Chapter 61: Cruel Bullet
At the Fox Village, everything was peaceful until the sudden arrival of Lasanne, a mysterious Bug Pokemon who was also an assassin. Fearing that he wasn't doing enough for his village, Chief Naidu decided to take her on and defend his village's honor, only for him to meet his demise by Lasanne. Out of anger, Happy lashed out at her, which seemed to be going somewhat well until she demonstrated who was stronger as she defeated him.
As of now, the village was left to grieve for their former chief as it would be Norman to take over for a while until one day the chief's son Nino would be grown up and fit to lead. But Happy had suffered some damage as he took Lasanne head on without so much as regarding his own safety. He was nursing in a teepee with Chibi and Baye, along with Charles, Unhaus, Tanner and Honori by his side with worried faces.
A day had passed since Happy's defeat and the chief's death as the villagers had buried him by his family's teepee. His wife Vainavi on the other hand, stood by his grave to grieve as she was being comforted by some of the female villagers in her time of need, as well as those consulting the children for mental development and support. The only way to at least lighten the mood was to sing native songs for the time being.
Back at Dirty Delinquents Headquarters, things continued being busy as usual since more units were being treated for their injuries. In the Senior Head's office, The Barbeque himself paced around his office as Chan Way was sitting nervously by the door, hoping he wouldn't be next. It was silent for a moment until the Senior Head spoke to Chan Way directly.
Barbeque: …Brigadier, I heard that whilst most of our stronger units at this base were defeated, a few of them out in the world are well and alive out there.
Chan Way: S-Senior Head…sir…Unfortunately, Commander Chocolate was defeated and has left us to become a part of…society. But as for Major Hamm, we can't locate him, Commander Meat or Junior Vanilla. Perhaps going AWOL.
Barbeque: …I see. Well, what of the rest of our units out there?
Chan Way: …Only some in numbers out there in every place of the world.
Barbeque: …Great. I lose my most trusted scientist, then my forces fall, and now the dream of the Dirty Delinquents for the world has been reversed. What of Project Meta, then?
Chan Way: Project Meta is uh…awake, but still with the same attitude as in the past.
Barbeque: …So no means to conquer the world as…Oh, wait a minute…Ogre Darner is a close second to Meta, isn't he?
Chan Way: Y-Yes he is.
Colonel Hummus then entered the room, somewhat better after her defeat a week ago.
Barbeque: Ah, Colonel Hummus. I see you're looking well.
Hummus: …To be honest, I can't remember what happened to me…One minute I was fighting that Alakazam, and then the next minute was a blur…
Chan Way: You don't remember at all what happened to you?
Hummus: *shakes head* No.
Chan Way: …Darn. I wonder what truly happened? Anyway, what about Sergeants Sushi and Olive?
Hummus: Sergeant Sushi is stepping away from battle for the time being, and as for Sergeant Olive…he's going to need some repair work done on him. His body isn't in good condition due to the strong blows he received on his stomach…
Brigadier Lee Way then entered the room, which didn't really surprise anybody as all eyes were on him.
Chan Way: Ah, brother. You're on time. Apparently, we're trying to figure out what our next move is in the world. I was suggesting using Ogre Darner for it, since most of our members were defeated and he can provide transport. What say you?
Lee Way remained silent for a moment before giving his answer.
Lee Way: …It seems that Ogre Darner would be useful, but…We should set fire to the world.
Barbeque: …Out of the question right now. Doing that would attract more attention towards us and our organization as a whole as almost everyone knows our location...
Chan Way: W-Wait a minute! Er…I have an idea, and it's Annihilator. Right now, he's undergoing some new modifications, and with it, he'll probably be a suitable answer for our problems. As a matter of fact, I'll be right back.
He left the room in a hurry, rushing towards the Genetics Lab. In about five minutes, he made it there and entered the room with some of the scientists busy as usual. A cloaked Shinx approached him as he had some news to give him.
Shinx: Ah, Brigadier Chan Way! You've arrived just in time! We just finished making modifications on Project Annihilator. The doctor's blueprints are surprisingly easy to read.
Chan Way: Is he complete?
Shinx: Yes. Follow me, if you will.
The two went into one of the rooms, which contained Project Annihilator itself looking the same as before, which puzzled Chan Way by the design.
Shinx: Meet the new and improved "Annihilator 2.0"!
Chan Way: …This is it? *frustration mark* It looks the same!
Shinx: At, at! It may look the same, but it's more refined. It even has a screen-built radar and improved movepools, since the doctor never thought of giving it otherwise, more weapons in its arsenal, and my personal favorite…Annihilator, if you'd please?
Annihilator looked down at the two and jutted out from its back of what appeared to be six long, hexagonal wings.
Shinx: It can fly!
Chan Way: …How? It looks too heavy to fly with those on it.
Shinx: It might, but it can propel itself into the air by using the rockets in its feet. As for the wings, well…design aesthetics aside, it's capable of keeping its momentum in the air.
Chan Way: Hmm…Interesting…
Shinx: Well? Are you satisfied?
Chan Way: Hmm…
He had to ponder about it for a moment before he could make a decision. He actually liked how its new features stood out more from the original, but at the same time, its standard look was too familiar to the old model. He had to think long and hard before giving his answer, which worried the Shinx and some of his staff that had just appeared in the room. As a moment passed, he decided to give his final answer.
Chan Way: …I'll take it.
Shinx: Yes!
Chan Way: I'd like to use it at some point today.
Shinx: H-Huh?
Chan Way: …You see, there's something that I'd like to do, and that's trying to track down certain Pokemon that's evaded our radar for a while…
Shinx: …Huh?
Chan Way: …Never mind that. I'm going to give everyone else the good news. Thanks for the new design!
He took off like a rocket and left the Genetics Lab, heading straight towards the Senior Head's office. Along the way, he saw Colonel Hummus walking and stopped to speak to her, wondering what happened.
Chan Way: Hey, Colonel Hummus. Is the planning over?
Hummus: Yes. The Senior Head said that he'd plan to use Ogre Darner in conquering the world.
Chan Way: B-But…But…! I have Annihilator, which is far more superior to Ogre Darner. Possibly even more than him! Even though I like Ogre, Annihilator has much more weaponry!
Hummus: But can it fly as fast as Ogre Darner?
Chan Way: Well, I don't know. By the way, where's Lee Way?
Hummus: He left the same time I did. Went somewhere to go do something.
Chan Way: Damn…Well, I guess I can at least tell the Senior Head, and-
Before Chan Way could finish his sentence, they heard the sound of a gunshot, which seemed to be in a place that they knew all too well.
Chan Way: A-A gunshot…?
Hummus: It sounded like it came from the Senior Head's…office…
They looked at each other before doubling it to the Senior Head's office. As they entered, they were greeted with a shock unlike anything else as their eyes widened in horror. Laying on the floor in pain with blood trickling down his black cloak was the Senior Head himself. The most shocking part was the Pokemon holding a pistol that smoked, indicating that it was fired recently and a familiar face to both of them. It hit both Hummus and Chan Way harder than it should, fearing the worst…Hummus rushed towards the Senior Head's side, whilst Chan Way had to confront the attempted killer of the Senior Head…
Chan Way: …N-N-No…NOOOOOOOOO! Lee Way, how could you?!
Lee Way turned to his brother in an unfazed way, saying…
Lee Way: …The Senior Head is an idiot. I followed his plans all the way, and what for? Everything falls apart due to his negligence in the world. I knew the World Government was going to secretly go against us. It seems that peacefully taking over the world isn't helping matters any. It seems that to truly rule the world, we'd have to do so with force by setting fires to the whole world, including the World Government. Even if some of our forces have to die in the process…
Chan Way: Lee Way…Are you insane?! You're going to destroy-
Lee Way pointed his gun at his brother's face, stopping him mid-sentence. Hummus was trying to help Barbeque whilst fighting back her tears and glaring somewhat angrily towards Lee Way.
Hummus: …Why…? *sniff* Why would you do this…?! What has the Senior Head done so to warrant this from you?!
Lee Way: …Colonel Hummus, or rather…Helga Winstroff. You're no better than him. Hearing that from a female torn over her parents dying in the war 20 years ago…It's no different from what everyone else suffered including us…For all the Senior Head knows, he's probably had ulterior motives for all of us.
In bitter disbelief, Hummus shouted…
Hummus: Lies! Lies, lies lies lies lies! I was saved by the Senior Head!
Lee Way: …Brother, recall how our country was during the war…
Chan Way: …I…I remember…how everything looked destroyed…and how we were struggling on the streets…But the Senior Head saved us! That event didn't have to warrant this!
Hummus then scurried out of the room, wanting to find help whilst Chan Way had to come to terms with his brother being the one to shoot Barbeque. Chan Way then ran to Barbeque's side, knowing that he was still fighting the pain.
Chan Way: …Senior Head, are you okay? I'm so sorry this happened…
Barbeque: …I'm… *groans* …I'm alright…It's not your fault…We didn't…see this coming… *winces*
Lee Way: …Brother. Why are you addressing him? He's no longer the Senior Head. I've just got a promotion.
Chan Way: …You…You son of a…I can't even call you my brother for this…! You don't even deserve to be called such a title by me!
Lee Way: *chuckles* …Whatever. I'm off to borrow something and get started with my plans for the Dirty Delinquents on ruling the world.
He left the room as Chan Way could no longer see his brother the same way. He pondered to himself…
Chan Way: (...Why, brother…? Why…?)
...
Back to where Lasanne was, she was bouncing towards a kingdom filled with machinery and businesses everywhere. Her rock landed on the outskirts of the kingdom as it made a loud sound, somewhat attracting the attention of every Pokemon in the cities. A few minutes later, she was in the cities hunting down her intended targets. Due to her senses, she was able to pinpoint them, going in the direction of it.
A minute later, Zamenza and Moody were about to depart when they felt a strong energy headed their way.
Zamenza: …Moody, there's a strong Pokemon headed here.
Moody: I noticed. But just who could it be? It can be that Senior Head. Only-
?: I found you.
Lasanne had approached them casually to the point that they were certain the energy was her's but still couldn't believe it.
Zamenza: …Who are-
An image zapped into Zamenza's mind, knowing full well who she was.
Zamenza: …You're that Swadloon from that base!
Moody: Now that I get a good look at her, she looks like a different variant.
Lasanne: Correct. But do you know who I am?
Zamenza: No, but I assume that you're here to avenge your "Senior Head", right?
Lasanne: Wrong. I'm here to collect the bounty on your corpses.
Moody: …What?! Are you telling me you're an assassin?
Lasanne: Less talking, more death.
Lasanne rocketed forward at Zamenza, using her drapes like knives that forced Zamenza on the defense with spoons to block them, protecting him from a flurry of attacks launched by her. As she backed off, Zamenza used his glowing blue eyes to coat her body in a similar colored aura, only for him to block her attack once again, realizing something was off about her.
Zamenza: …I assume you're a Bug and Dark type, aren't you?
Lasanne: …For a corpse such as you to figure that out quickly, at least I'm not annoyed in the slightest.
Zamenza: …How old are you?
Lasanne: Sixteen.
Zamenza: (...Impressive…! Although her power is not as high as that Braviary's, it's remarkable that someone like her possesses that much strength at such a young age…!) …You truly are a sight to behold. But the two of us are enough to defeat you.
Lasanne: …Really? I'm wanting your corpses and the money.
Moody: (...Why is she obsessed with "corpses"...?)
Zamenza: …I guess it's time for me to get a bit serious…Moody, a little help here?
Moody: *nods* Sure.
Zamenza and Moody rushed towards Lasanne, engaging in a two on one clash of blows. Surprisingly, Lasanne was capable of keeping up with it as no one else would be able to. However, she was still outclassed by them as they disappeared from her sight and appeared behind her. Zamenza slashed his flaming spoons to create a flaming diamonji and launched it towards her, dealing damage on her back that actually affected her, causing her to rethink her situation.
Lasanne: (…I don't believe it…! It seems that these two old Pokemon are going to be harder to kill than I thought…! Unless…)
She turned around and raised a drape that was glowing red, shouting…
Lasanne: DEVIOUS RAAAAAY!
…Firing a red ray at Zamenza, which shocked him as he dodged it in time. It created smoke from its impact on the ground, which didn't sit right with her as it missed her target. As the duo landed, Moody noticed how shocked Zamenza was for some strange reason.
Zamenza: …I don't believe it…!
Moody: Hm? What is it? You seemed shocked by something.
Zamenza: …That move she used…Why, if I didn't know any better, that's…a technique only those of the Organ School know…!
Moody: Huh?
Zamenza: …Never mind.
Lasanne then sidestepped past them without them noticing until the last minute, forcing them to chase after her. Luckily, Zamenza caught up with her first, but Lasanne sidestepped them again, this time enough to reach the outside and near her rock.
Moody: Hold it! Don't think you'll be running away so easily! Weren't you claiming our bodies for profit?!
Lasanne: I am, but something gave me an idea. You'll be pressed to find out that I will be going after something much smaller on an island a day ago. See you two, if you can catch up with me…
She then picked up the rock and tossed it in the direction she traveled, hopping after it. It left the duo to ponder what she meant.
Zamenza: …What the heck does that mean?
Moody: I dunno. I- Wait a minute…"Smaller"? "Island"?
They then exchanged looks with each other as they made a connection along with the energy in said direction.
Zamenza & Moody: Happy and Charles! They're in danger!
...
Back at the Fox Village, sunset had blazed as a funeral had taken place with everyone in attendance. Scent candles and flames were lit up to help send the late chief on his way as his tombstone was used for their final moments with him. Whilst it was a time for grieving, it was over as night flew in. For Happy, he couldn't sleep and decided to get up, looking for a way to get stronger as he wandered out of the village.
As he approached the sandy shore, he was greeted by a voice that was familiar to him. Flying in on him was Norman, who seemed to be more concerned with Happy's well-being.
Norman: …Hello, little Happy. What keeps you up at this hour?
Happy: …Mr. Norman…I…I wanna become stronger!
Norman: …I see. Are you sure about that?
Happy: I'm very sure! Please, Mr. Norman? I don't want to lose anyone like that again!
Norman: …All right. You're a child, but I'll see what I can do since I've seen your strength. Hop on my back and hang on real tight, alright?
Happy: Alright…
As they took off into the skies, Norman had one last thought as he left the island.
Norman: (...I'll try to be a better leader for them, my friend…)
...