"You don't need to be so formal. Old Alakazam is my friend too, and he has helped me plenty in the past," Feng Che said with a smile. "Doing this is only right."
"I just hope he can successfully break through to the Elite level this time." Sabrina clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, praying fervently.
Feng Che watched her quietly, finding it rare to see her looking so peaceful and earnest. "Alakazam is a kind soul with much karma; he will surely turn this crisis into an opportunity," he said softly, joining her in prayer.
"Why are you copying me?" Sabrina opened her eyes, looking at him with a hint of a pout.
"Because you look quite cute like that," Feng Che teased with a grin.
"Don't talk nonsense... how is this cute?" Sabrina's face flushed. It was the first time anyone had used the word "cute" to describe her, and she wasn't quite used to the sensation.
"I need to get back to training my Pokémon now. Refining those potions took up a lot of time," Feng Che said, releasing all his partners except Zeraora.
"So you're the one who traded the Rowlet with Lt. Surge!" Sabrina's clear eyes lit up with surprise. "That Rowlet really can sleep, can't it?"
She watched the Rowlet snoring away, drool escaping its beak. She was absolutely certain this was the same lazy bird Surge had been complaining about. "Surge has been grumbling to me constantly about how he can't find that 'mysterious pharmacist.' He knows he only caught Zapdos because of that help. To think, the man he's looking for was right here all along."
Feng Che gave a sheepish laugh. He hadn't realized Surge was so persistent in his search.
"And you have an Aerodactyl too? You really are full of surprises, Feng Che," Sabrina remarked, eyeing the prehistoric predator that had grown to over three meters in height.
"These Pokémon are my family, just as Alakazam is yours," Feng Che said gently.
Old Alakazam had finished his meditation, centering his spirit for the final push.
"One day left. Success or failure—it all comes down to this," Alakazam thought as he opened his eyes. He had arranged an altar of Psychic Crystals, representing his life's savings. Sitting cross-legged in the center, he gripped his two ancient bent spoons.
"Salac medicine to repair his cells, mental restoratives to boost his spirit, and the Rainbow Potion to evolve his potential. With these three working in tandem, he should be fine," Feng Che told Sabrina, trying to ease her anxiety.
Just then, the newborn Deino stumbled over. Feng Che had tied the thick fur on its head into a small ponytail so it could see. Since he was the first thing it saw upon hatching, the Deino had imprinted on him as a parent figure.
"This little one is quite clingy," Feng Che noted, feeding it a Dragon Blood energy block. "He's still a bit frail compared to the others, so I'll be focusing on his growth for a while. By the way, I opened a Daycare in Celadon City. You should come visit when you have time."
"I'd like that," Sabrina replied, her brow finally smoothing over.
Night fell, and the sky became a tapestry of stars. The altar began to glow with a ghostly blue light as Alakazam drew in the stellar energy.
"The once-in-eighty-years Psychic Tide is coming," Alakazam thought, pouring the Legendary Rainbow Potion into his mouth. A cool, cleansing energy washed through his body, followed by the Salac medicine.
The tide began. Massive waves of psychic energy radiated from the forest, and Alakazam could finally see the "wall" of the Elite-level bottleneck. He pushed against it with everything he had. Blood began to trickle from his nose, staining his white beard crimson—the price of the mental backlash.
"Sabrina, shouldn't he use Grassy Terrain?" Feng Che asked.
"No, the altar protects him. External life energy might interfere with the mental breakthrough," she replied.
Feng Che's Pokémon watched in silence. [Frogadier: When will I be that strong?][Ditto: Those energy blocks look delicious...][Corvisquire: I can't wait to fight a master like that.][Torracat: I must get stronger to protect my trainer.]
Alakazam downed the remaining Legendary potions. The energy was no longer gentle; it felt like sitting on a volcano. He gathered his power for one final surge, but suddenly, the starlight vanished.
A massive, suffocating bank of black clouds spread across the sky, blotting out the stars. The air grew heavy with malevolent Ghost-type energy.
"Crap! Dusknoir is interfering!" Sabrina gasped, her face turning pale. She had forgotten about Alakazam's old rival. "The altar draws power from the stars. With half the sky covered, the energy source is cut in half. Alakazam is in danger—he might explode from the unbalanced pressure! What do we do?"
"Can't you move the clouds with your powers?" Feng Che asked.
"No, that's 'Reaper Breath'—a barrier between this world and the spirit realm. If we don't clear the sky, Alakazam will lose the stellar synchronization and die!" Sabrina flew into the air, desperately trying to push back the encroaching darkness.