Chapter 92: Evolution

Chapter 92: Evolution

A dazzling, radiant white light tightly enveloped Lu Yun’s battered body, and a crisp, bell-like humming reverberated through the air. Deep within his cells, ancient genes awakened from their slumber, transforming into a profound and mighty power coursing through his bloodline.

The small figure, crouched low on the ground, revealed under nature’s enigmatic creativity a miracle born of ever-shifting destiny. As though wrapped within a cocoon of pure white light, the brilliance of evolution became the gentlest, warmest cradle, nurturing the shadow of life within.

The Thunder Stone pendant at Lu Yun's neck was gently lifted by the soft white glow, as if responding to a call from fate. Silently, it shattered, releasing a sudden surge of thick, dazzling plasma. At once, under the deft guidance of the light of evolution—absorbing, merging—it became the richest nourishment for transformation.

Years of absorbing the Dragon Crystal had left a deposit of blue-violet draconic energy deep within his body. Now, this power too erupted, laying the foundation for his owner’s leap across species.

Within the pure white light of evolution, golden currents intertwined with blue-violet dragon energy, singing a hymn to the ascension of life.

...

The Goodra could not help but halt in its tracks. Already in its final form, it understood perfectly well that the detestable Mareep before it was undergoing the most vital metamorphosis a Pokémon could experience—evolution.

It also knew that with just a little interference now, it could halt Mareep’s evolution and leave it with permanent, crippling aftereffects.

Yet... it would not, nor did it deign to do so. The pride of a dragon pseudo-legendary was etched deep in Goodra’s very bones. Rather than resorting to underhanded tricks, it preferred to face its rival head-on, to triumph over a stronger foe with honor.

So it stepped back a few paces, panting as it regained its strength, and waited quietly.

By the battlefield’s edge, the light of evolution reflected in Norn’s deep eyes, unable to conceal the blaze of fighting spirit that burned like a roaring fire within.

“Yes...”
“That’s it!”

She bared her white teeth in a wide grin. Her once gentle smile now brimmed with a wild, intense madness. The faint sense of danger emanating from the battlefield sent a thrill surging through her, filling her with excitement.

At her waist, the last Poké Ball seemed to sense its trainer’s agitation and trembled faintly.

...

In the private box, Damalanqi paused in the midst of his stretching.

He did not sit; instead, he simply stood, gazing towards the field with surprise and delight in his eyes.

From the television beside him came a cacophony of voices.

“Ev... it’s evolving!”
“Lanny’s Mareep is evolving at a moment of crisis!”

Audrey leapt to her feet, both hands braced against the table, her expression brimming with excitement.

“Incredible, truly incredible.”

Professor Shutian adjusted his glasses perched on his nose, peering closely as he spoke in earnest.

Every contestant in the League Championship had overcome numerous difficult trials. Any Pokémon making it to the finals had been tempered by battle, and with the exception of a few with particularly stringent conditions, most had already reached their final stage—no opportunists here.

Instances of evolution during live battles were rare indeed.

Yet now, Lu Yun had unwittingly set two new records for the League Conference: the first Mareep to appear in the League finals, and the first Pokémon to complete its evolution on the finals stage.

...

The hum of evolution echoed through the air, and within the blinding, searing white light, Lu Yun felt a maddening itch accompanied by a tearing pain throughout his body. His frame was swelling, immense energy pouring into his shell like it was a bottomless abyss. Transformation was underway.

Slowly, gradually, the piercing white light began to contract, growing softer and more gentle. The mysterious figure hidden within the glow started to emerge in outline.

And as the light shrank to its deepest core—as if becoming a sheen upon its owner’s smooth new skin—it suddenly burst.

Countless motes of white light scattered across the arena like a brilliant meteor shower falling from the black heavens, slowly fading and dissipating.

Evolution was complete!

Lu Yun’s elongated form became visible on the field. Smooth, resilient tangerine-orange skin gleamed under the bright lights, tinged with a blue-violet sheen that hinted at the draconic energy deep within his genes.

Two crystal-clear, ruby-like spheres—one set in his forehead, one at the tip of his tail—shone with brilliant golden light. Look closely, and one could even see, through their semi-transparent surfaces, the delicate, liquid-like plasma flowing within.

Round, jet-black markings with a jade-like luster coiled around his body, while invisible currents stirred at his head and ears, blurring the air around him.

From the Johto region, the Lamp Pokémon—Ampharos—had arrived!

Lu Yun was momentarily dazed. Though he had experienced evolution before, this transformation was astonishingly profound. Energy surged through him like a boundless sea, explosive force pulsed in every fiber of his being.

He raised his palm and gently closed his fist.

Buzz—

The air compressed with a sudden, plaintive cry. A surge of powerful electric energy erupted around Lu Yun, forming a semi-circular golden barrier that radiated outwards, sparking with scorching lightning.

“What power...”

Goodra’s eyes flashed with shock. Even the residual waves of Lu Yun’s energy forced it to cross its arms before itself, straining to withstand the assault.

Lu Yun stood lightly in place, shaking his slightly aching head. As if nature itself had rewarded his leap across the evolutionary threshold, his mind was suddenly filled with a host of techniques he had never before learned.

Like drawing cards from a deck, Lu Yun sifted through the myriad skills in his mind and picked one at random.

“This move seems to be called...”
“Charge Beam?”

Zzzap—

Suddenly, currents surged. Numerous golden electric spheres, each ringed with glowing bands, materialized around Lu Yun and floated lazily in the air. Each orb contained energy as terrifying as his most powerful pre-evolution Thunder Shock.

Layer upon layer, a multitude of golden spheres gathered before him. At the very center, a pure white point of light appeared abruptly—dazzling as a solar flare, radiating immense heat.

With a mass of electric energy amassed, a beam of pale yellow—almost blinding white—shot forth.

In an instant, accompanied by a terrifying howl, the air was torn asunder. The temperature difference from the searing heat condensed countless droplets of water, forming thick white vapor that spread across the field.

Boom!!!

Light, electricity, and heat wove together into a profound calamity, engulfing Goodra’s body entirely.