The Paldea League.
While the night had already fallen in Kitakami where Aiden was, the sun in Paldea had just climbed to its zenith.
Geeta, who was coordinating personnel at the league headquarters, suddenly received a call. She paused for a moment.
Aiden?
Although everyone within the league held high hopes for this newcomer set to become one of the eight Gym Leaders, this was actually the first time she had spoken with him over the phone.
During the Christmas holidays, most Gym Leaders would be on vacation, except for a few employees still working at the league.
So why was he calling her now?
Geeta quickly answered the call, and then...
After hearing Aiden's explanation, she became even more confused.
Aiden went to Kitakami?
"What happened?"
Geeta's heart immediately tensed up.
What happened in Kitakami wasn't that important to her personally, but...
If something serious happened to Aiden, a key future pillar of the League, it would be a major issue!
"If the situation is urgent, I can send Larry to support you right away."
"Mmm... there's no need for that."
Aiden's voice soon came through.
From what he could tell, the situation here shouldn't be too problematic.
So let Uncle Larry enjoy his vacation and avoid overtime work...
"The matter is a bit complicated. In short, I might have to make some big moves in Kitakami, so I'm reporting to the league ahead of time."
After hearing Aiden's words, Geeta relaxed slightly.
His confident tone made it clear that there probably wasn't any real danger.
As for Kitakami...
"The Paldea League has your back; just don't blow up Kitakami."
Geeta quickly gave him verbal permission.
Complaints about Kitakami had been increasing in recent years. However, due to the critical exploration phase of Area Zero, the league hadn't been able to spare manpower to address the issues.
Though Geeta hadn't visited in a long time, she knew the situation there was dire.
If left unchecked, the village's reputation would eventually be ruined.
Geeta had long planned to intervene, but the pressure of league affairs, especially the Area Zero exploration plan, took priority, forcing her to put it on hold.
So, even if Aiden blew up Kitakami, it wouldn't be a big deal—though the natural landscape might turn into a cultural one…
"OK, with your words, I feel reassured."
Aiden chuckled and quickly hung up the phone.
Geeta's stance was clear, so he could proceed confidently.
"Kibeh kibeh!"
While Aiden was on the phone, Pecharunt had slowly approached him and Ogerpon, emitting an uncouth roar once again.
As for the tourists who had been watching earlier, most had fled, quickly disappearing from Aiden's sight.
That was fine—it prevented any mishaps during the upcoming battle.
After taking a deep breath, Aiden looked at Pecharunt, who was also filled with rage.
For Ogerpon, Pecharunt and the Loyal Three were enemies with an irreconcilable blood feud.
And in Pecharunt's eyes, the same was true.
Over a hundred years had passed since the elderly couple who had adopted it were no longer alive, leaving Pecharunt alone once again.
And Pecharunt blamed everything on Ogerpon.
Much of why evildoers become evildoers is because they never reflect on themselves, always blaming others.
If not for that damn Ogerpon stopping me from stealing the mask back then, how could I have hidden for a hundred years, only recovering recently?
I didn't even get to see the couple one last time...
This resentment caused Pecharunt, the embodiment of desire, to suddenly surge in power, further enhancing its strength.
"Pon!"
Ogerpon stepped forward, shielding Aiden while pulling out the Ivy Cudgel it hadn't used in ages from under its cloak.
Seeing this, Aiden quickly released two Poké Balls.
"Go, Sylveon, Riolu!"
This was going to be a troublesome battle because Pecharunt clearly wouldn't play fair.
So he decided to deploy all his main forces to prevent any accidents.
"Kibeh kibeh!"
As Aiden expected, with Pecharunt's battle cry, the villagers it controlled immediately threw out their Poké Balls, quickly outnumbering his side.
Even their Pokémon had been gradually controlled by Pecharunt over the years.
Though the villagers' Pokémon levels weren't high...
Pecharunt didn't care about their lives, but Aiden couldn't afford to be reckless.
After all, this was the beautiful Pokémon world—such actions would somewhat break the worldview!
And at that moment—
"Roserade, Sleep Powder!"
"Togekiss, Fairy Wind!"
Cynthia's commanding voice came again, accompanied by a gust of wind carrying a sweet scent.
Due to Milotic's earlier Safeguard, even after inhaling Roserade's Sleep Powder, neither Aiden nor Ogerpon were affected.
But those forcibly controlled by Pecharunt couldn't resist the overwhelming drowsiness.
Soon, the surrounding villagers and their Pokémon fell unconscious, sprawled across the ground.
"The rest is up to you~"
Cynthia waved her hand, yielding the stage to Aiden.
She could tell that Aiden seemed intent on capturing the Pokémon everyone called a "ghost."
If that was the case, this battle might serve as the perfect bonding experience between them.
So unless necessary, she wouldn't interfere further.
Aiden quickly realized—
Right, his backing wasn't just President Geeta or one Champion; Cynthia, another heavyweight, was right beside him.
What did such a small-scale battle mean to a Champion?
This is child's play!
Why was he so worried? He could go wild!
After giving Cynthia a thumbs-up, Aiden turned his gaze back to Pecharunt, now utterly alone.
"Kibeh kibeh..."
Pecharunt never expected the humans it had spent so many years controlling to collapse so easily, causing it to panic momentarily.
But it quickly regained composure—
Over a hundred years had passed, and by absorbing the endless desires of those insatiable humans, its strength had grown exponentially!
Even that Ogerpon, which had knocked it down with one blow, might not defeat it this time!
It might even control Ogerpon, gaining a stronger Poison Puppet than the Loyal Three!
"Kibeh kibeh!"
Excited by these thoughts, Pecharunt unleashed its signature move, Malignant Chain.
Two purple chains, solidified toxins, shot out instantly, rushing toward Ogerpon!
"Ogerpon, Spiky Shield!"
"Pon?!"
It seemed Ogerpon had never been commanded by a Trainer before, startled by Aiden's voice from behind.
But it quickly realized he was giving it orders!
Understanding the situation, Ogerpon stepped forward, using its mask as a shield.
As grass energy flowed into the mask, several thick thorns sprouted from its Teal Mask, blocking Pecharunt's chains entirely.
Taking advantage of Pecharunt retracting its chains, Aiden quickly issued another command:
"Sylveon, Riolu, use Tail Whip consecutively on Ogerpon!"
"Vee?"
"Riolu?"
All three Pokémon froze in place, looking at Aiden with confused expressions.
Especially Ogerpon, which had removed its mask for defense, revealing its adorable face with shining starry eyes, gazing at Aiden with a pitiful expression.
As if saying:
Why are you betraying me? Aren't we friends?
"No time to explain—I won't harm you!"
Aiden sighed, adding an explanation. Sylveon and Riolu nodded.
The two Pokémon stood on either side, wagging their tails provocatively at Ogerpon.
Soon, orange light began emanating from Ogerpon, affected by the provocation.
Though weakened by its teammates' moves, Ogerpon instead felt its strength surging due to anger.
After several Tail Whips, its power reached terrifying levels!
"Pon!!!"
Since the Ivy Cudgel was part of its body, the sudden surge in strength caused the staff in Ogerpon's hand to swell, quickly reaching an exaggerated height of nearly two meters.
"Riolu?"
This unfamiliar Pokémon's aura had skyrocketed several times in just seconds?
Riolu found it hard to believe, yet aura readings couldn't lie...
Seeing this, Aiden nodded inwardly.
Just as in the game.
Ogerpon's power mainly stemmed from its four unique masks, each granting different elemental powers when worn.
In its Teal Mask form, Ogerpon had the Defiant ability.
Pokémon with this ability would drastically increase their attack power when their stats were lowered due to their stubborn nature.
As Pecharunt struggled to retract its chains, Sylveon and Riolu had already used Tail Whip multiple times.
At this point, Ogerpon's formidable combat power was almost palpable.
Because—
Who wouldn't be stunned seeing a massive stick at least two meters tall and as thick as a person?
Despite Ogerpon's small, loli-like frame, barely over a meter tall, it effortlessly wielded the Ivy Cudgel with one hand...
"Kibeh kibeh..."
Seeing this, Pecharunt panicked again.
But the energy accumulated over a century quickly bolstered its confidence—
A hundred years ago, I lost only due to carelessness. This time, you're dead!
With another roar from Pecharunt, continuous Malignant Chains shot out from its two peach shells.
Target: Ogerpon!
The dense attacks seemed inescapable, but for Ogerpon, whose combat power was now beyond measure, dodging the Malignant Chains was unnecessary.
Bang, Bang—
The crisp sounds echoed in Aiden's ears. With a swing of its hand, Ogerpon shattered the chains with the Ivy Cudgel, reducing them to dust.
Each step Ogerpon took forward increased the pressure on Pecharunt, forcing it to use various means to stop Ogerpon.
However, in the face of overwhelming power, any tricks were futile.
The effects of poison were nullified by Safeguard, and Shadow Balls and chains were instantly smashed by Ogerpon's staff. Nothing could stop it from approaching.
The distance between the two Pokémon rapidly closed, and Ogerpon's steps grew faster.
Finally breaking into a run, it charged directly to Pecharunt's vicinity.
"Pon!!!"
With full force, the black Ivy Cudgel was raised high and slammed down toward Pecharunt!
BANG—!
Instantly, the intense force was fully unleashed on Pecharunt's instinctively gathered peach shell for defense.
Even from over ten meters away, Aiden heard a sharp cracking sound.
Pecharunt's body was smashed into the ground, the impact causing the surface to tremble slightly.
Centered around Pecharunt's deeply embedded form, fine cracks appeared on the ground within several meters, spreading outward.
"Riolu..."
Watching this, Riolu swallowed nervously.
The force of that strike might have surpassed even the punches of its two Urshifu masters!
Battered and disoriented, Pecharunt recalled the fear it felt a hundred years ago.
Yes, it was exactly this power—terrifying...
But before it could react, a second strike followed.
Several consecutive full-force swings of the Ivy Cudgel hit Pecharunt, and with the sixth resounding thud, its famously sturdy peach shell exploded, leaving only a ghostly, sorrowful apparition.
Logically, Ghost-types could evade physical attacks by phasing out.
But since the Ivy Cudgel was part of Ogerpon's body, it didn't fall under this category.
Once its main body was struck with full force, it might not even get a second chance to wait for revival!
"Kibeh kibeh..."
Realizing this, Pecharunt exerted all its remaining strength to escape, leaping out of the deep crater created by the smashed peach shell and flying in one direction.
"Pon!"
Ogerpon quickly reacted, swinging the Ivy Cudgel with full force once again.
However...
A smile appeared on Pecharunt's lips as it was knocked flying.
Didn't expect this, did you? This is my escape route!!!
Since the battle was happening at Loyalty Plaza, the statues nearby...
Could naturally be used by it again!
If it couldn't win in a direct fight, it would summon its three most loyal servants, relying on numerical superiority to defeat this cursed Ogerpon!
Cynthia, silently observing nearby, frowned slightly and glanced at Aiden. Seeing him shake his head, she quickly relaxed.
Since everything was within his calculations, she only needed to wait quietly for the show to unfold.
For Aiden, the same was true—
Dealing with Pecharunt alone might leave lingering problems. It would be better to send both Pecharunt and the Loyal Three back to the cycle of reincarnation this time, achieving a permanent solution.
Thus, having seen through Pecharunt's plan, he didn't command Sylveon or Riolu to stop it.
As the ghostly remains of Pecharunt flew toward Loyalty Plaza, the three statues in the square began to tremble violently.
Soon, with the sound of shattering stone, the entire shrine collapsed instantly.
A towering beam of purple light flashed, and the resurrected Treasured Companions appeared, shielding Pecharunt behind them.
—
A/N: The Loyal Three and Pecharunt are quite notorious. Pecharunt's nature ensures it will forever be a menace unless eliminated, so it's better to kill it outright.
T/N: Killing in Pokemon? Dayum
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