Barbaracle glared at Machoke, a murderous look in his eyes. But why? Sure, he was serious about the match, but it seemed like there was something else going on.

Machoke trembled and thought, 'Good God, I wish he'd stop looking at me like that. He's scary enough as he is,' Aipom stroking her chin while saying, "There's something about this guy that rubs me the wrong way, but I don't know what it is."

With that, the bell rang as Barbaracle took a deep breath, unfolding his arms as his top four were pointed straight up in the air, his bottom four more like normal arms. A look of determination was in his eyes as he said, "I've been waiting for this."

With that, the barnacle wasted no time running toward Machoke. However, the boy seemed ready as he immediately sent a kick toward Barbaracle's midsection. This of course made sense as that was one of the spots not covered by the two big rocks.

However, Barbaracle easily countered this as he sent his lower arms inward, grabbing Machoke's ankle as the boy panicked, the barnacle saying, "What an obvious tactic. At least Scyther was more creative with her kicks," before sending his top arms forward, scratching Machoke's shoulders as he cried out in pain.

The boy's ankle was still stuck as Barbaracle stated, "I could simply twist your ankle right now, but I want to enjoy this moment," everyone really confused, the Greek fans still applauding him regardless. It did not sound like Barbaracle wanted to win the Olympics so much as he had a score to settle.

Whatever the case was, he certainly would not let Machoke go as he proceeded to use his top arms to punch the boy repeatedly in the face. Aipom gritted her teeth before shouting, "MACHOKE, YOU CAN STILL MOVE YOUR ARMS!" the boy nodding before holding them up, blocking two incoming punches before grabbing hold of the barnacle's wrists.

"You made a big mistake letting me remain this close to you," Machoke said with a smirk before using his one free foot to propel himself high above the mat. He then proceeded to lean backwards, Barbaracle's eyes wide with shock as the boy aimed his head toward the canvas.

"ALRIGHT, MACHOKE!" Blaziken exclaimed, "That's what I'm talking about!" but just as it seemed like the boy was finally going to get the advantage, all went silent when Barbaracle's head opened up just like an actual hand, the barnacle leaning it back as it made contact with the mat. However, since his palm had ended up hitting the mat instead of the distal phalanx, Barbaracle had taken in no pain whatsoever.

Machoke's eyes widened as the barnacle released his hold on his foot, wrapping his arms around the boy's sides before lifting him up and sending him downward, slamming his head hard into the canvas. The Greek fans went wild as Machoke quickly sprang back up, rubbing his head, his eyes wide with terror. The match had barely started and he had already taken in a horrible beating while his opponent remained unharmed.

"Barbaracle is really showing just how strong he is," Nori stated, "Machoke has tried two moves that really should have worked and yet Barbaracle has managed to counter both of them while unleashing a great deal of pain."

"In hindsight, I should have expected something like that," Blaziken said, the others staring at her as she added, "At first I thought maybe his head just happened to look like a hand, but it seems that it is an actual hand and functions like one too. It's gonna be difficult for Machoke to deal damage to that spot, that's for sure."

"And to make matters worse, Barbaracle has four more hands," Reika replied, "and we've already seen how useful those are to him. It's just like the announcer said, he's barely shown us any of his techniques and already he's a major threat."

"You don't look so good, Machoke," Barbaracle said, "I'd heard you were the son of Machamp. Guess I heard wrong," the boy gritting his teeth and remarking, "Shut up! This has only just started!" trying his best to hide his fear.

However, a light bulb suddenly went off in his head as he rushed toward the barnacle, Gallade asking, "Is that really such a smart move?" Gardevoir biting her lip and whimpering, "I hope so."

Just as Machoke got close to Barbaracle, the barnacle was just about to send his arms out when Machoke dodged to the right. His plan was to send a kick to the barnacle's midsection from behind. However, when he got to that very spot, Barbaracle's top hands simply turned around, staring right at him with the eyeballs on their palms.

Machoke was in panic when Barbaracle had them both grab him by the shoulders, the barnacle leaping into the air before throwing the boy over his own shoulders so now he was upside down. Barbaracle then proceeded to wrap his lower arms and his legs around Machoke's torso and head, shouting, "HARPOON DRIVER!" sending the boy's skull hard into the canvas.

Beedrill's eyes were wide with shock as he said, "Damn, that guy's tough," Weedle all the while thinking, 'Yes, I had a feeling Barbaracle could defeat Machoke with ease. Not only is he really tough, but he has a grudge against that idiot's family that's been going on since before he was even born.'

Nori simply stared and said, "And with very little effort, Barbaracle has already managed to take Machoke down!" everyone in absolute shock as Gallade uttered, "It can't be true, can it?" but it certainly seemed so as Machoke was not moving an inch. His eyes were stuck wide open, his jaw dropped as his body just lay there.

"Damn, once again, Barbaracle has surprised me," Blaziken grunted, "I thought maybe those eyes on his hands were just for show but it seems they're real. This guy has just about everything going in his favour and he hasn't even made use of those rocks of his."

"But it can't be over yet," Reika remarked, "Seriously, Machoke has dealt with far worse pain over the past. This is nothing," Scyther nodding and getting up, shouting, "COME ON, MACHOKE! GET UP! IT'S NOT LIKE YOU TO LOSE THIS EASILY!"

Weedle then noticed no one had started the count as he nudged Beedrill, the wasp blinking and saying, "Right," but just as he was about to start the countdown, it seemed Scyther's words had reached Machoke as his eyes widened, the boy quickly getting back up while the Japanese fans cheered wildly, one of them shouting, "Wow, all that pain and he's still going!" another exclaiming, "Machoke's awesome!"

Machoke smiled weakly and waved to the crowd as Barbaracle grunted, "Just as smug as your father was. It figures," Aipom blinking and asking, "Wait, what?"

Machoke blinked as well and asked, "Wait, most heroes tend to call him brave and amazing. You sound like you actually know something different," the barnacle nodding and remarking, "That's cause I do! My mother told me everything about him on her death bed!"

Everyone stared in confusion as Aipom tilted her head, Machoke asking, "Any idea what he's talking about?" the monkey shrugging and replying, "I have no idea. There's no one Machamp faced in the past that he resembles in the slightest, especially none of the females he fought."

Barbaracle simply shook his head and sighed, "Well, it is true that I don't really look that much like my mom, but yes, Machamp did indeed face her in the twenty-second Hero Olympics!" all going silent as Machoke stated, "Hold on, Aipom, do you know who my dad's opponents were in that one?"

Aipom nodded and replied, "Let's see, in the first round he fought Ekans. His second opponent was Graveler. His third was Corsola and the final adversary was Registeel."

"Yes, the third one was my mother!" Barbaracle exclaimed, everyone gasping as Nori stated, "It seems there's more to this match than meets the eye as Barbaracle is the son of Machamp's third opponent in the twenty-second Hero Olympics! Could this match be about revenge!?"

"That's exactly what this is about!" Barbaracle remarked, "This is why I wanted to fight you of all opponents, Machoke! Your father humiliated my mother when they fought!"

Everyone was now paying full attention to what he had to say as he added, "It was a truly intense match, one for the ages! Mom was dominating your dad, hitting him with everything she had! However, Machamp ruined everything when he managed to use her own corals against her! All it took was one hit to put her out of commission, the most humiliating loss in the history of the Hero Olympics! Her dying wish was for me to defeat her son and avenge her loss!"

Everyone stared in shock as Machoke's eyes widened, the boy barking, "WAIT, ARE YOU SAYING MY DAD KILLED YOUR MOM!?" Barbaracle blinking before remarking, "No! Though now that you mention it, I did kind of make it sound like that, didn't I?" Machoke face-palming before remarking, "That's putting it lightly."

"Oh no, she died the day Beedrill announced the Hero Olympics," Barbaracle explained, "See, she had been swimming that day when someone dumped acid in the water," everyone in absolute shock as the barnacle added, "But even so, I swore that I would defeat you and I plan on keeping that promise! No matter what, I will not rest until you fall to my hands, all five of them!"

Sure, that threat was kind of lame, but Machoke was still terrified out of his mind. Not only was Barbaracle extremely powerful, but he was out for revenge. How could the boy possibly stand up to someone with that kind of determination and power all at the same time?

"Hey, Machoke, what are you doing!?" came a familiar voice as the boy's eyes widened, darting back and forth as many others were looking for the source, the voice adding, "I'M RIGHT HERE!"

Machoke turned and noticed a man standing near the main entrance to the area, but this was no ordinary man. It was the deformed human he had earned sixteenth place in the three-legged race with, but what was he doing here?

"Hey!" Machoke exclaimed, waving at him as Barbaracle rose an eyebrow.

Had everyone just forgotten about him? It seemed so as the boy added, "I thought I'd never see you again! How are you doing!?"

"I've been doing a lot better since that race!" the man exclaimed, "I never knew I could be capable of running so fast! Now I run everywhere!"

Reika stared and uttered, "Who is that again?" Gardevoir replying, "That's the guy Machoke raced with," Gallade nodding and replying, "Oh yeah."

"So, why are you here right now?" Machoke asked as the man replied, "Well, I'm the owner of this aquarium," all going silent as Weedle nodded and replied, "It's true. He was the one who agreed to let us use the pool for our match," the man adding, "Oh, and because I never got a chance to introduce myself before, my name is Enkai Mizu!"

Machoke took a while to realize that was Japanese for 'ocean water' but figured it must have been a coincidence. Either way, it certainly explained why he was there.

"It was nice seeing you, but I have a match to get to," Machoke stated as Barbaracle nodded, replying, "Yes, thank you for remembering," the rest of the crowd feeling bad as they had actually temporarily forgotten about it, Aipom sighing, "Really, guys?"

"That's why I got your attention," Enkai replied, "because I have a tip that might help you," Barbaracle remarking, "Hey, he's not a second!" Beedrill shrugging his shoulders and replying, "True, but audience members are free to do what they want as long as they don't step into the ring," Enkai adding, "As the owner of this aquarium, I know something you can use to take advantage of Barbaracle."

Machoke's eyes sparkled as he asked, "What is it?" Aipom wondering the same thing as Enkai replied, "I don't want it to be too obvious for Barbaracle, so I'll give you a hint. It's currently dominating the fighting area."

Aipom blinked, her eyes widening as she squeaked, "That's right, the water!" Machoke nodding and smirking before saying, "Yeah, and I know exactly how to use it against him too."

Barbaracle let out a sigh and remarked, "You're full of hot air! The only way to use the water here against me is to send me out of the ring, and if you haven't noticed yet, I have a countermeasure for every single one of your moves!"

"He's got a point," Reika uttered, Scyther folding her arms and replying, "Don't worry, Reika. He's got an idea, I can tell," Gardevoir nodding with a light smile and adding, "It's simple but it just might work."

Everyone was rather shocked as the boy turned tail and fled toward the side of the ring, Barbaracle blinking and growling, "Oh no, you're not running away!" the barnacle charging toward him as the boy stopped at the edge and knelt down, ducking his upper body under the bottom rope.

"You won't escape!" Barbaracle spat before grabbing onto the boy's ankles. But just as he pulled Machoke up, water flew from the boy's hands and right into Barbaracle's regular eyes, said parts going wide as he cried out in agony, releasing Machoke and flailing his arms around.

Machoke wasted no time in scooping up more water from the pool and flinging it into the eyes of the hands, Barbaracle now trying his best to see through it but finding it hard, the barnacle closing all six of them. Enkai simply gave Machoke thumbs up with a big smile on his face, the boy running over to his opponent and sending a roundhouse to his midsection.

Barbaracle winced in pain as that one kick had actually dealt a great deal of pain, the barnacle taking in another kick before sending his arms forward. Machoke saw this coming and dashed behind him, delivering another roundhouse. The Japanese fans along with Machoke's friends were going wild as things were finally looking up.

'I knew it,' Machoke thought with a grin, 'Barbaracle's torso is so skinny, I figured there couldn't have been much muscle there, so even something as simple as a kick would deal as much damage as a Suplex would to any other opponent.'

Barbaracle was starting to get his eyesight back, but his eyes were beet red with tears running down them as he spat, "HEY, CHAIRMAN, ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS IS LEGAL TOO!?" Beedrill nodding and replying, "It's not a weapon nor is it the rope, so yes, this is perfectly acceptable," Weedle sighing, "And he's not lying either."

After a couple more kicks, Machoke said, "Alright, time to end this," the boy grabbing hold of Barbaracle's upper rock and shoving it forward, forcing his opponent's face toward the turnbuckle.

However, everyone gasped when Barbaracle simply tilted his head to the side, opening it up like a regular hand again and grabbing onto the turnbuckle with it. Once again, he had used his palm to avoid taking in damage and it certainly did not end there as he sent his feet back, hitting Machoke hard in the gut and sending him flying halfway across the ring.

The Greek fans looked relieved as Barbaracle rubbed all six of his eyes, finally managing to dry them off as he took a deep breath, grunting, "I'm not gonna lie, Machoke, that was very clever, but it's not enough to defeat me."

"Oh no, he was so close!" Gardevoir whimpered as Reika took a deep breath, saying, "I hate to admit it, but I'm not seeing a lot of other options here. Barbaracle's been impossible to hit with his eyesight in check up to this point."

Aipom seemed to agree as she exclaimed, "DON'T WASTE TIME, MACHOKE, BLIND HIM AGAIN!" the boy nodding, sprinting toward the pool and scooping up more water, once again flinging it toward Barbaracle's eyes while using his hands like a shovel.

However, the barnacle was ready this time as he clenched all of his fists, even the one on his head, the water hitting those instead. Machoke's eyes widened as Barbaracle opened his hands up again before asking, "Do you think I'm stupid enough to fall for the same trick twice? Let's face it, your ultimate solution is gone now!"

"And just as Machoke had hit a breakthrough," Nori stated, "his advantage is once again gone. Can he possibly find a way to defeat Barbaracle now?"

Machoke turned to Enkai with hope in his eyes as the man shrugged, saying, "Sorry, that was all I could come up with," Machoke groaning and hanging his head.

Aipom tapped her chin and said, "I've been studying his attack patterns this whole time and I still haven't found any other way of exploiting all those eyes of his. You could try poking them, but I don't think Barbaracle would allow you to get more than the eyes on his head."

The boy let out a sigh and groaned, "I figured as much," Barbaracle running toward him and shouting, "I'm not gonna let you come up with another plan! After that last stunt you pulled, I'm mad!"

Machoke tried to dodge only for the barnacle to swing two arms sideways, striking Machoke's side and causing him to spin thus getting dizzy. After that, Barbaracle proceeded to stand on his tip-toes, tucking his arms in and spinning around, shouting, "STONE EDGE!" the move's name being rather appropriate as he sent the edges of his rocks right into the boy, scraping him as he coughed up blood, flying toward the ropes and bouncing off of them, taking in another strike from Barbaracle's stones.

The Greek fans went wild as Aipom bit her lip, wondering what the boy could possibly do to get around this. No one else was sure what to do, Enkai wishing he could come up with another strategy as Barbaracle proceeded to charge toward Machoke, his head lowered and clenched into a fist while he used his hand eyes to make sure Machoke stayed in place.

"SKULL PUNCH!" Barbaracle spat as he sent his skull or rather knuckles hard into Machoke's chest, the boy coughing up a bit more blood. This seemed to do a great deal of damage as now the boy felt too weak to fight back.

Barbaracle took full advantage of this as he lifted the boy up with his top hands, saying, "You did manage to put up an okay fight, but you were still a disappointment," leaning his head back and opening it up before placing Machoke's back against his palm, using his head to spin Machoke like pizza dough and shouting, "PIZZA DOUGH TOSS!"

All went silent as Barbaracle hurled Machoke into the wall, the boy sliding down the side and into the water, the boy too weak to stay afloat as he was soon submerged, all going silent. The Greek fans of course broke the silence with heavy cheering as Barbaracle folded his arms, certain he had won.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Gardevoir said with a smile, "Machoke can just swim out," Blaziken laughing nervously and replying, "I hate to break it to you, but the members of the Mach family aren't good swimmers," Gardevoir gasping in terror, Scyther gritting her teeth and saying, "Now it makes sense. Weedle chose this location in the hopes that he would drown."

However, this was proven wrong as Beedrill explained, "Worry not about Machoke's health, folks, for we have lifeguards ready to save him when he stops blowing bubbles," Gallade saying, "Well, that still counts as a loss anyway, so your theory is still sound to a degree."

Aipom all the while was staring in absolute horror. She wished she could go down and save her pupil right now, but she knew that if she did that, Machoke would still be disqualified.

All the while, Machoke was doing his best to keep breathing, his eyes wide as he covered his mouth. However, he then noticed an octopus swim by his head, the boy staring in confusion before noticing even more sea creatures. He had assumed all of the sea life was being kept in tanks seeing as the pool was usually reserved for shows involving seals and dolphins. But as unexpected as this was, it gave him an idea.

Everyone watched in silence while bubbles rose from the pool, Nori saying, "I've heard members of the Mach family are not particularly good at swimming, but Machoke is doing a descent job holding his breath," Enkai all the while thinking, 'I should have never let them use my pool for this. I hope he's not suffering.'

All the while, Barbaracle simply implied a smirk as he thought, 'It doesn't matter how long Machoke holds his breath. There's no way he'll be able to return to the surface. You've been avenged, Mother.'

However, one member of the audience stared wide-eyed when he noticed the bubbles getting bigger, pointing and shouting, "EVERYONE, LOOK!" the crowd staring as Aipom asked, "Did he actually manage to get to the surface?"

Barbaracle's eyes widened as he shook his head, uttering, "No, it can't be. Tell me it's not true."

Soon, all became clear as Machoke rose up with five octopi pulling up on his shoulders and head, a school of fish acting as a raft for him to stand on as the boy smirked, saying, "You won't take me down so easily!"

Weedle's eyes widened as he spat, "Wait, what is sea life doing in pool water!?" Enkai smiling and replying, "Well, it always looks like they're suffering inside of their tanks, so I let them swim around in the pool when the dolphins and seals aren't in it."

Enkai then waved at the creatures and exclaimed, "Thanks for helping out my new friend!" Machoke blinking while thinking, 'So that's why they were so cooperative,' the crowd going wild as Blaziken sighed, "Good old Machoke. Only he could pull off a miracle like this," Reika exclaiming, "ALRIGHT, NOW GET IN THERE AND FIGHT!"

"Actually, he doesn't need to rush," Beedrill replied, "The rules for the pool matches are that a ring-out only counts as a loss if the fighter is unable to surface. If he's above water, it doesn't matter too much," Machoke replying, "That's good to know, but I have no intention of staying out the ring any longer," the boy then asking, "Say, Weedle, you said animals are allowed to do whatever they want during a match, even if they decide to enter the ring, right?"

"Yes," Weedle replied with a look of discontent before muttering, "I'm just amazed you actually remembered that."

With that in mind, Machoke grinned at the octopi, all five nodding as the boy hurled each one at one of Barbaracle's hands. Each one of them latched onto a hand, wrapping its tentacles around it to prevent the barnacle from opening them, including his head.

With that, Machoke knew Barbaracle could no longer counter head blows as he leapt onto the rope, bouncing off of it and performing a vertical flip toward the barnacle's distal phalanx. Once close enough, he planted his foot hard into it while the Japanese fans and his friends went wild.

The boy did not let it end there as he proceeded to punch the back of Barbaracle's head before wrapping his arms around his waist and lifting him up, leaning backward and planting his head hard into the mat. The Japanese fans were still cheering as Nori stated, "Once again, Machoke takes the advantage with another odd strategy! How is Barbaracle going to get out of this!?"

"Are you kidding!?" the barnacle retorted, "This is even easier to figure out than the last stunt you pulled!" Barbaracle slowly but surely prying the octopi off of him and hurling them back into the pool, Enkai's eyes wide as he spat, "Did he hurt you!?" the octopi implying thumbs up the best they could with tentacles.

With that, Barbaracle glared at Machoke and grunted, "Alright, now that that's taken care of, it's finally time for me to-" only to go silent as he found himself unable to open his arms without feeling really uncomfortable, and it made perfect sense. His hands had been touching sea creatures, so naturally they were feeling sticky.

"Oh god, this is disgusting," he uttered before running toward the pool, shouting, "I NEED TO WASH THIS OFF!" diving in as everyone stared, Reika saying, "So he's conscious about cleanliness. Makes sense."

However, all went silent as one Greek fan shouted, "OH NO, BARBARACLE CAN'T SWIM EITHER!" the rest of the fanbase in panic as Weedle asked, "Is this true?" Beedrill shrugging as Nori replied, "It would seem that Barbaracle's rocks have made him too heavy to swim!"

"But that makes no sense!" Weedle exclaimed, his eyes wide with terror, "He's part water type, just like his mother!" Beedrill remarking, "Again, don't look at me! I didn't know about this!"

However, just as the lifeguards were ready to save him from drowning, Machoke gritted his teeth and turned to the octopi, nodding at them as they gave an army salute, diving under the water as soon enough, Barbaracle was pulled to safety. Of course, the octopi had received help not only from others from their family but many other sea creatures, Barbaracle panting heavily as he quickly climbed back into the ring.

"Just as Machoke had a chance at claiming victory, he just had the sea creatures save his opponent's life!" Nori exclaimed as everyone in the audience was confused, Reika asking, "Why would he do that?" the others equally confused, all except for Aipom who was unsure of whether or not to commend him for this.

"Man, that was really careless of me," Barbaracle groaned, "I really should have known better," before looking at Machoke and asking, "But yeah, why would you save me?" Machoke taking a deep breath and replying, "Because, honestly, I would feel terrible winning in such a manner. If I am to win this match, I want it to be through traditional means, not because of a ring-out."

Barbaracle's eyes sparkled as he slowly got up, saying, "I have to say, you're a good guy Machoke," before his eyes implied a smile as he added, "I don't hate you anymore. You really are a true hero," the crowd applauding this as Nori let down tears, sniffing, "What a heartwarming scene, two bitter rivals now friends!"

"So wait, are you giving up?" Machoke asked as Barbaracle retorted, "Are you kidding!? I may not have a grudge against you anymore, but I still have a country to represent!" the boy groaning, "I should have figured as much."

With that, Barbaracle rushed at Machoke as the boy noticed all that water had not exactly cleaned the barnacle as he was still hesitant to open up his palms. The boy saw a perfect opportunity here as he waited for Barbaracle to get just close enough.

Once that happened, Machoke ducked down and wrapped his arms around Barbaracle's midsection, the barnacle's eyes widening as the boy leapt high above the mat, flipping him over and spreading his arms out, locking them in place and wrapping his legs around his neck. However, this time he lowered his ankles enough to grab hold of Barbaracle's fingers, the barnacle's eyes widening.

The crowd went wild as Machoke spat, "MUSCLE TOMBSTONE!" sending Barbaracle's skull hard into the mat, the barnacle's eyes wide open as he collapsed, now out cold as the bell was rung.

"And the winner of the third match of the Hero Olympics is Machoke!" Beedrill exclaimed while everyone cheered, all except for the Greek fans.

However, while they may not have been cheering, they were not exactly upset either. If anything, they were just grateful that Machoke had selflessly saved the life of their representative and given him a chance to keep fighting.

Weedle let out a sigh and tried not to show his irritation again as Machoke walked over to Barbaracle, asking, "Hey, you okay?" the barnacle still conscious as he nodded, saying, "Yeah, I'll be fine. I may have lost to you, but I'm sure my mother will forgive me for this," the boy smiling as Reika took a deep breath, saying, "He just has a knack for this, doesn't he?"

"Yeah," Gardevoir replied with a soft smile, "He's a true friend."