"Blaziken, take ten minutes to adjust your condition. We are going to test something new." Aoki said to his Blaziken.
"Blaziken!" Blaziken nodded firmly.
The fiery Pokémon immediately closed its eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground, focusing its energy. Around it, the other Pokémon also paused their activities, sensing something significant was about to happen.
Aoki mirrored Blaziken's actions, sitting down to steady himself. Mega Evolution demanded much from both Pokémon and Trainer—not just physical stamina but mental fortitude. While most Trainers could sustain only one Mega Evolution at a time, Aoki wondered if his psychic abilities might allow him to push beyond that limit. Still, this was his first attempt, and he had no idea what to expect.
"Hu~~" He exhaled deeply, centering himself.
After a few moments of meditation, Aoki rose to his feet. His energy reserves were still high—he had only spent a short time earlier testing Ralts' psychic powers. Blaziken, however, took longer to prepare, finally opening its eyes with a determined gleam.
"How do you feel? If you need more time, we can wait," Aoki asked.
"Blaziken!" Blaziken shook its head and stood tall, flames flickering at its wrists.
Satisfied, Aoki nodded. "You saw Altaria's transformation before. Let's try it now."
He pulled out the Blazikenite he had received from a previous battle. Blaziken accepted the stone, examining it closely. Though it had seen the gem before, now it pulsed with an unfamiliar energy, as if resonating with its very being.
"Focus on the energy within the stone. Something may happen—just stay calm."
Aoki wasn't entirely sure what to expect. His first attempt at Mega Evolution with Altaria had failed, but this time, he was determined to succeed.
He withdrew his Key Stone, gripping it tightly. According to his theory, a single Key Stone could only bond with one Mega Stone at a time. If this worked, he'd need to find more Key Stones for his other Pokémon.
"Ready?" Aoki asked.
"Blaziken!" Blaziken clenched the Blazikenite, flames flaring around its body in anticipation.
Aoki focused, his psychic energy seeping into the Key Stone.
"Mega Evolution! Blaziken!"
As he activated the stone, a surge of energy erupted from Blaziken's body. The Mega Stone in its grasp glowed fiercely, tendrils of power snaking up its arms. The air around them crackled with heat as Blaziken's form began to shift.
Flames burst from its feathers, swirling into a blazing sphere that encased its body. Within the inferno, the Mega Evolution symbol materialized—a sign of the bond between Trainer and Pokémon.
Blaziken's body transformed before their eyes:
Its head feathers elongated, standing upright like a warrior's crest.
The downy white plumage on its chest hardened into armor-like plates.
Its red and yellow coloration darkened, leaving only its legs and wrists blazing with fiery intensity.
Four ribbon-like flames now trailed from its wrists, whipping through the air with every movement.
"BLAZIKEN!!!"
With a powerful motion, Blaziken shattered the energy sphere surrounding it, revealing its new Mega Form. The flames on its body burned brighter than ever, and its stance radiated power.
Aoki gasped. Through the Key Stone, he could feel Blaziken's energy intertwining with his own—an overwhelming rush of connection. This was the essence of Mega Evolution: the fusion of their spirits.
But it was draining. Even with his psychic resilience, Aoki sensed his stamina waning. No wonder most Trainers could only sustain one Mega Evolution at a time.
Meanwhile, Blaziken examined its transformed body, flexing its talons. The power surging through it was unreal—every muscle, every flame, amplified beyond its normal limits.
"Blaziken!" It leaped skyward, punching the air. Without even using a move, flames erupted from its fists, scorching the atmosphere.
When it landed, the ground trembled under its enhanced strength.
Aoki grinned. "Blaziken! Use Blaze Kick on those trees!"
Blaziken's leg ignited as it sprinted forward. Mid-charge, it pivoted, delivering a spinning kick.
BOOM!!!
A torrent of fire exploded outward, golden flames devouring the forest in seconds. The heat was so intense that trees were reduced to charcoal instantly, leaves vanishing in the inferno. The surrounding brush ignited, flames spreading rapidly.
Aoki and the other Pokémon stared in awe.
This was the power of Mega Evolution.