Golduck:Hmph. If you hadn't snatched me away from that beautiful young lady, I wouldn't be like this.Golduck:The trainer I wanted was a fragrant, soft girl. Seeing this burly brute every day... I just want to end it all.Golduck:Blegh...
Golduck's thoughts say it was 'snatched'. Was it intercepted during a capture, or stolen from a trainer? The nature of those two is very different, Feng Che wondered.
He couldn't glean much more specific detail, which left him perplexed.
"Golduck, use Calm Mind to boost your power!" Nakata commanded.
"Corvisquire, use Peck."
Facing a formidable foe like Golduck, Feng Che gave a deceptively simple order. Corvisquire's beak elongated as it dove toward the red gem centered on Golduck's forehead.
Golduck:So annoying. If I finish the Calm Mind, I'll get hit. Fine, I have to break the focus.
Golduck snapped its eyes open and spat a Water Gun at the incoming bird.
"Your Pokémon's speed is incredible," Nakata cheered, clapping. "Golduck usually sets up Calm Mind instantly, yet yours forced it to cancel just to dodge. What an amazing creature!"
Feng Che noticed Nakata's gaze—it was burning with the intensity of someone who had just found a priceless treasure.
"Young man, what is the name of this species?" Nakata asked, unable to hide his excitement. He couldn't take his eyes off Corvisquire.
Something is wrong. This guy is definitely suspicious, Feng Che thought. He kept a smile on his face. "This is a Corvisquire."
"Corvisquire... a fine name," Nakata praised.
What a perfect target, Nakata thought, a flash of cunning in his eyes. If I can seize this Pokémon and hand it over to the Organization, the reward would be astronomical. Let me test its potential further.
Nakata wasn't just a sailor. He was a member of a Poacher Syndicate. Poachers were the dark mirror of the Bounty Hunter Guild; they specialized in stealing rare Pokémon from trainers, often killing the trainer in front of the Pokémon to break its spirit before selling it to nobles or underground groups. The League had standing orders to capture them on sight.
Nakata isn't a Sea Hunter, Feng Che concluded. Sea Hunters specialize in Water-types and wouldn't show such lust for a Flying-type. He's likely a Poacher. That explains why he ignored the Captain's orders and insisted on a 3v3—he wanted to see what else I was carrying.
Feng Che knew about the Syndicate. He didn't want the trouble of being hunted by them, but he wasn't about to be a victim. He doesn't know I've seen through him. I'll stay in the shadows for now and see what he's planning. Dealing with a Poacher on a ship full of innocent passengers requires a delicate touch.
"Golduck, Rain Dance!" Nakata ordered.
The humidity from the previous match was still high. Golduck quickly gathered the clouds, and a heavy downpour began to lash the platform. Corvisquire dived and circled as a blue blur, not a single drop of rain touching its feathers due to its sheer speed.
"Corvisquire, Hurricane!"
The bird flapped its wings, forming two twisters that sucked up the rain, turning into massive water spouts that tore the clouds above in two.
"Incredible! Its control over wind is terrifying!" Nakata's heart hammered. He wanted this bird. Every cell in his body was screaming at him to steal it.
"Golduck, Psychic!"
The rain triggered Golduck's Swift Swim ability, making it move much faster.
"Predict its path, Corvisquire! Drill Peck!"
Feng Che smiled. If it's a contest of speed, my Corvisquire—enhanced by Salac Elixirs—is faster than a Pidgeot.
Corvisquire's beak became a high-speed drill. Golduck realized with horror that it was locked on; no matter how it swerved, the bird followed.
Golduck:I'm being read! If this hits, I'm done for. This Poacher won't save me... I have to save myself!
Golduck set up a Light Screen, then quickly used Substitute and Double Team. Corvisquire's drill shattered the Light Screen like glass and pierced the Substitute and clones in a single pass.
Golduck looked at its shredded Substitute, shivering. [Golduck: That was too close! This bird is a demon! I hate being a Poacher's slave. I want to run, but the psychic geis in my head won't let me...]
A psychic geis? Feng Che's eyes narrowed. He's using a Psychic-type to brainwash his own team.
Nakata, oblivious to Golduck's inner turmoil, checked his watch. He secretly took a photo of Corvisquire and uploaded it to the Poacher Dark-Web. Within seconds, his hidden earpiece buzzed with high-value offers.
I'm going to be rich! This bird and that starter... I'll finish this one last job, fake my death, and change my identity, Nakata plotted.
Feng Che saw the subtle movements. He's already putting my Pokémon up for auction. He probably plans to 'borrow' my Pokémon for 'training' after he loses, then vanish.
"Corvisquire, Peck the gem on its forehead," Feng Che shouted, but then sent a telepathic whisper: "Go easy on it. Don't hurt the Golduck." He liked this Golduck's personality and figured it deserved a better life with a pretty girl trainer later.
Corvisquire's peck was a mere tap, but Golduck—ever the actor—dropped as if hit by a lightning bolt, faking a knockout perfectly.
Corvisquire:Wait, it fell? I barely touched it! I'm getting too strong...
Another candidate for an Oscar, Feng Che sighed.
"Unbelievable!" Nakata gasped. My Golduck killed several Pokémon when I stole it from its last trainer, yet this bird took it down in two rounds. I MUST have it.
"You are truly gifted, kid. But here is my strongest partner! If you beat this, you win. Go, Tentacruel!"
A massive, blue-headed jellyfish with eighty stinging tentacles emerged.
"Tentacruel... the 'Poison Injector'," Feng Che muttered. "Fine. Ditto, you're up!"
A three-meter-long Arbok appeared on the platform, hissing menacingly.
"Tentacruel, Wrap!"
Nakata wanted to bind the snake and inject paralyzing toxins. This Tentacruel is actually the weakest on my true team, Nakata thought smugly. Nobody will suspect I'm playing the pig to eat the tiger.
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