Chapter Text
It was 3:35 PM at the W.J.O. headquarters.
Shinjitsu and Michael were escorted to where the main workroom was at. It only took a couple of stairs to get there, but eventually, they arrived at a room simply titled, ''Work Facility''. A bold male human with tattoos on his face and arms, along with a hoodie and white sneakers, grinned.
''Have fun inside, ladies,'' he said, opening the door. Immediately, they were met with a scream of pain. Everyone was worried about a poor old male human journalist. The cramps he suffered in his back and sides were unbearable. Some of the people who worked there tried to help him up, only to be shouted at by the tall humans and bulls in trench coats and sunglasses to get back. Sometimes, they were even pushed back. So roughly, in fact, that one of them fell on the ground.
''And what the hell is your malfunction, numbnu*ts?'' The tall bull lieutenant said.
''Mr. River, sir, I can't anymore, I'm sorry!'' he said, wheezing in pain. ''I've done what Mason told me to do, and it's too much work for me. I can't do it.'' The bull breathed through his nose. It was clear from Shinjitsu's perspective that the poor man's complaint got on his last nerves.
''I'm not counting to one, and I'm not gonna count to three. You will shut the f*ck up, and get to work before I sing you a lullaby!'' The old man sobbed in pain.
''Please! I can't do it anymore! The amount of pressure is too much for me! Please, take me to a hospital instead!''
''That's it. Open that door!'' John River ordered. After the two unlocked the door to their left, River grabbed the old man by his shirt and roughly dragged him to that room. Soon after the door was closed, everyone heard sounds of beating and grunts of pain. They froze and looked away, not wanting to bear the sound. The sounds, however, made Shinjitsu's blood boil. His fur flickered as he clenched his fist. These bastards were going to pay for what they did to that poor man one way or another.
It took only a few merciful seconds for the beating to stop. The door opened to reveal spots of blood from John River and a few of his men's blood.
''Now, we made it very clear that when Mason expects you to work ASAP, he means ASAP! Alas, that old geezer didn't see it that way. So, let this be a warning to you all.'' One rat journalist tried to make a run for it, which prompted the lieutenants to draw out their firearms. ''Stop!'' That was the last word he heard before he was shot several times in the back right in front of Shinjitsu and Michael. The rat fell to the ground. He reached out his hands to the horrified squirrel and husky before he fell to the ground, never to move again. Everyone gasped, and some hyperventilated.
''Oh, sh*t...'' a young human said.
''Shut up!'' John River barked. ''You guys are lucky our organization still has a very good reputation, or else we might treat you guys a lot less generously. Call the clean-up team.'' The lieutenants nodded and called on their walkie-talkie while John River glared at Shinjitsu and Michael. ''What are you puss*es looking at? Get to work!''
''H-hai!'' Shinjitsu said as the two stepped over the dead rat's body and went inside quickly, not wanting to meet the same fate as the two unfortunate souls. The squirrel was shaking, not just from fear, but also from anger. If he could punch these f*cking psychopaths in the face and make them feel the same pain they inflicted on that poor old man, he would. But, he still had to stay in character.
''I told you Mason doesn't mess around,'' Michael whispered. Shinjitsu nodded, still trying to calm himself down.
''I know...'' he said in a disdainful tone. Michael gulped before he saw two empty seats.
''Come on, Mr. Narai, let's go to work,'' he said, patting the squirrel on the shoulder. The two sat down as Shinjitsu breathed deeply. It took him a couple of minutes to calm down as he typed on an outdated Windows computer with the husky.
For someone who bragged about how innovative his organization was, Mason sure didn't feel the need to update the computers. But, at least the internet was still functional and fast. For now, the squirrel would have to put those deplorable murders out of his mind and focus on the task at hand. Though, he was confident that he'd find a way to save Michael. Eventually.
The country of Hyenastan had the atmosphere of a wild jungle, with palm trees and monkey Pokemon everywhere. Lucario remembered this place. Some years ago, Sir Aaron and the Queen went there to discuss some trade agreements with the president.
He remembered when the president had been dealing with some rebels who wanted to overthrow him and take over. When he asked Lucario, Sir Aaron, and the queen for their help, they obliged. With their forces along with their Hyenastan allies, they stopped rebel forces from invading the palace. Although Lucario didn't want to get involved, he had to do him a favor and save him if he were to get a trade agreement.
Now he was in Hyenastan again. Only this time, it wouldn't be the president he was going to save, but rather the entire country. Lucario owed them his gratitude, especially after their help when saving his own country, Carmeonia. Lucario pressed the button on his right earpiece.
''Alright men. Operation Greenlight is in effect. Agent Vulpes, you got the pigeon?''
''Sure did, boss. Got the pigeons working and ready to fly, over.''
''Agent Aidoleos?''
''Agent Aidioleo here. I'm in position, over.''
''Excellent. Let's go!'' Lucario ran to the building, hiding behind the interior. The other agents were capable of handling this on their own. They knew that their leader knew what he was doing and so they trusted him. It was important for them to rely on each other if they were going to complete their mission.
Lucario snuck into the base, watching for any soldiers patrolling. So far, nobody was there. That was strange. But Lucario recognized that some kind of trap was in place. Lucario knew that sometimes a mission that looked simple was too simple for their own good. He pressed the button on his earpiece.
''Agents, there are no soldiers in the base, but I fear that there may be a trap in place. Keep your guard up.''
''Roger that, boss. Agent Aidioleo out.'' He went into the base, still looking for any signs of soldiers. He even looked for security cameras, yet, they too were not in place either. So far, there were no cameras, no soldiers on the base, and no traps. Except that Lucario noticed a small detonator on the floor. And it was blinking red. This could only mean one thing... It was a trap.
Lucario ran outside as best he could. As soon as he got out, a big explosion was heard inside the base. Luckily, he ran fast enough to avoid the impact of the explosion. After he stopped, he panted and his heart pounded.
''Agents, it's a trap! We have to get out of here!''
''Aw sh*t!'' John Sneakie said. ''Uh, I mean, roger that, boss!''
''Uh, boss, I think we're surrounded,'' said Nezumi.
''What do you mean?'' Lucario asked. His answer was the sound of rapid gunfire. He gasped as he realized that his agents were in danger.
''Looks like we might need some help, boss,'' said John as Lucario heard punches and kick sounds. He nodded.
''Got it. On my way.'' Lucario ran as fast as he could, flying straight as fast as he could. The other agents were holding off against Toshineko Army soldiers.
''Damn, these guys are tough,'' John panted.
''Look out!'' Nezumi said, tackling John out of the way as the soldier fired a shotgun. Peludo and Bella jumped and sliced him down.
They managed to hold their ground, but with so many more still coming, even they were at their limit. They needed their boss.
''sh*t!'' John panted. ''They're still comin'? Goddamn...'' They all aimed their guns at the agents. Just as they believed their lives were over, a shadow figure came from the window, knocking out several soldiers. The rest of them, shocked by the sudden appearance, opened fire on it, but even bullets were no match for its speed. They were knocked out one by one. When it all stopped, John widened his smile when he realized that it was Lucario.
''Boss! You came!''
''Oh, thank God...'' Nezumi said, breathing a sigh of relief.
''Have any of you found any documents?''
''I'm afraid not,señor,'' Peludo said, shaking his head. ''You were right. Thisisa trap.'' Lucario clenched his paws and he nodded.
''Then we better get out of here and fast. Follow me!'' The agents nodded and they all escaped with him.
Mason Smith was already in a bad mood as he wrote down his paper. His good day was particularly ruined by a bold and insolent squirrel who dared to question him. Who did that little sh*t think he was? He already had to deal with disrespectful children in his organization, and he certainly did not want to remind someone like him to know their place. Maybe hiring him had been a mistake. Perhaps he should set up extra surveillance on that squirrel.
Yes. That should do the trick. That way, he wouldn't even dare to oppose him. It worked when he had to keep his lieutenants in check. Soon, he would receive a huge profit, and nobody would stop him. And why would they? It baffled him why anybody would disagree with him, but, then again, young people were always like that. But, they'll learn. Once Mason gave them a good old-fashioned lecture in that education chamber of his, they'll learn their place.
