An Offer You Can't Refuse

"There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full." - Henry Kissinger

Ash

Security found me in the middle of practically turning the ship upside-down. After apologizing for the disturbance I'd caused and explaining myself, they said they'd be on the lookout for a lost Pikachu. Since no one else had reported missing pokemon or anything unusual, all anyone can do is keep searching. As the hours passed, afternoon slowly turning to night, it became painfully obvious that Pikachu isn't here.

I don't know what time it is, but sleeping is impossible when I'm this wound up. I came out to the deck, hoping the fresh sea air would clear my head, but that's not working either. I lean against the safety bars, staring out at the sparkling ocean, the distant horizon, and once again think over everything that happened before Pikachu went missing. There was the lifeguard who wouldn't let him swim. That woman who took him to be tested for the virus. The short man with the odd-tasting punch. For some reason, those three stick out in my mind. Stranger still, I've asked about the woman, but no one knew who I was talking about. She and those two men seemed so familiar though. The lifeguard with the shaggy pale blue hair. The woman with the magenta hair that looked like it would be pretty long out of its bun. The short man with the high, scratchy voice-

I groan. After years of dealing with Team Rocket's various disguises, how is it that I still can't recognize them? I bet that stuff Jessie said about the virus not affecting pokemon until later was made up too. Man, I'm such an idiot!

"Ash? I thought that was you!"

I jump. I was so busy berating myself, I hadn't noticed anyone approach. A woman walks up to me and props one elbow against the bar. Her waist-length black hair blows in the sea breeze. Her dark green eyes are the kind that really bore into you, but the smile on her thin lips is kind, familiar. Seeing Vivian Ketchum (whom I'd dubbed "Aunt V" back when I was too young to pronounce her name) is an unexpected sight but always a welcome one.

My smile is only a little forced. I push some stray hairs out of my face, wishing I'd put on my hat before I came out here. "Hey, Aunt V." I give her a hug. "I didn't expect to see you here."

She pulls back and fixes the neckline of her pastel yellow shirt. "I know the captain. Plus, my team thought that I should take a break. I said no, but then, well." She looks down at her leg. A bandage is wrapped tightly around her calf. "I guess that's what happens when you try to wrangle a sickly Rattata after going three days without sleep and running on nothing but coffee and willpower."

The laughter that bubbles out of me feels good after the day I've had.

"When I heard you were back in Kanto, I made sure you got a ticket as well. Of course, I okayed it with your mom first." So, that's where the ticket came from. "Now, what's up with you? It's been so long since I've seen you in person. You used to be shorter than me!"

I laugh again, just noticing that I have to look down to talk to her. "Guess I kind of shot up. So, how have you been? You must be pretty busy, right? What with everything going on."

My aunt is a researcher, specializing in the biology of pokemon. Since the disease - dubbed "Poke-X," according to the internet - started spreading, she's been the head of the research behind it. Hence the Rattata bite, I suppose.

"Things can be hectic, yes," she says. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. See, in order to understand the virus, we need to understand the pokemon and exactly how they're affected by it. How it alters their behavioral patterns and causes a spike in aggression and what have you."

"That makes sense," I say, only half-understanding.

Aunt V smiles patiently. "I'll just cut to the chase. Seeing you again isn't the only reason I got you that ticket. I was also hoping to recruit you."

I blink, thinking I misheard. "I'm not really a science guy."

"I'm not asking you to be. What I need is a strong trainer, someone who's good with pokemon. You've been all over the place, done all sorts of things since you started your journey." She puts her hands on her hips and smirks. "Don't tell me all that stuff about meeting Legendaries and winning the Alola League is a lie."

Grinning despite myself, I bashfully run my hand through my hair. "Alright, you got me. But, what would I even do?"

The way she speaks makes me think she practiced her response. "Simple. Whenever there's a sighting of an infected pokemon, you and the others - you didn't think I'd send you out there alone, did you? - would go find it then bring it right back to base. The scientists handle the rest. Of course, you'd have to stay with me in Lavender Town, but I'm sure your mom won't mind. Oh!" She snaps her fingers. "One other thing. You would have to keep all your pokemon in their pokeballs while on the premises. You wouldn't want to risk them getting sick." Before I can say anything, she puts her finger to her chin and squints at me. "Speaking of pokemon, I'm seeing a distinct lack of yellow. No Pikachu tonight?"

My joy at seeing her again fades. I tell her about the employee who took Pikachu for testing and my own suspicion that she was actually part of Team Rocket. This leads to me explaining how those three (four if you count Jessie's Wobbuffet) have been after Pikachu for years. Throughout my story, Aunt V has a hand to her cheek, listening intently and nodding occasionally, a thoughtful expression on her face. It feels good to tell someone about this.

When I'm finished, Aunt V drops her hand. "It sounds like that Pikachu has been a lot of trouble for you. Maybe it's good that Team Rocket finally succeeded."

Anger burns in my chest. My aunt has never been known for her tact, and I'm used to her saying whatever she's thinking. Still, I can't stop my hands from shaking and curling into fists. "It's not like that."

Her eyes widen as she realizes what she said. "I-I'm sorry. That didn't come out right. I just meant that you won't have to worry about them anymore, you know?" When that fails to make me feel better, she nervously twirls a lock of hair around her finger. "I just worry about your safety. You're my nephew, and I hate to think of you dealing with criminals all the time."

My temper finally cools. "I know, Aunt V. I just get upset when people talk bad about my friends, especially Pikachu."

She nods, her worried frown now a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure your Pikachu's fine. It probably got away and is still hiding somewhere on the boat. Or, maybe it got confused and started following some other teenager around."

Neither of those scenarios sound like Pikachu, but I'll take them over the alternative, whatever that may be.

"Anyway," she continues, "this just circles right back to what I was talking about. You know a lot about pokemon. You've dealt with them every day since starting your journey, and I know you've played with them before that. I really think you'd be an asset. And, I'm sure you'd get along great with our other field workers. So, what do you say? Wanna help us figure out the Poke-X virus?"

I stare down at my sneakers, thinking. Any other time, I'd say yes right out of the gate. It breaks my heart to think that pokemon are suffering, killing themselves and each other over something they can't control. I'd give anything to stop it.

Anything except…

"What about Pikachu?" I ask. "I want to help; you know I do. But, if Pikachu's not on the ship… Aunt V, what if he shows up in Vermilion City, and I'm not there?"

Aunt V hums and tilts her head. Then, she claps her hands together. "Okay. You know the gym leader, right? Lt. Surge?" I nod. "We'll just give him our cell numbers, and he can keep his eyes open. Maybe Nurse Joy, too. And, maybe we'll give them the number for HQ as well." She leans in eagerly. "Would that work?"

"Well…"

She puts a hand on my shoulder. "Your Pikachu wouldn't want you to waste time moping, would it?"

True.

"What's worse: one missing pokemon that's fine on its own or the potential for hundreds, if not thousands, of pokemon to lose their lives?"

I flinch, and she drops her hand. Factually, she has a point. Pikachu can take care of himself, and there are so many sick pokemon who can't.

But, what if Pikachu becomes one of- I can't let myself go there.

"How about this," I say, considering. "I'll come to Lavender Town and help with your research. But, I want to stay in Vermilion City for a few days in case Pikachu shows up. Sound good?" And, I can call Mom, Brock, Misty, Professor Oak, and Tracey and have them keep their eyes open as well.

Aunt V grins and nods. "Yes, yes, of course! That's more than fair. Oh, this is gonna be so much fun!" She clears her throat and dons a serious expression. "I-I mean, this is very important work, and I'm glad you're taking part in it." Then, she smiles again. "But, I really am looking forward to spending time with you. I've missed you."

"Me too, Aunt V."

I smile back, but I can't match her enthusiasm. I want to believe that Pikachu is still on the boat or is at least waiting for me in Vermilion City, but something in my gut is telling me that's not the case. I finger the single pokeball strapped to my belt: Pikachu's pokeball.

Buddy, wherever you are, I hope you're okay.