"So it's really like this?"
Nozomi was stunned for a moment as he watched the Alakazam—who hadn't hesitated in the slightest—turn tail and run.
He hadn't expected it at all. Just moments ago, that Alakazam had looked ready to fight to the bitter end for Team Rocket's sake, yet now it had simply used Teleport and vanished without a second thought.
Of course, this was a perfectly normal reaction for a Pokémon under such circumstances.Still, the sudden shift caught Nozomi slightly off guard.
But since Alakazam had chosen to flee on its own, Nozomi saw no need to bother chasing it.
A low, piercing roar echoed overhead—Whoosh!A Meteor swarm streaked down from the heavens, its burning trails painting the sky before smashing into the earth below.
Dirt and rock exploded into the air, trees toppled, and the entire Team Rocket squad scattered in panic. The once-lush forest had turned into a scene straight from hell.
Nozomi felt no sympathy whatsoever.
Thanks to the inherited memories of his body's previous owner—a Pokémon Investigator—he knew two things very well:First, there were no innocents among Team Rocket.Second, even if they looked miserable, these people weren't going to die so easily.Broken arms and legs were common in the Pokémon world, but humans here were far tougher than those on Earth.
Still, he didn't forget about the machine that had been controlling the Ghost-type Pokémon.
Under Dragonite's command, a blazing meteor streaked toward the device.
Boom!The machine detonated, fragments scattering everywhere.
The eerie red light that had been continuously pulsing from it abruptly ceased. At the same time, the crimson glow that had enveloped dozens of Ghost-type Pokémon in the distance slowly dissipated.
In that instant, the possessed Ghost Pokémon regained their senses.
Confused and disoriented, the freed Ghost-types drifted through the air in chaotic swarms—like a thousand wandering spirits under the moonlight.
"It's over,"
muttered the Team Rocket researcher responsible for the machine. He slumped to the ground, his face twisting with despair.
"What do you mean, it's over?"Nozomi asked, signaling Ivysaur to restrain the heavily injured Rockets and their Pokémon.
Hearing the question, the researcher looked up at him, his expression warping into something feral."Damn you—it's all your fault! If it weren't for you—!"
Nozomi frowned slightly.What's this guy so worked up about? I just wrecked your little scheme. Do you have to act like I killed your family?
"You don't understand what you've done!" the man rasped hoarsely. "You think destroying that machine was a good thing? You couldn't be more wrong! According to our research, once the Ghost-types are freed from control, they enter a brief calm—then fall into a violent frenzy! They'll attack every living thing they see! And now they're this close to us— we're doomed! All of us!"
"That's what you're afraid of?"
Nozomi looked at the distant swarm—hundreds of Ghost Pokémon in total—without the slightest regret.
As a mentally mature adult, he'd already made his decision.There was no point in looking back.
He summoned Metagross and Dragonite to his side and touched the Key Stone embedded in his wristband.
By now, the Ghost-types had indeed begun to lose control. Gastly and Haunter's once-white eyes were flushing red, and even Gengar's crimson gaze burned brighter with madness.
They turned on everything around them.Slower Pokémon like Kakuna and Metapod were quickly torn apart.A Beedrill tried to defend them but, realizing its attacks had no effect, fled in terror.
Soon, the terrified wild Pokémon fled in all directions.Within minutes, the massive forest fell into deathly silence.
"They're coming."
The frenzied Ghost-types, finding no other prey, turned their attention toward the only living beings left—Nozomi and the others.
"Sorry," Nozomi said quietly, stepping forward as the black mass of spirits surged toward him like a storm cloud blotting out the sun."I can't let you harm my prisoners."
He raised his wrist.
"Metagross!"
The Pokémon responded instantly, its body gleaming as the Key Stone on Nozomi's wrist began to shine in unison.
"Mega Evolution!"
A dazzling flash burst forth, nearly blinding the nearby Rockets.
"What the—?!"
"Evolution?! Metagross can evolve again?!"
"What's going on?!"
As they shouted in disbelief, Metagross's body was engulfed in a blinding white light.
The glow flared—and then exploded outward.
When it faded, a completely transformed Metagross hovered in the clearing.The sharp spikes that had vanished upon evolving from Metang reappeared under its chin. Its four sturdy legs had shifted backward, forming huge alloy claws that pointed forward as if ready to strike.
It looked as though two Metagross had fused into one colossal being—radiating crushing power.
"Its appearance changed!"
"It looks… even more badass than before!"
"What the hell did Nozomi do!?"
The Rockets were utterly clueless. None of them had ever even heard of Mega Evolution, and the sight left them speechless.
But Nozomi paid them no attention.
"Metagross," he asked calmly, "can you handle all those Ghost-types?"
He remained clear-headed.Even with Mega Evolution boosting his strength tremendously, Nozomi knew better than to get cocky.
There were hundreds of Ghost-types out there. He wasn't about to underestimate the situation.
If Mega Metagross could destroy them all, he'd end this threat here and now.If not, retreating and regrouping wouldn't be shameful—it would be smart.
Mega Metagross's crimson eyes flickered as it began calculating.Moments later, it nodded firmly.
It could handle it.
"Excellent."
Confidence surged through Nozomi. He patted Dragonite's belly, signaling it to stand guard, and then charged forward alongside Mega Metagross—straight into the raging storm of Ghost Pokémon.