Daycare Disaster! [More than a day's work][Done]

[Pixel]

Goldenrod gleamed of fool's gold in the evening light—the last rays of dusk making the dazzling city practically shimmer. Much like its sister city, Saffron, soon those bustling streets full of businessmen would be flooded with folks seeking out the thrills of the night life, faces shadowed even in the radiant neon glow of business signage. Those that grew up in large, busy cities like this were wary to roam in certain dark corners, well aware that there was a festering criminal element lurking around the casinos and bars, waiting to prey upon the unwary and inebriated. 

Adrian had not been back to Goldenrod since his arrival about a year ago. That long train ride felt like a lifetime away—when he was broke and ready for a new start before he ended up in a ditch somewhere. He had no real desire to loiter here, but there was plenty of work and numerous things that could be done. There was a chance he'd be stuck here for longer than desired... that said, at least it wasn't Saffron. Despite its similarities to home, it was not the place he grew up. And now he had many goals to strive for to distract him from any tucked away urge to fall onto bad habits, like smoking or sneaking a beer.

In fact, at that very moment, Adrian was actually in very high spirits. He was on his first patrol on an actual bike. The owner of the shop seemed thrilled to have an officer riding on one and thought it would be great advertisement. Given the prices? Adrian could not scoff at free! It took a little while to find his balance, but once he got going, he was off, pedaling away. 

After a little while of riding, he took a break in a park, happily munching on a convenience store sandwich. He checked his messages. There was one from his temporary housemate Freya, who was still boarding at the Ranch, who sent him a picture of a parasect. He didn't HAVE a parasect. He did, however, have a paras that he recently obtained from a listing about rehoming some bug pokemon.

FREYA
[Look who got into the EXP Candy stash you had in the kitchen]

ADRIAN
[Those were on top of the fridge]

FREYA
[Not anymore! BTW I cleaned up the glass.]
[Also, I'm going into Ilex soon. So check your item boxes~]
[Watch out, I'm so going to catch up, hotshot. Always knew I would, being a former champion trainer.]

ADRIAN
[Why give me your Amulet Coin?]

FREYA
[Can't use it in a forest, dummy.]

ADRIAN
[Fair.]

His alarm pinged and informed him that his break was over, so back onto the bike he went. Adrian sped his way through the darkening streets and out to the other side of Goldenrod where the grasses grew tall and trainers liked to prowl. It was then that his radio crackled with an alert. 

Adrian answered it, reporting in as nearby. 

Apparently, the local Pokemon Daycare had reported a break in and robbery. An egg was stolen. Adrian sped up his pace, jetting down the road until he reached the one building that stood out amongst the greenery and rolling landscape. Adrian slowed to a stop, looking around for signs of the robber. He probably should go inside to interview the couple, but something like this could be time sensitive. If he failed to find any signs of trespass or spot anyone he could ask outside if they saw anything, he would knock on the door of the daycare. 

But he was on edge and alert, searching for anyone acting suspicious or walking oddly, as if trying to conceal something as large as a pokemon egg.

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

Doing some things, so patience with my laundry list:
Feeding 2 XS-EXP candies to the LV 22 paras in Adrian's PC
Paras will evo into parasect.

I will then move parasect to Silas' PC
XS Candy: 2 > 0

Putting Sarge and Zag into my PC. Moving Ig and Ace into my active party.

Moving the amulet coin from Freya's Inventory to Adrian's.
Placing on Ace the Scizor.

Putting a quick claw on Ig the Graveler.

(Self-Updating)

[Caramell 🍬]

Goldenrod was a city of opportunities. Those opportunities brough about people of various backgrounds, all prodding along in their simple lives as they slowly carved a name for themselves. Some small families sat along the edge of the ocean’s shoreline and stared out at the gently lapping waves, with their little children pointing to fins that poked out just above the water’s surface in the distance. Many citizens of all walks of life traversed up and down the busy city streets, turning their gaze away.

Some cheered Adrian on when they realized they were looking at an International Police Force officer, while others jeered and called him strange names like ‘fat pig’ and ‘overbearing tyrants’! One even tossed their empty Styrofoam cup at him, spilling only the ice that hadn’t fully melted in Adrian’s direction. It was clear that not everyone appreciated the force and that perhaps, some created as much of a bad reputation thanks to their brash natures as the others would create positive images. A problem for another day when you had an active crime scene to deal with, for sure!

Arriving at his targeted destination on the open route would paint a much different scene, however. Shattered glass littered the ground, entangled in the tall grasses nearby with several sharp shards jutting out above the sandy trail that led up to the Daycare’s front door. The knob was busted, barely holding on by a single nail halfway unscrewed, with a few others littering the ground. It wobbled and nearly fell off completely as soon as anyone tried to touch it. A large dint in the door with pieces of splintered wood told the tale all the same. The footsteps leading to and from the Daycare went in several directions and would be nearly impossible to follow on their own.

Just a short distance away were several citizens and traveling trainers alike. Off in the field by himself sat an elderly man with several paintbrushes scattered about him. He seemed to be diligently painting some sort of scene on his easel. Perhaps he managed to catch the likeness of the criminal or was a witness to what recently happened? In another direction was a couple with a camera, whose film might have captured something on their screen if they were recording at any time during the active break in. The young woman continued to speak into the mic as the young man clung to his camera firmly. In yet a third direction was an older man somewhere in his thirties with a small child, simply playing in the fields. And in a final direction was a very strange person dressed in all black attempting to hide up inside of a tall tree. Whatever was this young man’s deal…he kept staring at the Daycare in interest…could he be the thief?

Adrian sees a bunch of people around!

Will he talk to Artistè Ezra, Interviewers Mika & Jodd, Dad Buckley & Child Asher, OR Ninja Ronin?

[Pixel]

Adrian was NOT the person to approach about improving public relations and general image. He was generally fine when working with children or pokemon, but even he understood why folks were wary of the police. He was a hooligan once upon a time in his life. He understood the corruption of the system as he had been a victim of it himself before he decided to try to make some changes. So he ignore the jeers and thrown cups, and hurried to the crime scene.

It was in quite a state. 

He pulled his bike to the side and leaned it on its kick stand, examining the door frame and the barely functional remnants of the door itself. Someone clearly kicked it in. Though where did the glass come from? Maybe they escaped through a window or climbed in that way when the front door method failed or garnered too much attention. Adrian was no detective and he lifted his radio to call someone into the scene to do said work when he spotted possible witnesses. 

Time was of the essence. Right. He couldn't just loiter here and wait for back up with a thief running off with a delicate egg. They could potentially destroy an egg of more fragile species. Dragons were notorious in the breeder communities for not hatching unless given specialized care and kept in advanced incubators. Adrian couldn't even purchase the equipment for his own nursery yet, as he didn't meet the minimum qualifications according to the Board.

And if the egg was stolen from a well-established center like this, it was possible the egg was one of the kinds that needed specialized care and every minute outside of the incubator was dangerous.

Adrian moved to approach the camera crew that he spotted, as the painter was likely caught in his work and the kid playing with his father probably were busy as well. The camera might have caught something... but then he spotted movement.

He looked up to see a strange, shadowy figure up in a tree. 

Staring at the daycare.

Watching.

He instinctively thought this might be the thief, but he shook himself. No. The thief would just sit in a tree and watch the daycare if they ran off with an egg. This person could be a look out for the thief, however... or, in the best case scenario, be the most likely witness. If he was watching the place so dutifully, and was NOT an accomplice, then surely it was for a reason, such as seeing or hearing something suspicious while in their perch.

Adrian made his way to the base of the tree and did his best to put on his most friendly (least unfriendly) smile, "You sir. Can you please come down from there? I noticed you were watching the daycare and just wanted to talk to you about a recent incident." Hurry, hurry, hurry. He fidgeted. If the man complied, he would be able to easily access if he had the egg on him. "It is an urgent matter, so I will not keep you long."

Please don't make him knock you out of the tree.

(No. Bad Adrian. No knocking humans out of trees. That was not good behavior.)

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

HMMMM. I think I will interview the suspicious
tree dwelling ninja.

[Caramell 🍬]

The young man’s stare never wavered from the ransacked Daycare. They pierced through the busted door frame and broken glass as though they could personally see the old man and his wife pacing about the joint nervously, blabbering to each other about the hows and whys of what recently transpired. Ronin was a Ninja Warrior from a sacred clan, raised in the art of stealth since he was just a toddler, and knew how to sneak about wherever he wanted to go. The tree was a safe vantage point for him, as well. Here, he could watch his small Nincada and fellow Nuzleaf playing near the small pond the Daycare couple had built and fidgeted on the idea of taking them out early.

He'd been watching them all day long. Ronin couldn’t trust they safety and upbringing to just anyone, after all. He needed to know that their safety was paramount. Ronin had witnessed someone dressed in all black sneak into the place – first by kicking at the door frame relentlessly, then by just breaking the window, before hopping in and back out. But he didn’t focus on Mr. Thief enough to know where he’d went or remember any key details about what he looked like. No. His babies was all that Ronin cared about.

So when Adrian came knocking on his proverbial home, Ronin stretched a bit before hopping down to face the other man. “You’re referring to the break in recently?” Ronin asked with a bored yawn, eyes never once turning to stare at the officer before him. He could care less. They stayed perfectly focused behind Adrian at the two small Pokemon playing without a care in the world. Thankfully, the thief never once targeted the Pokemon the Daycare workers were watching, or Ronin would have more than just some choice words for the elderly couple.

“Man probably between 5’0” and 6’5”…he was hunched over a lot, hard to tell. All black. Busted through the window when the door wouldn’t work, swiped a bunch of stuff I guess, and ran off. My babies are safe though…” Ronin would explain as soon as Adrian asked him anything related to the case at all. Should Adrian ask if Ronin saw any other identifying features? He’d answer. “I don’t know. I feel like he had blue eyes even if I didn’t see his eyes. Or maybe brown…you know, purple might work too, come to think of it. Short hair obviously. Or was it shoulder length? Probably brown, too. No…maybe blonde. Or possibly red? Hard to remember.” Or if he asked where he ran off too? “Definitely north…maybe west? No that’s the ocean. So possibly east…yeah, east sounds about right…”

So clearly…Adrian would need more clues than Mr. Suspicious over here.

Ninja Ronin is eager to answer questions!

But Adrian will have to carefully choose what 'facts' he jots down...haha!
What will Adrian do next??? Ask one of the others, or go searching on what little info he has?

[Pixel]

The suspicious man in the tree was both helpful and NOT. He babbled about a man in black who kicked at the door before breaking the window and climbing in (that tracked with the scene). But then he tried to describe the person and went completely off the rails with the most generic person description ever. So helpful. SO SO HELPFUL. Adrian would not jot down the description beyond 'likely male, wearing black' based on what he could confirm from the man's speech.

And looking him over, he could tell that he didn't have any pokemon eggs hidden on his person, and Ronin seemed far too happy to tell him what he saw to be involved with the robber.

"Thank you for your cooperation," he said, hopping back on his bike. "Rest assured, this matter is being taken seriously." He looked again in the direction that the original tracks seemed to head towards and he didn't think that the ocean was the right way to go. Nor back towards Goldenrod. He had an itching feeling that the thief fled towards the forest, so that was where he would head next. But now armed with more information, he headed up the route and realized he was passing the camera crew. The original pair he planned to approach before he saw the ninja. He eyed the camera and nodded to himself, pedaling up them and screeching to a breaking halt.

"You two with the camera. There is an active investigation going on right now. Have you been recording any time in the last ten minutes? If so, it is possible you recorded a breaking-and-entering. Timing is crucial right now. I need to know if you recorded a man in black leaving the area, and if you did, which direction he went." Adrian was speaking fast and looking towards the forest. He dreaded every passing second, but if he was wrong and chased after the thief in the wrong direction, he would lose even more time than he was spending now, looking for evidence.

A detective might be more meticulous and a training officer might have better people skills, but Adrian had urgency, a bike and a badge and a prayer that these two weren't anti police. 

"Please. I am trying to help a beloved community icon." The daycare couple were well known here. Surely, even if they did not trust him, they might feel empathy for the old couple that helped so many trainers raise their pokemon over the years. 

—

Word Count: 417 (+400) | OOC:

Adrian is getting antsy. He approaches the camera crew.

[Caramell 🍬]

Ronin considered the information he provided to be paramount to the investigation. Who wouldn’t find the culprit with those perfect clues that he left? By making sure to add every possibility that might exist as to who the person could have been and which way they might have gone, there was no way Ronin left a stone unturned for Adrian. What he wasn’t as aware of, though, was the fact that he inadvertently overturned every rock and pebble along the way, making his work that much harder as well. “Of course. Officers are the last line of defense from utter chaos and anarchy in the streets.” With that last note, Ronin poofed off back up into the tree and stared firmly at his Pokemon in the Daycare once more.

Adrian would notice many things on his bike trek back to the camera crew. The father with his small child had begun to pack everything up with a cursory glance at his watch. “Oh shoot, your mother is going to kill me!” He gasped, placing one head against the side of his head. “I promised her we would only be out for a little bit. It’s already been over an hour!” With that, the two would hurry up and scurry off, back up the winding road northwards to the heart of Goldenrod. He would even pass by the painter and if he glanced at just the right time, he’d notice a happy scene on the canvas. Two small Ducklett were splashing water at a Psyduck as a Carvanha jumped up out of the water. In the background were fins swimming just above the surface and the head of a Milotic stretching up to the blazing sun above.

The camera crew smiled as Adrian strolled up to them. Even though plenty of people in the city proved that not everyone trusted cops, they certainly did. “An active investigation you say?” Mika spoke into her microphone with a nod of her head. Jodd tugged on the bright orange cap and spun the camera to Adrian, recording his image for a second. “Yo, man, of course we’ll help. Got all the footage right here, and a really neat camera you can watch it on like instant replay.” He pulled a small window out from the side and rewound the tape so that Adrian could view it in full. “You know Officer Boaz? He works in….uhm…” She couldn’t quite recall, though. “…hmm…well anyways. Tell him that my sister made a full recovery. Wouldn’t have happened without that hero!”

The images flickered in the classic same manner. Mika spoke about the influx of Ponyta being spotted within the tall grasses along the route. A man whose physique could have blended in with any crowd appeared in the corner of the screen where the Daycare appeared in the corner. He wore all black and carried a large duffle bag over his shoulder almost like a black trash bag. On his head was a black cap and over his face was a thick white scarf, obscuring most of his details. Even the solid black outfit he wore covered the guy well, with long sleeves that stretched to his hands and long black denim jeans covering his legs. The man broke in exactly as Ronin described, but then strangely teleported back out of the Daycare before high-tailing it on foot southward towards the entrance/exit to Ilex Forest.

“Oh, yo. You’re right! Look, he’s holding that white egg with blue and red splotches on its shell!” Jodd gasped. “Looks like he might be close to the forest by now. Do you think you can still catch up to him in time?” Adrian would have to act fast, if he wanted to catch up to the culprit now! Should he speed off down the long, winding route, he would notice a boy with a similar build looking around nervously. He approached the entrance to the forest, eyes shifting to scan both of his sides as though he wanted to ensure no one else was watching. What would Adrian do?

Adrian found a shifty fella!

And he's getting away! What will Adrian do? If he fights, Level 16 Abra will be called out.

[Pixel]

Adrian could have let out a massive sigh in relief when he heard the eager and friendly voices of the camera duo agreeing that they could indeed show him the footage. He did blink a little like a startled hoot-hoot when they pointed the camera in his face, the little light still blinking, but soon they were showing him the recording, rewinding back to when the event supposedly took place. It was off in the corner of the screen but—

"There he is," he noticed at the same time they did. "And, uh, no, I don't know that officer...but if I meet him, I'll pass your regards. We're glad to protect and serve and I got to go. Thank you!" Could he catch up after he wasted so much time. That was the question. If he was on foot, he would be cursing himself, but fortunately, he was not. He hopping on his bike and started to pedal away, bringing up his radio once more to report in. "I am following a lead on the property stolen from the day care couple. It appears to be a white egg with blue-and-red markings. The intruder attempted to break down the door and when that failed, he broke and climbed through a window. There was no trail leading away from the building. A witness to the scene had recorded the event accidentally, and his method of escape was revealed to be teleportation through the aid of a pokemon. He was last spotted heading for Ilex. I am on his trail now."

He pocketed the radio and pedaled harder. Faster. Got those wheels churning so fast that his legs burned and sweat beaded down his cheeks. The wind was deafening as it rushed past his face. And then he spotted the figure ahead and his heart leapt from his chest. "You there! This is the police. Put the egg down and put your hands up!" He brought the bike to a screeching halt in front of the burglar, panting heavily, digging out his badge to flash it at the man. "You are under arrest." Adrian was prepared to read the man his rights, but if the egg was not put down, and he resisted or tried to flee (such as by sending out that teleporting abra), he would have no choice but to send out a pokemon of his own. 

Ace, the scizor, would surely be able to outspeed that abra with a quick bullet punch to prevent any teleporting.

"I repeat, put the egg down and your hands in the air." He climbed off the bike, already twitchy from adrenaline from racing all this way.

—

Word Count: 443 (+400) | OOC:

Ace uses bullet punch if fighting becomes necessary.

(Ace is holding Amulet Coin; Byte is holding exp share)

[kito]

Oh you got to be kidding me ah well here we go. Abra to battle, man this was supposed to be a easy job. my boss didnt say anything about me having to deal with the police. Abra use thunder-. Before the thief could even issue his command ace was upon his abra. with its claw glowing it delivered a hard punch straight into the abras head sending it to the ground it in one swift motion. What the heck man I thought that the police were not about excessive force. Man this sucks if i get out of this I am going to give my employer a piece of my mind. Abra return, go Persian. alright you knocked out my way of transport but here is my ace lets do it Persian.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Abra LV 16
HP 0% [00/38]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Ace LV 26
HP 100% [80/80]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Abra [Ability]:
Ace [Ability]: technician

SP+ Ace used bullet punch ..!
Abra used faint ..!


Ace defeted the Abra gaining 800 exp Ace leveled up to 27
Byte gained a level due to exp share going to 18

the thief is not done and sends out a Persian what will you do?

[Pixel]

The man did not put down the egg and surrender. That meant Ace had to disarm any transportation before the man could escape. Adrian heard the man start to call out a move from his abra, but before the pyschic type could act, Ace zipped forth, fast as a bullet with a gleaming claw. She cocked an arm back a split second before colliding with the abra before dashing that claw right past that palm sparking with electricity. The abra was flung back, knocked out cold by a single bullet punch. 

"Put the egg down and surrender. We do not have to continue battling," Adrian tried, hoping that the man would see reason. The egg's fragile state was a concern to him and he didn't want the man dropping it or it becoming damaged during the fight. But he did not have a good solution to the whole...situation. The man needed to surrender on his own volition while he kept an eye out for this supposed second party. "You can get a lighter sentencing in court if you work with me, sir. Tell me more about this boss that hired you." It wasn't a lie. He just wasn't a lawyer. He wasn't sure of the details but he was pretty sure it was common for people to plea for lighter sentences because they worked with the police and gave names.

But it seemed like talk wasn't cutting it. 

The man sent out a persian and Adrian swore under his breath.

"Ace, search this route for signs of a second person. Make sure they don't bolt," Adrian told his siczor. The mantis nodded and zoomed off as Adrian sent out his own next pokemon. "Zoro, we need to end this battle quickly. Use double kick!" And as the bull charged the feline, Adrian round the battle, gaze fixed on the burglar. He needed to get control of this situation but how...

(A familiar warmth against his back reminded him of something.)

"Flicker," he murmured under his breath. "Do your thing. See that egg? We need to protect it and keep it warm. Go get it." The ghost that spent most of her time in his backpack phased through the fabric and cheerfully snuck up on the man. Egg! Hers! She took care of all the eggies! She would try to latch onto it and take it with all her ghostly might, and would make sure it did not hit the ground if the man dropped it when Adrian confronted him more...physically.

—

Word Count: 420 (+400) | OOC:

Sending out Zoro to double kick x2

kito Abra's LV is wrong in the battle screen, but the EXP gain was correct.

(Ace participated and is holding Amulet Coin;
Byte is holding exp share)

[vartio]

Our daring Thief realized how screwed he was at this point the moment that the Copper had pulled out some unknown Pokemon. It looked like a Tauros, but didn't! That must mean it was a Flauros! ...Or a Cowros! Whatever it was, he wasn't too familiar with a breed not common to the area at this point in time. He needed a plan to stall or get away. Unaware the Litwick was approaching because his attention was thrown off, the Thief went with the only move he could plausibly think up.

He couldn't afford to botch this job, he could get rich quick!

"Persian use Fakeout!" He called out as the Officer declared their own attack, his Persian leaped high in the air, curling its body into an N shape before it let out a loud "SIAN!", launching itself forwards at the tauros until it curled back up, clapping back at the Tauros as it unleashed a shockwave that caused the Tauros to hesitate and flinch!

But alas, it wouldn't be enough as the Tauros recovered in time for another of the same command, turning around and proceeding to punt the cat, launching it into the trainer who would lose consciousness on the spot from having a giant cat hurled at him from the sheer force of the double kick.

Litwick thankfully would be on its return path, having recovered the egg without the now unconscious trainer's awareness, when someone showed up and lifted the egg from Litwick's arms and gently pulled it from the small Candle Pokemon.

"And this is why you don't hire cheap help, I must admit, that was not one of my better decisions." Stated the smarmy, arrogant tone of the one whom now held the egg in his hand, holding his hand at ear-height just so any rough action would cause it to drop an amount the Litwick probably wouldn't get away with.

"Hello there, and I apologize, I'd like to talk business with you."

========================================
Congratulations, you have defeated the Pokemon Egg Thief!

Tauros is now 1000/2269 EXP.
Byte has Gained a Level through EXP Share!
Byte is now Level 19!

Zoro is now 75/85 HP!

You have won £1000!
========================================
Damage Roll

SPOILER: Click to show

XzXz_92Ep_1-16

[/spoiler]1-16

[Pixel]

Adrian wasn't expecting to end up with his arms full of unconscious thief. While Zoro handled the feline, he rounded the thief, hoping to grab and cuff him once Flicker got a hold of the egg. However, as she snatched said egg and wiggled away, triumphant in her thiefing, Zoro got a little too enthusiastic and double kicked the persian right into its trainer. Apparently that fake out had upset the bull and made him a little more...temperamental. He would need to work with him on appropriate amounts of force later.

That said, like a domino, the thief collapsed backwards as soon as that fainted feline flew furiously into his face. Adrian, out of pure reflex, caught the man before he could hit his head on the ground. He shook himself then carefully lowered him so he could cuff him. Flicker cheerfully floated over with the egg and everything looked handled for the moment. At least until the true mind behind the operation revealed himself.

The officer looked up from where he was now kneeling, about to wake the thief up to question. And there was another man approaching, talking about good help...and he very casually swiped the egg from the litwick, lifting it right out of her egg cuddling arms. She made a noise of protest, her wick flickering with frustration as she bobbed in place, smoke drifting from her head.

Adrian rose up, eyes narrowed with caution.

"You want to talk business?" Adrian deadpanned, subtly shifting to push the button on his radio so that someone on the other end could hear him talking to this man. "You're openly admitting to working with him then? You hired him to steal that egg." Did he have a 'dirty cop' look to him, like he could be bribed or talked into letting crime happen? Wait. Don't answer that. He knew he did. 

He had a face that certainly screamed disgruntled and sad backstory. He probably looked the part of some bad boy playing pretend at being cop rather than an actual officer of the law. Maybe he could use that to his advantage? Adrian mentally followed the ticking hands of a clock. How long did they have before that baby pokemon was irreparably harmed by being outside of an incubator? It looked fragile and these people kept manhandling it like it was a rock rather than an egg.

Adrian noticed Ace zoom up from behind him, apparently having scouted around nearby already. She landed on the path, taking on a ready stance. 

"Please hand over the egg, sir. That is stolen property and needs to be returned to the daycare."

—

Word Count: 440 (+400) | OOC:

Talking to the mysterious man!

[vartio]

"Oh do calm down officer, at least hear me out. To start with, an introduction. My name's Carter. You see, I'll make it worth your while. A few thousand Poke Dollars in your pocket, a few you can give them as payment money, or rather 'sympathy' money for the egg. Skip all this unnecessarily drama and an unnecessary battle."

He walked around holding the egg, making sure not to quite punt the Litwick. Oh, he knew he had been pursued by this trainer's Pokemon, but that was part of why he revealed himself. It would be easier to reduce the trouble IF he revealed himself. Make it seem like he was more amenable to a solution! He didn't try to run. He simply smiled as he looked towards the officer before him.

"Been trying to buy it for a while you see, I could instantly recognize this egg when the owners left it behind at that nursery after picking up their pokemon, and the Nursery owners had refused to sell! Despite the owners of the egg leaving it behind they won't sell it! What audacity!"

Carter would huffed, losing his cool partway through his description of the scenario, he pulled out a comb with his free hand, making sure his hair was shifted back into position before pocketing it again.

"They get paid, you get paid, I get egg. Not like they had a use for the egg anyhow if they weren't going to sell it! Everyone wins. Whatcha say there?"

[Pixel]

Adrian was silent as the man spoke, digging his own grave deeper with every word. With his radio on, the people on the other end could hear this whole conversation they were having, including the part where the man basically offered to pay him to let him take the egg that the daycare couple refused to sell. Solid evidence. He left the communication open for now.

"The nursery owners were not obligated to sell you this egg. Perhaps the trainers wanted them to watch it. Perhaps the daycare couple wanted to raise it themselves. They have all the equipment needed to hatch certain pokemon that your average traveling trainer does not. That egg likely needs to be in an incubator right now. Your investment in stealing it would be for naught if it never hatched because of your brazen negligence." 

Adrian finished cuffing the thief on the ground and stood up, facing the rich man who seemed to think that money would solve all his problems. 

"Regardless, you have broken the law in multiple ways. Theft. Hiring someone to perform theft in your stead. And now attempted bribery of an officer of the law. It would be wisest not to add resisting arrest to the list. So please, I repeat, put down the egg and come with me." Adrian took a step forward.

Ace hummed with excitement.

Adrian nodded to the scizor behind the man.

If he sent out a pokemon, be prepared to strike first and fast.

Adrian held out his hands to take the egg, moving forward slowly to not startle him into dropping it. "I don't want to fight you on this. You have lost." Adrian warned. He was trying his best not to be the knee-kicking sort that handled everything with a battle. But he knew talking it out also wasn't one of his strengths. He just couldn't solve this situation by tackling the man because that would endanger the egg.

(A memory flared up. Recent. Of him alone with an extremist in the back of a cave, the light scarce and dim. The man whipped out a knife as Adrian closed in to arrest him. He could have died that day. That knife could have ended up lodged between his ribs and—)

"The daycare couple is forgiving. They might not even press charges if you just give the egg back," Adrian tried. Then again, there was the whole destruction of property thing, but THAT was the thief's doing in handling the theft.

—

Word Count: 417 (+400) | OOC:

Adrian does not accept the bribe!

If the thief sends out a pokemon, Ace will use Double Hit x2

[vartio]

"Why is it you people make the same mistakes, every time?" Stated the collector, who took a hand through his hair as he pulled it back with a sigh. He shook his head slowly. "Nidoking, do it."

Out from the forest beyond their sight a tree would suddenly smash down with a terrifying speed towards the Scizor to force a the Pokemon to move back, before a massive Purple Hulking Pokemon shot forth and attempted to ram through the Scizor, only forcing it to back off.

"Double Kick!" He responded to this momentum, only for the Scizor to launch forwards and land two astoundingly quick hits that instantly put Nidoking on the ground.

The Collector could only stare with disbelief on his face. His great Nidoking crushed so easily?

"What the Unholy f-"

After standing there shocked for a moment he lifted the Pokeball and recalled his Pokemon, before lifting his next with anger and tossing it out. "YOU GOT LUCKY! Let's do this Seaking!"

Erupting from the ball came out an oversized Goldfish. Which... was arguably less intimidating. The man was either at this point delusional or desperate.

---

Pokemon 'Collector' Carter ordered lvl 21 Nidoking to attack!

Spd 48 Scizor used Double Hit! HIT! HIT!
Spd 47 Nidoking Fainted.

Pokemon 'Collector' Carter sent out level 18 Seaking!

---

Ace has gained 1050 EXP
Ace now has 1143/2269 EXP!

SPOILER: Click to show

Left = Scizor, Right = Nidoking
(Accuracy)
eA3FDwlQp_1-100 + p_1-100 | X

Damage Rolls not bothered, each has a 61% minimum damage for 122%, guaranteeing KO.

1-100·1-100

[Pixel]

With Zoro at his back to make sure nobody came up on him from behind, and Ace behind the shady collector, Adrian was fairly confident he could get the man to comply. Come on. Talk to him. Work with him. Don't make him have to—

His head whipped to the side as a nidoking charged out of the treeline, smashing through the underbrush like a force of nature come to life. Adrian reflexively threw his hands up to shield his face and Zoro bellowed in protectiveness. When no impact came, Adrian looked up to see that Ace had dove between them and met the nidoking's sharp kicks with strikes of her own. 

CLANG CLANG! Metal struck that thick hide. 

Like a professional boxer, those hits were swift and powerful, knocking the nidoking right out!

"Sir, you attacked an officer of the law," Adrian began, but before he could get any further in the spiel, the collector sent out another pokemon. Adrian frowned. "Stop this nonsense and surrender yourself and the egg." He couldn't close the distance between them like this, not while a battle was going on.

Ace, always a sharp mind and a sharp claw, surged forth and employed that double hit strat on the seaking as well. Just quick little jabs of her claws.

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

Porygon is holding exp share and gains +1 LV to LV 19 vartio
Ace uses double hit.

(Ace is holding amulet coin. Byte is holding exp share.)