Inside the elevator, Professor Oak glanced at Chen Shi.
"Help me watch Ash and Gary for a while. I still have something to take care of."
Chen Shi blinked, then nodded.
"Alright."
So, with two excited troublemakers following behind him, he returned to the resting lounge.
The moment he pushed the door open—
Steven shot toward him like an overexcited Tauros.
His face was flushed, eyes glowing, hands gripping Chen Shi's shoulders with the strength of a Machamp.
"Bro—THAT'S how the stone works?!"
His voice was trembling—half excitement, half disbelief.
Chen Shi almost choked at his intensity, but still nodded.
Steven took a sharp breath.
"Then what is that?! How can Charizard—EVOLVE AGAIN?!"
He leaned closer, eyes practically sparkling.
"Is it something anyone can use? Is it tied to the trainer? Is there a limit?"
His questions fired faster than Bullet Seed.
Chen Shi winced—Steven's grip bordering on painful.
"You—first—let go—and I'll explain—"
Steven froze, then quickly backed away, clearing his throat.
"…right. Sorry. I got carried away."
Chen Shi rubbed his shoulder dramatically and gave him a deadpan look before collapsing onto the couch beside Cynthia.
Ash and Gary quietly sat beside him, clearly expecting storytime.
Chen Shi took a breath, organizing his thoughts.
"That form is a temporary evolution. I call it Mega Evolution — or Super Evolution."
"To use it, several conditions must be met."
He lifted the necklace around his neck.
"First, the trainer needs a Key Stone—like this one."
"Second, the Pokémon must hold its corresponding Mega Stone—for example, the two stones I gave Cynthia earlier belong to Garchomp and Lucario."
Cynthia's fingers brushed the lipstick hidden in her pocket, and her lips curved ever so slightly.
So that was why Garchomp and Lucario reacted to the stones.
She looked at him quietly, warm light flickering behind her eyes.
Chen Shi continued:
"And most importantly—you need an extremely strong bond between the trainer and the Pokémon. Without that connection, the stones won't activate."
"If someone tries to force Mega Evolution without that bond… both the trainer and Pokémon could be harmed."
The room went quiet.
Even the usually noisy Ash and Gary were listening seriously.
"As for the result…"
He smirked.
"I'm sure you saw."
"Mega Evolution enhances everything — not just level, but physical ability, traits, stats, and in some cases—typing and ability."
Everyone nodded.
The power of Mega Charizard X earlier was undeniable—borderline overwhelming.
Cynthia suddenly spoke, soft voice steady:
"That's why you had Charizard use Dragon-type moves."
"You knew it would become a Fire–Dragon type."
Chen Shi nodded.
"Correct. After Mega Evolution, Charizard becomes Fire/Dragon, and its ability changes to Tough Claws."
Everyone exchanged looks.
And suddenly, the earlier battle made sense.
No wonder Dragon Claw shredded Icicle Spear and Hydro Pump.
No wonder Lorelei panicked.
Chen Shi leaned back, arms folded lazily.
"Steven, remember when I told you to catch Mawile?"
"That was because it has a Mega form. After evolving, its ability becomes Huge Power."
That sentence alone could have knocked Steven unconscious.
Huge Power.
One of the rarest and most terrifying abilities in existence.
Steven inhaled sharply.
Before he could speak, Chen Shi added:
"Not every Pokémon can Mega Evolve. There are maybe a few dozen species that can. Exact number? I don't know."
Phoebe suddenly raised her hand like a student.
"Chen Shi~~~ then which of my Pokémon can Mega Evolve?"
"Only Gengar."
"…Just Gengar?"
Phoebe deflated instantly.
She clearly hoped Dusknoir could evolve.
Cynthia asked next:
"Then for me… it's only Garchomp and Lucario?"
"Yes. Only those two."
"But honestly? Two is already a lot. Mega Evolution drains stamina heavily. Having more than two may be impossible to control."
Steven leaned forward again, excitement returning.
"Then what about me?"
Chen Shi gave him a look.
"Your luck is ridiculous. The stone Aggron dug up in Meteor Falls? That was its own Mega Stone."
"And later, the two stones you brought me—one was Mawile's, the other was Metagross's."
Steven froze.
Then blinked.
Then froze again.
"…that was Metagross's?"
Chen Shi sighed dramatically.
"Do you know how rare that stone is? A pseudo-legendary's Mega Stone? There might only be a handful in existence."
"And you—you got it by accident."
Steven's expression turned into pure stunned disbelief mixed with overflowing joy.
Then, breathlessly:
"Have you tested Mega Metagross before?"
"Is the change… drastic?"
Chen Shi tapped his chin.
"…hard to explain."
"You'll understand when you see it yourself."
"But I'll tell you this—Metagross keeps its typing, but The ability activates instantly upon Mega Evolution., same as Charizard X."
Steven didn't reply.
He simply stared into the air—
as if watching the future unfold.
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