Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 426 When Paths Meet, the Brave Win

Chapter 428 When Paths Meet, the Brave Win

Pokémon with the "Dampness" ability temporarily coat their surroundings with a layer of water-type energy. In this state, which is similar to being "wet," not only can gunpowder and bombs not be ignited, but even self-destruct moves used by Pokémon can be abruptly interrupted.

The only way to break this feature is to defeat the feature holder!

"You naughty frog, we can't delay any longer!"

Seeing the situation suddenly reverse, the handsome detective shouted sternly, his body, which had been lying prone, suddenly sprang up like a spring.

Using his momentum, he slid in, his boots scraping the metal floor with a sharp, piercing sound, and shot towards the three plasma team members like an arrow.

At the same time, the scoundrel immediately quickened its movements. Without even using any moves, it delivered three sharp chops that sliced ​​through the damp air, and the three Pokémon opposite it collapsed to the ground before they could even utter a cry of pain.

"Oh!"

"stop-"

Amidst the screams on the other side, the detective executed a smooth and precise grappling move, honed through his professional career.

An elbow strike broke the first man's ribs, a backhand wrist grab slammed the second man against the control panel, and a final angled throw sent the third man, who was trying to escape, crashing into the bulkhead. The metal walls groaned under the weight of the blows, and the three trainers collapsed to the ground like rag dolls.

Despite this, the results did little to ease the detectives' minds. The figure who had prevented the bomb from exploding was slowly approaching them.

Outside the control room, a large number of plasma clusters were surging toward him, the alien invader destroyer. The handsome man could almost hear their approaching footsteps.

"Golduck is a Water-type, and Croagunk's ability is 'Dry Skin,' which allows it to absorb Water-type moves. From this perspective alone, we have the advantage. But—"

The detective quickly analyzed the situation, but the cold sweat on his forehead betrayed his inner tension.

The opponent seemed to be the spirit of that Team Aqua officer, indifferent to the fall of the Team Plasma members, calmly conserving his energy, squinting as he observed his opponent—this was more troublesome than an impulsive enemy!

The handsome man looked worriedly at the red gem on Golduck's forehead—according to well-known Pokédex information, that gem with supernatural power allows Golduck to master a variety of Psychic-type moves.

His Delin is a Poison/Fighting type, which is four times weaker than Psychic!

"We must lower the opponent's accuracy first!"

The handsome guy made up his mind, gesturing to the bad frog while he started to run and charged straight at the final enemy with his partner.

The Golduck raised its webbed feet again—just then!

"Throw mud!"

A clump of black mud, seemingly premeditated, shot out from between the toes of the scoundrel hidden behind its back, heading straight for the red gem on the Golduck's forehead. However, just a second before it was about to hit, the mud that was splashing in the air suddenly slowed down as if it had been embedded in transparent amber, like a slow-motion video.

"It's Golduck's 'telekinesis'!"

The handsome guy and the bad frog both frowned at the same time. The latter sensed the fluctuation of superpowers and subconsciously arched its back, the orange venom sac on its cheek throbbing nervously.

"Don't panic, the 'mud-throwing' spell is still in effect, we still have a chance."

The detective keenly noticed that Golduck blinked unnaturally when blocking the "mud throw"—the mud attack had clearly disrupted its concentration, showing that the move was indeed effective in causing disturbance.

"Now's the time, 'sludge bomb'!"

The charging frog suddenly stopped, clasping its hands together heavily in front of its chest.

With a piercing squeezing sound, a clump of purplish-black sludge, carrying deadly poison, shot out from its palm, following the trajectory of the "mud-throwing" attack and striking its opponent once more.

The Golda duck suddenly opened its pale yellow beak, from which a high-speed stream of water shot out.

The handsome guy, far from being surprised, was delighted—"It's a 'water cannon'! You naughty frog, charge straight at the water jet!"

Without hesitation, the purple figure plunged headfirst into the water column. Due to the characteristics of "dry skin", the scoundrel was not harmed at all in the "water cannon". On the contrary, the abundant water attribute energy made its skin glow with a healthy luster, and it recovered some of the stamina lost in the previous battle.

This highlights the importance of a trainer's presence. Because Golduck was fighting alone without a trainer's guidance or human knowledge, it used a Water-type move against an opponent who might have the "Dry Skin" ability. "Now that the opponent has seen Croagunk unharmed in the water, the Water-type move is ineffective. Golduck's next move will likely be..."

In the water curtain, Golduck's pupils suddenly contracted. It had obviously figured things out quickly and stopped releasing the "water cannon". Its webbed feet began to wave in the air, but the handsome guy had already anticipated this move!

"A low kick!"

Using the current to propel itself against Golduck's flow, the scoundrel bursts out of the water, suddenly ducks amidst the splashing water, and swings its leg across the ground, aiming straight for Golduck's knee joint.

At the same time, Golduck's move was complete. A dazzling beam of light shone down on the frog-like Pokémon below, but it was deflected by a sudden heavy blow to its leg. The rainbow beam grazed the figure of the frog and shot into the ceiling.

"good!"

The handsome man gave a short, sharp whistle, his voice rising in pitch—this was the secret signal he and the unruly frog had agreed upon.

The partner did not disappoint the detective's expectations. It quickly changed its palm into a fist after using "lower kick". A move wrapped in lightning rose from the ground and went straight for Golduck's chin - it was an electric-type move that was super effective against water-type Pokémon, "Thunder Punch"!

With a bang, Golduck, struck by the uppercut, leaned backward as electricity coursed through its body. The Water-type Pokémon merely swayed slightly, managing to withstand the potentially fatal "Thunder Punch."

At that very moment, the ruby ​​on its forehead suddenly burst forth with a blinding blood-red light, and the psychic technique that had been waiting in the air condensed between its palms into a vortex of psychic power that twisted the air—"Psychic Power"!

Golduck has now completely overcome the impact of "Sludge" reducing its accuracy. Meanwhile, Croagunk, having just used a move, is in an awkward position where its old strength hasn't dissipated and new strength hasn't emerged, leaving it with no way to dodge the opponent's overwhelming counter move. That's when Handsome intervenes!

"Don't even think about it!"

The trainer who had charged forward with Crazy Frog suddenly joined the battle. Just as Golduck was about to use a move, the trainer glided between Crazy Frog and Golduck, holding his partner and protecting him behind him.

The next second, the detective groaned in pain as a powerful psychic attack blasted into his back. His thin shirt was no match for this superpower-level attack and was torn to shreds by the invisible force, leaving spiderweb-like bloodstains on his back.

The handsome man's face twisted into a ferocious grimace, but he firmly shielded his partner, who was the attacker, in front of him.

"Caw—."

The rotten frog stared concernedly into its owner's eyes, which were tightly closed in pain. However, the handsome man holding it suddenly tossed it into the air.

The tide has turned, and the outcome is already decided!

Losing his footing, the handsome man collapsed helplessly to the ground, his body contorted into a shrimp-like shape, yet he managed a forced smile. "Close combat!!!"

Despite using many psychic moves, Golduck, a pure Water-type Pokémon, is not immune to Fighting-type psychic attacks.

The rascal, taking advantage of gravity, unleashed a powerful, poisoned slash at Golduck's forehead—the source of his immense power and also his weakness!

With a bang.

Hit the vital point!

The small, dark blue figure landed steadily. Behind it, Golduck wobbled twice before crashing heavily onto the steel floor of the destroyer.

"Well done. Excellent!"

The handsome guy struggled to sit up, feeling as if the surrounding misty vapor had vanished instantly. The ability holder had been defeated, and Golduck's "Hydration" ability was completely ineffective!

Before him, the delinquent frog picked up the spherical bomb that had rolled to the ground. The handsome man, enduring the trauma left by the "psychic powers" on his back, accepted the prop developed by the criminal investigation organization's development department.

Water droplets still clung to the waterproof outer shell, but the core components remained intact. Fortunately, this waterproof bomb was originally designed to detonate underwater, and the "moisture" property only temporarily halted the detonation mechanism. The water flow released by Golduck did not damage the bomb itself.

"Looks like we still have thirty seconds left to count down—"

Without a second thought, the detective pressed the hidden detonator again, and with the help of the scoundrel's "mud-throwing" motion, firmly secured the waterproof bomb to the control system once more.

Just then, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside the control room. The noise grew louder and louder as it approached.

It is obvious that the plasma cluster has been expanded.

"Looks like we're not going to get out this time."

Perhaps because of the pain, the handsome man's smile seemed particularly forced.

The stun frog silently stood between the trainer and the bomb behind him, its poison sac bulging under its dead eyes, but it showed no intention of moving aside.