Battle erupted in an instant.
Ursaluna squared off against the strongest of the trio, Okidogi, leaping forth without hesitation to attack!
A vicious glint flashed in Okidogi's eyes as it swung its toxic chain, aiming to teach reckless Ursaluna a lesson.
But with its battle experience—praised even by Lucas—Ursaluna was unfazed by the poison.
Timing it perfectly, Ursaluna's sharp claws struck sparks off the toxic chain and knocked it aside.
Then, Ursaluna, far bulkier, pinned Okidogi down!
Arcanine faced Munkidori.
At first, Arcanine thought the scrawny monkey would be easy prey, but after missing several times, it cooled its head and recalled Lucas and Moltres's guidance—settling down to observe Munkidori's every move.
Soon, it noticed that Munkidori always moved to dodge before Arcanine attacked.
Arcanine realized something.
On the farm, when it spent time with Calyrex, it had felt this same eerie sense of being completely read.
Could it be…future sight?
Arcanine wasn't sure how far ahead Munkidori could predict, so it used Flare Blitz, shrouding itself in flames to repel toxins, and began probing Munkidori's limits.
Gyarados faced the last of the trio, Fezandipiti.
Honestly, it had planned to loaf around.
But after being cramped in a too-small pool yesterday and lectured by Feebas, Gyarados understood.
Their trainer was no ordinary person.
Since it had been caught, it needed to prove its worth to secure a better future.
With a roar, Gyarados ignored Fezandipiti's enchanting pheromones and attacked with full force.
After one Dragon Dance, it unleashed Aqua Tail, Ice Fang, and Dragon Pulse in a wild barrage.
Even Fezandipiti, its mind foggy from Pecharunt's toxins, wanted to curse.
This oaf wasn't affected by its alluring charm at all!
While the three tangled, chaos continued on the other side.
"Gibai gibai!"
Facing the now-masked Ogerpon, Pecharunt screamed in rage.
After so many years of scheming—using Momozawa Shop to sell toxin-laced food across Mossui Town to control most of the population—now Ogerpon was ruining everything.
Pecharunt vowed that after capturing Ogerpon, it would make it the most loyal slave.
It had already ordered all controlled humans to gather here in a few minutes.
Then—
Neither Ogerpon nor the unsettling human would dare act rashly—they'd become loyal slaves!
For now…just don't get defeated by Ogerpon!
"Malignant Chain!"
Pecharunt raised its tiny hand, summoning several chains similar to those on the trio.
They shot through the air with a "swish," aiming at Ogerpon.
Ogerpon had experienced this move long ago.
Even after so many years, its body remembered what to do.
To Lucas's surprise, Ogerpon deftly dodged the incoming chains.
Its movements weren't as smooth as Serperior's, but relying on natural talent and reflexes, it managed.
Compared to when it was tangled by Arbok, Ogerpon now seemed like a different Pokémon.
"Is it because of the mask…?"
Lucas's eyes widened, thinking.
Besides resolving its psychological knot and being caught, the only difference was the repaired mask.
Could these masks, like Groudon's Red Orb, Kyogre's Blue Orb, or the Soul Dew, boost Ogerpon's power or change its form?
As Lucas brainstormed, Ogerpon dodged all the chains and closed in on Pecharunt. In its right hand, a thick club wrapped in thorny vines—formed from Grass energy—appeared.
As Ogerpon gripped this "spiked club," Pecharunt's pupils contracted, and it tried to close its shell to hide.
It had survived before thanks to that shell's defense.
When it came to taking hits, Pecharunt had confidence!
But today, Ogerpon was at its peak.
"Gae-pong—!"
Ogerpon swung the glowing green spiked club at the closing shell's gap!
BANG!
With a crisp smack, Pecharunt was slammed to the ground like a baseball.
Dust flew everywhere, leaving a crater in the earth.
Even the trio and Arcanine paused at the noise.
Ursaluna, roaring at Okidogi, glanced over in disbelief.
Damn!
It thought Ogerpon was a frail child—who knew it was so strong!
Ursaluna was shocked; Kieran, Ogerpon's biggest fan, looked about ready to burst from excitement.
"Hiss…"
Lucas gasped. He suddenly realized, Ogerpon's legendary one-versus-three/four feats were true—its power was incredible.
"Gibai!"
Hit before its shell closed, Pecharunt cried out in pain.
As it struggled weakly to float, it saw Ogerpon approaching expressionlessly, club in hand.
Pecharunt panicked, looking for an escape.
But as Ogerpon stopped before it, Pecharunt's panic turned to a sly grin—it suddenly spat a mouthful of toxic filthy mud at Ogerpon's eyes.
"Sludge Bomb!"
After firing the attack, hearing the mud hit something, Pecharunt didn't even look back, soaring skyward and mocking:
"Gibai gibai!"
How about that—blinded by mud!
Suddenly.
A whistling sound cut through the air. As Pecharunt instinctively turned, the spiked vine club spun through the air, slamming right into its face!
THUD—
This time, it was a solid hit.
Pecharunt crashed down like a crashed helicopter, making another crater.
"Gibai…"
Face burning with pain, Pecharunt tried to float up again, only to see Ogerpon standing before it.
Now, Ogerpon had removed the Teal Mask, holding it like a shield in its left hand, club in its right.
On the mask, green energy spikes faded, washing away the sludge.
Pecharunt's eyes widened.
Spiky Shield!?
In panic, Pecharunt looked to Lucas.
Now it remembered—after the Sludge Bomb, that human had shouted something, reminding Ogerpon to defend!
Pecharunt was furious.
Ogerpon, for its part, found it dull. This was the one who had ruined its peaceful life.
As for why Pecharunt, for the sake of the mask, had the trio brutally beat a man, Ogerpon no longer cared.
From this morning on, its mindset had completely changed.
Now, it only wanted to end the years-long grudge and move toward a new life.
Seeing Ogerpon draw closer, Pecharunt panicked, desperately summoning the trio for help—but the three were too busy.
Okidogi was battered by Ursaluna, Fezandipiti's feathers were ragged, and Munkidori's foresight was outpaced by Arcanine's "Extreme Speed," leaving it knocked down and unable to rise.
With the trio useless, Pecharunt tried to control the humans it had enthralled.
But to its shock, none of them moved.
Pecharunt was dumbfounded.
Who could stop so many? There were even trainers among them!
Despair filled Pecharunt's heart.
…
Meanwhile, near the Mossui Town Community Center.
With Noctowl and Leafeon standing guard, Perrin finally felt relieved.
Looking around, all the "gibai gibai"-chanting zombies were tied up by Serperior's vines, and Pokémon released by the controlled humans lay electrocuted by Luxray.
With their higher level, even many Ground-types couldn't withstand Luxray's shocks.
Few of those Pokémon were battle-hardened.
Inside the center, the previously aggressive townsfolk cowered.
Though greedy, they knew when to yield.
After a few bold ones were "taught a lesson" by Serperior, the rest shut up.
They had only dared because Perrin wouldn't fight back.
But Luxray and Serperior weren't as friendly—who knew if their attacks would turn on any troublemakers?
So everyone stayed quiet as mice.
All here for money—who would risk their lives!?
Perrin glanced at Luxray and Serperior, a bit intimidated.
Though she knew they were Lucas's Pokémon, their recent show of power made her speak cautiously:
"Um…shouldn't you go help over there?"
She offered the masks in her arms, hinting.
Luxray and Serperior glanced at her and shook their heads.
No need.
With Lucas there, nothing could go wrong. Better to keep these townsfolk in check to prevent trouble.
…
Back at the Ogerpon vs. Pecharunt showdown.
Pecharunt's frantic gaze fixed on a water channel.
Thanks to its control over the townsfolk, it knew that channel flowed from Apple Hill to water the apple trees, leading straight to the river!
As long as it survived, it could always control more puppets—where there's life, there's hope. Facing Ogerpon's overwhelming power, Pecharunt was ready to flee.
But this time, Ogerpon wouldn't give it a chance.
Ogerpon looked back.
Meeting Lucas's encouraging gaze—"do whatever you want, I've got your back"—Ogerpon's heart warmed, and it turned back to Pecharunt.
At that moment, Pecharunt, using the chance while Ogerpon looked away, finally regained some mobility and stumbled toward the water channel.
As long as it reached it…!
"Boni."
Ogerpon's usually smiling star-shaped eyes were now icy cold. It only wanted to end the years-long grudge and let that person know it had moved on and found new friends.
Much faster than Pecharunt, Ogerpon easily blocked its path.
Stopped, Pecharunt froze—it had to do something.
Looking around, Okidogi, Fezandipiti, and Munkidori had all been defeated. No reinforcements were coming.
It finally realized—it was out of cards.
As the battles ended, silence fell.
The Pokémon, Kieran, Carmine, Mr. Yukito, and Hideko all waited quietly, as if watching for Ogerpon's decision.
Even Kieran and Carmine, now told the truth by Mr. Yukito and Hideko, knew the enormity of Pecharunt's crimes—
Too many to name!
Lucas kept his eyes on Ogerpon's back, deep in thought.
Ogerpon, gripping its glowing green club, stepped toward Pecharunt.
Suddenly—
Pecharunt let out a strange cry.
"Gibai gibai!" (I was wrong! I'll never do this again! Please let me go!)
To seem sincere, Pecharunt prostrating itself in a deep bow, begging for mercy.
All greed gone.
But Ogerpon's expression never changed.
It didn't even bother to reply—just shook its head, and as Pecharunt's face sank in despair, raised the spiked club high.
You're only repenting because you fear the consequences of your actions.
With a silent thought, Ogerpon swung the club down with all its might.
"BOOM!"
A thunderous crash echoed across Mossui Town.
...
…
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