A Change of Management

Zandrophin could sense Nicole's disorientation...which was to be expected for a first time trip. He tried to use Calm Mind to ease the mental confusion, but he was unsure if it was helping. He thought for a moment about her suggestion.

"If you can handle yourself coming in through the entrance, then I see no problem with splitting up. I get in amongst them...make a racket, and you come in and suggest the alternative of turning the place over to us."

He pointed down the street towards a small general store. Mentally, he spoke to her,

"Behind that building...on the southwest corner...there's a small hatch. It leads to a stairway. Take the path to the left, and you'll bypass their patrols. You should be able to enter the main amphitheater, where I will be, without any trouble. Be aware...I've dealt with this rabble for too long...and they've crossed me too many times before."

At that moment, Ruta hunched over and pointed at the ground in front of her, just a few yards from the road.

"Ah...there it is. Unless you have any questions..."

He paused to open Squirt's Dive ball, then applied his stone to MegaEvolve him.

"We'll see you down there."

Ruta began to dig very carefully, starting out slow, but would increase in speed to get the full shock value of entry later.

Zandrophin watched Nicole as she headed for the indicated building. Ruta began to increase her rhythm as she cut through the dirt and rocks in her way. Zandrophin jumped down after her, but not after both he and Mentus flinched from a disturbance they felt.

Force Palm...must've been a guard there.

Zandrophin grinned. Indeed this partnership was working out already. The girl wasn't afraid to bust some heads to achieve an objective...and that was an admirable quality.

When Squirt and Zandrophin had entered the hole, Ruta filled up the entryway to cover their tracks. She continued to dig. In a few minutes, they broke through.

Zandrophin glanced down and saw many figures moving around.

Just like insects...Thank you, Ruta. You and Squirt will be needed again soon.

Zandrophin saw a rooftop of a building which provided a great vantage point to watch the entrance where Nicole would eventually emerge from. With Mentus' assistance, after storing away Squirt and Ruta, he swung down from the ledge of the hole he'd created and landed soundlessly on the roof to wait for Nicole to arrive.

When Zandrophin saw Nicole, he sent her a message:

You've seen me perform before....here's another show.

Without another word, he somersaulted off of the roof, released Ruta and Squirt, mid-descent, and landed crouched on the ground. Five of the thugs were quite angry at the intrusion and rushed towards them. They were less than effective.

Using Metal Claw, Ruta pinned two of the men against the wall, impacting with such force that both were knocked completely senseless. Squirt's reaction was a bit more old-school: he simply took one in each hand and bumped their heads together.

Zandrophin had to face the last one...who was a bit bigger than the others, and held a pipe in his hands. Zandrophin faced him, and in an instant, had drawn his knife. Very calmly, he said,

"Please...stand down...I do not wish to hurt you."

The thug gave a yell as his reply and rushed him. Zandrophin couldn't help the small smile that crossed his face. As the thug got closer, Zandrophin dropped his weight and hooked the assailant's leg as he ran past, bringing him crashing to the ground. With a twirl, he placed the knife on his neck while Squirt pointed one of his arm cannons at him. Zandrophin asked, rather loudly so all could hear:

"Now...tell me....where is your boss?"

From the crowd, a voice said in reply,

"Who wants to know?"

Zandrophin replied,

"The new boss of this place."

Laughter erupted as a man with greased hair stepped forward. He stood about 60 feet from Zandrophin, his posse forming a ring around the two men.

"I know you," he said, "you're that punk whose been bringing in all that mainland stuff. So, what? You thought you could just come down here and appropriate my turf?"

"My, my...such big words from such a dim man..."

The leader laughed again,

"Man, what are you thinking? You're not in your town anymore...there's no-one here from the SCPC to back you up..."

Zandrophin raised an eyebrow.

"That's right...I know about that jewelry you're wearing...youse guys are supposed to be tough...some say even crazy. From what I've seen, you don't even have the spine to injure anyone. You're more like a worm than a wolf."

"Well...this worm is going to take your property from you."

More laughter.

"Over...my....dead....body."

"That can be arranged."

Before anyone could react, Zandrophin and Mentus channeled their energy towards the upstart and broke his neck, his head almost turning a full 180 degrees. Everyone stood in shocked silence at what they'd just seen.

"I'm in charge now. My partner will now discuss the terms of this....change of management."

He gestured to Nicole,

"If you would, my dear."

Zandrophin had had just about enough of the upstart who decided to voice his opinions. He passed his hand over the Dusk ball, and Dolos appeared. Quickly applying the megastone, a pair of wing-like attachments appeared on his back. He spoke very calmly towards the man.

"Sir...please stay your tongue. My associate is here to assist me, as I am to assist her. She stays. You're beginning to irritate the both of us. Try to remain quiet."

Though he didn't show it outwardly, Zandrophin was beginning to lose control. He despised dealing with ignorant people...and rudeness, particularly towards his newest ally, was not something he tolerated well.

"Miss Nicole, I can feel myself slipping...if he continues to push, it may not end well."

Unfortunately, the man did not listen to his warning.

"Like 'ell I'll shut up! You can't control all of us!"

Zandrophin replied calmly, though the strain was now in his voice.

"I need not control all of you...just most of you. Now, KNEEL!!"

With this word, Zandrophin and Mentus created a Calm Mind bubble around a large group of the men and used Psychic to enforce the command on the more feeble-minded. He looked at Nicole again,

"I don't like doing this...we can sense that many of them are already willing to follow us...but I must make an example."

The upstart, surprisingly, managed to withstand the mental attack, and pulled himself back up, albeit with much difficulty.

"Heh....y--y'can't keep me down. I ain't--surrenderin' to the likes'a you!"

Zandrophin's tone began to darken as he replied.

"Very well...if you will not kneel willingly...your body will MAKE you kneel. Dolos! Caede!"

An ominous sound could be heard as Dolos began to stir up a wind. The attack came soon after. The impudent man was given minor lacerations all across his body, with extra focus around the ankles, knees, shoulders, and wrists. The loss of these joints rendered him nigh immobile. The man crumpled to the ground and cried out in anguish and anger,

"You bastard! Curse you! Curse your friend! May Arceus damn your bitch of a mother!!"

At that moment, Zandrophin snapped. He walked over to the man, stood over him, and outstretched a hand over him. His voice was now terribly distorted, a mix between a darker version of his own and Mentus'. A small echo could even be heard.

"Don't you dare speak a cross word about our mother, you filth! She taught us to be understanding to fools like you...but by tarnishing her honor, you have sealed your fate. Now KNEEL!!"

Zandrophin's hand gathered a purple aura around it, as did the unfortunate man. Slowly but surely, he was forced down into the ground. A wicked grin crossed Zandrophin's face. This man had pushed too far...and deserved all he would receive.

"There, now....isn't that better....worm!? We tire of your impudence. Begone."

With one quick, dismissive hand motion, Zandrophin launched the man across the amphitheater, a distinct "crunch" accompanying the impact on the wall. Zandrophin held his hand outstretched for a few moments, keeping constant pressure on the man, before lowering his hand and exhaling.

He began to teeter, and then fell. Squirt and Dolos caught him before he fell to far. Placing him on the ground, the two Pokemon took up positions to defend their severely weakened master. Mentus had just enough strength left to float over to Dolos to rest on his back. As if sensing trouble, Rose's Field ball opened and the Roserade set about healing them.