Chapter 13
"A Missing Trainer's Pokemon"
The day after the attempted bombing of Philippine Airlines Flight 434, we still remained on the island of Okinawa now wondering how an explosive Golem managed to get onto the Boeing 747. It wasn't a matter of how it got on, we knew that. But it was a matter of how the Golem got into Team Rocket's possession and for that matter, Ramzi Yousef's possession.
Since the Pokemon used in the bombing was a rock type Pokemon, there was no better way to start off the investigation than by heading to Pewter City, on the southern tip of Japan. Many rock type Pokemon trainers resided in Pewter City, so it also wouldn't be easy for us to find specialists in rock Pokemon.
"Well, who do we start with first?" my dad asked.
"Take your pick," I replied in a sarcastic tone. "There's gotta be someone who had a Golem stolen from here."
Walking into the medium sized city at the foot of a giant boulder, we scoured around for any rock type Pokemon trainers in distress, asking for a missing Golem or just withholding information that was meant for law enforcement. Finally, we saw what appeared to be a poster of a Golem hanging on a telephone pole.
"Hey, look at this," I called to my dad and Lucy. "This might be our first clue."
The poster read that the Golem was stolen on December 8th and that if anyone were to locate it, the Golem was to be returned to the nearest Pokemon Center. December 8th was three days prior to the attack on Philippine 434, so it happened not too long ago.
Stepping into the Pewter City police station, we came across an officer Jenny who was somewhat taken aback by our presence.
"Um, can I help you?" she asked nervously as we confirmed our identity through our badges.
"The badges speak for themselves," my dad answered. "We're investigating the possibility that a Golem was taken from here four days ago."
The Officer Jenny looked at us and then suddenly felt like she was expecting us…somewhat to an extent.
"Surely you must be aware somewhat?"
"Yes, a Golem was reported missing four days ago. Did you find it?"
With solemn looks, we gave Officer Jenny our answer.
"Is it a Golem that uses self-destruct or explosion as attacks?"
"Yes."
"Then, we're sorry to say that the Golem is dead."
"Dead? How?"
Reaching into the briefcase, I pulled out a picture of the dead Golem's foot in the main cabin where it exploded.
Jenny gasped and developed a horrified look on her face.
"Oh, no!"
"Oh, yes, I'm afraid. The Golem was used in a bombing attempt of the Philippine Airlines jet off the coast of here."
Jenny then proceeded to her desk and picked up the phone, leaving us wondering whom she would be calling so soon.
"Yes, they're here, Brock."
"Brock? The Pewter City gym leader?" Lucy remarked. "What does he have to do with this? You don't think that…"
…
Sure enough, a few minutes later, a dark skinned man with short brown hair entered the station. He had a solemn look on his face which meant that the Golem was most definitely his.
"The Golem is dead, isn't it?" he asked, almost as if he knew that the Golem was already dead.
"Are you Brock Pewter?" I asked back to which he nodded silently. "Then, we're sorry to say that your Golem is dead."
"I should have known," he sighed walking back towards the door of the station. "It was only a matter of time."
"A matter of time? What do you mean, Brock?"
"Team Rocket attempted to break into the Pewter City Gym to steal my Pokemon almost two years ago," Brock explained, gesturing us to sit down next to him. "When I heard about what happened in New York, I knew immediately that they were seeking one of my Pokemon that had the ability to explode."
That brought us right back to the World Trade Center bombing, meaning that Pewter City gym was the prime target for an explosive Pokemon not considered an electrical type.
"Brock, how many Pokemon do you have use self-destruct or explosion as an attack?" Lucy asked.
"Golem was the only one," Brock answered, sitting down and rubbing his fingers in his hair. "I've only used it a few times in the gym battles and actually managed to win a few, but that was it. I can't believe this."
"All we can say is we are sorry, Brock. The only thing we have left of it is it's right foot."
Brock then developed a look of hatred on his face, almost as if a line had been crossed. Then again, Team Rocket wasn't known for respecting the boundaries of other trainers when all was said and done.
"At least I can have it buried in the back of the gym," he sighed. "Cremate the rest of it and return the ashes to me if you can."
Of course, that was easier said than done.
"As of right now, Brock," I said. "Your Golem is evidence in a federal investigation. Until then, it has to stay with law enforcement."
Although it was against his better judgment, Brock relented and allowed the Golem's leg to remain as evidence in the investigation. It didn't feel right, but it was our job in order to keep the investigation relevant.
"So, that was interesting," I said as we left the Pewter City police station. "Telling a trainer we can't give him his Pokemon back."
"Still, it makes me wonder," replied my dad. "If there were other trainers in the area that have explosive Pokemon that are rock types. Team Rocket will go after any Pokemon that explodes, regardless of type."
"Whom do you think?"
"Might as well start looking around."
So, that's what we did and the answers we would get would be sort of a mixed bag, to say the least.
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