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Chapter 255 Latias's Exclusive Bond, [Infinite Corridor]! (8k views, please vote!)
Xia Chi was engrossed in taking stock of the spoils from the perfect conclusion of the [Water City Disaster] battle.

Ponpon's voice rang out from behind at just the right moment.

"Bonnie~"

Xia Chi looked back and saw his own elves, led by the Magic Masked Cat, walking out of the Holy Church.

As for why it wasn't Miaoha, who was in the lead, who spoke first?
The answer is obvious—Latias is still nestled comfortably in Xia Chi's arms.

The magical masked cat isn't hissing right now, which means it's a good cat now.

In fact, if it weren't for the fact that they were still exhausted from the battle, Meowha, with its strong sense of territory, would probably have already rushed up and "torn apart" this "little bitch" who dared to occupy the trainer's arms.

"Have all those fossil spirits been dealt with?"

Xia Chi carefully handed the tired and sleeping Latias to Magic Masked Cat to hold, and asked softly.

Ponpo nodded vigorously, then proudly pointed to the intact church behind her: "Bonpo!"

【It's all done! Ponpo was very careful this time and didn't damage the church at all!】

With her strength, especially after equipping [Endless] and [Killer Sword], it was no joke that her thorny vine club could reduce this oldest landmark in Odomare to ruins.

After all, it has a long history, and it would be really inappropriate to destroy it.

Xia Chi looked at Ponpo, who had come up and hugged his leg, and smiled as he patted her head: "You've worked hard, you did a great job."

"Tini~"

Victini flew over happily, circling around Xia Chi, her little face full of anticipation.

"And you, of course."

Xia Chi gently stroked Bictini's hand. "You did a fantastic job tonight. I'll buy you macarons when we get back."

Although the drop of heart was ultimately destroyed, Victini had done its utmost, and it was by no means its fault.

"And everyone."

Xia Chi's gaze swept over his companions, whose faces were etched with fatigue but whose eyes remained bright, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

"You've all worked hard, go back and get some rest."

Although on the surface the enemies are just two petty thieves, they are not as formidable as Tao Dailang and Sanbaoban from Beishang Township last time.

But with the power of the Heart Drop, the "Undying Legion" composed of those fossil elves posed a threat that was no less than that of those few weak legendary elves.

At the same time, Latios's figure broke through the night and slowly flew back.

Its condition is clearly worse than Latias'.

Its once streamlined body now appeared somewhat sluggish, and the indigo feathers covering its body had lost their former luster, revealing a deep weariness.

Totally understandable.

Before this, it had just gone through a fierce and arduous battle, and before it could even catch its breath, it dragged its wounded body and went to protect the water city without hesitation.

The fact that it was able to fly back at this moment is already an amazing testament to its willpower.

However, compared to the ending in my memory where he completely sacrificed himself to protect the water city and transformed into a new [Heart Drop], this is different.

At least their safe return is a good ending.

Latios hovered not far in front of Xia Chi, its gaze fixed on him, its thoughts at that moment extremely complex.

This very human, whom it had once secretly rejected, extended a helping hand in its time of need, not only saving its life but also turning the tide and protecting the peace of the entire Odomare.

This profound gratitude stirred up a deep and unsettling emotion within even the proud Latios.

"Ooh-ooh—"

Thank you, Xia Chi.

Latios's voice was sincere; the wariness and displeasure that had once filled him had vanished, replaced by pure gratitude and a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment.

Xia Chi keenly noticed the change in address—

They were no longer distant "humans," but were calling his name directly.

He smiled slightly and said softly, "It's alright, it's what I should do, after all, it concerns the safety of so many residents and elves in Water City."

Latios's mood was far from as relaxed as Xia Chi's words suggested.

It witnessed firsthand how Xia Chi struggled in the crisis and faced the threat of death.

The weight of that feeling was far beyond what his understated words could convey.

Latios lowered his head slightly, paused for a moment, and then spoke again.

"Ooh-ooh—"

Regardless, I will always remember this kindness. Also, regarding this drop of heart-shaped water...

It slowly opened its mouth, and a drop of heart water, radiating a soft and pure light, flew out and quietly floated between the two.

"Ooh."

Latios's voice was tinged with obvious shame and embarrassment.

The previous generation's guardian drop of the water city has been destroyed.

Now, not only is Xia Chi required to protect the peace of the Water City, but he is also to leave behind his [Heart's Drop], which is somewhat like "taking and eating at the same time".
Xia Chi looked at Latios's awkward expression and smiled nonchalantly.

"It's alright, let this Heart Drop remain in Odomare and protect this city."

He shrugged and said, "Anyway, if this treasure stays in my hands, it's just a pretty stone that shines, and it won't be able to unleash its true power."

Consider it a "bride price" for kidnapping Latias, brother-in-law.

Of course, I only dared to think these things in my heart.

Xia Chi is a respectable person, and he would never utter such a "provocative" remark.

With the victory secured, Latios is now considered one of their own, so they naturally need to be careful about how they behave.

"Ooh!"

Latios stared intently at Xia Chi.

In the end, all the complex emotions turned into a sincere and solemn cry, full of the deepest gratitude.

Its gaze then turned to Latias, who was still fast asleep and being supported by the Magic Masked Cat.

A faint, bittersweet sigh swept through my mind.

It understood that when this young human named Xia Chi left Odomare, it would probably be the day its younger sister followed him in death.

but.

Latios's gaze returned to Xia Chi.

Following such a powerful and charismatic trainer might be a great thing for Latias, right?

Not far away, the head of the Odomare Alliance and Ms. Jenny had already arrived quickly with their team and began to take over the scene in an orderly manner.

The culprits, Sanna and Lian, have already been killed by Ponpon's thorny vines.

It wasn't that he "got caught," but that he "died."

Their spirits, as well as the fossil spirits resurrected through the Heart Drops, had long since lost their ability to fight and posed no threat whatsoever.

The remaining finishing touches were naturally not something that Xia Chi, the hero who turned the tide, needed to worry about.

After greeting Officer Jenny, Xia Chi left with her Pokémon and the Latios siblings.

------

When they returned to their lodgings, Kanon was still fast asleep, under the influence of the potent sleeping powder that Sanna and the others had used.

Xia Chi glanced at her peaceful sleeping face and couldn't help but imagine the shocked and bewildered expression she would have when she woke up the next morning and learned about the harrowing events of the night.

Outside the window, the skyline of Odomare, the water city, was already quietly showing the faint light of dawn.

After settling the exhausted Latios siblings in, Xia Chi himself felt a wave of weariness wash over him.

It's time to rest.
The thought had just crossed his mind when he suddenly remembered something.

Wait, there seems to be one crucial thing that hasn't been confirmed yet.

Suppressing his heavy drowsiness, Xia Chi's thoughts once again sank into that familiar system space.

My gaze quickly settled on the bottom of the [Sprite] section.

Latias's name was prominently listed!
Sure enough!

Xia Chi understood.

Latias's previous surge in power was not solely due to the power unleashed during its Mega Evolution.

The deeper reason is that she formed a deep bond with herself during the life-and-death battles, and was officially recognized by the system as a member of the team, thus enjoying the all-round bonuses brought by the bond.

With a hint of curiosity and anticipation, Xia Chi carefully examined the specific panel of this new companion.

【Latias】

[Type: Dragon/Psychic]

[Gender: Female]

【Level: 46】

【Characteristic: Levitation】

【能力：生命393（+48），物攻213（+32），物防267（+32），特攻364（+32），特防371（+32），速度331（+32）】

[Moves: Dragon Pulse, Mist Ball, Regeneration, Charge Beam, Icy Wind, Air Blade, Support Power, Psychic Shock, Psychic Power, Meditation]

[Equipment: None]

【Bond: Dragon Attribute (2) At the start of the battle, the Bonded Spirit will deploy a "Dragon Field" centered on itself, dealing (1/2/3%) of its current HP damage per second to all units except itself! (The range is affected by its own strength); within the field, the power of Dragon Attribute moves is increased by (30/40/50%), and after each Dragon Attribute move is released, the Bonded Spirit's all attributes are increased by (10/15/20%), up to a maximum of ten stacks! (Six Dragon Bond: After the all attribute increase reaches the maximum, the damage dealt by the Dragon Field is doubled, and the Bonded Spirit recovers an equal amount of HP as a result of the damage dealt!)】

【羁绊：超能力（3）羁绊精灵的招式有（20/25/30%）的几率对目标造成无法使用任何变化类招式的[挑衅]状态，持续时间为（5/10/15）秒！（六超能力羁绊：招式同时有30%的独立概率对目标造成3秒的恐惧状态！）】

【Bond: Infinite Corridor (1) Latias can protect her teammates. All Pokémon in the team gain 1% HP recovery per second and 10% Life Drain. After the start of the battle, Latias will gain one stack of "Life Ripple" for any HP recovery she makes. Each stack of Life Ripple provides 2% Special Attack, Special Defense, and HP! (Maximum 99 stacks)】

【Bonds: Legendary Shadows (1) The reputation of legends imbues Pokémon with mystery, granting them a higher potential! The level cap is increased to 120. After breaking through level 100, all stats increase by 20% for each level gained!】

Wait, Latias is only level 46?

Xia Chi was genuinely surprised to see the level information.

He originally thought that Latias, which could withstand an attack from more than a dozen fossil Pokémon, should be of a higher level.

But on second thought, the legendary elves' foundation is indeed extraordinary.

Even with only a level 46 "naked" stat sheet, its various stats have already surpassed those of the Magic Masked Cat, which has been enhanced with multiple bonds and equipment.

Of course, compared to the exaggerated base stats when Ponpo was captured, Latias is still slightly inferior.

But this is not a difference in talent.

Ponpo may look small, but she is a "veteran" who has lived for hundreds of years and has a profound background.

Latias, on the other hand, is a descendant of the pair of guardian deities of the water city. It belongs to the younger generation in the clan and its level and years of experience are still insufficient.

Like other legendary Pokémon, Latias also has four bond slots.

The [Superpower Attribute] bond was already familiar to me; I knew it back when Victini was first hatched.

However, the little guy doesn't have many opportunities for actual combat, so this powerful control-type synergy hasn't been fully utilized.

The strength of the [Dragon Attribute] bond was somewhat beyond Xia Chi's expectations.

Simply put, this is a "domain" similar to a venue or weather, but its effects are a combination of several weather capabilities.

Not only does it have continuous damage output similar to "sandstorm weather," but it also provides a boost to Dragon-type moves, similar to "sunny or rainy weather."

In addition, it has the extra effect of increasing all attributes by "using moves"!

It's incredibly versatile!

As expected of a "dragon" known for its domineering and powerful nature in any worldview.
Then there's Latias's exclusive bond [Infinite Corridor].

The 1% maximum health regeneration and 10% life steal per second seem like average values.

But this is a noble group buff!
Having captured so many Pokémon, so far only Latias's [Infinite Corridor] and Victini's [Victory Star] have exclusive bonds that are merely team buffs.

This demonstrates the value of this attribute.

Latias's exclusive synergy is essentially like giving each teammate a youthful version of [Life Armor] and [Bloodthirster] that doesn't take up any item slots.

What more bikes do you want?

Putting everything else aside, Xia Chi was very satisfied with just the fact that he provided buffs to his teammates.

Moreover, the effects of [Infinite Corridor] are not limited to this.

Each time it heals itself, it increases its Special Attack, Special Defense, and HP, up to a maximum of 200%!

Furthermore, Latias has a health regeneration buff every second, and even if he does nothing, he can fully stack [Life Ripple] after 100 seconds.

It's basically on par with the effect of a max-level [Grass] attribute bond!

Overall, it has this unique characteristic, plus the [Superpower Attribute] bond that provides control.

The most suitable role for Latias is "control tank," a rare position in Xia Chi's team.

As for whether it can be subdued.
The bond has been formed, and it seems that Latios has agreed.

Latias himself, needless to say, already seemed convinced that only Latias was worthy of the role. If some kind of deus ex machina were to separate them, it could be a Pokémon story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.

So, once they leave Odomare, they will send out an invitation, and the addition of the seventh companion is a foregone conclusion!
------

After clearing her mind and confirming the most important matters, Xia Chi's tense nerves finally relaxed, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, the outside world was in an uproar because of his live broadcast that started and ended unexpectedly!

#The power of Mega Latias!
#A revolutionary new battle system!
#SuperEvolution!

#Keystones and Megastones!

On all major social media platforms, without exception.

The internet is flooded with terms related to super evolution!

Even legendary elves, which usually dominate news headlines simply by being shown, couldn't get any headlines in this almost frenzied discussion.

Even Latias itself is repeatedly mentioned only because of its "mega-evolution".

In contrast, Latios and Victini, who also made their debut in this live stream, were barely mentioned.

One reason is that they were "born at the wrong time," but another reason why no one cares is that they have never shown strong combat capabilities, so naturally they don't attract much attention.

Latias is different.

The contrast between the younger sister before and after her super evolution is just too great.

From being overwhelmed and beaten by numerous fossil spirits to protecting Xia Chi single-handedly, he bought enough time for the Evil Spirits to be eliminated.

Although not much was shown in the live stream, the few details revealed were enough to demonstrate the power of Mega Latias!

However, what truly ignited discussions among trainers worldwide was the "Mega Evolution System" introduced by Mega Latias.

Xia Chi officially confirmed that Mega Latias is not an isolated case; other Pokémon can also undergo Mega Evolution!

A stunning transformation in appearance, a powerful boost in strength, and a mysterious resonance of bonds.
And the content that Xia Chi promoted during the live stream, everything made the trainers' hearts race!

Even more enthusiastically, the debut of Taijinghua, which had a larger audience and higher exposure, caused a greater sensation.

Well, it seems unnecessary to say "even". No matter how you look at it, it's only natural that Mega Evolution is more popular than Metacrystallization.

Although in his previous life, the Mega system was also criticized by players for reasons such as "imbalance".

However, it is undeniable that in terms of popularity alone, the combined popularity of the later-released battle systems is probably far behind.

As a result, in the following days, trainers around the world seemed to have turned on "microscope" mode.

They wished they could dissect and analyze every frame and every word of Xia Chi's live stream.

A comprehensive upgrade in abilities, changes in characteristics, and which Pokémon can Mega Evolve.
These topics permeate every corner of every social media platform.

It is foreseeable that for a long time to come, the term "super evolution" will remain a trend that is hard to shake off.

------

8 month 9 day.

The shadow of disaster has dissipated from the dreamlike water city of Odomare, and the warm sunshine has once again bathed the winding waterways and ancient buildings.

Xia Chigang, who had just taken a nap, groggily opened his eyes, his mind still foggy as if filled with mush.

This was something that had never happened to him since he began practicing the power of waveguides.

Perhaps last night's super evolution consumed too much of my mental energy?
That's one possible reason.

Xia Chi was still lost in thought when Rotom's phone came close to her.

"Xia Chi, Daigo called you on video while you were asleep, Loto! Do you want to call him back, Loto!"

Daigo?

Even with his temporarily clouded mind, Xia Chi could tell that his phone call was 100% related to super evolution.

"Okay, let's go back."

He gave a mumbled reply and struggled to sit up.

Miaoha, who had been quietly waiting by the bedside, immediately and considerately handed over a glass of water.

Xia Chi took the liquid and gulped it down. The cool liquid slid down his throat, bringing a sense of relief, but then he frowned slightly.

Why does the water taste unusually sweet today? Could it be because of the backflow of water after yesterday's disaster?

He didn't notice the sly, triumphant smile that flashed across Miaoha's face beside him, nor the faint, ambiguous blush that quietly appeared on her furry cheeks.

Because Rotom acted extremely quickly, the visual communication on Daigo's side was connected almost instantly.

"Xia Chi, you have such an amazing thing, and you didn't even tell me beforehand? That's really not being a good friend!"

On the other side of the screen, the image of Hoenn Champion Steven remains "classic"—

His hair was covered with rock fragments, and his work clothes still bore the distinctive dust marks of a mine, indicating that he had just emerged from some ruins or mine shaft.

His tone was as gentle and elegant as ever, but the half-joking "complaint" between the lines was clearly audible.

It goes without saying that this rock fanatic is referring to the "super evolution" that took the world by storm last night.

Xia Chi said sincerely, "I really didn't mean to hide it from you. The main thing is that this key stone and the super stone from Latias were completely unexpected gains."

Daigo raised an eyebrow and joked, "Oh? Where did you 'pick' this up again?"

In just one night, Xia Chi's "picking-up trait" has become a meme.

"Well, sort of."

Xia Chi brushed it off vaguely and quickly changed the subject: "Besides, I already told you the key clues about the source of the super evolution power."

Daigo instantly caught the key phrase: "You mean that extraterrestrial meteorite deep within Meteor Falls that contains strange energy? The power of Mega Evolution might very well originate from there?!"

His eyes lit up noticeably, the spirit of a legendary miner burning brightly.

Xia Chi shrugged noncommittally: "This is precisely one of the core objectives of my trip to Hoenn. To unravel this mystery, we need more empirical evidence."

Daigo looked enlightened and said, "I see. I was wondering why you came here. Team Magma and Team Aqua's recent activities."

Xia Chi was taken aback, then solemnly said, "By the way, speaking of this, what I didn't mention in the live stream is that those two ancient Pokémon, Groudon and Kyogre, as well as Rayquaza, also possess the power of Mega Evolution!"

According to the game, the two that are called "Solid" and "Firm Cover" are called "Primal Reversion" and do not take up a team's Mega slot.

Lao Lie is a Mega Evolution, but it has some special features. It only needs to learn the move [Dragon's Eye] and does not require a Mega Stone.

Or rather, a "triangular organ" within its body itself has taken over the role of the Super Stone.

Regardless of their names or forms, the Hoenn three are indeed capable of Mega Evolution.

Xia Chi even deduced that the origin of super evolution is closely related to these three ancient Pokémon!

Daigo, with his sharp mind, immediately responded, "You mean Team Magma might also be eyeing the power of Mega Evolution?"

Xia Chi pondered for a moment and said, "According to the intelligence I have, the ultimate goal of both sides is to awaken the sleeping Groudon or Kyogre and expand the land or sea by controlling them."

"To achieve this goal, we must return them to their original state and grant them terrifying power from the ancient times."

He paused, then added, "Crimson Pine and Water Wutong may have only vaguely known about the existence of this power before, but after last night's live broadcast, they can now definitely guess that the power is Mega Evolution!"

"So to say."

Daigo frowned. "They might take a risk and attack you?"

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he shook his head and dismissed it.

"Given their style of operation and the power they currently possess, they probably don't have the courage or ability to do so."

Xia Chi stopped being a riddle player and said directly, "The key is that the original return of those two ancient elves, that is, their super evolution, does not require key stones and super stones, but their exclusive items, the Crimson Orb and the Indigo Orb."

“My information is that they have been kept at Songshinsan Mountain and cared for by a family for generations. I suggest strengthening their care to prevent any potential damage.”

Daigo's tone became serious and decisive, "Alright, my excavation of that key meteorite is nearing completion. I should be able to return to Hoenn headquarters by the day after tomorrow at the latest to personally oversee this matter."

Xia Chi smiled wryly and shook his head slightly, saying, "Let's arrange it now if we can, in case it's just a matter of two days."

Last night, I was caught off guard by those two thieves, and now when I hear Daigo say "I'll deal with it when I wake up," I immediately get PTSD.

Although triggering events can incidentally lead to combat rounds and bring huge benefits.

However, the awakening of the Hoenn twins threatens the safety of the entire region's residents, and Xia Chi certainly won't allow the villains to cause trouble just for his own selfish desires.

If he really did that, what difference would there be between him and the villain?
Upon hearing this, Daigo realized the urgency of the situation and nodded solemnly, "Okay, I'll arrange it in a bit!"

The two then exchanged a few more words about the specific security deployment details and possible future research directions.

Xia Chi felt that the matter had been discussed sufficiently and was about to say goodbye and hang up.

"and many more!"

Daigo suddenly called out to him, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face.

Xia Chi raised an eyebrow, thinking he was going to press for more details about the meteorite.

"Um... there's another personal question I really can't help but ask you."

Daigo rubbed his dusty fingers, his eyes filled with a familiar, eager anticipation. After a slight hesitation, he asked, "My Metagross... can it Mega Evolve?"

Xia Chi: "..."

No, Daigo, you're here too?

However, this is not information that needs to be kept secret.

Looking at Daigo's rare expression of intense curiosity, Xia Chi nodded with a mixture of amusement and helplessness: "Of course, not only Metagross has it."

He paused for a moment, then decided to fulfill the Steel-type champion's expectations, "Your Aggron and Skarmory both have corresponding Mega Evolution forms."

As for strength, Super Aggron is probably in the same league as Super Garchomp.

Of course, there's no need to say such discouraging things now.

You'll know how it works once you try it out yourself, Daigo.

His three most trusted Steel-type Pokémon all possess the potential for Mega Evolution!

This news brought an unusually bright smile to Daigo's face on the other end of the video call. "This is fantastic!"

Seeing the usually composed and elegant champion showing such childlike excitement, Xia Chi couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head: "Brother Da Wu, instead of daydreaming about their evolved forms, why not work harder and try to dig out the complete system of super evolution as soon as possible? Wouldn't that be more practical?"

"Haha, you're right!"

Daigo responded with a smile, clearly in a great mood, and even more motivated to dig for rocks.

Xia Chi was about to end the call again, and Daigo was on the verge of telling Rotom to hang up, but Daigo spoke up again.

"Wait, this time it's really important!"

Daigo's tone quickly returned to its usual calm and formal, and he said seriously, "It's Michael. He heard that your next trip will be to Sootopolis City, so he contacted me specifically to ask me to convey an invitation."

He paused for a moment, then said formally, "Mikeli cordially invites you to participate as a special guest in the [Mikeli Cup Special Invitational Tournament] to be held in Liuli City."

------

Xia Chi was slightly taken aback: "The Mikkuri Cup? Is that the Grand Tournament?"

He was somewhat surprised by the invitation.

I am not a Coordinator, and I have never even participated in a Contest.

Why did Teacher DaMi suddenly invite me?
Riding the wave of popularity?
Not at all.

Wallace is a walking traffic magnet, and the Wallace Cup is a top-tier, glamorous event worldwide, renowned throughout the Pokémon world.

Despite my recent surge in popularity, it has absolutely nothing to do with the Grand Contest.

There was absolutely no need for the other party to specifically invite me just to ride the wave of the Super Evolution hype.

Seeing that Xia Chi looked somewhat puzzled, Daigo explained, "Although a large part of the reason is that he wants to witness the charm of Mega Evolution firsthand, Mikuri has indeed admired you for a long time and also wants to take this opportunity to get to know you, Xia Chi."

Xia Chi pondered for a moment.

In the game's storyline, Mikuri also has the identity of the "Lapis Lazuli Clan," whose family has guarded the Awakening Shrine, which is closely related to the Hoenn Three Gods, for generations.

His final destination was Liuli City, and the matter of Odomare had been resolved satisfactorily.

Head to Sootopolis City to uncover the final mystery of Mega Evolution, and experience the legendary Grand Contest along the way.

It doesn't seem like a bad idea?
Thinking of this, Xia Chi nodded in agreement: "Okay, then Brother Da Wu, you can agree for me. By the way, when does that competition start?"

Daigo replied, "We coordinated the schedules of all the participants and set it for early September. It should be enough time, right?"

"There's still enough time."

Xia Chi said thoughtfully, "However, the competition schedule actually needs to be coordinated with the participants? Aren't the participants usually adjusting to the schedule themselves?"

"Because the contestants in this competition are all top-tier coordination trainers who have been invited to participate."

Daigo said matter-of-factly, “The schedules of people like Melissa from Saffron City in Kanto, Ami from Asahi City in Johto, and Adam, the former Gym Leader of our Hoenn Sooto Gym, all need to be coordinated. Even Wallace himself is one of the participants.”

Xia Chi: "."

Is it too late for me to back out and withdraw from the competition?

No, Daigo, you didn't just say that all the participants in the competition were top-tier players!

So why would a newbie like me, who has never participated in a Contest of Fame, go to a competition where top Coordinators gather?

Perform a reverse fish-frying trick?
(Please vote for me at the end of the month! I'll add a bonus chapter every day in a few days if I accumulate enough votes!)

(End of this chapter)