Attack Group  

Bang! Bang!

The noise was coming from a place resembling a park in the corner of a residential area. Upon arriving, I froze in place for a moment.

"Ew, disgusting!"

"Go right! Shoot it quickly!"

"Creepy."

Nearby, a distinctive trio was battling. All of them wore sunglasses. They moved around, facing off against an elongated bug. The bug was already quite battered. Its flesh was gouged out in places, spraying peculiar colored bodily fluids around.

They aimed something at the creature that I had trouble comprehending. It was a tube-like object, bent at almost a right angle around where the hand part was. As they pushed a small trigger at their fingertips, the entire tube would glow and make a driving noise I'd never heard before.

The tip had protruding corners with holes opened up. It vaguely resembled a cross shape. That mouth was fixed upon the bug.

Meanwhile, a louder engine sound echoed from elsewhere. Looking over, a strange circular black bike was running around playground equipment. The rider was quite a young man. Certainly at least one cycle younger than I, probably more so. Strangely delighted, he aimed a tool similar to what the sunglasses group had, moving it around in various directions as he traveled.

Acceptance is important. I must not stop thinking.

Even telling myself that, I was still perplexed trying to comprehend it all. I really did come to a different world. There is not a single familiar sight.

Among them, some even wore those strange black clothes sloppily. Based solely on appearance, that was the oddest thing of all. The dark-skinned, near bald man swung the parts he had taken off around, dodging worms leaping at him. All while cutting down each one decisively with the black sword he gripped, exposing his upper body the whole time.

"Hey now..."

The man called George earlier walked over, looking intrigued. The tool he held was quite large. Its handle was sandwiched between two cylinders, with several pipes extending from the back.

After making a gesture of shooting something unnoticed into a target, he approached me.

"Sis there gonna die. Squished by aliens ya hear"

An earsplitting boom immediately thundered.

The swarm of bugs charging him were utterly crushed. A distinct circular depression was made in the ground. Something invisible, something extremely heavy, seemed to have plummeted down.

When I realized that tool causing it was now aimed at Lucario, I felt the blood drain from my entire body.

"W-wait!" Anzu hastily came forward. George lowered the black device he held.

"Huh?"

"I think, maybe misunderstanding something... These guys are different."

"Whatchu say?"

"This lady here, she owns them! They pets!"

"Oh yeah?" George's face took on an intrigued expression. After examining both Lucario and Garchomp, he reached a hand out.

"Shake."

Though prompted, Lucario just folded his arms silently. Narrowing his eyes, he glared at the man as if asking what are you doing. Garchomp also looked askance, glowering at the man.

"Not very cute pets, eh?"

I still didn't quite grasp the term's full meaning being repeatedly used. But I got an unpleasant impression from it. I tried correcting that these children are my family.

However, my half-open mouth stopped mid-sentence. Because all the others not still fighting had gradually gathered around.

"George, what's with the dawdling?"

A man with a buzz cut carrying the same dual-cylinder weapon stood there. Two women accompanied him as well. Both had long hair. Their gazes towards my group were less than favorable.

"Just hurry and kill em."

"She says they are pets."

"Huh?"

"This lady, she owns them."

Upon looking my way, the buzz cut man heaved an exaggerated sigh. He seemed quite exasperated.

"Ridiculous. She's been acting weird ever since getting transferred here. Don't take her seriously."

A man with straight, long hair extended a cross-shaped tool.

"Yeah, something's off. Why're dogs walking on two feet? Gotta be aliens. First come, first serve, yeah?"

"Listen to me!"

I was breaking into a cold sweat. It was clear the situation was going in an unfavorable direction. If I stayed silent here, we would undoubtedly end up as adversaries. Despite still lacking a full grasp of the circumstances, being forced into that choice was what I wanted to avoid.

I matched my gaze with the skeptical looking buzz cut man.

"I'll prove it, so watch."

"Hah?"

"These children are your allies. I'll demonstrate that right now. Leave the rest here to us."

Luckily, none outright tried discarding my proposal. Everyone seemed interested in what I planned to do next.

I felt uncomfortable with that audience-like attitude of theirs. Honestly, it seemed they were more eager to enjoy this than anything. Weren't they fighting desperately with their lives on the line just earlier? They even made threatening remarks towards Lucario and the others. Yet they easily switched mental gears to spectating.

After telling myself to calm down, I stepped forward.

Sensing it, one of the worms charged over with considerable speed. It had a plump green body resembling a caterpillar. Its entire form was a deep green, dripping fluid from a round mouth packed full of fangs. Making an effort not to cower from it, I prepared to vocalize.

Somehow I felt it best not to touch it directly. I should follow such premonitions. More often than not, that's what saved me up till now.

"Lucario, Aura Sphere if you would."

The battling Pokemon raised the pads on his palms, which contained blue and black coloration. Abruptly, a pale blue sphere of light took shape from that space. Expanding until over two heads large, it was promptly unleashed.

Traveling an almost flawless trajectory and speed, it struck the green worm directly. A massive hole instantly opened in its body. Blue liquid presumed to be blood sprayed the area.

"Woah!"

"The hell that?"

"Th-that Dragon Ball! Dog just shot a Kamehameha..."

Of course, I remained vigilant. Lucario comprehended my orders precisely. While the opponent still retained vigor to move, he drove additional strikes into it.

It seemed a rather vital worm. Even losing sections of its body, it could still nimbly writhe around. This time it tried escaping the orbs' route by crawling sideways.

But that was a meaningless action. The Aura Sphere curved sharply, once more detonating as it hit the worm thinking itself safe. With that decisive, lethal damage, the foe quickly went still.

This move never misses. It will definitely strike. There is no evading it.

Though I likely provided ample proof already, better safe than sorry. Only Lucario had acted so far. They may call that out. To me, these unfathomable enemies and the black-suited men fell under the same label. Existences possibly jeopardizing us.

"Get back you two!"

I shouted at the still battling half-naked man and bike-riding boy. Though initially ignoring me, perhaps sensing something from Garchomp striding forward, they promptly distanced themselves sideways.

Just a few left. Worms of various sizes and colors were clumped together to a decent extent. If we dallied, they would likely charge this way soon. It has trouble unleashing power at close range.

I grew slightly anxious. I didn't intend on holding back, but was it really alright destroying this place? Still, I shook off hesitating. However the situation developed, continuing to choose without faltering was paramount.

I issued sharp orders to the Pokemon I had longest ties with.

"Garchomp, Rock Smash!"

It was as if she were praying. Garchomp pressed her palms together, concentrating her strength. Crimson light then burst out from within her body. Expanding more and more, an upward heaving motion launched it skyward.

The orb expanded further. Its composite elements then transformed. Gradual materialization birthed rocks, soon entirely cloaking the large light.

The formed boulder divided into several fragments, nearly simultaneously raining down. It was a downpour of violence. Whatever stood beneath it would undoubtedly be crushed to dust.

For a while, soil and sand continued rising up. While keeping my senses taut in case anything leapt out from that cloud, I waited alongside Lucario for it to clear.

By now, the park had been reduced to ruins. Almost no worms survived.

One body somehow retaining its form greatly worked its mouth. A human got spit out from inside. An ordinary businessman not wearing black clothes. His face seemed vaguely familiar to me. One of the first besides myself caught up in this situation.

I already knew what needed doing. The man bled profusely. Unless treated promptly, it would be too late.

"Are you alright!"

I ran over. My outrage towards the idly standing men grew as well. Despite someone clearly injured, they showed no signs of even trying to help. Whatever the circumstances, I felt unable to become deeply involved with them. I sensed a fundamental mismatch with me.

Trembling, the man crawled closer. Blood flowing from his head, he seemed to struggle vocalizing something. I hurried to rescue him somehow, passing by the expired worm.

The greatly wounded man seemed about to scream. But ultimately, I couldn't grasp what he wanted to say. Rather than words, his throat got visibly torn open. Bright red worms launched from it towards me.

This time I definitely flinched. Probably from having my guard down. I was thoroughly convinced they had all been annihilated.

My long blond hair danced sharply upwards. I had been blasted by intense winds.

I softly exhaled in relief. Garchomp carrying me had perfectly landed. We already stood outside the park premises.

Mach Pokemon.

Delighted at moving suiting her moniker, she threw a smug grin my way. With my heart still throbbing loudly, realizing I was saved by family finally drove home the sensation, nearly moving me to tears. Along with anger at my own pathetic state.

"Sorry. And thank you, Garchomp."

Boom!

An explosion sounded.

I was wrapped in warmth. Detecting a strange smell, recollection came to me. It was when I was small. Garchomp was still an unevolved Gible then. We were stranded, barely surviving some ordeal.

I had shared nuts with Gible. Even evolved into Garchomp now, she still cherished that memory fondly. Periodically, the two of us would split those same nuts, slowly nibbling away together.

"Garchomp?"

My field of view before me was unobstructed. Since I was certainly embraced, my vision should have been blocked by her face.

Deeply inhaling, I still sank down right there. Red worms oozed from Garchomp's body. Their forms were mostly deficient as well. Were they satisfied at detonating themselves? 

The entire group quickly perished.

Calm down. I told myself.

What do you do at times like this again?

My still unwilling head decided the next course of action. I took out a Poke Ball from my pocket. While aiming its opened mouth at Garchomp, I manipulated it.

I should bring her immediately. I had faith in my own judgment. No longer normal mental state made me recall Pokemon Centers. Surely they would heal her. Nothing happened.

No matter how I moved the ball, her body wouldn't get sucked back inside. Already losing about two thirds, Garchomp's corpse silently rolled over. An appalling amount of blood drenched my knees.

A shriek rose up. Anzu, the junior I had just met, didn't actually watch Garchomp. Her eyes swiftly hollowed out. Losing the ability to reflect anything.

"Oh, so she was an alien after all huh."

Lucario who was crushing her chest let saliva drip from the corner of his mouth. Then crying out, the reliable Pokemon I could count on to manipulate Aura began moving. It was a sound I had never heard from him before. Clearly an aberrant howl, he dashed out.

I wanted him to stop. Seeing him weep so painfully made me sorrowful as well. The sensation of something hot welled up in my chest.

"Lucario!"

"Uuuuuuh, uhhhhh..."

"Lucario, hang in there! Please, return to sanity..."

Unable to endure it, I tried hugging him. I wanted to directly touch that skin and share my strength. At least I thought only about that. His head fell off. The men sounded frustrated.

"Damn, the good part got snatched away by Oka there."

Aiming the cross-shaped tool at Lucario's severed head, it got used. Meaty blasting sounds occurred.

I stared below, vomiting. Tears flowed out together with it. At the same time, all sensation in my body seemed to melt as I sunk into the ground.

"Doesn't match the image at all. Lame."

I slightly lifted my eyes to check. Making crackling noises, a man appeared. Sharp eyes in a slender face. Leaving his quirky hair as is, suntanned skin didn't lessen the sharpness of his gaze whatsoever. After putting away the blood-drenched black sword, he glanced my way a single time. Then turning on his heel, he walked down the street.

Until the man called Oka disappeared from view, I couldn't lift my face. My field of vision was distorted. My whole body felt like it was being crushed.

Letting my mind wander, I was unsurprised by the abnormalities happening to myself. Both feet had already vanished. That erosion steadily consumed upwards, eventually transitioning my view.

Leaning against a wall, I buried my face into my knees. The toneless voice from earlier echoed around. It seemed to contain various contents, but none of it entered my head.

"Yo Gantz, what's with that thing?"

While other men teased the black spherical object Oka kicked, it felt like a distant world to me. Someone said the word bonus. I didn't even try comprehending its meaning.

The situation progressed further. Apparently something called Special Time started. I covered my ears. I strongly pushed both hands against the sides of my face. Yet the grating voice still invaded through. I couldn't completely block it out.

"Sis, nice job. You Got 30 points."

Only those wearing black suits had survived. The room's space now expanded considerably compared to before.

Looks like it finished. The men walked one after another towards the door. George tried talking to me halfway but stopped. Looking bored at me, he chatted with the buzz cut man while exiting.

The last one remaining was the young man who rode the bike. After watching me fixedly for seconds, he began moving his feet.

"Huh? The hell?" One sunglasses man returned, seemingly irritated.

The young man questioned in puzzlement. "What happened?"

"The door won't open. We are still trapped here."

Bzzz…

Cheery music sounded.

I didn't even have the composure to shriek. Just staring hard at the floor, I awaited this dream's end. Hoped to hear Sunyshore's beach waves.

Every black suit individual returned. Most apparently also lacked comprehension of the circumstances.

"Bullshit. Seriously, double feature?"

"Has this happened before?"

"Nah. Yo Oka, they do crap like this?"

When asked, the quirky haired man shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno."

Once more, the sphere's voice flowed out.

I fled even further from my sense of hearing. I wouldn't cower pitifully like those now deceased people from earlier. But perhaps I wanted avoidance even more than them. I seemed to reject all sensation whatsoever.

The voice passed through my ears, leaving nothing behind, or so it should have.

[Now go harass,

this person.

Pokemon]

My world crumbled into pieces. Extreme headache barely kept me clinging to sanity.

"Yo, 5 marks this time? ...Hm?"

I lifted my face and looked ahead.