The question ultimately came down to two things in my mind. One, I could choose one of the Ralts due to a focus on the great increase in potential. However, in that case, the talent that could and would, later on, be unlocked was going to be a complete mystery.
Forget about awakening the same talent as Gardevoir, the question was if they could unlock a talent of the same grade since Emotion Manipulation was a first-class talent. Probability told me that it was more likely that Ralts would unlock a slightly weaker ability or worse.
Choice number two was choosing Gardevoir. As I said, her talent was a great one, and her strength was already at the gold stage, which meant she saved a few years of training, so using the time she "saved" to make up for any deficiencies caused by her early evolution or early breakthroughs was not too much of a loss.
Especially since Utopia's initial optimization would take care of a big chunk of those deficiencies. As for the lost chances at improving her potential, Utopia's boost along with her future limit-breaking bonuses would still let her reach the aurora realm by the time she reached the Palladium stage at the latest.
While it would undoubtedly take longer than it would have taken the Ralts, Gardevoir would reach that point as well eventually, so that was okay. It may sound a bit presumptuous to say this, but I could afford to wait a few decades for her to reach that point.
It was not as if she would not become stronger during that time since she would, and her talent was ultimately worth it, so having made my decision, I gave the elders my answer.
"Yes," I began with a nod. "I have made a decision," I continued before looking in the direction of Gardevoir, the one I had chosen.
"If she is truly willing, then I would like Gardevoir to join my family," I said more to her than to the elders, and everyone turned their gaze towards her, waiting for her answer.
'Sure, I don't mind. That was the reason I and the others approached you anyway,' she said through open telepathy, which seemed to be the preferred communication method of everyone here.
'That is good,' elder Gardevoir said. 'You have our approval,' elder Gallade added, and everyone else around congratulated us.
They were congratulating her for joining someone promising with a talent for cooking, while they were congratulating me for getting a strong and talented member of their kin to join my group. That my talent for cooking specifically came up was a bit funny, but so true. Tasty food was truly useful in many situations.
'Still, I shall give you some on-the-nose advice,' elder Gallade began. 'You will no doubt quickly notice that young Gwen here is a particularly talented member of our line, or she would probably share it with you even if you didn't, but please refrain from openly displaying her talent until you can protect yourself and her from those that would feel threatened by it.'
'This counts for both of you,' elder Gardevoir spoke up. 'We're not saying you can't use it since that is your choice, but we simply ask you to consider the situation and be subtle about it until you can handle any situation that your actions might cause.'
"Yes, I promise," I said, and Gardevoir did the same.
'I hope you do,' elder Gallade answered. 'I know that you know that you are under the protection of the Guardians and the Alliance, but some things are tempting enough for certain people that they would be willing to take the risk regardless.'
Honestly, if I did not already know what they were worried about due to having seen what exactly her talent was, the last bit would have sounded much more ominous. Still, their concerns were valid since her talent would be invaluable to any evil or criminal organization.
I chose to simply nod instead of speaking since I did not need words to display that I was taking them seriously. I openly displayed my emotions instead and them being known as the Emotion Pokemon had no problem discerning whether I was feeling it or not.
The duo gave satisfied nods and motioned for Gardevoir, who apparently already had a name, to stand beside me.
'Alright, bind her, so that we may send you out. It is time for you to leave,' elder Gardevoir said and I nodded before pulling out one of my best works so far a C-Class Fairy-Mind Ball.
It was one of the only two C-Class dual-element Pokeballs I managed to make so far, and its creation pushed me close to the top of Tier 2 as a Ballcrafter.
I held out the ball in Gwen/Gardevoir's direction, and she tapped the capture button herself and got absorbed into the ball as a result. I then blood-registered myself as the owner of the ball and put it away before looking toward the duo.
They nodded at me and asked me as well as Ali/Kirlia to make sure we were ready to leave. After I confirmed that I had everything, Gardevoir and the others there wished us farewell before Gallade teleported us to Mr. Cameron's office.
That surprised me since I had expected him to leave us at the academy gate instead. I had not thought that Mr. Cameron would still be in his office, but he was there and greeted us when we appeared, wholly unsurprised by our sudden arrival.
Gallade and Mr. Cameron looked each other in the eyes for a moment before Gallade said his farewell and left.
"Congratulations seem to be in order," Mr. Cameron said sounding genuinely happy. "Your visit this time seems to have turned out pretty fruitful. Let's hope the others will end up the same," he said warmly and I as well as Ali thanked him for his friendly words.
"Good, before you go home, let me share the next piece with you. I'll be going to Sinnoh this evening, and retrieve the 3 Gible tomorrow. I should be back in Rota sometime around 5, so stop by before dinner to choose your Gible.
Hmm, it would be better if you came at 6:30, in case I get delayed a bit. If something comes up, I'll inform you, otherwise make sure you're here tomorrow at 6:30, alright?" Mr. Cameron finished and I obviously agreed.
"I'll definitely be on time," I assured him and he laughed. "That's good. Alright, you may go. See you tomorrow," he said while waving me off.
"Thank you for your help, sir. Have a nice evening and see you tomorrow," I declared and Ali followed suit. Then I turned to Ali and asked him to take me to my room, so he teleported us away.
"Thanks, Ali," I thanked him before moving him to Utopia. Instead of going downstairs, I decided to enter as well, to go through Gwen's initiation before joining my parents.
The whole thing should not take more than 10 minutes anyway. As for her welcoming party, that could be held after I had dinner with mom as well as dad and told them about my day.
Anyway, I entered Utopia after I made sure that the door was locked and the curtains were closed. I chose to appear in Ali's habitat since Gardevoir's habitat would be placed beside/adjoined to his. Ali quickly noticed my appearance and greeted me which I returned, before pulling out Gwen's ball.
I let her out, and Utopia directly began doing its optimization process. Gardevoir's first reaction upon appearing was to greet us, but she froze when the optimization began, no doubt sensing the subtle change that she was undergoing.
It took a minute or two for the process to be done. As planned her habitat was placed beside this one, and I was going to show her her new home before leaving.
Gwen herself was still immersed in her thoughts, no doubt checking her body. While she was doing that, I checked her new status, to get a full picture.
'Name: Gwen
Species: Gardevoir
Gender: Female
Age: 13+ years
-
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Potential: Deep Blue (36.78%) -> Light Purple (96.78%)
Genetic variation: None
Abilities: Synchronize, Telepathy
Talents: Emotion Manipulation+
Affinities: Psychic, Fairy
-
Bond: Mikail (artificial, weak)
Quirks: Tends to get distracted
----
Parameters:
Stage: Gold Stage (low)
Vitality: G
Strength: H
Endurance: H
Agility: G
Energy Capacity: F
Energy Density: F
----
Immunity:
Dragon
-
Resistance:
Fighting (Major), Psychic (Minor)
-
Weaknesses:
Poison (Minor), Ghost (Minor), Steel (Minor)
----
Condition: Healthy, Curious
----
Masteries:
Psionic Energy Manipulation (Advanced)
Fairy Energy Manipulation (Proficient)
----
Techniques:
-
(In-progress) Initial:
N/A
-
Novice:
N/A
-
Beginner:
Growl, Charm, Endure, Safeguard
-
Proficient:
Disarming Voice, Confusion, Psybeam, Psychic, Protect, Dream Eater, Draining Kiss, Life Dew, Future Sight, Double Team, Dazzling Gleam, Healing Wish, Misty Terrain, Moonblast, Recover
-
Advanced:
Teleport, Calm Mind, Heal Pulse, Hypnosis, Aura Sphere
-
Mastered:
N/A'
Well, I got confirmation that Gwen was her name, so I did not mishear or misunderstood that, and apparently, Gwen was around two years older than me and about 4 years older than Ali. Not that much of a difference, to be honest, so we were still a group full of youths.
Her potential rose all the way up to the border of light purple. A bit more and she would end up with purple potential, so that was a pleasant surprise. I mean it would have no doubt been even better if her potential had upgraded straight to purple, but it could have been worse as well, so missing only 3 or so percent was already pretty good.
Next up was the main reason I chose her, her talent. While it did not get upgraded to a higher version, her talent did get strengthened by Utopia, which was a definite bonus. She would have an easier time using it, with a wider range and higher target threshold.
Before the ability only worked on those weaker than her, and now she had another chance to use it on those close to her strength as well. The success chance for those stronger than her was really small, but it was there.
Her quirk was something we would definitely be working on, or at least with. If we can't get rid of it we would at least make sure she could channel it correctly.
Well, her parameters were around where I thought they would be. I was confident she would reach the (mid) gold stage within a year, and the (high) gold stage before the end of my apprenticeship. How long it would take her to complete the limit-breaking training, however, was not something I could estimate right now.
Her energy manipulation and move masteries were good enough, and Gwen was done with her check while I was looking at her move pool.
'That was a really interesting experience. It felt as if something helped me fill tiny holes inside my being I did not know even existed. I feel better than ever before, and I definitely noticed my potential increase to the next grade while all that was happening.
Even my talent seems to have become stronger, but neither of you two seems to be surprised by that. I have to say this has to be the most interesting and mysterious welcoming gift any Gardevoir has to have received.
You're proving to be much more mysterious than I expected you to be, especially since the energy around this place is perfect for our line and the density is impressive as well.
It is as if this place was created just for the members of the Ralts family. Also, it seems as if someone is asking me to be nice to you not to try to harm you,' She excitedly began talking and I let her finish everything she wanted to say before replying.
"That is because it is a habitat especially created for the Ralts line, specifically for Ali here," I answered her while pointing towards all.
She looked as if she thought I was joking, but she could feel that I was being truthful, so she did not know what to think about my claim.
"Also, this is not the only habitat like that, you've got one as well, right beside this one, that belongs to you, which is perfectly calibrated to fit your needs," I told her before motioning her to follow me. While we were heading to her place I began giving her the introduction.
"I've had this blessing since I first opened my eyes to this world. It is a gift from the gods, at least I see it as such. It gives me access to an alternate space that only I can access for me and my Pokemon to live in and flourish. Utopia, my personal Mirage Island," I began introducing Utopia to her, and she absorbed everything I said with awe, interest, and a slight disbelief.
However, her natural ability told her that all I was saying was the truth, at least as far as I knew, and that was the case. Nothing of the things I told her was wrong, and it allowed me to explain my gifts without involving my last life.
We arrived at her part, I showed her around, finished my explanation, and called the others over for her introduction. I then told them that they could get to know each other since I had to go out since my parents were no doubt waiting and that we would do the welcoming party once I was back.
Afterward, left them all to their talk and returned to my room before heading downstairs. I saw mom and dad waiting in the living room, and they greeted me as soon as they saw me.
The dinner table was already set and mom said they had been just waiting for me, so she ushered us straighten to the dinner table and we began to slowly eat while talking about how our respective days had been.
-----------------------------
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