilbert, Rosa, Clemont, Bonnie, Korrina, Hau, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, Lillie, Sophocles, Molayne, Goh and Chloe, there are 17 of us." Said Mateus. "18, if you count me back in." Said a voice from a distance.

(The voice is revealed to be Prof. Alva, who then walks into the briefing room, causing everyone to turn to him.)

"D-Dad?" Asked a shocked Rosa. "I thought you were with Mom." Said Hilbert. "I was. Your mother always thinks of others before she thinks of herself, and after a thoughtful discussion, we both deemed it was best for me to return to the case." Explained Prof. Alva. Hilbert then smiles. "That's Mom for you." Prof. Alva then turns to Mateus. "Now let's get back to work. We've got a case to solve and people to return home."

(Everyone then turns back towards the table.)

"Thank you, Professor Alva. From the information from past cases, there 12 main settlements in the Galar Region, 11 of them are in the mainland. In the past, our perpetrators have struck through only in the Galarian mainland, but it would be foolish to not prepare for the possibility of them striking the two other portions of the region, therefore, we'll be having air patrol teams in both the Crown Tundra and the Isle of Armor. However, there will also be patrol teams in the mainland, each of you will be heading a patrol team, most of which are on the ground. Any questions so far?" Explained Mateus before asking. "Who will be on which team and where will they be at?" Asked Bonnie. Mateus then grabs a clipboard from below the table. "Good Question. Mallow, you'll be patrolling in the town of Turffield. Lana, you're heading to the town of Hullbury. Kiawe, Your location is the city of Motostoke. Hau, I'll need you in the town of Stow-on-Side. Rosa, I'm trusting you with Ballonlea. Lillie, I want you in Cirshester. Hilbert, Spikemuth is where you will be heading. Goh, Hammerlocke is your location. Chloe, you'll be helping Goh. Sophocles, Molayne, head to Wyndon. Professor Alva and I will be heading to Wedgehurst and Postwick respectively."

(Mateus then sees Bonnie raising her hand again.)

"What about the Wild Area?" Asked Bonnie. "Yes. I'll be leaving the Wild Area to Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Korrina. Since you are the youngest in the group, you'll be accompanying your brother. Due to the massive size of the Wild Area, you'll be patrolling by air. Get to your assigned locations as quickly as possible. We've got a few days to prepare." Explained Mateus.

(Meanwhile, on a Cargo Plane.)

"Any luck?" Asked A Female Figure. "No. It seems as if the International Police is doing whatever they can to ensure we don't find out their plan via the public." Answered A Male Figure, who was hacking with a laptop. "That's a shame. But it's not like they're going to stop us anyways." "Should we consider infiltrating the International Police's Galar Branch to find out?" The Female Figure then turns to the Male Figure. "No! It's too risky! She wouldn't want us to endanger the operation! Additionally, there's always a way to improvise!" The Male figure then closes his laptop. "Do you mind briefing us on our next target?" The Female figure then picks up a tablet. "Happily."

(Meanwhile, At Castelia City Hospital, Unova)

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Sanryokagami?" Asked the Doctor. "It's a bit complicated, Doctor. Physically, I feel fine. But emotionally, I feel like a train wreck knowing that one of my daughters and her best friend, whom she looks as another sister, are missing." Said Kaihaku. "Given your current emotional situation, I cannot imagine one not being worried. However, I do have good news regarding your physical health. Your condition has improved to the point where you can be discharged in a few days." "That is good to hear. Though I don't think I'll be completely well, until everyone that's missing is returned home safely." "All we can do now is hope for the best."

(Inside the Wild Area, Galar.)

Ash and Serena were lying down on the grass next to each other looking at the stars by the campfire. "It seems as if no matter where you go, the stars always look so beautiful. Eon." Said Serena. Ash then turns to his wife. "You know which star is the brightest?" Asked Ash. Serena then turns her eyes to Ash. Which one is it?" Ash then closes his eyes and smiles. "She's right next to me at the moment." Ash's answer then causes Serena to blush heavily. "Ash-kun. Eon." "I love you Sweetheart." "I love you too, Ash. I'm lucky to have you as my husband." Ash and Serena then share a passionate kiss.

(A walkie-talkie unit then goes off.)

"Testing. Testing. One two. Ash? Serena? Can you hear me?" Asked Bonnie over the walkie-talkie unit. Ash then picks up the unit. "We hear you loud and clear Bonnie." Said Ash. "Great. Clemont wanted me to test the system for the plan." "That's great. How's Galar for the three of you so far?" "Amazing I've seen so many cool Pokémon. I just want to go and catch a few." "Let's wait until after all this is said and done."

(Two Days Later)

"We've got eyes on every nook and cranny in Galar. They won't be able to get away easily, not this time." Said Mateus. "We're on the clock, Detective." Said a Patrolman. Mateus then picks up a communicator. "Everyone. Keep your eyes open and be ready for any signs of trouble. Our perpetrators can move any second now, let's make sure they don't get away."

(An Hour Later, Wedgehurst)

"I have to hand it to the International Police. They're really making it hard for us to get away this time." Said A Female Figure. "We have our target. Now, we just need to get out of this town." Said A Male Figure. The Female Figure then perks up. "Say, do you still have TM15 with you?"

(One More Hour Later, Wyndon)

A group of Patrol Officers were searching the city due to a report made by an anonymous tip, but were beginning to feel the toll of the night sky. "We've searched for almost two hours and haven't found a single trace of the chaps." Said a Patrolwoman using a walkie-talkie unit. "I see. It's unfortunate, but relay the information to Detective Cobalt as soon as possible." Said Molayne over the walkie-talkie unit, as he was investigating the crime scene with Sophocles and some officers.

(Meanwhile, in the Wild Area.)

Ash and Serena were meeting with Clemont, Korrina and Bonnie near the entrance to Motostoke. "Mateus just told us that another kidnapping happened at Wyndon." Said Clemont. "First Wedgehurst, now Wyndon. That brings our missing person total to 150." Said Ash. "Imagine what their families must feel." Said Bonnie. Korrina then places her hand on Bonnie's shoulder. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Serena's ears then begin to twitch, causing her to turn left and right. "Sweetheart, what's wrong." "I hear something Ash-kun. I think it's east of my position, towards the Watchtower Ruins. Eon." Ash then turns around. "Let's go then."

(Serena, Ash, Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina then run to the Watchtower Ruins.)

"There! Eon! I see someone hiding behind the ruins!" Exclaimed Serena. Ash and Korrina then head behind the ruins, returning with a Male Figure. "Contact Mateus right now!" Said Ash.

*End of Chapter 14*


Oh!

Some exciting news: "Intertwined" has hit 15,000 views mark!

And...

The "Tied In Love" Trilogy has reached 25,000 views to date across all three main stories!

Also, there is a bit of unfortunate news,

Sadly, I will not be posting for the next few weeks, to give myself a mental break and to better focus on my college classes.

For those who have 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 much as I do writing them.

I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you all in a few weeks.