An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 292 Epoch Carnival, Ultimate Darkness (Includes a poll regarding the extra chapter)
Mo Zhen, Ya Di, and Wan Long on the main stage were completely dumbfounded by the scene before them.

The spotlight held the three of them firmly in the center of the stage, its light so dazzling that it was almost impossible to open one's eyes.

Below the stage, the impeccably dressed Unova elites and their elf companions had shed their previous polite facade and fallen into a near-manic chaos.

The air was filled with the scent of some kind of biological pheromone mixed with the fermentation of a spilled high-end perfume, creating a dizzying and eerie atmosphere.

The light refracted by the crystal chandelier illuminates distorted and absurd scenes, pushing the limits of every normal person's senses.

[Ughhhhhh—I don't want to see it, I don't want to see teeth!!!]

Xiao Mengzi's pink, fleshy body trembled violently on Mo Zhen's shoulder, her beady eyes wide open, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets at any moment.

[This...this is a nightmare, this must be a nightmare!!! Lord Mo Zhen, we've fallen under the enemy's illusion! All I can see in my eyes right now are Gong Ping and Ironclad Shells!!!]

Yati's hand holding the paintbrush trembled uncontrollably, as if she had Parkinson's disease.

His face, which had been flushed with excitement at finding an "artistic sanctuary," was now completely drained of color, turning ashen white.

His gaze frantically tried to escape from the incomprehensible scene before him, but was firmly fixed on the image filled with destructive power.

"Quack! What the hell is this?!"

His voice was choked with sobs, distorted, and filled with the despair of a collapsing worldview.

"Who...who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?! No, stop it, stop the hell out there, ugh ...

He let out a series of inhuman screams, as if he were witnessing some indescribable ancient god ritual, and felt his brain's SAN value dropping rapidly at a visible speed.

The beautiful ideas in my mind about humans and elves living in harmony were like a piece of glass art struck by a heavy hammer, instantly shattering into dust, and frantically and twistingly reshaping into indescribable and terrifying shapes in the abyss of despair.

"ah--!!!!"

Wanlong screamed in shock, her voice so sharp it seemed to pierce eardrums.

In the midst of extreme chaos and fear, her composure as a successful businesswoman was instantly thrown to the winds.

She instinctively sought the most direct protection, suddenly turning to Mo Zhen beside her, her arms gripping Mo Zhen's waist tightly like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood.

Her hands, clad in white silk gloves, gripped Mo Zhen's red suit fabric tightly. Her meticulously styled gothic hair was now somewhat disheveled. Her cheeks were buried deep in Mo Zhen's firm chest, and her body trembled like leaves in the autumn wind.

"This...this is terrifying! What...what kind of place is this?! Director Mo, I'm so scared!"

Her voice, muffled and choked with sobs, came through the embrace, as if she were using this opportunity to pour all her fear and dependence into it, playing the role of a vulnerable woman desperately needing a hero to save her.

Even though Mo Zhen was an old artist who had seen countless storms, arranged all sorts of bizarre scripts, and even faced mythological projections in the dream theater, his mind completely went blank for a few seconds in the face of this dark ritual that could be described as a chaotic dance of demons.

It wasn't until a jolt, like being doused with ice water, that he jerked back, breaking free from the shock of that mental pollution.

The moment his consciousness returned, his senses began to function again, and the gazes from below the stage, filled with desire and scrutiny, sent chills down his spine.

Just then, he clearly saw that below the stage, Zhu Lan, standing quietly like a solitary lotus on a snow-capped peak, was looking up at him with her head slightly raised.

Her waist-length blonde hair shimmered with a cold luster under the hazy lights, and her black gown separated her from the surrounding chaos, creating a unique realm for her.

Her exposed icy blue eye showed no surprise or discomfort, but rather was filled with a smile of certain enlightenment.

She looked at Mo Zhen, a meaningful smile curving her lips, as if she were watching a meticulously crafted drama reach its climax.

"Hehe... Mr. Mo Zhen, there's no need to make such a fuss."

Zhu Lan's voice, clear through the noise, reached Mo Zhen's ears with a gentle, persuasive tone, as if she were teaching a child who was seeing the truth of the world for the first time.

"These are some of the long-standing traditions and customs of the upper class in the Union. They are the purest rituals of life evolution, stripped of the hypocritical veneer of civilization. Now, are you willing to re-examine my research findings on the 'bloodline connection between humans and elves'?"

Mo Zhen really couldn't hold back anymore. Her lips twitched violently, and an indescribable sense of absurdity rushed to her head.

He never expected that even at this point, this mysterious woman would still be thinking about getting him to accept her theory!

This fanatical academic fervor is even more chilling than the guys in the audience!

However, facts speak louder than words, and now even if Mo Zhen is quick-witted and eloquent, she has no way to argue with Zhu Lan.

At that moment, the host, wearing a silver mask inlaid with jewels, slipped back into the spotlight like a shadow.

He opened his arms, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, full of allure.

"Three distinguished new members! Do you see? This is the most sincere and enthusiastic welcome from our [Elf Era] family! Now, it's time for you to join in this harmonious rhythm and complete this sacred initiation ceremony! Please feel free to choose your favorite companions, or... wait for your companions to choose! The climax of the party awaits you to lead it!"

Mo Zhen now fully understood that this was not an ideal world of harmonious coexistence at all, but a dark microcosm of the upper class in the United States!
The so-called initiation ceremony is a pledge of allegiance to the corrupt. Only by crossing the final line and becoming part of the "evolutionary" group can one gain the recognition of this circle and access the connections and resources they control.

Just as Mo Zhen was rapidly considering how to extricate himself from this chaotic and harmonious feast without immediately breaking ties with these people who loved spirits,

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A deafening roar, seemingly capable of shattering the soul, erupted without warning from the incredibly solid ceiling of the hall!
The next second, under the gaze of countless horrified eyes, the magnificent dome constructed of special alloy and reinforced glass exploded as if it had been hit head-on by a meteorite, creating a huge hole with a diameter of more than ten meters!

Countless twisted metal components and glittering glass shards rained down like a storm, accompanied by a deafening roar. A colossal, sky-covering, orange-yellow figure, carrying destructive air currents and dust, descended like a mythical dragon destined to destroy the world!
It's none other than the ace Pokémon of a certain Flying-type Elite Four member—Fatty!
At this moment, Fei Da's honest-looking eyes were burning with unprecedented rage. The dragon's might emanating from his body was mixed with a tangible killing intent, forming a visible orange-yellow aura that swept across the entire hall!
"Whoosh whoo ...

It let out a deafening roar, and with a sudden flap of its enormous wings, the violent airflow instantly blew away several ornate dining tables near the stage, along with the delicacies on them!
Immediately afterward, its short but terrifyingly powerful claws slammed forward, unleashing a thick, tree-tree-like [Destructive Beam] containing destructive power, shooting out like a white torrent! "Boom—!!!"

The white beam of light slammed into the giant relief wall on one side of the hall, which was inlaid with countless gems and symbolized "the glory of the era"!

The blinding light instantly engulfed everything, and the deafening explosion made the entire underground space tremble violently!

The relief wall, along with the sophisticated instruments hidden behind it, was instantly vaporized and annihilated by the terrifying power of the [Destructive Death Ray], like an ice block thrown into a steel furnace. All that remained was a huge crater with dark red melting light at its edges, and metal and stone that had been melted into liquid by the high temperature flying everywhere!
“Aaaaaa——!”

"My fairy! Protect me!"

"Guards! Where are the guards?!"

The elites, who were just moments ago immersed in evolution and sublimation, are now making a complete fool of themselves.

The impeccably dressed gentlemen fled in terror, while the socialites and ladies turned pale with fright. Screams, cries, the frantic chirping of fairies, and the sounds of shattering objects mingled together, turning what was once a lavish and harmonious feast into a chaotic hell on earth.

The crystal chandelier swayed wildly, casting fragmented light and shadow that reflected on faces contorted with fear.

The moment the earth-shattering roar came, Mo Zhen's pupils contracted sharply, and he understood immediately.

His sharp gaze swept across the chaotic crowd like a searchlight, and sure enough, in a shadowy corner near an emergency exit, he spotted that familiar figure—

With his flamboyant red hair and a stylish cloak fluttering in the chaotic air currents, who else could it be but Yu Longdu?
At this moment, the dodo bird's face no longer held its usual carefree demeanor; instead, it displayed a cold, icy sharpness.

He seemed to sense Mo Zhen's gaze, and suddenly turned his head. Their eyes met in the chaotic air.

A-Du didn't speak, but made a very subtle yet swift gesture to Mo-Zhen, then pointed with his eyes to the hole in the dome that had been created by the Dragonite, and the direction of the chaotic exits around him.

The meaning couldn't be clearer: Now's the time to leave!
Mo Zhen instantly understood. Without any hesitation, he suddenly grabbed Wanlong, who was still trembling with fear and taking the opportunity to hug his waist and grope him, and whispered.

"Stop daydreaming! Want your chandelier spirit to become their party prop?! Tell it to take us away!"

"Huh?...Oh! Yes! Yes!"

Startled awake by Mo Zhen's low shout, Wanlong looked around at the several senior members who, even amidst the chaos, were still eyeing her and the Crystal Lamp Spirit with greedy and curious gazes. She was instantly jolted awake, and the tender feelings in her heart were instantly replaced by greater fear.

She almost screamed as she gave the command to the chandelier spirit hovering beside her, its candle flames flickering violently.

"The crystal chandelier is haunted! A ghost has attacked! Take Master Mo Zhen and that painter with us, let's get out of this hellhole!"

"Hoho—!"

The four ghostly blue candle flames of the crystal chandelier suddenly surged, emitting a dense, almost tangible ghostly energy!
It let out an ethereal cry, and its powerful ghostly energy instantly enveloped Mo Zhen, Wan Long, and Ya Di, who was standing beside them with vacant eyes, clutching his easel like a walking corpse.

The next moment, a flash of eerie blue light appeared, and the three figures vanished from the center of the chaotic stage as if erased by an eraser!

……

On a remote coastline in Feiyun City.

The sea breeze of the night carried a salty, fishy scent, and the waves gently lapped against the rocks, making a soothing gurgling sound, a stark contrast to the madness and chaos that had just taken place in the underground hall.

"Pfft."

Yati's knees buckled, and she knelt on the cold sand, the drawing board in her hands falling to the ground with a "thud".

His eyes were lifeless, his pupils unfocused, as if he had lost all focus. He just stared blankly at the dark sea in front of him, his lips trembling incessantly.

"Heh...heh heh...harmony...resonance...ultimate art..."

He uttered incoherent babbling, his face sometimes displaying a strange, silly grin, and other times an expression of extreme fear.

"Insects...Magic Masked Meow...Gardevoir...Ustur...Hehe...It's all...it's all gone...My Unova dream...My inspiration...My brain...My brain is going to break...Ughh ...

Finally, he let out a desperate wail, clutching his flaxen hair tightly with both hands, curling himself into a ball, and falling into a state of complete madness and self-isolation.

Wanlong patted her ample chest with lingering fear, her face pale. Her gorgeous Lolita dress from before looked somewhat disheveled during the teleportation.

She leaned against the crystal chandelier, her voice trembling with tears and lingering fear.

"This is...this is terrifying! I originally thought it was just a high-class club for expanding connections...I never expected...I never expected the upper echelons of Unova to be this crazy! I'll never attend a party like this again! At worst...at worst I'll sell Endpoint Novel Network to Bogarman Corporation and immigrate to Alora or Galar!"

Just as the two were still in shock...

“Crash——!!!”

A huge column of water suddenly burst open on the sea not far away!

Immediately afterwards, a massive figure, as red as blood and exuding a violent aura, broke through the waves and appeared!
It was a strangely colored red Gyarados!
Its ferocious head was covered with a hard carapace, and its blood-red eyes burned with a terrifying ferocity. Just by appearing on the sea surface, the oppressive feeling it brought was enough to make ordinary elves collapse.

What's even more shocking is that atop the ferocious head of the red Gyarados stands a proud figure—red hair and a cape fluttering wildly in the sea breeze. Who else could it be but Lance?
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Let me do a survey: is anyone interested in seeing the Elf Era Party spin-off? If so, please vote with your monthly pass. If there are many people interested, I'll write it down; otherwise, it's fine.

(End of this chapter)