Just as Sato was wondering whether he should buy Iron Island, Krookodile's "transformation" was already more than halfway complete.
This time, Ralts remained completely silent. Sato thought about it and understood; Krookodile might not need his help.
As "mystical" as it sounded, the reasoning was actually simple.
When Tyranitar was absorbing the Rock-type energy, it happened to coincide with the opportunity to evolve. That allowed it to use the energy to directly enhance its natural potential.
On top of that, Tyranitar's typing after evolution was different from Pupitar's. Rock remained, but Ground was replaced by Dark-type.
Within a Rock-type energy pool, Tyranitar could absorb all the energy it needed for evolution without any drawbacks.
But on the flip side, such high-density Rock-type energy would suppress all surrounding energies; including Dark-type.
Completing evolution using only its own energy wasn't impossible. Pupitar had been building up for five full years.
But without the amplification of the energy pool, the balance between the two types couldn't be achieved, and evolution would run into problems.
Fortunately, Sato had a one-of-a-kind Ralts, who had foreseen this issue from the start. That's why Ralts told Sato to use Dark Energy at the critical moment to help Tyranitar evolve.
A pseudo-legendary with dual Champion level potential…
Just thinking about it made Sato tremble with excitement.
That's how the world works. A Pokémon's natural potential practically determines its maximum growth limit.
No matter how hard a Trainer works, if there's no special opportunity, the chance for a Pokémon to break through its own limits is nearly nonexistent.
But with Tyranitar and the others, Sato could at least see the path ahead. Whether he could reach the end of it… that would depend on his own ability.
And now, Krookodile had its own opportunity. A lvlup was right in front of it!
"KROOKO!"
Perhaps the feeling of advancement was just too wonderful; every time a Pokémon grew stronger, it couldn't help but roar. Krookodile was no exception.
With its aura surging wildly, Krookodile finally broke through the barrier of Elite level and just barely reached Low Ace.
In just a little over three years, it had transformed from a completely overlooked Sandile into a powerful Ace level Krookodile. It had overtaken others on the curve, breaking through faster than more than half of Sato's team.
It was all due to opportunity… but also fate!
Watching Krookodile's fluctuating aura, Sato knew this was the aftereffect of a forced lvlup.
But even if he had to choose again, he would still have Krookodile take that "bath" without hesitation.
Tyranitar's potential had increased dramatically, so chances were, Krookodile had gained something too.
The aftereffects of a forced breakthrough could be slowly healed over time, but the enhancement of potential was what Sato truly valued.
"KROOKO! KROOKO!"
Krookodile looked at its own empowered self in disbelief. It clearly hadn't expected its surge in power to come so easily.
"Come back and rest for now."
"KROOKO!"
Krookodile didn't get cocky. After so many years of being the "junior" in the team, its attitude wasn't likely to shift.
After all, Krookodile wasn't a little imouto, and it wasn't cute… so it had never been spoiled.
So Krookodile nodded obediently and let Sato return it to its Poké Ball, showing no change in attitude despite its sudden surge in strength.
'So obedient!'
"Let's go, let's go~ Finally it's my Lucario's turn, it wasn't easy!" Mark urged. He had been waiting impatiently.
This time, there was quite a bit of Ground-type energy left in the pool. Joseph filled two whole jars with it before he finally stopped, satisfied.
What they didn't know was that gathering energy pools took a massive amount of time, and required an Aura-sensitive Pokémon to search during specific timeframes.
…Otherwise, they'd never be found.
But no one asked, and Lucario didn't say anything either. Not until Sato seriously considered whether to buy Iron Island did Lucario shake its head, signaling it wasn't a good idea.
"It's basically a one-time opportunity. Let it go. You can't be too greedy~" Joseph concluded, also trying to comfort Sato.
"Just a passing thought. If it's not possible, then forget it." Sato smiled and didn't push the idea any further.
The three of them started teaming up to deal with the wild Pokémon they encountered, trying to reach the ninth level of Iron Island as quickly as possible.
"Lucario, this time it's your turn. You better give it your all, all, and even more all!" Mark encouraged enthusiastically, and was rewarded with a very human-like eye roll from Lucario.
Lucario began silently searching for the "pool" that belonged to him.
"Something's coming!"
Not long after, Cacturne next to Sato and Lucario beside Mark simultaneously turned to look in one direction.
The three instantly became alert. They had reached the deepest known level of Iron Island, encountering a powerful Pokémon here would be no surprise.
Clack! Clack! Clack…
Those were footsteps. Human footsteps…
Sato, Mark, and Joseph instinctively frowned. They hadn't expected to find other humans down here.
Suddenly, the footsteps stopped. Clearly, the other side had also noticed them.
The situation froze.
Neither side made any move.
But after a moment, the footsteps resumed, deliberately loud, as if trying to say: I'm coming.
A silhouette emerged from the shadows: tall, wearing a dark blue, nearly black suit, a flashy cape on the back.
Add in the dark blue gentleman's hat and long, angled bangs… there was no way this person looked normal.
"Lucario!"
Mark suddenly exclaimed. Another Lucario slowly stepped out behind the man, and its level was clearly Low Ace!
Sato and Joseph stepped up silently, standing side by side with Mark.
Anyone with a Lucario at Ace level was clearly no ordinary person.
…And no ordinary person would dress that flamboyantly either.
"I'm Riley. My partner is Lucario. Didn't expect to see anyone else down here."
Riley smiled faintly, and the tense atmosphere immediately shifted. At the very least, it wasn't so hostile anymore.
The three gave brief introductions in return, enough to establish some understanding.
Riley quickly noticed the Lucario standing behind Mark.
"Since you've come all the way down here with a Lucario, I assume you're also looking for the Ascension Pool?"
Though it was the first time they'd heard that name, all three instinctively thought of the energy pools they had encountered before.
Sato and Joseph kept neutral expressions, but Mark's twitching eyebrows betrayed that they knew exactly what the "Ascension Pool" referred to.
Riley smiled, unfazed. Since Mark had a Lucario, he didn't find the group unpleasant.
"We just visited it. What's left should be more than enough to help your Lucario grow. Come with me, I'll take you there."
"(⊙o⊙)?" ×2
"…" Sato.