"Blaziken, take ten minutes to adjust your condition. We're going to try something new," said Cain to Blaziken.
"Blaazk!" Blaziken nodded.
He immediately closed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground.
The other Pokémon also stopped what they were doing.
Everyone had the feeling that something important was about to happen.
Cain also sat cross-legged and adjusted his state to the maximum.
Mega Evolution not only required the Pokémon to be in peak condition, but also demanded a lot from the trainer.
In theory, an average trainer could only maintain the Mega Evolution of one Pokémon at a time.
However, some trainers with great physical strength could sustain the Mega Evolution of two or more Pokémon simultaneously.
Cain had never experienced Mega Evolution, so he didn't know exactly what was required to activate it.
"Fuu~~"
He exhaled deeply.
After a period of adjustment, Cain slowly stood up.
He hadn't used much energy that day, having only played a bit with Ralts using psychic powers.
Blaziken, on the other hand, took a little longer to open his eyes after meditating.
"How do you feel? If you're not ready yet, you can take more time," Cain asked.
"BlaAzk!" Blaziken shook his head and slowly stood up.
Seeing that Blaziken was confident in his state, Cain didn't insist further.
"You saw what happened with Altaria last time. Today, we're going to try it ourselves."
As he spoke, Cain took out the Mega Stone he had obtained from Meyer.
Blaziken took the Mega Stone from Cain's hands. He had seen this stone before, but hadn't felt anything special. Now that he held it, he felt something strange.
It was as if this stone had been waiting for him all along.
"Focus on the energy inside the stone. Some changes might occur."
Cain didn't know exactly what would happen either.
This was his second attempt at Mega Evolution.
The first attempt with Altaria had not been successful.
Blaziken stared at the stone, while Cain pulled out the Key Stone.
For now, Cain only had one Key Stone, and according to his theory, a Key Stone could only activate one Mega Stone.
Once activated, it would become linked and could no longer be used with another Mega Stone.
If he wanted to mega evolve other Pokémon in the future, he would need to acquire more Key Stones.
"Are you ready?" Cain asked.
"Blaazk!"
Blaziken gripped the Mega Stone in his hand, his gaze firm and filled with anticipation.
He could sense that something extraordinary was about to happen.
Cain focused all his attention on the Key Stone in his hand, letting his energy flow into it.
"Mega Evolution, Blaziken!"
Since it was his first real attempt, he felt that shouting it out was the right thing to do.
When Cain activated the Key Stone, Blaziken's feathers immediately bristled.
A current of energy spread from the Mega Stone in his hand.
Blaziken looked at his palm in surprise.
An unknown energy was emerging from the stone, coursing through his body.
The energy within him began to circulate with unprecedented intensity.
Small flames arose from his body, gradually increasing until they formed a blazing aura.
A sphere of light appeared from his hand.
The sphere grew and enveloped him completely.
The light of the sphere shifted to alternating red and yellow.
At its center appeared the signature symbol of Mega Evolution.
Blaziken's body began to transform.
The white feathers on his head, once drooping, now rose skyward. The ones on his chest, previously messy, took the shape of armor.
The red on his body faded, concentrating on his abdomen and legs, while the rest turned black.
The flames emanating from his body concentrated on his wrists.
"BLAAAZK!"
Blaziken crossed his arms in front of his chest and then extended them forcefully, dissipating the energy sphere around him. His transformation was complete. The four flames on his wrists waved like ribbons in the air. His expression looked fiercer and more determined.
Cain felt something astonishing.
Through the Key Stone, he could feel a complete connection with Blaziken.
Was this the true power of their bond?
He looked at his hand.
If not for the fact that he saw no change, he would have thought he was also on fire, just like Blaziken.
Now he understood why most trainers could only sustain the Mega Evolution of one Pokémon.
It consumed not only the Pokémon's energy but also the trainer's mental energy.
Barely a moment had passed and he already felt the strain on his mind.
Fortunately, as a psychic power user, he could endure longer.
Blaziken, for his part, looked down at his new body.
He could feel the power Cain had placed in him: trust, hope, and an unbreakable bond.
He clenched his fists.
He felt brimming with energy.
"Blaazk!"
He jumped into the air with a powerful impulse, moving his arms and releasing flames with each motion.
He didn't use any move.
Just by waving his arms, the air around him ignited.
BOOM!
He landed with one knee on the ground.
If he wanted, he knew he could now jump twice as high as before.
He was no longer just Blaziken.
He was Mega Blaziken!
Cain, recovered from the experience, looked at his partner with satisfaction.
So this was Mega Evolution?
What incredible power!
"Blaziken, use Blaze Kick on those trees," Cain said excitedly.
He could feel Blaziken's excitement, as if they shared the same burning spirit.
Blaziken stomped the ground, raising a cloud of dust, and dashed toward the forest. Midway, he spun gracefully and launched a kick into the air.
BOOM!
Flames of extreme temperature erupted from his foot. At their core glowed a golden fire. The flames burned for three seconds. When they faded, the scene left everyone speechless.
The small forest in front of them had been cut in half.
Not just burned—carbonized.
The trees closest to Blaziken turned to charcoal instantly. Those farther away were consumed by fire.
The first attack of his Mega Evolution was a stunning spectacle!
(End of chapter)