"Ow— Hee ya! Hee hee hee hee~"
On the screen, Zorua transformed into the form of Dreepy and let out a sharp laugh.
The Dragapult Siblings were shocked and instinctively vanished into invisibility.
Lately, they have been practicing that whenever the enemy shows unusual movement, their first reaction is to pull back, invisibly evade, a habit gradually etched into their souls that slightly changed their personalities.
In the past, Brother Dragapult would have floated around carelessly everywhere, while Sister Dragapult would chase him and hit him without a care in the world.
But now.
Apparently, Zorua was so startled that it froze, quickly transformed back to its original form, widened its eyes, and approached the screen, "Hee ya? Hee... Ow?"
"Hahaha."
Baimu caught two air surrounding, accurately grasping the duo with one hand each, rubbed their scales forcing them to show up, "They're not so easy to tease."
"Ow!"
Zorua seemed a bit unconvinced.
『Hmm...』
N gently patted its back, and in Zorua's comfortable expression, he softly said:
『I've talked with Gengar, it has no objections toward you.』
"Really? That's great."
He sighed in relief, looking at the Pokémon teleport device not far away, where a black Ultra Ball with a yellow H was quietly placed.
Compared to Fladari and Flashing Flame Team, which are major threats, Jarvis, who failed to achieve his goals, was just a small fry.
Thus.
His trial and sentencing were swift.
Smoothly thrown into Ore Region for afforestation.
Altered-color Gengar, as Baimu thought, was handed over by the international police, consolidating Jarvis's remaining Super Evolution corps to be handled by N.
Usually, with Pokémon that aren't objectively aiding humans in crimes, there's a process of education followed by releasing them into designated sanctuaries.
When they adapt to the natural environment, they're further released in areas that don't affect other Pokémon.
Ever since N decided to cooperate with the international police and was willing to receive Pokémon from criminals to enrich Ore Region's natural environment, most criminal's Pokémon have been arranged to be placed in Ore.
That's why Baimu previously sought N to adopt the Altered-color Gengar, which was by no means without foundation.
N fully supports him in nurturing Pokémon from criminals, even though the initial intent might be impure. For N, who loves Pokémon dearly, what's important is whether Baimu can take good care of Gengar in the long run.
—The answer is definitely affirmative.
The latter's character is guaranteed by N.
The rest depends on whether the Altered-color Gengar is willing; N never forces any Pokémon, even though he trusts Baimu, as long as Gengar nods the refusal, force wouldn't be a choice.
Fortunately.
Gengar, in essence, is quite a go-with-the-flow fellow; as long as it doesn't see Jarvis again, anything works.
It never wants to experience the pain from the Super Evolution Wave again.
"Thank you so much, N. Without your help, it would've probably taken forever to adopt this guy."
Baimu thanked repeatedly.
『No problem, I'm happy to see this.』
N's tone remained gentle and calm, 『About the Super Evolution Wave... if it turns out as you said, I have no objections.』
The research data on the Super Evolution Wave was handed over to Shanren by Baimu early on.
The latter was initially shocked, thinking the former had become corrupted after being out for so long, but quickly understood the specifics through his explanation...
Shanren became very excited.
Aiming at Luozi, the president of the Galar Alliance, he has been bothered by how to exploit Ore Region's unique features.
The former's success mainly relies on Gigantification as a unique regional characteristic.
To better utilize Gigantification, Luozi deliberately set the Gyms above Energy Points, ensuring Gigantification appeared in every battle.
The spectacular scenes of giant monsters clashing attracted many tourists.
Shanren knew well that Ore couldn't replicate Galar's model, as besides sand and minerals, there's nothing, requiring them to create something by themselves.
The Super Evolution Wave provided by Baimu might not be the optimal solution but guarantees a certain extent of attraction.
Of course.
The premise is to develop a Super Evolution Wave that doesn't harm Pokémon.
N was the third person who knew about Super Evolution Wave, informed directly by Baimu, after understanding all the information, his attitude was clear—priority of not harming Pokémon.
This is a bottom line.
"Having your support, I feel transforming the Super Evolution Wave is already halfway successful." Baimu said with a smile.
N remained noncommittal, shifting the topic to ask how he was getting along with Steelix.
After Mawile fully mastered Super Evolution and stopped being a three-minute player, Steelix's Super Evolution was on the agenda.
The routine remains the same.
Finding common ground and seeking spiritual resonance.
Frankly speaking, if the [Divine Heart] could be used on one's own Pokémon, finding common ground would definitely be easy, but unfortunately, this superpower inexplicably only works on Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.
Thus he had to slowly cultivate spiritual harmony with Steelix.
As of now, the progress is slow.
Baimu certainly didn't neglect Steelix, often summoning it for battles, feeding, personally maintaining joints and oiling the body surface, etc., nonetheless, the time spent doesn't compare to Aggron and Mawile.
Ash Ketchum, even with mutual attraction with Lucario through Wave Guide, used half a journey.
He has completed the Super Evolution of two Pokémon within half a year, which is already impressive, what he lacks with Steelix is no more than that one spark of inspiration breakthrough.
It requires time to sharpen.
『Keep it up; Babina, Helena, and I are eagerly looking forward to your performance at the Grand Contest and the Alliance Conference.』
N smiled faintly.
Influenced by Shanren's publicity, too many people within the Rainbow Team were focused on the cheap leader Baimu's performance, be they past little buddies or the former Quicksand Team's defectors.
Many conceptualized the idea of traveling due to him—
Otsuka.
The delinquent teenager who once thought of bullying him eventually became one of his companions, heard he successfully graduated from an adult education class and plans to visit the Hoenn Region to watch him participate in the conference.
'Hope someday we all escape this cage.'
That day they met, it's what Baimu left behind before leaving, words Otsuka always recalls.
Even though Pyrite Town is no longer a cage, he works tirelessly to step out of that town, to see the world.
Recently, he added Baimu's LINE, though almost got deleted, as his blank avatar plus obscure nicknames and weird greetings seemed like spam bot accounts.
"Look forward to it."
Baimu slightly smiled at N on the screen, ended the call, moved to the transfer device, and picked up the Ultra Ball.
He was already impatient to have intimate communication with the new team member.
——
Night.
Eco Park of Glazed Gym.
Baimu specifically chose a spacious lawn, gathered all team Pokémon, and opened the Ultra Ball in hand.
Bang!
White light flickered.
A gray shadow descended on the ground, silent like a deep swamp.
"Guh uh~"
Aggron extended its claws to stop the approaching Hydreigon, the team's most active member, ensuring they wouldn't scare this new guy.
After all, everyone used to be enemies.
Dragapult was hiding invisibly in the corner; it once ambushed Altered-color Gengar, whose sudden transformation into a teammate left it unsure how to act.
Thus, let's pretend we haven't met.
Escaping is shameful but useful!
Sitting atop Steelix's head, Mawile supported its chin with one hand, yawning with boredom.
Anticipating the Grand Contest, it hadn't played on its phone lately, worrying about affecting its condition, resulting in it becoming lethargic.
Blissey held an exquisite bowl of Pokémon food, ready to present a gift to the new team member.
"Beep beep..."
Porygon II whispered, reminding the sleeping Sun Corsola to wake up quickly.
Milotic was frolicking with the Dragapult siblings.
"Milo~"
"Hee ya!"
Baimu stood at the forefront of all Pokémon, half-crouched, extending a hand toward the gray shadow.
"Come out; there are no enemies here for you. Let's get to know each other, new comrade."
"Guhh..."
An eerie sound echoed.
The round, gray shadow slowly emerged from the ground, nervously yet curiously observing all the Pokémon and the young man in front of them; the memory from half a month ago was still vivid.
Truly.
Truly seeing this person again!