"Pay Day, huh?" Lillie panted heavily, downing the last of her water. Her hair was matted with sweat and stuck to her forehead.
She couldn't believe she had just run ten kilometers. More surprisingly, she felt her body surging with power rather than collapsing from exhaustion.
"In your memory, do you know of any Meowth that can use this move?" Bai Chen asked.
Lillie closed her eyes and thought for a moment before sighing regretfully. "I've never seen a Meowth use Pay Day. It's an incredibly rare skill.
I once read in a book about a place called 'Secret Cat Island' where they worship Meowth, who can use Pay Day as deities."
Bai Chen remembered "Secret Cat Island." Long ago, Team Rocket's Meowth had accidentally ended up there and was treated as a god—until it was revealed he couldn't use the move, which led to a rather painful exit.
"Why are you looking for a Meowth that knows Pay Day, Mr. Bai? Do you want one to bring you luck and money?" It was a reasonable assumption, given Bai Chen's recent budget constraints.
"It's for you."
"For me?" Lillie tilted her head. She didn't exactly have a money problem.
"My blood and the Bond Stones can stimulate your potential. Once I understand the principle behind how Pay Day operates, I might be able to teach you how to manifest that specific potential yourself."
Since he intended to raise Lillie's strength, there was no hiding the existence of "skills." As long as he didn't reveal the System itself, he trusted Lillie to keep the secret.
"I... I can use Pokémon moves, too?" Lillie's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I'm not certain, but moves are ultimately just advanced ways of utilizing power—they're techniques. As long as you have the energy to drive them, you can learn." Bai Chen patted her head.
"Today's training isn't over. Finish up while the energy is still in your system. If you wait for it to fade, your body might lock up."
Lillie nodded, but before resuming her training, she offered a lead. "I don't know where a Pay Day Meowth is, but I know where to find a lot of Meowth. Perhaps among many, there is one special individual."
"Where?"
"Ula'ula Island," Lillie reminded him. "You should remember Mr. Nanu, one of the Island Kahunas?"
Bai Chen recalled the gloomy, white-haired man. He had met Nanu during his Island Challenge, where Nanu and Hala had witnessed Basarios's first Gigantamax in Alola. "Of course. He's a Dark-type specialist."
"Exactly. According to my research, Mr. Nanu keeps a massive number of Meowth. He even gives them out as starter partners to the local children."
Unlike other regions where kids go to a lab for one of three elemental starters, Nanu—being the eccentric he is—simply gave them a choice between three Alolan Meowth. He was often criticized for it, but the lazy uncle couldn't care less.
"I see. It's worth paying Nanu a visit. With that many Meowth, the odds of one knowing Pay Day are much higher."
"Once we're done in Laverre City, we'll head back to Alola first."
Bai Chen still remembered his promise to Valerie—to act as her model for a day. Her Kirin-inspired fashion line was complete, and the show was the day after tomorrow.
That afternoon, Bai Chen accompanied Lillie through her training. Having completed her set tasks, Lillie felt she still had energy to burn and asked for more. "I feel great. How about another 100 squats?"
Bai Chen nodded silently. Encouraged, Lillie did the squats, then finished with a 5km weighted run.
Finally feeling tired, she stopped and wiped her sweat with a towel, beaming with pride. "Phew... I guess I'm actually pretty amazing," she whispered.
Bai Chen said nothing, merely checking the time. "It's about time. Let's go get some food."
"Okay!" Lillie stepped out with vigor. But after two steps, her body pitched forward, and she face-planted onto the ground. She was stunned.
She tried to push herself up, but the moment her arms moved, a searing pain shot to her brain.
Bai Chen walked over and crouched beside her. He poked her cheek with a grin. "You lasted two seconds longer than I estimated. Not bad."
Lillie let out a muffled groan of pain. "It... it hurts..."
"You really like overdoing it, don't you? My blood doesn't rebuild your body instantly. Doing that much exercise in one go is more than your frame can handle."
He needed to temper her blind enthusiasm before it got her killed one day. "Take this as a lesson. Don't be fooled by the illusion of energy."
"I... I'm sorry," Lillie whispered.
"Just be careful next time." Bai Chen picked her up bridal-style and carried her to her room. She'd need a full night's rest. After giving her another drop of blood and having Indeedee help her clean up, he left.
Walking back, Bai Chen mused on the effects of his blood. It acted like a stimulant, allowing mortals to achieve the impossible, likely due to the Mega Evolution energy.
Yesterday, he wouldn't have believed Lillie could complete such a regimen without any prior foundation.
"Beyond the stimulant effect, the regenerative properties are top-tier. It's packed with life energy." His blood was likely several times more potent than a Full Restore.
He wondered what kind of new species he was evolving into, but one thing was clear: his situation was becoming more dangerous.
If people knew his blood had these properties, they'd hunt him down. I'll need to put a hypnotic suggestion on Lillie to prevent her from being interrogated or hypnotized by others.
At his door, he ran into Ash.
"Ash? What brings you here?"
Ash pulled his hat down, looking ecstatic. He pulled out a Poké Ball and released his partner. A ninja-like Pokémon with a red tongue wrapped around its neck stood before them.
"Greninja?" Bai Chen was pleasantly surprised. "Your Frogadier evolved?"
"It happened during special training after the battle with Gym Leader Olympia this morning," Ash said proudly.
"Congratulations." Bai Chen opened Greninja's panel and saw a brand new skill:
[Heroic Synchrony] (Rarity: 8): Opens the path of legends. Masters Aura-related abilities, allowing for an Aura connection with the Trainer, advancing toward a higher level of life.
This was unique to Ash's Greninja, distinct from Pikachu's [Team Ace]. While Pikachu's skill was granted by Ash's specific Ability,
Greninja's skill was innate. This matched the legends of the "Hero Greninja" from the Ninja Village, who possessed the power of Bond Phenomenon.
"Ash, your Greninja is quite something," Bai Chen praised sincerely.
Ash and Greninja shared a look. "Greninja has always been amazing. He's one of my most reliable partners." Then, Ash turned to Bai Chen. "Mr. Bai, you remember our promise, right?"
"Of course. A Pokémon battle once Frogadier evolved."
"We're ready! Can we battle now?"
"Sure." Bai Chen tapped his belt. "Which of my partners do you want to face?"
"We want to fight Zinogre!"
Pikachu had already faced Nergigante. Ash wanted to face a Pokémon he hadn't fought yet, and the stronger, the better.
He knew Zinogre was one of the powerhouses of Bai Chen's team—the one that had broken Mega Rayquaza's jaw in Lumiose City.
"I don't think you have much of a chance, but I admire your courage. Shall we?"
"Yes! We can't wait!"
At the hotel battle arena, Serena and Bonnie sat in the stands. Clemont acted as the referee.
"This will be a one-on-one battle. The match ends when either side is unable to continue," Clemont announced.
Ash nodded to his partner. "It's up to you, Greninja. This is our first battle after evolving. Give it everything!"
Greninja nodded solemnly and blurred into the center of the field. He stared at Bai Chen with intense focus. He knew this would be a grueling fight.
Bai Chen tossed his ball high. "Go, Thunderlord Zinogre!"
Golden lightning crashed from the heavens. The King of Lightning raised his head proudly. Dark clouds gathered as Zinogre's presence transformed the area into a [Thunder Domain]. A kingly pressure radiated from him.
Ash and Greninja reflexively shielded their eyes, but both wore the same grin—the thrill of challenging a powerful foe.
Zinogre looked at Greninja with appreciation. Of all Ash's Pokémon, he liked Frogadier the most. He saw the same tenacity and hunger for strength in the ninja's eyes.
"Awooo—!"
Zinogre roared at the sky as golden lightning struck his body, warping the space around him. He didn't waste words, entering his second stage: [True Ultra-Charged State]. He wouldn't hold back; it was his way of showing respect.
Greninja nodded in gratitude.
On the sidelines, Squishy watched the two. Greninja's uniqueness was evident, but his opponent was a "monster" in the truest sense—not an ordinary living being.
Bonnie tried to sneak up and hug Squishy, but the cell jumped away as if it had eyes in the back of its head.
"Serena, who do you think will win?" Bonnie asked.
"Mr. Bai, probably? Zinogre fought a Legendary and actually injured it."
"I think Ash will win," Bonnie said defiantly. "Because Greninja just evolved, he's still in his 'evolution protection period'!"
Serena chuckled. On paper, Bai Chen had the overwhelming advantage. But Ash was famous for his unconventional style and penchant for pulling off upsets.
Clemont raised his hand. "Battle... begin!"
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: Patreon.com/kazama677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 60 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.