Pokemon: Lord of Fear

Editing work was still ongoing.

After fifteen exhausting days, Edward finally got a rare moment of relaxation. However, in a place like Rustboro City, there weren't many exciting entertainment options. After some thought, Edward decided to visit the stray Pokémon care center run by Headmistress Lilian. He had been busy filming and hadn't had much time to see those adorable little creatures.

"Q, want to spar with Stormy?" Edward asked, stepping out the door with Q in his arms. He enjoyed the warm sunshine of Rustboro City while playfully rubbing Q's head.

"!" Q immediately sprang up, looking spirited and full of energy, which made Edward chuckle helplessly.

"Sometimes, I really don't understand you," he muttered, poking Q's side. Just then, a commotion nearby drew Edward's attention.

Not far ahead, there was a raucous noise. Edward glanced over and saw a Poochyena dart out from a crowd, clutching a bag in its mouth. Riding on its back was a mischievous Kirlia, spitting at the people chasing them.

It was quite the odd pairing, but the surrounding crowd laughed, chattered excitedly, and even snapped photos with their phones.

"Catch those thieving scoundrels!" shouted a middle-aged man in a fast-food uniform, running out in frustration. But he could only watch helplessly as the Poochyena disappeared into a nearby alley. Furious, the man yanked off his chef's hat and slammed it to the ground.

Panting, the man picked up his hat, dusting it off with a grumble.

"Uncle Hughes, you got robbed again?" Edward teased as he walked over. By now, the crowd had dispersed, and the street resumed its usual bustling activity.

"Ah, it's you, Edward." Uncle Hughes looked up, his face softening into a smile before returning to an angry scowl.

"Yeah, those darn thieves! They've stolen my delivery chicken four times this month," he fumed. The stolen chicken, which could've earned two or three hundred Poké dollars, was gone just like that. Customers were waiting, and frying up a fresh batch would take time. What a headache.

"Four times?" Edward chuckled. Checking his phone, he realized it was the 22nd. That meant Uncle Hughes was getting robbed once every five days on average.

"Well, this does prove your fried chicken is delicious, doesn't it?" Edward tried to comfort him. From his perspective, this situation wasn't all bad. Uncle Hughes should actually feel a little proud.

"Heh, when you put it that way…" Uncle Hughes scratched his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. His mood instantly improved.

Edward wasn't surprised. Uncle Hughes was always a warm and kindhearted man.

"You could even use this as a marketing slogan: 'Our fried chicken is so good, even Pokémon thieves can't resist!' I bet it would attract plenty of customers to your shop," Edward suggested, giving him a pointer to turn this into an opportunity.

Uncle Hughes's eyes widened, surprised at the idea.

Edward patiently explained it again. "Uncle Hughes, those Pokémon thieves are trending online right now. You should seize the chance to promote your shop. After all, everyone who follows the Pokémon thief news knows they're picky eaters."

These days, even Pokémon could become internet celebrities.

However, this fame was like adding fuel to the fire. While it brought attention, it also came with significant risks.

"I'll give it a shot!" Uncle Hughes, despite his simple nature, knew the value of good advice. He nodded eagerly and jogged back to his fried chicken shop, preparing for both deliveries and promotions.

"That pair of troublemakers needs to be dealt with, though," Edward murmured, glancing toward the alley where the Poochyena had vanished.

The "Pokémon Thieves" were the nickname given to the duo by online users who loved stirring up drama. To Edward, though, they were a hidden danger.

In the Pokémon world, not everyone was kind. Plenty of bad people existed, including members of evil organizations. Edward could already imagine how teams like Team Magma and Team Aqua would see the pair as walking goldmines. Capturing those Pokémon would undoubtedly fetch a high price.

"Grandpa Zeda," Edward said, dialing his phone.

The Pokémon thieves had become famous due to their escapades in Rustboro City. While they were elusive, Devon Corporation had the resources to locate them easily.

"Let's hope they're caught by the League before Team Aqua or Team Magma gets to them," Edward muttered, putting his phone away. With the current online buzz, the police in Rustboro City would surely take the matter more seriously now.

For the duo's sake, Edward hoped they'd learn to tread carefully.

(End of Chapter)