Five days passed in a blink, and Chen Shi had grown completely accustomed to life at Professor Oak's Research Lab.
Every morning, he helped Oak feed the Pokémon in the backyard.
Sometimes he played with Gary and a round-faced little kid who followed him everywhere—
Ash.
Right now, Ash Ketchum was just a tiny troublemaker who copied everything Gary did.
And since Chen Shi became part of the lab, Ash naturally stuck to him too.
Within days, they were already familiar with each other.
Afternoons were reserved for training—
challenging the backyard Pokémon, sparring, polishing formations, and strengthening teamwork.
And Professor Oak had been absolutely right—
Florges and the others were improving at a terrifying speed.
The High-Grade Secret Realm Core Fragment was simply outrageous.
After absorbing it, Florges, Leafeon, Togekiss, Metang, and Charmeleon all rocketed upward in level and control.
Togekiss had even stepped directly into Gym-tier, and Chen Shi planned to evolve her evolution paper tonight.
Just as he finished distributing today's Pokéblocks—
Two kids sprinted toward him, yelling at the top of their lungs.
"Uncle Master! UNCLE MASTER!"
Since he called Professor Oak teacher, Gary insisted on calling him Uncle Master.
It wasn't technically wrong.
Chen Shi laughed, rubbing both their messy heads.
"What's wrong? Why so loud?"
Ash was breathless with excitement.
"Chen Shi! Your Metang is evolving! Quick!"
Gary puffed up angrily.
"And don't call him brother! That makes me sound lower-ranked than you!"
Ash blinked, confused.
He definitely did not understand.
But Chen Shi had no time for their antics—
He sprinted straight for the backyard.
By the time he arrived—
It was already done.
Standing proudly in midair was no longer Metang—
But a massive, gleaming, shiny silver Metagross, radiating cold metallic might.
Every Pokémon had gathered around, except Dragapult and Swampert—who were away for morning training with Dragonite and Kangaskhan.
"Metaaa~"
Metagross floated toward him excitedly, eager to share this moment.
Chen Shi touched its massive claw, a little regretful.
"Sorry, Metagross… I missed your evolution."
"Metaaa~"
Metagross shook its body gently—signaling it didn't mind.
Pokémon: Metagross (Shiny)
Level: 45 (Mid-Elite)
Potential: Pseudo-Legendary
Ability: Clear Body
Moves:Tackle, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Zen Headbutt, Hammer Arm, Take Down, Psychic, Magnet Rise, Flash Cannon, Meteor Mash, Iron Defense, Agility, Hone Claws, Protect, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch
Chen Shi nodded in deep satisfaction.
A mid-Elite, shiny Metagross with pseudo-legendary potential—
Already comparable to Steven Stone's Metagross at the same stage.
"Have you finished eating the Registeel fragment?"
"Metaaa~"
Metagross shook its head and produced a metallic shard from somewhere inside its body—
The Registeel Body Fragment, now only one-third of its original size.
The rest had already been absorbed.
Chen Shi nodded.
"Good. Finish the rest slowly."
"Combined with the Secret Realm energy, you'll explode in strength."
"When the World Championship begins—you're coming with me."
"METAAA!"
Metagross thumped the ground, eyes shining.
He had joined the team later than the others and thought he wouldn't qualify for such a grand event.
But Chen Shi had given him everything—
even treasures that perfectly matched him.
He had a chance now—
a chance to stand on the biggest stage in the world.
For Metagross, who lived for battle and logic—this was pure joy.
Chen Shi smiled.
"Since you just evolved, I'll arrange several battles this afternoon so you get used to your new body."
"And your new moves—I'll help you plan which ones matter most."
"Metaaa!"
Metagross flew off to absorb more energy.
At that moment—
A sharp tug on his sleeve.
"Char!"
Chen Shi blinked.
"You broke into Gym-tier?"
"You want to evolve?"
Charmeleon nodded vigorously.
He could feel it—
the fire inside was boiling.
Suppressing evolution now would be pointless.
Chen Shi grinned.
"Good."
He immediately opened his backpack and pulled out the box containing the Moltres Origin Feather, then removed Charmeleon's Everstone.
The instant the Everstone came off—
Evolution light exploded.
Chen Shi tossed the feather to Charmeleon.
Charmeleon caught it instinctively and let the Origin Flame burn into his evolving form.
His silhouette expanded—
Wings burst outward—
Flames wrapped around him like a divine cocoon—
His frame grew massive and powerful—
Moments later—
A mighty Charizard, nearly three meters tall, descended before them.
Pokémon: Charizard
Level: 50 (Early Gym-Tier)
Potential: Pseudo-Legendary
Ability: Blaze
Moves:Scratch, Ember, Smokescreen, Dragon Breath, Slash, Dragon Claw, Dragon Rush, Ancient Power, Dragon Tail, Fire Blast, Protect, Flamethrower, Fire Spin, Flare Blitz, Fire Fang, Fire Punch
Charizard shot into the sky and roared—
A roar not of dominance,
but of release.
Of pain.
Of humiliation.
Of scars long buried.
Chen Shi didn't stop him.
Let him vent.
Let every wound be burned away.
When Charizard finally descended, he landed carefully before Chen Shi.
Chen Shi smiled softly.
"Congratulations, Charizard."
"GROOOH!"
Charizard's eyes shimmered—wet, emotional.
He stepped forward and wrapped Chen Shi in a careful, gentle hug.
Chen Shi didn't resist—
He patted the massive, trembling frame.
"All right, big guy. You've grown up."
"The past is over."
"I told you—I'll take you to the grandest stage in the world."
"Not to prove anything to the people who abandoned you."
"But for you."
"So work hard."
Charizard roared, eyes blazing with determination.
The other Pokémon crowded around him—Florges, Togekiss, Leafeon, Metagross—offering congratulations.
Charizard looked at his comrades—
Scratched his head awkwardly—
And finally broke into a big, goofy smile.
He had a trainer who cherished him.
He had comrades he trusted.
This— felt good.
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