"If you promise to linger where we can question you later, let's call a truce. I'm also interested in what this mayor is hiding. And I'm getting very tired of not knowing a thing about the town we'd appeared in."
Sonora nodded gratefully to Mhynt. "If I even make it outta here, I'd love to, darlin'."
"Yes, about those bounties... Did you think nobody would've noticed? How, even by the very laws you claim to abide by, the crime, bounty and punishment did not align? Or, how strange it was that despite having hired guards and watchmon, you felt it necessary to seek us out to repel and capture Sonora here? And lest we forget the eagerness you held to see her dead. So, will you speak? Or would you prefer to have your actions and whatever you were hiding in those hidden halls condemn you further?"
Ignatius scoffed. "Is this your idea of professionalism, Ms Bellatrix? I don't recall you having so many scruples when you agreed to work for me." He shook his head scornfully. "No, I have every confidence that these accusations will wash out in the due course of time, and I will simply have to find more reliable personnel in the future.
Your services are no longer required."
"The fact that you think it isn't possible just proves to me you don't fuckin' understand the ramifications of your actions... Don't think any of this just lets you off the hook... and if you want to kick my ass so bad, you can go ahead and find me and put your money where your goddamn mouth is. You'll only prove my point."
Sonora stared at the Ralts like he was from the moon, her eyes popping, for once short of words.
"The others raise a valid point, Mayor... You've made it clear to us that you intend to see this 'mon hang. You can't say these things behind closed doors only to cover it up with the claims of a 'fair trial' when everyone's listening. You think we'd just stay quiet about that?"
He then turned his attention to the Bisharp. "And you... Are you fucking serious? You're attacking civilians? What kind of spineless bully do you have to be to do that, huh? You think having a bunch of pawniard lackies means you can just say whatever the fuck you want? Goddamn, this whole thing's a clownshow! You're all miserable excuses for Pokemon!"
Rin didn't even blink. She just looked to the mayor for her orders.
"Any pokémon in the courtyard after it was closed was an unvetted loiterer and a possible accomplice of Floragato Sonora," began Ignatius, "and they should simply have left peacefully when required to."
Sonora shook her head, finally finding her tongue.
"What in the Saints' sight are you fuckin' talkin' about?" she demanded. Not of Ignatius – of Corey. "You lot attacked me and my crew first! And Pokémon
can't fuckin'
accidentally kill each other usin' battle techniques! Not unless they're a fuckin'
human, or near enough! I don't know how the fuck it works on your Saintsforsaken world, but on Forlas, we don't keel over at the first stiff breeze! 'Miserable excuses for pokémon'??
You aren't a fucking pokémon, dipshit!"
Heads turned and guests gasped. Were it not impossible, one would think they'd rehearsed the reaction.
"Ah," said Ignatius. "We're doing
this, I see."
More footsteps could be heard from behind Mabosstiff...
Hang on! Allies are nearly here! And they have something important to explain!
