Pokémon Black and White
Chapter Thirty-Six
"Man, this fog keeps getting thicker."
Continuing along their way to Ash's next gym battle, the quartet and their Pokémon find themselves in a dense fog. A fog that, by the young man's observations, gets more and more oppressive.
"I can hardly see what's right in front of me!" Misty laments.
"You're right." Cilan says.
"Okay." Iris says, looking around. "Would somebody tell me exactly where we're going?"
"To tell you the truth," Cilan says, looking around himself. "I'm not all that sure."
The quartet comes to a complete stop.
"You mean, we lost our way?" Iris asks.
"I don't think we ever found our way in the first place." Cilan answers. "This fog had already set in by the time we left the Pokémon Center."
"Huh?" Ash and Iris exclaim in near unison, sharing apprehensive looks with their Pokémon.
"Pika."
"Axew."
"I sure hope this fog clears up soon." Ash says.
"I can't see much," Misty says, rifling through her backpack. "But maybe I can use my Town Map to see where we are."
"Excellent idea, Misty!" Cilan exclaims with a grin and snap of his fingers. He begins checking his own backpack. "I shall do the same and see if, between the two of us, we can pinpoint our location."
Bringing out both their Town Maps, Misty and Cilan study them to see if they can indeed discover their location. However, judging by the way Cilan expels a sigh and Misty gives her device an outright glare, their pursuits did not proceed smoothly.
"What's wrong, Misty?" Ash asks.
In response, Misty only sighs, forcing the Town Map onto Ash. Regarding his friends with confusion, Ash blinks once before turning to the Town Map.
He immediately sees what amiss.
A low hum of static reaching his ears, indistinct images on the electronic screen are the only things he can see.
"That's weird." he remarks.
Putting his own Town Map away, Cilan soon joins Misty and Iris as they crowd around Ash.
"It's some sort of electromagnetic interference." Cilan says.
"Electro-what?" Ash deadpans.
"I'm a bit confused on the subject myself, honestly." Cilan admits with a small grin the same time Iris parrots, "Electromagnetic interference."
Ash merely sticks his tongue out at her to which she simply shakes her head.
"I'll do my best to explain." Cilan says, clearing his throat before continuing. "From my understanding, each electronic device generates a certain field of energy. However, if one device were to generate several times the amount of energy than that of their peers, it would jam the other devices. At best, the other devices would emit static and low quality images. At worst, the device would be rendered completely inoperable, perhaps permanently."
"Huh." Ash says.
"Regrettably, electromagnetism and its associated fields are not something I know much about." Cilan admits, even hanging his head low in defeat, contrite.
"You mean there isn't something you're a connoisseur of?!" Iris exclaims, mouth falling open in mock surprise. "I'm shocked."
That causes Cilan to lift his head high, meeting Iris' gaze. Before he can pose any retorts, caustic or otherwise, a loud keening captures the attention of him and the others.
"What's wrong, buddy?" Ash says, focusing on his companion after the other said his name.
"Pikachu." he says softly, gesturing with a paw in front of him.
"Huh?" Ash murmurs, following Pikachu's indication. He soon finds the culprit of his Pokémon's outburst to be something existing a short distance away from them. Hazy and indistinct, the lone shape is moving through the fog. Moving toward them. "Someone's coming!"
"Perfect timing." Iris remarks. "Let's ask for directions."
"Sounds good." Cilan says.
"Excuse me," Ash starts, taking a few steps forward to try and meet the unknown figure. "we're kind of lost and wondered if you could help us out."
"Would you mind telling us where…" Cilan says, moving to join Ash. He stops abruptly as the figure emerges from the fog, allowing them to more adequately see who they are. "Huh?"
"An Audino!" Ash says.
"What's it doing all the way out here?" Misty wonders, looking around.
Despite being addressed, the sheer volume of the voices, Audino continues walking by. Walking and walking, not even glancing at the humans.
"Wait." Iris says right as the Audino walks past her. "Don't you think Audino's acting strangely?"
"I do." Cilan says.
"She looks like she's...in a daze or something." Misty says.
"Marill."
Audino stops then, a few paces away from Iris. It looks back to the humans and their Pokémon, uttering a simple "'dino?" before turning around.
"Is something wrong?" Cilan asks as Audino continues walking into more fog.
"Where are you going?" Iris says.
"Wait, Audino?" Ash says, reaching forward right as Audino becomes an indistinct shape once more.
"That's weird." Iris remarks as Audino disappears into the fog.
"Axew."
Iris' eyes widen, an appreciative gleam shining in her eyes as she looks around. "Look, the fog is clearing up!"
"You're right!" Cilan says, smiling, the fog gradually dissipating until it becomes but a memory. "Ah."
Misty takes a deep breath, smiling too. "It's great being able to see again!"
As the four humans and their Pokémon express gratitude for their unhindered eyesight, they'll soon find that a fog of a much more figurative sort will be rolling in.
They hear a proud, authoritative voice bark out "You're all under arrest!" before anything else.
Ash, Misty, Iris, and Cilan all gasping at roughly the same time, they turn around to find a furious-looking Officer Jenny, her like-minded Herdier, and elementary school children on her sides.
"Stop!" a blue-haired kid wearing spectacles and a crimson suit shouts from Officer Jenny's right. A Solosis with narrowed eyes hovers above to the left of his head. "You stay right there!"
"Give it up while you've got the chance." the violet-haired kid standing on Officer's Jenny's left adds, a disgruntled Gothita in her arms.
"Under arrest?" Misty repeats, tightening her arms around her Marill.
"What are you talking about?" Ash asks.
He cannot so much as take a step forward before their new arrivals spring into action.
"Freeze!" Officer Jenny demands, her Herdier pouncing forward. Its teeth bared, Ash finds himself perilously close to the police officer's companion. "Don't move!"
"Solosis, quick, use Psychic!" the blue-haired kid orders.
Ascending higher into the air, its eyes shining light blue, the Solosis follows its trainer's commands. It follows them, hoisting Ash and his friends into the air. The light blue energy of the Psychic-type attack keeps them suspended in the air.
Officer Jenny and her Herdier approach the four of them, looking disapprovingly upon them.
Officer Jenny hums thoughtfully, clicking her tongue against her upper teeth. She shakes her head once before removing the radio attached to her hip.
Bringing it to her mouth, she says, "Arrest made at 0900 hours."
Whatever exhalation Ash and his friends had a few moments prior, it repeats itself twice as powerful at the admission.
A flock of Pidove fly overhead, their cheerful song a counterpoint to the sounds of Officer Jenny - with the assistance of her Herdier and the Psychic attack of the young boy's Solosis - forcing Ash and his friends into her police cruiser. The vehicle lies nearby in a clearing, a short jaunt from where they encountered the dazed Audino.
Sitting inside the police cruiser - Ash, Misty, Cilan, and Iris - the young man from Pallet Town is the first to speak.
"Officer Jenny, we haven't done anything wrong!"
"Other than getting really lost in all that fog." Iris mutters; with her arms crossed over her chest, she behaves as if this is a minor inconvenience than anything substantial.
"I'm sure this is all just a huge misunderstanding." Misty says.
"My name's Cilan. I'm one of the Striaton City Gym Leaders." Cilan says. "If you contact the gym, my brothers Cress and Chili can confirm it."
Officer Jenny says nothing, observing the four teenagers with suspicion.
"With all due respect, my friends and I are not criminals." Cilan continues. "Not only can my brothers confirm my status, but they'll be the first to say that I would never associate with such nefarious elements."
The only response the Pokémon Connoisseur receives is a thoughtful hum. Officer Jenny passes her gaze over the four faces looking backing expectantly, shaking her head. A sigh escapes her, opening the door on the driver's seat side.
"Hold that thought." she says, sitting down in her car's driver seat. Picking up her phone, she speaks, presumably addressing the officer on the other end of the line. "Reporting. I need you to call the Pokémon Gym over in Striaton City. I have a young man here who says he's a gym leader from there. His name's Cilan. Okay." she nods her head. "Excellent. I'll hold."
A strange kind of silence ensues then; neither Ash nor any of his friends have anything to say least they risk exacerbating the issue, Officer Jenny is quiet as she awaits a response, and the two children that seem to be shadowing her linger outside the car, more concerned with their Pokémon than anything else.
"Yes." Officer Jenny says at last. "That's right. I understand. Alright. Thank you."
Placing her phone back in its holster, Officer Jenny takes a deep breath, puts her arm atop her chair, and looks back at the four teenagers in her backseat.
"Everything checks out." she says.
"We weren't lying." Ash asserts.
The next several moments are spent extricating Ash and his friends from the police cruiser. Once they're settled, standing outside the vehicle, their conversation proceeds.
"Sorry." Officer Jenny says, a small, contrite smile pulling at her lips. "I apologize for the imposition. I guess I was a bit flustered, that's all."
"Yeah?" Ash says, the tense line of his shoulders subsiding. "Something weird going on?"
"That's right." Officer Jenny confirms. "For a short time now, several of the Audino from town have suddenly disappeared."
"Disappeared?" Iris repeats.
"Without a trace." Officer Jenny confirms. "You see, we had—" she indicates the two children standing nearby, looking skittish. "—been following that dazed Audino for quite some time. And then when we saw you talking to Audino, we assumed you had something to do with it."
The young boy with the Solosis and the young girl with the Gothita move to stand in front of Officer Jenny then; the former has his gaze downcast, arms crossed behind his back whilst the latter has a crestfallen look on her face.
"Sorry." the young boy says. "I feel really bad that I attacked you with Psychic out of nowhere like that."
"Sorry." the young girl says. "We shouldn't have been so hasty."
"Don't worry about it!" Ash says, giving the two an easy grin.
"We understand why you would act like that." Misty says.
"Talking in a fog does seem rather suspicious." Cilan remarks. "Especially so if a Pokémon that's been known to disappear is involved."
"No real harm done!" Iris adds brightly.
"This is Christie." Officer Jenny says, gesturing with a gloved raised hand to the young girl. "She and Doyle here are helping me out."
"My name's Ash." he says.
"Misty." she says.
"And I'm Iris." she says.
"And you already known my name." Cilan says, a hand to his breast, he drops his head in a slight bow. "One of the three Striaton City Gym Leaders, Cilan at your service."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Doyle says, lowering his own head in a bow. Excited chatter garners his attention, his Solosis drifting down to hover in front of him. "Right! And this is Solosis!"
"Solosis?" Ash repeats, already activating his Pokédex.
"Solosis, the Cell Pokémon. Male. Ability: Overcoat. Known Moves: Psychic, Confuse Ray, and Night Shade. A membrane filled with fluid surrounds Solosis' body which allows it to live anywhere. It defeats its enemies using formidable Psychic-type powers."
"I'd like you to meet Gothita." Christie says, glancing down at her companion, snug in her arms. "Say hello."
"Gothita Gothi!" she exclaims, her words escaping in a joyful cheer.
"Wow, it's so cute!" Iris remarks.
"So cute." Misty says, a knowing, dreamy kind of look in her eyes. A hand cups her cheek, a smile pulling at her lips when Christie and Gothita share a smile.
"Thanks!" Christie says.
Ash gives a quiet hum of agreement before checking Gothita in his Pokédex.
"Gothita, the Fixation Pokémon. Female. Ability: Competitive. Known Moves: Telekinesis and Psyshock. Gothita watches Pokémon and Trainers with an intense stare. Its bow-like feelers amplify its psychic powers."
Ash's breath leaves him in a quiet huff, pocketing his Pokédex.
"My grandpa's Audino is missing and he's really upset." Doyle says. "That's why I wanna help find Audino so I can cheer up my grandpa."
"There's this Audino I'm really close to that's missing as well." Christie adds.
"Wow, I feel so bad." Iris says softly.
A fist clenched, Doyle says, "Solosis and I are determined to find out whoever did such a terrible thing!"
"No way!" Christie exclaims, looking away from him and the officer. "Gothita and I will."
"Gothita!" she agrees.
"We're gonna!" Doyle asserts, taking a step towards Christie.
"It'll be us!" Christie retorts, turning back to him as well as taking a step forward so they're standing a few inches apart.
"Time out!" Officer Jenny declares with that stern kind of authoritative voice, one that has a tendency to silence all further arguments. She even places a hand on each of the kids' shoulders, gently, firmly, separating them. "That's en—"
A loud beeping notification cuts her off.
Stepping away from Doyle and Christie, she approaches her car. Her lips pull taut, her vehicle alerting her to an incoming phone call.
Taking the phone of its dock, the words are tumbling out of her mouth before she even puts the phone to her ear.
"This is Officer Jenny."
A loud gasp escapes her, her grip tightening on the phone.
"Huh?" she says, regaining a frigid professionalism. "The Pokémon Center's Audino is gone?"
At the information, Ash and his friends share a determined, somewhat outraged glance.
After that it's a blur of color and locomotion to the Pokémon Center.
"I had just come in to work."
After arriving at the Pokémon Center, the first thing Officer Jenny did when they filtered into the building was approach Nurse Joy for her testimony. They found the medical professional pacing back and forth in the building's office.
Officer Jenny writes the words down in her notepad, only giving a hum and nod of her head, prompting Nurse Joy to continue.
"I was busy giving out medicine to the Pokémon who are under the weather." she says.
It's then that Officer Jenny speaks, asking, "What about Audino?"
"It was just as I was tending to the leg of an injured Deerling." Nurse Joy says, her next breath leaving her in more of a gasp. She takes another, deeper breath to collect herself. "I noticed something was amiss. I was frantically looking for the Audino who helps me treat the injured Pokémon here, but...but she was just gone."
"Alright," Officer Jenny says, sticking her pencil behind an ear. "I'll find Audino as soon as I can."
"Thanks so much." Nurse Joy says, managing a small, polite smile. It doesn't last long. So consumed in her worry for her companion, she takes to staring out the window behind her. A forlorn cast to her features, it's clear to even Doyle and Christie that they will not be able to attain any further information from interrogating Nurse Joy.
Officer Jenny, Doyle, and Christie return to the Pokémon Center's lobby then.
"Hm." the adult of the three murmurs.
Officer Jenny consults her notes, her Herdier sniffing low to the ground in the pursuit of a clue. They're unable to do much more as Ash and his friends make their continued presence known.
"We'd like to help, too!" Ash exclaims, causing Officer Jenny, Doyle, Christie, and Solosis to turn and look at him, Cilan, Misty, and Iris.
"Excuse me?" Officer Jenny says.
"There are so many people upset because their Pokémon are gone." Cilan says, Officer Jenny's Herdier bounding back over to her. "We must help."
Initially, Officer Jenny looks wary. However, looking into the faces of those standing across from her, they relax.
(Presumably, it's probably Ash's fault. His characteristic earnest expression and the way his eyes can shine bright even in times of crisis have that ability.)
"You're very kind." Officer Jenny remarks.
Abruptly, Cilan blinks quickly. Coughing once, promptly collecting himself, he pulls forth a magnifying glass and a simple brown cap with a proud cry of "Huh!" and "Ha!".
"It's detective time!" he asserts. He drops into a bow before righting himself. Putting a hand to his chin, the other holding his magnifying glass, he observes all corners of the Pokémon Center. His head moves to and fro so quickly, one would be forgiven for thinking the young man is giving himself whiplash. "Detective Connoisseur Cilan at your service. When it comes to unraveling mysteries, I'm your number-one gumshoe!"
"Oh, no." Iris laments with a sad, slow shake of her head. "It's time to be annoyed again, too."
"Now then," Cilan says; he clears his throat, crosses his arms, all business. "if you would be so kind as to give me the facts that would be immensely appreciated."
"A short while back, Doyle's grandfather's Audino disappeared." Officer Jenny says.
"Hm." Doyle says with a nod, confirming such information.
"Then an Audino from another Pokémon Center disappeared." Officer Jenny continues.
"And that Audino is our good friend." Christie adds, Gothita giving a worried little titter.
"Then, the nursery school's Audino and now we find that the Audino from this Pokémon Center has disappeared as well." Officer Jenny says.
"So that makes a total of four." Cilan summarizes.
"Well, I think some evil organization is stealing all the Audino for sure!" Doyle asserts.
"Some evil organization?" Iris says.
"So what are they gonna do with them?" Christie asks.
A strangled kind of gasp escapes Doyle, clearly scrabbling as he says, "Uh, they're going to start a giant nursing center."
"That doesn't sound all that evil to me!" Christie criticizes.
Doyle promptly recoils away from her.
"Okay." Christie says, her eyes closed for a few brief moments of contemplation. "I think a Psychic-type Pokémon has something to do with what's going on here. They're probably using a Psychic-type move like Hypnosis and then they just lure them away."
"You might have something there." Cilan says with a loud snap of his fingers. "The Audino we saw in the forest was acting a bit strange, like it was walking around hypnotized."
"Told ya." Christie gloats, even turning her chin up at Doyle. "My instincts are right on the money."
"Gothita!" she says just as confidently.
Doyle groans in dismay, saying nothing more.
"It's still too soon to be certain." Officer Jenny says. "Anyway, there are three more Audino living in our town. I say we split up and guard them."
"Hm." Cilan agrees with a nod.
Meeting outside the Pokémon Center, it isn't long before the seven humans start to formulate a plan of action.
A more cohesive plan of action.
The seven stand in a loose semi circle next to Officer Jenny's police cruiser; Christie standing next to the rear followed by Doyle, Officer Jenny, Cilan, Ash, Misty, and Iris.
"There's an Audino living with an elderly couple." Officer Jenny says.
"Oh!" Doyle exclaims, a hand raised. "I'll guard that one!"
"I'll go with you, 'kay?" Ash offers.
"Pikachu Pika!"
"Wow, Ash, you'd do that?" Doyle says. Lowering his hand, he rushes over to stand next to Ash. "That'll be so cool!" he looks back over at Christie, pushing his glasses up by the bridge. "I'll just prove to you my Solosis is the better Pokémon."
"No matter what you do, my Gothita is still the best." Christie retorts.
"Gothi." she remarks in quiet agreement.
"Yeah?" Doyle challenges. "We'll see."
Officer Jenny flips through her notepad, looking to already be writing down their arrangements.
"Christie, do you think that you could guard the Audino Mimi's raising?"
"Yeah!" Christie answers, her disagreement with Doyle forgotten. "I'd love to."
"May I help you?" Iris asks.
"Sure, thanks!" Christie says. She walks over to stand next to Iris, beaming up at her.
"Alright." Officer Jenny says. "I'll guard the last Audino."
"I'd be honored if you'd let me assist you." Cilan says.
"Me too." Misty says.
"Hm." Officer Jenny says, a nod of her head expressing her feelings on the matter. Officer Jenny turns on her heel then, going over to her car. Opening the front door on the passenger side, she rummages around inside for a few moments before returning. When she does, she holds three sleek black trays in her hands. On top of one appears to be a small and gray circular device - like a button - next to a thin silver device. "Here."
Rather belatedly, Ash realizes she offering them to him and Iris.
"Huh?" he murmurs in confusion, though accepts one of the trays anyway. "What's this, Officer Jenny?"
"A tracking device." Officer Jenny says, handing a tray and its device off to Iris, the one remaining in her possession presumably for her own use. "Attach this chip to Audino's body. It will enable you to observe and track Audino's location by using this screen. Should you lose sight of it, don't worry. This new technology will help us keep track of the tagged Audino and will lead us to the missing Audino as well."
"Right!" Ash and Doyle say.
"And this is a messaging device." Officer Jenny says, holding up the thin silver device before putting it back on the tablet next to the tracking device. "So if anything happens, let us all know."
"Yes, officer." Iris and Christie say.
"Good." Officer Jenny says. "Now, make sure you stay close to Audino."
"This feels like a real investigation." Doyle remarks quietly to Ash.
Judging by Officer Jenny's reaction, he didn't speak quietly enough.
"Doyle, this is a real investigation!" she says. "With very real missing Audino!"
"Mark her words." Cilan says, lifting the brim of his hat up with a forefinger.
"Yeah, you too." Iris mutters, glancing sidelong at her friend.
"You have your orders and the location of the three remaining Audino." Officer Jenny says. "Provided nothing goes wrong, meet back here later tonight."
Ash, his friends, and Doyle and Christie offer differing sounds of affirmation before going their separate ways.
Standing in the backyard of the elderly couple's house, Ash and Doyle just finish up relaying Officer Jenny's plan.
Instead of addressing them immediately, the elderly man and his wife look worriedly to their beloved Audino. The elderly woman even places a hand on her Pokémon's shoulder.
"Uh, I understand." the elderly man says, looking away from his wife and their Audino to properly address the two youngsters. "We'll help any way we can. It must be simply awful for the people who have lost their Audino."
"Right." Ash says, removing the tracking device from the tablet in Doyle's hands. "I'll put a tracking device on Audino now."
Approaching Audino, Ash gingerly places the tracking device on the left side of the Pokémon's chest. He takes a step back, approving how snugly it fits.
"Okay," Doyle says, turning the tablet around so the elderly couple can see the lightly glowing orange dot representing Audino's tracking device. "if your Audino goes anywhere we'll know just where it went."
"And," Ash adds, pulling the messaging device out of his pants' pocket. "if that happens, we can contact Officer Jenny and get her help."
"That's very reassuring." the elderly man says whilst Ash puts the messaging device back in his pants' pocket.
"I'm still concerned." Mimi admits after Iris placed a tracking device on her Audino. They stand next to the young woman's house. "Will this really work?"
"Nothing to worry about." Christie says, the tablet and messaging device snug in her arms. "As long as Audino wears that tracking device we'll know just where it is."
"Christie's right." Iris asserts. "Don't worry."
"Thank you so much." Mimi says. "I think it's best if we go back inside the house."
"Good idea." Iris says.
Crouching down, Officer Jenny places the tracking device on the Audino her, Cilan, and Misty are guarding. They stand on the young woman's modest deck, the double doors of her house open wide.
"Okay, that should do it." Officer Jenny says, rising to her feet. "Please, stay indoors as much as possible."
"Yes." the young woman says. "We will." she turns around, places a hand on Audino's shoulder. "Come on, Audino, inside we go."
"Audino." she offers in cheerful agreement.
The young woman and her Audino pass through the double doors into their abode. It's only after the doors shut that Officer Jenny's façade of professionalism falters, her eyes crinkling with dismay.
"They're so nice." she remarks. "I hope this works."
"Fear not." Cilan says in a bid to set her mind at ease. "You're working with a detective connoisseur."
"If the people responsible for the Audino disappearing strikes again, we will find them!" Misty adds.
"Marill!"
"Of course." Officer Jenny says. "All of those missing Audino are priority number one."
"Right." Cilan says with a nod.
Sitting inside the homey abode of the elderly couple, it isn't long after they arrived that the nearby Audino shows familiar signs of disorientation: a far-off gaze, a frown, and uneven movement.
Ash gasps, watching from his spot on one of the couches surrounding a coffee table as Audino makes her way to the entrance of the elderly couple's home. "Audino's going somewhere!"
Springing into action, Ash and Doyle rise to their feet, Pikachu scampering up to sit on his trainer's shoulder whilst Solosis hovers nearby.
"Audino, return now!?" the elderly man says, holding Audino's Poké Ball up. Returning his Pokémon, it looks as if the spherical device will keep the Audino safe and secure.
However, that soon proves to be incorrect.
The elderly man lurches to his right foot, a scream escaping him whilst Audino exits her Poké Ball in a flash of blue and white. As if nothing happened, she continues walking in a daze towards an unknown destination. She opens the door, disappearing on the other side.
"Whoa!" the elderly man cries.
"It got out on its own." Doyle says.
"Don't worry." Ash says, addressing the elderly man, already chasing after the Audino. "We'll take care of this, sir."
Ash exits the elderly couple's home then, Doyle close behind. Looking around in pursuit of Audino, when he doesn't find anything, Ash turns to Doyle.
"See anything, Doyle?" he asks.
"Hm." Doyle murmurs in thought, swiping a hand across the surface of the tablet. When he does, a series of diagrams appear as well as a minimized map of the surrounding area. A map showing a steadily moving orange dot. "It's working!"
"Great!" Ash says. "Let's go! I'll let the others know what's going on."
Doyle merely gives a curt nod whilst Ash pulls out the messaging device and sends an update to Iris and Christie and Officer Jenny, Misty, and Cilan.
A quiet beeping sound captures Christie's attention, her and Iris standing outside Mimi's house. Finding the source to be the messaging device, she pulls it out to find a message from Ash.
"It looks like the Audino that Doyle and Ash are guarding is on the move."
"I hope Audino's okay!" Iris says, holding the tablet in her arms.
(Christie cannot very well hold her beloved Gothita if her arms are full.)
"Where are you going?!"
Hearing Mimi's panicked cry, Iris and Christie watch in surprise as her Audino exits the house through a window, the purple shutters wide open. With familiar uneven footsteps, Audino walks past Iris and Christie.
"You're supposed to stay inside!" Mimi cries, her face quickly appearing on the other side of the window. "Audino, wait!"
"Don't worry!" Christie advises. "Everything will be fine."
"I hope so." Mimi says.
Iris and Christie chase after Mimi's Audino without another word.
Officer Jenny, Misty, and Cilan exist in relative silence on the young woman's deck. That is, until a beep sounds off on Officer Jenny's person. Pulling forth the messaging device to take a look at it, what she sees causes her to gasp.
"What is it, Officer Jenny?" Misty asks.
"It looks like Christie and Iris's Audino, it's on the move." Officer Jenny answers.
"Then our Audino is the only one left." Cilan says. He blinks twice, slowly, noticing something pink out of his peripheral vision.
"Huh?" Officer Jenny says, all three of them turning to watch as the young woman's Audino appears to be walking down the street.
It isn't long before the young woman comes into view, appearing to be chasing after her Audino. When they see her, Officer Jenny, Misty, and Cilan seek to join her.
"Audino, what's wrong with you?" she asks, trying to keep pace. "Come back! Don't do this!"
In her haste to reunite with her Audino, the young woman ends up tripping. She falls to her knees right as Officer Jenny, Misty, and Cilan join her.
"Leave it to us, ma'am." Cilan says, stopping to help the young woman to her feet whilst Officer Jenny and Misty continue their pursuit. "Please."
The young woman looks between the path her Audino had taken and Cilan's face, nodding slowly. "Alright. Thanks."
"I thought it would be like this."
Walking a few paces behind the Audino - it didn't take much effort to catch up with it once they discovered its location - Ash looks up from the messaging device, alerting him that the other two Audino started behaving erratically too. He glances over his shoulder at Doyle's voice, the young boy staring at the tablet.
Ash looks back to Audino before saying anything. "I think Christie was onto something when she said someone was using a Psychic-type Pokémon to hypnotize the Audino."
"Maybe so." Doyle says.
A beep from the device in his hands diverts Ash's attention briefly.
"It looks like Misty, Officer Jenny, and Cilan are chasing after the Audino they were guarding."
"I wonder where it's headed." Iris says a short distance away from Mimi's Audino. "Look, it's turning left!"
At the sight of the Hearing Pokémon disappearing behind a corner, Iris and Christie accelerate their pace.
"Where's it going now?" Cilan wonders aloud, walking behind Audino with Officer Jenny and Misty.
"Maybe to whatever's making them behave like this." Misty theorizes.
In their pursuit of their individual Audino, Ash, his friends, and the local citizens find themselves reunited at a crossroads of sorts.
"Misty!" Ash exclaims at the sight of his friends. "Cilan! Iris!"
"Officer Jenny!" Doyle says.
"They're all heading in the same direction." Officer Jenny says, giving her tablet a glance.
With the Audino steadily creating distance between them, the humans do not engage in further conversation as they take to following their Audino. As they do, that's when Officer Jenny, Doyle, and Iris notice something peculiar.
Officer Jenny's eyes narrow in dismay, the visual quality on her tablet dropping drastically, static overwhelming the image.
"That's strange." she remarks. "It's not working."
"What's wrong?" Cilan asks, even - as he looks at the tablet in Officer Jenny's hands - his eyes light up in recognition.
"The screen is down." Officer Jenny says.
"Mine's down, too!" Doyle says.
"So is mine!" Iris says.
"Please, stay calm." Cilan advises.
"But we're going to lose them!" Iris says.
Her statement proves to be mildly accurate; as they were talking, distracted by their malfunctioning technology, the three Audino they were following are dangerously close to rounding a corner, disappearing not only from view, but entirely.
"Officer Jenny," Cilan says. "perhaps we should call this off and rescue these Audino."
Officer Jenny quickly looks back at Doyle and Christie. "Doyle and Christie, stop the Audino!"
"Solosis, use Psychic!" Doyle orders.
"Solosis!" he cries, his eyes lighting up blue, seeking to rescue the Audino.
"Gothita, Telekinesis!" Christie says, opening her arms, allowing Gothita to jump free onto the ground.
"Gothita!" she cries, her eyes lighting up green as she uses her own ability in a bid to rescue the Audino.
Bright blue and green lights illuminate the corner that the Audino disappeared through. Using their Psychic abilities, Solosis rescues one Audino whilst Gothita rescues another; both are cloaked in blue and green respectively.
It doesn't take long, as the two Pokémon bring the Audino over to them, for someone to notice that something is amiss.
"But where's the third one?" Officer Jenny says, Solosis and Gothita gently depositing the two Audino on the ground in front of her.
The question compels Ash into investigating. He runs for the corner that the Audino tried to disappear around. However, when he breaches the path, he finds only an empty dirt pathway, the only thing other than him present being the trees.
"Where did it go?" Iris wonders as she, their friends, Officer Jenny, Doyle, and Christie join him.
"We lost it!" Ash mutters, glaring down at the ground.
"Hmm." Officer Jenny says, looking at a spot on the ground not far from them, her attention piqued by something.
"Officer Jenny?" Cilan prompts.
Officer Jenny crouches down, picking up something gray and circular.
She rises to her feet, showing the other humans the tracking device they placed on one of the Audino.
"It seems to me, whoever's responsible for this must know about us and what we're doing." Cilan says.
That causes a stir amidst the humans and their Pokémon, each of them looking uncomfortable about the possibility.
After being confronted with the knowledge that they're being observed and the fact an Audino slipped through their fingers, the humans return to the edge of town nearest to the police station. They stand beside Officer Jenny's police cruiser, debating their next move.
"Officer, would you mind explaining just how the tracking device works?" Cilan asks.
"It reads the target's location by picking up sound waves emitted from a chip like this one." Officer Jenny answers.
"Hm." Cilan murmurs, a hand going to his chin. His eyes widen, snapping his fingers; clearly he thought of something. "Oh, it's possible that the culprit could be luring the Audino using sound waves as well."
"Hm." Iris says. "You think?"
"I do!" Cilan asserts. "And at a frequency that people can't hear. You see, Audino is a Pokémon with highly developed hearing."
"A frequency that people can't hear." Christie repeats.
"It probably jammed our tracking devices." Doyle says.
"Hm, but if that's the case, how can we trace the inaudible sound waves back to their source?" Officer Jenny says.
"Hm." Cilan murmurs before making an incoherent sound of realization. "Oh! Ash, quick! Use your Roggenrola!"
"Roggenrola?" Ash murmurs, blinking in confusion. However, he manages to catch on to Cilan's intentions. "Oh, that's right!"
Cilan nods his head, grinning. "Precisely! Remember, Roggenrola's hearing is highly developed which means, it can hear frequencies that people aren't able to."
"You're right." Ash says, wasting no time in bringing forth Roggenrola's Poké Ball. "Okay, Roggenrola, I choose you!"
Roggenrola soon appears, raising her left foot in greeting.
"I have a theory." Cilan admits, crouching down next to the two Audino, inspecting them. "Since the culprit wasn't able to lure these Audino, I'll bet you they'll try again."
"Maybe." Iris says.
There doesn't seem to be a maybe about it as the eyes of the two Audino glaze over. They begin walking away from Cilan and the others.
"You see?" Cilan says, jumping to his feet. "There they go!"
"Roggenrola, hear anything?" Ash asks.
"Roggen!" she exclaims, jumping from one foot to the other before running off in the direction of the two Audino.
"Excellent." Cilan says, already moving after the Mantle Pokémon. "Let's follow Roggenrola."
"Pika!"
As the humans follow Roggenrola and the two Audino, they find themselves in the countryside.
"It's predictable." Officer Jenny had said, the tablet they had been using in her hands. "Far from most people, it's the perfect location for criminals to conduct their business."
Now, walking along the dirt path in relative silence save the rare cry from a Pidove, Cilan goes to stand next to Officer Jenny. He finds the tablet not only losing its signal once more, but it's almost gone completely.
"The signal's getting weak again." Officer Jenny says.
"Then we're heading the right way." Cilan says.
Following the Audino, the humans break off from the dirt path into a clearing. Surrounded on all sides by steep rock walls, Ash is the first to see the ladder leading up and over the rocks.
"Uh!" Ash exclaims, the Audino making their way up the ladder. "Wait up! Stop!"
By the time Ash reaches the rock wall, the Audino have already ascended the ladder and pulled it up out of reach.
Grunting, Ash strains against the rocks as he tries to ascend them too, only to fall to his knees on the ground.
"Sorry," Iris drawls from his left, back of her hands on her hips. "but that's not gonna happen."
"It's not like a tree." Misty adds from his right. "I don't think you'll be able to climb it."
"Yes, it will!" Ash grunts in response, stubbornly trying to ascend the rock wall. "And yes, I can!"
Meanwhile, Cilan glances away from the antics of his friend to Officer Jenny. "Is there another way to get up that cliff?"
"There is." Officer Jenny answers after a moment, no doubt rendered speechless by Ash's determination. "It'll take a while."
"I know a much quicker way." Doyle says, walking up to the two with a knowing smile. Solosis hovers close behind.
"Huh?" Officer Jenny says.
"Solosis," Doyle says, turning to his companion. "use Psychic and get everyone up that cliff."
"Solosis!" he cries, giving an exuberant nod. He heeds his trainer's command; his eyes glowing light blue, he manages to envelop Christie and her Gothita, Doyle, Officer Jenny and her Herdier, Cilan, Iris and her Axew, Misty and her Marill, and Ash, Pikachu, and Roggenrola with his ability. He also manages to get them atop the cliff without delay or trouble.
"Alright, Doyle, way to go!" Ash cheers, Solosis looking no worse for wear despite the magnitude of his previous task.
"As I've said before," Doyle says confidently, pushing his glasses up by the bridge. "my Solosis can pretty much do anything."
He looks over to smirk at Christie.
The young girl only offers an incoherent, offended gasp before looking away, turning her chin up.
With their path unhindered, Roggenrola leads the charge to find the Audino. And who's compelling them to leave their trainers.
It isn't long before they find the Audino again. The two walk along a wooden bridge, the structure above a rushing river. However, as Ash and Pikachu try to rush across it to reach the two Audino, he is once again too late. After the Audino breach the other side of the bridge, their eyes glow light blue, using their psychic abilities to tear the bridge off its moorings.
Ash and Pikachu have just enough time to clear the bridge before it falls into the river below. The two peek over the side of the cliff to the river below, each expelling a dispirited sigh.
"Huh."
"Now what do we do?" Iris wonders aloud.
"Ash and bridges, I wonder if there's a pattern." Misty jibes to which Ash sticks his tongue out at her, sharing a knowing smile soon after.
"There's a bridge farther upstream, but it's a long way from here." Officer Jenny says.
"And once again my Solosis will—"
Christie interrupts Doyle not only by moving to stand proudly in front of him, but by speaking.
"Watch as my awesome Gothita saves the day." she says. "Now, Gothita, Telekinesis!"
"Gothita!"
With an exclamation of her name, it doesn't take long for Gothita's eyes to glow green. It takes even less time for that same glow to envelop the humans and their Pokémon and transport them to the other side of the river, safe and sound.
"Gothita, thanks." Christie says, smiling down at her Pokémon. She raises a hand, gently patting the top of her head.
"Gothi!" she cooes.
"Gothita's great, too." Iris says.
That earns proud, happy giggles from Christie and a look of discontent from Doyle.
Continuing along their way, a flock of Pidove flying overhead, the humans find themselves in a clearing. A clearing devoid of any Audino and any clue to their whereabouts.
"We lost them." Doyle laments as they come to a stop. "Where could they have gone now?"
"Don't sweat it." Ash says, giving Doyle a reassuring grin before glancing down at Roggenrola. "Roggenrola will find them for sure." he crouches down next to her, even places a hand on top of her head. "Right, Roggenrola?"
"Roggen!" she cries happily, leaning into her trainer's touch. She jumps away from him, jumping up and down twice before bounding off and away from them.
When Roggenrola finally comes to a stop, the humans and their Pokémon find themselves standing before what appears to be a dilapidated wind factory. It's wind turbines appear dingy and discolored; clearly the purpose the building served, it hasn't for a long, long time.
"It's a wind farm." Cilan says, looking about the abandoned scenery.
"That's right." Officer Jenny confirms with a nod. "But the place has been abandoned for a while."
"I'm picking up the scent of suspicion." Cilan remarks and, to Iris's embarrassment and irritation, makes an exaggerated show of sniffing the air.
Ash hums thoughtfully, looking around the place before crouching down next to his Roggenrola.
"You're sure this is the place?"
Roggenrola jumps up and down twice in affirmation. "Roggenrola Roggen Roggen!"
"We also know there are multiple culprits." Cilan says with a snap of his fingers. "Elementary."
"How do you know there's more than one?" Iris asks.
"An examination of the evidence proves this the work of more than one." Cilan explains. "Also, considering how many Pokémon were stolen in such a short timeframe, it's a near impossibility that this is the work of a solitary miscreant. I'd say it's raid time!"
"Exactly." Officer Jenny says, giving a curt nod. Her Herdier growls at the building, looking ready for battle.
As Ash and his friends deduce the best way to infiltrate the abandoned wind farm and locate the missing Audino, the culprit responsible for their disappearance plan their own strategy.
Standing in what once served as the main control room of the wind farm, Jessie, James, and Meowth of Team Rocket watch the monitor displaying relevant applications and diagrams. The screen displays certain critical information about the Audino, they're general state of health, and the width and breadth of their hearing capabilities.
"Doctor Zäger is truly brilliant." James remarks. "He created the perfect programs and algorithms to attract Audino and determine their true power. Simply broadcasting these special sound waves forces the Audino to come to us straightaway."
"Right, while at the same time, jamming any tracking devices they might be using." Jessie says.
"A question." Meowth says, looking over at their cage of captive Audino. Aside from being dazed and trapped, each of the Audino has a strange spherical metallic helmet on their heads. "What's the good doctor planning to do with all of these Audino, anyway?"
"The answer." James says. "Right now, the helmets the Audino are equipped with are transmitting data directly to Doctor Zäger. The information he's receiving is critical. Audino's refined senses can detect even the faintest of sounds which will help him develop powerful new rader."
"It certainly sounds like a dream come true." Jessie remarks. "That radar could—"
A loud keening alarm interrupts Jessie. With concerned, irritated expressions, Jessie, James, and Meowth turn to the monitor displaying an incoming video feed. They watch it with rapt attention, the trio witnessing something none of them particular care for.
"Why am I not surprised?" Jessie remarks, casting a baleful glare down at the fresh-faced earnestness of the Twerp and his companions before looking over at the nearby cage keeping their captive Audino secure.
"Should've known it would be a matter of time before they arrived." James says, his face illuminated by the purple glow of the screen. He merely sighs and shakes his head. "They're never too far behind."
"So, what do we do about the Twerps?" Meowth says.
Jessie groans in response, a muscle in her jaw working, a hand to her mouth. "James, how long until the good doctor has enough necessary information?"
James says nothing, already going over the other monitor displaying the relevant information. And when he does, a satisfied smile lights up his face.
"We're in luck." James remarks, ushering Jessie and Meowth to come closer. When they do, he enlarges several diagrams on the screen. "It would appear that we've already procured more than enough information for Doctor Zäger. Although more time would be optimal, he should have enough to start devising improved radar systems."
"Excellent." Jessie says, right as two more Audino enter the room.
"That's great and all, but what do we do with these Audino?" Meowth says, waving a paw at the five Audino held captive and the two that recently joined them.
Jessie smiles, an amused little chuckle escaping her lips. "I believe I have the perfect idea."
"We must be getting close."
After finding the abandoned wind farm, it doesn't take the humans and their Pokémon long to infiltrate the building. With Roggenrola leading the charge, they run through various hallways and around corners. Considering the way she starts becoming more and more exuberant, it's clear they're on the right track.
That's a thought that persists in all of their minds until Roggenrola stops abruptly.
"What's wrong, Roggenrola?" Ash asks, crouching down next to his Rock-type just as abruptly. Misty almost ends up tripping over him, hissing under her breath.
"Can you watch where you're going?!"
"Roggenrola?" she says, looking around.
"Did something happen?" Doyle asks.
Cilan grimaces, appearing to understand what Roggenrola's sudden stop means. However, before he can voice his suspicion, something comes into their line of sight. Something that gives all of them pause. Pause and a strange case of gentle joy.
Seven Audino walking towards them, two of them wearing the hats belonging to the Pokémon Center, the symbols blue and pink. And looking to be the leader, scampering about the cracked flooring with an occasional mewl and swish of a tail, is a Meowth.
Doyle gasps in delight, no doubt one of the many Unovan natives awestruck by the sight of a Kantonian Pokémon. Or any Pokémon outside their own region.
Christie, however, is much more pronounced in her happiness. "Oh, it's so cute!" she cries, rushing over to the Meowth.
She doesn't get far.
"Wait." Officer Jenny says; narrowing her eyes, she has an arm thrust out in front of the young girl. "Something's wrong."
"Wrong?" Ash repeats.
"I agree." Cilan says. "There's no doubt the character of criminals who would steal Pokémon from unsuspecting innocents. It seems unlikely those same scoundrels would release them."
"It almost seems like a trap." Misty says.
At that, the humans and their Pokémon fall silent. They watch the eight Pokémon move toward them, cautious, on edge. The seven Audino stop a few paces before them. As for the Meowth leading them, it sits down on the floor, gives a quiet little mewl then licks an arm, running it over its head.
"The Audino look normal to me." Ash says, being the one brave (and/or foolish) enough to approach the other group. He looks from Meowth to each Audino, a smile breaking out across his lips. "Yeah."
As if on the same wavelength, the Meowth gives a happy little cry before walking over to Ash. In a startling turn of events, the Meowth brushes itself against one of Ash's legs. It looks quite content too.
"Hey there." Ash says, his smile widening. He crouches down, petting the Meowth on the head. "Thanks for helping these Audino."
"Ash!" Iris breathes, looking worriedly between her friend and the Meowth. "Are you sure about that?"
"I'm not sure why, but this Meowth looks familiar." Misty adds, regarding the Cat Scratch Pokémon with narrowed, judgmental eyes.
Meowth simply gives a swish of its tail in her direction.
It doesn't linger long after that. Mewling once at Ash, it bounds off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the shadows.
"This case is peculiar." Cilan says. "It looks, judging by the way Roggenrola stopped, the criminals in question shut off whatever device they were using to lure the Audino to them. Not only that, but they seem to have released them too."
"In any case," Officer Jenny says. "we shouldn't linger around here. Let's return these Audino to their trainers."
The other humans and their Pokémon offer nothing but agreement.
Upon returning the last Audino - the one belonging to the Pokémon Center they had gathered outside near the beginning of this entire mess - their conversation begins in earnest.
"All the Audino are returned to their rightful owners." Misty says.
"They don't look injured, either." Iris adds.
"That's good, right?" Ash says, looking between his friends and Officer Jenny. He takes to rubbing his head, opening and closing his eyes. "Why does it seem like that isn't good?"
"That's because it isn't, at least, not entirely." Officer Jenny says.
"How do you mean, Officer Jenny?" Doyle asks.
"Everything should be okay, right?" Christie says.
"Right?"
When Ash adds his voice to the inquisitive chorus, Misty has to shove a hand against her mouth to stifle her laughter, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
"I believe what Officer Jenny is getting at is we don't know who orchestrated this whole thing." Cilan interjects. "The Pokémon may be returned and unharmed, but we have no idea who the criminals are. Or if they'll strike again."
"Exactly." Officer Jenny confirms.
Cilan crinkles his nose up. "This leaves a most bitter flavor. A mystery only half solved. We discovered where the criminals were operating out of, rescued the Audino from the fiendish clutches of evil and returned them to where they belong, but…" he breaks off with an inelegant sound of disgust.
"'The fiendish clutches of evil…'" Iris repeats dryly, raising an eyebrow. "I think that might be pushing it."
"Au contraire!" Cilan says, but nothing more.
"I can investigate the abandoned wind farm later." Officer Jenny says. "Perhaps I can find a clue of some kind that'll point to their identity. Or maybe a way to keep this from happening again."
"I wish you luck in your endeavors!" Cilan exclaims, giving the policewoman a slight bow.
"Thanks." Officer Jenny says, smiling at Cilan before directing it at the other humans and their Pokémon. "Thanks to all of you, this ended better than I could have expected. You were all an invaluable help."
"It was no problem, Officer Jenny!" Ash says, something in him compelling him to give her a respectful salute. Something that doesn't go unnoticed for he finds Misty looking at him, still looking like she might break down laughing at any moment. "What?"
"Nothing." Misty says on something between a cough and a sigh. "Nothing at all."
There's something about her tone of voice that causes a pinch to resonate within Ash's chest. He decides he likes the feeling.
"'Nothing at all.'" Ash repeats, unable to help himself from grinning back at her.
"Officer Jenny!" Doyle exclaims before the two from Pallet Town and Cerulean City can get any more sentimental. He beams at the older woman, his Solosis snug in his arms. "Didn't my Solosis help you solve the case more than Christie's Gothita?"
"Wait!" Christie interjects, Gothita snug in her own arms. "My Gothita did way more than Doyle's Solosis! Right, officer?"
"Huh…" Officer Jenny says, her lips in a thoughtful frown. She looks up, her eyes closed. A moment passes and she looks back to the two children, something almost impish about her smile. "Actually, I think Ash's Roggenrola was the most helpful Pokémon."
Doyle and Christie sigh in near unison. As for their Pokémon, looking up at their trainers with concern, they look more focused on consoling their dispirited friends.
Ash, Misty, Cilan, Iris, and Officer Jenny share in lighthearted laughter then. Soon enough, as Doyle and Christie look up and share a glance, they start laughing too.
Only when the laughter begins to subside does Officer Jenny speak.
"In all seriousness, we couldn't have saved the Audino without your help." she says, looking to Doyle then Christie. "I hope this serves as a good learning experience for you two. Part of defeating criminals is being able to work together as a team, their strengths and weaknesses complementing one another. In fact, if I may be so bold, if more people were like you two, I might be able to relinquish my badge."
"Thanks officer!" Doyle and Christie say.
"Now, how about we check out the nearby eateries." Officer Jenny says. "Fighting crime can work up an appetite."
No one offers any dissent, all equally ecstatic at the thought of getting something to eat. It's been a long, eventful day, after all.
"I guess, when all is said and done, it's victory time!" Cilan says later over dinner.
"Please be quiet and eat." Iris retorts, her voice lacking it's usual bite.
A few hours later.
It's late at night at the abandoned wind farm.
Ash Ketchum and his friends are fast asleep. Their Pokémon too. The same can be said for Doyle and Christie, safe and warm in their cozy houses.
However, Officer Jenny is wide awake.
Wide awake and alert.
The case of the disappearing Audino may have been solved, but she cannot ignore the voice in the back of her head. A voice, telling her the story is only half-finished.
And thus, with naught else to do for the moment, Officer Jenny took to investigating the abandoned wind farm. Even the smartest and craftiest of criminals leave a clue behind. If they did, Officer Jenny plans on finding it. Walking through the darkened corridors of the building, her faithful Herdier by her side, Officer Jenny comes across an open door.
Tightening her grip on her flashlight, gesturing at Herdier with a wave, they approach the interior slowly. Carefully. Crossing the threshold, Officer Jenny finds the two of them in what looks like the main control room when the wind farm was at the height of its prosperity.
And where the Audino were held captive, if the giant cage is any indication.
"The Audino were definitely held here." Officer Jenny asserts, illuminating the cage with her flashlight.
She supposes that it helps how nearby machinery appears to be relatively new, gleaming bright.
She's about to investigate when the sound of her Herdier growling alerts her.
"What is it?" she asks. On her guard, she takes to looking around the immediate area. Nothing.
Nothing, save for whatever her partner may have found.
Approaching her Loyal Dog Pokémon, Officer Jenny finds her growling at something emblazoned on the ground. Officer Jenny raises an eyebrow, curious. Casting the beam of her flashlight on whatever troubled her companion, she soon finds her answer in the form of a large purple "R".
"R?" Officer Jenny murmurs, putting her other hand to her mouth. "Why do I feel like...like I've seen that somewhere before?"
Originally Added: Sunday, September 15th, 2019.