Chapter 656: Hug Me

Kanto region waters.

Above the mist-shrouded sea, monsoons surged.

Lugia’s arrival was undoubtedly a crushing blow to the once-arrogant Staryu swarm.

The primal pressure emanating from its life tier caused most Garnet Jellies to instinctively display fear.

Even the Giant Staryu regarded Lugia with hesitation and wariness.

It was indeed a hothead, even attempting to approach the Giant Dragonite.

Ever since evolving into this massive form, no creature in this sea had dared challenge the Giant Staryu.

Even the once-dominant humans, after that incident, merely sent envoys to negotiate a non-aggression pact.

Swelling with pride was natural—but Lugia’s sudden intervention was an entirely different matter.

The Giant Staryu, long accustomed to ruling by force, dared not launch an unprovoked attack on Lugia.

In truth, Lugia itself felt equally helpless.

A sea deity like itself, mediating conflicts between Pokémon? If word got out, Moltres would surely mock it endlessly.

But there was no other choice.

During its time wandering near the Hoenn waters with the Giant Dragonite, it had come to understand the loneliness the other endured.

That was why Lugia had decided to intervene.

Though Lugia was not particularly sensitive to loneliness—even somewhat oblivious—it still wished to prevent conflict between them.

After all, if they truly fought, forging friendship or mending ties would become impossible.

They weren’t like its own three rebellious, headache-inducing children, who brawled out of habit, constantly fighting just to feel alive.

Lugia’s intervention had immediate effect.

The Garnet Jellies ceased their commotion, and the Giant Staryu no longer instinctively raised its tentacles in threat.

Lugia withdrew a few body-lengths, giving the Giant Dragonite room to act.

The Giant Dragonite lowered its head slightly and asked the question it had long nurtured and finally dared to voice.

“Roar?” (Do you also struggle with your size?)

The Giant Staryu froze.

It had been wondering whether Lugia and the Giant Dragonite were here to stage some scheme, perhaps to seize territory.

But the Giant Dragonite had suddenly asked a question that first made the Giant Staryu think, “What nonsense are you spouting?”—then fall into sudden silence.

Did it feel troubled by its size?

The Giant Staryu wanted to say no—but memories surged into its mind.

Once, it had been just an ordinary Garnet Jelly, with companions, joys, and worries.

It often sneaked to poke the buttocks of humans swimming nearby, and, relying on its rare Poison-type venom and numerical superiority, ruled its coral reef home, driving away other wild aquatic Pokémon.

But those joys turned to burdens after the disaster from beyond the sky.

Humans drove them from their home—and worse, brought Trainers to chase them away when they tried to reclaim it.

Even when other aquatic Pokémon muttered about karma and retribution, they didn’t care; they just stung their enemies while they slept.

That had been its worry, when it was still a Garnet Jelly.

But all those joys and burdens changed the moment the man in the white uniform with the “R” emblem dumped a bucket of three cups of vinegar onto its head.

A strange principle triggered a unique evolution.

Once dull-witted and empty-headed, it gained greater awareness as its body grew, even developing the ability to release neurotoxins through its tentacles to control other Pokémon—like using a Meowth’s mouth to speak.

Its size became unprecedented; the once-revered Staryu chieftain now shrank to a mere speck, easily flung hundreds of meters by a single lash of its tentacle.

Its former Garnet Jelly companions now kept their distance—even when it tried to approach, the currents it stirred alone pushed them far away.

After exacting revenge on humans, it naturally became the dominant force of this sea, the king of the Staryu swarm.

Yet—it could not bring itself to feel joy.

Everything familiar had slipped away; a loneliness, like standing atop a desolate peak, arose within it.

Though the Giant Staryu refused to admit it, it could not utter the four words: “I am not troubled.”

Its nearly eighty trembling tentacles hung limp; it fell silent.

The Giant Dragonite gazed at it, softening its voice to a gentle “Boo~” (Don’t be afraid—I’m the same too~)

“Boo?” (Want a hug?)

The Giant Dragonite opened its arms, its earnest eyes filled with tenderness.

Having endured countless ages of solitude, it understood this peculiar loneliness all too well.

So the Giant Dragonite wished to help the Giant Staryu—and in doing so, help itself.

“.”

The Giant Staryu twitched its tentacles but made no move.

Yet the Giant Dragonite clearly understood its hesitation; seeing the Giant Staryu’s indecision, it called again.

“Boo~” (Don’t think I’m like this—I’ve built resistance to most toxins over years of exposure~)

“.Duku.” (Then… fine. Just one hug.)

This time, the Giant Staryu did not refuse.

Through the parting path cleared by the Garnet Jellies, it slowly swam toward the Giant Dragonite, cautiously wrapping its tentacles around its body.

Honestly, the scene looked dreadful—Luo Mu even felt as if the Giant Staryu were devouring the Giant Dragonite.

But for two Pokémon far beyond normal scale, perhaps this was the first true, unburdened, fearless embrace they had known in ages?

Hoenn region, Mose Island.

At this moment, Team Aqua and Team Magma grunts were locked in fierce combat, attacks flashing wildly across the battlefield, chaos at its peak.

Yet even amid this chaos, several battle zones were deliberately avoided by both Team Aqua and Team Magma grunts.

Before Water Tree stood a ferocious Sharpedo, its body wrapped in swirling water, hovering midair, baring its razor-sharp fangs.

Flame Pine’s expression remained unchanged; before him stood a heavy-breathing Camerupt, watching Sharpedo with wary alertness.

Aside from these two leaders,

Two high-ranking officers, each holding the other’s organization’s spy, were locked in stalemate.

They both knew—if they fought, some hidden “fishing man” might seize the advantage.

This disappointed Du slightly. But if these evil organization bosses were this easily tricked, why would a detective like him even need to intervene?

Du sensed Gyarados’s presence drawing nearer; he gripped the Poké Ball containing Dragonite, ready to command it to strike Camerupt the instant Gyarados appeared, while Dragonite restrained Sharpedo.

The risk was high—but compared to the current high-alert standoff, this chaos was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Du wasn’t sure if another chance would come; delay invited disaster. He was prepared to gamble everything.

——Soon, a rumbling sound from the forest near the altar drew the attention of many Team Aqua and Team Magma members.

Amid a sea of toppled trees, a massive, vividly red Gyarados burst forth in a frenzy.

Du’s eyes lit up—until he saw six figures riding atop Gyarados, most of them teenagers. His vision darkened.

What?! Didn’t I specifically tell Gyarados to drop off Xiao Gang and the others before landing?

And why are there twice as many people?!

Not only did they not rescue Ash—they were mocking me?!

No one could comprehend the collapse and helplessness in Du’s heart.

“Who are you?!”

Water Tree and Flame Pine shouted in unison; their Sharpedo and Camerupt abandoned their duel, turning their weapons toward the six intruders and the red Gyarados.

They quarreled among themselves, fought among themselves—

But when faced with an outsider, their first instinct was always unity.

Even the grunts locked in battle paused their fighting.

In response,

Nimoh, utterly fearless, leapt down from the red Gyarados first.

Nimoh immediately recited her teacher’s favorite line: “Just a passing Trainer!”

“Phantump, use Shadow Punch!”

Nimoh threw a Poké Ball with a wobbly trajectory; a bandaged Pokémon with a single red eye launched a punch straight at Water Tree.

Zhen Si immediately sent out his Dugtrio—no, Bonechewer Croc—with “Flame Anthem” aimed at Flame Pine.

Jing Xiang’s Jigglypuff swung its evil little hands; two massive gravity forces crashed from above, pinning Water Tree and Flame Pine in place.

Such flawless, instinctive coordination in attacking Trainers—like someone had specially trained Nimoh and the others.

Not just Xiao Gang and Du—

Even Flame Pine and Water Tree were utterly stunned.

What?! How are you so practiced?!

But they were leaders of evil organizations that had terrorized the region; naturally, they had guards.

In the critical moment, Ao Chao shoved aside the Fireyduck he controlled and threw a Poké Ball, releasing a Crustle to shield Water Tree.

Huo Cun did the same, summoning a Magcargo to stand beside Flame Pine.

CRASH!

Phantump and Bonechewer Croc’s attacks were blocked by the two Pokémon!

“Tch.”

Zhen Si frowned. As Luo Mu had said: this surprise tactic only works on lone “villains.”

When there are too many people, accidents happen.

“—Damn it!”

At that moment, realizing he had nearly been ambushed by a brat, Wui Tung roared, and his Gyarados slammed into the Wobbuffet with full fury.

—The Dark-type move “Shadow Sneak” is exceptionally effective.

The Wobbuffet was instantly knocked to the ground.

Wui Tung’s Gyarados’ furious strike was truly too much for this newly evolved Pokémon.

The problem of experience was now clear.

Nimo had intended to use the Wobbuffet’s Ghost-type traits for a surprise advantage, but her planning was still insufficient.

“Sorry, it was my mistake—come back and rest.”

After frantically catching the Poké Ball that Jingxiang had picked up and recalling the Wobbuffet, she regretted that if she had carried a Sceptile, she wouldn’t have had to risk the Wobbuffet.

But Nimo knew her priorities—this time, she unhesitatingly sent out her trump card.

“Bidoof!”

On the other side, Shinji also recalled his Gastrodon, which had been driven back, and decided for now not to switch Pokémon.

Jingxiang had a Chansey give emergency treatment to the Wobbuffet, then summoned her Venusaur to guard the three of them against ambushes.

In the blink of an eye, the first round of clashes ended.

“Psyduck!” “Machop!” Realizing what had happened, Brock and May each sent out their own Pokémon.

But they could only serve as reinforcements.

After all, the group—including the Red Gyarados—was now truly surrounded by six people.

“Kids, you’ve gone too far.”

Wui Tung stared at them with a dark expression, utterly unmoved by the Red Gyarados’ threatening roar.

It was so close! If A-Chao hadn’t been beside him, even if he hadn’t been injured, the Vermilion Pearl in his hand might have slipped away.

Unforgivable indeed!

As the leader of an evil organization, Wui Tung never lacked decisive will—though he had previously been willing to let Flame Song let Brock and the others escape, now he was truly serious.

A-Chao and the freed A-Quan also followed Wui Tung’s will, turning their focus on Nimo and the others.

Flame Song’s side was no different—he, along with the Fire Village and the freed Firey, advanced step by step toward Brock and the others.

Several Pokémon began charging their moves.

Brock glanced at May and Max beside him and thought, Damn it.

He hadn’t brought his main Pokémon as a Gym Leader this time!

Psyduck? Or Florges? Neither seemed capable of resolving the current predicament.

May wasn’t skilled in battle, Max wasn’t even a Trainer—what they could rely on seemed to be only the Gyarados behind them.

At that moment, a loud male voice suddenly rang out from among Team Magma’s grunts.

“Gyarados, Hydro Pump!”

Upon hearing that voice, the Red Gyarados immediately unleashed its fully charged Hydro Pump, countering the searing attacks from Flame Song’s three Fire-type Pokémon.

Meanwhile, knowing he could no longer conceal himself, Kadou ripped off his hood and threw out a Poké Ball.

“Dragonite—”

“Extreme Speed!”

The moment the Poké Ball opened.

An orange-yellow figure, moving with impossible speed for its size, charged behind Flame Song and swiped his hand clean, knocking the Indigo Pearl from his grip!

“—What!?”

Flame Song froze, stunned—someone had been hiding behind him.

On the other side, the supremely confident Wui Tung suffered his own Waterloo.

Believing the Wobbuffet represented Nimo’s full strength, he stared in disbelief as his Gyarados was chased down and electrocuted by Bidoof.

Seeing Shinji and Jingxiang struggling against A-Chao and A-Quan, both high-ranking members of Team Aqua.

Nimo simply summoned her Tauros and Ursaring, gave no commands, and let them block the Cradily and Empoleon.

(End of Chapter)