Chapter 253: Observation Station No. 4: The Beast That Stirs Up Thunder!

Brother Qingmu thought Luo Mu had gone mad; that mechanical monster, which closely resembled Tyranitar, had clearly noticed their presence, so how could they possibly walk right past it so openly?

Just like the previous Roaring Moon, these creatures' temperaments were almost modernized versions of berserk rage; Tyranitar was already famous in the modern era for its volatile and violent nature, so even though this Metal Tyranitar was slightly smaller than an ordinary one, it was still not an opponent one could avoid fighting.

This gamble was far too bold; he was just here to work, not to risk his life!

"Mmm, mmm, mmm!"

Brother Qingmu tried to struggle, but the hands from behind, belonging to Luo Mu, firmly pinned down Brother Qingmu's right hand as it reached for a Poké Ball and covered his mouth to stop him from issuing commands.

How could the physical fitness of an office worker accustomed to years of overtime possibly compare to Luo Mu, who did farm work every day? In front of Luo Mu, Brother Qingmu was as powerless as a child facing an adult.

The Tauros did not know what was happening on its back and simply continued moving forward slowly; even when brushing past the Iron Thorns, the Mimikyu lurking in the shadow beneath the Tauros made no move, trusting Luo Mu's judgment one hundred percent.

Brother Qingmu felt his heart pounding violently in his chest, and his body, already somewhat weak from long-term overtime, began to break out in a thin layer of sweat on his back.

This was far too stimulating; how could a middle-aged man handle this? It was bad for the heart!

Amidst Brother Qingmu's gradually Coarse and Heavy breathing, the Iron Thorns simply watched as the two rode the Tauros directly past it without any intention of attacking, and its emotionless gaze withdrew once the figures of the two and the Tauros faded into the distance.

"As expected... Iron Thorns does not like to provoke conflicts actively; its temperament is extremely calm."

So thought Luo Mu, whose surface remained calm while his inner heart finally relaxed a bit.

The hands that had been firmly suppressing Brother Qingmu let go, and Brother Qingmu gasped for air while looking back in surprise.

He was rarely someone whose emotions fluctuated so greatly; for Brother Qingmu, who adhered to the creed that "plain and simple is true," it was far more reasonable and stable to decisively defeat that Metal Tyranitar rather than take the risk of gambling on whether it would attack.

Fortunately, things had not developed in the worst possible direction; just as the weight in his heart settled, Brother Qingmu noticed a slight incongruity.

Luo Mu should never have been to the Paldea Crater before, so why could he be so certain that the Metal Tyranitar would not launch an attack?

Or perhaps this was the boldness of a highly skilled Champion-level trainer, who had already prepared countermeasures for both possibilities.

After safely passing the Iron Thorns, the two continued exploring downward along their route, and after walking approximately 10 kilometers, they discovered the ruins of Observation Station No. 3 in a corner near a cliff.

Scattered everywhere was a corner of a building covered in scorch marks, along with large rock fragments that had been indiscriminately knocked down from the cliff by some rampaging force and crushed onto the observation station.

Everything spoke of what Observation Station No. 3 had endured previously.

Ignoring the dust covering his leather shoes, Brother Qingmu stepped into the flocculent gray dust and crouched down to search for clues.

After a moment, Little Little Dandan said calmly, "These are traces of electricity; it doesn't look like an explosion caused by internal equipment circuit short-circuits or other reasons within the station; it must have been an attack by some Electric-type Pokémon."

"These scattered remnants of books and research materials, which were clearly not yet moved in time, further indicate that the attack was an unexpected event."

As the Flying-type Elite Four member, Brother Qingmu naturally had conducted some research on Electric-type Pokémon, one of the natural enemies of Flying-types.

Precisely because of this, he could confidently judge that the creature which had rampaged through Observation Station No. 3 and destroyed everything here was highly likely to be an Electric-type Pokémon or a monster similar to Roaring Moon.

Luo Mu nodded thoughtfully; meanwhile, the Swampert had already cleared most of the ruins of Observation Station No. 3, and since no bloodstains or exposed human tissues were found in the process, it could be concluded that the researchers and the two professors had successfully evacuated Observation Station No. 3.

Since those who evacuated were not at Observation Stations No. 1 or No. 2, it could only mean they had fled further down to Observation Station No. 4 in the lower layers of Area Zero.

There were not many Electric-type Pokémon in Area Zero; along the way, they had only spotted traces of Raichu, Pawmi, and Bellibolt, but these could only be considered slightly fierce Electric-type Pokémon.

Besides this, in Luo Mu's memory, there were also Electric-type existences among the Paradox Pokémon.

Electric and Ground types, the Paradox Pokémon of Magneton—Sandy Shocks.

Fighting and Electric types, the Paradox Pokémon of Hariyama—Iron Hands.

Rock and Electric types, the Paradox Pokémon of Tyranitar—Iron Thorns.

Electric and Dragon types, the cover legendary of the Zhu Zi game, the Paradox Pokémon—Miraidon.

The Paradox Pokémon capable of causing such devastation and also attacking high cliff walls seemed to be only Sandy Shocks, Iron Thorns, and Miraidon; could it have been that Iron Thorns from just now? That didn't seem likely.

It couldn't be that the two professors had already researched a time machine and summoned Miraidon and Koraidon, could it?

How long had that so-called Terastal Project only just been restarted? Thinking about it, it was impossible.

There was no time to mourn the destroyed Observation Station No. 3; regardless, it seemed they could only proceed downward into the lower caves first.

Luo Mu stood up, his gaze falling upon the brilliant crystals on the cliff slightly farther away from Observation Station No. 3.

The closer they got to the lower layers, the more numerous these crystals became.

Brother Qingmu also stood up accordingly and reminded them seriously, "I only stayed in the lower layer for a very brief period; the walls and crystals there were covered everywhere with Tera Buds and Tera Flowers; having fought with Chairwoman Geeta, you should understand the deadly poison carried by this Pokémon."

"Moreover, the lower layer also gathers powerful and violent Pokémon that prefer dark cave environments, such as Hydreigon."

Luo Mu nodded slightly, his voice sinking a bit: "Tera Buds and Tera Flowers."

How could he not know about this representative Pokémon of Chairwoman Geeta?

In the final stage of the Champion Assessment, Geeta's Tera Flower was enough to plunge even a Luxray, whose body was countless times stronger than ordinary Pokémon, into a state of terrifying poison; if not for the fact that Luo Mu's Luxray's ability was not the common Guts or Intimidate but Guts (specifically referring to the resilience aspect implied), the final result would truly have been hard to predict.

Before he transmigrated, there was even a theory circulating online that Geeta was a behind-the-scenes boss, with one major piece of evidence being that Geeta's ace was the Tera Flower, a species found only in Area Zero.

He didn't know if the final DLC had filled in these plot holes yet; since the main story was so excellent, the follow-up should at least be no worse, and it should be able to supplement the subsequent stories of various characters and basic settings.

Fortunately, his strength now was even more advanced than it was back then, which was also the confidence that allowed Luo Mu to promise Pecharut that he would have the opportunity to take him down into the crater.

The two exchanged a glance, looked at a cave entrance further below Observation Station No. 3, and said in unison, "Let's go."

Probably due to the many lakes in the nearby middle layer, the environment within the underground caves of Area Zero was dark and humid.

However, neither Luo Mu nor Brother Qingmu took out flashlights for illumination, simply because the walls and ground here were studded everywhere with flowing, colorful crystals, whose emitted light was sufficient for people to see the surrounding environment clearly within this dark cave.

The spiral terrain allowed the two to proceed safely and smoothly into the unknown underground.

Boom—!

A loud noise echoed through the vast cave; amidst flying sand and rolling stones, the figure of the Swampert, holding a Hydreigon by the neck with one hand and slamming it hard against the ground, appeared and disappeared.

On the other side, a crane-like Pokémon, entirely pink just like a flamingo, used a kick so powerfully it made one's heart palpitate, directly knocking out another Lokix.

It was Brother Qingmu's ace as the Flying-type Elite Four member, the Flying and Fighting-type Pokémon—Bombirdier.

In just a short while, the group of wild Pokémon gathering around were all stunned by the violent fighting styles of the Swampert and Bombirdier, hesitating and daring not to come forward to sacrifice themselves.

Luo Mu and Brother Qingmu were happy to take it easy; they let the Swampert throw the Hydreigon and Lokix, which they had used to kill the chicken to scare the monkey, back into their respective groups, and continued calmly advancing toward Observation Station No. 4.

Approximately three hours had passed since the two entered the underground caves of the lower layer of Area Zero; according to Brother Qingmu, Observation Station No. 4 should be nearby.

Sure enough, after walking for another twenty-plus minutes, the two stood on a higher elevation and saw the observation station built in front of a huge crystal in the distance.

That was Observation Station No. 4!

The two exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with joy.

Fortunately, Observation Station No. 4 appeared undamaged on the outside, proving that the researchers inside and the two doctors should not have faced any lethal threat.

Why were thunderclouds gathering above the observation station?

In the end, how could a natural phenomenon like thunderclouds, which belong in the sky, occur in an underground cavern!

The Altaria beside Brother Brother Qingmu shuddered, sensing an immensely massive Electric-type energy below.

The next instant, a boom of thunder resembling ten thousand people beating drums echoed from the thunderclouds enveloping Observation Station No. 4; crackling electricity coursed through the clouds, even forming a mysterious magnetic field.

The two exchanged another glance; since Observation Station No. 4 showed no external damage, it must be this inexplicably formed magnetic field beneath the thunderclouds that was interfering with the station's ability to transmit messages and contact the outside world.

After a moment of deliberation, the two planned to descend from the side to scout the situation, when Swampert suddenly spoke up, pointing toward a massive figure slowly emerging from their blind spot.

It was a colossal beast standing at least five or six meters tall, its body covered in golden fur, with parts of the fur displaying black arrow-shaped patterns, while its sturdy, long forelimbs bore red, three-pronged tufts of hair.

Its back featured conspicuous light-blue triangular spiked armor, extending all the way to a light-blue tail that resembled lightning.

The most striking feature of this colossal beast was its slender, elongated neck, atop which coiled a large mass of purple mane resembling thunderclouds.

Hidden within that vast, thundercloud-like mane was the beast's face; its countenance bore a black steel headpiece, lightning-shaped whiskers, and a pair of vertical purple pupils.

As the colossal beast moved, the electricity flickering within the thunderclouds gathered above Observation Station No. 4 frequently converged with the mane on its neck, as if it were being charged.

"What... is this!?"

Both were stunned; whether Luo Mu or Brother Brother Qingmu, neither had ever seen such a Pokémon.

Besides shock, Luo Mu's expression also held a trace of suspicion; from this Pokémon, he saw the shadow of a certain other Pokémon.

It was a Pokémon resurrected personally by Ho-Oh, classified in the Johto region as one of the Three Legendary Beasts and a member of Ho-Oh's guard—the Thunderclap Pokémon, Raikou!

From this Pokémon, Luo Mu perceived its vigorous vitality and the power hidden within its body that seemed capable of destroying everything.

Undoubtedly, this Pokémon was definitely a Paradox Species, but could even legendary Pokémon have Paradox Species?

Setting aside whether that creature was Raikou's Paradox Species for now, Observation Station No. 4 was right before their eyes; this Paradox Species was most likely the culprit behind the two doctors losing contact and the destruction of Observation Station No. 3.

Luo Mu could not figure out who this Pokémon was, but what he needed to do now lay clearly before him.

Defeat it, then rescue the people trapped inside Observation Station No. 4!

Luo Mu said in a low voice, "Brother Brother Qingmu, leave the fighting to me and Swampert."

Brother Brother Qingmu frowned: "It looks very strong; wouldn't it be better if we worked together to resolve this?"

"No, you stay in the rear and cover me."

Luo Mu shook his head; if someone ran out of Observation Station No. 4 while he was battling that Paradox Species, he would be unable to safeguard their safety.

At such a time, the mobility provided by Brother Brother Qingmu's Flying-type Pokémon would come in handy.

Moreover, this Paradox Species might be just the thing to test the power of Swampert after its Mega Evolution, allowing it to truly go all out in a fight!

"Rest assured; I wouldn't propose this without absolute confidence in victory—we won't go throwing our lives away for nothing!"

Luo Mu waved his hand, bowed slightly, and quickly ran downward.

Swampert was even more fierce, leaping straight down from the heights; amidst flying dust, it appeared before the Paradox Species Pokémon that resembled Raikou.

"Looks like this is the final job; hang in there, everyone, and tough it out a bit longer!"

Brother Brother Qingmu propped his forehead and sighed; indeed, he was starting to find young people's thoughts incomprehensible. Pinching the remaining Poké Balls between his fingers, he threw them out together.

Swampert's grandiose landing immediately caught the attention of the Paradox Species Raikou... let's just call it Ancient Raikou for now.

A flash of lightning passed through Ancient Raikou's nearly violet vertical pupils; it seemed different from Roaring Moon, retaining considerable intelligence.

But in contrast, it was more confident in its own power, more exquisite in its control, and... even more arrogant.

Facing a fool who dared to challenge its dignity, surging Electric-type energy gathered within Ancient Raikou's thundercloud-like mane; golden electricity formed a clawing, snarling thunder dragon in midair, carrying a terrifying aura of destruction as it pressed straight toward Swampert!

Luo Mu, rushing downward from the side, was amused by Ancient Raikou's maneuver; that massive amount of Electric-type energy might pose a threat to slightly weaker Ground-type Pokémon.

But when it came to the current Swampert...

Gently touching the Key Stone, Luo Mu shouted loudly: "Swampert, Mega Evolve!"

This Paradox Species Pokémon is Meng Lei Gu.

(End of Chapter)