Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice

A few hours later.

"Shall we leave now, Stephen?"

The Vivre card locking onto Zorua's location was ready, and the rescue plan had already been fully deployed. Karen felt it was now time to take action.

"Mm."

Stephen nodded.

To be honest, when facing a strong opponent of Pryce's caliber, under normal circumstances, Stephen would want to make the plan more detailed and meticulous.

But considering Zorua was still in Pryce's hands, even though the Vivre card showed it wasn't in any immediate danger, Stephen was still deeply worried.

"I'll contact Will then."

Karen was about to make a call to notify Will, who was monitoring Pryce from Mahogany Town.

Suddenly, Stephen felt a strange sensation from his waist.

Looking down, he saw the Pokémon egg inside the red-and-white Poké Ball vibrating slightly.

It was the Altaria egg Stephen had obtained from Bishas!

And now, of all times...

Stephen immediately released the Pokémon egg, holding it as he rushed into the medical room.

Various medical devices were quickly arranged.

Bewear, without hesitation, jumped out of its Poké Ball at once.

The anxiety on its face was no less than that of Stephen's.

"Bewaa~ Bewaa~!"

Bewear grabbed a doctor's coat hanging outside the medical room, putting one on itself and another on Stephen. It even handed him a mask.

Karen wanted to enter the medical room to take a look but was blocked by Bewear. Its serious gaze behind the mask seemed to say, "No unauthorized personnel allowed."

At that moment, Bewear looked every bit like a doctor.

But honestly, it wasn't far from the truth. Ever since Stephen had captured it, Bewear had been learning medical knowledge diligently to take care of the unborn Swablu.

Not only had it mastered the use of various medical instruments, but it had even learned how to prepare medicinal solutions for Pokémon treatments.

Both Karen and Will were left dumbfounded.

They had thought it was a warrior, but turns out it was a scholar!

Stephen, on the other hand, was calm. After all, in the anime, Tapu Bulu almost seemed capable of building a Gundam.

So what if Bewear was a doctor now?

Crack... crack...

The Pokémon egg on the medical table started to crack on its own.

It was about to hatch!

"Bewaa!"

Bewear watched the spreading cracks on the egg with an excited expression.

Finally, the moment it had been waiting for had arrived!

Come to Mama, little one!

However, the cracks spreading from the top of the egg stopped halfway down the shell and went no further.

"Bewaa!?"

The anticipation in Bewear's eyes turned into panic.

"Bewear, quick! Get the electrocardiogram and the monitoring device!"

Stephen shouted.

"Bewaa!"

Bewear snapped back to its senses, moving swiftly but methodically. It activated the electrocardiogram and handed the medical sensor to Stephen.

Stephen placed the sensor against the egg's shell.

The screen quickly displayed the heartbeat of the Swablu inside the egg.

"Damn it! Does this little one not even have the strength to break the shell on its own?"

Stephen gritted his teeth.

Ninety-nine percent of Pokémon hatch by breaking the shell from within.

But this Swablu was so weak it couldn't even muster the strength to do that.

"Bewear, get the CPR machine and the infusion pump!"

As Stephen gave the order, his expression darkened.

Given Swablu's current state, even if it managed to hatch, its future would undoubtedly be fraught with challenges.

...

After waiting outside the operating room for more than half an hour, Karen finally saw the indicator light above the door switch from red to green.

It was over!?

The door opened, and as Stephen stepped out, Karen hurried forward to ask, "Stephen, how is it?"

Stephen stepped aside, revealing Bewear emerging from the room.

In its large hands, it carefully cradled a tiny, fragile bird-like Pokémon that looked as delicate as glass.

Swablu!

"This Pokemon..."

Even someone as medically inexperienced as Karen could tell at a glance that something was wrong.

This Swablu was too small and scrawny.

Although Pokémon are naturally small when they are just born, this Swablu was unusually miniature—barely the size of a palm.

"Bewaa~"

Bewear hunched over, pressing its cheek gently against Swablu, as if to say, "Don't worry, we'll protect you."

"We'll make sure she grows up healthy. No matter what," Stephen said, gently stroking Swablu's soft feathers.

Karen followed suit, touching Swablu's other wing.

At that moment, the Swablu finally opened its eyes, seeing the world for the first time.

Unlike its mother, who had experienced hell before her death, this tiny Swablu's first experience of the world was one of pure love.

...

A few days later, in Mahogany Gym.

A chilling frost filled the air, creating an icy storm that sent shivers down the spine. The cold wind whipped around, causing the long hair of the blue-clad girl standing in the command area to fly wildly.

The girl instinctively raised her hand to shield her face.

When the storm subsided, she looked ahead once more.

Her Kingdra was now frozen inside a small ice mountain.

"Too bad, you were so close, Clair."

Pryce, sitting in his wheelchair on the other side of the command area, smiled kindly at Clair.

In front of Pryce stood a Dewgong.

"It seems I'm still far from ready to take over my father's position."

Recalling her Kingdra, Clair expressed her admiration.

Blackthorn City wasn't far from Mahogany Town, so Clair, the future Gym Leader of Blackthorn Gym, occasionally came to Mahogany Town to seek advice from Pryce.

"My victory this time was only due to the type advantage. This old man has nothing more to teach you. You can seek guidance from stronger Gym Leaders," Pryce said with a kindly smile, waving her off.

He was currently thinking about how to confront Stephen without revealing his true identity.

He didn't have time to play house with Clair.

Clair's talent wasn't bad either. Pryce had considered whether to bring her under his wing and train her as a subordinate.

But after thinking it over, he decided to give up.

After all, Clair's background was too powerful.

If anything happened to her, he would have to face the entire Dragon Clan's pursuit.

Because of this, Pryce's targets were usually people like Green—exceptionally talented but coming from humble, civilian backgrounds.

As for Silver, he had some background too, but Giovanni didn't dare admit publicly that he had a son. Giovanni could only swallow his grievances in silence.

After exchanging a few more words, Clair turned and left.

Pryce, who had just recalled his Dewgong, stroked the little piglet in his arms with one hand while rubbing his temples with the other, still pondering how to get Stephen on his side.

A kid as sharp and mature as Stephen, at just twelve or thirteen, wasn't easy to fool—especially a genius like him.

If that's the case, would he have to use his real face and Zorua to threaten the boy?

But doing so would surely provoke Stephen's rebellion and desire for revenge. The risk was high.

However, it seemed like there was no other option.

For the sake of his Lapras, Pryce had long since embarked on a path of no return.

"No choice… I'll head to Alola tomorrow."

Pryce ultimately decides to go to Alola tomorrow in his masked man persona, using Zorua and Stephen's hidden identity as Joker to threaten him.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

At that moment, the doors of the Mahogany Gym opened again.

Hearing the voice, Pryce's head jerked up.

Walking through the door—wasn't it Stephen!?

To be honest, there weren't many things in this world that could surprise Pryce, who was the only Pokemon Master-level trainer alive today. But Stephen had managed to accomplish just that.

The pupils of Pryce, seated in his wheelchair, widened.

Goodness gracious! I wasn't even planning to look for you, and you came to me first!?

Wait!

The next second, Pryce realized something wasn't right.

Had his identity been exposed?

Recalling the battle in the Ilex Forest, Pryce didn't think he had left any loose ends.

If there was anything questionable, it was probably the use of his Ice-type ace, Delibird.

After all, he was the only Ice-type Gym Leader in the Johto region.

"It should just be at the suspicion stage…"

Pryce thought to himself, then quickly put on a kind, elderly smile reminiscent of Hiruzen Sarutobi and said:

"Young man, are you here to challenge the Gym?"

Leading the group of three, Stephen nodded. "Yes, I heard that Old man Pryce, nicknamed 'The Teacher of Winter's Harshness,' is the strongest Gym Leader in Johto, so I couldn't resist coming to challenge you."

"Hehe, I don't deserve the title of strongest. Gym Leader Altair of Olivine Gym is stronger than me."

Pryce feigned humility while inwardly thinking:

"At the moment, he should only be suspicious of me. This kid wants to use a battle to make me slip up, doesn't he? … Fine, I'll humor him for now."

In just a few seconds, Pryce devised a strategy in his mind—

He'd put on a show to dispel Stephen's doubts about him, then use his Delibird to secretly track Stephen. Once the boy left Mahogany Town for another location or returned to Alola, Pryce would approach him as the masked man and use Zorua and the Joker's identity to threaten him into doing his bidding.

Hmm, with the perfect plan in mind, Pryce spoke again:

"Well then, the battle rules are two-on-two. Once one side's Pokémon loses all fighting ability, it's a loss. Any objections?"

"None."

Stephen responded humbly.

"Go—Dewgong."

Pryce raised his palm, and a Dewgong leaped out of its Poké Ball on its own.

It was the same Dewgong that had just battled Clair's Kingdra.

However, the Dewgong now looked nothing like it had earlier—no longer panting or looking exhausted from its narrow victory against Kingdra.

If Clair were still here, she would've been completely dumbfounded.

"Go, Bewear!"

Stephen tossed out his Poké Ball.

As soon as Bewear landed, the ice covering the ground cracked under its weight.

Pryce raised his head slightly.

This Bewear had an intimidating aura.

But that didn't matter. After all, he intended to throw this match. Losing was fine, as long as he didn't make it too obvious.

"The challenger will have the first move."

Pryce gestured with his hand.

"Then I won't hold back."

Stephen raised his right hand and pointed at Dewgong with his index finger.

"Mega Punch!"

Bewear raised its right fist, which began to glow a brilliant white. In the next moment, it lunged forward, charging at Dewgong like a heavily armored tank.

Seeing the bear charging toward it, Dewgong couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear.

This bear was in a completely different league compared to that weak little Kingdra from earlier.

"Surf."

As Bewear closed the distance to less than two meters, Pryce finally gave his command.

Dewgong's pupils contracted as waves surged beneath it.

The waves lifted Dewgong six or seven meters into the air, allowing it to dodge Bewear's punch.

"Aurora Beam."

Pryce issued a second command.

From its high vantage point, Dewgong opened its mouth and unleashed a rainbow-colored beam of icy light directly at Bewear below.

"Incredible!"

Karen feigned amazement.

"Be-wahhh!"

Bewear's left arm ignited in flames as it raised it to block the incoming Aurora Beam.

It was using Fire Punch!

"To think he'd use such a method to counter Aurora Beam."

Pryce was momentarily stunned.

Not only does Stephen have a brilliant scientific mind, but he's also exceptional in combat.

But that's to be expected. You're the Joker who repeatedly handed Lance defeat, after all.

"Mega Punch!"

Following Stephen's command, Bewear, still using Fire Punch to block the Aurora Beam with its left hand, spun on the spot. Its right fist, glowing with a brilliant white light, struck the waves beneath Dewgong.

Boom!

The towering six-to-seven-meter wave erupted with a massive hole.

The wall behind Pryce even bore a massive fist imprint.

This scene was eerily reminiscent of a classic moment from the movie Kung Fu Hustle.

Pryce was silently taken aback.

"Strong, where did you tame such a ferocious Bewear?"

 On the battlefield, the Dewgong, having lost its footing, plummeted from the sky.

Pryce spoke: "Dewgong, use Ice Beam."

Given the strength Stephen had just displayed, Pryce thought to himself that if he were to fight another couple of rounds, he could just lose.

After all, the persona he had built for the league was that of a mere elite gym leader, which meant he was only as strong as what many referred to as quasi-Elite Four level.

But to avoid making it look too much like he was throwing the match, he decided to symbolically struggle a little.

The falling Dewgong gathered silvery-white icy energy at the sharp horn on its head, preparing to fire the iconic Ice Beam move of the Ice type.

"Swablu, make your move!" Stephen shouted.

"Huh?"

Although Pryce had already been shocked several times by Stephen today, upon hearing this, he couldn't help but doubt if his age was catching up to him and his ears were playing tricks.

What did that kid just say?

 Swablu?

 Wasn't he using Bewear?

The next second, Pryce suddenly felt something hit his side.

"What was that!?"

Pryce's expression changed dramatically, and the Swinub in his arms immediately sensed something was off. It turned its head to the left, opening its mouth to release a Blizzard.

However, the trio on the opposite side acted!

"Maria! Rose! Sina!"

"Houndoom! Incineroar!"

"Xatu!"

The three called out six Pokémon in total and ordered them to use the same move—

Heat Wave!

Heat Wave, already a high-power Fire-type move, was now simultaneously unleashed by the six Pokémon of the trio.

It was as if the space within the Mahogany Gym was dyed a fiery red.

Even the surrounding walls and ceiling began melting under the terrifying high temperature, only to crystallize in the next second!

Pryce's eyes reflected a world that had turned entirely crimson.

As for the Swinub, which had just turned its head to the left, it felt the unbearable heat.

To protect its trainer, it immediately turned its head back and unleashed a Blizzard head-on.

From its tiny mouth, which seemed no bigger than a ping-pong ball, emerged a stream of wind and snow.

However, the instant these snowflakes left its mouth, they expanded to the size of fists. The raging Blizzard, carrying an aura that could freeze all things in existence, clashed fiercely with the six-pronged Heat Wave!

"Is that a Swinub?!"

Will behind Xatu was dumbfounded.

It was holding its own against the combined attack of their three trainers and six Pokémon, all while being at a disadvantage in terms of type!

Damn, could that Swinub be Kyurem in disguise?!

While his Swinub was locked in battle against Stephen's trio, Pryce keenly noticed something.

The Bewear that had been at the center of the battlefield was now holding something in its hands and was retreating rapidly behind Stephen.

Boom!

Finally, the Mahogany Gym, unable to withstand the clash of ice and fire, began to collapse.

The ceiling cracked and fell.

Seeing this, the Swinub immediately used Ice Beam to create an ice wall to shield its trainer from the falling debris.

Meanwhile, Stephen and his group seized the opportunity to escape through the back door.

...

Boom, boom, boom—!

The Mahogany Gym completely collapsed.

"Huff... huff... huff... damn... he… he's a masked man..."

Will, who had just escaped from the gym and was being supported by Stephen, panted heavily.

That Swinub's Blizzard was terrifying.

Judging by its power, it felt like Pryce hadn't even gone all-out in the previous battle at Ilex Forest!

"Did we… did we succeed?"

Karen wasn't in great shape either, but she couldn't care less about her condition right now. She turned to the Bewear and asked.

"Geely~ Geely~"

A voice that didn't belong to a Bewear came from within its arms.

The next second, a small Pokémon gradually revealed itself from the Bewear's embrace.

It was none other than the small Swablu that had just hatched two days ago.

On its body, it wore a black cloak—the same type of stealth battle suit that Stephen and his team were wearing.

"Geely~ Geely~"

The tiny Swablu, no bigger than an adult's palm, happily flew to Stephen's shoulder while holding a shrunken Poké Ball in its beak. It handed the ball over to Stephen.

"Well done, Swablu. You just defeated the strongest trainer of this era." Stephen gave Swablu a thumbs-up.

"Stephen, I don't quite understand. Even with the stealth suit, shouldn't Pryce's Swinub, which surpasses Champion-level strength, have sensed an enemy sneaking up on its trainer?"

Will raised a question.

"First of all, Swinub isn't a Pokémon known for its sensory abilities. Secondly, Swablu is very weak—so weak that its presence is practically negligible."

Compared to Pokémon like highly perceptive canine species or Psychic-types, Ice/Ground-type Swinub inherently lacked strong sensory abilities, even at a master level.

Of course, Pryce's Swinub had grown to the point where it could sense danger.

If Bewear or Umbreon had stealthily approached, the Swinub would've noticed.

But Swablu was different.

It was weak—so weak that its aura was practically zero.

With Swinub already being poor at sensing and its attention being focused on the ongoing battle, it was simply impossible for it to notice Swablu's approach.

The weakest Pokémon had taken down the strongest opponent!

Stephen's Swablu could truly be said to have reached its peak upon hatching!

Stephen then looked down at the Pokémon inside the Poké Ball—Lapras!

Yes, this was the Lapras, named La Glace, that Pryce cherished most. It was the one he had planned to send back to the past to reunite with its parents.

Everything Pryce had done was for the sake of this Lapras.