Falkner raised an eyebrow, studying Ethan for a second.
"You're going to challenge the Gym today?"
Ethan didn't even hesitate.
"Nope. I'm training first—hard. Three of my Pokémon just evolved. Throwing them straight into a Gym fight would be sloppy."
Falkner blinked once… then smiled.
"Good call," he said, nodding with approval. "My dad always said newly evolved Pokémon need time, not pressure. Their bodies change fast, but their instincts lag behind. Rushing that gets trainers hurt."
Whitney tilted her head. "Huh. A Gym Leader saying don't fight him immediately. That's new."
Falkner shrugged. "Winning isn't the point. Growth is. Bad habits formed early are hell to fix later."
Ethan felt that sink in.
'Yeah… this world really isn't the game.'
Bugsy stepped forward, already rolling his shoulders like he was halfway home.
"Speaking of Gyms—I'm heading to see my master. I'll tell him you guys are coming to challenge him."
He paused, glanced at Ethan, then added with a grin,
"…and that he should brace himself."
Ethan smirked. "Do that. Politely."
Bugsy laughed. "No promises."
He hopped onto his bike, revved it, and started toward the exit before stopping and looking back.
"Oh—and Ethan?"
"Yeah?"
Bugsy pointed at him.
"Train smart. My master doesn't go easy on people who look strong."
Ethan's grin sharpened.
"Good. Neither do I."
Bugsy waved once and took off, disappearing down the road toward Azalea's Gym.
Falkner watched him go, then looked back at the group.
"Guess that settles it. Training day."
Ethan cracked his knuckles.
"Yep. Time to see what my team can actually do now."
Somewhere inside his Pokéballs, newly evolved power stirred—untested, unstable, and hungry.
Azalea Town wasn't getting a challenger today.
It was getting a storm preparing to land.
Ethan was outside of the Pokècenter.
He then send out his Pokèmom.
Marshtomp, Noibat, Rocky the Onix, Flaaffy, Gengar and Sentret cane out of the Pokèball.
The 3 un evolved Pokèmon stopped and looked at the ones who evolve and felt there confidence dye, especially seeing Gengar was fully evolved
Ethan looked at them. "Hey guys, no need to feel sad".
Ethan crouched down so he was eye-level with them.
"Evolution isn't a finish line," he said calmly. "It's just one step. You three didn't fall behind—your path just isn't done yet."
Sentret twitched, tail curling tighter around herself. Noibat glanced at Flaaffy, then at Gengar—who was floating upside down, arms crossed, grinning like a menace who just unlocked taxes.
Gengar noticed the stares and blinked.
"…Gen?"
Then he deliberately puffed himself up, shadows flaring like a bad influence incarnate.
Ethan sighed. "Don't help."
Marshtomp stomped once, sending a small ripple through the dirt. He looked solid. Grounded. Confident in a quiet way.
Rocky shifted his massive body, stone plates grinding. Even poisoned scars still faintly visible along his frame, proof he didn't win clean—he endured.
Flaaffy's wool sparked gently, controlled now. No wild surges. No panic. Just steady power.
Ethan gestured to the open clearing behind the Pokécenter.
"Today isn't about winning," he said. "It's about syncing again. New bodies, new instincts. Everyone trains—evolved or not."
That caught Sentret's attention.
She perked up. "Sen…?"
"Especially you," Ethan added with a grin.
He clapped once.
"Marshtomp, Rocky—terrain drills. I want control, not force."
Marshtomp nodded, immediately using Mud Shot in short bursts, shaping the ground instead of flooding it. Rocky followed up by placing his weight carefully, reinforcing rather than crushing. Poison still ticked, but he didn't complain. He endured.
"Good. That's battle awareness."
Ethan turned.
"Noibat, Flaaffy—air and mid-range coordination."
Noibat fluttered up, sonar pulses echoing faintly. Flaaffy timed her Thunder Shock to those pulses—not firing, just tracking. Learning spacing. Learning restraint.
Then Ethan looked at Gengar.
"…And you."
Gengar cracked his neck theatrically.
"Shadow control," Ethan said. "No intimidation. Precision only."
Gengar froze.
"…Gen?"
"Yes," Ethan said flatly. "No traumatizing the local population."
Gengar deflated a little. Then nodded—serious now. His shadows tightened, pulled inward, clean and sharp instead of wild.
Ethan finally looked at Sentret.
"You're with me."
Sentret's ears shot up.
"We start simple. Speed. Awareness. Confidence."
He tossed a small pebble into the grass.
"Find it."
Sentret hesitated—then dashed forward. Not fast. Not perfect. But determined.
Ethan smiled.
From a distance, Kitsu watched quietly, Torres standing beside her like a living shield.
She noticed it then.
Ethan wasn't training them like weapons.
He was training them like partners catching up to themselves.
Kitsu clenched her Pokéball.
"…I still hesitate," she murmured.
Torres bumped her gently with her head.
"Gro."
Kitsu exhaled.
"…Yeah. I know."
High above, Falkner watched from the Pokécenter balcony, arms crossed.
"…He's doing it right," he muttered.
Bugsy, leaning on his bike nearby, deadpanned,
"Yeah. And I'm still questioning every life choice I've ever made."
Falkner snorted.
Kitsu stepped closer and released her Pokémon.
Torres landed first, solid and steady, leaves rustling as she lifted her head. Ember followed, flames calm at her sides. Godzilla crawled out last, clicking softly as he tested the ground.
Kitsu rolled her shoulders. "Hey. Let's train together."
Ethan grinned. "That will be great, Jiějiě."
They bumped fists.
The Pokémon reacted right away.
Marshtomp turned toward Torres, eyes sharp but respectful. Rocky shifted his weight, watching Godzilla closely. Flaaffy stayed near Ethan, sparks flickering low and controlled. Gengar floated higher, curious. Sentret peeked out from behind Ethan's leg.
Kitsu crossed her arms. "No full battles. I want control drills."
"Same," Ethan said. "We focus on timing and positioning."
They moved to opposite sides of the clearing.
"Torres," Kitsu said, calm and firm. "Razor Leaf. Low power."
Torres swung her head. The leaves flew clean and fast—but controlled.
"Marshtomp," Ethan replied. "Mud Shot. Angle it."
Marshtomp fired, not at Torres, but at the ground beside her. The mud splashed up, slowing her movement without trapping her.
Kitsu nodded. "Good. That's smart."
She looked at Ethan. "Again."
This time Torres pushed forward through the mud, footing steady.
"Rocky," Ethan said. "Don't attack. Block."
Rocky stepped in front of Marshtomp, taking the leaves on his body. Stone rang softly as they hit.
Poison still lingered in his system, but he held firm.
Kitsu noticed. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's still poisoned."
"Yeah," Ethan said. "That's why this matters."
"Ember," Kitsu said. "Circle wide. No flames."
Ember moved fast, light on her feet.
"Noibat," Ethan said. "Track only."
Noibat took off, sonar pulses tight and focused. He didn't strike. He followed. Learned the rhythm.
Flaaffy watched closely.
"Flaaffy," Ethan added, "sync with Noibat. No discharge."
Flaaffy's wool glowed faintly as she adjusted her timing to Noibat's flight.
The sparks faded.
That alone was progress.
Kitsu glanced at Sentret.
"You too," she said.
Sentret stiffened.
Ethan crouched. "Short sprint. In and out."
Sentret swallowed, then ran. She darted between Torres and Godzilla, quick and clean, then slid back behind Ethan.
She turned, eyes wide.
Ethan smiled. "Perfect."
Sentret stood a little taller.
---
Gengar floated near Godzilla, shadows tight and quiet.
Godzilla hissed.
Gengar grinned—but didn't flare.
Kitsu noticed that too.
"…You changed how you train," she said.
Ethan shrugged. "I had to."
They stood there for a moment, watching their Pokémon move—learning, adjusting, growing without force.
Kitsu exhaled slowly.
"Alright," she said. "Again. This time, a little faster."
Ethan looked at his sister. "So, you are gonna send out your Bagon"
Kitsu looked at the Pokèball of Shimo. "I am hoping he can train with your Gible".
Ethan looked at her. "For that I need to send one home, but I don't want to do that yet"
Kitsu looked at him. "So, should I send him out?".
Ethan looked at Noibat. "Noibat is also a Dragon type, they can train together".
Ethan thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "That works."
Kitsu released the Pokéball.
Shimo dropped to the ground with a dull thump, small wings twitching as he lifted his head. The Bagon sniffed the air, then locked eyes with Noibat.
Noibat hovered in place, wings beating slow and steady. He tilted his head, curious rather than hostile.
Kitsu crouched. "Easy, Shimo. This is training."
Shimo snorted, scraping the ground once with his claw. He didn't charge.
Good sign.
Ethan raised his hand. "Noibat, keep it light. Speed and control."
Noibat chirped and shot upward, looping around Shimo in a wide arc.
Shimo reacted fast. He turned, jaws snapping at empty air, then growled in frustration.
Kitsu smiled. "He's fast, but he commits too hard."
"That's Bagon," Ethan said. "All power. No patience."
Shimo leapt, slamming his head forward in a clumsy tackle.
"Noibat, evade," Ethan said.
Noibat dipped low, letting Shimo crash into the dirt. Dust kicked up.
Shimo rolled, groaned, then pushed himself back up.
Instead of charging again, he paused.
He looked up.
Watched.
Ethan's eyebrows lifted slightly. "He's learning."
Kitsu folded her arms. "Good. That's what I want."
"Again," Ethan said. "But slower."
Noibat flew closer this time, just out of reach. He didn't attack. He waited.
Shimo snarled—then stopped.
He lowered his stance, muscles tight, eyes focused.
When he moved, it wasn't wild.
It was precise.
He jumped at the right moment.
Noibat barely avoided the hit, wings clipping the air as he climbed.
Both Pokémon landed and faced each other, breathing hard.
No fear.
No panic.
Just focus.
Ethan nodded. "That's enough for now."
Kitsu recalled Shimo. "Good work, Shimo."
She looked at Ethan. "Once you get your Gible back, I want them sparring for real."
Ethan smiled. "Deal."
Noibat fluttered down and landed on Ethan's shoulder, proud.
And somewhere far away, in a very large house, a small blue dragon sneezed—and felt the faint pull of another dragon calling him back.
Later that day.
Kitsu was Brushing Torres. "I was thinking of teaching, Torres' energy ball".
Erika nodded. "That's great, I can have my Leafeon teach him that".
Kitsu then spoke. "Then I can have her eat the Energy Ball to increase her Grass Moves and Speed mid-battle"
Everyone paused a record scratch could be heard.
Silence hit the group.
If this were a movie, this is where the music would stop and someone would slowly turn their head.
Ethan blinked. Once.
"…You're going to what?"
Kitsu kept brushing Torres like she hadn't just dropped a tactical war crime. "Have her eat it. Energy Ball is condensed Grass-type energy. If timed right, it should spike output and speed for a short burst."
Whitney stared. "You're… feeding your Pokémon a move."
Bugsy looked physically offended. "That's not how moves work."
Sabrina narrowed her eyes, interest flashing. "Actually… it might."
Erika tilted her head. "Leafeon can shape Energy Ball very cleanly. Less backlash."
Ethan rubbed his face. "Of course, you two already ran the math."
Kitsu smiled. "Little sister privilege."
Torres looked up proudly, leaves rustling like she was ready to commit several violations of battle etiquette.
Ethan sighed, then straightened. "Okay. Let's slow this down before the League sends us a letter."
He pointed at Torres. "Yes, in theory, a Pokémon can absorb compatible Type Energy. Grass types do it all the time with sunlight, terrain, even Mega Drain."
Bugsy crossed his arms. "But moves are locked into the Type Core."
"Cast moves are," Ethan corrected. "Energy constructs aren't."
Sabrina nodded. "If Energy Ball isn't released outward… it stays raw."
Whitney's eye twitched. "You people are terrifying."
Kitsu finally stopped brushing. "So it'll work?"
Ethan thought for a second. Then nodded. "It'll work once. Maybe twice."
Erika frowned. "Why the limit?"
"Because Torres isn't a battery," Ethan said. "Overloading Type Energy causes internal feedback. Best case, exhaustion. Worst case—"
"Core instability," Sabrina finished.
Torres blinked.
Kitsu immediately hugged her. "We will not explode the turtle."
Bugsy muttered, "I left my town for this."
Ethan smiled, calm but firm. "We test it in training. Controlled output. No stacking. No doing it in a gym unless you want Bugsy's master to actually kill us."
Kitsu grinned. "Deal."
Torres gave a happy rumble, leaves glowing faintly.
Ethan watched that glow and thought one thing very clearly.
'We are absolutely not normal trainers anymore.'
Falkner then turned on the TV, as he saw a match going on. "Huh, guys the Champion is fighting".
Everyone looked at the screen
It shows Elm, as he was fighting someone.
Falkner turned up the volume.
"Well, this just got interesting."
The Pokécenter went quiet as the broadcast filled the room.
The screen showed Professor—no, Champion—Elm standing in a scorched stadium, coat torn at the sleeve, breathing steady. Across from him was his challenger, Lucario already on the field, aura flaring like blue fire.
Elm's Jynx collapsed, frost cracking across the floor.
"Jynx is unable to battle!"
Elm returned the Pokéball without hesitation.
"Impressive," he said calmly. "You defeated my first Pokémon… after losing four of your own."
The challenger grimaced but straightened. "I still have two left."
Lucario stepped forward, claws scraping stone.
Elm smiled.
"Very well. Come out."
He threw his Pokéball.
It didn't just open—it detonated in light.
Flames roared across the stage as a massive figure landed with a shockwave that rattled the cameras. Taller than Magmar. Broader. Cannons formed from molten flesh where arms should be, heat shimmering the air around it.
The Pokécenter erupted.
Whitney leaned forward, eyes wide. "Is that… a new Pokémon?"
Bugsy whispered, "That thing looks illegal."
Kitsu felt her skin prickle. "That pressure…"
Ethan didn't speak.
His eyes stayed locked on the screen.
'So it's public now, he thought. About time.'
On-screen, the challenger took a step back despite himself.
Elm rested a hand on his coat pocket, voice clear and proud.
"Allow me to introduce you," he said.
"Magmortar—the newly discovered evolution of Magmar."
Magmortar raised its arms.
The cannons glowed white-hot.
Lucario's aura flared in response.
Back in the Pokécenter, no one breathed.
Ethan finally spoke, quiet but certain.
"…The era just shifted."
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy