"Alright, Ash, I've received Heracross and Croconaw on my end!"
"Thanks, Professor Oak! I've received Slowpoke here as well!"
After the competition, the group had found a Pokémon Center where Ash contacted Professor Oak to arrange a transfer. Clutching Slowpoke's Poké Ball, Ash was looking for a quiet place to trigger the evolution when he noticed Brock checking his mail. Brock had a habit of checking his inbox every time they visited a center.
"Suzie sent me an email!" Brock's voice was full of joy. Suzie was a top-tier Pokémon Breeder and Brock's idol. The Vulpix Brock was currently raising had been entrusted to him by her.
"She says she's back in the Johto Region to participate in a Breeder competition in Bonitaville, and she's looking for a partner!"
Brock looked determined. "Ash, I'm sorry to ask this since it's a bit of a detour, but I have to go there!"
Seeing Brock's resolve, Ash wouldn't refuse. "Then let's go! But before we set off, I have one more thing to take care of."
"What is it?"
Ash gave a mysterious smile and led the group into the woods on the outskirts of town. Johto was practically covered in forests.
"I choose you! Slowpoke, Shellder!"
Misty and Brock watched as the two Pokémon emerged. Ash's Slowpoke was already extraordinaryit could command all the Slowpoke in the Slowpoke Well and was essentially their god. The Shellder was the well-developed specimen Ash had just caught at the Seaking pond.
As soon as it saw Slowpoke, Shellder instinctively lunged for its tail, but Slowpoke lazily shifted its tail out of the way, denying the shell a grip.
"Molly, let me test you. Do you know how Slowpoke evolves?" Ash asked, ruffling the girl's hair.
"I know! If a Shellder bites Slowpoke's tail, it evolves into Slowbro!" Molly answered smartly. Professor Hale had taught her well.
"Today, I'm going to show you Slowpoke's other evolution!" Ash walked over to the Shellder that was still fruitlessly chasing Slowpoke's tail.
He scooped it up and looked at Slowpoke, who was staring at him intently. "Slowpoke, it's finally time."
Slowpoke's expression was as blank as ever, but its eyes shimmered with anticipation.
"System, exchange for King's Rock!"
The King's Rock was a precious item that could cause flinching in battle or trigger specific evolutions when held. It could evolve Slowpoke into Slowking or Misty's Poliwhirl into Politoed. The version Ash obtained from the system was of the highest quality.
He placed the King's Rock on Slowpoke's head and then set the Shellder directly on top of it!
In that instant, the light of evolution erupted!
"What? How is that possible?"
Brock and Misty were stunned. Forcing a Shellder to bite a Slowpoke's head? What kind of logic was that? And yet, the evolution light was real!
The Slowpoke, which had been lying on the ground, stood up within the glow. The fan-shaped Shellder transformed into a spiral shape, becoming a crown on Slowpoke's head! A regal red and white frill grew around its neck, giving it an air of nobility.
The light shattered, revealing a pair of wise, intelligent eyes. This was Slowking, a Pokémon possessed of genius-level intellect and the ability to manipulate mental power at will. It was always calm and composed, earned the title of the "Sage of the Sea."
Ash's Slowpoke had already been large, and as a Slowking, its size was even more imposing. Counting the shell crown, this Slowking stood a full 2.2 meters tall. Ash had to look up to meet its eyes.
Name: Slowking (Male)
Attribute: Water, Psychic
Ability: Regenerator
Bond Level: 245/255
Moves: Heal Pulse, Power Gem, Hidden Power, Yawn, Confusion, Calm Mind, Water Pulse, Psychic, Zen Headbutt, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Blizzard, Trick Room.
"Slowking, I'm counting on you!" After the evolution, their compatibility had peaked, with only 10 points left to reach the maximum Bond Level.
Thank you, Ash.
A voice suddenly resonated in Ash's mindyoung, yet steady and deep.
Ash looked at Brock, Misty, and Molly, but they were simply staring at Slowking in shock. They clearly hadn't heard anything. He realized what was happening and looked at Slowking. "Was that you? Telepathy?"
Slowking shook its head slightly. I haven't reached that level of power yet. However, I've found that there is a mysterious bond between us that allows our thoughts to resonate.
Essentially, Slowking could only communicate this way with Ash.
Bond Level: 248/255
"Ash... is this really a Slowking?" Brock was the first to find his voice, though it was still trembling with shock.
"Slowking is so amazing!" Molly ran over to Ash's side. Slowking looked at her with a gentle gaze, its eyes glowing blue as it used its mental power to lift Molly and let her hover steadily in the air.
"Haha! This is fun!"
Bond Level: 251/255
Thump-thump!
Ash could hear a heartbeat in his earsteady and powerful.
"Brock, how about a match?" Ash invited.
"No, let me!" Misty cut in before Brock could even reach for a Poké Ball. She sent out her Starmie! Having evolved, Starmie shared the Water and Psychic attributes of Slowking.
"Starmie, use Hydro Pump!"
It was the ultimate Water-type special attack, the equivalent of Fire Blast for Fire-types. However, Ash gave no command. Slowking remained perfectly calm as the massive blast of water neared. Only then did it act.
Its wise eyes flashed blue. It used the advanced version of ConfusionPsychic! The Psychic energy formed a solid barrier around Slowking, a defensive style that strongly resembled Mewtwo's.
Bond Level: 253/255
"Slowking, let's stretch our legs a bit!"
"Trick Room!"
With a flash of blue, a space the size of a shipping container enveloped Slowking and Starmie before turning invisible. Misty was confused; she wasn't familiar with such a niche move.
"Whatever! Starmie, use Swift!"
The move was incredibly fast and guaranteed to hit.
"Zen Headbutt!" Ash commanded. In response to the lightning-fast Swift, Ash had ordered a move that was slower and required a charge time.
Just as the group thought Slowking was going to take the hit, Slowking suddenly appeared directly in front of Starmie. With a powerful headbutt, it sent Starmie flying. The match was over in an instant.
And then...
Bond Level: 255/255!
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).