Mewtwo, through his telepathic link, had read every dark thought swirling in Duron's mind.
Mewtwo: To think someone like this can become an Elite Four member of the World League. The roots of this organization are rotting from within.
Mewtwo: It's no wonder Master Sky isn't using his own internal personnel to deal with the Poachers, but is looking to recruit outsiders. There are probably several moles within the League feeding the Poachers information.
Feng Che: I've heard the competition between the Deputy Heads of the World League is cutthroat. If Sky hadn't made a lucky breakthrough to the Master-class, he probably wouldn't have secured the top spot.
As Feng Che stood lost in thought, Duron mistook his silence for fear. Seeing the younger man "cowering," Duron reached out with greedy fingers, aiming for the Poké Balls on Feng Che's belt. He wanted Zeraora and Ninetales for himself immediately.
However, before his hand could even brush the belt, Feng Che's hands shot out like iron clamps, locking onto Duron's wrists.
"Aaargh! Stop! Let go!" Duron shrieked like a stuck pig.
A sickening crack echoed through the clearing. The Elite Four member fell to his knees, clutching his mangled hand and baring his teeth in agony.
"Elite Duron, was it?" Feng Che stood over him, his expression calm and unruffled. "Under World League regulations, I wonder what the penalty is for an officer caught in the act of extortion and attempted theft?"
Just then, a sleek, small shuttle hummed overhead and descended. Master Sky stepped out, accompanied by Julie.
"Master Sky! Save me!" Duron wailed, clutching his broken wrist. "This man tried to kill me! He stole high-value Pokémon from the League! I suspect this Zeraora was taken from the Ecological Zone!"
"Feng Che, do not worry," Sky said, ignoring Duron's hysterics. "I will investigate this thoroughly and clear your name. The League does not let criminals escape, nor does it wrong the innocent."
Sky turned a freezing gaze toward Duron. "Stop the act, Duron. I heard every word you said through the live feed. Did you forget? To ensure fairness in this assessment, every participant is wearing a micro-camera. Your attempt to seize a trainer's Pokémon was recorded in high definition."
"And you, Researcher Dutai," Sky added, looking at the cowering nephew. "I see you've been privateering—stealing Pokémon meant for the League's open range. You both know that those who break the law while enforcing it face double the sentence."
"I am deeply disappointed in you both. The League's disciplinary committee is waiting."
The aura Sky released was suffocating. Duron and Dutai stiffened, unable to even breathe. Moments later, the League's Internal Affairs squad arrived, hauling the two onto the shuttle for a formal tribunal.
"Master Sky," Julie whispered as the shuttle took off. "Duron and Dutai are loyalists of Deputy Head Ora. Doing this might provoke him."
"Let him come," Sky replied with a cold laugh, cracking his knuckles. "If Ora has an objection, he can find me in the arena. I've been a Master-class trainer for some time now; it's about time I 'guided' my juniors before they stray too far. I could use the exercise."
Seeing the drama conclude, Feng Che quietly slipped away.
The Singing Forest
The weather remained perfect. The sky was a vibrant sapphire, and sunlight filtered through the ancient, towering trees of the island. Rare Grass-type Pokémon were everywhere.
Feng Che saw a Treecko reclining on a high branch with a twig in its mouth, looking entirely content. A group of Bulbasaur wandered through the undergrowth, the seeds on their backs emitting a sweet fragrance. Chikorita and Meganium were busy tending to a patch of rare medicinal herbs, while a Grookey happily drummed on a fallen log.
Suddenly, a series of frantic shouts echoed from a nearby lake. Feng Che pushed through the bushes to find Clemont being bombarded by high-pressure water jets.
"Clemont, what now?" Feng Che sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Feng Che! Help! These Clawitzer won't let me go!" Clemont panted, dodging another blast.
"Aren't you an Electric specialist? Just use a move," Feng Che muttered, exasperated by the inventor's lapse in tactical judgment.
"Oh! Right! My brain just went fuzzy!" Clemont slapped his forehead and threw a Poké Ball. "Magnemite, go!"
The Magnemite used Light Screen to deflect the incoming Water Pulse. "This Magnemite has an awakened Psychic-attribute! I caught it specifically for its potential!" Clemont boasted.
"The attribute isn't the problem, Clemont. The problem is whether that Magnemite can survive a real hit," Feng Che deadpanned.
Clawitzer are known for their singular, massive right claw that functions like a biological cannon. But as more Clawitzer breached the surface, Feng Che's eyes widened. He spotted one individual that was completely unique.
Its claws were symmetrical—both were the size of giant cannons.
"Now that's a rare find," Feng Che whispered. If this specimen had the Mega Launcher ability, its dual-cannon setup would make its Aura-based and Pulse-based moves twice as devastating as a standard Clawitzer—potentially surpassing even a Life Orb Nidoking in raw destructive power.
"Catching that one won't be easy. Zeraora, let's go!"
The Clawitzer colony launched a coordinated Crabhammer. The impact shattered Magnemite's Light Screen into golden shards. A second strike sent the Magnemite flying into a tree, where it collapsed with its components—magnets and screws—scattering onto the damp ground. Its eyes turned into coils.