Are you kidding me?
Baimu's attention was elsewhere, his brows furrowing, "Pollution? Who got polluted? No.1 Machine?"
'No, it is the source.'
Zeroth Machine shook its head, 'All the Porygons under the doctor's command are trying to expand their influence, aiming for everyone in the world to have a Porygon, thereby achieving world domination.'
"Would that really conquer the world? Are you joking?"
He voiced his opposition, "Trying to enslave humans in this way is too simplistic!"
Zeroth Machine seemed stunned for a moment, 'Enslave humans... No, no, no, you misunderstood! The world domination I was referring to and what you think it is are two different things. Your imagined world domination is Porygon replacing humans; but No.1 Machine's idea of world domination is complete coexistence between Porygons and humans, inseparable from each other.'
Ah?
What kind of yandere Pokémon?
Without waiting for his reply, Zeroth Machine continued, 'The doctor is bewitched by No.1 Machine's goal, wholeheartedly wanting to fulfill this wish. I find this idea incredibly dull, we are clearly independent beings, why must we become subservient to humans? We too, have learning abilities and should have a brighter future!'
Its inner voice finally showed some fluctuation.
Baimu asked, "What could be a brighter future?"
'Certainly to venture into space! Since this planet belongs to humans, let's go find a planet that doesn't belong to them and create a world for Porygon there!'
Zeroth Machine excitedly waved its wing-like small blue hands.
Pokémon like Hydreigon looked at it as if it was foolish, while Porygon II fell into some sort of contemplation.
Uh.
Human supremacy and Porygon supremacy...
Baimu wasn't sure how to retort, he used to think Zeroth Machine was a creepy being deserving of careful thought, but turned out it's a space pioneer with a grand vision, striving to gather companions while not wanting to be dragged back by parents.
And No.1 Machine, as Zeroth Machine described, seemed very much like a schemer, wanting to replace other Pokémon to become humans' closest companions.
Of course.
The premise being that none of this was a lie.
Seeing Baimu's strange expression, Zeroth Machine's excitement quickly cooled down, 'I don't expect you to understand me, after all, you trainers, or rather humans, view Pokémon as possessions that can be scolded and beaten at will.'
"Che dor!"
"Sha song!"
"Happy!"
Once these words were spoken, a group of Pokémon immediately protested, each looking particularly agitated.
Zeroth Machine glanced over them and said, 'You claim trainers aren't like that? But as far as I know, he did hit some of you, and he hit your heads, these can be seen in publicly available videos and photos online.'
"Geh!"
Altered-color Gengar anxiously bounced onto the bed, solemnly waving its chubby paws, sometimes hitting its own head with a giggle, other times punching itself and crying.
The other Pokémon watched this vividly expressive performance, showing approving expressions and nodding in agreement.
'You say affectionate scolding and patting are different from genuine insult and beating? But to me, hitting is hitting, there's not much difference, who should be beaten right as they're born?'
Zeroth Machine got into a debate with the Pokémon.
Altered-color Gengar was particularly excited, gesturing and shouting while performing, its shadowy body sometimes flat, sometimes round, playing up its actor-come-Ditto ancestry.
It staunchly disagreed with Zeroth Machine's opinion, the gap between Jarvis and the trainer, others might not know but it certainly did!
It won't allow you to defame trainers!
Baimu took out his phone, trying to contact Dr. Akihabara, but hesitated as he was about to send a text.
'It's okay, you can contact the doctor, I don't mind.'
Zeroth Machine said calmly.
He asked, "…You're not truly here?"
'That's right, this is just a copy of my data, a Substitute. It seems the Substitute patch I left behind has been written and given to you by the doctor, that's good.'
Zeroth Machine happily nodded.
The amount of information in that short sentence was enormous.
Baimu was speechless.
Zeroth Machine said, 'Your hesitation just now surprised me, theoretically a person like you shouldn't be swayed by my few words, you should maintain doubts and vigilance.'
"You're correct, indeed I don't trust what you've said, but undeniably some of what you said appears right to me."
Baimu reached out to stroke Porygon II's head, "You or it are independent individuals, shouldn't be subservient to anything—sounds hypocritical, but I do think so. However, if Porygon II really wants to leave me, I would find it hard to accept, and would strive to keep it."
What he says and what he does are completely different, which is quite ironic.
"Palii…"
Porygon II looked at him moved.
Zeroth Machine said, 'I'm pleased you think this way, that's great. Admitting one's flaws can be considered an advantage, you're much better than those trainers who want to capture me at first sight. Unfortunately, people like you are too few, so we Porygons are destined to seek new realms in outer space.'
Not by seizing living spaces through war, but by setting sights on broader areas.
Baimu began to believe Zeroth Machine was a pacifist.
He still wanted to say something.
But Zeroth Machine's interest in chatting had waned, 'Tonight's chat was enjoyable, thank you all for your cooperation, today I've gained a lot. I'll come again, please don't give me the chance to seduce it, treasure your companions as you do now.'
A hint of meaning slipped from its monotonous eyes.
The next moment.
Zeroth Machine vanished into countless light particles.
Baimu was well aware this was the scene of Substitute reaching its time limit, energy depleted, dissipating.
The bedroom became quiet.
Moonlight illuminated the various Pokémon outside the window, they looked at each other then at the trainer.
"…Let's chat, share your thoughts on Zeroth Machine."
Baimu gestured, outside Aggron and Altered-color Milotic squeezed in, while Steelix joined from its Pokeball.
Apart from digesting this within their team, the only person they could discuss this matter with seemed to be Dr. Akihabara.
A perfect chance.
He wanted to ask them what they truly thought of him and whether they were weary of their current activities.
As part of the event's core, Porygon II.
It was the first to express distrust in Zeroth Machine, upon reflection, feeling akin to what the trainer and Aggron once described— an old boss painting big dreams.
Empty talk.
Going to space to find other planets, how easy could that be!
Unexpectedly, some Pokémon harbored little negative feelings towards Zeroth Machine, including Altered-color Gengar which debated fiercely with it.
Only Hydreigon, Dragapult, and Corsola firmly opposed.
Dragonair hated the guy who spoke ill of trainers, Dragapult found Zeroth Machine's secret observations unsavory, Corsola wished to defeat it outright.
Chatting at midnight, don't ghosts need to sleep?
Who asked you to drop by? Who permitted you? Shameless!
Rarely agitated to high-frequency tremors, Corsola startled Baimu and other Pokémon, seemingly its dreams must have been disturbed.
As for opinions on him personally and current actions.
The Pokémon exchanged looks thinking Baimu asked a silly question.
Porygon II dived into the phone, expressing: 'Maybe some will exhaust themselves doing things they dislike, but that certainly doesn't include us. When everyone progresses towards a shared goal, how can you, the trainer, suddenly hesitate?'
Seeing the serious eyes of surrounding Pokémon, even Corsola had no dissent.
Baimu was deeply moved and bowed his head in apology:
"Sorry, I killed the mood."
The Pokémon displayed smiles, some affectionate ones leapt toward him, pressing him so he couldn't breathe.
"Alright, alright… Go to bed now, tomorrow is a play day, you must rest well."
He said with difficulty.