Through the cabin window, Feng Che observed the aircraft as it fully transitioned into its submersible mode, sinking deep into the ocean.
"We are now within 100 nautical miles of Poacher's Island. Everyone, release your Water-type Pokémon. We are in for a brutal fight," Feng Che commanded. "Tasks are as follows: Lucian, use your psychic powers to monitor the surrounding Pokémon and disable any underwater surveillance equipment. Clemont and Grimsley, use the stun guns to pick off the stragglers based on Lucian's detections. Norman and Chuck, use your Water types to intercept any direct charges. I will lead the main offensive with my team."
"We work as one until we hit the beach. After that, we split into pairs. Any objections?"
Silence filled the cabin. Seeing no dissent, Feng Che sat in the command chair, extending his aura to probe the lightless depths. As they crossed the 50-mile mark, the environment turned hostile. Massive undercurrents surged across the seabed, tossing the submarine like a toy. Jagged reefs loomed in the darkness; without Mewtwo's silent psychic stabilization, the vessel would have been shredded against the rocks.
Suddenly, hundreds of crimson eyes flickered in the dark—long, seaweed-like shapes coiling through the water.
"Dragalge! And so many of them!" Feng Che exclaimed. While most were only Gym-leader level, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.
Dragalge has purple skin and a body draped in what looks like rotting kelp, mimicking a seahorse's silhouette. From its head extend leaf-like horns, and its tail splits into three distinct lobes. Most dangerously, its venom is potent enough to dissolve the hull of a tanker.
"I sense a massive swarm. Be ready," Lucian warned, his face pale.
"Don't let them close! If that venom touches the hull, we're finished," Feng Che shouted. He released his Clawitzer. The shrimp, having trained in the extreme conditions of the training camp's vortex, adapted instantly to the chaotic currents. It unhinged its dual cannons and unleashed a twin Dragon Pulse. Two golden dragons roared through the water, vaporizing a large section of the Dragalge swarm.
Yet, more surged forward, exhaling clouds of purplish-black toxins.
"They're trying to melt the whole ship!" Lucian cried.
"Sigilyph, use Psychic!" Feng Che ordered.
The Sigilyph (acting as a medium for Mewtwo) pulsed its eyes with blue light. The corrosive sludge was stopped centimeters from the hull, compressed into a dense, harmless orb by psychic force. With the threat neutralized, the squad managed to carve a bloody path through the blockade.
The War Room
On Poacher's Island, alarms blared. King Kai stared at the final transmission from the outer perimeter, his face twisting into a scowl. "Bring the Generals to the meeting room. Now!"
Moments later, the six remaining Generals gathered. "Is the World League finally making their move?" Greya asked elegantly.
"Seven submarines have broken through the first line. They're coming from seven different directions. We each take one," King Kai proposed.
"Zorn, what's your take?" Kai asked, turning to the newest member. Zorn had replaced Julian. He was a Grass-type specialist and a master alchemist.
"I have no objections," Zorn said coldly, the beauty mark on his face looking particularly crimson. "I've laid a 'Heaven and Earth' net in my sector. Even if they land, they won't leave alive."
The Second Wave: Golisopod
Back in the water, Squad 6 found themselves surrounded by Golisopod. These massive, bipedal arthropods possessed shells as hard as diamonds and claws capable of rending steel.
These Golisopod were unnaturally large, their eyes glowing with a drug-induced frenzy. Clemont and Grimsley fired their stun guns, but the armored beasts ignored the shocks, swimming rapidly toward the submarine with their claws extended to slice the hull.
"Fine. Go, Gyarados!"
Feng Che released his two Shiny Gyarados. The Red Gyarados crackled with electricity, its thunderous roars turning several Golisopod into charred husks. The Black Gyarados unleashed a Dragon Rage, creating localized whirlpools that sucked the remaining Golisopod away and smashed them against the jagged reefs.
The path to the secret dock was clear, but the island's primary defenses were only just beginning to wake up.