c7: Arriving At The Destination
In western Guangdong, several hundred kilometers from the city, deep within a largely unexplored mountain forest marked on few maps, a girl surveyed the jagged terrain around her. Turning to her Pokémon companion, she said softly, "Gardevoir, let's set up camp here for the night."
"Sha," Gardevoir responded in its signature ethereal voice.
With practiced ease, the elegant Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon reached into the storage bracelet on its wrist a piece of custom gear for advanced trainers like Chen Xiaoxiao and drew out bundles of collapsible support poles, durable waterproof canvas, and several field survival tools. Using telekinesis with pinpoint control, Gardevoir expertly levitated and arranged the materials midair, assembling a medium-sized tent within seconds. The fluidity and precision of its actions made it clear this wasn't its first time performing such a task.
Then came the kitchenware and ration packs also from the bracelet. With multiple utensils floating at once, vegetables were peeled, meat was sliced, and rice was steamed without a single human hand touching them. Cooking was handled as though orchestrated by a dozen invisible chefs.
The nickname "Maid" that Chen Xiaoxiao gave to her Gardevoir wasn't a joke or a degradation it was a training direction. From the moment Ralts had evolved into Kirlia and later into Gardevoir, Chen Xiaoxiao had emphasized micro-level Psychic control under the pretense of "maid tasks." Polishing utensils, trimming bonsai, and even threading needles all were part of the regimen. But Gardevoir had come to genuinely enjoy the caretaking, finding fulfillment in assisting its Trainer with daily life.
Thus, a "Super Maid Pokémon" was born one who could boil soup while calculating vector shifts of incoming projectiles.
Watching Gardevoir work with such grace and precision, Chen Xiaoxiao felt a deep pride swelling in her chest. She reached to her waist and released her other Pokémon, allowing them a chance to stretch and enjoy the forest environment. After cautioning them not to stray too far, she sat cross-legged near the tent entrance and retrieved an aged leather-bound notebook from her system backpack.
This notebook was a treasure passed down through the Chen bloodline, its pages filled with secrets and historical insights collected across generations. Among its content were carefully documented records of spiritual pacts formed between her ancestors and powerful Psychic-type Pokémon clans alliances that had once made the Chen family a cornerstone in Huaxia's League of Psychics.
The Chens had long been a lineage of solitary but spiritually attuned individuals. Their bodies and auras were innately compatible with Psychic-type energy. This affinity allowed them not just to train Psychic-types effectively, but to resonate with them. At higher levels of proficiency, a Psychic user could infuse their spiritual energy into a Pokémon to momentarily boost its stats something akin to aura-linking in Lucario, but exclusively tied to the mind.
But this affinity was a double-edged sword. Wild Psychic-types such as Alakazam, Reuniclus, and even Bronzong had uncanny abilities telepathy, teleportation, precognition that made them nearly impossible to ambush or capture. These traits, while invaluable in battle, made peaceful contact with wild Psychic communities a rarity.
(Though sub-tier species like Psyduck, Spoink, and Slowpoke were still relatively abundant.)
In a golden age decades ago, Chen Xiaoxiao's great-grandfather, once crowned Psychic King of the Huaxia League, used his unparalleled strength and access to national archives to locate elusive Psychic clans. Among them were clans of Xatu, Beheeyem, and even the elusive Beldum line. Through displays of respectful strength and long, telepathic negotiations, they forged solemn pacts.
The rule was simple: a new Pokémon could only be taken if the previous one was returned for inspection. It was a living bond, not a capture. They demanded proof of ethical training and mutual respect. Pokémon raised well would return stronger, elevating the group's collective strength.
The pact included a sacred clause: when aged, the Pokémon must return to its original group to pass on techniques and aura memory, a form of generational reinforcement.
Thus, the Chen family tradition was born: each generation would present their parent's bonded Pokémon to earn a new companion for their own child.
But fate intervened. Chen Xiaoxiao's father died unexpectedly before fulfilling the obligation. His bonded Pokémon, cut off from the psychic clan's network, perished during a League deployment. Her grandparents followed not long after, and the tradition was left in limbo.
Now, Chen Xiaoxiao had reached the level her ancestors would deem "worthy of the trial." Her destination: one of the psychic clans marked on the ancient map. Ideally, she would have returned accompanied by her father's Pokémon. But with that route closed, there was no choice but to forge ahead.
Fortunately, lying lazily behind her tent was a white, leonine creature cloaked in radiant power a Shiny Luxray hybridized through system refinement. A creature whose presence could rival an Elite-tier Pokémon.
Seeing this ally, Chen Xiaoxiao was calm. If push came to shove, she would persuade them with reason… and strength if needed.
"Tomorrow, we should reach the river on the map," she murmured after reviewing the next route in the notebook. "Once we cross that, it's only a short distance to the ancestral trial site."
"Sha (Xiaoxiao, dinner's ready~)," Gardevoir chimed, levitating a steaming bowl of stew and rice toward her.
"Coming!"
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The Next Morning
At first light, Chen Xiaoxiao resumed her journey. She traversed two more hours of the sprawling forest, which spanned over several hundred square kilometers, dense with Silcoon nests and echoing the cries of Natu and Noctowl.
The trees eventually parted to reveal the sound of roaring water. She took out her Pokédex no signal. The compass spun erratically. Clearly, a powerful magnetic field was disrupting the electronics.
Finally, the terrain opened into a cliffside plateau nearly 100 meters high. Across the churning river was an island cloaked in mist, its mountains sharp and layered. She estimated the island to be over five kilometers wide, its edges protected by natural cliffs on both sides.
Crossing by boat? Impossible there was no safe path to descend, and the currents below churned violently. A water-type Pokémon might help, but she had none in her team. As for Flying-types, even if she had any, the aerial territory was patrolled by wild Fearow and aggressive Staraptor. Interception mid-flight could prove deadly.
Luckily, none of that mattered.
"Gardevoir, prepare for a long-range Teleport," she ordered.
"Sha!"
With a surge of shimmering light, they blinked across the canyon in an instant. To any ordinary trainer, this path was suicide. For Chen Xiaoxiao and her bonded Gardevoir, it was the most efficient route.
Once on the other side, she paused. Her eyes glowed faintly blue Psionic Perception. Her spiritual senses aligned with the notebook's aura markers. She guided Gardevoir to Teleport once more, this time toward a ridge emitting a powerful magnetic resonance.
Suddenly, a clang echoed.
Hovering in the air ahead of her was a disc-bodied Pokémon with two arm-like appendages ending in claws: Metang, the pre-evolution of the pseudo-legendary Metagross.
Metang floated before her, its claws charging with electromagnetic energy, and let out a metallic cry: "Geeee-tang!"
But upon seeing Gardevoir, and perhaps sensing its aura and strength, Metang paused. Then it issued another mechanical chirp translated through Gardevoir's telepathy.
"(Human, this is sacred territory. Outsiders must leave.)"
Chen Xiaoxiao didn't flinch. She reached into her system bracelet and retrieved a shard of magnetized alloy resonating with the same magnetic frequency as the one used by her grandfather long ago. She infused it with a touch of her own aura and levitated it toward Metang using Psychic control.
Metang caught the shard. Its single red eye blinked, scanning. After a moment of stillness, it nodded and returned the alloy, signaling her to follow.
As they moved through the winding trails, she saw other Metang each scanned by the system and registered as Elite-ranked.
In this world, "pseudo-legendary" species like Beldum's line were known to evolve into Pokémon with base stats rivaling even champions. Though their offspring had to meet Elite benchmarks to be deemed "worthy," most did.
Along the path, she noted caves dotting the mountainside.
It was said Metagross preferred deep caverns likely calculating, even in rest. Unfortunately, none emerged. If they had, she would've gladly used the system's scan to determine their strength.
Metang finally stopped near a smooth slate plateau.
"You wait here," it stated.
Chen Xiaoxiao exhaled and closed her notebook. The trial of her bloodline was about to begin.
After arriving at the spacious mountain square and leading the way, Metag turned to Chen Xiaoxiao and spoke solemnly, then strode toward the colossal cave nestled in the cliff ahead, its entrance veiled in swirling mist and lined with steel-type energy traces.
Roughly ten minutes later, a powerful Metagross emerged from the darkness of the cave, floating silently before Chen Xiaoxiao. Its four legs moved in perfect synchronization, exuding a calm yet oppressive psychic aura.
"(Only young Stephanie is here? Where are your guardians?)" Metagross asked with a metallic voice tinged with suspicion, scanning her surroundings with glowing red eyes.
Chen Xiaoxiao's heart clenched slightly at the direct question. Despite the emotional tension, she calmly activated her trainer's scanning lens, checking Metagross's data with practiced ease.
Metagross
Gender: Genderless
Level: 88 (Championship Intermediate)
Type: Steel / Psychic
Nature: Impatient (Speed + / Defense -)
Ability: Clear Body (Prevents stat reductions from opponent's moves and abilities)
Hidden Ability: Light Metal (Halves the user's weight)
Potential: Champion-rank
"My father passed away unexpectedly seven years ago… but I sincerely hope the ancestral pact can be renewed," Chen Xiaoxiao said, steadying her voice as she faced the legendary Pokémon.
After confirming Metagross's formidable power and rare dual abilities, she inwardly exhaled in relief this was indeed the guardian spoken of in her family's records, possibly an ancient Alpha-class Metagross known to have once trained under a Steven Stone protégé.
"(Since the original agreement to care for our lineage's Pokémon was not upheld, the pact is void. You may leave. Out of respect for the bond we once shared, I won't hinder you.)"
Metagross's four brains, each functioning as a supercomputer, processed information with terrifying speed. Even without Chen Xiaoxiao saying anything about the family's current Pokémon, it deduced the truth from her actions she had arrived without them.
"I'm willing to undertake the trial, just as my ancestors did. Let me restart the covenant, beginning with me," she declared, unwavering.
"(Accept the trial? Your Gardevoir is not bad… but not enough.)" Metagross responded bluntly after giving the elegant Pokémon beside her a cursory glance.
Gardevoir's expression darkened, the aura around it subtly warping. If not for knowing Metagross was speaking the harsh truth, she might have fired off a Moonblast out of indignation. You don't just say that out loud, even if it's true!
Noticing Gardevoir's emotional turbulence, Chen Xiaoxiao immediately placed a hand on its shoulder and used Teleport, warping them a safe distance away. She didn't argue because strength, not words, determined the truth.
Wordlessly, she removed a shrunken Poké Ball from the chain around her neck. Tapping its central button, the Poké Ball expanded to full size with a mechanical click, and she threw it forward in one smooth motion.
"Come forth… Solgaleo!"
A radiant burst of light erupted. A magnificent white lion-like Pokémon emerged, its mane glowing with prismatic steel energy. The air quivered under its weight and psychic resonance. Metagross's eyes glinted as it became visibly intrigued.
Yet after carefully gauging the newcomer's energy signature, Metagross coolly said, "Still insufficient."
Solgaleo
Gender: Genderless
Level: 76 (Elite Peak)
Type: Steel / Psychic
Nature: Brave (Attack + / Speed -)
Ability: Brain Core Power (Increases power of super-effective moves by 25%)
Hidden Ability: Prism Armor (Reduces damage from super-effective moves by 25%)
Held Items: Twisted Spoon (Boosts Psychic-type move power by 20%)
Metal Coat (Boosts Steel-type move power by 20%)
Potential: Legendary-grade
Of course Chen Xiaoxiao knew its current strength wasn't enough to satisfy a Champion-tier Metagross. But she hadn't come unprepared. She had pushed Solgaleo to its limits through rigorous system training, and this Solgaleo possessed twin abilities modified through the Ability Modification Card and Ability Addition Card: Brain Core Power, taken from Ultra Necrozma, and Prism Armor, the unique defense of Dusk Mane Necrozma.
Furthermore, she had used Double Experience Cards to accelerate its level growth and merged elite-level steel-type modules to upgrade its combat potential. This was no ordinary Solgaleo it was her trump card.
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