Carl paused for a moment, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. He recalled a line from an anime about having immense power yet choosing not to harm the weak, emphasizing the need for high-level control.
"Indeed, power requires practice to master," Sabrina explained earnestly. "Just like Pokémon battles, you must train daily to maintain your skills."
She seemed unaware of how casually she spoke of her extraordinary abilities. Having powers beyond normal control hinted at her astonishing talent.
"When I was young, my parents trained me strictly. My powers grew rapidly, but my control couldn't keep up, often leading to mishaps," she continued. "Initially, they could still suppress me, but eventually, my abilities surpassed theirs..."
Sabrina halted her story there.
Carl and the others immediately understood. When her powers exceeded her parents' control, her fixation turned them into dolls. Now that she had mastered her abilities, restoring her mother was proving difficult.
Lillie and Serena now grasped why Carl had changed his stance. In their shoes, they'd have done the same.
Sabrina's story was both tragic and fascinating, her unfortunate childhood earning her the title of the mysterious beauty she was today.
"You'll be alright here," Lillie whispered comfortingly, fully empathizing with Sabrina's plight. Her own childhood had been devoid of friends, her parents rarely present, and her days filled with study and training. Her act of releasing Nebby might have been a sign of rebellion.
"Sabrina, everything will get better," Serena offered softly.
Although she couldn't fully relate to Lillie's experience, she understood the pressure and expectations placed by a parent, which had led her to run away from home.
Discussing the pressures from parents, they realized they all shared similar experiences. Even Carl wasn't exempt; his grandfather had high hopes for him too. Yet, possessing memories from two lifetimes, he understood these feelings better.
"Clap, clap, clap—"
Carl suddenly clapped his hands, breaking the silence.
"Great! It's unanimous. Welcome, Sabrina, to our little family."
Lillie and Serena joined in the applause. Although Sabrina maintained her aloof demeanor, she seemed more at ease.
"Are you a family?" she asked suddenly.
The clapping stopped abruptly. Serena and Lillie's faces flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm going to do the dishes!" Serena hurriedly collected the plates and rushed to the kitchen.
"I'll help," Lillie quickly followed.
In a blink, only Carl and Sabrina remained in the dining room.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Carl asked helplessly.
"I was just curious. Can three people really be called a family?" Sabrina responded with an innocent look, as if genuinely pondering the question.
Carl internally rolled his eyes: Yeah, right.
"I'm off to the hot spring, make yourself at home."
He decided to make a quick exit. Though Sabrina was like someone he knew who loved teasing, her few words carried a sharp wit.
"At least a bunch of kids is needed to call it a family, right?"
Just a few steps away, Sabrina's musing drifted over.
Carl almost tripped.
"Spare me!"
Half an hour later, in the hot spring separated by a wooden wall.
Carl relaxed with his Pokémon in the soothing waters, relishing the rare moment of leisure. If only someone could give him a back rub, it would be perfect.
"Sabrina, why did you put the doll— I mean, your mom in the water too?" Serena's voice floated over, catching Carl's attention.
Carl had suggested that the hot spring might help her mother's condition. Sabrina replied with a hint of amusement, recalling Carl's earlier tense demeanor as he tried to appease her by mentioning the hot spring's special benefits.
"Can an ordinary hot spring really do that?" Serena asked skeptically.
This question stumped Sabrina, who rarely ventured out. Though Carl knew the answer, he couldn't chime in now.
Fortunately, Lillie stepped in to help: "Serena, have you heard of the hot springs in Lavaridge?" she asked while gently washing.
"Lavaridge hot springs?" Serena tried to recall, vaguely remembering her mom mentioning it, but not too clearly. After all, Hoenn and Kalos were quite far apart.
Lillie patiently explained, "Just like how Johto has Mt. Silver and Sinnoh has Mt. Coronet, Hoenn has two dormant volcanoes. Mt. Chimney is known for its volcanic ash and the hot springs at Lavaridge Town. Those springs are famed for healing and relieving fatigue."
"That amazing?" Serena was surprised. "But aren't those effects tied to their location? It's lucky Fairfield has a natural hot spring at all. If it also has special properties, Carl's luck is off the charts."
However, Lillie's next words left Serena stunned.
"I'm not sure which is better, this spring or Lavaridge's, as I've never been there. But this hot spring is special."
"Is it?" Serena closed her eyes to feel it. The fatigue from their afternoon shopping was indeed easing, but isn't that typical for hot springs?
"To fully experience the change, you might need a bit longer. I confirmed it through other means," Lillie chuckled.
"What means?" Serena opened her eyes.
"I often use Lavaridge's hot spring," Lillie explained. "The comparison is clear."
"Huh?" Serena looked puzzled. Didn't she say she hadn't been to Lavaridge Town? Sabrina also looked curious.
"I meant I haven't soaked in it personally. My mom heard it was great for the skin and regularly airships the water back. I've used it many times, so I'm familiar with the feeling."
"Though the shipped water isn't as effective as the original, I can say this spring is better than the diluted Lavaridge water."
Sabrina and Serena, now understanding, couldn't help but laugh. It seemed the heiress of a foundation could even have bathwater flown in regularly—truly a long-term operation.
This also confirmed the Lavaridge hot spring's beauty benefits. After all, Lusamine wasn't one to make a bad investment.
"Does it really enhance beauty?" Serena couldn't help but ask.
"What age do you think my mom looks?" Lillie smiled back.
While shopping earlier, Lillie had told Serena about her identity, omitting the details about Cosmog and simply stating she had left home for certain reasons. Serena, having also left home, believed her completely, and the two bonded quickly, like longtime friends.
"If you hadn't told me, I'd have thought Lusamine was your sister," Serena replied sincerely.
Carl thought to himself: This girl has quite the eye.
"Sister?"
Hearing the word, Lillie was reminded of those morning images—photos, the bathroom...
"Ugh..."
Suddenly, she felt a bit dizzy.
"Are you okay?" Serena asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Lillie quickly shook her head, slapped her cheeks, and changed the topic, "Lavaridge hot springs are truly remarkable."
The water splashed gently.
Feeling assured, Serena stood up, her graceful silhouette barely visible through the steam.
"Where are you going, Serena?"
"To find a straw, for breathing underwater."
"Breathing underwater?"
"Yeah, so I can soak my whole face in the spring."
Serena flashed a mischievous grin.
Lillie hesitantly raised a finger, "Then I'll also..."
"Go for it!" Serena gave her an encouraging sign.
She then looked at Sabrina.
"Bring one for me too," Sabrina said with a serious face.
"Ha—"
Carl, on the other side of the wooden partition, nearly burst out laughing.
Oh, women.
But remembering Sabrina wasn't to be trifled with, he stifled his laughter and just shook his head.
He didn't notice the sly glint in Sabrina's red eyes.
"Are you mocking me?"
Sabrina's gaze swept over Serena and Lillie.
"Tonight's perfect for some introspection."
"Carl!"
"Ah—"
"So relaxing."
"Lavaridge springs live up to their reputation, even Carl can't stop praising them!"
"Electivire, a bit more pressure on the left side."
...
Amidst the steamy hot spring, Carl was enjoying a unique massage from Electivire—leveraging its two tails and arms, the gentle electric currents making every muscle unwind.
Yes, it was the evolved Electivire.
Previously, Electabuzz had reached the peak of its potential, just shy of the professional level. Breaking through this barrier without evolving was difficult, even with its exceptional talents.
Carl had the means to help it advance, but had chosen to hold off.
Carl felt there was no need to wait any longer. For Pokémon, gaining fame early was as important as becoming strong early.
Electabuzz had been at its peak for years, and evolving would push it to the elite level. Carl had planned to buy a power booster, but earlier at the World Tree, he received something better—a primal crystal, capable of replacing all evolution items.
Before the gym match that afternoon, he let Electabuzz evolve. The results exceeded expectations; Electivire not only advanced to the elite level but also had its potential boosted to the champion level, learning three new skills in the process.
About to ask Electivire to change massage spots—his neck and legs had been tended to, and now it was time for his lower back, crucial for a gentleman's posture.
Before he could finish, laughter erupted from the other side. "Haha~ that tickles! Lillie, you sneak!"
"Serena, you're the one who touched me first there..."