Hey Everyone, Friday's here, another chapter has dropped, feel free to kick back and relax.
Now, on with the story.
Chapter 18: Abrupt Applicable Collaboration
(Headquarters of the International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar)
"Dr. Madeline Archer." Said Mateus. "Detective Mateus Cobalt." Said Madeline through a video screen. "Doctor, first of all, are you okay?" "I'm fine, Detective, but it's not me you should be worried about." "What the heck do you mean? You were kidnapped just a few days ago." "What made you believe that I'm a victim?" Mateus then looks at the screen with shock in his eyes. "You're the one behind this?!" "I'll be honest. I was the one who orchestrated these kidnappings, all of them. I didn't mean for Mrs. Kaihaku to get hurt, but it is what it is." Prof. Alva then walks up to Mateus. "Madeline, why would you do this? To organize the kidnapping of people on a global scale and place your professional reputation in jeopardy, why?" Asked Prof. Alva. "It's simple, Professor. I'm doing this to prove a point." Mateus then slams his fist on the table. "What point could possibly be worth being proven with this?!" "You'll see soon enough."
(Madeline then ends the transmission.)
"So it's clear that Madeline is one of the perpetrators. Think you can get the location of the transmission, Goh?" Asked Mateus. "Can't. It's a proxy backed transmission, and from the looks of it, there's a lot." Answered Goh. "So it'll take a while to find the exact location. Alright, I want the Analysis Team and Information Team Number 1 working getting the Information on the transmission's location. The Collection Team and Information Team Number 2 will searching the hard drive for anything they can find. I'll be contacting Blake on how to proceed next." "Okay!" Said Everyone. Mateus then leaves.
(Hours Later, in a Conference Room)
"To think it was Dr. Archer, Professor Alva's former assistant, behind the kidnappings." Said Blake through a video screen. "Unfortunately, that is the case" Said Mateus. "Have you found Dr. Archer's current location yet, Detective Cobalt?" Asked Ricardo through a video screen. "No, but my team is currently looking at getting this information." "I see. I am being to worry, Commissioner Blake." "How so, Ricardo?" "With 150 people at Dr. Archer's location, and many more running the operation, I do not believe Detective Cobalt's team is sufficient enough for this." "Detective Cobalt did bring down Team Rocket with just himself and 7 other people." Mateus then interjects. "I also did have some help from you as well, Blake." "Right, I almost forgot." Ricardo then interjects. "In addition to having support from us to rescue the 150 people and bring Dr. Archer to justice. I propose we have a few others assist Detective Cobalt in this investigation." Mateus then turns to Ricardo's video screen. "Who do you have in mind?"
(Meanwhile, with the rest of the group.)
"A detailed report of what they did to me. It brings back some unsettling memories. Eon." Said Serena. "Looking at Zager's notes can make one feel uneasy." Said Rosa, who was working with Information Team No. 2, as Goh was still working with the Analysis Team. Serena then turns to Rosa. "Whether you have experienced Team Rocket's vile actions or you're simply reading about them, I can't imagine not feeling some sort of fear." "Serena, while worrying about Hilda and Bianca, I wonder. What was it like when your parents worried about you?" "Rosa…"
(Flashback, Several Weeks Ago)
"Knowing what you and dad likely had to go through when I was missing and hearing these parents fear for their children. I can't help but want to burst into tears. Eon." Said Serena.
(Grace then begins to cry.)
"Mom?! What's wrong?! Eon?!" Asked Serena. "I'm sorry dear, it's just that hearing what you said reminds me of what your father and I experienced over the years." Said a teary eyed Grace. "H-how so?" "Serena, over all the years you were missing, we never lost hope that you were still out there. No matter how likely or unlikely the odds were. Over the span of 12 years, the neighborhood kids and went on with their lives. While me and your father were happy for them and their families, it did break our hearts a little bit that we couldn't share those same experiences with you. But despite this, we never gave up on the hope that we would see you again. It felt like every aspect of our lives and the world went ahead, while our family life stayed in place." "As if nothing had been touched? Eon?"
(Flashback Ends)
"To open up about your mother's experience. It's harrowing to know how much our experiences parallel each other." Said Rosa. "It is. Eon." Said Serena. Ash then enters the room, causing Serena to turn towards him. "Ash-kun, any updates?" "Sweetheart, Clemont told me that they haven't been able to find any places of interest yet, and Mateus still looks to be in a conference call with his superiors last I checked. So unfortunately, there aren't any." Said Ash. Serena then sees Rosa pouting with sadness. "Oh, I see. Me, Rosa, and the others have been looking at the case data even further to see if there are any traces that could lead us to a possible place of interest. Eon." "Any luck?" "Unfortunately, not yet. But we'll keep looking. I'll let you know if anything comes up." "I love you, Serena." "I love you too, Ash. Eon."
(Mateus then enters the room.)
"How's everything?" Asked Mateus. "We've got nothing so nothing so far, Mateus." Said Ash. "Not what I was hoping to hear, but I understand. Sometimes, you could be looking at pieces of evidence for hours and not get a single trace of helpful information. Tell everyone to get some rest. We'll also be having a few extra hands to help us starting tomorrow morning." "Alright."
(The Next Day)
"I hope you all had a good enough rest. As we know, we have 18 people in our group as of now. Thankfully, the International Police have decided to give us a few more hands. I've already briefed them in on all the details, so there's no need to worry about catching up. I'll be introducing both of them now, so I'd like your full attention." Explained Mateus. Everyone then looks at Mateus. "First off…"
(A man with blue eyes and long green hair tied into a ponytail with shorter streams framing his face, wearing a white, mid-sleeved shirt with a black shirt, along with a pair of green slip on shoes and beige skinny fit pants, a black and white bracelet on his right wrist, a yellow rectangular tri-bracelet on his left, and a blue and black pendant on a chain, with a white and black hat with a black peak then enters the room. Stunning both Hilbert and Rosa)
"To all those who don't know, this is Natural Harmonia Gropius, He'll be working with the Analysis Team and Information Team Number 1 on getting the location of Madeline's transmission. Secondly…" Said Mateus.
(A man with black hair and gray eyes, along with a red outdoors cap and black ide-frame sunglasses, wearing a blue zipped jacket with gray stripes, blue skinny jeans, black ankle socks, and black short boots with blue laces enters the room. Shocking both Ash and Serena.)
"This is Calem Xavier. He'll be working with The Collection Team and Information Team Number 2 to examine the contents of the hard drive. Now let's get to work. There's a lot at stake." Said Mateus.
(A Few Hours later, With Ash, Serena, and Calem)
"How have things been, Calem?" Asked Ash. "Good. I've been working on some things and have even considered dating again." Said Calem. "That's nice to hear." "I'd also like to congratulate you and Serena on becoming parents." "Why thank you Calem. Eon." Said Serena. "I also think that it's brave that you two decided to pursue this case out of your own volition." Serena then places a feeler on Calem. "Calem, for us, working on this case isn't really a matter of bravery. It's a matter of what's right and to help others." "I see."
(Meanwhile, with Hilbert and N.)
"I'd suppose you're wondering why I'm with you guys." Said N. "I'm shocked but not curious. You are Hilda's boyfriend after all." Said Hilbert. "Hilda's the love of my life, but she's only part of the reason I'm here." Hilbert then turns to N. "What do you mean?" "I heard about all the missing people, and it's brought back some, unpleasant memories. During my time leading Team Plasma, I've ordered the separation of many families of Humans and Pokémon. It may not undo my past actions, but if I can play even a small part of reuniting these people with the people and Pokémon that care for them, it'll do my heart good. Remember Hilbert, Hilda may be my girlfriend, but first and foremost, She's yours and Rosa's sister." "I understand." N then looks at Serena, who talking with her husband, Ash, and Calem. "Serena. Half Human and Half Sylveon. I wonder what her account of the experiences she had to endure to become a Hybrid are like." Hilbert then places a hand on N's shoulder. "Trust me. It is not for the faint of heart, to simply put it."
*End of Chapter 18*
Nothing much to discuss today. So, I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you all next Friday.
