Bonus chapter for yesterday that i forgot to post
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At this very moment, while the live stream chat buzzed with discussions about secret move skills—their power, effects, and which Pokémon was the strongest—Cynthia was busy releasing her entire team in the game.
Sceptile, Bewear, Ludicolo, Pelipper, and Rotom suddenly appeared beside her, completely filling the small open space in front of the gym entrance.
As expected, the ever-energetic Rotom was the first to rush forward, excitedly circling around Cynthia with eyes sparkling like stars.
"Boss, Sceptile was so cool just now, bzzt! How did he suddenly transform like that? I thought only I could switch forms, bzzt!"
Sceptile lifted its head high at Rotom's praise, pride flickering briefly in its eyes, though it managed to hide it well.
As a cool, stylish Pokémon, it naturally had to maintain its composed attitude even while being praised.
But Rotom's next words nearly made it trip over itself.
"But boss, I'm a bit curious, bzzt. If this form is so strong, why didn't he use it from the very start of the battle, bzzt?"
Sceptile: "…"
Cynthia: "…"
You're asking me? I don't know why Sceptile doesn't just evolve right away either...
Momentarily speechless, Cynthia entered game commands to make the protagonist turn toward Sceptile, laughter sparkling in her eyes.
She knew Sceptile's personality—this single glance carried more weight than a thousand words of encouragement.
Sure enough, Sceptile gave the faintest nod before turning its head away.
Cynthia knew that although Sceptile looked indifferent, it was secretly pleased.
After Rotom's excitement and Sceptile's subtle reaction, Cynthia shifted her attention to the rest of her team.
"Everyone worked really hard in this gym battle, too. Without your efforts, we couldn't have won—this is a victory we achieved together! Thanks to all of you!"
After her usual post-battle encouragement, Cynthia recalled her Pokémon one by one.
Her thoughts turned to the special phenomenon she had just experienced in battle—Mega Evolution.
Now that her heart had calmed after leaving the gym, she finally had the clarity to consider it more carefully.
According to Norman, to trigger Mega Evolution, a Pokémon needed to hold its corresponding Mega Stone, and the trainer needed a Key Stone. Moreover, trainer and Pokémon had to be in perfect sync to activate their power together.
Yet somehow, she had bypassed that step with Sceptile, triggering Mega Evolution directly through their bond.
At the time, Cynthia had found it unbelievable.
How could a game measure her emotions to determine the bond between her and Sceptile? Was this really just a game?
But then another possibility came to mind—perhaps any player was destined to trigger Mega Evolution at this point in the story.
Still, that didn't make much sense. Mega Stones were necessary, and not every player could be as lucky as her to obtain one that matched their team.
Thinking of Mega Stones reminded her of something else.
She had obtained one from the museum director in Slateport City—the Swampertite.
That meant Swampert could also Mega Evolve. What about other Pokémon? Did each one have a unique stone?
If so, just how many Mega Stones were hidden across the world waiting to be found?
Cynthia pondered this as she reviewed what she already knew. After Mega Evolution, a Pokémon's appearance changed drastically, and its strength increased tremendously.
The boost came in two ways: overall stat enhancement and a change in ability.
For example, Mega Kangaskhan gained the ability "Parental Bond," a skill so powerful it could be considered game-breaking.
Sceptile's ability must have changed, too, since when Mega Sceptile used Leaf Storm at low HP, the "Overgrow" ability hadn't activated.
She hadn't noticed the new ability during the battle, too focused on survival, but she would check next time.
That thought led her to wonder—could she trigger Mega Evolution again without a Key Stone?
She decided to test it immediately.
Entering a patch of tall grass, she encountered a wild Mightyena.
Taking a deep breath, Cynthia fixed her eyes on Sceptile and shouted:
"Sceptile, Mega Evolve!"
The battlefield fell silent. Nothing happened.
Cynthia tried again, louder this time.
"Sceptile, please, Mega Evolve!"
Still nothing. Even the battle music stopped.
Sceptile glanced at her with narrowed eyes, its expression full of disdain.
The Mightyena across the field tilted its head, utterly confused.
—What is this human babbling about? Are we fighting or not??
Flustered, Cynthia quickly fled the battle.
Clearly, without a Key Stone, Mega Evolution couldn't be triggered on demand.
Her earlier success had likely been the result of a desperate crisis, her emotions and Sceptile's determination substituting for the Key Stone's effect.
So Norman had been right—the Key Stone was indispensable.
He had said Steven was working on getting one for her. Cynthia wondered when she'd cross paths with him again, and whether he'd actually give her the stone.
For now, there was no point rushing. She would eventually obtain a Key Stone as the story progressed.
Still, after this experience, she decided she needed to train a Swampert soon. Leaving the Swampertite unused would be a waste.
Sceptile's Mega Evolution had been incredibly powerful. What about Swampert's?
Her mind buzzing with curiosity, Cynthia shook her head and turned to her next step.
According to the map, the HM Surf she had just obtained was the key to advancing the game.
The Hoenn region, unlike the others, was covered in vast oceans and waterways—about 70% of its terrain. The game faithfully reflected this, with Surf allowing players to explore islands, cities, and hidden areas otherwise inaccessible.
To reach the next gym in Fortree City, Cynthia would need to head through Mauville City, then use Surf along the waterway to continue her journey.
That was clearly the intended path.
But first, there was still something she needed to do.
She glanced at the time in the corner of her screen. Nearly an hour had passed since her gym battle.
Bill should have finished reviving her fossil Pokémon by now.
Her heart filled with anticipation. Though it was just a game, she was about to become the first trainer in history to capture a fossil Pokémon.
She wondered what kind of traits it would have.
Determined, she traveled through Petalburg Woods, surfed past Rustboro City to Meteor Falls, then returned to Bill's research facility in Fallarbor Town.
But just as she reached the door, an unexpected voice rang out.
"Help!!!"
Bill burst out of the facility, his patched-up clothes now shredded further as if something had been gnawing on them.
Cynthia froze in shock.
Bill stumbled, then spotted her.
"It's you? Perfect timing! Your fossil revived into a Pokémon, but it's gone crazy—it bites everything in sight! Help me!"
Before he could finish, the facility door splintered with a loud crack.
A massive jaw clamped down, chewing the door into flying wood chips as though it were paper in a shredder.
From within emerged a strange blue Pokémon Cynthia had never seen.
Its design was bizarre, exuding a wild, ancient energy.
Its massive head resembled that of an ancient fish, while its body looked like a dinosaur. Rows upon rows of sharp teeth lined its enormous jaws, capable of tearing through anything.
Its streamlined body was covered in scales of deep and light blue, with orange markings across its back resembling shell plating.
Its bright yellow, slit pupils glared like those of a predator, radiating savage power and the dignity of an apex hunter.
Even Cynthia was stunned.
This… was her fossil Pokémon?
So the huge mouth on that fossil was actually its head?
Before she could fully process, the creature roared, spraying deep blue mist from gill-like vents before lunging straight at her.
At that instant, Sceptile's Poké Ball burst open, intercepting the attack.
Countless Poké Balls then flashed across the screen—an encounter battle had begun!
With battle music surging, the system revealed the Pokémon's identity:
[Wild "Dracovish" (Lv. 44) appeared!]
Its typing showed as Water and Dragon. Fitting, considering its half-fish, half-dragon appearance.
Cynthia quickly commanded Sceptile to use Energy Ball.
The green sphere of energy struck Dracovish hard, cutting its HP bar nearly in half.
That proved it—Dracovish was durable. Not a glass cannon, but a sturdy fighter.
While Cynthia calculated, Dracovish suddenly lunged forward, jaws glowing with icy light.
[Dracovish used Ice Fang!]
[It's super effective!]
Cynthia frowned. An Ice-type move? Dangerous, but not its main type. Surely Sceptile could survive one hit.
Then a red notification flashed:
[Dracovish's ability "Strong Jaw" activated!]
[The Pokémon's strong jaw boosts the power of its biting moves!]
A crack resounded as the bite landed.
Sceptile's HP bar plummeted instantly to zero.
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~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones