Chapter 39: Petrify Dance
As the nightly rescue to find Zamenza and Moody, along with their joined party continues, Happy, Charles, Baye and her pet Honori, along with Project PZ to try and find Project P-2.0, who wouldn't be too far from them. However, they were unaware that Sid Seudo, also known as Sergeant Olive, was overhearing their conversation. As he reported to Brigadier Chan Way, he was instructed to do either or.
Meanwhile, during the Senior Head's night flight on Project Ogre Darner, he, along with his right arm man Brigadier Lee Way and their newly hired assassin named Lasanne were on their way to the main headquarters. Along the way, the Senior Head noticed a Pokemon on the ground with his keen eyes, who was familiar to him as it wore a white cloak and appeared to be a Spinda with a snow-like body coat with sorbet colored spots. It was also bleeding pretty heavily, as if from blunt force trauma.
Barbeque: …Ogre, land here for a moment.
Ogre Darner made a strange responding sound and landed where the Spinda was. To refuel, it ate something it caught earlier in the skies and rested a bit. Upon further inspection, it appeared to be Doctor Sorbet, who was unresponsive.
Lee Way: I…Impossible…! Doctor Sorbet…
He walked closer to him, feeling his stomach for a beating heart. Unfortunately, there were no signs of life from him.
Lee Way: …He's dead.
Lasanne: *points* …Can I keep this one as a souvenir?
Barbeque on the other hand was unresponsive, as his eyes grew dark, filled with hate-filled intent. The death of a Dirty Delinquent member in his eyes was a grave act committed not only against him, but also the entire organization. He knew that this was no mere "accident" that Sorbet was found out here. Even Lee Way knew that this was a personal offense. In response, Barbeque answered with a cold…
Barbeque: …No.
It drew Lasanne's attention, as his voice was masking anger from within. As Barbeque looked upon Sorbet's body once more, he gritted his teeth in anger, growling before making a loud screech that could be heard for miles and stomping the ground so hard that the impact not only formed small pitfalls, but also felt like an earthquake that rocked the area around them. Lasanne didn't even care about the shaking, but Lee Way was knocked somewhat off-balance and fell on his rear end.
Lee Way: (...Uh-oh…! He's really pissed…! I can't blame him, though…Our comrade was found here and not back at his lab…)
With glowing green eyes and in a dark tone, Barbeque's response was…
Barbeque: …I'm going to kill the fucker that did this. I shall engrave their blood on their tombstones! Lee Way, take Doctor Sorbet with us. We're getting there, posthaste.
Lee Way: Y-Yes, leader!
...
Back in the office of the Senior Head, Colonel Hummus and Brigadier Chan Way were watching the monitor as usual, with Block M being part of the vision showing two yellow dots and three red dots.
Hummus: …Brigadier, do you think Sergeant Olive will do his job successfully?
Chan Way: …I don't know. I'm hoping he will.
Hummus: …I just wonder who Project PZ is with? Is it brainwashed or what?
Chan Way: Hmm…Better question is, what are their objectives?
He then got a call from one of his underlings, who sounded panicked and shouted...
?: B-Brigadier! Four Pokemon have caused a ruckus in Block B! One of them is a Morgrem, the other three are a red Durant, a green Eiscue and a green Electivire! We need more backup!
Chan Way: Soldier, call the ones at Block A. I'll be sure that Sergeant Sushi is there at the time.
Another soldier then chimed in on the call shouting...
?: Brigadier! Two Pokemon are in Block I! We need backup! Two of them are a red Crabrawler and a black Mamoswine! Our soldiers are being taken down!
Chan Way: Shit! Have Major Cinnamon down there with a squad unit!
?: Roger!
The other line hung up.
Hummus: …Sir, should I be there just in case?
Chan Way: No. We need to know if those four Pokemon are headed our way. They may even fight us to gain their way to freedom.
Hummus: …Alright.
Chan Way: (...I can't let the Senior Head down…I didn't train for this position for no reason…!)
...
Back to where Happy, Charles, Baye, Honori and Project PZ were, they found their target, which was Project P-2.0. However, Sid Seudo was in the room with them in hiding.
Baye: H-Hey, guys…?
Charles: Yeah?
Happy: What is it?
Baye: …I was wondering…where my parents are…I know they're here somewhere, but if it's possible, can you use that Project P-2.0 thing to see where they are?
Happy: Sure!
?: …I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Miss Baye.
From out of the shadows, Sid Seudo stepped out, wearing his usual brown cloaked uniform. It surprised Baye, as not only he was the one she was looking for, but also because she didn't expect him to be there. Happy and Charles also took note of him, but to both of them, this was the first time they saw a Pokemon like that.
Baye: …Sid Seudo…
Charles: Who's he?
Baye: He's a police officer near my area.
Charles: Whoa! R-Really?!
Sid: I see Klepto didn't finish the job. Never mind how you escaped, but I'm here to make sure you all stay put. And Project PZ…I know Doctor Sorbet released you. My question is why are you with them?
PZ was about to speak, but realized that his speech wasn't like everyone else's.
Sid: Never mind. Now, we can do this two ways. The easy way, which allows me to take you to the execution block, or the hard way, which I'll kill you all. Your choice.
Baye: We're not going anywhere! I want to find my parents! Tell me where they are!
Sid: …The hard way it is, then. Don't say that I didn't give you any options.
He threw off his cloak to reveal his three autumn-colored spheres for each arm and took on a fighting stance, which was strange considering that his stance resembled a tree, with his arms stretched out like branches and his body as still as a rock. Happy took on a fighting stance as well, but for Charles, he knew this was a battle he couldn't win.
Happy: We're gonna kick your butt!
Charles: I don't know, Happy…I have a disadvantage, but I think he's stronger than he looks!
Happy: Perfect for me!
Sid: *chuckles* You youngsters today and your conflicting ideals.
He dropped his humorous manner and had a serious expression on his face and continued as he shouted…
Sid: Come, if you dare to die!
Happy charged forward, with Sid Seudo not even moving an inch. This in turn forced Happy to stop in his tracks, seeing as to how this one was similar to another experience.
Baye: What's wrong, Happy?
Happy: …Mister, why do you take that stance?
Sid: Why? Do you expect me to move?
Happy: No. I know that if I move in, you'll strike me. So I'll have to do something else.
Sid: …Huh?
Happy inhaled and then exhaled bubbles from his mouth, spreading them around the entire room. It confused Charles, but for Baye, she can understand what he was doing.
Baye: …I get it…
Charles: Huh?
Baye: It's like that battle with Mr. P when he was a Metapod…Remember? I think Happy's drawing a similar strategy like that here…
Charles: Oh…!
Sid, however, wasn't even fazed by this.
Sid: …How childish. Blowing bubbles won't work, kid!
But he noticed that whilst the bubbles were swirling around the room, Happy was not around, or rather, he was not in sight.
Sid: (...I see…He's using these bubbles to create a distraction…)
For Sid, he could know where Happy was due to the stance he took on. It allowed for him to feel the vibrations of the floor for movement to let him know where his opponent would be. He looked to the left first, and then to the right before he looked all around the room. In his sight, Happy was bouncing off the walls and over the tables in order to get a hit in. However, with a swing from his right arm, he struck Happy from behind without even changing positions, knocking him into a table that broke upon impact.
Charles: Happy!
Baye: Oh no!
Happy got back up, but he felt his face stinging a bit as if he was struck by a rock, causing him to grab it to ease the pain.
Happy: Ow, ow ow ow ow ow! That hurt! You must be made out of rock for a tree!
Sid: Funny you say that. I'm a Rock type meant to fool the eye. You could call it "trompe l'oeil à la Sudowoodo".
Happy: …What?
Sid: …I keep forgetting. You're a child. Well, are you ready to die, or will you change your mind?
Happy: I'm just getting warmed up!
Sid: Those bubbles won't save you, you know.
Happy: Exactly! I've got something new in mind!
He inhaled again, but this time spitting out a less pressurized stream of water at Sid, forcing him to block the move by using both arms to shield his face to reduce the damage. It had some effect on him, but he was also resisting it pretty well.
Baye: Come on, Happy!
Charles: You can do it!
Unfortunately, one can go so long with spitting a stream from his mouth. It made Happy more exhausted, forcing him to stop, but as soon as Sid let down his arms, Happy flew at him with a kick, pushing him back a bit before landing a few feet away from him.
Baye: He pushed him back! How strong is that guy?
Sid didn't seem fazed by the attack, as if it didn't really do anything to him. But he did feel a bit of pain where Happy struck, which made him question whom he was fighting.
Sid: (...Who is this kid…? That kick almost broke me…Too bad he's still an ameteur…) …I'll give you credit, kid. You have an interesting fighting style. Using that Water Gun attack to force me to block and then land a kick afterwards is quite strategic. However, you'll soon learn that you don't always get your way. I for one have something up my sleeve.
Happy: Huh?
Baye: Does that mean…He wasn't serious back then?
Charles: How should I know?
Sid: …This technique of mine has been passed down only in my Sudowoodo family line. It's known to petrify onlookers. But don't worry. I won't use the full effect. I don't intend to break you completely, rather, just take you all in one piece.
With that said, he began to stand in place, moving his arms slowly without so much as moving his feet. It intrigued Happy and the others, wondering what he was doing.
Charles: What's he doing?
Baye: It seems like he's just moving his arms. Not sure why.
It wasn't apparent at first, but when Sid thrusted his arms forward at Happy, he suddenly felt like his entire body was paralyzed.
Happy: W-What the…?! I…I can't…move…!
As that was finished, he rushed towards Happy at breakneck speed. Happy tried struggling, but Sid was already upon him. His arms glowed green and with one good swing, he knocked Happy through a wall, creating a hole of his size as the debris fell from it.
Baye & Charles: Happy!
Sid: …I highly doubt he'll last through that.
Baye: What did you do to him?!
Sid: I told you, didn't I? The Petrify Dance. He's completely paralyzed.
Baye: No!
Charles: Happy!
Charles rushed towards the hole until he was beaten by PZ, who went at lightning fast speed that to everyone in the room, it was like a blur. He then came back out and seconds later, Happy emerged from the hole completely normal, save for a bruise to his face. To Sid, he was actually shocked by this, as he believed that his Petrify Dance from his old Sudowoodo line would work only to find out that Happy was still moving.
Sid: Impossible! How are you still moving?!
Happy felt the pain from his face, realizing that the attack on him was not only effective, but also powerful.
Happy: Owie! What was that?!
Baye: Hey…Happy's not paralyzed anymore…
Charles: I wonder what happened…?
Sid: (...How the hell this little child managed to break free from my Petrify Dance…?! It's the move passed down from my family line…! It's supposed to be flawless…! Unless…)
He then remembered a yellow blur not too long ago, which happened to be Project PZ.
Sid: (...That's why…! It's that glorified malfunction of Doctor Sorbet…! Who knew it had the capability to reverse my effects…?! Not to mention, why choose to side with them…?!)
Happy: Hey, you! That was painful! And what were those moves you used on me?!
Sid: …You know something? You lucked out because of Project PZ over there. I don't know why it sides with you, but just know that it won't help you in the future. However, I shall take my leave.
Everyone was surprised by Sid's response. This was a first, as he was saying it like he was giving up. However, it wasn't anything like that, much to their knowledge. He turned around and headed towards the front door, with Baye's response to get him to stop being…
Baye: W-What…? You're going to leave us?
Happy: Let's fight some more! Come on!
Sid: …Let's call it a…truce for now. Miss Baye, you said that you wanted to see your parents? If I'm not mistaken, I heard you say that Project P-2.0 is around here somewhere. I'd rather you meet them first before your demise. Just know that I will be watching you.
Baye: W-Why…? Why are you doing this?
Sid: …I'd prefer if you didn't do anything to raise further suspicion. After all, you deserve to see them. And as for you children…You need Project P-2.0 to find your friends, right? I suggest doing that. Now, as I said before, I shall take my leave.
He went through the double doors, with a confused group staying behind to gather what just happened.
Baye: …Just…why…?
...
In Block I, Manfred and Crusta were busy freeing prisoners being held in the cells. So far, they managed to free at least over 150 Pokemon in holding as well as defeated many Dirty Delinquent soldiers. However, their trip to the next block would be cut short as a squadron of Dirty Delinquent soldiers marched their way down the hall in their direction with weapons in tow.
Manfred: Morrre cloaked rrrubble, morrre damage!
Crusta: Zeir weapahns do nahtheeng!
Manfred: Herrre I kome!
As they charged, the Dirty Delinquent soldiers wasted no time firing their weapons at them. Manfred, despite being a large Pokemon, dodged the bullets, while Crusta was fast enough to move in for a quick hit, stunning them for a few seconds while Manfred would deliver the full-body ramming, yelling as he did it as they were sent flying. Unfortunately, Manfred was knocked back a few feet by a Pokemon they didn't expect.
The Pokemon who knocked him back appeared to be a female Persian with an unusually round facial structure, an orange, glossy coat and wore a Dirty Delinquent cloak, which was green and matched the color of the jewel above her eyes.
Manfred: Who did zat? What crrreaturrre darrre push me back?
Crusta: Who ees zat?!
Persian: Well, well boys. Quite the cutting edge display of macho bravado.
Manfred: …I vas pushed back by kat...?
Crusta: Out of our way, unless you wahnt to tahste my fists!
Persian: I don't think so. And this "kat" has a name. It's Cinnamon. So do me a favor and…retire.
Manfred: I do not karrre about vorrrds frrrom femme felines! I giant mammoth, bolsterrring prrride and trrrue!
Crusta: Ahnd I shahll do no such sing! *boxes in place* I'm ready to knahck you you out, beetch!
Cinnamon: *chuckles* …You'd better be lucky I'm no dog Pokemon, or else I'd take offense to that. Now, what do you boys say about tangling with a feline's prowess?
Manfred: I say nyet! Is horrrse dung!
Crusta: Deetto to zat!
Cinnamon: …Alright, then. Let's see what happens when bravado goes straight out the window from me… *chuckles*
At Block B, Morgan, Dylan, Wire and Emma were running down the hall, knocking out many Dirty Delinquent soldiers along the way. Their objective was to free other Pokemon and escape, but they stopped as they spotted Sergeant Sushi, who was on a green Ariados headed in their direction.
Sushi: Halt! Who goes there?
Morgan: The Tooth Fairy, dumbass! We're going to free more prisoners and cause a ruckus!
Dylan: Move aside unless you want to deal with us.
Sushi: …More victims. I see. You're not the only ones to challenge me. Two Pokemon from before managed to fall to me, and where you're going, you'll be in the same position they were. Either surrender, or die fighting me.
Morgan: Kiss my ass, sea urchin! If we have to, we'll kick your ass!
Sushi: *sighs* …Pokemon today…Not even understanding what they're fighting for nowadays…Very well. I'll shut you down. Don't say I didn't warn you. You'll be meeting a similar fate like the other two did…
...