"Anyway, let's head to Professor Bill's lab first," Lu Ye said.
The red-haired boy in black gave a slight nod, silently following beside him.
According to prior research, these alleyways led directly to Goldenrod City's underground tunnel, providing a discreet route to Professor Bill's lab.
Silver had chosen this meeting spot to avoid being tracked by Interpol or Team Rocket.
"You go first."
Standing at the entrance of the underground tunnel, Silver spoke in a cold tone.
He was extremely cautious by nature.
Besides…
Silver narrowed his eyes, studying Teacher Lu.
He couldn't get a clear read on this man.
He looked weak.
Yet the intel said he had defeated Lance, Cynthia, and other top Trainers.
Even Gold—who excelled in wild battles—had lost to him.
This overwhelming sense of discrepancy made Silver even warier.
"No problem."
Lu Ye smiled and walked forward without hesitation, leaving his back exposed to Silver.
Lu Ye knew Silver's personality well.
Cold and reserved, a permanent poker face, tsundere, and big-time siscon…
But he always completed tasks given to him without fail.
Since he had been personally recommended by Blue, Gold, and Lance, there was no need for concern.
Silver was a little taken aback by how casually he agreed.
"Is he just that confident…?" Silver muttered, hands in his pockets, before following Lu Ye.
---
Goldenrod City's underground tunnel was a sprawling network, an essential part of the city's infrastructure.
It also housed Goldenrod's most iconic structure—the Magnetic Levitation Train, connecting Johto and Kanto.
Lu Ye had no time for sightseeing, however, as he led Silver toward the address given by Bill.
"Haunterr!"
Haunter floated ahead, scanning the surroundings with an excited look.
Watching Haunter's enthusiastic form, Lu Ye felt a wave of sentimentality.
"It's about time you evolved…"
It had only been four months since Haunter evolved from Gastly.
But with its growing strength, holding back its evolution wasn't a good idea anymore.
Sure, he was a little worried about his house and wallet surviving…
But compared to his Pokémon, those things didn't matter!
Lu Ye firmly nodded to himself.
At that moment, Silver came to a stop. "We're here."
Exiting the tunnel, they arrived at a modest residential house—Professor Bill's home.
"Professor Bill! It's Lu Ye, here to visit!" Lu Ye pressed the doorbell and called into the intercom.
"The door's open, come on in!" Bill's voice responded.
Click.
Lu Ye carefully pushed open the door.
Inside, the room was dimly lit, with dust floating in the air and books piled chaotically on every surface.
Scientific equipment was scattered about—More than a home, it looked like a makeshift research lab.
Stepping into the living room, both Lu Ye and Silver froze in place.
A Kabutops, standing as tall as a human, stood out in the room.
Its crimson compound eyes gleamed menacingly—Silver immediately reached for a Poké Ball, ready to battle.
But before he could react—The "Kabutops" frantically removed its headpiece and shouted: "It's me! It's Bill!"
Even the eternally expressionless Silver looked stunned.
Lu Ye, face twitching, coughed and asked,
"…COSPLAYING Kabutops? What kind of weird hobby is this?"
"Heh heh."
Bill scratched his sweaty curls and grinned sheepishly.
"I just wanted to experience how Pokémon feel… it's part of my research method!"
This isn't research, this is a full-blown obsession!
On the bright side… at least he hadn't swapped bodies with a Rattata this time.
Considering both the games and manga, Bill had a habit of switching bodies with Pokémon…
Cough.
Lu Ye forced a neutral expression and cleared his throat.
"Professor—"
"Just call me Bill!" Bill interrupted cheerfully.
"I've already prepared the trade machine—follow me!"
---
In a side room, a large communication device sat at the center.
Pipes and cables connected the machine, with two platforms designed to hold Poké Balls.
While Pokédexes could also facilitate trade evolutions, that required a special Pokédex crafted by Professor Oak.
Only a select few had received these limited-edition Pokédexes—less than twenty in existence.
Unlike the mass-produced Pokédexes seen in the TV series, these ones were a true status symbol…
"Trade evolutions simulate the unique magnetic fields found in the wild," Bill explained.
"That's why you can find wild Gengar and Alakazam in certain areas."
Looking between Lu Ye and Silver, Billasked,
"I assume you both already know how this works?"
No need to explain to Silver—His special ability, 'The Exchanger,' was so refined that he even helped Gold's Pokémon evolve.
On the other hand, Lu Ye felt slightly uneasy.
Haunter raised a thumbs-up.
"Haunterr! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧" (Leave it to me!)
Bill crouched at the console, activating the machine.
Lu Ye looked at Haunter, his tone serious.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Once you evolve into Gengar, there's no going back…"
"You'll have to endure more hardships, face stronger opponents, and the risk of injury will double…"
As he spoke, Lu Ye's expression hardened.
The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. And the greater the risk.
He wanted his Pokémon to live happily every day, even if that meant never battling.
But at the same time, he respected their choices.
If Haunter chose to evolve, then Lu Ye could do only one thing—
Work twice as hard to earn money.
After all…
A Trainer and their Pokémon reflect each other.
This bond, formed through daily interactions, companionship, and time, was the most important connection in the Pokémon world.
Sensing Lu Ye's thoughts, Haunter's expression turned incredibly serious.
Enduring hardships… facing stronger opponents…
That's the only way to become a legendary Trainer.
His Trainer's goals had always been clear.
And Haunter had no doubts.
Because his only purpose… was to help his Trainer become stronger.
Don't worry.
I'll make sure your dreams come true.
"Haunterr!" Haunter's eyes shone, and he nodded firmly.
"Th-That's so beautiful!" Bill sniffled, wiping his tears. "It's moments like this that make me love Pokémon!"
Silver's expression twitched.
It's just an evolution… does he really need to cry this much?
But then—A thought crossed his mind, making him frown slightly.
Emotions may seem intangible… but in this world, they're real power.
From catching Totodile, where frustration fueled his attacks…
(Lower Friendship = Higher Damage)
To evolving into Feraligatr, where he finally learned gratitude.
Over time, under Gold's influence, Silver gradually understood the connection between humans and Pokémon.
And now—watching Lu Ye—He saw the shadows of legendary figures.
The red-cloaked man atop Mt. Silver.
The soaring Garchomp.
The silver-armored Mega Metagross…
Silver shook his head, a newfound respect in his eyes.
"Leave it to me," he said in a calm, steady voice.
Lu Ye nodded.
He recalled Haunter and traded Poké Balls with Silver.
Through Silver's Poké Ball, Lu Ye glimpsed a red-scaled Gyarados.
Just like Lance's Red Gyarados, this one had been caught at the Lake of Rage.
Due to the electromagnetic interference, its Magikarp form had retained its red coloration—Technically different from regular Shiny Pokémon.
(Note: Lance's Red Gyarados was from the TV series, while Silver's was from the manga.)
Placing the Poké Balls on the communication device, they were sucked into the machine.
The LCD screen flashed:
[TRADING IN PROGRESS]
A strange magnetic field surged, shrouding the lab in a cold, eerie fog.
"This is normal," Bill explained. "But Haunter's accumulated power is… quite something."
After all…
It had been eating Master-tier Pokéblocks like candy every day.
It would be more surprising if it hadn't built up massive energy!
Fortunately, the strange phenomenon didn't last long.
The machine stopped, and the platform holding the Poké Balls slowly lowered.
"Release Haunter," Silver nodded. "The evolution is about to begin."
Lu Ye wasn't as much of an expert as Silver, but he had studied the Communication Guide multiple times.
This situation was within his expectations.
He nodded.
Holding the warm Poké Ball in his palm—Lu Ye silently thought:
"Come on out… Gengar!"
BOOM!
A flash of red light erupted.
A dark mist burst forth from the Poké Ball.
Thick, pitch-black fog filled the room, causing the overhead lights to flicker violently.
The temperature inside plunged by 5°C.
And then—From within the swirling shadows—A blinding white light shone through!
"Gengarr! (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ"