Posted November 22nd, 2025
Chapter Summary
Team Kirigiri tries to get back on track in Alma Blanca, meeting all sorts of Pokemon who may or may not help them in their journey.
Still reeling from the round of meetings with Head Hector, Lead Esperanza, and Detective Ichigo, a Jangmo-o watched as T'nuri walked through the Fogcutter’s Detective Agency.
Detective Ichigo and the others said I'm the Leader now, of all times. Alejandrien thought, grumbling
. Great, that ain't detective work. It’s Fly-gone hatchling-sitting.Ahead of their team, the Jangmo-o huffed as they turned around. Kaliente and Emile slowly clambered behind.
The Grookey and the Fuecoco had deadset eyes, laggard steps, and twitching growths atop their heads. Was this how Team Kirigiri behaved after a successful investigation?
I really need you all to focus. Alejandrien thought, brow furrowing. “Let's head on over to Alma Blanca,” the Jangmo-o said.
“Yes Adrian,” the Cubone replied.
“Got it.” Groaned Kaliente.
Emile nodded, eyes low.“Yeah, got it.”
“Do y'all really?” Alejandrien asked, smacking their tail on the three Pokémon.
The Cubone, Fuecoco, and Grookey jolted forward, rubbing their sore spots. “Our fault, our fault,” they said.
“Sorry for trying to fight, and whining about being leader,” T'nuri said. “I just felt like Head Hector and all of them don't care about me, though all that timber and those claw bits call to me.”
“Yeah, yur impatient,” Kaliente said with a chuckle.
The Grookey next to him laughed.“Can't last long, either!”
“Excuse me?” Alejandrien asked, golden eyes locked onto the two.
Tail curling, Emile blushed.“Er, sorry.”
“T’was a cheap shot, I'm full of shite, eh?” the Fuecoco said before he winced, grabbing his knee.
Grumbling, T'nuri cleared her throat. “You two really act like you have a sparking stick up your asses, almost Kapu like.”
“Kapu?” the Jangmo-o questioned.
“Ancient Boufshit,” the Cubone replied, “like treating other types of mon as lesser.”
The Grookey flinched as she rubbed her twitchy head leaves. “Yeah I'm sorry about that.”
“Sorry ‘bout that. We'll go somewhere and figure out why we’re so snuffing pissy,” Kaliente said.
“Who would know what's going on?” T'nuri asked.
Emile pointed to the Fuecoco's flickering head crests before she spoke. “Maybe an Apothecary or a Doctor.”
“Hopefully, I sure can’t tell based on your scent alone chemical wise.” Alejandrien mused, sniffling. The Grookey’s ears lowered, and Kaliente cleared his throat. Both stepped away from the Jangmo-o, leaving the Cubone beside them while they continued walking.
As the four made their way down toward the entrance of the Fogcutter’s Detective Agency, T'nuri once again ran a claw along the hallways. “As a former carpenter, I have to wonder-”
“What is it?” the Fuecoco asked. “Former Adventurer failure too.”
The Jangmo-o stamped their claws on the floor. “Not nice, pard.”
“Whatever now, hehe.” The Cubone hummed before her brown eyes twinkled. “Were these hallways widened within the last six to eight years?”
“You can tell that?”
Tnuri nodded. “Yep. All theI could tell the first time I came in because of the different planks of wood on the outer edge compared to the base gave it away.” She ran her claws along the different colored wood of one of the hallways, and prodded at a nail on the edge.
“Oh?” Emile questioned, peering at the lines of the rather dull-looking wood.
“It’s simple.” The Cubone knocked on the wood on the top then on the bottom, and two different sounds emitted, a
thonk and a
donk. “The base of the wall is aged, while the inner wood is newer. You can tell by how it feels, and the echo it makes.”
Alejandrien, Emile, and the Fuecoco behind them each tried knocking on the wood panels, with success, Two subtly different sounds came from the hollow pieces. “Really now?” Kaliente asked, flickering his head crest. “I suppose based on that book carving ya made, you're actually talented.”
The Cubone adjusted her bag, and placed a claw against the wall. “Does anyone know the measurements?”
Emile narrowed her eyes before she began her account.“
Yo se, I know without a ruler. The walls and ceiling had to be adjusted approximately two point fiftyeight metres because of Head Hector's evolution from the impressive Bisharp to the massive Kingambit, not an easy change to deal with.”
“Another talented one of Team Kirigiri.” T'nuri grinned. “I guess you can tell those measurements based on whatever nerdy thing, that's pretty handy Emile.”
“Thank you,” the Grookey replied.
“Now that I think about it, has Vicenta ever been in the agency?” T'nuri pondered, sizing up the hallway.
Alejandrien chuckled as she shook her cymbal scales. “Vicenta's taller than the entire first floor, pardner!”
The Cubone patted her claws with her bone-club.“She's only that tall now, she wasn't always like this. So Vicenta could have gone inside at least once as an Exeggcute right?”
“No she hasn't.” Kaliente sighed, waving a claw.
T'nuri groaned.“Aw, why not?”
Emile cleared her throat before she spoke. “Vicenta didn't join the DA as a Navigator until after she evolved into an Exeggutor, so unfortunately she has not seen the interior. Well, besides photographs.”
Y'all have photographs? Alejandrien pondered.
Where?
“Where does she meet Head Hector and Lead Esperanza?” T'nuri asked.
“What do ya mean?” the Jangmo-o beside her questioned.
“Even though she and Team Nado aren't Detectives they still work for the Fogcutters Detective Agency as Navigators. Don't they take requests from them, along with anyone else who needs their services?” The Cubone said.
“The Head and Lead Detectives primarily meet with tha whole team in the auxiliary office, is down by tha harbor.” Kaliente explained.
Emile continued for him. “Though sometimes the Navigation Teams come inside the DA. While Vicenta stays out in the courtyard.”
“I see,” T'nuri replied.
Eventually the Jangmo-o in front of the group stopped dead in their tracks, the door to the agency in their way. “Now T'nuri, as much as I'd love to show you Alma Blanca, I've only been there once.” Alejandrien then caught the shoulders of the Fuecoco and the Grookey. “It's up to you too to do the tour and I trust you'll behave for real.”
“Woah!” the Grookey suddenly leapt forward, bracing against the door.
“Sorry,” Alejandrien said.
Kaliente brushed off their claws and shoved open the door alongside Emile. “Don’t touch me.” The Fuecoco spat.
“What’s going on with you two?” the Cubone asked, her eyes narrow. The Grookey and the Fuecoco’s eyes shrank. T’nuri knocked on her skull-helmet. “Sorry, that was harsh, I mean, how do you feel?”
Shivering, Kaliente spoke first. “Me scales ‘er sore as a snuffed draky-flame, so no touchin’.”
“Ah so that’s where the swear ‘snuff’ comes from.” Alejandrien mused aloud.
“Adrian.” The Cubone shook her head.
“Sorry,” the Jangmo-o said, before turning to the Grookey. “uh Emile, are you sore too?”
“Likewise,” Emile said, as she grit her fangs. “My skin es mucho tender, is very tender 200.453 percent more sensitive underneath my fur.”
That exact? Alejandrien wondered.
No berries this time?
“Sorry, we’ll sort this out.” T’nuri declared.
Kaliente sucked in his teeth while Emile rolled her eyes.
Alejandrien nodded. “Remember to breathe.”
“Kay,” the two replied.
T’nuri ran a claw along her broken bone-club crown and sighed. The bright light of the sun and the cool salty wind, fresh off the ocean was the first thing that met the team when the massive doors of the Detective Agency flew apart. Seconds later thick rainclouds rolled in; with how dark and gloomy they were,it wouldn't be sunny much longer.
“Alright,” Kaliente said, clapping his claws. “First things first, I'm hungry.”
“Quite peckish myself, pardner!” Alejandrien added.
“But let's eat something different.” Emile begged. “Something in Alma Blanca.”
“Sounds good?”
“Sure.”
As they slowly walked past the lily, hydrangea and kobelid flowerbeds and shrubs T'nuri stopped, almost rooted in place, her gaze fixed on the perimeter of the DA. “What'cha staring at?” Alejandrien asked, placing a claw on her shoulder.
“This courtyard,” the Cubone replied. “It feels rather empty.”
Emile scoffed. “I mean most courtyards are not filled like a museum or something.”
“Yew have an idea of what to fill the courtyard with?” Kaliente added.
T'nuri nodded before she lowered her head, pain flashing in her eyes.“A memorial for all those we've lost.”
“La Llovinza…” Alejandrien muttered, as well. “And I hope no more.”
The Fuecoco patted one of the wooden arches. “Quite brilliant idea mate, though I doubt ya can blueprint while wanting ta grub.”
“We'll have to ask permission from the big three before then too,” the Jangmo-o said.
“Yeah,” the Cubone replied. “Just something to remember La Llovizna by. Lead the way, Kaliente.”
As rain drops scattered, the four Pokémon gazed up the two stories of the Fogcutter’s Detective Agency, the stone fortress of the first floor still holding onto the gorgeous wooden palace of the second, the curved roofs covering them from the elements only a little longer.
“Did you know there used to be a third lentil post?” Emile said suddenly.
“We did?” Alejandrien questioned, glancing back and forth.
The Grookey nodded.“The post was red.”
“Really now,” the Fuecoco said, patting his scales. “Hmmm why don’t we wear red?”
T'nuri lifted her cloak and stared at the black fabric. Only grey, green, and violet streaks and blocks atop it.“Good question.”
Nodding their head, Alejandrien pondered it over.
We don't have red, but the big three have streaks of red on their new capes and scarves. I wonder when we'll get those doodads.
With that, the four young Pokémon finally exited the red-bricked courtyard and into Phantismo Vista proper. In the late-morning rain, the large island town was slowly filling with hustle and bustle. Along the bottom floors were the shops and all through the rest of the floors were dwellings, some rented, others owned, all shared. The mixed-use district had families and workers who went about their days, weaving in and out of the covered pavilions many of the white buildings had. Buildings vibrant even in the gradually increasing rain, the warm reds, yellows, still shimmered while purples and greens amidst the blues shined, all the paint bright despite the rain’s wash of white and grey. Puddles slowly formed along the seashell filled stone streets, the pools growing into narrow streams that drained throughout the lowland.
“Alright, we'll head this way.” Emile explained, pointing toward the other side of the Fogcutter’s Detective Agency, not toward the docks of the commercial district, but further inland near a brick bridge. Iaijutsukage was a collection of masses after all, and thus had sections broken up by rivers and sea.
In Phantismo Vista’s administrative district, nearing Alma Blanca a squall slowly blew around the bend, the green, scarlet, and violet triangular banners waving all the while. The buildings in this section were made of sturdier bricks and stone with seashells packed inside some of the sides painted bright warm colors. While others maintained the wash of grays, browns and blacks alongside beige and occasionally cream. None of them looked like homes and there were less younger Pokémon out and about: Mainly older Pokémon with umbrellas and coats.
As Team Kirigiri passed a building bearing a large stone hourglass, they found a sign along some bushes that read ‘Alma Blanca City’. To the left was a large cream and white building with palm trees and shrubs all around. A path through the grasses led to one of the building's entrances, a large brown door, and a rather large brick signpost across from that, tall amidst the greenery.
“Mahao'o Library huh.” T'nuri said, glancing at the structure, and the field of flowers around it, sparkling purple, and white.
Kaliente's green eyes brightened and he waved a claw. “Tis the one I talked about.”
“Mayhaps they have another z-chart for calculations.” Emile murmured.
“If we get time, we'll have to go later.”
Team Kirigiri went further along the two-pathed road. To the right sat a dirt path, littered with metal fencing as opposed to the wood on the more central part of Iaijutsukage Island. As the four Pokémon continued down the right path, towards the Apothecary, a large sprawling tree came into view high above the top of the thick kukui, and ohia lehua trees. Even higher than the palm trees below, despite the massive roots of the tree, it was nestled deep within the forest. The edge of such woods featured a sign next to the entrance to a rather large ranch.
Fortunately the team had the path to themselves. Due to the rain, not many travellers were using the path. They had all the opportunity to take in the sights, relaxing a tad. The way to the domestic, and built part of Alma Blanca wasn't for a little bit as they were in the rural side, little farms and small cozy homes off to the side down beaten paths. Despite her slower steps Emile took charge down the bend, with Alejandrien only a few paces behind, while T'nuri and Kaliente lugged after them, the Fuecoco huffing all the while, wheezing ash.
The Cubone hummed, as the drizzle pattered against her skull-helmet. “I wonder if this Apothecary in Alma Blanca will be able to tell us what's going on.”
“Tis a real shame we can't go back to the Seismitoad and Simisear Apothecaries we met in Phantismo Vista,” Kaliente replied, dragging his claws through the dirt. “We've got orders from Head Hector tae go visit this place, so might as well knock that out of the way well we're here.”
“I've never seen this area before,” Alejandrien said. “I only went to the library a few times, but never had a chance to go deep into the city. I hope it's exciting.”
The Grookey ahead stopped in place for a moment. “Well, we need to go figure this out first.”
“Definitely,” T’nuri huffed, turning away. “Anything to get you eggheads back on track.”
“Hey!” Emile snapped. “You don't understand how it feels.”
“Well I don't know what it even is, so I can't help you. I'm sorry.”
Eventually, the thin forests turned into small buildings. Darker browns, beiges, and greys of the older buildings, with large purple, green, and red banners opposed to small triangular streamers. Still a bit in the distance, with muddy mangroves and sawgrass in the way.
T’nuri grumbled to herself and cradled her bone-club. Then her eyes widened with a shiver.“
Ka lepo, ka lepo! The ground, the ground is moving!”
How come she didn’t sense that the landslide was gonna happen when she met Emile and Kaliente? The Jangmo-o wondered, gritting their fangs.
This anticipation is dreadful as all get out! “Where?”
“It is?” Kaliente sighed, pouting.
“Yes, I’m of earth, I can feel how strong these Pokemon are,” T’nuri said.
“Just as I feared, get ready.”
“Get ready for what?” the Cubone and Jango-o questioned, eyes wide.
“
Minna, mittekudsai!” a muffled yet cheery high-pitched voice called. “Everyone, look over here!”The call came from beneath the house, er earth, dampened by layers of now shifting soil underneath Team Kirigiri.
“Only one voice? Who's that?” T'nuri yelped.
“Oh no,” Emile and Kaliente groaned.
“Kirigiri-chan!” The voice grew closer. “I've been waiting for you!”
Alejandrien gasped. “How’d they know our team name?”
The Grookey and the Fuecoco rubbed the back on their heads.“Well uh-”
Below them, wading through the mud came a large brown figure, a pouch wrapped around her body as she emerged from the forest and onto the dirt road. The Clodsire was an extremely stout Pokémon with four stubby flippers “Kal-chan, Emile-chan! I found some rare Berries in a cavern by scent.” She explained, chuckling. “But I wouldn't miss my best customers by scent either!”
“Seriously y'all, who is this?” Alejandrien begged.
Kaliente groaned. “Apothecary Clodsire.”
“Good to see you, Detectives,” Apothecary Clodsire said, raising a flipper to the four. “I’ve seen you’ve finally made your Investigation Team.”
“It’s like everyone on ‘Kage knows who we are.” T’nuri chuckled.
“Only the Apothecaries, the Island Guild, and the Archipelago Society do.” The Fuecoco explained, as he cringed for a moment. “But we’re in a bad way right now Clodsire-san.”
Calling her san? The Jangmo-o pondered.
What?
Emile nodded. “We need help.”
The Clodsire shook her pouch free of dirt and rolled for a moment “I figured.”
“You called us Kirigiri-chan.” Alejandrien started, following her. "How'd you know our Investigation Team name?”
Apothecary Clodsire stared at the four Pokémon's scarves, cloaks, and bags. “Kirigiri can mean ‘cut fog’ in Rottsian.” She explained. “Also chan and san as suffixes are Rottsian as well, they are for endearment and general respect!”
The Jangmo-o’s blinked. “Rotts what’ian?”
“You didn't know that before you picked the name, dearies?” the Clodsire asked.
“Well I didn't pick it-” the Jangmo-o huffed.
Apothecary Clodsire shook her head with a sigh.“You Jangmo-o should know these things, dearie.”
“What's that supposed to mean? I'm not from-”
“It's alright.” T’nuri explained. “I chose the name of the Investigation Team, Apothecary Clodsire.”
“Very well, a Cubone knows it, anyhoo let's walk.” The Clodsire offered, waddling forward. She turned back to the four young Pokémon, “and dearies you can call me whatever you'd like, my given name, family name-”
“We don't have time.” Kaliente snipped. “Emile and I've been feelin’ a bad way lately.”
The Clodsire hurried in her steps, surprisingly fast for such a large Pokémon, glancing behind her at the others.“Well the four of you certainly seem troubled and hurt.” She started, before she fixed her gaze back at the road. “But what's the specifics?”
“We all got burnt, covered in poison, and beat up from-”
“From?” Apothecary Clodsire questioned, leaning in close to the four Pokémon.
Er, should we bring up the Ruinous Fog or Fogbringers? Alejandrien thought, glancing between their teammates as they huddled away.
Seems pretty advanced.
Kaliente grimaced before he whispered in T'nuri's skull-helmet. “Best not mention tha water Wooper or anything, one of her sons passed away at sea.”
“Yeah.” The Grookey added.
“We got hurt in an attack from some troublemaking Pokémon in our requests.” The Cubone finally answered.
Apothecary Clodsire's eyes widened before she picked up her pace.“Oh wow, how harrowing!”
Emile sighed, as she jogged closer, her team lagging behind. “Our limbs hurt, and our bodies sore, on our heads in particular.”
The Clodsire turned backwards to the Grookey and the Fuecoco. “Oh wow, your head crests and leaves?
“What is it?” Kaliente gasped, trying his hardest to hurry up.
“You two are going to have a big change soon,” Apothecary Clodsire said.
“Change?” the Fuecoco questioned, his tail drooping.
The Clodsire headed further through the path, her brown, grey, and purple accented cottage now in view between the trees. “Before that, you’ll lose all your fur and scales.”
The red eyes in the Grookey’s sockets nearly bulged out. “
Que? Our what?”
Apothecary Clodsire slowed her pace down a tad.“And then all your fangs and claws will fall out.”
“Fall out!” Kaliente screamed.
“Then when you wake up you won’t see your face in the mirror, but instead some crazy Kapu-plagued monster,” the Clodsire said as she pulled out the key to the front door. “Not even your family will recognize you.”
“What in water’s below is happening to us?” the Fuecoco sobbed, trembling. “Oh Holy Koraidon help me!”
Emile nearly tore her cloak and scarf.“Holy Miraidon!” She cried out, shaking. “Holy Miraidon I’m sorry!”
“Apothecary Clodsire… Please tell them what’s going on.” The Cubone pleaded, clenching her broken bone-club. “Is, grains say it ain’t so, is Kapu real?”
“I’ve got no darn clue! What’re we gonna do?!” the Jangmo-o behind her cried.
Apothecary Clodsire pushed up the door to the cottage and grinned.“Oh no it’s not, they’ll be fine,” she said, waiting for the team to file inside before she shut the door.
“Fine?” T’nuri shot back, holding a claw over the Grookey and the Fuecoco, who were beside themselves holding back tears. “You said their bodies will be unrecognizable!"
Alejandrien huffed. “That certainly ain’t fine!”
“Apothecary!” Emile cried, shaking the Clodsire’s shoulder straps.
Kaliente dropped to the ground, clasping his claws.“Ya have ta tell us, please.”
The Clodsire snickered as she pushed over a large cart with a bowl on it. “Well young Fuecoco, young Grookey I only have one thing to tell you.”
“To write our… Our wills?” the Grookey wailed.
The Fuecoco beside her sobbed.“C-count our blessings?”
Apothecary Clodsire waved her flippers with a beaming smile, out of place for the two nearly sobbing, fearful Pokémon in front of her. Then suddenly cheered. “Welcome to the wonderful world of Evolution!”
Alejandrien’s jaw dropped.
It can’t be real! They thought, eyes wide, going back and forth between the Fuecoco and the Grookey.
Sky Tower’s really falling over at this rate!
“What!?” Emile screamed, dropping her stick on the floor, her head leaves flaring up to a massive wreath. As the Grookey’s wooden stick clattered, it grew to half her size and then snapped it twain, but for only a second as it fused back normal.
“How?” Kaliente gasped before his head crest shot up as well, smoke billowing out his maw before an Ember did, just barely above everyone’s heads. The Fuecoco's crest shrank as well.
“You two are already changing right before our eyes, Evolution is not unheard of!” Apothecary Clodsire noted, watching the two scramble.
It's that sudden? Alejandrien pondered.
Will my scales fly off?
“Evolution?” T’nuri questioned, tapping her skull-helmet.
The Jangmo-o beside her, groaned.“Already?”
“No one told you?” Clodsire questioned, t-sking all the while. “Hector and Esperanza have already gone through it, though it has been a few years since theirs.”
“Those three knew the symptoms and didn't tell me!” Kaliente yelled, steam and soot pouring out his nostrils.
“Two, Ichigo hasn't evolved.”
“So?” Emile pouted. “We've been freaking out for nothing?”
Apothecary Clodsire shook her head. “Not for nothing dearies.”
Kaliente screamed. “Well yew got me nearly passin’ out!”
“Scared to death!” Emile added.
“Remember to breathe, you two. I think I had a little bit too much fun.” Clodsire bowed her head down and closed her eyes. “My apologies, Kirigiri-chan. Anything you want me to know or assist with?”
T’nuri awkwardly raised her claw. “Well uh Apothecary, my bone-club broke.” In the Cubone’s other claw she presented the broken crown of the weapon.
“And uh….” Alejandrien stammered for a moment. “I've actually got nothing, when are we gonna evolve?”
“Well young Cubone, and Jangmo-o, your species lines usually evolve a bit later,” the Clodsire said, examining them. “I'd say if you keep your work I'd say at most by 593!”
“Next year?” T'nuri groaned.
“That'll take way too long!” the Jangmo-o cried.
Kaliente chuckled. “Compared to us, your taking too long.”
The Cubone nearly lunged at him. “Not funny you tail-biter!”
“Now now,” the Clodsire said as she smacked the ground with her tail. “Calm down. I said at most my dears, now let me get out my smoothies.”
“Smoothies?” T'nuri questioned, brown eyes wide.
Alejandrien blinked as well. “We aren't going to have a salve or concoction?”
Apothecary Clodsire chuckled as she maneuvered with a basket on her head. “You will, these are my Coconut Berry smoothies, sit tight as I mix one for each of you. What ailed you?”
“Burns, poison, and bruises all over,” the Jangmo-o replied.
“I see, and pre-evolution fatigue for the Grookey and the Fuecoco. Healing Coconut for all.”
On a low wooden table the Clodsire pulled out two coconuts, and a bundle of assorted berries, blues, pinks, greens, and yellows with a small collection of brightly colored fruits. This table sported an array of knives, spoons, forks, and other kitchenware. Afterward she pulled out four small mortar and pestle sets, carefully pouring the Oran, Rawst, Pecha and Sitrus berries in each. Narrowing her eyes, Apothecary Clodsire then took a new selection of four different berries, with vastly varying shapes, sizes, and hues into separate bowls. Carefully, the Clodsire cut apart the thick brown shells from the split coconuts, and then scooped up the white flakes of inner goodness into the a plate, before she pounded and crushed the meat of the nut into a thin paste. Next Apothecary pulled out a claw crank blender, with a long handle for her mouth and mixed the specific concoction of berries and coconut for the Pokémon.
Four glass jars filled to the brim with smoothies, one a dark green, one orange, one teal, and the last one light brown, each for Team Kirigiri. “Here you are
kawaii aka-chan! Cute hatchlings no more!” Apothecary Clodsire cheered, offering the first to Emile, the second to Kaliente, the third to Alejandrien, and the fourth to T'nuri.
“These heaping helping of berries look so good, ya have my thanks,” Alejandrien said.
“Thank you,” the Cubone replied,
“Be warned the side effects might be crazy.” Kaliente added.
“What do you mean, might be crazy?” Clodsire yelped. “My smoothies are certified by the Island Berry and Drug Administration.”
The Fuecoco shrugged. “Well even if they are, ya may be crying on tha crapper.”
“Or walking 182 degrees sideways.” Emile groaned, holding her stomach.
Kaliente licked his maw. “But they work, and taste pretty good too.”
“It is pretty good.” The Grookey added. “So thick we don't even need breakfast.”
“Yep and that means we can go on to the library.”
“I know you aren't thinking about eating and leaving without paying are you,” Apothecary Clodsire said, her normally bubbly eyes narrowed. “Toxic Spikes await you if you dare!”
“Of course not!” the Team gasped in unison.
“Y-you haven't told us the total yet.” Alejandrien explained, their tail curled against a hind leg.
“2,600 Poke.”
“All right, that's not too bad.” T'nuri mused.
“Not too bad for someone not paying eh?” Kaliente asked.
“Urgh.”
The Grookey nodded.“Yeah it's only 19.2 Sunny Orbs a la 368.64 Rawst scarves.”
“No it's not for crying out loud,” the Fuecoco grumbled. “Let me get our money.”
“Feel better now and be careful.” The Clodsire urged.“I heard it's been pouring like crazy and the roads are slippery.”
“You were in the little bit of drizzle with us earlier, where'd you hear that?”
Apothecary Clodsire chuckled. “Fahaha! The wind talks dearies!”
“Yeah I suppose it does,” T'nuri replied. “We just had some rain down in Phantismo Vista.”
“Surprised that it dodged us on our way up here.” Emile noted, holding a hand out.
“Yeah definitely.”
The four sat down and put spoons to their smoothies and finally chowed down. “I should put on some new dressing for you as well,” Apothecary Clodsire said, waddling over with a metal kit. She removed their dirty gauze and bandages, cleaned wounds, and burns and wrapped everything back up.
As they ate, Alejandrien's eyes drifted towards the Apothecary's desk. Carefully placed on a shelf adjacent to the furniture sat an oil painting of five brown figures: Two Clodsire, and three Wooper. Below it, a large purple and brown gemstone, with a ring of purple flowers, and a small photograph. Black and white ink showcased a few figures, two Clodsire, and only two Wooper, only four figures.
Damn they weren’t pulling my leg about the Apothecary's son. The Jangmo-o realized, shuddering
. I guess that's why she broods over us like we’re her hatchlings too. Despite her loss, she's cheery huh, maybe someone else can change.
“
Lo siento, I’m sorry not to sound rude but remember Aenivland Forest Mystery Dungeon?” the Grookey asked.
“Yeah, what about it?” T'nuri asked.
Emile hummed before she continued. “Well, based on your performance, you two definitely aren’t on track to evolve yet, why’d you ask Apothecary Clodsire?”
“Just ta sparking fit in?” Kaliente chuckled, billowing out steam between his hearty laughs.
Alejandrien flinched.
Yipes, that sass is back. They thought, shifting their jagged maw.
T'nuri crossed her arms and growled. “Spark you! I asked for a good reason!”
“Which is?”
“When I or either one of my siblings evolve then my family will get more rights in Pa’a Lepo,” the Cubone explained.
“Ah,” Kaliente said, rubbing his side. “I see tha old farts don’t like yur parents.”
What are they talkin’ about? Alejandrien pondered, glancing at the nonchalant expressions of the other Pokémon.
Is that common here, just not liking folk and not giving ‘em certain rights? What rights do ‘mon even have here?
“Damn,” Emile said, her tail curling down. “That snuffing sucks Tnuri.”
“Rights?” the Jangmo-o pondered aloud. “I was just wondering cuz Hakamo-o get fingers, but this is something.”
Kaliente tilted his head.“The laddie wants to evolve, most ‘mon do.”
“Some don't?”
“It isn't hard to see why.”
“But what rights?”
“Shoot. Mon, for Lu- sands beneath, life isn’t perfect in Hau Beach,” the Cubone said through a mouthful of smoothie. T'nuri chewed and swallowed for a moment, digging up more of the food before she spoke again. “And also I gotta beat my older sister in something first for once.”
“But, T’nuri I don’t get it,” Alejandrien said, burrowing their maw into their bowl.
Hiding Lunala there too, I see.
T'nuri gripped a claw on the table and just ate away at her smoothie alongside Kaliente and Emile, the two clearing up their jars only seconds before her. “Alright I finished, we're all done yeah?”
Even though Team Kirigiri got off their seats, a certain Jangmo-o was not done. Alejandrien placed claws on the Cubone’s shoulders and gently shook.“Can ya explain what cha meant now T'nuri?” the Jangmo-o begged.
The Cubone gritted her teeth, looking away. “Not now.”
“Gotta leave it.” Emile placed a hand on Alejandrien's shoulder.
The Jangmo-o dropped to all fours and grumbled, tail swishing in impatience. “Ugh. T’nuri, you're hiding too much from me.”
“S-sorry.” T'nuri started, her gaze barely wavering at them. “Even though you've been a good listener and all, I let too much slip out.”
“Come on.” The Grookey urged, picking up the empty glasses and spoons.
Kaliente pushed everyone’s stools underneath the table.“Ya will figure it out later, mate.”
Apothecary Clodsire opened the cottage door and sighed as the four Pokémon were at a stand still.
Still eyeing T'nuri, Alejandrien tapped at the wooden floor. “Yeah but… Fine, let’s go.”
“Farewell, Team Kirigiri!” the Clodsire called as she walked out to the porch. “Safe travels, little
chibi ones.”
“Thank you!”
The Team exited the cottage one by one, patting their bellies. “Now ta swing down ta Mahao’o Library.” Kaliente cheered.
“Sure,” Alejandrien replied, stopping for a moment. “But the name reminds me of something.”
“Is whatever it is at the library?”
“Probably.”
“Good.”
The four eventually made their way back through the quaint rainy forest road to Mahao'o Library, the wind whipping leaves and twigs against their backs. Though the soothing fluttering of the branches swinging in the breeze, with the pattern of the droplets hitting the ground eased the discomfort they had, almost in shelter.
Emile and Kaliente opened the door to the library, but instead of the Team entering the foyer, out came a few Lotad, and a Lombre, carrying a bag full of books.
“Thanks!” Lombre called, before hurrying after the two Lotad.
“No problem mate,” the Fuecoco replied, before Alejandrien and T’nuri entered.
Safe and sheltered from the rain inside Mahao’o Library, Team Kirigiri settled inside the small building taking in the sights, of little sound: a front desk with an Incineroar sorting files awaited them, with rows of bookshelves in the the center of the library while tables and cushions surrounded them, a small collection rooms nestled in the far back.
Emile's tail began to swish as she glanced around.“They've got all sorts of reports, journals, books, and more importantly tools in here.”
“It's not as good as the library and Coasta Niebla, but it does a decent enough job,” Kaliente said, wringing out his cloak onto the floor.
T’nuri rolled her eyes. “You love comparing things you've seen in ‘Kage, and Kuanalio don't you?”
“That reminds me,” Alejandrien started. “Why's everything y'all name this way?
Kaliente's green eyes flickered. “What way?”
Alejandrien groaned. “It's like a mumbo jumbo of all sorts of tongues, I did a little research but I'm stumped.”
“There's actually a book on it right over here in the government section,” Emile said, carding through the various shelves, and tapping the brown spine of one large book.
“Oh really that's interesting.” The Jangmo-o followed the Grookey as she walked across the aisle. “I suppose we can see what that's all about.”
The Fuecoco sat down at a half circle table, low to the ground and flipped open the textbook. He and Emile stared at the glossary for a moment before he spoke. “Okay so it's on page 35, here.”
“Wait a minute you guys didn't know this already?” Alejandrien questioned.
“No, Emile and I only moved ta Iaijutsukage four weeks ago and we didn't learn about tha naming.”
“Even at that fancy University you love?” T'nuri asked, chuckling. “You love history.”
“Anyway look here,” Emile said. “Iaijutsukage has two main masses, with two stories.”
“As of 582 AK tha second largest island of tha Manawa Archipelago, located in tha North Celestial Sea has been named ‘Iaijutsukage no Kojima’,” Kaliente listed, “because tha current Oligarchy ruling party hails from an island with that style of naming.”
The Jangmo-o squinted at the pages and looked back at her teammates. “What's this current style called?”
“Rottsian, or ‘Blue Coral’.”
Emile continued reading.“Now the area that used the Oligarchy's style naming was only in the south of the main mass, or southern island, it used to be called ‘Shadow Strike Island’ and was actually only a much smaller territory before it merged with the Kingdom of Hierro Negron ten summers ago, which was in the north.”
“Only ten?” Alejandrien questioned.
“Yep,” the Grookey said, before she held out her hands. “We were alive approximately eight years, four tides, and nine days before Iaijutsukage was unified.”
We're all 18 but what are tides?
The Fuecoco flipped to the next page.“But the name of the whole island is now always going to be ‘Shadow Strike Island’ in Isla Lingua, our common tongue, or a translation in another waters tongue.”
I have a feeling it’s about to be about me soon. Alejandrien's thoughts slowly bubbled, a frown marring their face, eyes low.
I don’t like this one bit.
“Most other islands don’t change leadership enough for this to happen, like Pa’a Lepo,” the Cubone explained, glancing over to the Jangmo-o.
“Or Tourjours.” Emile added. “We don’t have much funding for stuff like that.”
“What about the oh so wonderful Coasta Niebla?” T'nuri asked, tail perked up.
Kaliente smirked for a moment before he spoke.“The name actually changed two years ago, as the office was held by a Comfe'eian Prime Minister.”
“Comfey's seein’?” Alejandrien's query was quick as a thought overcame them. “Between that Rotts-what ian, I am in over my head here sometimes as an immigrant myself, Sahra Town has nothing like this, and my grandparents never talked about it.”
The Fuecoco narrowed his eyes. “How do yer grandparents know Lauian, a nearly dead tongue though?"
“Gobian’s well uh-” Alejandrien paused and played with their cymbal scales. “From old stories in books the Legendaries locked up, far off in a 99 Floor Mystery Dungeon.”
“Really now? Well, where even
is the Sand Continent? Never heard of Sahra Town before you came either, yew-”
A bright yellow hue suddenly flashed alongside the sound of a drum beat chime, each coming from the beacon on the four’s scarves magnifying glass symbols. “What's happening?” T'nuri questioned in a whisper, glancing left and right. The Ribbonbee reading at a table nearby shot them a glare. Thankfully no one else was in range.
Emile placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’re getting a call.”
“What call?”
“A call on our magnifying glass badges from the DA,” Kaliente quietly explained. “The big three can call us from their scarves too.”
“Yes, Investigation Team Kirigiri here,” Alejandrien tapped a claw to her scarf.
A staticky voice, Lead Esperanza's chimed on the team's scarves.“Alright everyone, we need you to go and check on the Island Guild.”
“What's the problem?” the Jangmo-o questioned.
Another voice, Head Hector's quickly replied back. “We don't know. Just go check on any member you see.”
“Understood.”
Emile, Kaliente, T'nuri and Alejandrien quickly picked up their belongings and placed the books back on their shelves, the Incineroar waving a claw as they exited.
They hurried down the road to the Apothecary and the rest of the city, still rainy and overcast. Past the forest path, Team Kirigiri entered Alma Blanca proper. Like Phantismo Vista a few mixed-use buildings and establishments waited at the forefront to the settlement, but there was a different sight to be held in this older city: a large number of specialized buildings.
These unique structures, primarily white, grey, brown, or black were anything but plain, large statues in courtyards, as centerpieces while stunning hourglasses and ornaments of all different shapes and sizes, hung from roof tops, ceilings, and doorways. One of these buildings was made primarily of wood and had a large lentil arch with a giant bell in the front of the building. Another building was made primarily of marble and boasted a large hourglass at top of the building. All sorts of Pokémon big and small slowly walked inside the chambers of various buildings, made of brick and stone, many singing and chanting in a few prayers.
The last building was a rather wide yet simple wood structure. Composed of straw, clay, and secured with stone and raised off the ground on stilts; the large wood and narrow straw roofed building had a simple statue of two hourglasses, one covered in hues of scarlet and one in rays of violet by the main entrance. Inside the hut many Pokémon wrote and read silently, each wearing gold and silver robes, all the while wind chimes and slow drums echoed through the halls and out into the street.
T'nuri's jaw dropped as she gestured at the glorious feat of carpentry, her bone-club shaking. “What sort of building is this for?”
“Oh that one is a Magic Powder monastery,” Emile explained, leading the three around the various structures. “Alma Blanca has the third largest one of the Archipelago.”
“Magic Powder?” Alejandrien asked. "Ain't that a move?”
“Yeah it's a set of followings of the Psychic sect, though Pokémon of all types follow the sects. It’s just a name based on the type of move it’s based on,” T'nuri explained.
“What are these sects?” The Jangmo-o questioned. “They all have an hourglass. Why is that but the buildings are all different. You mentioned the Soak Style, what was that?”
“We have Soak, Water Sport and Shell Trap under Water,” Kaliente explained.
Emile continued. “Electrify and Charge in the Electric practice.”
“Next we have one alone, the Forest’s Curse, which is a type of Heian Reverence,” the Cubone said. “Forest’s Curse does not follow all of the, uh, rather discriminatory practices of Kapu regarding types.”
“Then there are those who still believe in all of Kapu Heiau, called Trick or Treat,” the Fuecoco added.
“And last we have, the Psychic Grains,” Emile said. “Magic Powder and Clairvoyance.”
T'nuri rapped her bone-club against her skull-helmet. “Those are the different types of reverence.”
Alejandrien's jaw dropped. “What does that even mean?”
“Well they all worship Holy Miraidon and Holy Koraidon in different ways,” Kaliente replied.
“For some of them it's not exactly a worship, most of it is following their wisdom or doctrines,” the Grookey added, the four Pokémon finally finished walking around each of the buildings, an open path toward much smaller establishments waited. The storm picked up a bit, nearby palm trees swaying in the wind.
“Right, different reverence is the more fitting term.”
“Some of it is believing in their powers or rule, even though we haven't seen them for quite a while.”
The Jangmo-o wracked their brain for a moment. “The powers of the past and the future, correct?”
“Yes.”
The flashing light on their scarves lit up once again.
“Hello?” Kaliente asked.
“Good afternoon Team Kirigiri,” a metallic voice, Detective Ichigo's said. “We need you to go over to Kurai-kyo.”
The Jangmo-o blinked at their scarf. “Ku-what -kah?”
“Kurai-kyo, somewhere I've actually been besides Malilia,” T'nuri said. “Kurai-kyo is further north, the Capital of Iaijutsukage.”
“This city is also where the Island Guilds headquarters is,” The Kingambit explained. “Afterwards I need you all to hurry to the Society.”
“Where is the Society?” Emile asked.
“You guys haven't been?” Alejandrien questioned.
The Cubone shook her head. “At this point just expect that they've never done anything.“
“Hey!” Kaliente yelled, smacking the Cubone on the shoulder.
Though the Grookey beside him hung her head.“Yeah, we haven't been there yet.”
“Malila.” the Fuecoco muttered. “It's down south somewhere if I remember correctly.”
Lead Esperanza cleared her throat. “Yeah because of that you may not be able to do that last part.”
“We need all mon on deck to clear our name,” Head Hector urged.
Alejandrien blinked before they sighed. “To clear our name of what?”
Detective Ichigo's metallic voice was the last to bid them farewell. “Some ridiculous nonsense. See you soon, aloha.”
With that the Jangmo-o glanced to the side at a stone sign in the road. On closer inspection the top read ‘Kurai-kyo 6 kilometres North and Phantismo Vista 4 kilometres South.’ Kaliente and Emile took charge, taking the dirt and sand lined path towards a large pavilion in the distance, just around a few older, smaller shops. They passed a smithy, a fortune teller, and a bank, watching a few water-types, and grass-types as they enjoyed the weather.
Team Kirigiri rounded a corner of the bank and came across a plaza with the pavilion they saw earlier. In that plaza two Pokémon sat and perched underneath a large awning at a circular table, free from the picking up rainfall. A Bombirdier and a Psyduck wearing red scarves with bronze Guild badges.
“Is that the Bombirdier and the Psyduck from yesterday?” Alejandrien questioned, stopping in a rather deep puddle. “The Island Guild?”
Kaliente waved a claw and hurried toward the covering. “Who bloody cares? I'm tired of this fucking rain.”
“Lead Esperanza wanted us to check on the Island Guild, anyway,” Emile said as she took off after him.
As soon as the four walked up under the awning, Emile and Kaliente almost lurched forward, barely not tumbling to the ground.
“You two okay?” T'nuri whispered, offering her shoulders to the two as they righted themselves. The Grookey and the Fuecoco glanced at each other and then back toward Psyduck and Bombirdier, brows raised and maws agape.
I
really hope they don't make a fool of ‘em selves. Alejandrien thought, continuing toward the two Island Guild Pokémon.
“What the spark was that?” Kaliente whispered.
Emile clutched her head as she steadied herself. “No damn clue.”
“Howdy y'all!” Alejandrien called out, whether their entire team was ready or not.
“S-sneakin' up on a Guild member eh?!” Bombirdier squawked, flapping her wings and jumping off her chair, the metal talons on her left leg clanking.
“It's those Detectives with the F. DA.” Psyduck explained, eyes lightning up. “You better talk now that we have you in our sights.”
“What is it, er Dawnbreakers was it?” T'nuri asked.
“And yew muddy landlubbers are?” Bombirdier questioned back, climbing back into her seat.
“Investigation Team Kirigiri,” Emile answered. “You guildies needed checking up on?”
“Well I'm Psi,” the Psyduck replied, before he patted the table. “And we're looking for our missing shipments of berries.”
“The snuff?” Kaliente yelled. “That's it?”
“Hey yew idjit,” Bombirdier said back, “Berries’re important to tha Island Guild, I bet a wean flickering Coasta Niebla dropout like ya wouldn't know.”
“What types of berries were they?” Alejandrien asked, their eyes low.
“Grepa, and a whole big assortment of other berries, alongside Apples.”
“Apples huh?” T'nuri pondered aloud.
The Psyduck laughed. “Never seen one huh, ya just eat Grimy Food and scraps off the floor eh?”
“Of course we don't ya idjit,” the Fuecoco replied. “We’re fed at the Fogcutter’s Detective Agency damnit.”
Bombirdier chuckled, pointing a wing at Kaliente, nearly brushing his nose.“With how those pirates bashed ya up, I swore yew blokes got back at us for our awesome show!”
“Stay ya beak sparker!” Kaliente spat.
“Find our shipments then wean ‘mon,” she replied.
“What?” Alejandrien questioned, jaw slack. “We ain't even know where the crates of berries are.”
Psi adjusted his scarf and raised a brow.“You're trying to help us and you don't even know that? Some detectives you are.”
“Okay buster, y'all tell us where they were last seen.”
“Hmm, why should we tell bitey little bugmon like yew?” Bombirdier spat.
The Grookey below her growled. “What the fuck do you have against us?”
“Why are you lost detectives butting in our business?” the Psyduck asked, leaning away from the four.
“For spark’s sake! Why won't you accept our help? Shit!” T'nuri spat.
The six Pokémon stared each other down as the rain shower above them slowly came to a light drizzle.
Bombirdier and Psi were in sync with their last hurrah. “Well why don't you accept you're lost!?”
And with that, five Pokémon stepped out from an alleyway behind the smithy. The Guild and the DA ‘mon went quiet as they watched each of them saunter out into the flittering sparse rays of sunlight; a Persian, Sneasel, and Graveler, floating behind them were a Magnemite, and Qwilfish. Each with a scarf somewhere along their body, some of the Pokémon carrying bags others wearing vests, coats, or wide brim hats.
T'nuri peered at the Graveler and the Magnemite. “Isn’t that getup familiar?”
The Pokémon aren't familiar to me if anything, the Jangmo-o thought, eyeing the grey and purple Sneasel.
I've never seen such colors on ‘em back home.
“I can barely see from here.” Bombirdier huffed, hopping out her seat and taking off the ground.
“Yew need ta get that close ta see birdbrain?” Kaliente spat. Bombirdier did a fly by over ahead and circled the five from the clouds.
“Bennie! I'll check too!” Psyduck called, waddling after her.
“Hey wait!” Alejandrien cried, hurrying after the two.
“You'll blow our cover!” Emile gasped, her speed allowing her to dash ahead.
T'nuri sighed. “I really don't wanna deal with these guys right now.”
Now in the light of the sun, something glimmered on the Persian's chubby neck. A pink, yellow, and orange bandana, fitted with a stitching of a Sharpedo, and crossbones.
“They're those pirates!” Psi yelped, covering behind Bennie.
“They'll pay for their friends ‘oh Sharpedo numbah one’ nearly killing us!” the Cubone behind him suddenly growled, raising her bone-club.
Alejandrien gritted her teeth as she watched the five continue on their way. “Hold yer Horseas y'all,” the Jangmo-o said, “These Aeroblast Buccaneers ain't doing nothing right now.”
The five pirates loitered underneath another awning with their backs turned, talking amongst themselves. Completely unaware of the vengeful guildies and detectives behind them.
“Yeah, but what if those blokes stole tha shipments?” the Fuecoco beside them fumed.
The Bombirdier above them landed back by Psi, harrumphing. “Yew detectives need ta help us take them on!”
“Snuff yeah!” Emile cheered.
“We need permission first.” T'nuri sighed.
“As Dawnbreakers, Bennie and I have the go ahead on all outlaws.” Psi explained, pointing a yellow limb at his mighty bill. “We're not lost, we have justice on our side, guiding the way!”
What? “Well as Kirigiri, we're supposed to help y'all,” the Jangmo-o said, with a sigh. “But we do need to go to the Archipelago Society too, so we have to call ahead.”
Bombirdier flapped her wings and preened the massive pouch on her front. “Fine,” her squawk was softer suddenly. “Sparkin’ call ‘em, lame little losers.”
Right before the Cubone lifted up her cloak, all of Team Kirigiri's badges flashed and rang.“Oh, come on!” The four groaned, to a various degree, some more of a shout, others more of a whine.
“Is that how loud your new-fangled attempts at a Tele-Orb are?” Psi questioned, covering his ears with a wince.
“
Silenco por favor.” The Grookey requested, shushing the Psyduck.
Bennie gave her wings a flap and beat them again, slowly picking off the ground. “Let's go look for the Berry shipments, Psi.”
“Kay!” the Psyduck replied, following suit.
In the next second, the detective's badges soon chimed again, this time with an indeterminate yet upbeat voice asking: “Holá, hello, aloha, moshi moshi, bonjour, hello?”
That's not any of the big three Detectives voices, Alejandrien realized, narrowing their eyes.
Who is that?
The Cubone reluctantly picked up the call. “Yes?”
“Sorry
mihos.” Head Hector's voice came in as smooth as it could. “Something came up, we need you to come back to the DA.”
“Understood,” Alejandrien replied, locking eyes with T'nuri, then Kaliente, and finally Emile. The three nodded, and the Jangmo-o grinned. “We're on our way.” Turning away from both the Island Guild's Team Dawnbreakers, and the Aeroblast Buccaneers of Fei Lung, Team Kirigiri began their way out of Alma Blanca City, headed back to Phantismo Vista, to the Fogcutter’s Detective Agency.
(Banner Art, Done by me Kiba Makkuro)
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