Chapter 326: Zombie Village

Chapter 326: Zombie VillageAt the North Square, Naoki and Yukito arrived to find Kieran and Carmine standing defiantly in front of the town administrator and several village guards. The siblings' faces burned with anger, but they held their ground.

The administrator's expression was grim, his frown deepening. In a quiet, close-knit town like this, theft was no trivial matter. "Kieran, Carmine, why did you steal these masks? They are sacred relics, left behind by the three Pokémon who once protected the village!"

Carmine held the masks tightly against her chest, her eyes blazing with fury. Kieran stood just behind her, clutching her sleeve for support but too afraid to speak.

Finally, Carmine snapped, her voice trembling with emotion. "These masks don't belong to those three! They were stolen from Ogerpon! It was the three Pokémon who took them in the first place-they were the bad ones!"

The administrator's eyes widened in shock before his expression darkened further. "That's nonsense! Who told you such lies? Everyone knows the three Pokémon were heroes who saved the village from Ogerpon!"

Carmine stomped her foot, her frustration bubbling over. Around them, more villagers gathered, their murmurs and curious whispers adding to the tense atmosphere. She turned to face the crowd, but the sheer number of onlookers only made her feel cornered.

At that moment, Naoki and Yukito pushed their way through the crowd, stepping between the siblings and the guards. Yukito immediately took the frightened children into his arms, casting them a stern look.

"This was reckless," Yukito whispered harshly, his tone a mix of worry and regret.

The administrator's gaze shifted to Yukito. "Yukito, what's going on here?" he demanded, his patience wearing thin.

With a heavy sigh, Yukito addressed the crowd. "It's time the truth came out. Administrator, the legend of Ogerpon and the Three Loyal Pokémon isn't what you've been told-it's the opposite."

Gasps rippled through the onlookers as Yukito continued. "The three Pokémon killed Ogerpon's caretaker to steal its masks. Ogerpon only retaliated to avenge its loved one-it never harmed anyone in the village."

The murmurs of the villagers grew louder, confusion and disbelief etched across their faces.

Ogerpon, who had been hiding behind Naoki, shrank further into the shadows, trembling with fear at the growing crowd. Sensing its unease, Naoki knelt down and whispered gently, "It's okay. I'm here. Don't be afraid."

"Pon..." Ogerpon murmured softly, its body still quivering.

The administrator, however, looked increasingly agitated. "This is absurd! Everyone saw what happened back then. The three Pokémon were killed by Ogerpon-it's a dangerous creature! Yukito, you're stirring up trouble with these lies!"

He paused, his tone growing cold and authoritative. "Besides, it doesn't matter now. The truth is irrelevant. The Three Loyal Pokémon are a symbol of Kitakami, and they've brought prosperity to the town. This discussion ends here. No one is to speak of this again!"

The administrator's harsh glare swept over the crowd, silencing many of the murmurs. But before the tension could settle, a commotion broke out in the distance.

Shrill screams pierced the air, drawing everyone's attention. The villagers turned toward the sound, and what they saw left them frozen in shock.

Three Pokémon approached rapidly, each exuding an ominous aura. One was a hulking, canine-like Pokémon with a menacing gait. Another, a simian figure, darted forward with a sly, malevolent grin. The third, an avian Pokémon with fiery plumage, flapped its vibrant wings as it soared through the air.

The villagers recoiled in fear. "Is that... the Three Loyal Pokémon?" someone whispered.

"But they're supposed to be dead! How are they here?"

"Why do they look so terrifying?"

Ogerpon peeked out from behind Naoki. As its gaze landed on the approaching Pokémon, its entire body stiffened. Recognition dawned in its eyes, followed by a wave of suppressed fury.

"Oge... pon!" it growled, its voice trembling with anger.

Naoki's sharp eyes studied the three Pokémon as they closed the distance. Though he didn't fully understand how they had come back to life, he quickly pieced together the situation. He leaned down and asked Ogerpon softly, "Are those the ones?"

Ogerpon's glowing eyes narrowed, and it nodded with a fierce determination. "Oge!"

Ogerpon clenched its tiny fists, and in a surge of fury, vibrant green energy began swirling around its hands. The energy quickly coalesced, forming an enormous thorned club that pulsed with raw power.

Naoki blinked in astonishment. 'Is this Ogerpon's ability?' Despite his surprise, he gently reached out, placing a hand on Ogerpon's shoulder to calm it.

Ogerpon turned to Naoki, its expression confused, as if asking why he stopped it. Before Naoki could explain, Koraidon stepped forward, letting out a sharp, commanding cry. "Raao!"

Naoki smiled and nodded. "Let's do this together. You're not alone this time."

Ogerpon hesitated for a moment, then nodded resolutely, its determination returning. "Pon!"

Meanwhile, the administrator stared wide-eyed at the sight of the three reanimated Pokémon. "Those are the Three Loyal Pokémon!" he exclaimed.

But before he could say more, Koraidon roared and leapt into action. Its crimson body glowed as it released a surge of primal energy. The sunlight above intensified, bathing the field in a golden hue. With a burst of speed, Koraidon charged at Okidogi, its energy-infused strike sending the foe flying across the square. The defeated Pokémon landed with a heavy thud, motionless.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Kieran and Carmine exchanged excited looks, clenching their fists. "Great job, Koraidon!" Carmine cheered.

The administrator, however, was outraged. "What are you doing?!" he demanded. Naoki crossed his arms, his tone calm yet firm. "Helping my Pokémon release some of its anger."

"Anger?" The administrator blinked in confusion, his gaze shifting to Ogerpon. For the first time, he took a closer look at the masked creature standing beside Naoki. His expression shifted as realization dawned.

"It's... the oni?" he muttered, his voice trembling.

The villagers murmured uneasily, many stepping back instinctively. The figure they had mistaken for a human in a mask was revealed to be something entirely different. Their earlier confidence in the legend began to waver as Yukito's words echoed in their minds. Naoki, however, remained focused. He glanced at the battlefield where Koraidon had already dispatched the second Pokémon, Munkidori, leaving only the Fezandipiti still standing.

Fezandipiti., however, was smarter than its companions. Realizing the battle was lost, it screeched and turned tail, flapping its wings furiously as it took to the air.

"It's running away!" Carmine shouted, pointing at the fleeing Pokémon.

Naoki immediately mounted Koraidon, motioning for Ogerpon to follow. "Let's go!" he

called, chasing after the escaping foe.

Kieran and Carmine followed closely behind, their determination spurring them on. "We can't let it get away!" Kieran yelled, his voice carrying above the commotion. Fezandipiti's flight path led straight toward Mossui Town. The villagers left behind stood frozen, unsure of what to do. The administrator's voice broke through the confusion.

"The Three Loyal Pokémon are key to our town's tourism and identity. We can't let them die

like this! Someone, go fetch Nurse Joy for help immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" a guard replied, hurrying off toward the Pokémon Center.

The fleeing Fezandipiti didn't travel far. It landed in Mossui Town, just outside the S~eaʀᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Momozawa Store, attracting the bewildered stares of passersby.

When Naoki arrived with Koraidon and Ogerpon, Fezandipiti was already on the ground,

clutching a dusty, purple doll in its talons. It shook the doll frantically, as though pleading or

praying to it.

"Raao?" Koraidon tilted its head, clearly puzzled by the peculiar behavior.

"What's it doing?" Carmine asked breathlessly as she caught up.

"I have no idea," Naoki replied.

At that moment, the strange purple doll held by the Fezandipiti began to move unnaturally.

Suddenly, the doll split in half, revealing a bizarre, eerie creature hidden inside.

Fezandipiti's expression shifted to one of apparent surprise, as though even it hadn't expected this outcome.

Naoki's eyes widened slightly. 'Is that... another Pokémon?' he wondered.

"Pon!" Ogerpon growled, its voice low and filled with anger as it pointed at the newly

revealed Pokémon.

Naoki quickly understood. This creature must have wronged Ogerpon in the past.

"Koraidon, strike it!" Naoki ordered without hesitation.

"Raao!"

Koraidon roared, leaping forward, its powerful legs propelling it toward the target. But before Koraidon could reach it, a shimmering purple light enveloped the mysterious

Pokémon.

In a flash, the creature darted behind the shopkeeper standing nearby, using her as a shield.

Koraidon skidded to a halt, its claws scraping the ground as it stopped just short of hitting the

shopkeeper.

"Move out of the way!" Carmine shouted, her voice frantic.

But the elderly shopkeeper stood motionless, her posture stiff and unnatural.

Naoki's eyes narrowed. Something was off.

Then, to his shock, she opened her mouth, her voice slow and monotone as she uttered a

single, chilling word: "Pech..."

Meanwhile, at the North Shrine, the administrator and several villagers tending to the fallen

Pokémon froze in place.

The villagers watched in confusion as the administrator and his group slowly straightened,

their eyes dull and vacant, their movements stiff.

"Village chief? Are you okay?" one villager asked hesitantly.

The administrator did not respond. Instead, he began muttering the same word over and over:

"Pech... Pech..."

As if in a trance, he and the others began descending the mountain in unison, their steps

mechanical and eerie.

All across Kitakami, similar scenes unfolded. Villagers in Mossui Town abandoned whatever they were doing-some leaving their meals half-eaten, others walking out of bathrooms or beds. With blank expressions and stiff movements, they converged toward the Momozawa Store, forming a growing circle around Naoki and his group.

Back at the store, the crowd thickened, their lifeless eyes trained on Naoki and the others. The shopkeeper, still under the creature's control, stood motionless as more villagers joined her.

"What's happening to everyone?!" Carmine asked, panic creeping into her voice. Naoki's expression darkened. "That Pokémon... it's controlling them."

The realization hit like a bolt of lightning. The creature wasn't just hiding behind the villagers

-it was using them as human shields to protect itself.

More villagers closed in. Some reached for Kieran's legs, grabbing him with surprising

strength and attempting to pull him down.

"Sister!" Kieran cried out in fear, struggling against the grasping hands.

"Hold on!" Carmine shouted, diving in to free him. She grabbed his arms, pulling with all her

might to break him loose.

Naoki's frown deepened. He reached into his belt and pulled out two Poké Balls. "Dragonite,

Flutter Mane-come out!" he called.

With twin flashes of white light, the Pokémon materialized. Dragonite stretched its wings,

quickly scanning the chaotic scene. Understanding immediately, it let out a determined cry.

"Oou!" Dragonite surged forward, knocking back the encroaching crowd with a powerful sweep of its tail. It grabbed Kieran and Carmine with its claws, lifting them safely into the air.

"Nice work, Dragonite!" Naoki called. He then turned to Ogerpon and Koraidon. "Let's follow

them!"

Koraidon gave a fierce roar, crouching low. Naoki helped Ogerpon climb onto its back before mounting himself. In an instant, Koraidon leaped into the air, its powerful legs propelling

them skyward.

From above, Naoki spotted Fezandipiti. It had not fled far and was now flying erratically toward Mossui Town, as though trying to escape the chaos.

Suddenly, it screeched and veered sharply, turning to charge at Koraidon mid-air. Its sharp

beak glinted as it dived with surprising speed and precision.

"Watch out!" Carmine shouted from above.

Koraidon growled, its body tensing. In its current form, dealing with the airborne attacker

was tricky. Just as the Fezandipiti was about to collide with them, Flutter Mane sprang into action. Its spectral wings shimmered with ghostly energy as it launched a surprise attack,

intercepting the oncoming foe with precise and swift movements.

A powerful force materialized instantly, crashing into the Fezandipiti like a tidal wave. Its attack was halted mid-charge as it was sent spiraling backward.

"Power Gem!" Naoki commanded, his voice firm.

Flutter Mane responded without a sound. It vanished in an instant, reappearing behind the

Fezandipiti in a spectral blur. A dazzling beam of prismatic light shot forth, striking the Fezandipiti directly and enveloping it in a radiant explosion.

From a distance, Dragonite unleashed a Dragon Rage, its fierce energy roaring through the air

and hitting the Fezandipiti squarely.

Fezandipiti let out a shrill cry before plummeting to the ground, its body limp like a kite with a broken string. It hit the earth with a thud, unmoving.

Naoki scanned the area below, his eyes narrowing as he noticed that the strange purple

Pokémon had vanished entirely.

His expression darkened. 'Another Pokémon I've never seen before...' he thought. 'It's unsettling

not knowing anything about it.'

Dragonite and Flutter Mane returned to Naoki's side, their expressions alert. Below, Kieran

and Carmine looked nervously at the crowd of villagers, who continued to stretch out their arms and stumble forward like mindless puppets.

"What's happening to everyone?" Kieran asked, his voice trembling. "Why are they acting like

this?"

"Grandpa and Grandma are still at the North Shrine," Carmine added, panic creeping into her tone. "I don't know if they're okay..."

The siblings turned to Naoki, their eyes pleading for guidance.

Naoki considered the situation for a moment before asking, "Did either of you see that purple

Pokémon earlier?"

Kieran and Carmine shook their heads. "No..." Kieran admitted.

Naoki turned to Ogerpon. "What about you? Did you recognize it?"

"Pon!" Ogerpon's voice was filled with rage, its small fists clenched tightly at its sides.

Naoki frowned but quickly pieced together the situation. "Is it connected to those three Pokémon companions?" he asked.

"Pon!" Ogerpon nodded vigorously. Though its face was obscured by its mask, its anger

radiated clearly.

Naoki cast a glance at the villagers below, their arms clawing at the air as they tried to reach

him and his companions. The sight was eerily reminiscent of a scene from The Walking Dead, and the realization sent a chill down his spine.

Suddenly, a new wave of controlled villagers appeared, shuffling into view. Among them,

Naoki spotted Yukito, Hideko, and the village chief, their movements just as stiff and lifeless as the others.

"Grandpa!" Kieran shouted, his voice breaking.

"What do we do?" Kieran turned to Carmine, his face pale.

Even Carmine, usually bold and brash, seemed at a loss for words. She looked to Naoki,

silently begging for a plan.

Naoki's gaze hardened. "We need to find that purple Pokémon," he said decisively. "I think

it's using some kind of ability to control the people in town."

But for now, retreat was their only option. The sheer number of controlled villagers made it

impossible to confront the problem head-on.

"Let's get out of here," Naoki said. He directed Koraidon to circle around Mossui Town,

searching for a safe place to regroup.

Eventually, they landed on the rooftop of the Civic Center, high above the chaos. The sun dipped below the horizon, and the sky darkened, casting long shadows over the town. A strange purple fog began to spread across Mossui Town, blanketing the streets in an eerie haze. Villagers under the Pokémon's control wandered aimlessly like zombies, low growls escaping their throats. The sight was unsettling, to say the least. Naoki observed the scene with an incredulous expression. 'Seriously, when did this turn from the Pokémon world into a horror movie?'

The atmosphere was unnervingly intense, and it made him shudder.

'Yeah, this town is definitely not fun.'

Naoki resolved right then and there: once he left, he wouldn't be coming back. But not all was bleak-thankfully, not everyone in town seemed to be under the Pokémon's control. Here and there, he spotted a few villagers darting through the fog, carefully avoiding

the possessed and slipping into their homes to bolt the doors and windows.

'So the Pokémon's control isn't absolute. There must be specific conditions needed for it to take

over,' Naoki reasoned.

At that moment, Kieran and Carmine suddenly remembered the masks they were holding. They quickly placed the three recovered masks on the ground in front of Ogerpon. "Oh, right! The masks!" Carmine exclaimed. "Ogerpon, we brought these back for you!" Ogerpon stared at the masks and the two siblings in confusion. "Pon...?"

"Take them!" Carmine urged. "Now that all the masks are back, you can finally leave this

place with 'uncle' Naoki without any worries!"

Naoki: "..."

Ogerpon looked at the children thoughtfully, remembering how they had defended it earlier

in the day. Its heart swelled with gratitude. Kieran grinned. "Don't be scared! We're your friends now!"

Ogerpon's expression softened, and it chirped happily. "Pon~"

These past few days had been the happiest time for Ogerpon in years. Meeting Naoki, as well

as Kieran and Carmine-two people willing to fight for it was something it would treasure

forever.

"By the way, Uncle Naoki," Kieran began hesitantly.

"Hm?" Naoki raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"When I grow up..." Kieran faltered but then gathered his courage. "Can I visit your ranch and

see Ogerpon?"

Naoki blinked in surprise before offering a kind smile. "Of course. When I leave, I'll tell you exactly where I live. You're welcome to visit anytime." "Pon~!" Ogerpon chimed in, its small face lighting up with a smile.

The brief moment of joy didn't last long, though. Carmine's expression grew anxious again.

"Uncle Naoki," she said, her tone laced with frustration, "what do we do now? That purple Pokémon is awful! It's using the townspeople as shields to protect itself!" Naoki sighed, rubbing his temples. "First off, stop calling me 'Uncle.' I'm only, like, fourteen

years older than you. I'm not that old."

Carmine looked annoyed but held back a retort, while Kieran couldn't help but be impressed.

'As expected of an adult,' he thought. 'He's so calm, even in a situation like this!'

Naoki crossed his arms, thinking over his options. "As for what to do..."

Option one: he could rely on Flutter Mane. The ancient Ghost-type was a natural predator,

adept at tracking and stealth. Using Phantom Force, it could remain undetected while

searching for the purple Pokémon. Option two: he could summon Sister Indeedee from the ranch and have it use Lunar Dance to try purifying the villagers affected by the Pokémon's control. Option three: he could go all out and summon Calyrex. With Calyrex's immense power, they could perform a large-scale purification of Mossui Town. Not only would this solve the immediate problem, but Calyrex's presence could also potentially inspire faith and awe

among the townspeople.

...

Bonus Chapter@ 3500 Powerstones