Agatha and Natsuhiko stood quietly for a long time, without speaking.
Neither knew what to say.
Even the experienced Agatha was somewhat shocked upon witnessing this scene.
For Natsuhiko, the impact was even greater than when Tom Rokicki mercilessly harvested Electric-type Pokémon, draining them of their Electric Energy.
Even those who treat Pokémon as mere tools would not remain unmoved by this scene.
Meanwhile.
Natsuhiko also understood the reason for the creation of the Dark Stone.
The accumulation of such dense death energy...
"These Pokémon have been dead for some time now, at least a month or even longer. The unrest among wild Pokémon around Goldenrod City is largely related to this," Agatha's cold voice echoed.
Natsuhiko fell silent.
Indeed.
The allure of the Life Crystal is one aspect, but the wild Pokémon likely sense a looming crisis.
If they don't take action, they might be the next to disappear silently.
This is truly out of desperation, choosing instinctively to resist.
"Gengar!" Gengar growled lowly.
Though it is a Ghost-type Pokémon, its mood was also affected.
Upon hearing Gengar, Agatha lowered her gaze.
Then she watched as Gengar wrapped up batches of Pokémon corpses and tossed them into the shadows.
"Abra."
Seeing Gengar's actions, Abra also stepped in to help, using psychic power to lift the corpses of the wild Pokémon into Gengar's shadow.
Gradually.
With their combined efforts, the fields of Pokémon corpses were cleared away.
Giving them a resting place of sorts.
"Gengar."
After completing this task, Gengar nodded in acknowledgment to Abra, lacking its usual teasing demeanor.
"Abra."
Abra responded in turn.
It gained a new understanding of Gengar.
"Gengar!"
Suddenly, Gengar straightened up, staring fiercely ahead.
"Looks like you've found them."
Leaning on her cane, Agatha's voice was soft, yet carried an endless chill.
In her past, she fought her way to become an Elite Four.
Now, Agatha...
is the true Ghost-type Elite!
"Young Natsuhiko." Agatha suddenly turned her head, "Take care of yourself, alright?"
Natsuhiko was startled.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
With Agatha's Haunter for protection and Abra's Instant Movement providing an escape route, Natsuhiko was confident in his safety.
He also wanted to see what those people planned to emerge, having spent so much effort and cost.
Boom!!
Gengar continuously used Shadow Ball, smashing through sections of rock walls.
Demanding on pure strength, cutting through several tunnels, leaving Abra following behind wide-eyed.
Shadow Ball can be used this way?
Learning something new.
Agatha followed silently behind Gengar as if strolling.
Her feet didn't touch the ground, unaffected by the terrain.
Boom!!
With another heavy rock wall shattered, a massive underground cavern filled with dim yellow light appeared ahead.
Torches were neatly placed along the rocky walls, illuminating the cavern.
Also visible were figures draped in black robes, staring fervently at the platform and the stone wall behind it.
The commotion caused by Gengar destroying the rock wall alarmed them, making them turn around, glaring viciously at the sudden appearance of Gengar and Agatha.
"Found you, rodents."
Agatha moved from behind Gengar to its side, looking at the black-robed people before her, eyes devoid of emotion.
In her younger days, the Alliance's system and policies weren't as refined as they are now; many met their end by her hand for the stability of the Kanto Region.
However, with the region's gradual stabilization, the Rocket Team has also quieted down, and her interventions have become less frequent.
But today.
This moment.
Agatha had never wanted so much to kill, to wipe out this group of black-robed individuals, this scum!
Whoosh— Whoosh—
Two Pokeballs were thrown.
Arbok and Mismagius appeared with a flash of red light.
Natsuhiko's eyes flickered slightly.
'Agatha is getting serious now.'
"Hehe—Agatha Elite Four, you've arrived surprisingly quicker than I anticipated."
A somewhat playful and resigned voice came from behind the group of black-robed figures.
They cleared a path for Tamechi to walk to the forefront.
He ran his hand through his golden short hair, slicking it back, revealing a lean, sharp, and manic face.
The ring on his forefinger sparkled with that not-so-small red stone.
'It's him!'
Hidden in the shadows behind Agatha, Natsuhiko's eyes couldn't help but shrink upon seeing this person.
He knew this man!
A member of the bar where he attended several gatherings before.
More precisely, the bartender of the "Brave Bar!"
Ever since Onix was sold, leading to Natsuhiko being targeted, there had been suspicions about some people within the bar, perhaps Old Bill, perhaps "Breeder," but never did he think it was this bartender.
Natsuhiko had a deep impression of that red stone ring.
Agatha glanced upward at the towering stone wall behind the platform; though quiet, she and Gengar could feel something lurking within.
"It's alright." Agatha spoke to herself, then looked at Tamechi, "Being a rat requires the awareness and position of a rat, but now it seems you are not even qualified for that."
Tamechi chuckled softly.
"Heh—rats can chew through dams too..."
Then he waved his hand gently, "Attack!"
At his command, dozens of black-robed people threw Pokeballs simultaneously, summoning Pokémon after Pokémon.
Without considering the massive gap between them and their intended targets.
"Arbok, Snake Pattern speed."
"Mismagius, Stealth Spirit Assault."
"Gengar, Shadow Ball."
Agatha's orders were given, and the three Pokémon immediately sprang into action.
The black-robed people's Pokémon faced Agatha's trio as if caught in a dimensional onslaught, powerless to resist.
And yet, they continued to charge forward regardless.
It's almost as if...
"Like they're willingly marching to their deaths?"
Natsuhiko murmured his guess, or perhaps it wasn't even a guess anymore.
At the same time, Tamechi was retreating step by step, slowly moving to the platform above.
A Chandelure appeared beside him, resembling a European-style chandelier, with the blue flame at its center burning fiercely and becoming increasingly robust.
The more black-robed individuals and their Pokémon perished, the stronger the flames atop Chandelure grew.
With this theory floating in his mind, Natsuhiko paused.
"This is too ruthless... are they sacrificing themselves as offerings? Providing Life Energy? He calculated that Agatha would be here from the start, and her arrival would be the final piece of his plan..."
Much like some fanatically loyal religious zealots.
"Agatha Elite Four..."
"I see it." Agatha interrupted Natsuhiko's reminder.
Holding her cane, her gaze unyielding.
"Even if that's the case, this scum must die!"
Natsuhiko shrugged.
Alright.
It's a blatant strategy; even if Agatha didn't act, they might still choose to die fanatically.
Meanwhile.
Grinning, Tamechi placed his hand beneath Chandelure, allowing several glistening "Life Crystals" to slide into his palm.
The cultivation of a Chandelure will naturally absorb a Trainer's Life Energy or even soul.
But if fed with other Life Energy...
——————
Ten guaranteed updates upon launch~~