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Let's talk bonds.
Can you "fake" a bond with your Pokemon? Through careful psychological manipulation, or by feeding them euphoria-inducing drugs or having psychic-types pick apart their mind, or whatever else. The main thing is that they feel happiness, right?
Where does this all-mighty "bond" that makes every gimmick function and grants friendship super-steroids stem from? The mind, the soul? How much does the trainer factor into it? Is intent important—by wishing for a strong bond so your Pokemon get stronger, are you ironically weakening your existing bond? In the game you can spam haircuts and feed them pokepuffs without issue, can you do the same in a realistic world?
How does one game the system?
