The closer the three got to the white lighthouse standing on the edge of the cliff, the more stagnant the surrounding air became.
An invisible, heavy pressure surged from all directions like a tide, carrying a clear warning—do not approach.
This was a powerful Psychic force, proving that the Pokémon guarding in the shadows was no weakling.
It was a very strong Pokémon.
Misty subconsciously hugged her arms.
Brock's footsteps also became cautious, his face written with solemnity.
Pikachu went straight from a lazy state to full alert, standing up on Ash's shoulder. His cheek sacs crackled with "zzt" sounds as fine electric arcs emerged, his black, shiny eyes sharply scanning the surrounding, seemingly peaceful shrubs and rock shadows.
Pikachu felt the hostility.
But Pikachu failed to sense the specific location of the hostility.
—A troublesome opponent, Pika!
"This hostility... is strong," Brock whispered, his voice involuntarily lowering.
Ash stopped walking.
He could feel at least more than one gaze locking onto them from the dark, filled with scrutiny and unquestionable rejection.
This level of security was very fitting for the status of a Pokémon Professor.
The things they researched were, for the most part, extremely precious.
—He couldn't be like a certain Ultraman Hikari, always getting his home base stolen, right?
—Perhaps without Hikari, the Land of Light would be safer.
—After all, creating powerful cheats only to have them taken by the enemy is one thing, but for the dignified Land of Light to only have this level of security, there's simply something wrong with their heads.
Ash did not attempt to force his way in; instead, he calmly took that red and white Pokédex out of his pocket.
He skillfully operated it a few times, then held it up.
[—This Pokédex is presented to Ash Ketchum, hoping he becomes a Pokémon Trainer. Be warned, if this Dex is lost or stolen, it will not be reissued. Please keep it safe. Samuel Oak, Pallet Town.]
Professor Oak's familiar and steady voice played clearly through the Pokédex's speaker, echoing in this clearing shrouded by invisible pressure.
Immediately after, Brock took a step forward and added in a deep voice: "Pewter Gym, Brock. Accompanying visitor."
Misty also took a deep breath and announced loudly: "Cerulean Gym, Misty. Accompanying visitor."
Their voices, along with Professor Oak's voucher from the Pokédex, were clearly transmitted.
A brief silence.
Only the faint sobbing sound of the sea breeze brushing past the lighthouse remained.
Suddenly.
A loudspeaker high up on the lighthouse rang out with a "hum."
A male voice, slightly exhausted but carrying a note of curiosity, emerged, seemingly mixed with the slight background noise of some instrument running:
"Professor Oak's Pokédex holder?"
"And two Gym Trainers... truly a rare combination."
"No one has visited my place for quite some time."
"Come in."
The moment the voice fell.
The heavy, almost suffocating hostility permeating the air dissipated quietly like a receding tide, as if it had never existed.
Immediately after.
The light in the empty ground ahead distorted slightly.
An elegant, slender figure seemed to weave itself out of the void, appearing quietly before the three.
It had a pure white body resembling a dress, green short hair like a crown, arms like elegant long gloves, and red pupils that were tranquil and profound, as if they could see through the human heart.
It was a Gardevoir.
Very beautiful, and very classy.
Then, the next moment.
A gentle and clear male voice sounded directly in the hearts of all three simultaneously, polite but carrying a non-human, ethereal quality:
[Everyone, please follow me.]
[The Professor is waiting in the top-floor laboratory.]
The Gardevoir nodded slightly and made a "please" gesture.
He did not open his mouth, but those Telepathic words were imprinted on their consciousness more directly than any spoken language.
"(꒪⌓꒪)" Misty opened her mouth slightly in surprise.
She looked at this Gardevoir before her, full of stark contrast—an elegant, feminine appearance paired with the mental voice of a mature male.
"...(ಠ.̫.̫ಠ)" Brock's eyes were practically heartbroken.
He didn't expect a male Gardevoir.
However, as a Breeder, he was also filled with a desire to explore such a Pokémon that could skillfully use Telepathy and seemed to possess extremely high intelligence.
Powerful Pokémon Trainers almost all possess Psychic-type or Ghost-type Pokémon.
Having these two types of Pokémon makes many things much more convenient, the simplest point being communication with Pokémon.
[...A femboy icon...] Ash thought to himself. He tipped the brim of his hat, a trace of understanding and excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Telepathy... and so clear and stable, truly impressive." Ash whispered a compliment, then nodded to the Gardevoir. "Lead the way."
The Gardevoir nodded slightly again, then turned around.
The skirt hem brushed soundlessly over the ground as he floated toward the lighthouse's heavy metal door.
The three exchanged glances and followed closely.
Pikachu crouched on Ash's shoulder, looking curiously at the Gardevoir leading the way, his little head filled with big question marks.
[Pika...?]
(Male? Female?)
Pikachu hadn't seen a Pokémon like Gardevoir before.
But Pikachu had seen many humans.
If Pikachu remembered correctly, humans with this appearance were all female.
But Gardevoir's voice was like a human male's.
This left Pikachu confused.
It could only be said that he was still too young and needed to broaden his horizons.
"..." Gardevoir's footsteps paused imperceptibly.
That gentle male voice sounded in the three's hearts again, carrying a trace of extremely faint, seemingly helpless implication:
[Gender perception is not the primary concern for Psychic-type Pokémon.]
[I am merely the Professor's assistant, responsible for guidance and protection.]
[This way, please.]
Actually, back when he was still a Kirlia, he had wanted to evolve into a Gallade... given Bill's status, obtaining a Dawn Stone would have been too easy.
It was just a pity that Gallade's Ability wasn't what Bill needed.
In the end, after considering various situations, Kirlia evolved into Gardevoir.
Whenever this moment came up, Gardevoir always felt it was a sorrowful issue.
The aspect of outward appearance was not an issue within Gardevoir's species.
Under normal circumstances, the male-to-female ratio of Gardevoir is 1:1.
After all, a male Kirlia wanting to evolve into Gallade requires a Dawn Stone.
And Dawn Stones are not that common.
But male Gardevoirs living with humans mind this point quite a bit.
Do you really think Gardevoir doesn't know how to surf the internet?
You must be joking; he plays very skillfully.
Then the problem arises.
How do humans view male Gardevoir?
—Gwah, it's a little femboy!
—It's a male wife, even more exciting!
—The Queen of Doujinshi!
...Whenever he thought of those strange comments on the internet, Gardevoir wanted to crawl along the network cable and beat those dirty humans up!
One can only say that the "gentlemen" community is this way in any world.
Just as Gardevoir's mind wandered.
The metal door slid open soundlessly in front of him, revealing a passageway filled with a sense of technology.
Inside and outside the door were like two completely different worlds.
Bill's laboratory was naturally extraordinary.
____
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