Chapter 62: How Can One Lose Oneself?
Machop stretched his somewhat stiff joints and asked Poliwhirl beside him, "(Pokémon Language) Poliwhirl, you're going up against your own leader. You can do it, right?"
Poliwhirl didn't answer, but his focused expression seemed to have said it all.
"(Pokémon Language) Come on!"
Machop's fighting spirit erupted. His powerful muscles bulged forcefully, and he let out a great shout at Golduck.
"…"
Golduck watched coldly. The red, round gem on its forehead suddenly pulsed with power. The countless shattered rocks on the ground trembled and floated up, hovering in front of it.
Psychic power wasn't limited to attacking an opponent's mind with formless, shadowless waves of thought; it could also use telekinesis to control various objects. Therefore, the terror of psychic power lay in the fact that every blade of grass and every piece of wood could become an excellent weapon.
Just as Golduck was demonstrating now.
With a wave of its right hand, the rubble floating in the air shot out like a torrential downpour.
"(Human Language) Growlithe, [Ember]!"
The police officers standing in the rear hurriedly commanded their Growlithe. They sprayed small flames, pushing away the incoming rocks.
And Machop and Poliwhirl, who were facing this "rubble barrage" head-on, each had their own moves to deal with it.
"(Pokémon Language) [Substitute]!"
With a "pop," a substitute took the place where Poliwhirl had been. The rubble struck the substitute, and although it pierced it through, the real Poliwhirl, hiding with the help of [Substitute], was not injured.
Machop's approach was much simpler and cruder. He didn't use any moves but instead relied on his well-tempered fists to punch the rubble away, one by one. The occasional piece of rubble that he missed and scraped past his body could only leave a shallow white mark, causing no damage.
"(Pokémon Language) This is far worse than my usual training!"
One punch, then another kick. Machop grew more and more excited, and the strength he used grew greater and greater. Towards the end, he was even smashing the large pieces of rubble to smithereens, blasting them into clouds of dust.
Suddenly, a ghostly figure leaped out from below and to Machop's side. A wave of blue water pulsed in its palm, and it slapped towards Machop's head.
It was the Golduck Leader, using the cover of the rubble to sneak up beside Machop, then unleashing a surprise attack with [Water Pulse].
"Machop, watch your left!"
Takuma, seeing clearly from the rear, hurriedly warned.
Facing this sudden sneak attack, Machop was not alarmed but pleased.
"(Pokémon Language) Just in time!"
With a sudden squat, Machop instantly dodged the Golduck Leader's [Water Pulse]. He then extended his right leg and, using his left leg as an axis, executed a [Low Kick] like a whirlwind sweeping fallen leaves.
"Smack!" The Golduck Leader's legs were kicked, its body swayed, and it abruptly lost its center of gravity.
Machop seized the opportunity, clasping the Golduck Leader's wrists with both hands. With a turn and a heave, he ruthlessly slammed the Golduck Leader over his shoulder and onto the ground!
From a low kick to a shoulder throw, the sequence of movements was as smooth as flowing water.
If one considered the height difference between the two Pokémon—Golduck being about 1.8 meters tall, while Machop was only 0.8 meters—the visual effect of this combination was no less incredible and astonishing than seeing a young child flip an adult to the ground.
It was no wonder the group of humans watched, stunned. The Pokémon battles they usually saw in human society were two Pokémon stiffly exchanging moves. How could they have ever seen such a wild and unrestrained fighting style?
"(Pokémon Language) Get off."
The Golduck Leader could no longer maintain its indifferent expression. It let out a low growl of anger and embarrassment. At the same time, water vapor gathered around it, and faint waves surged forth.
"(Pokémon Language) [Surf]."
"(Pokémon Language) Switch!"
Machop grinned, pushed off the ground with both hands, and sprang away.
And then, the hidden Poliwhirl reappeared, taking the full force of the rushing wave.
Normally, even a Water-type Pokémon, when hit by a Water-type move, would still take a little damage, even if the effect was not very good. But the wave stirred up by this [Surf], not only did it not cause a single bit of damage to Poliwhirl, but it also fully moistened its dry skin. Its slightly weakened spirit from using [Substitute] was re-energized.
How could this be? Takuma watched, unable to quite understand.
Just then, a slightly沧桑 (weathered/world-weary) voice spoke up: "(Human Language) This is Poliwhirl's 'Water Absorb' ability. Pokémon with this ability will not be harmed by Water-type moves. Moreover, when attacked by a Water-type move, they will restore their own HP."
The awakened Dr. Kamiya explained. As a learned Pokémon Professor, his trained, sharp eyes could tell what was happening at a glance.
Seeing the Professor awake, Machop was overjoyed. "(Pokémon Language) Professor... ah!"
Getting distracted in battle is a major taboo. Machop was only distracted for a moment, and an icy-cold [Ice Beam] hit him in the back.
Poliwhirl, having used the "Water Absorb" ability to fully restore the stamina consumed by [Substitute], now threw a right hook at the Golduck Leader.
The Golduck Leader stared at Poliwhirl with its crimson eyes, its tone icy. "(Pokémon Language) Poliwhirl, do you know what you are doing right now?"
"(Pokémon Language) Leader, please return to normal!"
As it spoke, Poliwhirl continued to hammer at the Golduck Leader with both left and right fists.
"(Pokémon Language) No, no, no. Once you have witnessed the power of that respected lord, I believe you will understand."
Strangely, the Golduck Leader seemed to predict Poliwhirl's punches, each time dodging by a slim margin just as it was about to be hit.
"(Pokémon Language) Come, join us."
"(Pokémon Language) You can obtain this brand-new, powerful strength just like us."
"(Pokémon Language) No need to be confined to this forest any longer. Follow that lord and conquer the entire world!"
Various tempting words came from the Golduck Leader's mouth. Vaguely, a feeling of conviction actually arose in Poliwhirl's heart, and its fists, which had been swinging with gusto, gradually slowed down.
Just as a cold, triumphant smile appeared on the Golduck Leader's lips, a heavy punch slammed hard into its face.
"(Pokémon Language) Bullshit! If this is the kind of power that makes you lose yourself, I'd rather not have it!"
Machop roared, his anger flaring.
He had seen with his own eyes how those "berserk" Pokémon had lost their sanity, having nothing left but the desire to battle. And those Pokémon that Rio said were "mind-controlled" were even more different from their normal state, having lost their sense of self, only knowing how to act according to "brainwashed" commands.
If this was the kind of power obtained in exchange, then what was the difference between that and being a tool?
Taking a punch from Machop, the Golduck Leader's face completely darkened.
"(Pokémon Language) You ungrateful fool. Since it's come to this, then you can all be buried here together with these humans!"
The red gem on the Golduck Leader's forehead flickered rapidly, and a demonic light began to bloom.
It closed its eyes slightly, sat cross-legged, and its entire body slowly floated up from the ground into mid-air.
"[Calm Mind]!"
"Om," "Om," "Om," a series of vibrations sounded in the air. Countless reddish-pink energy began to circulate around its body.
"(Human Language) Growlithe, [Ember]!"
"(Pokémon Language) Can't let him prepare! [Bullet Punch]!"
"(Pokémon Language) ..., [Water Gun]!"
Sensing a threat in the unseen, the police officers, Machop, and Poliwhirl attacked Golduck in unison.
For a moment, embers, fists, and water jets all rushed towards the figure sitting cross-legged in mid-air.
However, an invisible air barrier blocked all the attacks.
"Sizzle," several balls of hot embers directly dissipated.
The water jet struck the barrier and scattered into falling droplets.
And the flurry of bullet-fast punches could only land on empty air, returning without success.
No attack could touch that lofty figure.