A police officer noticed Ethan following the group and frowned. "Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Ethan Grave," he replied calmly, "head of Pokémon Biotech. I'm the one who called the police."
Ethan stepped closer to the lab table, where a trembling Pichu lay. Gently patting its head, he murmured soft words of comfort. A few police officers overheard him introduce himself as "Pokémon Biotech" CEO and recognized him at once.
They began collecting evidence throughout the lab, taking Ethan's statement as well. While they worked, Jerry burst into the room, looking alarmed. Upon spotting Ethan, he scowled furiously. "What's going on? Why are police officers searching my lab?"
Standing behind Jerry, Lina Cobbs appeared equally puzzled. After a security guard alerted them to the raid, they hurried to Laboratory No. 3. They had no clue why the police had arrived.
"Mr. Fowler," said one of the officers, recognizing him immediately. His tone was curt. "You're just in time. According to our investigation, Ciguli Biotech is suspected of violating Article 116 of the Biological Protection Act by using Pichu legally registered under Pokémon Biotech without authorization. Specifically, your lab used it for research without the proper license."
"What?" Lina's heart sank. She recalled Jerry once asking her about experimenting on Pichu after a past exhibition. At the time, she tried dissuading him, never imagining he might go ahead illegally. Under the strict Biological Protection Act, a main offender could face severe punishment, and the company's reputation would be destroyed.
Jerry stared in disbelief. "I never gave such an order!" he insisted, his gaze darting between the police and Ethan. His mind spun, searching for an explanation. Spotting Ethan, he pointed accusingly. "It's you Ethan, this must be your doing! You've framed me!"
The police officer responded icily, "No more excuses. These two men-" he gestured to the masked suspects in custody "were employees of your lab. They claimed you instructed them. They say they can provide incriminating evidence. We'll be heading to their residence next, and you'll come along as well. Understood?"
Jerry's face went pale. He spun toward the two masked men. "Talk! Did Ethan tell you to do this? Speak! You!" He lunged at one suspect, trying to shake a confession out of him, but an officer pulled him back.
"Mr. Fowler, don't obstruct law enforcement!" the policeman barked.
Jerry forced himself to stop, breathing raggedly, eyes blazing with fury. He locked on Ethan's calm expression. "Ethan, I know this is your scheme…!"
Ethan merely shrugged. "Scheme? If there's any evidence tying me to this, by all means, produce it. I have nothing to hide. You, on the other hand…" He paused, glancing at the pinned suspects. "…someone found sneaking around Pokémon Paradise to abduct Pichu. Yesterday, I warned them off, but today they came back. I followed them and uncovered your lab. Good luck denying that."
Jerry was momentarily at a loss for words. He'd never authorized such a brazen plot yet here it was, discovered inside his own facility. Everything pointed to him as the culprit. The masked men had pinned it on him, and it looked airtight.
The police sealed off the crime scene and seized documents and lab equipment as evidence. Then, with the suspects in tow, they led Jerry off to search the men's house for the so-called "proof."
Ethan accompanied them, citing his role as "victim" in the stolen Pichu case.
At the suspects' home, the officers quickly unearthed a USB drive under the men's guidance. It contained a covertly recorded video showing one of the masked men chatting with Jerry. The footage, apparently captured by a hidden camera, displayed Jerry's face clearly.
"If we manage to capture a Pichu, do you think we can discover its secrets?"
"Hard to say, but it's worth a try. It's not easy to buy one under a real-name system…"
"Right, but still dangerous."
"I understand, Mr. Fowler. If you want it done, I can handle it."
"Alright…"
The conversation was brief but damning. It showed Jerry expressing interest in abducting Pichu for research, referencing Pokémon Biotech's proprietary gene technology. It matched exactly what the suspects claimed.
A policeman turned to Jerry, arms folded. "Care to explain this, Mr. Fowler? Plain as day, you're discussing capturing a Pichu for unauthorized experiments. Under Article 116, that's a major violation of the Biological Protection Act."
Jerry tried to protest. "That was just talk… I— I never truly authorized it!" He was frantic, insisting he'd changed his mind. Lina offered a partial alibi, recalling how she advised him not to do it, but the video snippet alone painted him as instigator.
Between the men's testimonies, the lab evidence, and the hidden video, the case looked ironclad. No matter how Jerry insisted it was a misunderstanding, it wouldn't negate the incriminating footage and admissions from his employees. He'd walked into a trap caught by the law and, ironically, by a deeper scheme from the masked men.
Ethan watched impassively. He knew Jerry was technically being set up, but he had no sympathy. The man had boasted about wanting Pichu. Whether or not the masked men had an "organization" behind them, Jerry had committed enough questionable acts. Even Lina confirmed that he'd wanted to experiment on Pokémon.
Now, with the police fully involved, Jerry was led away for further interrogation. He glowered at Ethan. "This is your plan… You… I'll get you for this, Ethan!"
Ethan only gave a short chuckle under his breath. "If you can find a shred of proof, feel free." Then he turned away, retrieving the rescued Pichu from an evidence bag. An officer permitted him to hold it after confirming it was indeed stolen property. Pichu let out a small, relieved squeak, clinging to Ethan's arm.
Stepping out of the police station some time later, Ethan gently placed Pichu on his shoulder. The little Pokémon still seemed weak from the sedative but otherwise unharmed. The case was almost a wrap: Jerry and those suspects faced charges of illegally capturing and experimenting on a protected Pokémon. The authorities would unravel the exact motives.
Ethan strolled to his car, exhaling a sense of closure. Jerry might rant about conspiracies and blame Ethan, but the law had enough to put him away or at least destroy his reputation. Meanwhile, the "organization" behind the masked men remained shadowy. That was fine Ethan saw no need to chase them immediately. Removing Jerry from the game was sufficient revenge for now.
He glanced at Pichu, offering a reassuring pat. "We'll train you better next time, so you won't fall for any spiked treats." Pichu chirped softly, nestling against him.
He drove off, phone buzzing with calls from staff at Pokémon Paradise, relieved that the stolen Pokémon was safe. While deeper mysteries lingered like who truly sent those men, and how they meant to scapegoat Jerry Ethan let it rest. He'd thwarted the immediate threat, ensuring Pichu's return.
There would be new challenges soon enough like finalizing Suicune's birth, preparing for potential nuclear waste fiascos, and unveiling new Pokémon to a public hungry for wonders. For now, Ethan contented himself with the victory at hand, satisfied that Jerry's malicious meddling had finally led to his downfall.