Chapter 56: Commander of the Skies
Zamenza and Moody had "defeated" Major Hamm (a.k.a. Henry Grubbs) by showing him the reality of the Senior Head's version of "liberation" through their eyes. Due to this, he let them off without any more signs of a fight in order to go after Gideon. Meanwhile, the chief's friend known as "Norman the Wise", senses a "vampire" heading towards Fox Village within the next day, which could only be a certain Pokemon…
Back to where Zamenza and Moody were, they were following after Gideon Grant, who had a mile-long lead on them. Time could only tell if they would catch up to him as Moby and his allies weren't as fast. However, their pursuit might be halted as trouble was brewing in the skies, which was something they were unaware of.
Moody: Dammit! Thanks to that pig, Gideon's got a great stretch out on us!
Zamenza: Now, now Moody. Remain calm.
Moody: Calm?! I can't be calm! Not at a time like this! There's no telling what he'll do!
Zamenza: (...I just hope the children are safe…)
He then sensed their energy, realizing that they were indeed safe, which brought him a sigh of relief. However, he couldn't sense Gideon's at all, which made it all the more worrying.
Zamenza: …I can't sense his energy. Goes to show that the Dirty Delinquents are experts in that.
Moody: *frustration mark* Don't praise the enemy!
Zamenza: *sweat drop* …I'm not. I'm just admiring their skills, that's all.
The green Gyarados then noticed something in the skies, alerting the others.
Gyarados: Hey, uh…Those small things in the skies…Is that normal?
Zamenza: Huh?
Everyone took a good look at the dark skies until the horrific reality set in, realizing that there were cloaked aerial members of the Dirty Delinquents present without them noticing. Not only that, but they were all around them in the air.
Moody: Oh, what the fu-
Before Moody could finish that sentence, they fired their aerial miniguns, which forced Zamenza to create a protection shield large enough to cover everyone, which was taking more energy out of him to do it. The bullets bounced off, which gave them some relief, but noticed that it was also fizzing out quicker.
Zamenza: *grunts* …I can't hold it for much longer…!
Celesteela: Allow me.
Moody: What the hell are you going to do?!
Zamenza: Moody, now's not the time to question! Whoever you are, do what you can!
The Celesteela bursted out of the shield, drawing all fire on her as the bullets had no effect on her, bouncing off as if she was impenetrable. Realizing what they were up against, they stopped firing and left it up to their airzooka members, charging their weapons before firing balls of wind at her. With her rocket-like arms, she zipped around the skies, dodging every hit as her body was swirling a multitude of stars around her.
When she got up high enough, she unleashed them like rockets, striking every aerial Pokemon down like flies as they landed in the water. It shocked the group as to how she managed to pull it off.
Moody: Incredible! She took every one of them out!
The Celesteela then flew down next to them at their speed rate, relieved to be with the group again.
Zamenza: That was amazing! You normally know how to do that?
Celesteela: Yes. Most of us can do it at a young age. Only the skillful ones can do what I did, though.
Moby: I was wondering…Is there more of your kind here?
Celesteela: Yes. But not many of them are that strong as they choose to live a more simple life.
Zamenza: Thank goodness. I couldn't keep that shield up for much longer.
But their troubles were far from over. One of the Wishiwashi surfaced with some news as he appeared with a worried face.
Wishiwashi 1: We've got trouble! They're tailing us even in the oceans!
Unfortunately for Zamenza and Moody, they couldn't look into the ocean, but the other Wishiwashi could, noticing that the Pokemon horde following them appeared to be Magikarp and Seaking wearing the Dirty Delinquents shades mark and carrying underwater torpedo launchers.
Wishiwashi 2: This is bad! They're packing heat! They mean business now!
Celesteela: I can't fight underwater, sadly.
A Magikarp that had the special goggles for aiming locked onto Moby's back, grinning from his attempt to fire.
Magikarp: Targets locked! Fire!
He fired two small torpedoes, which headed towards Moby. However, the green Gyarados stepped in and with a flick of his tail, spun the missiles into different directions by the water-like pressure it emitted.
Magikarp: What?! *growls* Fire, fire, FIRE!
He and his squad took aim, but before they could fire, they were swarmed by a school of Wishiwashi that attacked them in every direction. As they were dazed from the attacks, the Wishiwashi formed together to create a large, blue fish monster. As it roared, the monster swirled around in front of them and thanks to the speed of it, the water's currents turned into an underwater tornado that knocked every single one of them away.
Gyarados: Alright! We did it!
The duo returned to where the others were and the large fish monster broke up into many Wishiwashi again, with them swimming nearby for future protection.
Zamenza: Did you take care of them?
Gyarados: All clear!
Wishiwashi 2: We're free to sail ahead!
Zamenza: *sighs* (...I wonder how long we'll be playing cat and mouse…?)
...
A day later, it was still night time with only a waning gibbous moon in the skies. Back at the Fox Village, everyone was asleep except the patrollers that kept watch due to the chief's warning of another possible attack. Unhaus and Honori were in the air, looking for any possible threat that may appear flying like they were. Tanner also kept watch to alert nearby villagers of a possible attack.
Not surprising, Samantha the black Skitty was also up walking around, although a little crossed with being out during a big battle as she was next to Tanner.
Samantha: Man, this sucks…! I was taking a long catnap without even so much as scratching a Dirty Delinquent Pokemon!
Tanner: Don't worry. You didn't miss much.
Samantha: Yes I did!
Tanner: No, not really. I mean, getting rid of Freddie was a good way to end things there.
Samantha: Well, I'm not sleeping through this one. I'm definitely going to scratch someone! *chuckles*
Tanner: Let's hope you do.
From outside the island, Gideon had spotted some signs of civilization and a sense of energy from it as the campfire's smoke drew his attention.
Gideon: *chuckles* (…It appears I've found my prey…!) *slurps*
However, he knew they were patrolling around, which had him think of another way.
Gideon: (...If they're watching from both ground and air…what if they can't watch what's under…? No noise, and it's easy to infiltrate…)
To swoop down undetected, he spat a ball of mud, which stirred up dust that drew the attention of the others.
Tanner: We're under attack!
The patrollers were on guard, looking around to see if the perpetrator would strike again. However, Gideon used it to his advantage as he landed on a sandy shoreline not occupied on the island and began digging in it, masking his presence. He was tunneling his way into the village, hoping to take out his intended targets. Unhaus and Honori looked around frantically at the ground, seeing nothing until they noticed a hole in the shore.
Unhaus: Tanner! The intruder buried themselves! They're going to strike in the village!
Tanner: Dammit!
He rushed to the aid of the teepees, waiting around and preparing for the worst. However, Gideon was already behind a teepee, being as stealthy as possible as he entered in one. He noticed Happy and Charles, who were asleep, which caused a sparkle in his eyes as he grinned at the opportunity. He inched ever so slightly towards them without making a sound, and as he got close enough, he opened his mouth in hopes to sink his teeth in them, preferably Happy.
However, his quest would end as Eve walked in, shocked by Gideon's appearance that caused her to scream, waking both Happy and Charles up to notice him in the room, putting them on edge. With quick thinking, he grabbed Eve as he flew out of the tent. He was spotted by Tanner, Unhaus, Honori and the patrollers, shocked to see him out of all Pokemon being here, even though they were notified a day earlier about him.
Eve: Unhaus!
Unhaus: Let go of Eve, you scorpion!
Gideon: *chuckles* Sure. But not if I don't leave scot-free.
Tanner: Gideon! Let her go!
Gideon: If it isn't "thick-hide" Tanner. You look pale as usual. If you want this little one to be saved, then I suggest lowering your aggressions. If not, I'll kidnap her! Or worse…
He then pointed an open pincer at Eve's head, scaring her and increasing the hostility in the air. He even grinned at the thought of doing so.
Gideon: *chuckles* …You get it, right? My leave of absence, or a child's blood on the grass you natives cherish so much.
Unhaus: *growls* (...Dammit…! I knew I'd run into him again, but I didn't expect this…!)
Gideon then noticed Unhaus, which piqued his curiosity as he knew about him.
Gideon: *grins* Looking at you again, I remember you. I took you down so easily last time. Don't think you can do it again, unless you want the same results.
He then noticed how fixated he was with Eve in his grasp. He even remembered what Unhaus said to him last time regarding her name.
Gideon: Oh, does this little one seem to tug at your heart? Maybe if I…break her enough, it'll get your emotions running…
Eve began to scream as he squeezed her neck tighter with his arm, laughing as he did. It was enough to increase Unhaus's anger, but he knew couldn't do anything.
Unhaus: Stop it!
Gideon: Or what? You and this little one die? Face it, birdie. You can't win. You're just as useless as last time. You've barely put up a fight. And that goes for the rest of you. There's nothing you can do. Not without jeopardizing the safety of a child! *laughs*
As he continued laughing and basking in his "victory methods", he was kicked in the back by Happy and Charles, knocking him away as he dropped Eve, with Unhaus swooping in to grab her. Gideon recovered quickly as he looped in the air and stood on his tail, somewhat stunned as he noticed Happy and Charles, two of which he forgot about during the escapade. They were also in fighting stances along with the others, but he was not worried in the slightest.
Gideon: *smirks* (...Those fools think they have the advantage…)
Tanner: Give it up, Gideon! You're outnumbered!
In a sarcastic tone, Gideon asked…
Gideon: Oh? I am? How clumsy of me. I am truly sorry…for what's about to happen here!
Tanner: What?!
Gideon: *chuckles* You're outnumbered!
The entire village looked around, only to be shocked that they were surrounded by cloaked aerial members of the Dirty Delinquents carrying aerial miniguns and airzookas. Some of the others were carrying Pinetorbs and Forretrodes on hooks for…demolition. It terrified everyone that they were all around them.
Gideon: *chuckles* How's that for being the "Commander of the Skies"?
Tanner: What the hell, Gideon?! Are you insane?!
Gideon: Oh, no…I'm not insane. I'm doing this for fun.
Unhaus: There's no way we can take out every one of them at this point!
Happy then noticed the rounded Mutant Pokemon they had on hooks.
Happy: What are those round things they have?
Unhaus: Pinetorbs and Forretrodes…They're going to blow us up!
Gideon: *laughs* That's right! To kingdom come! Too bad only one of you has wings…Try escaping this island alive…I highly doubt you'll make it…in a sea full of Leechados!
He then took to the air, leaving his enemies to a bird's eye view.
Charles: W-What are we going to do?! They have us surrounded!
Tanner: *growls* (...Dammit…! Out of all things to run into, today had to be that day to run into the psychopathic Commander himself…!)
Gideon: *points* FIRE!
The aerial forces opened fire, to which the bullets rained down. However, the bullets then bounced off by some invisible force, shocking both the enemies and the allies.
Gideon: What?!
Unhaus: What happened? Why'd the bullets bounce off?
?: It seems we were more prepared for this than expected.
They turned to see Chief Naidu, along with Maga. Surprisingly, flying into the village was Norman the Wise, which actually shocked both parties from his appearance. Maga himself didn't seem phased by Norman's entrance, as if he knew him.
Norman: Hohohohoho! It seems that my vision was on the spot!
Tanner: W-What?
Unhaus: Who's that?
Happy: Whoa! A bird Pokemon like Unhaus!
Norman: Greetings, ladies and…oh, who am I kidding? I meant "Greetings, gentlemen".
Naidu: We prepared this Light Screen-Shield combo in advance of any aerial bullets.
For some reason, Gideon could actually hear the conversation despite being very high in the air.
Gideon: *chuckles* Too bad it won't work against the deployers. *gestures* Drop the bombs! Reduce the whole island to dust!
The Pinetorbs and Forretrodes charged themselves up, ready to blow up at any moment. However, a gust of wind blew in the air, which put them to sleep. The deployers suddenly felt as if they couldn't drop them at all by some telekinetic force. As a few seconds passed, it confused Gideon by their sudden delay.
Gideon: What's the matter with you all?! I said to drop the bombs!
One of his aerial forces responded, but with some strain in his voice as if his body was being held against his will.
?: …Sir…! We can't…! Our bodies…We feel as if…we're being held back…by some kind of force…! And our bombs have fallen asleep…!
Gideon: What?!
Some of his aerial force was then put to sleep by a strange music, falling into the waters along with their Pinetorbs and Forretrodes.
Norman: Hohohoho! Who's laughing now? You don't have as much force to back you up.
Gideon: I will. Some of them are still up in the air.
Norman: Oh? Be careful what you wish for.
A burst of flashing lights rang in the air, striking the remaining aerial members out of the sky, landing in the waters like their other comrades. Gideon's only reaction as he looked around was…
Gideon: What?!
Norman: I told you.
Unhaus: What is even happening right now?
Tanner: There's no members left in the air. We can still strike him!
From all around the island were flying Pokemon with some others on their back. Some of them were the Xatu family, the Staraptor family, the Noctowl family, the Fearow family, the Woobat family, some Sigilyph and some Braviary that looked different as they had purple flame-like plumes.
Norman: Careful, Gideon. You're surrounded. Wouldn't want you to do anything without the consequences.
Gideon's face was wrought with worry, if only for a moment before a sneaky grin crept up on his face.
Gideon: …Heh. Thought you had me there, didn't you?
Norman: ...What?
Gideon: …Your "forces" are surrounded.
Behind Norman's aerial force, more cloaked aerial members showed up from behind, shocking the allies.
Tanner: What the?!
Norman: *nods* Mm. Mm. Well played, Admiral. Your tactician skills certainly live up to your Military title as I've heard.
Maga: Wait…"Admiral"? You mean…He's actually part of the Military?
Norman: "Was".
Gideon: *laughs* Did you think I didn't come prepared?
Norman: *grins* …Yet, your Military skills lacked one thing other than "tactician"…
Gideon: …What's that?
Norman: …Deception.
Gideon: What?!
Norman's aerial Pokemon in front of the cloaked members faded into thin air, with the real ones "appearing" behind them from a flash instead. Gideon's face was a mix between anger and worry as his plans were falling in front of him.
Gideon: Impossible!
Norman: Hohohoho! You can't be part of a Military faction without "deception"! And I'm not even in one.
His face was now serious and growled his frustration out, shouting…
Gideon: Dammit!
Another wave of flashing lights struck the aerial members, knocking them out of the skies. He realized that he had to take matters into his own hands after seeing them fall. In a calm and serious voice, he said…
Gideon: …I see. I was careless. I didn't expect anyone to outwit me. It seems I must take drastic action…
He then flew down to the village with Norman's aerial forces following him, landing in front of the group on the "foot" part of his tail and arms folded. It confused the others until he pulled out a glass and a bottle of red wine from his cloak, pouring it into his glass. Instead of drinking from his glass, he drank it straight from the bottle in an attempt to calm himself down, but seeing everything fall apart in his eyes only increased his anger.
Samantha: Uh-oh! He looks mad!
In a fit of rage, he crushed both the bottle and his glass with his pincers, spilling wine on them. His eyes glowed fiercely red at the very group he saw before them that it scared some of them. With a direct and harsh tone, he shouted…
Gideon: …Thanks to you all, I can't even enjoy my wine! I will destroy everything you all love and care about so long as it brings me joy!
...