The two legendary Pokémon were exchanging moves, but with their powers greatly diminished, it resembled more of a children's scuffle than an epic battle. Infernape and Blaziken, who had been eagerly anticipating a thrilling showdown, turned away disappointed to resume their training.
Lusamine approached Carl, looking noticeably refreshed after a heartfelt conversation with her daughter the night before. "What did you give Groudon?" she inquired, absentmindedly playing with her hair.
"That's my little secret," Carl replied, his eyes fixed on the crystal in Groudon's hand. "This is a newly produced flying-type crystal from the World Tree, allowing a Pokémon to gain flying attributes."
Even a creature as ancient as Groudon couldn't fly, highlighting the crystal's extraordinary value. However, acquiring new attributes isn't always beneficial. For instance, the water-type Kyogre originally only had two weaknesses, but adding more attributes could introduce vulnerabilities, like a fourfold weakness to ice.
The combination of attributes isn't necessarily better with more. For example, while flying can evade grass-type threats, it introduces a significant weakness to rock-type attacks. Meanwhile, dark-types typically fear only bug, fighting, and fairy types, but adding rock could result in a situation like Tyranitar, which has six weaknesses.
There are exceptions, though. Take a non-flying legendary Pokémon, for instance; using a flying-type crystal could grant it the ability to fly. But that's not the main point...right, Groudon?
Apart from the flying capability, let's just consider attribute advantages. In its normal form, Groudon is pure ground-type, vulnerable to water, grass, and ice, but immune to electric and resistant to poison and rock. Adding flying would only double its water weakness, while gaining immunity to ground and extended resistance to bug, poison, and fighting. The sole downside is a fourfold weakness to ice.
This means, as long as ice moves are avoided, adding flying is a win-win, providing high-altitude advantage. Yet, the fatal fourfold ice weakness can be easily exploited, with creatures like Kyurem capable of a one-hit knockout, showing that attribute balance requires careful consideration.
The beauty of attribute crystals lies in their ability to provide a modifiable additional attribute state, akin to Groudon's primal form. Such treasures are coveted even by legendary Pokémon, so Carl decided to keep it under wraps for now.
"Not qualified yet?" Lusamine looked at Carl with a hint of intrigue. "What does it take to be qualified?"
"Maybe after you give me a daughter as adorable as Lillie," Carl quipped, half-jokingly. With this woman, he felt no need to mince words.
"Actually..." Lusamine leaned close, whispering, "Lillie could call you dad right now."
Carl's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected turn of events.
"This is too much drama!" he exclaimed, pulling away from Lusamine's grasp, heading back toward the villa without looking back. "Do you think I'm some kind of pervert?"
Before leaving, he made sure to retrieve the attribute crystal from Groudon. The method of use was simple—just eat it. Though Groudon knew how to use it, she hesitated, aware that Carl could turn her into a toy at any time.
"Didn't you say you'd give me the crystal if I defeated Kyogre?" Groudon's eyes remained fixed on the purple crystal.
"I only said using the crystal requires defeating Kyogre, but that's not the only condition," Carl replied, slipping the crystal into his pocket and continuing on his way.
Groudon suppressed the urge to snatch it away. Meanwhile, Kyogre egged her on, "See, humans are unreliable."
"I have no choice but to trust him," Groudon's response left Kyogre stunned. Despite being deceived, she intended to continue collaborating.
"What is that thing, anyway, to make you so committed?" Kyogre couldn't help but ask.
"You'll understand eventually," Groudon teased, not wanting her competitor to know the crystal could grant her the long-desired flying attribute—a dream as much about power as it was about an ancient wish.
"If you need help, just call me!" Groudon shouted after Carl's retreating figure, but no response came. Watching her humble demeanor, Kyogre secretly strategized to seize the opportunity.
As Carl entered the dining room, he stopped in his tracks. A stranger was setting the table—a woman he'd never seen before.
"And you are?" he asked, observing the unfamiliar, yet attractive woman. "Could it be we have a new maid?"
"Hello, I'm Sabrina's mother," the woman replied, nervously rubbing her hands. "Sabrina told me to wait on the sofa, but I haven't been active in so long, I couldn't sit still."
Ah, so she was Sabrina's mother. Carl nodded internally, noting the resemblance between the woman and Sabrina, though their demeanors were quite different.
"Please, make yourself at home, take a seat," Carl invited, taking his place at the head of the table and gesturing for her to join him.
"Thank you," Sabrina's mother expressed her gratitude earnestly.
"You're too polite," Carl replied.
"I genuinely want to thank you for rescuing me," she insisted. "Without your help, I might have been stuck as a doll forever."
"Oh, that," Carl chuckled. "It was Sabrina's mistake. She should be the one thanking you. I didn't do much, honestly. You really don't need to dwell on it."
Sabrina's mother smiled shyly, clearly not taking his words at face value. Carl understood her sentiment. Being turned into a doll was akin to being in a vegetative state. Although her psychic abilities helped, surviving without breaking down was quite a feat. Regaining freedom would make anyone grateful.
Suddenly, Sabrina appeared beside her mother. "Mom, let me handle the gratitude," she said.
"At least let me say thank you myself," her mother insisted.
This surprised Carl. He had assumed Sabrina's mother might fear her daughter after being turned into a doll for so long. But then again, Sabrina likely worked to mend their relationship, with her father's help.
"How will you thank me?" Carl asked Sabrina with interest. Truth be told, he lacked nothing—money, Pokémon resources, special locations, even legendary Pokémon were his allies. What could Sabrina offer in gratitude?
"I'll prepare a thank you gift that will surely satisfy you," Sabrina declared, her voice determined despite her lack of expression.
"Alright, I'll look forward to your surprise," Carl responded, smiling.
Sabrina was known for her decisive actions, quickly getting things done.
Soon, everyone gathered for breakfast. Carl ate quickly—not because he felt awkward with Lusamine and Sabrina's mother present, but because he was genuinely busy.
The morning required his presence at a Havenport League meeting to discuss secret realm matters, a duty as a Gym Leader. The afternoon involved a visit to XY Company to expedite the release of the new HeartGold and SoulSilver versions, capitalizing on the current gaming trend.
After a hectic day, Carl relaxed in a hot spring. Upon returning to his room, he noticed a lump under the covers.
For a moment, Carl paused, appreciating the unexpected turn of events and readying himself for whatever surprise awaited beneath the sheets.