Chapter 20: The Mysterious Golduck Leader

  The soft singing voice seemed to carry an irresistible magic. The raging Gyarados, which had been brimming with fury just moments ago, gradually calmed down. The crimson hue in its eyes faded, repced by drowsiness, which also seeped into the other two Pokémon present, leading them into slumber.

  Just before completely succumbing to sleep, Riolu vaguely heard a gentle voice say, "Oh my, I accidentally put them all to sleep. Well, I suppose they should get some rest…"

  Swish, swish—

  The sound of water pping against a surface filled Riolu's dreams. He felt as if he were floating on a calm ke, rising and falling with the gentle waves.

  Water? Am I on the water?

  "Ah…!"

  Riolu jolted awake and instinctively sat up. He quickly realized that he was seated on the sturdy shell of a Lapras, gliding smoothly across the ke. Beside him, Machoke was engaged in an animated conversation with the Water-type Pokémon.

  Gyarados, however, was nowhere to be seen.

  "Our leader is waiting ahead. Please hold on tight," Lapras announced, increasing its speed toward a massive rock formation at the center of Moonlit Lake.

  Despite the Pokémon's swift swimming, it still took some time to reach the ke's center. As they approached, Riolu observed a colossal rock protruding from the water, rising about a meter above the surface. Its bck-blue hue shimmered under the sunlight, polished smooth by years of water erosion. The upper surface was vast, accommodating a circle of Pokémon while still leaving ample space.

  At the center of the formation sat a Golduck, perched atop a raised section of the rock, eyes closed in deep contemption. Its presence was as steady and vast as the ke itself. A red jewel gleamed on its forehead, refracting sunlight into dazzling beams.

  This was the leader of Moonlit Lake, the ruler of its Water-type Pokémon—Golduck.

  As Riolu carefully climbed onto the slick rock from Lapras's back, he stealthily activated his Pokédex to analyze Golduck's stats.

  ---

  Pokédex Analysis:

  Pokémon: Leader - Golduck (Male)

  Level: 33

  Type: Water

  Ability: Swift Swim (Doubles speed in rain)

  Title: Leader of Moonlit Lake (When Water-type Pokémon gather around Golduck, Water-type moves gain significant power)

  Moveset:

  Future Sight (Lv.4)

  Psychic (Lv.4)

  Calm Mind (Lv.4)

  Surf (Lv.2)

  Water Pulse (Lv.2)

  Disable (Lv.1)

  Ice Beam (Lv.1)

  ---

  "Three Level 4 moves?! That's more than Squirtle's leader and even Snorx's leader!" Riolu was astonished. "And they're all Psychic-type? This build is completely different from what I expected."

  Riolu had always known that Golduck, despite being a pure Water-type Pokémon, could naturally learn many Psychic moves. Moreover, it had a high Special Attack stat, making it more effective at using them. But seeing this Pokémon in person, with its move pool almost entirely geared toward Psychic attacks, was still a shock.

  Just then, Golduck's brow furrowed slightly, as if sensing something unusual. It slowly opened its eyes and gazed in Riolu's direction.

  Crap, did it notice me analyzing its stats?

  Feeling Golduck's penetrating gaze, Riolu immediately shut down the floating Pokédex screen, pretending as if nothing had happened.

  Golduck silently assessed the situation for a moment but ultimately dismissed the strange sensation, attributing it to an illusion.

  ---

  "Leader, the guests from Sunrise Valley have arrived," Lapras announced after ensuring that Riolu and Machoke had climbed onto the rock.

  Machoke straightened his posture and was about to speak when Golduck, with a deep yet calm voice, spoke first.

  "I already know why you've come. Do you have any leads?"

  "No, we don't." Machoke shook his head. "To be honest, we're just as confused. There's no logical reason for Snorx to attack Sunrise Valley—he's always been on good terms with us. But that day, something was clearly wrong with him. It was as if he had lost all sense of reason and transformed into a raging beast."

  "Furthermore," Riolu added, "our Squirtle leader mentioned that the Pidgeotto flock is exhibiting the same symptoms. It seems like this strange phenomenon is spreading across the forest."

  "The Pokémon affected—both Snorx and the Pidgeotto flock—had red-glowing eyes and an aura of crimson energy," Riolu expined. "That energy significantly boosted their strength. However, it also made them extremely aggressive, attacking anything within range without distinguishing friend from foe."

  Machoke nodded in agreement. "Exactly. After fending off Snorx, our leader ordered us to investigate this anomaly. That's why we've come here—to request your help in using Future Sight to gain insight into this phenomenon."

  Riolu was stunned. So that's why we came here?

  Future Sight?!

  In the games, Future Sight was simply a deyed Psychic-type attack, nding a few turns after being used. But now, in the real Pokémon world, could it actually have prophetic abilities? Was that why they needed Golduck's help?

  Golduck remained silent for a moment before responding.

  "Future Sight is not something that can be used on a whim," it said. "Do you have the necessary materials?"

  "Yes," Machoke said solemnly. "I offer my memories as the past, and these tufts of fur shed from Snorx's body as the present. With these, we ask for your foresight into the future."

  From his backpack, Machoke retrieved a bundle wrapped in leaves, revealing gray-bck fur. Alongside it, he pced a crystal-clear pink gemstone, shimmering with an ethereal glow.

  "This Psychic Gem is our tribute for your assistance," he added.

  Golduck raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.

  "This is quite rare," it mused. "It seems you two came well-prepared."

  Golduck then gnced skyward at the clear afternoon sky. "However, now is not the right time. Rest for now. We will begin at night."

  Golduck turned to Lapras.

  "Take them to their resting pce."

  Lapras swam forward. "Come with me. I'll take you to a good spot to rest."

  Riolu and Machoke exchanged gnces before stepping onto Lapras's back, setting off toward the area beneath the massive waterfall.

  As their figures disappeared in the distance, Golduck closed its eyes once more.

  Its red forehead gem flickered with a strange glow, and waves of psychic energy slowly unduted around its body.

  Then, as if lifted by invisible hands, Golduck's body gently levitated off the ground, suspended mid-air.

  The energy surrounding it pulsed rhythmically, rippling outward.

  Seeing their leader enter a deep meditative state, the surrounding Water-type Pokémon understood. Without making a sound, they quietly dispersed into the waters—awaiting whatever revetion the night would bring.