Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

Aoki was not surprised by Slowpoke's decision.

In a place like this, under such circumstances, if evolution was the choice, Slowking was definitely the best option.

After the psychic powers of Slowpoke surged, evolving into Slowking was the most suitable path.

In fact, if Aoki had to choose, there was a high probability he would have Slowpoke evolve into Slowking.

Although Slowpoke had the potential for Mega Evolution, Aoki had yet to even encounter a single Mega Stone.

Moreover, there were several Pokémon in Aoki's team that could Mega Evolve.

Blaziken, the final evolution of Torchic, Lairon's evolution into Aggron, and Haunter's evolution into Gengar.

All of them were capable of Mega Evolution.

Compared to Mega Evolving Slowpoke, Aoki felt that the Mega Evolution of those three Pokémon was more valuable.

Of course, the Mega Stone was the key, and it wasn't up to Aoki to decide who would Mega Evolve first.

Nodding, Aoki took out the King's Rock he had obtained from Shadow, retrieving it from his storage space.

Slowpoke had a serious expression. Although he didn't know how his Trainer knew about Slowking's evolution, he trusted him.

After all, he had only seen Slowpoke within his own group.

But for some reason, when he saw the King's Rock, an inexplicable impulse rose within Slowpoke, and with his heightened psychic powers, he could feel a strange energy radiating from the seemingly worn-out crown.

Aoki then took out a Pokéball that he had long prepared.

Inside was a Shellder he had found on Trial Island.

Although it wasn't a Shiny Shellder, its potential was high enough, and after evolution, it should be able to improve Slowpoke's potential by more than one level.

Additionally, due to the surge in psychic powers, Slowpoke's original aptitude had already been upgraded to light blue.

Shellder's level had no impact on Slowpoke's evolution.

Shellder was released from its Pokéball.

As soon as it appeared, the sleeping Slowpoke in the area gradually began to awaken.

There was a silent call to them, a call from their shared lineage.

Not only them, but Slowpoke and Shellder, both in possession of the King's Rock, also locked eyes, sensing the strong attraction between them.

Slowpoke seemed to understand what needed to be done and used psychic power to lift Shellder.

Placing it directly on his head.

Shellder, understanding its role, looked at Slowpoke's head as if seeing a delicious pink cake.

With a snap, it bit down.

In that moment!

As soon as the two Pokémon made contact, a bright white light enveloped them both.

Evolution!

Aoki and his other Pokémon stood by in silent anticipation.

Feeling the energy of Slowpoke's evolution, the Slowpoke who had been sleeping woke up fully.

All eyes locked onto the evolving Slowpoke.

Their gazes lit up with recognition.

They could sense something both familiar and foreign.

But more than anything, it was a presence worthy of reverence.

One by one, the Slowpoke lowered themselves toward the evolving Slowpoke.

They were witnessing the birth of their king!

A minute later, the white light faded, and a new Pokémon stood before them.

The once light pink skin had darkened considerably, now much darker than normal. The Slowpoke who had once moved on all fours was now standing on two feet.

With stronger hind limbs, the forelimbs had become thinner, and the tail had thickened significantly, balancing the Pokémon's posture.

Most strikingly, a crown-like white shell had formed on its head, with a red gem-like orb in the middle, shining like the most brilliant jewel atop a crown.

Around its neck, a collar-like structure had formed, resembling a regal bib.

Slowking!

Slowpoke had successfully evolved into Slowking!

And judging by Slowking's body color—

It was a Shiny Pokémon!

Whether it was due to Shellder's evolution having no impact on Slowpoke's appearance or just sheer luck, the evolution had resulted in a Shiny Pokémon.

Aoki couldn't be certain, but he leaned toward the first possibility.

Either way, the fact remained—Slowking was a Shiny Pokémon.

Slowking seemed slightly unaccustomed to walking on two legs. Taking his first steps shakily, he soon adapted.

Approaching Aoki, Slowking's new height—now reaching two meters including the shell on his head—towered over Aoki, who stood at just over 1.7 meters.

Moreover, the crown-like structure on Slowking's head meant Aoki could no longer pat his smooth, round forehead.

But now, as a king, he couldn't simply have his head patted.

The system activated, scanning Slowking's data.

Pokémon: Shiny Slowking (Dark Teal)

Gender: Male

Level: 37

Type: Water/Psychic

Ability: Own Tempo

Held Item: Leader's Aura

Egg Moves: Sleep Talk, Rain Dance, Teleport

Basic Moves: Curse, Yawn, Tackle, Growl, Water Gun, Confusion, Protect, Zen Headbutt, Slack Off, Heal Pulse, Power Gem, Trick

TM Moves: Calm Mind, Psychic, Miracle Eye (Shiny), Extrasensory (Shiny)

Tutor Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Fire), Stomp, Flamethrower

"This is... Leader's Aura?" Aoki was surprised to see that Slowking's potential had reached dark blue, but when he noticed Leader's Aura, he immediately understood.

Looking at the dark blue aptitude display for Slowking, he could see two faint blue filaments mixed in.

It had reached the peak of dark blue aptitude!

Only half a step away from light blue, but that final step could become a difficult barrier to cross.

However, Slowking had become the first Pokémon in Aoki's team to possess Leader's Aura.

In the past, Aoki had encountered a few Pokémon with this trait—Beedrill on Trial Island, Venomoth on an unnamed island, and Dustox on another unnamed island.

Aoki had attempted to capture Pokémon with Leader's Aura before, but the trait always seemed to disappear upon capture.

But Slowking had already been captured prior to acquiring Leader's Aura, and there was no sign of it fading.

Seeing the captivated Slowpoke behind him, Aoki understood.

Whether a Pokémon possessed Leader's Aura or not, it was only possible for a Pokémon to acquire it after being acknowledged by a group.

It was something intangible, yet held great influence.

"Slowking, let's go see your kin first," Aoki said with a smile.

He had been about to pat Slowking's head but stopped himself, settling for a pat on the shoulder instead.

Slowking nodded, an inexplicable sense of majesty on his face, something Aoki wasn't quite used to.

Sighing internally, he thought to himself, "The little one has grown into the king of his kind."