Someone's Monologue

...They kidnapped someone again...

...Two of them this time? A boy and a girl, poor kids...

...Wait...that's...this can't go on...

...They were calling someone...who was it?...

...Archer?...Let me contact him then if he's here...

...Can't go on, my Telepath's range is limited...

...Yes, thank be to Arceus...I've found him...

...I have to hurry...

...Archer...Please Wake up...

...Meet...me...at...the First Shop.......

...Fuck me?!...

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Meet the weirdo at the clearing entrance? Why should I listen to him in the first place? That sounds really...suspicious.

Archer was on his way to the Police Force to report about Kenneth's situation while thinking about the strange voice last night. He was full of doubts, especially with all the missing cases nowadays, it might just be a psychopath who wanted to lead him to a lonely place and butcher him.

The low snarl of a striped, orange dog or tiger interrupted his thoughts.

Growlithe Height: 2'04" Weight: 41.9 lbs. Type: Fire

Description: A Puppy Pokemon

A Pokemon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.

Ability: 1st (Intimidate)

2nd (Flash Fire)

Hidden (Justified)

Weakness:

Water

Ground

Rock

Strength:

Grass

Ice

Bug

Steel

No Effect:

None

ERROR! Evolution

Arcanine

(from Growlithe)

Via

Fire Stone

The puppy Pokemon kept on growling as it saw him approaching. Armed with fangs and claws, it was in a leaping stance, as if threatening him.

Is this a restricted area? Maybe some big hotshots are inside their office right now? It's description says it does not move unless the Trainer tells them to do so, fuck, I am being willfully attack by someone! Wait, why do I feel like I am weaker? Is it because of its ability? Hmm, is it intimidate? I don't know about Justified and Flashfire, but intimidate makes sense.

Archer let Girana out and stood still as it settled on his head. Still watching the aggressive Pokemon, he equipped the metal bat he found at Kenneth's house this morning. "Girana, do you think we can defeat this Growlithe?"

...Me perhaps...Master don't know...

"Hmph. I'll whack this whelp if it dares to attack," he snorted loudly, thumping the bat on the ground, but his shivering hands betrayed him. "Be ready to do what I told you earlier if you notice any sudden movement from it."

...Yes...master...

Archer cleared his throat and shouted, "Hey Police Officers! A Growlithe's going berserk here and wants to turn us into dog food. Stop it right now or don't blame us if we hurt it as we defend ourselves!"

The only answer he could hear was Growlithe yapping at them, its eyes now blazing red. It tread forward, one, then two steps when a fiery ray from its mouth blasted toward Archer.

Archer barely dodged the fire attack as he scuttled to the left and picked up pebbles on the ground. It seemed annoyed as its bark got shrillier, and sprang as it bared its fangs. He almost dropped his bat at the unexpected assault, and ran away from the rampaging Pokemon while hurling the pebbles at it. It winced in pain as one of the things he threw struck its nose.

He paced toward the forest clearing as he saw the stunned Growlithe, not forgetting to pitch some stones as he dash.

It roared in agony as its face and snout were hit. Shaking its head, it sprinted as fast as it could, its gleaming canine teeth bared for all to see.

Archer was now resting his back on a tree trunk, his eyes quavering as he gawked on the rushing tiger. He could even detect its spittles as it hungrily pounced. When it was about 2 meters away, he mustered his strength, wore his eyeshades and hopped back while facing the predator, passing through the tree as he shouted, "Girana, Flash!"

Girana appeared from the ground as it emitted bright lights from its body, dazzlling the frantic Growlithe. The tiger was forced to close its eyes, blindly leaping until it crashed against the tree. Tumbling down, it whimpered in pain as it sprawled on dry soil.

Archer took advantage of the situation and circled around. He swang the bat as hard as he could, beating the Pokemon with an intention of immobilizing it. Growlithe screamed as red blood oozed from its mouth but Archer was not satisfied. "Girana, use Slash."

...Yes...master...

Girana was about to slash against Growlithe when a spout of water rushed toward the Ghost Pokemon. It noticed the sudden attack and turned around, hitting Girana's shell. Dripping wet, it screeched and dived into the earth, leaving the the turtle assailant bewildered. A Pidgeotto snatched the bleeding Growlithe as it went inside the Police Station

Archer was about to throw a pebble when he felt someone grabbed his shoulders.

"That's enough. Don't be excessive," the cold voice warned. "And call your Pokemon. Tell it to stop."

Archer gulped as he saw the Squirtle sprinted back inside their headquarter. He didn't even noticed someone was prowling behind him. Realizing that this person was an expert, he complied and called Girana to come out.

Girana emerged just infront of him, its wings fluttering as it leered at the mysterious person.

...Master...me can feel...he very strong...

"Could I turn around now?" Archer asked as he calmed his nerves.

A minute had passed before the icy person replied, "Yes."

Archer saw a brown-haired, strapping man glaring at him. Broad-shouldered and tall, the guy could easily snap him into two if he wished it. Sporting a sleeveless shirt and blue jeans, he was the definition of a rugged man.

A military guy, perhaps?

He backed out a bit as his other hand still gripping the club. "Now what?"

The brute guy flexed his muscular arms across his chest, glowering as his brows furrowed. "You've been excessive."

"Excessive?" Archer looked behind as he pointed with his thumb. "What about that pup? Was it not excessive?"

"It just protected its territory."

"What? The territory that you're talking about is meant to be visited, remember, it's a Police Station, for God's sake," Archer reasoned out. "And I already shouted for someone to help me but nobody replied."

"But it was already incapacitated. You didn't have to attack it with your Pokemon," the guy retorted. "That's why, for me, it was plain excessive."

Archer gave a snort of derision. "And how did you think it would act if I was successfully caught by that Pokemon? Would you also think that it was excessive if he tore my flesh with its fangs?"

The man stopped for a bit, as if considering something, and answered, "Growlee will never do that. it is a trained Pokemon."

"And how will I know if your Growlee is a 'trained' Pokemon? Who knows if it was a Pokemon gone berserk, I'd not risked my life."

"Still, it was excessive for you to do that. You could have killed a public servant."

"A public servant that assaults an abiding citizen like me? That's nonsense," Archer refuted. "Wait a minute, who are you anyway? You've been defending my assailant like you're his father."

"Yes, I consider them all my children." He hesitated for a moment before intoducing himself, "My name's Ehveret Lee, the Deputy Director General of the Cinnabar Police Force."

Archer was getting annoyed hearing Ehveret's static voice, which reminded him of a robot. "Well, uhm...Sir Ehveret, may we continue our arguments later?"

"Why?"

"I'm hungry."

_______________________________________________________________________

"You can really eat...far greater than I can do." Ehverett scooped up a spoonful of sorbet and ate slowly. "Not greater than my Snorlax, at least."

Archer belched, his belly bulging as if it was about to explode. "Can't you just act surprise for once? As if a smile would kill you, Sir Ehveret."

"No."

"As expected."

"Did anybody ever told you that you are rude?" Ehveret asked.

"A lot, Sir."

"i'm a Police Officer. Aren't you afraid that I'm gonna arrest you for disrespecting one?"

"Yes, I am afraid of getting in jail." Archer offered another apple to Girana, now swaying in delight. "But I'm a law-abiding citizen, Sir Ehveret. I never did anything that is worthy of punishment...or arrest for that matter. And you're on vacation, anyway."

"What if I will just make things up, you know, plant evidence against you?" Ehveret asked.

"I know you won't." Archer quickly responded.

Ehveret paused for a bit before asking, "Why are you so sure of it?"

"Because you're a good guy."

Both of them were silent, each minding their own business as they remained sitting.

The quietude lasted for just five minutes before it was broken by Ehveret's icy voice. "So what did you want to tell me?"

"Oh, yeah. I want to report about a missing kid." Archer pulled out a framed photo from his bag and showed it to him. "Here is his picture. The name's Kenneth Smith."

"What? The kid at the Millan Mansion?"

"I don't know if we are talking about the same mansion but it's located at the far-end side of the town, eastward." Archer continued on his story. "You recognized him?"

"Yeah, this is exactly him. What is your relationship with the kid?"

"I'm just a...friend." Archer then recounted everything that happened from the time they met at the Agora Market to the day Kenneth was turned missing.

"I see. I'll make a report case about it. Could you join me at the Police Station?"

"No, I can't," Archer rejected. "I have a Job interview at 11:00 AM. It's almost 10:30 AM, I couldn't afford to be late."

"And may I know where would it be?"

"At the Pokemon Research Institute." Archer answered.

"Okay. Please drop by at the Police Station after you're done with your interview. We would like to hear your statement." Ehveret demanded as he stooped down to fix his shoes before standing.

"No problem, Sir Ehveret."

________________________________________________________________________

"Am I late?" Archer panted as his face turned beet red. "Please tell me I'm just on time."

"...Huh?!" The good-looking man beside him, maybe in his 30s, shook a split second before returning his attention to his notebook of some sort.

Archer did not mind the fellow's weird actions and bolted to the information desk. Asking if the interview for the Research Assistant had started already, the receptionist fortunately said no and readily gave him directions as to where the test would take place.

"Ah, thank God I'm here."

Archer wasted his time by reviewing his notes until he saw a man with an easy gait of a noble.

"Hello everyone. Welcome to the Pokemon Research Institute. Congratulations for being chosen as one of the candidates to be an Assistant of the Skill Department. I am Mr. Frank Furtido, the Chief Head, and today, I will be your proctor, and there's a five panel judges appraising you. What we are looking for is a person who has a 'brilliant mind' and a 'wild imagination'. Regardless of what you look or where you're from, you will be hired as long as you exhibit those qualities that I have told you earlier.

There will be two sets of exams: the Simulation and the Battle Royale.

Simulation Exams are used to evaluate your 'wild imagination' in creating combination skills. As the name implies, it involves a lot of simulations creating new sets of power that involves different sets of Pokemon, of course, in Virtual Reality. You will be given your own team, and it is up to you to model a skill that you think can impress us. Remember, you will be assessed based on the following criteria: Power (25%), Appeal (25%), Innovation (25%), and Usefulness (25%).

Battle Royale, on the other hand, are strategy-based tests that involves you and your actual Pokemon, and how you coordinate with the other Pokemon. In short, every examinees will be taking the exam simultaneously. Do not worry, your Pokemon might get hurt but its life will not be in danger. I don't care who among you would be your leader but you need all the cooperation you can get, because you will be fighting against a powerful team.

Winning does not mean everything. What is more important for us is how you 'do' the exam.

We'll be giving you 30 minutes to study your refresher. Good luck."

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CHAPTER 16: THE SIMULATION EXAM

CHAPTER 17: RECIPE FOR DISASTER (1)