Miho Chan
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Chapter 20: The First Shots
🕑 Added 2023-12-02 03:14:22 +0000 UTCKiritsugu Emiya looked through the scope of his rifle, flicking the barrel to aim at each of the entrances to the small compound in turn. He watched, eyes narrowed as a group of figures with dyed red hair pushed a cart into one of the garages outside the supposedly abandoned factory. He frowned, keying his comm. “Elle, I am in position, and have eyes on a small group of Flare grunts.”
[Copy that, Kiritsugu. My team and I are in position. I’m by the west entrance; the north was too heavily patrolled to slip into. Would you mind making sure I have a clear path in?] Elle responded professionally over the radio. Panning the scope of his rifle towards the West, Kiritsugu mentally nodded as he saw the woman waving.
“Of course, Elle.” Pausing, he blanched as something unexpected occurred, “You have a grunt incoming. Given his posture, I don’t think he noticed anything, he’s just heading that way for no reason in particular.”
[...if he’s unaware, he won’t be a problem.] Kiri watched through his scope as the Grunt rounded the corner, only to be caught with a faceful of green powder from the Jumpluff. As he collapsed into unconsciousness, the young woman grabbed him and dragged him out of sight. [That puts a bit of a time limit on things, though. How soon will a patrol notice he’s missing?]
“You have at least two minutes. They just came on shift, and I believe he was taking a smoke break. Check his pockets for cigarettes or drugs, just in case,” Kiritsugu stated calmly, panning his rifle towards the nearest grunt, who was yawning, looking completely and utterly bored with his job. He frowned slightly. “While we’re talking, I have to ask. Is it… normal to force all the members of teams like this to dye their hair?”
Through his scope, Kiri watched as Elle frisked her victim, pulling out something. [One sidearm… Toxicity Jolt E-Cigarette. No, it’s not, at least, not always, but for some reason, they do it anyway. It might have something to do with how easy it is to wash out hair dye nowadays, and it’s probably considered a uniform.]
“It’s very stupid. Made figuring out that this was their base very easy. Back home, organized crime wears… suits. Or just… workman's clothes.”
[So is that why you wear a suit? Because you were part of one of those organized crime groups?] Elle asked as she rounded a corner, cutting behind a line of cars to approach a side door.
“No, I just think they look cool,” Kiritsugu replied blandly, panning his rifle ahead of Elle, “Another grunt, he’ll pass your position shortly. Shouldn’t see you. Up to you how to deal with him, I’m covering.”
[I’ll let him pass.] Elle ducked behind one of the parked vehicles as the grunt passed. She rose up after the grunt passed, moving to and testing the side door. [Locked… hold on, Haboo, can you–]
Elle’s starter calmly emerged from his mistress’ shadow, then phased through the door. Seconds later, it swung open. Elle held the door open. [Haboo isn’t detecting anyone immediately nearby. Are you coming?]
“In a second,” Kiri muttered, then switched comm channels, opening up a long-range link. “Agent Looker, we’ve confirmed that this base is hosting Team Flare. Can we get local assets to contain the area?”
[Send me the images.] After Kiri sent the information, Looker responded quickly. [I will have Interpol forces cover the major roads out, but most of them do not have the operations licenses you do. Proceed with the mission, we’ll catch as many as can flee as possible.]
Kiri confirmed, turning off his comm and looking at his partner. “Amelie, would you mind, dear?” Kiritsugu stated, a soft pop as he teleported over to Elle, his ‘starter’ locking onto the woman’s psychic signature to bypass the barriers and psionic sensory array laid out around the base. He slipped through the door, letting it close behind him. “Alright, I dropped one of Looker’s psychic beacons. Does Meowstic have a lock to get you free, or do we need to stick together?”
“He can teleport me out, if necessary,” Elle acknowledged. “But I would rather stick together, anyway. Getting overwhelmed by enemies ganging up on you isn’t fun in the slightest.”
“Agreed. In that case, would you like to take point, or should I?” Kiritsugu replied, slinging his rifle over one shoulder then drawing a pistol from his coat and running through some rudimentary weapons checks.
“Haboo has the point, I’ll follow him, and you can take the rear.” Elle said as they reached a turn in the hall. “Do we know what they were supposed to be doing here?”
“I don’t know,” Kiritsugu muttered. “Honestly, half of what they were doing was nonsensical. You have cells dedicated to bribing officials and obtaining weapons, and others which were wholly focused on kidnapping artists or stealing recipe books.”
“It’s almost as if money isn’t a concern for them…” Amelie added from her positon on Kiritsugu’s shoulder, the psychic type’s eyes screwed shut in concentration as she used her empathic sense to the best of her abilities. “We have a group of grunts, one room over. Haboo, if I direct you, can you take them out?”
The ghostly Eevee cooed, looking up at Amelie. Moments later, he darted through a wall. Through it, both the humans barely heard a short series of thuds and cries before they went silent. Haboo’s head emerged from the wall, eyes narrowed. “Mour! Mour!”
Amelie stiffened. “...He says the room has several cages of knocked-out Pokemon.”
“Any specific Pokemon, Haboo?” Elle asked, her mind running through the various possibilities and reasons that a group as well funded as Flare would resort to capturing Pokemon instead of simply buying them from Breeders or Poachers through proxies.
“Several Furfrou, a Galarian Ponyta, a Dratini, and a trio of Vulpix. They don’t seem mistreated,” Amelie relayed.
“That’s an odd mix,” Kiri mused. “I mean, a Dratini is very valuable, but the rest…”
Haboo barked, a series of odd chirps with an ominous note to them, Elle’s eyes widening as her partner pointed out the obvious.
“They’re all considered beautiful,” Elle gasped, eyes narrowing, “Didn’t you say that one Flare Grunt you interrogated a bit back was ranting about Beauty, Kiritsugu?”
“Most of them do. Some rant about perfection, or ugliness instead,” Kiri replied. “I wonder why they use so many poison types, then? Most of them aren’t… well, conventionally attractive.”
“Loyalty has a beauty all of its own!” Kiri and Elle looked to one side, a Flare Grunt having just jumped out from around the corner. “Aha! Intruders! I shall-”
He was, “sadly”, interrupted by Kiritsugu rapidly closing the distance between the two of them and clocking his pistol over the man’s head, sending the man to the ground, unconscious. Amelie sighed. “Maybe I’ve just been around you too much, Kiri– but why didn’t he attack while we were distracted?”
“They all like doing that. Cipher, Rocket, Pillar, Hood… they all talk a ton. I think it’s a side effect of whatever onboarding or brainwashing their bosses do to them.” Elle sighed, grabbing the man’s legs while Kiri grabbed his arms. Amelie opened a nearby room, and the two trainers set the man inside.
Kiri looked up, blinking as he saw the seven yellowish fish floating in a small pool. “...okay, these aren’t pretty. I guess that theory’s shot–”
“BASS! BASS! BASS!” The fish raged in their pond, splashing about.
“...ah, those are Feebas. They evolve into Milotic, one of the most beautiful pokemon ever.” Elle said delicately.
“Ah, like a caterpillar before they become a butterfly, then.” Kiritsugu stated blandly, sighing as he walked over to the pond and kelt down, “I apologize for offending you, Feebas. What would it take for you to quiet down?”
“BAS! BAS!” Most of the fish continued flailing, but one settled down, a pensive look on its face. The last Feebas burbled for a moment, then blew a large bubble which encapsulated her fellows, keeping them quiet. “Bas, bas.”
“That one says she is not certain whether or not Flare is going to actually help them evolve, and would like a different master.” Amelie translated. “...she is not willing to join a scruffy man in a cheap suit, though.”
Elle shook her head. “I don’t think I have the time to raise a new team-member…”
“I have a daughter who is a rising star in the Gym Circuit,” Kiritsugu stated suddenly as a metaphorical light bulb flickered on in his head, the man rummaging in his coat and pulling out a Rotom Phone, bringing up a photo of Illya’s trainer card and the badge she had collected thus far, “This is my daughter, Illyasviel. Would you mind if I sent you to her?”
“Bas!” The Feebas wiggled happily. “Fee-fee-bas.”
“She says that your daughter is beautiful, and wonders how you managed to have her. She also agrees,” Amelie relayed.
Kiri rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a Pokeball. “...you know, I’ve looted several of these, but I’ve never bothered to buy any. Should I?” He asked Elle as he captured the Feebas.
“Probably. Pokeballs have several benefits for extracting Pokemon from situations, largely because they are capable of holding Pokemon in stasis while injured,” Elle explained as she returned to her sweep of the room, shaking her head as she found nothing else of interest. “We should move to the next room.”
“Agreed,” Kiritsugu responded, heading back out into the corridor. The small team swept down the hallway, checking each room as they passed. Kiri frowned as he glanced into one room, noting the array of tools, weapons, and Pokeballs on racks. “...I suppose this is what a fully stocked armory looks like here. Why do they keep some Pokemon in cages, and some in balls?”
“All Pokeballs, at least modern ones, have registration signals, so that Pokemon Centers and other institutions can return them to their owners. But that also allows the government to keep an eye on people with strong or unusual teams.”
“I see. I wonder what counts?” Kiritsugu mused to himself, making a clean sweep of the room, nodding towards Elle. “What do you recommend we do? You are the expert here.”
“We need to find their boss, capture them, and take them to Looker,” she said quietly. “From what I’ve seen, we do know enough about what Flare wants, who they are. And I don’t think either of us are great at interrogations.” She paused. “...actually, are you?”
“I am passible without magecraft, and competent enough with hypnosis magic to get the job done with it,” Kiritsugu stated blandly, before point back towards the Pokeballs, “The question I was asking was not what to do with Team Flare, but rather, these Pokeballs. I am loathe to leave a potent supply of weapons behind, especially one accessible by our enemy.”
“...Yeah, that’s… fair. Trouble is, we can’t just repossess them en masse. Some may be personal pokemon, some bulk catches, others sold-off professional teams.” With a frown, Elle sent out Houndoom. “Melt the lock.” As the lanky fire-type directed a blast of heat at the door, she elaborated. “We’ll call Interpol to do a sweep later. This should slow down them reclaiming the Pokemon.”
Kiritsugu nodded in approval, “Alright, onto the next area. We should be getting close to the last few rooms, now.” As he moved to continue down the hallway, something shifting caught the corner of his eye. Turning, the assassin watched as one of the grates along the ceiling was pushed out, falling forward. Before it could fall far, a long pink muscle snapped into it. As they watched, a dark blue hand gripped the grate, pulling it in, before a lithe frog-like Pokemon emerged from the vent, dropping to the floor while cradling a red-brown creature. As they landed, a lavender fox-creature pulled itself free of the vent, the frog-being catching them as they practically fell to the floor, exhaustion clear on their face.
“Kiritsugu, they were masking their presence, psychically, but it just dropped briefly, and I didn’t sense any hostility from the Frogadier, Braixen, nor Chespin, only fear.” Amelie interjected rapidly, making her presence known as she rapidly snapped off a cheerful greeting in her native tongue. All three Pokemon froze, the Frogadier immediately moving to place itself between the two humans and their two companions.
Elle reacted immediately, Haboo coming out of her shadow and yipping a friendly greeting, “We aren’t here to harm you; we aren’t with Team Flare. We’re with the International Police, working on dismantling this terrorist group.”
As she spoke, Kiritsugu briefly stiffened, feeling a presence he was unfamiliar with brush against his mind before withdrawing moments later; the Braixen, who had struggled to their feet in a display likely meant to intimidate, collapsed back to their knees. She gave a quiet, feminine yip. “Braix…” The little red Pokemon immediately moved over to her, getting beneath her arm.
Amelie tilted her head. “They’re escapees.” The Frogadier croaked loudly, looking around. “He says he needs to get his companions to safety, and asks where the nearest exit is before the–” She was cut off as the lights in the corridor turned yellow, a loud buzzing echoing through the complex. “-alarms sound.” All three of the escapees flinched at the sound, Frogadier slamming his fist into the wall with enough force to leave a dent.
Kiritsugu calmly pulled out a submachine gun, leveling it down the hallway as the thud of boots began to sound throughout the base, “Elle, would you mind covering our back? I have this hallway covered.”
Elle responded by drawing the sidearm Kiri had insisted upon, tapping one of the balls at her waist. “Ampharos, be ready with thunder wave.” The bulky sheep-dragon bleated, aiming her orbs down the hall. Frogadier hesitated before grabbing the fox in their party and dashing in between the humans, setting their partner down and taking up a position beside Kiri, beads of water collecting on the pads of his fingers.
“The escapees are this way, get your nets out–” One flare grunt called, rounding a corner while holding a bazooka-esque device. He stopped, speechless as he spotted Kiri, even as a small group of fellow grunts piled up behind him. “-shit. SWITCH-”
Unfortunately for the Flare Grunt, he was promptly shot in the kneecaps rather blandly by a certain Magus Killer, the man proceeding to sweep his SMG through the Flare grunts, doing his absolute best to disable rather than kill them all; while they did, likely, deserve death, that was not for him to decide, not while he was working with Law Enforcement, at least. The chatter of his gun echoed through the hallway as he downed his opponents. One man managed to jerk a ball off his belt before falling, causing a bulky pokemon to emerge, bullets bouncing off its hide. “FERROTHORN!” The creature roared.
“Amelie, Mystical Fire.” Kiritsugu ordered calmly as he reloaded his weapon, rolling his neck as he leveled his gun back towards the Pokemon as Amelie launched her attack. The fire blast sent the grass-type tumbling back, screeching, only for a pair of Lycanroc to round the corner and intercept the follow-up.
Frogadier started flicking their fingers, each snap causing a pulse of blue liquid to blast across and hammer the incoming rock dogs. “Frog-a-frog.”
“What is Sui-dan no Jutsu?” Amelie asked.
“It literally translates to Water Bullet Technique” Kiritsugu replied with a blink, spraying another series of bullets downrage towards the Pokemon, who, thankfully, dove for cover, “If you wish to be a Ninja, might I recommend that you properly ask one of the Kantoian Clans for instruction, instead of a random manga?”
Amelie listened as the Frogadier muttered. “He says he’ll need to learn how to read first, as they only ever put on TV for him to watch.” The Kirlia winced as one man’s scream was cut off into a gurgle. “If you want any of them to live, you should probably switch to melee. At this point, your missed shots are hitting the wounded.”
“We’re also out of upright targets,” Kiri observed, holstering his gun. The hallway before him was painted in a mix of groaning bodies, silent corpses, and red blood. Behind him, Elle sighed.
“Gah, this is… awful. Really wish they’d come quietly,” Elle muttered.
“Unfortunately, they knew the risks when they joined a terrorist organization,” Kiritsugu stated flatly, though a part of him did mourn that it was necessary to take such actions to preserve his and his team’s safety. “Amelie, shall we try and stabilize the ones we can?”
“Of course.” Amelie grumbled, hopping onto Kiritsugu’s shoulder as he began walking towards the downed Flare Grunts, the man rummaging through his coat and pulling out a First Aid kit. Elle sent out her Jumpluff, who began using Sleep Powder to knock out those who attempted to get to their feet, as she dug out her own first aid kit. As she worked, Amelie continued speaking. “Stealth is out the window. Do we want to take our new allies outside, then go hunting–”
“That’s… not… possible.” A tired voice, feminine and husky, sounded in their minds. Braixen trotted ahead of her partner, aided by the Chespin supporting her. “When the escape alarm sounds, they lock down the building. Deadbolts and hidden bars.” She managed more clearly.
“Hmm, well, if all else fails, we can simply reclaim your Pokeballs and teleport out. We have a beacon out in the forest that Flare shouldn’t have the raw power to jam.” Kiritsugu suggested, tilting his head to the side as he considered the cost-benefit reward of pushing through the rest of the base, “However, if you three feel up for it, we would much rather press onward; we were raiding this base for intelligence, and I would still like to find out more before we retire.”
“We… do not have pokeballs,” Braixen said quietly. “All three of us were stolen from breeders. Shinies… are in high demand.”
Kiritsugu frowned. “Shinies? What do you mean?”
“Ah, right, faller.” Elle nodded, “Similar to albinism, Pokemon very rarely are born in an alternate coloration that produces a unique effect when called out from a Pokeball; a series of sparkles. As a result, they’re called ‘Shinies’ and are highly sought after due to their rarity. Only about one in every four thousand and forty eight Pokemon are ‘shiny’, after all.”
“Oh.” Kiri looked over the three Pokemon. “That’s an oddly precise number. We can probably find a place for you all to hide…”
Chespin squeaked, running up and hugging the man’s leg, much to his surprise. Braixen shook her head, even as Frogadier croaked and crossed his arms. “Frogadier will not… dishonor your efforts by leaving you alone. Chespin is… unwilling to leave behind the first one to fight for him.” She huffed. “And I… believe my place is by their sides.”
Kiritsugu’s gaze softened, “In that case, stay behind myself and Amelie. Elle, would you mind taking point? I am going to set traps to cover our rear.”
“Hold. Let me…” Braixen trotted forward, extending a hand to Amelie. The psychic took the faux-psychic's hand, and the was a tiny flash of light. “...she can guide you, should I collapse again.”
Amelie perked up. “It’s a bit rough, but I know where the central control of this facility is- and that’s also where the boss’ office is located. We weren’t quite going the right way.””
“Lead Elle, Amelie, I will take the rear.” Kiritsugu said firmly, nodding towards the veteran trainer, “Full assault, Elle. Try and blitz them if possible.”
“Blitz? Got it.” Elle unhooker a different ball. “Braviary, Haboo, Houndoom; you have point. Blast them back.” The three Pokemon gave her nods before charging down the appropriate hallway, wings, legs, and teeth shining as they ran forward. With a grunt she scooped up Braixen over her shoulders. “Come on, let’s go!”
The entire group thundered down the hall, legs pumping as the yellow alarm switched over to a brilliant red, a wail sounding throughout the complex. Frogadier eyed the alarm boxes as they passed, eyes darting about. “A-Dier.”
“That’s the intruder alarm. The grunts will have their combat teams out, and lethal weapons if available.” Amelie translated. “Ugh, this is getting tiring. Do you think we could pay the Tohsaka girl for her translator tech?”
“We have the funds for it, and I doubt Miss Tohsaka will object. I see no reason not to try and arrange a favorable trade.” Kiritsugu shrugged, eyes still fixed firmly ahead, clearly expecting trouble. His expectations were vindicated as a fight broke out down the corridor, the three point Pokemon engaging a pair of figures in white-accented suits.
One of the two members returned a Raichu, tossing out a pair of balls from her belt. “Doublade, Sloking, push them back!” She ordered, the two Pokemon appearing only seconds before they went on the attack. At her side, a man shouted orders at his Magneton and Dragalge, the latter firing blasts down the hallway while the former projected a light screen to bar the way. The woman glared through the barrier. “Crude trash! You are trespassing on the lands of the elegant Flare conglomerate! Surrender, and you will live long enough to witness our new age!”
Kiritsugu blinked, saying nothing as he raised his gun and fired into the barrier, aiming for the woman’s knees. Kneecaps, after all, were a privilege afforded to law-abiding citizens that didn’t spout fascist dogma while kidnapping and enslaving innocents. The bullet passed through the barrier, slamming into the woman and causing her to collapse, screaming. The battlefield stopped dead as everyone looked at the fallen Administrator– only for Amelie to teleport to the male Admin’s shoulders and manifest a psycho cut under his chin.
“Tell them to stand down,” she ‘said’ coldly. “You’re playing at terrorism, but we’re not playing at all.”
“...brutes.” The man growled. “Drop your barrier, Magneton.” He glared at Amelie. “Will you let her bleed out? Have you no honor?”
“She’ll live. But honor isn’t something you have, either.” Kiri said as both the man’s pokemon were returned to his balls. Slowking stepped back, watching warily, while the Doublade sheathed itself, rattling in clear anger.
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The camera feed focused on Kiri as he knelt over the now-unconscious female admin, binding her wounds while his partner sealed the Pokeballs of the defeated guardians. The security grunt swallowed, looking at the trail of downed bodies and the grunts struggling with the armory door. “Ma’am, we have a problem…”
“So I see.” A tall woman in a beautiful dress peered over her underling’s shoulder. “Tsk. They entered in the right way to seal off our more common resources. Open the side gates and ready the essentials for evacuation. We will have to scrub this location, win or lose.”
“Ma’am?” The grunt looked up, surprised.
“I recognize the girl. She’s a special agent from Interpol.” The woman clicked her tongue.”Even if we kill her and the mercenary, Interpol will still investigate. If I win, we’ll have time for a full cleanup. If I lose…” She trailed off, eyes hard beneath her hat. “Well. On second thought, contact the men guarding the materials for Project Arrondissement, and see them evacuated now.”
“Yes, Contessa. And you will be…”
“Confronting our guests.” The woman turned on her heel and headed to the doors of the security room. “Oh, and send a message to the Chancellor. Let him know about this setback.”
“Your will be done,” the man acknowledged, turning back to his monitor and beginning to type. His boss strode from the room, heading for the central atrium.
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The two invaders and their Pokemon escorts emerged from the maze of hallways to find themselves in a large indoor courtyard, filled with artful fountains and benches. Elle raised one eyebrow. “Might be pricks, but these guys have more style than Cipher, that’s for sure.”
Kiri narrowed his eyes as he scanned the room. In the middle of the courtyard, a tall woman wearing a red dress and a veiled hat stood, the stole around her shoulders not concealing the bag adorned with six Pokeballs. He looked around the courtyard, spotting a dozen Flare grunts waiting in the wings. “...this is a killing ground. We are not walking out there.”
“Agreed, especially since we’ve resorted to lethal force, they won’t feel inclined to hold back either,” Elle nodded, clearly considering her options, “They clearly know we’re here. You could always try and hit the woman who is obviously in charge in the kneecaps, again.”
“Really, darlings?” The woman pitched her voice, shifting before the fountain in the center of the room. “Don’t be such a boor.” Her head tilted. “Miss Emmanuelle Jacobs. I’ve heard good things about you.” She tapped the balls on her handbag. “I’d like to test them. I challenge you to a battle, young lady. For this base and all within it at the battle's end.”
Elle grimaced. “Crap. She’s calling us out.” She muttered under her breath.
Kiritsugu cocked his head to the side, “I assume this is a quirk present within your world?”
“Yeah. If I reject it, they won’t hold back at all. If I accept, she’s bound by the prize rules. But the wording is tricky.” She scowled. “And she’s probably stalling. But if we try to fight, what are our chances of getting through this intact?” She eyed the edges of the courtyard and the grunts lining it, some with Pokeballs and others with firearms..
“Accept the challenge.” Kiritsugu said simply, nodding towards Amelie, “If you can hear me, Amelie, once they’re engaged, we are going to do our best to sneak behind them, and hopefully figure out what they’re stalling for.”
“I hear you, and I’m relaying it to Elle.” Amelie sent back.
Elle stepped forward, her balls withdrawing her whole team. “I accept your challenge.” She paused, leveling a stare. “Your eyes and name.”
The woman pulled her hat off, handing it to a Mr. Mime who faded into existence behind her. Meeting Elle’s eyes with her own, she smiled. “I am the Contessa du Callac, Madame Jones. But you may call me Collette.” She plucked a ball from her bag. “Shall we?” She tossed the ball forward, as Elle did the same.
A Furfou with coiffed fur, head styled to look like a lady’s hat, stood across from Meowstic, the little cat-fox grinning wickedly as he mockingly bowed towards the poodle.
“Meowstic, Fake Out!” Elle barked, kicking off the battle with the sharp declaration, the cat-fox blurring forwards as he clapped both his tails against the sensitive ears of the Furfou, the poodle flinching back as Contessa barked out her own order.
“Furfou- Nevermind, prepare a Body Slam!”
“Reflect, catch and release!” Elle called, completely ignoring the Furfou as Meowstic manifested a glowing barrier before him, the light of the status move fading away as the Furfou shook their head, charging the little cat, only to blink in surprise as they slammed face first into the Reflect, and were subsequently lifted off their feat by a Psychic that Meowstic had obviously prepared beforehand, a deep, mocking laugh coming from the Pokemon.
“Play with the big boys and you’ll get slapped, fool.” The cat snickered nastily, letting telepathy carry his taunt into the surrounding humans.
The spectacle drew the eyes of everyone in the room, which worked perfectly. Kiri grinned as he slipped behind the grunts, ducking behind the stacked boxes and elegant planters perched around the room. Looking back, he raised one eyebrow at the copy of him left behind. “...what move was that? Copies like that…”
“Substitute. It’s used as a sacrificial copy in battle, takes a toll on the user. Not surprised the shinobi knows it.” Amelie looked back to see the Frogadier sway slightly before righting themself. “...I think you’d work well with them.”
“Agreed,” he whispered, going to move on, before freezing as Meowstic’s telepathy touched his mind.
“Stay. They’re paying attention again. Wait till I do my next big distraction, or until you start hearing cheers or groans.” The Cat declared, a grimace conveyed as he intercepted a bodyslam from the Furfro, this one having come a tad too fast for him to psychically redirect. With a furious snarl, the cat grabbed the Furfrou again, throwing them up into the air and modulating his telepathy so it wasn’t exclusive anymore, “Oi, runt. That hurt, you asshole. I hope you like payback.”
“Don’t get distracted, Meowstic, Dazzling Bolt.” Elle barked, well aware of her Cat-Fox’s sadistic tendencies.
“Right,” he declared, his form shining with fairy energy, before it was launched with a crackle of energy, riding the back of a Thunderbolt, an explosion of dual-typed energy sending the Furfro rocketing into the ground.
“Pro-” Contessa called desperately, only to be cut off by a gleeful cackle from Meowstic as he closed in.
“Feint. Finish this with Hypnosis,” Elle declared neutrally as her cat did just that, the perfectly modulated normal type energy smashed through the protect, the cat’s eyes glowing with psychic energy as he put his opponent to sleep. “Dream Eater.”
“Oh, the nightmares are always so deliciously spicy.” Meowstic purred aloud, both vocally and through broadcasted telepathy, concealing a hidden message. “Go, now!”
Kiri nodded, slipping out of the room and into a side passage. As he entered the corridor, he triggered one of the mystic codes he’d collected from his reserves. “Amelie, stay on me or return to your ball. My scrambler will only work if you remain connected to me.”
“Affirmative. I’ll keep a telepathic lookout.” Amelie declared, hopping onto Kiritsugu’s back, “... Kiritsugu… there’s a bunch of panicked Flare Grunts and someone high up broadcasting their emotions… They’re distressed, rushed. Something important? Empathy doesn’t give me much, but I do believe we found why the Admin is so willing to sacrifice herself to buy time.”
“Guide me in. Are you still linked to Braixen?” At Amelie’s affirmative, he continued. “How’s the fight going?”
“Elle is doing well, Amelie. She withdrew Meowstic when the bitch sent out Goodra, and has responded with her Braviary. He’s running rings around Goodra.”
“Goodra? Aren’t those hard to raise? She’s better than I’d think.” Kiri reasoned as Amelie led him to an area deeper into the complex, passing sleeping quarters and several labs. He glanced in one, frowning as he looked over the items inside. “...I don’t recognize those pokemon,” he remarked as he looked at pictures of four quadrupedal forms, each with a noble bearing.
“The Unovan Swords of Justice. I think Bussian has another branch of their line, but they’re a lot less visible there.”The Kirlia stated, frowning as she glared in the general direction of the pictures, “But why would they have pictures of them?”
“If I had to guess? Either recruitment, or counter-development. If ‘Swords of Justice’ means what I think it means,” Kiri replied. “But we can find out later; there’s no one in these labs.” He stalked forward, stepping into the shadows to avoid a group of gunts emerging from one of the labs, pushing a cart of fossils and gemstones. Kiri fell in behind them, moving silently as they approached the sound of barked orders and heavy thumps.
The grunts shoved their way through a thick pair of security doors, emerging into a loading dock. A half-dozen roller doors were open, open to the backs of a number of moving trucks, grunts, drivers, and scientists scrambling to pack specimens, computers, and equipment. As Kiri watched, a group of scientists hastily shoved a large device into one of the trucks, grunts inside securing the device with straps. One of the scientists spat. “Oafs! You will destabilize the calibration! The generator cannot be damaged, you will set back our work by weeks–”
“If we don’t get this stuff loaded up and out, it’s all going to the League, Dr. White!” An Admin snapped as he grabbed the man by the shoulder. “Your equipment is loaded, now get to your transports; the Chancellor wants you all to fall back to the safehouses in Orsay and Dahara. We’ll find you and let you know where the new labs will be set up.”
“Amelie, can you surprise the scientist? We’ll need him alive. He’ll be the easiest to break.” Kiritsugu commanded as he began raising his weapon, mentally calculating if he could risk going nonlethal before deciding that, yes, he could, especially if he used reinforcement and Time Alter.
“Of course. On my way.” The Kirlia stated professionally, teleporting onto Dr. White’s shoulder.
As Amelie popped away, Kitritsugu muttered an incantation, “Time Alter; Double Accel.” He was upon them, his sidearm out as he kneecapped two of the grunts in quick succession, sending them to the floor as he dashed towards the Admin, firing two shots at each of his knees. The Admin collapsed, one of the balls at his belt opening to reveal an armored insect.
“Escavalier!” The bug screeched, lance whizzing by Kiritsugu as it lashed out, the assassin dodging as his time accel dropped off. Amelie popped back over his head, a blast of fire smashing into the armored plates and sending him sprawling, in time for Kiri’s fist to crunch into its faceplate and knock it out.
One of the female grunts gasped, covering her mouth with a blush. “Oh Arceus–”
“You and your damned bloodlust! Get him!” One of the other grunts barked, leveling his gun then going down on one knee. “Aim high, we can’t hit each other!” Around the room, the grunts shook off their shock and followed suit while the other scientists bolted for the exits, some tossing out Duosion, Sigilyph, and Magnemite to cover their escape. Those grunts without guns tossed out a variety of small Pokemon, which darted for the ex-assassin and his partner.
With a frown, Kiritsugu assessed the situation, before deeming it untenable, “Amelie, prepare a teleport for repositioning,” he broadcasted to his partner, “Time Alter, Triple Accel.” He muttered, snapping off a series of shots that sent four grunts to the floor, dead. The time to try and preserve lives was over; he couldn’t afford mercy anymore. Not for the first time, he cursed how powerless he was, and resolved to get better, stronger, faster, so he could at least attempt to live up to the ideals he had chosen to.
Amelie didn’t respond, merely grabbing her partner’s shoulder and dragging her to behind the makeshift firing line. Kiri’s eyes narrowed, and he cursed as several of the scientists made it through the doors, while the two loaded trucks slammed their gates shut and started up. Feigning panic; it wouldn’t do for Flare to figure out this was a major bust quite yet after all, Kiritsugu intentionally fired into the backs of the retiring scientists, also intentionally missing.
The momentarily confused grunts sighted in on Kiri again, forcing the hitman to dodge aside, switching back to firing at the grunts, ducking behind a stack of palleted cleaning supplies. “Amelie, how is Elle doing? Can she come to assist?”
“She has won. Contessa conceded and teleported away before Haboo could stop her, though Meowstic was able to track her teleport in the general direction of Lumiose City.” Amelie replied after a few moments of focusing, “Braixen is directing Elle towards us, she will be here shortly; Meowstic is teleporting her and the starters over.”
“Good–” Kiri winced as a bullet punctured one of the bottles of bleach near his position. “Because unless I want to get even more lethal, we could use some backup.”
As he spoke, one of the grunts yelled. “The Contessa has fled! We need to leave, now!”
“Fuck that, he killed Soren!” One of the grunts responded, even as a Growlithe rounded the corner and leapt for Kiri’s throat. Unfortunately for the Growlithe, he was small, and Kiritsugu was a professionally trained assassin, one that had invested in learning close combat techniques after being demolished by a certain priest. He was grabbed by his scruff and tossed back towards the Flare Grunts, just as a loud pop resounded from behind Kiritsugu, announcing the arrival of Elle.
“Flanked and outgunned; Kiri, you need to get used to having allies!” Elle shot at him as her team flowed out of her balls, blasting back the oncoming enemies. She gave a quick chop at the departing trucks. “Braviary, Whirlwind!”
The massive eagle swooped outside, gale-force winds toppling the trucks with a series of booms, while Frogadier darted over the heads of the grunts to barr their way to the doors, Chespin hopping off their back to growl menacingly at their side.
“Thank you for your timely arrival, Elle,” Kiritsugu stated blandly instead of giving the woman more ammunition to work with; he’d had a plan damnit, and that meant occupying the Flare Grunts until she had time to clean up with the Admin. “I see that Contessa refused to be taken captive; a pity. So much for honor.”
“She didn’t even finish the battle!” Elle groused, yanking her pistol from under her coat. “I was up two-five, and she fucking conceded and had her Mime teleport her free! Ugh!” She scowled. “I don’t even need a mega-band, so why she thought that was proper compensation-” She ducked under a blast of light, coming up and popping off some shots to keep heads down. “Ugh, self-righteous pricks.” Across the room, one of the grunts who’d rushed the door staggered back, falling to the ground as Chespin leapt up to head height and pounded his face in. At his side, Frogadier volleyed water pulses to blast back the retreating grunts.
“Not the time,,” Amelie deadpanned as she chucked one of the few still standing grunts into another one, sending both of them tumbling to the floor. “I understand that these poor grunts are jokes, but some of them could still have a surprise up their overly pompous sleeves.”
“Stop, or I’ll blow us all to the Distortion Realm!” One of the scientists yelled, holding up a datapad. “This base was rigged to explode to hide what was happening here. If I press the button–”
Kiri slowed time, then blinked and let it go, even as a lavender shape popped out of midair, flaming twig swinging in an arc, a hint of lavender fur giving hints to the identity of the individual who had intervened. The scientist screamed as Braixen lopped his arm off, catching the datapad as it fell. The shiny fox looked around the room, waggling her stick invitingly. “Braix.”
“...oh what the hell.” One of the other scientists raised his hands, pokeballs clacking to the ground. “I signed up to research Pokeballs. This is too much.” As the grunts and remaining scientists looked around, more and more weapons clattered to the floor, returning their Pokemon and kneeling.
Elle sighed. “Right. Braixen, if you can teleport, that means the dark emitters are off, right?” At the fox’s nod, she sighed. “I’ll call for a couple of interpol teams. Kiri, start triaging everyone you shot. They’re our responsibility now.”
“Of course.” Kiritsugu acknowledged with a tilt of his head; no sense in letting valuable prisoners and intelligence bleed out in front of him. Nevermind the lives he would be wasting simply by letting them die.
“You just don’t want to kill anyone else you don’t absolutely have to,” Amelie accused, catching onto his train of thought like the shark she was, “Why can’t you just admit that to yourself?”
“...I think you know why.” Kiri muttered, the near elation of victory dying with a quiet rush of old shame. Amelie’s admonishment snuffed at the same instant. If I’d tried to be a better person before, how many more could I have saved?
“Right.” Amelie agreed, only to perk up as dark blue shape bounded over to them. “Though this time, I think it was worth it.” Frogadier landed beside Kiri, watching with an odd expression before croaking quietly. “They’re thanking you for your help… and wondering why you’re bothering to keep them alive,” she relayed as Kiri crouched over one of the shot grunts, straps tightening into a tourniquet above a flowing bullet wound.
“Life is precious, far too precious to discard when it is within your ability to save.” Kiritsugu replied simply, cuffing the Flare Grunt he had just finished patching up, “That said, it is not as if they’ll be going free. Interpol will be taking them in.”
Frogadier nodded, then shifted positions to watch Kiri’s back, Chespin darting over to stand beside him. Kiri smiled as he saw the stoic amphibian place one hand atop the grass-type’s cap. Amelie was right; it was nice to see some good come from his actions.
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“...and it is aggressively unfortunate that many of the scientists managed to escape. Still, seven out of ten of those here have been captured, including the second of this ‘Contessa.’ We have also gained considerable intelligence as to where they are sourcing their Pokemon, and some ideas into their goals and methodologies,” Looker said as he read off the tablet in his hands. He looked up, smiling. “Very good work, Mr. Emiya. I am happy to see you working well with agent Emmanuelle.”
The woman in question dusted off her hands, walking over from where she’d been helping load the last of the captured grunts into an Interpol paddy wagon. “He’s a good partner. Maybe a little excessive for most criminal organizations. But, if Cipher ever comes back, he’d be… maybe my second pick? Kinda hard to beat that one time I got to work with Lance.”
“The Champion of Kanto and the Leader of the G-Men?” Kiritsugu asked, looking up from his tablet at least and cocking his head to the side, “Understandable why I would be second to such a man, though I am impressed I manage to place so high in your considerations, Elle.”
“Look, you’re worth about three advanced level Pokemon on your own, and there aren’t many other agents who know how to fight other than toss out their Pokemon. Cipher likes taking trainers hostage; that wouldn’t work at all with you on my side.” Elle responded. “Lance gets a pass because he has a ridiculous team, and he’s perfectionist enough and good enough with Aura to also be a skilled investigator, infiltrator, and martial artist. He’s also really, really busy, though.”
“Part-time agents are not as reliable as full-time,” Looker observed. “Still, the G-Men are useful in the greater Kanto area.” We waved one hand. “Ah, though I do not need to tell you that, Mr. Emiya. You are a professional.”
“It does make sense,” Kiritsugu nodded, making a mental note to look for more geopolitical texts and such. He clearly didn’t understand the world’s situation as much as he liked, and it never hurt to know more. Especially given how likely it was he would require further help to dismantle Flare. They really were far too well funded for a terrorist organization. Suspiciously so.
“I am glad you do.” He smiled and began patting his pockets. “Now, I normally give out something when a mission ends successfully. This counts, I think!”
Elle sighed. “Looker, we don’t need whatever spare resources or gifts you picked up along the way…” She deadpanned. “I still don’t know how to use that fishing rod you gave me after our first mission.”
“Bah, fishing is good relaxation. Fish, day, feed, all that too,” Looker commented, digging his arm up to his elbow into his jacket pocket. “Aha!” He pulled out a small electronic doodad. “Hmm. No, I don’t think you need a Pokeradar…”
“You know, maybe you should just get Kiri and I some of those experimental non-lethal ammunition.” Elle advised.
“That’s standard issue. Or rather, agent Nishikigi insists it should be. Agent Inou then points out that it’s still hilariously inaccurate and not everyone can literally dodge bullets to get close enough for them to be effective. I’ll have some sent over.” He put the radar pack in his pocket, this time pulling out a small plastic card. “...hmm. TM voucher, redeemable at any Silph Co. storefront or at Masked Royal dot com. Perfect!” He handed the card to Kiri. “Good for three unlimited TMs. I think that came from a contest I won while undercover.”
“Thank you, Looker,” Kiritsugu stated as he accepted the vouchers, stuffing them into his coat pocket faux-carelessly. He’d order them off the aforementioned website later, with Amelie’s input. His comrade deserved to be able to choose the moves she’d be gaining access to.
As he moved to walk away, he felt a little hand tug on his pant leg. “Pin? Che-pin?” He looked down to see the red grass-type looking up at him. Braixen and Frogadier trotted up behind their younger comrade, Braixen chugging a bottled mocha.
Amelie looked over at Looker from her spot on Kiri’s shoulder. “Umm. They’re asking to come with us. Why?”
Looker’s smile dropped. “Rare Pokemon are usually kept a close eye on. Starters even more so; they are matched with aspiring trainers or given to Professors and teachers to give to students. The breeders who supposedly provided these three to good homes likely sold them instead. Even a cursory look at the paperwork shows… indiscretions.”
“I see. Even here, in this place far more peaceful than my world, greed still allows for such tragedies,” Kiritsugu whispered, crouching down near the trio of Kalosian Starter Pokemon, “I would be honored to have you accompany me, Braixen, Frogadier, Chespin.” Frogadier smiled as Chespin cheered.
“Aww. It’s always great to see new team members join up,” Elle sighed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve recruited anyone. Speaking of which–”
“No, we still haven’t managed to get you an eight-Pokemon carry limit,” Looker said sorrowfully. “The League is not budging; you need to be an officer.”
“Bah. No thank you,” Elle muttered.
Kiritsugu stood up, looking over at the gathered investigators. “Right. Where do you need us?”
“In bed.” Elle said, snagging his shoulder. “We were the point men, our job is done. Looker, could we see your unedited report when you put it together tomorrow?”
“That I can do. Go get some rest.” The chief shot the two of them a thumbs up. “Please continue the good work!”
Kiri paused, almost yanking himself free, before Amelie touched his cheek. He nodded. “Alright, back to base, then.” He looked down at his three new teammates. “So… do they already have Pokeballs?”
As he worked out the new living situation with his team, Kiri couldn’t help but smile at Chespin’s antics. Reminds me of Illya. I should give her a call…
I’ll do that in the morning. For now, it’s time to rest.
