At this time of year, the weather was at its hottest.
Clang, clang, clang!
Inside Ferraria City, the sound of hammering metal echoed from time to time.
"Zzzt!"
On Ethan's shoulder, Meltan's eyes kept spinning nonstop.
"You want this one? And that one over there too?"
As they advanced, Meltan's little hand kept pointing at objects.
It was almost as if it were asking for food. Every time Meltan reacted, Ethan walked over to select the object it had pointed at.
Naturally, the metals Meltan chose were not ordinary metals, but metals that contained the highest-quality Steel-type energy.
This time, he had come to Ferraria City precisely to gather those metals with Steel-type energy for Meltan, preparing it for its future evolution.
After visiting several places, Ethan arrived with Meltan at the entrance of the Steel Secret Kingdom.
"Ferraria City... the Steel Secret Kingdom."
At that moment, Ethan suddenly remembered Metagross, who lived inside the Steel Secret Kingdom and had promised to leave with him.
Back then, when they parted ways, Ethan had promised that, when he had gathered enough resources, if Metagross was still willing to leave with him, he would come back to find it.
However, at a moment like this, Ethan could not help but hesitate a little.
His own strength had already reached the Quasi-Elite level, and a Metagross of that level simply could no longer keep up with the pace of his main team.
That was, in fact, the main reason he had not come to capture it before.
After what had happened with Kingdra and Gyarados, he was now much more cautious when it came to capturing Pokémon.
"First, I'll listen to what Metagross itself wants. If Metagross is willing to come with me to Stonefield Town, I'll also do my best to raise it well."
"Besides, Professor Reynolds is in the town now, so there shouldn't be any problem with its training."
Ethan reflected to himself. His current situation was no longer the same as before.
Now that Stonefield Town had its own laboratory, raising a few more Pokémon was no problem for him.
Before, he feared capturing too many Pokémon and not being able to dedicate time to them, but now he already had a stable base.
As long as he did not have to go out for long periods because of important matters, he truly had plenty of time to accompany his Pokémon.
Even if Metagross did not manage to grow much in strength, he could raise it peacefully in Stonefield Town.
In addition, Metagross possessed four brains connected in a complex neural network, giving it computational ability superior to that of a supercomputer.
That meant Metagross's path did not necessarily have to be limited to combat. Just like Slowking, perhaps it could also develop as a research-oriented Pokémon.
"In the end, it's better to first listen to what Metagross wants."
After thinking for quite a while, Ethan reached a decision.
At the Pokémon Trainers Guild of Ferraria City, he obtained permission to enter the Steel Secret Kingdom without difficulty.
Taking Meltan with him, Ethan headed toward the cave where Metagross lived.
"Mettaagrrsss!"
Upon discovering that a living being had entered its territory, Metagross immediately roared.
But very soon, it realized that it was Ethan and Meltan, and its entire body froze for an instant.
"Metagross, I've come to fulfill my promise."
Ethan looked at Metagross with a smile.
"Mettaagrrsss!"
Metagross looked at Ethan, then at Meltan, and showed a thoughtful expression.
A moment later, it suddenly took a battle stance and let out a low roar toward Ethan.
"This is... an invitation to battle?"
Seeing Metagross's attitude, the corner of Ethan's lips curved into a smile.
With the opening of a Poké Ball, Lucario's figure appeared on the field.
"Mettaagrrs..."
Seeing Lucario, Metagross's expression became serious.
"Metagross, do you remember what I told you before?"
"I told you that you still had the possibility of evolving further. I wasn't lying to you."
As he spoke, Ethan took the Key Stone out of his spatial ring and held it in his hand.
At the same time, Lucario activated the power of aura in perfect synchronization.
Immediately, the Key Stone in Ethan's hand and the Mega Stone inside Lucario's body began to radiate light.
Wrapped in that white light, Lucario completed Mega Evolution and took on the form of Mega Lucario.
Almost instantly, a terrifying wave of aura energy descended over the field, pressing directly onto Metagross.
The pressure formed by the fusion of aura power and mental energy left Metagross completely motionless, its eyes filled with shock.
Just the pressure alone... and it was already unable even to gather the will to resist!
When Metagross was completely intimidated, Mega Lucario's body once again shone with white light and exited Mega Evolution.
Seeing that, Metagross's eyes once again showed surprise, and then its gaze turned toward the Key Stone in Ethan's hand, revealing deep contemplation.
"Now I think we can talk."
Ethan smiled faintly, sat beside Metagross, and began explaining the situation to it, giving it the possibility to choose.
In reality, Ethan had thought Metagross would hesitate.
But to his surprise, Metagross directly agreed, nodding with an even expectant expression.
It seemed that the power of Mega Evolution Lucario had just displayed had completely conquered Metagross.
"Then, from now on, come with me."
Ethan smiled and stroked Metagross's head.
"Luucaarr!"
Just as Ethan was talking with Metagross, Lucario suddenly let out a low sound.
"Someone has come?"
Ethan was stunned for an instant and raised his gaze toward the distant sky.
"Mettaagrrsss!"
Metagross also showed surprise and roared a couple of times in a low voice.
Then they saw another Metagross approaching in the distance.
"That man is... Lucas!"
When Ethan made out the figure on the other Metagross, he narrowed his eyes.
"I finally found you, Ethan."
Seeing Ethan, Lucas smiled.
"You were looking for me?"
Ethan looked at the Metagross in the air and, in turn, climbed onto his own Metagross until they were at the same height.
"Yes. I went to Stonefield Town before. Then I received news that you had gone to Greenfield City. After that, I followed you all the way to Ferraria City. I finally found you."
Lucas let out a sigh of relief. Judging by his Metagross's exhausted face, it was evident that they had been searching for him for quite some time.
"And what business do you have with me?"
Ethan touched his nose, while he himself began making guesses.
Could it have something to do with Lucario's Mega Evolution?
On that point, Ethan had already given Lucas some explanations before.
Of course, that had been because everyone had interpreted Mega Evolution as if it were a normal evolution.
Could it be that the Silver family had discovered Mega Evolution?
But that matter was too important. Even if the Silver family came to ask about it, he certainly would not reveal it.
(End of chapter)