During the remaining time they spent waiting on the beach, Shiro didn't waste a moment. He released each of his Pokémon that had recovered their stamina and put them through some light training while observing their condition.
The first one was Gengar, who had recently completed its final evolution. Thanks to Agatha's dedicated training, along with a large supply of rare Ghost-type resources, Gengar's level had risen rapidly. It had now reached the peak of the Elite-level.
Unown A looked at the grinning Gengar and said in a complicated tone, 'It has already stepped into the Champion-level several times before. The hardest part of reaching Champion-level is condensing type energy, and it's already about seventy to eighty percent finished.'
In other words, as long as Gengar was supplied with enough resources and filled its energy reserves, it would naturally break through to the Champion-level.
Shiro patted Gengar on the head, clearly surprised.
Looks like Mega Evolution doesn't just provide a temporary power boost. If a Pokémon is already close to breaking through, especially during a major advancement at higher levels, experiencing that higher realm through Mega Evolution is incredibly beneficial for its growth.
"Gengaaar!" (I'm invincible!)
Gengar proudly puffed out its chest. Though with its round black belly blending into its chest, it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.
Its arrogant attitude immediately drew Drakloak over. It stared at Gengar with an intimidating glare.
But now that Gengar had also reached the peak of the Elite-level, standing on equal footing with Drakloak, it wasn't intimidated in the slightest. It even stretched out a claw and slowly wagged one finger.
"Gen... Gengar..." (Big Bro, you're washed up now. Don't challenge the invincible Lord Gengar.)
"Drak?" (What did you just say?)
Drakloak nearly exploded with anger. It didn't have fur to stand on end, but waves of energy rippled across its blue-green dragon body.
Without another word, it charged forward to teach its little brother a lesson.
Shiro made no attempt to stop them. Instead, he watched the show together with Unown A.
Who was stronger now? The newly evolved and greatly empowered Gengar, or the longtime big brother, Drakloak?
A short while later, the battle ended.
Gengar covered its head, now swollen with bumps, and hid behind Shiro while pitifully begging for mercy.
"Geeengaar..." (Big Bro, I was wrong…)
Only then did Drakloak snort out two streams of Dragon Breath before finally calming down.
Shiro noticed that Drakloak's strength had improved quite a bit. If this had been the Drakloak from a month ago, it would have only managed a draw against Gengar in its current state. Of course, if Gengar Mega Evolved, Drakloak would only end up getting beaten by that unfair power-up.
Taking the opportunity, he asked Unown A, "How strong is Drakloak now? How far is it from reaching the Champion-level?"
His own psychic abilities weren't refined enough to observe such detailed data, so he could only ask Unown A.
After all, Drakloak had remained at the peak of the Elite-level for quite some time. It should be close to breaking through by now.
'Do you think reaching the Champion-level is that easy?' Unown A complained with obvious dissatisfaction. 'Only that lucky brat Gengar could save so much time thanks to Mega Evolution.'
Even so, Unown A quickly simulated the data, simplified it, and sent it to Shiro.
[Name: Drakloak
Type: Ghost/Dragon
Level: 60 (Elite)
Ability: Clear Body
Held Item: Dragon Fang
Moves: Dragon Pulse, Infestation, Bite, Quick Attack, Astonish, Lock-On, Assurance, Hex, Agility, Double Hit, U-turn, Dragon Dance, Phantom Force, Take Down…
Status: Comfortable
Energy Condensation Progress: 78/100]
"Just a little more."
After saying that, Shiro released the rest of his Pokémon and checked them one by one.
The first was naturally Corviknight.
After so many battles, Corviknight had successfully achieved another breakthrough.
Thanks to its previous training and all the recent battles, the rest of his Pokémon had also improved to varying degrees.
* * *
[Name: Corviknight
Type: Flying/Steel
Level: 51 (Elite)
Ability: Mirror Armor
Held Item: None
Moves: Steel Wing, Leer, Peck, Screech, Metal Sound, Iron Defense, Hone Claws, Power Trip, Fury Attack, Pluck, Taunt, Scary Face, Drill Peck, Swagger, Aerial Ace, Air Cutter…
Status: Self-disciplined]
* * *
[Name: Gengar
Type: Ghost/Poison
Level: 59 (Elite)
Ability: Cursed Body
Held Item: Spell Tag
Moves: Taunt, Shadow Punch, Hypnosis, Confuse Ray, Lick, Mean Look, Payback, Grudge, Curse, Hex, Night Shade, Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Protect...
Energy Condensation Progress: 72/100]
* * *
[Name: Rhyperior
Type: Rock/Ground
Level: 50 (Gym)
Ability: Solid Rock
Held Item: Wide Lens
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Hammer Arm, Smack Down, Bulldoze, Horn Attack, Stomp, Rock Blast, Scary Face, Drill Run, Take Down, Earthquake, Mud-Slap, Protect…]
* * *
[Name: Growlithe
Type: Fire
Level: 47 (Gym)
Ability: Flash Fire
Held Item: Everstone
Moves: Leer, Ember, Howl, Bite, Flame Wheel, Helping Hand, Agility, Fire Fang, Retaliate, Crunch, Take Down, Flamethrower…]
* * *
[Name: Vibrava
Type: Ground/Dragon
Level: 45 (Gym)
Ability: Levitate
Held Item: Everstone
Moves: Dragon Breath, Sand Attack, Bite, Dig, Mud-Slap, Sand Tomb, Dragon Tail, Screech, Bug Buzz, Sandstorm, Earth Power, Take Down, Protect, Struggle Bug, Endure…]
* * *
[Name: Bewear
Type: Fighting/Normal
Level: 50 (Gym)
Ability: Fluffy
Held Item: None
Moves: Bind, Tackle, Leer, Baby-Doll Eyes, Payback, Brutal Swing, Endure, Strength, Take Down, Flail, Hammer Arm, Thrash…]
* * *
[Name: Larvesta
Type: Fire/Bug
Level: 10 (Novice)
Ability: Swarm
Held Item: Everstone
Moves: Ember, String Shot, Flame Charge…]
* * *
[Name: Feebas
Type: Water
Level: 31 (Advanced)
Ability: Adaptability
Held Item: Everstone
Moves: Splash, Tackle, Flail...
Beauty: 170/255]
* * *
"Cooor!"
Over the sea, Corviknight circled through the air. After confirming that both its wings and body were in perfect condition, it finally returned to Shiro's side.
As it lowered its head, Shiro gently stroked the black feathers around its neck and asked, "Do you still feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Corviknight narrowed its eyes and shook its head, but its crimson gaze never left Gengar, who was happily floating around in the sky.
No matter how much it tried to ignore it, it couldn't. The aura radiating from that big, round, black Pokémon was far beyond what it used to be.
Seeing Gengar so far ahead in strength left Corviknight unwilling to accept it. It wished it could throw itself into even more battles to grow stronger.
"Don't force yourself. Gengar's just been luckier than most," Shiro comforted it.
He couldn't help feeling helpless himself. From the very beginning, Gengar had already possessed exceptional talent. Now, even after reaching the Gym and Elite-levels, it kept stumbling into incredible opportunities and rare resources. It had somehow pulled nearly an entire major rank ahead of Corviknight.
Watching the chubby Ghost-type drift lazily through the air, Shiro couldn't help but think.
Maybe Gengar is the real protagonist.
"Coorv..."
Corviknight gave a low grunt. It slightly lifted its wings before turning into a beam of red light and returning to its Poké Ball.
It truly wanted to fight Gengar, but it wasn't the reckless youngster it used to be. With Gengar's current strength, it simply couldn't win. Charging in would only humiliate itself. Still, seeing Gengar's smug expression irritated it so much that the only thing it could do was return to its Poké Ball.
Shiro rubbed his forehead before picking up the slowly crawling Larvesta from the ground. He took out a Pokéblock and began feeding it.
Larvesta was still in its developmental stage. Due to its species, it possessed greater potential than almost every other Bug-type Pokémon. At the same time, it had also lost the rapid growth that Bug-types were famous for.
Its journey to becoming Volcarona was simply too long. It wouldn't produce results anytime soon. For now, it was still far from being a reliable combatant.
Fortunately, he had already prepared plenty of Fire-type resources. Gengar and Growlithe also spent a lot of time playing with Larvesta, so there wasn't much to worry about.
On the shore, Growlithe chased after Gengar across the damp sand while Gengar continued teasing it. In the water, Feebas followed closely behind with its eyes wide open.
Not far away, Vibrava rested lazily on top of a bare rock. It slightly spread its dragonfly-like wings and let out a long yawn. Beside the same rock, Bewear leaned against it with one paw over its belly, seemingly asleep.
Shiro quietly watched them while waiting for another fifteen minutes or so.
Unown A, who had been staring at the three Unown the entire time, suddenly called out, 'Come quickly!'
Shiro hurried over just in time to see one of the Unown slowly opening its eyes.
It was Unown F, the one sleeping on the far left. Its body had even left an imprint in the sand. The strong afternoon sun only made its already dizzy head feel even foggier. When it opened its eyes, all it saw were unfamiliar Pokémon.
'Who... are you?' Unown F shook its head.
Unown A immediately floated over and pointed at itself with one of its slanted limbs. 'F, it's me! A!'
'...A?' Unown F looked completely confused.
Shiro couldn't help feeling concerned. Did that fall damage its brain? If it affects its daily activities or its abilities, that'll be troublesome. He gestured for Unown A to examine it immediately.
That was exactly what Unown A had intended to do. It released its psychic power and enveloped Unown F.
'Uh... what are you doing?' Unown F twisted uncomfortably, feeling oddly embarrassed.
The moment the black Pokémon's psychic power touched it, it felt as though it had become transparent. Its thoughts, memories, and even its abilities all seemed to have been examined thoroughly. Even stranger, Unown F felt as though it could merge with the strange Pokémon before it.
Unown A released it and spoke in a rather peculiar tone. 'It looks like... it only has amnesia.'
Shiro asked, "Amnesia? Did it only lose the memories from when it was being controlled, or..."
Unown A shook its head. 'Everything's gone. It doesn't even remember that it's an Unown.'
After thinking for a moment, Shiro felt that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
As long as its body was fine and its basic powers remained intact, everything else could be dealt with. If the memories were gone, then so be it. Rhyperior had experienced something similar, and it hadn't caused any real problems.
In fact, the three memoryless Unown might end up being calmer and cooperate with Unown A much more willingly.
Within those few brief moments, the remaining two Unown opened their eyes one after another and floated into the air, both wearing equally confused expressions.
'Where is this place?'
'And who are all of you...?'
Unown A immediately floated to the front and introduced itself with a serious expression. 'Quiet down. I'm your leader... A!'
Unown P tilted its head. 'You? A? Never heard of you.'
Unown Y added, 'You look kind of dumb.'
"..."
Unown A instantly became furious.
Although these companions had never shown much respect before, they usually acted on their own, slept on their own, and rarely gathered together… But still! It, Unown A, was the rightfully and universally recognized leader of the Unown!
And now these two idiots actually looked down on it?
After hesitating for a fraction of a second, Unown A unleashed its psychic power and shouted, 'Come here, all of you!'
A dazzling pink flash burst forth, causing Shiro to instinctively raise a hand to shield his eyes.
Moments later, as the light faded, the three newly awakened Unown became completely blank-faced, almost as though they had been hypnotized. They lined up neatly behind Unown A.
Anyone observing with psychic power would discover that the psychic energy of all four Unown had merged into a single whole, making them completely indistinguishable from one another.
Standing at the front, Unown A savored the familiar power it had regained. Closing its eyes, it locked onto a target from memory before shouting again.
'Moltres!'
Buzz!
Scarlet flames erupted into the sky.
The four Unown instantly transformed into a gigantic bird with a yellow body, a long slender neck, and flames dancing around its head and wings. It slowly flapped its wings twice before soaring into the air.
"Gengar?"
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Gengar's eyes widened into perfect circles as its floating body slowly drifted back down.
Below, Growlithe's mouth hung wide open, large enough to fit an entire Gastly inside, while Feebas immediately sank beneath the water, leaving only its eyes peeking cautiously above the surface.
"Is that really... Moltres?"
Shiro swallowed hard as his psychic power immediately revealed the bird's status.
[Name: Moltres (Fake)
Type: Fire/Flying
Level: 71 (Master)
Moves: Gust, Leer, Ember, Safeguard, Agility, Ancient Power, Incinerate, Heat Wave, Sky Attack, Overheat, Wing Attack...
Held Item: None
Status: Proud]
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!