Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

In a world that looked exactly like the real one—but completely upside down—Munchlax appeared out of nowhere. Its eyes glowing, it walked through the air in this reversed realm. Then it vanished again.

Not far from Munchlax’s location floated a grand palace. Inside, a colossal, centipede-like Pokémon lay sleeping on its throne. It sensed something amiss and slowly opened its eyes—it seemed to catch a glimpse of a figure in its world, but it disappeared the next moment.

Giratina’s gaze showed confusion. It blinked a few times, looking again at the spot where the figure had appeared—but there was nothing there.

Is my eyesight getting worse? I keep feeling like something is passing through my world. Just as I’m about to focus, it’s gone again. Must be because I haven’t been sleeping well—I’m seeing things. It’s all those two idiots Dialga and Palkia’s fault—always fighting and disturbing me, the great God of the Distortion World.

With that thought, Giratina closed its eyes once more.

On the other side, the vanished Munchlax suddenly reappeared two seconds later—directly in front of Gengar, wreathed in dark energy, slamming into it like a speeding truck hitting a pedestrian. Gengar was sent flying into the wall, completely incapacitated.

Agatha, who had been hoping to turn the tide, went pale with shock.

"Wh-what move was that?! Phantom Force? But that move isn’t this powerful—impossible!"

She stared at Munchlax, which had just exited its divine state and looked completely innocent, then at her ace Gengar lying defeated on the ground. What kind of insane luck does it take to roll a move that one-shots my ace? Who could have predicted this?

If I told anyone, they’d think I’ve gone senile.

"Was that Giratina’s Shadow Force?" Rio muttered on the other side. Then he saw Agatha’s stunned expression and couldn’t help but smile.

"Elite Four Agatha—it’s time to send out your fifth Pokémon."

Agatha glared at Rio. Luck—it has to be luck. Even though my best Gengar fell, luck won’t hold forever. My next Pokémon will take a win. With renewed resolve, she recalled Gengar and sent out her fifth Pokémon.

"Come out, Second—avenge your big brother!"

Agatha sent out her second Gengar—lower level than the first, but still a formidable Level 66.

"Munchlax—Metronome!" Rio repeated.

"Ka~" Munchlax began waving its paws again.

Agatha’s eyes widened. Again?! Are you addicted to Metronome? I refuse to believe this luck holds!

"Second—Dark Pulse!" She gave the same command as before.

"Gengar~" Her Gengar opened its mouth and fired a spiraling Dark Pulse at Munchlax.

This time, Munchlax didn’t vanish when the attack came. But as it entered its divine state, all the light in the room suddenly vanished—except for a mass of energy that coalesced in front of Munchlax, instantly consuming the Dark Pulse.

Agatha was once again stunned—a sense of dread washed over her.

Not again! How many times is this going to happen?! Is Metronome your ace move now?!

The next second, a beam of light shot forth. When the room’s light returned, Agatha saw her second Gengar lying defeated on the ground.

Agatha was completely numb. Today’s battles had opened this old woman’s eyes to things she’d never seen in all her decades. First, a Charizard with Sacred Fire that swept three of her Pokémon. Then, a Munchlax that won purely through Metronome—rolling two moves she’d never even seen, each one-shotting her Pokémon. She didn’t even know how to continue.

Her intuition told her that if she sent out her last Pokémon, Rio would just use Metronome again.

Two seconds later, with a flash of light, Agatha sent out her final Pokémon—a Level 64 Weezing.

"Munchlax—Metronome!" Just as Agatha had guessed, Rio gave the same command.

Ten seconds later, the Weezing was down. Munchlax had rolled Magearna’s Fleur Cannon, blasting it into defeat.

Faced with the result, Agatha let out a long, deep sigh. She felt old. She’d never thought that before—she’d always believed she had another ten or twenty years in her. But now, she just wanted to buy a grave and lie in it.

The younger generation was too terrifying—frighteningly so. She’d experienced something she’d never known in her entire life, and she had to experience it in her twilight years. Compared to this young man, Oak in his prime seemed like a useless child who’d be crying for his mother.

"You..." Agatha raised her cane to point at Rio, who was feeding Munchlax Energy Cubes. She wanted to say something—some words of wisdom—but lowered it again.

What right do I have to lecture someone this strong?

"Kid—the League is in your hands now. I hope you’ll lead Kanto and Johto to greatness," she finally said, letting all other thoughts go.

She no longer believed Lance could stop this young man. If Lance could even take down one of Rio’s Pokémon, she’d consider him worthy of being an Elite Four member.

"Thank you—I will." Rio walked toward the final chamber.

After he left, Agatha stared at the empty battlefield and whispered: "I’m getting old."

She turned and hobbled toward the side exit, leaning on her cane.