Pokémon: Virus Evolution

Treecko's battered body continued to convulse unconsciously.

Everyone in the emergency room—both humans and Pokémon alike—felt the weight of the moment. Though no one had given up, the air was thick with tension as Treecko's fragile life hung in the balance.

What none of them knew was that countless microscopic organisms, invisible to the naked eye, were already advancing toward the wounded Pokémon's body, led by a singular, frenzied consciousness.

(╯‵□′)╯ Go forth, my children...

This was an experiment Lucius had long been waiting to conduct.

Previously, he had attempted to infect a Fire-type Vulpix, but its innate Flash Fire ability, along with its fiery energy, not only repelled the virus but also burned it in the process.

Grass-types, however, were different. Their nature was far gentler, making them a more viable host for viral survival.

If Lucius remembered correctly, in Resident Evil, the Progenitor Virus was originally derived from the Stairway to the Sun flower, a plant native to West Africa.

Moreover, this Treecko wasn't a Normal-type, but its severely weakened immune system and deteriorating bodily functions made it the perfect target for infection.

The probability of successful parasitism was high.

If he managed to infect Treecko, he could acquire the genetic blueprint of a rare Pokémon while also studying how the virus evolved within a non-Normal-type host.

And even if the host perished during the gene absorption process, he could simply retreat into Chansey or any nearby human—no risk of being "disinfected."

Treecko's body was covered in wounds, but Lucius didn't recklessly swarm in this time. Instead, he dispatched a small batch of viral scouts to infiltrate first.

Entry successful.

His hypothesis was correct—Treecko's Grass-typing offered far less resistance to the virus than Vulpix had. The pathogens slipped in effortlessly, encountering no immediate obstacles.

But...

Inside Treecko's body, an unexpected battlefield unfolded before Lucius's microscopic vision.

A destructive force was already rampaging through the Pokémon's cells, leaving devastation in its wake.

What the hell is this?

Lucius was stunned.

Countless writhing, purple-black parasites with dense, short tendrils rampaged through Treecko's body, corrupting everything they touched. The infected areas darkened, shriveled, and decayed.

Another external pathogen?

Seeing these monstrous microorganisms, Lucius had a flash of inspiration.

I'm a virus. You're a virus. We're the same kind… so why not devour you?

Without hesitation, he commanded his viral swarm to attack the unknown invaders.

[Warning: Unknown virus detected.]

The system's alert appeared.

Compared to these massive, warship-like parasites, Lucius's viruses were minuscule.

But even giants fall when overwhelmed—ants can take down an elephant if there are enough of them.

An entire army of microscopic soldiers descended upon a single parasite, consuming it piece by piece.

With just one successful assimilation, Lucius felt an exhilarating surge of power.

If he had to put it into human terms—it was euphoric.

Like getting a fresh charge of electricity.

More.

Driven by newfound hunger, he commanded his virus horde to devour the surrounding parasites at full force.

The massive parasites, though destructive, lacked intelligence. They acted purely on instinct, attacking everything indiscriminately.

Now, with a coordinated assault against them, they quickly suffered heavy losses.

As he absorbed more of them, Lucius simultaneously launched an infection campaign on Treecko's healthy cells.

A two-pronged strategy.

Like conquering a city—not only had he breached the walls, but now he had to govern it. Only then could he collect the "taxes" and ensure the survival of his viral colony.

As long as Treecko remained alive, even on the verge of death, his body would continue to sustain Lucius's viral strain.

"Tree...cko..."

Perhaps the intense battle raging inside triggered its nerves—Treecko suddenly regained consciousness.

"Huh? It woke up?"

The doctor was astonished to see Treecko twitching in pain.

"Chansey, use Heal Pulse again!"

"Chan~sey!"

Chansey raised its stubby arms, summoning a wave of soft pink energy that cascaded over Treecko's body.

As the pink light seeped into Treecko's wounds, its expression relaxed slightly.

Huh? Why does my Heal Pulse feel stronger than before?

Chansey briefly stared at its tiny pink hands in confusion before returning to its healing duties.

Meanwhile, deep inside Treecko's body, Lucius could feel it.

The host's life force was rising.

The hospital had likely used another healing move to sustain Treecko's vitals.

But he knew that unless the invading toxins were eradicated, no amount of healing would prevent death—it would only delay the inevitable.

However, since a host's vitality stacked with that of the virus, Treecko's recovery acted as a steroid for Lucius's viral swarm.

Their numbers swelled. Their combat strength surged.

And Lucius himself...

Something had changed.

Having consumed so many parasites, he was no longer a simple sphere with tendrils. His form had elongated—his tendrils had grown even longer, resembling those of a centipede.

A mutation.

Probably not a bad thing.

But something else had shifted.

Perhaps the parasites had evolved—or perhaps they had developed a collective intelligence.

All across Treecko's body, the remaining parasites abandoned their chaotic rampage, converging toward a single location.

They were no longer attacking at random.

They were preparing to counterattack.

Heh. If you had worked together from the beginning, maybe I'd be the one running.

But now?

You're too late.

Lucius smirked.

The counter-offensive began.

His primary virus battalion clashed with the amassed parasites head-on, while smaller units darted around, disrupting the enemy's formations.

Even if the diversion forces were wiped out, it didn't matter. By now, over half of Treecko's body had been infected—ensuring an endless supply of reinforcements.

One by one, the parasites fell.

As their numbers dwindled, Lucius's forces swelled.

With the toxins eradicated, the internal organ damage stopped worsening. Treecko's vitals stabilized, securing Lucius's foothold within the host.

Now...

Onward, my viral legions! Cross the great arterial rivers!

Massive virus battalions advanced in unison, sweeping through the last stronghold of parasites.

The final enemy forces retreated toward a single location—near Treecko's heart.

Lucius studied the battlefield carefully.

If his guess was correct...

This was the entry point of the infection.

The attacker had likely aimed to inject poison directly into Treecko's heart—but had missed by just a little.

Tough luck.

Now, it's my turn.

Lucius coolly commanded his virus army.

The final assault began.

----- 

Want to read ahead of schedule? 

Join here for advance chapters: patreon.com / madbot635