Pokémon: I’m Really Not a Team Rocket Spy

Regarding the Pokémon Ursaluna, the reality is that no one has figured out how to evolve Ursaring into it. Many researchers have studied this question for a long time, yet they've made no progress.

Adding to the mystery, no living Ursaluna has ever been found in the current Pokémon world, leading many to doubt its existence entirely. Some believe it's just a myth invented by their ancestors.

However, Maki knew the truth: Ursaluna does exist. But the conditions for its evolution are exceptionally harsh. It requires a specific item called a Peat Block to be used on a full moon night.

Once evolved, Ursaluna gains Normal and Ground typing. Aside from a decrease in Special Attack and Speed, all its other stats experience a significant boost, making it both tanky and powerful.

This stat redistribution, where Special Attack is sacrificed for other attributes, is reminiscent of Mega Beedrill.

That said, Maki wasn't particularly interested in Ursaluna. Although he knew it required a Peat Block to evolve, he had no idea what the item actually was or how to obtain it.

After ensuring that the Ursaring wasn't following him, Maki released his Charmander once more.

"Char! Char!"

As soon as Charmander appeared, it waved its claws in protest against Maki's earlier actions. Why had it been recalled? It could fight too!

"You're still young. That Ursaring was out of your league. Besides, if things had gotten serious, I could've called on Dragonite. We weren't in any real danger," Maki explained.

Hearing this, Charmander lowered its head in dejection. Although it was Maki's Pokémon, it had to rely on Dragonite for protection, a reality that deeply frustrated its competitive spirit.

"It's alright. You've only just started training. It's normal to lose against opponents like that. Once you evolve into Charizard, we can come back to settle the score!" Maki comforted his partner.

Thankfully, Charmander wasn't too fragile. It quickly bounced back and followed Maki as they continued their journey.

"So… where are we, exactly?"

Maki glanced at his surroundings. Earlier, he had picked a densely forested path at random, thinking it would be easier to escape from the large Ursaring.

But now, he realized he didn't even know where he had ended up. Asking Dragonite to scout from the sky was out of the question. The dragon had already made it clear before entering the forest that it wouldn't step in unless there was real danger.

As for using the sun to navigate… it was noon, and the sun was directly overhead, making it useless for determining direction.

"I think we came from this way?" Maki pointed behind him, but Charmander quickly offered its own opinion.

"Char!"

[No, it was this way!] Charmander gestured to Maki's right, certain that was the correct path.

"Forget it. Let's just use the simplest method," Maki said.

Charmander paused, its eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation at what clever idea Maki might have.

Then… Maki picked up a stick from the ground and tossed it into the air.

"This way. Let's go!" he declared, marching in the direction the stick pointed.

Charmander: …

Though speechless at Maki's method, Charmander still followed. After all, in its subconscious, it believed the worst-case scenario would just mean calling in its Dragonite mentor for help.

To Charmander, Dragonite had already become a kind of teacher figure.

Bzzzz~

The sound of rapidly flapping wings grew louder as a pair of bright red eyes emerged from the dense canopy.

A Beedrill!

Encountering a Beedrill in the forest wasn't unusual, but what puzzled Maki was how this particular Beedrill remained perched on a tree, quietly observing them without attacking.

As soon as Charmander saw the Beedrill, it prepared an Ember attack, but Maki stopped it.

"It doesn't seem like it wants to fight," Maki noted.

Although the Beedrill made no sound, Maki could feel that this was the case.

Judging by its size and physical features, Maki estimated that this Beedrill had at least Great Ball level strength.

Such a strong Beedrill was rare in the wild. Bug-type Pokémon typically evolved quickly to protect themselves and their colonies, often at the cost of their potential. Most wild Beedrill only reached Poké Ball level at best.

It wasn't just Beedrill; this phenomenon applied to most Bug-types. For a Beedrill to reach Great Ball level strength, it was usually due to being trained by a skilled Trainer.

A Great Ball level Beedrill would still be a tough challenge for Charmander, even with its type advantage.

But, as if bored of the staring contest, the Beedrill turned and flew off.

Maki withdrew his hand, which had been holding back Charmander, and glanced in the direction the Beedrill disappeared.

Beedrill were typically more aggressive than Ursaring. While Ursaring might let you go if it was full, Beedrill usually attacked anyone they encountered unless overwhelmed by sheer strength.

Beedrill were notorious bullies. If you didn't have the power to deal with them, the best option was to run.

However, this Beedrill felt different. Not only was it much stronger than usual, but its behavior was also strange.

Still, while unusual personalities in wild Pokémon weren't common, they weren't unheard of. Maki chalked it up to coincidence.

Yet, the deeper Maki ventured, the more something felt off. It wasn't the Beedrill that troubled him, but the changing environment.

The area where Maki first encountered the Ursaring was on the forest's outskirts, where the trees were only a few meters tall. But here, the trees towered over ten meters, their trunks thick and robust.

Earlier, Maki had caught a glimpse of two Pokémon darting away. Although fleeting, he was sure of what he saw: a Bulbasaur and a Treecko.

That was odd. While Trainers occasionally found wild starter Pokémon, it was a rare occurrence. Now, however, Maki had encountered two in quick succession.

And since both appeared in their juvenile forms, it suggested the existence of distinct Bulbasaur and Treecko populations in the area.

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