119. Fleck the Masquerain has been murdered by the Stalkers.

Location: A few blocks from Coldon Apartments.
Cause of Death: Repeated torture until the point of death.


Pormalu arrived on the scene first, accompanied by his mate and the police force's Deputy Director, Sequintia. Police had received a call in the early hours of the morning, when most Pokémon were still sleeping. Fern was covering night shift as she often does, and upon hearing who the Stalkers' victim was, she felt the need to tell Pormalu herself. She contacted him immediately and he wasted no time in getting to the scene of the crime.

Fleck the Masquerain had been repeatedly beaten with various objects, both blunt and sharp. Gashes and bruises covered every milimetre of her body, from her large eye-like antennae to the wings on the side of her body. Strapped to her face was a disturbing mask with grotesque features. It was lined with gold and silver, and appeared to be very expensive. Carved into one of her wide antennae was the word AVARICE.


Pormalu knelt down on one front leg, shaking his head as he sealed his eyes shut. Sadness overcame him, rendering him unable to think, breathe or speak for a moment.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, Porm," Sequintia breathed, standing beside her mate as she watched paramedics take the body away. "I know she was dear to you."

"I just...can't believe this happened..." He trailed off, shaking his head again. "When she didn't come back from running her errands this morning, I didn't anticipate...a-anticipate..." He tried to steady his breathing, and suddenly his face contorted into one of contempt. "She didn't deserve this. Fleck was the kindest, most gentle Pokémon I knew. To think that she was..." His voice hitched in his throat, and he cut himself off.

Sequentia, too, felt tears tug at her eyes. "She was the best damn maid...and one of the best people I knew." The Pyroar wanted to be angry as well, but all she felt was sadness. "We'll...we have to take care of Haime."

Pormalu was silent for several seconds as he considered Fleck's elementary school-aged only child, now an orphan, and her reaction, her fate, and the impact it was going to have on her. She had nowhere else to go, and she already lived at Pormalu and Sequintia's estate...as did her mother. He finally rose to his paws wearing an expression betraying sorrow. "I would not have it any other way."

Sequentia signalled for the other present police officers to take over the crime scene investigation, knowing that neither she nor her mate would be able to conduct an effective investigation under the current circumstances.

As she walked her mate to their police hovercar, she felt an overwhelming feeling of fear. She wished she could forget the thought she had just considered, but there was no possible way to ignore it.

Who would tell Haime?


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