When Aiden Flint realized that this Latias—the kind that could disguise herself as a human girl—had actually issued a challenge to him first, his interest immediately ignited.
Sure, this Latias didn't hold any divine authority… but she was still a Legendary Pokémon. At the same level, she was naturally stronger than ordinary Pokémon.
And honestly?
With Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre in hand, Aiden didn't need Latios and Latias to win battles.
This was more about something else.
A collector's itch.
Back on Earth, when he played Pokémon games, what trainer didn't dream of completing the entire Pokédex?
Now that he'd crossed into a real Pokémon world, he didn't necessarily want every single species… but the ones he liked?
The ones that mattered?
He was taking them—no question.
"That's perfect," Aiden said, the corner of his mouth lifting. "If you're willing to fight, then I'm more than happy to oblige."
He snapped his fingers.
In an instant—Latios, Latias, the second Latios, and even Jessie, James, and Meowth—vanished from the tower like smoke.
A disturbance at the guardian tower instantly alerted the locals, and reports flew straight to Officer Jenny.
But Aiden had sensed someone approaching.
So he used psychic power and Teleport to move everyone somewhere quiet.
Whoosh!
When they regained their senses, they found themselves at a lonely beach on the outskirts of the City of Water. A cliff loomed nearby, making the place naturally isolated—no one came here.
Perfect.
Capturing Latios and Latias would be uninterrupted.
Latios frowned.
He was finally starting to understand how dangerous this human was.
That psychic power… it wasn't normal.
Even his Dragon Pulse had been casually blocked.
Terrifying.
Even with his divine role, Latios could already feel it—if they truly fought, he might not be this human's match.
He wanted to stop his sister.
But Latias had always been wild by nature. Once her fighting spirit rose, there was no pulling her back.
Besides, in her eyes, Aiden had offended her brother first.
So she would challenge him.
And the battle began.
Aiden's eyes gleamed. He raised a Luxury Ball and flung it forward.
A flash of red light burst open—
And a powerful Infernape landed with a fiery roar.
Jessie, James, and Meowth exchanged puzzled looks.
Their Boss… wasn't using Rayquaza?
He wasn't even using a Legendary?
But as subordinates, they didn't question him. Not even for a second.
"Infernape," Aiden said calmly, "your opponent is a Legendary without divine authority. Fight her properly. Maybe today… you'll earn the achievement of slaying a god."
Infernape roared in response, the red blaze on his head surging higher—violent, proud, and fearless.
"Go—Mach Punch!"
The moment the command left Aiden's mouth, Infernape exploded into motion, turning into a streak of white light.
In an instant, he was already in Latias's face.
Latias, arrogant as a Legendary, answered with a sharp cry—opening her mouth and firing Luster Purge straight at him!
BOOM!
A massive shockwave erupted midair.
Infernape slammed forward anyway, his fist accelerating even faster, smashing into the attack head-on—
And the collision detonated violently.
The backlash forced Infernape to skid backward, boots scraping sand.
Latias steadied herself in the air, wings fluttering as she held position.
In that first exchange, Infernape was clearly at a disadvantage.
But Aiden didn't care.
Because he had a trump card.
"Infernape," Aiden said, voice low and absolute, "show them your new power."
"Bond Evolution!"
Infernape threw his head back and roared—his spirit and Aiden's will snapping into perfect alignment.
Trainer and Pokémon.
One heart.
One intent.
For a brief instant, it felt as if they became a single being.
A phantom silhouette of Infernape surged into Aiden's mind.
Then—
Flames erupted from Infernape's body like a volcano.
A pillar of fire blasted into the sky.
And from within that inferno, a new form stepped out.
A towering golden infernal ape—nearly three meters tall—its whole body blazing with golden flames.
In its hand appeared a staff forged from fire itself, spinning as if born for war.
This was no longer ordinary Infernape.
This was—
Bond Infernape.
And the aura he radiated… was like a myth walking out of legend, faintly reminiscent of the Monkey King clad in golden armor.
"Ding! Bond Infernape's current status is as follows:"
Pokémon: Bond Infernape
Level: 70
Abilities: Iron Fist / Flame Body / Blaze
Type: Fire / Fighting
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Bond Infernape
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Mach Punch, Heat Wave, Brick Break, Fire Spin, Flamethrower…
Affinity: 255
Background: Raised alongside its Trainer since birth. It views its Trainer as family. For its Trainer's sake, it awakened a stronger form.
Hobby: Loves its Trainer—wants to become the strongest Pokémon for its Trainer
Aiden's lips curled upward.
This was it.
The first Pokémon in his team to awaken Bond Evolution.
Before this, Infernape had been level 64.
After Bond Evolution—level 70.
And even more terrifying…
Bond Infernape now possessed three abilities at once.
Iron Fist—his natural talent, boosting punching moves.
Blaze—the standard ability of his species.
And the truly special one—
Flame Body.
A Bond-only ability.
It not only enhanced Fire-type power, but also made close combat far more likely to inflict burns.
Three abilities fused into one. Level boosted. Form transformed.
Now—
Bond Infernape had the strength to fight Latias.
No.
To surpass her.
Latias's eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth again and launched another Luster Purge!
But this time—
Bond Infernape didn't even flinch.
Golden fire surged from his body. His hands ignited, the staff in his grip turning brighter, heavier—
And he swung it down like judgment.
The golden flames swallowed Luster Purge whole.
Not only did it crush the attack—
It reflected that power back.
The condensed psychic blast slammed into Latias's chest with a violent impact!
Latias's body jerked.
Her wings faltered.
And she dropped straight from the sky.
Bond Infernape flashed forward instantly, closing the distance in a heartbeat.
A fist wrapped in muscle and golden flame came down like a meteor—
And smashed into Latias's head.
One blow.
Latias's vision spun.
Her body went limp—
And she fell into a dizzy, stunned haze.
…
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