Caveman threw the first punch. Joe ducked it and sent a couple quick jabs into the behemoth's side. Aimed for the liver. It was an easy way to take someone down. But Joe recoiled instead. It was like punching a brick wall.
Joe tried to step back. Caveman swung his outstretched arm aside, throwing Joe into the wall of the warehouse. Joe bounced off metal. Landed on his feet. Saw a fist coming right for his face. Twisted and rolled as Caveman's fist dented metal. As Joe suspected, this guy would deal some serious damage. One hit to the head would take Joe out.
If his foe's size matched Joe's, then Joe would be able to take some hits. A big part of boxing was anticipation. Rolling with the punches to lessen their damage. But Joe couldn't do that against Caveman. There was a reason boxing had weight classes. Caveman hit like a truck. Hit the head hard enough and the brain rattles. Hits the skull. Shuts down. One hit knock outs are very real and very dangerous.
Caring less about the danger, Joe would just be embarrassed if he went down so easily. Joe had a responsibility to win. If he was knocked out then criminals would leave to commit crimes another day and some of the Pokemon might be recaptured, shipped off, and sold.
Joe ducked another punch. Repelled one with an arm. Sidestepped to dodge. Tried a few more times to strike at weak points like the liver. The chin. Nothing was working as well as Joe hoped. He had one last shot. The legs. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Another punch struck Joe's arm. It was going numb. Joe was going to be hurting in the morning.
Amelia watched from the sidelines. People were supposed to settle disputes via Pokemon battles. They had done so for who knew how many thousands of years. But she'd witnessed Nomad personally fight too. People trained in martial arts. There were fighting sports like boxing. The military existed too. Genuine fights between people were rare in the civilian world.
Joe was on the back foot the entire time, just taking hits and feeling his arms failing him. He needed to gain an advantage. Before Joe could lash out against Caveman's legs with a strong kick to the knee, a hefty uppercut came his way. Joe defended with both arms and was lifted off his feet. He fell back into the lamppost by the guard shack at the entrance. The black pole succumbed to Joe's full weight. Went down with him as wires inside the pole sparked. The light went out. Joe landed on his back. He heard the lamppost clatter nearby.
Caveman had been staring at the light, so his vision was shot for a few seconds. Joe had enough time. Joe reached back for the lamppost. Missed. Grabbed again. Felt metal. He rose and brought the pole with him. The tip went above Joe's head and smashed into Caveman's face. Glass shattered and gave Caveman a few minor cuts. Joe angled the pole and moved to the side. He jammed it between Caveman's legs. Leveraged one way. Caveman toppled.
Joe had two options. His martial arts trainer mentioned that taking an ankle out would stop someone, but Joe felt like Caveman had too much muscle and meat. So it was option two. Rattle the brain. Joe hoped one more hit to the head would be enough.
Joe used both hands to raise the makeshift weapon. Swung full power. As the lamppost fell, flood lights lit the area up. Blinded Joe. He stopped swinging. Heard a lot of shouting. Looked through squinted eyes. Caveman had a hand raised to grab the pole. Caveman would've grabbed the post. Yanked it from Joe's grip and restarted the fight. Joe didn't know how he'd win after that. Amelia would've been right to bet against Joe.
Joe's eyes adjusted. Everything came into focus. It was the police. He'd been too caught up in the fight to hear them approach. They were yelling at him to stop. Some had hands on holsters. Some pointed tasers at Joe. Pokemon of various shapes and sizes stood by their Trainers, barking and growling.
Absol rushed in. Began barking back. Looked around at the Pokemon that surrounded her Trainer. Joe tossed the lamppost aside. Heard it clatter. Put his hands up in surrender. Worked to get his breathing under control. Fights had a way of winding people.
"Absol, it's fine. Calm down."
Joe had no desire to fight the police. The officers seemed competent. They stood ten feet away so he couldn't easily get to them. The ones with their hands on holsters were opposite ones with tasers pointed at Joe. And they were slightly offset. Not perfectly opposite each other. If Joe moved, they weren't going to tase their teammates by accident.
Joe knew of these tasers. Don't ask how. They were bulky things. They had to be. There was a Pokemon called Pincurchin. It naturally shed its pins. Said pins retained electrical charges. Police forces around the world looked after hordes of Pincurchin. Treated them well. Collected the shed pins over time.
Parts of Pokemon that still held power were called Remnants. The cannon from a Blastoise to fire high pressure water. The gauntlet from a Ceruledge that could create a sword. The cape from an Oranguru to create a psychic shield. Remnants retained their original owner's powers to some degree.
Amelia came running in, waving her hands. "Wait, wait! He's with me!"
A man wearing a brown trench coat stepped into the circle of officers after Amelia. Put a hand on a coworker's taser. Lowered it. "There's no need for that now." He looked to Joe. Didn't expect to see the young man here. But then again, Joe always barged into other people's problems.
"Detective Looker." Looker pulled out a wallet. Dropped one side to reveal a badge. It was an automatic response from decades as a detective. "Amelia told me what happened. This giant threw the first punch, and you acted to protect everyone here. Is she correct?"
Joe lowered his arms. Could feel the fizz of adrenaline starting to wear off. Nodded. "Yes, sir." Couldn't disguise a faint grin. "I let him act first."
Looker returned the smirk. "Well then that's settled. It was just self-defence. We have much more pressing matters to attend to."
As it should be. Joe believed in the absolute right of self-defence. People had a right to not be harmed. Joe would fight back. He didn't mind having to harm a criminal. This could've been avoided if the criminal had been a better person. Karma. Simple as.
Looker barked orders. Officers came in and handcuffed Caveman. Took him away. Went into the warehouse and started freeing Pokemon. Catalogued the species. Compared them to records of stolen pets from nearby towns and villages.
Joe knelt to meet Absol. Used his big hands to ruffle Absol's fur. He brushed her chest tuft and reached around to her sides. Dusted the soot off her. He grabbed her face with both hands and scrubbed. Absol's cheeks scrunched under Joe's grip and her eyebrows flared. This was the limit. Absol headbutt Joe. Joe laughed and stood.
The little white Pokemon reached up to Joe. Wanted to be picked up. He obliged. Cradled it in his arms. He just now noticed how absurdly light the little white Pokemon was. And it was soft to touch. Felt, and in a way looked, like it was wearing loose-fitting clothes.
Amelia punched his arm. "You're a big softie, huh? Thanks for the help, Joe."
"Anytime. I know if I see you again then there's trouble around."
Amelia scoffed. "You're not wrong. Maybe I'll call you in if I ever run into a meathead that needs a beating."
She was calling Joe a brute that spoke with his fists. He couldn't deny it. It was the warrior blood coursing through his veins. He was built for fighting and he had a desire to protect his tribe.
Looker stood before Joe. He put a hand out. Joe shook it. "Amelia told me what happened. You're a civilian. You didn't need to assist. You have my thanks."
"Just doing what I can, sir."
"Drop the sir. No need for it." Looker nodded at the Pokemon in Joe's arms. "As if we needed any other reason to trust you. Ralts are good judges of character."
So that's what it was. Joe looked down. Poked Ralts' cheek. It cried out happily. "Ralts was in the warehouse with the others. You'll need to check if it had a Trainer too."
Looker nodded. Called in someone that held a tablet. Checked through a list. No Ralts. "There are no reports of one. Ralts may be wild."
"Yes, I lived in a forest."
Looker took a moment to compose himself. It wasn't everyday a Pokemon spoke to him telepathically. That explained why it was here, though. A Ralts with Telepathy was rare. It would sell for good money on the black market.
"Okay, so you're a wild Pokemon. We'll return you to your home."
"No." Ralts clambered up Joe's jacket. Sat on his shoulder. Hugged his head. "I will go with Joe."
"I see…" Looker put a hand to his chin. Accepted this answer.
The Ralts species lived along forest edges or on plains near human civilisation because they had bonded to humans. This one was young. It didn't understand the emotions of others properly. It had been fooled by Rocket into revealing its Telepathy Ability. A rare power that would sell well. Ralts now used criminals as a basis to compare to Joe and saw Joe was the one with the genuinely good emotions.
"If that's what you want then we'll check you off the list."
Ralts nodded. It could only enter the mind of one person at a time so relayed its desire to Joe through the young girlish voice Joe had heard before. Ralts gently gripped the giant's hair. Waddled around to stand on the collar of his jacket. Put its arms around Joe's head. Puts its chin on his hair. Joe reached up. Scratched the Pokemon's head. It let out a happy squeal and rubbed its cheek across Joe's hair. Joe had earned the favour of another young Pokemon. It put into perspective that he really was raising children.
Looker remained in his thinking pose, considering something. A way to support Joe. He knew Joe would keep involving himself in the problems of others. He'd known Joe for fifteen years and had bailed the boy out of trouble countless times.
Joe noticed the continued thinking of the detective. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no. I just had a thought." Looker looked Joe in the eyes. Looker was a smaller man, five-feet eight-inches. "I have a proposal for you, young man."
"Oh nice, yeah that's a good idea." Amelia knew what Looker was thinking. She was part of it. Joe clearly wanted to help so he was a perfect fit.
"It is, isn't it?" Looker responded. Pointed to Joe's pocket. "Can I borrow your phone for a moment please?"
"Rotom." Joe called. The phone flew from the back of Absol's neck. It didn't have a chance to return to Joe's pocket between Absol's fight ending and Joe's beginning.
"Ah, one of those RotoPhones." Looker gestured for it to come to him. Once it was close enough he gently swiped it. Started tapping. Started explaining. "So you don't have it. There's an app called Nomads. Inspired by-"
"I already told him that part." Amelia interjected.
Looker fast-forwarded a little. "Right. Nomad. He helped a very wealthy man about a year ago. That wealthy man was so enamoured by the idea of Nomad that he created this application. It allows people to post jobs, and for do-gooders such as yourself to find employment." Looker finished tapping. Let Rotom go. Watched it fly to Joe and show the giant the application. "I've used myself as a reference which gives you a good standing by default. I'm trusting you won't abuse this privilege."
Joe gave a mock salute. Raised his hand to his forehead. Palm flat and facing the ground. Ralts mimicked Joe. "I won't let you down, sir."
Looker nodded. "I have no doubt you're a good candidate for Nomads. There are always people that need help. Nomads helps fill gaps. Like today. We may have been late, but you and Amelia bought us enough time. If you see a problem and you can deal with it, you should."
Joe loved the idea. Over the years, he'd gained the ability to know someone in distress when he saw them. Joe knew when he was needed. But what if he couldn't see troubled people? Cities were big places. How many millions of people had Joe never encountered in Olivine? How many of those people needed help and Joe wasn't there to provide? Nomads sounded like it partially solved that problem.
Joe couldn't wait to look at the app. But it was getting late. Ralts yawned. Slumped onto Joe's shoulder. He reached up. Picked up the Pokemon. Cradled it in his arms. Ralts smiled with closed eyes and within moments was asleep.
"One last thing. Police will pay you for jobs like this." Looker gestured at the warehouse. "You did good and should be rewarded. Part of the police budget every year is for civilians that help us. Independents are something of a community service. We want to be on your good side, so we pay you."
"Back in Unova you'd be granted the role of deputy." Amelia chimed in. "A low rank in the police that's given to trusted civilians. Nomads is basically the same thing. You have permission to kick some ass."
It wouldn't be the first time Joe had been paid for his good deeds. He'd received a reward from Macro Cosmos, the company that ran the Gym Challenge and the League, for what he did for Jasmine. And that bird he rushed into the road to save? Every month or so it left trinkets on Joe's apartment balcony. Joe would receive good food from the elderly for tasks like mowing their lawn or shopping for them.
At first, Joe was hesitant to receive payment for what he felt was the natural and right thing to do, but his mother had explained it to him. The world was about give and take. Joe shouldn't just give. He had earned the right to take. Beyond that, people had their pride. Refusal of a reward was an insult. They were serious about giving back. Joe just needed to accept it and move on. Paying for a job well done was a way of people showing they were serious about needing help and being thankful.
"I appreciate the opportunity. I won't let you down." Joe stood up just a little straighter.
Looker nodded. "Well, I believe we've kept you long enough. You're free to leave, Joe."
Amelia put a hand out. Joe shook it. "Until next time."
"See you later, boss." Joe took a few steps. Turned. "You have my number. If you ever bite off more than you can chew, just call. I'll be there."
Amelia looked at Joe, surprised. She smiled. She appreciated it, but the impact was lessened with the big guy cradling a young, sleeping Ralts in his arms. "If you really are going to fight Rocket Syndicate then you've already got your hands full."
Joe shrugged. "It doesn't matter. If someone needs me, I can always make time for them."
Joe continued on his way. Left the area. When Looker was sure Joe was gone, he let out a deep sigh. Pinched the bridge of his nose. Looker was sure his poker face slipped at some point, but if Joe noticed, he didn't draw attention to it. That was good. Looker never knew how to handle Joe. Looker didn't want to lie to Joe any more than he already had. Looker was already approaching fifty. It was a miracle his hair hadn't turned white from the stress of dealing with Joe's family.
Amelia noticed. "Something wrong?"
Looker turned to the sky. Took in a deep breath. "...No. Come on, let's get this wrapped up with a report."
There was a lot wrong. Looker was haunted by the ghosts of his past. In his defence, Looker had tried to fight the opinion of brainwashing Joe. But he'd lost to powerful people. He just had to go along with it.
And now the kid was going to fight a syndicate. It didn't surprise the ageing detective. Looker would do what he could to look out for Joe. That was one of the reasons why he signed Joe up for Nomads. The job history was public. Looker now had the ability to track Joe to some degree. Another reason to sign Joe up for Nomads was simply that it suited him. If Joe wanted to help others, then Looker gave him the best tool available.
Seeing Joe again ignited something within Looker. Joe's family said they'd remove the brainwashing when Joe was an adult, but the fact that Joe didn't remember Looker meant his memories were still sealed. Looker cursed himself. He should've checked in when Joe turned twenty. He should've made sure the boy's family removed the brainwashing.
Joe's family didn't hold up their end of the bargain, so Looker didn't need to hold up his own. Looker knew Joe's grandmother had always disagreed with the brainwashing. She was the reason there was a clause about removing it when Joe reached adulthood. A clause that had been ignored. If Looker was going to fight this then he needed like-minded allies. First stop, Bertha in Sinnoh.
* * * * *
Joe walked to his hotel a few streets away. He'd done good. He felt good because of it. He reached over. Ruffled the fur on Absol's head. "All in a days' work. Good job."
Joe reflected on their battle together. There were some hiccups. He started poorly. He had relied heavily on his idea of Absol which led to the Ice Beam mistake. And then he was influenced by Shadow Sneak from Pumpkaboo. He didn't come up with a strategy himself until he used Rock Slide to counter Swift. Running along Rock Slide was good, but something he saw on TV once. Not his own idea or tactic, although he supposed half a point was fair. He had made the right call to use it due to it being night and smoke lingering between both sides.
Only Arceus knew how badly Joe would lose if he faced Jasmine right now. He liked that. His goal for strength. Jasmine was a strong Trainer. He needed to be more like her.
Absol barked. She had been unsure of Joe until the moment he fought Caveman. He had proven himself. Joe went above and beyond to help. Not many humans would personally fight a problem.
Their next stop was Kanto to stop a criminal organisation known as Rocket Syndicate. They walked side by side, Trainer and Pokemon. Like-minded individuals simply out to make the world a better place.