"Alright Ash, I've received Heracross and Croconaw on my end!"
"Thank you, Professor Oak! I've received Slowpoke here as well!"
After catching Shellder, Ash and his friends quickly found a Pokémon Center and contacted Professor Oak to arrange the transfer. Holding Slowpoke's Poké Ball, Ash was looking for a place to facilitate its evolution when he noticed Brock, who was checking his daily mail, seem to receive something interesting.
Brock had a habit of checking his inbox at every Pokémon Center they visited.
"Suzy sent me an email!" Brock's voice was full of delight.
Suzy was Brock's idol, a top-tier Pokémon Breeder. The Vulpix Brock was currently raising had been entrusted to him by her.
"She says she's returned to the Johto region to participate in a Breeder's competition in Blondel Town, and she's looking for a partner!"
Seeing this, Brock made up his mind. "Ash, sorry to ask, but even though it's a bit of a detour, I really have to go!"
Seeing Brock's determination, Ash naturally wouldn't refuse. "Then let's head out! But before that, I have one more thing to take care of!"
"What is it?"
Ash gave a mysterious smile and led the group into the forest toward Blondel Town. Johto truly was a land of endless forests.
"Slowpoke, Shellder, I choose you!"
Looking at the two Pokémon, Misty and Brock suddenly understood. Ash's Slowpoke was already extraordinary—it could command all the Slowpoke in the Slowpoke Well and was considered a true deity among its kind. The Shellder, too, was a well-developed specimen caught in the Seaking pond.
Upon seeing the Slowpoke, the Shellder instinctively tried to snap onto its tail, but Slowpoke lazily moved its tail away, refusing to let it succeed.
"Molly, let me test you. Do you know how Slowpoke evolves?" Ash rubbed Molly's hair and asked with a smile.
"I know! If a Shellder bites Slowpoke's tail, it evolves into Slowbro!" Molly indeed knew a lot; Dr. Hale had taught her well.
"Today, I'll show you another evolution for Slowpoke!" Ash smiled as he walked toward the Shellder, which was still trying to chase Slowpoke's tail.
He scooped the Shellder into his arms and looked at Slowpoke, who was staring back intently. "Slowpoke, it's finally time to evolve!"
Slowpoke's expression looked vacant as usual, but Ash could see a glimmer of anticipation in its eyes.
"System, exchange for a King's Rock!"
The King's Rock was a precious item, serving as both a combat tool and an evolutionary catalyst. In battle, it could cause opponents to flinch. For evolution, it could turn Slowpoke into Slowking, or Misty's Poliwhirl into Politoed. The King's Rock Ash exchanged from the system was of the highest quality.
He placed the King's Rock on top of Slowpoke's head, then took the Shellder and pressed it directly onto Slowpoke's crown!
In that instant, the light of evolution erupted!
"How is that possible?"
Brock and Misty were stunned. Biting the head? What kind of divine technique is this?
And yet, the light was unmistakable. The Slowpoke that previously crawled on the ground stood up within the glow. The shell-like Shellder transformed into a spiral, crown-shaped shell sitting atop its head. A red-and-white frilled ruff appeared around its neck, giving it a regal appearance.
As the light shattered, a pair of wise eyes met the group. This was Slowking, possessed of genius-level intelligence and the ability to manipulate mental power at will. Always calm and composed, it was known as the "Sage of the Sea."
Ash's Slowpoke was already large and well-bred, so its evolved form, Slowking, was even more imposing. Counting the shell crown, this Slowking stood a full 2.2 meters tall. Even Ash had to look up to meet its eyes.
Name: Slowking (♂)
Type: Water, Psychic
Ability: Regenerator
Bond Value: 245 / 255
Moves: Heal Pulse, Power Gem, Hidden Power, Yawn, Confusion, Calm Mind, Water Pulse, Psychic, Zen Headbutt, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Blizzard, Trick Room.
"Slowking, I look forward to working with you!" After evolving, Slowking's compatibility soared, and its Bond Value left only 10 points to go!
"Thank you, Ash."
A voice suddenly appeared in Ash's mind—young, yet steady. Ash shook his head and looked at Brock, Misty, and Molly, but found they were just staring at Slowking in shock, still not having reacted.
He suddenly realized something and looked at Slowking. "Slowking, was that your voice? Telepathy?"
Slowking shook its head. "I have not reached that level yet, but I discovered a mysterious bond between us. It allows us to sense each other's thoughts."
In other words, Slowking could only communicate this way with Ash.
Bond Value: 248 / 255
"Ash, is this... Slowking?" Brock was the first to snap out of it, his voice still trembling with shock.
"Slowking is so cool!" Molly ran over to Ash and Slowking.
Slowking looked at her calmly, its eyes glowing with blue light as it used telekinesis to let Molly float peacefully in the air.
"Haha, this is fun!"
Bond Value: 251 / 255
Thump-thump!
This time, the heartbeat Ash heard in his ears was steady and powerful!
"Brock, let's have a battle!" Ash issued the invitation.
"No, let me!" Before Brock could reach for a Poké Ball, Misty beat him to it, sending out her Starmie. The evolved Starmie shared the Water and Psychic types!
"Starmie, use Hydro Pump!"
This was the ultimate Water-type special move, equivalent to Fire Blast. However, Ash gave no command. Slowking remained completely unfazed. Only when the Hydro Pump was inches away did Slowking move.
Its wise eyes flashed with blue light—an advanced version of Confusion: Psychic. The Psychic energy formed a solid barrier around Slowking. This was clearly Mewtwo's style of fighting!
Bond Value: 253 / 255
"Slowking, let's get some exercise too."
"Trick Room!"
With a flash of blue, a container-sized space enveloped Slowking and Starmie before vanishing, as if nothing had happened. Misty was confused; she wasn't familiar with such an niche move.
"Whatever! Starmie, use Swift!"
As the name suggested, this move was incredibly fast and guaranteed to hit.
"Zen Headbutt!" However, facing Starmie's Swift, Ash ordered a move that was naturally slower and required charging.
Just as everyone thought Ash was going to tank the Swift, Slowking's figure suddenly appeared right in front of Starmie. A massive headbutt sent the star-shaped Pokémon flying. At this point, the match was decided.
And then...
Bond Value: 255 / 255!