Ash stood there, dumbfounded, holding the MEGA Evolution Stone that landed in his palm, still not fully processing what just happened.
This... did he actually just get Dragonite's MEGA Evolution Stone? That can't be right. Even if Dragonite really wanted to give him the MEGA Evolution Stone, he should have had to go through all sorts of tests, overcome countless hardships, endure all kinds of trials, gain Dragonite's approval, and finally, receive the MEGA Evolution Stone.
Why did he just get it so directly? This felt unreal to Ash.
"Why just give it to me? Isn't this important to you as well, Dragonite? Even if it's just for five minutes, it can qualitatively change your strength!" If it were someone else, they'd just silently accept the Evolution Stone when Dragonite gave it to them, and wouldn't say a word more.
What if talking too much caused Dragonite to change his mind?
But Ash's nature is straightforward. If he doesn't understand something, he asks. Even if a mysterious gift is handed to him, he holds onto his doubts.
If just one more sentence means Dragonite takes the MEGA Evolution Stone back, then it's better to just let him take it back.
'There are many reasons, but there are only two important ones. One is that you have the potential to become a top Trainer. I believe you can take that kid to the pinnacle. The other reason is... I just find you pleasing to the eye, so I'm giving it to you. Are these two reasons enough?' Dragonite squinted his eyes and said with a smile.
Finding you pleasing to the eye... that reason sure has an air of strength and caprice!
Encountering such a good-natured and generous Dragonite, that was probably one of the best encounters Ash had on Dragon Island. The other encounter was naturally meeting the Dragonair in his hands.
"Since you say so, Dragonite, I'll just con... congr... anyway, thank you!" Ash put the MEGA Evolution Stone back into his Space Backpack. He initially wanted to use a proverb to politely thank Dragonite, but after fumbling over it for a while, he just couldn't remember how to say it right.
Even though his knowledge of Pokemon has undergone a qualitative change since he started traveling, he's still weak in the cultural knowledge, especially in interpersonal skills and polite language, which he practically never learned.
This is also why Ash can always face everyone with such a carefree attitude.
"Speaking of which, did Mr. Lance know you had a MEGA Evolution Stone, Dragonite?"
'That little guy... Of course he doesn't know. It's been several years since I last met him. He performed excellently on Dragon Island, but I just didn't find him pleasing to the eye, so I only made an appearance and gave him and his Dratini some guidance.' Dragonite reminisced leisurely about meeting Lance back then.
Speaking of Lance, he performed quite impressively in the Dragon Island trial. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was the best in nearly a century. When he returned to Dragon Island a year or two ago, he seemed to have already become an outstanding Trainer.
When he returned to Dragon Island two days ago, even Dragonite gave him a second glance because of his strength. However... compared to Ash, Lance was still somewhat lacking.
Dragonite could sense the strength of all Ash's Pokemon. Aside from the one on par with him, Ash's other Pokemon were comprehensively outmatched by Lance's, even lagging far behind.
Yet even if Lance combined all his Pokemon's strengths, they might not be able to defeat the one on Ash's team that matched his level.
Dragonite didn't know why there was such a gap in levels among Ash's Pokemon, but it didn't stop him from thinking that Ash was the most promising young person he had ever seen.
This couldn't even be described as just potential anymore, because with that Pokemon on par with Dragonite in power, Ash is already the strongest Trainer in this domain, provided he uses that Pokemon in battle.
And upon truly meeting him, Dragonite realized that Ash's deepest bond wasn't with his strongest Pokemon, but instead, with that little yellow mouse now perched on Ash's shoulder.
That yellow mouse also gave him a feeling of fathomless depth, and he even sensed a hint of threat from Pikachu... This made Dragonite once doubt whether there was something wrong with his perception abilities.
A little guy not even reaching Elite Level, though perhaps already top-tier within his own species, shouldn't be able to withstand even a breath before him.
To put it bluntly, one sneeze could probably cause Pikachu to lose its ability to fight. The gap between them was just that exaggerated. Why did he feel a sense of threat from Pikachu?
But that's the reality...
This is one of the reasons why Dragonite found Ash so fascinating. Not only does he possess Divine Domain Level strength on his own, but he also has a Divine Domain Level Pokemon and an unfathomable Pikachu. All these wonders combined are why Dragonite decided to give the MEGA Evolution Stone to Ash.
He wanted to make an investment, and this investment might just help Dragon Island make further advancements in the future.
"Anyway, thanks a lot! When I've trained Dragonair well, I'll bring her back to see you!" Ash said with a cheerful smile, unable to suppress the joy on his face.
After a trip to Dragon Island, not only did he capture a Quasi-God that met his expectations, but he also somehow got a MEGA Evolution Stone for free, and it was Dragonite's MEGA Evolution Stone!