Chapter 55: Pig-Skinned
Thanks to Happy and friends' efforts, they not only managed to quell the Dirty Delinquent ships at bay, but the children managed to defeat Freddie Croaker, a.k.a. Corporal Kiwi. At the same time, Moody and Zamenza were about to face off against Major Hamm due to Gideon pawning them off to him. Fortunately, the World Government had set up a way to restore the world's balance, but with an introduction to an Underflow.
Back to where the old duo were, the battle took off. Moody was slapping his vines around, to which Hamm could easily block by using his elbows, but was also backing up. But this was a distraction, as Zamenza was far away charging up a shadowy-like ball from his palms, ready to release it when the opportunity struck.
Zamenza: (...All I have to do is strike him with a Shadow Ball, and he's finished…!)
However, Hamm bounced on his springy tail into the air, causing the duo to look up.
Moody: (...He bounced…Not easy when the opponent is in the air…)
Zamenza: (...And his energy has disappeared…!)
In the air, Hamm tucked his paws to his right side, charging up a similar Shadow Ball like Zamenza did, but was actually aiming for him instead of Moody.
Hamm: (...Let's see if the faraway wizard can block a shot from the air…)
He threw his paws downward, launching the ball in Zamenza's direction. Zamenza immediately saw the ball and jumped, only for a glint to appear in Hamm's eyes.
Hamm: Gotcha!
Zamenza: What?!
Without warning, Hamm's black pearls began glowing, forming beads around Zamenza's arms, taking him by surprise.
Zamenza: (...What are these…?! They're bounding me up…!)
Moody launched an Energy Ball at Hamm to save Zamenza, only for him to dodge it and spit a ball of mud in his direction. As Moody jumped away, Zamenza tried to stop Hamm using Psychic with his eyes, but it wasn't proving much to work as Hamm belched in his face, making his eyes water from the stench. Hamm then used his head covered in blue energy to smash into Zamenza, knocking him to the ground with Moody running after him.
Moody: Zamenza!
As Zamenza got up to recover, he noticed that he couldn't use his hands. Seeing the black pearls around Zamenza's arms forced Moody to stop his attack to help him. Hamm landed not too far away from the duo as he believed he had the upper hand.
Hamm: *laughs, snorts* Look at that! So-called strongest Pokemon to take out our Senior Head! Now you can't use your hands! *laughs*
Moody: What the hell did you do to him?!
Hamm: Oh, nothing but the pearls that I've casted onto him.
Zamenza: …I can't even use any moves…!
Hamm: That's because those pearls come with disabling properties. You can't do anything so long as those pearls are on you!
Zamenza: …Oh yeah? Well, I don't think that's true.
Hamm: Oh, and why's that?
Zamenza: Pokemon also come with other moves that we can do that aren't attributed to energy.
Hamm: Huh?
Zamenza ran towards him, only for Hamm to sidestep and throw a kick, which didn't strike Zamenza at all as if he disappeared.
Hamm: Huh? Where'd he go?!
From his left, Zamenza kicked him in the cheek, knocking him over on his back. He also gave a lighthearted chuckle, which didn't sit right with Hamm one bit.
Zamenza: …I've still got it. Hands, feet, head, it doesn't matter. We have other capabilities.
Hamm: You think I give a damn about that?! I'll bind those too!
Moody: What about vines?
Hamm: Who gives a shit?! I'll tie every single one of those things! In fact, here's a demonstration!
The black pearls on his head glowed, forming rings around Moody and Zamenza's bodies, binding them even further. Their legs were prevented from moving, making them completely immobile.
Moody: (...Dammit…! I had to say something to get him riled up…!)
However, despite Zamenza being bound, he was calm without an ounce of worry. His eyes, closed yet focused and his body, standing tall instead of wavering.
Hamm: *laughs* You're both tied up! I don't know why Gideon ran from you if you're both pushovers!
Moody then looked at Zamenza, noticing his calm stance.
Moody: (...Does Zamenza have a plan…?)
Despite laughing, Hamm's face was now puzzled, wondering why Zamenza wasn't panicking.
Hamm: Hey, what the hell's wrong with your friend? He fell asleep?
Moody: …Your guess is as good as mine.
Hamm: (...I don't like this…I don't like this at all…! They're up to something…!)
Zamenza then opened his eyes, looking at Hamm with a smile on his face.
Zamenza: …"Dost thou cast pearls towards others as dost thou not know and understand what is reciprocated?"
Hamm: …What?
Moody: I second that! What the hell did you just say?!
Zamenza: It means "do you give others things you don't know of themselves and know what they are feeling about it?"
Hamm: …What a load of crap. None of that made any sense!
Zamenza: …True, but your pearls are being cast without knowing how we feel about them. I admit, you got me good. I've never seen a Grumpig do that. But everything has a flaw, like the prettiest flowers with thorns attached.
He pulled out his spoons from his tail and stabbed the pearls on his arms, breaking them and freeing his arms.
Hamm: I-Impossible…! How the hell did you do that?!
Zamenza then stabbed the pearls around his legs, giving him more mobility like before.
Zamenza: Do what? Just because I was bound, doesn't mean I've given up. Like I said, everything has a flaw. Your pearls are cast by psychic energy, but they're still just as vulnerable like glass. It seems you're getting rusty in your department.
He then stabbed the pearls around his waist, breaking him free from disablement.
Hamm: S-Shut up! I ain't rusty!
Zamenza: I also assume that you've been rolling around in dirt for so long, you don't even smell it.
Hamm: Damn you!
His pearls glowed again, summoning more beads around Zamenza, only for them to be repelled back by a wave of his hand, disappearing into nothingness.
Hamm: No! This is impossible!
Zamenza: Some things are possible, and others are not. Psychic is my specialty. Your pearls are made out of psychic energy, and I, as a Psychic type like you, can repel them just as easily as you cast them.
Hamm, now realizing the situation, had to back down, if only for a moment as he had an idea, grinning and chuckling to himself as they were baffled by what brought that on.
Moody: (...What is he chuckling to himself about…?)
Hamm: …You almost had me for a second there. I was about to lose it, but there's a good flaw in the elderly.
The pearls on his head glowed, but his intentions in mind were different instead of what he had done before. He had undone Moody's pearls, but more likely with intent as he had something else to plan. He began to dance oddly, waving with his arms as if he was in a trance, but the picture became clearer as Moody began to dance in a similar fashion, even though he was aware, but not in control.
Moody: (...My body's…dancing like his…! I hate this "dancing" craze…! Is this what the Grumpig are capable of doing…?!)
As Moody's body was now under his control, he stopped dancing. Zamenza wondered what happened until Moody ran towards him with some vines out, shouting…
Moody: Zammy, look out!
Zamenza dodged the vines, now realizing the effect Hamm had on his friend. Moody turned around with his vines out again, approaching Zamenza whilst saying…
Moody: I can't control my body! It's moving on its own!
Zamenza: That dance of yours…You're using that to control him!
Hamm: So what if I did? It'd be unwise to attack your own friend.
Moody: You son of a bitch! You'll pay for this!
Hamm: Pay what? Dance, wrinkly! Dance! *laughs*
Moody kept charging at Zamenza, whilst his friend dodged every single vine.
Moody: This is why I hate dancing and why it should never be accepted into society!
Hamm: Oh? It's slowly getting there.
Moody: The hell does that mean?!
Zamenza: (...The only way to stop this is…)
Zamenza then disappeared, or rather moved so fast that Hamm was now put on edge, looking around frantically for him. From above, Zamenza came down using one spoon, wielding like a hammer and smashed it down on Hamm's head, shutting down the pearl's aura and his control over Moody. Hamm kneeled down, although he wasn't in any pain, but did feel his weight increase somehow, struggling to get back up.
Hamm: *grunts* (...M-My body…! I feel heavier…!)
Zamenza: Feeling heavy?
Hamm: …What…the hell…did you…do to…me…?!
Zamenza: …Gravity Spoon. It's a move that us Alakazam can use.
Hamm: …Bull...shit…!
Zamenza: It seems that we're at an impasse. I suggest throwing in the towel if you wish to value your life.
Hamm: …You think…I'm going to…give up…just because…you got…lucky…?!
Moody headed towards Zamenza and Hamm, relieved to not be bound by pearls anymore.
Moody: …Thank god I'm not influenced by some ridiculous crap anymore. So you're still down. Mind kissing the dirt you pigs roll in?
Hamm: …Go to hell…and feast on this…!
He then pressed his paws to the floor, with his pearls glowing pink but he got lighter as he managed to stand back up as if nothing happened.
Zamenza: (...He…reversed it…!)
Moody: Impossible!
Hamm: *laughs* It's not impossible. I just reversed the effect of gravity.
Zamenza: You know, you're a bit more challenging than the Helioptile. But I wonder…why work for the Dirty Delinquents?
Hamm: …Why? Because I owe my loyalty to my Senior Head for saving me from the depths of hell called the "Mental Country".
Zamenza's eyes widened, as if it was familiar to him.
Zamenza: (...Mental Country…?)
Moody: What "hell" did you suffer from there, if I may ask?
Hamm: The hell of living in a world where you're not respected. I've hated living there ever since I was a Sproink. I have a talent for using my psychic powers, but those old bastards deemed my powers a danger! Even imprisoned me for it! What kind of country does that to talent?!
Zamenza didn't fully hear his words, thinking about a similar event that perhaps happened to him…
Zamenza: …The Mental Country…I never thought I'd hear that again.
Hamm: …What's it to you?
Zamenza: …The Mental Country…is where I met my late wife.
Moody: Zamenza…You never told me about your wife.
Zamenza: …Can you blame me? But there's a reason why.
Hamm: Hey, I don't mean to interrupt, but no one cares, okay?
Moody: Ah. The "pig" is in the room. Don't think you'll get to control me like last time. I'm not into that crap you young ones are into.
Hamm: *frustration mark* Did you just insult me?!
Zamenza: …Since you mentioned talent, I know just how you feel.
Hamm: …W-What?
Zamenza: It's where I was born. And my powers were why I left the country in the first place.
Hamm: …What the hell are you talking about? Trying to get sympathy from me from your experiences? You never felt the same way I did!
Zamenza: Being treated differently just because you chose a different path, right? You were going to be a Pokemon who would use your powers to help others, but was banned, right?
Hamm: …H-How did you-
Zamenza: Mind reader. But this isn't the way to do it. You don't have to serve someone like that. He's only using you for your powers.
Hamm: So?! Everyone else uses each other! What's wrong with that if it's to accomplish a common goal?!
Zamenza: There's a difference between using someone to accomplish a goal and bettering both parties. You have remarkable talent. But it's being wasted on a cruel leader. Tell me, do you know what's really happening in our world?
Hamm: Everyone's been liberated! It's the beginning of a new world filled with hopes and dreams!
Zamenza: …More like lies and deception. I saw what happened. Is "liberation" supposed to mean Pokemon killing others over nothing like savages?
Hamm: W-What…? L-Lies…! Lies! We're making a big difference against the system!
Moody: No. It's the complete opposite. Pokemon making up rules of their own. Robbery, murder…you name it. No law means no control, and no control means chaos. No money breeds complacency and no jobs breeds a lack of purpose.
Hamm: …N-No…! B-But world liberation is…! It's-
Zamenza: …A lie.
Hamm: …This…This can't be…T-The Senior Head promised…that our world will be a utopia of Pokemon capable of accomplishing…every…thing…
He kneeled to the ground in defeat as his pupils shrank in despair, darting around in confusion.
Zamenza: …If you don't believe us, then I'll give you a tour of our experiences.
He placed a palm on Hamm's head, implanting his memories in him. Hamm's eyes went blank, seeing the true nature of the Senior Head's "liberation". He witnessed a Grotle being robbed by Pokemon who had every intent to even murder him. Then he saw a Quilava being killed by a Sneasel over something, which horrified him to no end. Zamenza removed his hand from his head, which brought him to his senses.
Hamm: …This…This is cruel…This wasn't…what we dreamed of…!
Zamenza: …That's the truth. If this continues, our population will decline drastically.
Hamm: …I…I didn't…This…This isn't…what I wanted to use my talents for…
Moody: That is why we'd rather you don't go along with this idea. It's not too late. We know you wanted to feel important after being saved, but the better question is, who are you being saved by?
Hamm: …I…I don't know anymore…
Zamenza: …Tell you what. We can call this a truce. But don't have any of your men attack us as we chase after that Commander.
Hamm: …I…I can't…Do you think that I'll let you walk away after what you did to Commander Meat…? He's gravely injured thanks to you. But my comrade Junior Vanilla on the other hand…he was defeated by some punk kids…
Moody: K-Kids…? (...Happy and Charles must've done it…)
Zamenza: *chuckles* My students are getting there…
Hamm: …So you take responsibility for it?
Zamenza: Oh, but I don't really take any responsibility for anything. I defended myself. Now, if you'll excuse us…
Before Zamenza and Moody turned to head towards Moby, Hamm stopped them by only having a few extra words left, and he was not looking up as he did.
Hamm: …Hold it.
Moody: Man, you Pokemon are stubborn…! Can't you give it up already?
Hamm: …No. But I will warn you about Commander Chocolate, or rather…Gideon Grant.
Moody: *rolls eyes* He's an Admiral. Tell us what we don't know, whatever your "real name" is. Can't be more hilarious than "Hamm".
Hamm: …Tch. Since we're using real names…might as well say mine right here and now…I'm Henry Grubbs…
Moody: *sweat drop* (...That explains the "pig" part…)
Hamm: But Gideon…He's a special case…If anything, he's the "vampire" of the Dirty Delinquents…And judging by the direction he went, I'd say it's where Corporal Kiwi is…
Moody: "Corporal" who?
Hamm: …Never mind. Who am I kidding? I can't stop you. Better go after Gideon before he goes on a blood-sucking spree.
Moody: Don't have to tell us twice.
Zamenza: (...I wonder if the others are faring well in this harsh world…)
...
Back at the Fox Village, everyone had gone back to sleep inside the surviving teepees from the attack made by Corporal Kiwi. Well, everyone except the chief of the village, as he was going elsewhere, which was some sort of house in a…tree. Standing on the branch seemed to be a male Noctowl staring at the moon, seeming to notice the chief's presence without even looking away.
The Noctowl in question had a dark, grayish coat, with some purple, triangular-like markings below his eyes, and a gray beard around his beak. His eyebrow-like "horns" were somewhat larger, and his pupils were purple. When he addressed him, it was as if he was familiar to him.
Noctowl: …Chief Naidu.
Naidu: …Norman the Wise, it's been a while.
Norman: …I'd like to come to the village sometime, but I have a daughter. It wouldn't kill you to visit me from time to time.
Naidu: I know.
Norman: I see that the perpetrator has been defeated due to those two children.
The chief was about to ask, but remembered Norman's special powers.
Naidu: …You used your "psychic powers" to see things around here as usual.
Norman: Anything in the air and the energy that I feel tells me everything…
Naidu: I am grateful for that, just like the Dirty Delinquents.
Norman then turned his head fast towards the chief like…an owl would, somewhat creeping him out as his eyes were dead serious as he had something to add.
Norman: …However, that "perpetrator" is nothing compared to a threat that I sense is on the way…
Naidu: …What?
Norman: I see a great vampire from a distance. Estimation of the arrival is a day from now, mostly at night…You'd do best to actually prepare those fighters for it, since this one is on a different level.
Naidu: …I see. Thanks for the warning.
Norman: Thank nothing of it. Just invite this old owl to one of your "bonfires". *chuckles*
He then went inside his house, to which Naidu had something on his mind as he thought…
Naidu: (…Whoever it is, our worst fears will be coming to fruition…)
...