"Deli~?" (Did your trainer tell you to wait here?)
After a brief hesitation, the Delibird asked its question.
"Drago~?" (She's playing with me right now, what are you talking about?)
Dragonite tilted its head, clearly confused by Delibird's words.
Its pupils were a bit unfocused. Under Delibird's wide-eyed stare, Dragonite acted as if it was being petted by someone in thin air, showing expressions of joy and comfort, even trying to introduce its trainer to Delibird and Pidgey (Mew in disguise).
Suddenly, Delibird felt a chill run down its back. Only it, Mew, and Dragonite were in the attic—so who was Dragonite interacting with in the darkness?
"Mew~…" (Mew senses traces of the mind-controlling psychic's power lingering on Dragonite.)
Mew closed its eyes, carefully sensing, and came to a conclusion.
Staring at Dragonite, who was lost in its own world, Delibird's pupils shrank. An unbelievable thought struck.
Delibird quickly pulled out the notebook Lucas had given it and flipped to the page on Psychic-type Pokémon:
"Psychic-types are versatile, almost omnipotent. They can control objects at a distance, teleport, manipulate the environment, predict the future, and even alter the memories, emotions, and minds of other beings.
If you encounter a Psychic-type Pokémon, avoid conflict as much as possible—their strange powers are impossible to guard against!!!"
Lucas had even highlighted the last sentence in red.
Delibird stared at the Dragonite leader, seemingly interacting with someone nonexistent, and combined this with the words of psychic master Mew. Could it be that Dragonite's strange behavior was because its mind had been altered by the owner of this castle—a Psychic-type Pokémon belonging to the strongest trainer—and that a phantom trainer had been fabricated in its mind?
Fury rose in Delibird's heart toward this strongest trainer it had never met. How dare they toy with Dragonite's mind like this!
Such evil was unforgivable.
Mew, sensitive to Delibird's emotional shift, grew curious about what Delibird would do. As it had done for ages, Mew chose to watch the story unfold, perhaps intervening for fun if it felt like it.
Delibird realized it probably couldn't handle Dragonite's current state, so it turned to Mew, whose face was the picture of a bystander enjoying the show.
Maybe, as another Psychic-type, Mew could break the control over Dragonite's mind?
Delibird shared its thoughts with Mew and, to sweeten the deal, produced an unopened box of Pokéblocks, promising that if Mew helped free Dragonite's mind, the treats would be all Mew's.
But Delibird had underestimated how steadfast Mew could be—behind its innocent face, who knew how many years it had lived?
"Mew~" (I refuse~)
Mew let out a sly chuckle, showing a capricious and playful side for the first time.
It would help if interested, watch if amused, or stir things up for fun—classic mischief-maker.
Delibird: "…"
Of course, Mew never looked reliable.
Fortunately, Delibird had picked up the art of persuasion from Lucas. After some thought, it began enticing Mew with a bewitching tone:
"Deli deli~" (My trainer can make all kinds of delicious food and desserts. There's Ceruledge who grills amazing barbecue, and cakes decorated with Milcery's fresh cream that'll sweeten your heart…)
Seeing Mew's changing expression and involuntary swallowing, Delibird pressed on.
"Deli deli~!" (Help Dragonite break free, and I'll have Lucas host you at the farm and make all sorts of treats just for you!)
Mew swallowed yet again. Its imagination ran wild; it could already see the delicious food Delibird described.
Mew had to admit, it was tempted.
Without further pretense, Mew teleported behind Dragonite, placed a wing on its back, and channeled mysterious psychic power.
Delibird watched hopefully, vowing that if Dragonite was freed, it would have Dragonite fly it back to the farm, then gather Lucas and Luxray to give this so-called strongest trainer a lesson.
However, Mew soon scratched its head and awkwardly admitted: "Mew~" (The psychic controls in Dragonite's mind are too complex. I can't undo them~)
Mew looked innocent—after all, it had never studied psychic control. If it had free time, it would rather have fun elsewhere.
It made sense that Mew couldn't break the mind control.
Delibird: "…"
What a disaster!
BOOM!
Just as Delibird was at a loss, a violent explosion shook the attic. Dust filled the space, and Delibird covered its nose and mouth in pain.
Dragonite, meanwhile, was still interacting with its nonexistent trainer.
Perhaps to make up for things—or just really craving the food Mew imagined—Mew offered, "Mew~" (The one with the power is nearby. Want me to take you to them?)
Delibird hesitated.
Could it really face an enemy powerful enough to change the weather across an entire sea and summon storms and tsunamis?
Images of Lucas and Luxray flashed through Delibird's mind. If only they were here…
Mew looked Delibird in the eye, then reverted to its original form and took Delibird's wing, closing its eyes.
A glow surrounded them, and a bubble formed, enveloping both Pokémon.
Mew's psychic power connected to Delibird's mind, extracting the image of the person it wanted to see. With endless psychic strength, Mew reached across space, trying to summon that person.
Suddenly, pink light flooded the attic.
A soft slap echoed—like slippers on wooden boards.
Delibird, wondering what Mew was up to, looked over in surprise—and saw a very familiar pair of slippers.
Delibird: ????
Mew looked guilty: "Mew mew mew" (Too far. My power wasn't enough to bring him over…)
…
At Paldea's Los Platos Outskirts.
Lucas was napping comfortably on a lounge chair.
Suddenly, he felt his feet lighten. The familiar sensation made him open his bleary eyes.
"Huh? Where are my slippers?"
He ran a hand through his messy hair, confused by his sock-clad feet, until he heard Growlithe digging nearby.
Looking over, Lucas' eyes widened as he saw Growlithe joyfully digging holes. Realization struck, and he roared, "Grow–lithe!"
PS: Bonus chapter at 100 PS