Eroking
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Chapter 184: The Evolution Festival
🕑 Added 2025-09-06 13:38:03 +0000 UTCChapter 184: The Evolution Festival
The nights in the Hidden Land were restless, filled with the sounds of Pokémon. Basalt hadn't gotten a good night's sleep. Fortunately, their cave was well-hidden, and with the quicksand perimeter, no Pokémon had managed to break in.
In the morning, when Excadrill cleared the boulder from the entrance, they found a few Pokémon—a Rattata, a Venonat, and an Ekans—trapped and sleeping in the sand.
"Did you put them all to sleep?" Basalt asked.
"Yes," Bronzor replied. "I used Gravity first to deter them. For the ones that persisted, I used Hypnosis. Luckily, none of them were very strong."
"Alright, then. Let's leave them be. Time to head east," Basalt said, shouldering his pack. His only goal now was to get Bronzor back to its clan. Everything else was secondary.
After walking for about half an hour, they came across a battlefield. The vegetation was destroyed, and the rocks were scorched and corroded. A massive, purple, cobra-like Pokémon with black stripes lay unconscious on the ground, its body covered in severe burns.
"An Arbok," Basalt recognized it. As one of the most feared predators in the forest, its venom was incredibly potent.
"This must have happened last night," he deduced, examining the scene. "Its opponent was a Fire-type, and a strong one at that. There aren't many wild Fire-types in this Hidden Land, so it must have been another trainer."
After continuing east for two more days, they finally saw it: a majestic mountain, its peak shrouded in clouds.
"Mount Veridian! We're almost there!" Bronzor exclaimed with excitement. That mountain was the landmark of its Bronzong clan's territory.
"Finally," Basalt said, feeling a surge of excitement himself.
"Oh my gosh! The irises are blooming!" Bronzor's voice trembled as it pointed to a field of purple flowers.
"What's so special about that?" Basalt asked.
"Every year," Bronzor explained, its excitement palpable, "when the irises bloom, our clan holds a great festival. During the festival, the younger Bronzor are allowed to enter the clan's sacred grounds to absorb special metals that strengthen their bodies. Then, under the light of the morning sun, they undergo a ritual to evolve!"
"An Evolution Festival?" Basalt was stunned.
As it spoke of evolution, Bronzor's body began to tremble. It had watched Excadrill evolve and grow stronger, and it was undeniably envious. This festival was its chance.
"I wonder if it's already over," it said, its excitement turning to anxiety.
"Well, let's hurry up and find out," Basalt said, estimating the distance. "It's still at least twenty kilometers away. That's going to take at least a day on foot."
"No need," Bronzor said, spinning in the air. "We can fly!"
"Fly? But that's incredibly dangerous," Basalt said. The skies of the Hidden Land were just as territorial as the ground.
"Don't worry," Bronzor said with a confident tone. "Once we're in the mountains, we'll be in the territory of my Bronzong clan. With me here, no one will dare to attack."
"You're that much of a big shot?"
"Of course. Our clan's elder is one of the most powerful beings in this entire Hidden Land. Many smaller clans are our allies. Who would dare to disrespect us?" Bronzor's psychic power lifted Basalt into the air. "You can recall Excadrill. I'll carry you. We'll be at Mount Veridian in an hour, guaranteed!"
Basalt looked down at Excadrill. "Let's let it run," he decided. "It's fast enough to keep up, and it's better to have it ready in case of trouble."
"Suit yourself," Bronzor said.
They took to the air, with Excadrill running on the ground below. As they flew, they passed over a troop of Aipom, a Persian with a gleaming gem on its forehead, and a flock of Spearow and Fearow. None of them attacked. They simply watched as the Bronzor passed, then retreated.
"See? I told you I could protect you," Bronzor said smugly.
"Alright, I was wrong. You're the boss," Basalt admitted, giving it a thumbs-up.
CRACK!
The moment the words left his mouth, a dark rock shot out from below, moving with incredible speed, and slammed squarely into Bronzor.
DONG!
The sound of a large bell being struck echoed through the mountains. Bronzor's flight faltered, and it began to fall from the sky like a chunk of scrap metal. At the same time, its psychic hold on Basalt wavered, and he, too, began to plummet.
"You said you could protect me!" was the last thought that flashed through his mind before he hit the ground. Bronzor, you traitor!
