The fragment of Groudon's body was dark crimson in color.
Yet across its surface flowed intertwining golden and scarlet lines, as though the fragment itself were still alive.
Unfortunately, this extraordinary relic was encased within a layer of pitch-black stone.
Red could almost picture the scene:
After breaking off from Groudon's body, the fragment had fallen into molten rock, becoming sealed within cooling stone.
He let out a long breath.
"What an incredible treasure."
Unfortunately, beginning today, this unique stone would cease to exist.
At this moment, Larvitar's weight had already doubled, giving it an adorably round and chubby appearance.
Its eyes were fixed on the stone in Red's hands with pure longing.
Even though Larvitar stuffed itself full every day, doing its best to fill its stomach to the brim, the instant it saw this extraordinary rock, it knew one thing for certain.
It wanted it.
Red smiled and handed it over.
"It's yours now."
Larvitar immediately hugged the fragment and opened its mouth.
CLANG!
A heavy metallic impact echoed through the room.
Larvitar froze.
Then touched its mouth in disbelief.
Its full-powered bite had only managed to leave behind a shallow tooth mark.
Just as Red was about to ask whether it needed help—
Larvitar hardened its resolve.
Closing its eyes tightly, it bit down with all its strength.
Crack.
A tiny piece finally broke off.
This meal became the most difficult meal Larvitar had ever eaten.
And also the happiest.
Half an hour later, the corners of Larvitar's mouth were red and swollen from all the biting.
Yet its expression was more excited than ever.
A crimson glow slowly began spreading outward from its abdomen through its pale-yellow body.
At the same time, Ninetales successfully fused with Moltres's flame.
The legendary fire eventually settled upon her forehead, forming a faint crimson flame-shaped mark.
Combined with her breathtaking beauty and fox ears, she looked less like a Pokémon and more like a fox spirit that had stepped straight out of a fantasy novel.
Enchanting.
Beautiful.
Powerful.
Then, at long last—
Light burst from Larvitar's body.
It had begun evolving.
However, unlike the ordinary white evolution light of most Pokémon, Larvitar's evolution glow was bright red.
Professor Oak immediately became excited.
He pulled out a camera he had prepared beforehand.
"It's starting?!"
Everyone else inside the Gym also rushed over.
An evolution like this was an incredibly rare sight.
"Master's Pokémon really does things differently."
Shinji stared at Larvitar with astonishment.
Meanwhile, Red quickly took out even more specially prepared Pokémon food and placed it in front of Larvitar.
"Keep replenishing your energy!"
Larvitar nodded.
Even during evolution, it never forgot to keep eating.
At the same time, a terrifying sandstorm began sweeping through Mossweed City.
A Mega Tyranitar suddenly appeared nearby.
The massive sandstorm it created enveloped Larvitar entirely.
This Mega Tyranitar had been borrowed from Red's unreliable father specifically to aid Larvitar's evolution.
Larvitar didn't hesitate.
It immediately began absorbing energy from the storm.
Meanwhile, Red continuously poured Vastgreen Power into its body.
"Come on, Larvitar!"
"I've done everything I can!"
"The rest is up to you!"
After one final round of ravenous eating, crimson energy completely enveloped Larvitar.
Its body transformed into an oval-shaped cocoon of light.
As the surrounding sandstorm poured into it, the cocoon's color began changing.
Red.
Earth-yellow.
Emerald-green.
Countless colors intertwined and merged together.
Even Larvitar's status panel within Red's system turned entirely into question marks.
Red knew this was the most important transformation of Larvitar's life.
His hands were so nervous he didn't even know where to put them.
Then—
The unexpected happened.
A streak of black light suddenly engulfed the cocoon.
Red froze.
Where had that black color come from?
Then a possibility flashed through his mind.
"The black stone around Groudon's fragment?!"
"Something capable of containing a fragment of Groudon could never be ordinary rock!"
Instantly, Red became tense.
Yet despite the cocoon turning black, its aura hadn't become unstable.
Quite the opposite.
It felt remarkably steady.
Professor Oak, meanwhile, was laughing excitedly.
"Hahaha!"
"This trip was worth it!"
"Absolutely worth it!"
As the black evolution light gradually faded away, Larvitar's evolution finally came to an end.
Its new form was completely revealed before everyone's eyes.
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