One week later.
The second phase of the Advanced Trainer exam had finally come to an end.
Thanks to the score plates obtained from the Seviper pack and the Drapion, Ethan's final score managed to rank within the top ten, successfully passing the exam and thus becoming an Advanced-level Trainer.
Back in Evercove City, after receiving his accreditation at the Pokémon Trainers Guild, Ethan didn't linger for long and quickly left the city with all his Pokémon.
This time, Ethan didn't choose to return by sea. Instead, he planned to head back to Ironvale City riding on his Absol, unhurried. Now that he had passed the Advanced Trainer exam, he could finally relax a little.
"Riou!"
In Ethan's arms, occupying the position that once belonged to the little Charmander, Riolu narrowed his eyes, greatly enjoying the sensation of the fast gallop.
Ethan smiled slightly at the sight. Increasing Riolu's affection was one of the important steps in his training plan.
Since Riolu needed a high level of affection to evolve, this emotional training was crucial. Moreover, when he returned to the main guild headquarters, Ethan planned to look for President Beckett to see if he could obtain the method to train the move Return.
Return was a move in which the Pokémon attacked with all its strength for its trainer; the higher the affection, the stronger its power.
Affection was an emotional energy, and Riolu could observe the emotions of humans and Pokémon through its aura. Because of this, Ethan believed learning Return shouldn't be too difficult for him.
Additionally, in his plans, by learning that move, Riolu could stimulate his own aura power, further strengthening his control over it until mastering it completely.
The development of his spiritual ability, the mastery of affection, and the move Return would become the main focus of Riolu's upcoming training.
With the intention of nurturing their bond, Ethan traveled leisurely. Each time they passed through a city, they would enter and stroll around with Riolu, try the local food, and gradually strengthen their emotional bond.
Of course, during this time Ethan didn't forget the jealous Charmeleon either. Although his evolution did not depend on affection, Mega Evolution required a very strong bond. Moreover, the power of Mega-Charizard Y slept within him and needed to be developed through the strength of their connection.
In a Pokémon food plaza, Ethan was eating and drinking with all his partners. But at that moment, Absol suddenly raised his head with an alert expression, looking around.
"What's wrong, Absol?"
Ethan asked in confusion as he scanned the area with his eyes, noticing nothing unusual.
Seeing this, Absol also showed confusion. Then he shook his head, indicating he didn't know; he had simply felt a sudden sense of danger that vanished as quickly as it came.
"That ability to sense danger... could Absol have sensed something from the future?"
"But what kind of danger was it? Is someone following me? Who could it be?"
Thought after thought emerged in Ethan's mind. Although his expression remained calm, his heart filled with vigilance.
"No, worrying is pointless. I need to find a way to confirm it."
Frowning, he began to think; eventually, his eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had made a decision.
After dinner, he checked into a hotel and released his six main Pokémon to stand guard throughout the night. However, it seemed to have been a false alarm: nothing happened.
The next morning, after breakfast, Ethan headed straight out of the city. He released Absol, ready to continue their journey as usual.
Whoooosh~
As they moved farther from the city and reached an empty field, a sudden cold wind rose.
Noticing it, Absol immediately stopped, and at the same time Ethan's Poké Balls lit up: Slowking and Vibrava appeared instantly.
"Psychic power. Find it."
Ethan scanned the surroundings while giving the order to Slowking.
"Yadon!"
Slowking nodded and unleashed an invisible psychic power.
Whoooosh~
The cold wind suddenly grew stronger, and the sky darkened.
Five Gengar suddenly appeared, surrounded by a faint black smoke that dimmed the morning light.
"Five Gengar!"
"And that black mist... it's dark energy!"
Ethan's eyes sharpened and he pressed three more Poké Balls.
Cacturne, Meltan, and Charmeleon appeared.
"Hehehe... I came here for other matters, but I didn't expect to find a Pokémon that has already been corrupted by dark energy."
At that moment, from the distant forest emerged the figure of a person completely shrouded in a black gas similar to that of a Gastly.
"Gastly...?"
Ethan's expression changed slightly as he observed the figure wrapped in darkness.
Five Gengar plus a Gastly of equally terrifying power. And the six Pokémon clearly enhanced by the energy of Dark Balls... their strength must be monstrous.
"That Slowking was also invaded by dark energy?"
"I see... you must be Ethan, correct?"
The person enveloped in the dark gas looked at Ethan, then turned his gaze to Slowking. At first he seemed doubtful, but immediately he appeared to understand something, slowly smiling.
"Dark energy... so Slowking also still carries traces of it inside."
Ethan's expression shifted sharply as he recalled that human who had once been corrupted by dark energy...
"If it's him, I'd better let him face it by himself."
With a low laugh, the five Gengar surrounded the mysterious individual and then ascended into the sky, vanishing.
"Dark League..."
Ethan watched the silhouette disappear into the horizon and hesitated, but ultimately did not pursue.
On one hand, he had no idea what level of power the person possessed. On the other, he was far too concerned about the traces of dark energy hidden inside Slowking.
"Sandslash, come out."
"We must return to the main Guild headquarters as soon as possible."
At his voice, a rapid underground movement was heard. Sandslash emerged from the ground, watching alertly.
Ethan had not included him among the Pokémon he released earlier: he had kept him underground for a surprise attack.
And since no one knew that Ethan could use a seventh Pokémon, Sandslash's ambush carried considerable threat.
(End of chapter)