Sensing Pidgeot's fighting gaze, the just-awakened Weezing immediately became tense. The previous battle with Pidgeot had already made Weezing clearly understand the gap in their strength.
"Stop fooling around. You're already this big and still acting like a child."
Red smacked Pidgeot's wing with an annoyed expression.
"Bi~"
Pidgeot lowered its head in grievance. It was clearly Weezing who had used a dirty trick first, so why wasn't it allowed to get its revenge?
"Sorry, Pidgeot. I was the one who ordered Weezing to use Destiny Bond." Koga apologized, taking the initiative to apologize to the angry Pidgeot. Only then did Pidgeot's mood improve slightly, though it still didn't give Weezing the slightest friendly look.
"Beep beep beep…"
The Pokédex in Red's pocket suddenly vibrated. Confused, Red took out the Pokédex and pressed the switch.
"Looks like I'll have to change my team for now!"
After reading the email sent by Professor Oak, Red couldn't help but reveal a pleased smile.
"Mr. Koga, Aya. I still have things to do, so I'll be leaving first."
After saying that, Red waved goodbye to Koga and Aya, jumped onto Pidgeot's back, and left the Fuchsia Gym together with the Beedrill beside him.
"Goodbye! I look forward to the day you become the Indigo Plateau Champion!" Koga shouted, waving farewell to Red.
"Come visit when you have time~" Aya said with a wave.
...
An endless grassland that constantly emitted the breath of nature—this was the Safari Zone.
After switching his Pokémon lineup at the Pokémon Center in Fuchsia City, Red immediately set out traveling again, unwilling to stay in the city even a second longer.
Most of the Pokémon living in the Safari Zone were raised by the local Laramie Farm. The Laramie Family was once praised as a nomadic people comparable to Pokémon Breeders. However, this nomadic family wasn't fierce by nature; they simply loved living within the environment of nature.
"A nice place to rest."
Red took a deep breath. Compared with the polluted air of bustling cities, he preferred the air of nature far more.
"Let you two come out first!" Red said with excitement, throwing the two Poké Balls in his hand.
Two flashes of white light faded away, revealing a towering steel figure and a black-and-red figure simultaneously before Red.
One had a body as tall as a building, covered entirely in heavy metal, with a fierce face and a tail shaped like a nail—an enormous Pokémon. The other had a body covered in black-and-red light metal armor, two pairs of translucent wings on its back, and huge pincers with eye-like patterns used to intimidate opponents.
The two Pokémon appearing before Red were the Giant Steelix and Scizor that had evolved after receiving the Metal Coat.
The moment it saw Red, Giant Steelix's originally fierce expression instantly became simple and honest. It happily leaned closer to Red, but out of fear that its rough face might scratch him, it hesitated and didn't dare rub against him.
"It's okay, Steelix. I'm very happy to see you again." Red smiled, gently stroking Steelix's cheek. The giant Steelix squinted happily.
Scizor beside them demonstrated its speed to Red. In an instant it appeared behind him, hugged his body, and happily leaned against his shoulder.
"Now that you've evolved successfully, it's time to replace your Abilities."
As soon as he finished speaking, Red placed both hands on Giant Steelix and Scizor, replacing the Abilities on the two Pokémon.
[Ding! Sturdy Ability changed to Sheer Force Ability!]
[Ding! Swarm Ability changed to Light Metal Ability!]
(Light Metal: The user's weight becomes half of its normal weight.)
After gaining its new Ability, Scizor was the first to change. Its metallic armor compressed further, becoming thinner and lighter, which greatly increased its speed.
"Pokémon: Giant Steelix
Attribute: Steel + Ground
First Ability: Rock Head
Second Ability: Sheer Force
Moves: Thunder Fang, Crunch, Rock Throw, Rock Slide, Sand Tomb, Sandstorm, Dig, Iron Tail, Stone Edge, Double-Edge, Pounce, Iron Head, Heavy Slam…
Personality: Gentle by nature, unwilling to remain ordinary, and eager to gain greater power!
…"
"Pokémon: Scizor (Shiny: Black-Red)
Attribute: Bug + Steel
First Ability: Technician
Second Ability: Light Metal
Moves: Bullet Punch, Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Metal Claw, Slash, Iron Head, X-Scissor, Hone Claws, Swords Dance, Steel Wing, Brick Break, Psycho Cut, Agility…
Personality: Rather arrogant; it mocks arrogant weaklings with words, but does not fear strong opponents and dares to fight them.
…"
To celebrate the evolution of Giant Steelix and Scizor, Red decided to swap his Pokémon team entirely. He recalled his current lineup and released Beedrill, Charizard, Pidgeot, and Crimson Gyarados one after another.
The Crimson Gyarados, who hadn't come out for a long time, excitedly moved in front of Red and happily rubbed its cheek against his face.
'Looks like the two of you have both grown stronger,' Charizard congratulated, then raised the corner of its mouth smugly. 'But it's still a pity that my flames counter you.'
'Listen to how excited you sound,' Giant Steelix replied speechlessly.
'Too bad Gengar isn't here,' Scizor said leisurely. 'Otherwise I'd let it properly experience my current strength!'
Now that it possessed Steel-type moves, Scizor would no longer be completely suppressed by the Thousand-Year Gengar's typing.
With six Pokémon appearing at once, the pressure they emitted made the surrounding wild Pokémon tremble. A bold Growlithe ran up in front of the six Pokémon and barked loudly in an attempt to intimidate them. Unfortunately, its strength was far too weak to affect their aura at all.
'So noisy!' Crimson Gyarados roared angrily, releasing a terrifying roar that forcibly intimidated Growlithe.
The Growlithe that had been barking turned pale instantly, its legs trembling so badly that it didn't even have the courage to turn around and run away.
Crimson Gyarados's roar also frightened the nearby Tauros that had been grazing. One after another, they became restless in fear and tried to flee.
"Power of Viridian," Red said softly.
A gentle Power of Viridian spread out from him, calming the restless wild Pokémon around them and preventing the situation from becoming more chaotic.
"Alright, don't scare them." Red scolded lightly, telling Crimson Gyarados not to be so irritable all the time.
"Excuse me, please show mercy! This is the Safari Zone, and trainers aren't allowed to capture Pokémon here!"
A girl riding a Ponyta hurried to Red's side and anxiously begged him to stop.
"I'm sorry. My Pokémon just reunited as a group and got too excited. I have no intention of capturing Pokémon here."
Red apologized to the girl. Seeing this, Crimson Gyarados also lowered its head slightly and grunted a few times—barely counting as an apology.
"I see. Then it seems I misunderstood you." The girl relaxed and introduced herself. "I'm Lara from the Laramie Farm. These Tauros are Pokémon raised by my family, and this Growlithe serves as a guard, which is why it rashly offended you. I hope you won't take it to heart."
"I won't interfere with your lives. My companions and I will leave shortly."
Since his original team had finally reunited, Red decided to take a rare break. He temporarily suspended their daily training and chose instead to relax together with his partners, enjoying the tranquility of nature.