"F—k! How is that Donghuang guy so strong?!"
"Aren't Donghuang students supposed to be weak as hell?!"
Dennison staggered to his feet, brushing dirt off his clothes while grimacing and clutching his aching back.
Nearby, Elvie and Yago also struggled up from the ground.
They looked just as disheveled—but fortunately, none of them were seriously injured.
To be honest, that was only because Tinkatink had been merciful.
If Metagross had acted instead, the three of them would've been permanently fused with Sea Cliff Island's soil.
Yago's emotions were even more unstable than Dennison's.
He had been this close to capturing the Shiny Gligar—
Only for that Donghuang bastard to appear and ruin everything.
For someone who'd lived his entire life smoothly and effortlessly, this humiliation was unbearable.
"That damned Donghuang bastard…!"
Yago clenched his fists, growling under his breath.
But rage was all it was.
After witnessing Tinkatink's psychic power, he knew full well—
They stood no chance.
Especially Elvie.
She stared at her unconscious Froslass, her expression dark.
That Pokémon had been raised by her since childhood.
Early Commander-tier.
In pure combat strength, it even rivaled mid Commander-tier Pokémon.
And yet—
It hadn't even survived a single thought from that Tinkatink.
What the hell were they supposed to do against that?
"…Forget it, Yago," Elvie said quietly.
"We can't afford to provoke that Donghuang guy."
She'd been angry earlier when Yago tried to snatch the capture for himself—
But now that no one had gotten Gligar, they were at least still on the same side.
Yago's chest heaved violently, but reason eventually won.
"You're right… but are we really just going to let that Shiny Gligar go to him?"
Dennison snorted while recalling his defeated Furfrou.
"Of course not."
"Yago, did you forget what the principal said?"
"Donghuang Academy students are nothing more than lambs waiting to be slaughtered."
"No matter how fat they look, they'll end up on the table eventually."
Yago frowned.
"I remember… but that guy is ridiculously strong."
"How are we supposed to rob him?"
Elvie smiled faintly.
"We can't—but that doesn't mean Evergreen Academy can't."
"I heard the Morgan family's heir—our age—also joined this exchange."
"And he has an Overlord-tier Pokémon."
"No matter how strong that Donghuang guy is, he can't fight an Overlord, right?"
Yago froze.
"…The Morgan family?"
"You mean the one that secretly controls one of the Eagle Alliance's three major financial empires?"
Elvie nodded.
"There's only one Morgan family."
Yago sucked in a sharp breath—then smiled.
If that was true, taking the Shiny Gligar back from Ethan would be easy.
After all, the Morgan family was famously fair.
As long as you had enough money, you could buy anything from them.
Looking toward the direction Ethan had left, Yago sneered inwardly.
"Donghuang bastard… you'll regret today."
"I'll make you pay this humiliation back with interest."
Elsewhere.
Inside the campsite.
"Gli…"
"Gli…"
"GLI—!"
Ethan looked at the Shiny Gligar lying unconscious in the tent, murmuring and thrashing in its sleep.
"Tinkatink," Ethan asked softly,
"how's his condition?"
Tinkatink—who had just finished casting Heal Pulse multiple times—finally smiled weakly.
"Tin~"
"So he's stable now?"
"He just needs some rest?"
Tinkatink nodded tiredly.
Ethan finally let out a breath of relief.
But seeing how pale and exhausted she looked, guilt crept into his heart.
"Sorry, Tinkatink… you really worked hard this time."
Despite her fatigue, she smiled and shook her head.
Healing consumed enormous stamina and psychic energy.
If she were already Hatterene, it'd be far easier—
But even so, she had no complaints.
She'd spent days with Gligar and knew he wasn't bad at heart.
And Tinkatink was kind by nature.
Saving him—and being praised by Ethan—
That alone made it worth it.
Curled up against Ethan, Tinkatink slowly fell asleep.
Ethan gently stroked her head.
"Rest well."
Suddenly—
A brilliant light burst from her body.
"…She's evolving?!"
Ethan froze.
He hadn't expected it at all.
Light swelled, and the small, doll-like figure rapidly grew.
Moments later, a tall Pokémon—about 2.3 meters in height, wearing a massive hat and resembling a human woman—rested in his arms.
Hatterene.
Despite her size, she was still soft and light in his embrace.
[Pokémon: Hatterene]
[Level: Lv.42 (Early Commander)]
[Type: Psychic / Fairy]
[Ability: Healer]
[Moves: Psychic, Life Dew, Heal Pulse, Dazzling Gleam, Trick Room, Shadow Ball, Light Screen, Reflect, and more]
[Potential: Champion]
Hatterene nuzzled closer in her sleep, smiling sweetly.
Clearly lost in a beautiful dream.
Meanwhile, Gligar—still shaking and whimpering—was very much not.
"…So tough on the outside, but fragile inside," Ethan murmured.
He stayed by Gligar's side all day.
From dawn to night.
For twelve straight hours, Gligar suffered nightmares and fever.
Only thanks to Hatterene's Life Dew and Heal Pulse did his condition finally stabilize.
That night—
While Ethan was outside cleaning dishes—
The Shiny Gligar finally opened his eyes.
"Hatte—!"
Hatterene immediately called out excitedly.
Ethan handed the dishes to Swampert and rushed inside.
Gligar looked at him—no hostility, no aggression.
Only quiet confusion.
"…Gli?"
Ethan smiled.
"We've been together long enough."
"We're friends, aren't we?"
Gligar fell silent.
Friends…
Warmth bloomed in his chest.
For the first time since being cast out—
He had friends again.
But then Ethan spoke.
"I'll be leaving this place tomorrow."
The light in Gligar's eyes dimmed.
Ethan knelt and took out two items.
A Top-tier Ground Gem and a Top-tier Razor Fang.
"These will help you survive."
"Sea Cliff Island is dangerous."
Gligar didn't react.
Strength meant nothing—
If you were alone.
Just as Gligar prepared to wish Ethan well—
Ethan continued.
"But I have another proposal."
"Gligar… will you become my partner?"
"Join our family."
Hatterene gasped softly.
Swampert peeked in.
Soon, everyone gathered.
Gabite.
Tyrantrum.
Crocalor.
Zweilous.
Metagross.
They all welcomed him.
Overwhelmed, Gligar finally broke down—crying openly.
"…Gli…"
Ethan smiled warmly.
"Welcome to the family."
[Ding! Purple Opportunity Intercepted — Shiny Gligar]
[Critical Hit Triggered]
[180× Amplification]
[Golden Opportunity Acquired — Shiny Gligar]
[Pokémon: Gligar]
[Level: Lv.25 (Mid Advanced)]
[Type: Ground / Flying]
[Ability: Hyper Cutter]
[Potential: Totem]
Gligar swallowed both items.
Moonlight fell—
And brilliant evolution light erupted.
Gligar began to evolve.
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