In the soothing waters of the hot spring, Serena and Lillie were comfortably soaking.
"I really didn't touch you," Serena said innocently.
"But I felt something right here," Lillie pointed to her shoulder.
The two exchanged a glance and turned their heads towards the source of the disturbance. Not far away, Sabrina was gracefully rising from the water, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders.
"What's up?" Sabrina asked nonchalantly.
"Nothing!" they both replied in unison.
Lillie muttered under her breath, "Maybe it was just the water ripples."
"Sorry about that," Serena smiled awkwardly.
"Your skin is amazing," Lillie said suddenly, envy clear in her voice. "It's like marble."
"You're exaggerating," Serena gave her a gentle nudge. "You're as white as snow."
As they continued chatting, the two moved closer. The warmth of the hot spring emboldened them, prompting them to seek Sabrina's advice on skincare. After all, Sabrina, being a few years their senior, surely had more experience.
Though Sabrina's demeanor was cool, she wasn't antisocial. She enjoyed joining in on conversations and sharing her skincare tips. Unlike Lillie and Serena, who were more reserved, Sabrina often made startling comments.
"Your potential isn't any less than mine."
"Moderation is key; balance is crucial."
"If you need, my psychic abilities can help shape you."
"Although I don't exercise much, I focus on strengthening my legs when training my powers."
"Coincidentally, we all prefer cherries over grapes."
Half an hour later, in the bedroom.
"You fiend!" Carl sat cross-legged on the bed, trying and failing to meditate. The voices from the hot spring still echoed in his mind, making it impossible to find peace.
He knew full well that for a psychic like Sabrina, manipulating things without being noticed was easy. Ever since she joined the conversation, the topics had become increasingly outrageous.
"Just you wait, one day..."
"One day, what?" A cool voice suddenly cut in.
Carl stopped abruptly, eyeing the suddenly appearing Sabrina with suspicion. She wore snug cartoon pajamas that surprisingly added a touch of cuteness.
"Show you what?"
"My gentlemanly demeanor."
Sabrina's face was expressionless, but her tone was teasing, "Not trying to prove your... size?"
"Isn't it rude to enter someone's room uninvited?"
"Changing the subject so bluntly," Sabrina noted coolly.
"I checked with my psychic powers to make sure you weren't doing anything private before I came in," she added earnestly.
Carl was speechless. Psychic powers could be used like that?
"Were you spying on me with your powers earlier?"
He suspected Sabrina had sensed his private amusement and was now messing with him on purpose. This woman was truly mischievous.
"I thought you liked cherries?"
Serena and Lillie, caught in the crossfire, were completely innocent in all this.
"I'm just being cautious," Sabrina replied with a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
Carl nearly laughed out of frustration.
First time he'd heard someone describe surveillance so elegantly.
"Afraid of being watched, so you watch others first?"
"Why not just keep your mental power focused on yourself?" Carl countered.
"Let's see how you explain this."
"Oh, so it can be done that way," Sabrina nodded as if she suddenly understood, "Is it my fault for having too strong psychic abilities?"
Infuriating!
Carl wanted to unleash his domain to suppress her.
"You think being weak gives you the right?" Sabrina blinked.
Carl felt like banging his head against the wall.
He knew Sabrina could be eloquent; after all, he'd played through every Pokémon series in his past life.
This woman's words were practically a walking philosophy book.
But he hadn't expected her to be so confrontational.
And the worst part was, he couldn't even overpower her!
Absolutely unbelievable!
"Alright, I give up. Please, go back," Carl said, closing his eyes. "I appreciate the sentiment."
Though the method nearly gave him a heart attack.
"Another deduction?" Sabrina's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
She hadn't disclosed her reason for coming.
"Surely you didn't come just to mock me?" Carl chuckled.
"That's more Caitlin's style."
"I really came to thank you," Sabrina said seriously. "Thanks for letting me stay. Turning my mother into a doll for so long made recovery exceptionally difficult; before, I could only barely keep her alive."
"Joining Team Rocket was because Giovanni promised to save my mother."
"But before that promise was fulfilled, I never did anything for him."
"The deal had already begun; I controlled Saffron City while he sent people to attack Silph Co."
"Now the deal has been disrupted by you."
"So I have to thank you again."
The words seemed contradictory, but Carl understood.
She was thanking him both for helping save her mother and for preventing her from being complicit with Team Rocket.
Joining Team Rocket might not have been entirely bad for Sabrina, but given her abilities, she was clearly better suited to the side of justice. This visit was also to clear up any misunderstandings.
"I get it. Can you go now?" Carl said wearily. Watching Sabrina in Serena's pajamas reminded him of scenes from a culinary spirit anime.
"Alright," Sabrina responded softly.
"Could you stop playing mind games with me?" Carl suddenly asked. It wasn't that he couldn't handle it, but thinking so much was exhausting. How was he supposed to live a relaxed life like this?
Sabrina didn't answer directly, merely looking up and murmuring to herself, "Get some rest early today, prepare for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be very special." With that, she vanished.
Carl genuinely envied her ability to teleport. "So did she agree or not?"
The next morning, Carl still couldn't fathom Sabrina's meaning. He decided to start the day on a positive note—with a blood pact.
The World Tree gleamed, and a light orb shattered, dropping a crystal.
"Does this really exist? An item tied to the legendary trainer Ash?"
[Bond Crystal: Allows fully evolved Pokémon to gain a bond transformation trait. When friendship is maxed, it can evolve through bonding (similar to MEGA evolution), essentially using Z power!]
The simple explanation left Carl stunned. Bond evolution was Ash's unique ability. There were two types of Greninja: the regular version and Ash's version, the latter capable of special evolution through bonding. Speaking of this, MEGA evolution couldn't be left out.
MEGA evolution stemmed from energy released by Xerneas or Yveltal through an ultimate weapon, combining with special stones to form MEGA stones. The ultimate weapon was a creation of a king from the Kalos region 3,000 years ago, only operable by these two legendary Pokémon.
Charizard and Mewtwo, capable of both X and Y mega evolutions, were indeed fortunate. Meanwhile, Ash's Greninja could achieve bond evolution without external aids, surpassing what are known as lucky Pokémon, truly a legendary Pokémon.
Now, the Bond Crystal could grant fully evolved Pokémon an additional bond transformation trait. This meant they could keep their original abilities, effectively gaining a dual advantage.
Creating artificial legendary Pokémon with the crystal? Does this mean I'm the chosen one? Carl laughed at himself. He suddenly thought of a certain purple villain, and imagined snapping his fingers with an Infinity Gauntlet, declaring, "I am destiny."
The source of bond evolution power was actually Zygarde's Z energy, which is why it sought out Ash's Greninja. Just as Rayquaza could independently combat both Groudon and Kyogre, Zygarde effortlessly dealt with Xerneas and Yveltal, given its superior Z power. With Z crystals and Z moves, many mysteries unraveled.
But Carl soon stopped overthinking. He wasn't a professional researcher, no point in dwelling on it. The more pressing issue: which Pokémon should use the Bond Crystal?
Blaziken, with its MEGA evolution, was eliminated first. Electivire was a good candidate; bond evolution could elevate it to near-MEGA pseudo-legendary status, but its friendship wasn't high enough.
Leaving resources unused is wasteful unless there's greater value. Actually, the best choices were Cosmog's final evolutions—Lunala, Solgaleo, or the two forms of Urshifu.
If Lunala and Solgaleo could undergo bond evolution, even if they couldn't immediately defeat Necrozma, they would at least surpass ordinary tier-one legendaries. Similarly, if Urshifu could bond evolve, it could temporarily enter tier-one legendary ranks.
Carl had two Cosmog and an Urshifu, with maxed friendship. But with limited resources, he had to choose wisely. After much contemplation, Infernape was the most suitable. It lacked a MEGA evolution form and needed this boost, plus its friendship was adequate.
After bond evolution, Infernape's power would temporarily reach professional levels, aiding its daily training and breakthroughs. Combined with the champion's potential crystal, the effect would be even more impressive.
"Infernape, come out!" Carl took out a Pokéball and gently pressed it.
Infernape appeared on the open ground, immediately swallowing the Bond Crystal Carl threw. Instantly, blue flames enveloped its body, forming a fireball. Carl knew evolution was underway, so he turned to check on the growth of the Mint Leaves.
Meanwhile, something significant was happening in a forest within the Union League.