Chapter 58: The Collaboration of Humans and Pokémon
"Mewtwo!"
This name, as if possessing some great magical power, made all the humans who were still questioning fall silent.
"Mewtwo..."
Souichi muttered the name, his brow furrowed tightly.
"Yes, Mewtwo. The name means 'to surpass the legendary Pokémon, Mew.' And like Mew, It is a Psychic-type with extremely powerful abilities. It's not surprising at all if its overflowing psychic power caused these Pokémon to be afflicted."
"If we compare It to legendary Pokémon like Ho-Oh or Lugia, Mewtwo possesses power that is in no way inferior to theirs. Moreover, Mewtwo is a Pokémon specifically created for battle; its practical combat ability is even stronger than that of an average legendary Pokémon."
"The worst part is, according to the intelligence we have, this powerful force is currently controlled by an organization called Team Rocket. If this power is used for evil, the consequences would be no less than a small-scale natural disaster."
Rio recalled the information about Mewtwo from the games of his previous life, as well as the intelligence described by the Shiny Magikarp, and recounted it bit by bit.
"(Human Language) Damn Team Rocket!"
Several of the young people dressed in police uniforms were indignant. As the party responsible for maintaining social stability and protecting the safety of the people, they often had to run around dealing with various cases created by Team Rocket members, busy to the point of being overwhelmed. Now, hearing that it was Team Rocket causing trouble again, it was no wonder they couldn't help but curse in human language.
"Could it be that kidnapping Takuma's parents and the Pokémon Professor was for the purpose of creating Mewtwo? Takuma's parents are a scientist and a researcher with considerable knowledge of Pokémon origins, and the Pokémon Professor is a great expert on Pokémon ecology..."
Souichi said thoughtfully, stroking his chin with his right hand.
"No matter what, this is now a matter of utmost urgency."
It was clear that in this group, Souichi was the leader. He began issuing commands to the crowd.
"Officer Jenny! I'll have to trouble you to contact the leaders of the surrounding towns and have them prepare their defenses for an attack."
"(Human Language) Yes, sir!" Officer Jenny, riding on Arcanine, responded, taking out a communication device to contact the corresponding personnel.
"Yong, Ling, Ran, you three stay here. Continue to calm the remaining Pokémon and be ready to provide support at any time." Souichi pointed to the group of Pokémon from the Toxic Swamp who, although unconscious, still wore ferocious expressions.
"(Human Language) Roger!" three younger-looking Rangers signaled.
"Everyone else, put on the gas masks provided by Takuma, prepare for battle, and move out!"
"(Pokémon Language) Wait!"
The Blastoise Boss, who had been watching Souichi command in an orderly fashion from the side, called out just as they were about to depart.
"(Pokémon Language) Flower, Scyther, you two stay here and help these humans take care of our companions. If there's any danger, remember to protect yourselves and our companions first."
"Be careful. Stay safe."
The Blastoise Boss communicated in a low voice with Flower (Vileplume) and Scyther beside him.
After finishing his instructions, he walked over to Machop.
"(Pokémon Language) Machop, I promised before to help you find your Professor. Now the time has come. This time, I'll go with you."
Machop was taken aback.
When he heard that Souichi and the other humans were going to break through the Toxic Swamp to get to the experimental base, he had already resolved to go with them. After all, the Professor he had been searching for for so long was imprisoned in the experimental base. This made his heart burn with anxiety, wishing he could rush into the experimental base immediately.
But what he didn't expect was that the Blastoise Boss would tell him with such a serious expression that he would go with him. It should be known that this trip to the experimental base would very likely mean encountering the divine power Rio had spoken of. This journey was extremely dangerous; even his own heart felt a little uneasy hearing about it. And the Blastole Boss could have originally ignored this matter and led the Pokémon of Sunrise Valley away.
"(Pokémon Language) Boss, you don't have to..."
"We may not have known each other for long, but we are companions, are we not? When a companion is in need, how can I stand by and do nothing?"
The Blastoise Boss interrupted Machop's dissuasion, waving his hand with a smile.
"…"
The words Machop was about to say got stuck in his throat. He then broke into a wide grin.
"(Pokémon Language) Haha, indeed! Boss, that's just like you!"
Machop laughed heartily and extended his fist, bumping it against the fist the Blastoise Boss had bent down to extend.
"(Pokémon Language) And me."
Poliwhirl emerged from somewhere and said calmly, "(Pokémon Language) I also need to find our leader."
"And me, and me! I want to go too!"
Takuma, who had taken out another translator from his pocket and put it on, waved his hand vigorously.
Rio, at the side, raised his fist and gave Takuma a "bonk" on the head.
"The heck you're going! You can't even fight. With your small frame, one hit and you'd probably be gone."
"But without me, how will you find the way to the experimental base?" Takuma said, unconvinced.
Right, I forgot this kid parkoured his way out. Of all the people and Pokémon present, he was probably the only one who knew the way to the experimental base.
Rio was suddenly at a loss.
Just then, Souichi walked over. He said to Takuma with a very serious expression, "Little brother Takuma, you can come along, but you must stay by Officer Jenny's side. If any accident happens, leave immediately with Arcanine."
He turned his head and said to Officer Jenny, "Officer Jenny, I'll have to trouble you with this kid."
"(Human Language) Alright," Officer Jenny agreed. She stroked the fluffy fur on Arcanine's head. "(Human Language) Arcanine, I'm counting on you."
"Awooo— (Pokémon Language) Leave it to me!"
Arcanine howled, then shook its body, flinging off the sweat from the recent intense activity.
After instructing Takuma, Souichi walked over to the Blastoise Boss's side. He patted Blastoise's thick shell affectionately with his hand and said with a smile, "Big fella, although I'm not your trainer, in the upcoming battle, would you be willing to lend me your strength?"
The Blastoise Boss's face stiffened.
Crap! This guy doesn't know the Blastoise Boss was once abandoned by a human and is extremely sensitive to the topic of trainers. Rio hurriedly wanted to step forward to smooth things over, lest they start fighting among themselves before the battle even began.
But what Rio didn't expect was that the Blastoise Boss would actually say in a muffled voice, "(Pokémon Language) I will."
"?? "
Rio was somewhat surprised, but on second thought: perhaps the evolution had untied the knot in the Blastoise Boss's heart, allowing him to let go of the past.
In any case, the fact that the two didn't end up fighting was indeed a good thing.
"This is the Pokémon world I'm familiar with."
Rio watched as humans and Pokémon worked hand in hand, striving towards the same goal, and for some reason, his heart surged.
"Put on your gas masks."
Souichi's voice came from under the gas mask covering his face.
The police contingent, who had abandoned their motorcycles for convenience while passing through the swamp and were now proceeding on foot; the Pokémon Rangers, with their partner Pokémon standing on their shoulders or beside them; and the four Pokémon of varying shapes but all wearing gas masks—Rio, Blastoise, Machop, and Poliwhirl.
"Move out!"
With one command, the large contingent advanced into the Toxic Swamp.
Destination:
The experimental base in the east of Newmoon Forest!
…
"Golduck, take these people to the third floor. Guard them." A hooded figure casually tossed a Poké Ball. "We're about to have guests."
"Clack," the Poké Ball landed on the ground. A white light flashed, and a bipedal, blue-green Pokémon appeared.
The Pokémon nodded slightly. It looked at the group of humans, whose faces were filled with anger, with its crimson eyes. Then, a wave of energy rippled out. The group of humans seemed to be bound by some invisible force and were thus led by the Pokémon to the upper floor of the building.
"Hehe, come then. I can't wait to see your power."
A smile tugged at the corner of the hooded person's lips. His gaze, filled with a burning fervor, followed the black object being tossed up and down in his hand.