Prologue
Location: Kris' house, New Bark Town, Johto
"-reporting live from northeastern Sinnoh, where a terrible tragedy has claimed the lives-"
"-murder of three people, including a researcher employed by the Pewter Museum of Science-"
"-a Pokémon worshiped in many cultures as the spirit and symbol of environmentalism, enlightenment, purity and grace. Many have lost faith-"
"-that a Pokémon would be capable of such monstrosities. We interviewed an expert from-"
Kris, a 17-year old girl from New Bark Town, kept flipping through the channels, barely paying attention to the fact that every channel seemed to talk about the same thing. She had dark, frizzy hair and a pale complexion, looking as if she hadn't been properly fed and kept in a windowless room for most of her life.
Even in her dingy, windowless basement room, Kris could still hear the muffled shouting of her parents, prompting her to turn up the volume. A reporter was talking about a triple homicide case in Sinnoh. Kris was more interested on what was behind her, however: the beautiful scenery from Route 224, with flowery meadows, grass fields, sandbars and the ocean all blending together. Kris could almost cringe – it would still be six weeks before she would get her Pokémon and get out there.
At least, that was what Professor Elm had promised her. And what he had been telling her for the past four months, but there always seemed to be someone who needed a Pokémon "more urgently". Even now, Kris' old classmates Lyra and Ethan would no doubt get theirs first – and knowing them, they'd probably take the remaining Pokémon with them just to spite Kris. Given how much of a pushover Johto's regional professor was, it wouldn't even be hard.
Kris focused on the news again: the reporter, Gabby Daniels, was interviewing a tall, nervous-looking guy in a brown trench coat.
"Detective Looker, International Police. What do you respond to the allegations that this triple homicide was the work of a famous legendary Pokémon?"
Looking at the guy, Kris wondered if his codename was supposed to be ironic. Not only that, but his voice was high and nasal, which made you expect him to shout out "Go-go gadget hippie clubber" at any minute. On top of that, he had a strange accent and an even stranger way of speaking:
"It is within possibilities," Looker responded while wiping his forehead with a tissue, "but we, the International Police, globe-trotting fighters of the crime, wish to keep our investigations a secrecy."
"…what?"
"The possible involvement of the Suicune has yet been confirmed also. Thus, we wish not to discuss our matters in the face of the news coverage population."
Her senses sharpened, Kris flinched and turned up the volume. Suicune was behind that? Looker's little twist on the language didn't exactly make it clear.
"…I think he's saying he can't tell us anything for sure… Detective, what can you-"
"I cannot provide you with more responses," Looker said with finality, "but we recommend viewers to be vigilant of the Suicune. We suggest against communication with people obsessed with the legendary, also. The International Police wishes to warn to steer clear of said perverts."
Kris looked around her room. Wherever there was enough room, there was a Suicune poster, most of them painted, with many people having different interpretations of the graceful, blue Pokémon. Maybe I am a little obsessed, Kris thought, but since I know I'm obsessed, I can't possibly be considered mentally ill or anything. Right?
On the news, the reporter still tried to make Looker answer some questions, but neither she nor Looker seemed to understand each other, leading to lots of yelling and arm-waving. Eventually, Gabby stopped trying to hound Looker and turned to the camera, regaining her professionalism.
"In any case, this event, if the rumors are true, is the first unprovoked act of Pokémon violence towards humans since the brief but disastrous Pokémon-Human war forty years ago. It should be of no surprise that many are left wondering – has it started again? This is Gabby Daniels, Jubilife TV."
Kris turned off the TV and turned to look at her calendar, surrounded by more Suicune posters as well as pictures of famous Pokémon trainers. Only 39 days to go… only 39 days to go… and when she would finally get her Pokémon and get out of the basement, she would find out what really happened.
Location: Route 224, Sinnoh
After finally shaking off the reporters and cameramen, Looker sighed and sat on a large white rock. With no trees or houses around, there was no way to escape from the sun. And yet, Looker refused to take off his trench coat, preferring smelling like a locker room to abandoning his classic look.
Relaxing, Looker took a deep breath and relaxed. Looking around him, he couldn't help but lamenting the fact that this natural paradise had to be tainted by this incident. With the Wingull screeching and the waves crashing on the background, it was the perfect relaxation spot, no signs of civilization to ruin it – except now, with all the tire tracks coming from the numerous police cars… as well as a luxurious red Porsche that Looker hadn't noticed before.
Standing next to the Porsche were two men. A young, tall blonde guy wearing a purple scarf and a bandanna was looking around the area calmly, his arms folded over his chest. His companion, a brown-haired guy wearing what looked like a purple magician's outfit, complete with a white cape, kept taking photos of everything around him.
"Hey!" Looker yelled as he approached the duo. "Your vehicle has successfully blocked the path of the International Police. Regardless, I request you to relocate it!"
"Relax," the calm, blonde guy said. "We're with the Legendary Pokémon Society. I'm Morty. My… friend here is Eusine," he said, letting out a weary sigh as he jerked his thumb in the direction of the fruity-looking magician guy who was photographing some rocks on the ground.
"Aha!" Eusine exclaimed. "If I'm not mistaken, these are Suicune droppings! Morty, make a note of that!"
Morty just rolled his eyes.
"Ah," Looker said and nodded. "I have come to an understanding, now. You two, the experts sent to help us, the International Police, in this case, are. Correct?"
"Yeah, that's us!" Eusine exclaimed and shoved his camera to Morty. "Well, I am anyway, Morty's just here for moral support. Matters related to Suicune are my expertise!"
"Are you-" Looker uttered, but Eusine interrupted him.
"Hold it," he said. "Since I'm leading this investigation now, I'm asking the questions, officer…"
"Detective," Looker corrected.
"Right, Officer Detective," Eusine nodded. "Now, first question: are you insane?"
"What?"
"You have to excuse my partner," Morty said. "He's an, uh… admirer of Suicune. Not to mention crazy. But he's got money, a car and lots and lots of free time, which makes him useful to us. Sort of."
Eusine acted like he hadn't listened at all, instead starting to take photos of something he was sure were Suicune footprints.
"Well, uh, that is great," Looker said. "But if the two of you shall excuse my leaving, there are eyewitnesses that need my interviewing."
"You mean those hikers? Yeah, we already talked to 'em," Morty said, standing in Looker's way. "They didn't see any murdering, but all of them were pretty convinced that Suicune was here. Then they came across the bodies, and after having lunch and taking a little nap, they called the police."
Looker just started at Morty, while Eusine kept crawling around their feet, pulling tufts of grass off the ground and putting them in his pockets while mumbling to himself.
"We told you," Morty said to Looker, "we're taking over this investigation. This kind of stuff is handled by the LPS. Besides, shouldn't you be out there assaulting protesters or stopping people from downloading music or something?"
"Yes, leave it to us," Eusine said as he got up and put his grass-stained hand on Looker's shoulder. "I have come to a conclusion that Suicune isn't behind this crime anyway. Clearly those hikers are merely suffering the side-effects of their parents being cousins or something like that. Or maybe it's the mountain air…"
"We're at the seashore, dingus," Morty snapped and whacked Eusine on the head. "Come on, we need to give a statement to those reporters over there…"
"Ooh, cameras!" Eusine yelled. "Me first!"
As Morty and Eusine walked away, Looker was left standing alone, staring after them while opening and closing his mouth, leaving him wondering what had just happened. Then, he sharpened and yelled: "CROAGUNK!"
Looker's Pokémon, a Croagunk wearing a deerstalker hat, quickly ran to him and gave him a magnifying glass. Looker snatched the magnifying glass and adjusted his trenchcoat while staring after Morty and Eusine with contempt. He would get to the bottom of this case. "Legendary Pokémon Society"… yeah, right. What kind of loser would spend his life dreaming about some legendaries?
