After evolving, Marowak's body rapidly grew taller, reaching around 1.5 meters. Its abdomen was light brown, while most of its body was dark brown.
Marowak had a pointed object at the end of its tail. Each hand had a small claw serving as a thumb, and its two toenails functioned as toes. Its head had fused with the skull it once wore, becoming a part of its body.
Marowak's jaw was also covered in bone. Its nostrils were located where the skull's nose was, and its eyes were roughly triangular in shape.
Not only had its body changed, but even its weapon—the bone club—had been upgraded, becoming thicker and more lethal.
"Finally, you've become stronger, Marowak..." Red said with relief.
Marowak's evolution was not only due to meeting the strength requirements, but more importantly because it had completely overcome the psychological trauma of losing its mother. It had fully left behind its weak and powerless past, transforming into a new self.
[Ding! Successfully stacked the Ability Battle Armor onto Marowak!]
(Battle Armor: Prevents critical hits. Even moves that are guaranteed to land critical hits will not do so.)
"Pokémon: Marowak
Attribute: Ground-type
First Ability: Rock Head
Second Ability: Battle Armor
Moves: Headbutt, Bone Club, Bonemerang Barrage, Focus Energy, Bonemerang, Double-Edge, Brick Break, Stomping Tantrum, Iron Head…
Personality: Rough and battle-loving, harbors hatred toward Team Rocket for killing its mother
Experience: Witnessed its mother being killed by Team Rocket while protecting its weak self, causing it to shut its heart and avoid facing reality.
After personally avenging its mother, it gradually emerged from its psychological shadow. Having bid farewell to its weak past, it now strives to become one of Red's strongest warriors. The bone club in its hand is its proud weapon."
"It actually evolved!" the Hiker exclaimed, then immediately threw another Poké Ball. "But your Marowak won't be able to defeat the next opponent so easily!"
The white light faded, revealing a Graveler with a rocky exterior and four arms.
However, there was an awkward detail—the Graveler sent out by the Hiker was only about 1.0 meter tall, an average height, making it nearly half as tall as Red's Marowak. When Marowak looked at it, it even had to lower its head to see Graveler's whole body.
(So short…)
"How is this possible?! This Marowak's development is way too abnormal!" the Hiker said in disbelief, even rubbing his eyes.
He knew that ordinary Marowak and Graveler were about the same height, so he had subconsciously assumed his Graveler would match it. He never expected it to look so small in comparison.
"Graveler, use Rock Slide!" the Hiker ordered.
Sharp stone blades floated around Graveler. Under its control, they shot rapidly toward Marowak.
"Bone Club Barrage!"
Marowak swung its thick bone club, easily shattering the incoming stone blades. Then it threw the club, using Bonemerang.
The thrown bone struck Graveler accurately. Immediately after, Marowak rushed forward and unleashed a powerful Brick Break.
Marowak's glowing hand blade struck Graveler's body. The pain forced Graveler to retaliate, using Rollout to push Marowak away.
Marowak, pushed back, did not get discouraged. It used Stomping Tantrum, forcefully stomping the ground to slow Graveler's rolling speed, then blocked its impact with both hands.
"This is bad, Graveler, dodge!" the Hiker shouted urgently.
But it was too late. The bone club Marowak had thrown earlier came back, striking Graveler from behind. The damage exposed an opening, and Marowak followed up with Iron Head, knocking it to the ground.
"I've lost…" the Hiker said dejectedly, recalling his fainted Graveler.
With no will to continue, the Hiker turned and left.
"Well done, Marowak! I'm proud of your strength now."
Red walked up, smiling as he patted Marowak's head. Although it had become rough due to fusing with the skull, it didn't affect his affection at all.
Marowak happily narrowed its eyes, enjoying the touch. It hugged Red and rubbed its face against him with joy.
At the same time, Ash was also battling another Hiker.
"Go, Rhyhorn!"
"I choose you, Bulbasaur!"
Both sides sent out their Pokémon.
"Rhyhorn, use Take Down!"
Rhyhorn charged forward with heavy steps toward Bulbasaur. Due to its massive weight, even the ground trembled under its charge.
Ash was about to command Bulbasaur to use Leech Seed to restrain it, but Rhyhorn's speed exceeded his expectations and it slammed directly into Bulbasaur, knocking it to the ground.
"Come back, Bulbasaur!"
Seeing its severe injuries, Ash anxiously tried to recall it, but the stubborn Bulbasaur refused, dodging the red recall light.
"What are you doing? Come back quickly!" Ash urged.
"I think Bulbasaur won't come back unless it wins," Brock explained.
"Not listening to your trainer? Your training isn't enough," the Hiker teased, then commanded Rhyhorn to use Take Down again.
"Pika Pika!"
"You can't lose—use Razor Leaf!" Ash encouraged.
With its fighting spirit rising, Bulbasaur leaped up and used Razor Leaf. The leaves struck Rhyhorn, stopping its charge.
"Bulba! Bulba!"
Bulbasaur followed up with Vine Whip. Its two vines lashed Rhyhorn, spinning its entire body like a top in a rather comical fashion.
Finally, the dizzy Rhyhorn collapsed to the ground, unable to continue battling.
"We won!" Ash cheered excitedly.
"I admit defeat, kid. You're amazing!" the Hiker praised.
"Not really—your Rhyhorn was also very strong," Ash replied honestly.
"But Ash, your Bulbasaur is quite competitive," Brock said.
"Yeah, Ash's Pokémon all have strong spirit," Misty added, holding the newly born Togepi in her arms.
During their journey after parting with Red, Ash's group had also been attacked by Team Rocket, who aimed to steal Togepi. By fate, Togepi recognized Misty—the first person it saw—as its mother and became very attached to her.
"Great job, Bulbasaur!"
Ash turned to look at Bulbasaur, only to see it drenched in sweat, trembling as if resisting something. The bulb on its back glowed intermittently, signaling that it was about to evolve.
"Don't worry, Ash. This is a sign that Bulbasaur is about to evolve!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Ash turned excitedly toward the approaching Red.
"Brother, what are you doing here?!"
"I just happened to pass by. There are rumors of a mysterious place nearby called the 'Mysterious Garden,' and I happen to be interested in that," Red explained calmly, glancing at a brand-new Poké Ball at his waist and the Key Stone in his hand.