"Why is there a Carbink here…?"
[You're asking us?]
[Wow, so cute!]
[It's sparkling! Are those diamonds on its body?]
[From the shine and texture, they really do look like diamonds!]
[Imagine getting rich catching one of these!]
"Carbink?"
The Carbink tilted its head, staring curiously at the strange human.
Su Feng ignored the chat's greed-driven comments, his expression serious. "The gems on Carbink's body are diamonds. Their size and quantity vary by individual. But they're worthless beyond aesthetics. I won't tolerate humans exploiting them for profit. They're living beings with thoughts and souls, just like us."
"New laws criminalizing Pokémon poaching are underway. Think twice before scheming."
[You can influence laws!?]
[No way I'm risking jail for sparkly rocks.]
[But partnering with one legally should be fine, right?]
Su Feng nodded. "If you bond with a Carbink genuinely, I'd never stop you. But if you're lying to exploit it…"
He crouched, offering a Rock-type Energy Block. "No harm intended. Want a treat?"
"Carbink~!"
It sniffed the cube and gulped it down, eyes closing in bliss.
[So precious! My heart can't take it!]
[Adorable diamond bunny!]
"Carbink—a Rock/Fairy-type with no evolutions. Only the fluff around its neck is soft; the rest is hardened stone. They're born deep underground under extreme heat and pressure, rarely venturing far from their birthplace."
Su Feng frowned. "But this cave… How deep are we?"
[Keep going and you'll dig to America!]
[Turn back! You'll get lost!]
"Don't worry. I marked the walls with permanent ink—"
He froze. The fluorescent arrow he'd drawn earlier was gone. The wall's surface had been scraped raw.
"Carbink… Do you know another way out?"
"Bink!"
It hopped eagerly down a side tunnel. Su Feng followed, unease thickening with every step.
The cave fell silent—only the click-clack of Carbink's gems and Su Feng's footsteps echoed.
Then—
A shadow lunged from the ground, claws slashing at Haunter!
Haunter conjured a Shadow Ball but hesitated—attacking risked hitting Su Feng. In that split second, the assailant struck.
BOOM!
The explosion blinded Su Feng. When his vision cleared, Carbink lay unconscious. Haunter, battered but defiant, traded blows with a smirking…
"Sableye."
The gem-eyed predator landed a final Shadow Claw. Haunter crumpled.