EPISODE 143: The Stone of Sincerity!

The Enju town Pokemon Mart! A small open area filled with different stalls. Food stalls, souvenir stalls, and even Pokemon stalls!? Don't worry, they don't sell Pokemons on Pokemon stall, in fact they sell evolutionary items such as the stones, coats, and other medicines used for Pokemon aid and treatment. Rare items can also be sought in the Pokemon Mart, such as energy roots and rare candies.

Although, a public market like the Pokemon Mart lies different kinds of troubles and turmoils! What problems could arise at the Pokemon Mart today!?

"I never knew that the Pokemon Mart would be this big!" Zhery beamed with awe as they passed through the arc. Hundreds were buying meals for the upcoming festival tomorrow, and others came to buy gifts and other souvenirs.

"I agree, I was expecting a building or something," Camellia uttered with awe as her eyes dazzled across the stalls around her.

"Alright. Remember our purpose, we have to find the perfect gift for Kalem! Something not too obvious and something not too plain." Zhery beamed with joy while they walked past the stalls and booths.

"About Glade? Aren't you going to give him one too?" Camellia questioned.

"I already bought him one, don't worry, it's in one of my bags which I left back at the inn," Zhery reassured.

The Pokemon Mart was crowded, it was hard to move through the stalls due to the crowd. Bartenders alongside with their Pokemons, work to achieve the needs of their customers. There are some who advertised their products by calling the people's attention, and there are some who give free samples to attract customers.

"So... Camellia, what do you have in mind?" Zhery questioned.

"Um... I actually don't have any idea. Hehe."

"Just think, what would Kalem want?"

"Let's see, Kalem would want more gym badges, more mega stones, more Z-crystals, and more Pokemons," Camellia uttered sarcastically.

"Yeah, good luck finding one here!" Zhery beamed with sarcasm.

"Well, do you have any idea?"

"About something that his Pokemons need, or something that would give inspiration to him. If you confessed to him, finding a gift would be easier."

"I told you Zhery, I'll confess when the time is right. Have you confessed to Glade? Hmm?"

"Glade!? I don't admire him..." Zhery declined fastly.

"Oh really huh? Hee... hee..." Camellia giggled.

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"About a fishing rod? Or a jacket, probably he'll like a new cap right?" Zhery suggested.

While Zhery suggested, something caught Camellia's eyes. A shining object from one of the stalls, glazed upon Camellia's eyes. She became distracted as her attention went to the shining object.

"Or a small shoe, or an energy root, maybe huh? Camellia... are you even listening!?"

"Yeah... yeah, but look at that!" Camellia snapped out and pointed her fingers on the glowing object. Zhery and Camellia walked closer to the stall to see and know more about the shining object.

The object was lustrous and covered with a fiery coating. It was shaped like a crystal diamond.

"Excuse me, madam, may I know what this object is?" Camellia questioned while holding the peculiar stone.

"Oh my... an interested customer, that stone you are holding is called Tsunagu, it is an ancient Japanese stone only found in this town. This stone has the power to strengthen a Pokemon's speed, power, and health that's if... the Pokemon has a strong bond with the trainer." the old bartender explained.

"Tsunagu? I've never seen one like this." Zhery's eyes were in shock and awe.

"A lot of trainers bought that stone, but they kept on returning it to me. They said that the stone served no purpose, even if their bond with their Pokemon was strong, the Tsunagu only works on trainers who love their Pokemon with sincerity, trainers who treat Pokemons as family."

"Oh now I see... Kalem can give this stone to Riolu right?" Camellia questioned.

"Well, the bond between Kalem and Riolu is truly remarkable... maybe it could really work on Riolu!" Zhery hunched.

"The Tsunagu is said to activate during times when the Pokemon is in need of help, or if the Pokemon is about to faint. The Tsunagu's job is to give extra powers to the Pokemon once under fire and tribulation."

"What kind of powers? Like a Pokemon move?" Zhery questioned.

"Yes... exactly, if the user is about to faint the Tsunagu gives the user one powerful move which he can use to attack the foe. This will only work if the bond of the Pokemon is sincere and honest."

"Now I see, how much for the stone?" Camellia questioned.

"Wait... you're going to really buy that stone? What if it doesn't work like what happened in the other trainers?" Zhery warned.

"Kalem and Riolu's bond is amazing, the stone will surely work on them. I wonder what move will activate once Riolu is about to faint." Camellia thought deeply.

"This stone only costs P1,000. The price is negotiable."

"Nah, I'll take it for P1,000. Here madam." Camellia smiled and handed over the money, when suddenly a man from behind wearing a mask which covered only his eyes grabbed and stole the Tsunagu.

"Hey!" Zhery became alarmed as the man ran off with the stone.

"Wait here madam... I'll chase that thief!" Camellia infuriated and followed the robber.

"And of course... Camellia runs off as well!" Zhery uttered sarcastically and sighed.

"Stop thief!" Camellia commanded as she rushed through the crowd.

Camellia chased the thief for almost ten minutes, until suddenly they came across a dead-end. A stone wall was blocking the thief's path, and Camellia blocked him off from running away to the other side.

"Give that stone back!" Camellia demanded.

"No... this stone is now mine, and there's nothing you can do!" The thief infuriated and placed the stone in his pocket.

"Give it back or I'll get it myself!" Camellia warned.

"Sure! That's if you can..."

"Alright, I warned you! Misdreavus, come out then use Hypnosis on that thief!"

<Mis! Mis!>Misdreavus' voice made the thief felt drowsy. He tried to resist Misdreavus' Hypnosis attack but it was no used. He wasn't able to send out a Pokemon from his pocket. The thief fell on the ground, as he slept humbly across the floor.

"Simple as pie!" Camellia giggled and took the stone from the thief's pocket.

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"There you are Camellia! Were you able to get the stone back!?" Zhery uttered with relief as she saw Camellia walked closer to her.

"Yup! That thief got what he deserved too, right Misdreavus." Camellia giggled and winked.

<Misdreavus!>The Pokemon happily floated around Camellia's head.

"Oh thank you young child..." The old bartender smiled.

"No worries madam, here's the payment for the Tsunagu." Camellia smiled back at the old woman and gave the payment to her.

"Oh my, please... just pay half the price, you deserve it! You saved that stone from the hands of evil."

"Really madam!? Thank you so much!" Camellia beamed with excitement as she took the other half of the money.

"There is also something I should warn about that stone young lasses. Once the trainer and Pokemon's bond is broken or disrupted, the stone would turn black and control the heart and mind of the Pokemon."

"What do you mean by 'control the heart and mind of the Pokemon' madam?" Zhery questioned.

"You'll see, that's if... the bond between a trainer and Pokemon is disrupted. The stone will control the heart and mind, as it tries to restore faith and tries to stitch up the broken bond." The old lady warned.

Camellia and Zhery waved goodbye at the old lady as they slowly walked further from the stall. The old lady wrapped the stone with a brown cloth and placed it inside a box.

"Now that's done, let's go buy some Ramen!" Camellia begged as her attention went to the stall selling ramen.

"Sure, no problem! It's been a long time since we've eaten ramen!" Camellia's eyes sparkled as their mouths craved for the delicious ramen.