Chapter 41: Psychic Key
During their escape, Morgan, Dylan, Wire and Emma were against Sergeant Sushi. Due to him creating a spiky trap, it was near impossible for anyone to get close enough to land a hit, but thanks to Emma's "subconscious" nature, they managed to defeat him. As for Manfred and Crusta, Major Cinnamon proved to be too quick and unpredictable for them until they were saved by two fighters from the Pokken Arts Tournament, which were a Druddigon and a Linoone.
Realizing that she was surrounded, she had to resort to another option, which was to flash a green pulse from her forehead gem, which didn't do anything for a moment until sounds of guns clicking rang their ears. As they looked around, they were surrounded by cloaked Pokemon, some of them being Corporals in blue cloaks and others trainees in orange cloaks.
Crusta: W-We're surrounded!
Thanks to the distraction, Cinnamon then leaped high enough so she could fly over Crusta and Manfred, along with the squads she called in to disappear amongst them, using it as some sort of getaway plan. As they returned their attention back to where she once was, they were in shock.
Manfred: Impossible!
Linoone: She's gon'!
Manfred: It seems feline kat is kovarrrd. She hypocrrrite.
Crusta: Hello?! We're surrounded!
A blue cloaked Pokemon pointed a shotgun at the fighters, and in a male voice, he said…
Corporal: Surrender yourselves unless you want to die!
Linoone: Oh well. Tim' to knock them aut', zig-zag styl'!
As she was about to dash, the Druddigon raised a hand, grabbing her attention as he stopped her.
Linoone: Oy'! What' are yau-
The Druddigon appeared calm, not even showing signs of worry as he opened the book to read a testament from it, staring down his enemies as he did it. He began with…
Druddigon: …Core, 220; I stand my ground as my enemies before me will be powered with fear as I lay my knowledgeable hands upon the skies, allowing the almighty lord to give me strength!
Everyone was confused by what he said until he placed the book in between the spikes on his tail and indeed raised his hands in the air, sparking yellow electricity that flowed in his hands.
Druddigon: I shall not be afraid! With the blessing received by the lord, I will strike them down with his mighty power!
He slammed his hands down to the tiled floor, letting loose a controlled blast of electricity that struck every cloaked member, only to be surprised himself when the attack appeared to be doing nothing whatsoever to them.
Manfred: It had niet effect!
Corporal: …What was that, exactly?
Druddigon: Impossible...! Their cloaks resist electricity?!
Corporal: *laughs* You chose to die! Men, fire!
They pointed their guns at the fighters, but before they could fire, they were struck by a yellow blur, knocking every one of them to the ground within seconds and causing them to drop their weapons in the process. The only one left standing was the Corporal, who was shaking in fear. He took a few steps back before running away in a panic.
Linoone: *pants* That'll teach em'...!
Druddigon: ...Do not exert yourself. Using too much energy in one burrrst can drain you quicker than you can recover.
Linoone: Pfft…! I'll be fin'...! Yau're worrying for nothing...!
Crusta: We must cahtch up weeth zat green-cloaked Pahkemahn! She rahn like a pussycaht weeth hair tail tucked between hair legs!
Manfred: I have better idea. Let's find ourrr vay out of herrre. Finding her is not objective. She seemed keen to rrrunning avay knoving she vas outmatched.
Druddigon: That sounds like a good idea. But where is it?
Crusta: We'll find a way! Let's go, go, go!
...
Back to where Zamenza and the party were, they received another visitor in the cell, to which it was a Pokemon only Unhaus and strangely enough, Mr. P recognized. The Pokemon was a black Ursaring to which he was in chains from head to toe and had a muzzle over his mouth to prevent him from speaking. He was then thrown to the floor by the cloaked guards before the doors closed.
Despite being muzzled, he made grunting sounds as he was fidgeting on his stomach to be freed. He really wanted to break free judging by his raging expression.
Zamenza: …Oh, dear…Who is this?
Moody: Shouldn't we be the ones to ask you that?
Zamenza: …Thing is, I…don't know this Pokemon.
Mr. P: …I think I do. I've seen him before. He's named "Ulysses". He's said to be a Pokemon from the Puff Kingdom. Kinda strange how he's from a country known for its peaceful antics and friendly banter.
Zamenza: *nods* Strange indeed.
Ulysses began grunting as he started at Zamenza, looking as if he had the intent to kill him based upon his response.
Zamenza: …Oh, dear. It seems I've made him mad. But what is he in the tournament for?
Mr. P: That…I don't know. But I do know he has a son that he wants to rescue.
Unhaus: I know that. He kept screaming about that when I was off to get Eve…
Tanner: It's starting to feel like the more we resist, the more likely we're going to be targets.
Suhi: ...What a' we going to do now? If the otha' fighta's a' going to bwought in a', we'll neva' be able to pawticipate in any toa'nament eva' again…
Zamenza: Do not give up. Those fighters are still out there. If anything, they'll get themselves out of here.
The doors opened again, but this time the cloaked soldiers threw a chained Pokemon into the wall before it dropped back down to the floor near Zamenza. The doors closed, filling the room with silence once again. The Pokemon in question appeared to be a Nosepass with a gray color and its covered nose being yellow. It also appeared to have stones for eyebrows, and had a hole on the center of its forehead.
Zamenza: Who's that?
Suhi: 'e is Nemesio. Appawently fwom the Stone Countwy.
Mr. P: I've never seen a Nosepass like that before.
Suhi: Neitha' ave I, appawently.
Zamenza: Interesting. At this point, we might as well throw an execution party! *laughs*
Despite Zamenza being the only one laughing, the room was filled with silence as all eyes were on him as if he said something awkward, which made him stop.
Zamenza: …What? Too soon?
Moody: *sweat drop* …Yeah.
The Nosepass woke up, although confused by his surroundings as he looked around and noticed the Pokemon in his room. He spoke in a language that was somewhat native to where he was from…or something as he asked…
Nosepass: …¿Dónde estoy?
Not many Pokemon in the room could understand what he said. They looked to Zamenza, to which he could only respond with…
Zamenza: …Don't look at me. I don't study that language.
Moody: *frustration mark* Dammit, Zamenza! You're supposed to be smarter than that!
Zamenza: I'm not a language book, alright?
However, upon hearing their language the Nosepass said something that surprised them, although his accent was similar to his foreign language.
Nosepass: …Normal. Goot ebening.
Moody: …I don't believe it…! He spoke our language!
Zamenza: Good evening…Wait, "good evening"?! What time is it?!
The Nosepass stood still for a moment until it spoke again.
Nosepass: It is...2:05 a.m.
Everyone except the Ursaring that was still trying to free himself had looks of surprise to one another.
Tanner: Crap! We've been in here that long?! No wonder the mood feels different!
Unhaus: If I had known that, I'd be asleep by now!
Zamenza: Me and Moody here were asleep earlier, but well…you know what happened.
Nosepass: I am Nemesio, a Nosepass frrrom de Stone Countrrry. It seems dat we arrre jherrre forrr some sorrrt of purrrpose.
Zamenza: Welcome to the execution chamber. We're slowly waiting for our deaths.
Nemesio: I see. We arrre de rrrebels of de cause dey seek to rrrit of, so we arrre to be killet forrr "defiance".
Moody: In simple terms, yes.
Zamenza: May we ask what brought you in here?
Nemesio: It is a storrry to laugh at. I trrrippet whilst aboiding de cloaket Pokemon forrr some time ant as a rrresult, I'm jherrre.
Mr. P: That's not a story to laugh at. It's perfectly understandable.
Moody: That's right.
Zamenza: …Mr. Nemesio, you are participating in the Pokken Arts Tournament, right? If so, what is your motivation?
Nemesio: My motibation is to brrring awarrreness to Errrosion Feberrr. Despite de countrrry being grrreat forrr its jhistorrric monuments, Rock type Pokemon arrre losing parrrts of dierrr bodies by dis disease. So I aim to funt rrresearrrch in rrreducing it.
Zamenza: *nods* Mm. Mm. That's a good reason to join.
Tanner: I'm confused. I'm a Grass type, but could you tell me what "Eroision Fever" is?
Nemesio: Errrosion Feberrr is a disease dat affects Rock type Pokemon. RRRight now, you see me as "whole". But if I was to acquirrre de disease...I might appearrr to you with a señorrritaing arrrm orrr leg, orrr eben worrrse...jhalf my body woult be intact. It also affects Mutant Rock type Pokemon too, if you'rrre wonderrring.
Tanner: Damn! That sounds horrifying! I thought us Grass types with Blight Disease or Mosaic Fever were terrifying enough, but it doesn't compare to what you guys have to suffer through! It's like living whilst being broken down at the same time!
Moody: Truly a horrific disease indeed.
Nemesio: We naturrrally brrreak down as we age, but Errrosion Feberrr makes it unnaturrral, as eben newborrrns will be unable to ssape demselbes...It spells de ent forrr us…
Suhi: So it's similaw to the Steel type's "Co'wosive Feva'"...only except you don't see a wozting body pawt about to fall off… *shudders* …'ow o'wifying...
Mr. P: …You know, those diseases remind me of my home country, the Sect Kingdom…In ancient times, we had to deal with the most terrifying disease known to kill Bug type Pokemon…Cordyceps.
Zamenza: …That's a word I never thought I would hear again…Had a friend who died from it.
Mr. P: It's still prevalent, but not as often. Those who are infected are quickly disposed of into the waters. It's the only way to kill it off, even if the sufferer has to die in the process.
Nemesio: ...I take dat back. Dat sounds worrrse dan ourrrs. I feel forrr you.
Mr. P: *shakes head* Don't. I guess it's Arceus's way of reducing our great numbers.
Zamenza: …You know, it feels like we're trying to compare which disease is worse, but I'm still wanting to know how long it will take until our execution.
Moody: My concern is where Happy, Charles and Miss Baye are…I hope they're alright…
...
In the Senior Head's office, Brigadier Chan Way and Colonel Hummus were looking at the monitor whilst receiving a call from a Dirty Delinquent soldier.
?: Number 551 to Brigadier! Sergeant Sushi is down! I repeat: Sergeant Sushi is down!
Chan Way: What?!
551: We believe it to be the four parties responsible!
Chan Way: Damn!
Hummus pressed buttons to where it showed four red dots heading down Block A, which was somewhat further away from the room they were in.
Hummus: Brigadier, they're heading our way!
Chan Way: *slams fist on desk* Dammit!
He then pressed the emblem on his cloak to turn off his communication and pressed it again to call someone else for this particular task.
Chan Way: Major Cinnamon, this is Brigadier Chan Way! I need a response!
However, there was no answer, which was strange to him.
Chan Way: Major Cinnamon, respond immediately! This is a crucial situation!
Again, no answer. He pressed the emblem to turn it off, causing him to sulk at the desk as he groaned and buried his gloves into his face, hoping to relieve tension from the stressful situation. However, Hummus had something in mind.
Hummus: Brigadier, do you want me to take care of them?
Chan Way: *gestures hand* …Sure…Do whatever…Anything to ease my pain…
She nodded and pulled the hood over her face as she headed out the door. At this point, Chan Way could only say to himself in a hopeless tone…
Chan Way: …I'm going to be dead by the time the Senior Head gets back…I hope he's in a good mood…Maybe he'll go easy on me…
...
Back to where Happy and the group were, they managed to catch up with Project P-2.0, who was severely exhausted from its teleporting powers. It didn't have much left, and even if it used it, the results wouldn't be excellent as it would only teleport a few feet from where it was. Thanks to Honori, he led them to it, which was several feet away from them. However, they were unaware of a presence that was lurking around them in plain sight…
Baye: Is that it?
Happy: Well, PZ? Is it Pukupuku?
PZ nodded, giving them a confirmation. However, it intrigued Charles and Baye by what Happy called it.
Charles: "Pukupuku"?
Happy: Yeah! I thought I'd give it a name! I know! I'll call PZ here "Plover"!
PZ titled his head in confusion, although its head glitched every which way that freaked Baye out. But that didn't mean that he didn't like it. Rather, he chirped happily in a "glitchy" way as this was the first time he was given a name other than a standard "project" name. It felt more…heartwarming to be named something more natural.
Charles: He likes it…!
Baye: …I wonder why…
Happy: Hey, Plover. Is it possible to catch it?
Plover pondered it for a moment until Pukupuku (P-2.0) was being grabbed by…something as it struggled to get free. A set of white hands followed by a singular eye with an orange pupil were restricting it, which drew everyone's attention. As it continued struggling, it eventually passed out from exhaustion as it closed its eyes and the one-eyed thing with hands gently placed it on the floor and released it from its grasp.
Baye: W-Who is that?
The eyes and hands were then attached to a body that just "appeared" out of thin air, being that of a Pokemon. The Pokemon in question was a Dusclops with a tan colored body and white wispy growths from its sides, along with the one growing out of its head, which looked to be like a long white ponytail.
Dusclops: …Do not be afraid, mortals. I possess no intent to harm.
Baye: Who are you? Are you a Dusclops?
Dusclops: That I am. I'm Deion, by the way.
Baye: D-Deion….?
Happy: Cool!
Deion: I assume you were wanting that Pokemon over there?
Baye: Yeah…But, why help us? How can we trust you, and how did you get here? You don't look the type to be harmed by bullets, to be honest.
Deion: It's what I do. I do not like others bullying the innocent, and as for my whereabouts here, the Dirty Delinquents carry weapons that can even harm Ghost type Pokemon, which are called "spirit bullets". I was also restrained here until I was freed sometime ago. I wish to free my younger brother from this place, as he is being holed up somewhere.
Baye: Wow…Wait, "spirit bullets"? But you don't look hurt.
Deion: That is because spirit bullets are meant to paralyze purely Ghost type Pokemon. I recovered from it after being freed from my cell.
Baye: Oh. That makes sense. Say, can you bring that Pokemon with us? We're going to need it to find our folks.
Deion: Not a problem.
He picked up Pukupuku and followed the group back to the lab. A moment later, they were in the lab with Metalchemist and Project Program waiting for them. Both Baye and Deion looked around in amazement, realizing that they were in another environment. Their biggest surprise was seeing Metalchemist, who was strange by his appearance.
Metalchemist: You are back. I see that you brought Project P-2.0 and some guests with you.
Deion: …Incredible. I've never seen a Metagross like that before.
Baye: Neither have I!
Metalchemist: That is because I am Project Meta, a Pokemon genetically enhanced by Doctor Frappe.
Deion: Oh. Nice to meet you. I'm Deion.
Baye: And I'm Baye.
Metalchemist: Nice to meet you, Deion. Miss Baye. Since you bought P-2.0, I can assure its safety with our presence. Place it down and I shall do the rest.
Deion: Right.
He placed Pukupuku down to the floor, and as Metalchemist walked to it, he placed a leg on its head and released a pulse that woke it up. However, instead of running away, it saw Metalchemist and was relieved. By surprise, it spoke for the first time.
Pukupuku: …Project…Meta?
Baye: Huh?!
Charles: It can speak?!
Pukupuku turned to them, answering them in the most courteous way.
Pukupuku: Of course I can. I was created with language in mind. I can speak almost many languages.
Baye: Mr. Pukupuku…We were wondering about something…Why were you moving all around the place?
Pukupuku: …"Pukupuku"?
Happy: It's my name for you!
Pukupuku: Hmm…I'll accept such a name. As for why I was teleporting everywhere in here, I guess I was scared…I was held in such a place inside a glass tube being monitored 24/7 by unfamiliar faces that…I had to find a way out…
Baye: That's awful…
Pukupuku: …But enough about me. I would like to know why I am here.
Metalchemist: It is simple. Our friends here need help in finding their comrades.
Pukupuku: I see.
Metalchemist: Program, PZ, gather around. P-2.0, we need to bypass the security in Program's database. Once that happens, PZ will hack into it and allow us to access the grid to find the location of our friends' pals.
Pukupuku: Understood.
From behind the doors, Sid was listening closely to the conversation, which was surprising considering how two children managed to free Metalchemist.
Sid: (...Impossible…! They were working with Project Meta this entire time…?! This surely brings trouble to us…I could contact the Brigadier, but that would only complicate things…Better see where they go with this…)
...