The expedition through this mysterious island continued with great caution. Slowking accompanying the group had reached an impressive level 58, allowing it to confront wild Pokémon on the island independently. With the support of Honchkrow and Weavile, it could even engage in battles against psychic-type Pokémon with significant level advantage.
Whenever a Pokémon sustained injuries, Aoki would recall it and summon Florges to provide healing. Having gained considerable experience from previous adventures, Aoki had prepared thoroughly before entering this space, storing all necessary survival supplies outside his spatial equipment. While food might have been limited, he carried an ample supply of healing potions, antidotes, and various custom-made remedies—far more than he could possibly exhaust.
After defeating an attacking Spoink, both Honchkrow and Weavile gained enough experience to level up, reaching levels 52 and 51 respectively. Aoki had no intention of attempting to capture this Spoink; he understood that the Pokémon inhabiting this island could not be tamed. However, he refrained from causing unnecessary harm to it.
The nature of this place remained unknown, and with so many psychic-type Pokémon present, harming one might provoke the wrath of a far more powerful entity. Such a mistake could prove fatal. Moreover, Aoki no longer required the Mind stones that psychic Pokémon might produce. Having reached intermediate-level psychic abilities, his progression could no longer be significantly enhanced by these stones. Their effect paled in comparison to the four Unown totems embedded in his wristband.
If he sought rapid improvement, locating additional Unown totems would yield far greater results.
Strangely, every Pokémon defeated by Aoki seemed to vanish without a trace, never reappearing before him again. Just as he prepared to step over the fallen Spoink, Slowking suddenly teleported in front of him, its expression grave. Honchkrow and Weavile reacted a moment later but swiftly positioned themselves protectively beside Aoki, scanning their surroundings with heightened alertness.
Aoki frowned. Though he possessed psychic abilities himself, Slowking's psychic sensitivity surpassed his own. The moment Slowking appeared before him, Aoki also detected something amiss—an anomaly in the spatial fabric of this dimension. Without proper spatial perception or heightened sensitivity, such distortions might have gone unnoticed. Fortunately, after attaining intermediate-level psychic power, Aoki had confirmed his own spatial aptitude, allowing him to sense the disturbance.
Directly ahead, near where the Spoink had collapsed, the space twisted briefly before a figure emerged from the distortion.
A fully evolved, light-yellow Pokémon resembling a fox stepped forward, two slender whiskers framing its mouth. Its eyes gleamed with profound intelligence, and it held a pair of gleaming silver spoons in its hands. At first glance, its psychic energy appeared completely restrained, making it seem like an ordinary Pokémon.
Aoki's eyes narrowed in recognition.
One of the most intelligent Pokémon in existence.
An Alakazam.
Pokémon: Alakazam (Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 65
Type: Psychic
Ability: Synchronize
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Power Trick, Guard Swap, Psycho Shift, Magic Room
Basic Moves: Kinesis, Teleport, Psybeam, Disable, Confusion, Miracle Eye, Reflect, Psycho Cut, Recover, Future Sight, Trick, Calm Mind, Psychic
Learnt Moves: Ice Punch, Trick Room, Magic Coat, Wonder Room, Mimic, Gravity
TM Moves: None
Seeing Alakazam's stats sent a chill down Aoki's spine.
A champion-tier Alakazam.
Moreover, this was an island where psychic-type Pokémon exhibited battle prowess far beyond the norm. This Alakazam could prove to be an overwhelmingly difficult opponent—one capable of wiping out Aoki's entire team. Even attempting to escape via Slowking's Teleport would be no simple task. The only reassurance came from the Gengar lurking in Aoki's shadow, serving as his final contingency.
Unlike most other Pokémon on the island, Alakazam did not attack immediately upon spotting them. Instead, it stood motionless, its gaze fixed on the Pokémon egg cradled in Aoki's arms. Its expression flickered with something resembling embarrassment.
The strange standoff lasted several tense moments before Alakazam finally stirred, its face shifting into a more composed demeanor. Psychic energy flared around it, prompting Slowking to respond in kind, bracing for a potential assault.
However, Alakazam showed no signs of aggression. Instead, it extended a thin strand of psychic energy toward Aoki—a deliberate, controlled motion. Slowking moved to intercept, but Aoki raised a hand to stop it, allowing the psychic thread to connect with his mind.
Telepathy.
Alakazam's voice resonated in Aoki's thoughts—a voice that carried the weight of age and wisdom.
"Young human, you have crossed a boundary. Proceeding further will awaken an existence beyond your ability to resist."
The aged tone suggested this Alakazam was quite old. However, Alakazam's brain cells continued developing throughout its lifespan, evolving at an extraordinary rate. Appearances could be deceiving; an elderly-looking Alakazam might still possess immense vitality. Telepathic communication often provided the best gauge of its true age.
Aoki relaxed slightly upon hearing Alakazam's words, gleaning several key pieces of information:
First, this Alakazam had encountered humans before—otherwise, it wouldn't have recognized Aoki as a "young human."
Second, the island indeed housed an immensely powerful being.
Third, this being was currently dormant, and approaching it risked awakening it.
Rather than relying solely on Alakazam's psychic link, Aoki extended his own psychic energy in response. Facing a highly intelligent psychic-type required demonstrating his own capabilities—proof that he was not just another ordinary human. Otherwise, he would be dismissed as insignificant.
"Is it Azelf?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. If the slumbering entity was indeed the legendary Azelf, then venturing deeper would be tantamount to suicide.
Alakazam's eyes gleamed with something unreadable.
"You are perceptive. But knowing its name changes nothing. Turn back now, or you will not leave this island alive."
Aoki exhaled slowly, weighing his options. The Pokémon egg in his arms pulsed faintly, as if reacting to the psychic energy saturating the air.
He had come too far to retreat now. But pressing forward meant facing a legendary.
The choice was his.