The system window flickered before Ethan's eyes, and he almost laughed aloud.
Pokémon: Charizard (Shiny, Mega Y-capable)
Level: 39 → +10 (Winning streak; boosted growth. 204 days until next natural level-up.)
Rank: Quasi-Elite
Intimacy: 80
Ability: Drought
Gender: Male
Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember, Smokescreen, Dragon Breath, Sunny Day, Fire Fang, Slash, Flamethrower.
Charizard stood behind him, still radiating the afterglow of Mega Evolution. Its scales glimmered jet-black in the sunlight, wings stretched wide and regal.
"Eight levels higher than Cynthia's Garchomp," Ethan murmured, a grin tugging his lips. "And this isn't even with Solar Power. Mega Evolution alone boosts its Special Attack beyond anything a standard ability could offer. Pure, raw stats—no HP drain, no trade-off."
He tapped the system window shut, satisfaction bubbling in his chest. The only drawback was obvious: Charizard's proficiency in its newly learned moves hadn't caught up to its level spike. Ethan knew the truth—against Cynthia's Garchomp, a full-power duel would still be dangerous. But the future? The day wasn't far when Charizard could pin even a Mega Garchomp to the ground and dominate.
Today had been the most rewarding day since he set foot in Lavender. His wallet was heavier, his Pokémon had skyrocketed in strength, and he had secured not one but two Mega Stones from Mr. Fuji. The balance sheet was finally turning positive after weeks of bleeding money into food for Munchlax and materials for the Lavender Gym.
And there was more—far more.
News of the Red Gyarados had reached his ears. A Gyarados whose Hyper Beam was so natural, so effortless, it could be used like a basic attack. A Gyarados unlike any other, destined to rage at mankind's cruelty.
Ethan's eyes burned with resolve. That one will be mine. Before Lance ever lays eyes on it, I'll take it for myself.
"Thanks, Team Rocket," he muttered under his breath, lips curling. "For once, you've actually done me a favor."
"Ethan, how on earth did you do this?"
Cynthia's voice broke his reverie. She jogged up, eyes wide with a mix of awe and envy. Behind her, Garchomp growled low, clearly unsettled by the blazing aura pouring off Mega Charizard.
"Your Charizard evolved again—and when it did, it changed the weather. The whole town is basking in sunlight that wasn't even there before. This is… it's incredible."
Ethan waved her off with mock nonchalance. "Oh, this? Just a little trinket Mr. Fuji gave me. Unlocks some hidden power in certain Pokémon."
"If you want the long lecture, ask him. I'm too lazy to explain."
Cynthia puffed her cheeks in frustration, but her eyes still gleamed with longing.
Right on cue, Mr. Fuji appeared from the garden path, smiling faintly as he approached.
"You've definitely seen a Mega Stone before," he said, wagging a finger at Ethan.
Ethan only chuckled, offering no reply.
Fuji turned to Cynthia. "That, child, is a Mega Stone. It allows specific Pokémon to evolve beyond their final form for a short time, unlocking hidden strength. Your Garchomp—once fully evolved—will be capable of such a transformation as well."
Cynthia's eyes widened. "My grandmother once mentioned a gift for me after my Garchomp fully evolved. Was she… talking about a Mega Stone?"
Fuji nodded, smiling warmly. "Indeed. She and I traveled together in our youth, exploring Kalos. That's where these stones were unearthed. Your grandmother safeguarded hers, just as I kept these."
For a moment, envy melted from Cynthia's face, replaced by excitement. She clenched her fists. "Then it's only a matter of time. When my Garchomp mega evolves, Ethan, I'll battle you—and this time I'll win."
Ethan's grin widened. "Why wait? Let's put a bounty on it now."
Her glare could have cut steel. "When you were still training Charmeleon, you always used Munchlax to cheat me out of my allowance. Now you have Mega Charizard and you want me to fight you? Do I look that stupid?"
"You money-grubbing thief," she muttered, storming off.
Ethan only shrugged, smirking. In truth, he didn't need the battle. With his current pace, by the time Cynthia's Garchomp reached its Mega form, his Charizard would already be on another level entirely.
Half a month later, Ethan's training regimen had settled into rhythm. Charizard's flames burned hotter, sharper, more precise. Munchlax's bond had climbed steadily upward, its Metronome still a wild card but edging closer to reliability.
And every day, Ethan entered the padded room with the Primeape. He wore his ghostweave suit, letting the furious Pokémon vent its rage, absorbing each strike until it calmed. Then he'd sit with it, offer food, and let trust build drop by drop.
From minus 27 to minus 1. Close—so close to breaking even. Soon, he could throw a Poké Ball and claim it properly.
One evening, Ethan knocked on Fuji's office door.
"Going out again?" the old man asked, raising a brow.
Ethan smiled faintly. "Yes. It's time to challenge Cerulean City for my second badge. With Charizard and Munchlax, I'm more than ready."
Fuji chuckled. "Ready? You've long since passed 'ready.' If anything, I'm surprised you waited this long."
Ethan's eyes glinted. "Truth is… my real destination is Johto. I'm going to capture the Red Gyarados before Lance ever touches it. After that, I'll head to the Whirl Islands and claim Lugia's Silver Wing."
Fuji inhaled sharply. "That's far beyond you, boy."
"I know," Ethan admitted. "I don't have the strength to subdue Lugia yet. But getting the Silver Wing first is just good preparation."
The old man shook his head, but there was no stopping him. Ethan's ambition burned too brightly.
"One more thing," Ethan said casually. "I want to take Primeape with me. It's time I tamed it properly."
Fuji's brows furrowed. "That breaks the House's rules. Abandoned Pokémon must stay until claimed by formal adoption."
Ethan met his gaze steadily. "If I leave it here, it'll just keep raging. No one else can handle it. Out there, I can tame it. You know I'm right."
Fuji sighed, then smiled softly. "Very well. I trust you. But be careful. If you fail, no one else can calm its madness."
Ethan bowed his head. "Thank you."
He stepped outside, where Charizard stretched its wings against the fading sunset, Munchlax munched happily at his side, and Primeape eyed him with restless energy. The road to Johto beckoned.
And Ethan—trainer of dragons, gambler of fates, and now wielder of Mega Evolution—was ready to walk it.