Chapter 52: Liberation Aftermath
In order to take refuge from any more Dirty Delinquent attacks, Happy and friends had settled at a village where Chief Naidu and his wife resided with their children and their folks. Meanwhile, the Dirty Delinquents were still trying to keep their control of the world. As for Moody and Zamenza, they stumbled upon a kingdom's village on fire and stopped an assault on an innocent Pokemon. But they believed that similar problems would continue elsewhere, bringing more horror to the reality they lived in…
For the time being, they escorted the Grotle along the dirt path to ensure he would get home safely with his family to feed as he carried a wagon of food now covered in a blanket.
Grotle: I appreciate you two for escorting me, but I've never heard of the elderly escorting the young.
Moody: It's alright. We understand that you have a family to feed.
Zamenza: By the way…What happened?
Grotle: Oh, it's terrible…Ever since the Dirty Delinquents abolished money and jobs from our system, Pokemon from lower divisions have been attacking like savages…! I was a simple market Pokemon until it happened and as a result, I have to take what I would normally sell on the market to feed my family with the remaining food left. Next thing I knew, those rebels attacked me and wanted to make off with my food…
Zamenza: (...That matches up with when we found him…)
Grotle: I know it sounds selfish, but I can't let my family die. I worked so hard, and then my livelihood income was thrown to the wasteside! If this keeps going, there's no order among our society! Even the royals of kingdoms around the world were forced to resign and step aside as their title meant nothing…
Moody: …I see.
Moody and Zamenza took a good look around, noticing Pokemon just lazing about, bored out their minds as if there was nothing else to do with their lives. Some even were wallowing in their own filth. It was as if they were witnessing a depressing dystopia…
Moody: …It's as I feared…This is what happens when you abolish the very means of a progressive society…We regress…becoming like primitive Pokemon…Operating with a fight or flight response…No motivation to do anything with themselves except eat, sleep and crap…and kill for no reason other than thrills…How scary…
Grotle: …I've seen some Pokemon robbing stores…Some had their throats slit for taking things back that belonged to them…Some even beaten for suggesting jobs or money return to society…Even the police can't do anything to stop them due to the cloaked Pokemon roaming around. At this point, it's live or die…I don't want to live in a constant state of fear every day…
Zamenza: …Funny thing is, I thought it sounded like a good idea at first, but now…Not anymore…If this is what the result is, I'd rather just pay for my food to get what I want…
Moody: Zamenza…
Zamenza: Don't worry. I've seen the error of my ways.
From Zamenza's side in the distance, two Pokemon were having a dispute over…something. They appeared to be a Sneasel and a Quilava, and the two of them were operating a fight or flight response as the Quilava had food that he wasn't willing to share.
Sneasel: Give it to me!
Quilava: No!
The Quilava ran from the Sneasel, only for a single slice from the Sneasel's claws towards the Quilava's neck to instantly kill him, letting out a scream in his final moment. The act alone terrified Zamenza, knowing that the Pokemon he and Moody left behind could suffer the same fate, but had to believe in them still being alive. A few minutes later, they arrived at a hole with a rock next to it, presumed to be the Grotle's home.
Zamenza: Is this it?
Grotle: Well, temporarily, yes. Thanks for escorting me.
He turned his wagon around and detached himself from it to put his head under to lift it, tumbling the food down the hole until it was empty, then set it back down near the hole before giving the elderly duo one last look, knowing he might never see them again.
Grotle: I wish you guys luck out there…
He then walked into the hole and lifted the rock using his vines to cover it behind so that he and his family would hide from the outside chaos.
Zamenza: …I gotta hand it to him, he knows how to keep his family hidden from the chaos happening out here.
Moody: …As much as I am thankful that we've saved his life, we can't just do it every single day. We have to stop this now. Let's head back to Moby and see if we can't find a Dirty Delinquent officer anywhere…
A few minutes later, they were on Moby sailing the seas in the sunset, suggesting that it was a long day they endured. Whilst looking at the orange ball glowing on the waters gave them a bit of hope, they still knew that there was more to be done. By two hours later, it was night time as the skies were dark with the stars twinkling. At least they sailed into the night without any Dirty Delinquent attack for a while…
…But it would be nigh impossible to sit there and not be alert of their surroundings. Because unbeknownst to them, miles away from their location was a brown Gliscor wearing the red Commander's cloak of the Dirty Delinquents flying in the night skies. He soared around without a care in the world as he was thinking of what he could do next. However, his mind was on something else that made him puzzled as he was concerned about a particular issue…
Gliscor: (...I haven't heard back from HQ yet…I know our plans are going smoothly, but ever since I tried contacting them, I haven't gotten a response…I think I'll give Brigadier Chan Way a buzz and see what's happening…)
He pressed the emblem on his cloak and managed to get Chan Way on the other line.
Chan Way: Hello?
Gliscor: Yeah. Commander Chocolate here. I was wondering what was happening at HQ earlier. I haven't heard from them ever since. Care to fill me in?
Chan Way: Well, Commander…You're kind of late to the info pool…Don't tell anybody this, but the Senior Head is uh…going to be out for a week or two as he sustained damage that would actually kill a Flying type Pokemon…
Gideon: …Eh? What kind of damage did he sustain?
Chan Way: …Two Zap Cannons.
Gideon: Damn! That's pretty brutal. And he survived?
Chan Way: Yeah.
Gideon: …And may I ask what happened?
Chan Way: …According to our newly hired assassin, the Senior Head was tailing after the escapees and was struck by two Zap Cannons. Thanks to Ogre-Darner, he managed to save the Senior Head from his watery fate. And that's only half of it. Most of our members at the base were defeated and one of them is a traitor.
Gideon: Is it Major Cinnamon?
Chan Way: …How the hell did you know that?
Gideon: She seemed shady and her ulterior motives were somewhat fishy the day she was sworn in.
Chan Way: …That's…very deductive of you, Commander.
Gideon: Hmph. Save it for execution. But who are the escapees in particular?
Chan Way: Fighters from the Pokken Arts Tournament and two old Pokemon being a Tangela with a mustache and an Alakazam with a tail.
Gideon: I see…I'll make a note of that.
Gideon then looked to his left, only to notice an orange beam heading his way, causing him to ascend above to avoid it.
Gideon: …Sorry, Brigadier…but I must hang up for now. It seems some Pokemon are targeting me from a distance.
Chan Way: Alright.
Chan Way's line hung up as Gideon swooped down in the direction of the beam, which was a small island. He had excellent vision at night and saw six Pokemon on the island, armed with stones and capable of firing beams. As he landed down to where the Pokemon were, they took no hesitation in throwing the stones, to which Gideon dodged with ease and managed to grab a couple of them in his pincers.
?: Shit!
Gideon: You Pokemon better put down the stones. You'll hurt somebody, namely yourselves…
?: What?!
He then tossed the stones, hitting two of them in the stomach that knocked them out. The other four were freaked out by his strength alone.
Gideon: Now, for striking me….I believe you all deserve a knockout.
Within seconds, he dashed through them and knocked every single one of them out to the ground with his pincers alone before flying back in the air and on his continued way.
Gideon: …That was fun. Too bad it only lasted a minute.
...
At the village where all the Fox Pokemon reside, Happy and friends were asleep for the night. Crickets were chirping and campfires were made for late night watches as Pokemon patrollers kept an eye out for anything suspicious that may lurk in the area. So far, nothing bad has happened. There was the tranquil peace that they had wanted, but still needed to make sure it stayed that way. Honori was also on watch, since his species are excellent at night vision.
By Dulric's grave near the large teepee, Chief Naidu stood in front of it, paying his homage to his beloved pet for carrying out his duty of protecting the villagers. He was all alone as his family was asleep.
Naidu: …Dulric…I am proud of you. You did what you had to do. I'll never forget the days you and our family bonded over the years…You were the best pet I ever met.
Emerging from one of the teepees to join him was Maga, who seemed to be better from his pain. He was also not smoking a cigar, most likely as his wife had wanted him to not do so at this time.
Maga: …So, this is the dog's grave.
Naidu …Yes.
Maga: …I know what it's like to lose something.
Naidu: …Ever lost the pride and joy of a beloved pet of a village?
Maga: …No. But I had lost my parents a day apart from each other. Probably 20 years ago before my daughter was born. I felt like as a kid, I wasn't as hard-working as my parents were. Got scolded some times, but I had other things on my mind…When my father died, he told me to put my back into life if I ever wanted to be a better Pokemon. And that's where I am now.
Naidu: So you're so hard at work that your back can't support you?
Maga: I guess…I mean, I do haul things for a living with the market, but I've been stiff ever since.
Naidu: I see…
Maga: But sometimes, losing something is a benefit. It teaches us that we must become better than we were before.
Naidu: Dulric passed on so we could walk…I remember when he was a pup and my family had wanted to have him help our village. One by one, he did. Sometimes, I think he was getting old just like me...Who knows? Maybe we share the same thing…I might join him at some point…
Maga: We're all getting old… *chuckles* It took my back being out of whack to tell me how old I'm getting…Don't tell my wife I'm out here, or she'll scream about it.
Naidu: *chuckles* I won't.
Maga: …But I hope the world gets resolved at some point…
Naidu: …My folks are still worried about that Pokemon that attacked our village. We fear he may come back. But so long as we have fighters here, I think we can be at ease…
Maga: *smiles* …I'm sure they can handle it.
Maga got up and turned into the direction of the teepee where he was sleeping and addressed the chief once more before going back.
Maga: I'd best be getting back to bed. Don't want the wife screaming about my absence from her care.
Naidu: …Take care. May Ho-oh guide you.
Maga concluded with a nod and headed inside, leaving the chief to himself. He remembered how he took Dulric in as a baby and raised him along with the family as if he was a part of them. He also remembered the sad times and the difficult times, but his happiest was seeing him by his side at times when there was nothing to do. He then looked up at the night skies as one final thought crossed his mind.
Naidu: (…See you, you good old hound…My friend…)
...
Two hours later as Zamenza and Moody were sailing on Moby's back, they were coming close to meeting with Gideon, as they were somewhat far from each other. However, it didn't take long for them to sense each other's energy. But Gideon was the first to pick it up…
Gideon: What the?! I feel some power coming my way.
…Followed by Zamenza and Moody responding as well.
Zamenza: There's a Pokemon headed in our direction.
Moody: It doesn't seem friendly.
A minute later, they manage to meet each other. Gideon saw them from a bird's eye view amongst Moby, drawing his attention to them. He swooped down at them, taking them by surprise as he spat a purple sludge-like ball that crashed in front of Moby, creating a waterfall-like splash to obscure their view. This alone didn't stop him as he went through with pincers crossed and glowing bright yellow-green, not even phased in the slightest even if he was covered in water as he slashed at the pair that dodged on instinct alone, landing back on Moby.
When they turned around, they saw Gideon standing on Moby with a grin on his face and holding a glass of red wine, knowing who he was seeing. The same could be said for Moody and Zamenza, as they saw him as a familiar face, but were completely shocked…
Moody: …I-I don't…believe it! T-That color…That hair…! It's-
Zamenza: Admiral Grant!
Gideon chuckled to himself as he swished his glass around before drinking the entire content, addressing their comment.
Gideon: The two old Pokemon fleeing the seas…Not surprising that I'd run into you two sooner or later. But I'm surprised that you know me as an Admiral of my Military days.
Moody: …How disappointing. You were talked of being a great Admiral, even led the Military into a better age…What the hell happened?
Gideon: Ah…It's the question everyone asks when someone goes wrong in their lives as if their destiny is etched in stone. Guess what? I chose this path on my own. Corruption runs in the Military. I got sick of it. So now, I'd rather see them handed down the gullet.
Zamenza: (...It seems that convincing him at this point is going to be impossible…)
Gideon: But enough of the past times. You two are on my list. And I see that the striking blue Tangela reminds me of another Pokemon…Only more…yellow. But too bad he didn't truly stick around.
Moody: …Son of a bitch…!
Gideon: …I'd watch my mouth if I were you. The Senior Head hates that. It reminds him of his mother whom everyone else hated.
Moody: I don't give a rat's ass about that. But if I had known about my son enduring those harsh conditions, I'd have done something by then.
Gideon: …And yet, here we are. Sorry, but I'd like to defeat the purpose of you both. It's just that…under this moon, I feel…reborn.
His eyes glowed red, which didn't phase the duo.
Gideon: ...Do you two ever know what the moon does to certain Pokemon…? It just gives an exhilarating rush…! *chuckles*
Moody: *sweat drop* (…What the hell is he talking about…?)
Zamenza: *sweat drop* (…Sounds like a mental lunatic on the prowl…)
Gideon: So let's end this. I may be a Commander, but that doesn't mean you should underestimate me.
He then crushed the glass in his pincers, with some of the shards sprinkling on Moby's back. He didn't feel any shards piercing him due to his hard body.
Gideon: I'm going to use what's possible for me, and if not, I'll be heading in another direction. I cannot allow you to sail the seven seas so long as you're wanted. I'll end you right here and now.
Zamenza: Wait! Can we move it to another place? I'd hate to involve our friend here in something he can't really handle.
Gideon looked down at Moby before his eyes met back with the duo with a...
Gideon: …Fair enough. I am honorable enough to adhere to your request.
He then looked to a distant island with trees and rocks not too far from them with a glint in his eyes before continuing with the duo.
Gideon: *points* That little island over there will do. How's about it?
Moody: …If you say so.
Gideon: Excellent. Who's going to lead?
Moody: You. I don't trust enemies behind my back. I'd like to see their shit up front and close to me.
Zamenza: *sweat drop* (...It's lucky that the children aren't around to hear such language…)
Two minutes later, Gideon and the duo were on the island away from Moby, who could only look on as his two partners were about to face off against a Commander of the Dirty Delinquents. At this point, Gideon already knew that the two old Pokemon were stronger than they looked, but he wanted to see if he's capable of defeating them, or if not, move elsewhere.
Gideon: …Let me clear the nightly air here. I know you two are stronger than you let on. And I've heard what you did to our leader. But so long as we remain in the world, there's nothing you can do. His defeat is only a victory for us to move forward and become stronger! We will-
Moody: Good lord, you're a talker! Do you ever shut that "grease trap" of yours up?
Gideon had an annoyed face from his comment, knowing just how irritable his "audience" were.
Gideon: …How rude. And disrespectful. I'll make sure that I kill you both.
Moody: Then bring it. I'm not afraid of you just because you can fly. My vines can still reach your ass before it goes into orbit. And then I'll probably knock some sense into you after you crash into the earth.
Gideon growled in response and pointed a pincer at Moody, firing a tiny needle in his direction that he sidestepped with ease. However, Gideon rapidly fired more needles at them, only for the duo to easily dodge every one of them before Gideon stopped and took to the skies. Moody reached a vine that managed to grab onto his tail, taking him by surprise before he was slammed down to the ground.
He somewhat struggled to get up, but as he did, he was seething with rage, if only for a moment before he calmed down.
Moody: So, did you regain some sense?
Gideon: *chuckles* …Impressive. You two are indeed as the rumors have said before. Not really surprising in the least.
Moody: It seems you still need some knocks.
Gideon: How about you take a hint?
He pointed a pincer at the duo, charging a small orange orb in it as it got bigger before firing an orange beam at them. They stood there, not even phased by the attack itself as it came their way.
Zamenza: (...A Hyper Beam attack…Not really surprising, but also weak…)
Zamenza stepped in front of the beam and with one spoon in hand, swatted the Hyper Beam away without a struggle, knocking it into the ocean that exploded. However, Gideon was now gone.
Moody: (...He's gone…Perhaps he used that attack as a means to go into hiding…Unfortunately, I can't sense him…)
Zamenza: Where do you think he's gone?
Moody: Into hiding.
Whilst they were right that Gideon was hiding, they couldn't tell where exactly he was hiding, which would be in a tree as he hung from a branch using his tail, staying completely silent and waiting for his prey to unknowingly stumble into his line of sight. However, he had some thoughts in his mind.
Gideon: (...I knew they were strong, but this is ridiculous…! Hold on…if they are strong, they are just two Pokemon…Perhaps I need a little more… *smiles* …manpower to get an edge…) *chuckles*
...