Gengar discovered the mechanism concealed within the study's intricate design.
Though previous explorations had led them through several chambers, each had been barren, devoid of anything noteworthy. These rooms resembled guest quarters more than anything else, their emptiness offering no clues or valuables.
Upon entering the study this time, hopes had been pinned on uncovering knowledge from the aged tomes lining the shelves. Yet, nothing of significance revealed itself—until Gengar's sharp eyes caught the subtle mechanism hidden in plain sight.
A rotating vase, its purpose obscured by time.
With a careful twist, the bookshelf groaned and split apart, sliding to either side to unveil a hidden chamber beyond. Without hesitation, Aoki stepped inside.
The walls of this secret room bore dense inscriptions, layer upon layer of text etched into their surface. A quick scan revealed the writings detailed the discovery of Mega Evolution—how it had been unearthed, studied, and preserved.
Central to these records were the Mega Stone and Key Stone required for Lucario's transformation. According to the wall's chronicles, once this family had confirmed Lucario's potential for Mega Evolution, they dedicated themselves to scouring the land for more of these rare stones. While Lucario's Mega Stones proved nearly impossible to locate, they amassed a considerable hoard of Key Stones instead.
All of them were stored here.
Moreover, with Lucario serving as their ancestral Pokémon, this family had developed specialized training methods, refined over generations. Aoki's interest was piqued not just by the prospect of the Mega Stones and Key Stones but by these meticulously crafted techniques. After all, he currently possessed a Riolu egg—should it hatch, such knowledge would prove invaluable.
The latter sections of the wall's inscriptions strayed from Mega Evolution, instead chronicling the family's past glories. The current head, Korrina, had yet to inscribe her own achievements. Perhaps the time wasn't right, or perhaps she simply hadn't accomplished anything worthy of immortalization.
Regardless, the family's history was undeniable. At its zenith, their influence stretched across Shalour City and beyond, with the Tower of Mastery standing as the heart of their domain. Now, however, their power had waned drastically. Only the Tower remained under their control, and even that was maintained through the League's support following Kalos's integration. This was why the gym had been constructed beneath it.
Finishing his examination of the wall, Aoki turned his attention to the room's sole furnishing—a simple yet impeccably preserved desk, its craftsmanship evident even after years of disuse.
But it wasn't the desk itself that held his focus.
Resting atop it was a thick tome, its cover bound in what appeared to be aged sheepskin stretched over sturdy boards. The wear of time was unmistakable. Flipping open the first page revealed bold lettering: Lucario Training Manual.
This was precisely what Aoki sought.
Yet as he leafed through the pages, a flicker of blue energy—Aura—escaped from the book's spine. Reacting instantly, Aoki ensnared it with his own psychic abilities before it could disperse.
He exhaled in relief. Good. It hadn't gotten away.
A secret room like this would undoubtedly have safeguards, and this strand of Aura power was clearly one of them. His psychic grip held firm, preventing any alarm from being triggered.
Not wanting to press his luck, Aoki stowed the book away for later study. The desk's surface held nothing else of interest, so he turned to its drawers next.
What he found inside stole his breath.
Even for a family with such deep roots, this was excessive.
Nearly an entire drawer brimmed with Key Stones.
While not as rare as Mega Stones, Key Stones were far from common. Their universal compatibility—able to work with any Pokémon's Mega Stone—made them invaluable. Had this family truly stockpiled so many over the years?
And that wasn't all. Nestled among them were two Mega Stones, their distinct shapes marking them as belonging to different Pokémon. Neither was Lucario's, but that hardly mattered. Their worth was incalculable.
Temptation flared, but Aoki hesitated.
Because these treasures weren't unprotected.
A dense orb of Aura encased them, far more potent than the wisp he'd captured earlier. Destroying it would be possible, but doing so would undoubtedly alert its creator—likely Korrina herself, currently asleep elsewhere in the Tower.
Despite the family's decline, Aoki wasn't foolish enough to underestimate her. She was still an elder who commanded both a Lucario and a Blaziken. By their traditions, only those whose Lucario could achieve Mega Evolution were permitted to inherit leadership of both family and gym.
Meaning Korrina's Lucario, even without Mega Evolution, was a pseudo-Champion-level force. And after transformation? Its strength would be monstrous.
Aoki stood frozen, torn between pragmatism and greed.
Logic screamed at him to leave the stones untouched. But another voice, quieter yet insistent, whispered that this chance wouldn't come again. Infiltrating the Tower of Mastery a second time would be infinitely harder.
Besides, securing Mega Stones and Key Stones was one of his primary objectives in Kalos. Right now, the only reliable sources were this Tower or the Lysandre Labs in Lumiose City.
The choice was obvious.
"Gengar," Aoki murmured, "block anyone who tries to enter the hallway."
The Ghost-type nodded. Fighting-types were no threat to it.
"Weavile, prepare an ice barrier at the room's entrance. Make it thick. And set traps—anything to slow them down."
"Caw!"
"Honchkrow, take position by the window. Our escape hinges on your speed."
The Dark-type gave a sharp cry of acknowledgment.
As his team moved into place, Aoki returned his gaze to the drawer, mind racing.
He'd need to mask his Aura signature. If discovered, he'd either face annihilation or permanent exile from the League.
For the first time, Aoki felt that the power of Aura was bad.