Pokémon: Sandstorm Sovereign

Chapter 504 505: Honedge Arrives

Basalt had seen this kind of scene too many times. He would never mistake it!

Under the watchful eyes of Basalt and Carbink, the appearance of the Pokémon egg at the bottom of the Spring of Life began to change. It was no longer round but slowly turned into a long shape.

"Hon~edge~"

Accompanied by a crisp cry, the light emitted by the Pokémon egg finally subsided, replaced by the appearance of a new life.

It was a Pokémon shaped like a sword. The sword body was sheathed in a scabbard. The scabbard was brown with patterns—a ghost face-like pattern.

"This is... Honedge!"

Basalt's face was full of pleasant surprise.

Honedge is a very rare Pokémon, and also powerful. Its final evolutionary form is Aegislash. With the "Stance Change" ability allowing free switching of stat distribution, combined with "Sacred Sword" and "King's Shield," it's simply too difficult to deal with. If used well, it is definitely not weaker than pseudo-legendary Pokémon!

The front of Honedge has a special face that can make many subtle expressions. But in fact, the blue eye on the hilt is its true body; the scabbard is just part of the body. At the end of Honedge's hilt, a long blue ribbon is attached. The end is light blue, with finger-like bifurcations, able to move freely like a wrist. During battle, it exposes the blade; usually, it hides the body inside the scabbard.

Honedge let out a sinister chuckle while curiously examining this brand-new world. At the same time, its body swayed back and forth in mid-air, appearing very agile, completely inconsistent with the "28 points" Speed base stat of Honedge in Basalt's impression.

After sizing up Basalt a few times, then looking at Carbink a few times, Honedge unhesitatingly rotated around Carbink, appearing very happy. As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Honedge's perception of life aura energy was very keen. It knew clearly who its favorite was!

"Carb~ink~"

Carbink twitched its ears a few times, also greeting Honedge. Long before Honedge hatched, these two Pokémon had communicated to some extent; they were already very familiar with each other, with no sense of strangeness at all.

"My personal charm actually failed?"

Basalt scratched his head.

After purification by the Spring of Life, Basalt no longer worried about the Pokémon egg. Especially after hatching Honedge, he was full of joy. After all, Honedge was an excellent Pokémon, and happened to fit his sandstorm team lineup.

But unfortunately, Honedge ignored Basalt, treating him indifferently.

"This guy, isn't holding a grudge against me, is it?"

Basalt scratched his head, thinking it was very possible. Thinking back, Basalt was determined to kill the unhatched Honedge, and it was Carbink's plea that saved its life. And this Honedge, before hatching, was already a mature life individual with certain memories.

"However, no panic! Let me influence it with love!"

Basalt chuckled hey-hey, stepped forward actively, and greeted, "Hello, Honedge!"

"Hon~edge~"

Seeing Basalt extend his hand, Honedge was slightly stunned, then also extended the arm-like ribbon, wrapping around Basalt's palm.

"Holy sh*t!"

Basalt was scared to death, shivering involuntarily.

Because there are rumors that Honedge is the soul of a deceased person inhabiting an ancient sword and reborn, attaching to humans to absorb life force. Its favorite thing to do is to wrap the blue cloth around the arm of the person holding the sword hilt to absorb life until they fall. The soul of the person who died because of this sword long ago became Honedge's soul nutrient.

And now, Honedge's ribbon was wrapped around Basalt's hand; how could Basalt not panic? In just an instant, Basalt got goosebumps all over his body.

"Swamp~"

Hearing Basalt's shout, Swampert, who was napping nearby, rushed over quickly, extending its fan-like palm to pinch Honedge.

"Hon~edge~"

Facing the attack, Honedge quickly retracted the ribbon, its body flashed, turning into a black light and merging into Swampert's shadow, disappearing.

"Swamp~"

Facing this situation, Swampert quickly activated its "Damp" ability and gills/fins to sense. But unexpectedly, it didn't sense Honedge's location. Honedge seemed to have disappeared completely.

Sinister chuckling suddenly sounded in Swampert's ear, making it break out in cold sweat. Honedge was right beside it!

"Swamp~"

Not believing in heresy, Swampert quickly activated the "Foresight" skill, combined with gill/fin sensing, and finally found a clue. Honedge seemed... right behind it!

Punching out abruptly, the Ice Punch carrying ultra-low temperature made Basalt feel chilly. But strangely, a black shadow flashed quickly, and Swampert's attack missed. And this time, it could no longer sense Honedge's position.

However, Honedge's sinister laughter came from the sky, by the pool, on the trees, and in the grass, making people's hair stand on end. Beside them, Camerupt and Cradily immediately began to sense but found nothing.

"Such strong hiding and stealth ability!"

Basalt was shocked. Truly worthy of a Pokémon cultivated by day and night sacrifice and with potential boosted by the Spring of Life; it had such strength right after birth. Anyway, putting aside other things for now, just Honedge's hiding ability was already outstanding to an abnormal degree. If ordinary Pro-level Pokémon couldn't detect its traces, how could they win in battle?

Seeing this, Tyranitar prepared to activate "Sandstorm" to enhance perception ability but was stopped by Hakamo-o.

"Haka~mo~"

Suddenly letting out a roar towards the branching of a large tree to the rear right, the passionate "Noble Roar" hit Honedge, forcing it to reveal its figure.

"Fortunately, Aura detection can suppress Honedge's stealth."

Basalt breathed a sigh of relief. Aura, indeed awesome!

Discovered, Honedge wasn't annoyed. The face on the scabbard showed a sinister smile as always, accompanied by sinister chuckles. Its body flashed, turning into black light and disappearing again. When it appeared, it was already behind Carbink, circling Carbink constantly, trying to amuse Carbink. This appearance made Basalt think of a creature—a simp!

"Ahem ahem!"

Adjusting his mindset, Basalt coughed slightly and said loudly, "Honedge, do you want to play with Carbink all the time? If you do, you have to become my Pokémon!"

Saying that, Basalt took out an Ultra Ball and shook it in front of Honedge.