"Machamp is unable to battle. Lucario wins!"
The referee also seemed to be infected by the performance of Machamp and Shen just now, and only announced the result of the match after a moment of trance.
Julian looked at Lucario, who was holding its arms, and recalled it back into its Poké Ball. while Shen's eyes were slightly lost, looking at the fallen Machamp in front of her, lost in thought.
"That feeling just now..."
"Was it real, or just an illusion?"
Shen felt a strange connection between her and Machamp during the battle. She wondered if it was just in the heat of the moment or something more.
"It felt so real, but it must've been my imagination," she thought.
She had never experienced something like that before, and it left her confused.
"It's not your imagination," Julian's voice cut through her thoughts. "You've awakened a special ability."
Don't know when Julian had walked over from one end of the field to Shen, took Machamp's Poké Ball, He returned Machamp to its ball as Shen looked at him, puzzled.
"Special ability?"
Shen asked, confused. She remembered learning in school that some trainers have rare powers. These abilities were usually passed down through family or randomly awakened, like Psychic.
"Let's go, we'll talk later" Julian said.
Noticing Shen was a bit shaky on her feet he asked "Can you walk?"
"Of course I can!"
Shen nodded, she was stubborn by nature, she wouldn't say that her legs were weak and she couldn't walk.
After Julian took a few steps forward, he suddenly looked back at Shen who was still standing still and said helplessly: "If you can't move, just say so."
"I'm fine!"
Shen's face turned red but she still insisted, even though her legs refused to cooperate.
Seeing this, Julian sighed.
"Metagross, use Psychic to hold her."
Metagross appeared and used its psychic powers to lift Shen gently into the air.
"Here, eat this," Julian said, handing her a Sitrus Berry. "It'll help you regain some energy."
Sitrus Berries can restore a bit of physical strength for both Pokémon and humans, though not all berries are edible for people. Luckily, Sitrus Berries are one of the few that taste decent to humans.
"Thanks," Shen said, floating awkwardly in the air. It was weird, but it was better than collapsing.
As they moved toward the player's area, footsteps echoed. Will, Chase, Zack, and Chris came rushing over.
As the match ended, they found that something was wrong with Shen's condition, and when they saw Julian walking over, the four of them immediately rushed from the stand to the player's passage.
"Shen, you aren't paralyzed are you?" Will asked with wide eyes, seeing her being carried by Metagross.
His words also startled the three next to him, and they immediately looked at Shen with worried eyes
"Go away, this lady is still very strong"
Shen shouted to Will angrily, and raised her clenched fist.
"Just kidding, just kidding!"
Will smiled wryly.
When they were about to reach the exit, Shen said, "Julian can you let Metagross put me down"
The Sitrus Berry had worked, and she could walk again. She didn't want to be seen floating like a decoration.
"Alright, Metagross, return."
Julian called Metagross back. However, as Metagross disappeared, Shen, who was still partly in the air, dropped down with a thud, landing on her rear.
Julian: (@_@)
Shen: When this lady is healed, just wait to taste my iron fist.
The moment grew awkwardly quiet. Will clamped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing, knowing Shen would beat him up if he did.
The group returned to the hotel and entered Julian's room.
"Julian, earlier you said something about me awakening a special ability,"
Shen blurted out as soon as they sat down. She had been holding back her questions for a while now.
"What? Shen, you've got special powers now?"
Julian hadn't even spoken yet, but Will had already called out, looking at Shen in disbelief and admiration.
"Julian, are you mistaken? Even I haven't awakened special abilities. How could Shen awaken them?"
This is jealousy talking, If I can't have it how can others.
Ignoring Will who was making a fuss next to him, Julian turned to Shen. "Earlier, did you feel like you and Machamp became one, like your body and mind were completely connected?"
Shen nodded quickly. That feeling was unforgettable.
"That's it"
"What do you mean, that's it, Julian, you have to make it clear."
Will was more anxious than Shen, "Wait, sometimes I feel like I'm one with my Charizard too! Does that mean I also have powers?"
Not paying attention to Will's shenanigans, Julian continued: "You know the 'Heart's eye', right?"
(T/N: don't know what the author is talking about as this is not bond evolution or battle bond, I searched for it and all I could find is Bruno doing something similar with his Machamp in a game called Pokémon Masters EX that ability is dubbed 'sync pair', so I will take this as an AU or if any of you know just comment.)
Shen nodded, then came to his senses, and said in surprise: "You are saying what I awakened is that"
"Exactly."
"You've probably heard about the 'Heart's Eye' in school. It's a special ability that lets you and Fighting-type Pokémon sync up, both mentally and physically. That's why Machamp was able to push so hard and why you felt weak afterward."
"Heart's Eye makes the bond between you and your Pokémon stronger, enhancing their abilities," he explained. "That's why Machamp could break through Lucario's Protect with Giga Impact."
Heart's Eye is similar to Bond Evolution but only works with Fighting-type Pokémon. Unlike Bond Evolution, which can change a Pokémon's form, Heart's Eye doesn't alter appearance—it just boosts strength through the connection.
"I really awakened it?" Shen was overjoyed. If she wasn't still a bit weak, she would have burst into action with excitement.
"Yes, but don't celebrate too soon," Julian warned. "Right now, you've only half-awakened it. It triggered unconsciously. To truly master it, you'll need more experience and effort."
"How do I train for it?" Shen asked eagerly.
"Through battle," Julian answered. "Like today's fight. Your strong belief in Machamp helped awaken your ability. The connection you felt comes from a shared purpose between you and your Pokémon."
Will, listening on the side, started thinking. "So if I battle a lot, I might awaken powers too..."
Julian, sensing Will's thoughts, smirked. "Don't even think about it. Even if you awaken your Heart's Eye, you'd have to switch to being a Fighting-type trainer."
Will's excitement deflated instantly, causing everyone to chuckle.
*****
Upto 30 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ReduxMagister