As a blinding surge of evolution light erupted, Pidgey was instantly wrapped in a silvery-white glow.
Amid sharp, excited cries, its small body rapidly stretched and grew.
Even Rayquaza, resting high in the sky, opened its eyes and cast a glance downward.
And Treecko—
Treecko was practically roaring inside its heart.
I was your Pokémon first!
How can you evolve before me?!
If Pidgey evolved first, then what did that make him—the original starter?
The unwillingness, the pride, the burning desire to grow stronger—
All of it exploded into power.
With a fierce cry, Treecko's body was engulfed in evolution light as well.
Seeing the second pillar of light ignite, Aiden Flint smiled.
The plan had worked.
When Pokémon truly yearned for strength, when they were pushed to the brink and refused to accept defeat—
Evolution came naturally.
The light intensified.
And Pidgey completed its evolution first.
The small bird that once measured barely thirty centimeters had transformed into a powerful predator over one meter tall. When it spread its wings, its span exceeded two meters, radiating sharp pressure and confidence.
If its strength increased further, Aiden was certain—
He could eventually ride on its back through the sky.
Aiden immediately opened its status panel.
Pokémon: Pidgeotto
Divine Authority: None
Level: 18
Ability: Keen Eye
Type: Normal / Flying
Potential: Purple
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Tackle, Air Slash, Gust, Quick Attack, Steel Wing, Whirlwind, Twister
Friendship: 185
Background: Saved by the host in Petalburg Woods. Evolved to protect its Trainer alone.
Preference: Loves soaring the skies and guarding its Trainer
Seeing its potential rise from Blue to Purple, Aiden was overjoyed.
Whether it could reach Gold-tier after evolving into Pidgeot was still uncertain—but even now, Pidgeotto's strength far surpassed its former self.
More importantly—
In both its background and preferences, Aiden had become irreplaceable.
A friendship value of 185.
That alone was deeply moving.
"Pidgeotto—congratulations," Aiden said sincerely. "You did it."
Pidgeotto cried happily, beating its wings as it soared upward before turning back toward Aiden.
"Pidgeot—!"
At the same time, Treecko's evolution light intensified.
Its body grew taller, leaner, sharper—
And when the glow finally faded, a completely different Pokémon stood before them.
Grovyle.
Pokémon: Grovyle
Divine Authority: None
Level: 20
Ability: Overgrow
Type: Grass
Potential: Purple
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Bullet Seed, False Swipe, Synthesis, Quick Attack, Energy Ball, Double Kick, Leech Seed
Friendship: 185
Background: Finally met a Trainer it acknowledges in Littleroot Town. Desires to grow stronger together.
Preference: Loves spicy food and adventuring with its Trainer
Before evolution, Treecko had stood barely half a meter tall.
Now, Grovyle stood over one meter, its presence sharp and agile.
Both evolutions were outstanding.
The only slight regret was that Grovyle's potential remained Purple—it hadn't risen like Pidgeotto's.
But Aiden quickly understood why.
Gold-tier potential was rare by nature.
If every Purple Pokémon could easily break into Gold through evolution alone, Gold-tier Pokémon would be everywhere—and they clearly weren't.
By that logic, even when Pidgeotto eventually evolved into Pidgeot, it would most likely remain Purple as well.
And that was perfectly acceptable.
With both Pokémon completing their evolutions, the real fight began now.
"Grovyle—congratulations. You've gotten a lot stronger."
Grovyle responded with a confident grin, a twig clenched between its teeth.
Across the field, Pikachu and Combusken—who had been waiting during the evolutions—once again took up battle stances.
"Grovyle—Energy Ball, target Pikachu!"
"Pidgeotto—Air Slash, hit Combusken!"
Evolution wasn't just a change in form.
It was a qualitative leap in power.
This was why Aiden had always believed—
Evolution was strength.
In the Pokémon world, Trainers who refused to evolve their Pokémon were limiting themselves.
Every truly elite partner Pokémon had reached its final or near-final form.
And now—
The results spoke for themselves.
Combusken unleashed Flamethrower.
Pikachu fired Thunderbolt.
But this time—
The outcome was completely different.
Grovyle sprang upward with explosive agility, dodging Flamethrower cleanly, while the Energy Ball detonated directly against Pikachu, blasting it backward and interrupting Thunderbolt mid-cast.
At the same time, Pidgeotto condensed razor-sharp air blades and fired them in rapid succession.
Air Slash trapped Combusken in overlapping impacts, blasting it out of position.
The momentum shifted instantly.
"Perfect!" Aiden commanded.
"Pidgeotto—Twister!"
"When they land—Grovyle, Leaf Blade, finish it!"
Pidgeotto beat its wings hard.
A spiraling tornado formed, sucking both Pokémon into its core and shredding them with continuous damage.
Pikachu, already battered, lost the ability to battle inside the Twister, its form fading away.
When the winds finally died down, only Combusken remained—barely standing.
That was its last chance.
Grovyle surged forward.
Green blades of light flared along its arms.
With a decisive slash—
Leaf Blade cut cleanly through Combusken's remaining stamina.
Combusken collapsed.
The battle was over.
"Ding! Simulated Double Battle concluded."
"Victory confirmed."
"Grovyle and Pidgeotto defeated Combusken and Pikachu."
"Both Pokémon gained 150 experience points. Levels increased."
Aiden exhaled slowly.
Two evolutions.
Perfect coordination.
Absolute victory.
The journey had truly begun.
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