Chapter 89: The False Lead

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A Lugia Air plane from Goldenrod City landed at Ratchapruek City International Airport. Lien didn't pass through security. Her Charizard took off directly from the back door of the plane as soon as it opened. The heat that immediately smothered them was stifling. A concrete jungle, criss-crossed by mighty rivers and coloured by the roofs of vibrant temples, stretched out as far as the eye could see. Charizard headed for the skyscrapers on the horizon. A Trainer passed on a winged Pokémon that Lien had never seen before.

The traffic below barely moved. Horns beeped. Lien was glad she wasn't stuck in that. There was no time to waste. Multiple tourists and a taxi driver reported seeing the man on the 'most wanted' posters.

The din of the massive city enveloped Lien and Charizard as soon as they descended. Every vibrant street was discernible now. Pedestrians dodged the motorbikes and Pokémon skirting around the congested traffic on the pavements. Scents of spicy and smoky street food wafted from stalls. An old man by a tuktuk waved hopefully to Lien as Charizard swooped over his head. They landed on the street leading to the city's most famous landmarks: an ancient temple, opulent palace and the Pokémon Gym, which had to be one of the most intricately and beautifully decorated Gyms in the world. Tourists flocked there just to take photos on the steps.

It was the palace that Lien headed for. The line for entry stretched halfway around the grounds. Tourists glared at Lien when she skirted around them to the entrance for locals, because she was clearly a farang like them, but the staff examined her International Police badge and let her in.

Charizard took off to scan the complex from above. The vibrant walls, roofs and chedis were so stunningly beautiful that Lien couldn't resist snapping a quick photo. Charizard returned in minutes. It led her to a quiet corner of the grounds in the shadow of a golden dome. A man in a leather jacket, platform boots and tight black jeans, covered in buckles and chains, photographed the gem-encrusted doors of another temple. His Toxtricity feebly fanned itself with a cheap fan from a souvenir stall. A Lucario argued with an Arcanine. It seemed to be blaming Arcanine for making it hotter.

Lien cracked her knuckles. She took handcuffs from her belt in silence. Then she took a deep breath and approached the man. She spoke Kantonian.

'You are under arrest, Volo Lucine.'

He jumped. 'Gosh, you made me jump. What was that...?'

He replied in Galarian. Lien forced herself not to roll her eyes before repeating herself.

'You are under arrest.'

'What?'

Her eyes narrowed. She showed her International Police badge. He understood exactly what that was, but he didn't even try to escape the handcuffs. He looked too confused to move.

'You are under arrest for–'

'What? I'm sorry... you lot speak Galarian, don't you?'

The more he said, the more Lien noticed that his Galarian accent was flawless, as if he was indeed born and raised there. For all the International Police knew, he lived multiple lives in Galar. Had it been so long that he forgot his mother tongue? She switched to Galarian.

'I'm sure you still understand Kantonian.'

'Oh... that's what you were speaking. Sorry. I only speak Galarian and what little Kalosian I remember from school. What have I done wrong...?'

'You are under arrest for attempted world destruction, damage to space and time and aiding Team Plasma.'

He blinked. 'I... I'm not being funny, love... but you've got the wrong bloke. I've no idea what you're on about.'

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