Pokémon Dev Chapter 79: [80] : The Power of Bonds!!

"ga... Evolution?"

Cynthia stared at those two familiar yet strange words, suddenly realizing sothing.

No wonder she'd felt a sense of déjà vu when seeing those words just now.

Wasn't this the na of that glass marble-like stone she had obtained before?—"ga Stone"?!

According to the ga's description, this type of item might unleash incredible power in battle.

Could it be that this power allowed a Pokémon to undergo another evolution?

But such a thing... was impossible, right?!

As Cynthia's mind reeled with shock, the crystal in Norman's hand and the stone hanging around Kangaskhan's neck seed to form a brilliant connection.

This connection grew wildly stronger over ti, eventually enveloping Kangaskhan in a dazzling rainbow light!

But unlike evolutionary light, this radiance was even more brilliant and magnificent, like a galaxy spanning the heavens.

The entire battlefield was shrouded in this ethereal, powerful, and profound light. The stirring music constantly stimulated the nerves of everyone witnessing this scene, making their blood boil!

Within the brilliant, radiant light, Kangaskhan's body suddenly began undergoing dramatic changes!

Its form beca even more massive, muscles bulging like rock-covered hills, filled with explosive power.

Its originally gentle brown fur now stood on end, gleaming with tallic hardness, especially on its shoulders and back, forming more aggressive angles.

The most significant change was in its belly—the pouch was no longer soft, but had been torn and reshaped by violent energy, transforming into solid dark armor with dangerous golden patterns flickering at the edges.

And the little Kangaskhan that had once nestled in the pouch was now completely wrapped inside this enhanced pouch. Only a pair of eyes, gleaming with sharp golden light, could be seen through the pouch's opening, radiating intimidating brilliance!

At this mont, an indescribable, heavy pressure exploded outward from it as the center!

It still appeared to be a Kangaskhan, yet it was completely different.

It had truly undergone another evolution, completing a leap of life!

The entire livestream went silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to look away from the Pokémon.

Several seconds passed before a tsunami of chat ssages erupted!

[Holy crap, what is this thing?? ga Evolution? Did the author make this up?]

[Is this the effect that the strear, Stone, can produce? That's terrifying!]

[Why does this Kangaskhan feel so powerful after evolving again?]

[So cool, oh my god...]

...

The flood of chat ssages overwheld the livestream screen, with everyone marveling at this Pokémon's impressive appearance and amazing presence.

Cynthia, looking at this Pokémon before her, deeply furrowed her brow, feeling her heart surge with turbulent emotions.

She knew very clearly that this type of Pokémon had no evolutionary forms—from the ti the baby Kangaskhan was in the pouch, it would gradually grow into an adult Kangaskhan.

This was a Pokémon that didn't evolve to improve its strength or complete its transformation...

Yet now, this Kangaskhan had undergone another evolution right before her eyes.

An evolution completely unrecorded in scientific research, defying all logic—an extra evolution!

This was no different from a miracle!

But now, Cynthia's attention remained focused on the battle.

She had already discovered that with this special evolution, Kangaskhan's na had changed from "Kangaskhan" to "ga Kangaskhan"!

And while its HP bar had recovered sowhat, it was barely at one-third.

On her side, she still had Ludicolo with a bit of HP left, Sceptile at full health, and Bewear still on the field with both Attack and Defense raised one stage...

Even though this "ga Kangaskhan" had undergone an incredible evolution, she might not necessarily lose!

She took a deep breath and gave the command without hesitation.

"Bewear, finish it! Brick Break!"

"Roar!"

Kangaskhan's abnormal performance in battle clearly surprised Bewear as well.

At this mont, it raised its claws resolutely in response to its trainer's command.

Brown light gathered around its claws, preparing to strike!

However, this ti, the opposing Kangaskhan moved first!

Magnificent brown light suddenly blazed on its fists as it struck Bewear's face with astonishing speed.

[ga Kangaskhan used Power-Up Punch! Super effective!!]

Fortunately, white light flashed across Bewear's body at that mont.

[Bewear's Fluffy ability activated—the damage it received was reduced!]

That strike caused Bewear's HP to fall rapidly. Even with damage reduction, the punch took away one-third of its HP!

Not only that, deep red light surged around ga Kangaskhan, suddenly boosting its already incredible presence.

[ga Kangaskhan's Attack rose!]

...

Seeing this, Cynthia couldn't help but furrow her brow.

Honestly, she didn't quite understand why Norman had Kangaskhan use this move.

Power-Up Punch was a Fighting-type move whose biggest feature was that, while it was an attack, it raised the user's Attack stat by one stage.

However, its power wasn't high—it ranked among the lowest of Fighting-type moves.

Yet even so, when that punch landed on Bewear, it did massive damage!

Rember, this damage was already reduced by Bewear's Fluffy ability and a one-stage Defense boost from Bulk Up.

This showed just how powerful Kangaskhan's base Attack really was—comparable to Slaking's!

If it had used Giga Impact or another high-power move, Bewear would have had no chance.

But Norman's decision to use such a low-power move and still leave Bewear with one-third HP—was he deliberately holding back?

As Cynthia pondered, a scene she didn't expect occurred.

From within Kangaskhan's pouch, the little Kangaskhan with golden eyes suddenly swung its fist!

Another Kangaskhan phantom materialized in the air, carrying terrifying power and perfectly replicating ga Kangaskhan's previous punch toward Bewear!

A notification appeared at that mont.

[Kangaskhan's "Parental Bond" ability activated!]

The phantom's strike crashed into Bewear, taking away its remaining HP.

[Bewear fainted!]

Cynthia froze, completely caught off guard.

Parental Bond??

What kind of ability was this???

Wasn't Kangaskhan supposed to have Inner Focus as its ability?

Had its ability changed after this special evolution?

With this thought, she quickly hovered her mouse over the notification, and information about the ability appeared.

[Ability: Parental Bond]

[Description: Pokémon with this ability, after using a move, will use the sa move again in the sa turn with half power, and this additional move can also trigger any effects the move carries.]

Cynthia understood it imdiately.

But now, she felt completely bewildered, her eyes wide.

anwhile, the chat in the livestream exploded.

[Holy crap?? What kind of overpowered ability is this—can it attack twice in one turn?]

[No wonder I was wondering why he'd use such a low-power move. Turns out using this move was enough to take down Bewear.]

[What if he used Swords Dance? Wouldn't that boost Attack four stages in one turn???]

[Invincible, absolutely invincible. Who can beat this thing?]

[Looking at it this way, Norman really was holding back—he didn't activate this ga Evolution thing when Kangaskhan was at full HP... and didn't send it out from the start, or it would've been over long ago.]

...

As the chat discussed intensely, Cynthia frowned and sent out Ludicolo.

The only strategy she could think of now was to use Ludicolo's speed advantage to confuse Kangaskhan and make it attack itself, like the earlier Slaking, to take away its remaining HP.

But the next mont, as Ludicolo appeared and the turn began, a scene filled with despair occurred.

Although ga Kangaskhan's ability had changed and was no longer Inner Focus, five turns had passed, and the Psychic Terrain covering the field had quietly dissipated.

That ant...

Kangaskhan's body transford into a brown blur, vanishing from its original spot. The next mont, it appeared directly in front of Ludicolo, swinging its fist with terrifying speed!

[ga Kangaskhan used Mach Punch!]

Ludicolo's HP bar plumted.

Since it had already taken heavy damage from its battle with Indeedee, it fainted before ga Kangaskhan's second attack could even trigger...

[Ludicolo fainted! The challenger has only one Pokémon left!]

The system's cold notification popped up, reminding Cynthia she was down to her final Pokémon.

At the sa ti, Cynthia clenched her fists and furrowed her brow.

After countless plans and attempts, this was her closest approach to victory yet.

All her decisions had been perfect, and she had fully utilized each Pokémon's strengths.

Yet against this "ga Kangaskhan," all her efforts felt futile.

Was she going to fail again?

She looked at ga Kangaskhan and Norman, standing behind it with arms crossed, and felt the urge to hit the reset button.

But just then, a golden notification appeared before her.

[Your Pokémon Sceptile wishes to volunteer for battle!]

Cynthia stared wide-eyed at the ssage.

On-screen, a red-and-white Poké Ball suddenly popped out, shaking violently.

Another notification followed.

[Will you respond to its expectations?]

This scene seed familiar.

The confusion and disappointnt in Cynthia's eyes vanished, replaced by unwavering determination!

It was just like that ti—when even her own Pokémon hadn't chosen to give up, what reason did she have to refuse battle?

She took a deep breath, selected Sceptile's Poké Ball, and released it.

"Sceptile, it's just

you and again... I'm counting on you!"

Red light flashed, and Sceptile's form stood proudly on the field. Strictly speaking, this was its first official battle since evolving.

But at this mont, the chat in the livestream began to discuss.

[Although Sceptile should be much stronger after evolving, I feel like this ti it probably won't make much difference.]

[The bond between Cynthia and Sceptile is pretty touching, but this really seems unwinnable...]

[It's not just hard to win—it's impossible. After all, that Kangaskhan now has output comparable to or exceeding Slaking's, and with two Attack boosts, its damage is doubled. Probably just one Mach Punch would be too much for Sceptile.]

[Right, don't forget this thing still has that ability that lets it attack twice...]

...

Naturally, the chat was pessimistic about Sceptile's chances.

There was no helping it—this situation seed like an inevitable dead end.

Unless Rotom was here and immune to Kangaskhan's guaranteed first-strike Mach Punch... that might create a slim chance.

But, unfortunately... what remained was Sceptile.

However, at this mont, Sceptile didn't know the chat was so pessimistic.

Facing such a powerful opponent, it raised its head and roared, fearlessly. A brilliant green light appeared on the blades of its arms, beginning to condense into a sphere.

This was its Grass-type special attack move "Energy Ball," which it had mastered after evolving!

But then, ga Kangaskhan, radiating a powerful presence, moved first!

It transford into a lightning-like blur, instantly appearing before Sceptile.

Its massive form lood like a king, ready to crush the forest monarch before it.

Brown light surged outward!

[ga Kangaskhan used Drain Punch!]

This ti, Kangaskhan didn't use Mach Punch but Drain Punch!

A Fighting-type move, it could convert half the damage into HP, healing itself.

Sceptile's speed was no match for this Kangaskhan.

Drain Punch crashed into it, scattering leaves in the air. Terrible damage exploded, sending Sceptile's HP bar plumting.

But it wasn't over—another phantom appeared, striking with another mighty punch!

[ga Kangaskhan's Parental Bond ability activated!]

[Critical hit!]

Sceptile was sent flying backward.

"Sceptile!"

Cynthia cried out in desperation.

At this mont, the chat fell silent.

Sceptile's defeat was devastating—many couldn't bear to watch anymore.

But just then, Sceptile... stood up again!

A golden notification appeared before Cynthia.

[Not wanting to worry its trainer, Sceptile forcibly endured the fatal attack!]

[Is this the bond between trainer and Pokémon?]

With this, Sceptile's HP bar froze at the final red dot.

The livestream viewers and Cynthia didn't feel inspired by the ssage.

ga Kangaskhan's "Drain Punch" had restored its HP from the previous one-third to a healthy level.

Even with Sceptile's "Overgrow" ability triggering, plus a critical hit, defeating this Kangaskhan seed impossible.

The viewers shook their heads.

[Too bad, this Sceptile is really stubborn to hang on.]

[It's just too weak... If it were Bewear that clutched, there might've been a chance.]

...

But just as the chat discussed with regret, a voice rang out in the livestream.

"Sceptile! You can do it!"

—It was Cynthia's voice!

She clenched her fists, now in an unprecedented state of seriousness.

Even though this was just a ga, as a trainer, seeing her Pokémon endure everything for the sake of winning together with her...

She couldn't help but feel pride and emotion, and wished she could truly stand by Sceptile and battle alongside it.

But at this mont, she still had sothing she could do.

She could use her voice to stand by Sceptile, no matter what!

Cynthia leaned close to the microphone, pressed the interaction key with all her might, and shouted with everything she had!

"No matter what, no matter win or lose... it doesn't matter!"

"Because you're my best partner and my pride!"

"So..."

"Please, give it everything you've got! Sceptile!!!"

Her shout echoed around Sceptile's ears, lingering for a long ti.

At that mont, it suddenly closed its eyes.

A humming sound, followed by a series of rapidly appearing notifications!!

[Sceptile seems to sense the connection between you and it!]

[Sothing seems to be... resonating between your souls?!]

A line of colorful text appeared.

[This appears to be...]

BOOM!!!!!

The next instant, an incomparable force erupted from Sceptile's body, bursting forth in brilliant rainbow radiance!!!

[—Even without a Key Stone, the ga Stone carried by Sceptile has been activated!!!]

[Because this is]

[The power of Friendship between Pokémon and trainer!!!]

۞۞۞۞

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