Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

Chapter 87 The Appearance of Batman Padia

Morning light streamed through the gaps between the tall buildings of Niangguang City onto the streets.

Inside the safe house, Zhang Jianying and Gardevoir had just finished their morning meditation when Albert placed freshly baked bread and tree fruit jam on the table.

"No urgent intelligence today."

Albert adjusted his glasses. "I suggest we check out Neon Avenue. It's a microcosm of Padia's food culture, with sandwich vendors and trainers coming and going. Sometimes, the threads of a criminal network are hidden in the most ordinary hustle and bustle."

Although Zhang Jianying suspected that Albert had simply activated the "Glutton" trait, he nodded in agreement.

After all, understanding the local ecology is part of the investigation, isn't it?

Neon Avenue, "Panoramic View" private room.

Albert pushed open the heavy soundproof door, and the interior view was surprisingly bright.

A full-length curved window offers a panoramic view of the bustling neon avenue, while on the other side lies a meticulously designed miniature ecological zone of Padiya.

"During breaks between missions, it's also necessary to immerse oneself in the local atmosphere."

Albert gestured for Zhang Jianying to sit by the window and handed him a menu displayed on a light screen. "The regional platter here is very famous."

Food can also provide insights into a region's produce and ecology; many smuggling cases originate at the intersection of local specialties and the Pokémon ecosystem.

Zhang Jianying nodded and browsed the menu.

The platter features a combination of ingredients from six different regions. After ordering their food, the two of them can each release their Pokémon to relax.

Albert's partner was a sleek, elegant thunder beast, which lay quietly at its master's feet, its ears twitching alertly.

While waiting for food, Zhang Jianying's self-illumination swept across the street below.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and the crowds were dense.

His gaze inadvertently landed on a food stall.

A tall, slender boy with long, flaxen-gray hair tied up at the back of his head, a few stray strands fluttering in the breeze.

He was wearing a beige multi-functional work jacket and durable trousers, and carrying a backpack that looked quite spacious.

At this moment, he was leaning slightly forward, examining a handful of dried spices with utmost concentration. He twirled the leaves between his fingers, brought them close to his nose, and gently sniffed them. His brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were assessing the subtle differences in aroma and quality.

Zhang Jianying's heart stirred.

Although I've never actually met him, based on my past memories and the boy's distinctive appearance, a name is on the tip of my tongue.

"Bruce Wayne Padia Form—"

The slightly teasing nickname inexplicably flashed through his mind, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

With his parents missing, he struggles alone, embarking on a perilous journey to save his most important friend.

The story's core sense of heaviness and stubbornness does indeed bear some resemblance to Batman.

He didn't say anything, just watched quietly for a few seconds.

The boy seemed to have finished his shopping. He carefully wrapped the herbs and put them in his backpack, paid, turned around, and his figure quickly blended into the bustling crowd and disappeared.

"Did you see something interesting?"

Albert's voice came through as he was grooming the Thunder Beast's neck fur.

"I just feel that the trainers in Padia have a very diverse style."

Zhang Jianying withdrew his gaze and accepted the first platter served by the waiter.

Albert glanced in the direction he had just seen and only saw an ordinary street scene. He smiled and said, "Padia does indeed have many trainers who focus on ecological research or culinary culture. This is probably related to the open educational system of their academy."

The meals were served one after another.

While eating, the two discussed the possible ecosystems of Pokémon in different regions based on the flavors of the food.

That night, in the safe house.

After a night's rest, Albert brought the latest intelligence summary at dawn.

On the light screen, a three-dimensional topographic map of the southeastern valley of the Honghong Desert rotates continuously, with multiple red dots marking areas of abnormal energy fluctuations.

"Based on the interrogation results and our surveillance analysis, the core action team of the target group has moved to this area."

Albert pointed to the map, "Their objective is clear: to use a new type of seismic wave trapping device to capture a specific individual that has been frequently active in the area recently."

"Based on the scattered eyewitness reports we've collected, the descriptions are very consistent: abnormally large size, far exceeding that of ordinary Pokémon, resembling Donphan, but with darker skin, extremely long fangs, and violent tremors when moving, suggesting a gigantic Shiny Donphan."

Zhang Jianying frowned as he listened to the description, but remained silent. It sounded a lot like Xiongwei's teeth, but Xiongwei's teeth shouldn't be that big.

Albert continued, "There are some undocumented ecological phenomena in the Parthian region. But in any case, such a unique individual would be invaluable on the black market. The gang's goal is likely live capture."

He drew up the battle plan: "Our plan is to infiltrate in advance and occupy a high observation point. The primary objective is to collect complete evidence of the gang's crimes and ascertain their personnel and equipment configuration. Then we will act when the opportunity arises."

"Understood." Zhang Jianying put aside his doubts and nodded.

At the same time, in a simple hotel in a small town on the edge of the desert.

The room was small, and the windows were tightly closed to keep out the sand and dust.

Pipa sat on the floor with a photocopy of the Book of Crimson/Purple, which she had found in the Parents' Institute, spread out in front of her.

The perpetually listless Mastiff Godfather lay on his side beside him, with a thick, soft pillow beneath him.

Piper's fingers gently stroked the hair behind the mastiff godfather's ear.

Thanks to Miss Joey's all-out rescue efforts, a period of recuperation, and the effects of special cooking, the patient recovered.

The worsening of the Mastiff Godfather's injuries has finally stopped, and there are even signs of improvement.

This made him even more convinced that the account in the book was true.

He opened his notebook, which recorded the conversation he had overheard in town yesterday: "Over there in the valley on the west side of the Honghong Desert, there was a violent tremor! I saw a shadow as tall as a mountain in the distance, purplish-black, like a super-sized donkey, but its fangs were terrifying!"

"I've heard there's also a strange light coming from some cracks in the ground, carrying an indescribable sour smell—"

A sighting of a giant Pokémon. Unusual tremors. A strange, acidic light emanating from a crack in the ground.

Piper's heart pounded. He quickly compared the account in the Book of Crimson/Purple.

"We need to go check this out, buddy."

Pipa said to the Mastiff Godfather.

The big dog tried its best to lift its head, and its wet nose touched his palm.

He quickly checked his gear: basic medicines, a small amount of high-energy food, plenty of water, heat-resistant protective clothing, lighting and digging tools, several specially made corrosion-resistant sealed containers—and his portable cooking tools that he never parted with.

Piper knew he wasn't good at head-on combat, so he relied more on preparation, knowledge, and a bit of luck.

The desert is scorching hot, and the rock pillars on the outskirts of the valley are at noon.

The heatwave, like an invisible wall, swept over everything in sight.

-

The air twisted and danced under the high temperature, and the fine sand was carried by the hot wind, hitting the rock surface and making a fine rustling sound.

Zhang Jianying and Albert were hiding in a group of naturally formed wind-eroded rock pillars.

The earth turtle's thick shell clung tightly to an inward-curving rock wall, quietly half-buried in the sand. The giant tree behind it seemed to blend into the surrounding scattered trees, providing a rare shade.

Zhang Jianying and Albert lay in the shadows behind the carapace of the earthen platform turtle, their bodies covered by an environmental camouflage net that blended perfectly with the color of the sandstone, leaving only tiny observation holes.

Gardevoir stood silently in the deeper shadows behind the two with its eyes closed, its spiritual perception spreading outwards in a sphere centered on them.

Gengar completely blended into the distorted shadows cast by the rock pillars, silently carrying the listening equipment into the valley.

Because there is really no cover in the center of the valley, it is impossible to hide within a range of 500 meters.

Therefore, the two could only stay in the rocky area and use the old method to monitor the situation.

Albert set up his high-magnification telescope, its lens covered with a heat-proof and anti-reflective shield, and slowly scanned the valley.

The instrument brings the distant scene clearly closer to the portable screen in front of you.

The scenery within the valley gradually comes into view.

Four heavily modified six-wheeled assault vehicles painted in desert camouflage are arranged in a fan shape.

A dozen or so well-equipped personnel in matching gray uniforms were busy at work.

In the center, a columnar device about three meters high with a complex structure has been erected on an exposed rock platform in the middle of the valley, and several technicians are adjusting the instrument whose surface is covered with energy conduits.

Two silent drones cruised slowly at low altitude, like vigilant bald men.

"The team is complete and undoubtedly the main action group."

Albert spoke in a low voice, which sounded somewhat muffled behind his mask.

He was also operating the instruments, recording data and performing energy spectrum analysis.

"The device is more complete than the intelligence indicated, and the energy readings are very high. It looks like they're waiting for the optimal moment to activate it, which I suspect might be related to the target's activity cycle."

Just then, Gardevoir sensed an unusual fluctuation. Its telepathic connection resonated within both of them, indicating that the anomaly originated from the depths of the earth, slightly below the center of the valley.

Immediately afterwards, the image representing the energy reading on the monitoring instrument screen began to rise rapidly!

"Something's about to come out!" Albert whispered.

Almost simultaneously, the sand in the center of the valley churned violently as if boiling! A colossal shadow tore through the earth and appeared proudly!

That was a behemoth far exceeding the size of an ordinary Pokémon!

His purple skin resembled ancient rock formations weathered by time, covered with rugged textures.

Its massive, mountain-like body was muscular and its limbs were as thick as load-bearing pillars, with enormous digging claws at the ends that inspired awe.

A pair of curved, menacing fangs protruded from its mouth, their length comparable to that of a mature tree!

What is most striking are its crimson eyes, burning with pure wildness and the fury of being disturbed.

It roared to the sky, and the sound wave, carrying sand and gravel, formed a visible shockwave that made the entire valley tremble!

Zhang Jianying looked at the Pokémon in the distance through the lens and nodded to himself. It was indeed Majestic Fang, but it was a bit too big.

"Is this the 'giant heterochromatic armored golem' mentioned in the sighting report?"

Albert quickly operated his portable device to access Interpol's encrypted database and compare images with energy signatures.

The data stream on the screen scrolled rapidly, eventually settling on a file labeled "Top Secret - Paradoxical Life Form," with a match rate of 98.7%.

File name: Majestic Tooth (Ancient Species).

"Not Donka."

Albert took a deep breath, his eyes behind his glasses serious.

"It's Majestic Fang," one of the paradoxical Pokémon from the Padia Crater. How did it end up here? And it looks unusually angry."

Zhang Jianying stared at the enormous, oppressive figure on the screen. Could it be that he had accidentally stumbled into the storyline of the Treasure Master?

In the valley, the poaching gang did not panic when faced with the sudden appearance of the majestic tooth; on the contrary, it seemed as if they had been prepared.

The main unit hummed, and powerful, directional shockwaves precisely struck the majestic tooth!

At the same time, several members threw out Poké Balls.

Two ferocious crocodiles rapidly approached from the flank, while a sand python stirred up a sandstorm that blotted out the sky in an attempt to disrupt them, and three graveyard hounds patrolled the perimeter, looking for an opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

Majestic Tooth was thoroughly enraged.

Its massive forepaws were raised high, carrying a terrifying, earthy-yellow energy, and it stomped the earth with the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks!

【earthquake】!

A terrifying shockwave exploded out in a ring!

The ground undulated like a raging torrent, the poachers' vehicle bounced violently, and two members who were too close were thrown back with screams!

The sandstorm was dispersed by an even more violent impact, and the momentum of the rogue crocodile's charge was also halted.

The entire valley echoed with a deafening roar, and sand and dust billowed into the sky, resembling an apocalyptic scene.

The battle instantly intensified, with flashes of energy colliding, Pokémon roars, human shouts, and the buzzing of devices all mixed together.

At this moment of utter chaos, Albert and Zhang Jianying's cameras caught another tiny yet abrupt movement on the edge of their lenses.

On the west side of the valley, in a narrow crevice that was half-hidden by huge fallen rocks and extremely well hidden, a figure was carefully squeezing in.

His long, gray-white hair flashed by in the sandstorm, and he carried a professional backpack.

Pipa!

Zhang Jianying felt a chill run down his spine.

Why did this kid come here, and why did he choose the most dangerous time to sneak into the cave right under the poachers' noses?

How reckless! We don't even know if there are any secret seasonings in that cave.

Almost simultaneously, in the poachers' camp, a man who appeared to be the leader seemed to have received a report from the drone. He suddenly looked towards the cave, his expression changing drastically: "Someone's gone into the acid cave! Quick! Third squad, go and pull them out! Don't damage anything inside!"

The five poachers immediately led two graveyard dogs away from the main battlefield and moved swiftly to surround the cave.

Zhang Jianying and Albert could only remain still and observe the situation closely.

The situation inside the cave is unclear, and taking any rash action may alert the enemy or even trigger an unpredictable chain reaction.

Time slipped away in agony.

Through the listening device carried by Gengar, the two heard faint, strange sounds coming from inside the cave, like the growth and cracking of crystals, as well as the echo of liquid dripping.

The poachers had blocked the entrance to the cave, but seemed hesitant to rush in, as they appeared to be wary of what lay inside.

Sudden.

A crisp sound, like some kind of artifact being gently tapped, rang out from inside the cave!

"Did the boy succeed? Or was he discovered?"

As Albert asked Zhang Jianying, he pressed his fingertip against the Poké Ball.

The next second, a figure flashed through the crevice, and Pipa rushed out!

He was holding a strange plant in a special container tightly in his arms.

The boy's face was covered in sand and some greenish stains, and his expression was one of resolute determination, as if he had made a desperate gamble.

He completely ignored the poachers who surrounded him, his gaze sweeping rapidly before locking onto the relatively complex area of ​​rock pillars on the outskirts of the valley.

This is the nearest terrain that could provide cover.

Piper burst forth with incredible speed, sprinting at full speed towards the rock pillar area!

"Stop him! Retrieve the target item!"

The poaching leader roared in the distance, his voice filled with exasperation.

Two graveyard dogs barked wildly as they gave chase, with five poachers close behind, aiming their energy guns at the targets.

The boy's running was haphazard, purely for his own survival, but his instinctive use of the terrain was remarkably skillful.

They always managed to evade shots by using rocks to turn, slide down steep slopes, or even deliberately kick up dust to obstruct their vision at the last minute.

He clutched the vessel tightly to his chest with both arms, his eyes fixed on the shadow of the rock pillar that was getting closer and closer.

The distance quickly closed.

Zhang Jianying and Albert exchanged a glance.

Albert's lips curled into a sinister smile, a stark contrast to his usual refined demeanor: "The opportunity has arrived—good, let's clip its wings first, and things will be much easier afterwards."

Zhang Jianying nodded, his fingers lightly stroking the keystone on his wrist, his gaze fixed on the snarling, baring teeth Tomb Raider at the forefront.

Gardevoir's figure floated slightly in the air, its psychic powers spreading silently.

Torterra wiggled its forelegs slightly, and power began to gather beneath the sand. Gengar peeked half its head out from the shadow of the rock pillar, its crimson eyes narrowing.

Pipa rushed into the rock pillar forest, his heavy breathing burning his throat and his lungs stinging.

He leaned against a scorching hot rock pillar, his legs weak, but he still clung tightly to the only hope that could heal his companion.

He looked up warily, preparing to gauge the distance to his pursuers and find his next hiding spot.

Then, he froze.

Two "rocks" directly in front of us suddenly moved!

The camouflage net was lifted, revealing two figures dressed in desert camouflage, along with several powerful Pokémon in a state of combat readiness beside them.

Sneaky, lurking here, a dangerous aura!

Piper's heart nearly leaped out of his chest!

Emerging from the wolf's den only to fall into the tiger's lair?

Without even thinking, he grabbed the container, turned around abruptly, and stumbled away in another direction!

Just as he turned and exerted his strength, a figure flashed past like a ghost!

Albert was faster than Piper could react, and a hand gripped his wrist with the precision of an iron clamp, stopping his momentum with just the right amount of force.

With his other hand, he quickly flashed an encrypted badge bearing the Interpol emblem, lowering his voice: "Interpol! Don't be afraid, you're safe. We'll deal with the people behind us."

Piper's struggle stopped instantly. He stared wide-eyed at Albert's calm face so close to him, then at the emblem, and then at the Pokémon beside him that was already facing pursuers.

The nerves that had been stretched to the limit suddenly relaxed, followed by a wave of intense fatigue and lingering fear.

Pipa's legs buckled, and he could no longer support himself, collapsing onto the scorching sand, panting heavily, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

At that moment, two graveyard dogs barked wildly and rushed into the rock pillar area, while the footsteps and shouts of poachers were right behind them.

Zhang Jianying stepped forward, shielding the slumped-to-the-ground Papa behind him, and calmly looked at the charging enemy.

"This road is blocked."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the hot desert winds and the distant roar of battle.