Chapter 18: The Forest Investigation Squad
Vileplume, while applying healing moves to the Squirtle Boss, asked, "What happened to Snorlax? Why would he attack Sunrise Valley? And with his good temperament, he wouldn't act like this for no reason..."
Vileplume couldn't find the right words for a moment.
The Squirtle Boss's face was grave. "It's not clear. Scyther and I were patrolling at the time, and he suddenly appeared and attacked us."
Scyther leaned against the mountain wall with its arms crossed, its voice cold. "Snorlax is not right."
"Moreover," he looked at the wounds on the Squirtle Boss. "I don't think he could have injured you so badly with his usual strength, even if you weren't paying attention."
"Snorlax's condition is indeed not right. Both his strength and the power of his moves are much greater than before."
The Pokémon on the scene fell into silence for a moment.
Finally, it was the Squirtle Boss who spoke and made a decision: "No matter what, let's proceed with our previous plan first. Go and investigate what exactly happened in the forest."
"The investigation cannot be delayed any longer. Machop, you will conduct the investigation this time. You are experienced and knowledgeable. See if you can discover anything."
Machop nodded lightly.
"Also, I'd like you to go along with the investigation. Are you willing?" The Squirtle Boss suddenly asked Rio, who was hiding behind him.
Rio was taken aback. "Me?"
Scyther, at the side, frowned. "What role can a low-level Pokémon like him play?"
A faint smile appeared on the Squirtle Boss's face. "I have a feeling this little fellow will bring us a surprise."
Scyther pursed its lips, its face showing noncommittal disapproval.
"What are your thoughts?"
The Squirtle Boss looked directly at Rio.
Rio struggled internally for a moment. Although he knew this investigation would be accompanied by considerable danger, his inherently adventurous nature made him unable to resist nodding.
He had lived a peaceful life in the valley for too long, and the restless adventurous factor within him had already begun to stir. Otherwise, why would his past self have abandoned a stable life to throw himself into the passionate career of a professional fighter?
The Squirtle Boss continued with the arrangements.
"Flower(Vileplume), you go back to the valley and comfort our companions. Scyther, you continue to guard the valley. I will go out to check other places. If it comes to the worst-case scenario," he hesitated for a moment, then said with determination, "we will migrate to another place and abandon this valley."
"Why?" Machop and Vileplume asked, shocked.
"Last time when we went out to find those naughty little ones, we encountered Pidgeotto and the Pidgey flock under Pidgeot. Their condition was exactly the same as Snorlax's today. They were all filled with that ferocious, ominous energy, and they seemed to have lost their sanity, attacking any Pokémon they saw without reason."
The Squirtle Boss glanced at the Pokémon of Sunrise Valley chatting animatedly not far away.
"I'm worried this phenomenon will spread and cause my companions to fall into this frenzied state too."
"If we really find signs of this..."
Hearing the Squirtle Boss's decision, Vileplume looked as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.
"Let's leave it at that."
The Squirtle Boss stopped Vileplume's continued healing efforts, stood up, and moved his limbs, signaling Vileplume to lead the Pokémon back to the valley, while Rio and Machop remained.
Scyther's figure flashed and also disappeared from before the Pokémon.
When only three Pokémon remained outside the valley, the Squirtle Boss said with a serious expression, "Little fellow, besides Snorlax and the flock of Pidgeotto and Pidgey we encountered last time, it's unclear which other Pokémon are currently in such a state. So, I want you and Machop to investigate together."
Machop cleared his throat and laid out the investigation plan.
Rio listened attentively.
"This investigation has two objectives."
"First, investigate the reason why Pokémon are falling into this strange state. Known infected include Snorlax and the Pidgeotto flock."
"Second, survey the extent of the infection among the Pokémon in Newmoon Forest. If we find that it's a large-scale abnormal outbreak, it would be best if we can find the root cause of the problem."
"So, we'll go back and pack our things next. We set off immediately."
After Machop finished speaking, the Squirtle Boss added.
"If possible, I hope we can find a way to cure this condition."
The Squirtle Boss hesitated. "Although everyone often gets into disputes and conflicts in the forest, I don't want them to remain in this abnormal state inexplicably. I'm counting on you."
"Understood!"
After coming to this Pokémon world, he finally had a chance to test the results of his training. The fire of adventure in Rio's heart was burning.
The Squirtle Boss watched the scholar-like Machop discussing the investigation plan with the eager Rio off to the side. An image from a previous dream flashed through his mind:
In a hazy mist, dark figures of various shapes lay scattered about. As far as the eye could see, there was an overwhelming, dazzling purplish-pink light. A terrifying energy suddenly exploded, bringing a world-destroying energy tide. Yet, amidst this tide, a steadfast figure, emitting a blue light that reached the sky, stood unmoving, protecting those behind it from being eroded by the violent energy. And that resolute figure had a cape shimmering with azure light trailing behind it…
…
Rio squatted at the entrance of Sunrise Valley, waiting for Machop while checking his own stats.
"Sigh, I didn't get a chance to make a move in the Snorlax battle, so I didn't get a single bit of experience."
"Still lv13. Attack is 37, Speed is 32, other stats are only in the 20s. It's destined that I'm going the high-speed physical attacker route. As for skills, thankfully [Quick Attack], [Detect], and [Metal Claw] have already reached lv1. Only [Counter] hasn't had much time for training, so it's still at the initial lv0. And there's that move I learned from the Geodude..."
"I'm ready, let's go."
Machop, walking out of the valley, interrupted Rio's thoughts.
The humanoid Pokémon before him, with three tile-like crests on its head and covered in gray skin, carried a bulging backpack.
Rio looked at Machop's backpack and asked curiously, "I've actually always been curious, where did things like the Squirtle Boss's sunglasses and your backpack come from?"
"This backpack of mine, I had it when I was adventuring with the Professor before." Machop hoisted the slightly heavy backpack. "There are many treasures in here. You'll find out in due time."
"As for the Squirtle Boss's sunglasses, hmm, how should I put it... Have you noticed that scar on the Squirtle Boss's right eye?"
Rio was startled upon hearing this, recalling the scar he had unintentionally seen running vertically across the Squirtle Boss's right eye when he had taken off his sunglasses before.
"The Boss has had those sunglasses for a very long time. To be honest, I don't know where they came from either. We asked once, but the Boss was never willing to say."
Machop sighed. "But every time we mention it, the Boss's mood always turns very bad. Over time, we stopped bringing it up."
A lv36 unevolved Squirtle... it seemed the Squirtle Boss had quite a few stories.
"Your things are all, erm, already put into your 'Backpack', right?"
Having spent a long time in the valley, and since Rio didn't deliberately hide it, many Pokémon knew that Rio had a very magical [Backpack].
"All my belongings are packed. Sister Flower even organized the Pokémon to pick a lot of Berries. Food supplies shouldn't be a problem."
"Alright, then let's go!"
Rio brushed the grass clippings off himself and followed Machop's pace.
…
Just after Machop and Rio set off, a group of Pokémon stood at the valley entrance, watching their departing figures.
"Will things really get that serious?"
Vileplume finally couldn't help but ask.
"Clearly, this place is... we found it with such difficulty, and moreover, it's the only place these little ones can rely on for survival..."
Her words trailed off. Vileplume turned her head, tears sadly falling.
"Hmph, no matter who comes, I won't allow them to destroy this place!"
Scyther's words were as cold as ever, but in its slender eyes, a blade-like, fierce glint flashed from time to time.
The Squirtle Boss, at this moment, comforted the two Pokémon, "Things might not necessarily get that bad. What we can do now is to be prepared and do our best."
Just then, a Machop ran out hurriedly from the valley, shouting, "Boss, Sister Flower, come quickly! Poliwag and Caterpie are fighting again!"
"These little rascals, still causing trouble at a time like this." Vileplume was so exasperated she laughed, then strode into the valley with angry steps.
Scyther, who never liked to meddle in such affairs, pondered for a moment, then with a flash, disappeared from before the Squirtle Boss, going off to patrol the surroundings of the valley.
The Squirtle Boss smiled and shook his head, also following Vileplume and Machop back into the valley.
Only, as he passed by the wide, neat entrance of the valley, he murmured to himself, "Protecting this place, not just for these children and my companions, but also for..."
"...my reason for living..."