Even though Evergreen had never seen a dragon before, there was no mistaking those skeletons.
If they were filled with flesh and blood, they would definitely be the legendary dragons. Watching the fairies play with the dragon bones under the command of the mysterious fairy holding a trident, Evergreen thought excitedly.
The four largest ones should be adults, the eight smaller ones might be adolescents, and the twenty-four smallest must be newborn hatchlings. This is the power of the fairies—to effortlessly slaughter a whole nest of dragons!
Evergreen naively thought that perhaps the legends were true. The power of fairies was truly mysterious and strong.
Otherwise, how could an entire nest of dragons end up as mere skeletal playthings?
Suddenly, as Evergreen was sketching, she noticed a person in a black robe walking directly into the fairies, causing her to hold her breath in shock and tension. "Oh my gosh! Does he have a death wish?"
These fairies didn't look like they were easy to deal with. What to do? Should she go back to the guild and find someone to save him?
In the next moment, Evergreen's eyes widened in disbelief.
Near the Gengar Legion.
Seeing Gaal approach, the Gengar standing on the platform jumped down with the trident in hand and gestured animatedly in front of Gaal, chattering along: "Kyahaha! Kyah Kyahahaha!" reporting the training progress of the Gengar Legion to Gaal.
Then Gengar demonstrated to Gaal.
Under Gengar's command, a series of skeleton dragons, possessed by Gengar, Haunter, and Gastly, exhibited fighting styles like spewing shadowy roars, diving to tear objects apart, and using their sharp teeth to effortlessly crush boulders.
The skeleton dragons possessed by Gengar needed no special explanation, but even the weaker forms like Haunter and Gastly had achieved basic combat capabilities.
Their jaws alone could crush stones, easily eliminating enemies. Not to mention the shadowy roars and various Pokémon skills performed through the skeleton dragons.
For Gengar, these ancient dragons were like giant toys, and for Haunter and Gastly, they were their personalized 'mecha.'
They not only enhanced their powers but were incredibly fun, too.
Finally, Gengar gave Gaal a surprise. Waving the trident, the Gengar, Haunter, and Gastly possessing the skeleton dragons were all expelled, and the dragons disassembled and reassembled into a huge skeleton dragon nearly 12 meters tall, 24 meters long (body length), and 16 meters tail length.
With Gengar merging into the giant skeleton dragon, it moved fluidly, gripping the ground with its claws and lifting its head high: "Roar——!!!"
The terrifying dragon roar echoed, causing countless forest creatures to flee in panic. Gaal couldn't help but nod in approval.
This size was only a few meters smaller than the Dragon Kings, but the jagged skeleton looked very intimidating.
Especially the mimicked roar; it lacked the dragon's majestic pressure, yet the instinctual fear made the creatures flee. But that wasn't the end.
The gigantic skeleton dragon began accumulating energy for a roar. Dark violet energy built up in its mouth, emitting crackling sounds. In the blink of an eye, a purple flash streaked through the air.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
A series of explosions erupted, stretching all the way to the distant mountaintop, where a massive mushroom cloud billowed into the sky. Boom!
The earth trembled.
Gaal could feel the energy within the roar, which was released through the trident.
The trident was crafted with Gengar's Mega Stone and Galar Particles, enabling Gengar to wield attacks with the strength of its Gigantamax form without actually having to Gigantamax.
Gaal addressed the giant skeleton dragon. "That should be enough. Next, we'll head out to test your strength in the outside world."
Gengar floated out of the giant skeleton dragon, patting its chest with its small purple hands, promising: "Kyaha (No problem)!"
Then, waving the trident at the giant skeleton dragon, it transformed back into smaller skeleton dragons.
Gengar looked at an area outside the training ground. "Kyaha kyaha (That kid), kyaha (Should we send them back)?"
Without Gaal's orders, Gengar didn't pay attention to Evergreen.
After observing for several days, it knew she was just there to watch them. Now that they were leaving, it wondered if it should send her back.
Gaal glanced toward Evergreen, touching Gengar's forehead to pass some methods on opening alternate spaces. "I'll talk to the kid in a bit. You go ahead and prepare."
Gengar rubbed its head in a confused nod and began twirling in the air, opening a large, sinister purple circle in front of it.
A peculiar alternate space seemed to be connected within its purple glow, with light particles shimmering around the edges.
The more Gengar twirled, the bigger the circle grew, increasingly finding it delightful. Once the circle was five meters high and began to tip, Gengar called out to its minions: "Kyaha!"
All the Gengar, Haunter, Gastly, possessing the skeleton dragons or not, rushed into the large purple circle, disappearing from sight.
After all the Pokémon went inside, Gengar closed the circle, curiously touching its belly. It sensed that the alternate space within had expanded to accommodate its minions.
In the jungle, Evergreen, hiding in the area, watched everything that unfolded with surprise. She was still dazed, having not fully processed what happened.
She watched as all the mysterious fairies leapt into that purple circle, and then noticed the mysterious mage looking her way, causing her heart to jump: "Oh no. Are they going to silence me?" She quickly turned to flee.
But she suddenly collided with the newly appeared Gaal.
Looking at Gaal's half-smiling expression, Evergreen froze on the spot: "He's... so handsome! Wait! No! Y-y-you... Don't kill me! I didn't see anything!"
Gaal said with an odd expression, "Why would I kill you? Evergreen."
Hearing her name, Evergreen was stunned: "Eh? How do you know my name?"
Gaal pointed to the Fairy Tail emblem on his robe.
Evergreen seemed stunned but then smiled in realization, "You're a mage from the guild too. You scared me. I almost thought I was doomed."
Gaal chuckled and shook his head, "Why not hang out with the guild kids? You seem a bit out of place."
Evergreen scratched her head embarrassedly, "Ah... It's because I'm not very familiar with them. I joined on a whim because I've loved fairy legends since I was a kid. When I heard of the Fairy Tail Guild, I sneaked away from home. And then..."
Gaal laughed, "Then realized there were no fairies and got a bit disappointed. While wandering, you found mysterious fairies in the West Forest and secretly observed them for days, right?"
Evergreen was startled, "Eh! How do you know all this?!"
Gaal explained, "Because those 'fairies' are mine."
After all, in Pokémon, there is a fairy type, although Gengar is a Ghost-type.
Gaal looked at Evergreen curiously, "You left home to pursue fairies just based on those tales?"
Evergreen looked puzzled, "Isn't that enough?"
Now it was Gaal's turn to be surprised. Seeing the pure yearning in Evergreen's eyes, Gaal paused, then chuckled, "That's enough. It definitely is."
Pursuing dreams carefree. Gaal asked Evergreen, "What does a fairy look like in your imagination?"
Evergreen pondered seriously for a moment, "They should be small, dance gracefully, with mysterious powers to help people with many things—something that fits fairy tales."
Gaal mused, "I see..."
Then knelt and touched a small flower on the ground in front of Evergreen. Evergreen watched curiously. The flower glowed green, quickly growing into a half-meter flower bed, as large leaves unfurled above, revealing a green Pokémon—a Ralts.
[Name: Ralts]
[Type: Fairy/Psychic]
[Abilities: Synchronize, Trace, Telepathy]
[Moves: Telekinesis, Hypnosis, Disarming Voice, Confusion, Psyshock...]
The initial form of Gardevoir, Ralts.
Evergreen's eyes shone, seeing the Ralts: "What is this?!!"
Her voice filled with disbelief. It looked exactly like how she described!
Gaal said, "It's called Ralts, a fairy Pokémon. But..."
Gaal elongated his words intentionally. Evergreen looked at Gaal nervously, "But what?!"
Gaal spoke in a soft tone, "It can sense human emotions. To grow to the level you described—being able to help people with many tasks—you must maintain a positive attitude. If you are too withdrawn, it won't stay close to you."
Evergreen looked dazed, "Ah..."
Gaal asked, "Can you manage that?"
Looking at Ralts, Evergreen firmly looked up at Gaal, "I can!"
Gaal smiled, "Then I'll entrust Ralts to you. Let's head back to the guild. Gengar and I have a mission, so we won't be around."
With that, he turned and left.
This would probably help with her aloofness, and the rest would be for the old man to deal with. Gengar floated up, holding its trident, following behind.
Hugging Ralts, Evergreen lifted her head, but only saw Gaal waving, and Gengar turned, waving as well, pulling a face playfully.
---
Nighttime, six days later.
At the northern border of Fiore Kingdom, lit by moonlight in the forest. The dark guild, Burning Flame, had a hidden headquarters.
Thud! Thud!
A pair of short purple legs stood at the entrance of Burning Flame.
Scarlet eyes glanced at the brightly lit headquarters of the dark guild, as Gengar's face formed an evil grin: "Kyahaha~~"