Just like in Lucas's memories, the top of Blastoise's head still held a rounded, mysterious stone, shimmering under the lights—secured by a specially designed protective gear.
This was the essential tool for Pokémon Mega Evolution, the very Mega Stone needed to awaken Blastoise.
Siebold understood all too well. Last time, despite having a type advantage against the Ceruledge, he had still suffered a regrettable defeat. Now, facing a disadvantage in type again—there could be no room for underestimating his opponent.
Especially since he and Blastoise were up against Lucas's ace—his very first Pokémon—the Luxray, who stood out just by aura alone.
He couldn't allow even a sliver of negligence. He had to give everything from the very start!
Smoothly, Siebold grasped the blue scarf hanging neatly on his chest, then touched the jewel at its center—ostensibly a simple "accessory." In a deep voice, he declared, "Blastoise, Mega Evolve!"
With the intense resonance between Siebold's mind and Blastoise's, the Key Stone shone with a radiant wave. Under its light, the Blastoise's Mega Stone released a unique wavelength of particles—fully activating the super factor within Blastoise!
"Ka-mi——!"
Encased in light, Blastoise's body rapidly transformed. Separate shells grew upon its arms, each housing a powerful hydro cannon. The twin cannons on its back fused together into a single goliath barrel—comparable in size to a tank's main gun.
Its head became even more pronounced and rugged, and its sturdy limbs braced it for greater recoil. Not only had its defenses strengthened, but its firepower had become truly terrifying—showcasing comprehensive development.
"Mega Evolution! Mr. Siebold is going all out from the very start!"
Clemont pushed up his glasses, but didn't seem too surprised.
Nearby, Bonnie was cheering, shouting "So cool!" and "Amazing!" as she hugged Luxio, face flushed with excitement.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—what's this—?"
Iono, who was acting as referee, was even more excited than Bonnie. What just happened? Blastoise... it actually evolved!?
"As the appetizer, use Hydro Cannon!"
Siebold swung his arm, calmly giving the command.
Mega Blastoise's red eyes locked onto Luxray. Hunching down, all four limbs firmly anchored to the ground, its cannon aimed precisely. A blue aura began accumulating at the muzzle—
Boom!
A highly compressed water blast surged forward. Even though Mega Blastoise anchored itself, the fearsome recoil was so great that its body was tilted back, sliding centimeters across the floor.
It was clear—this Hydro Cannon packed the power of an artillery shell.
To this, Lucas only gave a concise order.
"Wild Charge."
Buzz—
A faint electric hum swept across the field as Luxray slammed its front paws into the ground. The sound boomed like thunder.
Lightning exploded; yellow serpents of electricity slithered madly across the field before swirling around Luxray, encasing it in seething power.
Instantly, Luxray vanished from its spot.
In the eyes of those watching, Luxray became a streak of thunder, racing headlong against the oncoming water cannon. With sheer force, it pierced right through—the water blasted into dazzling droplets, as Luxray hurtled straight toward Mega Blastoise, unstoppable.
Even Siebold hadn't anticipated his Mega Blastoise's Hydro Cannon would be blasted apart like this by the Luxray.
He had made obvious progress since their last battle!
Flustered, Siebold could only have Mega Blastoise throw up a barrier in time to withstand the lightning onslaught.
After its attack, Luxray retreated a few paces, its striking golden eyes staring right through Mega Blastoise, as if seeing through its uncertain emotions.
Nearly a year had passed since that Paldea League championship battle.
Though Luxray spent most of its time living comfortably on the farm, it never slacked. Every day, it improved itself.
In recent months, with the addition of Calyrex and Swampert's comeback, Luxray had faced unprecedented pressure—and its progress had been evident.
Now, both Lucas and his treasured partner Luxray could no longer be dismissed as "the weakest of the champions."
Even among the other radiant champions of various leagues, he was now among the top tier.
Behind Lucas's eyes, the system text was so moved it was practically in tears—even if it wasn't clear how a system "cried".
The scene even left Iono deeply moved.
Less than a year ago, she had just started her journey as a streamer. Using her official status as a Paldea League Gym Leader, she had managed to gain the right to live broadcast the previously private Champion battles.
This too was a trial by the Paldea League, intended to spark the public's interest in the Trainer profession.
Yet perhaps because the Paldea region and its streaming industry were both new, or because Iono herself was an obscure streamer, the broadcast hadn't made much of a splash—few outside the core Pokémon audience even knew it happened.
Still, that intense battle had stirred Iono's soul. Though she didn't say it aloud, she had secretly admired Lucas and aspired to reach that level herself.
At the time, Iono had felt frustrated that such an epic match was being overlooked.
Luckily, over the past year, with Chairwoman Geeta's efforts, more Paldea residents had come to appreciate the Trainer profession—and Iono's streaming career was flourishing as well.
Watching Luxray, wrapped in lightning and unbeatable, Iono almost felt transported back in time—her memories overlaying one another before shattering again.
Luxray now unleashed thunder across the entire battlefield; Mega Blastoise struggled within, powerless—even the situation was one-sided.
For the first time, Iono truly understood.
She'd always been focused on things like "Toxic Stall," "Power Swap," or "Minimize Rock Slide." But she hadn't noticed just how much Lucas and Luxray had grown in the past year—their transformation was truly staggering.
"Wild Charge!"
Lucas's composed voice rang out.
Iono snapped back to reality, watching as Luxray, bursting with light, broke through Mega Blastoise's defenses, landing the final blow and bringing the battle to an end.
She murmured to herself, lips pursed.
"Even more incredible than Iono imagined, Champion."
"Amazing—just incredible, Brother Lucas!"
Clemont, unable to contain himself, grabbed Lucas's hand, his pale face flushed as he repeated the words over and over.
His Luxio, Helioptile, and Rotom crowded around Luxray, their eyes shining with visible admiration.
So Electric Pokémon could be this powerful!
"Goodness, my brother turns into a whole different person when he gets excited."
Nearby, Bonnie mumbled under her breath.
When reserved people finally let loose, the feeling seemed to last a long time.
After finally calming the wildly excited Clemont, Lucas noticed Siebold had finished tending to Blastoise's wounds. Returning his partner to the Pokéball, Siebold prepared to head off and seek out Nurse Joy in Levincia City for further treatment.
Lucas asked with concern, "Will this affect your schedule?"
"Not at all. This was my challenge to begin with—don't worry."
Siebold waved his hand, then sighed with a helpless smile.
"I really thought I'd made progress. Even if I'd slacked off a little lately,
the outcome shouldn't have been so one-sided like last time. But I never imagined I'd lose so thoroughly this time, completely unable to fight back."
"The threat I felt from Luxray already surpasses even the ace of our own league. Seems my own training is far from over."
Siebold rambled, trying to analyze the situation.
Lucas wasn't sure how to respond, so he offered, "Luxray really has improved a lot lately. Don't put yourself under too much pressure."
Lucas had seen firsthand Luxray's growth these last few months.
As his first partner Pokémon, it too bore a lot of pressure.
Facing Mewtwo, who rapidly surpassed it; facing Mega Swampert, a perfect counter; and the helplessness felt in front of Shiny Rayquaza.
Luxray never caved but instead became tougher, its electricity even more potent, unlocking new potential.
Now, Luxray could easily dominate even Elite Four-level aces.
Siebold and Mega Blastoise being completely overpowered was fully expected by Lucas.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked Siebold, "Are you sure?"
Siebold, not accepting this, glanced at Lucas, giving a bitter smile. "No need to comfort me. You didn't even use that phenomenon called Terastalization. I know very clearly how big the gap was."
Now there was nothing Lucas could say.
After a few more words, they agreed to meet again after Siebold sorted out his doubts—he'd visit to buy a batch of ingredients for his own restaurant.
Bonnie and Clemont waved goodbye as well, as Siebold left Levincia Gym.
Lucas then took Clemont and Bonnie to tour various sites around Levincia City and visit the large shopping mall.
At Clemont's suggestion—he was not only an electric-type expert but also the son of an appliance store owner—they bought a batch of home appliances: everyday electronics, kitchen gadgets for Alcremie, and medical devices to assist Comfey.
With Clemont around, even if Lucas was overwhelmed by all the specs, he easily found the most practical and cost-effective options.
After a bout of shopping, the sun began to set, so Lucas took the siblings to a highly rated restaurant for dinner, opting not to ride Dragonite but to call a Flying Taxi as an experience of the Paldea region's unique culture.
…
Returning to the farm late beneath the starry sky, Lucas skipped a full Pokémon tour, as most on the farm were already resting. He led Clemont and Bonnie directly back to the villa.
"There's still a lot missing in our new home, and I only just bought the appliances. You two should stay here tonight."
Lucas asked Oranguru to fetch two sets of prepared pajamas that fit them, then smiled.
"Sorry for the trouble."
After a day out, Clemont had returned to his usual reserved self, nodding politely.
Bonnie, on the other hand, cheered and darted to play with Victini, Ogerpon, the Eevee sisters, and Alcremie.
After Oranguru prepared hot milk for bedtime, Lucas invited Clemont for a rare, leisurely chat.
"Today in Levincia Gym, I only saw you use three Pokémon. As a gym leader, your team isn't complete?"
"The Pokémon I use for gym challenges are all provided by the League," Clemont shook his head, glancing at his three partners.
"You know about Luxio, Helioptile is my starter after leaving school, and there's a Magnemite assigned to the gym. Rotom, though, is my key partner for a new invention I'm working on."
"Invention?" Lucas's brow raised.
Clemont nodded, eyes growing bright with excitement. "As a plasma Pokémon, Rotom can travel through electronics. I wondered if I could invent a device for Rotom to inhabit—maybe a Pokédex Rotom could reside in."
"Like, a Pokédex that Rotom could live in."
His eyes shimmered with eagerness.
Lucas listened with genuine interest to Clemont's passionate explanations.
If he remembered right, in the games it was Clemont who invented the Rotom Dex.
And the idea likely came from all the gadgets Rotom could occupy—later leading to smartphone Rotom, Rotom bike, and even Rotom drone.
After about ten minutes of Clemont's enthusiastic explanations, something on the living room table—a "black ball"—suddenly vibrated.
While Clemont looked puzzled, Lucas set it in front of himself and waited.
Soon the shaking stopped, followed by a soft mechanical whirr as the black sphere transformed into a thin, flat disc.
A flash of light, and a bundle of photographs appeared silently on its surface.
Clemont was dumbstruck.
What just happened? A spherical device transforming flat and producing real photos?
Was this the work of psychic Pokémon? Or was this some kind of technological marvel?
If it was tech, what was the science—the energy, the materials?
Clemont, the genius inventor from Kalos, was totally stumped.
Lucas picked up the photos and examined them, then raised an eyebrow.
"So, the Silver Conference... has begun?"
…