Two hours later, Ethan was sitting alone in the lobby of the Police Station waiting for some answers. Max had been booked, brought in, and was in the process of being interrogated as to the reasons for his crimes.

  He’d already filled out his end of the police statement, filling in details such as Smeargle’s greatball serial number, what time Smeargle left the ranch, what Smeargle was sent to do, and some personal information of his own. Occasionally, someone would pop their head into the lobby and give him some updates. They were trying to be considerate, but most of the information given was useless. ‘Jennifer is still talking with him.’ Yeah, thanks for that valuable bit of information…

  All of his pokemon were still in their pokeballs—Even Smeargle, who had eventually calmed down enough to want to be returned. He was about to find an officer to ask if he could release a few of them when the lobby doors awkwardly bulged open as a very floofy pokemon pushed its way inside. “Swine swine….”

  Ethan watched the large brown Piloswine sniff the floor, its two tusks scrapping the black and white checkered linoleum with the action. The poor thing didn’t even look like it could see, as its long shaggy hair was swept over its eyes. There were some murmurings of conversation outside the now open doors, but Ethan didn’t get the chance to parse it out before the Piloswine paused and turned its head to face him. “Swine!”

  The four foot tall hump of wooly brown surged toward him while letting out small oinks of joy. Confused, Ethan just stared at the pokemon until it decided to nuzzle his legs. “Swine! Pilo-pilooo!”

  “Well, hello?” Ethan awkwardly began to pet the pokemon, who continued to croon in joy.

  “He’s been wanting to see you again.” The unmistakable voice of Cynthia called out as she closed the doors. “Hello, Ethan. It’s good to see you again, but I wish the circumstances were better.”

  While he wasn’t too surprised to see Cynthia around, as he was sure whatever happened regarding him was instantly passed along for her to hear. What was surprising was to see his very first customer. “Oh! It’s you! You’ve evolved!”

  Rapid awkward nods and several soft oinks followed, and Ethan lost the awkwardness of giving the pokemon rubs. “I’m gonna need to give you another tutoring session when you’re ready to evolve again!”

  Cynthia took the seat next to him without a worry. Like normal, she wore her customary black clothing. “Can you even tutor Ancient Power?” She asked with some mirth.

  Ethan shrugged. “Won’t know until I try.” After a brief pause, he continued. “So, why are you here?”

  Cynthia flashed him a knowing look, her blonde hair draping over her shoulders from the movement. “To support a friend in a trying time.”

  “Well, then,” Ethan said, finishing with his love rubs to Piloswine. “Support me by getting me some information. I've been sitting here for two hours and I’ve learned jack-squat.’

  Cynthia threw his shrug back at him. “Not much I can do. These things are a process. So, his old trainer?”

  Ethan sighed and slumped over to rest his upper half on top of Piloswine, who seemed to plop down on the floor to become his pillow without a care. “Yeah… But, like, why? They parted on what I would call agreeable terms. It wasn’t even Smeargle who wanted to leave! What could have gone through his head to think that what he did was okay?!”

  Ethan looked around to make sure they were still alone in the lobby, as his voice had risen in anger without much thought. “From what I know, he was a good trainer. Just because he got stuck on Gardenia’s gym badge doesn’t mean he can just steal back his old partner…”

  Cynthia hummed as she internalized some of the details Ethan shared. “I’m going to make an educated guess and assume that Smeargle was his cash-flow pokemon?” When Ethan didn’t answer, she straightened up in her seat a bit and flashed him a raised eyebrow. “Cmon, Ethan… I saw what pokemon he had on his team. I can guess what Smeargle’s job was just from the names.”

  “What…?” Ethan murmured as he thought about Max’s team. “His team? Max has a Gardevoir, Salazzle, Lopunny, and Vaporeo—Oh my god! NO!”

  “Ethan! Don’t sit there and tell me we have to have this kind of talk!” Cynthia basically barked as she laughed at his expense. “I’m willing to bet Lucian’s Elite Four spot that Smeargle painted Max’s pokemon so he could sell the paintings to earn a living while on his journey.”

  While not a peruser of… that kind of art back on Earth, Ethan didn’t live under a rock. He knew things… Max had visited an art store for supplies, presumably for Smeargle to paint him some stuff to sell—Tasteful, innocent stuff, he hoped. Was all of this just about money?

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Can you even bet Lucian’s spot like that? Didn’t he earn it?” Ethan asked to change the subject.

  Cynthia saw through his ruse quickly, but let it go with a wave of the hand. “He’d thank me for it. It’d be like a vacation for him. So, money earner let go because he thought they were the weak link. Next, they struggle and end up broke, then they come crawling back. Sadly, this isn’t uncommon.”

  “I don’t give a shit about his reasons.” Ethan cut in, slightly heated. “I care about what he put Smeargle through. Smeargle loved that man and he threw all of that away for a quick fix of money. Imprison! He used Imprison so Smeargle couldn’t teleport away! He’s a fucking idiot and he better hope I don’t see him anytime soon.”

  After a brief moment of silence, Cynthia snorted. “I don’t think I've ever seen you mad before.”

  “I don’t get mad often, but when I do… Let’s just say I am the type to hold a grudge.” Ethan remarked, just as one of the many officers who’d been ‘keeping him updated’ poked their head into the lobby.

  “Jennifer will be out soon. They finished up a minute ago.” The officer said, before dipping out as quickly as she came.

  “Speaking of, Joyce said she was coming by to talk once her shift was over. Should be anytime now.” Cynthia said, causing Ethan to tense just a tad. It was like a hawk finding prey, as Cynthia latched onto the subconscious action. “Oh?”

  “Don’t wanna talk about it.” Ethan immediately bit out.

  And speak of the devil, just then, the doors to the Police Department lobby opened up. Joyce walked in dressed in her uniform from work with a face full of worry and a quickness to her step. It was apparent to Ethan that she wasn’t worried about the conversation they needed to have, but for Smeargle and his terrible situation. “Oh, Ethan. I’m so sorry. I wish I could have done more…”

  Ethan shrugged, cause… What were you supposed to say to that? “Smeargle’s alright, that’s all that matters to me. Thank you for coming.”

  “Of course I’d come! What else are friends for?” She instantly replied…

  Like deja-vu, Joyce’s mention of being there for her friend—him—made him think about his relationships with those that he knew. Joyce… Joyce was a friend. Her small stay at his ranch cemented that to him. The whole therapy business wasn’t warranted, but it was coming from a good place within her heart (if she had anything to do with it.)

  But, Cynthia? Could one be friends with the champion of the region? Most of their conversations had been about business or knowledge coinciding with his origins. Which, to be fair, was a valid point of concern for her. He lived in ‘her’ region afterall. But were they friends?

  They could be… but maybe they needed a bit more time together.

  “By the way, I’ll need you to visit my ranch sometime in the coming weeks with Garchomp.” Ethan said as Joyce inspected Piloswine who was still chilling on the floor in front of him.

  “Okay.” Cynthia easily replied, not bothered in the least.

  “Okay? Don’t you want to know why?” Ethan asked.

  “Am I going in my capacity as Champion?” She eventually asked, after a moment of thinking.

  “No.”

  “Then it’s fine.”

  …..

  Well, that was easier than expected. Hopefully Garchomp will enjoy the fruits of their labor. Shuckle worked hard on his juice! The Enigma Berry Brew should be ready then? He wasn’t quite sure, but if not, then that's why he said a few weeks.

  Right when Joyce was about to sit down next to Cynthia, the door leading towards the back opened up and Jennifer strolled out with her cap underneath her armpit as she combed her fingers through her hair. She looked thoroughly tired, and he wasn’t going to blame her. Getting your day upturned by the guy who you went to spy on out of the blue was a once in a lifetime deal.

  After a sigh and a stretch, she finally turned to face their small group, stilling like a mouse who’d seen a predator. It didn’t take a giant leap of the imagination to wonder why she had that reaction. “She’s here as my friend. No need to worry.” Ethan said, as if that answered the millions of questions undoubtable storming through Jennifer’s mind.

  “Jenny.” Joyce said… with some distaste?

  “Oh joy, a Joy.” Jennifer mumbled, before catching herself and flicking her eyes toward Cynthia who wore a simple, knowing smile.

  Ethan coughed to break up whatever was happening between the J’s. “So, what’s the news?”

  Jennifer replaced her cap and straightened up, most likely because she wanted to look professional in front of Cynthia. “Mr. Reclant claims he found Smeargle walking down Pici street and believed that their prior relationship would mean that Smeargle would be willing to do him a favor. The favor being as I suspected, painting. When Smeargle did not want to help, as he was busy on your errand which was time sensitive, he used his Gardevoir to imprison Smeargle and coerced your pokemon into helping anyways. I found your Silph Co bag and trainer ID in his possession. You can pick them up before you leave.”

  Jennifer continued on. “We’re going to treat this as an unauthorized possession of a registered pokemon, unlawful confinement of a sentient pokemon, abuse of move privilege, and coercion of a pokemon—The former classified as forms of theft and the latter breaks the Pokemon Welfare and Protection Statutes. Charges will be filed against Mr. Reclant by the state. Did you and your Smeargle want to press civil charges? Have you talked about any of that yet?”

  Surprised by the severity, Ethan shook his head. “No. Sorry.”

  “Not a problem. If you two decide to press charges, just come on by and we’ll get that sorted out. Now…” She flicked her eyes toward Cynthia for a brief second. “I do believe you owe me some answers? Or maybe you’d want to meet up another time? It’s late.”

  “Tomorrow?” Ethan asked. He did owe her for what she did tonight, and he was a man of his word.

  “Tomorrow then. You’re good to go from my end of things. Unless you have more questions?” Jennifer finished, sensing his answer. “Then have a good night… and I’m sorry for my previous actions against you. Late apology, but… Things are making more sense now.” She tilted her head toward Cynthia, and Ethan grew confused.

  “Yes, yes, yes. I exist,” Cynthia prattled as she stood. “Cmon Ethan, let’s go grab Jessie and James. They’ve been sitting outside this whole time. I’ll take you home.”

  Joyce stood alongside Ethan and as they made their way towards the exit, she leaned in to whisper. “I’d like to speak with you tomorrow as well. It’s important.”

  Ethan nodded. They did need to have a talk. Joyce gave him a smile and a small shoulder squeeze as she passed.

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