Pokemon: The Breeding House

Steven wore the Key Stone bracelet and stood in the breeding house's backyard.

Behind him was parked a helicopter.

A rather robust young man stood beside the helicopter.

The young man's name was Ike, a pilot specially hired by President Stone, and this helicopter was Steven's exclusive vehicle.

Early this morning, Ike had received a message from Steven asking him to take him to Autumn Leaf Town.

On the way over, out of curiosity, Ike had asked about Steven's purpose for coming.

But unexpectedly, Steven not only didn't answer but asked him a question in return.

"Do you believe Metagross can evolve again?"

Ike was stunned at the time.

As far as he knew, Metagross had already reached its species' peak—how could it possibly continue evolving?

This was absolutely impossible, right?

But Steven wouldn't speak without basis either.

Based on Steven's personality, Ike immediately guessed that their purpose for coming to this breeding house was very likely for that so-called Metagross evolution.

But...

At this moment, looking at the boy standing before Steven—about the same age and with a childish face—Ike suddenly felt that his young master might have been deceived by this kid's smooth talk!

You had to know that there were so many amazing Pokémon professors in this world.

The famous Professor Oak from Kanto, Professor Rowan from Sinnoh, and Professor Birch from Hoenn hadn't discovered this.

Had it now been discovered by a kid about the same age as his young master?

"Young Master Steven," Ike couldn't help but speak up, wanting to remind his young master to be careful of being deceived.

But then he thought that with his young master's intelligence and ability, probably no one in this world could deceive him.

Steven, hearing the call, turned back: "What is it?"

"The master told me to have you come back when you finish your gym challenges," Ike swallowed what he wanted to say and said instead.

"I understand."

Steven nodded slightly, then turned to look at Carver before him.

"What should I do?" he asked.

"It's both difficult and simple. The most important thing is the bond between you and Metagross," Carver thought briefly, then said: "Human emotions, Pokémon emotions—your feelings for each other are a kind of power."

"According to my research during this time, whether it's the Mega Stone carried by Pokémon or the Key Stone carried by humans, they cannot exert their power under normal circumstances. To activate the power stored in these two stones requires bonds as a catalyst."

Steven pondered thoughtfully upon hearing this.

He looked at Metagross beside him, then at the Key Stone bracelet in his hand.

Metagross, wearing the Mega Stone nearby, was equally puzzled.

How to do it? Steven fell into contemplation.

Bonds, emotions, stones...

"Carefully recall the time you and Metagross have spent together over the years. Try to continuously amplify your deep feelings for each other," Carver guided Steven from the side.

In the anime, whether it was Ash or Steven, when having their Pokémon perform Mega Evolution, they would shout out specialized lines full of dramatic flair.

According to Carver's observations, they very likely weren't doing it to show off, but to mobilize emotions.

Just like some mages and warriors would shout the names of their techniques when attacking—partly for momentum, partly to coordinate emotions and mobilize the power in their bodies.

Applying this to Mega Evolution wasn't inappropriate.

Hearing this, Steven slowly closed his eyes.

He carefully felt his past with Metagross.

Then—

The stone showed no reaction, not a trace of light.

Steven was somewhat confused.

Ike behind him curled his lips. As expected, this kid was no good, right?

How could Metagross possibly continue evolving upward?

His young master had definitely been deceived!

Seeing this, Carver pondered thoughtfully.

He looked at Steven, then at Metagross nearby, and suddenly had an epiphany.

"You alone isn't enough—Metagross needs to participate too!"

"Your bonds must resonate with each other, reaching the same frequency, to trigger the power of the Mega Stone and Key Stone!"

"Metagross?" Steven looked at his partner.

"Meta!" Metagross nodded its large head and obediently lowered itself.

Steven naturally placed his hand on Metagross's forehead.

Human and Pokémon closed their eyes simultaneously.

Their experiences over the years, memories of growing up together slowly emerged.

The surprise of meeting Metagross when it was still Beldum on his eighth birthday.

They celebrated birthdays together, grew up together, set out on journeys together, searched for rare stones together, challenged gyms together, and battled other trainers and Pokémon.

Year after year.

Spring departed and autumn came, snow melted and all things revived.

Without realizing it, they had been companions for so long?

Surging emotions burst forth.

Suddenly, everything around became pitch black. Carver disappeared, the breeding house disappeared, as if the entire world contained only him and Metagross.

Human and Pokémon looked at each other.

They felt it.

They felt it.

Everything was understood without words.

Yes.

Steven nodded at Metagross.

The next second, the Key Stone bracelet on his hand and the Mega Stone on Metagross simultaneously burst with rainbow light.

Seeing this scene, Ike couldn't help but widen his eyes, his face full of shock.

The stone on the young master's hand—it was glowing!

Steven suddenly opened his eyes.

His face showed an elegant and confident expression as he spoke:

"The radiance of stones, become our bond! Metagross, Mega Evolve!"

The next second, Metagross burst with rainbow brilliance, its appearance rapidly changing within the light.

Its original four legs became four sturdy arms extending forward, its face gained blue metallic crosses, and its lower jaw grew a spike.

Its eyes were cold and seemingly without warmth, but when looking at Steven, a trace of affection could still be seen.

Seeing this scene, the cola in Ike's hand dropped to the ground with a thud.

Holy crap!

What had he just seen?!

Metagross had actually evolved!

The young driver was so shocked he couldn't say anything, only staring dumbly at that scene.

Although he didn't know the principle behind it.

One thing was certain: from now on, the trainer world and Pokémon battles were about to change dramatically. If news that Pokémon who had already evolved to their final stage could evolve again got out, it would undoubtedly cause a tremendous uproar worldwide!

And that boy...

Ike suddenly turned to look at the boy beside his young master.

Even more shocking was that the discoverer of Mega Evolution's existence was actually a ten-year-old boy!

Everything was about to change. This thought couldn't help but surface in Ike's mind.