The Elusive Latios

Day 1: August 19

I was called in early to work this morning which should have been the sure-fire sign that today would be unlike any day I've ever lived. I always worked the late shift; it was more comfortable for me since I had really lived most of my life during nightfall. And when I say, "really lived", I mean, I got wasted, spent all my cash on whores, and woke up the next morning regretting everything just to do it all over again. It wasn't until I stumbled up my current boss, Professor Maple, that my life changed for the better. He really knocked the sense into me. He found me one night totally burnt on the sidewalk, and he took me into his home with complete understanding of my situation. That is why I owe everything to him, and why I was so willing to come into the laboratory at 5 am to begin work on a "top secret mission". I emphasize "top secret" because nothing Maple ever does is "top secret". The last time the team and I worked on something "top secret" for Maple, word of the task had gotten around half the country before noontime via Maple himself. He has a very bad reputation for being unable to hold a secret, and everyone who's spent a single day with him knows it. I thought this occasion would be no different. I guess I can't always be right.

I took my time walking through the cold, steel, facility doors. I figured Maple would have contacted other members of our team to join us, and I was four minutes early anyway. As I trudged through the white halls, my footsteps echoed around me. I was walking on one of those hard floors with my uniform dress shoes, so the sound was painfully loud. I kept walking though, and I made a left turn, then another left turn, then a right turn, and then- Wrong way, I had to go back. I went back, then went back some more, before finally I found my homeroom. Room 101; what a beaut! It's the best and largest room in the whole building mainly because it serves as Maple's office. I pulled down the door latch 'til it clicked, and I pushed the door open. No lights were on. The only illumination in the room came from the cozy, little window in the far right corner near Maple's workspace. Staring motionless through the window I found Maple, alone. I slowly closed the door behind me until it clicked again. This time, Maple noticed, and he turned to face me. I could hardly recognize him in the dimness. Maybe if his hair were a little lighter- Ah, that's not important. Despite the darkness, Maple maneuvered over to me with a warm smile on his face. The same smile he had when I first met him...

"There you are, Tony. Thank you for coming in on such short notice- I really appreciate it." Professor Maple shook my hand heartily as he spoke. His kindness never ceased to surprise me. I enjoyed being in his company. "Let us not delay. Please, come over to my desk. Have a seat." Maple motioned me over to his reasonably sized desk which housed three, comfortable chairs with black padding. I casually strolled over to the furniture and took a seat. Maple briskly followed suit and sat across from me at the finely crafted; yet, heavily cluttered desk. He pushed a stack of papers to his left and shoved yet another set to the right before looking at me again. "As you know from the text I sent you, this mission is very special. It is dire that no word of it leaks." He stared at me with a sort of determination in his eyes. That was a look I hadn't seen before. I didn't fully buy it at first though. I leaned back in the chair and crossed my arms.

"Professor Maple, you know what happens every time you bring us in for a so called "secret" mission. Speaking of the others, where are they? Did you only call me?" Once I got going, it was hard to restrain myself. I couldn't help it. I needed answers. Maple leaned in closer to me.

"Please, you can call me Vincent. The others aren't here because this is a very, very special mission. I've never sent anyone else on one like it." Maple's eyes softened, and I felt a chill run through my veins. I shifted nervously in my chair.

"I don't like it when you look at me like that. What exactly am I to do, sir?" I thought that if I cut to the chase all the awkward tension would alleviate. Maple apparently got the hint and leaned back in his chair mimicking me. He crossed his arms and looked deep into my eyes. Suddenly, he averted his gaze to his right side and whistled sharply. He smiled brightly as a pretty, blue Nidoran hopped into his lap. He held it tight with soft hands, and it looked up to him and made a sweet noise in response. Looking back at me with the spirit of trouble reflecting in his eyes, he answered my question.

"I need you to steal a Pokemon."