Evolution didn't just mean a leap in life level. For some Pokémon, evolving brought about earth-shaking changes—not only in strength, but even in personality.
For such Pokémon, evolution was akin to the birth of a new self. Some struggled to adapt. Some even fell into a frenzy.
But under Chen Mo's guidance, Pikachu had long accepted this new form of its own.
Rubbing the electric sacs on its cheeks, crackling sparks burst forth.
It felt better than ever—so good that even Pikachu itself was surprised.
Power surged endlessly from its electric sacs. If it were to face Electabuzz again now, Pikachu was certain it could defeat it with ease.
But—
its opponent was no longer Electabuzz.
It was the overlord of Evergreen Forest—Hydreigon—so powerful that it took the combined effort of many Pokémon just to stand against it.
"Pikachu…"
Through the Insight Eye, Chen Mo noticed something new in Pikachu's status panel.
The same line of information that had once appeared on the injured Pidgey that night.
[??? — Affected by unknown power…]
"ROAR!"
A furious roar descended from the sky.
Hydreigon glared down at the heavily breathing Absol. It had clearly locked onto the one that had just interrupted it.
Dragon-type energy surged around Hydreigon's body, gradually enveloping it. A savage dragon-shaped aura formed outside its body as it dove toward Absol.
But the moment Hydreigon began gathering energy, Chen Mo had already seen through its target.
"Stop it!"
The Pokémon reacted instantly.
Still positioned in a triangular formation, they moved to shield Absol, then unleashed their attacks in unison toward the diving Hydreigon.
Electric-type, Dark-type, and Fairy-type energies intertwined, colliding head-on with the descending dragon.
Boom!
A violent explosion tore through the air.
Chen Mo crouched under the fierce wind pressure but did not retreat a single step. Activating his Aura, he continued to monitor the battlefield.
Absol recovered quickly.
The recoil from Hyper Beam had mostly faded. It glanced back at Chen Mo, signaling that it was ready again.
Chen Mo nodded.
"Spread out!"
With just a look, Pikachu—standing at the center—understood.
"Pika! Pikapi!"
At its cry, the four Pokémon scattered swiftly.
Meanwhile, Hydreigon burst out of the explosion's smoke, shaking its heads. Taking three attacks head-on wasn't easy, even for it.
Roselia's Dazzling Gleam in particular had dealt severe damage.
"Absol!"
A voice rang out nearby.
Hydreigon turned.
Absol stood there, staring provocatively.
As the overlord of Evergreen Forest, no Pokémon ever failed to flee at the sight of it.
Yet tonight—first that dragon, and now this dog.
Its fury reached a boiling point.
In its enraged state, Hydreigon's reason was nearly gone.
The moment Absol saw that expression, it dashed away like a white streak of wind.
"ROOOAR!!!"
Taunt and run?
Unacceptable.
Hydreigon's speed might not be the fastest among Dragon-types, but it was more than enough to keep up with Absol.
The distance closed rapidly.
Just as Hydreigon began gathering energy for a killing blow—
Absol abruptly changed direction.
At the end of the new path stood Roselia, glowing brilliantly.
The next second—
Dazzling Gleam erupted again.
Blinding light forced Hydreigon to twist and ascend sharply.
And there—
floating midair—
was Haunter.
"Ko-jie!"
Even now, Haunter pulled down its eyelids with its claws and made a mocking face.
Hydreigon's expression twisted.
Insult upon insult!
Dragon energy surged again, as if it cost nothing.
Dragon Pulse fired straight at Haunter.
At this distance, Haunter couldn't dodge.
But it had no intention of doing so.
The familiar indigo barrier appeared once more.
"ROAR!"
Dragon Pulse slammed into the Protect barrier. Already injured, Haunter gritted its teeth, straining under the impact.
But it held.
And just as Hydreigon prepared to chain a second Dragon Pulse—
a small yellow figure leapt past Haunter's shoulder.
"Knew you'd do that. Don't underestimate the power of teamwork, Hydreigon!"
Chen Mo's voice rang out.
"Now! Pikachu, grab it! Use Thunderbolt!"
Though Hydreigon cut off the second Dragon Pulse, it was too late to evade.
Pikachu landed squarely on Hydreigon's back.
It grinned widely.
"Pika—!"
Golden lightning wrapped around its body—interwoven with streaks of vivid azure arcs.
Sensing something wrong, Hydreigon twisted violently, trying to fling Pikachu off.
Too late.
"CHUUUU!!!"
Thunderbolt erupted.
It nearly drained all of Pikachu's electric energy at once.
Golden and azure lightning exploded across Hydreigon's back, forming a massive sphere of crackling electricity in the sky.
At its center—
Hydreigon let out an unprecedented scream of agony.
"Nice one, Pikachu!"
Chen Mo pumped his fist in excitement.
A feigned weakness to lure the enemy.
Against Hydreigon, Haunter and Absol—who held no type advantage—had merely been bait.
Factoring in Hydreigon's caution toward Roselia's Fairy-type attacks, Chen Mo had layered trap upon trap, saving the newly evolved Pikachu as the final attacker.
And Pikachu hadn't disappointed.
With seamless coordination alongside Haunter—
it seized the opportunity.
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