Chapter 19: The Tourist and the Thief, Part 1
Galena leaned over, her eyes focused. The end of her tongue poked out of the side of her mouth. She held a pool cue in her right hand, steadying by slipping it through the fingers of her left one. Her concentration was on the white ball, the Goodra preparing to make her move. After a moment she thrust the end of the stick into the ball, striking it and sending it flying across the base's pool table. It crashed into an orange ball, which in turn slammed into a yellow ball. Both rolled into a corner pocket, leaving the white one by itself.
The Goodra pumped a fist and grinned. "Alright, two more down! I've got this game in the bag!"
"Good shot! We'll have to do a rematch later!" Ivan laughed. He was across the table from her, standing on a short stool.
"You're on!" Galena enthused before playfully shaking her head. She held her cue in one hand like a staff. "But don't complain when I kick your butt so bad you can't even look at a pool cue."
Perched on the table's rim, Lady watched the pair intently. "As long as you're having fun, that's what matters! This game is interesting! It's too bad I don't have fingers to play."
"Maybe you can try later. One of us will help you," Ivan suggested with a smile.
"That would be very kind, Ivy!" she squeaked, flicking her wings.
Galena smirked and pointed at herself. "Just don't let herb head teach you. I'm the professional here."
"We'll see about that," he remarked, rolling his eyes. Taking his attention off the game, he looked around the recently rejuvenated base.
The room's atmosphere was as vibrant and hopeful as it was just days prior, and an air of optimism and solidarity lingered around the team. Boxes of board games were stacked on the nearby table, readily available in case they wanted to play together.
"This has been great, though. I love that we've been spending more time together," Ivan said.
Lady's antennae rose. "And I love spending time with you, Ivy! Brightscale has been nothing but fun."
"I gotta admit, the last few days have been a blast. My idea of fun is going out and tearing up the town, but staying in and playing games lately has been better than any party."
Ivan's grin widened. "I'm glad you've been enjoying yourselves. It's been awesome for me, too, hanging out like this. I feel like we've been closer as a team since we became Brightscale. I hope it continues, no matter what happens next."
"I feel the same way!" Lady agreed. "Things are better than ever! And I bet my hubby would too–Oh?"
Suddenly, the base's new door flew open with a squeak, causing them to turn in its direction. Inti folded his wings to fit through the entrance before trudging in. He held an envelope in his claws.
"Hello all. Forgive me if I'm interrupting," the Druddigon greeted. He looked over at Lady, then walked toward the group.
His wife's eyes gleamed as she looked at him. "Hi, honey! What do you have there?"
Inti smiled and held up the envelope. "It seems we've received a letter… a certain Greninja wrote to us and had this delivered."
Lady gasped and floated higher. "Koji wrote to us!? I'd love to hear what he has to say!"
"I've already read his message. He is coming into town to visit," he explained. "He should be here early this afternoon."
"Greninja? Don't think you ever mentioned one before," Galena remarked, raising a brow.
Lady threw up her arms happily. "Koji's our friend from Stonethrow! He's so kind and fun. You're going to love meeting him!"
"Well, a friend of yours is a friend of mine," Ivan chuckled before looking at Inti. "How do you all know each other?"
Inti's smile grew, and he blushed slightly. "Koji is my best friend, from my childhood. I'm sure long-term friendships are nothing strange for Pokémon like you all… but it's unusual for a Druddigon. At least that's what my mother always said. Either way, I think you'll get along with him. He has a big heart."
"Hey, if he's cool, he's cool. Don't have to convince us," Galena said with a shrug. "Besides, can't say no to meeting a friend of yours."
Ivan nodded. "Between your carefulness and Lady's judgment of character, I don't see any reason to object. I'll have to cook some lunch for all of us!"
"And don't forget my famous cookies. Those'll be a highlight for any visit," she teased.
"That would be nice… Thank you both. It is important to my wife and me to maintain our friendship," the Druddigon remarked.
Lady flapped her wings in anticipation. "Ooh, I can't wait! Koji's coming! Koji's coming!"
Ivan walked from the kitchen over to the table. The Grovyle wore a red and blue apron and carried a piping-hot pan. He put it down and scooped out portions of pan-seared Basculin onto a tray. The tray of fish joined a steaming plate of Regalian-style vegetable curry and a large bowl of salad. The table was set for five Pokémon.
"Okay, lunch is ready. Now we wait," he muttered to himself. He looked around the room to locate his team.
Galena was in the kitchen, placing a sheet of cookies on the stovetop to cool. Inti was tidying up near the beds. Lady waited by the window for their incoming visitor.
Ivan lifted his apron off his body. "We're all set for our guest, now we just wait for—"
Thump. Thump.
A light knocking from the door interrupted him. Inti and Galena turned their heads, and Lady floated off her perch.
"He's here! Koji's here!" she squealed euphorically.
"Oh, perfect!" the Grovyle said, draping his apron over the nearest stool. "Lunch just got done. I'll get it!"
The Grovyle hurried over to the door, making himself taller and putting on a warm smile. He grabbed the knob and swung the door open.
Standing there was a Greninja, lean and fairly tall compared to Ivan. The deep blue frog wore the tattered remains of a purple cloak with black, linear patterns, the remaining cloth extending halfway behind his chest. He reciprocated the Grovyle's smile and met his eye—as he had a single lavender one. In the other's place was a marred pink eyelid with a scar that curved up and above his brow.
"Hi there! I hope I'm in the right place," the Greninja said, his voice somewhat higher and nasally. "Looking for a place, or a team, called Brightscale. Whichever is more accurate. The name's Koji!"
Ivan's eyes shot up to the frog's dead eye, but he fought to concentrate on the good one. "O-oh yeah, this is Brightscale's base! And we're the team of the same name, so you're right in both respects. Lady and Inti are excited to see you!"
The Grovyle stepped back and gestured for Koji to come in. The Greninja walked inside before looking around.
"That's great! Now, let's see. Where are my good friends hidi—?"
Lady shot over like a Thunderbolt and buried herself in his chest. "KojiKojiKojiKojiKoji! I missed you so much!"
"Lady Luck! Ahahaha! Missed seeing you around too!" the Greninja laughed before patting her back with his webbed hand.
Inti lumbered to the door and grinned. "Koji, I'm glad to see you! Thank you for coming all the way from Stonethrow to visit."
"Inti! How've you been? Come here, big guy!" the Greninja remarked before waving for him to join in.
The Druddigon hugged Koji from the side so as not to interrupt Lady's time with him. He then pulled away slowly. "Things are going well, I suppose. Life in town has been… an adjustment. But it's been enjoyable."
"Life here is so great! And it's even better now that you're here too!" his wife squeaked before disconnecting herself from the frog as well. "I'm so excited to introduce you to our new friends!"
Koji looked over at Ivan, then to Galena, who was finishing waddling over. He chuckled. "New friends? Hope you aren't replacing me."
"We would never do such a thing," Inti remarked before gesturing to his teammates. "Koji, this is Ivan and Galena. They've been helping us acclimate to our new situation."
The Goodra smirked. "Nice to meetcha. Inti here's been talking you up all morning."
"Yeah, we're happy to have you, Koji!" the Grovyle remarked. "In fact, we made some lunch, so you're welcome to join us if you're hungry."
The Greninja perked up. "Wow, I didn't think I'd be getting VIP treatment. Sure, the walk from Stonethrow to here is enough to make anyone hungry!"
The five moved to the table. Each Pokémon took their seat, with Koji sitting beside Inti and Lady and Ivan beside Galena. Everyone began to scoop helpings of entrees and salad onto their plate, the food quickly disappearing from the bowls and trays. Lady's portion was substituted for some sliced Mago berries. Each glass was filled to the brim with ice-cold lemonade.
As Ivan finished retrieving his portion, he eyed Koji across the table. "So, Koji, you said you're from Stonethrow too? Are you also Wildborn?"
The Greninja grabbed salad from the bowl with some tongs before nodding. "Oh yeah, we're from the same area, but I know more about town life. My mama is Wildborn, but my mom was from Arelport."
"That's where my mom is from! Though my dad came from Lovor to Florei Valley, and they met in Arelport. Eventually they decided to settle down here," Ivan remarked with a nostalgic gleam in his eye.
"Just like how Inti and I came here to rescue!" Lady added before gasping and turning to Koji. "Maybe you could live in Florei Valley with us! That way we can see you all the time!"
Inti frowned as he looked tenderly at his spouse. "Dear, while I would enjoy that as well, it would be quite an imposition. Although now that I think about it, the rescue organization was accommodating enough to offer us a place to stay, even a small sum of plates to get started…"
"That does sound tempting," Koji said, stroking his chin. "I'd love to see more of you both, but my roots are in Stonethrow, and I still help out our little community there. Especially my mama."
"No need to worry, Koji! We'll love you no matter how far apart we are!" she assured with a confident flap.
Galena crossed her arms and leaned back. "If you ever change your mind, town's pretty nice, as someone who moved here recently. Hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you call my gal pal 'Lady Luck?'"
"Oh! It's because of her name, of course. But also, it's because Inti's a lucky, lucky guy!" Koji said, gesturing to her and sitting up straighter. "She's one heck of a woman. I'd love to meet someone like her one day, a beautiful bug-type… another reason to stay in the wilds, heh. To find my insectoid soulmate! What I'd give…"
The Goodra shot Inti a sideways look. "Riiiight. Different strokes, I guess."
"Aaaanyway… Koji, while you're visiting, why don't we show you around town?" Ivan asked, changing the subject.
The Greninja's eye shimmered with anticipation. "If you'd be willing to go through the trouble, sure! I've always been the curious sort. Especially about all the things civil Pokémon have."
"That's a great idea, Ivy! Showing Koji around would be so much fun!" Lady enthused.
Then it's settled!" Ivan said before wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Once we're done lunch, and we've had our fill of Galena's famous cookies, we'll get going!"
Dozens of Pokémon walked the plaza, scattered in loose groups or as stragglers. The area was lively, though much quieter than it was during the Starfall Ball. There was ample space for shoppers to breathe and look at the many different signs, posters, and banners advertising the thriving stores.
Brightscale and their Greninja guest walked along the stone bricks, looking at the many stores and restaurants.
Koji's jaw dropped. "So these are shops. My mother had told me so much about them! I never thought I'd see so many in one place."
"You're certainly in luck! Florei Valley is as famous for its shopping scene as it is for its rescue scene!" Ivan remarked proudly, before tapping his chin. "Though now that I think of it, maybe it is more famous for shopping… oh. Well, that might disrupt my entire worldview."
Inti raised a brow. "Er… Regardless, it is something to get accustomed to. The biggest difference between civil and wilderness life is the overwhelming convenience and choice."
"It's wonderful! I love it when my hubby and I spend the day walking here!" Lady squealed. "I'm sure you'll love it too!"
"It is grand—even more than I could have expected. Can you find anything you want here?" their friend mused aloud.
Ivan bobbed his head. "Pretty much. Anything you can think of, and almost everything is of great quality. There's nowhere in Celestica that beats the variety and craftsmanship here!"
"You don't say… I can't wait to see all those great things!" Koji said with a look of anticipation.
His gaze swept over a stretch of shops, each with its own niche—a potter's workshop with a Heatmor blowing fire over a vase, a produce stand with a Girafarig sorting vegetables, and a jeweler's stand with a Carbink modeling glinting gems for customers. The Greninja's good eye sparkled with wonder.
"If you need groceries, bakeware, or earplugs to tune out Ivan's rambling about books, you come here," Galena joked. "Although I can't tell you how many times I've nearly gotten lost."
Ivan rolled his eyes. "I don't talk about books that much… but Galena's right, everywhere you look there's something new to find."
He then looked around, scanning the shops as well. But his attention shifted not to a shop, but a striking blur of colors in the corner of his eye, primarily a rich purple. A look of pleasant surprise washed over his face.
Ivan turned to see a familiar sight—an older Garchomp woman with glasses and precisely applied makeup.
Thresha wore a pink sleeveless blouse that flowed down until it reached her stomach, slightly exposing red and yellow scales. A long blue skirt with white floral patterns covered her lower half. On each side of her head hung a pearl earring, matching her treasured necklace.
What caught the Grovyle's eye next was a Pokémon next to her.
A Charizard man walked with her and laughed. The dragon wore a navy bow tie and a snug blue button-up shirt that only slightly covered his round orange belly. A pair of glasses sat on the bridge of his snout below his deep blue eyes. His face was time-worn and wrinkled, but his soft gaze and smile conveyed that time had been kind to him.
Ivan threw a hand up to wave at Thresha. "Ms. Garnett, is that you? Over here!"
The Garchomp stopped in her tracks, then craned her head toward the Grovyle.
"Oh. Hello Mr. Drakonov. I was not expecting to see you today," she greeted stiffly as she eyed the group. "I hope you have been well. And out of trouble with AIRTA."
Ivan nervously smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "O-Of course! I've been dotting my I's and crossing my T's, just like my dad would."
"You must be Ms. Garnett! You gave Ivy another chance! It's lovely to meet you!" Lady squeaked as she looked at the imposing but dressed-up woman. "You're so pretty!"
Her Charizard companion grinned. "Isn't she? She's a very fine woman, a catch, as you might say." His voice was breathy and whispery, but warm.
"Oh, w-why thank you," Thresha uttered as she looked between Lady and the Charizard. She blushed and fought a smile creeping onto her lips. "I put extra work into my appearance for my date today."
Her posture relaxed as she motioned to the dragon next to her. "Speaking of which, I realize that I have not properly introduced him. This is Fernando Torres, one of AIRTA's most trusted accountants. And a man I have been seeing for a few weeks now."
"And what a nice few weeks they have been," the Charizard remarked before adjusting his shirt's collar. "For such a fine woman, I wanted to look my best. It is not every day I break out the bow tie."
Lady's eyes glistened. "Awwww! You two make a great couple!"
"Damn, good going, ma'am," Galena said, crossing her arms. "Landed yourself a guy who can appreciate ya. If only all of us women had your luck."
"Yes, congratulations. It is nice to see two Pokémon showing each other their best selves, " Inti added.
Thresha's look of happiness solidified. "I appreciate the kind words. Dating is typically a younger woman's game, and one I did not know well, so your support is encouraging… Mr. and Mrs. Springs, I presume?"
"That's right! They weren't with us last time, though" Ivan said before gesturing to the Druddigon and Beautifly. "Ms. Garnett, meet Lady and Inti!" He then moved his hand toward Koji. "And this is Koji, a friend of theirs. He's visiting."
The Greninja waved. "Hello, madam! Might I say your attire, especially with your accessories, is lovely! I wonder if all civil women wear such fine jewelry…"
"Thank you… My, I seem to be popular today," she said before breaking out in raspy laughter.
"I'd say you deserve it, especially after our last encounter," Ivan complimented before displaying his scarf to her. "And since last time, a lot has changed! We've rebranded to Team Brightscale! You were right that day, Nightscale's history preceded it. But now we're a new team with a clean slate and amazing Pokémon aboard!"
Thresha studied it, then chuckled. "Yes, Mr. Drakonov, I am well aware of the change. I oversee all team affairs, do you not recall? However, know that it is a change I very much approve of. It is a relief not to see the name 'Nightscale' on my desk anymore."
"We'll keep working so you'll never have to compare us to its previous members!" Ivan remarked, proudly putting his hands on his hips. "But in any case, it's great to see you! We probably shouldn't keep you from your date any longer."
Lady waved to her. " Nice to meet you both, and good luck to you!"
"Yes, best of luck Ms. Pearls… I mean, Ms. Garnett," Koji seconded, though instead of looking the Garchomp in the eye, he stared at her necklace, his lone eye fixated on it and glittering.
Thresha tilted her head. "Right… Thank you all again."
"It was very nice to see you all," Fernando remarked before taking his date's claw and looking into her eyes. "And thank you for letting me carry on with this lovely lady here."
The two turned and began to walk to another corner of the plaza. The Garchomp blushed and stared at Fernando dreamily as they disappeared past a small crowd of shoppers. Brightscale and Koji proceeded in the opposite direction, closer to the storefronts they had viewed earlier.
"That was a cool surprise. Good for them!" Galena said.
Ivan nodded. "Yeah, it was nice. Especially since we've seemingly won over Ms. Garnett."
"And she's won over someone who likes her!" Lady enthused before perching on Inti's head. "They remind me of how Inti and I were when we started dating!"
The Druddigon's cheeks reddened as well. "I suppose they do have a similar affinity for one another. I remember my darling and I sharing compliments like they were. Although, we of course did not have their concept of fashion."
"Fashion… yeah, they were dressed pretty nicely," Koji murmured before looking at Ivan. "Where do you find pearls like that woman had? Are they common?"
The Grovyle shrugged. "Probably not. The Isle's been pretty heavily regulating Cloyster fishing lately. We could look at a jeweler's stand, but it might cost a good bit of money."
"Oh… I was kind of hoping there'd be someone giving them out. I really want to experience what makes civil life so interesting," he explained with a frown. He then shook it off. "But hey, no worries. I'm sure there are plenty of other neat things around."
Lady's antennae rose. "It's okay Koji, you can use some of my money if you find something you like! If it's okay with Inti, of course. I don't really use it."
"Er, that would be fine, but I'd want you to use my savings instead. So long as the item is not too costly," the Druddigon offered.
Koji's expression brightened. "Thanks, Inti, Lady Luck. You guys are great friends."
"Anytime, Koji! We love you!" the Beautifly squeaked.
The Greninja grinned before turning to the shopfronts ahead. He and the team were approaching the pottery shop, a brick structure omitting a front wall to reveal the Heatmor's workshop. Kilns and workbenches lined the back walls, while a counter and tables in the front held many colorful glazes pots, vases, and sculptures.
Koji carefully studied each piece, his jaw dropping lower and lower. His eye landed on a shining cyan vase adorned with the painting of a Butterfree.
He turned to Inti and looked at him eagerly. "I've never seen anything like this before. And the woman on the vase is gorgeous. At least I'd like to think it's a woman. Would it be alright if we bought this?"
"Oh… of course, Koji. Let me just look at the price," the Druddigon assured. He took a tag hanging from the neck of the vase between his claws. He turned it over and squinted before gritting his teeth. "Two hundred plates… that is quite expensive."
Galena rolled her eyes. "It's nice, but no way I'd pay that."
"I'm sorry, Koji," Inti said as he met his friend's eye. "I would love to gift you this, but I'm not carrying that many plates. Perhaps the next time you're in town, we'd get it."
The Greninja stared at the ground. "Oh, yeah. No worries big guy. Next time…"
"Is everything okay, Koji?" Lady asked, her eyes filled with worry.
He looked up and gave her a half-smile. "Oh, don't worry about me, Lady Luck. Just a little disappointed. In my part of Stonethrow, many of us pool our resources and give to those in need. Blankets, food, clothes, you name it. I guess things work a little differently here, that's all."
"I see your point. Sometimes nice things are really pricey," Ivan admitted before raising a claw. "Maybe a vendor will give out a commemorative pamphlet or button. Something like that."
"Uh, yeah, that'd work too, I guess," Koji remarked, looking away from the Grovyle and toward the vase again.
Its glaze was so lustrous and pristine that he found himself staring at his reflection, both Greninja with a sullen, yearning expression.
"I'm sure we'll find something Koji! For now let's focus on having fun with all our friends!" Lady encouraged.
Koji snapped out of his trace. "You're right, it'll still be a great time. Let's uh, keep on moving!"
"Sounds like a plan! There'll be plenty of souvenir shops and whatnot to check," Ivan said before starting to walk away.
The rest followed, with Koji trailing Lady and Inti in the back. He turned one last time to the vase.
Suddenly, a serious and thoughtful look appeared on his face. He rubbed his chin, then opened his mouth.
"Uh, hey… I'm going to see if I can find one of those public restrooms I've heard so much about," he announced, not looking at any particular Pokémon.
The Grovyle craned his neck around. "Sure, go ahead! There should be one somewhere nearby. Just come find us when you're done!"
"Thank you. I'll be back," Koji said before beginning to creep away. As he turned to head in another direction, he stared at the pottery shop.
His good eye glowed with determination.
The sun hung high in the azure sky, well past its apex but still promising plenty of time in the day. Brightscale and their guest were circling the plaza, having found themselves in its southeast corner. Four of them held ice cream cones, the treats tall, swirling, and slowly melting in the mid-afternoon heat.
Lady was still perched atop Inti's head, her proboscis lowered into some of the liquified cream in her husband's snow-white treat. Once she finished her sip, her proboscis coiled. The Druddigon reached up with a napkin and wiped its end.
"This is delicious!" the Beautifly squeaked with a flap. "Casteliacones are wonderful. Just another delight town life has to offer!"
Koji swallowed a bite of his pink ice cream before exhaling in satisfaction. "I've got to admit, the food is pretty great. My mama would always do her best, but there's only so much you can do with raw ingredients and a bonfire."
"Well you can't diss your mom's cooking," Galena remarked before taking and swallowing the last bite of her green dessert. "My bro did that once, and oh boy. After the chewing out he got, he never complained about a meal again, even at restaurants."
Ivan wiped red cream off his snout with a napkin. "I bet this makes you feel better about earlier, right Koji? Nobody can be upset while eating a Casteliacone."
The Greninja's eyes darted side to side. "Oh, yeah, it's all good. Besides, I appreciate the little trinket you found for me that they were giving out."
Koji opened his free hand, revealing a customized pen. It had a picture of a bashful Spinda and a red-and-blue-feathered bird Pokémon in a cavalier hat. The words 'Satou Inn' were engraved on it.
"It's… something, alright," he muttered.
"By the end of the day, we will find you something better than an advertisement you can write with," Inti assured.
Koji averted the Druddigon's gaze and began to murmur to himself. "Yeah. Though that issue may be already resolved…"
"Did you say something, Koji?" Lady asked, looking at him tentatively.
He wrung his hands. "No, no no! I didn't say anything. Nothing weird whatsoever."
"Uh huh," Galena muttered as she tilted her head. "Speaking of weird, are you feeling okay dude? You took that one bathroom break, but you went back twice already."
Koji's eye widened. "Uh… yeah, it's nothing! Just wanted to find which ones were the best. Yeah, that's it."
"As long as you're okay, we're all good!" Ivan said as they sidestepped a small group of visitors. "It's your first day here, wouldn't want there to be any proble—"
"I implore you to understand, it was with me just minutes ago! It is too important to me to have been lost out of carelessness!" cried a familiar, growly voice.
Thresha was standing with Fernando a short distance away. But instead of facing her date, she faced some other familiar figures—a Mr. Mime and two Meowstic, each with a maroon sash.
"So you suspect it was a theft, madam?" Chastain asked, writing something down on a notepad. "Did you notice anyone suspicious?"
The Garchomp threw out her clawed arms. "Yes! There was a shadowy Pokémon nearby before it disappeared! It must have been them!"
She sniffled before a lone tear ran from her yellow eyes and down her scaly cheek.
As the group approached Thresha, Fernando, and the enforcers, Ivan raised a hand high. "Uncle Chester? Thresha? What's going on?"
As they came closer, Sasha rolled her eyes and groaned. "Great, onlookers here to pester us while we investigate. Can't people mind their own business?"
"No need to complain, Deputy Nikolev. They could help us," her boss lectured before turning to his godson. "Ivan, my boy, it seems we've met at a troubling time. This woman here claims to have been robbed of her pearl necklace! Not only that, shopkeepers in the district have also reported similar thefts. It is a shame. Crime has been low in the area lately, with rescue teams like yours out and about."
Ivan sighed. "There are always exceptions, sadly. Do we know anything else?"
"No, nothing," Psymon said, shaking his head. "Nobody we've spoken with caught a good look at the perpetrator. They must have been swift and subtle."
"Clean getaway, huh? That can't be good. Must be dealing a real slick crook," Galena groaned.
"I-I understand that it would be quite difficult to find them, but c-can you please try to help me?" Thresha choked out as she wiped running mascara off her face. "As you know, that necklace was a precious gift. I cannot bear to lose it."
Ivan stood tall. "We'd be happy to help, Ms. Garnett! " He turned to the rest of his group. "That is if it's okay with everyone."
"Taking down another no-good thief? Count me in," Galena said with a grin.
Lady raised an arm high. "As long as Koji doesn't mind, I don't mind!"
Everyone's eyes shifted to the Greninja. He blinked, then twiddled his fingers around his Casteliacone. "S-Sure, we'll look for the culprit. Whoever he may be…"
"Thank you, truly," Thresha said with a heavy exhale. "I would be willing to offer a reward for its return. I would be quite saddened to lose it permanently."
Fernando reached over and took her claw in his hand. He smiled at her, which caused her posture to lift. They stared into each other's eyes, and the Garchomp returned his expression.
"Don't worry, ma'am. We're pros at handling outlaws. We'll bag that criminal, easy as my mom's Pecha pie," Galena assured.
Chastain gave them a thumbs-up. "That's the spirit! My deputies and I will stay here and search the plaza. I have confidence you'll turn back up with a lead. After all, you're my nephew's team… and guest! Drakonov leadership will surely prevail."
"We won't let you down!" Ivan said before turning to his companions. "We'll split up to cover more ground. Inti, you can come with me. Lady, you can search with Koji. And I guess that leaves—"
"Me by myself," Galena sighed. "Oh well, I needed some me time anyway."
"At least you'll be with goo-d company! Get it? Like good company, and you're a Goodra?" Chastain said before letting out an awkward laugh. When no one reciprocated his amusement, he cleared his throat. "Anyway. Best of luck to you all!"
"Yes, I truly hope you find something, but whatever you do, prioritize your safety," Thresha added. "Who knows what this criminal would do if caught."
Ivan pumped a fist and looked the Garchomp in the eye. "Not to worry—Brightscale is on the case!"
Thanks as always for youngmanymca on PMD Fanfiction, AO3 and FFN for beta reading!
This story point is a little bit of a stop before things get really good, I feel, so keep your eyes peeled! Though in the meantime I hope you enjoy meeting Koji and catching up with other familiar characters. This will wrap up in part two, which will come very soon!