July 18th, Wednesday, clear weather.
Kalos region, Lumiose City.
"So I came here after all." Johan looked up at the blue sky with its rolling clouds and sighed wistfully.
Although Kanaz Pokémon Academy's final exams weren't over yet, what remained were mainly battle and Pokémon breeding exams, which had little to do with him as an elective course instructor.
The benefits of being an elective teacher were fully displayed during winter and summer breaks - over two months of long vacation...
"Rotom—"
Johan was about to call out Rotom to transform into Rotom-Bike when he saw Gengar had already gone to the roadside and hailed a Gogoat taxi.
"This guy..." Johan shook his head helplessly.
Having come here just once, this fellow was already familiar with everything.
"Doesn't even try to save money for the family..."
Though he grumbled internally, Johan wouldn't actually scold Gengar for it.
After all, Lumiose City was indeed too big and complex. Even with a map, getting lost was quite normal.
Back when he played "Pokémon XY," he got lost constantly - there were cafés everywhere, and just one Lysandre Café had him going in circles for ages before he finally had to rely on taxis.
"Ka-kaah~Ka-kaah~~"
Gengar cheerfully led over two Gogoat - one for it, one for Johan.
Destination - Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory!
There were many things to do on this trip to the Kalos region: League Police simulation exercises, visiting Laverre City's Valerie to design clothes and learn about Fairy-type Pokémon training, searching for Pokémon hunters, etc.
But regardless, greeting the "local boss" Professor Sycamore first was never wrong.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—
The Gogoat's steps were steady and rhythmic, and its speed wasn't slow at all. As long as you didn't "speed," it was quite safe.
"Vii?"
Victini sat on Johan's shoulder, looking at the buildings on both sides of the street and the architectural styles different from Unova, Sinnoh, and Hoenn, its eyes full of curiosity.
"Ka-kaah~─=≡Σ(((°Д°)))"
Nearby, Gengar rode its Gogoat and whooshed past.
Soon after, Gengar came racing back on its Gogoat from the opposite direction.
The key point was... as long as you wanted to "speed," it didn't matter what you were riding.
It was just a bit hard on the goats.
Before long, Johan and the others arrived at the entrance of Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory.
Looking at one Gogoat in good condition and another with its tongue hanging out, eyes rolled back, covered in sweat and seemingly exhausted, plus several times the normal fare, the staff member responsible for collecting the Gogoat was full of question marks.
Wasn't this supposed to be from Lumiose Airport to Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory? How did it seem like they'd circled Lumiose City?
"Johan, you're here."
Entering Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory, the stubble-faced, disheveled middle-aged Professor Sycamore immediately came out to greet them.
Since Johan had called ahead, Professor Sycamore had been waiting in the laboratory early.
However, looking at the laboratory that was obviously much dimmer than during his last visit, Johan showed some curiosity.
What was going on?
Could Professor Sycamore's funding be so tight recently that he was even saving on laboratory lights?
Seeming to notice Johan's confusion, Professor Sycamore smiled helplessly:
"I don't know what's been happening lately, but Lumiose City's power supply facilities seem to have problems and frequently lose power."
Power outages?
Johan showed some understanding.
No wonder he'd seen many coffee shops on the way that were pitch black - he couldn't tell if they were open or closed.
But this brought even more confusion.
With Lumiose City's scale, power outages or insufficient power supply shouldn't happen, right?
Moreover, Lumiose City's Gym was an Electric-type Gym. Although he wasn't sure if it was currently Clemont, but... an Electric-type Gym Leader's city having power outages was probably a bigger "humiliation" than having the Gym Leader beaten to the ground.
Furthermore, even if Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory wasn't as large as Professor Oak's, it was still a Pokémon Professor's laboratory. Didn't they have some Electric-type Pokémon to generate power?
Johan voiced this confusion, and Professor Sycamore immediately explained:
"It's not that. It's just that some instruments have particularly high power demands, so we've shut off some unnecessary electrical outputs to save some energy for the Pokémon working hard to generate electricity and reduce their pressure."
In Pokémon research, extremely precise instruments were inevitably needed, and the more precise these instruments were, the greater their power consumption.
"I see."
Johan nodded. He didn't delve too deeply into this matter since he wasn't Volkner and his knowledge of electronics and circuits only extended to series and parallel circuits.
"Ka-kaah~~"
At this moment, Gengar beside Johan suddenly bent down and pulled two unusually large watermelons from Johan's shadow, grinning as it offered them to Professor Sycamore.
"These are..."
Looking at those two watermelons, Professor Sycamore was stunned.
Johan smiled: "Two watermelons we grew ourselves. I didn't know what to bring, so I hope Professor Sycamore won't mind."
"Johan, you can grow crops too?"
Professor Sycamore was even more surprised. Looking at those two watermelons larger than Gengar's head, he unconsciously clicked his tongue and exclaimed:
"And, and these two watermelons... aren't they a bit too big?"
Honestly, this was the first time he'd seen watermelons this large.
Johan smiled.
Just kidding - watermelons blessed by Calyrex, how could they not be big?
"We chilled them at home beforehand. Gengar kept them in its shadow, so the temperature should be just right. Eat them while they're cool - summer and chilled watermelon are a perfect match~"
"Oh, oh..."
Professor Sycamore quickly had his assistant help carry the watermelons.
"By the way, where's Alain?"
Today, the one who came with Professor Sycamore to greet them was a cute young lady, but he didn't see Alain, who would be Ash's future rival.
Speaking of Alain, Professor Sycamore handed the watermelons to several researchers and smiled:
"That guy has been helping me a lot lately, finding many Mega Stones from outside."
"Oh?"
Was Alain already helping Professor Sycamore collect Mega Stones at this stage?
In contrast, Ash... at this stage, Ash should still be playing in the mud in Pallet Town.
No wonder he could bring out a Charizard later (not really).
"Come on, Johan, let me show you my recent research results!" Professor Sycamore rolled up his sleeves, changing from his previous disheveled appearance and becoming energetic.
So, under Professor Sycamore's guidance, the two came to a research room in the laboratory.
Sure enough, compared to the dim lighting outside, this research room was brightly lit. Many researchers in white coats were buried in their work, and neat rows of precision instruments were constantly operating, faintly making "buzzing" sounds.
Then Johan noticed that on the central table of the research room, transparent glass covers were placed, and inside them were Mega Stones that countless Pokémon trainers dreamed of!
Each one of these, regardless of which Pokémon's Mega Stone it was, was worth no less than eight figures.
Just what was on the table was probably worth seventy to eighty million Pokédollars.
Johan suddenly realized that perhaps collecting Mega Stones in the Kalos region was also a path to wealth?
Even Alain could help Professor Sycamore collect Mega Stones, so he should be able to casually "obtain" some, right?
He seemed to see a sunny avenue leading to his "small goal."
"Johan?"
Professor Sycamore walked to an instrument and, seeing Johan staring blankly at the Mega Stones, called out.
Johan snapped back to reality.
"Hm? Hm."
"Over here." Professor Sycamore was already operating the instrument.
Behind the instrument was an isolated room with transparent glass on the wall that allowed a clear view of everything inside.
As Professor Sycamore pressed a button, virtual images appeared in the sealed compartment.
"This is the latest holographic projection technology developed by Lysandre Labs." Professor Sycamore explained.
Johan nodded, not unfamiliar with this.
Although Lysandre Labs' holographic projection technology hadn't been truly popularized, some high-end individuals or organizations had already obtained usage rights for this technology.
Not only Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory, but even Team Rocket internally used holographic projection technology.
What he was more interested in was the projection displayed in that sealed room.
A burly middle-aged man wearing a Blaziken mask, and a Blaziken standing in front of him!
Blaziken Mask?
Clemont and Bonnie's dad?
Professor Sycamore operated while explaining:
"This is a trainer who didn't want to reveal his name. What's being played now is footage of their Mega Evolution..."
In the sealed room, Blaziken Mask looked excited and shouted:
"Blaziken, Mega Evolve!"
Buzz—
Brilliant light was displayed through holographic projection technology as Blaziken evolved under the embrace of Mega Evolution energy.
When the energy dispersed, what appeared before them was a majestic Mega Blaziken!
And the Mega Evolution symbol that flashed briefly in front of it.
"Ka-kaah~!"
Gengar pointed at the holographic projection on the glass and turned to look at Johan.
Hey, their evolution isn't as cool as ours!
What Professor Sycamore really wanted to show Johan was some data on the instruments.
The data was very complex, but Professor Sycamore summarized it.
"Through our analysis, we found that Mega Evolution is not only closely related to the physical condition of the Pokémon and trainer at the time, but the emotional state of the Pokémon and trainer might even account for a larger proportion of influence."
"Generally speaking, the most basic Mega Evolution might bring ten to twenty percent improvement to Pokémon."
"But this Blaziken Mask - after he and his Blaziken underwent Mega Evolution, Mega Blaziken's overall stats improved by at least thirty percent!"
"This is the highest among all our research cases so far."
Thirty percent?
Johan nodded silently.
The reason Mega Evolution was, in his mind, a superior enhancement method compared to Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastalization was because Mega Evolution brought comprehensive improvements.
Unlike Z-Moves that only enhanced moves, Dynamax that enhanced HP and some moves, or Terastalization that changed types and enhanced some move power...
Of course, Mega Evolution's drawbacks were also unavoidable - only certain specific Pokémon could undergo Mega Evolution.
And it required higher standards for trainers and Pokémon, placing greater burden on trainers.
An assistant brought over a plate of chilled watermelon.
"Ka-kaah~"
"Vii~"
Gengar and Victini weren't shy and immediately took some and started eating.
Professor Sycamore also picked up a piece of watermelon and took a bite.
Instantly, the cool, crisp sensation made him squint his eyes, and he continued:
"Johan, if possible, could I collect some Mega Evolution data from you and Gengar?"
Although Johan and Gengar had demonstrated Mega Evolution once before, Professor Sycamore's laboratory equipment was obviously insufficient at the time and couldn't record it.
Moreover... Professor Sycamore had a premonition.
Although Blaziken Mask and Blaziken had left the highest Mega Evolution values so far, if it were Johan and Gengar...
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar, with watermelon juice on its face, looked up at Johan and blinked its eager eyes twice.
How about giving them a little shock?
Shock?
He wasn't particularly interested in shocking anyone.
He was just... somewhat curious about how much his Gengar's overall stats could improve after Mega Evolution.
Could it reach an exaggerated fifty percent?
Before Johan could speak, Professor Sycamore quickly added:
"Of course, such data collection is compensated..."
Hm?
Johan immediately coughed lightly and said seriously:
"Professor Sycamore, that's too formal. Contributing to Pokémon research is something every League trainer should do!"
Clap clap clap—
Applause rang out throughout the research room.
Teacher Johan was truly Teacher Johan, showing everyone the "teacher's brilliance."
So, Johan and Gengar were led by staff to the previous sealed space, under the lenses of many instruments.
For a moment, after Gengar's form briefly blurred, it struck completely different poses for all the cameras.
"Johan, Gengar." Professor Sycamore's voice came through speakers on the wall.
"You can start anytime."
"Gengar." Johan took a deep breath and looked at the purple little fatty in front of him.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar cheerfully made an "OK" gesture.
At the same time, it subtly winked at the invisible Victini on Johan's shoulder.
Give them a little shock!
Don't slack off, Victini~
"Vii~(>ω<)"
Here we go!
Johan and Gengar's expressions suddenly synchronized, both revealing smiles with identical mouth curves.
Unbuttoning his clothes, his coat fluttering without wind, Johan took out the Key Stone hanging at the end of his monocle chain.
"Gengar, Mega Evolve!"
"Ka-kaah——!!"
Buzz—
Seven-colored Mega Evolution energy opened from the Key Stone in Johan's hand, responding to the Mega Stone on Gengar's tongue.
Hm?
Johan suddenly felt that the connection between him and Gengar seemed to become closer.
This feeling was strange - it wasn't like they hadn't Mega Evolved before.
Then he realized.
It was his aura!
This was the first time he had Mega Evolved with Gengar after his aura was enhanced by Arceus.
His current feeling was as if even without the Key Stone and Mega Stone, he and Gengar had some probability of achieving Mega Evolution?
Bond Evolution?
Like Ash and his Greninja?
His aura leaned toward emotions, so it further stimulated Mega Evolution which was influenced by emotions and bonds?
Johan couldn't explain exactly what it was in such a short time.
But as Mega Gengar appeared before him, Professor Sycamore and all the researchers in the research room nearly dropped their jaws.
"Thirty percent, forty percent, fifty percent, sixty—"
BANG!!!
Amid the continuously rising values, this top-tier Mega Evolution value detector in the Pokémon world directly exploded!
A puff of black smoke rose.
"Ex-, exaggerated..." a researcher murmured.
"Even the instrument couldn't withstand such value changes? Just how much improvement must that be..."
Professor Sycamore hadn't expected such an incident to occur.
But it had to be said, his guess was indeed correct - the enhancement brought by Mega Evolution between Johan and Gengar far exceeded Blaziken Mask's.
The commotion from the explosion was heard by Johan and Mega Gengar in the sealed laboratory.
"Ka-kaah?"
Mega Gengar looked at Victini on Johan's shoulder.
Did you use too much force?
"Vii, Vii..."
Victini blinked.
It hadn't even used its power yet...
Had it used its power? It didn't think so...
Mega Gengar floated directly to the wall, stuck its head through the glass, then immediately pulled it back.
"Ka-kaah?"
You say you didn't? The instrument exploded!
Then Gengar shed the Mega Evolution energy and tugged at Johan's pants.
"Ka-kaah?"
Do we have to pay compensation? Should we run away?
Johan: "..."
He looked at Gengar with its sneaky expression and rubbed his chin in some confusion.
Did he and Gengar really have such a strong bond?
It didn't seem like it...
Meanwhile, in Lysandre Labs, in a dim control room lit by screen light, a group of Team Flare members in orange-red suits were operating computers.
"Report, Lord Xerosic, we've received holographic image information from Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory. It appears to be... Pokémon Mega Evolution information collection."
Xerosic, a Team Flare executive with a red mohawk-like hairstyle and sunglasses, was recording his report and casually said:
"Same as usual, just record it."
"Yes!"
However, within seconds, that Team Flare member cried out in alarm.
"Lord Xerosic, the, the values are too, too exaggerated—"
BOOM!!!
Before he could finish speaking, the detection instrument directly exploded.
Red warning lights flashed throughout the laboratory.
Xerosic, his face blackened by the explosion, removed his sunglasses, revealing only his eyes that hadn't been stained by the soot, with a completely bewildered expression.
"What's the situation?"
Even he was encountering this situation for the first time.
The instrument just exploded directly?
Just how strong would the Mega Evolution values need to be?
"I, I don't know..."
Xerosic's expression immediately became serious. He dropped his report and ran to an instrument, his hands flying rapidly.
"Such Mega Evolution data... who is it? And what Pokémon?"
Team Flare desperately needed talent with such abilities, unless they were die-hard League loyalists!
Even if they were League personnel or high-ranking officials, Team Flare might not be without the possibility of turning them.
Just like the current Kalos League member who...
Under Xerosic's operation, the remaining data after the explosion displayed a blurry image, becoming clearer with each refresh.
Everyone held their breath and focused intently on the screen, waiting for the figure to be fully revealed.
Suddenly.
Buzz—
The screen of the instrument Xerosic was operating instantly turned to static, and he completely lost control of the device.
Then, strange characters appeared in the static screen.
"Gastly, Gastly, Gastly..."
Dense "Gastly" characters, shapes, avatars, and cute version patterns appeared on the screen.
The next moment, as if infected, the screens of other previously intact instruments in the control room also began displaying "Gastly" characters.
This scene exceeded everyone's expectations.
"No, no good! Lord Xerosic! We're under extremely powerful hacker attack!"
Hackers?
How did this involve hackers?
For a moment, the entire Team Flare secret base became chaotic. Countless computers were "infected," and Xerosic led numerous Team Flare members in desperate "resistance," finally barely containing the "virus" spread.
This strange virus they'd never seen before was dubbed the "Gastly Virus" by Team Flare!
It nearly caused all instruments in a Team Flare secret base to fall completely.
"This is probably the infinite possibilities that exist between humans and Pokémon."
Regarding the previous results, Professor Sycamore could only provide such an answer.
It was an answer that made sense no matter how you looked at it.
Gengar nearby curled its lips.
I haven't even used my full power yet, and they can't handle it...
How does this feel a bit unsatisfying?
Actually, Johan was more curious about what the exact values were, but judging from Professor Sycamore and the researchers' reactions, they should be quite high...
I'm being stupid - this is the Pokémon world, why believe in values... Johan shook his head silently, coming to his senses.
Values?
Those were for game players to see.
For someone like him who used tactics, bonds, battles, and dirty tricks, wasn't it about using whatever worked?
"Cha~"
Tinkaton shouldered its hammer and looked at the instrument in front of it, shaking its head at Professor Sycamore.
No saving it - want to give it to me? I'll help you melt it down~
Professor Sycamore's eye twitched.
This instrument... was very expensive.
At this moment, Rotom emerged from the still-smoking instrument, looking puzzled.
"Strange, feels like someone was stealing electricity, Rotom!"
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Powerstones?
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