Hello everybody and welcome back!
Nothing to say but let's get the showdown we've been waiting for all along.
All I ask is for a little small review/fav/follow in return and I'll be a happy pumpkin! Until then, though, I will catch you all later! :D
Chapter 33: Dead Reckoning
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The mood was just as tense as the three Pokemon stood in the room. Guildmaster Finnegan's face was expressionless as he remained ready to attack.
Nero closed his eyes, almost as if unsurprised. "So you knew, eh?" He asked in a sigh.
Guildmaster Finnegan mirrored his expression. "We had a hunch that something wasn't right. Of course with the amount of dead you were piling up, I'd be a disgrace if I didn't recognize a pattern."
Thorn looked satisfied. "Of course, nothing could get by the dead Guildmaster, eh?" He mocked him. "If only you had let your deputy know. He wouldn't have wasted his time dying."
Guildmaster Finnegan scrunched his face in anger.
Nero seemed bothered. Odd for Filip to misjudge a situation. I wonder what happened…
A cackle left Thorn's as his eyes flashed. "I guess the only question left is how long you'll manage to fight before I take you life." His bloodthirsty growl was menacing as he prepared to strike. "Do not disappoint me, Guildmaster."
Guildmaster Finnegan braced for impact. "Same goes for you, brat." He retorted.
Then, in a quick blitz, Thorn charged at the older Guildmaster, striking him with his arm. Guildmaster Finnegan crossed his arms in order to block the powerful fist. Both made eye contact as they gauged each others almost equivalent strength.
However, Guildmaster Finnegan had to take a step forward in order to try and push the massive Nidoking back. They locked eyes and with another shaking step, this time Guildmaster Finnegan was forced to take another step back.
Thorn grinned seeing he had the slight strength advantage. "When you do fall," He growled, his hands starting to glow a white color. "Your city will be mine to burn down."
Guildmaster Finnegan's claws started to glow a purplish hue. "Are you here to yap or are you here to fight?" He sounded more annoyed this time.
With a snarl, Thorn dropped to a crouch and spun, catching the Guildmaster off guard from his speed and nimbleness. Thorn's claws stretched as they reached maximum power.
"Earth Power!"
Guildmaster Finnegan could barely block the attack aimed for his head, and almost missed the second one as Thorn unleashed a fury of these attacks on the Guildmaster.
Nero was impressed by Thorn's abilities. Despite Earthquake being a more powerful move, he opts for Earth Power when using his claws to increase his destructive power. He's slashing and crushing at the same while also giving him a long range option for quicker opponents like Filip.
In spite of catching the Guildmaster off guard, Thorn struggled to land a hit on the ridiculously fast Bisharp, each attack being blocked by a Night Slash as he grew accustomed to the speed.
Thorn overreached on a punch and for a moment, Guildmaster Finnegan thought he found his moment to counterattack. However, a purple blur from the corner of his eye prevented him and he bent backwards in order to avoid Thorn's hulking tail. Using his hands as a springboard, Guildmaster Finnegan jumped backwards with a flip and landed in order to follow through with his counterattack.
His gaze shifted to Nero. "Hand me the Z-Crystal! I'm gonna need more firepower for this Gobshite." He called to his friend. With no hesitation, Nero reached into the Bisharps bag and pulled out the old, gray crystal from inside.
Thorn cocked his head. "Z-Crystal?" He sounded genuinely unaware. His visible confusion only furthered as Guildmaster Finnegan started doing a serious of poses, making the situation feel much less serious.
Nero decided to answer for Guildmaster Finnegan. "You need to get out more. A long time ago, Filip and I traveled to a distant island when we decided to explore this world. These powerful items are supposedly a part of a Legendary Pokémon that lived long ago."
Thorn snorted. "Legendary, huh?" He sounded unconvinced.
Before he could continue, Guildmaster Finnegan finished his dance and circular blades started to form on his forearms from the steel that comprised his body.
He glared at Thorn, and with a shake of his arms, his caused the buzz saw like appendage to spin, turning them into mini-tiller blades. He reached back with his arm, his hands remaining unchanged, and tapped it on the stone wall. As he did, sparks flew out and parts of the wall crumbled off.
Thorn looked on in awe. "Sparks? How fast are those things spinning?" He didn't sound hesitant, his tail lashing in excitement.
Guildmaster Finnegan dropped to a knee, and held the buzzsaws up to his chest. He closed his eyes and for a moment everything remained still. Thorn braced himself for the Bisharp to attack him.
He wasn't prepared for the old Pokémon to appear to vanish from thin air as he charged the Nidoking at full speed. With a strong thrust, Guildmaster Finnegan struck Thorn in the chin, knocking the massive menace off of his feet and into the air.
Thorn didn't even react as he was now suspended in the air, pain spreading in his face. Guildmaster Finnegan then reappeared as a flicker for very briefly in the spot where Thorn was previously standing.
Just as quickly though, he disappeared once more and appeared in a flash above the suspended Thorn, much to the larger Pokémon's shock. Then, with a quick slam of his arm, Guildmaster Finnegan unleashed his attack straight on to Thorn's face.
"CORKSCREW CRASH!!"
Thorn hit the ground hard, although the sturdy texture of the room prevented it from shaking too much. Guildmaster Finnegan reappeared on his feet before staggering backwards a few steps as though the attack had taken a lot out of him. A cloud of dust had sprung up and briefly hidden Thorns body.
A bead of sweat formed on Nero's face as he saw his friend breathing a little heavy. We are both getting older for sure, he's not going to be able to hold his top speed for too long. Especially when he's having to expend so much power to damage Thorn.
As he thought this, a sudden shift in the dirt cloud made both of them tense a little.
Guildmaster Finnegan seemed annoyed. "First time I've seen someone get up after taking a tiller to the face." He muttered, the saws still buzzing on his forearms.
Thorn rubbed the back of his head, and as he did pulled a small puddle of blood in his hand courtesy of a gash. He studied it for a moment, as though not fully comprehending the sight of his own blood.
When he spoke, it was slow and quiet for once. "I guess we're both going through some first times right now." His smile didn't drop, and after a moment of contemplation, he clenched his blood stained fist. "However…"
Guildmaster Finnegan didn't want to give him the chance to recover and dashed towards him again. He knew he couldn't reach his top speed again just yet, and that made extra room for the shock that appeared on his face when Thorn grabbed the buzz saw with his bare hand. In his shock, Thorn reached forward and grabbed the other one as well with the same, or lack of, effort.
It made a whining sound as Thorns tough hands jammed them, making the Guildmaster wince in pain. Seeing this opening, Thorns horn glowed an illuminescent white color with with a small green hue.
"Heh…these weak blades are better suited for excavation work. MEGAHORN!"
Arms caught, Guildmaster barely managed to avoid taking the attack to the chest and losing his life. It did, however, pierce his shoulder and exit the other side. Black blood started dripping from the awful wound.
Gritting in pain, Guildmaster Finnegan kept his cool, pulling himself up and kicking Thorn harshly in the jaw, snapping his attackers neck up and removing the horn.
Thorn made an amused noise. "Good move, Guildmaster. Had you stepped backwards you would have lost your arm." He growled. "By the way, watch the tail." He taunted him, knowing the warning was far too late and his hulking tail careened into Guildmaster Finnegan into the wall, exactly as Axl had been earlier.
Unlike the otter, he didn't pass out. That being said, as his body hit the wall, his body glowed briefly and his forearms returned to their natural shape. The z-crystal remade itself in front of him and accompanied him to the ground as they both fell with a thud.
He didn't move for a moment and Nero felt tense as Guildmaster Finnegan lay on his stomach for a second, black blood now leaking faster on the ground.
Nero almost made a move to help. He just smacked the Z-crystal out of him. His power is almost reminiscent of Scourge.
Guildmaster Finnegan, meanwhile, flipped to his back and stared back at the ceiling as he contemplated the battle. The early conversation had dug up an old memory and he let himself get lost in it.
Bjorn…
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22 Years Ago..
"GAH! HE'S HERE, EVERYONE SCAM!" The terrified shout belonged to a Dustox wearing a bandana around his mouth. His frantic screaming and movements were soon cut short by a black blur that knocked him clean out.
He tumbled into a dip in the ground that led to a makeshift camp. The surrounding area was a vast moor that contrasted beautifully with the clear blue sky that spread across the landscape.
Inside the camp, many tough looking bug type Pokémon rose in startlement. Ranging from Beedrill to Golispod, panic started to spread as the attacker revealed himself.
A younger, powerful looking Bisharp strode confidently in, unfazed by being outnumbered by the group of bandits. His eyes scanned the clearing quickly, as he tried to pick out their leader.
"I'm looking for a 'Bjorn Paulson'." His thick Irish accent confirmed their fears as they were all well aware of Filip Finnegan, a reckoning to all of the criminals in the Peridot City region.
No one moved for a moment, until a slight shuffle from behind the Pokémon revealed a Swadloon wearing a fitted leather jacket and dark sunglasses. Unlike the others, he showed no fear of the powerful Pokémon.
He made his way directly to Filip. "So you're the bodyguard the Mystery Guild hired. Been taking out a lot of big names I hear. What brings you to our humble abode?" Bjorn asked.
Filip calmly met him in the middle. "Your lot attacked a party and made off with their treasure. I didn't expect their leader to be a little runt too young to buy himself a drink." He sounded unimpressed with the much younger Swadloon.
Bjorn somehow moved his sunglasses down to meet Filips eyes. "And I didn't expect the Mystery Guild's secret weapon to be a senior citizen. Shouldn't you be in a retirement home by now?" He shot back.
Despite their fear, the rest of the bandits started to circle Filip as well, feeling confident in their numbers. He stretched his claws, knowing a rather tough battle could ensue despite his calm demeanor.
However, a vein popped in Bjorn's forehead. "You morons, what is our one rule?!" He sounded genuinely angry. The others started to back up in surprise as he continued. "Any fight we engage in is one on one, we don't start a battle unless we intend to see it through ourselves."
A Beedrill stepped forward. "We get that, young boss, but don't you think we should make an exception here? I heard he captured thirty Tauros by himself after they trampled a village."
Filip sweat dropped exasperatedly. "That was actually an accident, if you'd believe it." He said sheepishly.
Bjorn was not deterred. "So what? That's what makes us better than those other bandits who target innocent civilians and pick on the weak. We give our all no matter if Arceus himself is standing in front of us." He said, grinning in excitement as he got ready to battle. "Mano a mano."
Filip gave an excited grin on return. "Heh…"
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It was over before it started.
No sooner had Bjorn made the first move did he find himself beaten badly underneath Filip who sat on him nonchalantly.
He already was puffing a cigarette as he sighed. "Well, that was pretty uneventful, lad." He sounded disappointed.
The Beedrill that had spoken up earlier shook a bit as he could only watch in disbelief. "No way…I've never seen him lose a fight before." He sounded genuinely shocked before biting his lip. "Screw this, let's get him! I don't care how strong he is, he can't take us all on at once!"
Before anyone could make a sound, Bjorn spoke up. "You idiots, stop!" He shouted, making his group halt. "I told you this was my battle alone. Any of you who gang up on him are a disgrace to the group."
The Beedrill halted again. "But, Bjorn, he's going to send you to jail!" He cried, the others murmuring in agreement.
Bjorn didn't look fazed by this."I knew the risk that came with losing. The group is yours to lead now, Leo." He said, closing his eyes in acceptance.
Filip, meanwhile, let out a billow of smoke. "You got quite a sense of honor for a group of bandits. If only you put that effort into doing something good for the city, I wouldn't be taking your ass to jail." He commented.
Bjorn scoffed. "You think we haven't tried, old man? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a job being a bug-type? Most of us don't even have hands." He spat, making the others nod in approval. "Besides, we only steal from criminals, we had no clue it was a Mystery Guild team."
As the Bisharp looked around the group, he started to understand what was happening. He knew there was at least some truth to what Bjorn was saying as their group wasn't wanted until they attacked the Mystery Guild team. An idea slowly started to form in his head.
He stood up suddenly, and made no effort to restrain Bjorn any further, much to everyone's confusion. Putting out his cigarette, he glanced around at everyone.
"But if a job opportunity were to arise…"
Bjorn had gotten himself up, interested. "Well, of course we wouldn't be doing this if we had jobs. But we aren't any good at collecting honey or farming like other bugs, so what is there for us?"
Filip seemed to have settled on something. "My mentor is actually in the process of starting something new in the cities. Have you ever heard of a Justice Guild?" When he was met with no response, he continued. "I didn't think so, currently the only one is in Sapphire City where we are from."
He continued to walk around, sizing everyone up. "This island is a broken place, lads. Everyday more powerful Pokémon threaten the safety of innocents. Mystery Guilds can't stop them. Cops are lazy and incompetent. Rangers are in the middle of a new peace craze. We need honorable, strong fighters."
As he spoke, the bug-types started to look at each other in hope. As though the opportunity he was talking about seemed too good to be true.
Bjorn was the one to speak first. "Not all of us can fight." He sounded hesitant, as though he didn't want to let the opportunity slip.
But Filip didn't take it back. "Of course the lot of you that can will be training with me. Those of you that can't will have a place, I promise you. Perhaps your knowledge of the land could prove useful in other ways as well. Peridot is massive, we can't have eyes everywhere….unless we had a good amount of you to scout the areas for us."
Everyone remained shocked at the turn of events that were unfolding. Just a moment ago they thought they were going to jail…but now…
Filip grinned at the hopeful look spreading on Bjorn's face. "You in?"
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22 Years later, Four Days ago…
The familiar sight of Guildmaster Finnegan's office was covered in smoke, almost obscuring the dark Pokemon in it. He currently sat at his desk, flipping through some papers about a 'Thorn'.
A cough let him know someone had entered the room. "Between the smoke and alcohol, I wonder how your body hasn't corroded by now." The sarcastic comment came from Deputy Paulson, something that would have been weird to anyone else in the guild. However, knowing his Guildmaster for over two decades, he felt as though he was talking to an older brother than anything. "Then again, you are immune to poison I suppose."
Guildmaster Finnegan chuckled at his old friend. "Morning to you as well." He replied, putting out his cigarette. "You just missed Clay."
Deputy Paulson let out an amused breath through his nose. "Oh, shame." He mused, not sounding entirely heartbroken. He quickly got to business. "I'm hoping we got some news regarding that Hazaranmon that's been causing trouble."
A pause followed his words as Guildmaster Finnegan tapped his desk. "We have a couple of leads. Clay seems adamant about a witness report near Stormdrain Village."
Deputy Paulson nodded, having sat down with his arms crossed. "Near the Ghost Area? You don't think Thorn is crazy enough to keep refuge there, do you?" He asked.
"If anything, he seems more likely to try and destroy it if anything…"
"You think?"
Guildmaster Finnegan sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure lad. At first I thought he was just a copycat of Scourge, killing at random for the fun of it. But I got confirmation from Clay regarding a certain…pattern I've noticed."
Deputy Paulson cocked his head, remaining silent so his Guildmaster could continue.
He shifted through more papers. "In the incidents we have, the few survivors had one thing in common…"
The pieces came together for the deputy. "Hazaranmon, right? He's not killing his own kind." Deputy Paulson finished for him. "That gives the Stormdrain Village lead some credibility. They are the only area confirmed not to have any Hazaranmon living there. Could be at high risk of attack."
Guildmaster Finnegan nodded. "Aye…that's assuming Thorn has that knowledge." He pointed out. "That little factoid isn't available to the public. The only way he would attack would be if he knew something…"
Deputy Paulson narrowed his eyes. "You think he'd attack a whole village?" He asked incredulously.
For a moment, Guildmaster Finnegan eyed his box of cigarettes. "The bastard has only been getting more confident and daring the more he's rampaged. Most villages don't contain many strong Pokémon…plus…."
Deputy Paulson raised a brow.
"…I fear he may not be working alone." He said. "We haven't had this much trouble finding a single Pokémon since we started. Especially one that causes so much destruction in his wake."
A look of horror dawned his deputy's face. "You can't possibly mean someone inside the guild?!" He sounded appalled.
Guildmaster Finnegan didn't react. "I can't say for certain of course." He admitted. "But I find his stealth…troublesome."
Deputy Paulson bit his lip for a moment before standing up. "Then let me go, Filip!" He shouted passionately. "If the village is in that much peril, then let me go personally to defend it."
The Guildmaster quickly raised his eyes to his friend. "Bjorn, it's only an assumption. This sighting could very well be a fat Rattata as much as it could be Thorn." He murmured.
Deputy Paulson looked unfazed. "Your hunch is all I need, Filip. I know you to be a man of few mistakes in your many years and you've seen more than anyone in this city. If something seems off to you, then I'm more than willing to stake a mission on it."
Guildmaster Finnegan was taken aback. "Well…I suppose I could send you with Felix…"
However, the Leavanney was quick to shake his head. "If you don't mind, I'd like to work with Todd's apprentice if you don't mind."
"Ramirez? You know his battling and was graded poorly, yes?"
"Yes, but his evacuation scores were scored very highly. Keep the firepower here for the other missions and if he does attack, Ramirez will be the best one in the guild to save as many lives as possible."
Guildmaster Finnegan narrowed his eyes. "You realize you will be on your own for at least twenty minutes, right? Even with the Teleportation Stone, I'm not as young as I used to be. The closest I'll be able to teleport is 21 kilometers away."
Deputy Paulson narrowed his eyes, although in confidence. "Do not fret, Filip. That's more than enough time for me. I will call you the second we find him, but I want to take him on…" As he said this, he gave Guildmaster Finnegan a snarled grin. "Mano a mano."
Guildmaster Finnegan held his gaze, but didn't return the emotion. Instead, he silently turned around and lifted the drape he had on his table.
Twenty five tiny portraits were lined up in a 5x5 pattern. An evolution of the camera's quality could be seen when going through them in a certain order.
A sullen mood suddenly fell over them as they took a moment to honor their faces.
Guildmaster Finnegan broke the silence. "We lost twenty five Pokémon we took in, watched and grew and achieved success. Not a day goes by when I don't think about a single one of them."
Deputy Paulson kept his gaze, wanting to show his Guildmaster his resolve.
Finally, his friend turned his head and returned the eye contact. No more words were needed as they exchanged all of their trust into each other. These two had fought together side by side for the last two decades, building their faith in each other with every fight.
They were brothers of a different kind of blood.
"Don't make me have to put you up here too." He told him. "That's an order."
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Guildmaster Finnegan had picked himself back up, his eyes still hidden.
Nero felt a wave of concern for his friend. Filip…
Thorn thrashed his tail, almost as though he was reading the Bisharps thoughts. "Take solace, Guildmaster." He snarled. "When I finish with you, you and your guild will soon follow your deputy as I wipe all of you from the face of the world."
His voice sounded crazed and murderous, but Guildmaster Finnegan didn't flinch as he took a small step forward. He looked just as vicious and bloodthirsty as the Nidoking, much to Thorn's surprise, as he raised a claw towards Thorn's chest.
His pupils were pinpoints. "You said my blades were suited for excavation work? How poetic, lad."
His eyes were locked on the glowing Hazaran mark. "Because they're about to dig me up a gem right about now."