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[destruction-personified-blog]

The Death of Guzma

(( YES; this is the CANON ending of my Guzma! I know it’s not ideal, but his lifestyle and career would inevitably lead to this type of death. Any other ending for him is an AU or headcanon. Cameo: @gruntadminloch (who is a part of this Guzmas main verse.) Since I am not the mun of this OC, my interpretation of him might not be 100% correct, but the real mun seems happy with it so /shrugs Plumeria also makes an appearance, but not any single representation of her, just the version of her that exists solely in my Guzmas universe.

This is also the last post on this blog probably so...thank you all for following me, and i hope you’ll stay tuned for the new and improved Guzma Mendoza real soon...

...so with that out of the way:

TRIGGER WARNING for blood, guns, gang violence and death. You have been warned. ))

~~~

For too long they had lived in peace. For too long they’d survived by the skin of their teeth through every battle, every war…

It was inevitable for their empire to come crumbling down, and it started with one little mistake.

The guards at the front gate, usually alert and ready to jump on any strangers who approached, on that day they’d failed to arrive to their post on time. Not the first occurrence of this, by any means, but little did they know that someone had already made their way inside unnoticed.

Unlucky for them, this time it wasn't a kid seeking some friendly pokémon battles to rescue a stolen pet. This was a more personal issue.

The unknown figure, shrouded in black clothes, kept to the shadows, only moving forward when all eyes were averted from its direction. Almost there, almost to the front door…

The Skull Boss was sitting in his throne, as per usual, casually scrolling through his phone. A quiet day, all in all. The quiet was interrupted with some gentle knocks on the door, followed by the familiar voice of his faithful guard calling through to him. “Master Guzma, if it’s not too much trouble, may I come in?”

Guzma put down his phone and sighed. “A'ight, Loch, come in then…”

Loch opened the door and entered, bowing before Guzmas throne as he usually did. “Master, I just came to inform you that some of the guards have reported suspicious activity in the last few days, including a few attempted break-ins. With your permission I think we should increase the number of guards at the gates to avoid any shady characters entering the town.” Guzma thought for a moment, before nodding. “Yeah, put more grunts out there, an’ make wall patrols more frequent while yer at it.” Loch nodded. “Of course, Master. Is there anything else you want me to do before I leave?”

Guzma tapped his fingers on the dented arm of his throne, looking down at Loch thoughtfully. “…yeah, actually. I…need your opinion on somethin’.”

Loch raised his head slightly. “I’d be happy to help, Master Guzma.”

Guzma nodded back down at him, sighing.

“…its about Skull. I think…I think maybe it’s time I stepped down. I’ve been real tired recently…everythin’ just feels like a chore. I’m not happy. I’m gettin’ too old for it, hell, I’m nearly thirty-eight. I never thought I’d make it past twenty.”

He paused to rub his temples. He certainly looked older than he was, the bleach in his hair fading to look duller, and the short black hair on the sides of his jaw and back of his neck already beginning to turn grey around the ends. The years had not been kind to him.

“I know I started this gang, and it still means everythin’ to me…but I jus’ don’t think I can keep bein’ the leader you guys see me as. I don’t wanna lead this family into darkness or, Arceus forbid, disbanding. I might hand it over to Plumes, and make you the official admin. I think you two could handle it better than me. Do you…think that’s a good idea?”

Loch was taken aback. He’d never heard Guzma speak like that before. Not in all the years he’d worked for him. He thought for a few moments, before responding, choosing his words very carefully. He began nervously fidgeting with the chain around his neck, clinking the links together quietly.

“W-well, Master Guzma…in the end, your health is what’s important, so I think that…if handing over the position of leader to Mistress Plumeria is what feels right to you, then maybe it is the best course of action. If you feel she is ready, of course. And I’m sure no matter what you do, Mistress Plumeria will support you. She does care for you like a brother, it seems, so I’m confident she will be fine with this idea.”

As they talked, the shadow moved closer, and the storm outside grew stronger by the second, rain pelting the walls of Shady House.

Guzma smiled, not his usual smirk, but a more solemn, thoughtful smile. His eyes looked tired; they lacked that fire and ferocity they were so noticeable for back in the glory days of Skull. “Plumes is my sister. Maybe not in blood, but she’s been there for me almost my whole life. She’s kept me right. Without her, none of this would’ve happened…I’d probably be dead, too. I think she’s more than capable of takin’ over.” He gave a quiet chuckle, looking down at the faded carpet.

“Besides, Skull was her idea…”

There was a moment - a pause - where Loch opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by the door to Guzmas room opening. Guzmas attention snapped towards the door, and Loch turned to look. It wasn’t a grunt.

It was a man, in his early twenties maybe, dressed head to toe in black. His hood was up, partly obscuring his face, but it was easy to see he was grinning. Guzma stood up, eyes narrow, growling like a lycanroc.

“Who the fuck are you. Get out.”

The intruder slowly lifted his head to look up at Guzma, before pulling something from his pocket. Guzma froze. A pistol. The intruder spoke, his voice quiet but…crazed. He lifted the gun towards Guzma.

“An old friend. I’m back, you traitorous bastard.”

The barrel of the pistol aimed straight at Guzma, but Loch was quick to stand up, making sure he was in-between the gun and its target.

“I will not let you hurt my Master…” His voice was a snarl. He was about to call on his sister, before he heard the gun click.

Guzmas eyes widened as the man took the safety off, before acting on instinct. He launched himself forwards and grabbed Loch, throwing him to the ground and shouting angrily.

“YOU IDIO–ACK!!"

…the trigger had pulled, and the noise was deafening.

The bullet, meant for Loch, had hit Guzma.

After a moment of silence, the attacker snarled and fired once more, aiming more precisely now. Guzmas body jolted. He remained still, standing there with wide eyes. Loch finally snapped out of his daze and looked up from where he’d fallen, freezing as he saw Guzma. “M-Master…!”

Guzma stood there, starstruck, mind racing as he struggled to move. A heavy wetness began to cover his shirt, and he looked down to see two gaping holes in his chest. Only then did the pain seem to register, burning like the flames of hell through every fibre of his body. His lungs tightened and he tried to take in a breath, instead gagging as blood travelled its way up his throat and began leaking from his mouth. There were a few seconds of struggling to breathe, until finally, he stumbled, and his shaking legs gave out beneath him. It was like slow motion as he fell backwards, eyes wide, thudding to the floor like a great fallen beast. The glasses flew from his head, the lenses shattering loudly as they clattered across the floor.

"MASTER!!"

Loch had finally snapped out of his trance, the sight of Guzma falling and the smell of his masters blood filling him with anger and fear. He turned back towards the attacker, who was still standing there, grinning like an idiot as he watched Guzma squirm on the floor. Loch snapped.

"RAE!"

The assassin stared at Loch, confused, and a Drifblim faded into view behind him. She silently curled her ghostly limbs around the mans head, and quickly snapped his neck. He fell to the ground dead, the gun clattering across the floor.

Loch got to his feet and rushed over to Guzma, his body filling with a sick dread. Blood was soaking through Guzmas clothes and all over the floor, and he was making awful choking sounds as he struggled to breathe. "Master Guzma...oh, no..." Loch knelt beside him, unsure of what to do. He should call an ambulance, but...Guzma had always said he hated them, and that he'd be arrested if he were taken to a hospital. Loch growled. Better in prison than dead.

It was then that the door slammed open, and Plumeria stood there, looking vicious and holding a shotgun. "The fuck is goin' on in here, I heard gunshots."

Loch turned to face her, his face pale with shock and fear. Plumeria felt the blood freeze in her veins as her eyes fell on Guzma laying in a pool of crimson on the floor. The gun fell from her hands and she ran over, collapsing to her knees next to him.

"Guzma...fuck, oh fuck, what happened?!"

Loch combed a hand through his hair, trying to calm his breathing. "I-intruder...broke in and shot him..." He managed to stammer through slow, shaky breaths. Plumeria bit her lip, feeling tears well in her eyes already. "Guz...please, stay awake, we're gonna help ya, okay? You're gonna be okay..."

She gently stroked Guzmas hair in an attempt to comfort him, just barely able to hold in her own panic. Guzmas eyes focused on her. In her desperation she turned to Loch. "Loch, he can't breathe, what do we do." Loch froze up and struggled to think. Guzma was choking on blood and most likely had a punctured lung or two - it really didn't look good.

"P-put pressure on...on the wounds..." Loch shakily reached his hands out and pressed them over the holes in Guzmas chest, pushing down on them, drawing out a long, painful cry from the wounded man. He was visibly growing weaker, and Plumeria was panicking, but she refused to give up. She stood, glancing around the room to try and find anything to help.

"Mistress Plumeria, we...we should call an ambulance." Plumeria turned to him, her eyes wide and fearful. "You know they'll just throw him back in prison, I can't let him go through that again..." Loch didn't want to argue, but the fate of his master was at stake.

"Mistress, he's dying."

He was trying to stay calm, but the quake in his voice told Plumeria that he was serious, and just as desperate as she was. She winced and pulled a hand through her hair, gritting her teeth. "Right...okay, alright, we'll call an ambulance...just...just keep pressure on the wounds, I'll dial the--"

"NO..!"

Plumeria was interrupted by Guzma, who'd finally mustered up the strength to shout something through the blood. Loch winced. "Master, please, save your strength..."

Guzma coughed violently, before continuing, his voice barely audible.

"I'd...ra-ther...die he-ere...than...i-in some...sh-itty ho-ospi-tal..."

He coughed again and Loch bit his lip. "Master, shh...please..." Plumeria made a distraught sound in the back of her throat, trying to choke it back. "Guz, sweetie, you ain't gonna die. They'll help you, okay? They'll keep you alive..." Guzma shook his head, looking up at her with weak, fading eyes.

"...no...n-no hel...helpin' me..."

The sound of him struggling to even form words was too much for Plumeria. This was her best friend, her brother. They'd known each other for so many years and helped each other through everything...it couldn't end now. She wouldn't let it. "No, you ain't dying!! Not while I'm here!! Loch, help me put pressure on the wounds until an ambulance gets here."

Loch looked down at the dying man. Guzma looked back at him. His usually fierce silver eyes were dull, full of pain and sadness. He knew he was dying. They both did. Loch had to make a decision.

"Mistress..."

She looked at Loch, and saw the solemness in his face. She knew what that meant, but she didn't want to believe it. "Loch, what are you doing, help him."

Loch took a shaking breath. "I...I d-don't think we c-can."

Plumerias brow furrowed and her fists tensed. "What the fuck are you sayin'?! We can't just let him die!!”

Loch didn't reply, but slowly took his hands away from Guzmas chest. His body felt numb, but everything he was doing was in the best interest of his master. He knew he was suffering, and he didn't want to prolong it. Plumeria wanted to scream at him.

"LOCH!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, HELP HIM!!"

She urged, desperately, her voice cracking.  Guzma coughed painfully, his breath a faint wheeze. His body felt cold. Loch couldn't believe what he was about to say.

"He's in pain...and...and I don't think even the hospital could bring him back from this. It will only extend his suffering, and then he'll die in a place he loathes. I...I'm doing this for him. It's hard, but...for his sake, we should...let him go..."

Plumeria took a minute to fully process what he had said. She was in a nightmare. All of this...it wasn't happening. It couldn't be. Even with their bad reputation and many powerful enemies, she'd never expected something like this to happen. Stupid. She was so STUPID.

"...I can't...Loch he can't die...p-please, please help him..."

Guzma looked up at her, blinking slowly, and she looked into his eyes. He almost looked like he was begging her. Plumeria fell to her knees beside him and very gently lifted him into her arms, finally letting the tears fall down her face. Guzma grunted in pain as she held him, chest heaving quickly, but her arms were so warm and safe and familiar... "Guz please...please don't die on me...we...we were gonna do so much together, you n' me, we were gonna change the world, we was gonna make a change together, I can't do that on my own...I can't..."

"Plumes...we a-already...did..."

He whispered, feeling the warm tears drip onto his own cold face as Plumeria sobbed for him. In turn his own eyes began to water, and he coughed again, more blood running down his chin. Plumeria held him close, stroking his hair slowly, and Guzma felt his vision fading.

She knew she had to let him go.

"Shhh, shh...rest..."

As his breathing slowed and he began to cry silently, Plumeria leaned down and pressed her forehead to his, whimpering. She thought back on all their years together, and remembered those hard times before Skull, when they lived off of stolen wallets and slept in the street together. Those times when Guzma was still vulnerable from trauma, regularly waking up screaming from night terrors, and she'd sing to him to lull him back to sleep... Plumeria closed her eyes, and began shakily reciting that lullaby she'd sing to him so many years ago.

"H-he na-ni lua 'ole... Ku'u we-hi o nâ lani..."

The tune brought instant comfort to Guzma, and his tense body began to relax in Plumerias arms. He cried, tears running freely down his cheeks as the song continued.

"He ki-i-lohana 'oe, Na'u e pû-lama mau..."

Loch took one of Guzmas hands in his own, stroking it gently, trying to keep the cold skin warm for just a while longer... Guzma struggled to keep his eyes open. He didn't want to die, but...the exhaustion, the urge to fall asleep was overwhelming...and he was so comfortable and safe in Plumerias arms. He silently thanked her as his eyes began to glaze over.

"Hô'olu i ka po-li e... Me-ha-na i ke a-nu e..."

Guzmas eyes faded, and his ragged breathing slowed to a halt with one last, weak sigh. His hand went slack in Lochs grip, but Loch held on tight, as if a stronger grip might will his spirit to stay a while longer... Plumeria shakily whispered to the skull boss.

"Au hui hou, Guzmania...alola..."

She lifted her head, and placed one last kiss on Guzmas forehead.

The Skull Boss was dead.

Despite being covered in his own blood, he looked...strangely peaceful. For the first time in a long, long time, he was sleeping soundly, without any worries, any pain. He was free.

Plumeria stayed with him, cradling him like he was still the scared little child she'd first met on the street. Loch was frozen in place, staring down at his fallen master. The man he'd spent so long serving and protecting and...loving...he was gone.

Loch looked down at his hands, raising them to his face. They were covered in blood...his masters blood...the blood he'd sworn to protect with his life. Precious blood that would never flow again, forever still and cold and staining the floor, staining his skin. He looked around, his own shaky breathing the only sound he could hear through the static filling his head. Blood. Everywhere. Like it had flooded his vision. A sea of crimson.

Guzma, the mighty and feared boss of Team Skull, the man who saved hundreds of kids like him from living on the streets and gave them hope, destruction in human form... dead. Murdered by the hands of an unknown assassin, and Loch could have stopped it. He may as well have murdered him himself.

Loch sat there, eyes wide, internally screaming at himself.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Plumeria spoke.

"...we...I have to...I have to tell them..." Her voice was hoarse, and she was still shaking. Lochs distant eyes slowly shifted to her, and he gave her a blank look. Plumeria realised he was probably more out of it than she was. "Loch...I have to tell the grunts."

Loch heard her this time, momentarily snapping back into reality. "Okay..."

Plumerias heart ached for Loch. She'd been close to Guzma, inseparable from him, but Loch...Loch worshipped him. He'd dedicated his whole life to obeying Guzmas every wish and making sure he was happy and healthy...hell, they'd even been romantic. Now he was gone, Loch had probably lost everything important to him, everything that gave his life meaning. Plumeria wept for him most. "Would you stay here with him..?"

Loch blinked slowly, taking a moment to respond, his voice quiet. "...okay..."

Plumeria gave him a gentle, sympathetic look, before very slowly laying Guzmas body down and standing up. She stumbled slightly, noticing her legs were weaker than she thought. With a deep breath, she walked to the door and left Loch alone. He stared down at Guzma for a while, before dragging himself forwards. He was hesitant to touch him...he didn't want to disturb that peace, even though there was no way he could wake up now. ...he did want to say one last goodbye, though.

Loch very gently slid his hands under Guzma, lifting him off of the floor slowly and holding him close, careful so as not to hurt him, as if he were still alive. He was glad, in a sense, that Guzmas pain had ended...but his own pain was just beginning. He reached up and stroked his fingers through Guzmas faded white hair, scanning the details of his face. The Boss had certainly aged, maybe more quickly than others, but he was still the same man he was when he started Skull...large and threatening, with a steely glare that could strike fear into anyone. Loch only then realised that his eyes were still open slightly. The glowing silver rings had faded to a dull grey, and there were dried tears still streaked down his face... Loch dutifully used his thumb to wipe them from his face, still staring into those lifeless eyes. This was the last time he'd see them looking back at him, so he didn't close them just yet.

The last time...

Those words echoed through Lochs head. It was beginning to sink in now.

His Master was gone, gone, gone forever.

Loch stayed quiet for a few moments, before finally, his walls crumbled and tears began streaming down his face. His head hung down and he let out a shuddering sob, his shoulders tensing.

"I'm s-so s-sorry, m-master...i-it sh-ould ha-ave b-een m-me...y-you di-dn't...ha-have to save m-me..."

He didn't want to be too loud, but...he was. His distraught sobs elevated to wails of mourning as he clung to Guzmas lifeless body, his heavy tears falling down onto his face. His grip tightened on Guzma and he lifted him more to embrace him, not caring about the blood covering his clothes. Loch buried his face in Guzmas neck, his lips curling up to expose his teeth as he cried. He took in the strong scent of his master, locking it away in his mind so he would never forget it...

"It's my f-fault!! My fault!”

After what felt like hours of sitting and cradling Guzmas body, finally Plumeria came back in, her face still stained with tears.

"Loch..?"

Loch didn't answer, silently sitting with his back to her. He had Guzma on his back, lying up against his chest, and Loch was holding him tightly and protectively while stroking his hair.

Plumeria approached slowly, before kneeling down next to Loch and putting a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Loch...the grunts want to mourn him too...we should let them in."

Loch barely heard her, but the touch made him jump a little bit. He looked at her. Plumeria gave him a sympathetic look.

"The grunts want in here to see him, honey."

Lochs distant eyes blinked, before he nodded very slightly. Plumeria went to take Guzma from him, but he flinched away, eyes widening, like he was scared of anyone else touching his master.

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to let go of him..." Loch looked back down at Guzma, continuing to stroke his hair, and Plumeria got up to let the grunts in. She opened the door to see them all crowded outside, all with distraught looks on their faces. Plumeria looked around at all of them, before stepping aside. One by one, they came into the throne room, heads down, some with wide, shocked eyes, some already crying uncontrollably, others strangely quiet. They were like different people - ghosts of their usual selves.

Loch didn't look up as they all crowded around, filling up the room but leaving a space in the middle for him and Guzma.

When everyone was inside, Plumeria closed the door, and went to stand up in front of Guzmas throne. The room was quiet, save for the weak sobbing of some of the grunts. All eyes were fixed on the broken body of the Skull Boss. After a few moments, they all lowered their bandanas and took off their hats, clinging them tightly to their chests to pay respects. Plumeria took a deep breath.

"My brothers and sisters, I'm sorry. What's happened here today is...a tragedy. Our friend and leader, Guzmania Mendoza, was murdered by an unknown intruder just less than an hour ago." Her voice wavered slightly, and she looked down.

"We tried our best to save him, but his injuries were too severe...he died peacefully in my arms."

A young female grunt clung to her male counterpart, burying her face in his chest and crying, and he stroked her back as tears silently streamed down his own face. Plumeria sobbed, shivering.

"It happened so suddenly, with no warning, there's nothing anyone could have done. Neither him or I would want any of you to blame yourselves for this...or anyone else, for that matter. Unfortunately...those are the dangers and risks Guzma chose to face every day, in order to keep our family alive. He chose this, and it's how he wanted to go. No hospitals involved. He told us himself as he lay dying. This is what he wanted."

One grunt collapsed to his knees, covering his face with his hands and shuddering. Plumeria continued, just barely holding herself together.

"Guzma was a brave man, a fierce leader. A friend. Everything he did, he did for us, all of us. He brought this family together, and even in death, he'd want us to stay together. Even without him here in flesh, he will always be with all of us in spirit, and he will help us through this. He knew the risks, and so he knew we could survive without him, however difficult it is. That's what he trained us for. We're all strong, each and every one of us. He helped us realise that."

She was crying again, but she kept talking clearly, clenching her fists together.

"This is a tragedy, but it is not the end. He wouldn't have wanted that. He'd want us to live on for him, be happy and prosperous, spread his name without him and keep him alive in peoples memories for years to come. He is proud of you all for making it this far, we can't give up on him now. We will mourn, but we will continue to live and strive without him, as hard as it may be to move on. We will survive in his honour..!"

With a deep breath, Plumeria raised her fist in the air and shouted, tears falling from her face.

"Because he was GUZMA!! LEADER OF TEAM SKULL!!"

The grunts all followed suit, raising their fists in the air and shouting in tearful unison.

"LONG LIVE GUZMA!! LEADER OF TEAM SKULL!!”

They chanted repeatedly, and Loch squeezed his eyes shut, gripping Guzma tighter against him and muttering along with them so nobody would hear him but Guzmas cold body.

"Long live Guzma, alola wau iā ʻoe...long live Guzma, a hui kaua, alola..."

He finished by placing a gentle kiss on Guzmas bloody lips, one last goodbye, as the rest of them chanted for their fallen leader.

Long live Guzma. Destruction personified.