*Author's Notice - A death will happen in this chapter. Take it any way you want.*
Chapter 59: Merciless Assassin
As the situation unfolded, Happy and Charles were facing off against Gideon Grant. The crafty Commander had a lot of tricks up his sleeve, but thanks to the villagers, they managed to hold him long enough for the duo to land a powerful hit on him, defeating him in the process and saving the village. However, unbeknownst to them, a secret cloaked patrol Pokemon was reporting to headquarters about the situation.
A week had passed, to which time was healing very slowly. Due to the World Government's plans, every kingdom and country's leaders were getting back in power again, but with a massive change in the economy's finances due to the Underflow. Back at the Dirty Delinquent Headquarters, the Senior Head had recently woken up, although at this point, he suffered from broken wings due to that shock he received.
Everyone was shocked to see him still moving in Block H's care facility, which made them still worried a bit including Parfait herself.
Parfait: S-Senior Head…! You can't move too much! Your wings are-
Barbeque: …I don't need them. I have something to do. Knowing that our world is in our grasp, we have everything under control.
Everyone had somber faces as the room turned into silence, confusing the Senior Head for a moment as he thought something might have happened.
Barbeque: …Did I miss something?
Parfait was the only one to speak to break the silence, although there was some fear in her voice.
Parfait: …Y-Yeah…You see…The World Government…They went back on their word…They secretly brought every kingdom and country's leaders back in power…And most of our forces are being defeated even as we speak…And now finances will be at an all-time high…
Hearing this news made Barbeque's skin boil as his eyes widened in shock, slowly turning into furrowed anger and a scowl running across his beak. Everyone knew this was the moment he would lose it completely as they backed away for his "breathing room". The air was getting tense as at that moment, he snapped, with some hawk-like screeches in his voice as he shouted…
Barbeque: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
His hawk–like screech was so loud that it forced everyone to cover their ears. It was even heard at his office where Brigadier Chan Way was, who jumped under the desk in fear knowing that the Senior Head was mad as hell. Whimpers were heard in Block H as the silence filled the air followed by fear. But it was broken as a nursing staff member fell with a tray full of needles and medicines clattered all over the floor, not even drawing anyone's attention to the noise or the felled nurse.
Some minutes later, Barbeque stormed into his office with Chan Way shrieking in fear upon the sound of a door being forcefully opened. As Barbeque spoke, it was rather in a forceful and angry tone.
Barbeque: Brigadier Chan Way! Get the hell out here front and center!
Chan Way zipped right in front of him on his shaking hands and knees, not even looking up at his superior.
Barbeque: Brigadier, what's the meaning of this?! Has our dream fallen apart?!
Chan Way: *gulps* …U-U-Uh…W-W-Well, uh-
Barbeque: Stop stuttering and answer the damn question!
Chan Way freaked out as he "magically" stood back up with a grin and saluted the Senior Head as he was sweating bullets upon the pressure being put on him. Again, he was not looking at him, but due to how intimidating he was, it forced Chan Way to nervously answer with the truth.
Chan Way: *sighs* …I-It's…true…But I swear I had nothing to do with this! It's just that-
Barbeque: I know. The World Government's to blame. They snuck that one up on us…
Chan Way: S-Sir…Are you-
Barbeque: "Still mad"? Yes. I'm absolutely livid right now. But you know what? I think I have an insta-fix for that.
Chan Way gulped in fear, knowing what was about to come. Would it really happen to him? Well, the Senior Head-
Barbeque: Is Major Cinnamon still in Block X's holding facility?
Chan Way's fears came to an end as he sighed in relief, glad it was not him to die by the Senior Head's hands…or "talons"...
Chan Way: W-Why, yes! She is!
Barbeque: Where's our newly hired assassin?
?: Right behind you.
Chan Way shrieked in fear as he didn't notice her presence. Barbeque turned to Lasanne with smiling, cold eyes as he had something in mind. Not surprisingly, she didn't even budge any expression as the Senior Head looked at her.
Barbeque: …Follow me. Chan Way, come as well so we can watch Major Cinnamon die in front of us.
Chan Way: R-Right!
Barbeque: And get your brother as well. Don't want him missing this either. *chuckles*
Chan Way: A-Alright!
Fifteen minutes later, the trio was at Block X's holding facility. Cinnamon's ears perked up as she heard the door open, but her body froze in fear as she saw the Senior Head wide and awake.
Cinnamon: S-S-Senior Head-
Barbeque: Spare the title, traitor. You're going to be dead, but I do have a little…proposition to make for you.
Cinnamon: Huh?
Chan Way: W-What?!
Barbeque: …I want you to meet our little assassin here.
Lasanne stepped forward, showing no signs of fear on her face, or rather, boredom.
Barbeque: She's recently hired and I'd like to test her skills. But the proposition is this - If you can defeat her, I'll allow you back into our ranks. But if you don't… *chuckles* …then may Arceus have mercy on you…
Cinnamon looked at Lasanne, which made her chuckle a bit before she laughed, knowing what she was seeing.
Cinnamon: "This"?! I have to fight "this"? She's barely my height! *laughs* This'll be a piece of cake!
Lee Way: …I wouldn't take her lightly if I were you. This is an opportunity you can't pass up. Take it while you can. Are you ready?
Cinnamon: Of course if it means getting out of this hellhole. Sure!
Lee Way went and undone her chains, allowing her to stretch her legs like a cat would as she got up. She even cracked her neck due to how stiff she was from the chains. Once that was settled, she focused her attention on Lasanne, who still didn't have her expression changed. A minute later, things were being prepared as Cinnamon was now ready to take her on.
Cinnamon: …So all I have to do to be welcomed back is to squash this little bug into dust? Will do, loud and clear.
Lasanne said nothing. Her words didn't even phase her. As they took on fighting stances…well, at least Cinnamon did, they were awaiting a signal to be delivered by Lee Way. The air was quiet and still as no noise in the closed room could be heard by others outside it. Cinnamon was concerned that Lasanne didn't have anything on her to be qualified as an "assassin", so she had something in mind…
Cinnamon: …You know, I think you should prepare yourself with some weapons or such…Cats like me have five at paw.
She raised a paw and protracted her claws as they glowed orange, not even scaring Lasanne in the slightest. Her retort was…
Lasanne: …I don't need a weapon. All I need to kill you is what I have on me.
Cinnamon: *laughs* Oh really? I'd like to see that!
Lasanne: …You'll die trying.
As it grew to a standstill, Lee Way shouted…
Lee Way: BEGIIIIIIIIN!
Cinnamon crouched on all fours with a grin before charging forward with a leap, swiping a claw at Lasanne, who effortlessly tilted her body like it was nothing before an array of claw swiping was launched, again dodging with no effort even though they were moving back. Cinnamon jumped and turned around, attempting to slap Lasanne repeatedly with her tail glowing white. This also caused her to dodge with little effort, even keeping the same expression.
As Cinnamon quickly turned around to swipe with a claw, Lasanne vanished from her sight and reappeared beside her, shocking both her and the brothers from her speed. Only Barbeque didn't seem surprised as he was placing his faith in Lasanne from the very beginning.
Chan Way: I-Incredible! She's even faster than Cinnamon!
Barbeque: 'Tis but a mere fraction of her prowess.
Chan Way: Huh?
Cinnamon turned around to meet Lasanne's gaze, grinning a bit but still slightly steamed at her speed.
Cinnamon: …Hmph. Not bad. You just got lucky.
Lasanne: …Do I care? You're going to die anyway.
Cinnamon: …Sure. But before that, face a wall of gems!
The gem on Cinnamon's forehead began glowing green as a wall of glowing rainbow gemstones hovered in front of her, targeting the unfazed Lasanne. As she launched them, Lasanne began fighting back using her purple "arm-like drapes" that she often covered herself with, breaking every gemstone that came her way without breaking a sweat.
As that was finished, Lasanne's body was covered in a blue aura as Cinnamon's gem and eyes were glowing of the same color. Lasanne knew this was a trap, but still remained unfazed as she just stood there, a grin creeping up on Cinnamon's face.
Chan Way: Cinnamon's using Psychic on her! It's all over!
Barbeque said nothing as he kept his eyes on Lasanne. He even kept that smile of his, which intrigued Chan Way of his mindset. Cinnamon kept her eyes glowing as she walked forward towards Lasanne, knowing that victory was in her paws. Speaking of, she also had her claws ready for decapitation as they glowed orange.
Cinnamon: *chuckles* …Are you scared yet? You should be. This is the end for you. My Psychic power renders you useless under my control.
As Cinnamon inched ever so closely, Lasanne began tilting her body like she was cracking her neck, stopping Cinnamon in her tracks and causing the aura as well as the glowing around her eyes and forehead gem to fade in shock. Even the brothers were shocked once again as it somehow didn't work.
Chan Way: I don't believe it! Her Psychic attack didn't work! What is she?!
To break the ice, Lasanne responded to Cinnamon with…
Lasanne: …I'm sorry, but you must be a new special type of stupid to use that on me. Either that, or a lack of education on a particular subject.
Cinnamon: W-What…?!
Lasanne: You out of all Pokemon should know why it didn't work, but since you lack that knowledge, I shall indulge you. I'm a Dark type. That attack…is useless on me.
Cinnamon: N-No…way…! T-T-This…can't be happening…!
Cinnamon's confidence went from 100 to 0 after realizing what she was dealing with. She began to back up slowly in fear as reality set in for her, but she thought that it would be humiliating to lose to a Bug type, so she mustered everything she had and charged at her with full power as an orange aura surrounded her body. Lasanne jumped up and landed on her back before delivering a fatal stab with her arm-like drape that not only broke through Cinnamon's forehead gem, but also her brain, causing her to let out a painful cat-like screech as she stopped completely in place. It shocked the brothers at how Lasanne easily took her down.
Chan Way: S-S-She…She killed her…! She really is an assassin…!
Lee Way: I-Impressive…!
Barbeque: *chuckles* Was there ever any doubt?
Chan Way: (...The Senior Head must've known the outcome of this fight from the very beginning…! It's no wonder he wasn't even fazed in the slightest…!)
Barbeque: Pitting her against Cinnamon was the perfect choice, Brigadier Chan. She lived and died the way she was…
Chan Way: …A thief?
Barbeque: No. A living liar.
Lee Way: *nods* …Makes sense.
As Lasanne hopped off and stood by her side, Cinnamon's eyes went blank as she was trembling and whimpering a bit before she fell to the ground on her right side, laying dead as a doorknob. Lasanne then turned towards the trio, expecting something from them.
Lasanne: …That'll be 6,000 speci. You're lucky it's a special deal today for this corpse. Mind if I keep it as a souvenir to examine on my own time?
Barbeque: By all means, do whatever you wish.
Chan Way: I'll go get the reward money for-
Before Chan Way could walk out, Barbeque stopped him for a moment with...
Barbeque: Wait a moment, Brigadier. Of course Miss Lasanne, there's a chance for you to triple your prize money instead of going home with 6,000 speci. I have a job for you. Lee Way, if you please?
Lee Way pulled out two pictures from his cloak and gave them to Lasanne, as each image contained Zamenza and Moody, piquing her interest.
Barbeque: These two I want dead. It's possible that they had some influence on those Pokken Arts fighters that defeated our forces around the world.
Lasanne examined them, knowing they were familiar.
Lasanne: I've seen them during that escape fiasco. Even though they're already rotting corpses at this point, at least it makes my job easier. If I had to price this, I'd say…around 30,000 speci.
Barbeque: And that's a promise we can keep. We'll steal more money from the banks. Now, follow us for your transportation.
Five minutes later, they were outside with the large Ogre Darner waiting patiently. He seemed ready to do whatever was asked of him. The sun was shining like usual in the skies with Rowgull flapping in the air chirping to fill the calm surroundings. There was also a tombstone presumed to be where the late Doctor Sorbet was buried.
Lee Way: We have reserved Ogre Darner here for your means of travel. With him, tracking your targets should be as easy as pie.
Ogre Darner made a strange, growling sound that was more happy than aggressive as he looked at Lasanne like a…small bug. However, she wasn't keen with him as she had something else in mind.
Lasanne: …No thanks. I hate flying.
Barbeque: Oh? Then how do you plan on finding your targets?
Lasanne: Hmm…
She looked around until she noticed a large boulder, which intrigued her as she approached it, confusing the trio. She began patting and feeling it for her understanding until she turned to them as she made a decision.
Lasanne: I'll take this rock. It's my preferred ride.
Barbeque: …Huh?
Chan Way: *sweat drop* …Uh…Are you certain? I don't understand how you'll get there, but I think it'd be wise to-
Lasanne: I'm taking this rock.
Lee Way: *sweat drop* …I'd like to see where this goes…
Lasanne then stood behind the rock as she closed her eyes to focus, using some sort of sensing ability to pinpoint her moving targets.
Lasanne: …Targets are there…500,000 kilometers to the northeast…
As she turned northeast, she picked up the large rock without a struggle, shocking the trio with her surprising strength, and with a mighty toss, she jumped after it with great speed and landed on it, using her arm drapes to keep her balance as well as moving it as it bounced on the ocean, making big waves as she left the trio in complete disbelief.
Chan Way: …I've never seen that done before…
Barbeque: *sweat drop* …I believe in her world, it's called "Stone Skipping"...
...
Back where Zamenza and Moody were, they had recently beached in a country filled with metals and industrial buildings to rest for a while. Despite chasing after Gideon, they were old fogies that had to keep themselves up to date in society as they wandered the streets. However, they noticed that the Pokemon on the streets were calm and no signs of Dirty Delinquent interference being around today, which was strange. Even the police were around and doing their duties without any signs of restriction from a delinquent force.
Moody: …Huh. It's quite calm here today out of all days.
Zamenza: I wonder what happened…?
They decided to approach a Pokemon sitting on a bench somewhat depressed, which was too familiar with them as it appeared to be a brown Gliscor with yellow tufts of hair on the head. At first, they didn't know it, but as they got closer, the Pokemon was somewhat similar to who they were looking for. They had to make sure first.
Zamenza: I-It can't be…!
Moody: Gideon?!
Gideon slowly turned in their direction with a gloomy facial expression, not even surprised by their presence.
Gideon: …Hm?
Zamenza: So this is where you were hiding! And in plain sight!
Gideon: …Relax. I'm not going to fight you two. I already lost.
Moody: Huh?
Gideon: …As of today, I'm not a Dirty Delinquent member anymore. I've left it for good.
Zamenza: (...What the hell happened to him…?)
Moody: Are you sure about that?
Gideon: …If I wasn't "sure" about that, this place would've been burned to ashes by now.
Zamenza: …What's with the calm "atmosphere"?
Gideon: …How long have you guys been here?
Zamenza: Oh, only two days. We were in some other places, but we had to keep moving to find you, and uh…we did.
Gideon: …In case you haven't heard…The world is being restored to its former state of rule.
Moody: W-What?!
Gideon: If you don't believe me, why not ask the king of this kingdom? He'll tell you that the Word Government has put it into effect.
Zamenza and Moody looked to each other, now knowing that Gideon wasn't lying.
Zamenza: We believe you. At least it brings a smile to my face.
Moody: But going back to what you said earlier…What do you mean by "you already lost"?
Gideon: …I was defeated by two children. A Squirtle and a Charmander. Heh. To be honest, I'm glad it was them who defeated me and not you two. It'd be more embarrassing to lose to you and listen to a boring lecture.
Zamenza and Moody smiled at each other, knowing who they were personally.
Zamenza: Fair point. But what are you going to do now that you're a free Pokemon?
Gideon: …I don't know. Probably try to make a living…But it might be easier than I thought. This Underflow effect really works for me to earn money.
Moody: Well, it's nice to see a Pokemon change for- Wait, what?
Zamenza: ...Did you just say…"Underflow"?
Gideon: Yes I did. Why?
Zamenza's eyes widened in shock as Moody knew where this was going, backing away slowly with a confused Gideon staring at him as Zamenza dropped to his knees, staring blankly at nothing for a few moments before he shouted in disbelief…
Zamenza: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
...