Chapter 55: The Unexpected Reinforcements
"Whew, I'm dead tired..."
The Pokémon, covered in wounds and with their energy mostly depleted, couldn't be bothered to enjoy the joy of victory. Seeing that their opponents were all completely incapable of resisting, they plopped down on the ground, panting heavily to rest.
Rio leaned against a tree, letting his body, which ached all over from being stomped on, rest properly.
At this moment, he was staring thoughtfully at the light screen. Some of the information displayed in the system's [Pokédex] had greatly captured his attention:
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[Pokédex]
Encounter Progress: 43/50
Battle Progress: 28/50
[Real-time Analysis]
Pokémon: Hegemon - Blastoise (Male)
Level: lv37
Type: Water
Ability: Torrent (When HP is low, Water-type moves are powered up)
Presence: Light of Evolution (As the leader of Sunrise Valley, trusted by Pokémon, possesses a Hegemon's Presence—Light of Evolution; this presence can allow subordinate Pokémon to bathe in the spiritual light of evolution and temporarily evolve into stronger forms)
Weakness: None.
Moves: Water Gun (lv4), Surf (lv4), Protect (lv4), Water Pulse (lv3), Tackle (lv2), Rapid Spin (lv2), Iron Tail (lv1), Iron Defense (lv1), Hydro Cannon (lv1)
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Looking at the information for the Squirtle Boss, or rather, the Blastoise Boss, Rio revealed a smile of understanding.
"It really is like this. The reason the Squirtle Boss had difficulty evolving before was that his evolution wasn't an ordinary one, but a leap in life-level and Pokémon class—evolving from the Leader level to the even more powerful Hegemon level. To undergo such a powerful transformation, abundant energy is undoubtedly indispensable. And relying on himself alone couldn't provide sufficient energy, so it's no wonder he repeatedly failed to evolve. This time, with the help of the energy from the Water Stones, he finally evolved successfully. And because of the long-accumulated energy, he could have a powerful outbreak, evolving into his final form in one go."
"In that case, the reason that inexplicable black hole frantically absorbed energy was to use that massive amount of energy to form the Hegemon's Presence unique to Hegemon-level Pokémon. When the black hole absorbs enough energy, it will reverse, forming a point of light that emits energy. Whether it's Hegemon Nidoking or the Blastoise Boss, the moment they activate their Hegemon's Presence, that point of light will burst forth, providing ample energy to form their respective Hegemon's Presences with different effects."
"How great..."
Rio, having figured out the cause and effect of this unexpected evolution, couldn't help but feel a surge of envy.
The current Riolu was only an Elite-level Pokémon. Although he was much stronger than ordinary Pokémon, he still couldn't compare to those top-tier Pokémon. In the battle just now, he had suffered a lot just fighting a single Nidoqueen—and the latter wasn't even considered a powerful Pokémon in the Pokémon world. In the future, when facing those pseudo-legendary Pokémon or the legendary Pokémon that could destroy the world at a whim, he would be even less of a match.
Strong! I need to become stronger!
Rio secretly clenched his fists, his heart filled with a desire for power.
Since he had come to this Pokémon world he loved by a stroke of luck, how could he tolerate himself living a life of mediocrity and accomplishing nothing?
"Once this battle is over, and after helping Machop and Takuma rescue the people from the experimental base, I will leave this place, go to the outside world, and find opportunities to become stronger."
"First, I must evolve. Only after evolving can I have a stronger body and strength."
"Lucario..."
Rio thought of the handsome Fighting Pokémon's figure, and his blue tail couldn't help but wag gently.
"Ah, my evolution..."
Suddenly, cries of surprise from the Pokémon came from beside him.
"Pop," "Pop," "Pop," "Pop," "Pop."
A continuous sound of bubbles bursting was heard. The figures of the Gloom were enveloped in green light, forming green "large eggs." Then, the "eggshells" shattered, and left in their place were the now completely bewildered Oddish.
"Eh eh eh eh eh?!!"
The eldest Oddish brother's small eyes widened, and he somewhat disbelievingly poked his younger siblings left and right with his leaves.
"How did we change back again?"
Besides the Gloom reverting to Oddish, other Pokémon like Machoke also instantly devolved back to Machop, Primeape back to Mankey, the two chrysalises back to Caterpie and Weedle, and the Poliwhirl that had been so cocky just now also, with a flash of blue light, turned back into a Poliwag that walked on only two legs.
Caterpie and Weedle: (￢_￢)
Poliwag: Q_Q
All the Pokémon that had just evolved now all devolved. Lights of various colors exited the Pokémon's bodies and returned to the Blastoise Boss.
In Rio's Aura vision, he saw the lines connecting the Blastoise Boss to the others disconnect one by one, then retract back into the Blastoise Boss's Aura, making his Aura become vigorous again.
"Is this the temporary evolution mentioned in the information? But it's still a powerful tool, being able to suddenly evolve in battle to enhance our side's strength."
"However, this presence ability gets stronger the more companions there are." Rio looked at the Pokémon of Sunrise Valley curiously asking the Blastoise Boss all sorts of questions, lost in thought. "Moreover, Hegemon Nidoking's Berserk Qi Presence, and the Blastoise Boss's Light of Evolution Presence, which is based on his conviction to protect his companions—both presence abilities are manifestations of the two Pokémon's most fundamental traits. Could it be..."
Vaguely, Rio seemed to have glimpsed the essence of the Hegemon's Presence.
At this moment, by the Blastoise Boss's side.
The little Oddish sister patted the Blastoise Boss's broad shell curiously with her leaves and said with envy, "Boss, you're so tall. When can I grow as tall as you?"
The other Pokémon looked at the over 1-meter tall Flower (Vileplume), then at the over-spec 2-meter tall Blastoise Boss.
Flower said angrily, "What are you looking at? Is it my fault I'm short?"
"Hahahaha."
The Pokémon all revealed happy smiles. The air was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere. Even the feigning-anger Flower showed a hint of a smile.
Only Poliwag was jumping around the Blastoise Boss. "Boss, quick, use that move again! I want my hands back..."
Caterpie and Weedle were horrified. "[String Shot]!"
Snow-white insect silk wrapped Poliwag up tightly, and then it was dragged away by the two Bug Pokémon.
The Blastoise Boss looked at everyone, who, despite being covered in wounds, were still full of energy, and a relaxed expression appeared on his face.
Just as he was about to speak, a sharp, malevolent screech and a暴躁 (irritable/fierce) roar came from the other side of the swamp.
Two imposing Pokémon were rapidly approaching.
The Pidgeot Leader, its eyes shooting red light, the feathers on its head fluttering in the wind, spread its broad wings and soared over the pervasive poisonous fog of the swamp.
The Snorlax Leader, its eyes also blood-red, its physique round and sturdy, crossed the swamp with heavy steps, completely ignoring the corrosive poisonous fog hissing around its body.
"You've got to be kidding me, again?!"
Rio felt a headache coming on. He and the other Pokémon were already exhausted after just finishing a major battle. If they had to face two powerful Leader-level Pokémon now—one of which was a Flying-type that had a natural advantage over them—it would truly be too much for them to handle. Moreover, they no longer had a magical item like the "HP Recovery Pop" to instantly restore their full strength.
"Snorlax, that's enough! There's no need for us to fight."
The Blastoise Boss shouted loudly.
As a good friend who had jointly pioneered Sunrise Valley, the Blastoise Boss was also extremely reluctant to fight his friend, Snorlax.
However, it was very clear that the Snorlax Leader, just like before, recognized no one after entering the "berserk" state. Hearing the Blastole Boss's words, it only paused slightly, then its face showed a fierce expression, and without another word, it prepared to pounce.
And the Pidgeot Leader in the sky also took aim at the Pokémon who were at the end of their rope, also preparing to dive.
The Pokémon of Sunrise Valley and Crescent Lake also forced themselves to get ready to face the powerful enemies.
Just then.
"Caw—" a crisp and loud bird cry sounded high in the sky.
"What's that?"
The group of Pokémon all looked up.
A bird-like Pokémon covered in steel armor, with spread red wings, soared past high in the sky. At the same time, a human figure descended from the sky. Following it, a strange, spinning-top-like object was thrown out, spinning towards the Snorlax Leader.