Chapter 36: Rat Problem
During the same timeframe, Mr. P chased after Klepto, only to be defeated by Sid Seudo, a police officer from Baye's local vicinity. Meanwhile, Unhaus was going to rescue Eve, with the black Ursaring following behind to rescue a Pokemon of his own, only to run into a Pincurchin Sergeant named "Sushi". They were no match for him, and as a result, they were defeated and would be taken somewhere for "those who attack a member of the organization".
At the same time, Senior Head Barbeque called his office to inform Brigadier Chan Way of his return, which would be six hours or so from now. Meanwhile, in Block D, Morgan, Emma and Dylan were rushing down the halls, having freed more Pokemon than ever before, but still weren't sure where the exit was. However, that thought would have to wait as the sounds of loud, heavy footsteps came their way.
Emma, known for her being scared of…well, anything for that matter, screamed and shivered in fear as she placed her fins on her head as if she was about to panic. The long strand on her head also stood up, as if it was on alert.
Emma: W-W-W-What is that?!
Morgan: Aw, quit being such a scary-ass! It's probably that mammoth.
To Dylan, these footsteps were not of Manfred's, as he could tell by the sounds. The Durant of his place knew the different types of footsteps generated by larger Pokemon, even Mutant Pokemon.
Dylan: No. The sounds are different. It's probably an enemy. I suggest to be on guard!
Morgan: Who died and made you leader all of a sudden?
As the sounds got closer, they noticed a large, yellow Raticate with electric patterns on its body coming down the hall and it appeared to be in distress due to attacks it sustained in its eyes earlier.
Morgan: What the bleeding hell is that?!
The Raticate stopped and shook its head as it used its paws to wipe its eyes before looking down at the trio. They eyed it back with wide pupils, shocked by the creature's size.
Emma: I-I-I-It…It's huge!
Morgan: Oh, just what we need! A large rodent hellbent on wanting to kill us! *smirks* Well…if that's what it wants…I'll gladly do the service…!
Dylan: Here it comes!
The Raticate opened its fangs and charged forward, attempting to bite the trio. Emma had run away from the creature, leaving Morgan and Dylan behind to face it themselves as they dodged its chomping attempts. It continued doing so until they got enough of a distance from it to figure out a strategy. Only Morgan shook her head in disappointment as she saw Emma further down the hall with a worried look.
Morgan: …That pussyfied penguin…Seriously, I don't understand her disposition…!
Dylan: Do you have a plan?
Morgan: Yeah... *chuckles*
The Raticate then charged towards Morgan, who had her head bowed down as if she was accepting a sulking defeat.
Dylan: (...What on earth is she doing…?)
As the Raticate got close and attempted to deliver a bite, Morgan jumped to the right and ran towards its left eye. Using the end of her hair like a polearm, she stabbed the creature in the eye, causing it to bleed and roar in pain as it took a few steps back, with her jumping away to gloat with a smile on her face.
Morgan: *laughs* I hope you got the "point"! You don't scare us!
She then remembered Emma and looked at her cowering in the hall away from them before eyeing the creature once again, continuing with...
Morgan: *sweat drop* …Well, one of us, anyway.
The creature, only capable of using its right eye, decided to try something new. It had to kill them, so despite the pain it was feeling, it got on all fours, with the fur on its body standing upwards and its tail pointed at them as it began hissing in a tone not heard by the trio.
Dylan: It's getting ready to do something!
From the creature's fur generated electricity, which danced around its body until it was now full of electricity. With a point of its lightning-shaped tail, it shot a beam of electric energy at Morgan, who backflipped over the attack and landed on her feet.
Morgan: Dammit…! I can't even get close to it with its body being electrified…!
The Raticate fired again, forcing Morgan on the defense as it continued firing rapidly like a shotgun as she kept moving back and it moving closer.
Morgan: Hey! Any one of you wanna help me out here?!
Dylan: I wish I could, but I can't risk grabbing it without shocking myself!
Morgan: Tch. I know Miss "Ass-Kisser" isn't going to help. Fine. If you want something done, do it yourself, as they say.
She placed her right palm out that resembled a "W" from her three fingers, with her left hand holding the wrist, attempting to use a move.
Morgan: (...I don't mind it, but I'd rather save it for a real fight under a different light…!)
Sparkles began circling in front of her palm, which was surprising considering to her, its power was building stronger than her expectation. An image of a full moon also appeared above her, but only faintly.
Morgan: (...That's more power than I thought…! Must be a full moon outside…! Oh well…!)
The sparkles then turned into a white orb flowing with powerful energy, ready to be unleashed. The moon above her faded, which meant that she was full of power waiting to be released.
Morgan: MOONBLAAAAAAAST!
She then fired a large glowing ball towards the Raticate, which made a direct hit as it exploded, creating a flash of light and smoke filled with sparkles from its impact. Emma and Dylan were forced to close their eyes so as not to be blinded by it. As the smoke cleared, Morgan was shocked as the Raticate didn't appear harmed in any way as it was still coated in electricity.
Morgan: N…No way…! That attack was powerful! How?!
Dylan: The electricity around it is acting as a secondary defensive shield! That attack won't work unless we can find a way to stop it!
The Raticate then pointed its tail at Morgan, which created a large yellow orb of electricity from the tip, charging an attack that would do more damage than before.
Dylan: Damn! This isn't good! Get out of there!
Morgan: Shit…!
The Raticate then fired a powerful beam of electricity towards Morgan, who wouldn't be able to dodge it in time due to how quick the beam traveled. She closed her eyes and shielded her arms in front of her face, bracing for the worst. However, it struck something as she and the others heard it, with it lighting the hallway.
Morgan: …Hey…Am I not dead yet…?
She opened her eyes to see a green Electivire with three wires standing in front of her, not even unharmed in the slightest.
Morgan: Y-You…!
Electivire: Very nice. Vroom Vroom. Lightning Rod. Nuts and bolts.
Morgan's face was in disbelief, not due to her being saved by this Pokemon, but also by his word structure.
Dylan: You're Wire, aren't you?!
Wire: Tangling. Shock. Crash. Purpose.
Dylan: *sweat drop* Y-Yeah…You're him.
Morgan: *sweat drop* H-Hey, uh…Have you seen a speech pathologist lately?
Wire: Carry door, moving up. Doctor in the house. Improvement.
Morgan: (...I have no idea what the hell he's saying…) Are you hurt?
Wire turned around, which appeared that he was completely fine, but it gave her an idea.
Morgan: …Of course…You're an Electric type! I shouldn't even be worried. Think you can do something for us? I believe you should grab that creature's tail. It serves as some sort of electric outlet.
Wire: Buttons…Food…Flames…Pie.
The Raticate roared and changed at Wire with electricity surging, only for him to slow its movements by pushing it back, capable of absorbing the electricity it was generating. As more electricity was being absorbed by Wire, the Raticate stopped surging and came to a halt, allowing him to grab its teeth to prevent movement. In retrospect, Morgan had an idea in mind as she turned to Dylan, realizing her earlier plan with Wire was now foregone.
Morgan: Hey, Antman. How good are those mandibles of yours?
Dylan: I can grab an opponent larger than me and hold them real tight.
Morgan: Perfect. Bite that Raticate's tail. I'm gonna use my Moonblast attack again, since the electricity acted as a shield, as you implied earlier.
Dylan: Judging by Wire's disposition, I believe he's attempting to absorb the electricity as well as hold it in place. Leave it to me.
He scuttled about towards the tail, with the Raticate well aware of him being behind it and swung its tail like some sort of flyswatter. However, it was just what Dylan wanted and closed his mandibles on the tail, forcing the Raticate to struggle as it was attempting to break itself free. At this time, Morgan held out her right palm with her left holding the wrist again as she had a moon-like silhouette above her head, with sparkles forming in front of her palm.
Morgan: (...This time I shall not fail…Get ready to taste death, you oversized rodent…!)
The sparkles then formed into a white orb filled with moon power and without any setbacks, she fired the ball towards the Raticate. It struggled more until it looked at it with tears streaming down its face, remembering something from its life prior to a similar event before it hit, causing an explosion that forced Wire and Dylan to let go. Smoke filled the air until it dissipated, showing the Raticate lying there, lifeless in front of them.
Morgan: …I did it…!
Dylan: No, we did it.
Wire: Fireworks, cheering section, nothing special we are.
Dylan: I'm glad my mandibles are still of good use. Still would like my antennae back, though…
Morgan: Alright! Let's go free the rest, and then get the hell out of here!
...
Back where Happy and Charles were, they were about to face off against Doctor Sorbet's secondary weapon, Project PZ, a Porygon-Z specifically made for combat. Before the battle could begin, a loud beeping sound could be heard from Project Program, who idly flopped about.
Sorbet: What is going on?
He hopped on the back of Project Program and checked the screen on the back of its head, looking at Block D, which showed some readings on the screen that sent Sorbet into a shock as one reading in particular caught his eye.
Sorbet: What?! Impossible! Project E-Raticate…is dead?!
He was now seething, having enough of…whatever happened.
Sorbet: *groans loudly* This just isn't my day…! *growls* That's it! I don't care who took him out! This time, I'm really going to carry out my deed! I don't care if you're children! Project PZ! *points* Kill them!
Project PZ approached them, with its head and body shaking erratically. It put Happy and Charles on guard with fighting stances at the ready. Metalchemist, however, stepped in front of them.
Sorbet: Get out of the way, Project Meta! I'll kill you too!
Metalchemist: Doctor, please stop this senseless attack. These children have done no harm.
Sorbet: …Are you kidding me?
Metalchemist: I am very certain that I will protect them if it comes to it, but we can still call this off. I might not be what my creator Doctor Frappe intended, but I still want to keep peace an option. I may not remember what happened in my time, but there are things that I want to keep precious, including my memory.
Sorbet's expression turned somewhat serious as a frown approached his face.
Sorbet: …You stupid, naive project…I can't believe this…After all my great-grandfather times eight Dr. Frappe did to create the ultimate weapon…No wonder he shut you down! Are you still wondering what happened in your past?!
Metalchemist: …I am somewhat hazy…I cannot remember what happened.
Sorbet: Fool! My ancestors after him shut you down and wiped your memory! What I find ironic is that you were nothing but a Beldum at that point! Then you evolved once again into a Metang and broke your arm, and then to a pathetic excuse as you stand today! You don't deserve to protect shit!
Happy and Charles were left astounded by his words, but it wounded Metalchemist the most. It seemed that his words fell on deaf ears. He really wanted peace, but in his world, there are those who would rather hurt instead of talking things out.
Happy: …M-Mr. Red…?
Sorbet: Step aside, you pathetic piece of shit. You're nothing but a scrap heap belonging to a graveyard at this point. You cause me and my ancestors nothing more than grief.
Without a word, he stepped to the side in his thoughts, allowing Happy and Charles to fight like they were supposed to.
Sorbet: Project PZ! Kill those children!
Project PZ's eyes locked onto Happy and Charles before it vanished in a flash of electricity, putting them on edge.
Happy: (...He's gone…!)
From nowhere, an electric beam headed towards Happy's right, to which Charles was able to notice.
Charles: Happy, to your right!
He looked to his right and saw the beam, dodging instantly the moment it struck the ground, creating a small, charred area. Another beam fired in Charles' direction, to which he was quicker with reaction and jumped away. However a multitude of electrical beams fired rapidly at them, forcing them on the defensive as they were now under serious threat from a fast and unseeable enemy.
Happy: Darn it! It's too fast!
Sorbet: *laughs* You kids are gonna die! I can't wait! Keep going, Project PZ!
However, Charles had an idea.
Charles: Happy, I came up with something! Why don't we do that move we did on that Junior Vanilla guy?
Happy: Okay!
He withdrew into his shell with Charles standing on top of him and began spraying water whilst spinning, with Charles exhaling a stream of flames in the same manner. It created a vortex wall mixed with flames and water, enough to block the electric beams, thus shocking Sorbet.
Sorbet: What?! *growls*
He then realized something as he began to study the wall of swirling water and flames.
Sorbet: (...Wait a minute…Every vortex has a hole…Thank Arceus for that science class I took in school…) Project PZ! Go above and fire your most potent attack!
From above the swirling elemental wall, Project PZ appeared, erratically bobbing its head around before creating three triangles colored red, blue and yellow in front of it, with all three forming a large triangle. Only Charles could see the Pokemon and stopped his flames.
Charles: Happy! Let's move! It's about to do something!
He jumped off Happy as he stopped his whirling water whilst Project PZ began firing streams of flames, ice and electricity towards them, moving the attack with them as they ran for their lives. However, Happy had enough as he wanted to save his grandfather.
Happy: Charles! We have to defeat it!
Charles: Yeah, but how? It's too fast!
Happy: I know! I'll use bubbles to distract it!
Charles: Hey…Good idea! I'll swoop right in and burn it!
Happy began to inhale before exhaling bubbles from his mouth, which covered the entire room, drawing Project PZ's curiosity whilst a puzzled Sorbet watched.
Sorbet: Bubbles? Either they've gone desperate, or they-
He then noticed how Project PZ was looking at the bubbles as if they were a new type of discovery to it.
Sorbet: Project PZ! Stop your curiosity over this childish game! I want you to focus on those children!
Unbeknownst to them, Charles was sneaking up on Project PZ through the usage of the large bubbles Happy dispersed. When Charles got close enough, he jumped on Project PZ's back, causing it to try shaking him off.
Sorbet: Project PZ! Shock him off with a Discharge attack!
Charles: Oh no you won't!
He exhaled a stream of flames from his mouth, striking Project PZ in its back, causing it to rocket in Happy's direction.
Sorbet: Project PZ!
Charles: Happy! It's heading your way!
Happy: Here I go! Headbutt attack!
He ran towards Project PZ, jumping with his head outward, striking it in the stomach, knocking it towards a wall where it slid down in an unconscious state.
Sorbet: *growls* Dammit…! I should have known…It lacked some moves I should've thought of during development…
Happy: Take that! Now it's your turn!
Sorbet: (...I…I have nothing left…! I can't fight them…Or can I…?) *grins* …Alright, you little monsters. I get your message. *chuckles, laughs* So, that's how it's going to be? In that case, I'm ready for you! You kids have stayed up past your bedtime, so I'm going to knock you both to sleep! And luckily, I have help!
Happy: Huh?
Charles: Help? You're out of options!
Sorbet: Not this time!
He then jumped off Project Program and landed a few feet away from them, pulling out a remote from his coat that had buttons on it, piquing the children's interest.
Happy: What's that?
Sorbet: *chuckles* Oh, this? *shows off remote* Well, let's just say that this is my "fail-safe" plan.
Charles: Fail…safe…?
Sorbet: Exactly. I didn't think I wanted to come to this, but I have no choice. You children have destroyed the things that me and my ancestors have created over the years to better the Dirty Delinquents. The creativity that society frowns upon, such as genetically enhanced Pokemon…The things that prepared us for future wars over the years…But now, look no further than Pokemanity's destruction!
He pressed a button, which caused Metalchemist to move erratically.
Happy: Wh-What the?! Mr. Red!
Charles: Mr. Red!
Metalchemist started convulsing uncontrollably, his pupils not glowing in the process as he appeared to be in pain, screaming whilst electricity surged all over his body.
Happy & Charles: Mr. Red!
Sorbet: Don't worry, Project Meta! This is for your own good! You'll thank me for this!
He kept convulsing in pain for a few more moments until he stopped moving entirely, his eyes being completely black as if he was in shutdown mode. There was silence within the air as no one said anything except Doctor Sorbet, who was wondering if it was a success or not.
Sorbet: …I wonder…Did it work…?
Happy: M…Mr. Red…?
Happy walked towards Metalchemist, wondering if he was alright.
Charles: Happy…Maybe…he's alright…?
Happy: …M…Mr…Red…?
Metalchemist's eyes started glowing green, which made Happy breathe a sigh of relief.
Happy: Mr. Red! You're alright!
However, as Happy touched his leg, he swung at him, knocking him into a wall, taking both Charles and Sorbet by surprise.
Charles: Happy!
Sorbet: *laughs* Oh yeah! I'm a genius! My father and grandfathers are going to be proud of me!
Happy emerged from the wall, appearing somewhat damaged, but still could fight.
Happy: You monster! What have you done to him?!
Sorbet: What have I done to him? I've simply turned him into the monster he was supposed to be! A cold, ruthless, killing machine that shall obey my command! Thanks to an overdrive bug, he's the monster we want! *laughs*
Happy: You're controlling him!
Sorbet: Control? I do nothing of the sort! Since you little rugrats have pushed me this far you've sealed your own doom! Get ready to experience hell! *laughs*
...