What do I do now!? It’s not like I didn’t know that Pokemon moves could be used directly on a person. But to think they could be used like this.
Detect… in the original series the move worked exactly like Protect, where the user is protected from all the effects of an attack directed at it in that turn. But the success rate of the move goes down if used in succession.
Maybe I can stall long enough until the move starts failing, and then I won’t risk having my otherworlder identity revealed.
“Umm… what’s the Cleffa doing?” I asked out of genuine curiosity because the tiny sentient lie-detector was flailing around on the table, flopping and flapping its arms, almost as if it was…
“Splashing, my partner here is using the move Splash, you don’t have to worry about it and just focus on answering my questions.”
WHO THE FUCK KEEPS SPLASH IN THEIR MOVESET.
It’s actually quite a smart strategy in hindsight. Not only does the move Splash do absolutely nothing, it resets the success rate of moves like Protect and Detect back to 100%. Useless in a Pokemon battle but perfect for interrogations.
With the stalling option no longer available I needed another plan, and I needed one fast. It was becoming clear by the investigator's rhythmic finger tapping that he was growing impatient. The first lie already made him wary of me so a second one might end up with my immediate arrest.
Or worse yet he might be from an independent detective agency. From what I’ve seen in anime, those agencies aren’t bound by the law and have no problem torturing a 14 year old girl for answers they deemed necessary.
My mind instinctively flashed back to the unpleasant memories I’ve made aboard the S.S. Anne, and how I was mistreated with abuse for information that I didn’t even know I had.
Maybe this person’s different? Maybe if I told him about my circumstances he’d understand and help out?
One look into the investigator’s piercing gaze made the thoughts dissipate.
Yeah fuck that, this guy looks more like a villain than Mr. BH and Mr. M combined.
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My arms were becoming restless and my legs started to tremble uncontrollably. The room was so quiet aside from the occasional squeak of the Cleffa that it was becoming scary. I could make out my own throbbing heartbeat in the back of my head, the tension was making it impossible for me to think.
C’mon… think of something, anything! How do I get out of this situation??
Pathetic.
H-Huh?
You’re pathetic and worthless and I’m ashamed to have a son like you.
My mother’s words rang through my entire being. Those discouraging words that were etched onto my soul may have kept me from moving forward in my past life, but now they served as fuel for my determination to live.
That’s right. Compared to the years of mental abuse back home… this much is nothing.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself, a look of tranquility across my face.
The detective took notice of the change in my presence as well. Though he couldn't understand what had happened in the mind of a young girl for her to change this much in such a short timespan.
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch your question the first time, can you repeat it again?” The words just rolled off my tongue, like a script that I’ve practiced over a thousand times.
“I asked you why were you lying about your identity.” The scar-faced man sounded annoyed at the need to repeat his question.
“I meant the first question, can you repeat the first question again?”
The investigator raised one of his eyebrows and gave me a brief look of perplexity. In the end, he decided to humor me and agreed to the weird request.
“Do you or do you not remember who you are?”
“I don’t remember who I am.” I answered matter-of-factly.
“What a pointless bluff, we already know you’re ly-” His words were cut short by the sudden tugging on his cuff by his partner. Leaning his head lower he listened in as his Cleffa whispered something into his ears. His expression went from amusement to seriousness, and then eventually to disbelief.
Investigator Blain was a seasoned veteran. Whether it was state secrets or hidden organization intel he would always find a way to get the job done. And the basis behind his success was his well-honed knowledge of Pokemon moves, and applications of said knowledge onto human resources. After realizing the potential usage of the move Detect he quickly put it to use, putting no small effort into finding a Pokemon that was compatible with it.
Of course he was fully aware of the legal complications behind the usage of Pokemon moves against civilians. But Blain was someone above the law. He was granted the special privilege as an agent of the region’s most elite intelligence force: the PLI, which stands for the Pokemon League Inquisitors.
The PLI, or simply known as “The Inquisition” back then, were simply a group of powerful vigilantes pursuing what they thought was justice. Now they acted upon the regional government’s orders and became a part of a more collaborative force of righteousness. There were, of course, some that were dissatisfied with this unification. Those members were promptly hunted down by the newly unified force known today as the Pokemon League Inquisitors.
Blain Hueber was one of the few original members leftover from when the Inquisition was first founded. He’s witnessed its rise and fall over the years, even having to put many of his past comrades to rest with his own hands for the sake of unification and what he perceived to be true justice.
And for the first time in his arduously battle-ridden career, he was perturbed, by a 14 year old kid no less.