After witnessing Charizard and Dragonair's remarkable growth, the envious thousand-year-old Gengar finally revealed his deepest desire to Red.
"Boss, I want to absorb the law powers from those two ultra-ancient Pokémon, along with this Alakazam!"
The thousand-year-old Gengar spoke urgently, his expression pleading as he feared Red's disapproval.
To strengthen his case, he included Alakazam, who also coveted the ultra-ancient Alakazam's power.
"I'm not necessarily against it, but are you absolutely certain you can control this kind of power? What if you can't master it and suffer backlash instead?"
This was Red's greatest concern. While he naturally wanted his companions to grow stronger, he worried about the risks of such opportunistic power-seeking.
"Don't worry, Boss. I've lived for a thousand years. Don't I understand this basic principle? Besides, I'm quite familiar with these techniques, and we have the ultra-ancient Dragonite's guidance."
The thousand-year-old Gengar made eye contact with the ultra-ancient Dragonite, silently pleading for support.
Initially lacking absolute confidence, the thousand-year-old Gengar hadn't dared voice this idea. But the ultra-ancient Dragonite's presence gave him hope. Surely such a powerful being could handle this minor challenge.
'I need that power!'
Alakazam stepped forward firmly, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the thousand-year-old Gengar before Red. The determination blazing in its eyes conveyed its unwavering resolve.
"Alright, since you both want this so desperately, I won't stop you. Just promise me you'll be careful and not act recklessly."
Red's repeated warnings emphasized his concern for their safety.
Seeing Red's genuine care only strengthened their determination to master these law powers and become worthy of his faith.
Under their companions' blessing gazes, the thousand-year-old Gengar and Alakazam approached the unconscious ultra-ancient Pokémon.
Being of the same species, plus the thousand-year-old Gengar's millennium of experience, they quickly grasped the absorption technique.
With sufficient mental preparation, they began drawing in the law powers emanating from the two ultra-ancient beings.
Though only leaked fragments, it was enough to fulfill their expectations.
"These two have incredible determination to grow stronger. Otherwise they wouldn't endure such physical pain to continue absorbing these powers."
The ultra-ancient Dragonite released its dragon pressure, stabilizing their consciousness to prevent backlash from the law powers.
As the absorption continued, the ultra-ancient Gengar's and Alakazam's bodies grew increasingly transparent, their manifestation-sustaining power gradually dissipating.
After an unknown duration, the original ultra-ancient Pokémon transformed back into the two relic treasures: Black Darkness and Golden Eye. Only the surrounding battle scars proved to future travelers that an epic confrontation had occurred here.
Finally, the thousand-year-old Gengar and Alakazam opened their eyes simultaneously. Two powerful auras erupted, astonishing everyone present.
Markings identical to the previous ultra-ancient Gengar appeared on the thousand-year-old Gengar's body, clearly indicating his mastery of its power.
Everyone turned expectant gazes to Alakazam, discovering it was also bursting with brilliant evolutionary light. Its body, shrouded entirely in white radiance, began transforming.
As the light faded, the evolved Alakazam appeared before them.
After evolution, Alakazam's whiskers grew longer, its ears became sharper and more elongated, and the head symbol disappeared.
Due to infinite brain cell growth, its forehead expanded and brightened. Its chest and shoulders appeared wrapped in golden armor, with two additional bracer-like objects adorning its wrists.
Alakazam's hands each bore three fingers, both grasping spoons. Its feet became more robust, with golden knee guard-like parts making it appear more formidable.
Notably, evolution had eliminated Alakazam's tail from its previous Kadabra stage, meaning it could no longer use Iron Tail.
Just as everyone wondered why Alakazam lacked the symbolic markings, eerie patterns appeared on its silver skin, looking mysteriously powerful.
To demonstrate its strength to Red, Alakazam waved its spoons and used Psychic on nearby rocks.
Two purple psychic waves materialized and struck the stones, instantly forming coral shell-like attachments, clearly inheriting the ultra-ancient Alakazam's power.
"Don't look at me like that. Of course I inherited that old thing's power too. If you don't believe it, have Pikachu attack me with electric current to test the effect," the thousand-year-old Gengar said casually.
Red's Pikachu eagerly approached, preparing to release electricity, but was immediately stopped.
"No, no, no! I meant Ash's Pikachu, not you. I'm afraid your current might cause an accident."
The thousand-year-old Gengar spoke urgently, fearing Red's Pikachu's overwhelming power.
"Pika..."
Red's Pikachu drooped disappointedly, reluctantly instructing its younger brother to attack instead.
"Pika... chu!"
With permission from both Ash and Red's Pikachu, Ash's Pikachu released high-voltage current, transforming into a lightning snake striking toward the thousand-year-old Gengar.
"Not bad. This current's power is decent, but still within my tolerance range..."
The thousand-year-old Gengar slowly extended both hands, absorbing the incoming electricity like black holes. Not only did he show no injury, but his stamina was actually replenished over time.
"The power of devouring..." Red murmured.
'This power combined with Mega Evolution might receive further enhancement.'
Red examined the attachment-covered rocks more closely. Walking nearer, he found the rock surface gradually fading, obviously having energy absorbed from it, though less effectively than the thousand-year-old Gengar's demonstration.
However, this powerful ability came with side effects. The newly evolved Alakazam lacked sufficient stamina, and after using Psychic, the markings on its body faded, returning to normal state. It even collapsed weakly due to energy depletion.
The thousand-year-old Gengar fared better, but to avoid seriously depleting his stamina, he also released the marked form and returned to normal.
"I love you, Boss!"
The thousand-year-old Gengar pressed his face against Red's cheek affectionately.
Red allowed this behavior, provided no tongue-licking occurred. He permitted such displays of affection from the thousand-year-old Gengar, recognizing him as an 'old child' at heart.