What surged toward the shore was not a natural wave, but a tide of flesh formed by countless Pokémon. They pressed tightly together as they rolled forward toward the beach.
As they drew closer, one could clearly see their hollow eyes. The state of these Pokémon was completely wrong.
"Heliolisk, charge up first, then use Discharge on the front."
"Helio!" x3
The three Heliolisk stood shoulder to shoulder. The frills around their necks expanded to the fullest like wide parasols, rapidly absorbing sunlight and converting it into electrical energy stored within their bodies.
The immense power caused arcs of electricity to flicker around them. They entered a Charged state, doubling the power of their next Electric type move. In addition, their Special Defense rose by one stage.
Under the command of the Heliolisk leader in the center, they waited until the advancing Pokémon army stepped into their attack range.
The leader let out a low growl as a warning. The controlled Pokémon showed no reaction whatsoever. They continued forward without hesitation.
Seeing that the warning was ineffective, a sharp glint flashed in the leader's eyes.
The next second, under its command, all three Heliolisk released the electricity they had been accumulating. Blazing currents burst forth from their fully spread frills. Three golden bolts intertwined in midair, weaving into a dense electric net that enveloped the Pokémon army ahead.
Crackle.
The wide area Discharge struck the army head on. The piercing sound of electricity exploded across the battlefield.
Tentacruel and Mantine at the very front were swallowed by the plasma. Their bodies convulsed violently as the Electric type attack dealt massive damage.
Even so, despite suffering such heavy blows, they showed not the slightest sign of regaining clarity. Dragging their battered bodies, they continued charging into the shallows.
Behind them, Magikarp and Shellder floated belly up on the surface, twitching as they lost all ability to move.
On the sandy shore, Clauncher beside Silas adjusted the Wise Glasses it was wearing. Raising its large claw, it aimed at a stranded Mantine and fired a compressed sphere of Water Pulse.
Mantine was flipped over, exposing its pale pink belly, and lay completely motionless. It had been knocked out in a single shot by Clauncher.
Heliolisk Leader thought someone just stole the knockout.
"These Pokémon are not right. All of them are being controlled."
If this were a normal Pokémon tide, especially with Water type Pokémon being directly countered by such intense Electric attacks, chaos would have broken out long ago.
But this scene was entirely different. Whenever one Pokémon fell, those behind stepped over the body and advanced. Their objective was extremely unified.
"Aegislash?"
Probably not. It would not control Magikarp. It would choose beings that could become kings. What was the meaning of controlling masses of Magikarp, Shellder, and Luvdisc?
If it was not Aegislash, could it be a squid Pokémon or perhaps Beheeyem?
There was also the possibility of the Ultra Beast known as the UB-01 Parasite Pokémon, Nihilego.
At a glance, there were thousands upon thousands of controlled Pokémon covering the sea.
To manipulate so many at once, the opponent's psychic power had to be several times that of an ordinary Psychic type Pokémon.
"Cyclizar, leave the ones that reach the shallows to Clauncher. You and I will search for the mastermind."
"Cyc!"
Cyclizar responded, swinging its dragon tail and sending a Tentacruel flying.
To control so many Pokémon simultaneously, the culprit could not be far away. It had to be nearby.
If it was not dealt with, the Pokémon army would never stop.
"Heliolisk, just stun them. Do not kill them."
These Pokémon were innocent. They were victims as well.
"Helio!"
The Heliolisk leader nodded in understanding. The intensity of the electricity it released lessened slightly, reducing raw damage and focusing more on the paralysis effect of Discharge.
Silas fitted Cyclizar with Wide Lens, allowing it to see farther with magnification capability.
The man and the lizard circled along the shoreline, yet they found nothing unusual.
"Cyc!"
(Silas, look over there. There is a strange light.)
Switching into battle form, Cyclizar zoomed in with the Wide Lens.
Behind the massive group of Pokémon, beneath the deep blue surface of the sea, there was a conspicuous point of light.
"Let's go take a look."
With a light pat on Cyclizar's back, a bolt of golden lightning crashed down as Miraidon made its appearance.
The moment Miraidon descended, the Electric type energy in the air grew dense with its presence, forming a powerful Electric Terrain.
The Heliolisk were strengthened, their moves gaining additional power.
Before they could turn to see what had changed, a streak of light shot overhead, rushing straight toward the eerie glow beneath the sea.
"Mal!"
Hidden beneath the seabed, the Pokémon cautiously revealed only its head. It was far too familiar with this place.
Back when it had still been an Inkay, it had been bullied here.
Even though it had grown extremely powerful now, the squid Pokémon still harbored deep resentment.
It had been accumulating strength and expanding its forces in preparation for revenge. If not for that pink fish suddenly appearing earlier, it would not have acted so soon. It had been forced to make its move.
Massive psychic energy overflowed from its body, shimmering along the ocean floor. Its two tentacles silently stirred the seawater. Led by Dragalge, a group of Poison type Pokémon crept along the seabed, preparing to execute a feint attack.
The Pokémon horde on the surface was merely bait. This underwater squad was the true trump card under the squid Pokémon's command.
But before they could approach, Silas and Miraidon had already halted directly above them.
"Just as I thought. Truly cunning." Silas's gaze turned cold. "Thunder. Take them all down."
The sea's weather was always unpredictable. Moments ago the sky had been clear.
But after Miraidon appeared, thunderclouds gathered over the ocean, as though nature itself was assisting them.
Within the dark violet clouds, lightning roiled and crackled, brewing with explosive force.
The squid Pokémon sensed something was wrong, but it was already too late.
In its perception, thick purple bolts of lightning descended one after another, each as wide as a barrel, striking the sea surface precisely where Dragalge and its group were hidden.
BOOM! BOOM!
The instant the purple lightning entered the water, powerful currents spread at astonishing speed, like an invisible net engulfing the lurking Dragalge.
In the blink of an eye, Dragalge and all the Pokémon around it convulsed violently. A trace of clarity flickered in their hollow eyes before they floated belly up to the surface, completely incapacitated.
Witnessing this scene, the squid Pokémon's pupils trembled violently. Its mind felt as if it were about to explode. A fatal sense of danger enveloped it.
Run. Run. It had to escape now.
It instinctively fled outward, desperate to put distance between itself and the threat.
"You caused such a huge commotion and still think you can run?" Silas patted Miraidon. "Electro Drift. Beat it first to vent some anger."
If nothing else, just for injuring Veluza, the Pokémon beneath the sea would not be allowed to leave.
Miraidon's electronic eyes locked onto the target. Brilliant golden electricity erupted around its body as it transformed into a streak of lightning, carrying unstoppable momentum as it dived toward the fleeing figure.
Then with a loud bang, it caught up. Alloy dragon claws extended, grabbing the Pokémon and hauling it straight out of the sea.
"A new Pokémon?"
(End of Chapter)