The mysterious seven-colored energy of evolution transformed into a connecting bond that enveloped both Shiro and Gengar.
Gengar's body, which had just completed its evolution, began changing once again as the white light intensified even further.
"A second evolution?"
Alfred was stunned by this completely unreasonable scene for two whole seconds. Then he suddenly recalled a deeply hidden mechanism.
"Mega Evolution!"
Mega Evolution was entirely different from normal Pokémon evolution. Its transformation speed was incredibly fast, and its duration was relatively short. While it also involved a change in form, it was more like an additional layer of power bestowed upon the Pokémon.
Even if it was attacked during the process, the Pokémon would not be affected in the slightest. Or rather, during Mega Evolution, the Pokémon itself remained fully capable of moving and fighting back.
A peak Elite-level Gengar evolving even further...
For the first time, Alfred felt panic.
"Attack! Weezing, attack now!"
Hummm!
Two spiraling Dark Pulses shot forward once again, but just as they were about to strike Gengar, the white light of evolution suddenly vanished.
"Gengengengen..."
A gigantic black claw precisely caught both Dark Pulses before disappearing in the blink of an eye. The two Dark Pulses vanished with it.
Mega Gengar's body was covered in sharp black spikes. A golden vertical eye-shaped mark had appeared on its forehead, while deep crimson mist swirled around its body.
[Name: Mega Gengar
Type: Ghost/Poison
Level: 64 (Champion)
Ability: Shadow Tag
Held Item: None
Moves: Taunt, Shadow Punch, Hypnosis, Confuse Ray, Lick, Mean Look, Payback, Spite, Curse, Hex, Night Shade, Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Protect…]
Champion-level Mega Gengar!
"Run!" Alfred didn't hesitate for even a moment.
Below him, Weezing seemed to sense Mega Gengar's terrifying aura as well. It hurriedly turned around while continuously releasing yellow-green poisonous smoke behind it, hoping to buy even a little time.
"Don't let him escape," Shiro ordered coldly.
The crimson mist drifted outward as Mega Gengar vanished from sight. Then, before the horrified eyes of Alfred and Weezing, a pair of black claws appeared right in front of them, having crossed dozens of meters in an instant while wrapped in red mist.
"Protect! Quick, use Protect!"
Alfred shouted urgently.
Acting on instinct, Weezing erected a green defensive barrier, but the deadly claws slammed into it immediately.
Boom!
Mist spread everywhere as Mega Gengar emerged before the Protect barrier. The malicious grin on its face sent chills down Alfred's spine.
A piece of information suddenly surfaced in his mind.
It was said that Mega Evolution allowed Mega Gengar to connect with other dimensions. Its body became filled with mysterious power, enabling it to travel through alternate dimensions and appear almost anywhere.
Though both were Champion-level Pokémon, Mega Gengar was the perfect counter to the slow and cumbersome Weezing. It held the type advantage and possessed incredible speed.
"Quick! Use Double Shadow Ball!"
Alfred shouted desperately.
But Mega Gengar had already slipped into another dimension once more.
Crimson mist spread through the surroundings and gradually obscured visibility, while the two massive Shadow Balls that Weezing fired with great effort did nothing more than blast through a pair of trees.
Despite possessing a higher level, it had no ability to fight back.
"Let's go!"
Seeing the situation deteriorate, Alfred no longer cared about conserving resources. He pressed his Poké Ball while simultaneously gripping the yellow crystal in his hand.
A red flash appeared as Weezing was recalled, and brilliant yellow psychic energy enveloped Alfred.
Mega Gengar narrowed its eyes. Beneath its sinister smile, two giant claws wrapped in red-black ghostly mist had already appeared.
Clap!
The claws snapped shut violently.
The psychic power managed to endure for a second before successfully teleporting Alfred away.
Mega Gengar's eyes widened in surprise. It had clearly been suppressing the surrounding spatial fluctuations with its own energy, yet that psychic power was obviously of a higher quality than its own.
It even carried a familiar feeling that brooked no resistance… like that pink-haired big sister who had returned to sleep at the bottom of the lake not long ago.
"Geeengar!"
Mega Gengar shot into the sky unwillingly.
It searched everywhere within sight, but there was no trace of the enemy.
After scanning the surrounding kilometer several times and confirming that Alfred had truly escaped, it finally pouted and floated back down.
At the cave entrance, white light flashed briefly as Mega Gengar exited its Mega Evolution state.
"Gen! Gengar!"
Gengar scratched the horn on its head in frustration.
"Couldn't catch him..." Shiro muttered.
He wasn't surprised. Hunter A had previously appeared here using that mysterious psychic power. Now, facing a freshly Mega-Evolved Gengar, escaping with the same power was only natural.
However...
"Cough!"
Leaning against the cave wall, Shiro spat out a mouthful of blood.
Maintaining Mega Evolution consumed not only Gengar's stamina at an astonishing rate but also a large amount of his own physical strength.
He had already been injured by Weezing's attacks. Although they had successfully driven the enemy away, his condition had worsened.
"Gengar... get the healing spray..." he said weakly.
Seeing something was wrong, Gengar hurriedly dug through the backpack and found the medicine. Then it froze, unsure where it should spray it.
"Just pour it."
After saying that, Shiro squeezed his eyes shut. His lungs felt as though they were being sliced by blades. Even breathing was painful.
Gengar uncapped the bottle and simply poured the medicine all over him. There was still nearly half a bottle left, which Shiro drank directly.
Fortunately, the healing spray produced by Macro Cosmos could be used both internally and externally, and its effects were excellent.
After only a short time, the pain throughout his body eased significantly, and his breathing gradually stabilized.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Inside the cave, one Bibarel after another emerged from the depths and gathered around their fallen leader. They formed circles around the body, then lowered their heads one after another and leaned close, like worshippers offering silent prayers.
A while later, they quietly dispersed. Some gathered outside the cave while others disappeared into the forest.
Before long, dust rose outside as countless broken branches and leaves were carried back. The Bibarel worked with clear division of labor, and soon they dug a grave large enough to bury their leader.
The fallen chief was gently placed inside. Branches and green leaves were laid over the body, but no soil was used to cover it.
Perhaps they had become numb to death, once the branches and leaves were arranged, the Bibarel simply left. Not a single one remained behind.
Shiro silently watched everything.
Pokémon buried their dead as well.
Then his gaze shifted toward the Bidoof still huddled deep within the cave. If the Bibarel's expressions represented numb acceptance of death… then what about these Bidoof?
The young members of the clan stared back at him. Their simple eyes were little more than black dots. They looked as though they understood, and yet they didn't.
Shiro couldn't comprehend what kind of emotion that was, so he could only avert his eyes.
"Biiidoof..."
A soft cry suddenly sounded beside him, causing him to force his eyes open.
A Bidoof stood there, balancing on its hind legs while carefully holding a bright red berry in both paws. It seemed freshly picked, and droplets of water still clung to its surface.
"Bii! Bii!" (This is for you!)
The moment Shiro accepted it into his palm, the little Bidoof happily hopped away.
The Bidoof returned to the depths of the nest, sleeping or playing with their companions as usual, while the Bibarel continued leaving the cave to gather branches and collect berries. It was as though nothing had happened to the clan at all.
The forest, however, had changed. It felt harder to travel through now.
Shiro examined the red Razz Berry resting in his hand. Its surface was covered with bumps like a bitter melon, yet it was actually a spicy berry.
He placed it in his mouth and slowly chewed.
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