Erika's steps slowed—but her expression sharpened.
"…I still feel the energy," she said quietly.
Ethan stopped beside her. "Wait. So the Gible wasn't what you sensed?"
Erika shook her head. "No. That was loud. Wild. This is… deep."
Sabrina was already moving, eyes glowing faintly as psychic energy bled into the air like heat haze.
"Something is buried," she said. "And it doesn't want to be seen."
Ethan followed Erika as they moved past the cracked stone and guano-layered ground, toward a depression in the cave floor—unnatural, circular, like something had pressed into the earth rather than fallen.
"A sinkhole?" Lyra whispered.
"No," Bugsy muttered. "Too clean."
Sabrina raised a hand.
The ground trembled.
Stone groaned as psychic force peeled layers of dirt and hardened waste away, lifting them aside like discarded pages. From the center of the hollow, something dark caught the faint cave light.
Sabrina paused.
"…I have it."
She clenched her fist and pulled.
Something shot upward, hovering between her hands.
Everyone sucked in a breath.
It was a gem—jet black, polished to a mirror sheen, yet somehow swallowing the light around it instead of reflecting it. Purple wisps crawled beneath its surface like slow-moving smoke, and the air around it felt… cold. Not temperature-cold. Grave-cold.
Ethan stepped closer instinctively.
Haunter emerged beside him without being called, eyes wide, body flickering uneasily. It circled the object once, then twice.
"…Haunter?" Ethan asked.
Haunter gave a low, echoing laugh—half amused, half reverent.
Ethan reached out and took the gem.
The moment his fingers closed around it, the cave lights dimmed.
A pressure rolled outward, like a breath exhaled by something ancient.
"It's a Ghost Gem," Ethan said slowly.
Everyone stared at him.
Whitney blinked. "You say that like people just find those."
"They don't," Sabrina replied immediately. Her voice was tense now. "Not intact. Not pure."
Erika's aura flared, reacting sharply. "This isn't League-issued. This isn't crafted."
Bugsy swallowed. "Then what is it?"
Ethan looked down at the gem. It felt warm now. Familiar.
"…It's a catalyst," he said. "One that's been soaking in ghost-type energy for a very long time."
Haunter drifted closer, pressing its hands against the gem, eyes glowing brighter. For a moment, its form stabilized—sharper edges, denser shadow.
Lyra stared. "…Is it reacting?"
"Yes," Ethan said. Then, quieter: "It's choosing."
Sabrina's expression darkened.
"Then that explains the Zubat colony. The Crobat. Even the released Gastly."
Erika nodded slowly. "They weren't just living here."
"They were guarding it," Kitsu finished.
The cave rumbled again—soft, distant, like something settling back into sleep.
Ethan closed his hand around the Ghost Gem.
"…We're taking this with us," he said.
Bugsy let out a shaky laugh.
"Of course you are. Why wouldn't you find a cursed ancient artifact on day two of your journey."
Ethan sighed.
"I just wanted a sixth Pokémon."
Ethan looked down at Haunter, then at the gem.
"…Take it, buddy."
He placed the Ghost Gem into Haunter's waiting hands.
For a second—nothing happened.
Then the gem sank into Haunter's body like it had never been solid at all.
Haunter stiffened.
The shadows around it thickened, stretching longer across the cave walls. Its laugh echoed deeper than before, layered, like several voices overlapping for half a second before snapping back into one.
Not hostile.
Not out of control.
Just… stronger.
Haunter flexed its claws, staring at them with visible satisfaction.
Lyra blinked. "…Okay. That was cool. Also terrifying."
She glanced at Ethan. "So what does it actually do?"
Sabrina answered before Ethan could, her tone precise.
"Artificial Type Gems amplify attacks of their type by roughly thirty percent. They're regulated, tracked, and expensive."
She looked at where the gem had been.
"Natural ones like that aren't regulated. They aren't made."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"They form when type energy condenses over decades—sometimes centuries—around a single focal point."
Whitney frowned. "And the boost?"
"Up to fifty percent," Sabrina said flatly.
Bugsy stared at Haunter. "…So you just handed a walking ghost nuke to your Pokémon."
Ethan shrugged. "He earned it."
Haunter drifted closer to Ethan's shoulder, visibly calmer now, almost protective. The oppressive feeling in the cave eased, like a held breath finally released.
Erika exhaled slowly. "The energy's stabilizing."
Kitsu crossed her arms, eyeing Haunter. "You trust him that much?"
Ethan didn't hesitate.
"Yeah."
He met Haunter's gaze.
"And he trusts me."
Haunter gave a short, smug laugh.
Sabrina looked thoughtful now. "That gem wasn't reacting to power alone."
Ethan glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
"It responded to intent," she said. "You didn't claim it. You gave it."
Silence settled for a moment.
Bugsy broke it with a groan.
"I left my town to study bugs and now I'm watching ghost artifacts bond with bat-men."
Lyra patted his shoulder. "You'll be okay."
"…Will I though?"
Ethan smiled faintly as he turned toward the tunnel exit.
"Let's move. Before this cave decides to give us something else."
Behind them, unseen in the dark, the last traces of lingering ghost-type energy finally dispersed—
as if something ancient had accepted the choice… and let them go.
They walked a little farther through the cave, boots crunching over stone and… other things everyone agreed not to think about.
Then Kitsu froze.
"…No."
Everyone turned.
Ahead, half-hidden behind a rock ledge, was a small blue Pokémon with a hard skull and stubby arms, repeatedly headbutting the stone wall like it personally offended him.
A Bagon.
Kitsu stared at it for exactly two seconds.
"MINE."
She whipped out a Pokéball and launched it.
The ball smacked the Bagon square in the forehead with a hollow thunk.
The poor thing dropped like a sack of bricks.
Silence.
Bugsy slowly turned to her. "…You didn't even battle it."
Kitsu crossed her arms. "It started it."
The Pokéball clicked once.
Twice.
Then locked shut.
Capture confirmed.
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "You know, usually people weaken them first."
"I did," Kitsu said, pointing. "Emotionally."
She picked up the Pokéball, holding it like a trophy.
"I'm naming it Shimo."
The ball shook once, like it wanted to argue, then went still.
Lyra stared. "You just assaulted a future pseudo-legendary."
Sabrina nodded calmly. "Efficient. Excessive. Emotion-driven."
Whitney clapped once. "Honestly? Very on-brand."
Ethan sighed, then smiled despite himself. "Congratulations. You just caught one of the rarest Dragon-types in Johto."
Kitsu grinned back. "Good. It'll keep up."
From inside the Pokéball, Shimo gave a faint, indignant thud.
Somewhere deeper in the cave, something else shifted—heavy, slow, and old.
Ethan felt it through Dragon Force, just for a second.
He looked ahead into the darkness.
"…Let's keep moving," he said.
Because whatever else lived down here?
They'd already taken enough of its patience for one day.
The sunlight felt illegal after that cave.
Everyone just kinda stood there for a second, blinking like they'd been flashbanged by nature itself.
Lyra stretched her arms. "Wow. I forgot the sky was a thing."
Sabrina adjusted her gloves, eyes calm as ever. "Union Cave has a habit of draining momentum. Mentally and physically."
Whitney sighed dramatically, hands on her hips. "Momentum? My Pokémon didn't even flinch. Everyone else is out here evolving like it's a clearance sale."
Miltank gave a cheerful "Tan~!" like it was personally offended by the accusation.
Ethan snorted and gently patted Whitney's head. "Hey. Growth isn't a race."
Whitney puffed her cheeks… then smiled. "Yeah. I know."
Nearby—
Haunter floated lazily, the gem Ethan gave it now faintly glowing, dark energy pulsing with every mischievous grin.
Flaaffy shook its wool, sparks crackling as it let out a confident "Baa!"
Bayleef leaned against Bugsy's leg, proud little leaf bobbing.
Quilava's flames flickered brighter than before, excitement barely contained.
Weepinbell swayed happily, vines twitching like it was itching for another fight.
Lyra looked around, smiling softly. "Honestly? No one got seriously hurt. We caught new Pokémon. Evolutions happened."
She glanced at Kitsu.
"…And someone committed a felony against a Bagon."
Kitsu crossed her arms. "It looked at me funny."
Shimo the Bagon peeked out of its Poké Ball, blinked once, then immediately curled back up like, yep, this is my life now.
Sabrina gave a small nod. "Despite the chaos… today was productive."
Ethan smiled at the group, the wind brushing past them as the road ahead stretched forward.
"Yeah," he said. "Good day."
The journey continued—
stronger, louder, and with significantly more Pokémon than they had this morning.
Azalea Town finally came into view—quiet, green, and mercifully not underground.
Bugsy practically lit up the moment his feet hit familiar ground. "Home…" he breathed, like a man returning from war.
They passed by Slowpoke Well, the drowsy pink Pokémon lounging around like the concept of urgency had personally offended them.
Lyra tilted her head. "Are they… always like that?"
Bugsy nodded proudly. "Yes."
Whitney blinked. "How does this town function?"
"It doesn't," Ethan said immediately. "It vibes."
Inside the Pokémon Center, the atmosphere was warm and familiar—and immediately broken when Falkner looked up from the counter.
He froze.
"…What took you all so long?"
Ethan didn't miss a beat. "Not everyone has flying types."
Falkner smirked. "Skill issue."
Bugsy opened his mouth to argue—then stopped when Falkner casually pulled out a badge.
The Hive Badge.
Bugsy stopped moving.
"…You already defeated Master?"
Falkner nodded. "Yeah."
Bugsy's eye twitched. "Already?"
Falkner scratched the back of his head. "Your master was no joke. I lost five out of six Pokémon."
The room went quiet.
Whitney slowly turned to Bugsy. "Your Bug-type Gym Leader took down five of his Flying-types?"
Bugsy puffed his chest just a little. "Master doesn't play."
Sabrina, arms crossed, spoke calmly. "That aligns with what we observed. Gym Leaders do not scale down their experience—only their teams."
Ethan exhaled through his nose. "So Azalea's gym isn't gonna be a 'Bug-type tutorial,' is it."
Bugsy grinned, sharp and proud. "Nope."
Kitsu cracked her knuckles. "Good."
Falkner glanced at her, then at the rest of the group, eyes gleaming.
"Just don't underestimate him."
Bugsy looked toward the gym, expression serious for once.
"…He won't underestimate you either."
Ethan walked over to the call line and cracked his knuckles.
"I'm calling my family."
He dialed the home number.
The screen flickered—and Midori appeared, lounging back with her usual I-know-more-than-you smile.
"What's up, little bro?"
Ethan didn't even greet her. "Good. So—about my Gible?"
Midori snorted. "Straight to business, huh? Yeah. Little guy's getting used to the house. He's already bonded with Tade-Ai."
Ethan nodded, unsurprised. "Makes sense. She can talk to Pokémon."
Midori leaned closer to the screen, eyes sharp. "So. Why'd you really call?"
Ethan inhaled. "…Can you guys increase my carry limit."
Midori blinked once.
"…Mine and Kitsu's."
She immediately shook her head. "Nope. Dad's orders."
Ethan stared at her.
Just stared.
"I am responsible," he said flatly.
Midori laughed. "That's what every disaster says right before it happens."
Before Ethan could argue, another presence leaned into the frame.
Rainbow hair. Calm eyes. A smile that somehow felt warmer and scarier than Midori's.
Their mother.
Erza Harmonia.
"Hello, my son."
Ethan straightened instantly. "Hi, Mom."
Erza looked at him fondly, then tilted her head. "I heard something about increasing your Pokémon carry limit?"
"Yes," Ethan said immediately. "I can handle it."
Erza smiled gently.
"Win your second badge first."
Ethan opened his mouth.
She raised a finger.
"Then," she continued, still smiling, "we will talk about increasing your Pokémon carry limit."
The smile sharpened—just a little.
"Show us that you understand restraint before we give you more responsibility."
Ethan exhaled slowly. "…Fair."
Midori smirked. "Told you."
Erza's gaze softened again. "How are you holding up?"
Ethan glanced around the Pokémon Center—his friends, his team, the road ahead.
"…Good," he said honestly. "Gym leaders don't pull its punches."
Erza nodded, pride flickering in her eyes.
"Good. They shouldn't."
The call ended.
Ethan stepped back from the screen.
Whitney leaned over. "So… grounded by your mom?"
Ethan sighed. "Badge-locked."
Bugsy grinned. "Welcome to Azalea Town."
Kitsu crossed her arms, eyes gleaming toward the gym.
"Then let's earn that second badge."
Ethan smiled.
"Yeah," he said. "Let's."
Ethan looked at Sabrina once more.
"Now that we're here…"
They were on the second floor of the Pokémon Center—the trade floor. Clean, quiet, humming softly with machinery and contained energy. The kind of place where important things happened.
Ethan placed Haunter's Pokéball onto the platform.
Sabrina did the same with Kadabra's.
The machine came alive.
Lights flickered. Rings rotated. A low harmonic tone filled the room—not loud, but felt, like pressure behind the ears. The two Pokéballs vanished in twin flashes of light.
Whitney leaned forward. "Here we go…"
The trade completed.
Then—without hesitation—they traded them back.
And that's when things got interesting.
The machine didn't shut down.
Instead, the hum deepened. The air grew dense, charged. The lights shifted color—not white, but tinged with purple and gold.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "There it is…"
Sabrina's expression was calm, but focused. "The resonance."
Violet's explanation echoed in Ethan's mind.
Training evolutions are artificial adaptations.
Trade evolutions, stone evolutions—those interact directly with the Type Core.
The machine wasn't just swapping ownership.
It was placing the Pokémon's Type Core and Type Energy Field into a very specific configuration—momentarily destabilizing them, then forcing them to re-align at a higher state.
A controlled shock.
Haunter's light twisted, stretched—
—and then snapped inward.
The machine flared.
A heavy presence slammed into the room.
The Pokéball dropped onto the tray with a thud.
At the same time, Kadabra's energy spiked sharply, its psychic wavelength exploding outward before collapsing back in on itself.
The lights cut out for half a second.
Then—
Click.
The tray slid forward.
Two Pokéballs rested there.
Ethan reached for his first.
The ball burst open.
A massive shadow spilled out, coalescing into a towering figure with a jagged grin, crimson eyes burning with intelligence and hunger.
Gengar floated forward, its presence cold and heavy, like the room itself had learned fear.
Whitney shivered. "Why does it feel like it's judging me."
Gengar grinned wider.
Ethan smirked. "Yeah… that tracks."
Beside him, Sabrina released her Pokémon.
Psychic energy flared—clean, sharp, refined.
Alakazam appeared, taller, broader, spoons gleaming as if freshly forged. Its eyes opened slowly, glowing with calm authority.
No wasted motion. No excess power.
Just control.
Sabrina met its gaze.
Alakazam inclined its head—not as a servant.
As an equal.
Lyra swallowed. "Okay. That's terrifying in two very different ways."
Bugsy stared between them. "Why do trade evolutions always feel like they just skipped three seasons of training?"
Ethan looked at Gengar, who floated beside him like a smug nightmare.
"Because they didn't grow stronger slowly," he said.
"They were reconstructed."
Gengar chuckled—a deep, echoing sound that absolutely should not have been possible.
Sabrina recalled Alakazam and turned to Ethan.
"Your turn paid off."
Ethan nodded, recalling Gengar as well.
"Worth it."
He glanced toward the stairs—toward Azalea Town, the gym, and the next badge.
"…Now," he said, grin returning, "let's make Mom regret giving me conditions."
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy