The sudden transformation left Aoki utterly astonished. Before him stood his newly evolved Pupitar, its form drastically altered from the Larvitar he had known. The rocky cocoon-like body now pulsed with latent energy, its blue-hued exoskeleton gleaming under the cave's dim light.
Pokemon: Pupitar (Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 34
Type: Rock/Ground
Ability: Shed Skin
Held Items: None
Egg Moves: Dragon Dance, Outrage, Ancient Power, Stealth Rock
Basic Moves: Bite, Leer, Sandstorm, Screech, Chip Away, Rock Slide, Scary Face, Thrash, Dark Pulse
Learnt Moves: Snore, Earthquake, Precipice Blades (Imperfect)
TM Moves: Protect
The metamorphosis proved far more substantial than mere physical changes. Beyond the obvious external transformation, Pupitar's power had surged dramatically. Its level skyrocketed from 29 to 34 in a single evolutionary leap - an unprecedented five-level increase that defied normal growth patterns. More remarkably, its potential had undergone radical improvement.
Aoki understood that even the most potent aptitude-enhancing formulas couldn't account for such dramatic progression. The dark cyan potential rating shouldn't have jumped straight to blue through evolution alone. Some extraordinary factor must have influenced this transformation. The most telling evidence came from the shocking new move in Pupitar's repertoire - the imperfect version of Precipice Blades.
This legendary technique, famously wielded only by the ancient titan Groudon, had never been documented in any other Pokemon's move pool. That Pupitar could manifest even a flawed imitation suggested profound external influences. Combining these three extraordinary changes - the level surge, potential enhancement, and legendary move acquisition - led Aoki to a singular conclusion.
The violent consciousness that had overwhelmed Pupitar prior to evolution must have originated from ancient attempts to harness Groudon's power. Though degraded into mindless aggression over centuries, these remnants retained fragments of the continent Pokemon's essence. When combined with the energy Pupitar had absorbed from Groudon armor fragment, the resulting synthesis allowed temporary access to the legendary Pokemon's power.
System analysis confirmed Pupitar had completely metabolized all residual Groudon energy, explaining both the dramatic level increase and potential improvement. This represented the culmination of multiple fortunate circumstances aligning perfectly during the evolutionary process.
"Pupitar, how do you feel?" Aoki inquired, observing his Pokemon's new form carefully.
"Pupii!" the armored Pokemon responded cheerfully. Aside from initial difficulty adjusting to its limbless form, everything felt remarkably improved. To demonstrate, Pupitar channeled ground-type energy, causing an earthen pillar to erupt beneath it, lifting the heavy Pokemon effortlessly while simultaneously retrieving the small red bag containing its precious diamond hoard. The creature's eyes gleamed with familiar avarice as it clutched the treasure.
Aoki chuckled at the unchanged personality quirk. Even dramatic evolution couldn't alter some fundamental traits. He extracted several diamonds from the bag, feeding them to his eager Pokemon. "I'll keep the bag safe until you've mastered your new form properly," he explained, storing the remaining gems securely despite Pupitar's disappointed expression.
Outside, the sounds of escalating combat grew increasingly urgent. The two Claydol guardians couldn't hold off the Magma Team indefinitely. Aoki quickly recalled the disabled Groudon-model Golurk into a Pokeball - though currently inert, its construction resembled Golurk enough that proper repairs might restore functionality.
"Slowking, prepare Teleport," Aoki instructed. With the Claydol occupied, nothing should interfere with their escape. Even if the Magma Team had teleport-capable Pokemon, none should be capable of interrupting Slowking's Teleport.
"Slow..." Slowking nodded sagely, closing its eyes to focus on external psychic coordinates. Aoki returned Pupitar to its ball - despite the progress, the aptitude formula's side effects would still require recovery time. Positioning himself and Mismagius within Slowking's psychic field, Aoki took a final glance at the ancient inscriptions covering the chamber walls.
On impulse, he slashed his hand downward, psychic energy shearing through the critical portions of the formulas. Complete destruction would be wasteful - better to leave the Magma Team something to occupy their research efforts rather than have them pursuing him relentlessly. As shattered stone tablets crashed onto the workbench below, they smashed a ceramic urn, revealing its glittering contents.
"A Mega Stone!" Aoki gasped. His psychic grip snatched the treasure milliseconds before Slowking's teleportation activated, whisking them all away in a flash of blue light.
Outside the chamber, the Magma Team commander known as Lord Yu directed the assault against the ancient Claydol guardians. Though the battle appeared fierce, his measured movements betrayed complete control of the situation. These millennia-old sentinels, while formidable to ordinary trainers, posed little challenge to his experienced team.
His detached observation was interrupted when a grunt came running, a Xatu perched nervously on his shoulder. "Lord Yu! My Xatu senses teleportation energies coming from... the inner chamber!"
Lord Yu's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So our earlier suspicions were correct. Someone did infiltrate ahead of us." His voice carried icy promise that made the reporting grunt tremble visibly.
"Batim," Lord Yu commanded the Xatu's trainer, "you will track these spatial traces immediately. Fail to apprehend this intruder, and consider your membership revoked." The unspoken threat hung heavier than any shouted ultimatum.
"Y-yes, Lord!" Batim stammered. His Xatu's eyes glowed as it locked onto the fading psychic signature, teleporting them both in pursuit.
"Butler!" Lord Yu called sharply once they'd departed.
A young man in his twenties stepped forward eagerly. "My lord?"
"Accompany me to inspect the chamber." Though his tone remained even, Butler recognized the rare opportunity being offered. As the Magma Team's foremost Groudon scholar and a rising star among their ranks, this represented both honor and responsibility. His quasi-Champion level skills and extensive knowledge made him uniquely qualified for whatever discoveries awaited within.