"Come here, Froakie. We didn't get the chance earlier, so let me introduce your future companions."
After Cynthia and the others left, Chen Shi suddenly found himself with nothing urgent to do.
So, in high spirits, he released Froakie along with all his other Pokémon in one go.
However, what he failed to notice was—
The moment Lady Florges was released, the mutating Carbink's gaze locked onto her and never moved away again.
Chen Shi pointed toward Swampert.
"Look, this here is Swampert."
"Don't be fooled by how silly and goofy he looks. His strength is terrifying~"
"Lah kee~"
Swampert froze for a moment before scratching his head with a foolish grin.
Then he proudly raised both arms and struck a bodybuilding pose.
Afterward, Chen Shi introduced Lady Florges and the others to Froakie one by one.
Lady Florges and the rest all understood that this little frog would be their companion from now on, so they treated him very warmly.
Froakie stared blankly at these companions whose auras were stronger than the last.
His round little eyes were filled with shock and curiosity.
He had never imagined that the partners he would live and fight alongside in the future would all be this powerful.
Froakie looked at one Pokémon after another.
His small body unconsciously shrank backward a little, feeling both nervous and excited inside.
He didn't know whether he could get along well with them in the future.
Nor did he know whether he himself could one day become just as strong.
Sensing what he was thinking, Chen Shi gently patted his little head and spoke in a calm, encouraging voice:
"Don't worry."
"One day, you'll become just as strong as them too."
"But that will require difficult training and intense battles."
"You should prepare yourself mentally in advance."
"Gua!!"
After hearing Chen Shi's words, Froakie looked as though his fighting spirit had been instantly ignited.
He clenched his tiny fists tightly, his eyes brimming with determination.
Deep inside, he had already made up his mind.
Training and battles?
So what?
As long as he could one day fight alongside his big brothers and sisters—
No matter how harsh the training or battles were, he could endure them all.
Brave Froakie feared no hardship!!
Watching him burn with fighting spirit, Togekiss secretly sighed.
Another poor child deceived by Shi'er.
You're going to suffer in the future.
After settling Froakie's matter, Chen Shi waved his hand.
"You guys do whatever you want for now."
"We'll be resting here tonight."
Then Chen Shi walked over to the mutating Carbink.
"You said your homeland is in the Orance Forest."
"Would it be convenient to tell me more about the place?"
Chen Shi was genuinely curious about the Orance Forest of the Kalos Region.
Because in the anime, that forest didn't only house the Carbink tribe.
There were also countless rare Pokémon living there.
Among them were Yveltal's cocoon-like Destruction Cocoon form and Xerneas's dormant tree form.
There was even a chance that Zygarde's Cells and Core might be somewhere inside as well.
That was why Chen Shi wanted to learn more about the forest.
The Carbink finally withdrew her gaze from Lady Florges.
After thinking for a moment, she replied:
"Nah nah~~"
(I'm sorry. We've always lived inside the Diamond Kingdom and rarely ventured outside, so we don't know much about the Orance Forest.)
Hearing that, Chen Shi froze briefly before reacting.
The Carbink tribe really was incredibly reclusive.
They usually lived underground in the Diamond Kingdom, so it made sense they weren't familiar with the outside forest.
Chen Shi asked again:
"Then do you still remember where your Diamond Kingdom is?"
"Can you still find your way home?"
"Nah nah~"
(We remember.)
(Please don't worry. When the time comes, we would love to invite you to visit our Diamond Kingdom.)
The Carbink gave a sincere invitation accompanied by a gentle smile.
"Sure."
"I'd also love to see the legendary Diamond Kingdom for myself."
Chen Shi agreed immediately before continuing:
"You should be about to complete your mutation into Diancie soon, right?"
But the moment those words left his mouth—
It was as though a massive stone had been thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up huge waves.
The Carbink tribe that had been secretly listening nearby exploded into panic.
Their previously calm state was shattered instantly.
One Carbink after another rushed forward, quickly surrounding the mutating Carbink and shielding her tightly behind them.
They looked at Chen Shi vigilantly, terrified he might intend harm toward the mutating Carbink.
Seeing them react so intensely, Chen Shi scratched his head helplessly, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
He wasn't angry.
After all, Diancie's existence was simply too important to the Carbink race.
Their reaction was perfectly understandable.
The mutating Carbink herself looked extremely surprised.
This human who had saved them—
Had actually recognized at a glance that she was about to complete her mutation.
Chen Shi waved his hand.
"You don't need to be so nervous."
"I won't hurt you… or your future queen."
The Carbink hesitated for a moment but still refused to move aside, continuing to protect the mutating Carbink behind them.
Chen Shi shrugged.
"If I really wanted to harm you, why would I waste this much time talking?"
"Besides, you aren't my opponents anyway."
As he spoke, he pointed toward Swampert and the others nearby.
The Carbink fell silent.
Though they had numbers on their side—
Only they themselves knew that the Carbink tribe was not particularly skilled at battling.
And their strongest member was still the mutating Carbink, who had yet to fully evolve.
Even then—
She was only at Gym-level strength.
Facing those Pokémon over there, whose presences each felt overwhelmingly powerful—
They had no confidence they could win.
And this human called Chen Shi—
Had rescued them from a group of terrifying Pokémon Hunters.
That alone proved his strength was even more frightening.
If Chen Shi truly harbored ill intentions—
There was nothing they could do to stop him.
At that moment, the mutating Carbink stepped forward.
"Nah nah~"
(Please step aside.)
(I believe he won't hurt me.)
After hearing their future queen speak, the Carbink hesitated before finally moving aside and opening a path.
"Nah nah?"
(You seem to know a lot about our tribe.)
The mutating Carbink walked forward curiously and asked.
Chen Shi smiled.
"I wouldn't say I know a lot."
"I just happen to know a little more than most people."
"And congratulations."
"You're about to become the new Diancie Queen."
However—
Instead of feeling happy after hearing his words, the Carbink's expression dimmed.
She lowered her head slightly.
"Nah nah~"
(Actually… I've remained in this state for a very long time.)
(I've been unable to complete the final stage of my mutation.)
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