"Got it."

Two soft flashes poured out from his pocket, sending forth two scouts: Dragapult and his newfound Salamence. The first would slip through the ground, keeping to the shadows of the street, all while Salamence positioned himself along the night's skyline.

"They'll be back in two minutes," he informed his superior, tight and to the point. While they waited, his fingers traced the outline of his utility belt, ensuring everything was in its place. Even if this was a low-profile kill, no mistakes could be made. Especially not in front of him.

THEO BECKETT

Felix's brow raised with an instinctual question.

"I definitely prefer it."

It was a more pragmatic approach than the previous solutions Rocket's been resorting to. As Theo had put it, it was their time to be aggressive, not passive.

"1 minute."

The Salamence went around for another loop.

THEO BECKETT

"Rocket is better suited for it," He added, eyes still fixated on the shadows of the building. Salamence was returning, with Dragapult close behind. It looked like their survey was fruitful; no witnesses were to be found. They were free to do as they wished.

Before making another move, however, Felix hesitated. Finally, he stole a second for himself and glanced back at Theo.

"I don't see merit in continuing to operate as wolves in sheep's clothing."

It wasn't practical, it wasn't productive, it was of no use.

THEO BECKETT

Their two minutes were up.



Unhinging its jaw, the dragapult spat out a familiar clump of black tar from its lips, evoking a pool of PHANTOM FORCE out in front of them. One step into its grasp was all it took for the entity to force one's whole body into its hidden depths. When Felix reawaken from the hold it had put over him, it would be at the side portion of the house, where no windows laid available to scout out their appearance.



Once both of them had finished their journeys, the admin would make moves toward the back door of the townhouse, ready to break open its lock through the use of his KLEFKI. In seconds, they'd be rewarded with the satisfying CLICK of the door slipping open.

THEO BECKETT

Despite his size, Felix moved into the space with a delicate quiet. Years of experience bled from his movements, starting with the way his head craned around the corner and ending with the prepared hover of his hand around his hip.

Dragapult lurked beneath them, its body mainly drowned in the flooring it floated through. Felix gestured for him to clear out the rest of the hallway.

Most of the doors were kept closed, allowing the hallway's clearing to remain easier than originally expected, which was appreciated given the sheer amount of rooms this small house apparently held.

They started with the first door to their right. The cold of its metal handle bit his fingers as he twisted it, careful to suck out any noise as he pushed it open. It was clear inside. Just like every other room along that very hallway.

THEO BECKETT

When he'd first seen the victim's file, he thought to himself, this man would be no different than the typical writers he'd seen printed on the backs of August Gallagher 's old fantasy books. Just another lanky man with a pair of oversized glasses and a forced smile to drive up your nerves.

Todd fit that description to an extent. Where he deviated, however, was the way that he sat there, facing toward the now open entrance, legs locked into a twisted cross, and eyes bugged out so wide they could almost roll out from their sockets.

The glow of several screens shined down on him. They stood tall behind him, stacked on top of one another to create a mini wall of security footage, each one detailing a different square foot of the house.

He'd been expecting them.

"GET THEM!"

A strangled cry called for the lurching of the Arcanine hidden behind him. Fire dripped from its fangs as it looked to jump in with a fierce FIRE FANG.

Fortunately, Klefki was still attached around Felix's hip. So, before the canine could hit, PROTECT took flight shielding them in a curious bubble.

It forced the Arcanine to fall face-first into the shield and stumble back just enough to offer them a point of counterattack.

With a sharp whistle, Dragapult sent in his INFESTATION of freebies. They coated the pokemon in a thick layer of blue wisps.

Felix doesn't even bother looking back at Theo.

THEO BECKETT

☉

 

A loud clunk sounded behind them. The doors, which previously remained wide open, now held metal walls, prohibiting further entrants or exit. It looked reinforced tenfold, the highest money could buy.

"Hurt me and you'll never get out," the crazed lunatic shouted, eyes bulging from his head and mouth the harsh cut of red, "I'm the only one with the code to set off the alarm."

Felix's eyes flicked over to THEO BECKETT. How did he want to proceed, given this?

THEO BECKETT