Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story

Chapter 11: Armageddon pt5

                After a long silent walk down the corridor, we finally emerge back into the ruins.  Interpol swarms the ruins, blocking off the area with police tape, carting in forensic equipment, and clean up materials.  Among the crew, a large bearded man dressed like a blue pirate stands, arms crossed, with a big grin on his face.  Jess sees him and stops.  He waves for us to come over.  Jess hesitates, but then walks toward him.

                “Ahoy, matey!” he says loudly.  By the way he speaks, I assume he is this Archie guy we talked to yesterday.  “Good to see ye in one piece!”

                Jess nods.  “Thank you, sir,” she says.

                “So, I need yer report, matey,” he says.

                “Oh, right,” Jess says, looking a bit nervous.  “Well, you see…”

                I look behind me and see Darius disappear behind a corner.  I follow him and find him struggling to take a Pokéball from his pocket without dropping Pachirisu.  I help him and take the ball from his pocket.  Darius sighs.

                “Thanks,” he says.  He looks pretty bummed, but it is understandable, given the circumstances.

                “Where are you going?” I ask.

                “I’m going to the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town,” he says.  “I’m giving him a proper burial.”

                “I’ll go with you,” a voice says from behind us.  I look back and see Jess standing there.

                “Thanks, Jess,” Darius says, “but I need to be alone.”

                “What you need is a friend,” Jess says.  “It’s not up for debate.”  She pulls out Articuno’s ball and releases her.  “Come on.  I’ll take you to the tower.”

                A tear rolls down Darius’ cheek and he nods.  “Thank you,” he says.

                Jess and Darius climb onto Articuno.  Jess looks back at me.  “Will you be okay?” she asks.

                I nod.  “Yeah, there’s something I need to do before leaving.”

                Jess nods.  “Okay, we’ll be back for you.”

                They take off, leaving Jaws and I behind.  Jaws tugs at my shorts and I look down.  He shrugs, looking confused.  I pat his head.  “It’s okay, they’ll be back,” I assure.  “Come on, buddy.  We have some business to tend to.”

                We go back to the scene.  Medical personnel are carefully zipping Cole’s body into a large black bag.  An Interpol officer picks up his satchel.  I rush over to the officer.  “I’ll take that,” I say.

                He looks at me.  “And who might you be?” he asks.

                “I’m Crono,” I say.  “I was Cole’s friend.”

                “His belongings are to go to his only known living relative,” he says.

                “Please, sir,” I say.  “Allow me to take it to them.”

                “That’s against protocol,” the officer says.

                “Please!” I beg.  “I owe it to him...”

                The officer looks at me, sighs, and hands me the satchel.  “Her name is Karen.  She lives at 113 Mareep Road in Violet City.  She’s his daughter.”