Chapter 28: The Chief's Pet
As the Dirty Delinquents continued to move around in the world, most of the kingdoms and countries were now under control by them. Their influences were enough to allow an easy takeover, since they were everywhere without being known. For Zamenza, he decided to allow himself to be taken in by them as a way to find his friend whilst letting Moby find the children.
Speaking of children, they were sailing towards an island that had some destroyed tepees and recently brimmed smoke. To them, this was a sign of a Dirty Delinquents attack. However, as they arrived, only Happy and Charles were capable of being on land, since Polly was not yet adapted to land.
Polly: I'm sorry, but I can't come on land with you. I'm still trying to learn, so you'll go without me. I'll wait here.
Happy: Alright. Time to kick some bad guy butt!
As they looked around, they noticed just how awful the scene looked. They overheard the commotion of crying Fox Pokemon, which made them curious enough to see until they came across the sight. Two Pokemon, a Ninetales and a Thievul, were lying in a puddle of their own blood. As they got closer, only Charles could realize the scene, as Happy himself was only seeing this for the first time.
Charles: …Oh…crud…
Happy: …What's that red stuff around them?
Charles: …Blood.
Happy: Blood?
Charles: It's what every living thing has.
Happy then turned to ask a worried Nickit, who appeared older.
Happy: Hey mister, are they okay?
Nickit: …N-No…They're dead…
To Happy and Charles, this was indeed a shock, but Charles knew what death was.
Charles: D-Dead…?
Happy: Is that something they're doing?
Charles: N-No Happy…It's just that they're…not going to move anymore…
Nickit: They're gone…
Happy: So…They're not going to do anything…?
Charles: Lost, Happy. Remember the Oddix that attacked us? If it swallowed us whole, we'd be just like them. No longer alive.
Now, it made sense to Happy, as he realized what death truly meant. Still, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. To know that Pokemon can indeed die was something he had a hard time believing.
Happy: …O…Oh…
Nickit: …Why did they have to attack us…? We didn't even do anything…
Charles: So, they did attack here…
Nickit: …Our chief and chiefess actually went with them just to spare this village, but we all know they'll come and burn it anytime soon…
Charles: …That's just awful…!
Happy: So, if they continue this, more Pokemon will end up like those two?
Charles: Yes…
Happy: Then we have to stop them! They'll cause more hurt!
Nickit: But you two are just children. You'll end up like them if you go after those goons…
Charles: We'll beat them up. We should be strong enough to fight them.
Happy: By the way-
They then heard four gunshots in the distance, which wasn't too far from the village, followed by howling. It alerted the villagers, but they knew what it was, as if it was familiar.
Happy: What was that?!
Nickit: …If it's one thing, then it's perhaps the chief's pet Dulric.
Happy: A Mutant Pokemon?
Charles: They'd even shoot them?
Nickit: Yes.
Happy: Then we'll go after them!
Nickit: Hey, wait!
They took off in search of the so-called "pet" that the chief had, ignoring the Nickit's words.
Nickit: Somebody stop those children!
The community overheard, but didn't respond. The chief's children overheard the commotion, drawing their curiosity as they saw Happy and Charles running past them. As they got away from the village, they saw a large, hound-like Mutant Pokemon with a skeletal horned face with glowing yellow eyes through the sockets and orange straps on its back. It appeared to be whimpering in pain from the wounds it sustained as it lay down on the grass.
Surrounding it were cloaked members of the Dirty Delinquents, with some of them wielding guns at the creature's face. Not too far from behind Happy and Charles were the chief's children, who were curious to see them until they noticed the large Mutant Pokemon before them in such a state.
?: Damn thing! How'd a village chief manage to tame something like this?
Spotting them, the black coated Vulpix shouted…
Vulpix B: Get away from Dulric!
The yellow colored Vulpix also chimed in with...
Vulpix Y: Don't kill him!
Everyone's attention turned to them, which earned smiles from the cloaked members.
?: *chuckles* Well, if it isn't the chief's children. Not bad. Is this your pet?
Vulpix Y: Yes! Leave him alone!
Dulric began whimpering, seeing his master's children not too far from him. He really didn't want them involved, as he knew his master's children were indeed precious to him.
Charles: Let it go!
?: Or what, kid? You gonna save it? It's on its last legs anyway.
Charles: Alright, then. Ready, Happy?
Happy: Yeah!
To the cloaked members, this was something. They viewed the children as being weak, chuckling at their display until Happy and Charles moved so fast that to their eyes, was a blur. They readied their guns, but before they could fire, they were instantly knocked out, dropping their weapons in the process. The chief's children were even surprised by their incredible speed and power.
Happy: Take that!
The two Vulpix headed towards Dulric, comforting the creature.
Vulpix Y: Dulric…
Dulric licked them, even though he was in pain, assuring them not to worry. However, they noticed that his breathing was slowing down, which was a worrying sign to them. Even Happy and Charles were shocked, as this was the first time they were witnessing something dying in front of them.
Vulpix Y: D-Dulric…Dulric…!
The yellow Vulpix's eyes began tearing up as she called and shaked Dulric some more, hoping to keep his spirits up. Unfortunately, the shaking would work no more, as he took one last whimper and looked at them before the glowing eyes faded and fell silent. It was at this point that their beloved pet had died in front of them.
Vulpix Y: *sniff* D-Dulric…
Realizing that it wouldn't work anymore, the yellow Vulpix began crying, coddling the dead creature before her. Even Happy and Charles teared up, but not the older Vulpix, even though he too was affected by the loss of their pet. The black Vulpix then coddled his younger sister into his chest fur, letting her share her pain with him.
Vulpix B: …Those damn…bastards…Dulric was only trying to protect this village…and they shot him…! *sniff*
Happy: H-He's…gone… *sniff*
Charles: …It's scary, isn't it…?
Happy: Charles…What if Grandpa…goes like that…? *sniff*
Charles: D-Don't say things like that! We'll get him back!
Happy: …Charles…
Charles: H-Huh?
Happy: We have to take them down. They've…gone too far.
Charles: (...Poor Happy…I know how he feels…)
The black Vulpix then addressed them, seeing their impressive power from before.
Vulpix B: You two.
Happy & Charles: U-Us?
Vulpix B: Yeah. You two took them down, didn't you?
Happy: Yeah.
Vulpix B: I want you to crush those bastards. They took our parents, and now our pet Doomegigas! I want you to stop them!
Happy: We will.
Charles: I-If you don't mind me asking…Who are you two?
Vulpix B: …I'm Nino. This is my sister Venna.
Charles: …Alright. We'll get your parents back. And we'll stop them. We can't let them befall more victims!
Happy: But Charles, what about those cloaked guys? What if they wake up?
Nino: …I'll take care of it. You go on ahead.
Charles: Alright. Let's get going.
...
A few minutes later at the Dirty Delinquents main base, Senior Head Barbeque was awaiting news of something when a tall, orange cloaked member wearing a hood over the face entered his office with information regarding the situation.
?: Sir, I have news.
Barbeque: Report.
?: Our step to world liberation is growing closer. Apparently, all kingdoms and countries are now under control.
Barbeque: Interesting. Then I shall prepare to depart. My interest in the World Government is my main drive. Soon, the standardization of society shall end and a liberation of rules will begin. No more control from the ruling class, or society itself. Especially by those old ones behind the curtain. We will live free forever.
?: What time are you leaving?
Barbeque: In five minutes. From then until I get back, I want full control of this faculty. No escaped prisoners. And if things don't go according to plan, then we shall unleash Project Meta. Is that clear?
?: Yes sir.
Barbeque: Good. Now then, I am off. I shall take Lee Way with me for some support.
He walked out of his office, with the cloaked soldier following soon after. Five minutes later, the cloaked figure arrived at the Genetics Lab, where Sorbet appeared to be busy with an experiment. He also was ordering some of his staff around to help out, even sending them on errands.
Sorbet: And get the needs to help control them.
?: Sir, yes sir.
The soldier ran out of the door, passed the cloaked figure who was to speak with Sorbet.
?: Excuse me, Sorbet.
He turned around, now frustrated by his interruption.
Sorbet: What could be so important as to interrupt me from my experiment?
?: Sir, the Senior Head wishes to inform you that he will be gone to the Terrabenie. If his plan doesn't work for world liberation, then he wants Project Meta to be ready.
Sorbet: Well, Project Meta is still being worked on. But some of the other experiments are ready, such as Project Z and Project Annihilator. As for E-Raticate…we're almost done. He'll be fully optional by then.
?: …The Senior Head won't like that. He needs Project Meta ready for his backup plan.
Sorbet: Alright, alright! We'll try to have him ready. Just…give us about 30 more minutes.
?: …As you wish.
One of Sorbet's associates in a white cloak came in from one of the rooms with a report.
?: Sir, Project E-Raticate is ready. He is fully tame and ready to follow orders.
Sorbet: Excellent. After some long grueling hours, he shall be used to the fullest! Do me a favor. If all else comes to nothing, then let the Senior Head know that the HX–1 can be used if Project Meta isn't ready.
?: But how, sir?
Sorbet: *points to emblem* Our emblems, dummy!
?: Oh.
Sorbet: *sighs* …Although I can't blame you, since most members don't know about it. All members should have communication wired in them. I've recently updated them so that instead of a Roto-Phone, we have our own line. In a few minutes, I shall inform everyone of this.
?: Yes, sir.
Sorbet: Now leave. I'm busy.
?: *salutes* Sir, yes sir.
...
Two hours later where Happy, Charles and Polly were, they sailed the ocean once again, with Charles on Happy's shell and Polly swimming next to them, but this time determined to take down the Dirty Delinquents. The sky turned orange, with the sun setting in the east. Rowgulls, a seemingly common Mutant Pokemon that had the body of a Wingull, but had Rowlett-like features were chirping in the air, gliding just about.
To Polly, she had already learned of what had happened at the village from Happy and Charles earlier, but she still had something on her mind from the event being told.
Polly: I have a question…
Charles: What is it?
Polly: Why was that pet of theirs away from the village?
Charles: According to some Pokemon, it led those cloaked goons away from the village to protect it. Despite that, the attack still happened.
Happy: Since we beat them up, we'll be sure to stop them.
Polly: But, what if they're already taking over? Maybe even more so than we think…?
To Happy and Charles, the idea was even more horrifying to imagine. They already witnessed it firsthand, but seeing its fate in a scenario was even worse.
Charles: …I don't want to imagine that. It's impossible. All we want is to just rescue our friends.
Happy: Where would their base be?
Polly: …I have an idea. What if we got captured by them? Maybe we'll find them?
Charles: Are you crazy?! We can't give up!
Happy: Hmm…Maybe she's right? We saw our friends get taken by them, so we should go along peacefully.
Charles then pondered for a moment on whether or not it was a good idea. At this point, they could travel the world and get nowhere, or get captured by them and see their friends. To Charles, the former idea seemed better, but the latter seemed to also be a good idea. He then made his decision.
Charles: …Perhaps we should get taken in by them. Might help us out…
Happy: Thanks, Polly!
Polly: *blushes* You're welcome.
...
Back at the main base of the Dirty Delinquents, the halls were as quiet as a wooden still. Cells were heavily guarded by cloaked Pokemon wielding guns and other sorts of weapons for protection. Since their massive impact on the world, things have gotten even more tense, as fires were being set in many civilized places in the name of world liberation as well as convincing civilians to overthrow their leaders in favor of a more "liberated" society. Despite this, it aroused more fear than encouragement, despite some willing to support their cause.
In a room considered "training" due to the open space, gym equipment and mats on the floor, a green female Helioptile was practicing with her knives. She was jumping and backflipping around the room as if she was trying to dodge something to improve her reflexes and agility whilst for each landing, she swung her knives with fierce determination as she stood on one hand interchangeably, trying to cover up her weakness.
From the double doors, it slid open as a Hitmonchan with a grayish-black skin came in. He took off the cloak and hung it next to where the blue cloak was, revealing a pink tunic and kilt, with matching shoe colors. He noticed her in action, which made him somewhat curious as he bore a grin. She immediately noticed him without even turning around and stopped on her hands and feet whilst wielding her knives, breathing very heavily from her intense activity.
Helioptile: …Brigadier Chan.
Chan Way himself walked towards her, looking around with familiarity. To him, this place wasn't new, as he had been here before several times.
Chan Way: …Colonel Hummus.
Hummus then turned around, addressing Chan Way completely whilst keeping a stern look on her face.
Chan Way: You know, out of all members, you're the only one I know who tends to keep to themselves. I don't know what the Senior Head sees in you to warrant such praise.
Hummus: It's because I am diligent enough to know what I'm doing. Menial conversation is pointless to me.
Chan Way: *folds arms* Really? Well, it seems you're still training to cover up for your faults. Considering that you're already good, you won't be better if you're training by yourself. How about I be your sparring partner?
To Hummus, the idea seemed ludicrous, but she thought it wouldn't hurt to have someone to spar with. After all, she never really cared about being around others, but what would the harm do to her just this once?
Hummus: …Fine. But any talk about pointless details would prove fruitless to me.
Chan Way: Won't disappoint you.
He took a fighting stance, placing his glove-like hands near his face…like a boxer would. Hummus was no bigger than him, being four feet shorter. But to her, size didn't matter. She'd take on the opponent regardless. She readied her knives in her hands, assuming a stance of her own with unwavering eyes. To Chan Way, this was something he liked seeing in someone.
Chan Way: That's the way. Eyes dead set on fighting regardless of the foe's size…That's admirable to me. But let's see how you measure it up to a Pokemon of a higher rank.
Hummus: …Don't go soft on me.
Chan Way: *grins* Now you're talking! Bring it!
...