Heroto Town Hall, 0845 hours: Zach and Han are waiting outside of the mayor’s office, standing guard, as Azumarill, Luther Lucario, and Shirley Lilligant are inside discussing the situation. The two riolus aren’t the only ones there, however; many more soldiers are positioned in and around the government building.
“So,” Han begins. “What were you and that brionne discussing?”
Zach turns to him. “Huh…? What are you talking about?”
“Come on, you didn’t think I’d know about your little date with her? What did you two talk about?”
“I told you, Betty and I are not dating… She’s just a friend. Also, we were just catching up on things. You know; what’s been going on since we last spoke… That was it.”
“So, you don’t have feelings for her?”
“Not the kind of feelings you think… To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll be able to feel that kind of sensation ever again…”
“All because of that celebi you used to love?”
“Which one?”
“There were two?!” Zach nods. “Damn, what happened? You being a ladies’ man or something?”
“Cindy was a crush; we never dated. However, her twin sister, Elle, and I used to be together… Things changed… I’d rather not talk about it… Brings up so many bad memories…”
“I hear you; women can be difficult. You find a new one after?”
“It’s… complicated… I’m still looking for a pokemon I can be with and feel ‘whole,’ but it’s not simple…”
“Nothing ever is.” Han looks forward. “Heads up, we’ve got company.” Zach looks to see another pokemon coming. Both watch as the creature comes into view. “Wait, isn’t that your dragonite friend?” Zach smiles and replies with “Yep.”
Diego stops short before the two riolus. “Well, good morning. I take it Mayor Azumarill’s busy?”
“Yes,” Han tells him. “She’s in there with the CO and regional council leader. Could you come back at a later time?”
“I suppose… Just need to deliver something for the mayor.”
“May we see?”
“Um, sure.” Diego hands him a package and a few letters for the riolu to inspect.
After careful examination, even with a strange crystal gadget, the riolu hands it back to him. “All right, all good.”
“Sorry, Diego,” says Zach. “It’s standard protocol.”
“No, I understand,” says the dragonite. “You’re doing your jobs; ensuring the safety of all pokemon. Can never be too careful, am I right?” A sudden explosion rocks the building, causing the three pokemon to vibrate. “What was that?!”
“That came from the office!” Zach readies his weapon with Han before they burst through the door behind them. They enter the half-blown room, which exposes a giant hole in the side of town hall.
Diego follows up from behind. “Oh Arceus…!”
Zach takes notice of the mayor, councilwoman, and lieutenant rising up from the floor and rushes to them. Diego comes to their aide as well. “What happened?! Are you three okay?!”
“Never better,” responds Luther.
“That was loud,” adds Mary.
“What happened in here?!” asks Diego.
“Heads up!” shouts Han, rushing to dodge an energy strike, which explodes nearby.
“We’re under fire!” Zach yells. “Take cover!” He raises his weapon to the point of origin, along with Han, aiming at what looks like darkened figures, who continue to fire at the pokemon. The two riolus retaliate, providing cover fire as Luther and Diego throw the mayor’s desk over and get behind it, with Mary and Shirley, for cover. Both riolus cease when the figures vanish and the attacks have stopped. Yet, they keep their weapons aimed and remain on alert.
Han leans to his shoulder, where a small device is planted. “This is Private Han Riolu in the mayor’s office of town hall. Under heavy fire from unidentified targets to the west. Any available units in the area are to be alert and aware. Also, requesting reinforcements for-” He shouts in agony, dropping his weapon as a pulse of energy pierces through his body.
Zach turns to his partner as he watches him collapse. “Han!” Another sphere strikes near the riolu’s feet, knocking him off balance and causing him to drop his gun. “Ah!” The attacks resume again, causing Zach to grab Han crawl out of the way. He drags Han behind the desk with the other pokemon. Diego comes over and tends to the downed riolu’s wounds, applying pressure on the open hole in his torso. He takes out a large bandage from his satchel and wraps it around Han’s wound. Zach leans against the wooden surface before pulling out his sidearm. He turns the corner and opens fire. Another beam of light hurls his way. Zach quickly moves to cover, but gets grazed in the shoulder. “Ah! Shit!”
Diego looks up at him. “Zach!”
“I’m okay! Just get everyone out of here! I’ll cover you!” Diego nods. He watches as Zach turns the corner again and shoots, giving Diego enough time to carry Han away and allow the others to leave.
Zach is last to leave the room, still aiming toward the outside before shutting the door. He then turns to the group. “Is everyone all right?!” The group, aside from Han, all give him a positive status. The rest of Zach’s squad appears on scene. Luther Lucario gives them the status of the situation. Zach wanders over to examine Han, after Diego lies him on the floor. “How’s he looking?”
“Pretty badly,” says Diego, doing all he can to stabilize the uncomfortable riolu. “We need to get over to the clinic.”
“Out there?!” Shirley exclaims. “Where those attackers are?!”
“You have nothing to worry about, Councilwoman,” says Luther. “You’re safe with us. Just be ready to move when we tell you to.” He turns to Zach and his squad. “Precious cargo, you hear?” The soldiers respond with “Yes, Sir!” “Excellent! I need you to provide support and cover. Oscar Mike!”
Zach and his fellow peers draw weapons and swarm by the exit of the building. They open the door and scan their surroundings for a few seconds. All is quiet and calm. The group moves out and take up defensive positions behind various cover around the outside. With the “all clear” signal, the four pokemon amble out into the open. As they are hallway toward the armed pokemon, Diego collapses and throws Han a few feet ahead, having been hit in the back with a beam of energy. Zach turns around. “Diego!” He takes aim and fires into the direction of the attack, prompting his squad mates to do the same. He rushes over to check on the downed dragonite, who gets to his paws and feet. “Diego, are you all right?!”
“Don’t worry about me!” Diego quickly gets up heads to Han with Zach, but both he and the riolu are stopped when more beams and spheres of energy explode in front of them. The turtwig grabs Han with his vines and pulls him out of harm’s way into cover. Zach and the other soldiers provide fire cover to give the dragonite and other pokemon time to make it toward them. Diego struggles at first, but is aided by Luther, who semi-carries him behind the boxes.
“You all right, Dragonite?” asks Luther.
“It’s nothing,” Diego responds. “I’ve handled worse.”
“Need some help?”
“No, I’m good! I can walk.”
Zach makes it over to his fallen comrade. “Han, you good?!”
Han looks up at him and grunts. “It’s a shame… Didn’t get to ask… that brionne out…”
“Oh, you will! Just hang in there!” Zach swings Han’s arm around the back of his neck and picks him up. Just as the attacks intensify, reinforcements appear, relieving the pokemon of the pressure from the attackers. A few soldiers sprint into the direction of where the attacks had originated, while the others gather themselves to continue with their mission. “Damn, you guys got here just in time!”
“Lock down the area and secure the perimeter!” shouts Luther.
“We have to get to the clinic!” spurts Zach to his squad. “No time to lose!”
