After the concert, the bustling venue gradually quieted down.
Dapple the Farfetch'd absently twirled the leek in her wing, lost in thought until Ray Chu gently snapped her out of it. She glanced toward the stage with a hint of disappointment. Lala the Jigglypuff, whom they'd befriended earlier, had already returned backstage.
"Of course we can't see her from here," Ray Chu remarked. "But we can sneak backstage—she's probably still there."
Dapple hesitated visibly.
"It's just to say goodbye to our new friend." Ray Chu hopped onto the railing and extended a paw toward her.
Dapple's tufted crest bobbed decisively, and she reached out to grasp Ray Chu's paw.
But when the two finally slipped past security and infiltrated the backstage area, they discovered chaos awaiting them.
Staff rushed about frantically, shouting Lala's name.
Ray Chu exchanged a worried glance with Dapple, and together they raced toward the performer's dressing room. Inside, the scene was complete disarray, clearly indicating a forced entry.
A hunch tugged at Ray Chu's instincts. Pulling Dapple aside, he ducked into a nearby cabinet, watching carefully through the slits.
Outside, a severe-looking woman in professional attire adjusted her glasses coldly. "Still no contact with Miss Lala?"
The subordinate before her bowed deeply, sweating profusely. "No contact yet. Our deepest apologies!"
"Inform the police immediately, but handle this discreetly—this must not leak to the public."
Soon after, Officer Jenny arrived from the local precinct. After examining the scene thoroughly, she confirmed gravely, "There's clear evidence of forced entry. Judging from these signs, it must be the Pokémon Bandits—a gang that wanders from city to city, stealing valuable Pokémon from Trainers. I never expected them to target someone like Miss Lala. Rest assured, we'll issue a city-wide alert and bring her back safely."
The bespectacled woman firmly shook her head, her tone commanding. "Public attention is unacceptable. Our company will handle this internally. Your job is simply to assist us."
"But—" Officer Jenny began, only to be interrupted by the woman handing over a phone.
"It's the Chief Inspector," the woman said flatly. "Officer Jenny, please cooperate."
"Yes… understood," Officer Jenny reluctantly replied after taking the call. "I'll do my best to assist, but—"
The woman had already turned away dismissively, her high heels clacking sharply as she exited.
Moments later, a helicopter landed nearby, unloading several black-suited operatives—clearly seasoned Trainers. One released a Kadabra and commanded, "Kadabra, use [KINESIS]!"
As the company's prized asset and top celebrity, Lala naturally had a tracking device implanted for emergencies. Normally, such devices weren't used, as monitoring Pokémon celebrities would cause a massive public backlash. But extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures—psychic abilities would pinpoint her location discreetly.
The fox-like Pokémon with a mustached snout calmly raised its spoon and closed its eyes. A faint white glow flickered, and the spoon suddenly bent sharply eastward.
"This way!" The black-suited team instantly mobilized, summoning Flying-type Pokémon and swiftly taking to the skies.
"What an arrogant bunch," Officer Jenny muttered under her breath. She looked down, startled to find a Pikachu and a Farfetch'd at her feet. Kneeling gently, she stroked Pikachu's head, smiling reassuringly. "Worried about Miss Lala too, little guys? Don't worry—I'm sure she'll be safe."
Ray Chu scowled darkly and lifted a small sign: [Hands off my head!]
Officer Jenny gasped, astonished. "A Pikachu…that can write?!"
If you knew I could talk, you'd really freak out, Ray Chu thought. He urgently tugged at her hand, pointing insistently at a nearby corner.
"What's this?" Officer Jenny crouched, picking up a thin green strip from the floor. She held it up to the sunlight and took a cautious sniff, her eyes widening. "This seaweed wrap is definitely from Old Samba's sushi place. Nothing else has this unique deep-sea scent."
But why would sushi seaweed be here, where Lala vanished? Perhaps another performer dropped it?
Officer Jenny's eyes flashed with insight. She hurriedly questioned each of the backstage performers, but no one had ordered or eaten any sushi recently.
"So this was probably left by the kidnappers." Having found her clue, Officer Jenny sprinted toward her police motorcycle outside. Just as she mounted it, the bike suddenly sank under added weight—Ray Chu and Dapple had confidently climbed aboard behind her.
"You two… Fine! But when we reach the scene, you absolutely must follow my instructions." Officer Jenny revved the throttle, and the motorcycle roared forward at breakneck speed.
With astounding skill, Officer Jenny barreled through intersections, running red lights and weaving through traffic. Within ten minutes, she skidded sharply to a stop outside a seaside sushi shop.
Instantly, she leaped off, slamming open the door dramatically. "Old Samba! Any suspicious customers lately?"
Several bald-headed Squirtle happily munching sushi seaweed rolls jumped in shock upon seeing Officer Jenny. Immediately they scattered, bolting chaotically through a side window.
"Don't let them escape! Arcanine, pursue!" Officer Jenny quickly summoned the majestic Pokémon, who barked sharply before launching forward. Moving swift as wind, Arcanine effortlessly cornered the fleeing Squirtle against a low wall.
The Squirtle, backs pressed desperately to the wall, attempted tough expressions and empty threats. But a loud sneeze from Arcanine was enough to send them all shrinking timidly into their shells.
Officer Jenny, Ray Chu, and Dapple rushed over, taking in the scene with satisfaction. "Great job, Arcanine! Keep them cornered!"
Running away at first sight, and found at this suspicious location—clearly, these Squirtle knew something critical. They might even be the culprits themselves.
Still, Officer Jenny couldn't help but wonder: why would Squirtle, one of the beloved starter Pokémon so cherished by Trainers, resort to a life of crime?
---
T/N: SQUIRTLE SQUAD SQUIRT SQUIRT i love squirt le