[Pokémon: Zweilous]
[Level: Lv.54 (Mid Overlord)]
[Type: Dark / Dragon]
[Ability: Hustle]
[Moves: Dragon Pulse, Crunch, Headbutt, Work Up, Snarl, Ice Fang, Body Slam, Dragon Rush, Nasty Plot, Lash Out, Thrash]
[Potential: Divine – Tier One]
As Deino's evolution reached its final stage, her data updated in Ethan's vision.
At the same time, a Pokémon with two heads and a noticeably larger body appeared before him.
"Sa-la~"
"Sa-la~"
Both heads roared joyfully.
Zweilous was clearly exhilarated by completing her evolution.
"Congratulations on evolving, Zweilous," Ethan said with a smile.
Hearing that, Zweilous rubbed both heads against Ethan's cheeks in gratitude.
She knew very well—
without the gem Ethan had just given her, this surge in strength, let alone evolution, would've been impossible.
But as Zweilous finished evolving, Tyrantrum stared at his girlfriend—who had suddenly grown two heads—with utter confusion.
"Roaaah~?"
In Tyrantrum's simple worldview, whether Pokémon or humans, shouldn't everyone have only one head?
What was this supposed to be?
While Tyrantrum was still processing reality, the newly evolved Zweilous eagerly trotted over and began rubbing both heads against him.
Now that her size had increased, she finally felt… compatible.
Tyrantrum was still dazed—but faced with double affection, he suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of bliss.
It was like having two girlfriends at once.
Watching this scene, Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose and shot Tyrantrum a helpless look.
"Hey, you two."
"There are still plenty of single Pokémon here, you know."
"Keep flaunting it and I'll have everyone gang up on you."
Of course, he was joking.
Ethan would never actually scold his Pokémon—
they were all kids he'd raised since childhood.
Tyrantrum and Zweilous understood that too.
Laughing sheepishly, they finally separated.
Still, judging by the lingering looks they exchanged, Ethan knew—
Tonight was going to be a sleepless night for those two.
He didn't interfere.
If Tyrantrum ended up with offspring, that would only be a good thing.
With most of the supreme-grade resources already distributed, Ethan continued allocating the remaining top-grade items.
A Top-tier Fire Gem went to Crocalor, boosting his level straight to Lv.34.
Tinkatink, Gabite, Swampert, Metagross, and Tyrantrum all received appropriate resources as well.
Ethan's team surged across the board.
Metagross — Lv.80, Champion Peak, Divine PotentialZweilous — Lv.54, Mid Overlord, Divine Tier OneTyrantrum — Lv.52, Early Overlord, Totem PotentialTinkatink — Lv.42, Early Commander, Champion PotentialSwampert — Lv.42, Early Commander, Champion PotentialGabite — Lv.38, Late Elite, Totem PotentialCrocalor — Lv.34, Mid Elite, Champion Potential
Seven Pokémon in total.
Every single one had left the fragile stage far behind.
Even without Metagross, Ethan could easily qualify as a three-star professional Trainer—
and if he wanted to, he could even apply to become a Gym Leader.
But not everyone shared the same joy.
Outside the campsite, Gligar sat silently atop a tree, watching Ethan's group with growing envy.
Three days passed in a blink.
During those three days, Ethan didn't do much.
He ate, slept, and guided his Pokémon's training—
almost no different from life back at the academy.
The only difference was that every time Ethan cooked, he had Tinkatink deliver a portion to Gligar.
On the surface, it was a thank-you for allowing them to stay.
In truth, it was part of Ethan's plan.
If you want to win someone over, start with their stomach.
That principle applied to Pokémon just as much as humans.
And undeniably—
It worked.
Though Gligar still looked fierce, his attitude softened day by day.
Sometimes, he even greeted Ethan first.
That morning, sunlight filtered through the forest.
Ethan stepped out of his tent and stretched lazily.
"Day three…"
"We're close enough now."
"Today's the day to be honest with Gligar."
He glanced at the camp stove and chuckled.
"But before that—
let's cook him something special."
"Every little bit helps."
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, three figures approached.
Blond-haired, blue-eyed.
Judging by the emblems on their chests—
They were students from Oxford Academy of the John Alliance.
"Dennison, you sure this is the place?" one boy asked doubtfully.
"Charles really said the Shiny Gligar was around here?"
"It should be," replied a blond girl calmly.
"According to Charles, that Gligar broke away from its group."
"He tried to catch it himself, but it was too agile."
The third boy nodded.
"In that case, let's search."
He threw a Poké Ball.
"Go—Ninjask. Scout the area."
Ninjask buzzed into the forest.
Dennison followed up.
"Furfrou, track it by scent."
The elegant Pokémon lowered its head and began sniffing.
From atop the tree, Gligar immediately noticed the intruders.
Though his relationship with Ethan had improved, that didn't mean he trusted humans.
Seeing their hostile intent, his pincers flared with Fighting-type energy.
Brick Break—activated.
He dove straight down.
Boom!
Before the three could react, Gligar's punch slammed into Furfrou.
Despite its Fur Coat ability, the impact—combined with gravity—was overwhelming.
Furfrou collapsed instantly.
Gligar landed and roared angrily.
"Gli—!!"
A clear warning.
Leave my territory.
But instead of fear—
The three students lit up with excitement.
"It's a Shiny Gligar!"
"We finally found it!"
Their mission on Sea Cliff Island was clear—
Capture this Gligar and present it to Prince Leviir, the youngest royal of the John Alliance.
Nobles themselves though they were, they were nothing compared to royalty.
Gifts like this mattered.
"Go, Froslass—Ice Wind!"
The chilling gust erupted.
Ice shards tore into Gligar's body.
As a Ground/Flying-type, he was devastatingly vulnerable to Ice.
Realizing the danger, Gligar tried to escape—
But a voice cut in.
"Now, Ninjask—Night Slash!"
Ninjask reappeared like a shadow.
Slash!
Its claws pierced Gligar's carapace.
Blood splattered.
Gligar crashed to the ground.
Seeing this, one of the boys threw a Great Ball.
"Got you!"
The ball flew—
"Tinkatink—Psychic!"
Bang!
The Great Ball exploded midair.
Everyone froze.
Ethan stepped out from the bushes.
His face was cold.
Colder than ice.
Because he had just watched these people brutally maim Gligar.
Rage surged like a volcano.
"That's our capture," one boy snarled in broken Donghuang speech.
"Leave. Now."
Ninjask flexed its claws.
Boom.
Psychic power slammed Ninjask into the ground.
Instantly crushed.
The boy paled.
An Elite-tier Ninjask… defeated in one hit?
Commander-level?
Before they could react—
"Throw them out," Ethan said quietly.
Tinkatink's eyes glowed blue.
The world twisted.
The three students—and their Pokémon—were flung away like broken kites.
Even Froslass couldn't resist.
Silence returned.
Ethan rushed to Gligar's side.
"You're going to be okay," he said softly, lifting him.
Gligar was barely conscious.
Blood loss had dulled his senses.
But in his haze—
He felt warmth.
He clutched Ethan tightly.
As if afraid to let go.
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