Chapter Six: Chronophilia
“Madam Kerra Kuroi” Izumo was explaining. “She is the last living member of the Kuroi family, heiress, and headmistress of the Saffron Institute of the Mind. Though her role at SIM is purely ceremonial in recent years.”
“So what will an old school teacher be able to do to help us find this Charmeleon?” Nagai asks.
“Back in the 20s, The Kuroi family were the sole manufactures of a substance known as ghoul’s dust. It temporarily enhances the natural psychic potential of humans. It was criminalized in ‘26. Within a year, every member of the Kuroi family was either in prison or dead. Everyone except Kerra, who was 12 years old at the time.
The car pulled up to a massive home on the outskirts of Saffron City. The single kanji monogram ‘Kuro’ was rendered in stained glass above the front door. While the grounds and home were clearly being cleaned and maintained, the structure itself was ancient. The squad car circled a drive way large enough to accommodate three vehicles abreast, past a fountain that had not run in years.
“So we are going to ask a Yakuza Oyabun to assist the National Police Agency, (specifically the major crimes division) in tracking down a Pokémon whose value is incalculable, and whose ownership is close to illegal...” Nagai said flatly. “Yes...” Izumo says. “Only never call her that. Don’t even think that. Also… Never look her or any of her Pokémon in the eyes.”
Izumo checks his sidearm, then the six Pokéballs along his belt, then exits the car. Nagai does likewise and follows. “And why would she ever consider doing this?” Ami whispers as the two climb the steps to the front door. “Because… before I applied to the Police Academy… I was her student at SIM...” Izumo admits.
Izumo did not need to knock on the door to the Kuroi estate. The door opened of its own accord the moment that the detectives took their final step onto the porch. Waiting in the foyer was an Alakazam. She was dressed in plain black dress that vaguely resembled those worn by maids, though it was clearly designed solely to adorn rather than to cover. Nagai looked at the maid before her. Their eyes locked, and Nagai suddenly felt as if the Alakazam could see everything that she was and would be. Those eyes looked past her flesh to peer into her soul, only to find her of no consequence. Nagai shivered, and was rewarded with a sidelong glance from Izumo.
“Saji.” Izumo said. He bowed. Saji Kuroi bowed as well. “You are late…” she thought. Her mind embraced Izumo’s as two old friends might. She also was sure to plant her voice inside the mind of Izumo’s new partner, even though the girl’s mind was closed to the wonders of the etheric world. “To be fair…” Izumo said, “We never actually called ahead.” Saji smiles, then turns and leads them inside. “Madam awaits you in the drawing room...”
Madam Kuroi was as beautiful as a woman of her age could be. Much like the house that she sat in, she was well cleaned and maintained, but also clearly ancient. “This is a pleasant surprise…” She says. Izumo chuckles to himself. “Saji opened the door before we could touch it. You are here in the drawing room. It seems that you have tea set out for three people. And if I am not mistaken, it is black tea, my personal favorite. I don’t think we were a surprise at all.”
“Very good, Izumo… Now what can I do for the NPA? Are you enjoying the new cars I sent you?” Kuroi asks. “Inspector Matsu wants me to once again extend his gratitude over your most recent donation” Izumo says, But I have something else to talk to you about. It is a business matter...” Izumo says in resignation. A look of intrigue spread across Madam Kuroi’s face.
“Obsidian...” She commands. From nothing, from the shadow of nothing, a black dog emerged. Gold rings shone bright on her head and legs. Obsidian, the Umbreon sat before her mistress silently.
“Take Ms. Ami to the kitchen and find her some lunch.” Kuroi says. Obsidian is suddenly next to Nagai. She walks out of the room, pausing at times to make sure that Nagai was following. After a nod from Izumo, the junior detective rose from her seat, and was led away.
“I… I need a favor from you.” Izumo says. “I rescued a Charmander last night.” And even as he said it he could see the interest rise in his former teacher. “He has a sister, who was captured by poachers last spring. I don’t know what happened to her but I need your help finding her.”
“Charmanders are rare. I am sure MAFF is insisting that she be found?” Izumo nods. “But why do you need MY help. I am sure the NPA has plenty of resources-”
“The shiners took her...” Izumo says suddenly. “She was taken… by shiners.” This news ends Madam Kuroi’s good mood. Her face is one of sorrow… “Poor girl… Do you have anything?” She asks.
“According to the Charmander, she was taken here, to Saffron.” Izumo says.
“And what will become of these two once she is found?” Kuroi asks.
“They will likely be handed over to MAFF...” Izumo admitts.
“The Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing…” Kuroi sighs, “Nowhere in their name does it say ‘Pokémon’...” She looks at Izumo and nods to herself. “I will help you, but in return I will demand a truly high price.” She says. “You are the senior detective on the case?” Izumo nods. Kuroi continues. “Then it is your duty to give a report on the state of the two once they are found.” She says.
“I want you to recommend that both Pokémon be given to me, for rehabilitation...” She says. Matsu won’t like it, but he will agree. Those two will be evolved into Charizards by the MAFF then given to the Ministry of Transportation, or worse, the Military. This Charmeleon will not be in any state to serve in either. Give them to me so that I can really save them…
* * *
Detective Izumo Zenko took a deep breath, and stepped into Chief Inspector Yagami Matsu sat at his desk. “How did your meeting with the witch go?” The Chief asks. “She has agreed to assist us. Once I told her what had happened to the Charmeleon, she agreed.” “No crazy demands or threats?” Matsu prodded. “Nothing more than the usual posturing. She does expect a formal Thank You from the department.” This made Matsu scoff. “We will send her a gift basket with some perfumes or other nonsense. What did we do when she sent us those cars?” He says. Izumo nods stiffly. “Something like that, sir. And… a related matter. What will become of the Charmander and Charmeleon once she is recovered?” Matsu reaches over and grabs a file from his desk. “Well… Tatsuki has confirmed that the Charmander is innocent. Forensics came back from the lab. The flames started in the lab and are consistent with… TM23: Dragon Rage. Charmanders can’t learn Dragon Rage naturally, and his Trainer record doesn’t show that the TM was used on him. He is a fresh wild Pokémon with little to no training. Also… Cyprès had some Kalosian Pokémon with him, Noivern? That is apparently a dragon type, and more than capable of causing the damage to the house. Tatsuki is trying to track it down now. It wasn’t found at the scene, and wasn’t recovered by the Pokémon center.” Matsu explained.
“So the Charmander is free to go?” Izumo asks hopefully. However, Matsu shakes his head. “He is a trainerless Pokémon. He may have only been captured a few months ago, but he is still a captured Pokémon. The laws are clear, he belongs to MAFF. They will probably place him in civil service, probably as public transportation. Same with the Charmeleon when we find her. She will probably end up as a mascot for some department.” He says idly. “With respect Sir...” Izumo states. “I don’t think either of them will do well in civil service. The Charmeleon is in the hands of a criminal organization that has a known history of extreme violence against Shiny Pokémon. The Charmander witnessed the death of his trainer and his friends. Neither of them will be in a mental state fit for public service.” He reasons. Matsu sighs. “I know that, Zenko. The NPL would not certify them for competition or combat, so they will go to MAFF.” He says. Izumo pulls out a pair of documents. “I… may have an alternative. As I am the ranking officer on the case, it is my duty to deliver the Pokémon to their new home. If I can get them declared as mentally ill, due to PTSD, then they can be given to a trained therapist for rehabilitation before they enter public service. I would need your approval of course, as well as the approval of licensed Veterinarian…” He places the files in front of Matsu, who took and examined them. “You’ve done your homework Zenko. What are these Pokémon to you?” He gives the detective a wary look. “I just want to ensure that they can grow up with some sort of normalcy. If we give them to MAFF, then they will spend the rest of their lives apart form each other, haunted by their past and each other.”
Chief Inspector Yagami Matsu studied the documents before him. “Do you know of someone who is both a licensed Pokémon therapist and has a permit to raise Class A Pokémon? Class S if that chameleon evolves?”
Detective Izumo Zenko sighs in resignation. He thinks first of the golden scales that he saw in the Charmander’s memories, then of the business card with the arc of growing stars. “Yes sir… I do...”
