Silence.
The cave was unnervingly quiet.
After a long minute, the stillness was broken by a soft clinking sound—tiny diamonds tumbling to the ground or lightly tapping against one another as they moved. The Carbink, startled but unharmed, slowly regained their senses. One by one, they huddled together, their crystalline bodies reflecting the dim light in a shimmering cluster.
Wary eyes fixed upon Aoki. These small creatures had heard terrifying tales from their elders about the outside world—of vicious Pokémon and ruthless Trainers. Yet the figure before them didn't seem monstrous at all.
The Drapion and the others relaxed slightly. The Carbink appeared harmless, their delicate forms radiating no threat. If anything, they resembled a living mine, glittering with untapped potential.
Aoki harbored no ill intent.
Among all Pokémon, those with psychic powers were often the most perceptive to hostility, followed closely by Fairy-types. Though the Fairy typing had yet to be officially recognized, scattered research and battles had hinted at its existence.
A fleeting thought crossed Aoki's mind—Should I push the League to acknowledge the Fairy type after this expedition? But he dismissed it just as quickly. His focus remained on the Carbink.
A Rock- and Fairy-type Pokémon, Carbink wasn't particularly formidable in battle, but its defensive capabilities were extraordinary. With base defensive stats of 150 in both physical and special defense, it was a living fortress. The rest of its stats, however, were mediocre at best, all hovering around 50.
Its weaknesses were glaring—a quadruple vulnerability to Steel and double weaknesses to Ground, Water, and Grass. Offensively, it could counter Normal, Flying, Bug, Fire, and Dark-types effectively, but its combat potential was limited.
What truly intrigued Aoki was the collective nature of the Carbink. Only a colony like this could sustainably produce high-quality gems and minerals. If he could secure their cooperation, the food supply for his Larvitar and Aron would no longer be a concern.
The thought alone lifted a weight from his shoulders.
Larvitar and Aron had monstrous appetites. Aoki had already resigned himself to taking up hunting jobs again, grinding for Pokécoins to keep them fed. But now, fate had led him to this cavern—and to a thriving Carbink colony.
In the Kalos region, Carbink were rare and highly sought after. Their adorable appearance and gemstone bodies made them coveted by wealthy collectors, particularly among socialites who flaunted them like luxury accessories.
Aoki had initially considered buying a few to sustain his team, but the market prices were exorbitant. Acquiring them in bulk was nearly impossible without drawing unwanted attention.
And yet, here they were—dozens of Carbink, hidden away in this uncharted cave.
Their combat abilities were negligible. Even a Carbink at the pseudo-legendary level wouldn't pose much of a threat; at worst, it would be a stalemate.
But one possibility worried him.
Diancie.
A rare mutation of Carbink, classified as a Mythical Pokémon.
Legends in Hoenn spoke of massive Carbink colonies giving rise to this regal variant—a queen among its kind.
Diancie, like Carbink, was genderless. Despite its elegant, almost feminine appearance, it was neither male nor female.
Its typing mirrored Carbink's—Rock and Fairy—but its power was incomparable. With a base stat total of 600, Diancie could rival pseudo-legendaries. And if it underwent Mega Evolution, its strength would multiply.
Unlike true Legendary Pokémon, Diancie held no divine title. It was akin to the Legendary Birds—multiple individuals could exist, but only one could claim a sacred role.
Typically, a Diancie emerged only in massive colonies, and a new one would arise only after the previous ruler perished.
If this cave held just the hundred or so Carbink before him, Aoki had nothing to fear. Such a small group wouldn't produce a Diancie.
But if more lurked deeper within, and if a Diancie did appear, retreat would be his only option.
In that case, he'd report the discovery to Team Rocket. They'd dispatch specialists to handle the colony, and in exchange, Aoki could request a share of the Carbink.
But if by some miracle a newly born Diancie appeared—one he could feasibly capture—Aoki would be grinning for weeks.
Because Diancie possessed a unique ability: it could create more Carbink.
Unlike standard Carbink, which could only reproduce once in their lifetime by splitting their own bodies, Diancie could generate endless Carbink—provided it had enough energy.
Owning a Diancie meant owning an entire gemstone kingdom. Unlimited resources. Unlimited potential.
With that, Aoki could train any Pokémon he desired—without restraint.