Watching the two Pokémon head out, Shen Qi had no words left and burrowed back under the covers to keep sleeping.
Blissey!
Lop!
Blissey!
Lop!
Blissey and Lopunny ran along the early-morning path. Running ten kilometers from the Akihabara Research Institute to Pikachu Forest outside was little more than a warm-up for them.
"Egg Master, Florges got so much stronger a while ago thanks to Shen Qi's special training."
"Those special circumstances aren't sustainable."
Blissey clenched her little fleshy hands. "We might not get stronger that quickly in the short term, but we keep training consistently. Over the long run, we'll definitely be stronger."
"Yes! Egg Master!"
Meow, meow...
The early-morning sunlight was a little dim, and sinister feline cries drifted out of the forest.
A catlike Pokémon was sneering, full of malice and evil.
Lop!
Lopunny stepped toward the side of the path facing Pikachu Forest.
"Who's there!?"
"Me? I am the king of the darkest night, the supreme being who reigns above all Pokémon!"
A soft voice speaking the Pokémon language came from the forest. It sounded pleasant, but its tone was utterly evil.
A pair of ghostly green eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness, followed by a dark-blue body and two large, fluffy tails. Only the tips of his tails, the top of his head, his ears, and the little tufts at the ends of his four paws were white.
Meowstic!
That coloring and appearance belonged to a male-a male Meowstic.
Lopunny stared, dumbstruck, and Meowstic grew even more pleased with himself.
"Well? Has my terrifying presence cowed you?"
"So... so cute!" Lopunny pointed excitedly at Meowstic. "Egg Master, he's so cute!"
Meowstic was appalled. "Don't you call me that!"
Blissey merely shook her head calmly. "Being soft and cuddly isn't true cuteness. Only great strength and