Pokémon: When the World Changed

Chapter 601 596: The Hidden Secret

"Fortunately Absol was there. If it hadn't unleashed that terrifying power..."

"Even if I had released all my Pokémon, I might not have been able to defeat that Hydreigon."

Recalling the previous battle, Ethan still felt a slight chill.

After all, the other four Pokémon on his team were only at the Quasi-Professional level; there was still some distance to the true Professional level, and even more against a Quasi-Elite level Pokémon.

That was why his victory had contained an element of luck.

At the same time, it awakened a strong sense of urgency in him.

If he wanted to change this situation, he had to become stronger... much stronger!

"Abbssss!"

Seeing that the battle had ended, Absol also sighed in relief.

Then, the Dark Force that surrounded it completely dissipated.

Step by step, with heavy movements, Absol walked toward Ethan. When it arrived in front of him, it showed a relaxed smile. But just as Ethan was about to congratulate it, its body suddenly weakened.

With a loud thud, Absol collapsed heavily onto the ground!

"Absol!"

At that instant, Ethan and all the Pokémon rushed nervously toward it.

Without hesitation, Ethan took out a large amount of pokéblocks from his backpack and put them into Absol's mouth.

At the same time, Slowking used without hesitation its only recovery move, Heal Pulse, to heal it.

Lucario also used the move Copycat, copying Slowking's Heal Pulse and immediately casting it as well.

"It's no use... we have to take Absol to the guild immediately!"

After stabilizing it slightly, Ethan returned all the Pokémon, except Charizard and Vibrava, to their Poké Balls.

Then he mounted Charizard and, under the support of Vibrava's Tailwind move, flew toward the direction where Meltan had sensed the exit of the Secret Kingdom.

...

At that moment, in the plaza of the Secret Kingdom.

A group of Pokémon Hunters guarded the entrance of the dimensional passage.

All of them kept their eyes fixed on the portal, preventing any accidents.

Suddenly, before everyone's astonished gaze, the passage began to shine.

"What's happening?"

"Check the portal immediately, there must not be any mistake!"

The examiner of the Pokémon Hunter exam changed expression.

Soon, researchers approached to inspect it.

"The passage has been activated. Something is crossing from the other side!"

The researcher spoke with surprise.

"The passage has opened?"

"Did someone already find and activate the exit?"

Some hunters showed doubt. According to previous experience, this type of test usually took at least a week to complete.

"Everyone, stay alert. It may not necessarily be an examinee. It could be a Pokémon invading the real world."

The examiner frowned. Only a day and a half had passed; it was impossible for someone to find the exit so quickly.

While he was thinking about it, a figure suddenly emerged from the portal.

It was a Charizard that shot straight into the sky!

"It's Charizard... and there's someone riding it!"

The hunters who were about to attack stopped.

"It's Ethan!"

"If anyone could pass the test that quickly, it could only be him."

The instructor showed slight joy upon recognizing him.

But just as he was about to approach to ask about the situation inside the Secret Kingdom, he saw that Charizard did not stop at all and accelerated toward the sky.

"What's going on?"

"Something's wrong, chase him!"

The hunters' expressions changed.

The Quasi-Elite level examiner reacted first and released his Pidgeot, which flew out in pursuit.

From the air, Ethan also noticed the movement and frowned.

"They're chasing me?"

"I could stop to explain... But Absol's condition is critical. I can't waste even a second."

After hesitating, he decided not to slow down.

Pidgeot chased him at great speed.

Just when the examiner thought he would catch up, Ethan released Slowking.

In the next instant, using the move Teleport, Ethan and Charizard disappeared.

In the distance, they reappeared in the sky without losing speed.

"Teleport?"

The examiner frowned. But before he could continue the pursuit, Charizard disappeared again!

It appeared and disappeared repeatedly until it vanished into the horizon.

"How is that possible?!"

"It's the move Teleport! Can it be used so continuously?"

What he didn't know was that Slowking and the Shellder on its head were alternating to use the move Teleport, giving the impression of uninterrupted use.

...

Only two hours later.

Thanks to the Teleport move of Slowking and Shellder, the maximum use of Vibrava's Levitate ability and Tailwind move, and Charizard's explosive speed, they arrived at the Sky Secret Kingdom.

Upon arriving at the central headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers Guild, Ethan rushed directly into the office of the Grand President Beckett.

After learning about Absol's situation, Grand President Beckett did not hesitate: he took his Poké Ball and headed to the treatment room.

Using Gardevoir's Teleport move, he immediately disappeared.

Exhausted, Ethan collapsed onto the floor.

Charizard, Vibrava, and Slowking were just as exhausted.

"Absol... you have to be alright..." he murmured before losing consciousness.

...

"Ah... so it left. Well, that's probably for the best. I don't like farewells. Besides, it was Absol's decision. It also didn't want me to see it in that state."

In the plaza of the headquarters, Ethan sighed as he gazed at the scenery.

After the stabilization of its Dark Force, although its injuries were still severe, Grand President Beckett decided to transfer it to the League to receive the best treatment in the world.

The next time they met would be when the Dark League was destroyed.

"I thought you would go say goodbye."

Alex's voice sounded from behind.

Dressed as a traveler, with his Charizard beside him.

"I don't like farewells."

Ethan waved his hand.

"Then I came at a bad time... but I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving on a journey."

"I already told you I don't like farewells."

Ethan sighed, then handed him a Poké Ball.

"Take Magmortar with you. When you arrive at Solaris City, give it to Master Leo. I won't be able to leave the headquarters for now."

Alex nodded.

"Don't worry. The president will protect you. And the League promised to explain what happened. The Hunters Guild won't be able to do anything to you."

Ethan sighed. What was supposed to be a simple test had turned into chaos.

...

At the same time, in a meeting room.

Grand President Beckett and several leaders were watching the recording extracted from Ethan's device.

On the screen, his entry into the Secret Kingdom could be seen.

"Look, he's going in a straight line. It seems he found the exit directly."

Everyone was surprised. Only one day had passed.

How did he find it?

Since Ethan had carefully hidden Meltan when activating the device, the method was not visible.

"Wait! What's that?"

"Hydreigon!"

"It's not wild! There's someone riding it!"

When they heard the conversation between Ethan and the man in black, their faces darkened.

Clearly, he was not a normal examinee.

"Who leaked the information about Absol?"

Even Grand President Beckett showed anger.

Absol was his secret weapon against the Dark League.

Then they watched the battle.

"A Quasi-Elite level Bisharp?!"

"How is that possible?"

When they saw the strength of the metallic Sandslash and Vibrava, they were even more surprised.

Both were Professional level, but their temporary power rivaled the Quasi-Elite level.

And finally, Absol...

"It can control the Dark Force!"

"It also reached the Quasi-Elite level!"

Everyone began to reevaluate its strategic value.

Then the recording cut off.

"Why did he turn off the device?"

"How did he actually win?"

"With only those Pokémon he couldn't defeat Hydreigon."

There was something hidden.

What secret was he hiding?

Grand President Beckett turned off the video.

"That is Ethan's secret. I gathered you here so you could reevaluate his result. With Absol's contribution, he must receive his grade again... and the title of Pokémon Hunter."

(End of Chapter)