DPA: Rivals

Chapter 10: The Curious Incident Of The Poliwag In The Night Time Part 4

"Sir, we believe we've tracked Project Genetic's location," Ariana said, holding a small hand computer. "We've traced its energy signature to a point in Pewter City."

Giovanni just nodded silently. It had been six months since the incident on Cinnabar. He had begun to fear that his multi-billion yen project simply wasn't viable for extended periods of time. It would've been a catastrophic financial blow. Fortunately, there was still time to minimize the losses.

"Send a team of grunts to Pewter City to do some recon," Giovanni ordered.

"We will be met with resistance by the local authorities," Ariana replied. "The Gym leader there still refuses to work with us."

"That shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to include some mischief in the orders. I'd rather they think we are just doing some petty thievery than for them to catch on to our true intentions."

"So, be observant, collect intelligence, under the guise of unorganized tomfoolery?"

"Exactly."

"How far could Poliwag have even gone?" Daryon asked, his feet sore from several hours of continuous walking through the forest.

"The problem is, we don't know which way it decided to go," Cameron replied. "It could take us days before we even start moving in the right direction."

"Days?" Max began to panic. "Anything could happen by then!"

"It's not going to take days," Skye said, putting a hand on Max's shoulder. She shot an irritated glance at Cameron, who shrugged. "Poliwag will be fine, and we'll find it soon."

ZZRT.

Daryon, Cameron, and Skye whipped around, Pikachu, Mudkip, and Dratini leaping forward towards the source of the electric buzz. A small, red chunk of metal, levitating off the ground, in a peculiar shape, began to shake.

"Eek! I mean no harm!" came a cry from the unidentified floating object.

"It can't be," Skye whispered, before slowly stepping forward. "Hey, Rotom," she said, louder. "I see you're lost."

"Skye, what is that?" Daryon asked, confused.

"It's a Rotom Dex. Max and I used to see them all the time back in Alola. These Ghost type Pokémon, Rotom, they like to inhabit Pokédex. But I don't understand what this one is doing here, in Kanto, thousands of miles away."

Daryon, Cameron, and the Pokémon lowered their guard. "Sorry about the sudden attack mode," Daryon said with an embarrassed laugh. "I guess this forest is just putting us on edge."

"I understand," replied the Rotom Dex. "My name is Pokédex Model. V1Nc3, but you can call me Vince."

"Nice to meet you, Vince," Daryon said, extending a hand. Vince stretched out one of its small red metal appendages, the equivalent of an arm, and "shook" Daryon's hand.

"What are you doing so far from Alola?" Skye asked.

"My trainer and I traveled to Kanto in order to participate in the Pokémon League at the Indigo Plateau. Unfortunately, she decided that I was more of a liability than an asset, and she relieved me of my role as her Pokédex."

"She abandoned you," Daryon said, his mood shifting.

"In simpler terms, yes," Vince replied, his sadness conveyed surprisingly clearly on his digital display.

"That's awful," Skye said, holding a hand to her mouth.

"It's terrible!" Daryon kicked a piece of wood, furious. "Trainers are responsible for keeping their Pokémon safe and loved, not ditching them in the middle of a forest when they don't want 'em! This lady doesn't deserve the title of trainer!"

Skye took a step back, stunned. She didn't realize how deeply Daryon cared about all Pokémon .

Cameron placed a hand on Daryon's shoulder. "I agree, what she did was sick, but there's nothing we can do about her right now. Let's calm down." Daryon looked back at Cameron, turned back to Vince, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Well, Vince, you're free to stick with us if you want. Unlike her, we won't abandon you."

"I do not want to be a burden," Vince muttered.

"Are you kidding? You're a talking Pokédex!" Daryon looked up at Vince and smiled. "You're amazing!"

"Are you-BZZT-sure?"

"Of course!" Daryon, Cameron, Max, and Skye said in unison. Even Pikachu, Mudkip and Dratini joined in with little cries of acceptance.

"Okay then," Vince said, floating closer to the group. "Where are we going?"

"We're looking for my Poliwag," Max said, his attention having shifted back to his aquatic little friend.

"Well, Poliwag aren't native to this forest, and all Pokémon give off distinct heat signatures," Vince said, spinning a whole 360 degrees, taking in the details of the environment that surrounded them. "Tracking a Poliwag should be easy. I would just have to lock onto Poliwag's specific body temperature, and, given that Poliwag is cold blooded, means it would be relatively close to that of the surrounding forest."

"Please!" Max cried out. "I need to find my friend!"

"I understand," Vince replied. "I just need to float above the trees and get a good view of the forest."

"What did I tell ya, you're awesome!" Daryon said with a massive grin.

Vince smiled shyly.