The longer Ditto stayed in its Arbok form, the more proficient it became with the cobra's natural skills. It was as if the genetic data it had consumed was actively overwriting Ditto's own personality.
Feng Che noticed Ditto's gaze becoming increasingly predatory and savage. A violent aura radiated from the purple serpent. At that moment, he heard a subconscious, fragmented thought from the blob.
[Ditto: Kill... I must... tear this Cloyster... apart...]
Something is wrong. Very wrong, Feng Che thought, his face darkening. Is the residual consciousness of the original Arbok reviving? Is the battle state causing the 'prey's' will to erode Ditto's mind?
This means there's a massive hidden danger to Ditto's consumption ability. It needs a stronger mind to suppress the ghosts of the Pokémon it eats. I need to craft a mental fortification potion immediately. Luckily, the Gracidea Flowers Rookidee found are the perfect core ingredient.
I should also ask Tianchen to take a look later; a psychic might be able to see if there's a lingering mental parasite affecting Ditto.
On the battlefield, Ditto moved like a veteran hunter. It dodged the Cloyster's "Ice Missiles" with terrifying grace. Suddenly, its tail glowed with a blinding silver light. This wasn't a combat style Feng Che had taught it; this was the muscle memory of the elite Arbok it had devoured.
CLANG!
The Iron Tail struck the Cloyster's weakest joint. The already cracked shell shattered into fragments, and the bivalve Pokémon collapsed, unable to continue. But Ditto didn't stop. Its Thunder Fang latched onto the exposed soft tissue, jolting the Cloyster with lethal electricity.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
Feng Che acted quickly, hurling a capture ball before Ditto could deliver a finishing blow. The Cloyster was sucked inside. The ball shook violently before finally clicking shut.
But then, the Arbok-Ditto turned its head. It locked its eyes on Feng Che and flicked its tongue, a low hiss escaping its throat. Feng Che felt a chill; he was being targeted as prey.
"Ditto! Snap out of it!"
"It's me! Look at me!"
It's been transformed for too long today, Feng Che realized. The longer the transformation lasts, the stronger the original consciousness becomes.
[Ditto: Someone... is calling... Master? I... must wake up...]
Finally, the murderous glint faded, replaced by confusion.
"Ditto, transform into Golbat. Now!"
Ditto shimmered and shifted into the large-mouthed bat. [Ditto: Weird... I was just an Arbok, when did I turn into a bat?]
Feng Che's heart sank. The memory gap is getting worse. I have to limit its time in high-level forms until its own spirit is strong enough to dominate the cells.
He picked up the silver Rocket Ball. Got the Cloyster. Between it and the Kingler, I have two heavy hitters for points, even if they're a bit beat up from the fight.
"Rookidee, show me where you found that flower field," he said, ruffling her feathers.
Rookidee chirped excitedly. [Rookidee: Finally helping! I found it because I was bored while you were diving. I saved an Oddish and a Diglett, and they led me there.]
Following Rookidee through forty minutes of dense, thorny brush, they arrived at a hidden valley. It was a paradise of Gracidea Flowers. Diglett and Oddish were scattered throughout, tending the soil.
As Feng Che entered, the resident Pokémon grew wary, surrounding him.
"Stay calm, I'm not an enemy," Feng Che said softly, while Rookidee landed on his head, chirping a greeting to her friends. Recognizing the bird, the wild Pokémon relaxed.
Feng Che noticed the Diglett were removing withered, dried flowers.
Most people think Gracidea Flowers are annuals, but they are biennials—they bloom every other year. Interestingly, for medicinal purposes, the naturally withered petals are the most potent for mental recovery potions.
"Excuse me, could I have those withered ones?" he asked the Diglett.
The little moles blinked and piled the dried flowers at his feet. Soon, a small mountain of rare herbs sat before him. He swept them into his bracelet, along with some bulbs he planned to cultivate later using volcanic ash and spring water.
Suddenly, Golbat-Ditto screeched. It landed and shifted into a Sandslash, its claws digging into the earth. It tossed a glowing, fiery red stone into Feng Che's lap before slumping over, exhausted.
"A Fire Stone? And it's 'Medium' grade!"
Golbat's sonar + Sandslash's digging = a perfect treasure hunter, Feng Che realized. A Fire Stone of this quality could sell for tens of thousands of credits. It was perfect for evolving Alice's Growlithe or Vulpix later.
"Return, Ditto. You've done enough for today." He recalled the blob to let it rest and prevent further mental erosion.
Just as he stepped out of the valley, a shadow blocked his path. A Beedrill lunged from the canopy.
"Halt. Hand over your valuables. I'm only interested in the loot," a lazy voice drawled.
A man in a ninja outfit dropped from a tree. He looked to be in his thirties, with silver hair and a sharp, mid-parted fringe. He smelled faintly of medicinal herbs.
"I am the Bug Ninja, Chuzhu (Pillar of Insects)."
"I'm a member of Koga's (Arkyo) third squad. My partner is this Beedrill. Your bird looks weak; just hand over your bag and save us both some trouble."
"A battle then," Feng Che said, signaling Rookidee.
"Ninja Art: Shadow Clone!" Chuzhu formed a hand seal. The Beedrill split into three images, buzzing toward Rookidee. "Ninja Art: High-Speed Movement!"
The three Beedrill became blurs of light. Rookidee struggled to track them with her eyes.
If Ditto were awake, a Golbat's echolocation would end this instantly, Feng Che thought. But Rookidee needs this. She needs to stop relying on sight.
"Rookidee, don't be afraid! Close your eyes! Don't look at the movement—feel the flow of the wind!"
"Hah! Feel the wind?" Chuzhu laughed. "In high-speed movement, my Beedrill is as fast as a Pidgeotto! Your bratty bird is done for. Surrender before my stingers kill her. I don't want to explain to Lady Sabrina why I killed her recruit's bird."
"You only fail when you stop trying," Feng Che countered. "Rookidee! Focus!"
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