"As I suspected. These two are being puppeted by the Sea Monster."
The moment they stepped into the cavern, Feng Che noticed the glowing blue Alpha symbols etched onto the backs of Shizukawa's and Hanabi's hands.
The Poseidon Grotto was stiflingly humid. The rhythmic drip-drop of water echoed through the chamber, and the ground was slick with moisture. Sea Gems were everywhere; even the stalactites hanging from the ceiling were composed of jagged, unrefined clusters of the azure ore.
After a long trek, Feng Che finally reached the end of the grotto. Before him stood a massive altar, rising three meters high and carved entirely from a colossal slab of Sea Gem. The altar consisted of nine tiers, each adorned with intricate sculptures of formidable Water-type Pokémon: Blastoise, Gyarados, Greninja, and many others.
Hovering above the altar was a sea-blue gemstone marked with the Alpha symbol. Beside it, a dark, spectral silhouette of Kyogre floated silently. The shadow-beast kept its eyes tightly shut.
"So, this is the Sea Monster."
Of course. Shizukawa didn't bring me here for 'training.' He brought me to this altar so the Sea Monster could break my mind and claim me as its own.
As Feng Che gazed at the phantom, he felt the crushing weight of a legendary Pokémon's pressure.
"Dit—" Feng Che started to call out, but his voice failed as his consciousness suddenly snapped.
His body stiffened. Like a marionette with its strings pulled taut, he began to walk toward the altar, his movements jerky and involuntary.
Suddenly, the Kyogre silhouette flung its eyes open. Within the spectral form, Feng Che saw swirling currents of black energy.
"Hahaha! Elite Feng Che, accept the gift of the Sea God! Join us as a faithful servant of the Great Deep!" Shizukawa and Hanabi burst into fanatical laughter.
The black currents surged forward, enveloping Feng Che completely. A tide of immense, dark energy invaded his mind, and a glowing Alpha mark began to form on his forehead. The Sea Monster was pouring its essence into him, seeking to rewrite his very soul.
At that exact moment, the Unown 'A'—which had been dormant within Feng Che's body—suddenly manifested in the theater of his mind. It greedily began to devour the dark energy the Sea Monster was injecting. Simultaneously, it emitted a unique psychic ripple, as if calling out to its kin.
On the ninth tier of the altar, two hieroglyphic-like symbols flashed brilliantly. Answering the Unown's call, they shot forward and merged into Feng Che's body.
The dark blue energy invading his mind was instantly annihilated. The fog lifted, and Feng Che's consciousness returned in a sharp, sudden snap. He blinked, looking around in confusion.
What just happened? The Sea Monster... it lost control of me?
Feng Che had planned to have Ditto whisk him away the second things got dangerous, but he hadn't even had the chance to give the order before he was forced onto the altar. Now, he found himself standing there, free and clear.
[Sea Monster: This human's constitution is extraordinary, and he's a psychic to boot. If I can use him as a vessel, I can bypass this seal and walk the world freely.][Sea Monster: Wait... something is wrong. Why is my divine power draining so fast? The amount I've poured into this human should have converted dozens of followers by now!][Sea Monster: This shouldn't be happening! Has my power withered that much?!]
That's the Sea Monster's voice! I can hear a Legendary's thoughts now?! Feng Che thought, his heart racing with excitement. Did the energy it just pumped into me supercharge my 'Heart Sight'? What a generous... well, monster!
Feng Che struggled to hide his delight. He realized his ability to hear Pokémon's hearts had evolved under the pressure of the divine energy. He remained perfectly still, feigning a desperate struggle against the mental intrusion, baiting the Sea Monster into pouring even more of its power into his mind.
Meanwhile, a pink, gelatinous mass was slowly creeping up the side of the altar, its eyes gleaming with intense hunger.
[Sea Monster: Something is wrong! This man must be carrying a treasure that counters me! He isn't being controlled—he's scamming me for my power!][Sea Monster: You wretched thief!!! Give it back!]
Sensing that its power reserves had been cut in half, the Sea Monster erupted in a fury. It unleashed a wave of terrifying pressure, but the outburst triggered the altar's ancient defenses. Bolts of lightning slammed into the silhouette, and the Sea Monster let out a harrowing shriek.
The terrifying phantom hovering above the altar instantly shrank to half its original size.
[Sea Monster: Cursed seal! If not for these chains, I would have ruled this world long ago!][Sea Monster: No matter. My Alpha Sapphire is almost complete. Once it crystallizes, I will break these bonds.][Sea Monster: Such a waste... that human drained so much. Without that power, the gemstone's formation will be delayed.]
The phantom's body roiled in the air. Feng Che noticed the monster could no longer maintain its solid shape; half of its form had dissipated into black mist.
I didn't think a mere shadow-monster could actually condense an Alpha Sapphire, Feng Che mused. The legends say the Sea Monster is Kyogre's shadow, seeking to devour the real god to become the true ruler of the sea. It wasn't an illusion after all.
"Shizukawa! Hanabi! Release your Pokémon! Intercept that man!" the Sea Monster roared through the pain.
Feng Che realized the game was up. He scrambled down the altar, only to find Shizukawa and Hanabi shrouded in black mist, their eyes twisted with malice.
Where is that unreliable blob? At the most critical moment, Ditto disappears on me! "Go, Aerodactyl!"
Feng Che released the prehistoric predator. Aerodactyl swooped down, its talons locking firmly onto Feng Che's shoulders, and began to fly toward the grotto's exit.
"Shizukawa! Hanabi! After him! That man carries a secret we need!" the Sea Monster bellowed. "Bring him back to me, and I shall reward you beyond your dreams!"
[Sea Monster: Damn it! If I weren't sealed and immobile, I would crush that ant like a bug!][Sea Monster: Soon. I am almost there. Once this Alpha Sapphire is done, I am free!]
My range has increased too, Feng Che noted. He could usually only hear hearts within fifty meters; now, that distance had more than doubled.
[Sea Monster: STOP! NO! STAY AWAY FROM IT!][Sea Monster: DON'T TOUCH MY ALPHA SAPPHIRE!][Sea Monster: CURSE YOU! You filthy, wretched creature! How dare you devour my gemstone?!][Sea Monster: WHAT IS THAT THING?! WHY CAN IT GET NEAR MY SAPPHIRE?! STOP IT! STOP IT NOW!!!]
The Sea Monster let out a sky-rending, soul-shattering shriek of pure agony. Even as Feng Che flew out of the Poseidon Grotto, he could feel the sheer, unadulterated rage vibrating through the very island.