"We are members of the Neo Team Aqua".
The Aqua grunt, now freed from the psychic grip, straightened his uniform.
"We aren't that criminal organization anymore."
The other grunt chimed in,
"Exactly! Our current goal is to protect the marine environment and tackle the industrial pollution humans leak into the sea. Our operations have been officially recognized by the League!"
The two Mightyena let out a couple of supportive barks.
Kashiwagi looked skeptical.
"For real?"
"Of course it's real!"
They looked genuinely insulted.
"If you don't believe us, go ask Officer Jenny at the station. She knows all about us."
"Fine by me",
Kashiwagi agreed. He nudged the two unconscious imposters on the ground with his boot.
"In that case, you guys can do the honors. Let's all take a trip to the station."
The two grunts exchanged a glance, gritted their teeth, and nodded.
"Fine! But let me make a call first!"
One of them turned away, pulled out a phone, and spoke rapidly.
Kashiwagi sharpened his hearing, he heard the man contacting his superior, referring to her as "Lady Shelly".
He reported that the thieves who had been knocking people out and stealing items had been caught.
Shelly?
That was one of Team Aqua's high-ranking admins.
They really were the real deal.
Kashiwagi had half-suspected these two were in cahoots with the ones on the ground, only playing the "good guy" card because they saw how fierce his Chansey was.
Now, it seemed they were actually legitimate.?
Still.., calling Officer Jenny was the safest bet.
He had actually dialed the police quietly while they were talking.
The dispatchers likely already had a patrol unit heading their way.
Sure enough, just as the grunt finished his call, the wail of a siren echoed in the distance.
The two Aqua members flinched instinctively, looking ready to bolt, but when they caught Kashiwagi's knowing smirk, they froze.
"Sorry... old habits",
one muttered awkwardly.
"No worries, no worries",
Kashiwagi said brightly, patting Chansey's head.
"Even if you run, you won't outrun telekinesis."
The Aqua grunts fell silent.
They wanted to argue, but remembering the feeling of being frozen in mid-air—and looking at the deceptively gentle-looking Chansey
"..."
So they decided to keep their mouths shut.
Officer Jenny's motorcycle screeched to a halt.
Seeing two "Aqua members" on the ground and two more surrounding Kashiwagi, her expression hardened.
"Freeze! Put your hands in the air!"
"Awoo! Awoo!"
Her Growlithe leaped from the sidecar, barking fiercely.
The Intimidate ability made everyone's heart skip a beat.
The two Mightyena whimpered and took a step back.
Kashiwagi raised his hands naturally, followed by Chansey, though her tiny arms made the gesture look rather comical.
The Aqua grunts raised their hands with a sigh,
and their Mightyena, after a stern look from the Growlithe, rolled onto their backs.
"..."
After backup and an ambulance arrived, Officer Jenny reviewed Kashiwagi's ID and listened to the recording on his phone.
"They're just asleep,"
Kashiwagi reminded the officers as the imposters were loaded onto gurneys.
"Make sure they don't slip away when they wake up."
"Don't worry, we'll keep a close eye on them."
Jenny handed back his ID and gave him a formal salute.
"Thank you for your bravery, though next time, please don't take such risks. Notify us and let the professionals handle it."
"Understood."
Kashiwagi used the opportunity to ask,
"Officer Jenny, did Team Aqua really get League approval to become a legal environmental group?"
"It's the Neo Team Aqua,"
she corrected.
"And yes, they are a registered non-profit now."
"Uh, is there a difference?"
"The name is different."
"..."
Seeing her say it with such a straight face, Kashiwagi decided not to press the issue.
Cleaning up the ocean, huh?
Maybe they're planning to kidnap Suicune to use as a giant water purifier.
The two Aqua members were taken in to give statements, but Jenny stopped Kashiwagi from following.
"No need for you to come to the station. Stay here and enjoy the bonfire. The Neo Team Aqua is actually the main sponsor of the event."
"Eh?"
Kashiwagi was startled.
A Team Aqua party?
Is this going to be like the St. Anne incident?
A trap?
"Don't worry, we'll be patrolling the perimeter",
Jenny said, as if sensing his unease.
...
As night fell, the beach was lit up by colorful lanterns.
Stalls were fully open, drawing in the crowds.
Kashiwagi watched from a distance, still not entirely trusting this "Neo Team Aqua".
He wanted to see for himself if they had truly reformed.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
It was a reply from Lyra.
Lyra:Did you mug a wild Sableye?
Kashiwagi:...Do I look like that kind of person? It was a gift! We're friends, okay?
(He attached a photo of Sableye trading Pokéblocks with the Aron.)
Lyra:I knew it! You scammed it! With Pokéblocks!
Kashiwagi:...Can we have a normal conversation for once?
Lyra:Just joking! Tee-hee~ (^_−)☆
Kashiwagi:Auntie, how old are you? Flirting with a minor?
Lyra: ...
Lyra:WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!?!? (Followed by five angry emojis and a barrage of incoming call notifications.)
Kashiwagi ignored the calls and typed: Just a joke! Didn't mean it!
Lyra:You definitely meant it! I hate talking to brats like you!
Kashiwagi:My apologies. Can we get to the point now?
Lyra:Hmph! That black iron box is likely a data recorder for some kind of machinery. I don't know the specifics yet.
Lyra:And I checked the stone, it's definitely Steelixite. I can't see the gems clearly, your phone's resolution is too low. Mail them to me, along with the Mega Stone.
Lyra:I'll cut and polish them for you. Don't want you ruining them with amateur tools.
Kashiwagi: You got it!
If Steven Stone trusted her, Kashiwagi did too. He found a post office in town and packaged the items.
"Next-day delivery?"
the clerk asked.
"Yes."
"That'll be extra. Wingull feed isn't cheap these days."
"No problem."
Kashiwagi paid the fee.
Companies that used Dragonite as couriers were rare;
most relied on Fearow or Pelipper, but even then, the price for speed was steep.