On the other side, Carl stood before the two legendary creatures, maintaining a stern expression. "You've been fighting on my turf, causing severe environmental damage. You must compensate and write a formal apology."
Groudon and Kyogre glanced around at the untouched surroundings and swallowed their retorts. The scene was all too familiar; Rayquaza had used the same reprimands in the past.
As embodiments of land and sea, they couldn't quite grasp why expanding their territory was an issue for the sky master. Did Rayquaza's domain really include everything under the sky?
Despite their grumbles, they stayed silent. Even together, they couldn't best Rayquaza, so what could they do now with Carl? In front of Rayquaza, Groudon and Kyogre could at least put up a fight, but against Carl, they had no chance.
"Let's talk compensation," Carl said, satisfied with how subdued the legendary duo seemed. "I guess you don't have anything valuable on you, so how about you help redesign my villa as repayment? One of you handles the land, the other the sea. Perfect fit."
The two legendary creatures hesitated. As ancient rulers, they had plenty of treasures, but they knew Carl was just trying to get them to work for him. Even if they offered their treasures, they'd probably still end up with the job.
"Follow me," Carl instructed, leading them toward his villa. He thought to himself that with these two and Celebi, he'd have a top-tier landscaping team. It would be foolish not to use them.
"Wow! I'm flying!" Groudon shouted as the ground fell away beneath her. Instead of fear, she was thrilled. The embodiment of the earth was experiencing flight for the first time.
Mew glanced at her, bemused. "You could've just asked me if you wanted to fly!" Mew hadn't realized that Groudon couldn't fly, nor did she think it was such an obsession for Groudon. As the Earth deity, she was meant to be grounded.
"What do you know?" Groudon scoffed at Mew. "What skill is there in begging for flight? If I really wanted to fly, I could ask Mew or another psychic legendary for help. But being the Earth deity isn't just for show—my own weight holds me down."
The ground was both her power source and her shackle.
Mew tilted her head in confusion. "?"
"Hmm~ (Did I say something wrong?)"
Groudon puffed up her chest. "Roar~ (Do you think Groudon would stoop so low to ask for help?)"
Mew rolled her eyes. "Hmm~ (Fine, fine, you're the most principled. You want to fly but won't ask.)"
"Roar~ (Say that again, I dare you!)" Groudon bristled at the mention of her inability to fly.
Kyogre chimed in, "Hum~ (Can't handle the truth?)"
"Roar~ (You want to fight?)" Groudon fumed.
Territory disputes were one thing, but mocking her flightlessness was unacceptable!
Kyogre taunted, "Hum~ (Come and fight me, if you dare.)"
Groudon stomped in frustration, but found her strength sapped.
She glared at Mew. "Roar~ (What's this guy's deal?)"
Kyogre perked her ears, waiting for an answer.
Mew suddenly felt downcast. "Hmm~ (How should I know?)"
Only now did she realize she knew nothing about Carl's background. Seven days ago, a single comment had led to a bet, and she'd ended up caught.
Even worse, she'd been used as a toy by Lillie.
The thought soured Mew's mood further.
Groudon looked puzzled. "Roar~ (Did you eat something bad?)"
Mew snapped at her.
"Hmm! (I'm fine!)" Mew retorted.
"Wait and see, you'll get yours too!"
"Roar~ (How about a one-on-one!)"
"Hmm~ (Free yourself first.)" Mew flicked her hand.
Bang!
A sphere of psychic energy hit Groudon on the head and exploded.
Groudon was knocked back several meters.
The damage was minimal, but the insult was great.
"Roar~ (Human, release me! I want a showdown with Mew!)" Groudon roared at Carl.
Carl glanced at her and casually waved a hand.
"Shush—"
The psychic hold on Groudon vanished, and she plummeted to the ground.
Splash!
Groudon landed in a river, creating a spray of ice crystals. Though her powers were sealed, her innate talents remained.
She quickly formed a land mass beneath her to rise out of the water.
For the first time, she looked like a "soaking wet chicken."
"Walk to my home, and I might restore some of your power to let you face Mew."
As soon as Groudon surfaced, she heard Carl's voice echo.
By the time she looked up, the sky was empty.
Thankfully, she remembered the direction Carl had flown her in.
"Just a short flight and now it's over."
"Walk to your house to regain power? Fine, I'll teach Mew a lesson!"
Groudon trudged toward Carl's villa, determined.
In the sky, Lillie curiously asked, "Carl, what did Groudon say?"
"Nothing much," Carl replied nonchalantly. "She said that as Groudon, she must fly on her own. Me carrying her was an insult, so I obliged."
"Groudon's that stubborn?" Lillie said, surprised.
"Having principles is good," Caitlin smiled.
"I think she's foolish," Sabrina said bluntly. "Choosing not to fly when offered. She'll never fly at this rate."
Mew:
Kyogre:
Carl and Groudon seemed to be on good terms, but the girls knew he was not to be taken seriously.
"Want to play in the water?" Carl turned to Kyogre with a grin.
Kyogre shook her head vigorously. Underneath was forestland. How could she float on land? Impossible!
"You're lazier than Groudon," Carl chuckled.
Kyogre nodded quickly, thinking as long as she stayed quiet, she'd be fine. He wouldn't misunderstand a nod or shake, surely?
"Sleeping all the time isn't good. You need more exercise," Carl suddenly became serious. "Or else one day you'll be too lazy to fight back when fished out of the ocean. How embarrassing."
Before Kyogre could react, Carl raised a hand and tossed her down. With a crash, a large pit formed on the ground. Water surged beneath Kyogre, barely supporting her.
She looked up at Carl's retreating figure, feeling absurd.
As the ocean's ruler and a legendary creature, could she really end up being fished out? Ridiculous.
Lillie and the others exchanged glances, realizing Carl was joking again. The Groudon incident was likely just another prank.
Mew watched, amazed. This human was unpredictable, switching moods in an instant. He'd once critiqued her personality, but now it seemed he was the one truly unpredictable.
"Don't believe me?" Carl suddenly turned to Mew.
"Hmm~" Mew replied diplomatically, having learned to speak with caution.